Recipe : Rendang Ayam (requested)

This is my my family's favourite all times - my mom recipe for Rendang Ayam. I prepare this dishes without fail every year. Compliments a rendang with Lemang, Ketupat, Nasi Lemak or even Lontong. Its all up to your liking. The cooking times are quite suffering, well it depends on how much of chicken/beef that you're need. There is no step-by-step photo (sorry) since I'm not plan to post this recipe at first. So let's get started

(Serve 10 persons, cost +-RM40)

The Ingredients :

8-10 shallots

2 inch galangal (Lengkuas)

3 lemongrass (bottom@white part only)

A bulb of garlic

3-4 inch ginger (I'm always double the amount of ginger from galangal)

2 inch tumeric, or you can use the tumeric powder - 2 - 3 teaspoon.

+- 20 dried chilies (cut, boiled and seeded) - I don't measure it accurately, just give and take the amount.

(all the above ingredient are to be blend until fine)

1/4 cup of cooking oil

3 cup thick coconut milk - from 1 coconut

2 lemongrass - cut into 10cm length and pounded

2 tumeric leaves - sliced

3 kaffir lime leaves - sliced

Kerisik

Salt and sugar to taste

and of course, whole chicken - cut into 16 pieces.

The method :

1 . Add cooking oil into wok over high heat, pour the blended ingredients. Stir fry until it become a little bit dry. I will say until the it produce a nice aroma, about 5 minutes. 

2. Add half of coconut milk and chicken. Reduce heat to medium and keep stirring and bring the ingredients to boil. 

3. You might get tired waiting the coconut to thickened (more than 1 hour). However, you cannot speed up the process by turn the heat into high. The bottom of wok will get hardened and hangit and it will totally effect the whole taste. So be sure you have to stir often, and really take your time doing it.

4. When the gravy become thick, pour the remaining coconut milk and lemongrass. Keep stirring and bring everything into simmer for about 30 minutes or until the gravy become thick, again.

5. Now the chicken is really tender and it's the time for kerisik. Kerisik will thickened your rendang gravy and add extra ummph.

6. Keep stirring and you will notice an oil from coconut and kerisik will start float. Add the tumeric and kaffir lime leaves, stir them really good. Add sugar and salt. 

'Eid Ul-Adha (Hari Raya Haji/Korban)

'Eid Ul-Adha, the second festival most grandly celebrated all by Muslims over the world, after Aidilfitri. On 10th Zulhijjah, Eid Ul-Adha celebrated about two months after Aidilfitri, it marks the end of the haj pilgrimage period (about two weeks). That's the reason why it named Hari Raya Haji. Every year millions of Muslims make the journey to the Holy Land of Mecca to perform the haj, a requirement in Islam as it makes up one of the five tenets of the religion. As long as they have the means to do so, and are able health-wise, Muslims must perform the haj at least once in life. Alhamdulillah my dad completed his haj few years ago.

The story behind Aidiladha:  The sacrifice made by the Nabi Ibrahim ("korban" which means sacrifice), who demonstrated immense faith when he was put to the test by Allah. He was commanded to offer his only son Ismail up for sacrifice, and though it grieved him greatly, he made ready to perform the task. However, as he was about to strike his son, Allah stopped him and revealed that it was a trial. 

As such, during Aidiladha, the sacrifice of animals such as lambs, goats, cows, bulls and camels is performed. In Malaysia, cows are commonly chosen due to the facts that the availability. They are slain in accordance with the proper religious rites/ceremony, the meat is then distributed.

1/3 of the meat is given to the individual who willingly supplied the animal, while the rest is given to the needy or poor and deserving friends and relatives. It is to be noted that this is not a compulsory religious duty, but an obligation for those who are able to afford it.

Though in Malaysia the celebration of Aidiladha is relatively solemn compared to Aidilfitri, by no means is it less important, for it is a day when Muslims reaffirm their faith in Allah, be thankful for the many blessings that He has bequeathed to them.

I'd like to share my moment celebrating 'Eid Ul-adha with you (yester yester yester years :)). Enjoy..

FOTD : Ombre Lips

Ombre Lips - this is the look that I saw from Miu Miu's Fall 2011 show, Gucci AW11 show and Dior's Fall 2010 show.  Two shades of red are graduated on the lip for a layered finish that’s eye-catching, dramatic yet wearable and not as hard to achieve as you might think.

Inspired photos 

Gucci AW11 Show

Dior Fall 2011 Show

Miu Miu Fall 2011 Show

And this is my takes on wearable Ombre Lips. 

Products used (Lips only):

- YSL Lip Liner #11 - prune and plum colour.

- Diorific Lipstick 013 Roulette Red/Rouge Bingo

Allright, my tips and tricks to achieve ombre lips:

• Find contrasting colors that are in the same family like red and plum or black, red and pink, red and orange, or purple and pink, lilac and purple.
• Fill your entire lips with the darker base shade to avoid the lip-liner effect.
• To add a lighter color to the center of your lips, dab the with a brush and blend.
• With a bold lip statement like this one, make sure to keep the rest of your makeup low-key.

• Best to have matte finish (for me), but if you wanted to leave it glossy, I think that will look great too. This trend are so in right now especially during Fall/Winter. :)

Looks : Using DiorShow Iconic

This is me wearing Diorshow Iconic.

My lashes - they are lifted, defined, long and curler.

Before mascara applied - nothing extraordinary with my lashes I have typical asian lashes - medium length. I had neither primer applied beforehand nor lash curler. 

Loves:

- Diorshow Iconic is the best lengthening mascara I've ever tried and it does a great job at lifting your lashes.

- It doesn't smudge or flake on me

- Easy to apply at inner corner of the eyes. 

- My eyes seems 'welcome' everyone to look at - individually defined, separated and immediately long.

- It doesn't leave any fallout on my lids.

-  Great for contacts wearer. I wear contacts but amazingly I have no irritating, itching or discomfort with this mascara.

Loathes:

- This isn’t cheap.

Product: Diorshow Iconic Mascara in Noir

Made: France

Price: High side. RM105

Product Vote: 4.5/5

Repurchase: :) Yes

** Psstt..I sell this amazing mascara at half price, they are all new and original. 100% guaranteed :) 

DIY : Anti Ageing Carrot & Milk Mask

This carrot face mask is perfect for oily skin and helps prevent wrinkles. I love adding milk powder to get a fairer effect after hot sunny day outside. Trust me, you will feel your skin become firm immediately because carrots help protect the skin from free radicals and promote the regeneration of healthy skin cells.

The ingredients:

Tomato

Carrot (peel and steam until soft)

Milk Powder

Optional - 1 capsule of pure collagen 

Peel the carrots and steam until soft. Mash the all the ingredients into a creamy consistency. The more milk powder you add, the more water is needed. Mix the ingredients wisely and don’t get it become too runny.

Gently wash your face and neck with warm water and pat dry. Apply the mask evenly to your face and allow it to set for 15 minutes. Rinse your face and neck again with warm water and pat dry.

This is optional. You can mix in 1 tbsp. of honey, or of olive oil. Olive oil is the perfect skin care product since it helps nourish and clean the skin at the same time, leaving your skin supple and glowing. This is good for dry skin. Or, you can squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon juice into the face mask mixture. Lemon is a natural astringent and will help clean greasy skin. The amount of lemon you should add depends on your skin. If your skin tends to dry easily, add only 8 to 10 drops; if you skin tends to be oily, add up to 1 tbsp. of lemon juice. :) Happy Diwali and Happy holiday, everyone..!

Food Review : Mongolian Chicken Rice

I ordered this Mongolian Chicken Rice at top floor of IOI Mall. (Can't recall the restaurant's name. Sorry).

It looked delicious on picture but for me it doesn't taste good. The food was delivered hot and steamy. Too oily (as you can see) which I don't like. The gravy's taste quite close to Pajeri gravy, with hints of loads of black pepper. I personally think this gravy doesn't compliment much with boneless chicken. Not to my liking at all. And the gravy tasted like the gravy was overcooked.

Food Type: Northern China Cuisine 

Price: Reasonable. RM8 per plate as I remember

Cleanliness Vote : 4/5

Food Vote : 2/5 

Revisit : No for this Mongolian Chicken Rice

Massive Sale : Estee Lauder Lipstick

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MY ALL TIMES FAV LIPPIES.
ESTEE LAUDER CRYSTAL.
I LOVE THE SMELL AS WELL AS THE BRILLIANT QUALITY.
RM 45 EACH

Estee Lauder Crystal Creme Lipstick #29 Demure Rose
RM 45 x 1 nos
(Tiny defect, sorry. But still unused)

Estee Lauder Crystal Shimmer Lipstick #27 Secret Kiss
RM 45 x 1 nos

ORIGINAL from cosmetic counter. 
Items are exactly as pictures shown, and its all in stock. 

All lipstick come with no cap, but mini cap will be provided. It fits these lippies well
Price stated are exclusive of postage fee.
Postage via poslaju with double wrap bubble plastic

Massive Dior Sale : Dior Lipsticks

Diorific Lipstick
RM 45 each
No cap, but mini cap will be provided. It fits these lippies well.

Left : Diorific Lipstick 013 Roulette Red/Rouge Bingo
Right : Diorific Lipstick 012 Rose Boogie/Flirty Fuschia

Diorific Lipstick 013 Roulette Red/Rouge Bingo x 2 nos

Diorific Lipstick 012 Rose Boogie/Flirty Fuschia x 1 nos

Rouge Dior
RM 45 each

No cap, but mini cap will be provided. It fits these lippies well.

Top: Rouge Dior Rose Declamation #277 x 1 nos
Bottom : Rouge Dior Mazette #028 x 1 nos

Top: Rouge Dior Favori #752 x 1 nos
Bottom : Rouge Dior Elegant Pink #351 x 1 nos

Dior Addict High Shine.
No cap, but mini cap will be provided. It fits these lippies well.
RM45 each

# 340 Rose Fashion x 2 nos
# 682 Rose Mirage x 1 nos
# 564 Model x 1 nos

# 340 Rose Fashion x 2 nos

# 682 Rose Mirage x 1 nos
Sold

# 564 Model x 1 nos

Girls, all the items are NO FAKE, absolutely genuine from Dior.:) Leave a comment if you're interested.

Massive Dior Sale : Dior 5 Colours Eyeshadow

Dior 5 Colours Eyeshadow - RM 45 each. Quantity and items as shown (no case).

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow - Extase Pinks #804
RM 45 x 2 nos

Dior Eye Color 5 Color Iridescent Eyeshadow Pink May # 909
RM 45 x 2 nos

Dior 5 Color Iridescent Eyeshadow - #539 Iridesent Leather
(DISCONTINUED AT STORE)
RM 45 x 1 no

Dior 5-Colour Designer Eyeshadow - Nude Pink Design #508
RM 45 x 1 nos

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow - Stylish Move #970
RM 45 x 2 nos
1-Sold
1-Sold

Dior 5 Color Designer All In One Artistry Palette - #008 Smoky Design
RM 45 x 1 nos

5-Colour Eyeshadow in Ready to Glow 649
RM 45 x 1 no

Let me know which one you like most. :)

 

Massive Dior Sale : Diorshow Mascara

Diorshow Mascara (RM45 each)
Top: Diorshow Ironic (10ml)
Mid: Diorshow Waterproof (11.5ml)
Bottom: Diorshow Extase (10ml)

Diorshow Ironic (10ml)
Code 268 (blue) Qty: 2
Code 698 (brown) Qty: 2

Diorshow Waterproof (11.5ml)
Code 258 (blue) Qty: 2
Code 698 (brown) Qty: 2
Code 090 (black) Qty: 1

Diorshow Extase (10ml) - One and only!!
Code 090 (black) Qty: 1 - Sold