Category: Food Lodge

Food Lodge

Wish Everyday Was Like This

by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment on Wish Everyday Was Like This

Imagine this.

When you are having a bad day and crying for something hurts, someone comes and hugs you, and says: “I know it’s hard. You’re going to be okay. Here’s a coffee. And 5 million dollars”.

If I had that moment, I would stop crying and looked at the person. And I would continue crying louder and slapped him just to ensure I wasn’t dreaming. Then, I would be so glad to arrange a trip for me and you guys to Switzerland for 2 months, then we would take a train to Vienna before we flew to LA. How I love throwing cheese dream like this.

K, I’m currently having 10 days off after peak season last year when I worked more than 30 hours for weekends (I mean, 30 hours non-stop!), ate few rubbish just to survive (read: what worse than a pizza for breakfast and cheap instant noodles for dinner? tho, it was only few times, promise), and slept anywhere I could fall at. It could be at one corner of the hall (yes, on the floor!), dropped my head on the banquet table, or at the back seat of my car where I had to bend my knees (this sounds better with AC on, and a 18 by 18 inch pillow). Whatever you can imagine how hard it may sound, it’s part of my job. And as usual, I will give myself a reward every time I have a day off. Well, mostly you guys know what is my guilty pleasure: spending money for fruitful pricey food.

I wish I woke up with no deadlines but a full breakfast on bed everyday …

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When I have few days off, it should be an opportunity to pack my things and fly to Marrakech for instance, just for a week, nah? But unfortunately, I had to attend few preliminary meetings for a big project days ago when EVERYONE WAS RESTING! Akkk, YES!! Could you feel me? Let me not sounding exaggerated here :| but in case if you guys do not know how to put fake smiles on your face after you were waiting for two hours doing nothing because it ruined your off day like what I had today, I can teach you how to do it.

Sure, I won’t wish that kind of meeting happens everyday, sigh. Oh, I’m happy right now I have some new books to read cause I’m trying to off my internet access after an office hour. Except on the weekend at home, or having something to share on this blog :).

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P.S. “I know it’s hard. You’re going to be okay. Here’s a coffee. And 5 million dollars” – found this joke one time on 9gag’s twitter.

Food Lodge

Greeting For December

by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment on Greeting For December

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“The last time I was on Skype with my buddy, Andreas, it was a month ago. I mean, how time flies?”

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I believe it wasn’t only me when we woke up four days ago and surprised that December is finally here. Excuse me, the end of this year? isn’t this too fast?

December is the peakest season for a person who works in the event industry like me. Like you have to be ready working for 30 hours plus (2 days 2 nights that what I had for last two weeks!), ensuring so many things from A to Z before the events, moving for one place to another, and standing until the event started. Sleepless nights on December is such a normal thing (oh, hello Christmas and New Year decorations!).

Sounds tough, huh? It does guys. So don’t blame me if today I decided to pamper myself with some cool guys on my table. This was such a revenge from two days ago when what I had for dinner was only cheap instant noodles, yikes.

 

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I know by tomorrow I’m going to work hard again till the upper week for continuous events and some will be out of town. Realized that I will be dreaming like “oh, I’m at nowhere, where can I get kale leaves for breakfast”, don’t mind me that is nonsensical non sense :P when I work out of town with hectic schedule. To be honest I have no idea how should I divide myself for that, tho. But I trust everything will be fine.

I tried to enjoy my afternoon by stood on my dining table with a slice of strawberry mousse and chocolate cheese cake with a lemon tea (sugar-less of course!). I brought them home along with berries and frozen croissants after I and my colleague had a Chinese food for lunch yesterday when we both had a day off (it was like a miracle we had Saturday off on December!).

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Well, right now, I want to prepare myself to sleep earlier so I can wake up fresh tomorrow. Sure, after I finish picking some early Christmas gifts for myself on eBay (no, I’m lying, I don’t celebrate Christmas). Should I say it’s for an early New Year gifts instead? Oops :).

 

Food Lodge

Mornings With Chia

by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment on Mornings With Chia

People like me can be so discipline by saying no to MSG though somehow, a tin of Hot & Spicy Pringles can be an evening sin I do once in a while. If you are a strict person and straight for everything about super food and healthy living, maybe we can be a friends. I trust we will be a very, very good friends.

Recently I keep trying to be straight to what I eat in terms of healthy living. Come on’, I’m not that bad right if I tell you that since two and half months I fried my food two times and it wasn’t deep-frying. I swear, I bought a bottle of 900 ml pure vegetable oil and last for almost 2 months. MSG? You won’t find it in my kitchen (sst, my colleague has, a bag! OMG). I have a big bottle of spring water beside my bed, always. Been eating raw more often, O oil and a splash of fresh lemon juice on it, as simple as this. Brown rice, please! (bought 1 kg for a pocket reason last time, but I love how basmati brown rice taste), a cup of warm lemon water early morning, keep sugar as sparse as possible though OK, I always paralyze for yummy desserts. Those are most of the good things you can hear from me. Oh wait, did I tell you that berries will always be my forever friends? Like you know, I’ll do anything a whole-hearted. And the latest one is chia seeds?

Been enjoying those tiny cuties cause I want you to call me ‘you are among’ cool kids in Instagram and Pinterest by posting it on social media. Oh come on’, don’t take it seriously, you guys know I love to sound goofy by throwing cheesy jokes, huh? But let me tell you something, by the time you put 1 oz in a cup, pour water and leave it overnight in the fridge, and find them become jelly-ish the next morning, add yogurt or fresh smoothie, or even warm thick milk with cinnamon, slices of fresh colorful fruits, you are ready for a bowl of fruitful instagrammable breakfast. How about smoothie bowl?

 

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Food Lodge, Recipes

Strawberry & Kale

by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment on Strawberry & Kale

You know one song on X that I love SO MUCH apart of ‘Photograph’? Guess what? Sure you won’t know, you had no clue too that I can sing ‘Photograph’ very well? Acoustic, please, I sing better with that version. Ok, let me not keep it as a secret, it’s ‘I’m A Mess’. Well most of you will agree that ‘Thinking Of Loud’ is one of the masterpiece, right? I love that song too. Though one of my favourite singer in this ENTIRE WORLD, oh this sounds too-much? sorry, I mean Ed is still resting from the industry and screen-world (I think I should try the second one though I know I’ll fail, no point) but I won’t be bored watching his acoustic version of ‘Baby One More Time’. He’s talented indeed, sorry did I mention that JB is so yesterday? Mendes sings better, right?

Nope don’t get me wrong, I won’t fool you by wondering why the title of this post is Strawberry & Kale but I’m preaching about Ed. Sure, there is no correlation in between. I just want to let you know that Ed has a very, very genuine music talent, you know ‘Love Yourself’ right? Das weißt du besser. JB, give thanks to Ed! Guys you must note this, I can sing that song very -I said VERY- well. Trust me.

OK. THIS. IS. ENOUGH. Hör auf damit!

Let me not wasting your time with my random thoughts, just wanted to share food-lodge I took with my OMG I know it’s time to get my new camera and proper lenses, I shouldn’t be like a snail to get it in my hand (the good news is; I have the budget, tho it’s not a7R ii *crying*). For now, hope you don’t mind for some scenes of today’s breakfast that I’m sure a toddler can even make it. You must trust me for the last sentence.

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Food Lodge, Photography

Asparagus & Colors

by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment on Asparagus & Colors

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Since I’m still working on a travel post, let me just share these pictures here. Taken on last Sunday when I came back from grocery shopping, after an afternoon well-spent with kind-hearted friend of mine. I just couldn’t resist for baby asparagus and those pretties.

“How could I move to Europe for berries since here is bloody expensive!”

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“I used to mention on this blog that berries is something I can’t compromise. And found that I can eat raw baby asparagus, just like I enjoy carrot”

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An iPhone picture above was my breakfast like a Prince I cooked this morning.

How could I remember that two weeks ago on Wednesday I flew from Indonesia and it just felt like a day before yesterday? Where has the time gone?

 

Food Lodge, iPhone, Recipes

Chicken Lasagne à la Azis

by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment on Chicken Lasagne à la Azis

 

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“Quick one, what is your definition of simply joy?”

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Entering a mall to get some new outfits in the afternoon on weekday? when other people have their ‘an-hour-lunch-time’ and they’ll come back to work while you’re shopping? I agree.

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Sitting in the restaurant on Saturday morning where you can easily choose delicious food with a thick wallet in your hand for your breakfast? I do agree, too. If you think so.

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We all have our own definition of simply joy, right? No need a leather Gucci backpack for free, just a simple thing that could make you smile and feel happy, yep? I had to say two ‘simple joys’ above were mine two weeks ago while I was in Indonesia.

Oh come on, that was two weeks ago!

Trust me, I already woke up from a mental-vacation and hundred percent enjoying my REAL LIFE here (oh I don’t have an idea why my iTunes is playing “WELCOME TO NEW YORK!, IT’S BEEN WAITING FOR YOU, WELCOME TO NEW YORK!). No, I don’t say that my other SIMPLY JOY is coming to New York even that song always make me dreaming walking in New York at night.

When the smell of chicken lasagne was spread in the air from my kitchen, I thought that was a simply joy. I found that I had lasagne noodles in the kitchen last night and turned them this morning in to my first ever lasagne (this sounds garish, who cares?!). I never read about lasagne recipe before except how to boil lasagne noodles (no, I’m not cheating right?!). So you can call this recipe such an experiment, but trust me it was sooooooo yummy! and, sure it is so easy!

(Click to the image if you want to see the ingredients clearer, pardon I just love thin fonts!)

I don’t have an idea if this one is too-heavy for breakfast?

 

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HOW TO COOK

  • Sure, first thing first, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)
  • Time to cook the chicken! After you finish with ‘dice-cutted’, heat the pan, put 3 tbps O oil and butter, add garlic, stir-fry until it smells good, then add the chicken. Sprinkle a pinch of white pepper, taste if before you add salt since you already put salted butter. It doesnt take time, until you feel it’s time to pour the milk cream (add small water if you need too!). Chicken finish!
  • Take your non-stick backing pan, start with the first layer of lasagne noodle at the bottom. Add mushroom and chicken, then put another layer, spread tomato sauce and carrot, plus sausage. Another layer again with chicken and mushroom oh and cheese!. Repeat until the last lasagne noodle is ready to be covered with the rest of mushroom and looot of mozzarella!
  • Pour the rest of O oil, and an egg (whisked) sprinkle chili powder on top to make your lasagne prettier
  • Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven

 

Easy right!?

 

 

Food Lodge

Fine Breakfast

by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment on Fine Breakfast

There is something that made me soooo lazy to cook lately. I don’t know what, but I guess I feel a bit homesick. I miss a moment when I go home and find delicious foods on the table cooked by my Mom (now, this sounds I’m homesick indeed). To be honest, I feel it’s not an easy thing living outside country when I have to prepare everything every day. But I just have to do it and stop grumbling, yes? :)

Instead, I want to share some shots I did this morning. A fine breakfast with chocolate croissant a.k.a pain au chocolat and hello for berries! Nice to see you again :)

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Was my tummy full by having breakfast above? Nope! lol. But I love those berries, even they’re become more expensive nowadays but it’s always nice to pamper yourself with fruitful food right? :)

I’ll make one confession here, I was a bit late leaving my apartment this morning because of those photographs cause I had to wait for minutes to get enough light (cloudy morning go away!). Then, what happened with the foods? I enjoyed the croissant on my way to the office while I packed the fruits in a jar :P.

Currently, I’ve been trying to wake up earlier so I have time to sit down and enjoy my breakfast without busy taking picture. To be honest, it’s really good sitting and enjoying the meal, forget about food photography (I’m kidding :), how can I resist beautiful breakfast and good lighting?). But sure, enjoying breakfast in a proper way is very important to start your day guys. This reminds me how I enjoyed a fine Swedish breakfast on Friday morning at Fika last year in Singapore. I loved their homemade sausages (even I’m not a sausage fan!), fresh bacon (calm down, it was turkey bacon :)), and oh the blueberry jelly juice was so good too.

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Food Lodge

Ah, Ini Tak Adil

by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment on Ah, Ini Tak Adil

Ya, ini tak adil. Saat saya baru saja menghabiskan beberapa sendok nasi merah dengan sisa paha ayam goreng yang dingin karena disimpan di kulkas karena tak tahan menahan lapar, eh malah menemukan beberapa foto makanan seperti ini :(

 

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Duh Mei, bergulirlah lebih cepat agar saya bisa segera terbang kembali ke rumah. Mendapati Ibu yang tersenyum lembut setelah selesai memasak ikan tongkol bumbu kecap dan urap-urap pedas. Lengkap dengan tempe renyah berwarna coklat keemasan. Dan mungkin esoknya, saya bisa duduk santai di warung dekat rumah dengan semangkuk bakso panas dan segelas es teh manis. Atau, mampir sejenak ke rumah makan di siang hari, menyantap sepiring kepiting pedas dengan nasi putih yang masih panas, dan membawa beberapa bungkus ke rumah.

 

Khayalan-khayalan ingin makan makanan Indonesia sudah terbang di angan-angan.

 

Ah, ini tak adil. Perut saya masih belum kenyang. Beberapa sendok nasi merah tadi belum memuaskan nafsu makan. Bahkan, secangkir coklat panas yang saya seduh dengan susu putih cair sebelum makan juga tak cukup membantu. Mana saya tak punya apa-apa di kulkas, duh, besok sarapan apa coba.

 

Food Lodge, iPhone

Lately

by Azis Abdul2 Comments on Lately

Apart of “I have tried eight, nope, ten times to sing ‘All I Ask’ properly today” on this app and failed (oh, if you like to sing like… *coughing*), there was another annoying moment when I cooked pancake yesterday. Since I had an idea to enjoy pancakes for breakfast yet failed because I NEED A NEW STAINLESS STEEL PAN please!! :( even after I putted a tiny slice of butter before I dropped the dough, it didn’t work. Sigh, an old pan had scattered the pancake :( I know it’s time to pick a new pan if I have money :P, sure will doooo!

Rather than wondering scattered pancake, let me share images of pancake from my brekkie months ago. I found them when I searched for something ‘blog-worthy’ for upcoming post. All was taken with an iPhone.

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Is it only me that think ‘All I Ask’ is the best song from Adele’s 25? If you never listen that song, check this cover. Ssst, ‘All I Ask’ has played 20 times from my iTunes :D