Pan-fried Asparagus Roll

Why the silence? My cousin asked. She apparently, has been checking on me. Someone missed me! How sweet is that feeling.

Anyway, I am here still. The only reason why the stillness is because my Apple died on me again! Waaaaaaaa... :"( Tragic.

I have been experimenting some new dishes. Been taking photos and labeling them diligently. But they've all vanished along with my Apple. Can't imagine my heartbreak. Can't salvage. Must re-do. How helpless! I never learn, I suppose. I didn't backup since the last crash. Waaaaaaaaaaah :""(

Before I wallow any further into self pity, let me begin. This is one of those dishes I recreated. Didn't know if it will work but it turned out superb! No kidding you. Just a simple Hock Kee frozen Belly Sukiyaki, with a pack of asparagus and enoki mushroom. Roll them. Pan fry them. Make your favorite sauce and drizzle over them.

I can't wait to serve this when we next host a dinner. Yippie!!

NB: The belly sukiyaki has no seasoning and neither does the vegetable nor mushroom. So use the best sauce you can find. I used my favorite Kikkoman Soy Sauce with honey and lemon juice, with slight dash of garlic pepper. With a little oil, fry garlic till fragrant, pour soy sauce in and boil slightly. Drizzle over pan fried rolls. Serve.

Maki Rice Roll

Son2: Mommy, why does the sun go down at night, and the moon comes out?

Smartie Me: Well, because the sun is up since the morning, and will go back home at night, and the moon will come out because he's been home the whole day. (Reminding myself he's only 3.)

Son2: Then why is the sun up since morning and the moon stay at home?

A little stumbled Me: Well, because the sun wants to go home already. So, it's now the moon's turn to come out.

Son2: Why is it the moon's turn now?

Gaining posture me: Well, you see, they take turn. Just like you and Kor Kor, you guys take turn to hold the ball, right? (He nods his head)... Ya, so, sun and moon take turn too.

Son2: Why are they just like Kor Kor and I?

Losing it Me, mumbling to myself: Sigh,... it's starting all over again... (laughing to myself)...

Son2: What is starting all over again? Why is it starting all over again? Mommy, who were you talking to? Why are you laughing?... ...

Surrendered Me: Oh never mind...

Son2 pressing on: Why never mind?

I reminded myself, right there right then, to cherish these Whys. They are special. And they probably happened only once in a person's lifetime, where they honestly can't stop asking WHY? No amount of explanation will make them stop. So, it really doesn't matter what you replied...

4 years ago, exasperated with Son1's Whys, I broke into the rhyme "Because the sky is so high and the bird sh*t in your eyes."

Son1: Why did the bird shit in my eyes? And why is the sky so high?

Felt like hanging myself.


Since the beginning of this year, I have been tearing my hair out because Son1's been dirtying my b-r-a-n-d n-e-w car. He has to eat his lunch in there while we make our way daily to pick Son2 from his Nursery. Couldn't think of anything that can be a breeze for him to handle in a moving, shaky car. Not to mention the smell of food in the car, is the grains of rice or strand of noodles he will leave behind!!! Yuks!

Till we went to a Jap restaurant over one weekend, and I saw the answer right in front of me! Sushi Maki!!! I stormed right into the supermarket and bought a pack of seaweed and bamboo mat, and sushi we rolled! (Smartie me. Applause.)

So what goes in there? Not Jap rice actually. Muahahahaha... I cooked my usual rice with slightly more water to make it slightly sticky, and wrap with any of the boys' favorite dish. As long as the dish is drained dry, it'll not be a problem to wrap. So far, I have done salmon, minced pork, diced carrots, french beans, asparagus, luncheon meat, ground beef. Not bad at all. Boys are always happy when they see this in their lunch boxes, and they always finish their maki rolls. Best of all, no rice grains on my car mat!

What else can I possibly ask for.