If you google it up, you’ll find out that Kirimati or Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean is the first on earth to celebrate the new year. But technically, it is exactly the same time here; blame it on the 1 hour DST (daylight saving time). Anyway, Auckland still is the 1st major city in the world to celebrate the new year.
On the 31st, we spent a sunny afternoon at the breathtaking Devonport; enjoyed Auckland’s spectacular view from the North Head. We ate a late afternoon snack of fish and chips along the seafront before heading back home that we felt we’re too bloated to have a festive media noche. Nevertheless, I still prepared a simple dinner for three and managed to finish them off the morning after.
Crispy Noodles.
Just follow your instinct and cook it the way you cook your favorite pancit or noodles. Simply stir-fry your choice of ingredients with garlic and onion. Here, I had snow peas, cauliflower, shredded cabbage, carrots and diced pork. Season with a little fish sauce and pepper, steaming the vegetables with about half a cup of water until crisp and good. Add crispy noodles and mix together; lose a little bit of the crispiness as desired.
Succulent pan-fried steak.
East meets West.
Lasang Pinoy, Sundays. New Year.
And that’s the kiddo and the beautiful Devonport.
My father, a farmer in his hometown before working his way to becoming an accountant, definitely influenced my cooking in a lot of ways than I thought. My siblings and I were raised in a backyard full of fruit trees and vegetable garden. We spent weekends and the summer breaks running around with ducks, chickens, goats and pigs. I had wonderful memories of gathering eggs, butchering chickens, selling vegetables and the sweet aroma of preserved fruits. But my love for art led me to a degree in Architecture. Just few months after getting my license, I went abroad and lived independently at age 23. Definitely no maid, no cook, and a totally different food culture. Along the way I met lots of friends and spent what seemed a lifetime learning new tricks and recipes.
Now living in Auckland, I am a work-from-home mum who juggles time between work, fun and family - in pursuit of work-life balance. No matter how busy I am, I love the idea of cooking for my family. My blog chronicles home cooking greatly influenced by life outside my home country from Southeast Asia to Beijing and Auckland. And most of the time, being busy also means easy (sometimes quick), affordable meals.
Happy new year! Everything looks yummy!
Em Dys last blog post..Paella
i want that steak
i love for some more 
Here is Mine
magandang araw ka-lasa-ista
Salamat sa pagbisita
Jays last blog post..La.Pi.S #30: New Year
living the life , ei? hehe! still sounds perfect to me! that is a sight to behold!
cess last blog post..WordPress upgrade mishap!
yum yum talaga! ang sarap naman ng salubong sa bagong taon
happy new year
eto ang aking lahok
http://homeworked.blogspot.com/2009/01/now-you-see-it-now-you-dont.html
raqgolds last blog post..Now you see it, now you don’t
Too bad, I am no good with cooking pancit…:D The pan-fried steak looks especially good..and thanks for a lovely last photo…so inspiring!
Everything was a spur-of-the-moment thingy hahaha!
Thank you all for dropping by!
These are delicious. I love noodles and steak.
http://www.cookandbaking.com/2009/01/tupig.html
Ladynreds last blog post..Tupig
hey, first time i’ve learned that Auckland is the first major city in the world to celebrate New year:) thanks for the info. sarap naman ng food dito. I’m a pancit girl kasi..
MariTess last blog post..PhotoHunt#13 Hope
Ah-Lab-It!!!
Life is good! And you certainly know how to make the most of it – happy new year, Iska!
Pinkys last blog post..LaPiS: Kitchen Gadgets
wow! I love love love steaks!
thanks for visiting and Happy New year!
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