Thirty Days Meme - Days 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24

[flotternz]

Si and I went and saw Avatar at the flicks the other night and were suitably blown away. What an awesome film to escape into. It's just a shame that we don't have a 3D theatre here in Dunedin, but even without the 3D it was astounding.

Beforehand, we wandered down George Street in an attempt to find a little eatery that didn't cost the earth. We ended up finding a little East Asian restaurant that serves my all-time favourite asian dish, which up until yesterday I hadn't had since I moved down here because I couldn't find anywhere that served it - Char Kuay Teow - which ironically I also found was served in a little restaurant/cafe/takeaways across the road from the restaurant that we ended up dining at. It was sooo good.

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve. It certainly doesn't feel like it at all. We don't really have any plans. Trish wanted to go up to Auckland, but flights were too expensive, so it's just going to be the 3 of us for Christmas. We have one person booked in to stay on Christmas Day, and Si is closing down the rooms for tomorrow so we don't have to get up to do breakfast on Christmas morning.

We did try and find a restaurant to have Xmas dinner at, but all of the restaurants in town are closed. I want to cook a Turkey, but at $50 a bird I can justify spending that when there's only the 3 of us. I'm roasting a lamb instead, because lamb is normally so expensive that we don't buy it.

It'll be weird not spending Xmas with the rest of the family, but not as weird as last year where I had to spend it without Si.

Also, I'm not sure if I like this Flaming Lips version of Dark Side Of The Moon. I think I love the original too much.

Day 20 -- A hobby of yours

Huh. Maybe I should have read the list through properly and made my talent my hobby instead, since it isn't really a talent. Oh well.

I really am a boring person.



Day 21 -- A recipe

Because I totally want to cook this one day soon.

Char Kuay Teow

• Oil -- 1/4 cup
• Garlic, minced -- 2-3 cloves
• Sambal oelek (chile paste) -- 1-2 tablespoons
• Chinese sausages, sliced into rounds -- 1-2
• Shrimp, peeled and deveined -- 1/2 pound
• Fresh rice noodles -- 1 pound
• Soy sauce -- 1/4 cup
• Brown sugar -- 1 tablespoon
• Eggs, beaten -- 2
• Mung bean sprouts -- 1 cup
• Scallions, chopped -- 3-4 each

Method

1. Heat the oil in a wok or heavy-bottomed pot over high flame. Add the garlic and sambal oelek and stir fry for about 30 seconds. Add the Chinese sausage and shrimp and stir fry until shrimp is almost cooked through.
2. Reduce heat to medium and stir in the rice noodles, tossing them to heat through. Scrape the bottom of wok or pot frequently to minimize sticking. Then stir in the soy sauce and brown sugar and stir in to season the noodles.
3. Scoop the noodles away from the center of the wok or pot and pour the beaten egg into the cleared space. Let the egg cook until just set, and then stir into the noodles.
4. Add the sprouts and scallions and continue to cook, tossing frequently, until the sprouts are just cooked through. Adjust seasoning and serve.

Variations

• Authentic recipes use a mixture of dark and light soy sauce to give a darker color to the finished dish. Use 3 tablespoons dark soy and 1 tablespoon light soy sauce.
• If you can't locate fresh rice noodles, you can use dried rice noodles. Place 1/2 pound noodles in a large bowl and pour in boiling water to cover. Let set 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, drain and use in recipe as directed.
• Use 3-5 minced hot chilies in place of the sambal oelek if you like.
• If you can find Chinese chives, use them in place of the scallions.
• Other possible additions: shallots (add with garlic), chopped chicken meat, squid, clams, cockles, crab meat or tofu (add with shrimp), shredded Chinese cabbage, bok choy, spinach or other greens (add with sprouts).
• Add 1-2 tablespoons oyster sauce instead of the sugar if you like.

Day 22 -- A website

DeviantArt. Seriously, I can't get enough of this website.

Day 23 -- A YouTube video

This is the most adorable thing ever.

Click to view

Day 24 -- Whatever tickles your fancy

Because I can't get enough of this song at the moment....

Click to view

The rest of the list.

Day 25 -- Your day, in great detail
Day 26 -- Your week, in great detail
Day 27 -- This month, in great detail
Day 28 -- This year, in great detail
Day 29 -- Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 -- Whatever tickles your fancy