"Kao Jam"

What is that ?  

Have you heard of this ?  Kao Jam is actually a Thai word, the meaning is Rice Salad.  It is an oil- free meal (if  no coconut added).  I love this and had been eating this since I was a kid and now I am cooking at home.

It is actually rice cooked in green leafy juice. The leaves are picked and selected by the local people who actually knows which type to pick.  The leaves are blended and made into juice to cook the rice.  It is naturally fragrance and no colouring is added.

The other condiments are raw vegetables such as cucumber, long bean, finely chopped lemon grass (serai), torch ginger (bunga kantan), onion, bean sprout, fish and grated coconut and served with fish crackers (keropok) too !

For the flavour, it is a must to have Budu ~ fermented fish sauce.    The equivalent of soy sauce but very much fishy in taste,  without that it doesn't work.   The "soy sauce" that I grew up with...even my children are trained now and they love budu with fried fish !

Once my son asked me to cook something for the school fun fair, so with the help from my mom, sis and my maid, we prepared 100 boxes for the occasion.  It was a real hard work, so much of cutting and preparation.  We sold out in less than 2 hours....

I cooked this over the weekend for a few home town friends also to celebrate my baby girl's birthday !  She turned three 2 days ago !  Lovely girl...she was so happy receiving her presents. And i just realised I have not bought her any gift...lol.

A few friends who know me better commented that I have not been hosting parties for sometimes..yeah very true actually.   I have not invited any friends over for a long time.  

It has been great having them around, chit chatting, talk about food, maids, children, life and look forward to more get together.

I really don't mind cooking for friends, as long as everybody enjoys at the end.  I was a little exhausted that night must be the age and the late night catching up with 2 movies......I actually went to bed before 10 pm !

My best buddy inspires me to cook again

I have many good friends whom we have known each other since we were kids in primary.  And I still have many that we are still in touch, and I have one very good buddy whom I shared almost anything with her.  

Some part of my stories, she probably only found out recently but she is a true friend who can accept me as I am and who will not desert me due to my past.

She is the first person to know about what happened to my personal life, work, family and my romance.  She stands by me and give me the encouragement.

We usually meet for lunch whenever we are available, as she is a very successful career woman and we are both occupied in the evening for family and other obligations.

Why do I write about her ?  We spoke about cooking for our loved one and she said her daughter said something meaningful to her after she started to cook for the family..."Mama, since you cook for us, I feel the sense of closeness in the home".  This phrase has an effect on me....haha !  I seriously think I have to cook again !  And she said her husband feels happy to be home to enjoy her cooking which reminds him of his younger day before married..enjoying his mom's cooking !

Recently I posted "I am inspired to cook again", I was thinking a lot about cooking again, the excuse for not cooking was the kids are still young and they will not enjoy, actually my son is no longer a small boy, he is turning 10 in 2 weeks time, and he has good appetite for food !

So, during lunch, we exchanged some cooking ideas and the funny thing is she has creative ideas on recipe but I have better knowledge on cooking techniques..it is actually a good combination !

Actually..I love to cook maybe I should start cooking again, just need to reschedule my weekend routine and leave me sometime to work in the kitchen !

I used to enjoy the unpacking and cleaning and washing after wet market shopping...and I usually will prepare the ingredient and portion them into container.  It helps to speed up the defrosting process and less wastage.  I was really organised and I need to keep it up again !

Yes, I am inspired to cook again and it will start from this weekend !  Nothing fancy, just me cooking for my little darlings !

I am inspired to cook again !

Real or not ?  I asked myself ???

Actually I love to cook and I have been cooking for the family since I was 18 after Form Five.  I meant real serious cooking like roast chicken, cook something out from the recipe book and stuff.

I enjoy cooking for people especially if they appreciate it !!  I don't cook fansy stuff...simple home cook meal for the family is what I enjoy !

Since I have a maid like 7 years ago, I have not really been cooking...a little rusty now but if when I feel like cooking, I will do my best.

Yesterday, I was at the Ikano and celebrity chef Bobby Chinn was promoting his World Cafe Asia Season 2, and since I was there, why not sit in and join the ladies !!  It is quite obvious that his fan are mostly ladies...must be his look, cute and funny !  The organiser was nice enough, allowing the audience to take a pic with him...hehe I have something to remember too !

After the show, I am inspired to cook again !  Haha...see if you are lucky enough to be invited to my house for my long overdue cooking !