Monday, October 19, 2015

Eat: Durian Ice Cream @ Daily Scoop, Singapore

This will be a super short post. Am sharing my favourite Ice Cream Joint so far. Daily scoop first attracts me with its very authentic durian ice cream, it is creamy, flavourful and best durian ice cream I ever tasted.

I have introduced it to my family and friends. Basically everyone loves it as well... 

Its real good!
There is only 4 branches in Singapore. So if you would like to try it, check them out at Clementi, Chip Bee Gardens (Holland Village), Sembawang or Singapore School of Arts.

For directions to exact location, check out their website: http://thedailyscoop.com.sg/#location

OPENING HOURS:
Mon - Thu: 11:00 - 21:00
Fri - Sat: 11:00 - 22:00
Sun: 14:00 - 21:00
Closed on selected public holidays


Other flavours which I think is good as well:

1. Minty Mint- white mint ice cream with chocolate chunks, very refreshing
2. Chocolate- great if you are a dark chocolate lover
3. Strawberry- this is my kids' favourite 

It is still my favourite ice-cream joint to date and probably for a long time more :)

Give it a try and let me know if you like it too!


Friday, October 16, 2015

Play: Taipei, Hualien and Yilan Travelogue 2015

I am officially moving all travel stories to another travel dedicated site, so if you are planning on a trip to Taiwan and wanted to see where we have been, check out my travelogue here:

Pre planning:
http://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/09/taiwan-travelogue-september-2015-pre.html

Travel diary day to day:
http://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/09/taiwan-travelogue-september-2015-day-1.html
http://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/09/taiwan-travelogue-september-2015-day-2.html
http://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/09/taiwan-travelogue-september-2015-day-3.html
http://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/09/taiwan-travelogue-september-2015-day-4.html
http://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/10/taiwan-travelogue-september-2015-day-5.html
http://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/10/taiwan-travelogue-september-2015-day-6.html
http://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/10/taiwan-travelogue-september-2015-day-7.html

Hotel reviews:

Motel in Yilanhttp://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/09/tian-xia-ju-motel-review-yilan-taiwan.html

Hotel in Ximendinghttp://blessedlittletravelers.blogspot.sg/2015/09/westgate-hotel-review-ximending-taipei.html

I have to confess that we did not do much in Taipei, so if you are looking for places to go Taipei then you will be disappointment. We however did quite a bit in Hualien and Yilan in the time that we had so can check them out :)


Thursday, October 8, 2015

Eat: Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsey

I was totally blown away after dining at Gordon Ramsey Restaurant at Chelsea, London. So, when Gordon Ramsey opened its new establishment in Singapore, I definitely would want to patronise and give it a try.

Read about my "wow" experience at Gordon Ramsey Restaurant Chelsea here: http://eatplaycook22.blogspot.sg/2015/03/eat-gordon-ramsey-restaurant-chelsea.html

So, for hubby's birthday this year, I decided to surprise him with a treat at Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsey. It is only opened in June this year and reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment.

For reservation, you can booked on MBS official website: http://www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/celebrity-chefs/bread-street-kitchen.html

I only make reservation one day earlier and the earliest slot for dinner is 8.30pm. We had a late lunch and nap before making our way to MBS. 

Service is impeccable and we were greeted cheerfully when we entered the restaurant. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating and we opted for indoor seating for the air con.

Nice view outside

We were offered an adult as well as a kid's menu which comes with a colouring book and a set of colour pencil. The kids are excited because the cover of the book feature Big Ben which is one of their "dream place" to visit. The colouring book is definitely useful to keep the kiddos occupied for a while.
Kid's Menu
Kid's menu which offers selection of Starter, Main Course and dessert
Favourite sights of London
Colouring book, yay!
After we placed the order, a complimentary bread basket is served as it is really nice. All bread is freshly made and tasted so good, and the butter that comes with it is super good too. We enjoyed it very much!
Complimentary bread basket

We ordered a starter from the kids menu but the sauce is pretty sticky, making it hard for the kids to eat on their own without creating a mess so we helped to cup up the chicken wings for the kids.

For main courses, we ordered black cod plus fish and chips to share. Fish is fresh and covered in crispy but not oily batter which is yummy. I particularly love the mashed peas because it had a tinge of mint taste which comes from the minced mint leaves mixed inside. 

Fish and Chips, $26
As for the black cod, it is a pretty normal dish. Nothing to "wow" about...
Black cod, $40
My happiest moment is when I saw this Moscato Italy sweet wine in the menu and I know I had to order it. I chanced upon this wonderfully sweet and yummy wine when I dine in Gordon Ramsey Restaurant in Chelsea and they definitely make a good choice of including it in the menu in Singapore, it was so good!

My favourite wine!

Though we were not wow-ed by the main courses, dessert definitely blown us away. I had Monkey Shoulder cheesecake which is very creamy and soft. It comes accompanied by raspberry sorbet and it was so good! This is a MUST TRY!



Monkey Shoulder Cheesecake with strawberry sorbet, $18
Hubby is very satisfied with his dessert as well. Chocolate and cheese cannoli with pistachios , very yummy indeed.
Ricotta and chocolate cannoli with blood orange, $19
When I  make the reservation, I requested to add a candle to the dessert we ordered as a mini cake for hubby's birthday celebration this year. Bread Kitchen Street surprises us with a complimentary Happy Birthday dessert plate, services is indeed very personalised and nice. They make a point to remember all the little things guest requested during reservation, thumbs up for their service.

Happy Birthday hubby. Hope you have a great year ahead!
Total damage is $150 for a starter, two main courses, two desserts and a glass of wine which I think is not too bad for a celebrity chef restaurant in MBS. 

I might not be back for their main courses but definitely will be back for their dessert and my favourite moscato! 





Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Eat: MBS The Cheese & Chocolate Bar Buffet

This year for my mum's 60th birthday, I decided to give her a treat at MBS Cheese and Chocolate Bar. It is the first time we experience an all dessert buffet and I would give it 3 thumbs up!

The buffet starts daily from 8pm all the way up the midnight. It is wonderful as the timing gives you time to have a quick dinner before ascending to Level 55 at the all famous MBS and dine with an amazing view.

Tips: Personally I prefer city view more than sea view (it is so dark at night, one could hardly see the sea) so be sure to emphasise when booking. Window seat is definitely the best.

Dine with amazing view
Price is a bit steep ($48++ for adults, $24++ kids above 5 years old) as it is only a dessert and not a full buffet but the quality of the desserts plus the view definitely makes up for it. 

So, lets take a look at the view(that is the first thing I enjoyed after sitting down at the table rather than rushing for the food like usual for other buffet) and the food.

City View
It was a few weekend before the National Day and we are lucky to catch the fireworks display from above :)
Kids are super happy to see the fireworks
Do note reservation is essential to avoid disappointment of a good seat (there are plenty of empty table when I dine the other day so should have place but all the good view seats are taken up by people who reserve).

Before heading to the restaurant, one have to get a pass from Rise Restaurant at Level 1 and do note that not all the lifts goes up to Level 55 so do choose the one that does.

Upon reaching, you would already "wow" at the view. We waited for a short while before a polite and friendly waiter show us to our seat. Initially upon recommendation by the staff over the phone, I chose a "city cum ocean" view as suggested but DO NOT EVER CHOOSE THAT. Basically, you get a window seat that overlook partially of Garden at the Bay blocked by part of MBS building, a pitch dark ocean and the city view is all the way across 4-5 tables and you can hardly enjoy it. Definitely go for city view!

Luckily, our friendly waiter helped us changed it to the city view table and we are very grateful.



We started off with a hot drink that is served to us. All the hot drinks are served, you just order it and it gets send to your table. Selection of coffee (cappuccino, latte etc) , tea (from TWG) , warm milk and hot chocolate is available and included in the buffet price.

A cappuccino to the start of a beautiful night.
Selections of drinks that get send to your table
TWG Earl Grey
The buffet consists of two parts- chocolate and cheese as the name suggested.

Selection of chocolate buffet
All the desserts are beautifully crafted and they taste as good as they look.
The tarts are really yummy with praline and nuts!
I love the almonds coated with chocolate. It is sooo good!
They have some colourful chocolate selections that will definitely attract the kids... not me though, I rather have the beautiful and super yummy ones.. Hehe!
Some selections for the kids.
This is to goes with chocolate fondue..
Chocolate pudding and few more tarts
The chocolate tart is really nice too!
Pretty macaroon which my daughter adores. It is too sweet to my liking.
These strawberry dipped in chocolate is too pretty to be eaten!
The desserts are definitely super yummy and the definitely use quality ingredients to make. The strawberry tasted so fresh and sweet. I am indeed satisfied with the "sweets part"

Next up, lets look at the "salty part". I am not exactly a cheese person. I love Camembert cheese and some fruits cheese but other than that, I wasn't a big fan. I even went and borrow a book on different types of cheese before the buffet and I did see many of what is introduced being served. Give most of them a try and it is cool but it didn't attract me to have a second serving except my favourite Camembert cheese.
Selection of cheeses
More cheese selections
My favourite Camembert
Freshly made bread to goes with the cheese
Lastly, some of the selections I tried...

Pretty cakes and tarts I like
Creme brûlée, chocolate covered almond etc
Complimentary birthday cake
When I make the reservation, the staff make it a point to check if we are celebrating any special occasions and it is my mum's birthday celebration, so halfway through the buffet, the staff lined up and sing "Happy Birthday" to all the guests who is celebrating their birthday that day. My mum is so happy and I can see that she is indeed delighted to have her birthday celebrated at The Cheese & Chocolate Buffet. She loves the view, adores the food and she gets a cool birthday song sang by all as well :)

Our happy birthday lady. Happy 60th Birthday Mum!
We had a great night, enjoyed great views, had good food and drinks. Highly recommended for special occassions!

The Cheese & Chocolate Buffet
The Club at Marina Bay Sands
Hotel Tower 2, Level 55

Prices

Cheese & Chocolate:
Adults $48++ | Child $24++

Optional Wine Pairing:
Classic: $19++ Per Person
Dessert: $28++ Per Person


Black Ivory Coffee pairing: $60++

Opening hours:
Daily: 8:00pm - 12:00am

Contact:
+65 6688 8858

Information correct as of 1st October 2015.
Check our official website for any change in price: http://www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/buffet/the-chocolate-bar.html

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Cook: How to prepare sea cucumber from dried form

Sea cucumber is one of chinese delicacy and it can be purchased from dried goods shop or traditional medicine hall. It is sold in dried form and will expand after soaking and boiling. Instead of soaking one or two pieces as and when needed, I usually soaked a few pieces at one time and then freeze them because the soaking process takes a week. When I needed to cook, I just need to remove it from freezer and defrost.

METHODS: 

This is the size of sea cucumber before soaking, Day 1
It's internal organ that needs to be cleaned after the sea cucumber expanded 
1. Place the dried sea cucumber into a pot of water after washing them gently over running water. Ensure that the water fully covered the dried sea cucumber.
Place in pot and bring to boil
2. Bring the water in the pot to boil and let it boil for 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let the pot of water with sea cucumber to cool down to room temperature.
4. After the water cool down, remove the sea cucumber from the pot, wash them and place them into a tupperware. Cover the sea cucumber with water and then place them into the fridge.
5. On Day 2 and Day 3, change the water and place them back into the fridge.
6. On Day 4, remove the sea cucumber from the tupperware, place them into a pot with water and boil again for 5 minutes (same as Day 1)
By Day 4, the size should have expanded quite a bit  (around twice its initial size)
7. After the water cool down, wash and place the sea cucumber into tupperware. Cover with water and place them into the fridge again.
8. On Day 5 and 6, change the water again as per Day 2 and Day 3. 
9. On Day 5 or 6, the sea cucumber should expand quite significantly and the intestine can be removed easily. Remove all intestine and clean the inside of the sea cucumber under running water.
10. On Day 7, my sea cucumber expanded to about 2.5 its size and did not seems to be expanding much signifiant, so when that happen, remove the water and give the sea cucumber a wash.
11. Place the sea cucumber into freezer and use them as and when required. 

Note: If the sea cucumber continue to expand, can soak them for a few more days, changing water each day.
Size on Day 7

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Cook: Grandma's Glutinous Rice Dumpling Recipe (by Mummy)

Duan Wu Jie (Rice Dumpling Festival/Dragon Boat Festival) is just around the corner and I have been blessed with a great mummy who makes me super good rice dumpling whether or not during the festive season. Whenever I crave for it, she will make time to prepare them for me.

Mummy's recipe is hand down from Grandma and Grandpa who used to sell dumpling. I still remember the big huge pot they used to boil the dumpling and sell them near their flat in the past. 

This is definitely one of my favourite traditional food and I can eat TWO at one time! Fill my stomach to the MAX cause it is really super yummy!

Most of the amount of ingredients is agak agak as mummy and grandma, they don't really measure...I will try my best to quantify as much as possible but it is down to individual taste.

For assembling part, I did include a link to other blog as I did not manage to take any photos and I really sucks at tying the dumpling.

So credit for this recipe will be to My Mummy! Thanks for sharing!

Dumpling made by my mum
INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 20 dumplings)

RICE
1. 1 kg of glutinous rice
2. 1 tablespoon of red onion oil (fry red onion and keep the oil-red onion to use with mushroom later)
3. 1/3 teaspoon sugar
4. 1/3 cup fish sauce
5. 1/3 teaspoon ground white pepper
6. 1/3 teaspoon fennel seed powder * This is an important ingredient as I feel this is what makes my grandma's recipe special-do not omit*
7. 1 cup of water from soaking mushroom 

MEAT
1. 500g-1kg depending how much meat you like to put
2. 1-2 tablespoon of sesame oil
3. 1/2 teaspoon of five spices powder
4. A pinch of ground white pepper 
5. One tablespoon of sweet dark soy sauce

DRIED MUSHROOM
1. 20 mushrooms (cut into half-2 pieces in each dumpling)
2. Red onion (fried)
3. 1 tablespoon fish sauce

OTHERS
1. 20 pieces of dried chestnut ( 1 each- if you like this, you can add more, dumpling is all about individualisation and what ingredients you like)
2. Salted duck egg yolk (only use egg yolk, egg white can be kept for other recipe)
3. Chilli dried shrimp (homemade usually- I don't have any recipe for this at the moment- found this recipe online- can try out http://messywitchen.com/recipe/condiment/grandmas-dried-shrimp-sambal/)

METHODS:

RICE
1. Soak for at least 3 hours or overnight
2. Drain the water.
3. Fry the rice with sugar, fish sauce, pepper and ground fennel seed powder.
4. Add mushroom water slowly while constantly frying the rice.
5. When the water all dried up, it is ready. Set aside.

MEAT
1. Marinate with sesame oil, five spices powder, ground white pepper and dark soy sauce.
2. Set aside.

DRIED MUSHROOM
1. Soak until soft.
2. Stir fry with red onion and fish sauce for about 5 minutes.

OTHERS
1. Boil dried chestnut in a water with a pinch of salt
2. For salted egg, separate egg yolk from egg white and set aside

Assemble the ingredients together in a bamboo leaves. Add rice first, followed by meat (1-2 pieces), Mushroom (2 pieces), dried chestnut (1), egg yolk (1) and some chilli dried shrimp. Top with more rice and wrap together using rafia string. 

Found this step-by-step assembling with picture. Check out http://annieliciousfood.blogspot.sg/2012/06/my-mamas-savoury-rice-dumplings.html

When it is all done. boil the dumpling in water for 2 hours. And it is ready.

You can eat all you want and keep the rest in freezer. Just steam them straight from freezer for 30 mins and ready to eat!


Yum!!!

Cook: Quick fix lasagna using Instant Lasagna Sheets


Sorry that I haven't  been posting my cooking recipe for the longest time. The past 2 months has been quite busy for me as I had quite a bit of travelling, mostly accompanying my parents and in-laws for holiday. Actually was pretty tiring travelling back to back despite my previous belief that travelling is more fun than tiring. 
Quick fix lasagna
Am back for a week and will be going on school holiday trip with the kiddos in 3 days time. Found a chance to do a quick fix lasagna as I had ran out of ideas of simple quick thing to cook besides fried rice, porridge etc. So, this will be my quick easy lasagna using Instant Lasagna Oven Ready Lasagna Sheets. 

Instant Lasagna Sheets
Bought these instant lasagna sheets quite some time back and decided to make full use of it before it expired. Recipe is adapted from the recommended recipe at the back of the box.

It turns out to be quite nice actually and I enjoyed my home cook meal :)

INGREDIENTS:
(Serves 2-3 adults)

1. 100g Instant Lasagna Sheets
2. 2 tablespoon cooking oil ( I use olive oil)
3. 1 onion, finely chopped ( I omitted as I didnt have any in my fridge)
4. 1 carrot (finely chopped)
4. 3 cloves of garlic, minced
5. 500g of minced beef ( I bought slices of beef and minced on my own-figure will be less fat)
6.  680g Prego Italian Sauce (tomato based)- This is pasta based actually-can use other brand as well- I just took whatever is in the fridge
7. Salt and black pepper to taste
8. 2 tablespoon of butter
9. 2 tablespoon of plain flour
10. 2 cups milk
11. 125g mozzarella cheese

METHODS:

1. Heat oil in pan. Add onion, carrots and garlic. 
2. Stir fry until carrot is slightly soft.
3. Add minced beef and stir fry until cooked.
Stir fry carrots and minced beef
4. Add Prego Italian Sauce, salt and pepper. 
5. Simmer for 10-20 minutes until the sauce is thicken as shown.

Sauce thickens
6. Meanwhile, prepare the cheese sauce. 
7. In another saucepan, melt the butter and add in plain flour.
8. Stir well to mix. Add milk, salt and pepper. 
9. Simmer under medium heat until sauce thickens - about 10-15 minutes.
10. Remove from heat. Add in mozzarella cheese and combine until the cheese melted. The cheese sauce is now ready.

Cheese sauce ready
11. Preheat the oven to 180 degree Celsius. 
12. Assemble the lasagna. Add a layer of meat sauce at the bottom of the baking dish.
13. Alternate layer of lasagna sheets, meat sauce and cheese sauce until the top of the baking dish.
14. The last layer should be the cheese sauce.
15. Finish with sprinkle of mozzarella cheese to cover the sauce.
16. Bake for 20-30 minutes until the cheese melted and browned.

Bake in oven. 
17. Remove from oven. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
18. Serves hot!

Dig in!!!