We’ve been here just over a week; Paul’s been working and I have been getting the apartment settled. We’re pretty much there but may want to go over to IKEA for a couple of fun things. It’s great that it’s so close!
We’re excited that we’ll have some friends visiting this time from the US – looking forward to it! Already, I’ve caught up with B, K, S and Y! What fun: a visit to PS Café, a great lunch at a pleasant Italian restaurant on Boat Quay (I will definitely have to go there again - the Prosciutto and Melon dish was to die for!!), a class at Coriander Leaf with a couple of friends given by Samia and a quite satisfying trip to Tott’s – a local kitchen shop.
B and I finally found the illusive Pandan Leaves in Taxi - Samia had told us about how taxi drivers here put Pandan Leaves in their taxis to improve the smell, I don't know. Why it is so odd, is that along with using them to cook with, you can also use them to keep roaches/rats away...so...
I’ve also been getting creative with cooking; we’re leaning toward the healthy side, so I’m trying to really bring in the freshest of ingredients! I marinated a fresh seabass, below, in Lemongrass, Coriander (Cilantro for my US friends) Leaves & Roots, Coriander Powder, Ginger, Lemongrass, 2 Small Red Chilies, a bit of Rice Vinegar and Canola Oil. Paul really enjoyed it. I only got a pic of it marinated, not cooked.
The next day I cooked up lentils and broiled shrimp. The shrimp was marinated in a Honey Rosemary Vinaigrette (Testuyuna Brand), Fresh Rosemary, Onions and Garlic. This also ended up being a winner.
The one dish we really have been enjoying is one that I just learned on the 22nd at Coriander Leaf – Harira (Chickpea, Lentil & Chicken Soup). I don’t have a picture of the soup I made, but, I’ve posted a picture below from the class with Samia. Wow – that’s all I have to say. It’s a fantastic one-pot dish packed full of heart-healthy ingredients: Spinach, Lentils, Chickpeas, Chicken, etc. It’s a heavier dish but with all of the rain here, we just did what Samia suggested, turn up with A/C and look outside at the gloomy skies – you’ll feel like you’re in London or Seattle! It’s works – we absolutely love this soup/stew!
I don’t have a picture of our Friday night meal, but it was fun. I browned ground Chicken and ground Lean Beef with onions, mushrooms, coriander, onion, ginger, garlic and we had lettuce wraps! I also added some of the filling to wonton wrappers and boiled them up – it was okay but I think I’ll try to steam them next time. I’m still learning a bit about that. But, the Bok Choy type veggie (don’t know the name) with thai sauce turned out great and we enjoyed a fairly healthy dish, albeit a bit salty (Oyster Sauce and Soy Sauce will do that!! Ha!
Tonight is Seabass with a Kebsa spice mix – I’ll let you know how it turns out – smile…well, we ate it before I posted this, so, yes, it turned out well - according to Paul. He's a good sport!
Last but not least, I had to share some photos of our descent into Hong Kong. I wish I had been quick enough to get the shot of the moon as we descended into Singapore, but alas, that will have to be only a memory that Paul and I share…
AND, of course, I have already visited Tekka Market and picked up Orchids for us to enjoy in the apartment. What a special little gift! They are one of my favorite flowers and they are quite inexpensive here, so I get to enjoy them more frequently!!!! The only real yuck from Tekka was the Apple Guava – hmmmm…we didn’t like that so much. Probably won’t get that again, but it looks pretty!
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