May 13, 2007

This year; I'm turning 22...

and it begins to scare me.
I remember standing next to mom 2 weeks ago; in front of a large dressing table mirror, where we both were getting ready for dinner. I asked her; "Remember years ago when I was 15 and you had to hassle sis and I to put lipstick on when we went out for dinners?"...
It's been awhile since. I expressed my fear of life catching up with me...and the many worries I had with responsibilities ahead. She smiled and consoled me; assured me that it isn't going to be as bad as presume and explained to me how everything will be alright; its how life evolves naturally and how I'll have to accept it as it happens.
I was enlightened...it was exactly what I needed to hear.That's why I love my mommy. She speaks to me in ways I understand. She cares for me exactly the way I want to be loved. She couldn't be any more perfect.
If it was my daughter saying to me that she's beginning to feel old; I'd be busy freaking out at the number of mother's days I've celebrated! *laughs*
I love you mommy....When I was little; I loved you for how funny you were..and how you'd spoil us kiddies with cute presents and fun parties; but after getting to know you much better, I love you for your vibrant personality, selflessness and cheeky charms. *sigh* Everyone tells me I look so much like my mom....I'm glad...I'm glad I'm beautiful like she is.Thanks mom..for always letting me know you'll be there for me. I hope you won't miss me too much this Mother's day. *hehe* Have a fun day with Jie and Pa...I'm there with everyone in spirit.My mom has taught me more lessons in life than she gets credit for! *laughs* She's clumsy sometimes and extremely mischievous! So very adorable. Here's one of those "short-cuts" she's taught me in the kitchen. It was probably one of the very first dishes I've learnt to cook as a child. I still make it today....I've changed ingredients throughout the many years I've been making it; but it still is Mom's Chicken Pie.

1 chicken breast (cubed into 2cm chunks)
1 can Campbell chicken soup (Use Chicken+mushroom if you like)
1 large potato diced into 1 cm cubes
1 onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic minced

Pick 1-2 of these extras to throw in:
  • 1 can corn kernels
  • handful of sliced button mushrooms
  • 1 small leek sliced thinly

Lightly oil a deep pan,throw in all the ingredients and toss about on high heat till chicken is partially cooked. (2-3 minutes). And now for the secret ingredient ....crack open the soup and pour it in. Add 1/2 a can of water into the pan, reduce heat to medium and stir everything to create a smooth pie filling. Cook for another 13-15 minutes or till potatoes are fairly soft and cooked through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Pour filling into a pie dish or a simple shallow Pyrex bowl. Leave to cool for a few minutes while you prepare pastry.

Use 2 sheets of ready rolled puff pastry; thaw slightly till workable. Slice one sheet into 3 cm strips and cut a big round portion to cover the top of pie dish with the second. Use strips to cover the rim of the pie dis and lay second sheet over the top. Press down on the sides with a fork to enclose and decorate the op of pie with scrape bits of pastry left. Poke top of pastry lightly several times on the surface to create tiny air vents.
Pop pie in the oven for 20-25 minutes till pie pastry is puffed and golden.
Eat right away!! I usually dig straight into the dish.Miss you lots mommy!! Have a happy Happy Mother's Day! XOXo

Here's also a tribute to my mommy's mom...and Her mommy...*laughs*
Don't ask me how I got this ancient photo of my grandma and my great-grandma; I don't remember myself. Haha...It's just amazing to look back..and remember their many sacrifices; How they gave us life...and how they loved us.
*sigh* kinda gets me excited to continue that line of descendants in my family *giggle*

8 comments:

Hungry Hamster said...

I tried the recipe and it turned out great!! Very fast and convenient! ~thanks~ You and ur mom looked so cute!

Dazzling Cheffo said...

weiii that's good.i had been browse your blog for several time .. u r good...no..FANTASTIC... hei i put your blog as my link... come visit my blog dazzlingcook.multiply.com

anyway can i get your msn? so maybe sometime i can ask a bit more about your creativity? mine is v_dazzle@hotmail.com
or v_dazzle@yahoo.com
thankssss

Oh for the love of food! said...

You're such a nice , warm person, Su Yin, Your mom must really be proud of you. I haven't visited you in awhile, love the look of your baseball cap cake and that naughty boob cake! tsk! tsk! HA!HA!

Unknown said...

Haha... Fat Ma!

Your parents are rad :p

Anonymous said...

Hi, sorry if this question sounds stupid, but did you lay a layer of pastry on the pie dish before putting in the ingredients? And if you do, do you have to bake it blind first?

TIA!

erin said...

your grandma and great-grandma's photo is amazing! were they peranakans?

Su-Yin -Décorateur said...

hungry hamster: thank u, our family loves it too!

David halim: thank u, i hope to chat with u soon! Will definitely like to share some ideas.

oh for the love of food!: my mom is very proud of me :)..well at least i think she is..:P LOL

yan: hehe.. they're cute

xueyun: no there was nothing on the bottom just the glass bowl. I usually make the pie without a base...its simpler that way...just need to bake once.

erin: yes they were, not too sure actually...from their clothing I assumed they were :)

Anonymous said...

It looks so good! Just one question though, at what temp should I be baking it at? Thanks!