CNY Day 7 – A Bowl of Yan Yat Memories

Today is Yan Yat — the birthday of all humankind, the 7th day of Chinese New Year. Growing up, this was a day I quietly looked forward to. My late maternal grandmother would cook a comforting pot of fish and chicken porridge topped with fresh lettuce — Yue Sang Gai Jok. She would fry fermented…

Traditional Double-Boiled Whole Winter Melon

This braised whole winter melon is more than just a dish in our home — it’s a family tradition. My 83-year-old dad is cooking a recipe that was passed down from my late maternal grandmother over 50 years ago. We grew up eating this comforting, old-school Chinese home dish, and every time it’s on the…

Dongzhi in Ipoh: Where I Wish Time Would Stand Still

Today marks my 11th day back in Ipoh, and honestly, I wish I could stay here forever. There’s something deeply comforting about being home with my parents — the familiar rhythms, the unspoken understanding, and the quiet joy of simply being. Life here feels slower, softer, and more intentional. I wake up without rush, eat…

A Well-Earned Culinary Break

After a grueling week of late nights and endless work for her architecture degree, Sherilyn finally completed her latest assignment. The project had consumed her time and her beauty sleep for what felt like an eternity. With the submission deadline behind her, her first order of business was to catch up on some much-needed rest….

A Peachy Chicken Chop and the Cost of Dreams

Cass’s lunner (lunch + dinner) yesterday was a delicious yet simple homecooked meal — air-fried chicken chop with tomatoes and blanched broccoli. The chicken was marinated with a mix of teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, a bit of oyster sauce, Lea & Perrins, black pepper, minced garlic, dried rosemary, and my secret twist — St. Dalfour’s…

Midnight Magic: Sherilyn’s Hearty Kimchi Stew That Fed Us for Days

Earlier this week, while burning the midnight oil to rush out her university assignment, Sherilyn somehow managed to squeeze in the time (and energy!) to cook a big pot of hearty and comforting kimchi stew — 김치찌개 (kimchi jjigae) — right in the middle of the night. This wasn’t just any ordinary pot of stew….

Today’s Lunch ~ 22 March 2025

Today’s lunch was oven-grilled drumettes again ?. We’ve been eating drumettes for a few days this week as they’re on sale at the supermarket. I guess we’re done eating drumettes for the time being. Next week I’m going to cook fish. My menu for Monday is pomfret fish cooked with Portuguese fish curry paste with…

Air-Fried Chicken Drummets – A Flavorful and Easy Meal

Chicken drummets (free from antibiotics and hormones) are currently on sale at my neighborhood supermarket, and I’ve been stocking up on them to air fry and grill. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also incredibly easy to prepare. Alycia and Sherilyn love them just as much as I do, but Cass, being the fussy…

A Once-a-Year Treat: Cod Fish

Last week, during our Chinese New Year trip back to Ipoh, my dad gifted me two enormous pieces of cod fish, each weighing at least 500 grams. Cod fish is a rare indulgence for us, as it’s rather pricey in KL. My dad makes it a point to buy this special treat for us once…

Random Happenings at Home This Week

This week has been a whirlwind of activity and emotions in our home, with each day bringing its own unique challenges and moments of reflection. Sherilyn has been pushing herself to the limit, working tirelessly on her architecture assignments. The models she had to build demanded hours of meticulous effort, leaving her with barely three…

Monday, 15 July 2024

The hole where the viral wart used to be is healing well ?. Bleeding is minimal and there’s not much pain when I walk given that I am still tip-toeing on my left foot. I am hopeful that I can start to exercise again with brisk walking by next week. Lunch and dinner for everyone…