Peranakan Dinner ~ Yummy!!

Last week, Hubby had an idea that we cook Peranakan dinner on Saturday. We bought a Nyonya food receipe book recently and could try to cook the dishes......

I discussed with mum in-law and we decided on Babi Ponteh (braised pork belly), Nyonya Chap Chye, Nyonya Ngoh Hiang, Nyonya prawns with pedai and fish maw soup. All dishes would be first try for us except for the Chap Chye. Keke! On Friday evening, we discussed and I wrote down all the ingredients and spices that are needed and mum in-law and I went to the market on Saturday morning.. It was a very hot morning. It was great that we bought an umbrella along.

Initially, Hubby wanted to fetch Ah Mah to our house for dinner. But found out that she was sick. So after we were back from the market, Hubby brought the fish, pork and vegetables we had bought for Ah Mah and went over to her house. Meanwhile, mum in-law and I prepared all the necessaries..... I peeled and 'chopped' the water chestnuts. Wow! This is really hard work..... But I enjoyed it too.... Hee! There was a lot of preparation work for the Ngoh Hiang (or 'Hei Chok' - in Hokkien). I pounded the prawns till they become paste form and was very fine. Next, I had to pound the plain crackers/biscuits till they are fine too. The water chestnuts had to be very fine as well... Next, 2 eggs, salt, soya sauce, pepper, five-spice powder, sugar, flour were needed..... After that, everything had to be mixed together.....

Mum in-law realised that she has forgotten to buy dried shrimps for the chap chye. There were not enough prawns too for the pedai dish. So I went down to the market again.....

Babi ponteh was easier to cook... process was faster too. As for the prawns with pedai, mum in-law had to blend the spices to make the sauce (rempah).... Chap Chye was fast too.

After Hubby brought Ah Mah to the doctor and prepared lunch for her, he went to fetch my mum over. All was ready at about 1.30 pm.... Hubby came back with dark chocolate for me.... Yeah! :p Then he helped to wrap the Ngoh Hiang, steamed and fried them. He did a good job.....

We wanted to try the food.... I was hungry too.... One of the PMS symptons... Always hungry.... Keke! Yunmmy Yummy!! It was our late lunch.....

Ngoh Hiang ('Hei Chok') - Before they were

fried...


After they were fried..... cut into bite sizes....

~ Babi Ponteh ~

~ Prawns with Pedai ~

~ Chap Chye ~

~ Fish Maw Soup ~

~ Oishii dinner ~

Mahjong session started at about 4 pm ..... Mum, Mum-in-law, Hubby and I were the players.... I was lucky.... Won two times of three "dai" (sets) and I took the last winning tile myself..... After two rounds, I lost only $7..... But as usual, every tile I 'threw' out, the player sitting next to me always need it. So I "feed" my mum and mum-in-law in both rounds..... Most of the time, they won because of me..... Hubby lost in the end.....Caused by me too..... As a newbie, I still don't know how not to throw out the tile that the player sitting on by right do not need it. Hmph! Everytime, we chose the "North, South, East, West" to decide on the sitting arrangements. Hubby and I always chose the opposite seats. Haha..... My mum always chose the "North" seat.... I always chose the "East" seat.... Mahjong is really weird........

My sister and brother came for dinner too..... After dinner, Hubby and brother played PS2.... football.....as usual.... The 4 ladies - Mum, Mum in-law, sister and I played another round..... This time, I lost $22..... Not much luck..... Hee! But all for the fun..... In the end, no monies involved. Just for leisure....... Keke!

Hubby suggested that we could start a "Mahjong League".... The winner of the month should have a present from everyone. I commented that I will definitely not get the present..... Hee! Mum in-law said it should be the winner of the month to give a treat to the rest....Sounds better right?! ;p

We had a good weekend...... Good food and fun!! Cheers.......