Homemade Mooncake

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Miss Artsy was in town and brought along homemade mooncake!! A talented family whereby the mother is an awesome cook and of course, the talent has been passed down to the next generation, the daughters! 

For those who have no idea what are mooncakes... Mooncakes (月餅) are traditionally eaten during the Mid- Autumn Festival accompanied by Chinese tea. This festival is one of the four most important Chinese festivals. Apparently, this festival is for lunar worship and moon watching.

A typical mooncake is round in shape (and even rectangular, at times) with thick filling made from red bean or lotus seed paste encased by a thin crust of pastry. The moon cake might have egg yolks within and in this day and age, you get fushion-ised mooncakes such as Mixed Nuts, Coffee, Green Tea, Snow Skin etc.

I fondly remember of yesteryears when I would play plastic lanterns of different designs with my siblings and end the night with a burning lantern ceremony! Lol. I clearly remember one year I had a fish lantern and my sibling had an army tank each. 

However, with not-so-traditionally-steeped-Chinese-parents, we never had friends over nor went over to friends place to celebrate this festival. As Christians, we do not worship the moon nor deities and what not. So, it was always the three of us lighting candles (more like my brother and I), burning insects and playing with our lanterns.

Hmmm... perhaps, we will have a lantern party.

Valentines at Monga Izakaya

All women wishes to be romanced at least, once in their lifetime. Even if she's a practical, down-to-earth gal, she would rarely, if ever, never turn down the opportunity to be wooed and wowed.

And if she does, she's not sane. Lol. Kidding. ;p

If you're a decent girl, chances are, you wouldn't want your man to over splurge on you especially on an over commercialised day when everyday, ideally, should be Valentines Day. Well, that's just my humble opinion.

However, it is nice if one's man makes the effort to show his appreciation and love.

Once upon a time, I wouldn't think so, but now, I can proudly say I am blessed to have Mr. C. We have come so far from 13 years.. heck, we've come so much more in just this past  2-3 years and now, we've settled comfortably into domesticity. He spoils me every once in awhile with nice outings to delish restaurants, flowers, choccies etc. 

So, what's so special about Valentines Day? *hehe* Another excuse to eat out! ;p

Mr. C (the self-deluded romantic) didn't make any reservations as we couldn't decide where to go. On the way back from work, we decided rather last minute to have an early dinner at Glen Waverley. After parking the car and walking about, we settled on Monga Izakaya.

We stumbled upon this shop in December and loved the dessert here. You would miss this Japanese restaurant if you weren't looking for it as it is situated above Hook, Line & Sinker with only a narrow staircase leading up to the eatery.

Today, we had dinner AND dessert. Naturally, we left the shop with a pretty filled up belly, grinning from ear to ear!

Japanese green tea

A few seating area at the front of the shop...

A kiss from my valentine

Attention to detail lends a Japanese ambiance which is really appropriate

Sakes and geisha

Japanese robot? lol

Mr. C's Cha Soba *thumbs up*

My Udon with poached eggs

 

Grilled salted, pepper pork belly

We were pretty stuffed from our overnight dinner cum lunch (Spaghetti Bolognaise). Hence, we went simple with Cha Soba and Udon. The cooling soba noodle was definitely a welcome reprieve to Mr. C from the heat. And my udon soaked in warm water tasted a tad bland but taste was perfectly balanced when one has it with the salted poached eggs, seawood and drenched in the Japanese soy sauce.

The pork belly was delish. Whenever is it possible not to be?? But for $14+ , I think it is more value for money to buy, marinate and cook it at home. Lol.

Loved the pictures well showcased in the menu 

and a no.1 menu is one that has pictures and descriptions of food

 

We went ahead ordering a dessert each. If you know Mr. C, you would know this is saying a lot about the dessert here as he is not big on sweet food especially desserts. The last time we were here, he enjoyed the green tea creme brulee and sesame that he was open for more this time.

This time, we had the creme brulee again that came with a petite serve of cheesecake. It was sweet but not too sweet. One serve wasn't enough and it keeps you wanting for more. Definitely a MUST HAVE if you're ever here.

Mr. C gave the brown sugar milk pudding a try and it was delectable. Despite having a sweet tooth, I was pleasantly surprised the brown sugar wasn't too sweet, just right. Coupled with the interesting milk pudding texture, at times, it felt like we were having tau fu fa, in a good way though.

Wasn't partial to the tiny cup of chocolate nor the love letter with a hint of mint that accompanied the dessert. Beside that, everything else was just beautiful.

The food was beautiful. The menu was beautiful. And the customer service, it was Superb! 5 star!

We would definitely be back again for more desserts, that's for sure!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all you lovely people!! 

Appreciate the one by your side and cherish each and every moment together. Learn from the bad, remember the good.

 

Butter cookies & pineapple jam tarts

Have this tendency to be long winded and once I start rambling, I go all over the place. So, I'll keep this post as brief as possible.

#1 Baking tools

#2 Flour and butter to make pineapple tart pastry 

#3 First failed attempt of making pineapple jam 

#4 Failed imo because I forgot to grate the pineapple ;(

#5 A 30minute piping turned into a looooong piping process thanks to cheapo utensils

#6 Baking CNY cookies lend the CNY feel

#7 Cute looking and tasty butter cookies  

#8 DIY glazed cherries atop butter cookies

Chinese New year at Shirley's Asian Grocery

On Saturday, Mr. C and I went to Aunty Shirley's Grocery in Scoresby to get some grocery. We were greeted with red lanterns that are usually displayed during the Chinese New Year festivities and bak kua!!

There were two ladies manning the 'booth' or rather table, selling home made bak kuas which are basically barbequed dried meat. Sort of similar to beef jerky. 

Bak Kua literally means dried meat which is derived from the Hokkien Chinese dialect. In Mandarin, it is known as Rou Gan (meaning dried meat). 

The ladies cut up small pieces for samples and boy, do they taste yummy!! It is a bit pricey sold at ADU60/kg OR AUD35/500gram for just dried meat but it definitely is worth every cent paid. Besides, it is after all, Chinese New Year and if I am not wrong, part of the festivities to sample tasty morsels such as this.

People use this to put in between yam

Lovely gooey sweet biscuits known in Hokkien as Heong Peah (Fragrant biscuits)

What is CNY without nuts eh?

oooohh colourful icing sugar that makes me nostalgic of childhood days

I really like coming to Shirley's Grocer as it makes me feel like I am back home in Malaysia. Chinese New Year songs can be heard blasting through the speakers, red lantern and red packets are sold along with other food related to this awesome season.

I can't believe I am saying this but I actually miss hearing the infamous 'Dong Dong Qiang' songs. :(

The atmosphere in Australia is not as happening as it is in Malaysia 'cos for one, it's not a public holiday and hence, no holidays at all. Two, our families are all mainly in Malaysia and not here and  come on... what is CNY without family???!

Last year I cried because it was my first CNY away from home and I missed home so much and all that it represents. People probably thinks I am having the ball of my life here but home is where my family and friends are at and Australia is awesome and all, but it's just not the same.

Anyways, back to Shirley's Grocer. I've blogged about this grocery a couple of times and have mentioned that I frequent here to get my 'Asian' groceries and the deliciously smooth tau foo fa! 

But besides those few that I've mentioned, there are so many other things you can get here. So, if you are ever in Scoresby or near Scoresby, drop by and check out for things you didn't know you needed!

And you can then fill your bellies with some Malaysian food at Cinta Raya (a shop away from Woolies) nearby for lunch or dinner.

Oh.. the days of my mum driving us nuts making this... 
Kuih Kah Pek known as Chinese Love Letters LOL

and definitely must have pineapple jam tarts!! I miss my mummy!!!

 

 

 

.

I WANT TO GO HOME FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR!!! :( *SOBS*

Beautiful Christmas lights on Curie Road

After dinner at Springvale, our usual pho and fried pork springroll at Pho Chu Le, we detoured to Big W's at Waverly Park. After trying shirt after shirt and pants after pants, I concede defeat and we left. 

Keep saying I'll lose weight but it's not going to really ever happen, is it? *sigh*

Bummer.

Anyways, as we exit the parking lot, we saw Christmas lights and I prompted the hubby to check out the house as I've been on the prowl for beautifully decorated Christmas theme houses. 

Mr. C, the-ever-affectionate-and-indulging hubby, drove to the house for me to have a look. We parked down the road as the house is situated at a cul-de-sac with no through road.

The sight that greeted us was rather spectacular. Rendered me speechless for a few seconds. 

Greeted by a rather elaborated display of decorations, one can't help but wonder the time and money spent on this project. There was a group of people outside the house, like us, fascinated and snapping pictures way.

 

 

 

 

Three houses were lit with Christmassy lights and what not but the one in the centre stood out the most. It has the navitiy scene at its roof top, Santa on the front porch, reindeers and the sleigh, the whole works! 

 

 

As we left, we noticed cars upon cars driving past and then making a u-turn as the house is at the end of the road. Walking towards our car, many more calls pulled up and parked by the curb to get out and watch the beautiful lights of Christmas.

That house sure made me feel rather Christmassy. :)

NiNi & Zen's intimate wedding : Part 1

Saturday was a beautiful day where friends and family gathered to witness a beautiful bride say her 'I do's and her telling her prince charming to 'put on the ring la'. Really funny moment.

A truly intimate wedding with a party of about 50 people.

From a civl ceremony at Old Treasury Building to group photos at Fitzroy Gardens. It was a joyous occasion with loads of laughter provided by the bride and groom (especially the bride) followed by luncheon at the acclaimed Fenix. 

I know to some, it's annoying but to some, it's amusing and entertaining. And the latter is probably what the bride and groom thought of when they entertained guests dancing to 'Oppa Gangnam Style'.

Among dabbling in flower arrangements and artsy crafts, photography is also my passion.

I took many pictures that day but I reckon still not enough. Have over 400 photos. Some were clear and some blur. My main aim was to capture moments of the day.

Part 1 are pictures of the Civil Cermeony from the Old Treasury Building to photo session in Fitzroy Gardens and Part 2 will be during the luncheon in Fenix.

Enjoy! :)

OLD TREASURY BUILDING

 

#1 Little Clemmie

 

#2 Friends

 

#3 Sexy back

 

#4 Mr. Smart Looking

 

#5 Hubby and Wifey after the 'I do's

 

#6 Little Clement (that's really his name)

 

#7 and his brother

#8 After exchanging rings and signing the forms, it's the witness' turn

 

#9 Friends and family make a beeline to congratulate the newly weds

 

#10 Boss wannabe

 

#11 The DIY wedding bouquet I did that the bride altered to a smaller version

(check out the celebrant's scrawly signature)

 

#12 Lil Clemmie's older bro

 

#13 Another wedding

 

#14 Puppy face

FITZROY GARDENS

 

#15 Guests making their way into Fitzroy Gardens

 

#16 Mr. and Mrs. C

 

#17 As we walked...

 

#18 My couple shot of Mr. and Mrs. Fang

 

#19 ahhh.. the lovebirds

 

#20 The glorious sun came up to greet us

 

#21 Men and women

 

#22 Behind the scenes

 

#23 Bachelorette day and night girls

 

#24 Group shot with the girls

#25 The men