Mothers Day - Old People - Nursing Home (Part 1)

Mothers’ Day has always been in my calendar of event ever since I could remember the date and it was especially important after I became a mother. But I rarely celebrate it seriously with a cake and fancy things for both my mother and mum-in-law.

Year 2011, as mothers day coincide with the week I am going back to my hometown, I suggested to Fendi that we buy a cake on our way home to his village and celebrate mothers’ day with Mak and Nenek. He looked somehow excited. This is the first time we really buy a cake and celebrate it for some occasion in relation to them (Mak n Nenek and not the usually grandchild’s birthday). I let him choose the cake. He carried the cake into the house with a wide smile. Mak and Nenek asked what was that in the big box? A red big box with ‘Secret Recipe’ written outside the box means nothing to them. Fendi said its a cake to celebrate ‘Hari Ibu’ for them as well as for me. Of course the kids get all excited about cake cutting! Just to share it here some of the pictures taken on that day.

Mak and Nenek is just a normal, ordinary, illiterate, kampung ladies. Their lives has been dedicated to raising their children (Nenek has 4 sons and 1 daughter-Mak whilst Mak has ONLY 2 sons). Being ‘orang nogori’ (people from Negri Sembilan) their ‘sense of belonging’ (i hope i describe it right) is very strong. I remember the first day of our wedding day, after our reception, all of them were sent home by Fendi’s friend. Knowing them, Fendi gave them a call that evening just to ensure they arrive safely. The next few days was our early days as husband and wife but a call from Mak and Nenek ruins everything. They were upset because Fendi did not call the next day and the day after. They said he must’ve forgotten all about them now that he got a wife! Not to mention other various issues they highlighted during my reception. Fendi had a tough time explaining and trying to calm them down.

It was then that I realize the truth behind what a very close ‘Kakak’ to me once said. ‘Always make your in-laws feel that they did NOT lose a son instead GAIN a Daughter’. Though that was my goal, I cannot avoid feeling frustrated, upset, angry and the list continues whenever things goes wrong especially when I have done my level best. But holding on to the statement above, I always leave to house (to come home to KL) with a feeling this statement = LETS PUT EVERYTHING BEHIND. Reason? Simple.. Nenek, she is just too old to even change the way she think, the way she do things, her perception, her style of anger basically everything.. ignore her as much as possible. Having said that, it does not mean that I hate her. I respect and love her as a grandmother and I still treasure those sweet memories we had. Old people have 1 thing in common. They don’t jump up for nothing. They are like a can of Coca-Cola.. Its only if you ‘shake’ them that they explode and splash onto your face!

I must say and admit that it is not always easy to please old people. Shantee said one day that no matter how good your relationship is with your mother in law, you can never stay together. True enough.. its already difficult enough to stay with a different person (spouse) when we first get married let alone to stay with the person who ‘created’ it! But I am satisfied that We (Fendi and I) am able to tend to her basic needs, treat her when she is ill and make things easy for her every month. If you ask me what are the ‘divine intervention’ that saved us all when the accident happened last year it was nothing but the all the good things that we have done for our folks and the fact that they still need us around!

A few hours after we cut the Mothers’ Day cake with Nenek, I was with Mak in the kitchen. She was telling me about one of Fendi’s uncle who plan to build a house after his retirement next to this house Mak is staying with Nenek now. I was jokingly telling her like ya la.. like thats gonna happen.. what if it became abandon project like the cow’s barn he was planning to build. Mak, calmly said.. ‘then its ok.. I have my plans.. I wanna go to a nursing home.. its sure nice staying there’ I was like ‘WHAT??!’ inside.. I was taken aback I feel she is saying like Fendi n I cannot take care of her. I then said ‘how do you know its nice.. u haven’t been to 1’.. and Mak, still in her very low voice said ‘I know la.. I’ve stayed in the hospital before.. nice having people around me to chat’. I then realize that I should just shut-up. I don’t wanna upset her.

I kept it to myself but keep on thinking what is going on in Mak’s mind when she said that. I took me quite sometime to realize that maybe Mak just doesn’t to trouble her son. She knows that she has only 2 sons and being a woman she will need a women to care for her. Also, having the experience tending to Nenek who sometimes can be a very grumpy old lady, fussy n what not, she knows and she understand the pain and the challenges way too much to put it to another person who is most likely to be her daughter-in-law. Most importantly, she doesn’t want to be the reason for whatever misunderstanding and eventually shaken the stability of the household and also to void having heart feeling towards her son I guess..

2 days after that, back in KL, we were in the car when I brought up this matter and talk discuss it with Fendi. When I said we will never know for sure what is in Mak’s mind and heart, what is she thinking and what is she feeling.. Mak can be very secretive at times especially when it involves feelings. Fendi said, if Nenek is no longer here, he will honour whatever Mak’s request even if it means sending her to a nursing home if that is what she wanted. He keeps on emphasising on ‘If that is what Mak wants’ but of course we shall come to decide about it when it really happens. He said, sending a mother to a nursing home if so requested by the mother does not mean that the child disown the mother but to honour a mother’s request. Some old folks wants to have friends. If at all Nenek is no longer around that leaves Mak alone in a big house with no one to chat with. She has spend so many years of her life tending to Nenek’s needs and she might just want companion.. not a husband but just friends. A child whose parents opted for Nursing Home should ensure they send their parents to a place with proper care, a paid one, with nurses and attendants to help them if needed. Visit them regularly and once in a while bring them to stay over at their home especially during festive season. What is the point of keeping your folks at home with you but leave them all alone when you’re at work? Which makes sense to me. Certainly this is not something that we already plan ya.. its just contemplating.. I don’t wanna end up having people saying ‘Liza is sending her parents and in laws to rumah orang tua2!’ tsk tsk tsk! So derhaka!

To Be Continued....

Songket Restaurant - The Real Malay Flavour in Asian Wonders!

I first heard of 'Songket Restaurant' from my brother Khairil who suggested that we all go and have a great meal together. That was about a month ago. Last 3 weeks, I met my good friend Shantee, who coincidently mentioned about her gathering with old friends she had known 10 years ago (wink-wink *_* yeah right!).

Shantee strongly recommended this restaurant to me. I was so excited to try out their food, long story cut short, we were eventually invited to Songket Restaurant to have a taste of what Shantee mentioned to me as a TRUE Malay food.

The Owner Mr. Tony Wong

A little background of Songket Restaurant, Mr. Tony Tan, together with his Master Chef En. Mawi (whom we haven't have the chance to meet) are partners of this lovely decorated, nicely tuned with Malay classic and pop yea2's restaurant opened in March 2011. Yes, very new restaurant. All dishes are strictly MSG-free (bukan free2 taruk msg okay.. NO MSG at all!) and believe me.. they don't because the food tasted really natural and you don't feel thirsty.. I had to force myself to finish my iced lemon tea instead of ordering another glass like I usually do if I dine out.

Main Entrance

Right in front of the main entrance.. Reception?

This restaurant is located behind Tony Roma's in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng. I had never dine in any of the restaurant along Jalan Yap Kwan Seng as I always have a perception that this stretch of restaurants there must be very expensive considering the fact that they are located at an area full of fine dining restaurants.

We reached there at about 12.45 pm on that day. Thanks to Maya who drove like an F1 driver. I kinda control myself from freaking out each time she 'break' :D. We were greeted by Mr.Tony Wong. Very friendly, very cin-cai punya taukeh! 

Here are some pictures of the place.. cozy.. I especially adore the songket teddies displayed in the glass cupboard. If you are coming for dinner, you will be entertained by  traditional Malay dance performance. Ok la.. I know you would be more interested to know about the food.. To tell you the truth, there are wide variety of dishes.. you will be spoilt for choices. But what we had on that day was a very fulfilling meal and a very nice one. 

This is where they have traditional Malay dance performance at night.

one corner of the restaurant

Display area.. cute teddies..

From the end of the restaurant where we sat.

First dish arrived and this is something Mr. Tony Wong has insisted us on trying. It was Mee Kari. I always received compliments from people for my Mee Kari but this one.. is a Simple Mee Kari but the special part is that it is not too spicy yet full of flavours. You can really taste the fresh spices and the gravy is thick but not too milky (coconutty sounds pelik isn't it?) There is a choice of Mee and Mee Hoon, we had Mee and its nice. If you fancy noodles, this is a MUST Try!

Mee Kari

We also had :-
Set A- nasi ulam with ayam percik, acar, sayur lodeh, keropok.

Set B- nasi minyak, rendang daging, acar, sayur lodeh, keropok.

The ayam percik - the chicken is tender and it has the flavour of 'percik' gravy through the meat. This is unlike normal ayam percik that only has the gravy coating on the chicken meat. This one its like the chicken has been soaked in the gravy..

Nasi ulam/kerabu. The rice blends very well with the finely chopped herbs and vege making it taste very natural  with no apparent taste of raw vege in it.

The Nasi Minyak. Is very much different from what we usually have. It doesn't taste too oily like the normal nasi minyak cooked with ghee. If you ask me what is the different.. honestly, I don't know.. you really have to try it yourself.

The Rendang Daging. This particular dish, all of us.. Shantee, Maya and Myself really enjoyed it. Its a bit spicier compared to the ayam percik but for those 'rendang lover' out there.. this is to fall for ('to die for' macam too hardcore hehe!) I did mentioned to Mr. Tony that  it will taste even better with lemang or ketupat daun palas.. One might say it will be a hit during Puasa or Hari Raya season but it will be a GREATER hit if you have this out of puasa or hari raya season.. coz its hard to get this out of its season rite??

This is my first time eating Rusuk Panggang. The meat is certainly very very tender it just practically falls off from the bone.The best part is the flavour of the dark-soya like- sauce on the meat that has a unique flavour. Not too sweet as I thought it will be and no apparent saltiness too. It taste just right. Nothing was overdone, no flavour is overpowered. Just like how the Malay describe it as "Sedang Elok, Sedang Cantik". If I am eating with my family of 5,I would have licked clean the bone as well.. hehehe! (not gelojoh okay.. enjoying every bit of it that is...)

This dish is very new to me. Shantee mentioned to me earlier that this is one of her favourite the Pucuk Paku Goreng Taik Minyak. One might say well, its just pucuk paku (fern shoot/sprout) stir fried in taik minyak (coconut milk simmered till it turns oily and turned into 2 parts, the oil part and the lumpy dark brown  substance a.k.a taik minyak). Its unique taste of taik minyak gives the whole dish a distinctive sweet / milky (lemak) taste. If you are wondering as much as I was before trying this dish, you surely would want to try just to find it out yourself!

After trying all of the above, Mr. Tony Wong suggested that we try another of their unique stir fried vege. Pucuk Keledek goreng ikan masin (sweet potato shoots/sprout stir fried with salted fish). It may taste like a normal stir fried vege but its not overly done. Not too salty, no apparent spicy taste. This is what chinese say 'Cheng Chau'. Naturally stir fried.

Yeahhhh.. of all things of course we're waiting for the dessert.. We were introduced to Tapai Pulut (fermented glutinous rice), Durian Tiramisu and Pandan Pudding. 

Tapai Pulut served with ice-cream. I don't take tapai pulut (nope, certainly not because of its fermented, I just don't enjoy the taste.) Maya, the tapai pulut lover said there is something really special but she couldn't tell what it is.. She keeps on frowning while finishing almost 1/2 of these all by herself.. hehehehe.. I jokingly said.. if you can't walk straight after taking this then we know what it is.. hahahaha!

Durian Tiramisu. OOi! this is WONDERFUL! I can really taste the fresh durian flavour in this. I could not believe it would taste so good and I am sure my lil girl Sarah will love it.. She is a durian fan! This is 5star recommendation and a MUST MUST Try!

Pandan Pudding. This is another new thing for me.. I am a picky eater of sort. There are food that I know I will not like/take especially those made from tapai, evaporated milk with very2 milky taste and soft things like pudding. But occassionally, I will give it a try. This pandan pudding dessert though looks very ordinary taste even better. The milky taste complemented very well with the just nice sweetness of the gula melaka. Heavennnn....

from left Maya, Me, Mr. Tony Wong, Shantee and Kelly

Here is the BEST-est part. If you are wondering (as much as I do) and really would want find out what is so special with Songket Restaurant and their dishes, make your reservations and if you would kindly mention that you are a reader of lizamasrina.blogspot.com or blogmaya.com if you are also reading hers, you will be treated with a 'complementary' dessert specially from Songket Restaurant. Remember to mention either one of our blog to get the complementary dessert ya.. ;)


Please call to reserve your table to avoid disappointment. They could cater for large crowd in case you are looking for a place for a farewell dinner/lunch.

For further information and price list, do visit http://www.songketrestaurant.com/ and for another review from my blogger friend Maya visit http://blogmaya.com/

As I am writing from Penang (holiday ma...) pictures are courtesy from Maya of http://blogmaya.com/.. Thanks for sharing the pcitures Maya!

Thanks also to Mr. Tony Wong for his hospitality. We certainly enjoyed the food.

Thanks to Shantee for introducing us to Mr. Tony Wong and Songket Restaurant.

'Never Fail' Pizza Dough.

Wonder how I always manage to have pizza for breakfast on weekdays? I stick to this best, never fail pizza dough recipe and as always I used my shortcut ingredients for the sauce.


I prefer mozzarella cheese for my pizza. Get those good premium mozzarella cheese from Cold Storage.. really nice leh!


For the pizza base sauce. You can either make your own sauce by simmering your de-seeded tomatoes add a dash of oregano or just use the bolognese mixed herbs I've shown you in my easy grill chicken chop recipe, add 2-3 tablespoon full of tomato paste (not puree ya, PASTE. its thicker and better flavour n colour compared to puree) and of course salt and pepper.


Lets start making the dough shall we..


2 cups of plain flour
1 packet (11 grams) of dried yeast
In a cup combined 3/4 cup of milk (I usually mix 1/4 of hot water to 2/4 of fresh milk to make it warm)
1/2 tablespoon of cooking sunflower, corn or canola oil. 
a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar

Dried yeast approximately 11 grams

Look out for this Fresh Milk @ your local supermarket.. Yasmeen said it tastes better than other brands!

I use sunflower oil. Other options are corn/canola

Mix flour and dried yeast in a mixing bowl

Warm milk, oil, salt n sugar in a cup

Make a well @ the centre of your mixing bowl n pour in the water a little at a time..

Mix your dough with your fingers lady! its time to get messy and mushy!

Sprinkle a little flour in between to make the dough easy to handle. Its done when its no longer sticking on your palm

Some useful tips :-

Dough are meant to be soft, it must have enough moisture to allow to dough to rise nicely.

You may want to wash your hands after mixing the flour with the warm milk mixture and wipe your hands clean before kneading the dough a bit while dusting some flour on top.

Wrap your dough with a cling wrapper and allow dough to rise double the original size. It may take up to 90 minutes

 More useful tips :-


I usually keep the dough in a warm place. If I am not cooking, I will heat up my burner for a few seconds, turn of the burner, place my non stick pan and my mixing bowl on top. The heat will make your dough rise faster. Or alternately you may use the same method with your oven. I've used both ways.

After the dough have risen, give it a good punch! to let out all the excessive air .. :)

At this point, you can either use the dough and start making your own pizza or, you can keep it in the fridge (if you're making the dough late in the evening and plan to use it the next morning) or keep it in the freezer if your're planning to use it much later.

In a plastic bag..

 

My storing method will be in a clean plastic bags (those plastic bags use to 'tapau' food lah~!). I believe you would wanna avoid keeping the dough in a tupperware.. I think it will explode considering the fact that the dough will still rise a bit while in the fridge.

If you're keeping it in the freezer.. well, of course you will need to thaw the dough before using it okay..

Give it a nice pat! pat! pat!

Hand tossed.. not really tossing it up high la.. just tossing around with fingers or alternately you may use a rolling pin.. easier way out..

The 2 pictures above were taken in the morning.. around 5.30 am and I was frantically rushing to finish this for the girls' breakfast b4 school so.. I missed taking pictures while preparing the topping..

Anyway, you start with brushing some oil onto your base, then the base sauce (tomato).. the oil is to ensure that your tomato base stays moist after the baking session.

Then, you may have whatever topping you want.. Sometimes, when I have leftover sambal after our nasi lemak days, I will use that as my base sauce (for this you don't need to brush oil onto your dough coz sambal itself is already oily), pan fried some anchovies and use it as a topping alongside with generous amount of onions! best!! a must try.

Picture of my wonderful pizza

 

If you fancy pepperoni, you can find it in Sogo supermarket. It costs about RM14 the last time I bought it.

I like my pizza thin crust.. how about you? Try this and let me know!