Carrot Soup with Ginger

Been borrowing cook books from the National Library and trying some recipes out. This one seemed simple enough:

Ingredients

2 tablespoons buttter or margarine

1 onion, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

5 1/2 cups chopped carrots

2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root

1 1/2 quarts chicken stock

7 tablespoons whipping cream

a good pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

salt and freshly ground black peper

Soup: Superb Ways with Classic Dish by Debra Mayhew

Melt the butter or margarine.

Add the onion and celery and cook for about 5 minutes until soft.
Stir in potato, carrots, ginger and stock. Bring to a boil.

Lower the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Pour soup into blender and process until smooth.

A few swirls and its done.

Return the soup into the pan. Stir in cream and nutmeg and add salt and pepper to taste.

Reheat slowly to serve.

Looks like pumpkin soup but sweetness is more subtle with outstanding infusion of ginger and nutmeg fragrances. Texture is creamy but light and smooth. Suitable for a simple lunch with crackers or toasted bread. Serves 4-6 people.

Raya@Midvalley Megamall

The roads were empty with the exodus of half the city going back to their hometown for Raya celebrations. Thinking it would be a good time to venture out, I went shopping at Midvalley. Only to be greeted by huge crowds of people having a "family outing" - grandparents, parents, maid and children in tow. They move in herds.

I hate crowds.

This year's display at the Centre Court

I like the little red bike with flat tires. Very quaint prop!

Performances at The Gardens, Midvalley

What dance is this?

~twirl~

Uh... butterfly dance?

Graceful!

Contortionist Kutucat

Catfight

Adrenaline pumping.
Hackles raised.
Tail puffed up twice the usual size.
Claws unsheathed.
Ears flattened against her head.
Fangs bared.
A deep-throated growl.
Hindlegs tensed.
Ready to spring.
Eyes intent on the opponent's jugular.
A battle to the end.
Just say the word "Go".

Anti-kutu

Kutucat wants to show you her flea collar.

Oddly, she doesn't mind when we put it on her, as long as you don't fiddle and fumble and take forever to buckle it up. I think she is a vain pot who loves to accessorize. The collar is medicated with insecticide/tickicide/fleacide/kutucide and it helps reduce the parasitic population and hence her irritation. Her fur gets matted beneath the collar, which posses a problem of sorts when it comes to grooming. Many a times, we find a lump of tangled fur and I have to shave off the area with a blade. The tangle is usually too near the skin to use scissors. I am always scared of snipping off a piece of her flesh accidentally *shudders*. Try handling sharp objects when wrestling with an uncooperative 6-year-old. Poke your eyes then you know.

Aquaria KLCC

Aquaria is actually located at the KL Convention Centre, accessible from Suria KLCC the shopping mall via an underground walkway. Entrance fee for adults with Mykad was RM28, opened daily from 11am-8pm. More info here.

There is a giant cylindrical aquarium as you descent into the exhibition

hall featuring the lower half of a mangroove tree with fish

doing n-number of laps around the tank. Everyday.

Also included in the tour were reptiles, snakes and spiders.
Oh. And a skunk.

Welcome to my home, said the spider to the fly.

Croc-like fish

Fearsome lion fish

90m acrylic tunnel

Bellyrub. Shark is ticklish.

Feeding time lunch crowd

Geli-lar.

Turtles' turn

~The End~
I lazy to write today.

Trip to Singapore

Last month (has it been a month already?!) I made a trip down to Singapore. Took the Aeroline from Bandar Utama (1-Utama shopping center) at RM80 one way. It was easier than flying considering the travel time and cost to get to KLIA. Bus was punctual, meals served included 1 Subway sandwich (nasi lemak coming back), 500ml mineral water and a hot drink (Milo/Coffee/Tea). Oh... and a movie on board. Down side is the trouble of getting on and off the bus at the customs checkpoint. Leg space was a bit narrow for me otherwise it was a very comfy 5-hour ride.

Aeroline waiting lounge

Better food than I expected

A walk in the park (Pasir Ris)

The Singapore Chinese Garden at Jurong East

Is a fearsome statue

Reminds me of China

Sky so blue!

In the end had to cut short the outing and skip the Japanese Garden to escape to aircon place

Lunch at Din Tai Fung

Siao Long Bao bursting with slurpy gravy

I can't remember the name of this dish. Deep fried tofu with pork rolls.

Or something like that.

This one cannot miss!

Went to check out the Fullerton Hotel

I love the hotel's buffet breakfast

Sunset at Raffles Place

Night comes and the place lits up.

This is a 80-year-old building (completed in 1928)

The architecture looks very grand and opulent

It used to be the General Post Office

Went for a walk along the Singapore River

Cavenegh bridge

Lucky I brought my tripod for night shots

The Asian Civilisation Museum

Sat and pondered long and hard by the river while taking in the view.

Visited Friend who had twins(!). Had a wonderful time catching up (a lot of stories to tell) and chillin' with the babies while watching the Olympics on TV. It's a nice cozy family and I'm very happy for them. :) Thank you B and PH for fetching me and letting me stay with you guys! Love to GBL and BJM from Auntie Kutucat!! Muaks!!!