Happee Monkee

Taro Cake»

Making taro cake reminds me of when the women-folk in my family come together and chatter. My grandmother would be there, along with my mother’s sisters, and together they would do whatever women do best in a group – gossip. Someone would always bring up the past, and they would reminiscent of good and tough [...]

Cucur Udang»

These days (weeks, months) the first thing I do when I wake up is check my email and sign into Facebook. I don’t even get up to go to the bathroom or have breakfast; I just reach out for my laptop. I’ve come to realize that it’s an addiction. If I’m not at work, I [...]

Ginger & Garlic Paste»

This paste is just as useful in Chinese cooking as sambal (chili paste in Malaysian cooking) or tomato paste in Italian cooking. You can put this on fish or poultry, rice and noodle; and then invent new ways to use it. Tweet This Post

Guest Post: Zucchini pancakes»

It’s hot here in Malaysia and I’m just getting used to being sticky and smelly. I’m sitting in my childhood room, with me and my laptop on the bed feeling a little chillied out. It’s only my second day home but my tummy is already suffering a slight burn. I forget how much of the [...]

Guest Post: Coca de Sant Joan»

Wow, it’s been a while since I added a new post. Winter has only a month to go before spring arrives and I’ll be on a long vacation. A couple of weeks ago I sent an S.O.S. into the blogosphere inviting other food bloggers to write on Happee Monkee. Adriana from Baking Powders kindly obliged [...]

Fava Bean Crostini»

Last night G. and I had Korean with friends – Hippy Girl, Medicine Boy (her husband) and Upcoming CEO. I hadn’t seen Hippy Girl and her husband for some time and so it was great to catch up with them after they had just spent a month in Europe. One of the highlights of their [...]

Lamb Shanks»

I must have gained at least 5 kgs since moving in with G’s family. Maybe even more. It’s depressing. Thinking about weight all the time. And it’s even more depressing not being able to fit in my clothes. I have already given most of my smaller fitting clothes to the SIL (sister-in-law) who is a [...]

Chicken Liver Parfait»

I know, I know, some of you cringe at the word ‘liver’. It is a love or hate relationship. And in this case, I am a lover. I’ve never been a pale lily with offals. Having brought up by frugal (Chinese) parents, we ate almost every part of an animal and even when my brother [...]

Birthday Cupcakes»

I’m one of those people who has been fortunate enough to have good mates. It hasn’t always been so easy. I’ve had people in my life that were toxic but it’s a journey I’d suppose everybody goes through. We need to learn who’s good for us and who isn’t. It’s simply like trying peas once [...]

Cupcakes Galore»

Do you have your cupcake hat on? Are you ready for a cupcake fest? Are you absolutely passionate about cupcakes? Are you positively mad about little cutesy sweet toothy cupcakes? Are you?? Are you??? Tweet This Post

Cherry Ripe Cupcakes»

The girls and I are having a pizza & chic flick night. A rampage of emails usually fly back and forth a few days before because everyone’s excited to meet up. Tweet This Post

Citrus Delicious Pudding»

This is the dessert I made when G’s uncle came to visit. The citrus pudding was a great way to end dinner after a hearty meaty meatloaf. On a totally unrelated matter, my best friend got married last Saturday. Carrie and I have known each other for half our lives. But it’s not just about [...]

Doing the Fig Jig»

I look forward to Saturdays. Saturdays are reserved for getting the weekly groceries. Last week  the supermarket had figs on special. Hmmm… Specials. I love Specials, the Chinese in me just can’t help it. We have been jet-setting in February (which is why it has been so quiet around here lately). So to kick-start things, [...]

Plum Galette»

Having spent most of my life in a non-seasonal country, I’m fascinated by the way things grow in a timely manner in Australia. The last of the blood plums are picked but the green apples are just starting to ripen. I like to think that it’s a little bit like life, no? With science these [...]

Inverloch: Rain, Wind or Hail, Here We Come!»

Day One: Saturday Left Melbourne late for the coastal town Inverloch which is southeast of Melbourne. Inverloch has a population of approximately 4200 people. Tweet This Post

Wild, Wild Kangaroo Island»

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a fabulous Christmas and New Year. Welcome to the first post of twenty ten! And, there’s no better way to start the year than with a travel post.  Over the Christmas holidays, G. and his dad invited me to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. This awesome island [...]

How to Eat an Okonomiyaki»

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese-style savoury pancake which you can add all kinds of ingredients (okonomi means “favourite” in Japanese and yaki meaning “grilled” or “cooked”). Tweet This Post

I have been busy with…»

a wedding. (Well… two, but let’s just stick to one for now.) Back when I was in college, some friends (of the marriageable age) asked if I could design their wedding invites. For some reason, people started getting in their heads that I was some sort of designer and so for a little while I [...]

MFWF: Heat Beads Hawkers’ Market»

I enjoy Melbourne for various reasons: the weather, when it is agreeable, is very pleasant; the people are generally friendly; the food is fresh and abundant. Tweet This Post

Gavin & Mable»

“Are you ready?” G looks at me. Funny how I landed myself in this spot. I was never the little girl who dreamed of white frock weddings. Tweet This Post