Friday 19 December 2014

Time togather


Many times I try to arrage an outing with my sisters and never happens. However 2 days ago , that is on Wednesday night called my sisters and said can we just out for lunch and then finish with tea and call it a day.  Among the 4 of us only 3 of us could make it...without calling it off ... we went ahead . With it became 5 With my niece and grandson.

We left at about 11.00 pm heading for lunch at Gems, Brickfields. The place was not full ...we went for vegetarian briyani..I remember having vegetarian  briyani here about 3 yrs back and liked it. Hoping for the same flavors ...however, just the cooks must have changed because it was nothing to recomand to anyone. In the mean time my little angle was not very comfortable ..by than the restaurant had filled up and was a bit noisy...little friend was not too comfortable...we took turn to have lunch. Wanted to finish with Koolfi that is indian ice cream changed our mind because my 5 month grandson who wants to grab everything within his reach was getting restless. 

 Christmas around.. Wanted to get into the mood and drove over to Suria, KLCC. The Christmas decorations were ....but was surely crowded probably year end  sales or the festive season. Thinking that my grandson would be excited to see the lighted up decorations..to our dismay...he was actually cranky due to the crowd and noise...guess he was missing his comfortable  zone.

We talked, mostly laughed a lot ...  And that was fun....All in all, it was not the place.....it was being togather. Thank you Kris, with all the dead lines to  meet before year end you valued the time to be togather....love you dear. Keeping my fingers crossed for another time togather.


Tuesday 28 October 2014

Vegetarian Yong Tau Foo

There were times when every thursday, used after house cleaning and special prayer for my Guru Sathya Sai Baba,  my husband would always take us out for vegetarian dinner. Chinese vegetarian was something new to me than. that was sometime like 15 years ago.  Over the years, I have stared to prepare more vegetarian dishes not only indian but malaysiannised them. Our favorite breakfast , vegetarian Nasi Lemak, Yong Tau Foo, Char Keow Teow, Curry Mee and many more.

I would like to share this dish which is a hit in my family....Vegetarian Yong Tau Foo.

Vegetarian Yong Tau foo

Ingredients

Brinjals
Ladies finger
Red chilies
Hard tau foo
Tau foo pok( the sponge tau foo)

Ingredients for the stuffing

Vegetarian roasted chicken - defreezed and put into a food prosser or blender and  mince

Salt and pepper 
Garlic ginger paste

Sea same oil

Sauce

Vegetarian oyster sauce
Dark soya sauce
Light soya sauce
Sugar

Method
Wash all the vegetables and slit them. The taufoo can be cut in half and scope out the center .

Now stuff all the vegetables. Now bake them as it is more healthy instead of frying.  As for the sauce, mix all the ingredients and taste u may add the sugar to your liking.

Serve with the sauce and it will definately be a hit .




 

Monday 20 October 2014

Diwali the Festival of Lights..

20.10.2114.....Monday for most of us it a working Monday, but to all Hindus who will be celebrating Diwali or Deepavalli on the 22.10.2014 it's a busy day.....

My Diwali creapt into my house at about 2am last night...This year my son hari is the the first to come home. My daughter rekha and grandson, Deveish left to Seremban yesterday to celebrate  Diwali with her in laws. Sanggi my younger girl will onl back tomorrow evening.

It has been a practice in my family to have a special Diwali reunion dinner on Diwali eve  it's with my inlaws. It's on the eve too that we exchange gifts. Ang Pow is given on Diwali day after taking blessing from the elders. Normally we set a theme for the food and work towards it. It gives me immense pleasure to prepare the food and everyone giving a hand in the preparation. This year it is North Indian cuisine.

To be contined......

 Diwali wishes to my dear family and friends.

Sunday 12 October 2014

Day of pride

11 October 2014, is a memorable and a proud day for my dear sangeetha and we her parents.

Although working for almost 10 months now, only today we had, the pleasure to witness her graduation at the AIMST university in Sungai Petani,Kedah.

Many may know that Sangee started her medical studies in Padang, Indonesia. Due to natural disaster, the earth quake which hit Padang in the year 2009 with scale of 8.5 which tore the city of Padang,the campus of University Andalas. The Malaysian government gave our students a one off chance for credit transfer and places in local private universities. AIMST was one of the Universities and Sangee choose to continue her studies here. It was all hard work to and struggle to where she is standing today.

Today as she graduates with a MBBS degree, the memories of her survival and struggle in Indonesia and in the AIMST university brought tears of joy to see her walking to receive her scrool, congratulations to you my dear,  her batch mates and her dear Padang Gang.


Sanggi ma, congratulations on your graduation dear. As you go forward take along the lessons you learned in university and make your dreams come true. Our blessings are always for you ma..






Day of pride

11 October 2014, is a memorable and a proud day for my dear sangeetha and we her parents.
Although working for almost 10 months now, only today we had ,the pleasure to witness her graduation at the AMIST university, sungai petani.Kedah.

Many may know that sanggi actually started her studies to do medicine in Padang, Indonesia. Never in the least thought that she will finish her medical studies in locally. Due to the earth quake in Padang which hit the year 2008 which a ratchets scale of 8.5 and a lot of damage to town and the campus. The Malaysian government gave them a chance for credit transfer and places in local private universities. AMIST was one of them and sanggi choose to continue her studies there but she had to drop one year. She was doing  her 3 rd year in Indonesia but had to drop  1 year and start with 2 year. It was a struggle and hard work her. Today as she graduates with a MBBS degree, the memories of her survival and struggle in Indonesia and in the AMIST univercity brought tear of joy to see her walking to receive her scrool. 

Monday 29 September 2014

My heros

The month of September, brought 2 memorable events in my life....
My 2 heros, my son Hari and grand son Deveish
On the 20 th of September my son celeberated his 30 th birthday, it has been some years that his birthday fell on a weekend.  Glad that he came down to be with us.

 My putera with his birthday cake....

Sunday the 21st September, another memorable day....my grand son had his 1st balding ceremony...which the maternal uncle that is tplays an important role. The balding ceremony has to conducted with his maternal uncle carring him. We were a little nervous how baby Devish will react and will my son Hari be able to handle him. Well, Devish hats off to you baby....he sat down quietly until his crown was cleared. 


My handsome hero....




Monday 25 August 2014

Morning smile

How many of us wake up with a smile or at least greet the first person you see with a smile and a good morning.
Well, as for me sometimes it's a good morning with a smile  or just a mmmm.
This is Deveish, greeting his ammama with a smile ......and that made the day for me. 
Let us start the day with a smile and a greeting.

Friday 1 August 2014

Our little angle....Deveish Vengkat



Let me introduce my new family member, my dearest Deveish Vengkat, my first grand son. This little angle came into my clan on 1st, July 2014. His proud parents, my daughter Rekha and son in law Jaya. 
This is him an hour after birth....


You will not believe this, being a parent is a wonderful experience, however having a grandson is something more than words can express. I am not a very baby person. My 2 kids were taken care by my mum. Sanggi my third , was the one that we looked after.  I always had a fear to bathe  these little angels..they are so, fragile....with Deveish...it came naturally. 

Indian families always have this special oil bath for the baby and mum on the 9th day. Every family will have their own way and rituals. It only made me more confused. Holy god, thanks to the net...where I got some good info which I used with the advice of family members and friends and this is a typical indian baby bath of course. I did not massage so much as I remember my mum would have done...but it was fun and also scary .....however all went well and now I am more confident


The bath starts with first boiling some special herbs overnight for the new mum and baby., once they are ready, the baby will be given a massage with gingelly oil. Special paste made from green peas and rice and some sandal wood powder and turmeric paste whichi has  to be grinder from dried turmeric. The mum too will be given this massage and hot shower.

After the bath we have to give him this process, to dry his hair, we add some neem oil , turmeric powder, and some Omam, the smoke he inhale will be of medicinal value to his lungs and stomach too.

After the massage and nice herbal bath baby is looking fresh and happy.



This is the little angle who without any words can make us jump and twist us with his little cry and smile and sweet mmmmm......love u my dear grand son .....mush.....from your tata and ammama. 


Monday 7 July 2014

Dup...Dup...Dup... 1 July 2014

Waiting for the arrival of my  dear grandchild....
Dup...Dup Dup...that's how my heart beat is. 16 Dec 1980, remember walking into GH KL for admission for delivery. Rekha too was a overdue baby. Today, 1 July 2014 and I am walking with my baby for her delivery....and my heart goes Dup...Dup...Dup as write this and my eyes are blurred with tears of joy. 
The joy of mother hood is a wonderful experience and it does not just come to you automatically. That was how I felt when i held rekha for the first time....after a while when you hold and cuddle the baby than starts the bond that no one can separate. With the experience of mother hood ....the love naturally flows when you hold your second and next baby. 
Love you all my dear....rekha, hari a sanggi


Monday 23 June 2014

Minum petang - going traditionally Malaysian


Sajian untuk minum petang hari ini sudah siap. Very simple and traditional Malaysian kuih......kuih kastur.
Must try out more traditional kuih...another of my favorite is kuih lapis, kuih seri muka, kuih lompang and many more . Sesiapa ada receipe kuih traditional yang grantee jadi....please post...






Appointment .....

Left home at 6.15, to beat the jam to make for routine appointment at 9 am at Klinik Kesihatan Jinjang. 
Surprisingly the traffic flow was smooth and managed to reach by 7.45.  

At the registration  counter there was a 20 people waiting  line. On reaching the counter, the officer on duty tells me I have to wait because my appointment is at 9 am and they are attending to 8 am appointment . Oooookkkk....took my seat. Was dozing off because today had to wake up at  2.30am to send off sanggi. She was leaving for Temerloh about 3.30am. Ok I know it may sound ridiculous.....she rather drive off like this and spend an extra night with us at home.

Now back to my appointment, they call me at 8.45, while waiting met my old neighbour Mrs Xavier and had a chat with her. " Nageswarie Apana."....hear my name being called up registered at the counter my number for the  day 2072. Kalau minat 4 digit can try. 

Off to room 17, placed my  card and waited about 15 minutes. Called in by the nurse  to do the normal before seeing the doctor. That is take your weight and pressure and the nurse says...." Semua ok bp bagus 120/80, tunggu ya....nanti doktor panggil" off I go out with a terima kasih. So, tunggu another 10 to  15.  Nombor 2072 masuk....grab my bag and with a knock into room 16. 

Here I see a new person not my usual doctor. Goes through my blood test and says " Aunty your thyroid reading are better and briefs that it is a life  long medication and ..... next...Aunty your sugar is 6.2 fasting and 7.2 after sugar water drinking. According to him Malaysian standard ok but American it is slightly high because their reading should be 5.8 and below for normal. Will have to  do another test in 3 months. Bid him a thank you and off to collect my next appointment  date and prescription and to the pharmacy to collect my medication.

It's only 10.30am feeling happy,  still early and off to do my other chores before I go back home.

Monday 16 June 2014

Ring....ring.....ring...

Ring......Ring.......hello......

You rush to the phone and still panting and you hear....in a soft tone....

Yes, the voice of your loved one expecially if they are not staying with you. Could be your parents, husband, wife, children, relatives or even friends.

My mum  is bed ridden and can't speak...but when my siblings or her brother calls her she responds....with an aaaahhhhh....sound or a blink.... That is how much it matters .......

So, guys don't wait to make a call or put it off..



Saturday 14 June 2014

Happy Fathers Day



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

15 june 2014,

Yes, its Father's Day today,  never was a huha....at home. Wishing my father, my father in law and the father to my kids was a sure thing....and also to all fathers.

For my kids, having the father at home on Father's Day was something because of his nature of job. Otherwise he would out flying. Today my hubby at home and my daughter rekha is with us...  My two other children are at work and away from Home. Of course, bed calls have come in to wish him.

His favorite breakfast.....mee goreng ,,, simple right already and served. Now getting ready for lunch...again his favorite .....vegetarian cod fish curry with brinjals, bean sprouts, bayam  and roasted potatoes.

His love and sacrifice and will always cherished we humbly wish him good health and happiness always...

It is not only today but everyday is Father's Day and we love you very much....
Thank you for everything...expecially we crazy gang.....

Once again Happy Father's Day to the 3 great man in my life, you will always have a place reserved in my heart

My dear father....always remembered fondly


My dear father in law....a strong man



My hero....

Friday 30 May 2014

Pumpkin Thai Curry

Pumpkin is not a favorite vegetable in my house except for my daughter sangeetha. So, I do not have many receipes on this. Today, I wanted to try something different than the normal style of cooking. I came across this receipe , that is  Pumpkin Thai Curry. I made this curry vegetarian. If you want it to be non vegetarian, I think prawns would be fine. Definately want to make this again when sanggi is down for holidays.
 
It is quite simple and I had all the ingredients so this is it....


The ingredients....

Pumpkin                       -  2 cups
Cherry tomatoes.          - 4
A few daun limau perut or kafir leaves
Lime                              - 1 or more as you wish
Red chillies.                   - also as you wish

Curry paste

Onion paste                 - 2 teaspoon.  )
Garlic paste                 - 1 teaspoon.  )
Ginger paste                - 1 teaspoon.  ) 
Lengkuas/ galangal     -  1 teaspoon
Paste.                                                )
2 teaspoon coriander powder.           )
2 teaspoon curry powder.                  )
Half teaspoon turmeric powder.         )   Mix all these ingredients with about 1 cup of water

I cup of coconut milk
Salt to taste

Method

Pour the paste in a wok and let it come to a boil , add in the pumpkin and more water to allow the pumpkin to cook. Throw in the daun limau perut.  Once the pumpkin is cooked add in the cherry tomatoes. I used cherry tomates because of its sweet taste. You may use the normal tomates. Add the chopped red chillies and enough lime juice to give it a slight sourish taste. Lastly add the coconut milk and turn off. The curry is ready. 






Sunday 18 May 2014

Raw mango rice and indian banana masala

My niece Sukania came over last week. She told that her friend's mum made a very delicious dish with raw mangoes and rice. Many of you would have tried or tasted this dish, for me it is new. So, this morning when I found a mango from my tree, thought might try out the  raw mango recipe. She said it is very similar to tamarind rice or lemon rice. So, here it is ...my version

The side dish for this I made curry banana masala. Having with papadam or even our Malaysian keropok will be fine. If you are non vegetarian , I assume ikan billis goreng or salted fish will be fine too.

Raw Mango Rice

    We can use left over rice or fresh cooked rice. Grate the mango. 
  
   Heat oil and add mustard seeds, green chillies, saffron, curry leaves.

   Add  cooked rice, dhall and salt to taste. Turn the fire off and add the grated mango and 
   Stir slowly and serve with the side dish.
    
   If you find the mango is not sour enough, I suggest you add some lime juice too.
   
    Curry banana masala
    
    Slice the curry banana, add turmeric powder, curry powder, ginger, garlic paste , besan
    flour (tepung kacang kuda) and salt.

    Heat oil, add some kumin seeds chopped onions, curry leaves. Fry till pink , add the mixed banana.
    Slow the flame and stir with sprinkling some water till the bananas become soft and slightly 
    brown. Lastly add some chopped coriander and roasted and powdered cumin powder.

   This dish, will along with dhall curry too.

   So, Selamat mencuba to all. With the fasting month not too far away... this will be definately an   
   appetizing dish too.

    

Saturday 17 May 2014

My Greens

After a year, this is how my garden is. I am definately not a green hand or finger person. Since I have the time and little space it all started. The pleasure of seeing the blooms is so nice. It's still a learning process. My sifu is my sister in law Lachme and also with the help of my maid, also Lachme. 

Now , let me take you for a walk  around my a premature garden. First the flower garden and followed by vegetable... So be patient and follow me...

My Tulasi Port. This is an auspious plant in most in hindu homes.

  
   This is Bunga sundal malam....ya nama pun pelik...but it's flower has got a sweet 
   fragrance.

    
    Now on my vegetables.

    Feeling happy, after the long wait.
    
    My spice, pudina, rosemary and thyme

    Yaaa....terung ( brinjal 
  
    My all time favorite maize. Planted them in poly bags. I think I have about 8. I think  
   If you look carefully, you will see a pot of curry leaves and some baby brinjal plants.   

   These are chili plants also in poly bags.
  
The lovely banana ......yes also fruiting too..

    Who can miss these......serai, pandan and daun kesum , which I think is blocked.

Thursday 8 May 2014

Seemantham,Lenggang Perut or Baby Showere

Baby showers or semantham, this is an indian tradition with some ritual carried out on the new mother to be. This tradition is called as baby shower by the Europeans . Even local Malays have this tradition as lenggang Perut. Likewise, we call it the seemantham or valaikaapu.

This is one of the samskara that is done for the well being of mother-to-be and the foetus, in spirit of celebrating motherhood. The brides parents, relatives and friends are invited.

Must be wondering why this .....

Yes, i just carried out this tradition for my daughter Rekha.  This tradition is done in the  7th or 9 the month of pregnancy.

The seemantham is carried out in the bridegrooms house .  Where after the ceremony the mother to be will be brought back to her parents house and she will stay on until her delivery and send back to her inlaws on the 1st or 3 rd month after her delivery.

The brides parents will bring gifts for their daughter  like a new saree, bangles , those who can afford May even get a gold bangle. Traditionally she will give a bangle made of 5 metals( I'm poon kappu) , a neem leaf bangle,  the other bangles should be glass bangles and preferably green and red colour. 

No ceremony without sweets , boo-rulu, arusulu, theepugaarulu ( telugu intti sweets),  laddu jelebbi, fruits and specially made rice dishes in odd numbers of  3, 5 or 9. They can be sweet ponggal, tamarind rice, curd rice, lemon rice, tomato rice, linseed rice, pudina rice and so on.

The pregnant mother is seated on a chair.  The ceremony carried out with a prayer for Lord Ganesha who is the remover of obstacles.

The mother to be's mother will start the ceremony by  sprinkling rose water and applying sandal wood paste and kungguman  on the hair partition of her daughter.  9 items will be put on her lap. That is 5 different fruits and 4 sweets or the other way round. Next, the 5 metal bangle, neem bangle, gold bangle and the other bangles. All ladies will come forward to apply the sandal wood paste, kungguman and put the bangles for the mother to be. The ladies in return will be given a tamboolam, with 2 betal leaves, a banana and bangles. The man will bless the mother to be will sprinkling yellow rice on her.

The mother to be is also fed with 3, 5 or 9 types of rice prepared with all the different flavors.

When all the invited guest have blessed the mother to be , she will now go to the alter in her house and  place all the sweets and fruits put in her lap. Aaarathi is done to the mother to be ward off all eveil eye.

The guest will now be served with a feast. 

This is my version. If there is anything that I have missed please share so the tradition will be carried on.

Here are some shots during rekha's seemantham.









Friday 18 April 2014

Home made bread

Today after so long made some coconut buns and cinammon bread.

Feeling good because they turned out really good and with compliments from from home chefs......Manorekha and hubby...


Wednesday 16 April 2014

Thoughts.....



I open mail today and these is the message that I received. To share with all of you....


The Light Remedy 
April 15th, 2014

You are strong... The moment you do not
think weak thoughts

You are happy... the moment you do not
posses the weak thought...

You are at peace... the moment you
observe the weak
thought and let it
vanish...

And...

You are complete... the moment you
are yourself and nothing
else...

Why carry the burden... when there is
surrender...

Why fear the misery... when there is
faith...

Why fear the fear... when there is the
heart (love)...

Why give up on yourself... When within you
there is God...


Every thought begins with the "I"...

Fear begins to arise as one becomes attached and controlled by his own thought...

When you desire to be happy you lose your peace...

When you think you are at peace you are actually in transition between attempting to be at peace and fearing to be not at peace...

You have to let the thought pass... Fear is born when a thought becomes stationed...

When you try to control a thought you become controlled by it...

Peace cannot be received by an outside source... Peace is the very nature of the Atma (spirit)...



(Inspirational message received by Seema M Dewan)

 
Awaken the Divine within you...
  Love All, Serve All  

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Wednesday 29 January 2014

Chinese New Year 2014

Whether  we are celeberatiing Chinese New Year or not it is holiday time where everyone is buzy balik kampung. 

I grew up in Rawang, where all my neighbours were Chinese. The one thing I remember is the fire crackers. They just go on and on. With each one competing  who has the longest string. Even, in Segambut where I lived the last 30 years was also fun. The irritable fun. It starts at mid night and goes on till the next morning. 

The 2, is the lion dance, they have different groups and each one performing better the the other. My sibling and me will rush out the moment we hear the signature sound of the drums. I think even my children and my nieces and nephews do that till today and we truly enjoy it.

Than comes, the market. Not only the Chinese buying for makan besar preparation , the non Chinese too buzy because those days we did not have hyper markets and most of the traders were Chinese. They will close like 3 to 5 days. My mum also would buy vegetables and stock up.

How can I forget ......the mandarin oranges boxes and boxes of them, flowers and the prayer items. Definately a festive mood whether I am celebrating Chinese New Year or not.

This year my Chinese New Year is in Sungai Buloh, where I think I can have peaceful sleep to night with only a very small population of Chinese in my township and everyone seems to have balik kampung. Time to sit back and wait for my family and friends to come around.

Happy New Year ...Kong Hee Fatt Chye...

Items for abishegam in temples and benefits

 Just to share, items that can be offered for abishegam and it's benefits. 

Some may feel that we should not do anything with the benefits in ou mind. True, but who is our savior, I feel that this offerings will give us peace and happiness.

Item.                           Significance

Gingerly oil.                        To cool the body system
Saffron powder.                  It signifies love, harmony and peace
Rice flour.                           To clear individual debts
Milk.                                   To bless us with pure heart and steady mind
Curd.                                  Enhances progeny and we ask for a clear mind, free from web of desires.

Panchanirtham                  For annihilation of 5 great sins:
                                           a) be unfaithful to our spiritual teacher
                                           b) be ungrateful to ones help
                                           c) steal properties belonging to temple
                                           d) misbehave with the opposite sex
                                           e) insult parents and elders

Honey.                                 The nectar of immortality. For healing and sweetness of voice
Coconut water.                    To remove any past and present tendencies to be ungrateful or to have
Fruit juice.                            To fulfill our desire for spiritual oneness to remove anger and ensures the
                                            Balance of the mind.
Tulsi water.                           To be blessed with long life, prosperity and happy married life.
Sandalwood paste.              To invole blessings from goddess of wealth.
Panner.                                 Our goodness should be fragrance of the blooms bringing delight to all 
                                             around without prejudice or malice to anyone.
Water.                                   To purify yourself


Thursday 9 January 2014

Vegetarian curry me

Not been blogging for some time...however just to share vegetarian curry mee

The curry is quite simple but you must have coconut milk, because that gives it the thickness and sweetness too.

Ingredients for the curry

Cili gilling
Curry powder
Onions- pounded
Garlic and ginger paste
Serai 
Lengkuas
Coconut milk( santan)

Method:

Sauté the onions, add the cili giling, garlic and ginger paste, lengkuas ( pounded), serai smashed till you get a nice fragrence. Add enough curry powder and water and the curry boil and add salt to taste. Finally add in the the  sponge tau foo and coconut milk turn off the fire. 

For serving you can have mee or mee hon. For me it is mee. Than garnish with taugeh, chopped spring onions , chopped red chillies, more tau foo and top up with bawang goreng . Pour over hot curry .......mee curry is ready.