Yep...we are moving back to New York!

Tiger: My daddy, uncle Ambrose and I are moving back to New York. This past week they have been packing our things and I hope they are still taking me with them because I can't live without them. My life would be empty and I would be nothing without them. I love them so much and I am happy because they are taking me. Our house is in a big mess as you read this and as daddy and uncle Ambrose pack their favorite things. It is an emotional time for the three of us. We love our home and our dear friends. We love the weather in the bay and the way we live. Acceptance is a year-round virtue in the Bay Area -- we can be who we are, free of judgment and discrimination. We will miss that the most about the Bay Area.

Moving can also be one of the most difficult things you'll ever do, with most feeling the stress build from the moment the decision is made. Moving is difficult in itself; throw in the holidays, and you might feel like your world has been turned upside down. Moving can be tough on pets like me, too; its quite normal for us to feel like we don't have any control and that we were never part of this big decision.

As we all know, and most of us have experienced at least once, moving, at the best of times, is difficult. So, when you add the extra emotional stress of a major life change, such as a divorce, death or economic crisis, a move can be a breaking point.

Lucky for us, ours is a good and a happy big move.

I know many people have to move - as opposed to wanting to - because of the reasons above. Feeling that they don't have a choice in their decision to move, many feel that their lives are spinning out of control.

With a house full of memories surrounding us, it must be very hard for daddy and uncle but I know they are a strong team.

I think daddy and uncle should get rid of everything we can live without to minimize the amount of stuff we have to load. For people who are going through an emotional trauma as well as a move, I cannot imagine them not taking everything with them because when emotions are involved, our personal things tend to comfort us and make us feel more secure, especially when our lives feel like they are anything but secure. As for daddy and uncle, they are only taking what they need to help us get through our move. I hope uncle Ambrose is feeling better emotionally and no longer having a hard time leaving behind some of his favorite things. I know he is feeling sad. I feel sad because I know daddy and uncle love their stuff. It is difficult. I can't do it. Each time I see a new box being taped, I feel sad and at the same time happy for them.

I know my daddy and uncle will make a good choice to do only what they could emotionally do. I also know my daddy and uncle Ambrose still have heart palpitations every time they think about packing up our home. But I hope they talk to their friends to ensure that our move is as serene as it can be. We might even be able to enjoy the moment, look forward to the change, knowing that this move will be a positive and rewarding experience for daddy, uncle and me.

What to cook in 2011? A lot...watch out for this blog

Tiger: You want to talk about curry? This is curry! Uncle Ambrose loves to cook this dish for daddy and their guests. It smells heavenly. The whole house smells so good...everytime. They've tried similar dishes at some asian restaurants but I heard this is yummier. Of course I have to say that! I live here! Meow!

Malaysian-Indian Pumpkin Curry.
















Malaysian-Indian Pumpkin Curry.
Ingredients:
2-3lb pork (or lamb/mutton/chicken), cut into bite size
1 whole pumpkin (any size will do, see pic)
5-6 tbsp Indian curry powder (medium-hot)
1 tbsp Coriander powder
1 tbsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp Cumin powder
1 tsp Fenugreek
2 cups Plain yogurt
2 cups coconut milk
2 cups evaporated milk
1 cup palm sugar
1 tbsp Tumeric
2 tbsp Tamarind juice
1 tbsp Lime juice
5 pcs Star anise,
5 pcs Cardamom pods,
5 pcs Cinnamon sticks,
1 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
2 tbsp Ginger paste or powder (or freshly chopped ginger)
5 cloves of Garlic, whole
1 big red onions, finely chopped
2 tbsp ghee (get it from the indian grocery store near you)
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 cube of pork or chicken buillion
Some scallions
Some fresh red chillies
**Pandan leaves (get them from the asian grocery store near you)
**Curry leaves
**Lime leaves)
Salt to taste

Chop off the pumpkin's head (see pic), clean it up, take away the seeds. Rinse thoroughly. Pat dry with paper towels. Then brush with vegetable oil/ghee. Baked for 20-25 min, 350 deg. Use a big spoon, scoop out a few spoonful of the soft and tender pumpkin and set aside.

In a large pot, heat ghee (or oil) and sesame oil, fry garlic, pork or chicken bouillion, onions, red chillies,scallions, ginger till they smell wonderfully (3-5 mins)

Add the pork and fry till half cooked.
Add curry leaves
Add evaporated milk and yogurt
Add tamarind juice, cumin seeds, cumin powder, coriander powder, tumeric, fenugreek, star anise, cinnamon sticks and simmer on medium heat until pork is very well cooked.
Add palm sugar, coconut milk and pandan leaves. Add a few spoonful of the pumpkin to thicken the already very creamy gravy. Simmer on low heat for 20 mins. Pour into pumpkin (see pic). Tips: You can also bake it for another 10 mins.

Tiger: Uncle Ambrose serves this while it is still hot with steamed coconut basmati or jasmine rice. He uses fresh banana leaves as plates and sprinkles his rice with chopped scallions, cilantro and fried shallots/garlic. He pours the curry over his rice and eat with his hand. I wish they allow me to eat it. If you're health conscious, you can use evaporated milk only. But Uncle Ambrose says coconut milk gives you the best creamy gravy. You can adjust the hotness of curry paste to your liking if you prefer. But I think they like it hot.

Crabcakes with Mustard Sauce (scrow further down to see recipe)