Chicken Congee (rice porridge soup)

Lazy day today and no work! I decided to make a simple chicken congee for lunch using left over bones from a chicken I roasted yesterday.
I removed the meat to be used later for dinner (roasted chicken in a chickpea wrap) so for the congee, I've used the left over chicken bones and wings! I leave the skin on for extra flavour :) Growing up in a tiny village in China, food was very scarce. With this upbringing, I prefer not to waste anything.
Because I've used a roasted chicken, this congee has a great roasted aroma and flavor and is a heart warming soup. I love to enjoy congee on cool rainy days like these ~ Bon appetit :)

Ingredient :
1 x Whole chicken bones , skins and wings
1 cup medium grain white rice ( washed 3 times)
3 slices of ginger shredded.
2 litres of water
1/2 tsp salt
A pinch of white pepper
A sprig of coriander for garnish

1x roasted chicken bones and wings

1 cup medium grain rice

wash 3 x times

3 slices of ginger and shredded

Add rice, chicken bones,wings and water and ginger into a large pot. Cover lid and bring to boil  

Once it's boiling turn down to low heat, cover and simmer for about 40mins. Make sure you stir every 15mins to prevent rice burning and sticking to the bottom of the pot!

when 40mins is up add 1/2 tsp salt into the pot.

Thick and creamy chicken congee (if you prefer it less thick add more water at the start)

Add a sprig of coriander (when you buy coriander,to keep it fresh. Wash it thoroughly, fill a cup of water 1/2 way , pop your plant into the cup and cover with a bag and store in the refrigerator. This can keep your coriander fresh for at least 2 weeks)
 

Voila ~ add a pinch of white pepper. Heart warming congee soup is served :) Enjoy

Hot Chocolate Mr Wong's Way

Hello All :) Loving this public holiday!!! Thank goodness, we got a day off from work today yeah ! It's a bit chillier than usual today so Mr Wong made us a quick hot chocolate. I call it the wong way to make hot chocolate on the go (hehe)... So wong and yet so right! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do .

EDIT (11/3/2013): I just found out that child labour is used in growing and harvesting the cocoa used in many chocolate products. From now on, we will be using fair trade, slavery-free chocolate powder. I don't know if the brands we used below use slavery-free fair trade ingredients but we will not be using them anymore until we find out if they are ethically produced. 

Ingredients:
1 Tbs cocoa powder
1 Tbs drinking chocolate powder
3-4 Tbs hot water
Soya milk
1/2 tsp drinking chocolate powder for dusting
A couple of pinches of salt

The 2 chosen chocolate powders

bring water to boil

1 tbs Cocoa

1 tbs drinking chocolate powder



add 3-4 tbs hot water

stir well!

and then pour milk half way , stir again to combined well



Pop into Microwave for about 3 mins ( base on 1000watt) on high



vigorously shake the remaining milk inside the carton (make sure the lid is closed) for about 15 sec, and pour into the hot chocolate (it's an easy way to get that extra froth!)

sprinkle some chocolate powder and add a few pinches of salt : VOILA ~ Enjoy xoxo

How to make a cup of tea

Dear Readers, I adore tea and all kinds of it! ....my favourite is just beautiful original English Breakfast. I would love to share with you my way of making a perfect cuppa. Enjoy :)

My tea collection so far :) my pantry is running out of space

My hot chocolate obession :) next time will show you how to make a perfect hot chocolate !

Bring water to boil

Pour hot water into your teapot ... warm your teapot for at least 2-3mins.  I'm using my favourite rose teapot

Don't forget to warm your tea cup too . Same amout of time 2-3mins or longer

My chosen tea : english breakfast (beautiful flavour from Wedgewood)

Empty water from teapot, add 2 tsp tea leaves and pour hot water into the pot

Brew for about 5mins, you can still warm your teacup untill you start serving

While you wait, prepare your sugar and milk ( i'm using soya milk )

I like to set up my tea set on a tray. I love my fine bone china set "Royal Albert" (a beautiful gift from a special person!). You've got to spoil yourself even on ordinary days.  

Add sugar cubes

Use a tea strainer ,and pour your tea

add milk and stir

There you have it ! A nice creamy sweet english breakfast tea: A perfect way to make looking at your bills a little more tolerable lol 

High Tea at Sir Stamford Circular Quay

High Tea at Sir Stamford Circular Quay

Elegant High Tea at $65 per person .



My outfit for the high tea

Moet Champagne and Ice water

Savory starters: My favourite is the Chicken wheel and curry puffs

Dessert delights

The 3 layer Tiers

Fluffy scones with strawberry jam and cream

Mr Wong Ordered Earl Grey and I Italian Almond Tea

Prepping the scones:)

Overall: elegant, relaxed and a great place to catch up with your friends for private chat sessions.

Happy Australia day! I took Mr. W to high tea. I was super excited as this was our first high tea together!! The experience and atmosphere was fantastic. I felt like I'd been transported back to a different time. And oh so grandeur - beautiful wallpaper, big comfy armchairs, vintage paintings hang on walls. Tables are set with crisp white tablecloths, white cloth napkins and polished cutlery. Enjoy!!!