Tuesday 2 January 2018

The Party 2017


I bet you people go to parties all the time. Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year Eve party and whatever it is that can be partied. Me? Party is not in my vocabulary. Because I have a strict mother.


When I was in Assunta circa 1980-something, one of my classmates threw a party (Shakey's Pizza was on the menu) and I was invited. I am not a sociable person but the prospect of eating pizza was too good to pass up. But when I asked for permission, it was a resounding NO. Bah! No pizza for me.


All my life (except for one birthday party when I was in primary school), I never attended any parties. Is that sad or what? No. Not sad at all because as I said, I am not a sociable person.

So. My partner's sister wanted to hold a Christmas eve dinner at her home and we were invited. She said she was going to roast two chickens. Great.

Three weeks before the dinner, I asked my partner to check with her what else she would be serving so that I could contribute a dish.

That's when he found out that she would be buying the roasted chickens instead of roasting them herself. And as expected, he expounded his theory on her about how supermarkets use near expired/expired chickens to make roasted chicken.

Guess who was commissioned to roast the chickens? Not that I minded since I enjoy cooking but I was quite anxious about cooking for my partner's family members. For my own family, I can chill. Wham bang kapow! Whatever I cook, they say nice heh..heh...heh... But for the other camp, hmmm...dunno what to expect.


So this is the dinner table. You see my chickens? Nice or not? hee..hee..hee...


The hostess made stuffing which was really tasty. 


It looks like she is also a fan of Kewpie Roasted Sesame dressing. Those bacon things on the right are Devils on Horseback which I never thought was nice because, I mean, prunes with bacon?

Surprisingly, they were very good. She made half with prunes and half with dates. Under normal circumstances, I would have sapu half the platter. But I had only two.


My partner's sister also made Minced Pies which were very tasty. Again, something I thought I would not like. To me pies should have meat (except apple pie) but I was surprised that I enjoyed the sweet spiced minced pie filing.

Unfortunately, I forgot to snap pics of those and my roasted potatoes and chicken legs which were all in the kitchen.

I was asked what I used for the roasted chicken and how I roasted it. I take it as a good sign. And yes, they did say it was nice :)  Not stark raving delicious, but all the same, nice. That will do I guess.

24 comments:

  1. Wowwwwwwww!!!! What a lavish dinner and so nice to share the joy with one's loved ones! We're not celebrating this year, no Christmas, no New Year...and no Chinese New Year, come February. :(

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    1. It was a simple dinner among close family members. It will be a quiet year for you but that is fine. After all, what's important is having your loved ones close to you. It was like that when my grandparents passed away.

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  2. The big question is did they eat your roast chicken with gusto and finished it? if they did, it is a sure sign that they find them very tasty. Thanks for writing about this because I am getting curious about the party. I never attended any party when in school, only when I started working I went to a few events and dinners held by my employers/companies.

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    1. Hmmm...most of the roast chicken was eaten except for some bits and pieces from the breast.

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  3. U have a strict mother, I have a strict father...

    Same here, I am not that sociable...

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  4. It's great to get invited and bring a dish (instead of hosting)...no need to do all the washing and cleaning up...kekeke! ;D This time very easy to answer the hostess on what you used for the chickens...just get her a bottle of the seasoning...haha! I thought those were pigs in blankets ;)

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    1. hee..hee.. that's right! If there is ever another dinner party, I am going to suggest potluck. Less burden on one or two persons. Oh yes, they do look like pigs in blankets. Quite easy to make, I think.

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  5. From now on, I am sure there will be more parties coming up every now and then!! Syabas, PH!!

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    1. As long as I no need to cook, then I will go. LOL!

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  6. Looks like a lovely dinner. And glad your chicken turned out well.

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    1. I was very relieved that the chicken turned out decent hah..hah..

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  7. oh, i'm not a party person at all either - i prefer chatting with only one person per evening instead of ten or more :D having said that, i think your mom should have let you go for that pizza gathering though! :) your roast chicken looks fine - you can cook for my family anytime! :D

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    1. I hope my mum reads this hah..hah... Oh, I would be honored to cook for your family. Hope they like roast chicken hee..hee..

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  8. No party for me because mom is very strict plus I am not a party person too! Your chickens turned out very well. All the food look good too!

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    1. Good to know that I am not the only one hah..hah...

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  9. I am not a party person too as i prefer one to one and also i tend to choose my friends, quality friends not quantity friends

    So nice to have a party with your close family members, i think they must have enjoyed your chicken

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  10. That was a lovely party complete with matching table cloths and plates with festive napkins! The food spread was well done and could double up as a Christmas Wedding dinner too! LOLOL My head is wondering now.....

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  11. Hi Phong Hong, your dinner look good especially the roasted chicken. Nice table setting.
    I was a party and disco kakis in the late 70's to early 80's until I met my husband who doesn't like all these so I have to retired from disco. Those were the good old days. :))

    Regards,
    Amelia

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    1. Hi Amelia! Wah, you were so happening!

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  12. prune + bacon, I cannot imagine the taste lah but date + bacon I can accept though LOL

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    1. It's lebih kurang the same flavor hee..hee...

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