Weekend Drama at the Jolie-Pitt Household

Scene 1: Bedroom
I was still in lalaland when that slave of mine tried to wake me up.
Brad: Angelina, wake up. Did you know that Mama just went out?
Me: And she didn't take us with her?
Brad: You know she can't cope with four cats in the car.
Me: We can always leave Pingu and Ginger at home.
Brad: But that would be mean, Angelina.
Me: Brad, don't you get it? I am the personification of "mean".
Brad: You are, indeed. I should know.
Me: Har! Har! Har!
And so I went back to sleep.

Scene 2: Main door
(the sound of door opening and closing)
Brad: Mama, yeah...you're home. Where did you go, Mama? Why didn't you take me with you?
Mama: One question at a time, Brad. I just went to the shops to buy some groceries.
Brad: Did you buy any chicken, Mama? Did you?
Mama: Yes, I did. And I plan to cook something special. Just for you.
Brad: Just for me? Why? Not for Angelina too?
Mama: Just for you because you've been a good host. Not causing too much trouble for Pingu and Ginger.
Brad: Woohoo!!!! Did you hear that Angelina?
Me: I'm not deaf yet, Brad. You want a paw mark on your mug?
Mama: Now, now. Calm down. Don't you two start quarreling.

Scene 3: Kitchen
Mama: Look at that chicken, Brad. Isn't it juicy and plump?
Brad: Oh...Mama...you're making me salivate. May I have some?
Mama: No, no raw meat today. We're all going to be civil people. We have house guests, remember. We don't know how Pingu and Ginger's parents feel about feeding them raw meat.
Brad: Oh...so I have to wait until it's cooked? But I'm hungry.
Mama: Patience, naughty boy! You've just had breakfast.
Brad: But breakfast was at 8.30. It is now 11.30.
Mama: Goodness. How time flies. So, let's start cooking now. Go fetch Angelina. I need her to help me.
Brad: Can't I help instead? She's napping.
Mama: OK...but promise you won't bite the raw chicken.
Brad: Yes, Mama. I promise.
Mama: Let's start by gathering all the ingredients. Write it down.
Brad: Yes, Mama. Here's the list of ingredient:
1 medium-sized chicken
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 inch piece of ginger
1 stalk lemongrass
2 large cloves garlic
3 shallots
1 tbsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1 bunch fresh rosemary (from our garden)
1 lime

Brad: Mama, I've written them all. What next?
Mama: Write down the cooking method, step by step.
Brad: Alright, you dictate and I'll write. Step by Step:
1. Clean chicken, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut along the backbone so it become butterflied.
2. Crush dry spices in stone mortar.
3. Use food processor to blend lemongrass, ginger, garlic and shallot.
4. Mix all the ingredients and rub thoroughly on the chicken as well as under the skin.
5. Keep marinated chicken aside (in the refrigerator) for about half an hour.
6. Preheat oven to 160oC.
7. Put chicken in roasting tin, skin side down, and cook in oven for about 30 minutes.
8. Take chicken out and turn skin side up. Cook for another 20 minutes.
9. Let rest for 20 minutes before serving. Squeeze some lime juice on it.

Yummy chicken roast....

Scene 4: Dining/Living Room
Brad: Thank you, Mama. The chicken is so yummy.
Mama: Thanks to you too for helping me cook.
Brad: It's OK. I love helping you, Mama. Aren't we inviting everybody else to eat?
Mama: Well, they all napped while we toiled in the kitchen. So, let them be. More for us, right.
Brad: Yes, Mama. More for us. I like that. Eat your heart out, Angelina. har har har *evil laughs*

Mama also cook other dishes to accompany the chicken. There's beef curry, salad, acar, sambal belacan and fried dried fish. All served with rice.