MCO 3.0 - Day 04

13 May 2021     Day 4 of Movement Control Order 3.0

       

My portion of Fried XO Sauce Noodles

Fried XO Sauce Noodles topped with all the garnishing

        With my hands full trying to finish marking the exam scripts, I didn't have much time for anything else. Dinner had to be another easy-peasy affair : Fried XO Sauce Noodles. It's definitely quick and easy to prepare; however the washing-up is another story. 

Wondrous XO Sauce from Kok Thai Restaurant

MCO 3.0 - Day 03

 12 May 2021     Day 3 of Movement Control Order 3.0

        Feeling much better, with very minimal aches, I had to resume marking exam scripts in full force. Some of my students are quite eager to know how they fared so they would hope I can give them the feedback when we return to the virtual classroom next week.

Marion's Coconut Turmeric Roast Chicken

        Thinking of cooking something that wouldn't require too much labour in the kitchen, again Marion Grasby came to mind. Using her Balinese Coconut Turmeric marinade, I made her Coconut Turmeric Roast Chicken. This marinade of hers is a great hit with both hubby and I. It's versatile too, but as we love her Coconut Turmeric Roast Chicken so much, I have yet to use her marinade for other recipes.

Balinese Coconut Turmeric from Marion's Kitchen - the key ingredient for tonight's meat dish

Fried wanton from my favourite hawker, Ah Keong

Stir-fried French Beans

        Before I end today's post, I take this opportunity to salute the outstanding contribution of nurses, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic. To them, and to all the dedicated, selfless and compassionate nurses that have served us all these years : Happy Nurses Day!

MCO 3.0 - Day 02

 11 May 2021   Day 2 of Movement Control Order 3.0

        Many have reported suffering from adverse side effects after the 2nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Fortunately, I have been spared from enduring a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills or nausea. I do feel very tired and sleepy, but I can't be certain whether it's due to my own medical condition or is a result of the vaccination. And of course, my left arm, where the injection was administered, hurts. I can't lift my arm or even hold the phone without grimacing in pain.

        I was mighty pleased that hubby again offered to help me cook. He laboured over his charge, the grouper. I merely had to prepare the soup ingredients, dump them into the pot and monitor the fire. On other days, hubby does the dishes after dinner while I wash the heavy pots and pans. But today, the roles were reversed.

Fried Grouper with Lemon Sauce

Sunny-side Ups

Radish and Spare Ribs Soup

MCO 3.0 - Day 01

 10 May 2021   Day 1 of Movement Control Order 3.0

        Virulent than ever, the coronavirus evades defeat. Its ability to still bring mankind to their knees after more than a year of battle is partially aided by recalcitrant, defiant and selfish people in our society. Despite a clear warning that hospitals nationwide are on the brink of bursting at its seams and the government's imposition of a lockdown that prohibits inter-district and inter-state travels, many persist in crossing borders and maintaining physical proximity. It's no wonder the coronavirus is gleefully gaining ground again.

        Thrown back into lockdown, my posts on homecooking have been thrust into motion again.

        After a hectic day of going to the stadium for my 2nd dose of vaccination and the hospital for my doctor's appointment, I could only manage a fuss-free yet tasty dinner. It was Marion Grasby to the rescue! Using her Sticky Chilli Ginger Marinade, I whipped up her Coconut Sweet Chilli Chicken in less than 20 minutes. To suit hubby's palate, I threw in some cili padi and used mint leaves instead of basil.

Marion's Coconut Sweet Chilli Chicken

Sticky Chilli Ginger from Marion's Kitchen - the key ingredient for tonight's meat dish

        With his headphones on, Chef Derrick hummed to a tune and moved his body to the beat as he cooked alongside me. He dished up his Stir-fried Asparagus with Prawns.

         

Chef Derrick's Stir-fried Asparagus with Prawns

After receiving my 1st dose of the Pfizer vaccine on 19 April

Happy to have completed my 2nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine today, together with my dear friend, Suet Fun

MCO 2.0 - Day 50

 Day 50 of Movement Control Order 2.0

28 December 2020

        I, for one, was taken by surprise by the announcement that the Conditional Movement Control Order for Ipoh ends today, three days earlier than scheduled. Ipoh was thrust back into the Red Zone yesterday, and the figures continued to climb today.

        With the end of the Movement Control Order 2.0, the curtain comes down on my humble cooking posts. 

        Day 50's dinner was a simple one - hubby's favourite Tofu Prawn Soup and Steamed Pork Patty with Preserved Vegetable. There was also an additional dish of Pork Slices In Oyster Sauce, bought by my Papa from the economy rice stall.

Tofu Prawn & Mushroom Soup

冬菜蒸肉饼

Pork dish from economy rice stall

MCO 2.0 - Day 49

 Day 49 of Movement Control Order 2.0

27 December 2020

        This Conditional Movement Control Order is scheduled to end in 4 days, but will it? Even though today's new Covid-19 cases (1196) is way lower than yesterday's record highest daily case count of 2335, Ipoh has been thrown back into the Red Zone with 7 new cases. And judging from the non-existent physical distancing shown in Concubine Lane, Ipoh, it would hardly be surprising if a spike in cases ensues.

       Choosing to be far from the madding crowd, we stayed at home. For dinner, we had Steamed Cod, Onion Omelette and Stir-fried Angled Luffa with Scallops.

Concubine Lane today

MCO 2.0 - Day 48

 Day 48 of Movement Control Order 2.0

26 December 2020

        Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is traditionally a shopping holiday, with stores in the UK offering drastic price reductions. Boxing Day or otherwise, it is sheer folly to throng the malls and jostle with the crowds, just to secure good bargains and save some money. Saying no to shopping would be a much better way to save money, and more importantly, would be safer, considering the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. Of course we still need to go out and buy the essentials but we should not be lingering around any longer than necessary.

        Our Boxing Day dinner was a simple one : Hakka Braised Pork Belly with Wood Fungus (客家木耳炸肉) and Fishballs in Flavourful Soup.

        I had not cooked the Hakka Braised Pork Belly with Wood Fungus for some time and I feared that I had lost the touch. But my fears were unfounded when hubby declared, "Mmm...better than whatsitsname?" Hubby was referring to Ying Ker Lou, the restaurant where he had first tasted this dish and fallen in love with it.

        The ikan parang fishballs were heartily welcomed by the flavourful soup, left over from our steamboat meal. I could still taste all the sweetness of the prawns, mussels, clams, and other steamboat ingredients that had lent their flavour to the soup.