Mondays

Lots of people hate Mondays, but I look forward to it every weekend. It is the only day my mum has a day off since she has to work the weekends too. And all that means we get to spend the day together at home, preparing a usually simple lunch side by side.

Today, lunch took a flash to assemble. My mum had some craving for asparagus and bought some skinny ones from Sheng Siong. With some olive oil, sea salt and pepper in a non-stick pan, the asparagus was ready. But we dressed it up with some scallops, seared, and some balsamic syrup made by reducing a quarter cup of balsamic vinegar with dried mint and black pepper. This isn't a typical dish we would cook to go with porridge, but when it comes to food, we always just go with what our heart (or rather palate) asks.

And using the leftover braising liquid from the pork belly, we braised some duck wings in it. After scalding the duck with hot water, and plucking any remnant feathers still left on the wings, place the duck in the braising liquid and bring to boil, then simmer for an hour (to an hour and a half). Leave it overnight and reheat it the next day before serving with some of the sauce, reduced and adjusted for sweetness. I assure you the most tasty duck meat, melting off the bone.

Eating our lunch while watching Jamie Oliver get all dramatic over a posh version of Eton Mess and some Strawberry Champagne, makes for a wonderful Monday afternoon.