Tomato Mozzarella

Literally simply the best. Easy to make. It's what I had at Cafe de la Nuit in Arles, Provence. (Note: This is a recreation, not the left over from the Cafe).

All you need is just:
2 Tomatoes
1 Mozzarella ball
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp Oregano

Method:
1. Slice tomatoes and mozzarella cheese into slices as illustrated above.
2. Place tomatoes and mozzarella in alternate manner like that of sandwiches.
3. Pour evenly Olive oil
4. Spinkle oregano.
5. drool! take pictures. eat!

Enjoy!

Black cat superstitious

Black cat superstitious beliefs are not uncommon across all cultures of the world. However, most of the superstitious beliefs surrounding black cats are usually that of an unfortunate one, except in the English culture where black cat is seen as good luck when it crosses one's path.

As with the rest of the world, it looks like I ran out of my luck. I am still baffled at the fact that it was such a convincing coincident that the day I almost broke my left ankle (badly twisted) in Fira, Santorini, it was June 6, six flights down the donkey steps from the main donkey station atop, and no, it did not cost me 6€, but 5€ for a six minute ride as opposed to a full 25-30 minutes.

X-ray of my left feet that cost me 6€. I left Santorini's hospital with a comforting good news -- no fractures and nothing serious. Just a moderate twist which will recover in 2-3 days.

Maybe it was all because I was not looking at the steps as I descended from the rocky and uneven steps. The scenery from such a height was too good to be missed before embarking on our ship to visit the Caldera volcano, to swim to the hotspring waters in the Mediterranean sea, and to enjoy fresh sea food like Octupus. Before I knew it, my left foot wobbled, slipped and fell into a 6 inch deep pothole ankle first. Initially, the pain was bearable and I gave little thought of it. As I attempted a couple more steps down I began to almost lost my breath. Felt weak. The pain has not manifested yet but I could see my left foot was shaking with my entire body in shock as my body enters into trauma. It was that bad. I leaned against the stone walls to catch my breath and when I felt better, I tried to walk again. This time the pain manifested to me in the most excruciating and nasty manner. Felt as though somebody has just put a bullet through the joint between my feet and tibia.

It did not strike me until HF said, "I told you to stay away from the Black cat last night! But you went on playing with it!"

Maybe she was right. But most of the time when I patting this unusual Black cat who was lurking around our room's balcony, I had Nigel in mind. "Unusual" because this Black cat does NOT 'meow!" as would with other cats, but 'rattles' as that of a rattle snake. It was 23:56 June 5 2007. I went into my room soon after 5 minutes and did not see it until 22:40 June 6 2007. It visited me again! It was as though its visit this time was to 'see' that a misfortune has befallen me. Eeriely, I quickly closed our room's door as I begin to get goosebumps crawling throughout my entire body! That was the last I saw that Black cat. Maybe it doesn't need to see me again now that I had bandages all wrapped around my left feet. Maybe, just maybe, it has to do with the scores of number six involved in this incident.

Do I believe in such superstitious?! Despite what has happened, I still do not believe in them but I would reasonably stay away from them. If the cat meows, then maybe it is okay. Throughout the remaining day in Santorini, I have seen many have also suffered a similar fate as mine as they struggle to advance forward by swinging to good foot forward using a pair crutches! I didn't need one.

French Croissant

My very first extra crispy fresh from the oven French croissants! Extra crispy because it was a little over baked, but otherwise they really taste like croissants! The entire process from preparation to removing it from oven took me 28 hours! Preparation: 6-18 hours. Baking time: 23 minutes. Phew! They're worth it!

Phantasmagoria

The dusk of yesterday left me speechless if I were to describe how beautiful it was. I was very compelled to grab my camera and start shooting. That was what I did.

The formation of the clouds combined with this natural surreal twilight of sunset in the west (my balcony is facing eastward) caused me to be hypnotized. Even HF, who is apathetic to such wonders of nature, let out an unexpected "Wow!".

The clouds everywhere in and around Leeds at this time, between 21:00 and 21:45, were extraordinarily unique and cannot be ignored. I have managed to capture and freeze its beauty in time for the enjoyment of all. I am sure there are others who have similarly capture this very scene at the same time as I did. Comments are welcomed.

NOTE: Click to enlarge images in a new window.

Panoramic view of the entire scene

The ethereal beauty of clouds against some notable apartments in Leeds at sunset.

Can't take my eyes off you.

Unreal twilight.

Beautiful cosmetic formation of clouds against the building behind Yorkshire Playhouse.

Amazing!

Special cloud formation that caught my attention. This flying-saucer look-alike cloud has, to me, a surrealistic smoothness. Very beautiful!

I am left speechless.

How to make Traditional Greek Salad

The only thing I was determined to do after having had several traditional Greek salads while in Greece was to recreate it. They look so much more simpler than those served in some restaurants in England. The recreation is a success and is similar to the ones we had in Greece. It is absolutely delicious. Definitely a recommendation from me. Don't believe me? Try it!

Here's what you need.

• 2-4 Beef tomatoes; depending on size.
  
• 2 Red onions, sliced into semi-rings.
  
• 1 cucumber, thick quarts.
  
• 2/3 Cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
  
• 5-10 whole black olives; or any of your favorites.
  
• 200g Feta cheese, cut into slabs.
  
• Oregano
  
• 2 Tbsp Lemon juice.
  
• Pinch of salt (optional)
  

Preparation time: 7-10 minutes
Serves: 2-3 people

Methods
1. Prepare the vegetables. Wash them thoroughly. Cut them, illustrated (below).
2. Pour in olive oil, olives and lemon juice. Mix well with salad. If you like, sprinkle a pinch of salt in.
3. Dish out.
4. Place feta slabs on salad or on the side.
5. Sprinkle some oregano on the feta cheese (mmmmmhh!)
6. Enjoy!

The main ingredients to a delicious traditional Greek salad!

Cucumbers cut into quarters. Best if all your vege's are chilled.

The way to dice the tomatoes. Not too wide, not too narrow. Bite size cubes would be perfect!

All in.

There is no need to cube feta cheese. Just feta slabs. Break them into the size you wish with your fork or whatever utensils you use when having salads.

The finished product. Mmmm... cheese!

Greek Grills & Food

WARNING: Not suitable for vegetarians!


We connected our flight in Amsterdam and I did not want to leave the land of many delightful Cheeses. It was, for a moment, a paradise for me -- just like Scrat who got sent to Nuts heaven in Ice Age 2: The Meltdown. in Amsterdam. As much as I regret I had to forsake my fictitious paradise and arrived at the land famed for only one cheese -- Feta cheese! Unbelievable! How can people survive by consuming only one type of cheese in their lifetime?! (just exaggeration)

Anyhoo... I digressed too far.
The Greeks seem to have almost everything they eat grilled. Tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and what not are skewered with other meats to be placed on the grill. It's the perfect place for me... love grilled food! I thinking of purchasing a BBQ grill soon... this is what traveling has made me into.

"Everything else belongs to the government! But at least I know I belong to my wife"

Grilled squid, otherwise known as Greek style calamari. Must try.

Greek's traditional Moussaka (μουσακάς). It's very appetizing! Don't leave Greece without trying this.

Grilled succulent lamb meat. It's not just meat, it's Thomas Grill lamb meat!

Fava. It is absolutely delicious and a specialty of Santorini. Taste very much like the Indian's Dahl.

Grilled mussels with, uhh, tomato sauce? I'm not too sure but they are lovely! I know, everything is lovely at this point but the ARE really, really nice! Trust me!.

Grilling octopus! Yeah, it's OCTOPUS! Fresh from the Mediterranean Sea! It is a delicacy peculiar to Greece, but best from the islands.

Grilled little fishes. Looks like anchovies but they're not. We look into the waters (the Mediterranean sea) we actually saw these exact same fishes swimming in there while I was busy enjoying another piece in my hands!