Believe me (Hiyoshi) It's not a food review entry!

We came back straight after Stratford upon Avon. When we reached home, Auntie De was busy changing her kids. Fifi was quite helpful to look after Amar and Uncle De managed to get a wink of sleep.

I prepared some simple and quick to make dinner because I knew that they have another destination to get to. The menu was sambal sotong (yang amat pedas), ayam goreng berempah and shitake mushroom fried in oyster sauce and a selection of seafood.

To sooth tekak yang pedas, I made iced summer berries served in smooth cream soda drink mixed with Whittard Blackberry Tea.

This is embarrassing, but the idea came from a children's TV programme, Big Cook Little Cook! Sarah and Amar watch it everyday. The Chef made the strawberry ice-cubes using sugared water/liquid, freeze them and later crush the icecubes into slurpee. He then added some lemonade.

This is my version;

Some raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. Wash and pat dry.

Dice the fruits and/or you can use whole raspberries if you like. Place them in ice tray. Put 500ml of water in a measuring jug and dissolve 1 tbs sugar. I think sugar is optional here. But it may help to reduce the sourness of the fruits. Freeze them. (I prepared the ice the night before)

The summer berries ice cubes

Add in some cream soda. (Or in Malaysia they call it Ais krim Soda?)

For variation, I tried to use Whittard Blackcurrant Flavoured Tea.

iced berries in plain cream soda

iced berries in cream soda and Whittard Blackcurrant Tea

For dessert, we had Tiramisu prepared by Uncle De earlier. I will try to make a proper entry on how to make Tiramisu next time. (Yes Hiyoshi, thanks for reminding me not to spam my kids blog with food entries!)

Uncle De's Tiramisu

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Auntie De's friend, Fifi, is an Engineer working for an International company in Malaysia. She is currently in the UK on a business trip. We chatted. Then Auntie De reminded me that this is the person she was telling me before (refering to Fifi) who went out for voluntary work in Pakistan after the earthquake, Indonesia (tsunami) and Cambodia.

I raised my eyebrows, sort of in disbelief that I was actually sitting next to such a noble person. She has my absolute respect for her charitable work. I am glad to have met her and hope to meet more gallant personalities in the future.

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We hope that they have had a good time, as much as we have enjoyed having them here. I am very sure Sarah and Amar have both enjoyed their company. The moment they left, Sarah especially, said sadly, "Uncle De balik dah. Auntie De balik dah. Emyr balik dah. Yaya (Safiya) balik dah. Fifi balik dah."