佳節套餐 - 甜品 Festive Three Course Dinner - Dessert

還有 12 天便是聖誕節了。家裏已開始大清潔，掛裝飾，買禮物，準備應節食品等等。孩子們很快便回家，親友們來探訪；日子在倒數中，我已逐漸為每天假期編策著不同的菜單。

It’s only 12 days until Christmas. I’ve already started cleaning and decorating the house, getting food and presents ready; the children will soon be home, friends and family are visiting. It’s counting down time, I am beginning to plan the menus for our meals for each day of the holidays. 

佳節套餐 - 主菜 Festive Three Course Dinner - Main Course

昨天為大家介紹了這個佳節套餐的前菜，今天便來看看這個主菜的檸檬蒜頭百里香烤雞怎麼做。 

I posted the recipe for the starter from this festive dinner yesterday,  let's have a look at how to make the main course - Lemon, garlic and thyme roasted chicken today. 

佳節套餐 - 前菜 Festive Three Course Dinner - Starter

朋友説她去年聖誕前依我的烤火雞肉卷食譜做的聖誕大餐招待朋友，非常受歡迎。今年她卻沒時間張羅一桌的配菜，但仍想在過節前在家做些簡單的菜式和幾個好友聚聚。她說想要一個把重點放在甜品的三菜套餐，卻不想太難和花太多時間。我跟她笑說我過去幫她煮好了！

A dear friend of mine told me, last year she followed my Turkey breast roll recipe, cooked up a big feast for her friends, everybody loved it. However his year she wouldn't have the time to cook so many side dishes, but still would like to prepare a simple meal for a few of her close friends. She said she wants to make a three course dinner which the dessert is the highlight of the menu, but doesn't require a lot of hard work. I said to her I might as well go over there and cook it for her.

聖誕大餐 Christmas Dinner

每年為家人準備一桌豐富美味的聖誕大餐，對有些人來說好像要備戰一般，先要决定今年的主角是烤火雞、牛、羊、豬、雞還是火腿，然後每一道配菜和醬汁、烤肉汁都要算準時間熱騰騰端上桌，嚴謹仔細地掌握各項時間。 

For some people, cooking a Christmas dinner is like going into battle! Firstly you have to decide which meat to roast, whether it’s going to be turkey, beef, lamb, pork or gammon. Then comes the question of the trimmings; what side dishes should accompany the main meat, and what sauces should be prepared to go with them? On top of that, precise timing is required in order to deliver the feast piping hot and fresh to the table. It’s no mean feat! 

鹹魚肉粒茄子豆腐煲 Salted Fish with Pork, Eggplant and Tofu

我老公愛吃鹹魚，亦愛豆腐。如果他只可以選擇吃一道菜的話，他會每天都吃鹹魚豆腐煲。

用豆腐配搭的菜式我可以經常做，但鹹魚我很少讓他吃；因為每次他都會嫌我煮飯太少。

松露巧克力蛋糕 Chocolate Truffle Torte

昨天和老公南下 Buckinghamshire 的 Burnham Beeches 去看那迷人山林的秋色。在午間中天的陽光下，閃爍古銅的黃葉沿著兩旁的路領我們往樹林駛去。

We went down south to the beautiful woodland Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire yesterday, hoping to catch it in the late autumn light. Driving under the midday sun, the bronze yellow leaves glittered along the road which led us into the forest.

薄荷巧克力杯子蛋糕 Mint Chocolate Cupcakes

上次在 Facebook 跟大家提及那位十七歳買了我書的大男孩 Saul Darlington, 他前後已依我書中的食譜做了紅蘿蔔蛋糕，辣椒燉牛肉醬，蘋果酥派和烤培根捲腸等等食品。

Remember the 17- year- old young lad Saul Darlington that I told you about? The one who bought my book for his mum and has been following my recipes making quite a few tasty cakes and dishes for his family himself; such as the carrot cake, chilli con carne, apple crumble and bacon wrapped sausages etc. 

照燒醬三文魚整個番茄飯 Whole Tomato with Teriyaki Salmon Boiled Rice

昨天老公在網上看到很多不同版本的整個番茄飯後，便説很想吃，問我可以做給他嚐嚐嗎？

我知道單是吃飯他一定會不夠飽的，便決定在飯的上面放些用自家調配照燒醬汁醃過的三文魚 。後來索性用小砂鍋來煲飯，於是兩公婆可以一人一個煲仔飯，吃得更盡興和更大快朵頤了。

南瓜甘薯燉豬肉 Pork, Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Stew

在英國居住了這麼多年，我對他們的經典民間菜式仍總是百吃不厭。除了具有代表性的烤肉餐外，本地的砂鍋菜 (Casserole) 或燉肉餐 (Stew) 也是我最愛做和最受老公孩子們歡迎的家常菜之一。

After living in the UK for so many years, I've come to love their classic family dishes so much. Apart from the most popular Sunday roast dinner, casseroles and stews are among our family firm favourites too.

蘋果酥派 Apple Crumble

每年的九月和十月，在英國是蘋果的盛產季節。雖然老公替我在後園種下的兩株小蘋果樹今年還沒有甚麼收成，但本土的各處蘋果農塲，則享受著美好的大豐收。由於去年冬天的和暖，今年春季雨水的充分，這個夏天足夠的陽光，然後乾爽的九月，讓本地的蘋果可以比往年提前兩星期摘取。

British orchards are enjoying a bumper crop this season. The British apple harvest has begun two weeks early this year thanks to the last warm winter followed by plenty of sunshine and lots of rainfall this summer.  A dry September allowed the picking to get started early.

木瓜魚肉花生湯 Papaya, Fish and Peanut Soup

前幾天我們才說都快十月尾了，今年的氣候還這麼温和，很多樹葉都仍沒換上秋裝。怎料昨天從 Bermuda 捲來的颶風尾巴特如其來似的便橫掃整個英國。今天餘威未減，整個下午風狂雨暴。出去辦點事，走在路上有會被風捲起的惶恐 ! 

祝福香港 (二) Bless Hong Kong ( 2 )

傍晚來臨前，丈夫問要不要去看看我愛的湖邊秋色 ? 

我知道葉子們都還沒有轉黃，但也領會他的好意。

又再來到 Lake Vyrnwy。 不是假日，四週回復了應有的寧靜。

祝福香港 (一) Bless Hong Kong ( 1 )

從當初一個貧窮落後的漁港，到發展成為今天國際知名的大都會 ; 香港滙聚了多少人努力付出而獲得的成果 。

From a poor little fishing village to develop into a world-renowned metropolis today, Hong Kong has come a long way.  Millions of ordinary people have worked hard to create the affluence and success that everyone enjoys today.

蘋果肉桂蛋糕 Apple and Cinnamon Cake

英國今年的春夏季因為來得比往年早，於是感覺上逗留的時間很短暫，離去也怱促。

Spring and summer came earlier than usual in the UK this year. As a result it feels like they were here for less time and their departure feels quite abrupt.

南乳燜豬手 Braised Pig's Trotters with Fermented Red Beancurd

祝願大家中秋節快樂  Happy Mid-Autumn Festival ～

椒鹽豆腐 Salt and Pepper Tofu

上次與大家分享過簡單美味的自家製照燒醬豆腐後，得到甚為熱烈的反應 。 很多讀者和網友都先後試做並上傳照片給我看，有些讀者還希望我會繼續提供更多的豆腐食譜。 

可愛的威爾斯小鎮 Llangollen ～ The Lovely Little Welsh Town Llangollen

永遠溫暖美麗，三十年不變的北威爾斯小鎮 Llangollen。每次來訪，必來喝個下午茶的這間小茶屋。十年人事，招呼客人的年輕臉孔儘管不同，服務態度卻仍親切如昔。  

The little Welsh town Llangollen is always warm and beautiful. It has not changed at all since our first visit 30 years ago. When we come we always have our afternoon tea here at the Cottage Tea Rooms. Although we have been greeted by different faces each time, but the friendly and excellent service remains the same. 

自家製照燒醬豆腐 Pan-Fried Tofu cooked in Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

以前，每次我們去中國餐館吃飯，老公首先會點的一道菜，就是豆腐。

去脊骨展平葡式香辣烤雞 Spatchcock Piri - Piri Chicken

不知道在其他地方居住的人，會不會像我們在英國的一樣 ; 天氣一放晴，便馬上在家中的後花園舉行燒烤。

I’m not sure if it’s the same for other people who live in different countries, but here in the UK, whenever the sun comes out, we immediately go to our back garden and get out the barbeque.

串燒沙嗲雞與香辣花生醬和甜酸蘸汁 Skewered Satay Chicken with Spicy Peanut and Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce

記得小時候，每逢電視上有大型綜合性節目表演那天晚上，如台慶、慈善籌款活動、歌唱比賽等等；因為飯後媽媽都比較累，我們便會趁機向爸爸要錢，到街頭街尾的檔攤小店買備零食飲料，然後到節目開始時，一家人興高彩烈的圍坐電視機旁，開開心心的欣賞演出。

I remember as a child whenever there was a large variety show on the television, such as the celebration of the TV Channel's anniversary, or charities' fundraising activities, singing contests and so on, we used to take advantage of the situation. Our mum usually felt quite tired after our evening meal, so we'd beg our dad for money, and  buy snacks and drinks from the corner shop or the street stalls. Then we all sat around and happily munched away on those special treats whilst enjoying the performances. 

【有碗家傳菜】第一版的書中食譜錯漏修正 Corrections to the First edition of my book【Rice Bowl Tales】

【有碗家傳菜】第一版的書中食譜錯漏修正

差不多二個月前，書出版之初發覺了這些錯漏後，我在 Facebook 上即時寫了 post，補上改正的同時，也深表了我的心情和感受。全文在此。

紅豆鹼水三角粽 《有碗家傳菜書中食譜》 Red Bean Lye Water Rice Dumplings 《Recipe from my book Rice Bowl Tales》

最近有點忙，在臉書上答應了大家，會分享在我書中這鹼水粽的食譜；竟要等到今天才有時間進行。希望有興趣試做的朋友們，還可以趕得及在端午節前的這個週末動手。

我的書《有碗家傳菜》在各地購買資料 My First Book《Rice Bowl Tales》

『書要印第二刷了！』幾星期前，我的書出版了個多月後，出版社告訴我。聽到這消息後令我有說不出的高興和感激。知道我親愛的讀者們以行動給我支持，買我的書給我鼓勵！對於這份盛情；除了深懷感恩之外，我只能以更努力，多試驗和多撰寫食譜與大家分享作回饋！

廣式五香鹹肉五角粽《有碗家傳菜書中食譜》Cantonese Style Salted Meat Rice Dumpling《Recipe from my book Rice Bowl Tales》

老公和孩子們對任何用糯米或糯米粉做的粿和點心都非常喜愛，粽子就是其中之一。

My husband and my children love anything made with glutinous rice or glutinous rice flour. Zongzi – glutinous rice dumplings – is one such favourite. 

【有碗家傳菜】新書分享會 (下) 【Rice Bowl Tales】Book Launch Event ( part 2 )

親愛的讀者 Rita GJmama 千里遙遙從香港托朋友再托台灣的朋友，在當天給我送來這麼美麗的鮮花，為我的分享會生色不少，每人都說那些可愛的花兒很襯我的圍裙呢！衷誠感謝妳的美意 Rita，下次返港我要請妳吃飯啊!!。

【有碗家傳菜】新書分享會 (上) 與糖不甩小插曲 【Rice Bowl Tales】Book Launch Event ( part 1 ) and a Little Episode with the Glutinous Rice Flour Balls

誠品信義店書藉推廣組長和 Cooking Studio 的 主持人李絲絲小姐與我

經過七個月的努力，我的第一本書【有碗家傳菜】終於出版了。在丈夫和女兒的陪同下，我們來到台灣，與悅知文化出版社一起，在台北誠品信義店的絲人空間 Cooking Studio 舉行一塲我的新書廚藝分享會。

彩蛋杯子蛋糕(有碗家傳菜書中食譜) Easter Egg Cupcakes (Recipe from my Book Rice Bowl Tales)

最難忘的一個復活節：我六、七歲那年，香港正爆發六七暴動。爸媽為了我們的安全，將哥哥、我和三弟帶離市區，安頓在較偏僻的鄉下，他們則是帶著四弟每天往返城市、早出晚歸地工作。

The most unforgettable Easter: During the time when I was about 6 or 7 years old, the city of Hong Kong witnessed senses of disruption as the force of the 1967 demonstrations caused chaos among citizens. My parents, concerned for the safety of the family, decided to move out to the country until the worst of the action was over. They needed to return to the city for work every day, so they took my very youngest brother with them, and returned late in the evenings daily.

有碗家傳菜新書發佈消息 Rice Bowl Tales Book Launch Details

上星期五 21/3/2014，我這本前後用了七個月的時間寫和翻譯的第一本書：

《有碗家傳菜 Rice Bowl Tales》出版了。

牛排啤酒派 Steak and Ale Pie

記憶中來英後首次吃到牛排派的滋味和印象至今仍然鮮明，猶如昨天。

My memory and taste of the first steak pie I ever ate in this country is still as clear and vivid to me as if it happened yesterday. 

烤司康餅和奶油下午茶 Scones and Cream Tea

我很喜歡為家人或到訪的親友烘蛋糕甜餅作下午茶。多年來，我做過的茶點也不少；有些簡單容易，有些則是頗為複雜和費時。

I love baking different types of cakes for my family and friends whenever we have our afternoon tea. I've made many different types of cake over the years - some simple and straightforward, and some quite complex and time-consuming.

元宵節情人節快樂 Happy Lantern Festival and Happy Valentine's Day

今年今夕  元宵情人相遇

是緣是份  但願矢至不渝

Happy Lantern Festival  ～   ♪♥ 

Happy Valentine's Day!!

春天不遠了 Spring is Almost Upon Us

過年前蒸了很多糕點，都是為了做給孩子們走時帶回去吃的。發覺自己的行為愈來愈像以前的母親 ...

書的中文版已寫完，英文已翻譯了一半；還有補圖、完成之後的校對等等工作 ... 要做的事情雖仍不少，但是，春天也不遠了！

I've prepared so much New Year food before Chinese New Year, for my children to take back when they leave. I find myself copying the things my mother did subconsciously ...

The Chinese writing of the book is finished, the English translations also half way through; there's still a fair bit of work to do ... at least, spring is almost upon us !

甲午年新春大吉 Happy Year of The Horse 2014

一 切準備就緒，等待孩子們回家慶團年 ～  ♪♥ 

在此，恭祝大家馬年健康快樂、四季平安、如意吉祥!!

Everything is ready now, just waiting for my children come home to have our New Year’s reunion dinner ～  

Wishing everybody a Happy, Healthy and Blissful year of the Horse!! 

客家蒸鹽雞 ( 賀年菜式 ) Steamed Salted Chicken ( Chinese New Year Food )

過年過節之前，相信都是主婦們最忙碌的時間；因為我們都想為家人親友準備好各式各樣的應節美食。

In Chinese tradition, the run up to the New Year or any festival is always a very busy time for us housewives or people who enjoy hosting for family and friends, because of the amount of food we have to get ready!

五香鹹煎堆 (賀年小吃) Five Spice Pork Sesame Seed Balls (Chinese New Year food)

今次我要繼續我的懷舊食譜！上次跟大家介紹了我們都愛的街頭小吃「砵仔糕」後；在香港長大的朋友，你們還記得那些一起在小車中同時出售的「五香鹹煎堆仔」嗎？

This week, I'm continuing with my nostalgic recipes! In my last post I made Red bean rice flour puddings - one of my favourite Hong Kong street foods from childhood and, I'm sure, a lot of other people's favourites as well. Do you remember the little five spice pork sesame seed balls, which were always sold alongside the puddings in those days?

紅豆砵仔糕 ( 賀年小吃 ) Red Bean Rice Flour Pudding ( Chinese New Year Food )

對在香港長大的我和很多人來說，砵仔糕是我們童年的心愛食物之一。每每提起，仍會勾起不少緬懷的回憶和思念。

To those of us who grew up in Hong Kong, " Put Chai Ko" -   Red Bean Rice Flour Pudding, was one of our favourite childhood foods. Even just talking about it now inevitably brings back lots of nostalgic feelings and fond memories.