Simple Great Feastings

Anyone who knows me well, or vaguely for that matter, is consciously aware of my never-to-part love indulgence of food. Degustation menus are a constant read just as fuel for imagination and of course to be put aside for wanted occasions. I enjoy the art in its presentation, it gives aesthetic pleasure. Like a perfectly curated exhibition. A delicious meal is like fixing a puzzle, sometimes there are 3000 pieces, sometimes 300. Occasionally, the simpler 300 piece puzzles are more satisfying and of course, easier to create, not so troublesome to source for ingredient. Also, much more practical for everyday life/ everyday working Nath. Hah (:

Of late, N's been running to and fro for his constant inconsistent 7-5 (supposedly 9-5). Thats's a good 12-13k's all up? And when he gets home he insists on cooking. I've got to fight to get in there, clock in kitchen time. No complaints though! He enjoys it, says it calms him down and between the two of us, well he's the more willing cook. Not that I don't find some fulfilment gathering/ chopping/ blanching/ grilling and presenting, I'm happy to give him that space to unwind. (Hope he sees it that way too! haha. We've communicated on this and so it seemssss....)

I've been observing him, I...us. I usually find that everyone seems to find a place in their home. N's include the garden, kitchen and the piano. The piano is definitely position #1. I realise that my position at home is... surprise, surprise! The dining table hah! But no! I do not spend my day eating all day long. I like to do uni work there too (you can tell I'm not at the dining table now cause I said 'there' hehe), with big windows surrounding the corner, it's perfect for people watching as well. I do love the light and sun and this is where I best get it while enjoying the perks of a kitchen close by in an open space. 

Meals in this home are constantly new and never boring. As much as I dislike routine and purposefully avoid it, I can recognise the irony of its residence in my life. Who am I kidding. It's a must, a necessity. One new constant has been a week day night that we've seemed to save for guests. It wasn't planned but somehow fell into our weekly routine and of course, we love it. 

Setting the table and coming up with the menu would appear simple but we like trying to be novel (unfortunately, diligence isn't my strong suit and I've failed to capture most of the interesting dishes). So, hopefully as the weeks pass we might see something of a centre piece and cloth napkins etc. For now though, I will take the fresh tastes to the palate and laughter amongst guests and in between bites and chewing. Chinwag (:

My first roast from scratch. Lemon chicken.

Hainanese chicken rice.

Laksa night (:

Country chicken pie. Looks like we eat a lot of chicken!

Java Mee Soto with Kumura balls. 

Haloumi and bacon on spinach with lemony dressing.

Portobellos drowned in cheesy goodness with pine nuts and chorizo hash with kumura on the side.

Black pepper squid with traffic light vegetables on a bed of couscous.

Cheese board (:

Avocado (:

Spinach and feta tortellini in coconut soup.

Baked choc mouse.

Nutrigrain with vanilla bliss soy.