新年快樂 Happy 2014

恭祝我摯愛的家人、所有親友、各位讀者們在 2014 年身體健康、心想事成、幸福快樂 。

更願天下太平、世界和睦、大家飽暖安康!!

Wishing my dearest family and friends, all my lovely readers a very happy, prosperous & joyous 

2014.

May the world be filled with love, peace, happiness, contentment and bliss!!
                                                                                                                                              

聖誕及新年快樂 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

非常感激大家在過去三年來一直給我的愛與關懷和鼓勵，特別是這幾個月來在我忙於埋首寫書的日子中。由現在到明年三月書出版之前，還有很多修正、補充和校對等工作要做；但我將會很快便可再次與大家定期分享烹飪和食譜，想來實在已有點等不及了!!

在此，誠心祝福各位親愛的讀者和我的朋友們，一個温暖可愛的聖誕節，和幸福愉快的2014!!

Many thanks for all the love, support and encouragement you’ve given me over the last 3 years my dear readers and friends, especially during the last few months whilst I was busy writing my first book. There’s still a lot of work to be done from now till when the book is published in March next year, but I will be able to share my cooking and recipes with you more often soon, I can’t wait!!

May I take this opportunity to thank you sincerely and to wish you all a warm & lovely Christmas and a wonderful 2014!! 

糖不甩 Glutinous rice flour balls with peanuts and coconuts in syrup

書的初稿已差不多完成了。到今天為止已把大部份的照片、文字和食譜交給了編輯。

Most of the first draft of my manuscript, photos and recipes have sent to my editor today.

牧羊人派 Shepherd's Pie

中秋過後，早晚寒意深了，天色也濃了。

每年這個時候，身心都有一種暈醉的感覺。那涼到骨子裏的清冷，只會帶來熟悉的温馨。

Mid-Autumn festival started the autumnal season. After its departure, the air has gone colder and the sky turned greyer. 

I love this time of the year. Although the temperature sometimes feels quite chilly, the familiar anticipation of the seasonal changes send warmth through my body.

中秋節快樂 Happy Mid - Autumn Festival ( Moon Festival )

中秋節本是個一家團圓的日子。但最近看到有些朋友的抒發，不禁令我充滿感觸。

卻只想給大家一些勉勵，親誠的問候和深切的祝福。

若我們懷抱著愛心與信念，堅持支撑下去，總會有等到月圓的日子。

『嘆十常八九，欲磨還缺。若得長圓如此夜，人情未必看承別。』

在此謹祝大家中秋節快樂，和平健康！

Mid - Autumn Festival ( Moon Festival ) is supposedly a day for happy family reunions. But having read

some of my dear friends' writing in recent days, felt more deeply during a seasonal festival like this; they reflect the pain and trauma they're going through in their lives.

So it is at this time, I wish to offer them my most sincere encouragement, support and heart felt blessings.

I want to tell them, if we keep our love and faith close to our heart, and continue to stay strong and keep going, you will get to witness the full moon one day.

For now, let me just wish everybody good health, peace and a :

" Happy Mid - Autumn Festival! "

泰式小魚餅 Thai Style Mini Fishcakes

雖然我們結婚已三十年了，我對我丈夫仍然不很瞭解。我作出了個結論；因為他是男人，我是女人。

Having been married to my husband for thirty years, you might think that by now I would understand him very well. However, this is not the case. I have now come to the conclusion that as he is a man and I am a woman, this divergence of opinions is set to remain. I think if I was able to understand his mindset, I would do by now!

【請假寫書 Time away to write book】

【請假寫書  Time away to write book】

我親愛的朋友和讀者們，不知道在你們中有幾多位還記得這張照片？這是我【Rice Bowl Tales 有碗話碗】部落格成立後版頭的第一幅圖像。這相片是有一年我們去中國烏鎮旅行時拍的 。

To all my dear friends and readers,  I don't know how many of you still remember this photo? Which was the first header picture for my 【Rice Bowl Tales】blog. It was taken in an ancient town in China one year whilst we were travelling there.

馬來西亞冷當咖哩羊肉 Malaysian Lamb Rendang

馬來西亞的冷當咖哩可說是我最喜歡的咖喱之一。

Malaysian Rendang curry is one of my favoutire curries.

烘圓麵包做三明治 Bake Your Own Bread Rolls to Make Sandwiches

在美術院做學生時，我住在課餘做半工的老板陳先生陳太太家裏，和他們的两個孩子。

When I was an art student, I lived with my bosses Mr and Mrs Chan and their two children in their home whilst working for them part-time.

夏日新鮮雜莓小塔 Fresh Summer Berries Tartlets

我是一個對四季都愛的人。由不同的氣候狀况、美麗的大自然變化，到音樂、食物和時裝 ... 每個季節的轉換。每年都相同卻又不一樣，熟識卻又新奇。每次仍會給我帶來讚嘆和喜悅。

I am a four seasoned person. From appreciating the different weather conditions, the changing beauty of nature, to music, food and fashion ... the changes from one season to another. Every year is the same and yet different, familiar yet refreshing. It never fails to bring me joy and surprises.

上湯水餃 Soup Dumplings

我們中國人很喜歡吃餃子，無論是上海或北方式的水餃、蒸餃、煎餃；或廣東、香港式的上湯水餃，都是人們自小吃大，心愛的民間食物之一。

We Chinese love dumplings. Whether it be the Shanghai, Beijing style boiled, steamed, pan-fried; or the Guangdong, Hong Kong style soup dumplings; they are some of the most popular folk foods that we ate and grew up with.

紅豆薏米蓮子糖水 Red Beans with Coix Seeds and Lotus Seeds Sweet Soup

我們住在英國的人向來都習慣了抱怨太陽的出現不夠。每到夏天或暑假期間，大多數人都喜歡往保證有陽光海灘可以享受的隣近歐陸國家如西班牙、希臘、葡葡牙 ... 等地渡假。

For those of us who live in the UK, we all used to complain about not having enough sunshine. Therefore every summer or during holiday times, a lot of people like to travel to nearby countries like Spain, Greece, Portugal ... where there is plenty of sun, sand and sea to offer.

白巧克力草莓芝士蛋糕 White Chocolate and Strawberry Cheesecake

我們上星期的台北之行很短促卻非常好玩。

Our trip to Taipei last week was short but full of fun. 

烤雞凱撒沙拉 【時尚雜誌邀稿 (七)】 Roast Chicken Caesar Salad 【Recipes for Vogue magazine ( 7 )】

廣受歡迎的凱撒沙拉乍聽之下還以為取名自威震歐、亞、非三大陸的古羅馬統帥；傑出的政治家和軍事家，充滿傳奇色彩的英雄人物凱撒大帝。

On hearing the name of the wildly popular Caesar salad, the first thing that springs to mind would be it was named after the Roman commander who conquered Europe, Asia, Africa and three continents - an outstanding statesman and military strategist, the legendary hero Julius Caesar.

肉片白菜炒烏冬 【時尚雜誌邀稿 (六)】 Stir - Fried Udon with Pork and Pak Choy 【Recipes for Vogue magazine ( 6 )】

像很多日本麵條料理一樣，烏冬麵在夏天多數涼吃，天冷則吃煮熱的。

Like a lot of other Japanese noodle dishes, udon noodles are usually eaten cold in summer and served hot in winter.

威爾斯小鬆餅 Welsh Cakes

當我們談及吃鬆餅 scones 時，很自然地便會聯想到悠閒的日子中，與家人或朋友舒適地享受的下午茶時光。

When we talked about eating scones, we automatically imagine having a leisurely afternoon tea with friends or family in a relaxing environment.

大蝦辣汁涼拌米粉【時尚雜誌邀稿 (五)】 Chilli King Prawn and Rice Vermicelli Salad 【Recipes for Vogue magazine ( 5 )】

在前幾篇網誌之一的「雞肉芝麻拌涼麵」裏我提到在夏天時吃拌涼麵的種類、各種美味和方便之處。

In one of my previous posts " Chicken and sesame noodle salad ", I talked about eating cold noodles in hot summer days; how many different types of cold noodle dishes there are, how convenient they can be and how delicious they all are.

夏日水果拼盤【時尚雜誌邀稿 (四)】 Summer Fruit Bowl 【Recipes for Vogue magazine ( 4 )】

我們都知道，生果蔬菜對身體健康的重要性。特別是對成長中的青少年。

但那個年紀的孩子很多都不愛吃水果。要他們在日常飲食中包括喜歡的新鮮生果已不容易；若要他們嘗試不同種類的話就更難！

We all know that including fruit and vegetables in our diet is very important, particularly for growing children and teenagers. However, young people of that age are often not too keen on eating fresh fruit - even if it's their favourite, let alone trying out new things! 

烤鮭魚伴炒胡瓜片與番茄莎莎 【時尚雜誌邀稿 (三)】 Baked Salmon with Pan-Fried Courgette and Tomato Salsa【Recipes for Vogue magazine ( 3 )】

鮭魚的美味和所提供的營養價值，早已俘虜了我們的口胃。

We all love salmon; for its taste as well as its nutritional value.

大蝦西柚雞尾沙拉 【時尚雜誌邀稿 (二)】 Prawn and Grapefruit Salad 【Recipes for Vogue magazine ( 2 )】

我這道大蝦西柚雞尾沙拉是從 80 年代的經典作「明蝦雞尾杯」改裝過來的。

This prawn and grapefruit cocktail is adapted from the 80s classic " prawn cocktail "

雞肉芝蔴拌涼麵 【時尚雜誌邀稿 (一)】 Chicken Sesame Noodle Salad 【Recipes for Vogue magazine ( 1 )】

两個月前有天我收到一封台灣 Vogue 雜誌給我的電郵。問我可不可以替她們六月展開的新. 食健主義活動設計 6 - 12 道食譜。

I received an email from Vogue Taiwan magazine a couple of months ago, asking me if I could design 6 - 12 recipes for their Health Initiative event starting in June.

英式烘茶餅葡萄乾飽 English Toasted Teacakes

說出來你可能不會相信，在眾多美味的英式茶點中，我可以經常吃也不會厭倦的，就是最簡單的烘茶餅葡萄飽。

You may not be believe this; of all the delicious English cakes and sweet breads, the one that I never tire of having alongside my cup of tea, is the humble toasted teacake.

香菇薑絲燴汁蒸魚 Steamed Fish in Braised Shiitake Mushrooms Sauce

我一星期煮的飯菜中，起碼有三餐都會是魚。
向來我都喜歡用最簡單的方法泡製，盡量保持魚的鮮味。

In the weekly family meals that I made over the years, I would always include fish at least 3 times a week. I used the simplest  method to cook it, trying hard to retain the unspoiled freshness and flavour of the fish.

自家製營養豆腐花 Homemade Nutritious Soya Milk Jelly

小時各種在街頭或路邊小店賣的甜品中，我最喜歡豆腐花。長大出來做事後，在外面與朋友吃飯時，碰巧那酒樓飯店有豆腐花在餐牌上的，我也一定會點來作飯後甜品。婚後每次回港，也要尋訪三两間做得出色的，吃過了才覺滿意。

When I was a child, among all the sweet things they sold in the street stalls or little pudding shops, I loved " Tofu fa" - Bean curd custard - the most.  When I grew up and started working, every time  I ate out with friends or colleagues, if the restaurants had got "Tofu fa" on the dessert menu, I would definitely choose it.  After I got married, each time we went back to Hong Kong, I usually sought out a few places which made the best version of my favourite pudding..

自家製芒果酸奶冰淇淋 Homemade Mango Frozen Yogurt Ice-cream

昨天是香港和很多個國家的母親節，身居英國的我們今年在三月已慶祝了這兒的 'Mothering Sunday'。但在香港長大的我，在這一天對母親自是倍覺思念。

Yesterday was Mother's Day in Hong Kong and for a lot of other countries in the world. Here in the UK we already celebrated the Mothering Sunday in March. As I grew up in Hong Kong, this June Mother's Day means a lot more to me, and so on this day I think about and miss my mother a lot more.

蒜蓉辣椒粉烤馬鮫魚 Roasted Mackerel with Garlic and Paprika

我們全家人都愛吃魚和海產。但近年來由於世界各地很多人工飼養魚場生產帶有化學品毒素和環境污染的魚和海鮮。我自己的家人和朋友都曾因為吃過這樣的海鮮如鱸魚、貽貝、蝦和鯰魚等之後感到不適和嘔吐不止。

We've always loved eating fish and seafood. But in recent years the cultivation and farming of fish and seafood in some parts of the world have produced chemically poisoned and environmentally polluted fish and seafood. Unfortunately with personal experiences from my own family and friends, sometimes such contaminated fish or seafood can be found in bass, mussels, prawns, river cobblers etc., caused or triggered off allergy like reactions, making us violently sick and feeling ill.  

宮保雞丁 Kung Pao Chicken

從前在香港的時候，我們五兄弟妹都很愛吃媽媽煮的東西；但更高興去酒樓吃飯。不知是否那年代沒現在這麼多選擇，還是我父母 - 特別是我爸爸 - 太保守了不會嚐試新口味。記憶中我們每次吃的，都是同樣的菜式。我們可沒有介意或投訴；說起來我們對爸爸點的食物都喜愛得很。

Growing up in Hong Kong with my siblings; as children, we loved having dinner at Chinese restaurants. I don't know whether it was because there weren't as many choice as we have nowadays, or that our parents - especially my dad - were just too conservative to try out new dishes. For as long as I could remember we would always have the same things, not that we mined or complained. We did actually genuinely enjoyed the food that our dad ordered.

黏甜好味無皮雞小腿 Sticky Tasty Skinless Chicken Drumsticks

以前常聽人說，人年紀大了會返老還童。

I've heard people say the older you get, the more childish you become.

鮮美水菓貝殼通粉沙拉 Fresh Fruit and Pasta Salad

經歷了最近一場大風雪的侵襲後，天氣還沒有回暖的跡象。已踏入四月中了，我們出外還要圍脖巾，戴帽子和穿厚外套！相信在我們還沒有時間把冷天的衣物清洗放好前，夏天便已悄悄來臨了。

We've been seeing some unseasonal weather conditions over the recent weeks; now in the middle of April, we're still wearing scarfs, hats and coats when going out! This means before we've even a chance to put away the winter clothing, the summer months are upon us.

薑葱油伴白切雞 Poached Chicken served with Ginger and Spring onions in Oil

我們雖然在英國居住，但多年來仍依隨傳統習俗；每年的清明和重陽節都會去我家翁的墳前祭祀。

Although we live in the UK, we still follow our Chinese tradition of  "Ching Ming" and "Chung Yeung" memorial festivals for our ancestors every year; to go to my father-in-law's grave side to pay respect.

香草全籽芥末烤羊肋排 Roasted Lamb Cutlets with Fresh Herbs and Whole Grain Mustard

復活節假期來了亦很快地結束。像很多家庭一樣，我們和兒女共渡了寶貴的快樂時光。

The Easter holiday came and went. Like most families, we spent lovely quality time with our children. 

新鮮帶子炒西班牙香腸 Pan-fried fresh Scallops with Chorizo

春天向來都是最令人迷茫的季節。但今年英國的初春天氣卻是特殊的差。以為踏進三月以後會逐漸好轉。誰料交替著延綿不斷的雨水之後竟是場無情的風雪。剛過去的一個星期，首先幾天雪不斷的下了幾天。氣温只徘徊於零度上下；那白茫茫的世界像凝結冷却起來。呎高的積雪踏在腳上，是結實的。寒冬似乎還頑強的不願離去。

Spring weather has always been a little temperamental; rainy and cold one moment, and warm the next. This year, however, has been especially bad. Winter clung on through January and February, but I felt for sure that we would be treated to kinder weather when March arrived. Who would have thought that a huge blizzard was just around the corner! Last week, heavy snow fell steadily for few days, with temperatures falling to zero degrees. the world outside felt completely frozen; when we stepped onto the foot-high snow it was packed solid, and it felt as though the extreme cold was stubbornly refusing to leave.  

蘋果奶酥伴自家製奶蛋羹 Apple Crumble with Homemade Custard

每個國家或不同的城市都有它們傳統的飯後甜品。記憶中，當我在香港時，糖水如紅豆沙、杏仁糊、芝麻糊、湯圓、西米露等等都是大家喜愛的。在英國，最受歡迎的餐後甜點，始終還是人們自少吃大的蘋果奶酥、麵包牛油布丁、果醬蛋糕卷、葡萄乾布丁、巧克力海綿蛋糕伴巧克力奶蛋羹等等。

I enjoy learning about - and tasting - the different desserts of different regions. In Hong Kong where I grew up, these favourites come in the form of after dinner sweet soups like red bean soup, sesame paste, almond paste, sweet sago cream with coconut milk, glutinous rice balls etc. The English on the other hand have their puddings, and those who have grown up with these traditional sweets have fond memories of apple crumble, bread and butter pudding, jam roly poly, spotted dick, and chocolate sponge with chocolate custard.

樹莓巧克力撻 Raspberry and Chocolate Tart

上星期日是母親節，今年是來臨得特別早。在英國，母親星期日是在四旬齋期開始後的第四個星期天，跟著二星期後便是復活節了。四旬齋期是虔誠的基督徒在這四十天內奉行吃素、懺悔和禱告等等自約自律的生活，為迎接復活節作的準備。

Mother's Day arrived really early this year. In the UK, Mothering Sunday falls on the 4th Sunday in Lent, 3 weeks before Easter Sunday. Lent is a 40 days period in preparation for Easter.

蓮子百合腐竹雞蛋糖水 Sweet Soup of Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Bean Curd Sheet with Egg

剛送走了苦冷濕寒的二月。才踏入三月之始，天氣竟然乾爽和轉晴。雖然空氣仍然冰冷，起碼雨和雪都沒下了。

We've had quite a miserable February weather-wise; but now March has stepped in the days are getting brighter and drier. Even though the chilly air is still around, at least the snow and rain have stopped.

紅酒黃糖黑醋汁煎燴豬排 Pork Chops with Red Wine and Balsamic Reduction

兒女大了又離家在外生活之後，我們這些以前慣了為孩子整天忙碌的媽媽們，真的要找事情做把每天填滿; 才不會有失業或被遣散的感覺。

Our children have grown up and left, and now work away from home. For those mothers like myself whose lives have been devoted to and shaped by our kids, we now have to fill our days with a lot of " things to do", so as to avoid the feeling of unemployment or redundancy.

慈菇南乳燜豬肉 Stewed Arrow Head with Pork in Red Fermented Bean Curd

不知道你們會不會有這樣的感覺。過年過節期間，總有一、兩款菜式或食品會特別讓你想念。那些童年或成長期間，母親常弄，以前沒怎麼在意的食物。

I don't know if you have this feeling or not; during the New Year or any festival holidays, I sometimes crave for food that I had in the past, or throughout my childhood. Food that my mum would often make, but I never fully appreciated.

酥皮蛋撻 ( 二 ) Puff Pastry Egg Tarts ( 2 )

又雪又雨中的情人節天，倍添畫意詩情
It snowed and it rained on Valentine's Day, adding poetic drama to the romantic mood

自從我去年八月做了酥皮蛋撻之後，那食譜成為我 blog 內瀏覽頁數最多的一篇。陸續也有讀者電郵或留言問及用的麵粉可否轉換、烤爐溫度或接叠方法 ... 等等。

Ever since I made the 'Puff pastry egg tarts' in August last year, it has become the most-read post on my blog.  I've since received emails and messages from readers asking me questions concerning different types of flours, oven temperature, folding methods and so on.

癸巳蛇年新春食譜 Year of the Snake New Year Celebration Food

花生椰絲芝蔴蓉煎堆 Fried Sesame Balls

多謝各位讀者、網友和朋友們一直以來對 Rice Bowl Tales 和我真誠的支持和鼓勵。在此歲末除夕之際，謹衷心恭祝大家癸巳蛇年大吉大利，四季平安，身體健康！

在這兒我把一些適合新春期間烹調的食譜結集在這裏，供大家参考。

Many thanks to all my readers and friends who have been given Rice Bowl Tales and myself their kind and sincere supports all these time.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous year of the snake 2013!

柱侯五香蓮藕糕【賀年糕點】Lotus Root Cake【Chinese New Year Celebration Cake】

很奇怪，我們全家都很愛吃糕，不論是年糕、蘿蔔糕、馬蹄糕和芋頭糕；我卻是除了過農曆年時會熱熱鬧鬧的做個痛快，讓家人吃過盡興外，年中真很少想起要蒸盤來作下午茶的。

Although as a family, we all like eating Chinese steamed cakes very much; whether it be the Brown cane sugar cake, the Turnip cake, Water chestnut cake or the Taro cake. In spite of this, I've never made them at any other time of year except in the weeks just before Chinese New year.  

自家製茶樓豬腸粉【賀年小吃】Homemade Rice Flour Rolls【Chinese New Year Celebration Food】

「豬腸粉」是廣東茶樓最受歡迎的點心之一；也是我們全家的至愛。

' Cheung Fun ' - literally ' rice flour roll ' is one of the most popular dim-sum in Chinese restaurants. It's also our family favourite.

花生椰絲芝蔴蓉煎堆【賀年美食】Fried Sesame Seed Balls【Chinese New Year Celebration food】

大多數家庭過年過節時都有他們自己做慶節食品的傳統和方法，特別是在歡慶農曆新年期間。

Most families have their own ways and preferences when it comes to cooking traditional festival food, particularly during the celebration period of the Chinese New Year.

貴妃梨小紅莓白巧克力合桃蛋糕 Pear, Cranberry, White Chocolate and Walnut Cake

2013 年的第一篇網誌，首先要跟我所有親愛的讀者們說聲新年快樂！

First post in 2013, may I take this opportunity to wish all my dear readers a very Happy New Year!