Bachelor's Dinner

Well.. not exactly. I never cooked and I still don't cook for myself alone, unless if you count making instand noodles cooking. I did eat alone though this evening because the kids and Rebecca were at a birthday party. I just put the rice from yesterday in a bowl, topped it with the left over black bean ribs and steamed it. Washed this giant bowl of food down with my new favorite beer - Weltenburger.

Easy Sunday

Usually we do our errands on Saturday and on Sundays we try to take it easy and not do too much. On this particular Sunday we went to an open-air concert at the schlossgarten and had a picnic there. Afterwards we went home so that you guys could take a nap but as usual both of you felt asleep in the bicycle buggy so I decided to get changed and go for a jog with you while your mother did some ebay stuff. Around 2pm I finished my jog and we were home again. Took a quick shower and then we were off to the botanical garden to check out the artificial cave. No Sunday is complete, of course, without some ice-cream. So you kids had a cone each and your mother and I had a nice cold beer next to a small fountain in the old town. On the way home we stopped by a bigger fountain and walked around a bit before going home to cook.

Now that I put it down in words it doesn't seem to be so uneventful afterall!

Baked Potatoe

I saw this a while ago on some other blog. A simple potatoe, peeled and cut half way through, rubbed with olive oil and salt, then baked for an hour until golden brown and done inside.

Served them with sour cream and a big piece of steak.

Homemade Playdo

We had some playdo that got dried out so your mom decided to make her own for you guys. I think she used flour, and acid, got the formula online. You really really enjoyed playing with it, I was in the kitchen and didn't hear crying, yelling, and screaming once.

Chinese Three Bean Dessert

This was my childhood fav. Although my mothe makes a more watery version.

Soaked the red, green beans, and black eye peas over night. Put everything into a pot, added water, brought to a boil and then simmer for about 40 mins. Added cane sugar at the end. Served it chilled with some coconut milk.

I had to eat it all, actually I am still trying to finish the giant portion because no body else wanted it, not the kids and not the wife.

Olive, Cashew Pesto

I made this pesto with olives, cashews, parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and last few cherry tomaotes in the fridge. Toasted the nuts a bit, then blended everything with olive oil. Served with some fussili.

Botanical Garden Festival

We have a nice botanical garden next to the schloss. There was a latin-themed festival there one night and even though it was a bit late we decided to take our chances with you guys being tired and grumpy.

It turned out ok, we walked around and enjoyed looking at the plants and flowers and the incects. And then we ate something outside, and at the end sat down on the grass to listen to some salsa music. That's when the other girl came over to you two. Both of you got out of the bicycle buggy and started to play with her, pulling and throwing grass was the game.

Laughter

There's nothing more theraputic than children's laughter, especially when it's your own kids. You two fight, but you also began to play more together. I think Anna really likes to play with Kai, because he's the cool big brother who could do so much more stupid things. I really enjoyed watching and filming you two playing on the sofa, though at first I didn't know what the game was. But then I figured out it was just some kind of head butting game with Kai upside down. Moments like this is truely priceless, puts a smile on my face each and everytime I watch it.

Mango Lassi

Made this drink with some roti and dal. The kids loved it, liquid dessert I guess.

Super easy. Just blend yogurt, milk, and mango puree together with sugar, chill and serve. I think the kids actually drank more of it than us. No wonder their stomachs were so round after dinner.

Chilled Cucumbers, Dumplings, Sauted Potatoes

Haven't made dumplings for a while and had some Chinese cabbage to use up so made a big batch. With them I made the recent favorite potatoe dish, plus a smashed cucumbers dish for the veggies intake. Very easy, just smash the cucumbers, salt lightly, rinse after 30 mins, marinate with a dash of sesame oil and crushed garlic. Chill and serve.

Anna & Fork & Pasta Salad Picnic

For some time now I thought Anna is a leftie, because she would use her left when she eats. But then recently she switches back to the right hand, and then to the left again. I guess she hasn't made up her mind yet.

Antipasti Dinner

Don't know how authentic these are, but they tasted good that's what counts right?

Marinated the zucchinis in olive oil, balsamic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano for an hour then simply grilled and served cold.

The mushrooms were dusted with seasoned flour, rolled around in beated egg, and then coated with bread crumbs before deep frying.

Served them with some tomato bread from the bakery and a tall glass of lemon tea.

Baseball Day with Kai

I took the day off to go to this baseball exhibition with Kai the other day. To be honest I think I was more excited than him, I looked forward to spending some quality father and son time with him. I even got him a kids play train ticket. Of course we had to have a baseball hat for him, the blue jays hat is I think my first baseball hat from when I was a boy with the old logo. I think we had a good time there, we even played a bit of catch. When we go back to Toronto next time we have to buy a kids glove for sure.

Stir-fry Potato and Broccoli Fish

I tried to make the potato dish at home but the potato always stuck together. I just found out that I should soak the potato in water to get rid of the starch and this time it was a success.

Shread and soak potato in water. Saute chili and sz pepper in oil, add the drained potatos, and the sliced green pepper. Season with salt, when it's alomost done add a dash of vinegar.

The fish stir-fry was easier. Marinated the fish pieces in some starch and Chinese wine. Light saute and remove from pan. Fry the veggies and then add in the fish pieces. Season with soy, sugar, and salt. Very happy that the boy ate the food today.

Yogurt Queen

Anna eating her dessert after dinner. Boy does she like to play with her food. Made a big mess as usual but it was sure fun to watch.

Vegetarian Stir-fry Noodles

Made this quick dish for dinner. We ate too much the night before at a really nice place for our anniversary.

Cook the instant noodles in a pot. Slice and dice the Chinese mushrooms, tofu, pok choi. Saute the ginger and the chili pepper. Add the other ingredients. Season with soy sauce, salt, pepper, oyster sauce, sugar, add some of the soaking liquid from the mushrooms. Stir in the noodles. That's it. Not much to it.

Brother and Sister Playing Nicely...

... at least for a minute. I was lucky that I caught this nice moment. Usually we are way too late in getting the camera. But I just happen to have it in my hand when you two were playing in the toy store play area. Kai actually took Anna's hand and walked together to the chalk board, it started out quite promising but then of course you started to fight about the chalks.

Apricot Cake

A big thank you to Cynthia and Michael for baking us woderful cake, not to mention the delivery service!

It was delicious even without the whipped cream!

Soupy Weekend

The boy is not feeling so well. So I tried to make soups for him on the weekend, but of course, he didn't like any of them.

First was the Vichyssoise. It really is just a cold potato and leek soup. I thought it was nice on a hot day. But the prince didn't like it.

Gazpacho was refreshing as well on a hot day, but maybe it was really a bit too acidic for a sick boy.

I think he ate most of his fish chowder because of the potatoe and corn. Melt butter, saute onion, stir in flour, add diced potatoes, corn and enough water to cover with bay leave. Bring to boil and simmer, the last few minutes add the fish so it doesn't over cook. Lastly add milk to desired consistency. Season well with salt and pepper. Served with crackers.

Curries

Jeremy and the kids came over for dinner last week. Made Aloo Gobi, Dal, and the store bought frozen chapati. Kids didn't really eat but the adults enjoyed it. I've blogged about the dishes before so not gonna type them out again.