An Update on my Part Time Furry Friends

Just an update on my part time furry friends, the bushy-haired female and the ginger-coloured male cat, to let you know how they're doing.  And yes, the female cat has no name (and I don't intend to give her one) coz if I do give her a name, it kind-of becomes my cat (and a bond develops).  So, these two cats, I just call them Girl and Boy.

I've been feeding them regularly and they appear, like clockwork, everyday (in fact twice a day) at exactly the same time).  Every morning when I wake up, I find them waiting at the porch already.  The same scenario in the evenings.  On the few occasions when they're late (or I'm late), I just shake the food container and they'll come running.

Sometimes they'll hang around in the porch after their meals and in the nights (especially when it's raining), I'd find Girl sleeping in the box I prepared for her.  Lately though, Boy has claimed the box as his, so I had to set up a second box.

One fine day, I opened the door to see this scene unfolding before my eyes.  Omg, this Girl is on fire heat! :O  I actually suspected this already since I've seen her behaving strangely...like walking with her butt slightly elevated or rubbing herself on the road (I believe that's to leave her on-heat scent to prospective males in the area).  And soon enough, the male cats descended!  When female cats are on heat, they take on multiple partners (that's why their kittens come in a multitude of colours depending on which male cat has the more domineering genes).  Well, you can pretty much call female cats a whore...but that's natural in the animal kingdom.

Even her so-called best friend, Boy, wants to get in on the action.  Unfortunately, he's too young and didn't quite know what to do (very inexperienced lah as this was his first rodeo)...hah..hah.  Instead of doing it, he ended up just massaging her...lol!  There's no privacy in the animal kingdom, suitors even watch...and wait their turn! :D

But two other experienced/of age males cats knew exactly what to do.  This mating actually goes on for days (or as long as the female is on heat).  I used to think they'd mate once and be gone...but no!  It's quite agonising to see the female cat going through this mating process as some of these male cats can be quite aggressive in the act...they need to bite down on the females' necks while doing it (not sure if that is to keep the female in place so that they don't run away or for some other reason).

It was then that I decided enough is enough...I looked around for a vet (I didn't want to use Cookie's previous vet for a reason) and managed to book an appointment (two weeks later) with another vet to have her neutered.  The cost was from RM150 (or RM120 with snipped ear) for female cats (I didn't have the heart to snip her ears).  In the end, I paid RM180 (extra RM30, that's why the price says 'from') coz there were some complications (as she was already pregnant).

This was her after the surgery with part of her belly fur shaven off (now I know why females are fatty bom-boms even if they eat the same amount as males coz they put on belly fat easily...lol).  You can see the little incision (I'd say probably about half an inch) all stitched up.  She was kept indoors (in a cage) the night before the surgery (as she needed to fast) and the night after the surgery (as she was still groggy from the anesthesia and couldn't walk straight).  It was quite a funny sight to see her head bobbing up and down, left and right (you know, like a bobblehead).  I didn't see this when Cookie had his snip snip as it was done in the morning and the anesthesia had worn off by the time he was picked up from the vet.

She's all fixed now...and her belly fur has grown back.  Neutering I feel is the best thing to do for a stray female cat.  I wish that more people would come out and neuter stray cats rather than just feeding them.  Once females are neutered, the cat population can be controlled and there won't be as many strays.  Anyway, stray kittens born on the streets usually don't make it to adulthood (if they're lucky, maybe one in each litter might survive).  Imagine if they did, there'd be so many more strays on the streets since a female cat gives birth at least 3 times a year (and with a litter of 3 - 5 kitties each time)! :O

Now that she's fixed, she's a happy-go-lucky girl (with no disturbances from would-be suitors).  As you can see, she and the ginger male have now become bosom buddies (more like friends without benefits).....lol!  He can even bury his face in her private parts without sexual tendencies in his mind...wakakakaka! :D

Girl now comes in and out of my house like it's hers!  The first time she came in she went straight for the cat bed that I laid out (which Cookie avoided like the plague) though she has now given up on the cat bed too.

She likes to sleep all stretched out on the floor...

.....and on the dining table

......or under a side table.

But her most favourite sleeping place is a plastic basket I left on my dining table.  The first time she jumped onto the table, she went straight into the basket and slept there for hours (she can even sleep up to 8 hours in it at one time).  I think cats feel protected with the basket (or box) encasing them.

She would come out occasionally to stretch before getting back into her basket again.  I've tried putting the basket elsewhere (on the floor, chair and side table) but she won't use it.  She only wants it when it's on the dining table...haiz.  I guess cats love (and feel safe) on high(er) ground.  That's why I've also set up two boxes (for her and the ginger male) outside that's elevated on top of a cupboard.

She also has a good time playing with (more like destroying) Cookie's old toys which (incidentally) Cookie didn't find any amusement with.  I've come to know that different cats really have different demeanour and personalities.  This Girl likes to be touchy-feely, cuddled and belly-rubbed, play with cat toys, don't meow incessantly for human food and listens to commands...totally unlike my dearly departed.

But she does have a few similarities to Cookie, like how she likes to play hide and seek when she's in the house.  Now where is this naughty Girl hiding, ah? ;D

She also likes to hide inside cabinets.  There was a time we closed the door on her when she hid in our TV cabinet.  We could see her as it was a glass sliding door but she was frantically trying to find a way out...lol.

And like Cookie, she seeks out high vantage points.....and has made it to the top of my decor, storage and kitchen cabinets as well as the fridge.

 

I'm always amazed at just how well behaved she is (her previous owner taught her well).  She don't jump onto our sofa or beds...and on the very few occasions that she did, she'd listen and come down when I said "No".  She would even come out of my room when I tell her to.  If it was Cookie, you can tell or yell at her till the cows come home and your words will fall on deaf ears.

I can eat comfortably in her presence as she doesn't meow incessantly (like Cookie used to) hoping for a handout.  The most she'll do is to peek at what I'm eating (sometimes standing on her two hind legs for a better view).  I also found out that she doesn't like chicken (as much as my Cookie did).

I once tested my theory by giving her two plates of food, one filled with (Cookie's leftover) chicken-flavoured canned food and the other with dry kibbles (and she went for the dry food though she'd eat fish-based canned food).  I guess that's why she's peeking at my fried fish with curry rice from the mamak.  The ginger male eats anything.

To show her appreciation, she brings me gifts (only birds so far, luckily no rats or monitor lizards..yet!)...many times (even more than Cookie ever did).  Thank you, Girl, but...seriously, I don't need any gifts! >_<  I once saw the ginger male playing with one like it was his kill but I know better who is the more efficient hunter-killer here.

As for the ginger male, I'm afraid he's not allowed in the house since unneutered males are known to spray to mark territory.  I guess he'll just have to be contented with being outside but with food and shelter available.  I've yet to decide if I want to snip snip him as male cats living on the streets need to have their balls to fight and survive the altercations with other male cats to dominate territory.  Once they're neutered, they're usually more docile and lose in fights (like Cookie used to).

I, too, have to be contented...having a part-time furry friend is better than having none! ;)  These two kitties have brought a certain measure of happiness since Cookie's passing...especially the girl, who knows just how to amp up her cuteness factor when I'm around.  Providing food and shelter for these two strays (without that 100% bond and responsibility) is all I can offer for now...and I hope that's enough for them.

Fish Head Noodle Cheras @ Cheras

I've no idea where this Fish Head Noodle Cheras @ Cheras is located (other than it's somewhere in Cheras! :P) or if they're a restaurant on its own or just a stall in a coffee shop since there's no mention of the name of the shop/business (only the address was provided) in ShopeeFood. 

Irrespective of whether they're a restaurant or a stall in a coffee shop, this turned out to be one of the best tasting fish head noodles I've had in a long while.  Since my family is not into fish, let alone fish with bones, my fish head noodles experiences have (so far) been limited to stalls I find in coffee shops as I can't dine in at fish head noodle specialists shops that have no other choice of noodles for my family to eat.

My first taste was when I ordered their Wine Fish Head Noodles @ RM16.  The soup and noodles (packed separately) were still hot when they arrived.  On opening the soup packet, I got a whiff of the distinctive smell of rice wine straightaway.  Oh good, we're off to a great start! ;)

Though I'd usually go for the clear soup (and ask for the milk to be omitted), it was not an available option here (actually I read in the reviews that one customer requested for no milk but it still came with milk, so I didn't bother to put any special request in).  Luckily so, as the milky broth was very good...and that coming from someone who prefers her broth clear says a lot.

The first time I had it, the Chinese wine taste was a bit subtle but the second time, I could really taste it (probably because I tucked in almost immediately).  The milk in the broth lent some sweetness but the wine helped make the soup lighter although the tomato wedges, shredded ham choy (salted vegetable), thickly-cut ginger shreds and a good sprinkling of fresh Chinese coriander also played a part to add freshness to the soup (there were some pieces of silken tofu too).

I was also delighted to be greeted by the sight of coarse beehoon (rice noodles that's slightly thicker than the usual thinner meehoon used by many fish head noodle hawkers).  Fish head noodles only works with coarse beehoon (as far as I'm concerned as the thin beehoon soaks up the broth too quickly) and the portion given was substantial.  Do note also that for all the photos, I didn't empty all the soup (at once) so that you can see clearly what's in the bowl (not that they were stingy with the soup lah).

As for the fried fish head pieces, they were fresh and so well fried that it was utterly fragrant and delicious.  I think there were at least 5 pcs of fried fish head (and 3 of them were big pieces).  When you dig out those little fragrant bits from all the little nooks and crannies among the fish head/bones, those are the savoury bits of awesomeness.  That's why I think fish head noodles is best enjoyed at home so that you can attack the fish head with your hands...lol.

Since I didn't dine in, I wasn't able to enquire (nor could I recognise) what fish they used for their fish head noodles.  A number of different fish can be used such as wan yue (grass carp), song yue tau (Asian bighead carp), grouper, snapper, mackerel, snakehead, ma yau (threadfin) or ling fish head are all possible choices.  If I were to make a calculated guess of the one here, I'd probably say it's song yue tau.

The fish head was so good I just had to dig out (yes, hands were used) whatever little meat there was on the fish head including sucking at the bones...wuahahahaha! ;D  Now, obviously, this is something that only a lover of fish (even with bones!) will enjoy.  If you prefer fish meat, then this is not for you as there's no option for fish meat here, only fish head.

Although the second time when I had it, there were more meaty pieces.  Actually, I prefer chewing on the bony fish head pieces over the fish meat as the meat tend to have lots of Y-shaped pin bones (and I really hate picking them out!). >.<

As you eat...and as the fried fish head pieces get submerged into the broth, tiny fried fragrant bits fall off from the fish into the soup and together with their own-made freshly fried shallots (some will use fried garlic), that was when the broth came to life! ;)  It was so good that I emptied the rest of the soup into my noodles and almost finished up all the broth.

The fish head noodle was served with a fresh chilli dip.....and it was one fiery bomb...super spicy and da bomb!  The dip is a bit similar to the ones you get with pan mee but this one was loads better although it wasn't needed as the noodles were great on its own.

Besides fish head noodles, they also offer steamed song fish head (song yue tau) in a few styles...traditional with soy sauce, Thai-style steamed, ginger steamed, hong siew steamed and braised.  Their steamed song fish head is priced at RM40 - RM48 depending on the style of cooking.

After being wowed by the fish head noodles, I decided to try the Single Set Fish Head Rice @ RM18 as I was drooling over the photos of their steamed song fish head which I recognised instantly (and that's why I guessed that was what they used for their fish head noodles as well).

When the steamed fish arrived, it wasn't quite what I expected as it wasn't whole but in cut up pieces.  Then again, I probably shouldn't expect them to give half a song yue tau for the price charged.  Since the fish was cut up into pieces, I couldn't know for sure if the fish was indeed song yue tau (but I believe it should be with its gelatinous skin even though the pieces looked kinda small for a fish head).

The fish was certainly fresh but since it was steamed, there were quite a lot of pin bones to pick out.  The sauce was plentiful and fairly tasty but needed a bit more flavoured oil as well as fried onion or garlic bits to make it better.  I also didn't get any hint of Shaoxing rice wine which would have elevated the fresh flavour of the fish further.

Although the steamed fish came piping hot, it didn't stay long that way.  That's why steamed fish is best eaten on site where it's served piping hot immediately after they're steamed (some would have a burner underneath to keep the fish warm).

Complemented by (a small amount of) thickly shredded young ginger, chopped coriander (that was wilted, as expected, since it was steaming in a closed container) and fried shallots (that weren't nicely browned nor crispy), I added my own fried shallots (and wished I had some fresh coriander of my own too).  I also threw in some red bird's eye chillies (from the soy sauce/chillies condiment) that they gave.

Besides fish head noodles and steamed fish, they also have Curry Fish Head Noodles @ RM16.80 which I was curious to try as I've not seen it offered at other fish head noodle places.

When I ordered this, I envisaged fried fish head pieces (like the ones in the earlier wine fish head noodles) in a curry broth (like curry laksa).  The photo in the menu also showed vegetables of brinjal, ladies finger and tomatoes with fu chuk (beancurd sheets) but what came instead were just lots of onions, a bit of tomatoes and beancurd puffs.

The dish was nothing like I imagined...especially so when I received two packets, one with the coarse beehoon only and the other was a packet of curry.  I thought, "Oh crap, the fried fish head pieces are submerged together in the curry!"

It was only when I opened the packet of curry that I realised the curry fish head noodles is exactly like if one ordered a pot of fish head curry (with the fish head pieces cooked in the curry itself).  The taste was leaning towards more of an Indian fish head curry, full of spices with a predominant curry powder taste, which I didn't care for much.  The fish head pieces were also very bony with hardly any meat.

The broth was very thick and totally unlike the taste of a (less thick) curry laksa which has more santan taste.  And because of the thickness of the curry, it was quite cloying to eat that with beehoon. Fish head curry is best eaten with rice.  Needless to say, I couldn't...and didn't finish it. >_<

My Personal Opinion

After trying all three of what they offer, only the fish head noodles deserve praise.  I told myself that the portion of fish head noodles was too big to finish.....but, guess what?  I sapu (finished) it all....coz when it's that good, you just eat and eat until it's all gone (without even realising it)! ;D

This was an excellent bowl of fish head noodles....one of the better ones I've eaten in a long time.  They've got everything down just right....the tasty broth, the fragrant, savoury fish head chunks, the coarse beehoon, even down to small details, like the fried shallots and Chinese parsley.

This place will catapult itself right to the top of my list and when I feel like having me some good fish head noodles (and I really mean fish head!).  I'm on cloud nine since discovering this...it's the only thing I would make a repeat order of from here. ^o^

Fish Head Noodle Cheras

24 Jalan 5/89A 

Off Jalan Sekilau

Cheras

56000 Kuala Lumpur

Mother Porridge @ Pandan Perdana

I first tried Mother Porridge @ Pandan Perdana through the delivery platform.  So, herein lies the beauty of ShopeeFood as you can check what exactly the restaurants offer by scrolling their menu on the app.  This is ideal especially when you have family members who are not open to eating some things...and you can check out the menu beforehand or do a taste test first before deciding if they're good enough to be explored further for a dine-in.

Obviously, Mother Porridge passed the taste test with flying colours when I tried out their mixed pork, fish and salted chicken porridge previously via delivery.  If you eat their porridge on-site, they're served in claypots which is even better since they can retain heat and keep the porridge hot for longer.

Having had a positive taste test, I decided to come for a dine-in with family since I noted (from their delivery menu) that they do offer some other things besides porridge that my family can partake in since they're not fans of porridge (of any kind)! >.<

The very thing I wanted to eat here was their Frog in Claypot @ RM18.50 which isn't the most suitable thing to order via delivery (I guess anything claypot isn't...as claypot dishes are revered for being hot when served and best eaten that way too).

This claypot frog was cooked in a thick and spicy sauce much like kung po style with the heat of dried chillies and flavours of oyster + dark + soy sauce.  It was really, really tasty. ^o^  Even my son who doesn't eat frogs scooped the sauce over his rice.

The frog thighs (actually hind legs lah) were meaty and super tender (they taste better than chicken if you ask me).  Just like chicken thighs, I love the thigh part the most coz it's the meatiest and there's only one centre bone to contend with.  It goes without saying that the bigger and meatier the frogs, the tastier and sweeter the meat is coz skinny/small frogs are just too bony with little meat (these you'd usually find cooked in the porridge itself, not separately). 

I've eaten frogs in porridge before (as in the frog is cooked together in the congee)...but not frog with porridge! ;P  I didn't know that a dish with frog (cooked in sauce) would work so well with porridge until I was recommended it years ago by a porridge specialist...and I've loved it ever since although this dish is not commonly found other than in porridge specialist shops (and some dai chow places).

The Plain Porridge in Claypot @ RM5 was of the right consistency and the spicy sauce tasted really good with the porridge.  You can get 3 Chinese rice bowls out of this serving (I had two and my husband helped finish the third).

I ordered the Claypot Stewed Pork Belly with Mui Choy @ RM18.50 for my family who chose to eat rice, of course.  The pork belly was tender and the mui choy (or preserved mustard) was nicely soft.  Another great dish to go with rice.

The meaty Deep-Fried Spring Rolls @ RM12.50 with a filling of chicken and seafood (as stated in the menu) were rather tasty.  The thin and light batter coating the rolls, probably from a combo of a rice flour and cornflour slurry (I'm making a guess here), was super crispy to the bite.

If there's a vegetable dish that's a must-order (for me) when eating porridge is certainly the Braised Salted Vegetables (or Ham Choy) @ RM6...and these were excellent, super soft and not overly salty.  We could have eaten a few more plates of this.

I also placed an order for Oyster Sauce Lettuce (or Sang Choy) @ RM10 to go with rice.  Great to see it topped with plentiful of fried (but unfortunately limp) shallots.

I remember that the Fried Dough Sticks (Chinese Crullers or Yau Char Kwai) @ RM2.50 (which I ordered through delivery) were light, airy and crispy (like they were freshly fried or house-made), so I got that as well.  Again, it didn't disappoint and certainly one of the better ones I've had with porridge.

There are also a number of dishes on the menu which are not in their delivery menu.  Although porridge is their speciality (with a choice of various ingredients), they also have Teochew braised dishes like pork belly, innards of pig ears and intestines, tofu and egg.  Besides frog in claypot, they also offer fish, eel, prawn, lala, pork, chicken, abalone and Japanese snails in claypot.

My Personal Opinion

As expected, this porridge is even better eaten on-site since it's served in a claypot which is ideal for retaining heat and help keep the congee hot for longer...and they have an endless variety of porridge you can choose from (that I've yet to try)....my favourite for the time being is their chee chap chuk (porridge with pork innards).

Prices are affordable although portions can be a little small for some of the dishes.  It may not be the best porridge out there but it's one of very few places where I can find this dish of dried chillies frog (near me) that I can eat with porridge, so it'll be a place I'd keep in mind when I want to have porridge. ^_~

Mother Porridge

61-G Jalan Pandan Perdana 4/6

Pandan Perdana

55300 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-9284 9226