Tong the stray cat

It has been a while now since my last post. I have been pretty busy with many stuff but one of them is trying to find a job! Anyway, today I have a cute photo of Tong and his story for you. I hope you enjoy with this little change!

Tong the stray cat

His name is "Tong" meaning "Gold" in Thai. Since my parents' husky died for almost a year now, Tong has been visiting us more often. He is a stray cat that comes and goes. Tong is the name that my parents gave to him because of his golden color. My parents feed him whenever he comes to visit. Usually, he comes once or twice a week. We have no commitment to each other but Tong knows that when he comes here, there will be food for him. I always wonder what he has done...where he has been. Sometimes, we don't see him for a week or more, but at the end he always comes back to visit us!

That's it...the story of Tong

Apple Tarts with Vanilla Ice Cream

Yesterday, I went to a fresh market and found apples that are imported from New Zealand. Too bad, I forgot to take a picture of the apples before it got chopped. I'm not sure what type they are, but they have a lovely vibrant red color which reminds me of Fall season. Unfortunately, we don't have 4 seasons in Thailand. This is one of the things that I'm missing about Canada. But at least, I can still make these yummy apple tarts with vanilla ice cream, turn on an air condition to a very low setting, close my eyes and imagine that I'm in Canada eating these yummy apple tarts. Enjoy!

Apple Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream

(Make: 10 mini tarts)

PASTRY

(Pastry recipe from La Fuji Mama)

2 C all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

2 tsp granulated sugar

1 C cold butter, cubed, chilled

1 tbsp cider vinegar

1/2 C milk

APPLE FILLING

1/4-1/2 stick of butter

6 apples

1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt and granulated sugar. Chill the flour mixture in the freezer for 15 minutes. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Add in the cider vinegar. Gradually add the milk. Mix the mixture with pastry cutter until the dough stick together.  Form a ball and divided the dough into 10 pieces. Wrap each one with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

While the dough is chilling, peel, core and cube apples. In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add in the cubed apples. Stir often for 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle brown sugar and nutmeg over the apple. Continue stirring about 5 minutes or until the sugar is melted and bubbled. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Preheat at 375 F

After 1 hour of chilling the dough in refrigerator, remove one of the dough ball at a time. Roll out the ball into a circle that a little bit larger than the tart shell. Place it over the tart shell and fit the dough inside with your fingertips. Trim the edges by rolling the rolling pin over the tart shell. Repeat the steps for the remaining balls.

Fill each tart with apple filling. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven. Let it cool slightly. Remove the tart shell. Place the baked apple tart on a small dish and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Things iLove - Rice Field & Dragon Fruit Farm Edition

Yesterday, my parents and I took a drive to Ratchaburi Province which is 2 hours drive from Bangkok. There are many rice fields along the way, so we stopped to take some photos. We also stopped by at dragon fruit farm too.

Enjoy!

Rice field and a Cow
(We found two cows standing on the sideroad eating grass. He was looking at me like 'why you are calling me and taking my picture?')

Rice field and Another Cow

Closed Up Rice Plants

(Harvest time is almost here. The color of the rice plants is starting to change from green to golden yellow. Lovely!)

Egret

(standing at the top of the tree protecting the nest)

Dragon Fruit Farm

Red & White Dragon Fruit at Farmer's Stand
(There are two types of dargon fruit. The white one is sweeter and the red one has a little bit of tartness.)