Wednesday, August 31, 2011

On 31st August, 1957.... The Federation of Malaya (Persekutuan Tanah Melayu) gained her Independence....





Pictures are by courtesy of Mr Chung Chee Min, who was present at the Merdeka Stadium (Stadium Merdeka) on that proud and historical day 31st August, 1957..... proudly witnessed the Proclamation of Malayan Independence, followed by the shouts of "Merdeka... 7x" by our 1st Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, and the raising of the Flag of Malaya (the lowering of the Union Jack too) while the national anthem (Negaraku)was sung....; signifying the Independence of The Federation of Malaya (Persekutuan Tanah Melayu)


Brother Chee Min shared his treasure with us: 

Since it's August 31, I'd like to share my composite photo of the stadium on that day 54 years ago, as snapped by me. The Malay Regiment is mounting the guard of honour and music is provided by the Police band. The field is ringed by cadets and members of the St John's Ambulance Brigade (in white).
Hari Merdeka signifies the Independence of Malaya and is not to be confused as the formation of Malaysia.  Malaysia was formed in 1963 on 16th September (which is now being known as Malaysia Day) when Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak merged into the Federation of Malaya.  Then in 1965, Singapore became independent and was no longer in Malaysia. 
However, surprisingly Malaysia Day was never celebrated in the peninsular (West Malaysia), until 2010 when 16 September was finally declared as an official federal public holiday for the whole nation. 

Merdeka.. Merdeka.. Merdeka....

★*•.¸♥¸.•*★Happy 54th Merdeka Day★*•.¸♥¸.•*★


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Pak Idrus' Hari Raya Open House

I got to know Pak Idrus, whom I normally and fondly calls him Uncle Idrus, at Facebook.  It was Uncle Idrus that introduced me to the blogging world.  He generously shares his findings, thoughts, feelings, etc with us at his very informative Blog. 

On 21st August, I received a personal invitation from Uncle Idrus that an extract of it read:
Our Hari Raya Open house is on the first day of Hari Raya from 12:30PM onward.... You are welcome. Thanks.
Goodness, I was thrill to have been invited....  Honestly, I felt so honoured
..... and on 30th August, there I was with the host and a few of his blogging friends and neighbours; meeting Uncle Idrus and Makcik (Auntie) Asmah for the first time....
Uncle Idrus' home.

Doesn't the verandah/porch look cosy?  It is cosy alright....

The green corner... the smell of Uncle's toil and sweat... hihi...



Choy, Kevin, Ee Lyn, Kim, Lily, Uncle Idrus



Me and Uncle Idrus

The gracious hosting couple treated us to a sumptuous meal......

Makcik Asmah

Lovely and delicious cupcakes for dessert....

More dessert, anyone....?

Daging Masak Hitam.... Yummy Yummy..... Thanks to Makcik Asmah....

A lovely afternoon with good food and good company....  The weather was kind to us too....  Thanks to the hosting family and all.

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Side-tracking a little.  Choy and Kevin told us about the poor injured dog that was living on the alms of the good neighbours.  They showed Ee Lyn and myself where the dog was.....

This poor dog probably got into a fight with other dogs and a hole was punctured on its nose.  It was breathing through the hole and the kind people in the neighbourhood had been feeding it.  Both gentlemen requested for Ee Lyn to help notify SPCA about it.







Isn't the hole big?  When I saw the hole, I felt the pain....
Sure hope SPCA had done something to help this poor doggy.....
My BJ has better count its blessing.....

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Claypot Chicken Rice

On 14th August, 2011, Hong Zheng and I took Debbie & Eleanor to Foong Lian Clay Pot Foods and Cafe for lunch. We had Claypot Chicken Rice with Pig Maw Black Pepper Soup.

Foong Lian Clay Pot Foods & Cafe
at No. 55, Jalan Yew, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur




Foong Lian's Claypot Chicken Rice

Foong Lian's Pig Maw Black Pepper Soup

My Aussie friends, Debbie Morgan & Eleanor O'Rafferty, from Perth.

Debbie, Eleanor and myself

Below is my own Claypot Chicken Rice recipe:-

Claypot Chicken Rice

Ingredients:
2 cups rice - wash and drain
2-3 cups of chicken stock (may be replaced with water mixed with 1tbsp concentrated chicken stock)
500g chicken (drumsticks, wings and/or fillets) - cut
1-2 pairs of Chinese sausages (Lap Cheong) - wash & sliced
5-6 dried Chinese/Shitake mushrooms - soak, removed stems and slice into thick pieces
50g “mui hiong” salted fish (salted mackerel is an option)
2-3 stalks of scallions (spring onions) - cut
Some fresh fine ginger strips Some chilly strips

Marinade for Chicken:
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1-2 tbsp dark soya sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp garlic/shallot oil
½ tbsp ginger juice
½ tsp sugar
1 tbsp Shao Hsing Hua Tiao Chiew (cooking rice wine)
a dash of finely grounded pepper
1 tsp cornflour

Method:
1. Fry the salted fish in a little oil till crispy and crush it into small pieces.
2. Let chicken be marinated for at least an hour in the refrigerator.
3. Put rice and chicken stock into a claypot. Bring to boil over high heat and lower the fire. Let the rice cook over medium heat until steam holes are formed. And spread the chicken, mushrooms and sausages. Cover the claypot and continue to cook over low heat for approx. 20-25 minutes or till the rice is dried and the chicken is cooked.
4. Remove from heat. Sprinkle the salted fish, ginger strips and scallions on top. Cover the claypot again and let it stands for 10 minutes.
5. Mix well and garnish with some chilly strips before serving

Note:
1. If your rice is a new crop and in order to get your cooked rice dry and fluffy, you would need to use less chicken stock/liquid. Otherwise, it will be very starchy.
2. When a claypot is unavailable, you may use your electric rice cooker in replacement.

Chinese Sausages
Fried Salted Fish
Pagoda Brand Shao Hsing Hua Tiao Chiew