tummylicious

Some days when you need some love and it's least expected.

Homemade dried chilli shrimp- Pounded, grounded, grated and fried laboriously over a low fire (hae bee hiam) in a reynold's metal round tray -but- tucked into the shape of a heart.

My heart melted. :)

Aww.

And this was a gastronomical delight!

You totally had me at hello?

First bite.

Savoury.

What's that complex flavour that was infused into these delightful beads?

Soft.

Just enough for me but it wasn't baby food mush.

It had a good chew.

These yam abacus pieces were good enough on their own.

And oh look!

Chinese mushrooms, minced meat, dried shrimp and chopped spring onion.

A lil' bit of all that.

I don't know what the others were having for lunch

but I was completely bowled over by mine. :)

Thanks auntie.

I really appreciate how much you look after me.

My tummy is <3 ed much. 

Eating Out. In the Area.

Both of these stalls are good but of course. Nothing draws the crowds to this corner coffee shop like the carrot cake.
This living legend, Mr Ngerng has been featured in Sunday Life! in their series on heritage hawkers and on Makansutra Raw in celebration of Asian food cultures, bestowed with the title of Makansutra Street Food Master. 

 

Make your order of carrot cake, black or white and they will arrive at your table generously fried with headily fragrant bits of preserved radish, pieces of radish cake and well fried egg mixture. All this with a dash of colour from crunchy spring onions.
I don't mean to burst your bubble but...
To be honest, this visit left us disappointed.
The $3 version differed minimally from the $2 order. The radish cake pieces were a lot more firm than they used to be. And I've heard that's because he's no longer making the radish cake himself but has outsourced this labourious process.
I used to really love this.
But I guess.
Things do change.

Now this is a recent addition.

Probably a year or so?

They do a good sized briyani for $5 with side salad, briyani rice, choice of meat and two pappadums.

Tonight though, we tried the Indian Rojak.

Refried things are terribly unhealthy but hey,

I only live once. :)

Very reasonably priced at $2.60 for three items.

The sauce was good. Served hot and chunky with peanut bits.

The one thing that gets me though, is the colouring and starch content of this sauce.
Did I also mention that the prata at this stall goes for 70 cents for a plain prata?

Where would you find prices like that these days?

And just as a warning. Do not order these staples from the zi char stall.

They were nightmares.

Fried rice and fried noodles were all uninspiring.

Lacking flavour but huge on oil.

I'd rather eat indian rojak anyday.

time out from camp

Some days I just like being without a care in the world with you.

Exploring an older part of Singapore at half past five on a weekday.

For some energy before we traipse down the opposite street in search of desserts :)

This was actually a spicy version of a spring onion pancake.

But it tasted like spring onion bread.

Savoury.

But also too oily.

You're a mess after eating it.

Thankfully I'm already used to it. :p

What does one hear? What would you see?

These red lanterns are ubiquitous.

Cameras and tourists abound in this heritage landmark.

Seemingly in search of a certain something.

Aptly describing us- the pretend tourists for a day.

Oh. Look! It's the Captain. And the rest of the Tin Tin crew.

Themed shops never last long in Singapore.

Look at the Disney Store.

The Snoopy Cafe.

And now Tin Tin.

This shop attracts curious shoppers but everyone's on a browse mode.

Not a purchase mode.

And when we eventually found a dessert shop.

We walked in for some.

It wasn't the shop I was looking for.

But I didn't know the name/ exact location of what I was trying to find.

Now if there's pumpkin cake on the menu,

it's definitely pumpkin cake I'm ordering. :)

His almond paste didn't impress him anyway.

Now this is a store I grew up queueing at.

From when I was younger and I stood in line with my parents.

Till I was older and stood in the queue on my own.

Usually that meant everyone buys their food and eats without me while I patiently stand in line

and have that in replacement of my meal.

What's this thing about rising food prices?

It used to be $0.10 for one.

Well if she can do 6 smaller ones for a $1 in today's time and age, I don't see why the bigger ones are going at 90 cents each at other stalls.

And that's supposed to be a normal pricing these days.

Don't use the excuse of the price of flour as profit opportunities.

I managed to chat with the lady in red.

I've always remembered her in red.

Her dad who was a very tall and thin man, bent from age but still skillfully rolling out dough and shaping those knobs has since retired.

She's left alone at the stall.

When I asked if it was hard to manage.

She cheerfully replies,

"There's so much help here. See? All of you are helping me. It's not too tiring."

At this stall, you queue in line. Not to just state your order but to also help with twiddling about with the dough pieces she puts into the boiling oil.

While she concentrates on making the orders for you. In terms of dough pieces.

Salty or sweet (that comes with a sesame topping and red bean filling)

Wait till it turns a golden brown and take it right out of the oil to be drain.

Once your order is done, pass on the huge pair of chopsticks and move over to pack in your own orders into paper bags.

I love how I used to feel really important helping with the frying process.

Actually, I still do now. ;)

You can tell that I'm happy to play with the chopsticks.

Hey, it's tiring alright. And oily too.

But it's good and you agree. :)

She works on a very heartwarming system of trust in our corrupted society of today.

(I'm just being skeptical here. No hard feelings please.)

You leave your money into a box she places next to the plastic bags.

Take your own change.

And no, she doesn't stare while you put your money or take the change.

Don't you sometimes want to just buy more or leave the change for her? :)

I haven't found another stall like hers in Singapore.

Leave a note to let me know if you know of any?

hong kong street chun kee revisited

For a simple takeout, a craving to be satisfied, a weekend dinner out or even a cause for celebration.

This is where it's at for us :)

Just a personal bowl of this will suffice.

Any time. Any day.

Especially. On rainy days.

All beansprouts should be silvers like these.

Slippery smooth flat pieces of rice noodles stir fried for that infusion of wok hei.
Topped with ample fish slices and just enough seafood flavoured gravy.
And beansprouts flash fried, retaining their colour and delicious crunch.
Uh huh. Order this.
If you aren't interested in the soup version.

Pungent. But juicy and succulent.

Eat with hands for best results.

Finger lickin' good. :)

Once in a while, this makes it to our order list.

Whenever dad feels like it.

Flathead fish chopped and deep fried before drowned in black bean sauce.

Some chopped onions, green and red peppers, baby corn, mushroom and black fungus.

Appeals to the sight.

Definitely whets the appetite.

Just a lil heavy on the salt which just means you might need some plain rice with this.

Maybe a lot of it. Seeing as how the gravy just opens up the stomach's capacity.

:)

lunch @ kallang bahru market

A hungry mummy after a whole morning of getting down on her handsandfeet (I kid you not)

to clean the house calls the shots at lunch.

This handsandfeet cleanup thing happens on a weekly basis.

She's secretly OCD.

First time we're doing lunch at Kallang/ Geylang Bahru Market.

It was WAY TOO HOT to be out there. Literally.

Dad grabs a fish soup that is pretty tasty (I'm not sure if there's seasoning in this)

And a lousy decision of adding 50 cents for an overfried rubbery egg.

But fresh fish slices and loads of tofu pieces.

And a surprisingly yummy yam cake.

And this was unanimous.

Not me myself and I being biased.

From a corner nondescript shop selling Kim Choo Dumplings.

And desserts of course.

She's a hungry mummy remember?

Sticky caramelized tapioca drizzled generously with coconut milk.

OH YUM.

Why restaurants when hawker centres are simply gems?

Tête à Tête with the girlfriends

Jogging always brings out a radiant glow.

Or perhaps a good camera does that as well.

As recommended over the smoked duck. And unwittingly got myself the additional $3 charge just because he assumes I want eggs done the same way as everyone else on the table.
No I didn't like the idea of paying for two slices of smoked salmon, no matter how nicely you curl it for presentation's sake. one plus one other piece is still two.

Oh well. On the bright side, this was a good brunch for my attempted half an hour jog to nowhere far. :p 

And just because we had to have a photo. Sorry if we squashed you and the baby! :)



And a desserts pitstop at canele.

Whatever else is there to do on a day where girlfriends take leave to watch the world go by.

Oh the luxury of it all.

Grandma's apple crumble.

Too mushy on the apples. Tasty crumble though and a very fruity passionfruit sorbet of a perfect complement.

Flower of the sea.

Hello to Nougatine. For any other name would be the same dessert. Here or at Antoinette. :)

A name that is not more than a tragedy akin to NYDC's presently named Goldmine.

Why do they do these things? Especially to perfectly appetizing desserts.

But I digress.

Generous on Nutella in the crepe and although they ran out of Nougatine, we had a replacement of Earl Gray which was equally good if not, better than nougatine to balance out the sweetness.

And colourful Macaroons.

Rose, seasalt caramel, dark chocolate, raspberry pistachio.

All chewy fat nuggets of pure sugared indulgence.

Just a few hours.

Being lazy, watching the world watch us as we, well, watch them pass us by.

To more girlfriend days out.

<3

ginza kuroson @ robertson quay

Lunch time woes.

Skyve?

Bistro Soori, both which Brad of ladyironchef recommends?

Or Ginza Kuroson as recommended on ieat?

It's always nice to leave it to a friend to make a decision.

Hopping into the car on a rainy day, I offer up all three suggestions in terms of location since he's driving in hopes of heading to somewhere eventually.

Newton, Teck Lim Road or Robertson Quay?

Choose from

Mod bistro, French fusion or Japanese?

Robertson Quay he says.

Okay!

30 Robertson Quay

#01-10/11

Riverside View

S 238251

I deliberated between the Negekomi Don and Bara Chirashi Don but on the waitress' recommendation, decided on the Fisherman's Nagekomi Don.

Once seated, we were immediately served hot barley rice tea.
Orders were taken and swiftly followed by chopsticks and a small side salad with fragrant sesame oil.

It wasn't long before the orders came.

Sushi rice topped with yellowfin tuna, sea bream, salmon, 2 amaebi, squid, crabmeat, salmon roe, flying fish roe and fresh whitebait with freshly grated wasabi and a homemade seaweed paste.
It seems I don't remember having any hotate nor negi maguro.

Not like I noticed when I was there. Oh yum.

And this looked just like a normal pork katsudon. Look at the thick cuts topped generously with the egg and onion mixture. I didn't try this but I saw the bottom of the bowl pretty darn clearly at the end of our meal. That speaks volumes enough. :)

And the seaweed paste? It's a certain type of umami that goes well with everything. Oh how I had to ration this. I didn't dare ask for seconds.

Tea was refilled on sight. And things were cleared without us having to ask.

And just as we thought we were done with lunch,
why not more tea and with that, a deliciously creamy pudding/ mousse?
This definitely was not the chocolate flavoured mousse that many blogs have documented.
But in any case, this was par excellence ending lunch on the sweetest high.

While leaving, I couldn't resist a few snapshots of what awaited the diners that came after lunch set hours.

Impressive?

Fresh.

As good as it gets.

But of course, I couldn't help comparing this as a sizeably smaller portion compared to the thick slabs of sashimi in the chirashi set from the grumpy chef at Wasabi Tei a long time ago for about the same prices available the whole day.

I'll definitely be back here though. :)

ikan assam pedas and ikan happycall! :)

Mdm Takehome Chef

Appears at the door with a bag of what eventually dinner would be.

Premix blended garlic, ginger and onion.

And a pack of chilli paste

Stir fry till fragrant before adding in the chilli paste.

Mix fresh assam with water and strain the liquid mixture into the sauce.

A teaspoon of cumin and a stalk of smashed lemongrass chopped into three.

For how long?

However long it takes. You'll see the oil released from the chilli paste.

Marinated chunks of ikan patin.

Ikan kari paste premix and tumeric.

Just a dash of oil and let the fatty fish grill in the happycall!

Don't panic. It's hardly overdone.

It's just right. :)

Depending on the thickness, this took us a few flips and between 15-20 minutes?

The shadow of yellow oil? That's tumeric.

And it's back to the ikan assam pedas.

Add in water and the fish slices to boil and simmer.

And a dash of sugar and salt to taste.

Perhaps a half cube of Knorr chicken or fish cube for a fuller bodied flavour.

And if you'd like this to be spicier, add on some black pepper seeds to boil.

And making the last dip into the sauce would be daun kesun (laksa leaves).

Let it simmer for a bit till the fish is about cooked then turn it up to a boil before serving.

And just as part of a healthy diet, an assortment of colourful broccoli, carrots, prawns and sliced black mushrooms. :)

Dinner for four. And just a little more.

Don't call this takehome chef. She's not for hire.

But if you're lucky, she'll call you.

Thanks for a hearty meal and time together at dinner. The tummy and I are blessed by friends like you.

Oh all the ayam masak merahs, the sup ikans, the mee gorengs and even nuggets I would offer to fry!

To more cookouts!

Aston's @ Centrepoint

Sizing up the competition.

Pick on someone your own size!

Sadly though, the patty wasn't anywhere near deliciously juicy, the thoughts I was envisioning as I took a bite of this sans huge blooming onion layer.

This was minced beef that was dry and tough to swallow. It didn't have much taste on its own and was made superbly salty by the bacon, cheese and was it barbecue sauce?

This definitely needed the burger buns to counteract the salt levels.

No complaints on the onion though. It reminded me of the blooming onion at Outback. Fried to a crisp on the outside, sweet albeit oil soaked onion pieces encased within. Ask for sour cream to go along with this. Oh yum!

Quantity assured for price but lacking in the quality department.

And the chicken saves the day! Wonderfully marinated.

Provencale spices and herbs infused into this tender piece of chicken breast, skin-on and pan fried. The meat was kept juicy by the fats within the skin.

Served atop my choice of mash and side of baked potato.

For some reason, there wasn't enough chicken to satiate me. Perhaps, it was just too good I wanted more. :)

The other girls had steak that they all thought was good. Nothing fantastic but good. The beer battered fish and chips were a generous portion save for the sides but the batter was uninspiring and quoted as no taste of beer nor the kind of crisp fluff that was supposed to have been due to the action of beer added into the batter.

Prices are inclusive of GST and there's no service charge. Even then, the service staff are always ready with a smile and water is topped up automatically. I am impressed. :)

Even better. They take reservations!

For the birthday of two lovely ladies (kids?) in our group of girlfriends, these were a box of four colourful cupcakes from Designer Bakes, $21 for 4 cupcakes.

And apologetically, this was good to look, terrible to eat.

Thick unyielding fondant that tasted like a mix of marzipan and sickly sweet sugar with loads of colouring.

The cupcake was dry with a dollop of vanilla buttercream/ chocolate cream depending on the flavour of the cupcake. Even a prepacked Sunshine muffin tastes better than this.

Just look.

Take some pictures.

Blow the candles.

Slice it up if you'd like. 

And order dessert somewhere else.

For girls that have been around for more than half my life.

<3

what's the deal about guilt free ice cream?

Whatsapp

March 8, 2012

An image invite to Brownice's pre-opening party.

Sin Ming Centre

8 Sin Ming Road

#01-03

Singapore 575628

A first for a vegan ice cream treat!

Over the past two/ three years, I've since lost track of which part of this business is individual and which other parts are a collaboration.
I suppose in all businesses, it might have started out as an individual idea before it is shared with other like-minded individuals, thereby giving life to the possibility of turning a dream into reality.

And it is all that, that I am brought back down to earth about how painstaking it is to be an entrepreneur.
And for that, I'm really happy for you- Denise, seeing your dream come true! :)

But there we go. My dear friend has followed through with her dream.

Starting from a space rented in the industrial parks of Woodlands for the manufacturing of her ice cream with a glacier, to a small cart at Orchard Central with weekends of sellout tubs of signature flavours like banana oat and matcha and to this, today, their very own shop space in Sin Ming.

Frankly speaking, if you're looking for ice cream as an indulgence, the taste here would disappoint. It isn't a full bodied buttery creamy taste (think: Haagen Daaz) that you would find in here and so I wouldn't recommend the chocolates and vanilla flavours to you. But the fruits however, are a totally different story.

If you're looking for ice cream to take away the heat, something to soothe the throat, a pick-me-up or simply, a way to end your meal then, look no further than Brownice.

Made of organic ingredients that are vegan friendly and dairy free, their banana-oat and mulberry flavours are highly recommended! :) They've stopped matcha for a bit as the aromatic matcha powder from japan cannot seem to be found for some reason. See, this is how seriously they take their craft. No top ingredients, no go.  

The pricings are reasonable. $3.70 for a scoop and $5.30 for a double. Salted Caramel further out front sells a double scoop for $5 and...

Should we talk calories here? Between you and I, I'd pay more for my indulgence assured that I can eat up with little guilt and firm confidence that you're getting what's good for your body :)

And for dinner? Simple minced pork chicken cutlet noodles with a side of Thai styled beancurd.

I couldn't have thought of a better way to end off my last day of first term. :)