What’s cooking?

Peter and Annie have been married for two tumultuous years.

No exaggeration. During the last couple of years, Peter’s father and brother passed on from cancer and heart failure. And naturally, it’s been a pretty long stretch of pain, uncertainty and stress – you’d know if you’d been there before.

 

So at the end of an emotion draining and physically trying period, Peter is lost and Annie is burnt out.

 

We can’t help feeling an impending sense of doom sometimes, we don’t really remember the last time we didn’t have to be somewhere for someone or something, and we also don’t remember what it’s like to do something just for the fun of it.

 

This project is an attempt to change that – to find that spontaneity again, try new things, taste new things, dream new dreams. And what better way than to get dirty in the kitchen and let our taste buds run wild.

 

If it works out, who knows, this little blog might just grow into a quaint little café and oasis. One can dream right? And if it doesn’t, at least we’ll understand each other better and find our groove together again.

 

So in the spirit of mutual discovery, we’ve each thought up a set of three questions we’d like to ask each other. We sincerely hope it’s as fun for you as it is for us.

 

What’s your first food memory?

Peter: I was 7 or 8, and this was not too long after Star Wars first screened. My brother and I received a Star Wars Luke Skywalker Activity Book. In one of the pages was a recipe for a food dish that the characters on Star Wars ate – essentially grated potatoes and egg. When my parents went to work, we tried to make it ourselves and it was the blandest thing I’ve ever eaten. But because it was Star Wars, we lapped it all up and told everyone how fantastic it was.  

What never fails to comfort you?

Peter: When my grandmother passed away we went to the cemetery in Jurong. I was crying and someone asked me what I wanted and I said a big pau (pork bun). My mom remembers that too. Even now, when I am tired, biting into a piping hot big pau still makes me happy.

 

The sexiest food pix?

Peter: This one from www.seriouseats.com

 

What is the one food you can’t live without?

Annie: I practically grew up on chocolate. When I was in 15, I was deeply unhappy and I went on a crazy diet – it involved eating exactly what I wanted (chocolate!), and nothing else. No veggies, no carbs, no meat, not even chocolate ice cream or cookies – just pure unadulterated chocolate. You wouldn’t believe it – I lost a lot of weight in a year. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!! 

What would your last meal be?
Annie: I’d be on a mountain in Nepal, with a spectacular view of the world (to put my life in perspective) and a bowl of hot soup (to warm my heart).

 

What is the one restaurant you’d want me (Peter) to try before I die?

Annie: I’d take you to watch the Northern Lights in a warm glasshouse in Iceland with a hot cuppa in our hands.

From travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-of-travel-365/may-2013/