簡單外國生活食譜雞絲雜菜意大利飯 – easy live abroad recipe Chicken Veges Risotto

上次同大家介紹過tiramisu, 今次要為大家介紹另一個係外國生活期間好容易煮到嘅一個意大利菜 – 意大利飯，意大利飯可以有好多種 – 蘑菇意大利飯, 紅蘿蔔意大利飯, 翠玉瓜(zucchini)意大利飯… 特別啲嘅有士多啤梨意大利飯，呢一次介紹嘅係雜菜雞絲意大利飯！其實煮意大利飯嘅方法大同小異，云云咁多種意大利飯就係介紹呢種因為佢好睇又有營養，顏色七彩繽紛而且有菜有肉！

Last time I introduced how to make tiramisu, this time, it’s another easily made western dishes when living abroad – risotto, there can be many kinds of risotto – Mushroom risotto, Carrot risotto, Zucchini Risotto…I once made a Strawberry risotto too! But this time, I am telling you my tips to cook Chicken Vegetable Risotto, just because it looks colourful and yummy! It also provides everything you need for the day – meat, vegetables, carbs…etc.！

準備時間 preparation time : 1 hr

材料 ingredients (for 3 people) :
意大利米 Arborio Rice 250g
洋蔥Onion 1 (中/Medium)
雞柳 Chicken 200g
急凍雜菜豆 Frozen Mixed Vegetables (Carrot, Corn, Peas) 200g
雞湯 Chicken Stock 800-1000mL
巴馬臣芝士粉 Grated Parmesan Cheese 10g approx.
牛油 Butter 10g approx.
白酒 White wine 100mL (Optional)
橄欖油 Olive Oil
黑椒 Black Pepper

A kind of Risotto rice I found in Germany! Not the most quality one, but I also didn’t pay much for it!

工具 equipment :

大煎Pan Saucepan
煲 Pot

步驟 procedure :

1. 先把洋蔥切粒，把橄欖油加至煎pan中，開大火，直至油熱後，轉中細火並把洋蔥炒至軟身
2. 與此同時，把雞湯放在煲裡，並慢慢加熱
3. 洋蔥軟身後，把雞柳煎至剛熟，放到碟上 (洋蔥可留在pan內)
4. 把雜菜加到煎pan，加些少水煮至剛熟。用叉刀把雞柳撕開，備用
5. 此時雞湯應煮至翻滾，雜菜煮熟後把意大利米放進pan內，攪勻
6. 如想加入白酒，把白酒加入，攪勻
7. 保持中火，當pan內的水分差不多沒有時，加雞湯至剛覆蓋意大利米，攪勻
8. 加入剛才備用的雞粒，當pan內的水分差不多沒有時，加雞湯並攪勻
9. 重複直至意大利米軟身，試味，鹹味不夠可加鹽
10. 加入黑椒並攪勻，熄火
11. 把牛油及芝士粉加入並攪勻，上碟，完成！

1. Chopped he onion to small pieces. Add Olive oil to the saucepan, turn up the heat until the oil is hot, turn it to medium-small fire and add onion, fry till soften
2. At the same time, prepare the chicken stock in the pot, heat it up slowly
3. When the onion is softened, fry the chicken till just ready, then take the chicken out (onion can leave in the saucepan)
4. Add the mixed vegetables into the saucepan, add a little bit of water till the vegetables just ready. Shred the chicken with fork and knife, put aside for later
5. By this time, chicken stock should be boiling. When the mixed vegetables are ready, put the Arborio rice into the saucepan, and mix them
6. If you would like to add white wine, now it’s the time, and mix well
7. Keep it at medium fire, when the liquid in the pan almost dries up, add chicken stock till just cover the rice, mix well
8. Add the shredded chicken. When there’s not much liquid in the saucepan, add chicken stock and mix
9. Repeat the procedure until Arborio is soft and ready to eat, taste it, if it’s not salty enough, add salt
10. Add Black pepper and mix, turn off the fire
11. Finish off by mixing with butter and Parmesan Cheese, ready to serve!

小小心得 little tips :

1. 用木勺來煮意大利飯 Use a wooden spatula to cook risotto
2. 一般也會找到雞湯粒或雞粉，加到滾水攪拌即可 Usually it’s easy to find a chicken stock cube or stock powder from the supermarket, just add to hot water and that’s it
3. 白酒能令意大利飯更甜美，但太多會令飯變酸 White wine will make the risotto tastes more sweet, but will turn sour if there’s too much
4. 最後的牛油和芝士粉是意大利飯的靈魂，意大利飯即煮即食味道最好 The butter and Parmesan cheese is the soul of the Risotto, enjoy the meal right after as it tastes the best

簡單外國生活食譜 easy live abroad recipe – Tiramisu

Posted by littlebeanie

留學期間，其中一樣最鐘意打發時間既方法就係煮野食，而tiramisu就係我其中一個拿手甜品。係香港買以下既材料可能有d貴，但係西方國家就唔算貴啦！

*tiramisu 在意大利文指’pick me up’，實在是一個很浪漫的甜品！

When I was living abroad, one of the ways to spare my time is to cook, and Tiramisu is one of my signature dishes! It’s a bit expensive to buy the ingredients in Hong Kong, but it’s still affordable to do it in western countries!

*tiramisu means ‘pick me up’ in Italian, it’s a really romantic dessert!

準備時間 preparation time : 1-1.5 hr

材料 ingredients (for around 6 people) :
咖啡 Espresso/ coffee
手指餅 Ladyfingers/pavesini
雞蛋 Egg x 6
Mascarpone 250 g
糖 Sugar 50-75g (depends on personal preference)
無糖可可粉 Unsweeten cocoa powder

amount of ingredients for this container!

工具 equipment :
電動打蛋器 electric mixer
大碗 mixing bowl x 2
長方形玻璃器皿 rectangular glass container

步驟 procedure :
1. 先準備熱咖啡，待涼。
2. 把蛋黃與蛋白分開，分別放在兩個大碗內。
3. 把糖加入蛋黃內，用電動打蛋器混合。然後加入mascarpone，再混合。
4. 清洗打蛋器，再把蛋白發至企身（倒轉也不會掉下來）。
5. 然後把蛋白跟蛋黃混合。
6. 把手指餅逐一快速浸到咖啡內，然後整齊排在玻璃器皿中，放滿一層後在上面放一層蛋槳。(如用Pavesini, 每邊1秒; 如用Ladyfinger, 每邊2秒)
7. 重複第6步至滿，灑上可可粉。
8. 放進雪櫃一晚，翌日食用。

1. Prepare the espresso, cool it.
2. Separate egg yolk from egg white, put it in the two mixing bowls respectively.
3. Add sugar into the egg yolk, and mix it with the electric mixer. Add the mascarpone to the mixture and mix it.
4. Wash the mixer, and whip the egg white till soft peak.
5. Fold the egg white to the egg yolk and mascarpone mixture.
6. Dip each pavesini/ladyfinger quickly into the espresso, place them tidily at the bottom of the container, spread a layer of egg mixture on top. (Dip for 1 sec on each side if it’s pavesini, 2 sec on each side if it’s lady finger)
7. Repeat step 6 until the top of container, sprinkle cocoa powder.
8. Put in the fridge overnight, ready to serve!

the mess i created after preparing a tiramisu!

小小心得 little tips :

1. 煮優質的espresso! Make a nice espresso!
2. 在舖上每一層蛋槳後也灑上可可粉! Sprinkle cocoa powder after each layer of egg mixture!
3. 不要心急，放一個晚上才吃! Don’t hurry, make sure the tiramisu is put in the fridge for a night!

3個讓您在外國留學時有家的感覺的簡單方法 3 simple ways to feel like home when study abroad!

Posted by littlebeanie

離鄉別井來到外國留學，礙於行李重量的限制，可以帶的東西極為有限！想讓自己每天回到房間也有賓自如歸的感覺？以下的小貼士可能幫到你！

1. 帶備相片

在離開前曬定一堆您喜歡的相片，到達後用以裝飾房間！留學期間想念家人朋友時又可看看他們的面孔！

2. 海報名信片

善用身邊有的資源，看見漂亮的名信片可以買下來，然後貼在牆上！有時看見雜誌有喜歡的廣告，也會剪下來，令自己的房間更有個性！

3. 傢俬擺設

剛到達新房間的時候可以看看傢俬擺放的地方是否合心意，不喜歡的話可以稍作移動，讓自己覺得房間是自己喜歡的樣子！也可以到特賣場，找找心儀的裝飾，讓房間更個人化！我在丹麥時便把床放到屋頂的窗下，晚上可以看星星，早上可以看藍天！

Leaving home alone and studying abroad, there are not too many things you can carry along because of the luggage allowance. If you would like to feel like home whenever you go back to your new room, here are some of my tips!

1. Photosss!

Print some of your favourite photos and make use of them to decorate your room! You can also ‘see’ them every day when you miss them!

2. Posters and postcards!

Make use of the resources around you! I collected free postcards when I was in Denmark, or just buy some when you see it! Cut your favourite advertisements from the magazine, and stick them all on the wall!

3. Furniture!

When you first arrive, check if there’s any possibility to move the furniture around and suit what you like! Go to some markets or IKEA, buy some nice and cheap stuff to decorate your room, make it YOURS! I put my bed under the attic window when I was in Denmark, so I can enjoy the blue sky in the daytime and look at the stars at night!

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海外升學相關網站 Related website about studying abroad：EF Education First 海外升學計劃

4個從西方文化學會的舉止 4 manners I learnt from the western culture!

Posted by littlebeanie

細細個上課曾經學過中國是禮儀之邦，但有時到外國生活時，發現一些外國人習以為常的舉止，很微不足道，但我們在香港/中國就是沒有這些習慣。可是假如我們每人也只是付出多一點點，身邊的人及社會的風氣也會好得多！沒有甚麼大想頭，只想從自己開始，在日常生活中作小小的改變。

1. 芝麻開門

這是我在英國時發現的，在倫敦生活的人，雖然經常也非常繁忙，但開門後永遠也會回頭看看有沒有人也要進來，只要看見有人走過來，便會開著門等一會，直到那個人來到。只是等幾秒，但是你會感受社會的氣氛更和諧！

2. 說聲謝謝

在澳洲的時候，很多澳洲人下巴士的時候也會跟司機大聲說聲謝謝！我想因為彼此尊重大家，雖然大家也有付巴士錢，很多人也會覺得司機服務大家是理多當然，但其實大家也可以有一個感恩的心，說聲謝謝有多難？（我在澳洲也有說的，有時候司機還會跟我說‘晚安’，但是在香港還是不敢，好像感到司機叔叔會當我是傻傻的一樣！）

3. 不好意思

假如你曾經在繁忙時間在香港乘地鐵，可能你也會知道甚麼叫人山人海，明明已沒有空位，還是會有人勉強擠進車廂中。英國的tube (metro)也有擠人的時候，很多時候，假如當地人看見沒有空位讓他們上車，他們就會再等下一班。試過一次有個男士擠了進來，但他還是會跟車上的人說聲‘對不起，我要趕飛機。真的不好意思！’對於在香港迫慣的我，心想：其實也不算太迫，還沒有人貼人的地步，加上他的道歉也真的頗有誠意，雖然有點迫，但也情有可原吧！

4. 大力士

經常自己一個出國的beanie絕對明白無咁大力就唔好拎咁多行李既道理，亦知道自己既行李應該要自己負責，所以從來也唔會主動邀請素未謀面的陌生人幫忙搬行李上落樓梯。但在處處都是樓梯的英倫敦地鐵站，每當我辛辛苦苦’deng’個行李上落樓梯時，總會有仗義之士出手協助！令我難忘的是試過遇到是一位女士主動問我是否需要幫助！自此beanie也主動留意身邊的人，本著幫得就幫的想法！

When I was small, I learned at school that Chinese is a nationality with manner and politeness. Yet sometimes, I find some manners in the western culture that we don’t possess in Hong Kong or China. Imagine if every one of us just do a tiny bit more, the culture in the society may become so much better! I don’t aim to change the whole world, but just want to adjust a bit in my daily life and makes our world a better place to live!

1. Hold the door

In London, even though people are quite busy, whenever people are walking into shopping centre or restaurant, they will look back after the walk pass the door. They will check if anyone is coming to the same direction. If yes, people will hold the door until the person arrives. It is just a few seconds, but you can feel people are actually connecting with each other!

2. ‘THANK YOU!’

When I was in Sydney, many people will shout ‘Thank you’ to the bus driver when they get off the bus! I think this is because people are respecting and feeling grateful for what the others are doing for them. It’s not difficult to say these 2 words, so why not? (I did the same when I was in Australia, sometimes the bus driver would reply ‘Have a good evening!’ or ‘You are welcome!’ But when I went back to Hong Kong, I didn’t really dare to do it, I worry the bus drivers will think I am insane!)

3. Sorrrrrry! :(

If you ever tried to take the MTR (metro) during super-peak hours in Hong Kong, you will truly understand the definition of the word ‘crowd’. It is obvious that there is no more space in the train, but people will still push and try to squeeze in the train. In London, when people realize there is not much space in the tube (metro), they will usually wait for the next one. I once experienced it once when a man was trying to squeeze in with his luggage. But after he got on, he apologized, ‘Sorry, I am rushing for my flight. I am really sorry for it.’ Even though it’s a bit crowded according to the London standard, I feel fine about it. At least he got a reason and he apologized for that sincerely.

4. Hercules!

As I always go abroad by myself alone, I totally understand these 2 theories:
i) If you couldn’t handle your heavy suitcase, bring less!
ii) No one has the responsibility to help you with your suitcase, except yourself!
So I will never invite strangers to help me with my luggage proactively even when I physically look tiny in westerners’ eyes and I always carry super huge suitcase. Yet, whenever I am ‘working out’ by transporting my suitcase around the full-of-stairs-London-tube-stations, there are always some nice Londoners asking me if I need any help! I felt even more grateful when one of them that helped me was actually a lady! Although I am not a Hercules, I will now pay attention to the people around me and offer a helping hand whenever I see someone is in need.

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7個未畢業就遊世界的好方法 7 different ways I sent myself abroad before graduating from uni!

Posted by littlebeanie

從小已非常渴望可以去旅行，可是家境實在不算太好！眼看身邊的同學每年放假也會去旅行，心裡總是戚戚然！爸爸媽媽跟我一起旅行的次數少之有少，而老實說，有很多很多我去過的地方他們也從未去過〔也可以說是因為他們不像我有這麼多便宜遊世界的機會。〕但無論怎也好，我也非常感激他們放手讓我去衝、去闖、去看、去認識這個花花世界！下列是幾個曾經助我踏出香港的好途徑！

I always love traveling abroad since I was very young. Yet I am not coming from a rich family. Unlike some of my classmates who travel abroad every year with their families, my parents and I seldom travel together. To be honest, they’ve been to places way less than I do (because they can’t get the same opportunities like me). Nevertheless, I am grateful that they let me go and see the world. These are some of the ways how I manage to get myself away from Hong Kong without spending too much mommy’s money!

1. 學校的交流團 Exchange tour by secondary school/university

第一次自己離開香港是13歲。剛好學校被市政府邀請作中秋節表演，因而有機會去美國加洲的矽谷！當時大概去了十天左右，當中除了遊覽不同的旅遊景點外，還到了當地的中學上了一星期的課，還跟當地的Host Family一起住！還記得就是因為時差的關係，渡過了一生最長的生日！出發那天正是我的生日，乘了十多小時的飛機後，到達美國還是生日天的下午！到大學時亦看見不同部門或學會也有不同形式的交流團，有興趣也可以報名參加。

The first time I traveled alone was when I was 13 years old. My secondary school was invited to go to the United States (Silicon Valley, California) to perform in the Moon Festival. We went there for around 10 days, in which we spent a week studying in the local school, lived with the host family and went to all those touristic places. I still remember I also had my longest birthday ever! We departed on my birthday, and when we arrive after 10+ hours, it’s still the afternoon of my birthday! I notice that my university also arranged different exchange tours as well, so it can be your chance!

2. 制服團體或青少年組織的交流團 Exchange tour by uniformed groups*/youth organizations

中學時一直在校外參加制服團體，直至大學！每年暑假，這些團體經常也會舉辦前往不同地方的交流團！由於很多也有資助，所以團費非常便宜。而且由於年每也舉辦，主辦單位也經驗充足！我也曾經到過4個不同的地方：內蒙古、上海、長江三峽及澳洲！

I was a member of a uniformed group in Hong Kong when I was younger. During summer time, these uniformed groups or some other youth organizations always organize different exchange tours. Many of these tours are subsidized, so they are relatively a lot cheaper. Since they are organizing these kinds of tours almost every year, they are experienced in the arrangement as well. I’ve been to 4 different trips with these organizations: Inner Mongolia, Shanghai and Yangtsz River in China and Australia.

上海世博 Shanghai during World Expo!

*Uniformed groups are those youth organizations aimed to provide disciplinary and expedition training like Scouts, Cadet Force, Red Cross, and so on.

3. 政府附屬組織的交流計劃 Exchange program by government affiliates

每年民政事務局及青年事務委員會也會接受不同的民間組織推薦，挑選一批年青人參與國際青年交流計劃。透過這個交流計劃，青年將有機會免費到訪以下其中一個國家：英國、受爾蘭、日本及新加玻！而當地地的青年也會來到香港進行交流。而我亦有幸前往新加玻一星期，並且認識了一班非常要好的新加玻朋友！

Each year, the Home Affairs Bureau and Commission of Youth on Hong Kong select some young people recommended by different associations and schools in Hong Kong to participate the International Youth Exchange Program (IYEP). The program gives delegate opportunity to go on an exchange tour for free to one of these countries: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and Singapore. Young people from the respective countries will come to Hong Kong as an exchange as well! I was lucky enough to get the chance to go to Singapore for a week in which I met some lifelong Singaporean friends!

新加坡的朋友在迎接我們 Welcome by our Singaporean friends!

4. 義工計劃 Volunteer Program

我曾經在土耳其的一所語言學校當了6個星期的義工。期間他們提供了免費的住宿，因而為旅程節省了不少開支！而我亦有很多不同的機會跟當地人相處、生活，了解他們的文化！我也深信了解當地人的生活及文化才是旅行的真正意義！這樣我才會得到一般遊客看不到的東西，而這些東西才是當地人的最真的一面！我的host曾經教我烹調一些土耳其的家常便飯及一起跳肚皮舞！

I volunteered in an English language school in Turkey. During my 6 weeks there, I got a chance to live with some locals and interact with them. I didn’t have to pay for my accommodation, which usually is the biggest spending for my trips abroad. I enjoyed the experience a lot because I believe having the chance to talk with the locals is giving me the most out of my trip! That’s how I can really learn about the local culture there and know some secrets that normal tourists won’t know at all! I learnt to cook some Turkish food and belly dance from my host!

邊當義工邊感受土耳其文化 learning the Turkish culture and contributing to the Turkish society!

5. 交換生 Exchange student

去丹麥當交換生一個學期給了我探索北歐的機會！這也是我第一次離開香港一段”長”時間，讓我嘗試獨立生活，無人能依靠的滋味！很多大學也有很多不同的交換生計劃讓同學報名，而很多時候，大學也會給你一些津貼，讓你不用過分擔心經濟問題！

Having the chance to study in Denmark for 1 semester has given me the chance to explore the Nordic world. It’s the first time I lived alone and leave my home for such a ‘long’ time but I think it’s worth it! Many universities offer different exchange students program for their students (like Erasmus in Europe) and if you apply for it, you may even get some subsidies for your time abroad.

認識北歐的文化 get to know the Nordics!

6. 海外實習 Overseas internship

作為一個學生，有其甚麼還會比一邊到海外實習工作，一邊遊歷世界更吸引？到澳洲悉尼作實習生不但給予我實習的機會，更讓我能在假日探索澳洲的其他城市！雖然實習是是無薪金的，但學校卻提供了足夠的資助讓我能在那邊生活！

As a student, what else can be better than getting some internship experience and enjoying another culture at the same time? Going to Sydney(Australia) for a summer internship allowed me to discover other cities during my weekend on top of my internship experience! Even though the internship was not paid, I got subsidies from my university to cover my day-to-day cost!

在充滿活力的澳洲工作 working in the vivid Sydney!

7. 國際研討會 International conferences

一些國際學生組織如AIESEC及Model United Nations也會不定時舉辦不同的國際研討會讓會員參加，有時有些院校也會提供資助讓該校的學生到外地參加研討會。這是一個結識來自五湖四海的朋友的好機會，而且也能一同探討一些青年人關心的議題！正因為這些研討會，我也有機會第一次踏足了意大利、希獵及台灣！

There are some international student organizations like AIESEC and Model United Nations. These youth organizations hold international conferences from time to time, and sometimes they have subsidies as well. It’s actually a good way to meet people from other countries and learn something new together! This is how I got a chance to go to Italy, Greece and Taiwan! Sounds cool, right?