Julie & Julia

Not sure if "Julie & Julia" ever made it to Malaysian cinema. What a waste if it didn't, but thanks to the reliable DVD seller, I managed to get a good clear copy of the movie, which I enjoyed with a good company & a few glasses of wine. Meryl Streep's acting was suberb. On the other hand, I don't remember watching Meryl Streep's movie which I didn't like. It's amazing that she can play such diverse roles & yet do it so well, each time. Just love the way she rolls her eyes & deep inside I want to be Miranda Presley.

Grabbed the a book a couple of weeks later at Border, the "Buy 1 get 1 at 50% discount" was too good to resist. The other book, "The Kite Runner" sits along with all the books, which I have not read & "Julie & Julia" is my current bedtime story.

The book has inspired me in many ways. Simple because Julia Child started learning cooking at the age of 37 & I am 37 this year. What a coincidence? Actually, I am not sure if Julia Child or  Julie Powell is the source of the inspriration, but it's doesn't really matter. When one does what he or she is passionate about, it becomes less work & more joy. 

Did any book inspire you in any way?

Mother's Day Lunch

If not today, when ?

Breakfast Time

I am not sure what you think when you wake up, but the first thought that normally goes into my mind would be "What shall I eat for breakfast?", right before "What is my first meeting for the day & am I prepared for it?".

This breakfast was at a kopitiam which has been around since for 1928, Kedai Makanan Yut Kee (loosely translated as Yut Kee Coffee House).

The most famous dish over here is Roti Babi (Pork Bun), which I have not tried yet, perhaps one day, just perhaps. The other pork dish(that I have tried), which is well know here is Roast Pork. It's only served over the weekend & it's crispy on the outside, juicy & tender in the inside. The Roast Pork is served with Apple Jam, but it so good by itself. The dishes which I came back here for are; Belacan Fried Rice, Hailam Fried Mee Hoon & of course the Half Boiled Egg with Kaya & Toast.

One would probably say "You can get the same Hard Boiled Egg, Toast with Kaya & Coffee elsewhere". Which is true, but the ambiance & the fact that the business has been handed over from dad to son to grandson, cannot be duplicated.

What's your favorite breakfast?

Bruschetta & Dips

 

Technically it's not a Bruschetta, but who cares. This really old (dating back to the 15th century) appetizer from Central Italy is so easy to make. All you need is good bread, good olive oil, garlic and some imagination (or what's left in the fridge). The classic or popular version of Bruschetta is with diced tomatoes and basil. I like it with tomatoes and roast red & yellow pepper. Yellow pepper gives a nice contrasting color to the red pepper & tomatoes.

The dip (I used it as a spread) is Baked Eggplant Dip. The first time was a disaster, too much chili and too much tahini, ended up bitter, spicy and not edible. 

The beauty of both these dishes is that you can make them in advance and just chill them. By roasting the vegetable in advance (while or after you roast the current dish that you are preparing) you save electricity (oh yes, you can add this to your "switch off the lights for one hour during Earth Hour" & "lets save the earth" list). Just roast the pepper and eggplant in advance and eat it when you are ready to eat. If you are throwing a party, you can prepare this a day earlier. 

What I don't understand is, does rubbing garlic on warm bread add much flavor to it?

Caesar Salad

 

Often, I am labeled as a creature of habit. Not that I am complaining about it. I have this of habit eating the same salad, almost all the time, Caesar Salad. For the same reason, I always drink Sup Kambing when ever I eat at a restaurant serving Sup Kambing. It's the search for the best Caesar Salad, it's the search for the best Sup Kambing.

In my opinion, a perfect Caesar Salad should have

1. Romaine Lettuce and only Romaine Lettuce

2. Coddled Egg for the dressing

3. Poached or what I call 3/4 Boiled Egg on the salad

4. Good Olive Oil 

5. Parmesan Cheese

6. Courtons

7. Anchovies, on the salad or in the dressing, despite what Julia Child says - There are no anchovies in Caesar Salad - an excerpt out of From Julia Child's Kitchen

At the moment my favourite Caesar Salad(above) is from Delicious

What is your favourite salad?

Comfort Food

We all have our Comfort Food. Comfort Food, in my dictionary is food that you eat when you are not well. Mine is soupy stuff, specially Maggi Mee (Chicken Flavour). If that is not available, it's Mee Hoon Soup or Plain Fish/Chicken Porridge.

The Maggi Mee Soup above was made by some foreign worker, like any other mamak shop these days. Me, being me, the fussy one, gave specific instruction: ONLY TOFU, EGG & TOMATOES.

What is your comfort food?