Chow the Chowder!

Assalmualaikum!

I'm sorry for the hiatus.To be honest, I don't really do much at home.I'm still waiting for any intership offers or any job offers for that matter.InsyaAllah..I didn't cook much either.I mean..I'm at home and mom cooks great food..why bother?hehe..but i did save a few recipes that i wanted to share..

One of them is Fish Chowder. We had fish fillets hanging around in our freezer that was demanding my attention..so i googled the recipe.What i've learnt about chowders is they are very versatile.I mean, you can use any kind of fish or seafood,any kind of vegetable and any kind of base.Not having all the ingredients for any specific recipes,i do what i do best: CREATE MY OWN =)

Sole Fish Chowder

About 300g of fish fillet

1 medium onion
1 large potato
Half of a carrot
A bunch of parsley
3 tablespoon of butter
3 tablespoon of flour
3 cups of milk
1 cube of chicken stock
pepper,chili flakes and Italian seasoning to season
2 or more tablespoon of olive oil

1. Chop everything into cubes and small pieces.Not too small for the fish though!
2. Pour the olive oil into a pan and fry the veggies until they soften.(Fry the onion,potato and carrot first as they need more time to soften)
3. When the veggies are slightly mushy add in the fish and parsley(if you like your chowder to be all crunchy,by all means,lessen the frying time.Plus,be careful when stirring as the fish might fall apart,you don't want flakes in your chowder do you?)
4. Season them with pepper and Italian seasoning
5. Put them aside.I used the same pan as to let the chowder collect or absorb (pardon my lack of vocabulary) the flavors from the fried vegetables.Melt the butter and add the flour then the milk (yes, we're making a roux again,If its too think add more flour,if its too thick,add more milk.).
6. Add the chicken stock and stir.
7. Add the fried veggies and season the chowder with chili flakes (I still don't have paprika)
8. Let it simmer and you're DONE!

Ingredients for roux

Veggies and fish

Fried veggies and fish

TADAAAA!

For other varieties,

instead of making a roux,you could use creamed corn to make the base and add milk.Clam and prawns chowder would be yummy too!How about adding in some celery?YUMMMMMM!

It super easy and super yummy.Although i must say that by adding the chili flakes makes it slightly Malaysian which i don't really like it.It didn't go that well in my opinion although my friend LOVES IT.Try using paprika.I would next time.

Till then Salut,
Love,
Anggerik

My Favourite Breakfast

Assalamualaikum!

Its been three weeks home and i'm as fat as...the couch?anyhoos..i took this picture awhile ago.After 3 weeks i'm still getting used to the free time i have.I mean..i don't have to whip up my breakfast in  a jiff to get back to studying?Funny how i was laughing at my friends back in PC about eating fast to continue reading their books.Look who's talking now?I love to eat!Thats a fact.My favorite meal of the day is breakfast.You know how you go to bed hungry?(I do)My family usually eats dinner early about 7.So by 12 I'm starved.But hey,I can't  stuff my face with food at midninght EVERYDAY.Everyday I try to exercise in the morning.I love to jog..fine.BRISK WALK..It makes me feel good.After a nice morning walk,i deserve a good breakfast no?I'm proud that I can now say No to coffee.I used to have about 4 cups of coffee per day.Not anymore.Alhamdulillah.
Getting back to my favorite breakfast..I love eggs and cheese. Omelette du fromage (remember Dexter?) is my all time favourite!The fun thing about it is,you can add ANYTHING you like..I remembered once i made Zubairs omlette with ground beef.It was yummy.but he didn't like it.Cheh.I love to put eveyhing in it!Sometimes its too heavy to be flipped!

Anggerik's Omlette

2 egg

olives
capsicum
tomato
mozzarella
onion
button mushrooms

1)Beat the eggs until its light
2)Chop the veggies up and shred the cheese.
3)Spread the eggs evenly on the pan.
4)Put in the fillings.Flip and Done.=)

If you want to make it slightly thicker,add a bit of flour into the egg mix.=)
yeay!

Till then,Salut.

Love,

Anggerik

Three Red Eiffel Towers

Assalamualaikum!

What future holds are beyond our knowledge and power.Come what may InsyaAllah.
As i walked past these promises of eternal love,I couldn't help to put ours there too.Only you weren't there.Next time,I'll take you with me InsyaAllah.

Hundreds of people were in love,are they still?

Among all of these promises,securing what they want and feel,

This little tower,this one is ours,

One for the bridge and one for each of us to keep.

Dear Mr Little Red Eiffel Tower,

Wait for us,we'll come back.

Live for the moment,no regrets.
If not here,then in the Hereafter.
Amin.

"What relish is this? How runs the stream?

Or am I mad, or else this is a dream.

Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep;

If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep!"

                        - Twelfth Night, Shakespeare

Till then,Salut,

Love,

Anggerik

The place where people fall in love, Day 2 (cont.)

Assalamualaikum!

1st May 2011, Lafayyete Gallery
After our stop at the Opera House,we walked to this church that is partially under maintainance and had our lunch.Yes.Bread with Nutella again.There were kids playing at the park in front of the church with their parents.Super cute.After eating a few slices of bread,we walked again and arrived in front of the Laffayete Gallery which to our dismay (and expected) was closed for the day.We literally window shopped from outside.Here are some of the pictures of Lafayette Gallery and shops we walked past by.

1st May 2011, Arc de trimphe Champ -Elysees
We then continued our jounrey to the famous Arc....We didnt cross the road and have a closer look to it though.We spent roughly about 5 minutes there snapped a few pictures and ready to go to our next stop.

 Then wecame a cross this red bus..

It kinda looked like London's double decker bus no?Anyhoos,its a tour bus called the Hop on Hop off bus.We paid 23 Euros and were able to use our pass for 2 days.They drove us around Paris and stopped at tourist attractions.We hopped on the bus and got the chance to have a look at the shopping street,Avenue des Champ-Elysees. This is where all of the designer boutiques are located.Channel, Louis Vuitton,Gucci, you name it.We were tired and knows pretty well that we can't afford it so being on the bus was a good idea.

May 1st, Boat Tour,Eiffel Tower

What we did next was rode the bus to the Eiffel Tower (again) and took the 1 hour boat ride tour.Since we wanted to save time,we bought the lunch package.So we had the chance to again,tour the city if Paris only now on the Seine River.It was hot yet chilly.If you know what I mean.Only then i realized that they have quite a number of bridges with its own story to tell.Suddenly it hit me,I remembered about the love bridge (of which i recently reread on someone else's blog) that they have one in Paris!I didn't have my own pad lock which was such a bummer.We didnt have any timeto go and look it up online,so what i did,was i KEPT MY EYES OPEN everytime we pass a bridge.And true enough,this was what we saw,

I was super excited and we both decided to go and have a look at it later.We we're super hungry by that time.When we ordered for lunch,we expected real lunch.On a plate at the very least.Something nice,something French like this perhaps,

Over exaggeration,i know

But this,instead was served to us,

Lunch in a BOX?really?Its not even French.=(

Okay tak baik..itu rezeki alhamdulillah still..

We did take a few pictures but very few,while we're on the boat.I didn't remember why.Its the breeze and the sun that made us quiet I think.All deep in their own thoughts.Its a beautiful day really.MasyaAllah..

As we arrive back at the Eiffel Tower,i wanted to get they Eiffel Tower key chains badly.I had to get something for Zubair!So while i walked along the street,this little girl kept on shoving a paper to my face that says that shes a mute and deaf orphan needing money to buy food.I honestly had only 5 Euros with me.I politely declined and kept on walking. However,on the way back,she came to me again and took my shades and walked away.She was now with a group of friends and i walked towards her and her group of friends.A friend of hers said that they needed money and i said that i really don't have any to spare.But i remembered that i had a few chocolate bars in my bag and offered them instead.One of the girls sternly said that they needed money so i left.The funny thing is,remember the mute and deaf girl earlier?When i handed her the chocolate bars she said 'Merci!'.Now,how can she do that no?This was the group of people that my friend had warned me about and here I AM WARNING you.Tourists are always their target.I know that theres this soft spot in our heart telling us to help people in need.Let me tell you this,if you have doubt in giving alms then better not.Give them only when you really want to and do it for Allah.

May 1st, Pont des Arts

We hopped on the Red bus again and made our way to the Pont des Arts or the Love Bridge.BOY!I was super excited.Not that i believe in the magic.But i think its sweet.Love bridge is where couple write their initials on a padlock and locks on the railing.Then they threw a way the keys.Since its impossible to retrieve the keys,it symbolizes how its impossible to beak the love between them.Its sweet really.Padlock of various shapes,size and colour faithfully hung itself under the hot sun and pouring rain in the name of love of two souls..Since i didnt have a padlock with me i decided to take one of the keychains that i  just bought and hung it there.People might thing that its stupid.It may be.The same thing as wishing fountains.But people still do it anyways,just for the fun of it.

Thats mine.The red keychain.

Love struck

May 1st,Dinner at the Chez-Ginnete,

After visiting the bridge,we strolled along the roads next to it and looked at stalls for a while.We were tired by then,it was almost 7 and we were tired.We head back home and rested.We wanted to nap for half an hour or so but ended up waking up at 9.30-ish.So we went out to find a nice fancy dinner for ourselves.We walked along the roads but they were eerily deserted.It was scary really.A man gave us THE LOOK.My mind automatically flashed scenes from the movie TAKEN in my head.Thanks head!Of all times to make me scared..Anyhoos,by 11 ish all restaurants were about to close and we ended up going to a nearby restaurant WHICH WAS THE BOMB!Its called Chez-Ginnete.After almost 2 months of not having coffee,i said to myself,what is Paris without having a cup of coffee at its cafes?I don't come here often,when else would I be able to enjoy their coffee?So i ordered a cup of cappuccino which was heavenly (it might taste like our average cappuccino, but the hiatus made it taste better perhaps?).The menu was in French and we can guess some of the words..We ended up ordering

Salmon with radish

Turbot with creamy risotto and pesto

Cappuccino!YEAY!

The dessert was the best part of all..wait for it..wait for it...

Tadaaa!

Molten chocolate cake with caramel ice cream

Uh-lala!

BTW,i forgot the names of our dishes i'm sure its A LOT fancier than what I've described above.=)

Thank God  they don't have a high tax like in Montreal.Fiuh!We decided to call it a day and head back to our hostel for a good night sleep.

May 2nd, Last Day

We decided to try the pastries and sandwiches at a Deli in front of our hostel.The smell!my oh my!Everytime we passed that deli,glorious smells filled our nostrils!So thats where we headed to early the next morning. The owner doesn't speak English(or doesn't want to) which makes communication hard.We bought some pastries and ate it on a bench outside.It was a cold morning.It rained the night before maybe.Here are some pictures of the colourful treats sold there.

Macaroons!

Sinful delights!

After that we took our bags and head to Gare Du Nord.Where I did some last minute shopping!Hah!From Gare Du Nord,I took the RER to Antony and later the Orlyval train to Orly Airport.To kill time,i decided to get another cup of cappuccino.Teehee.It was raining and cold.A cuppa would definitely make my day..

YUM!

As i was about to leave.The barista stopped me,asking me where i'm from and saying that he's from Algeria.He asked wheteher i like France.The ever-so-excited me poured my heart and soul telling this random guy how much i'm in love with Paris and would definitely come again.He said he'll wait for me.(This is sweet only if he's not about the same age as my dad.They could practically be bestfriends!) He then said something about carrying me or what not..i might have misheard him but whatever,and made my way out of the cafe.

Thank you Paris for the wonderful time although i wished i could've stayed longer.I'll come again InsyaAllah!And next time we'll make it REALLY romantic.hehe.

In Paris,i fell in love with a city,spent hours looking at the city,almost hit someone on the head,was lied to,worked out using my luggage,met a nice Algerian,and a scary one.

One thing,those who say that love is in the air,have been to Paris.

Wait for my return.

Au Revoir Paris!

Till then,Salut,

Love,

Anggerik

The place where people fall in love, Day 2

Assalamualaikum.

Illya and I decided to maximize our time there.ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES MADE IN THE TRAVELLING HISTORY:not checking the dates properly.IT WAS LABOUR DAY FOR GOD SAKE.All of the museums were closed.No Mona Lisa for me.=( Ever since i've read the Da Vinci Code, i've always wanted to go to Paris to have a look at his Mona Lisa.Here I am,all excited like a little girl, only to know that we've messed up the dates.*Crushed* On the bright side,i have yet another reason to come back!

So we started our day early.Showered and  had our breakfast.One of the things that I like about our hostel was we got free breakfasts.I don't know if im exaggerating,but their croissant taste yummy-er(or because its free or i'm hungrier than usual..teehee).I kid you not.i have an appetite of a hippopotamus (i have no idea how much they eat a day..but they're fat and cute.like me) =)
I had a croissant,bun with butter,a bowl of coco pops,a glass of milk and a cup of hot chocolate.YUM!

Day 2,

1st May 2011, Jardins des Tuileries

Our initial plan was to go to Obsilique De Louqsor and walk along Rue Rivoli to the Louvre.We took the Metro to Concorde.When we exited the station we had to options.If we turn left,was the Jardins des Tuileries and on our right was the Obsilique De Louqsor.I can't remember why but we turned left into the greeneries.We feasted our eyes on the grasses,flowers and trees.Having to look at the whiteness (and greyness) of the snow for about 5 months,looking at freshness of the plants was definitely a good way to start our day.We took our time strolling along lines and lines of trees (pardon me for not knowing the names of these plants).People jogged and sun bathe in the sun.IT WAS GORGEOUS mashaAllah!

Again,its a romantic place!Imagine picnicking there!Oh boooy!We walked and walked.Taking in the sun and just breathing the morning fresh air.It was pretty chilly.Before we know it,we're at the Lovre!

1st May 2011, Lovre

The museum (from outside) was huge!There was a lot of people snapping pictures at the fountains and the pyramid.We sun bathed a little (not like we need to.We'll be toasted in Malaysian weather in no time) and sat at the edge of the fountain.Playing with the water and snapping more pictures.=)We stayed there only for 15 to 20 minutes as there was nothing much to do aside from peeping into the glass pyramid (I saw the floor and a glimpse of a vase..i think).

The Louvre

The Pyramid

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

The pyramid,the arc,one of the fountains

I felt like diving in.It was hot and the water was cold

Peeking trhough the windows..=)

Hello guy-up-there!

1st May 2011, Rue de Richeliue-Avenue de l'Opera

So we then decided to walk to Galaries Lafayette.From the map,it was pretty close from where we were..i repeat..from the map.In reality it took us a good half an hour to get there.One thing about Paris is that they don't have parallel or gridded roads.Roads intersects the other at weird angles.Also,they pasted the name of the road on the building that was next to it.Mind you the sign was so small i had trouble reading it from across a big road.Seriously.Here are some pictures we took during our walk.

My ideal Eiffel Tower

Look what we found!A Malaysian Tour Agency!

Look at the street sign on the building.That high?For real?

The plan was to walk down Rue de Richeliu and go to Lafayette,then go to the Opera House.However,we accidently took the Avenue de l'Opera instead.There was a political manifestation crowd in front of the Opera House that morning.For What?For Whom?I have no idea.As i stand in front of the Opera House,the only thing that came to my mind was Christine Daae from The Phantom of The Opera.Next time,i'm watching an opera here (whether i know what they're talking about would be a different story).

The Opera House

I'm sorry that there are a lot..A LOT of my pictures in this post.Plus I don't really know how to take pictures that well.Plusplus I don't have any fancy camera.Plusplusplus I don't like to take pictures,I like to be IN them.Bear with me.Its getting too long.Will post other things we did on the second day in another post.If you still don't have the urge to drop everything and fly to Paris..you seriously have issues.=)

Till then,Salut.

Love,

Anggerik

The place where people fall in love, Day 1

Assalamualaikum!

This is my third day in Malaysia!Alhamdulillah!The weather is too hot for me.I'm slightly feverish.I'm still jet lagged. Sleeping in the afternoon can last for a good few solid hours.I feasted on Thai dishes a few days back and stuffed my face with mama's dishes.My tummy isn't complaining.8 months without ikan pari bakar and kerang.How did i survive?Anyhoos.in this post,i'm going to write about what we did and where went to in Paris.

The last time i went to Paris was 14 years ago.Too small to appreciate the city.All i remembered was Disney Land's Mickey and Donald (figures!). Which was fun.But hey..its Paris.When we booked our tickets and arranged for the short vacation,i was very home sick at the time and Illya wanted to go to London pronto.So we decided to stay for only 2 nights and 3 days.WHICH IS A REAL BUMMER!if i knew,i would have stayed longer.Which i would next time!So here are the things we did then..

Day 1
30th April 2011,Arrival

We arrived slightly early in Paris from London (I still don't know how flights can bearly.I mean there are no congestion up in the sky to hinder you.Oh well).Our hotel is situated somewhere near Lamark Coulaincourt so that was where we stopped first.Just so you know.In Malaysia,there are 4 types of fast city trains by 4 different companies.In Montreal,there are 2 with four different lines.In Paris there are 2 with 5 different lines for RER and 14 different lines for Metro.I know..its confusing most of time.One thing about Paris is they LOVE stairs.Imagine carrying 20kg luggage up the stairs.IT WAS BADDDDDDD!It was a bad idea wearing a skirt while carrying a huge bag up 129 stairs.Yeap,Thank God there were some nice gentlemen to help us.Leaving in Montreal definitely helped us understanding bits and pieces of the signboards.So we're not easily lost.After arriving at the station,we were instructed to climb another 24 more steps up.I was sweaty,dizzy and agitated and just freaking pissed at the designer of the Metro.I mean..really??!
Anyhoos we found our place and it was gorgeous!Its wayyyyy better than what we expected it to be.Our hotel is next to this fancy cafe.The hotel is cozy and PINK.yes.PINK.I love Pink!Guess what?Our room is  on the top floor and there were no elevators.YEAY(not).The main desk guy was slightly reluctant to help us but he eventually did.(berani xnak tolong?)So we put our stuffs and rested for a couple of hours.

They have KNOBS on the doors of the Metro!

30th April 2011,Eiffel Tower

We took the Metro and stopped at Bir-Hakiem Metro and walked along Quai de Grenalle.Along that street, there was lines of people selling souvenirs and paintings.I bought mine for 20 euros.For a canvas painting THAT pretty,it's a definite bargain i tell ya.The seller was a Muslim and gave us discounts.=)

Yeay!

Off we went to the the famous Eiffel Tower.I WAS BLOWN AWAY!I never remembered it to be so magnificent. So we lined up to buy the tickets it (it was a long line).We lined up for a good half an hour an bought tickets for 8.20 euro to gain access to the 2nd level.On the 2nd level we had to buy another ticket to get to the top level which cost us 9.30 euro.Btw, there was a newly wed couple still in their wedding costume walked past us.SUPER CUTE.Imagine getting married there.Adorable!!

Ta-da!

Preeeeetaaaaayyy!

The tickets

The sunset

View of Paris from the 2nd level

Hotel Des Invalides

Champ de Mars

The distance between the tower and Malaysia

Siene River

The display on the top floor

The Eiffel Tower was ABSOLUTELY the highlight of our visit (for me at least). We spent about 3 hours up there!We even had our bread-and-nutella dinner while enjoying the panoramic view.Sigh.Its so romantic there.We wanted to stay a little bit longer but then we weren't sure about the Metro's closing time.This is the conversation between me and a Parisian couple

Me:  Mind if I ask,do you know what time does the Metro closes?
Them:  Metro?I don't know what Metro.
Me:  You know..The subway?
Them:  Ohhhh!Metro!(pronounced Met-gho)
Me:  That's what i just said..=.='

Weird!!We decided to go down by 11p.m..Apparently we can't sit on the grass..so we just walked around.After snapping a few pictures we headed back to the Metro Station.As we walked along the Quai de Grenalle I suddenly felt that my bag was heavy.When i turned around,there was this girl who had her hand on my bag.I stopped and asked "What do you think you're doing?".She looked scared and left.I was so close of hitting her with my painting.DANGGG!Like seriously?Xcukup duit cakap...But Alhamdulillah!Thank you Allah for saving me and my personal belongings.

The tower

I'm in love

Tips of the day:
1)Never be too ashamed of asking people for direction.

If your lost,you're lost.My parents taught me that if there are things that i don't know,ask.I have a friend who doesn't like to ask for directions and prefer to wander around to find the right places.She said "Cari dulu..baru tanya".True..but i'f i'm in a rush, i asked straight away.Save me the hassle.If i really want to tour the place,i'll come by some other time.

2)Be mindful of your belongings at all time.

Canada is pretty safe so I never really had any problem of pickpockets even at crowded places.Which is not an excuse to be careless with my stuffs.My mum always told me, wherever we are,take care of your bag(s).Fiuh.

So that was what we did the first day.Will update more later.InsyaAllah.

Till then,Salut.
Love,
Anggerik