chayohome2020

Beginner’s Choice: A Deeper look at Dumplings

Have you ever thought of the origin of dumplings? Probably not. But it doesn’t matter, because if you are reading this article, you are about to find out. There are many kinds of dumplings. I have always been familiar with Chinese dumplings, but during Circuit Breaker (Singapore’s lockdown period) someone at home had a cravingContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: A Deeper look at Dumplings”

Waste Not, Want Not

By Andrea Pavee As a young child, my paternal grandmother, Nanie, had a large part in my upbringing. Such was the culture of yesteryears where extended family was immediate family. Nanie was a woman of great experience, having lived through two World Wars and other troubled times. She came from poverty and through sheer grit,Continue reading “Waste Not, Want Not”

Beginner’s Choice: Flavours and Textures

It has been ten months since this blog went live. If you are reading this article, then the time and effort have been worthwhile. Andrea and I have enjoyed catching up every Friday when she sends her articles. Friends have been sending photos of what they have cooked and comments on how the blog hasContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Flavours and Textures”

Gardening Tips: Purple Hearts

By Andrea Pavee In a previous article, I wrote about the purple Rhoeo plants, commonly known as the Moses-in-a-Basket plant, which blooms tiny, white flowers at its base when mature. Today, I thought I would speak about Purple Hearts, and my history with them. When I moved into a new home, way back in 2002,Continue reading “Gardening Tips: Purple Hearts”

Beginner’s Choice: Kids’ First Cooking Adventure and More

Ferninda sent a photo of the meat patties she made with her two boys. Both are less than three years old. It was their first attempt at helping Mama in the kitchen. Her two year old helped to crack an egg and mix the minced meat. Her other little toddler wanted to help Mama fryContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Kids’ First Cooking Adventure and More”

CULTIVATING HOBBIES IS GOOD FOR YOU!

By Andrea Pavee Back in the day, as part of our curriculum, girls were taught embroidery in school. I was about 11 when I learned how to do this and to this day, I remember that class vividly. We were given green felt cloth, some colourful thread and a blunt tapestry needle (to make sureContinue reading “CULTIVATING HOBBIES IS GOOD FOR YOU!”

Beginner’s Choice: Little Wonders and Festive Food

Hors d’oeuvres, tapas, canapes and dim sum have something in common – they are “little dishes” or appetizers. Hors d’oeuvres and tapas are finger food. Some dim sum items are finger food, like char siew pao, but others require the use of chopsticks, so they can’t be called finger food. “Hors d’oeuvres” translated literally meansContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Little Wonders and Festive Food”

Gardening Tips: Mother Nature’s Gift – Perseverance

By Andrea Pavee A year ago, gung-ho into gardening, I bought 3 pots of the Peace Lily. One was gifted to Marcia on her birthday, another went to Kar Im, a very good friend, and the last one was to be a new addition to my young, growing garden. I remember asking the nursery owner,Continue reading “Gardening Tips: Mother Nature’s Gift – Perseverance”

Beginner’s Choice: Meat Bone Tea and Leafy greens

Have you ever thought of where the word “restaurant” comes from? I was pleasantly surprised to come across the origin of this word in Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker. The first restaurants were eighteenth-century Parisian establishments that served rich soups to restore, or restaurer, the hungry citizenry.Continue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Meat Bone Tea and Leafy greens”

Beginner’s Choice: Starting small (mini mooncakes)

It’s good to dream big, but have one’s feet on the ground and start with small steps. There is more chance of success. I am talking about small home-made mooncakes. The Mooncake Festival is coming up (Tuesday, 21 September), and there is an abundance of mooncakes on sale. I am surprised to see so manyContinue reading “Beginner’s Choice: Starting small (mini mooncakes)”