Chinese Take-Out Party LUCKY DRAW!

I am not big on lucky draws...here's a typical conversation I had with my workmates regarding Hong Kong's version of lotto, Mark Six:

X: Have you bought your tickets for Mark Six?
Me: No...why?
X: Get your ass moving, dummy! Tonight's jackpot is HK$60,000,000!!! (the Cantonese say it this way = six thousand of ten thousands (6000 x 10,000) instead of 60 million...so big numbers confuse me all the time)
Me: Wow...that sounds like A LOT more zeroes than what I can comprehend in Cantonese
X: Yeah! If you don't see me tomorrow at work, I'll be off to some Carribean islands working on my tan, sipping my expensive bottle of Champagne, surrounded by A LOT of chicks, and f**k this job!!
Me: Oohhh OK...good luck, man!
X: Aren't you gonna buy Mark Six?
Me: Nah...I never win...not even HK$20 (the minimum win) in 5 years!!
X: Really????!!!...wait a minute...have you ever bought Mark Six?
Me: Errrr.....no, why?
X: !@#$!$!$#!$#@!$....never mind!!! (in Cantonese = what a waste of air)

LOL! Anyway...I really wanted to give a token of my appreciation (something physical, not virtual) to ALL my party participants, but due to my super tight budget (which is a lot tighter than my azz), I could only give out one set this time ^_^... I shall look for a sponsor and give more next time, aye? ^_*

Now...I didn't know a better way to do this...so I did it the conventional way:

...your names, printed out, cut...

folded, shaken & drawn from a plastic take-out lunch box ^_^

A team of auditors from KPMG witnessed the draw...KIDDING!!!...only a couple of workmates did and I swear I didn't look when I drew the name (take my words against theirs) and I didn't include my own name in that box (I meant, I didn't include only one...but most of the names in the box are mine KIDDING-2! ^_^)

Check out the lucky draw video below! It wasn't easy to hold a camera, shakin', drawin' & unfoldin" HAHA I should've asked someone to help me hold the camera T_T

Pardon the blurry video....hehe

Congratulations to the LUCKY WINNER!!!
(all names in the box are mine apart from the lucky winner's name!!! I couldn't believe I DIDN'T win!!! KIDDING-3!)

...AND THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR MAKING MY FIRST BLOG EVENT A SUCCESS!
CHEERS, Y'ALL!!!

...see you at the next partee!...

Chinese Take-Out Party: The Round Up!

Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! I remember the horror of planning annual dinner parties at work...the sleepless nights, the nightmares, the anxiousness, 100001 tiny little details we couldn't afford to overlook, the VIPs whose name we should never EVER misspell/mispronounce, or just say goodbye to my job...the timing, the flow, all the last minute changes, the looming post-event "evaluation" meeting (i.e. the dooms day, where everybody point their fingers and toes (if it's possible, they would, believe me) at you, where you will be judged for all your mistakes, where big mistakes (of others) went unnoticed while (your) small mistakes are being blown out of proportion..hehe)...ARRRGGHHHH! I don't think even David Tutera could help us! LOL! Luckily, I am such a party animal, I still managed to enjoy the parties despite all the nightmares ^_*

But planning this Chinese Take-Out Party was totally different...the sleepless nights were still there...but for totally different reasons, because I was just toooo excited (yes, I always get over-excited about anything)!!

When the idea first came into my head, I practically rolled around my whole 4 ft-tiny double bed kicking away my pillows, blankets, sheets...my beloved bolster was even on the floor! I was sooo close to get my butt off the bed to write down all the bursting ideas, but hey! Why do today what we can postpone until tomorrow? LOL!

Anyway I am sure you guys got the idea of how excited I was...and it got even more exciting when I started receiving your entries...from so many different places, full of brilliant and creative ideas, all personalised and customised, yet so united! I'd like to thank everyone for participating with great dishes, I always said how I wish this party isn't a virtual one :)

So...I am beyond pleased to present today's Chinese Take-Out Menu, by you, from you, & for you!
(Pardon my cheesy-ness, pleeze..)

**CHINESE TAKE-OUT PARTY MENU**

SET MEALS
In Hong Kong, we love set meals..a set meal normall consists of a main with rice/noodles, which comes with a choice of soup and/or a standard drink, add HK$2 to upgrade to an iced drink :)
Below "chefs" created not only set meals, some are actually qualified to be a set menu for a banquet! Enjoy!

Set Meal A
Chicken Bakmoy from Kedai Hamburg
Retno created this delightful Indonesian-Chinese set of shrimp balls, stir fried chicken, boiled eggs in chicken soup, comes with steamed rice, shrimp crackers, and sambal petis


Set Meal B
The Greek Gwei-Lo Goes Chinese Set from Kalofagas
This gwei-lo surely knows his way around Chinese food :), he created this wholesome set of ginger chicken, stir fried bok choy and the set comes with a serving of yummy fried rice! An absolute indulgence, this set will surely make you forget even your hardest day at work! ;)

Set Meal C
Asian Inspired Wraps with Sesame Slaw from Canary Girl
Super creative Nikki came up with this Asian style pork loin roast with rice in tortilla wrap! The Sesame slaw and Steamed/fried dumplings on the side completed the set. Mexican? Asian? Can't decide? Try this set :)


Set Meal D
Dinner for Friends from Kits Chow
...if you have a whole table of hungry guests, this is the set for you:
- Pan fried pot stickers & samosas
- Watercress soup in rich chicken stock
- Grilled chicken in Thai sweet chilli sauce
- Grilled pork
- Beef braised in chou hou sauce
- Stir fried shrimps with ginger and scallion
- Stir fried asparagus, fresh bamboo shoots and baby corn
- Stir fried baby bok choy
- Pina colada milk pudding
Don't we all wish we're KC's friends and live around her area? ;)


Set Meal E
Taiwanese Rice Set from Teczcape - An escape to food
Tigerfish introduced us to this typical Taiwanese Rice Set. I totally understand how it could make even the best of us stay out of the kitchen and order in :)


Set Meal F
Spam & Pineapple Fried Rice with Pork & Chive Dumplings from Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy
The saltiness of spam, the sweetness of pineapple, & the different texture of vegetables...pretty much everything we're looking for in a bowl, eh? If that's not enough, the set comes with a serving of tasty fried dumplings. Now legs up on the ottoman, fingers on the TV remote control...and...watch your favorite drama with this meal :)

SNACKS/SIDE DISHES/APPETIZERS
Hong Kong coffee shops normally serve snacks/lighter meals in the afternoon, for tea time, which is very popular amongst office dwellers (i.e. in an event where: you lost a bet/got promoted/completed a major project/closed a big deal, etc...you treat your whole team "tea-time") or you could order these as a side dish/appetizer

8801. Kimchee Potstickers from My Life is Yummy
These Korean inspired potstickers from Lina are perfect to start a meal! Look at those gorgeously browned bottoms (not mine hehe)!

8802. Wonton from Resto Mariena
Mariena brought that missing thing from your noodle plate,...wontons! Crispy or soupy? You decide!


8803. Steamed/Fried Dumplings from Canary Girl
Dip these babies into the tasty sauce Nikki created, sweet soy, regular soy, & rice vinegar, yum!

TOFU & VEGETABLE DISHES
The following chefs showed us how tofu and vegetables could be so tasty (apart from deep frying it ala Mochachocolata-Rita LOL)

8805. Mun Tahu(Mun Tofu) from Food is Love
Sefa introduced this Indonesian Chinese version of comfort food, which transported my mind straight home to Indonesia


8806. Chinese 5 Spice Baked Tofu from Chow Vegan
Chef Chow came up with this innovative baked tofu dish, a must try!


8807. Fish Fragrant Eggplants from Burnt Mouth
This classic eggplant dish by Zlamushka is bursting with flavors: salty, sweet, sour and spicy all in one!


8808. String Beans and Tofu with Thai Peanut Butter Sauce from Food Blogga
Susan introduced this healthy and flavorful dish! You will love the combination of different textures and when she asked "Do you tofu?" I am sure you'll say you do too! :)

8837. Tofu & Broccoli in Garlic Sauce from The Hungry Fox
The creamy peanut butter, the Sauvignon Blanc and the red pepper flakes made Chef Debbie's tofu dish so special

MEAT & POULTRY DISHES
There are a few different versions of Kung Pao Chicken on our menu, which shows how popular is Kung Pao chicken out there. Funny thing is...either it is not as popular here in Hong Kong or is it just me? Throughout my 6 yr stay in Hong Kong, I have yet encountered a friend/relative/co-worker/stranger ordering Kung Pao Chicken...
Satisfy your craving with our selection of meat dishes below :)

8809. Kung Pao Chicken from A Cat in the Kitchen
Dagmar personalised the dish by combining two different versions of Kung Pao chicken, classic Sichuan and American :)


8810. Twice Cooked Pork from Stuff I Cook for My Husband

Erica brought this rich and tasty dish of lean pork, and I am holding on to her promise to make a version of this one by cooking pork belly in its own fat ;)


8811. Szechuan Chicken with Vegetable from Let's Mess up the Kitchen
Sheila added vegetables to make this spicy chicken dish wholesome


8812. Kung Pao Chicken from The Adventure of My Cooking Diary
This is a tasty dish no man could say no to...including chef Dwiana's husband :)


8813. Pineapple Sesame Chicken from Palachinka
Marija created this sweet, tangy, crispy and nutty goodness! You can never stop after just a bite :)


8813. Stir Fry Chinese Chicken & Veggies from Baking Blondie
Jessy experienced fresh ginger power for the first time (hihihi) while creating this dish...and the chilli flakes added the extra ummppphh!! Psstt...she also created another exciting treat to conclude our meal

8814. Sweet & Sour Belly Pork from Rainbows
Sweet Jasmine added potatoes and used skinned pork belly (means we get to bite into succulent meat pieces without the excess fat) for this popular Chinese sweet and sour dish


8815. Chinese Chicken in Oyster Sauce from Dari Dapur Saya
Simple, tasty, healthy and wholesome is this chicken dish by Elsye. You can't go wrong with oyster sauce and chicken :)


8816. Honey Lemon Chicken from My Kitchen Snippets
The average, bland, oily and MSG laden lemon chicken is everything Gertrude's Honey Lemon Chicken is NOT

8817. Chicken with Lemon Sauce from Greedy Gourmet
Michelle prepared a healthy version of lemon chicken, with a twist (of dry sherry and lime cordial ^_*)


8818. Tamed Kung Pao Chicken from the Cook Mobile
Lalaine tamed the fiery Kung Pao Chicken and added zucchini and water chestnut pieces for the extra crunch :)
SEAFOOD DISHES
In Hong Kong, when we order our seafood from a big restaurant, we always ask this question "This fish you have...they are swimming (i.e. alive/fresh)?" I was baffled by a straight forward answer of a restaurant's waiter: "It used to". We asked further "Where did it come from?" and expected an answer such as Norwegia/Japan/etc...but we got "the market". We asked no further LOL!

8819. Foo Yung Hai from Flower in My Kitchen
Ayin brought me down the memory lane again by bringing another classic Indonesian Chinese dish of Foo Yung Hai (crab meat omelette with tomato sauce)


8820. Stir Fry of Shrimp & Bok Choy with Fermented Black Beans from Once Upon A Feast
For those who has not tried fermented black beans...bite into these juicy, succulent shrimps and experience it


8821. Sweet and Sour Fish from Beachloverkitchen
The use of fish instead of pork is a great alternative. If you're not up to the whole fish with bones, heads and all...you could go for boneless fish fillets instead :)


8822. Buddhist (mock) Shrimp Dim Sum from Feeding Maybelle
This dish is vegetarian friendly and it was perfect for yesterday's Buddha's birthday celebration! Hands down to Maybelle's mom who created the faux shrimp meat


8823. Not So Sizzling Japanese Tofu from More than Words
You will definitely enjoy the crisp and silky soft texture of these tofu dish from Daphne, combined with shrimps, meat and mushrooms to a perfection ;)


8836. Curry Shrimp Ssäm ~ Lettuce Wrap from Taste Memory
A wonderful symphony of Indian and Korean flavors in a bundle! I fell hopelessly in love at first bite (errr...sight?) ^_^'

RICE & NOODLES
Some of us might view fried rice and noodles as "side dishes". However, in our daily diet here...they are pretty much the big shot actress/actor in a starring role of the meal :)
Try our dishes below and please be warned that you might be high on rice/noodles afterwards, do not attempt to clear a stage of the latest video game, or you might end up frustrated :p

8824. Pea & Egg Fried Rice from Greedy Gourmet
This gently flavored fried rice would be the ideal pair for any abovementioned dishes

8825. Fried Rice & Fishy Luncheon from Daily Affairs
Singairishgirl's intriguing fish luncheon fried rice is a must try!


8826. Fried Rice with Egg Roll from Little Corner of Mine
A Chinese menu is incomplete without an egg roll/spring roll. Ching brought us just the thing, with her tasty fried rice


8827. Chilli Chicken with Cashew over Scallion Rice from Once Upon A Feast
What's not to like about this dish...the tasty chicken, the nutty cashew, the fragrant scallion rice...everything's to die for!


8828. Singapore Rice Noodles from Notes from My Food Diary
This curry flavored rice noodle dish brought to you by Eliza is one of Hong Kong's most popular Chinese Take-Out dish...which is probably NOT originated from Singapore *_^


8829. House Special Chow Fun from Coconut & Lime
Rachel shared our fear of greasy & vegetable lacking take-outs, and she created this well balanced fried rice noodle dish, with a touch of tiger lily buds


8830. Italian-Style Roast Pork "Lo-Mein" from Champaign Taste
What happens when Lo-Mein go Italian? Yumminess, that's what happened!
Try Lisa's Italianized Lo-Mein! Simply creative!


8831. Egg Noodle with Hoisin Chicken from Mindy's Deli
Mindy cured her longing for Indonesia's tasty Chinese dishes by putting together this fried egg dish. The rich flavor of chicken liver pieces and the dash of white wine made it extra special!

8832. Chicken Chow Mein from Laws of the Kitchen
Cakelaw puts an end to ghostly grey take-out chow mein. She upgraded the standard Australian Chinese restaurant's pale & glutinous chicken chow mein into this vibrant and tasty version!


8833. Indo-China Chow Mein from Mochachocolata-Rita
...and...this is from me...an Indonesianized fried noodles with extra blings of lean pork and shrimps ;)

SWEETS

8834. Sweet Peanut Soup from Gift from the Kitchen
Rita brought us something sweet to conclude our meal, the Chinese influenced Indonesian dessert of Wedang Kacang (sweet peanut soup), served with Chinese fried doughnuts


8835. Fortune Cookies from Baking Blondie
...and...the content of Jess' personalised messages in her homemade fortune cookies will surely crack you up!


THE LUCKY DRAW!
The lucky draw winner will be announced.....tomorrow! He-he-he please don't hate me...T_T... or hate me more...that might help with the winning I think *grin*

Dialing 8888-8888...

Is this Golden Snow Chinese Restaurant? I wanna order everything from Set Meal A through to dish number 8835. STAT!...and please get that sizzling hot topless guy to deliver it for me? Oh...he comes with Set Meal F? PERFECT!

Now...let us slip into something more comfortable for the party, shall we? ^_* Opppssss...

Celebrating My 88th Post: A CHINESE TAKE-OUT PARTY & Lucky Draw!

Yayyyyy! This is my 88th post!
Celebrating this auspicious moment, (the number 88 in Chinese symbolises RRRichhhyy RICH!), I've decided to throw a party, albeit a virtual one, which is a bold move, considering that in real life, I am an awful host, i.e. I almost never throw any parties *grin*

The last real party I hosted was my sweet 17th birthday party! (Yes that was a LONGGGGGGGG time ago)
While other kids in my hometown celebrated their sweet 17th inviting over 300 guests they might not even know...to eat & drink all they can, laugh at the professional MC's same old jokes, watch the b-day girl doing an impressive-almost acrobatic ballroom dancing routine with her instructor, dance all night long and leave the huge exhibition hall party venue possibly still not knowing the name of the birthday girl....my event was just a humble dinner with my closest friends, which could be considered a shame in my hometown *grin*
But, at least I didn't need to worry about whether people will fight for an invite to my party, whether my party would be the talk of the town, would there be boys who'd fight over me at the party, which would help with the party's being the talk of the town thing, and all the sweet 17th related worries which might sound stupid now, but back then it was a life and death situation LOL.

I seem to have a serious problem of blabbering off course every time...Now back to our party!

Share your take on...
Chinese Take-Out!
Be it Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet & Sour Pork, Fried Rice or Chow Mein...etc...
You can keep it authentic, you can tweak it, make it healthier, make it yummier, simplify it, de-Chinois-ize it, just make it more...YOU!

Submit your entry to mochachocolatarita (at) gmail (dot) com before 12 May 2008, including below info:
- Your name:
- Your blog name:
- Your blog url:
- The title of your post :
- The permalink of the post:

PS. Your post should mention & include a link to this event ^_* and....everybody can join! ^_^

The round up will be posted shortly after deadline and....now...
An (Indonesian) Chinese party isn't a party without a LUCKY DRAW!!!
One lucky winner gets this!
A goooorrrrgeous set of placemats, napkins, napkin rings, and chopsticks (1 pair of each)...can I keep a few sets for myself...maybe in 8 different colors? ^_^

Can't wait to drool over my keyboard! ^_^