Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Back from UK & Europe Trip

(Around London during Sandeman Tour)

Hey LOVE! (How English people do it like when Aussies say mate!)

I am back in Saigon and back to blogging at long last. It's been two months that I was away. September was the busiest month of my life-- I struggled and fought so much about my trip so my boss will allow me for an almost month-long vacation to UK and Europe. Pretty much I succeeded in fighting for my ultimate goal to fly by October.

October first came and I departed Ho Chi Minh City and landed at Heathrow International Airport on October 2. Above is the first photo I took from the most expensive city in the world--LONDON! I stayed there for a few days and fulfilled all my fantastic experiences about my Jamie Oliver journey. I had tours in his offices, stock room, studio and private test kitchen. What amazed me the most was the moment I met my one big LOVE... JAMIE, live flesh and blood! More of the detailed story when I finish writing my journey meeting the man and it will be published at his website in the news segment. Thanks to Danny Mc Cubbin his editor for requesting me to narrate my one-of-kind story. Later on I flew to Liverpool for the BEATLES tour where I met Michael Mc Cartney. Then later on I had my special dinner at Jamie's Italian restaurant in Paradise Street, Liverpool. That's pretty much about England for now.

After the Big Ben and Strawberry Fields, I headed to Brussels and enjoyed the Pissing Boy, waffles, beers, fries and chocolates. The next day I also went on a short trip to Bruges with my former colleague and my Belgian friend. Bruges is a UNESCO world heritage that is surrounded by some nice canals that are cleaner than Venice and more quaint. Belgium is quite fast for 3 days or less. But I was I was excited to go to Paris after Belgium. Paris is an expensive city as well as London but I did enjoy it most of the time by eating all the food I love while gazing at the amazing sights the city has to offer. One of them is the location of my hostel in Caulin Court somewhere in Montemarte where the Moulin Rouge can be found. Around that area you can also find the location of Amelie the movie and the magnificent view of the city from La Basilique du Sacre Coeur. The metro was the only thorn in my itinerary at Paris because they had strikes most of the time so I failed to go to Versailles and decided to go to LOUVRE instead. It's all worth it though. Paris is Paris and I love it!

Now I have to be more excited heading to Barcelona! This is my favorite city in the world where we can find the Sagrada Familia church designed by Gaudi. I was lucky to have my BNB just beside this incredible architectural landmark. My city exploration started when I went to an old castle called Castel de Montjuic and then I visited Fundacion Miro the museum where all the paintings of my favorite painter Joan Miro were archived. I also had an outskirt trip to Montserrat where I met an amazing man who happened to be an English-Scottish but born and raised in Montreal, Canada. I spent the whole day with this person in Montserrat 'til we went back to Barcelona for dinner. We also had an amazing conversation at my BNB that night that I would say we never ran out of story despite talking to each other the whole day. Too bad I have to leave early for my Milan flight the next day. We could've spent more time together. But now I can say I have gained an interesting friend in him.

My last leg was Italy and it's quite tiring because I went to bunch of cities namely: Milan, Venice, Pisa, Florence and Rome. They are all old and quaint but has its own beauty and charm for you to distinguish one from the other. Although Rome is different because it's quite big and busy city compared to the rest. But the city that I really liked the most is Florence or Firenze in Italian. I'd probably go back next year for several reasons. I found a good university for me to pursue my culinary dream. Florence is also the most romantic and cinematic city that I have ever been. Everything I saw and experienced there were just like scenes from the movie. I met one amazing Italian whom I will consider the person who touched my life and made me realized the possibilities of life. I learned to let go of the residues of my past which I have been holding on for two years. I am glad those stuffs are no longer in my baggage. What a relief. Only one incident can change the landscape of a person's life. That's one good thing about travelling by yourself, you will learn a lot and see the world in a brand new perspective. I am telling myself now that the world is really huge!

I am having a hard time now choosing from the 5,000++ photos I took, so for now I just chose the first and last photos I took from my trip. It's also very hard to summarize everything that happened to me during the 24 days I was away. I was brave enough to conquer the other side of the planet all by myself. Learning to navigate myself from top to bottom is one big achievement for me. I am so proud and happy about the trip I had and definitely I will be back in Europe and UK soon.

During the trip, my eyes were bloated by the beautiful sceneries by each city but what amazed me more are the people I met along the way which filled my heart with overflowing joy. I can't remember all of them because they are quite a lot and I am thankful because each of them helped me in one way or another. And to those people I remember for sure they touched my life in the most special way. They are amazing people. I think in my post per city I would be able to mention each of them. But the biggest achievement I had during this trip is meeting JAMIE OLIVER! that up to these days I cannot fathom that it really happened. Shall I say mission accomplished? Indeed! Now I have new set of dreams about Jamie and there's no greater joy to replace that moment I met him.


(At Rome Termini going to Fiumicino Airport)

To all my readers I am happy to share this to all of you. And to those who don't like reading my blog and the details I share, you are not obliged to do so. Life is short and lets just embrace the things that we like and happy about.

hugs,
joanie xxx

Brinjal Gothsu - Kathirikai gothsu

Ingredients:

Brinjal - Kathirikkai - 1/4 kg
Moong dal - Pachai/Pasi paruppu - 1 cup
Onion - Vengayam - 1 no.
Tomato - Thakkali - 2 nos.
Ginger - Inji - small piece
Garlic - Poondu - 3 nos.
Tamarind - Puli - lemon size
Red chilly Powder - Kaintha milagai thul - 1 table spoon
Coriander powder - Dhania thul - 2 table spoons
Turmeric powder - Manjal thul - 1 tea spoon
Hing - Perungayam - a pinch
Salt - Uppu - To Taste
Oil - Ennai - For frying
Mustard seeds - Kadugu - 1 tea spoon
Split black gram dal - Udaitha ulutham paruppu - 1 tea spoon
Cumin seeds - Jeeragam - 1 tea spoon
Curry leaves - Karuvepilai - handful
Coriander leaves - Kothamali - small quantity

Method:

Wash and cut brinjal into small pieces and soak in water. Else it will turn into black colour. Wash and pressure cook dhal after adding brinjal, onion, tomatoes, chilly powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt, hing, tamarind, ginger-garlic and cook it for some 15 to 20 minutes. Then heat oil in a pan/kadai, splutter mustard seeds, cumin seeds, split black gram dal, curry leaves and add to the boiled dhal. Finally add chopped coriander leaves. Kathirikai gothsu is ready. This takes some 30 minutes to cook. It can be served for 4 people.

Note:

While cutting brinjal one must take care whether it is fresh, if it has any sort of damages just remove that portion. Soak immediately in water adding a pinch of salt or curd so that the colour won't turn black.

Optional:

Coconut gratings can be added. Green chillies can be added.
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Vermicelli upma - Semiya upma

Ingredients:

Vermicelli - Semiya - 2 cups
Onion - Vengayam - 1 no. (Medium size)
Green chillies - Pachai milagai - 3 nos.
Ginger - Inji - small piece
Bengal gram - Kadalai paruppu - 1 table spoon
Split urad dhal - Udaitha ulutham paruppu - 1 table spoon
Curry leaves - Karuvepilai - handfull
Coriander leaves - Kothamali - small quantity
Mustard seeds - Kadugu - 1 tea spoon
Oil - Ennai - 3 table spoons
Salt - Uppu to taste

Method:

Dry roast the vermicelli in a pan after adding a tea spoon of oil. Keep it aside. Peel off the skin from onion and cut into lengthwise. Wash and cut green chillies. Keep other ingredients ready. Heat oil in a pan/kadai, splutter mustard seeds, add bengal gram and urad dhal and fry for some time. Then add green chillies, onion, curry leaves, little salt and then add 3 1/2 half cups of water. One cup of semiya requires 1 3/4 cups of water. Then once the water is boiling add roasted semiya and let the mixture boil for some 10 minutes. Finally add coriander leaves. Once the mixture is cooked it can be served with any kind of chutney. This can be served for 2 people. It takes hardly 20 minutes to cook.

Note:

Always dry roast the semiya before cooking.

Optional:

Red chillies can be added instead of green chillies. Vegetables, tomatoes, green peas, turmeric, garlic can be added if we are preparing kitchadi. Rava/semolina can also be added to this.
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♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

sorry sebab kaco blog u... :p




P/S: I ♥ U..~

Sauteed Broccoli with Quinoa


   
Meat, meat, meat, do we always have to eat meat?  For me, the answer is usually yes.  I like it, and heck, we didn’t get to the top of the food chain by eating greens.  But, of course, many sensitive people either limit the amount of meat they eat or forgo it altogether.  Some evenings, even I just want to get in touch with my inner Gwyneth Paltrow and go green, organic or whatever she is.  Ok, I do not have an inner Paltrow.  I can’t eat anything even affectionately called GOOP, and MellowLOVE Green Juice just will not take me to a higher place, even with the Himalayan salt. 

Be that as it may, I suppose I am still pretty far afield of the meat and potatoes crowd by proposing a dinner meal of quinoa with sautéed broccoli on top.  Quinoa, as I’ve written before, actually has some taste to it, especially in blends with nuts, raisins, and salts.  It’s also healthy and a great source of protein.  Broccoli, I like, but there isn’t really anything I can eat just steamed.  I’m not here for that.  So, I propose sautéing it up with some softened shallot, garlic and a little chicken stock.  Put together, it will actually get you through the evening and make you feel better.  Serves 2.
   
Ingredients:
2 tbsps olive oil
2 shallots, diced
2 tbsp slivered almonds
1 cup quinoa
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 tbsp golden raisins
1 clove garlic, diced
2 servings of broccoli florets
salt/pepper
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  
Directions:
In a small pot over medium heat, warm 1 tbsp oil and add ½ of the diced shallots.  Soften a few minutes and then add the almonds and quinoa.  Stir and allow to cook a minute or two.  Add 2 cups of stock and the raisins.  Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.  Cover and cook for 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, in a medium sauté pan over medium heat, warm 1 tbsp of oil and add the other ½ of shallots.  Soften for a few minutes and then add the garlic.  Cook a minute more and then add the remaining ½ cup of stock.  Bring to a simmer, add the broccoli and cover.  Cook for 5 minutes or more to the desired doneness. Season with salt and pepper if desired. When the quinoa is done, fluff and plate.  Top with the broccoli, including the remaining stock and the cheese.  Serve.
     

Cinta Pertama (Sunny), the best movie..

Manusia memiliki mimpi..


Ada yang mengejar dan mewujudkannya..
Ada yang mundur dam membuangnya..
Ada pula yang diam, dan hanya menyimpannya sepanjang sisa hidupnya..


-From the most touchest movie, Cinta Pertama-

anonymous

To be honest, saya ini bukanlah cewek alim berkerudung yang jadi dambaan pria2 selalu. Its me, just the way I am. I love to wear shorts, and I'm not wearing veils(kerudung).
Ini saya apa adanya, yg belum sepenuhnya bisa memakai kerudung untuk menutup aurat seperti yg diperintahkan Allah SWT. Tapi itu tidak membuat saya malu, lebih baik saya tidak sembunyi2. Karena belum tentu yg berkerudung itu lebih baik dari saya.

Tapi, I know how God really made my life precious. Di pelukanNya, bahagia yg selalu kurasakan. Aku tau kalo Allah selalu memberikanku yg terbaik.
Dalam nikmatnya sholat kadang kuteteskan air mataku, mengingat bahwa betapa Allah sayang padaku dan memberikanku segala kenikmatan walaupun aku terkadang lalai menjalankan ibadahku. Yea, memang Papa udah gada lagi didunia, tapi itu bukan untuk dijadikan keluhan, karena aku masih bersyukur mempunyai seorang Ibu yang bisa membimbingku hingga aku dewasa seperti ini.

Talk about mom, ibu adalah org yg alim. She is fashionable but then whenever I listen to her advices, rasanya sedang berbicara dengan seorang uztadzah. I love her a lot. I do, did, and will.

Hidup ini, jika tidak diserahkan sepenuhnya kepada Tuhan, akan menjadi hidup yang terrible. Sholat adalah kunci rezeki.

Jika ibadah kurang, hidup akan selalu serba kekurangan
Jika ibadah biasa2 saja, maka hidup akan biasa2 saja
Jika ibadah diperbanyak, maka hidup akan selalu merasa banyak kebahagiaan (mom)


Dalam pelukan Tuhan, kurasakan nikmatnya hidup ini. Lancarnya pendidikan kuterima di college saat kulaksanakan shalat Dhuha di pagi hari. Dalam kasih sayang Allah, kurasakan betapa beruntung diriku bisa mengambil kuliah di salah satu university terkenal di United Kingdom.

Saat kupercayakan hidup ini pada Allah, seakan tidak ada beban untuk menjalani semuanya.
Rezeki yg kuterima selalu bukanlah karena aku meminta yg lebih, tapi itu semua datang karena rasa bersyukur atas rezeki yg sebelumnya. "Tuhan akan memberikan kenikmatan lebih jika kita pandai mensyukuri yang sedikit."


Hidup ini kita yg atur.
Saat bersedekah, 10 kali dari sedekah kita, akan dikembalikan kepada kita dalam bentuk rizki.
Jika ingin mendapat rizki, sebenarnya kita bs mengaturnya sendiri dengan jumlah sedekah kita.

Selalu ada barang2 kita yg hilang.
Sebenarnya jika barang kita hilang, mungkin karena sedekah kita kurang atau kita memperolehnya dengan cara yg tidak halal. Coba buktikan saja, makanya orang2 selalu bilang "Kalo belinya gak pake uang haram, gak bakal hilang kok."

Saat pasrahkan hidup kepada Allah, hidup ini terasa lebih indah dan damai untuk dijalani. Sebesar apapun masalah, selalu bisa teratasi, karena kita semua mempercayakan Allah.

Semoga Allah SWT selalu memeluk kita semua..

KHEERNI (Sindhi Kheer)


Ingredients:
Milk ....... 1 litre
Sabudana/sago ... 1/2 cup (soak with enough water to cover for 2-3 hours)
Green cardamom... 4-5
Sugar ............... 3/4 or 1 cup (depending on how sweet you want it )
Kesar/saffron ..... 7-8 threads
Salt ........... half a pinch
Ghee ....... 1/4 tsp.
Pistachios & almonds (unsalted)... a few (chopped)
Method:
1.In a pan boil the milk.(If using full cream milk, add a cup of water)
2. Add in the sabudana, cardamoms (slightly crushed) saffron, half a pinch of salt and 1/4 tsp. ghee.
3. Let it simmer and keep stirring from time to time until the sabudana are cooked and the milk is reduced to half.( It takes approx. 30 minutes)
4. Now mix the sugar well and simmer again for a minute.
5. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve hot or cold.