Women’s Right To Skincare Products

Hi, my name is Tien. I am a skincare products addict.

*Caution: Girly post ahead!

People always say there are typically two types of women. They are either the “handbags type” or the “shoes type”. While I am definitely a big fan of shoes over handbags, I rarely ever spend over $50 for a pair of shoes, no matter how pretty they may be. And trust me, there are some really pretty shoes out there!

Are you into handbags or shoes?

If there is one thing I ever splurge on, its skincare products!

My mom brought me up with her motto, “As a woman, there are two things in life you should NEVER put a price on – your health and your FACE!”

Mom is a big fan of obsessed with skincare products herself. Whenever she decided to buy a new skincare set, she would pass on leftover expensive creams and serums to me and my sister. Therefore, we were “trained” to use serious skincare from as early as 13 years old. Living in Malaysia, my mom swears by sunblock creams and I understood SPF before I even understood Biology. Really.

I was blessed with clear, acne-free and fair skin all through my teenage years. I think I owe that to those expensive creams from mom. By the time I turned 15, I started noticing freckles on both my cheeks. I still have them, and I adore my freckles. They are my thing I have seen girls drawing on fake freckles on their face using brown eyeliners, so I am certainly blessed!

My mom wasn’t impressed by them since day one because according to her knowledge on dermatology, from all the books she read, freckles are onset of pigmentation. See, I told you she was is obsessed. While I adore my freckles, I do realise that my mom is right. Therefore I use sunscreen everyday without fail to keep my cute little freckles from spreading to become ugly patches of pigmentation (pigmentation is catalysed by sun damage). Just to keep them in check. Certainly not to “erase” them!

Being a typical asian female, my absolute priority skincare concern has always been about whitening. Some of my significant skincare splurges over the years include:

1. Biotherm Bioresource range – rectified my very dry skin during my late teens to normal/combination skin now. Loved the Aquasource Non-Stop moisturiser!
2. Murad, the Pomegranate range – my most exorbitant skincare purchase ever! Couldn’t bring myself to buy the second set after spending a third of my monthly salary on the first one. Plus, results wasn’t anything to shout about.
3. Clinique Derma White range – after two sets I see no results…..at all! Didn’t think it’s worth a third set. I continued using their All About Eyes eye cream though, love it!

Then there were random splurges on night creams, face masks, anti-aging serums of various (again, expensive) brands every now and then.

Then I found Shiseido! I’ve always dodged Shiseido because it is super expensive in Malaysia! I took the plunge and never looked back! I loved it. I have used the White Luscent range and The Skincare range and they are both awesome. Most importantly I saw results before the first bottle finished. They keep my freckles in check instead of erasing them too

I have been a loyal fan of Shiseido ever since. In New Zealand, Shiseido has very good value sets for sale along with fancy and practical free gifts. I get all giddy whenever my bottle of toner or moisturiser finishes because then I get to shop for new ones and get free gifts.

My recent Shiseido splurge

Last week, I treated myself with a brand new White Luscent promo-set ($86 dollar savings!) which came with a cute makeup bag. To qualify for the 9-piece gift set, I picked up another face massage cum deep cleansing cream (I had to buy at least 2 Shiseido products to qualify). The lady over the counter must have seen me cringe at the total price and offered me a further 15% discount. Sweet!

My 9-piece gift set: travel size Shiseido skincare, makeup and fragrance products, plus the bag too!

Yes I splurged but it’s all worth it and I’m happy!

Que the L’Oreal TV commercial (ironically for my Shiseido buy instead): Because you’re worth it!

What’s your favourite skincare brand, if you have one? Do you have a skincare product you swear by? What’s your skincare regime like? Share your secret girls!

I Am An Award Winning Blogger!

I got a pleasant surprise yesterday morning when I found out my lovely blogger friend Vix has passed on the Versatile Blogger Award to me! I’m so excited and happy to get an award, my very first blogger award, yayy…!!

My first blogger award!

Thank you so much for the honour, Vix!! Vix blogs at Little Miss Everything and has never failed to make me smile with her awesome posts. Go on, go check her out

I proudly proclaim that I accept the award

Hereby, as the recipient of the Versatile Blogger Award *ahem*, I shall adhere to the following rules:

• Thank the person who awarded you and link to his/her blog
• Tell 7 random facts about yourself
• Pass the award to 15 new found bloggers
• Contact each blogger you want to pass the award on to, and let them know you’ve done so, and let the giver of your award know you accept it…or not.

Alright, let’s get to business. Seven random facts about myself:

1. I have a very sweet tooth. I can eat cakes, chocolates and ice creams everyday for life if not for diabetes and obesity.
2. I have never been to a concert in my whole life even though I am an absolute music lover. I hope to change this very soon.
3. I love hot and spicy food very much. I can eat raw chillies dipped in soy sauce with almost anything. Sometimes I don’t feel totally satisfied with my eating experience until I feel that heat on my tongue!
4. I have never held a baby in my life. I like looking at them because they are so cute, but I always think I might break them or make them cry if I get closer! Let’s just say I have a way with small animals but not small humans.
5. I am a die-hard fan of Indiana Jones. I can watch Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade over and over and over again. Harrison Ford rocks!
6. My all time dream holiday destination is Greece. I fell in love with the place ever since watching Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 and Mamma Mia. Such a beautiful place!
7. My favourite activities in the whole wide world, like my REAL favourites, are eating and sleeping *blush*!

Now, I would like to pass on the Versatile Blogger Award to 15 12 of my favourite bloggers whom I follow very closely. Sorry I can’t come up with 15 because I am still new remember? Vix is also one of my favourites, but she is the one who passed me the award, and I know my other favourite, Nicole has also received one. So lucky 12 it is. They are all awesome, do check them out yourselves!

And…..The Versatile Blogger Award goes to (in no particular order):

1. Shinloo at The Geographically Blind
2. Genn at Cadencies
3. Danielle at A Happy Peach
4. Mindy at Finding Silver Linings
5. Nadia at The Expats
6. Pervisha at As’salamo Alaikum
7. Kimberly at Narcicissm is Necessary
8. Suanie at As Suanie Sees It
9. Margie at A Lighter Shade Of Gray
10. Jaclyn at Jaclyn Rae’s Blog
11. Diane at Simply Diane
12. Debbie at 24atHeart

Congratulations everyone!

The Power Of Branding

While checking my e-mail this morning, it got me thinking about branding and how it programs our minds to link certain consumer products or services to businesses associated with them.

Old-fashioned sales and marketing strategies focused entirely at spreading the word about a product through advertisements hoping it will reach more buyers. Branding on the other hand, aims specifically at reminding consumers of a certain brand name or icon when they think of a product, without even looking at a single advertisement.

A quick search in google revealed that the most successful brands in the world include Coca Cola, Disney, Microsoft and many more.

As I glanced through the list, the fact that I could almost immediately pair up each brand with a product or service just shows how successful those brands are. For example, when I think of fizzy drinks, I think of Coca Cola. When I think of cartoons, I think of Disney. The same way how my mind automatically associates hamburgers with McDonald’s and fried chicken with KFC.

In Malaysia, baby diapers are referred to as Pampers, and instant noodles are called Maggie noodles.

Amazing isn’t it? The power of branding and how it controls the way we think without us even knowing! It’s almost like hypnosis.

However, when I think of The Blue Pill (Viagra), my mind quickly gets reminded of spam e-mails. Not “magic cure” or “happier men” but spam e-mails. Branding success story gone wrong…..?

Unblocked!

On my 52nd post on Tien Unscripted, I had a “blogging meltdown” – major blogger’s block. I have mentioned that I am not proud of some of the posts I published because they are mundane, boring and “forced”, that particular post included. I take that back! I am so glad I wrote and published that post, reaching out to other bloggers out there.

That post was a product of frustration and a desperate attempt of getting a blog post published anyway. I am so touched by all your kind comments, encouraging words, tips, suggestions and your sharing of experiences about blogging with me. I realise now that I have been approaching blogging the wrong way. I was trying too hard and being too hard on myself! I forgot that blogging should be light, fun and casual.

So folks, from today onwards, my blogging motto is K.I.S.S – Keep It Simple, Sweet.

Thanks for being there and offering your support, assuring me that I am not alone. Even though we are “practically strangers”, I feel like I have known y’all a long time…..at least in the blogosphere! Now I can truly testify that the best thing about blogging is getting to know wonderful, wonderful blogger friends whom I can always turn to whenever I need a shoulder to lean on.

I am so inspired and fired-up by your inputs that I have decided to compile all the tips and suggestions you have made and dedicate it to all bloggers out there. I re-phrased some of your words to make them fit nicely in this post, hope you don’t mind. It’s your brilliant suggestions that matter

Now everytime I feel like I can’t blog, this is the post I will re-read and re-read and re-read over, and over again…!

You are my rock, love y’all!

“Whenever I run out of things to say, I start taking pictures or recall random things about me and blog about it.” -Nadia-

“I capitalise on the days when I have a lot of things to say, by saving draft posts, some just with titles and some with just a few words – to remind me what I want to write about when I run out of things to write. Pictures are a good way to ‘cheat’ and it’s something I use often. If not, you can consider sharing meaningful quotes.” -Genn-

“I round-up interesting things I’ve found out or thought about throughout the week and shcedule it for Fridays. None of them constitute to a full post. I use Google Reader to keep my feeds in. It lets me add a star to the posts I like and a review of the starred items help job my memory” -Margie-

“Pick a theme or one part of your day, like at three in the afternoon and take a picture no matter what you are doing. We all get those little moments that makes it harder to compose our thoughts, or figure out what we want to talk about. We’re all here for each other.” -Danielle-

“On days when I have a lot of ideas, I make drafts. On my writer’s block days, I polish up my drafts. Sometimes I play off of my mood. If I’m feeling nostalgic, I’ll write about a memory. If I’m feeling excited, I’ll write about something I am looking forward to. Don’t stress! It’s supposed to be fun!” -Mindy-

“Never ever think of the subject that much, it will only ruin your flow of words! As far as the post ideas for blogging are concerned, well look around! There are topics everywhere. You just need to learn to pick up things and mold them into your blog.” -Pervisha-

“I think it helps to find your nitch and to know your readers. One thing I do now is to have scheduled days. I have Saturday Snapshot so I only need to post a picture. I have Sunday Fixin’, so I post a recipe. I think I’m going to start Fitness Fridays in which I talk about my determination to get back into shape. So now I only have to worry about Mondays through Thursdays.” -Nicole-

“I think it’s best to post whenever you have something to say. Otherwise, read.” -Julie-

“When I blog, I have something to say and am not forcing things. I think best blogs are inspired by a sense of fascination with the world and what is happening currently, either to me personally or in the world. Timeliness and relevancy to current feelings or situations create the most interesting and authentic blogs. A couple of other things I love about blogging, is sharing links, sharing information, making someone else’s world richer with things that I have discovered or have given me an ah-ha moment. If you are bogged down by the blog and have too much to say and can’t figure out how to sort it all out and then just throw in the towel because you are afraid that you aren’t sounding absolutely brilliant (a curse of course because all bloggers want to sound brilliant and witty), try just limiting yourself to a paragraph. Write about what is in your mind at that moment but in the briefest manner possible. You connect with your readers, feel good about yourself too because you are keeping your blog alive with your thoughts! Think of it like as if you were tweeting something. But just a tad longer.” -Melissa-

Are You Savvy?

It didn’t take long for me to realise that living in Auckland can be very expensive. Not having a comfortable income just adds insult to injury. That’s the worst thing about student life really – handicapped finances. Every week is about budgeting, budgeting and more budgeting.

I never cooked so much in my life until I moved to New Zealand to study. Cooking everyday cuts down weekly costs, thus it’s more of a must than a choice. I enjoy cooking, don’t get me wrong. But before this, it had always been just an interest and a few occasional meals for friends. Now, it’s more to cook or go broke in 2 days from eating out!

Cooking everyday also means managing our own grocery shopping every week. Back in Malaysia, mom and granny did all the shopping and cooking for the family. Naturally, I am absolutely clueless of the prices of usual items like meat, fruits or even salt and sugar. During those rare occasions where I need to do light shopping for a dish I decided to make for friends, all I do is pick up the items, pay and go. I am ignorant of price tags. Even if the cashier overcharged me, I wouldn’t notice!

Living in Auckland on limited finances has taught me how important it is to be a savvy grocery shopper.

Every weekend, Terry and I shop for groceries. Hypermarkets and supermarkets usually mark up prices of their items and select a handful to go on special every week. The trick is to rotate the items we pick up every week, according to the rotation of items on special in the hypermarket. Or put it simply, I follow their weekly newsletter closely. It’s like our little hunting adventure every week

At times when I really needed to buy something that is not on special, I usually pick the cheapest brand or I stare at the shelf really long trying to make up my mind on the best choice in terms of quality and quantity. That explains why my grocery shopping session usually takes more than an hour!

I trained really hard to stop buying things (especially snacks) that I simply feel like eating that particular week, but only items that are necessary and on special. An item on special may be usually less than a dollar cheaper than its normal price but you will be surprised how the cents add up in the grand total. Every cent does count!

In addition, Terry makes the habit to take a mental note of the prices of items we usually buy. Items like rice, bread, meat and fish (per kg), and a variety of canned food, their prices are at his fingertips. Doing this enables him to help me recognise better deals if I saw these items selling at bargain prices at another shop I don’t usually frequent.

Every item I put in my cart, I remember the price. Nobody is perfect and sometimes items on special isn’t really registered as a special on the cashier’s system. While queuing up to pay, an approximate grand total is worked up in our heads and if this number is within 5 dollars of the cashier’s, we are good. If we get overcharged on a particular item, we notice it immediately. Usually, it’s a mistake we made in reading the price tag on the shelf, and we would return it on the spot. In a few other occasions, it was the system’s fault.

I used to think that being savvy at grocery shopping is a waste of time because it takes too much effort and the savings insignificant. How ignorant was I!

I guess it takes a lot of growing up to acknowledge that it pays to be savvy at shopping. It pays to be a savvy shopper knowing that you are always aware of better deals and on alert in case you get overcharged for nothing! Everytime I look at my shopping receipt (which indicates my total savings), I feel accomplished seeing that I made an effort to save

Are you a savvy grocery shopper? Do you compare prices of items? If the cashier overcharges you, would you realise immediately?

 

52

This is my 52nd post on Tien Unscripted!

I wasn’t keeping track of the number of posts I was writing until a few minutes ago when I noticed it on my dashboard.

Alright, to be honest, I have been staring at my computer screen since two hours ago, trying to blog. Typing and backspacing and deleting and retyping and finally deleting everything!

Somehow, my blog subscription page just wouldn’t load and I have resorted to clicking on the links in my blog post comments to read blogs I subscribe. After tracking 3-4 blogs that way, I got tired. So, no luck getting inspirations through reading my favorite blogs this time.

I tried Plinky for some prompts. And I was back to the process of typing, backspacing, deleting, retyping and deleting everything and repeated that for about 3 times. Then when I resumed staring blankly at my dashboard, I saw that I have already published 51 posts and this would be my 52nd if it ever gets published. Thus the opening line in this post.

When having writer’s block, write about writer’s block, eh?

I have another confession. I get writer’s block very often. Or is it blogger’s block?

I have not gone through one week of blogging without writer’s blogger’s block since I started last December. I committed myself to publishing at least three times a week, consistently from day one. Even that was is a challenge for me. I refuse to let myself break my blogging pattern because I know that I will eventually just stop and abandon my blog altogether if I start to do so. Like I did for my previous blogs *blush*.

I find myself churning so hard sometimes just to keep to that commitment that some of my published posts are mundane, boring and seemed “forced”. Not proud of those….(this one included).

I salute bloggers who signed up for the WordPress’ DailyPost Challenge and have kept to it for like two and a half months now! When I saw that challenge, I know I wouldn’t be able to do it, so I didn’t bother. I figured three posts a week would be a good enough challenge for myself and I was right!

You know who you are! If you blog everyday or more than 5 days a week consistently, how did you do it? How did you come up with so many interesting topics to blog about every other day? Do you ever get writer’s block? If so, how did you get over it?

Please, please, please share….I really need the help! Anyone?!

How To Have A Job And Not Work

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

~Confucius~

As a soon-to-be job hunter, I strongly believe holding onto this quote tightly might just be key towards having a contented life. Then I can be truly happy.

After fourteen schooling years, four more in university and another two as a working adult, it finally hit me that I got it all wrong right at the beginning. Getting a high-profile or professional career does not define my life. My career should be something that would provide me the essentials to fuel a lifestyle I enjoy.  While I am at it, I might as well choose a job that I take pleasure in.

I have been studying science as opposed to arts for as long as I could remember. Back in the day, my choice of major was not driven by my passion but more to a list of items which I now perceive as shallow:

1. Students doing science subjects are deemed “smarter”.
2. Science students can always switch to art stream anytime but not vice versa.
3. Being “technical” has a bigger chance of making more money than being “artistic”.
4. A professional degree is more prestigious than just a science or arts degree.

Perhaps it’s a cultural thing. Most asian kids are typically programmed to “study hard and get a high paying job, ideally as a doctor, engineer or lawyer.” I was really poor in biology and sucked at remembering facts so I ended up graduating with a Bachelor in Engineering degree. It never crossed my mind to choose my major based on what my true passions are. Never.

My subsequent two years as a practicing engineer in Malaysia had me feeling miserable, confused, lost, frustrated, incapable and very stressed at my job. Finally, everything simply boiled down to “I hate my job!” I found out the hard way that I don’t have what it takes to be an engineer. At least not in Malaysia.

I don’t hate engineering. I am not really good at it either. But sometimes I can’t help but wonder if I might be better off and happier doing something else that suits my personality more. If only I knew myself better then.

My decision to further my studies in New Zealand was motivated by the hope that it will open up doors for another career path – an academic profession and beyond. A second chance. I hope it’s not too late to acknowledge that I love to teach and write. Sometimes I question my own decisions in doing yet another degree in engineering, whether I am making another mistake in the choice of major yet again. Yes, I am still stuck in engineering. I have gone too far to not do a PhD in Engineering. Plus, those who can’t do, teach I trust that my background in engineering will help me teach better.

Now that I am many years older, hopefully I am much wiser in my career choices this time around. A job that not only lets me teach and write but also provides for a comfortable lifestyle. Professional recognition and opportunities for promotion are just bonuses for me.

Are you happy with your job? Have you ever regretted your choice of major or course of study?

Disastrous Yet Inspirational

The Japanese has long been known for their discipline, excellent manners and technology. During my 10-day visit in Japan last year, I get to see and experience their way of life firsthand. Always courteous, orderly and on time. Garbage bins are scarce in cities and streets but yet, it was difficult to find even a piece of litter anywhere. On the elevator, I saw people automatically keeping to the side (usually left) so that they don’t block other users’ way. By the second day in Japan, I found myself following their example too.

I was also especially impressed with their public transportation systems – their trains were always on time and the networks and routes were complicated but systematic. Although sometimes the trains were crowded during peak hours, I have never seen one single person being pushed when going on or off a train. The ticketing machines were efficient and fast too. Talking about the machines, almost everything speaks and interacts with human users in Japan. Although I couldn’t understand a word but it shows how well-advanced the Japanese are with their technology.

The recent earthquake (11 March 2011) in Northern Japan was the strongest to ever hit Japan and 5000 times stronger than the one in Christchurch. To add insult to injury, a massive tsunami followed soon after and swept away the entire city of Natori in Sendai – including  houses, cars, farms and thousands of its residents. The quake was so strong it even shook the city of Tokyo violently although its hundreds of kilometres away.

During such disastrous moments, still the Japanese did not fail to inspire. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake shook numerous skyscrapers in Tokyo yet none of them fell. None. Nadda. Nil. I think that is just amazing. The number of casualties would be significantly more if not for their excellent technology in building construction design.

The Japanese were hit by a string of deadly disasters but yet they did not behave disastrously. No running hysterically. No pushing their way through to get aid. No jumping queues to use the telephones or toilets.

Just no dramas.

Everything was still orderly. They even kept to the “keep to the side while on elevator” rule when sitting on stairs, stranded. These are earthquake victims we are talking about. Truly an excellent example of the Japanese spirit and civilisation. My highest salutations.

(I can only imagine if a disaster of this scale struck Malaysia. Oh the chaos…..)

Waiting for a turn to contact loved ones at the public telephone booths - in orderly queues.

The trains stopped working. No one felt the need to force their way through the barriers.

Stranded victims keeping to the sides to ensure the stairway wasn't blocked.

No chaos in aid centres. Just discipline and patience.

Women and children first means women and children first.

Victims walking home calmly. None felt the need to run amok.

All images from: http://www.chinasmack.com/2011/pictures/chinese-netizens-admire-japanese-post-earthquake-behavior.html

The Thing With Silk

Back in the 1990′s, primary schools in New Zealand offer a home skills course which was compulsory for all students to take, including boys. The syllabus was designed as such so that little boys and girls get to learn  firsthand how to cook, sew, do woodwork, plumbing and other practical skills.

One day, 10-year-old Eric came home from school to his father and asked for $30. It was for his mini sewing project at school, he said. Since $30 was not a small amount in New Zealand during those days, his father asked what this mini project was exactly about.

“Mrs. Grant told us that we are each going to sew a pair of silk boxers. So everyone in class needs to pay $30 for the silk which she will then buy for us”, Eric chirped.

“$30 for silk? That is ridiculous!” his father exclaimed.

“But its compulsory to pass the course, dad!”

“Here’s $2 for cotton instead”, his father handed him the money.

“Dad, but the teacher said silk,” Eric tried to plea.

“Look Eric, your dad here have been wearing boxers for more than 20 years and let me tell you….”

Eric’s dad continued to explain why cotton would do the trick and how silk is not suitable anyway. The little boy was convinced.

The next day at school, all his friends lined up in class to pay up $30 to Mrs. Grant. When it was Eric’s turn, he handed his two dollars.

“Eric, this is not enough. Did you tell your mom or dad that you need $30?” Mrs. Grant asked.

“My dad says $2 would be enough for cotton,” Eric answered.

“Eric, I thought I told everyone in class that we are buying silk, not cotton!” Mrs. Grant said, a little annoyed.

Eric then explained, quoting his father’s words, “Yes I know Mrs. Grant. But my dad said cotton would be better because its airy. Silk boxers stick to your balls…!”

And so, Eric was the only one in class who paid $2 and sewed a pair of cotton boxers instead. He passed.

Inspired by a true story as told by a good friend about her (now adult) son and  (still humorous) husband. All names have been changed.

A Day For Spicy Meatballs

Earlier this week, I read about Kimberly’s Jizzgasmic Meatballs recipe which triggered my cravings for meatballs. I also thought that it was interesting that she used fresh chillies in her meatballs. I imagine it would give a lovely flavour kick to the meatballs and put a mental note to try it someday.

This morning I looked out the kitchen window to our backyard and there, an abundance of bright red chillies dangling from my flatmates’ chilli plants were screaming to be picked. (Hannah and Murray had mentioned that we should help them use up the chillies). I opened the fridge and was reminded I still have 3 slices of stale expired leftover bread in the freezer which will be good as breadcrumbs. I then looked into the kitchen cabinet and saw that the jar of pasta sauce I bought on special more than 3 weeks ago was yet to be opened. Then, there were packets of pasta – penne and spirals, which were given by a friend, still sitting in the shelf.

It was like I was given signs that I should make meatballs today!

Before I started, I recalled reading a lovely blog post Jane Ward had written in remembrance of her father and his special meatballs recipe. In her post, she mentioned her father’s meatballs were tender and flavourful. The secret was, he cooked the meatballs raw in the tomato sauce itself without frying it prior. Although initially shocked and worried that the meatballs might not be cooked through, she and her mother decided that his father’s meatballs were the best they ever tasted.

So, I decided to fry half of my meatballs prior to simmering in the sauce and the other half, I dropped them raw into the sauce to taste the difference myself. I used pork mince in this recipe because Kimberly used pork and also because I’ve never tried making pork meatballs before. Plus, Terry is more of a pork person than beef. However, I am very confident beef mince would work just the same.

Ingredients for meatballs:

• 200g pork mince
• 2 fresh red chillies, chopped finely
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely
• Breadcrumbs from 3 slices of bread (about half a cup)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (from the bottle), or Basil or Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Ingredients for tomato sauce:

• ~3 cups pasta sauce or 1 can tomato puree
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped finely
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• Salt to taste if required
• Grated cheddar cheese or parmesan (optional)

Method:

1. To make breadcrumbs, I microwaved  and cooled the slices of bread alternately in a microwave, 2 minutes at a time until they are completely dry and crispy. Then I break them into pieces and pounded them into breadcrumbs.
2. Mix all the ingredients for meatballs in a big bowl.
3. Shape the mince mixture into one-inch meatballs. Set aside.
4. Heat a saucepan with 2 tablespoons of oil and fry the meatballs gently until browned and remove. If you are planning to drop them into the sauce raw, you may skip this step.
5. Using the drippings in the pan, fry the chopped onions and garlic until fragrant. Top up with more oil if necessary.
6. Pour in pasta sauce and stir in all seasonings. Add in about a cup of water and stir well.If you like it cheesy, you may add some grated cheese at this point. I added two tablespoons of leftover sun-dried tomato dip which has parmesan and ricotta cheese in it.
7. When the sauce boils, carefully add in your meatballs, either raw or fried and stir a little to make sure meatballs are covered or smeared with sauce.
8. Turn to low heat and simmer it covered for about 10 to 15 minutes or until raw meatballs are completely cooked.
9. Serve hot on your favorite cooked pasta, garnished with grated cheese if you like.

I like the flavour that the fresh chillies are giving my meatballs and that slight heat. I find the meatballs dropped raw into the sauce to cook is indeed more tender but the taste is pretty similar to the ones fried. Next time, I won’t bother to fry the meatballs first, I’ll just drop them into the sauce to cook in one go. One less step, one less hassle

This is a very versatile recipe for a classic comfort food dish. You can pretty much use any spices you want in the meatballs or sauce as long as it’s not too bizarre. I think I added a bit of everything I had in my kitchen in this recipe. Go crazy with it and happy trying!