2009 Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner in Batu Pahat

Been too busy(lazy!) to post up stuff since my short holiday to Bali a few weekends back. Guess my lazy fingers went to Bali and never did came back... hur hur hur...

Onwards to something that is more current, Chinese New Year's eve dinner! It was a blast as I offered to cook for the family! Don't wanna waste all the cooking lessons that I've been attending, I told me old folks back home that I'll settle the dinner for em.

One thing for sure it was quite a challenge to get the food out on time while trying to stay focused especially with mum hanging around trying to get things done her way... hur hur hur. I managed to get her out of the kitchen. Peace and quiet at last! Sis in law was around to help me as I realised halfway, no way am I gonna get all these dishes done on time.

Pardon the bad pictures and poor plating. I was too flustered to get everything down perfect.

First up, Cold poached chicken with spicy soy sauce(no where to be found in the picture!). First time cooking "pak kai"(White chicken) and deboning it some more! Oh oh and skinless too. I guess it was quite all right as no one complained. I would've kept the skin on though. Ha!


Second one, Mani Chai(Cangkok Manis:Sarawakian) cooked with 3 type of eggs, fresh chicken eggs, salted eggs and century eggs. I was lucky to be able to find Mani Chai at Carrefour in Batu Pahat. Guess what? A huge bunch for only RM0.50. WHOAAAA, my eggs were more expensive than the vege! Looking back at the photo, I should have prepared more gravy and the eggs were a bit overcooked. Better luck next time! This is a buddhist(without the 5 pungent spices) Lacto-ovo vegetarian version for my brother.


"Hay Cho" or minced prawn/pork rolls with kumquat sauce(again nowhere to be found in the picture). I liked this best, Chef Yong's recipe is spot on and his sauce is a refreshing change from the boring old plum sauce! One thing I realised is that I can never coat the potato starch evenly before frying. Look at all those ugly white spots. Must ask the Chef next time I see him!


Cereal prawns! I got a big bunch of HUGE frozen tiger prawns with shell on for only SGD8.00 @ Sheng Siong(they can has everthings!) and just have to cook this. I should've added MORE curry leaves and chilli padi. Will improve on this the next time!


Coffee chicken fillet! Its supposed to be pork like those "Pai Kut Ong"(pork prime ribs?) but I totally forgotten to get my supplies from MMMM. It was supposed to be done with Kurobuta pork... always get the best for the family! Oh well, I couldn't find any nice looking fresh pork on Chinese New Years Eve and had to make do with chicken fillet. They seemed to like it though, so its all good!


Sauteed portobello with butter and black pepper. Looks ugly but tasted pretty nice I must say so myself. Brother gave his nod of approval. Yay!


Braised monkey head shrooms, shitake, radish, carrots and black fungus with sichuan peppercorn. Another vegetarian dish for me bro. Mum quite liked this. Yay!


Fish maw soup, SAY NO SHARKSFIN! This is sure one ugly photo. heh heh...


All in all I'm quite proud to be able to pull this off and the best part, appreciation from the family. Nothing beats their nods of approval, praise and encouragement after tasting the food. It beats any other feeling in this world!