All about dim sum again

I am on a dim sum course currently, so you will be expecting to see nothing but dim sum and more dim sum.

This is my fourth lesson and my shifu (teacher) has commented that I am getting better at kneading and rolling my dough. She has attempted to 'transfer' more kungfu to me but...I wasn't quite ready for it.


This is not a pair of chopsticks.
This is the ultimate weapon for rolling out dim sum dough. Not easy to handle


It helps to roll and turn the dough at the same time.
Of course, that's not me doing it but I must master it before the end of my course

When I was doing these two dishes, I knew I would be feeding two very happy men at home. Dh and Kai simply adore these dishes.

Guo-tie (pot sticker) and lou-bo-kao carrot cake.

Each time dh and I talk abut Kai loving carrot cake, we are always reminded of this story.

When Kai was about to turn three, we went on a vacation to New Zealand. Beside our hotel was a Chinese restaurant. One day, we decided to hop over to have dim sum. As usual, when we order dim sum, we never fail to order Kai's favourite carrot cake. So, we told the owner that we wanted carrot cake. The owner apologised and said that they have ran out of carrot cake for that day. They only had the frozen ones that needed time to thaw, steam and then fried. When Kai heard that, he burst out crying...with his red eyes, red nose and stream of tears flowing down his cheeks, he did look pretty pityful. The owner was very amused by him and actually went back to the kitchen to whip out a plate of carrot cake for Kai.


Ingredients for the carrot cake and the steamed version


The fried version. Look at the generous fillings in it. During Chinese New Year, I always ordered from Crystal Jade and it cost a bomb. Now, I know how to save some money!


My pot stickers. Not too bad looking. The secret of frying the dumplings...the bottom fried but the top steamed


Ta-dah...Shanghai gua-tie made by Singaporean


Look at the soup inside the dumplings. What we eat back home usually doesn't come with the soup

Farm visit

Yipee...farm visit.

When we were in the States, one of our favourite past-time was driving to farms and of course buying farm fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. Meeting and talking to the farmers was really interesting and often, an eye opener.

Here in Shanghai China, we are told that there are farms too. We decided to visit one...not quite the American kind of farm but it was a time I enjoyed too.

We drove to this hydroponics farm. Basically, it is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, without soil.



On our way there. Nice serene farmland. Somehow, such journey often gives me a sense of joy. I do believe that I belong very much to a countryside


Looks like a scene taken out from an old Chinese movie


This is how the plants are being grown


Orchids and catus with flowers


This is luffa or loofah. Yes, you pay alot at the Body Shop for a small piece to polish your skin. Here, it's in abundance


Kai and the giant pickle...Ann and the sleeping chilli


Road for the courageous...



It's a obstacle course meant for kids


Finally, we spotted this at the farm.

Dim sum class

Here are more dim sum goodies which I learned from my dim sum course. Now, control yourself, don't drool and blame me if you find your desktop or laptop getting wet!


Egg custard bun


Vegetarian ngoh hiang (spring roll)


Zhong yu pin (onion pancake). This is so good even Kai ate it. He is NOT a dim sum boy but he simply loves it!


Pumpkin buns. The correct shape should be those that look like a little pumpkin (your extreme right, the 1st picture) but I was given the freedom to express...so there you have it!

Time and tide wait for no man (woman)

(Scream....) Yikes...another wrinkle!

When I was still that young lady, I often heard my fellow elder colleagues talked about mid-life crisis. When the office was going through one of those "bad boss days", how we complained, so and so having mid-life crisis. Being the youngest in the office then, I often wondered what mid-life crisis was all about? Why must there be a mid-life crisis?

Ok, so what, we all go through life..20s, 30s, 40s, 50s....so where is the mid-life? We all do not know how long we will live, so exactly, where is our mid-life?

Now, that I have hit my 40s, every wrinkle that starts to play hide-and-seek with me, seems to signal to me that I am one step closer...ahem...you know where. Perhaps, I am now going through my mid-life crisis!

Flip through the papers and magazines, you will see advertisements of all sorts selling creams, gadgets, pills, treatments... that will help you turn back the clock. Scientists, comestic giants, doctors scramble everyday to come up with the miracle potion. Just yesterday, I was on my electronic Straits Times (my papers that keep me intellectually sane, you may not agree but it does for me) and I saw an advertisement selling a 'youth pill' that promises to keep your age at forever 25! Hmm...I don't exactly like to be forever 25...what about a pill that gives you a 25-year-old look but a 40-year-old wisdom. Not that at 25, I was void of wisdom, In fact, friends have told me then that I was pretty sensible for my age. But when I was 40, I was much wiser. Maybe being a mother helps.

No, I am not parnoid over wrinkles, frown lines and a body all pointing southwards but I do believe in looking your best by maintaining good health in all aspects - physically (exercise and eat well), mentally(have a good read have a challenge) and most of all, spiritually(have a relatioship with God, He doesn't get you into trouble).

Have you ever talk to someone who is old and wrinkled but so beautiful. You understand what I am talking about don't you?

Recently, a Shanghai mama shares this and I sure would like to have it printed on my tombstone!

LIFE should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up and totally worn out, Screaming: "WooHooooo.. ....WHAT A RIDE!!"