1.
Beep. Beep.
“Please call home when u are free.”
When dad sends this text message to my mobilephone, his request could range from “Your mum is in the hospital, so if you are free, please visit” to “Can you buy us plane tickets to London” to “Are you coming over for dinner this weekend?”. The urgency may differ for each request, but his text message is always the same. I think he has it saved on his mobilephone.
Fearing the worst, I called.
Me: What’s up, dad?
Dad: Have you heard of Boer goat meat?
(Note: This conversation takes place in the middle of my rush period when I’m desperately trying to finalise a report.)
Me: Huh??
Dad: You haven’t been reading the papers, have you? The Boer goat originates from South Africa and its meat is supposed to be more tender than local mutton. And it’s healthier than other meats. It has lower saturated fat and cholestrol content as compared to other popular meats.
Me: And your point is?
Dad: Boer goat meat is now available locally, you know. It may cost 3 times more than local mutton, but it would be interesting to learn more about it.
Me: And…?
Dad: Can you be a dear and buy us some?
And that’s how I found myself at Boer Goat Junction at Damansara Utama on a Saturday morning, sacrificing my much needed sleep for the sake of the love I have for my family. I was immediately struck by the cleanliness of the place and the lack of any strong raw meat smell which I had grown accustomed to in my early days of going to the market with my mum. The place was bright and welcoming, much like McDonald’s.
The butcher was an extremely helpful fellow. I told him I wanted cuts for mutton peratal (an Indian style curry dish), and he immediately recommended two options, the forearm and the thigh. The forearm is apparently very tender and soft, perfect for a peratal dish, while the thigh is more lean. Unable to make a decision, I took both. While waiting for the nice man to chop up the meat, I chatted with him. “Where’s the farm?” I asked him. “It’s at Cenderiang,” he said. “The goats eat Napier grass and drink mineral water from the springs near Tapah.” I imagined Julie Andrews singing lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo. “They must be happy goats,” I offered. “Until they get slaughtered, I’m sure,” he replied.
Mum was happy. The mutton peratal took half the time to cook as the meat was very tender. Also, this meat lacked the strong mutton smell that is sometimes a turnoff for some people. And the taste test: Delicious! But at almost RM70 per kg, I think this is one meat that we shall be eating only on special occasions!
Boer Goat Junction
No. 43, Jalan 21/60
Damansara Utama
47400 Petaling Jaya
Click HERE for their official website.
Tel: 03-7722 2999
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2.
With so much hype over Cupcake Chic, I was rather pleased when Paprika brought some for us to try. One was a chocolate cupcake, the other was a butter pecan, and I can’t remember the third.
Now mind you, I don’t really care that the idea isn’t original (a quick search on the internet will reveal that the idea is very similar to another bakery in the US), and I don’t really care that they don’t look as appealing to me as other cupcakes (because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I’ve been told).
What I care about is paying RM4.50 for:
-
a cupcake that is bloody sweet – I know icing is supposed to be sweet, but this will reduce my lifespan by 5 1/2 years.
-
frosting that tastes the same, with very little hint of whatever the cupcake is called, other than the obvious chocolate which isn’t vanilla.
The fact is, if I’m paying RM4.50, I certainly expect to get my money’s worth.
Well, there were some redeeming qualities. The texture of the cupcake was nice and crumbly and I thought the ondeh-ondeh (glutinous rice filled with gula melaka and coated with grated coconut) cupcake tasted like ondeh-ondeh. A RM4.50 ondeh-ondeh, no less.
So I went out and got myself a few more to try. After all, everybody deserves a second chance.
This time, I placed them in front of new guinea pigs. The verdict was the same. Too much sugar, too little flavour.
For different opinions, check out:
- Queer Rant
- Adventures of a Veggie Foodie
- A Li’l Fat Monkey
- A Self-Proclaimed Foodaholic
- Honey Star
- WMW
- Ipoh Mali Talak Sombong
- Eat First Think Later
Cupcake Chic
Lot GZF-4, Ground Floor,
The Curve, Mutiara Damansara,
47810 PJ.
Tel: 03-7726 9075
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3.
I was rushing to meet Bald Eagle one evening after grabbing my groceries at Bangsar Village. I ran smack into some road works along Jalan Chenderai at Lucky Garden (part of the Lembah Pantai constituency where the Clash of the Titans will take place) where heavy machinery were ploughing their way through the night to ensure that Bangsar folk would wake up the next morning to the smell of fresh tar. It wouldn’t have bothered me so much had I not known that the road was directly in front of the school where I shall be casting my vote this Saturday.
In times like this, it will take more than latte and tar to help me make up my mind.
I turned to my mum for advice. “Oh, we support Obama.” The power of CNN.
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The good people of Abu Dhabi may view pics HERE. Sorry about the delay!
That’s is some expensive mutton. Too bad I can’t cook. If not might buy some and make ‘Yong Lam Boh’ (Chinese Mutton Stew)
Not a cupcakes person.
Why we only see road being refurbish and potholes being filled only during this time?
Sista, I forgot to tell you that the Boer Goat meat was delicious. I had it grilled and it was really tender. Thanks once again.
Errr…still don’t fancy cupcakes with icing. I bought two back from Cupcake Chic and thought of giving it a try. Dad had half, I had a bite and the rest ended in the fridge for 1 month before migrating to the rubbish bin permanently. Icing still big no-no for me.
Too much horror, too much violence
Like Oscar movies and its equivalence
Even pancreas is not spared
And we awe mindlessly in silence
Demon barber I’m not
The lamb looks good, I thought
No more men to die
Just the meat and my shepherd’s pie
The little girl was cute and sweet
Like the cakes that screamed supremacy
But beneath the sugary sheet
Potential diabetes and teen pregnancy
No country for old men, a winner
With glorious dough they paid the killer
Innocent lives were taken by the “sinner”
Much a relevant to many, I consider
We can choose the movies
For we pay for the tickets
We can resist the phonies
For we are no dumb crickets
Sorry ar, been watching too many movies these days…hehe
Simon Seow: Well, I guess trying it once in awhile is fine…maybe for a treat or something, eh? As for the roadworks, if only elections comes once in 2 years hor. 😀
Precious Sista: I’m glad you enjoyed it! Time for me to go buy somemore to masak for the hubby. 🙂 Wah…looks like you had almost the same experience as me, except that in my case, I had so many more people to share the cupcakes with, so each one took one bite and they were gone!
Nic: Such a beautiful poem deserves an apt response. I shall have to defer my response to you. 😀 (Sorry…Monday morning damn busy I tell yew!)
Aaah..those cupcakes from diabetes hell. I wanted to give them a 3rd chance the other day but chickened out esp, after envisioning the sugar rush I will get.
Weird but I saw the Boer goat meat sign on a van on Saturday. Prolly in DU too cos I was there for lunch. Wah, so very the mahal leh… but yeah, not having a strong mutton smell is such a plus… maybe I can persuade the Datin to buy some and cook for The Family. Hehehe.
maybe he meant, “could you be a deer and buy us some (goat)”.
😀 I was rolling on the floor, picturing the conversation with your dad and comparing it to what it REALLY sounds like….. LOL, sorry can’t help it…. u’re funny, woman!
but i love strong mutton smell! hahaha..quite a hefty price to pay for a kg of mutton though..
am never a big fan of cupcakes..and reading this, shall never try it at all..
am going back to my hometown this weekend for the big day.. hmmm, wonder if there’s any new ‘improvements’ to my hometown in their bid to draw votes?
hahaha wat a good daughter.. im addicted to peratal after tryin that day in brickfields..n dear me, soon i will be old and forget but before i do; lunch bila?
The mutton peratal looks extremely tasty. I’m drooling over my keyboard….
It could still have been the GOOD, Bad and Ugly….you GOOD daughter mah, though buying GOAT…hehehe…
What a good daughter you are.. 😉 i never had such great conversation with my dad. It’s a one answer thing both ways.
That’s expensive mutton- still, the peratal looks so good that I bet you weren’t complaining when u sank your teeth in it. LOL. Disappointing cupcakes but they still look chic I suppose..
hmmm mutton . . . . seldom cook mutton but usual buy ready made mutton dish! lol! cupcakes . . . no comment! lol! “mati I nanti”
I support obama too… 😀
Err.. how come I can only see the fly kite photo ah? You trying to tell me something ah?? 😀
Wow, your dad seems to be quite a foodie huh?
*wave frantically* Thanks uncle for introducing this to us. 😛
And the cupcakes.. yeah, they’re very sweet. I think I mentioned that before. 🙂
Nic:
I can’t believe
You can link me to
The Oscars no less
Instead of a good stew
The goat would’ve fare better
Than the unwitting victim
At least it was happy
And death, much less gruesome
Juno was a girl
With razor edge wit
I’d hardly compare her
With Cupcake Chic
No Country for Old Men
Is one movie I skipped
The title resembled
The election’s dimwit
I agree with you, though
We are no dumb crickets
Come Saturday let’s show them
Who’ll eat them slimy maggots.
boo_licious: Cupcakes from hell!! Like you, I’d much sooner spend my money somewhere else. Are there cupcakes from heaven, pray tell? 😉
Kenny Mah: See…reading food blogs can be quite educational, dontcha think? By all means, do persuade the Datin to buy some…and don’t forget to invite me over!
fatboybakes: he could, but wouldn’t it be more accurate to say “Could you be a doe and bring me some goat” in view of the fact that I’m female (doe a deer, a female deer)? Of course that’d make no sense at all unless I was confused about my sexuality….which I’m not. 😀
Barbie: Yeah, I guess in reality, I’d be a lot more grumpy. Heehee. You know me so well lar!
sc: You’re certainly an exception (in a positive way, of course), dear, and I’ve always known that about you! hehe. I hope you’ll enjoy some improvements in your kampung. Hooray for elections!
Joe: Patience, dahling…..I’ll be in touch with you soon. We shall go….*drum roll*….vegetarian!!
Junkgirl: I shall convey that compliment to the masterchef….my mum!! hehe.
wmw: Ah but if I had said “good”, it would have been so ordinary, wouldn’t it? Well, we strive to please our earthly parents especially when we owe them so much more. 🙂
Mama BoK: I feel that with age, the barrier breaks down. I used to be a lot more fearful of my father in the olden days, especially since his right hand was usually wielding a cane! (I certainly wasn’t spared)
daphne: for all my protests, I’d do it anytime for my parents. 🙂 Plus yeah, I do get to reap the benefits. woohooo!!
BBO: Awwww c’mon….tell me laaaarrrrr! 😛
kat: U know my mum, dontcha? 😛 Gawd…what kinda Malaysians are u ppl?? Oh I forgot…they didn’t allow you to vote thru postal votes hor. Yeah…go Obama! 😛 Hey, how come u can see the go fly kite pic? I thought you were unable to view any of my pics?? This is a tremendous breakthrough!!
jason: Yeah, my father knows his food…cannot con him wan. He’s very good at slaughtering chickens too. 😛 As for the cupcakes, yes, I remember you mentioning that. I suppose they can’t please anyone. Some like it. Some don’t.
That is such a great photo girlfriend! Can’t wait to taste that goat meat leh. Next time you go can buy me some? You just reminded me I still haven’t blogged about cupcake chic!
Hmm… Read different reviews about the cupcakes. Is it really too sweet? We don’t really enjoy sweet cupcakes. But still, we wanted to try it out ourselves!
oh wow… the mutton looks so good before and after cooking ~ ^_^
Loved the last photo of the kite. And the boer goat meat looks interesting too. Gordon Ramsay’s F Word had an episode which featured Goat meat. Said it’s leaner and lower in cholesterol too.
Must buy some local goat to try. And then compare with boer goat.
Totally agree with you on the cupcakes. Way too sweet… Such a pity really.
I don’t eat beef&mutton because the smell, should i be giving Goer Mutton a chance?
RM4.50 for an ondeh-ondeh?hehez…
But one needs some sugar rush sometimes,when that time comes,i’ll let you know.Post some over k? *bleah*
Paprika: Gotta pace ourselves girl…can’t all blog about the same bad stuff! Ok ok..I’ll go get us some goat meat soon!
Sugar Bean: I agree with you…you gotta try it for yourself and decide. 🙂
ling239: aah, you like ’em rare, dontcha? 😉
Nigel: Thanks sweetie!! Yeah, I remember that episode of the F Word too where that loud woman went around feeding people stewed mutton or something liddat.
Queer Ranter: Yeah, it is a pity, isn’t it? But I suppose it’ll satisfy those with a sweeter tooth (although I can’t imagine any with a a sweeter tooth than me!).
JOjo: Yeah, you should always give everything at least 2 chances. 3rd chances are only if they behave. Hey, I toldya to give me ur address mah…how to post if I don’t have it? 😛
Hehehe one heck of a goat meat…if its that good, can just marinate and grill it over the pan or oven. Can taste original flavour.
So poetic u guys…Don’t think I could do that immediately. Might take days or weeks, you know ler ‘my englis not the powderful’ XD
If not mistaken, cancer cells feed on sugar. Dunno how reliable is that.
Guess everyone chose first Black President over first Lady President. Both equally historic.
PS:
Everytime I visit ur blog, the first thing I will terlook at is Pumpkin :S Izzit oni me?
well.. the cupcakes do look kind of plain. and i’m of the taste comes before looks kind of girl =D Which would explain my own messy cakes.
70 bucks a pop. You do love your famiy. Hahahah. I tend to get the same SMS from dad as well. I’m guessing he probably has it saved on his phone as well. Heh, the marvels of Technology.
Jian: True hor…it would probably taste wonderful on a BBQ and no worrying abt tough meat. And abt poetry, this kinda poetry is just hantam only and very amateurish…as long as it rhymes, just taruh. I’m sure Nic will agree with me. Cancer cells feed on sugar….oh dear…liddat, i’m a prime target! Pumpkin….yeah…how to resist? He’s soooo cute!!!!
Bee Nee: I’m with you on that point! (You can’t beat my cakes, though…they always sink!!)
unkaleong: It’s the least I can do especially after all my folks have done for me. Hehe…our parents are smart, hor. Even at that age, they’re pretty technologically savvy. kekeke.
i agree, i agree…taruh sama dia!!!
shiok sendiri one! hehe…
Harhar.. and today I can’t see jackshit.. 😀
The primaries in us is just so darn entertaining!! I love the debates between obama and hillary (I just can’t call her clinton – each time I see clinton, I think of Bill. And Monica. And what he didn’t do. Technically.)
People are debating about issues like improving healthcare and combating discrimination. In bolehland, we talk about opposition poisoning voters’ minds, denying 2/3 majority is DAP’s scare tactic and free taxi rides for voters…
hmmm interesting! i shall browse thru the net for more lamb recipe before i actually got myself some boer goat meat
The power of BN: paid political ads on Yahoo. *UGH!*
Have to take some pictures of the posters as well dotting KL and BB these days.
Nic: Taruh sama siapa?
kat: Well, I guess you heard about the latest headlines in bolehland? Big sigh.
citygal: The official website (see link on my post) has got a lot of recipes for boer goat meat. You can try those.
I haven’t register to vote :S From all the news in the paper, I just ‘mou ngan tai’….
old muthu had a farm, ee i ee i o.
And on that farm he had many boers, ee i ee i o.
boer meat here, boer meat there, boer meat everywhere!
old muthu can now laugh, heh heh heh heh.
money here, money there, money everywhere….
haha told you my literature sucks XD
hmm, since we’re on the subject of goat and mutton and lamb and the likes, i need a consult: wat’s the difference btwn them? when one says “kambing” as in “sup kambing”, r they referring to goat? and is mutton, lamb?
btw, i say, “go obama!” too! US elections are so much more interesting compared to ours, tho regardless, i can’t vote in either countries hahaha…
Oooo… I’d love a taste of your mum’s Boer mutton curry.
And that Obama quip is hilarious.
Cupcakes-smupcakes… nowadays I’m into Rustic Pear Cake which can be jazzed up with raspberries and blueberries.
but those Jap foods you and committee crave and those Dragon Pearly Happiness fishes costs anytime more than the
cheap RM 70 billy goatties so for dear daddy and mommy you should rush out to have more ! and dun forgit us too dearest
haha love the obama comment. especially since i’m in hungary, i feel way more in touch with the US election than the malaysian one!
Here I’ve Kalbsbratwurst or something worse,
It costs an arm and a leg and more;
And I’d have to rummage more in the purse
To buy something resembling wild boar.
Lamm here is lamb (dressed as mutton?),
Kalb, as you can guess, is baby cow;
Methinks I’d better quickly press Post button
‘Coz my rhyming brain is lazy like sow.
Great read, as always. But mutton? Hmm….will try everything…once. 🙂
your dad so cute!! hahax! gosh my parents nv cook mutton!! they afraid of mutton smell too.. but u make mii crave for mutton curry!
Ms Lemongrass, can i tag u? (in fact i had) hehe …
the cupcakes reli that bad meh?
tried once, was ok wo …just like normal cupcake plus LOTS frosting … maybe me got sweet tooth
Looks like a damn fine cut of meat 🙂 You get cupcakes liddat at the school cake sale – lots of icing. I loved your story of your Dad calling you. Take care this weekend.
Hehe… i duno when can i buy the Canon 400D and take such a beautiful photo like u
Heh guys, I found that goat meat shop – BoerGoat Junction in Damansara Utama and I bought some as well… hehe.. normal la… I also bought a pack of so called “PREMIX BOER GOAT TEH”. The butcher recommended it to me.. and the outcome.. nice. surprisely this type of goat meat do not carry that strong smell…I bought the ribs mix with rack. I found that the price now is averaging RM49/kg…. quiet reasonable for chilled meat.
i definitely agree with a poor rating for Cupcake chic.
i LURVE baking cupcakes (never eat my own tho) and am always up for a new cupcake idea.
so imagine my glee at discovering cupcake chic ( bought one of each of all 8 displayed) and quick-following horror ( 1 cupcake recipe–8 different toppings-1 taste).
And yes..cheap sugar,poor QC on taste definitely a turn-off.
Finally I have found someone who agrees with me about those cupcakes.
I still don’t get the whole hype about them though.
i agree about cupcake chic. a total turnoff the first time i had it, and never again did i have it, even when its free.
bisou is so far one of the best for cupcakes i’ve found.