Spending Christmas and New Year in my Hometown

The spread I prepared for my family for Christmas Day lunch

As you might've seen if you follow me on Instagram (@winceeee), I spent 3 weeks over the Christmas and New Year holiday to visit my family in Kota Kinabalu (KK), Malaysia. It has been years since my WHOLE family has been back together at the same place/time and the last time that happened was during my brother's wedding several years ago. Since then, we've had a new addition to the family: my little nephew Aiden =)

It was a really cherished time for me. I had lots of time to reflect on various aspects of my life over the break. 2013 was definitely the most unforgettable year yet. Starting full time at a job that I love, meeting so many new friends (whilst saying farewell to many) whilst continuously sharing my passion for Food with others. I've had so much fun but taking time off really allowed me to reevaluate how I can continue to lead a more positive life in as many ways possible. Hopefully, this positivity will spill over to those around me as well. 

Anyway, it was a really blessed and fulfilling holiday and I loved every minute of it. So much has happened (and was eaten) but here's just a snapshot of some meals I had at home as well as snippets from a few family road trips that we took.

Christmas Lunch:

Once again... Easy Roast Pork with Crackling. I highly recommend people try out my recipe for roasting the pork with milk -- the jus is incredible! 

Check out my recipe: here

Smoked Chilli Mussels that I bought from Dannes Delights in Victoria Market

Garden Salad

Tasty Lamb Stew with Pasta. Recipe to come.

Winter Solstice Festival (冬至) Dinner

Mum's Ham, Abalone and Kailan Jade Chicken. Recipe to come.

Mum's Braised Chicken, Mushroom and Sea Cucumber in Superior Sauce. Recipe to come.

Sister's Glutinous Rice Balls with Peanut Filling in Ginger and Pandan Syrup

Road trip to Keningau

BEST Char Siew or Chinese Roast Pork in my life. Fantastical. 

Mixed Pork in Chinese Yellow Rice Wine Soup

Mixed Pork in Preserved Cabbage, Tomato and Tofu Soup

Mixed Pork in White Pepper Soup

Dry Bak Kut Teh

(All meals above were from Restoran Lima Ribu 5000 in Keningau)

Grilled Fish with Sambal

Seafood Curry

Road trip to Tamparuli

Steamed Pumpkin Bun

Imperial Pork Chops (排骨王)

Stir fry Mixed Pork

Crispy Fried Whole Chicken

Tamparuli Noodles

New Year's Day Lunch

Roast Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Anchovies

Another simple meal I prepared for my family 

Buttery Mash with Fried Onions and Mushroom

Adapted from my Buttery Mash Recipe: here

Buttered Red and Purple Carrots, Cauliflower, Peas

On a separate occasion, Mum made the most delicious Baked King Tiger Prawns with Garlic and Cheese. It was crazy good and the size of my entire hand

Hope you're all of to a smashing start to 2014. Happy New Year!

For a snapshot of what a festive dinner is normally like in my family as prepared by Mum, click: here

For a snapshot of what the food scene in Kota Kinabalu is like, click: here