Just One Food - Family Mart's Cranberry Flaxseed Loaf

I was more than happy to see a Family Mart convenience store open in my housing area some two years back. I come here to buy Japanese snacks occasionally but usually for their ready-to-eat salads and sandwiches (mostly classic tuna or egg mayo) when I'm looking for a light lunch.

I've tried a couple of their breads and cakes (like this murasaki sweet potato pan & banana cake) though none have really resonated with me.  Some of their ready-to-eat bento boxes look quite tempting but have not tried any.  Wonder if they're any good.

But one thing I do buy very often from here is their Cranberry Flaxseed Loaf (RM4.90).  This is the one thing that I really like mainly for the reason that this loaf of bread come in only 4 slices (a number which works nicely for me).  I used to buy Gardenia or Massimo but a loaf of commercially produced bread comes in too many slices for me to finish.  I can't finish 13 slices (including loaf ends) on my own as that would mean eating bread every day for the next one week.  Even I can't do that...no matter how much I love to eat bread.  Yes, I could put the unfinished slices in the fridge but that would still mean I'd have to eat bread every alternate day in order to finish it over the next one week (I don't want to keep them longer than one week in the fridge).  Sometimes, I'd even blitz the unfinished bread to make breadcrumbs, so I hardly buy these commercial loaves now.

My family don't share my love of bread for breakfast if they have other choices.  The only time I can expect some 'help' from them is if I get white bread and cook it with bacon and eggs (but I don't do that all the time).  Plus, I like wholemeal and if I get that, I'm pretty much on my own. >_<  And that's where Family Mart's Cranberry Flaxseed Loaf comes into the picture as there are only 4 slices which is ideal for me to be eaten over 2 - 3 meals.

The reason why I have an affinity towards this cranberry flaxseed loaf is because, of late, I've learned to appreciate eating something salty and sweet together.  This all started when I noticed someone at the next table dunking in Hainanese toast bread (with butter & kaya) into soft-boiled eggs.  I thought it was weird at first since I've only had it with plain toasted bread.  I wondered if the flavours would marry.  So, I decided to try it the next time.  It was quite a revelation...the salty (from the soy-sauced eggs) and sweet flavours (from the butter & kaya toast) went well together.  Suffice to say, I never had my half-boiled eggs with plain toast again after that.  I think the flavours work coz there's a good reason why people gravitate towards fried chicken with waffles or bacon with pancakes that has both salty and sweet elements.

Well, with this cranberry flaxseed loaf, you can kind of replicate the salty-sweet flavours at home with soft-boiled eggs and this bread (make sure it's toasted for best results).  You get a bit of crunch from the flaxseeds and a light sweetness from the dried cranberries.

It really does work well together.  I like the sweetness of the cranberries in the bread (you won't even miss the butter & kaya in your toast...plus it's a lot healthier too) when eaten with the savoury soy-sauced (& peppered) runny eggs.  What a simple yet wonderful breakfast to have at home! ;)

But if you want to take it up a notch, then preparing of a simple western breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast will please more family members.  

Again, the salty flavours of bacon paired really well with the sweetness of this bread.  Sometimes, I'd even have this for dinner.

Making french toast is another usual option for me for breakfast.  If you're someone who likes your french toast sweet, with maple syrup or honey, then this cranberry flaxseed loaf makes the job even simpler.

With the light sweetness provided by the cranberries, you can omit the drizzle of maple syrup or honey which is also ideal for those of us who want to reduce the intake of sugar in our diet.

And what's even better than having french toast for breakfast.....having it with a few slices of bacon, of course.  Again, you have this lovely salty-sweet flavours going on.  A yummy breakfast indeed!

Because the slices of this cranberry flaxseed loaf is thick, it acts as the perfect vehicle to absorb more of that beaten egg.  Sometimes I'd even coat the eggy bread in fragrant sesame seeds for that extra crunch.

But I'm pretty happy even if it's just a simple buttered toast with jam (or kaya).  Just make sure you get your hands on some of the creamiest, good quality butter and jam you can find that's a favorite of yours.  Mine is SCS (sometimes Lurpak) butter and St Dalfour's (no sugar added) jam (of wild blueberry or four fruits).  Great paired with a cup of hot coffee.

At times, I don't even wait for the butter to soften (to spread on the bread) but add hardened bits of it directly onto the bread...like how you'd eat Hainanese toast bread with butter and kaya.  Of course, I'd love a classic butter and kaya combination too but I find most of the commercially produced kaya too sweet for my liking.

And if I'm really hungry, I would make a sandwich out of it....and because the bread is so thick, you will need quite a bit of goodies to be sandwiched in between.  When it's a sandwich, I only need my bread to be shaken, not stirred....oops, I mean buttered, not toasted (unless if it has been in the fridge).

I usually go with omelette and bacon (of course) for my sandwich....and load it with lots of fresh vegetables of lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes to lessen the guilt.  I would have this for lunch, sometimes dinner.

Last, but not least, of course you can eat it on its own for the healthiest option....especially since this cranberry flaxseed loaf is already flavoured with cranberries and flaxseeds.

I like that the cranberry flaxseed loaf comes in a packet of only 4 slices, so they're a perfect fit for me (for one person to finish).  But even more so for the taste of the cranberries (which I love biting into) + the great many breakfast options I can do with it. ^o^  If you love cranberries and a light sweetness in your bread, give this one a go.  I think you will love it as much as I do! ^_~

Anyone Missed (the Adorable) Me?

After seeing the many charming poses and cute antics of PhongHong's cats, Ah Girl, and (more recently) Belle Belle, my Cookie is feeling a bit left out with all the attention the two girls are getting.  Cookie: What about me, ma?  I've got some cute poses to show your readers my followers too.

I've already posted a few of his sleeping positions before (here and here)....but he says he's got more to show, so let me show you then a couple more never-seen-before photos for your enjoyment.  It has been a long while since you last saw Cookie featured here...I think about a year ago during the first MCO.  Well, someone did say she misses him and was asking when is his next blog post.  So, let's not disappoint his fans fan.

Note: I did do a bit of research to see what some of these positions are called and why a cat may sleep like this for a better understanding.

#1 - Curled Up Position

If that's not a curled up furry ball, then I don't know what is.  A cat curls its tail around its body

probably because he's cold and is trying to keep warm (well, I do switch on the air-conditioning daily in the living room in the evenings).

#2 - Paw Over the Face Position

A cat looks really adorable in this sleeping position.  It can be a paw over the face.

Sometimes, even a leg will do.  A cat sleeps this way coz he's trying to shield his eyes from the light.  Either that or he's trying to tell me not to disturb him!

#3 - The Contortionist

This is him trying to be a contortionist where he twists and bends his body and head at weird angles.  How one can sleep comfortably in this position is beyond me.

#4 - Sleeping Sideways

This is an extremely relaxing sleeping position, fully content and feeling safe.  It's a position that's the closest to how we sleep.  Like humans, he even does it with a pillow sometimes...and he only wants this pillow/cushion (he doesn't want any of the new cushions I bought him...haiz).

Although, for other cats, it would probably look more like this.

 

Sometimes, he would even sleep dangerously on the edge.

And, occasionally, he dozes off with his head hanging precariously over the edge! >_<  And no, he hasn't fallen over yet (like those funny cat videos you've seen).

#5 - The Half-Eye Shut Position

In this position, the cat is conscious and alert and knows what's going on in the surroundings in case there's imminent danger (like if they're in the wild or outdoors).  I've seen Cookie sleep with one eye shut and one eye slightly open when he's not sleeping soundly but just resting.

#6 - Belly Up Position

When cats expose their most vulnerable part (their belly), the cat feels confident and safe in his/her surroundings.  When Cookie sleeps this way, he's totally relaxed and in deep sleep mode.  When you see your cat sleeping in this position, they're just tempting you to run your fingers through that soft, fluffy belly of theirs...do not attempt though!

#7 - The Loaf Position

This position is when the cat sleeps sitting upright with paws tucked in.  This is just a way of resting (or chilling) where one does not wish to sleep for long.

#8 - Standing Up Position

Just as cats can sleep sitting up, they can also catch forty winks while standing up! :O  Well, I guess sleeping is their other favourite pastime....besides eating.

#9 - Cat in a Box

Although I don't have a pic for this since there's no box in the house for Cookie (you can check out the one that Belle has before it got annihilated).  I used to see a box in the holding cell when Cookie stays overnight at the vet (and at pet hotels) too.  This, I presume, is for the cat to seek comfort, solace and protection inside the box in case he/she is stressed or worried (about safety).

#10 - The Splooting Position

I usually find dogs lying this way...the splooting position (I googled) with their hind legs stretched out all the way (I used to think it was because their butt was too heavy).  So, I was surprised to find Cookie sleeping in this position.

#11 - Cat Sandwiched Position

No-lah, there's no such sleeping position.  This was created by my cat mommy.  She deem it funny to sandwich me between two cushions.  Anyone wants a cat sandwich?  Kekeke! ^_~

#12 - All Wrapped Up Position

My mommy also likes to throw the blanket over me (when I'm on the bed)...but who am I to complain since it's super comfy and warm in there.....all wrapped up like a "chung" (or rice dumpling).

#13 - Sleeping (Anywhere) Next to Mommy (Will Do)

This is me sleeping on mommy's laptop or newspapers just to annoy mommy so that she can't read the papers or use the notebook.....full attention on me! ;P  If you cat is one of those that follows you around the house all day, you'll notice that they'd want to sit or sleep (unless they're in their cage) right next to where you're seated.

Sleeping photos are the most difficult to capture coz cats can hear the slightest sound or movement when you creep up on them.  The next few photos have nothing to do with sleeping positions though but I thought I'd show you some of his other cheeky poses.

This is him sitting like a tai ko (gangster).

This is him hiding behind the curtain (or playing hide-and-seek) and thinking we can't see him.  So, we just play along and pretend we can't see him.  Now, where's my Cookie, ah?

That's me cleaning my 'privates' caught on camera which mommy thought would be amusing to share.  Amusing for her....not me.

This is the "I don't want to talk about it" pose, so don't disturb me.  This happens when he comes back after an altercation (or fight) with another male (your guess is as good as mine who lost!).

Did you enjoy these photos of me?  You want more?  I don't have anymore.  You've seen me sleeping....peeing...pooping.....playing...eating...hunting....even killing.....what else more is there to show? :P

Sally's Kitchen Homecooked Food Delivery (March & April)

I can count myself lucky when someone in my housing area advertised their homecooked food delivery on our residents' whatsapp group (created specifically for paying residents of private guarded security in our taman) recently.

This started about two months ago and I've been ordering from Sally's Kitchen Homecooked Food Delivery ever since, so it goes without saying that the food is good.  They're a small home-based business with only two dishes each week but the menu changes every week (I'm into my second month and I've not seen the dishes repeated yet).  It's available for both lunch and dinner from Tuesdays to Fridays only.  I'd usually order once a week....sometimes twice a week if I happen to like both dishes.  Here's a peek of what I had in the first 6 weeks.

My homecooked delivery started with their Hakka Fried Pork Belly Rice Set @ RM12 served with Fried Rice and a Fried Egg.

The red fermented bean curd (nam yue) marination + hint of five spice powder was just enough for a not-too-punchy flavour.  The not too overly fatty slices of Hakka fried pork belly were tender with a light crisp on the skin.

The fried rice had a nice fragrance of fried garlic in it and I also appreciated the extra drizzle of fried garlic bits on top the fried egg.  Would not mind having this again.

The Thai Green Curry Rice Set @ RM13 which came served with side dishes of Onion Omelette & Stir-Fried Long Beans was the other option for Week 1.

The green curry, with soft brinjals and a sprinkling of kaffir lime leaves, was fragrant and adequately spiced with enough creaminess from the santan to make this one of the better green curry I've eaten in a long time, so much so that I didn't even mind that they were made chicken breast (which was tender, not dry).  When this dish makes it to the menu again, it's a must-order or, in my case, a must-reorder...lol!

The accompaniments of onion omelette, stir-fried long beans (could be fried a little longer for a softer mouthfeel) and a few slices of Japanese cucumber made this a completely balanced meal.

Week 2 featured a Nyonya theme of Mee Siam & Chicken Curry Kapitan @ RM12 with a classic Nyonya curry paired with mee siam.  The mee siam was fried with shredded carrot, fish cake and fried tofu cubes.  The mee siam was finished with omelette shreds and a wedge of lime.  Well fried and seasoned, the generous portion of mee siam was very appetising.  Eating this alone was already sufficiently filling.

The kapitan curry had decent flavours going on but just a tad on the oily side.  It's difficult to cook any curry without a good amount of oil as the spice paste needs to be fried until pecah minyak (the oil separates) as they say.  I guess the chicken with skin on also contributed to the oiliness.  Would I have liked it more if it was a less oily version?  Sure.

But I did like how thick and tasty the curry was...the result of an adequate dose of creamy santan.  I couldn't finish the generous portions of at least 4 sizeable pieces of chicken (I think it was made up of a whole chicken leg) + a chunk of potato in the curry that I ate it with rice for my next meal.

Next, there was the Marmite Chicken Rice Set @ RM12 served with Chili Garlic Tofu Bites & Seasonal Vegetables.  This turned out to be average tasting as you can easily get such dishes from any chap fan stall.

The marmite chicken, made from the thigh portion (bone-in and skin-on), was sticky-sweet as it should be (but not overly sweet).  Perhaps it would have been better if they were bite-sized boneless chicken thigh pieces to promote easy, lazy eating...and (perhaps) to differentiate it from something you can simply get off a chap fan line.

The tofu is something like agedashi tofu (minus the dashi broth) where the soft tofu bites had this light coating of potato starch before being deep fried and topped with some chilies and minced garlic.  The seasonal vegetables turned out to be stir-fried napa cabbage with carrot shreds, fish cake and shimeji mushrooms.

The following week saw Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice (or Lu Rou Fan) @ RM12 on its menu which comes with one braised egg, stir-fried bok choy and a few slices of pickled radish.

Their braised pork was not done in chunks but in the form of minced meat resulting in super tender minced pork in a braising sauce that was very tasty with just the right amount poured over the rice.  If you're someone who likes your rice doused in sauce, this one is definitely for you.

When there's braised meat, it should always be accompanied by a braised egg, of course.  Some simple stir-fried bok choy and pickled radish complete the dish.  This ended up to be the best dish and my no. 1 favourite so far.

Week 6 offered the Nyonya Lobak Set with side dishes of Egg Belanda & Jiu Hu Char (stir-fried yam bean/jicama/sengkuang with shredded cuttlefish) @ RM13.

The egg belanda was a pleasant surprise.  Lightly spicy, it had this refreshing, lovely sour taste to it (and you know me, I always love a hint of acidity to perk up my dish).  To be honest, I've never heard of egg belanda...I only know of Belanda (Netherlands), the country...lol.  I later found out that it's actually a Nyonya dish of sweet & sour eggs or delicious fried eggs in a sweet & sour tamarind gravy (they even took the extra effort to garnish it with a piece each of red, green and pickled chillies).  The jiu hu char that was stir-fried with mushrooms, julienned carrot and cuttlefish strips was pretty standard in taste like any decent ones I've eaten.

The Nyonya lobak was well executed with the beancurd skin arriving still crispy at the edges.  Unlike other fried lobak that has a more minced texture, this one has a much firmer bite.  It also came with a separate small serving of sambal which was good...I could only handle having a little as it was super spicy.  Though the Nyonya lobak was good, the egg belanda and hot (but addictive) sambal have to be singled out for special mention.  Yet another winner which I've no hesitation whatsoever in ordering this dish when it comes round again.

The Nyonya Fried Rice with Belacan Fried Chicken @ RM12 served with fried egg, crispy ikan bilis and sambal was the other selection for Week 6.

If they didn't mention that it was belacan fried chicken, I'd probably wouldn't have known as I can't say I detected any belacan flavour but, overall, it's still a lightly crisp, nicely done fried chicken.

The lightly spicy Nyonya fried rice (fried with some dried shrimps) came with a small serving of crispy, fried ikan bilis (dried anchovies) and sambal (the same one as in the Nyonya Lobak set).  The serving of the fried rice was a tad small but thankfully there was a sunny side up fried egg to fill me up.

My Personal Opinion

I'm totally on board with this homecooked food delivery for, first of all, the great taste of the food, two, the very reasonable prices (of RM12 & RM13) and three, the free delivery (as it's located in my very own neighbourhood).  I also do appreciate that they take the time to put in a little bit more effort to make their lunch box more presentable (with their nicely placed, not simply thrown on, cucumber slices, chillies and pickled radish) and tastier (with garnishing of fried shallots, garlic bits or spring onions).

When I'm too lazy to go out to tapau (pack) food....and even lazier to cook, this is such a convenient option for me with its affordable prices.  I think it's so worth it to pay a little bit more than the usual packet of chap fan from your favourite chap fan stalls (that can cost anything from RM7 - RM10) when it's delivered right to my doorstep.

Top three dishes for me so far were the Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan, Thai Green Curry and Nyonya Lobak Set.....in that particular order! ^o^  More dishes to show you in my next blog post as I continue to savour more food from this newly acquainted homecooked food delivery.