Summer 2012 (end August)

It is end of August,  the summer is soon coming to an end. This dwarf sunflower at full bloom.   

 In a few weeks, it will look like this.

Meanwhile, it's tomato time !  First havest of the year.

Summer of 2012 (August)

Hot Summer - Temperature continue to soar.  
In such sweltering baking condition, thousands of people will wander towards water,  like lemmings on their annual suicidal migration. I'm no lemming so I stay put !! 
Summer....love it when it comes, happy to see it go. 
Too hot to tell stories so here is what's in my garden, short short....hehehe

Easy Fish Curry (sour)

You don't need hours to throw together a tasty 'authentic' fish curry ...and with minimal ingredients ! This curry tastes so delectable you will not believe it is so simple and fast - ready in 20 minutes despite the fish filets were frozen. 
It is also a healthy one-pot dish with vegetables of your choice - I used cauliflower.  

INGREDIENTS:
2 onions (coarse chopped/sliced)
2-3 cloves garlic (peeled and chopped)
A handful cauliflower florets
3-4 pcs fish filet (frozen)
3-4 tomatoes (quartered)
1 heap tablespoon Garam Masala
Sugar and salt
1 heap tablespoon Tamarind pulp (dissolved in 200ml water)

1. Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium heat.  Add onions, fry till soft.
2. Add the masala, stir for 2-3 minutes until you smell the aroma of spices.
3. Add the tomatoes, garlic,  cauliflower and then tamarind juice, cook for 5 minutes at high heat.
4. Reduce heat down to medium, place frozen fish filets on top, cover and simmer another 5-8 minutes.
5. Continue simmering and add salt and sugar to your taste.  A little lemon juice if you like it more sour.
6. Spoon the fish curry into a serving bowl.  Sprinkle/garnish with coriander or mint leaves.
7. Serve with rice, naan bread or chapati.  Enjoy !

Note: Fish filet is generally added almost at end of the cooking process so it doesn't fall apart in the pan.  

Summer of 2012 (June)

These were taken in late June.

Coconut Cream Tarts

Spring was a blur this year and now we're already in mid summer.....I'm still blur !!
I'm spending alot of time in the garden where time seems to pass so quickly. Most of you will surely agree with me, the more plants you put into your garden, the more time you have to spend to maintain them.  Regardless what they are - shrubs, flowers, vegetables, etc.   Even an apple tree needs care.  Ever so often, I was close to ordering a tank/truck load of cement and pave the whole garden then cover the whole area with artificial grass for the sake of a green view  for the neighbours should they get inquisitive about a cement truck in my backyard !!
I am still catching up on posting some receipes which are still in 'draft' status, some new receipes for the coming semester courses, more photos, etc etc etc........
The word Sommer Holiday does not exist in this year's itinerary.

I do not own any QUICK MEALs cook book - Most of my daily meals are quickies.  So here I share with you my quickie tart.  It is similar to Portuguese Tart but with a typical asian touch.

You may make the pastry cases from your own homemade puff pastry.  I took the easy way out....I used store bought ones

Making of Mr Bean

Temperature was 33°C and humid.  We were chilling down under the shade of a restaurant with cool beers and juice,  listening to a street performer/musician's mesmerizing rendition of Mozart's Magic Flute. Well, watching the world passing by until this caught our attention.......................................  A camera with a mini tripod attached, balancing on a soccer ball and the ball in turn was in a basket on the back of a bicycle !!