Making my own Pan Mee!

6:11 PM Esther 0 Comments



I was scrolling through facebook the other day and saw a recipe for Pan Mee - 板面 on sharetify
 http://www.sharetify.com/2015/04/blog-post_201.html?m=1

Then Mel whatsapp-ed me yesterday telling me she is a little homesick and i thought - what better time to make pan mee? Plus i have all the ingredients in my kitchen already so i invited Mel over for lunch so we can make pan mee together and catch up.

I mostly followed the recipe i found for the dough but decided to make my own sauce. I realised it is not as much effort as i thought it would be when you have a friend to help you and you get to chat while kneading the dough into shapes for boiling!

For the dough, you'll need:
400g self-rising flour or just plain flour will do ( I THINK. I used self-rising)
1 egg
200ml water
2 tablespoon oil

For the sauce:
Sesame oil
Oyster sauce
Dark soy sauce
Chopped chestnut mushrooms 250g
500g minced pork
Fried anchovies
1 tablespoon dried chilli flakes
1& half tablespoon spicy dried shrimp sambal (hay bee hiam) - you might be able to get this in chinatown

To be honest, i just invented my own sauce really. I didn't really measure anything. Sorry, i know it's such a lousy recipe :(
Mel was in her lecture when we decided to make dry pan mee - 干捞板面 so i made the dough first as it will need to sit for at least 30mins before cooking. I mixed the ingredients in a metal mixing bowl using a spatula until it is relatively kneadable. Then i kneaded them into 3 separate balls because it is easier for me to knead a few small ones than a single giant one. I left them in the bowl and covered the bowl with cling film to prevent them from drying out.




I also fried some dried anchovies with lots of oil until they are crispy.



ONE HOUR LATER....

Mel arrived with minced pork and sesame oil. I boiled some water in a pot and added some salt into the boiling water. While i start to work on the sauce, Mel started pinching off the dough balls and knead them into very flat small pieces(imagine homemade odd-shaped pasta, just that they are not pasta) and threw them into the boiling water (you know it's cooked when the pieces floats on the water surface). I heated some sesame oil in a pan and threw in the mince pork. Once they are half-cooked, i added the oyster sauce and dark soy sauce and stir until they are uniformly mixed in. If i have to give some measurements, maybe 3 tablespoons of oyster sauce and about 120ml dark soy sauce. Definitely taste it when you are adding the sauce so you know if its too salty for your taste - i like to have mine quite salty. Then i added the chopped mushrooms, spicy dried shrimp sambal and dried chilli flakes and cook for another 10minutes.


Now all you have to do is to put the the sauce and the cooked "mee" pieces together and tadaaa..


It was soooo good =D The recipe actually makes enough for 3 persons but there were only 2 of us so I don't have to worry about dinner tomorrow! (I am going to the US embassy tomorrow for my visa application so I'll probably eat out for lunch). If you enjoy chinese cuisine this is a dish you should definitely try! It's one of my all-time favourite.


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Fire and Stone, Covent Garden

12:33 AM Esther 0 Comments



In celebration of Annie's return to London after taking a year off uni, we made a dinner reservation at Fire and Stone, Covent Garden. The restaurant is very spacious and spans over 2 floors. They cater for large groups of people which is great! There were about 16 of us and i saw 2 separate groups of hen parties more than 10 persons each. 

 It is great to see Annie again, but at the same time it reminds me of how crazy fast time has gone! I can't believe it has been almost a year after my surgery and the end of year exam is around the corner again! I really should be practising writing essays right now, instead of updating my blog -_-

 I shared a thin crusted Marrakech pizza (Spiced minced lamb, slow roasted red peppers, red onions, mozzarella, tzatziki, raisins, olives & fresh mint) with Sonia, with a small feta & butternut salad at the side


The pizza size may seem large, but it was surprisingly not too filling to have one per person. Stu thinks he can have one and a half by himself. I think 2 pizzas shared between 3 persons should be the ideal amount, and you can still have dessert after! The Marrakech is really really good. Probably the best pizza i have had in London so far ( I usually have Dominos just because we get 50% off with NHS discount) and it is totally worth the value. 

Hanx's Madrid pizza with Spicy chorizo, prawns, roasted red peppers & potatoes, garlic, mozzarella, garlic mayonnaise & chopped parsley
Yours truly(left) & Shu Han

After dinner, Stu and I went to Snog on Garrick Street which is 2 minutes walk away for froyo. To Stu's and my delight, they have some really pretty boys serving behind the counter. I do not know if this is only a weekend thing (today's saturday) or they hire good looking staff every day of the week, but if you feel like having some froyo when you are around the area, drop by Snog on Garrick Street and have yourself some eye candies at the side =P 

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Shoryu Liverpool Street Soft Launch

11:45 PM Esther 0 Comments



So... I finally got my new camera! And I'm lovin it =D
Was so excited when i brought it out for the first time ever when 'Mike's Asian Mafia' (MAM) decided to go out for lunch at Shoryu, i took profile pictures of everyone.







It was Shoryu's Liverpool Street branch soft launch and they were having 50% off all ramen! We went slightly earlier before they open at 11.30am and chose to sit at a table outdoor cause it was super sunny! London is currently being hit by a heatwave that's supposed to last for 2 weeks so we are enjoying it while it lasts. The only problem with sitting outdoor was that our order was forgotten and our friends who went in way after us finished their food and left while we were still waiting for ours to come! The staff apologised, we eventually got our food and all is well.

 I ordered my usual curry ramen and shared a char siu bun at the side.


Everyone agreed that the soup here taste less salty, in a good way. It is still flavourful, but has a cleaner taste. Stuart reckon it's because they are using new pots and the flavour has not been infused into the pots yet. LOL. And their fried chicken is crispier too! Again, Stu said it's probably because they are using new oil =P

 If you have not tried Shoryu before, you should! I am a regular at the Picadilly Circus branch =P In my opinion, it is one of the best for value ramen places in Central London. Bone Daddies is comparable while Ippudo is slightly more expensive if you want your menma and nitamago. I have yet to try Kanada-Ya at Tottenham Court Road, but i have heard good reviews. Will try it as soon as i have a chance!

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Sunday Sermon Takeaway - The Servant King

6:00 PM Esther 0 Comments

The weather is pretty good here today in London, in fact the weather has been pretty amazing this whole week that i had off for my easter break from uni. It's a pity i spent most of it cooped up in my room revising and writing essays =( But hey, at least i am enjoying the sun through my bedroom window =P (sounds sad i know) less than 3 weeks to finals and i am one week behind my original revision schedule! *gasp! stress stress stress* 

We looked at John 21:1-14 today, where Jesus appeared to his disciples the 3rd time after He was raised from the dead. Even after His death and resurrection, He is still the servant Lord. He prepared breakfast for His disciples! And He asked us to do the same (serve others! More than just preparing breakfast).
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

He is also the provider of everything we need, not only physical needs but also our spiritual needs.  We only need to ask.
5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
I realised these past 6 years the Lord has been really really good to me. I have been truly blessed. I need to repent. I am the type who always stress about the future, always wanting to plan the future even though I know I am not in control of anything that may happen in my life. I am always living for the future, not in the moment. No matter how many times God has proved to me that He is in charge and there is no need to worry about life, I still stress myself out. Silly me.

My paternal grandmother is currently being hospitalised and is very ill. I have an uneasy feeling about the whole situation. I am only returning home this summer in August. I do not know if i will see her again - in this world that is. But I must have faith that I WILL see her again in the new creation. All i can do for her now is pray for God to relieve her of her physical sufferings and God's peace and love be with her. =(



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Happy Easter!

12:58 AM Esther 0 Comments

Happy Easter Everyone!

Has been kind of missing home lately. Woke up this morning and had a realisation that actually, it is pretty amazing how I have managed to survive by myself these years only seeing my family once a year during summer and only then for a month. Even during those 4 weeks, i spend most of it with my parents and grandparents. I barely spend a few days with my siblings cause they are usually not home. Everyone's just too busy =(

Something about the smell of the air tonight reminds me of those nights when i would sit at the balcony at my grandparent's after dinner and just enjoy the night view high up from the apartment. I used to stay with my grandparents every weekend when i was kid. My grandparents stays on the 5th floor of an apartment building, but in my hometown, there aren't many tall buildings around so from the balcony, you can catch a glimpse of the blue sea at the horizon. However, as time passes by, developers began to build taller buildings around the area. Last summer when i visited them, i can no longer see the sea from the balcony =( As a kid, i like staring at the passing cars and people walking down below, observing them and gets really excited when i see my mum's car coming around the corner.

I miss home. I miss my grandparents.

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Sunday Sermon Takeaway 15.3.15

10:37 PM Esther 0 Comments

When is it time for God then, if not now?

Picture taken at the Acropolis of Athens during summer '13



Santorini sunset, Greece '13

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Good Old Times

12:24 AM Esther 0 Comments

Was sorting out some pictures when i found pictures from 5 years ago when i was in boarding school.

*a money-faced wawa*

*Pin & wawa*

*chalet-cooked illegal meal*

*Cafeteria*



*neighbours*

Those were really good times - definitely some of the best years of my life. I just can't help smiling looking at these pictures =D
I miss being able to order burgers in the middle of the night, going cycling outdoors to get some deep fried banana fritters, PAN MEE IN TANJUNG MALIM(drools), cooking meals illegally in our chalets, going over next door when i am stuck with difficult maths questions because the math genius lived next door, I even miss doing maths! & canteen food! Hahahah!
Most importantly, i miss my dear friends =(
We used to see each other EVERY SINGLE DAY when we were in boarding school. It is very sad that now we are all around the world and are so busy with our own lives we barely talk to each other anymore. The time differences do not help neither. 
Well, except shuyi =) even though i see her once every few months we do spend some quality time together. And for that, i am glad.

I MISS MY KY FRIENDS =( Even though we don't see each other anymore, you guys are always in my heart !


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Continual Repentance - by The Valley of Vision

10:51 PM Esther 0 Comments

O God of Grace,
Thou hast imputed my sin to my substitute,  
and has imputed his righteousness to my soul,    
clothing me with a bridegroom’s robe,    
deking me with jewels of holiness.

 But in my Christian walk I am still in rags;
my best prayers are stained with sin;
my penitential tears are so much impurity;    
my confessions of wrong are so many aggravations of sin;    
my receiving the Spirit is tinctured with selfishness.

 I need to repent of my repentance;
I need my tears to be washed;
I have no robe to bring to cover my sins,    
no loom to weave my own righteousness;
I am always standing clothed in filthy garments,    
and by grace am always receiving change of raiment,    
for thou dost always justify the ungodly;

I am always going into the far country,    
and always returning home as a prodigal,    
always saying, Father, forgive me,    
and thou art always bringing forth the best robe.
Every morning let me wear it,    
every evening return in it,    
go out to the day’s work in it,    
be married in it,    
be wound in death in it,    
stand before the great white throne in it,    
enter heaven in it shining as the sun.

Grant me never to lose sight of    
the exceeding sinfulness of sin,    
the exceeding righteousness of salvation,    
the exceeding glory of Christ,    
the exceeding beauty of holiness,   
the exceeding wonder of grace

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First Post in Forever! - Lent Day 6

9:54 PM Esther 0 Comments


I can't believe it has been 4 years since I last share a post on this blog! Time really does fly. One more year until I graduate! I recently told my younger brother that I hate growing up, I wish I can stay carefree forever; but the truth is, I just celebrated my 24th birthday. What a joke.

Since the start of Lent 2015 last Wednesday, I have been following daily reflections plan for lent on www.shereadstruth.com
Coming on to the 6th day, I realised how this daily reflection is giving me what I really need now in my life - a daily dose of truth. Ever since summer last year, I have been really slacking off in terms of reading the bible and praying. I cannot seem to find any interest in life anymore - every morning I wake up feeling like I just want to stay in bed the whole day and not do anything. I no longer find joy in things that I do or energy to do anything. It is just so sad. If  I have to be honest, I would say I probably have mild depression.

Today's reflection made me realised I am indeed in my desert days. When Jesus was tempted in the desert, He overcame by holding firm unto God's words. As the author said: "The enemy has nothing of worth to offer a soul filled with the truth of God's words. The word of God has the same power in your wilderness. Come close and fast with Jesus, cling to Him and His cross when the Tempter tries to steal your true identity."  How true indeed! In this time of emptiness, I should fill myself with the truth of the living word so I may grow closer to God. This shall be my journey this lent =) It may be tough and I may feel like giving up sometimes but the Lord is with me, and the Holy Spirit shall guide me.

Speaking of the Holy Spirit, I have had an amazing experience the friday before last when I led praise and worship before bible study. Something truly horrible happened that afternoon, and I was emotionally very unstable. I was dubious of whether i am really qualified to lead worship under that spiritual state. I was late for the band practice and things did not go smoothly during the practice as well. At that time I was thinking:" Oh God, I felt so unprepared, this will turn out horribly wrong and I apologise in advance," However, right before the session started, I said a word of prayer and the Holy Spirit prompt me to leave all my worries behind and to just focus on God. Surprisingly, I felt like the session went smoothly and i was able to focus on praising the Lord instead of worrying about how everything will turn out. I experienced first hand on that day that it was never about how prepared i am or how good i am, but it is all about letting God take control and letting the Holy Spirit lead me. No matter in terms of worship or living my life.  =)






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