Finnish guys are not normally best known for their Romanticism...but more of their boozing talents. I got a guy who is some what not into boozing and as for romantic...well it depends... Year after year this day has gotten somewhat significantless. Apart from it also being dear hubby's birthday which would mean extra work for me to make this day special...and getting less in return...Sometimes I just wonder if it's even worth the effort if I get nothing in return...It only seems that I'm the only one making an effort for this day. I just want to say screw it this year it's nothing special! BUT IT IS!!! I'm also bloomin' pregnant and for some reason I feel that this year it's going to be another BIG BIG BIG disappointment... I'm not making anymore efforts... I'm too tired of it. I'll just think of it as just another birthday and be done with it.
It would be nice to hint what you would like for once...and also to be remembered not to remind. It's freaking frustrating when you have to keep reminding someone it's a special day...It loses some meaning or even the element of a special day just becomes a day of nagging disappointment. I always feel a bit sad approaching Valentine's Day...especially the last 9 years...OH YES....you hear me right.....! So don't tell me I'm over-reacting...okay ranting off now I need to be sleeping before the Tummy-tenant wakes up and spoils my sleep. I'll get through this in one piece... I hope :)
Monday, 9 February 2009
Sunday, 8 February 2009
One more recipe
I took some pics the first time I made gyoza it was a success but we had too much to eat hence we were both (hubby and me) exploding from gyoza's. Never the less we had quite some leftovers *ahem* so I froze them until I found the gyoza wrappers again from the Japanese store. I must say using the 'Wo Tip' wrappers give a different taste... Since 'Wo-tip' wrappers may not contain eggs (read 'MAY NOT') depending on the recipe they use to make the wrappers. I wouldn't go as far as to use wanton wrappers for Gyoza as it would be an utterly big mistake plus it tastes different...
This week is my sick week...I have too many doctors appointments this week that I barely have time to sort myself out. One appointment I'm looking forward to is the ultrasound appointment to see the baby cow. At this point I couldn't be bothered if it's a boy or girl...Just have to be grateful for what you get huh? Of course I've always wanted girls but boys can be fun too....right? Anyways, I'm planning to make phad thai today but since I had left over nasi-lemak I decided to eat that first....Jani is craving for the double chocolate mousse I made him (last time was about 1 1/2 - 2 years ago *crikey*) I got the recipe from some BBC magazine but changed the recipe a little as I can't find 1/4 the ingredients in Finland. Nevertheless chocolate mousse is something Jani absolutely cannot keep his hands off :P I'll make only two glasses of it....let's see what gives :D
This week is my sick week...I have too many doctors appointments this week that I barely have time to sort myself out. One appointment I'm looking forward to is the ultrasound appointment to see the baby cow. At this point I couldn't be bothered if it's a boy or girl...Just have to be grateful for what you get huh? Of course I've always wanted girls but boys can be fun too....right? Anyways, I'm planning to make phad thai today but since I had left over nasi-lemak I decided to eat that first....Jani is craving for the double chocolate mousse I made him (last time was about 1 1/2 - 2 years ago *crikey*) I got the recipe from some BBC magazine but changed the recipe a little as I can't find 1/4 the ingredients in Finland. Nevertheless chocolate mousse is something Jani absolutely cannot keep his hands off :P I'll make only two glasses of it....let's see what gives :D
My My Gyoza!
More or less like Japanese version of the Chinese 'Wo- Tip' instead of just steaming it's sorta grilled then semi steamed.
Place gyoza wrappers in front of you. Wet the edges with water. Place a teaspoon or two of filling in the middle of the wrapper. Fold the sides up to form a semicircle, and then pinch the edges to seal. Continue with the rest of the gyoza wrappers until the filling is gone. (I'm lazy so I bought meself a gyoza clamping thing-a-me-bob)
To cook, heat 2 tablespoon oil in a heavy frying pan over medium-high to high heat. Add 12 - 15 of the gyoza and cook for 2 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom (Eh, GOLDEN BROWN not BURNT!).
Add 250 ml of water to the frying pan. Cover the dumplings and cook until the water is absorbed (8 minutes). Repeat the procedure until all your dumplings are out.
Tip: I usually buy the frozen wrappers from the oriental store/asian store. I have a recipe to make those wrappers too but when you make them yourself, the wrappers tend to become thicker than the ones made from the store and the size...don't even let me start! <__<
- 400 grams ground pork
- 2 - 2.5 dl chopped cabbage (boiled and cooled)
- 1 tablespoon soya sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying, or as
- 1 small green/yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger (REALLY minced)
- 1 egg
- salt and white pepper to taste
Place gyoza wrappers in front of you. Wet the edges with water. Place a teaspoon or two of filling in the middle of the wrapper. Fold the sides up to form a semicircle, and then pinch the edges to seal. Continue with the rest of the gyoza wrappers until the filling is gone. (I'm lazy so I bought meself a gyoza clamping thing-a-me-bob)
To cook, heat 2 tablespoon oil in a heavy frying pan over medium-high to high heat. Add 12 - 15 of the gyoza and cook for 2 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom (Eh, GOLDEN BROWN not BURNT!).
Add 250 ml of water to the frying pan. Cover the dumplings and cook until the water is absorbed (8 minutes). Repeat the procedure until all your dumplings are out.
Tip: I usually buy the frozen wrappers from the oriental store/asian store. I have a recipe to make those wrappers too but when you make them yourself, the wrappers tend to become thicker than the ones made from the store and the size...don't even let me start! <__<
Monday, 19 January 2009
Meh got lazy to blog :P
I know I know I was suppose to put up some recipes but I got über lazy. Since I have most of the recipes written by hand on my very torn notebook I'm too lazy to copy write them over to the blog. I'm super tired these days thanks to carrying a mardi gras baby that doesn't know that party's over it's time to go to bed!
I haven't much time for housework as well...Damn...I've been so frustrated with the tiny kitchen the past year that I've been thinking of burning it down... :P (Hence almost set the apartment on fire) I couldn't care less what happens to this apartment... I simply don't know my neighbors here so well except for the electric guitar playing moron next door <__<. I don't like half of them I walk pass daily and for some reason this area although in good location doesn't agree with me. I still reminisce good times when I came the first year even living in a smaller apartment in Leppävaara was better than here. I think I'm not very made for Helsinki but just the suburbs of it...I hated living in the center for all the drunks and hobos keep me awake at night! <__< For some reason Vuosaari has an eerie I cannot wrap my fingers around feeling...also it didn't bring bad memories but not good ones either....Then this place this...horrid little place which I thought we'd get rid off in one year but noooo...not possible now that I'm pregnant...sigh....
Lahti was dead boring to me. I found nothing interesting except the lake opposite our apartment and mum-in-laws place. I don't mind visiting Lahti but I cannot phatom what to do there. The cottage which is about 100 + km from Lahti was idyllic little getaway for me. I love the nature there and the idea that there are almost no neighbours is pleasent! I know I can be a hermit sometimes and I like people but sometimes if you live close to them all the time (neighbors) it can be somewhat a familiar stranger. You know nothing about them but yet you keep seeing them...You are curious about them but you don't want to share you life with them but still they can hear almost everything you do or say when you're in your confined space.
I'll help them if they need my help that's what neighbors do but...I'd like to not get involve if it's even possible :P. I'm just mentally counting down the days when I can kick this apartment goodbye... Now I have to get back to some documentations and prepare for tomorrow's neverending meetings. Another day and more experience to come... Can't wait to go to Frankfurt...happy to have short visits if not I'll be dead tire....
I haven't much time for housework as well...Damn...I've been so frustrated with the tiny kitchen the past year that I've been thinking of burning it down... :P (Hence almost set the apartment on fire) I couldn't care less what happens to this apartment... I simply don't know my neighbors here so well except for the electric guitar playing moron next door <__<. I don't like half of them I walk pass daily and for some reason this area although in good location doesn't agree with me. I still reminisce good times when I came the first year even living in a smaller apartment in Leppävaara was better than here. I think I'm not very made for Helsinki but just the suburbs of it...I hated living in the center for all the drunks and hobos keep me awake at night! <__< For some reason Vuosaari has an eerie I cannot wrap my fingers around feeling...also it didn't bring bad memories but not good ones either....Then this place this...horrid little place which I thought we'd get rid off in one year but noooo...not possible now that I'm pregnant...sigh....
Lahti was dead boring to me. I found nothing interesting except the lake opposite our apartment and mum-in-laws place. I don't mind visiting Lahti but I cannot phatom what to do there. The cottage which is about 100 + km from Lahti was idyllic little getaway for me. I love the nature there and the idea that there are almost no neighbours is pleasent! I know I can be a hermit sometimes and I like people but sometimes if you live close to them all the time (neighbors) it can be somewhat a familiar stranger. You know nothing about them but yet you keep seeing them...You are curious about them but you don't want to share you life with them but still they can hear almost everything you do or say when you're in your confined space.
I'll help them if they need my help that's what neighbors do but...I'd like to not get involve if it's even possible :P. I'm just mentally counting down the days when I can kick this apartment goodbye... Now I have to get back to some documentations and prepare for tomorrow's neverending meetings. Another day and more experience to come... Can't wait to go to Frankfurt...happy to have short visits if not I'll be dead tire....
Saturday, 10 January 2009
More recipes coming...
I know that my recipe blog is a bit boring but today I got my Darling Hubby to take pictures of the process of making Gyoza. It wasn't easy -___- as he was busy engaging a battle with Persia on CIV IV. So some pictures are rather dodgy but you get an idea. I will make the pineapple jam again one of these days as well as the tart now that I have this cool cookie dough presser. I had some pics of making the sambal for Nasi Lemak. However I am freaking lazy to do more... My kitchen is just a holy mess and it's demotivating to do anything...I'm still waiting for my king size kitchen with a real gas stove before I start actively blogging some of my favorite recipes...HOORAY! One way I can keep all my recipes in one place without losing them as when they were a form of scrappy notebooks that tear to pieces... <__<..Back to the kitchen...wouldn't want to burn my Gyozas!!!!
Friday, 9 January 2009
Baby 'Jyri and Tiina' is born!
My dearest 'baka' friend had a baby this afternoon. According to the message a sweet baby girl, weighing 3,44 kg at the length of 51 cm. This is such an exciting day! I'm sure they are thrilled. I would like to visit the family but I think I'll wait until they have settled in with their newborn. I can understand the need of privacy and getting bonded with the child. I'd like to have that with my newborn as well. I don't need someone in the background nagging me and wanting to hold the baby every now and then...I guess it's fine in the hospital but when we get home we just want to be alone for a while...at least 2 weeks :).
For me the bonding process is important. Your baby is never a baby forever so this is the best time for new parents to reflect the moment. Get it into their heads that there is a new person in the family...new adventures and frustrations of trying to get things right. I keep hearing that perfection isn't everything with a baby, you just need to do your best. Let's see what kind of a control freakazoid mumsy I'll be! :D
For me the bonding process is important. Your baby is never a baby forever so this is the best time for new parents to reflect the moment. Get it into their heads that there is a new person in the family...new adventures and frustrations of trying to get things right. I keep hearing that perfection isn't everything with a baby, you just need to do your best. Let's see what kind of a control freakazoid mumsy I'll be! :D
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Holidays are over
I admit I might have overdone myself during the holidays. As soon as the guests have left I started to break down. Parts of my body would not co-operate anymore and I slept throughout the whole afternoon. I tried to keep awake to watch Sahara with my dear hubby but fell asleep 3/4 way through so don't ask me about the ending :P.
I also tried to play CIV IV with him but in between turns kept dozing off. :-/ I almost fell asleep on my frying pan while waiting for it to heat up since my dearest hubby wanted me to make spaghetti bolognese after eating all the Neo-Chinese food I've been making the past week has been a real disappointment for him. Not because he didn't like Chinese food but he doesn't fancy it as much as Italian. The only thing that got him happy was when I made Tiramisu. My poor hubby got depressed at the thought of having to go back to work tomorrow, I just wanted to make it all go away. He hasn't had much of holiday while the guests are here. I wasn't too sure what he wanted to do during his vacation besides playing CIV IV. I do know that driving around and always on the move is not being his thing. Neither is it mine since I'm 14 weeks pregnant, I get mega tired at doing 1/4 what I use to do. I could say I'm over exerting myself during my 'vacation'. I do love cooking, heck if my kitchen was bigger it would make things a hell-o-lot easier. I'll just have to make do with the kitchen that I have for now ^___^.
I'm looking forward to the new home we will have end of 2009/beginning of 2010. It won't be 100% ready as it has to be built over winter and have another coat of paint in Spring. The most important thing to get ready are the bathrooms and toilets, the fireplace, master bedroom, baby room and of course MY KITCHEN! :D. Ah but there is just one more thing missing, we're still waiting for the land so it may still be a dream....With the finance crisis and all who'd know what to expect. Okay dearest hubby had a midnight snack and I just wanted to accompany him because I felt strangely alone. Maybe I'll brew myself some Milo and hot milk NAM!!!!
I also tried to play CIV IV with him but in between turns kept dozing off. :-/ I almost fell asleep on my frying pan while waiting for it to heat up since my dearest hubby wanted me to make spaghetti bolognese after eating all the Neo-Chinese food I've been making the past week has been a real disappointment for him. Not because he didn't like Chinese food but he doesn't fancy it as much as Italian. The only thing that got him happy was when I made Tiramisu. My poor hubby got depressed at the thought of having to go back to work tomorrow, I just wanted to make it all go away. He hasn't had much of holiday while the guests are here. I wasn't too sure what he wanted to do during his vacation besides playing CIV IV. I do know that driving around and always on the move is not being his thing. Neither is it mine since I'm 14 weeks pregnant, I get mega tired at doing 1/4 what I use to do. I could say I'm over exerting myself during my 'vacation'. I do love cooking, heck if my kitchen was bigger it would make things a hell-o-lot easier. I'll just have to make do with the kitchen that I have for now ^___^.
I'm looking forward to the new home we will have end of 2009/beginning of 2010. It won't be 100% ready as it has to be built over winter and have another coat of paint in Spring. The most important thing to get ready are the bathrooms and toilets, the fireplace, master bedroom, baby room and of course MY KITCHEN! :D. Ah but there is just one more thing missing, we're still waiting for the land so it may still be a dream....With the finance crisis and all who'd know what to expect. Okay dearest hubby had a midnight snack and I just wanted to accompany him because I felt strangely alone. Maybe I'll brew myself some Milo and hot milk NAM!!!!
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