Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Tofu salad with soft yolk boiled egg (also Last day of his Kindergarten)


I love Japanese flavoured soft yolk boiled egg (or Ajitsuke Tamago) that was not too runny.  Especially those that paired with a hot, steamy ramen.  It was heavenly!  To make it into a bento box, the egg yolk should not be runny and yet soft enough with brilliant bright orange.  Therefore, I decided to experiment it at home without flavouring it.  After a few (failed) attempts with different sizes of eggs and cracked eggs, I finally succeeded cooking the way we like it.  Large egg (around 58g to 60g) took 3 minutes and small egg like the first born egg need only 2 minutes. 

Method:
  • Take an egg straight out from the refrigerator and put it into a small pot filled with water at room temperature (Note: This stage is critical because the eggs may crack.  But I have no solution to it.  Just have to try our luck.)
  • Start the stove with a small fire and simmer
  • Once the water starts to boil, switch it off
  • Cover the pot with a lid and leave it for 3 minutes
  • Take the egg out and plunge into cold ice water
We had a simple and healthy lunch with fried tofu, lettuces, tomatoes and of course, the egg! And paired with our favourite Japanese sesame sauce which I learned it from JustCookBook.

Time flies, today was the last day of his school.   The children has a farewell party in his kindergarten with a sporty and healthy theme.  The party snack contributed by the school as well as potluck from the parents.  Whilst his kindergarten provides pizza bread, the parents were requested to bring one type of food be it grapes, blueberries, vitagen drink or halal jelly.  My boy dressed up as a footballer which I conveniently suggested since he has a full set of the soccer jersey which he played at the Junior Arsenal Club.  To show my appreciation for the teachers,  I had earlier baked some mini cranberry scones for his K1 teachers; Ms Alice, Fu Laoshi, K2 teachers; Ms Josie, Huang Laoshi and the Principal, Mrs Aw.

I am glad I have made the right choice of kindergarten when we decided to switch from his then premium preschool to the current one nearer to our home.  His current kindergarten focus on play and not so academic driven which I believe, that's the reason why my son enjoyed the lessons and always looked forward to go to school.  Not forget to mention that the teachers there were helpful, approachable and caring towards the pre-schoolers.  I did lament that it did not provide enough outings for greater exposure (which his previous kindy has at least 3 outings per term! Again, we paid a premium for it).  Nevertheless, my son did well and another milestone achieved!  Next year, he will begin his formal education and hope he will love and enjoy learning in his new Primary school.




Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Chicken Burger

# 343

My son gets to choose his brunch (that last him till his snack time 1.30pm in his kindergarten) almost everyday. It saved me the trouble of cracking my head and also I have a more willing child to eat his food happily since he requested it.  He wanted the same chicken burger I prepared previously.  This time, not in a lunch box but just lay out on a plate.  Four Leaves bakery has really nice multi-grain bun that I personally love it.  And it was just nice and the right size to make burger!  Sliced into half and spread some butter on both sides of the bread.  With the butter side face down, I toasted it over my Happy call pan still slightly crisp.  Then layered with low fat cheese, a piece of chicken thigh, a slice of tomato, onion and lettuces.  Lastly,  squeezed some Japanese mayo and ketchup. Then I decorated with a flag food pick. On the sides, he has some Japanese cucumber, tomato and green grapes.  Does it look appetizing to you?
 
Although he has just lost one of his front milk teeth and complained every bites, it was a satisfying meal.  He finished all of it! :D  Then, he asked me to collect all his milk teeth that since been fallen off to make a necklace for him.  Guess, that's my next DIY project!