beko fridge freezer

dec 12, 2022 (mon) is the delivery of my new fridge freezer 

1) beko fridge freezer (£349 + £30)

-brand : beko

-model : ccfm3552w

-dimension : h152.8 x w54 x d57.5cm

-spec : auto defrost, led lighting

-capacity : Fridge 145 litres (~70%)/ Freezer 68 litres (~30%)

-door hinge : reversible (i changed the door direction with the surcharge of £30)

-warranty : 1 year

-energy rating : f

-country of manufacturing : turkey

-bought from : lester & nix ltd

-purchase date : nov 22, 2022 (tue)

shopping in york (dec 2022)

travelled to york in dec 2022 for vacation............couldnt help but bought a number of stuffs for friends + myself...........😏

1) hanging decoration (£5.00)

-country of manufacturing : poland
-bought from : york xmas market

-purchase date : dec 4, 2022 (sun)

yuekong - taiwan groceries stuff

found another source that can order asian groceries stuff

1) seven layer frying pan with lid (£58.14)

-size : 30cm

-material : 316 stainless steel

-country of origin : taiwan

-bought from : yuekong (online)

-waive shipping charge (£5) threshold : >£36

-purchase date : nov 13, 2022 (sun)

-goods received date : nov 18, 2022 (fri)

*bought too early..............thought yuekong will not have black fri offer..............indeed 1 week later, black fri offer 30% discount on this item😢😠

take 6 - beetroot vegan soup

nov 14, 2022 (tue).............took many attempts before...........finally evolves in adding nuts and blending it

introduction

- healthy soup learnt somewhere

main ingredients

- beetroots

- celery

- onion

- apple

- tomato

- nuts (flexible, i usually use cashew, walnuts and chestnut if in season)

tk maxx

routine looking around in tk maxx...........items are running fast............almost has something surprising you every time.............besides, prices are very affordable, quality not bad.............very value for£££ 

1) big cushion (net £24.00)

-size : 28" x 28"

-country of manufacturing : india
-bought from : tk maxx

-purchase date : sep 25, 2022 (fri)

japan centre.com - japan food ingredient

it is not easy to find japan origin stuff here.............have to order online..............order threshold >£65 will free delivery charge..........last resort buying from japan centre coz much expensive for the same item

1) qp kewpie mayonnaise (£5.49)

-size : 500g

-country of origin : japan

-bought from : japan centre.com (online)

-purchase date : oct 23, 2022 (sun)

-goods received date : oct 26, 2022 (wed)

-next purchase : net £5.09/pc (ie ~15% discounted from original £5.99/pc which is ~9% increase from last purchase)

-bought from : japan centre.com (online)

-purchase date : sep 8, 2023 (fri)

-goods received date : sep 22, 2023 (fri) <-- i pick this date

jolly notts - asian food ingredient

oct 21, 2022 (fri) ordered some asian food ingredient

1) takara hon mirin (£5.99)

-size : 300g

-country of origin : japan

-bought from : jolly notts asian foods (whatsapp)

-purchase date : oct 21, 2022 (fri)

-goods received date : oct 21, 2022 (fri)

costco

oct 15, 2022 (sat) my friend brought me to costco.............1st time here

1) tenderstem broccoli (£3.29)

-packing : 480g

-country of origin : spain

-bought from : costco

-purchase date : oct 15, 2022 (sat)

bosch hand held blender

oct 3, 2022 (mon) went to buy a hand held blender for soup making 

1) bosch clever mixx (£39.99)

-brand : bosch
-country of manufacturing : romania

-bought from : lester & nix ltd

-purchase date : oct 3, 2022 (mon)

running accessories

oct 2, 2022 (sun) went to buy some running accessories and winter clothing

1) chest light (£19.99)

-brand : karrimor
-country of manufacturing : not specify (guess china)

-bought from : sports direct

-purchase date : oct 2, 2022 (sun)

*very difficult to find nmic head torch...............this one likely mic.............however i need it urgently.............therefore buy it (tried all reasonable efforts)

20221001 nottingham old market square

oct 1, 2022 (sat) in nottingham................dun want to remember, dare not forget

non stick wok

oct 1, 2022 (sat) went to buy a non stick wok...............there are so many non stick brands in the market..............heard from a friend that non stick coating of this brand last longer than tefal etc

1) dunelm essentials aluminium (£10)

-size : 28cm without lid

-country of manufacturing : uk

-bought from : dunelm

-purchase date : oct 1, 2022 (sat)

mcarthur glen outlet (2nd visit)

sep 30, 2022 (fri) went to mcarthur glen outlet again

1) navy joggers (£7.5)

-retail shop : next
-country of manufacturing : india

-bought from : mcarthur glen outlet

-purchase date : sep 30, 2022 (fri)

*size : 11 years (height 146cm)

toiletry bag & nail brush

sep 23, 2022 (fri) went to buxton.............a very pretty and nice shopping town

1) small toiletry bag (£9.95)

-brand : vagabond
-country of manufacturing : uk
-bought from : clowes c r & son ltd/ 4 Cavendish Circus, Buxton SK17 6AX

-purchase date : sep 23, 2022 (fri)

*love the japan style fabric

eggplant tomato in black vinegar sauce

sep 22, 2022 (thu).............i have not cooked this dish for a very loooooong time..............so tonight cook it as easy and quick

introduction

- it is not a typical hong kong dish

- and i forgot where i learn this

main ingredients

- eggplant

- tomato

- black vinegar (i replace it by white vinegar coz i hvnt found the right black vinegar yet)

- garlic

- chive

- chinese celery (i replace it by coriander coz not easy to find chinese celery)

- soy sauce

- sugar

stir fry lettuce with fermented bean curd

sep 21, 2022 (wed).............since i bought a jar of fermented bean curd............therefore start to cook this very simple quick dish

benchmark video (you tuber職人吹水) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-_4IMkWQJ4

introduction

- fermented bean curd is a very traditional ingredient to some hong kong dishes...............you can use the meshed fermented bean curd sauce to cook with lettuce or stew lamb

- it is available in original flavor and spicy flavor

- it is also called chinese vegan cheese

main ingredients

- lettuce (i bought sweet gem lettuce this time)

- fermented bean curd (i used original flavor)

- oyster sauce

- garlic

- chili

- ginger (optional)

take 2 - hot style japchae (stir fry korean glass noodle) veggie version

sep 16, 2022 (thu).............make a 2nd attempt.............for a more authentic korean cooking steps

benchmark blog : https://mykoreankitchen.com/korean-glass-noodle-stir-fry-japchae/

introduction

- it is a very popula korean dish

- japchae means mixed vegetables...........but it usually goes with meat

- it can be served hot or cold..............i prefer it hot and veggie 

main ingredients

- korean glass noodle

- egg

- spinach

- dried mushroom <-- can also use fresh mushroom

- carrot

- garlic

- onion

- sesame seeds

- sesame oil

- beef marinate sauce

- mirin

- soy sauce

- sweet red pepper paste sauce

- sugar

take 4 - hot chocolate (stronger version)

aug 23, 2022 (tue).............make a 4th attempt for milder hot choc

introduction

- hot chocolate is universal..............loved by kids to elderly

- but a good hot chocolate is not easy to find

- i prefer dark and rich hot chocolate

main ingredients

- chocolate powder

- milk (i use non dairy milk)

- sugar (i use brown sugar)

take 2 - jasmine rice cooking by pressure cooker

aug 23, 2022 (tue).............make a 2nd attempt to cook this thai rice brand

introduction

- i use to eat rice origin from thailand

main ingredients

- thai rice

- pressure cooker (equipment)

take 2 - thai marinated grill beef

aug 21, 2022 (sun).............make a 2nd attempt to replicate a dish which i saw on you tube 

benchmark video (you tuber pailin's kitchen) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0AsINOLoos

introduction

- thai food is always characterized by its dimensional flavor with refreshing lime sour and sweet............rich and stimulate your appetite

- fish sauce, lime and tamarind are usually the soul of thai dishes

main ingredients

- steak 195g (better not use thick one).......this time i use sirloin cut

marinated sauce

- 1 clove x garlic

- 1/4 teaspoon x black pepper

- 1/2 tablespoon x lime juice

- 3/4 tablespoon x oyster sauce

- 1 tablespoon x soy sauce

- 1 teaspoon x sugar

- 1 tablespoon x oil

dipping sauce

- toasted rice powder (i skip this coz i cant find this ingredient)

- 1 tablespoon x tamarind paste (my tamarind paste is way too thick/ dense, therefore i diluted by some water)

- 1/2 tablespoon x fish sauce

- 1/2 tablespoon x lime juice

- 1/2 tablespoon x palm sugar

- chili flakes

- 1 tablespoon x shallots

- coriander (can be replaced by green onion/ parsley/ mint) 

mussels in white wine sauce

aug 20, 2022 (sat).............replicate a dish from you tube video and cook this not easy to fail seafood dish

benchmark video (you tuber bob's your uncle) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Et6EGvZ_Y&t=316s 

introduction

- hong kongers love eating seafood and lots of seafood variety is available there

- there is a belgium restaurant (frites) famous for mussels in hong kong............choices of cooking in white wine, beer, laksa etc

- i personally prefer white wine

main ingredients

- mussel (this pack ~1kg)

- white wine (2 cups)

- smoked bacon/ speck

- shallot

- garlic (4 cloves)

- fennel

- butter

- parsley

take 3 - oven baked salmon fillet

aug 18, 2022 (thu).............make a 3rd attempt to cook a very quick dinner with short preparation time

introduction

 - it is a very easy to cook western dish

main ingredients

- salmon fillet

- sea salt & seaweed

- black pepper

take 2 - tomato with scramble egg

aug 17, 2022 (wed).............make a 2nd attempt.........but this time cook in scrambled egg...............just so happen come across a you tube video.............i like the reason why she fries tomatoes 1st

benchmark video (you tuber pailin's kitchen) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1zNReGst9c&t=339s)

introduction

- it is a typical household dish in hong kong/ china

- kids love it

- almost each family will have her own way/ style in cooking this dish

- mine will use at least 2 different varieties of tomato (please dun use salad tomato which is not suitable for this dish)

- in order to give the natural citrus and sweetness flavor............i will buy good quality tomato (find the right variety) with vine, in bright red color

main ingredients

- sugardrop tomatoes <-- my fav tomatoes species

- large vine tomatoes

- 2 x eggs

- brown sugar

mcarthur glen outlet

aug 11, 2022 (thu) went to mcarthur glen outlet

1) jumper (£17.5)

-retail shop : next
-country of manufacturing : turkey

-bought from : mcarthur glen outlet

-purchase date : aug 11, 2022 (thu)

take 2 - oven baked salmon fillet with potatoes

aug 10, 2022 (wed).............make a 2nd attempt to cook a very quick dinner with short preparation time

introduction

 - it is a very easy to cook western dish

main ingredients

- salmon fillet

- potatoes

- black pepper

stir fry chinese leaf with dried scallop

aug 09, 2022 (tue).............cook an easy dish

introduction

- it is kind of premium dish because dried scallop can be expensive (depend on country of origin, grading and size)

main ingredients

- chinese leaf

- dried scallop (from japan) <-- may not be so easy to find here

- oyster sauce (but tonight i skip it coz want something light seasoning)

- salt

take 2 - japanese style potato salad

aug 07, 2022 (sun).............wanna make a 2nd attempt

introduction

- it is a typical household appetizer in japan............most hong kongers love japanese food............and travel to japan very often..............japan is our 2nd home lol

- i bet each japanese family will have her own way/ style in making this dish

main ingredients

- potatoes

- mayonnaise

- egg

- wasabi (can be replaced by raw onion)

- onion <-- optional (give sweetness)

- carrot <-- optional (give color)

- cucumber <-- optional (give color, freshness and texture)

pan fried mashed potato meat patty

jul 27, 2022 (wed).............prepare my dinner according to a video in you tube............he is one of my fav you tubers 

benchmark video (you tuber職人吹水) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH1iY1Tuqv8

introduction

- meat patty is a popular dish in hong kong..............it has lots of combination varieties eg minced pork patty with preserved fish is very famous............some combination can be very creative

main ingredients

- minced meat (pork/ beef)............this time i use beef

- potato

- 3 color sweet bell pepper

- onion

- egg

- white pepper powder

- black pepper powder

- soy sauce

- oyster sauce

- corn starch (pork)/ bread crumbs (beef)

stir fry broccoli with dried scallop

jul 25, 2022 (mon).............cook an easy dish

introduction

- it is kind of premium dish because dried scallop can be expensive (depend on country of origin, grading and size)

main ingredients

- broccoli

- dried scallop (from japan) <-- may not be so easy to find here

- oyster sauce

- salt

- shaohsing chinese cooking rice wine (made in taiwan)

hong kong style stir fry spaghetti

jul 23, 2022 (sat).............replicate a dish which i saw on you tube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExzxA6nNgfs&t=649s)

introduction

- the main differences between hong kong style and western style are :

i) not adding salt into the boiling water when cooking spaghetti

ii) add soya sauce and oyster sauce when stir fry spaghetti

iii) spaghetti in hong kong style typically less al dente

main ingredients

- 3 color sweet bell pepper

- coriander

- spaghetti

- butter

- soy sauce

- oyster sauce