self shots on my OMNIA II

I was comparing the specs of the new IPhone 4 and my old Samsung Omnia II to realize it's the same! No point changing then. All the photos on my blog are taken with the 5 megapixel camera on my mobile. That reminds me, time for some new self-shot photos =)

The "OMG!" look above and then the "huh?" look below. I thought these shots had more character. In the end, I used a more normal shot - as voted by my family.

Tan Hock Seng Cake Shop

This traditional cake shop is located at China Square. Rainbow wafers...I remember this.

I am whipping up cream with vanilla beans and mango to make a dessert with it. 

Layering cream fruits in between the wafer discs.

Thai for Lunch

Lunch at Chiang Mai Palace. Authentic Thai and not so authentic fusion dishes. The fries are seasoned with Thai herbs that taste pretty good. Always have room for a cold and sour Thai salad any day.

Ravioli from scratch

Eggs and flour to make dough. Basic and oh so simple right? Italians only put in yolks that makes the dough softer. Hhmm..it doesn't make that much of a difference to me. For me, it's about the type of flour and the mix.

After mixing, the flour is divided into portions to be run through the pasta maker. I always struggle with the manual crank. This is why people buy ready-made pasta.

Preparing the ravioli stuffing is easy. I chose a mushroom mixture as I had the ingredients on hand. Mixed with lots of parmesan cheese.

Good enough to be eaten on it's own. Now to make ravioli.

2 pieces of dough and stuffing in between. This ravioli attachment is a dream. I have tried making ravioli by hand before and it wasn't so pretty.

Coq au Vin

A classic French recipe for a French oven - my new Le Creuset Capiscum. It's a slow cooking dish that seems a little out of place in our lives today but worth the effort as it is DElicious! Especially since I made tagliatelle from scratch for this dish as well!

Fry onions and bacon then toss it into the French oven. Fry the chicken and toss it into French oven as well. Then add some brandy and try to flambe it. Mine didn't light so I gave up. I tied a herb bouquet, added some lemon juice, tomato paste, garlic cloves and half a bottle of red wine. Put on the lid and leave it to cook in the oven or over the stove for a really long time!

Prepare the glazed mushrooms at the same time the coq au vin is simmering. Add the beurre manie carefully to ensure it's evenly distributed, then toss in the glazed mushrooms. Close the lid and let it stew in it's own juices until ready to serve.

Race Day Scratch Cards

Singapore pools only organizes these scratch cards during the Singapore F1 races. I bought 5 to try my luck. The grand prize is $10,000 *woohoo* 

First, I win a dollar. What am I going to do with a doller? So I exchanged it for 1 more card.

Then I tried again and won $2, that I exchanged for more scratch cards. There is no point playing if I don't hit it big or at least 3 figures right?

I won $3 this time around and exchanged it for mORe tickets like an addict. I didn't win anything and had to stop anyway because the outlet ran out of scratch tickets...it's printed in a limited run.

Bernard's new pad

An impromptu hamper for my brother who has just moved into his new place. Yes, I know - my excess. I had to run out and buy the candy though.

White and black interiors. No one told me it's also about mirrors! To make the built-in cabinets blend. What an amazing storage space.

Now, for a photo tour of the place. An eight seater dining table with the tv positioned in front, it's a neccessity. What a view and what a great night breeze!

The dry kitchen, dining and living room occupy one massive space, with the balcony running parallel. Couldn't ask for a better floor plan. There's my hamper on the coffee table.

From this angle you can see the dry kitchen from the living room. If you think this is a showflat, it is because of the luxe wallpapers from Goodrich. What a marvelous mix of textures and material within a classic B&W scheme.

Won a Facial Treatment!

It's still from the same Her World magazine! Unbelievable right?

Hope I strike gold and get one of the luxury prizes from the $100,000 draw.

 

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Since I had leftover food flavouring/colouring from the rainbow cake attempt, I decided to make red velvet cupcakes. Cupcakes instead of cake because I have cupcake holders that make cleaning up so much easier to do.

Never thought the day would come when I add red dye to baked goods. But, here goes.

Using a new vinigar assisted recipe, the cupcakes ballooned in the oven. I transferred them to the freezer to cool quickly before piping on cream cheese frosting. Absolutely scrumptious.

Now, for my favourite part: Decorating! I just grabbed everything the Baking Shop carried: candy confetti, red heart biscuits, gold & silver sugar pearls.

The finished product: Red Velvet Cupcakes!

Han's

Lunch at Han's. I always like the kopi-si here as it's not too sweet and with the right amount of milkiness and perfectly seasoned tomato soup if it's on the menu.

Staub Dutch Ovens

My current obsession for dutch ovens led me to this pumpkin cast iron pot from Staub. Another stalwart brand, made in France and same pricing as Le Creuset's pumpkin. What a coincidence. This pumpkin is a more realistic representation as compared to Le Creuset's version. Crafted from denser cast iron, it weighs a ton. I am not sure how you plan to lift it off the stove onto the table. But, you will be assured the heat stays in as is intended by a dutch oven.

Staub also makes normal round or oval dutch ovens in addition to something in between. Chicken or Fish handles for their Coq au Vin and Bouillabaisse pots respectively. Excuse the striking cobalt blue, as it is my favourite colour. It makes the fish look like it's swimming in the big blue sea.

Le Creuset Cast Iron Pepper

Is it a work of modern art, an expensive kitchen toy or just a pot? 

This Le Creuset jade green, cast-iron capiscum caught my eye and that didn't escape the sales promoter who practically gave this away to me - this display set is a model no longer made by Le Creuset and she was ready to get rid of it. For the rest of it's admirers, Le Creuset is having a 40% discount on it's other fruit shaped pot, the signature pumpkin in flame. I would have grabbed it if these cast iron dishes weren't so expensive to begin with. I am 1 step closer to the designer kitchen I've always wanted.

There is a better value available online! http://www.cookware.com/ is offering free gifts with purchase for the Le Creuset range on top of discounts. So the pumpkin (USD $149.95) above comes with 2 baking trays free! Only catch is it ships to USA & Canada only. That means you need to find a reliable and cheap escrow service. Try VPOST:

https://www.vpost.com.sg/vpost/signup-create-profile?mgm=VP346997

Citylink Redemption

Points redemption day! I have to redeem my points before it expires. Every $10 spent is 1 point. So if you work around here you will rack up points quickly from the morning Starbucks run and lunchtime sandwiches. Free Holland & Barrett honey and brown rice!

Google Adwords

Another itty bitty surprise from Google for me. $75 of free advertising with Google Adwords. How did they know I use this? THANKS!

Snail!

Rainy day weather drives the snails out onto the pavements. Be careful not to step on one as their shells will shatter with just a light tap.

Ipoh Horfun

Tuck Kee's Ipoh crayfish horfun at Hong Lim market is memorable. The succulent fresh seafood is freshly caught and the proof is in the pudding. Rice noodles in a reduced prawn stock never tasted this good! I think it is the best horfun in Singapore, I don't mind the queue and heat for a plate of this ;)

Korean Cold Noodles

There is this Korean restaurant near my office that everyone frequents. It is only so-so as I have tried more authentic, sincere joints along Boat Quay. However, there is a cold vegetable noodle dish that is fantastic. I mistook it for a starter at first but, the white rice noodles peeking out underneath gave it away. I think the sauce is made of chili oil, sesame oil and something else....hmm...eitherway, it's delectable =)

*4 Oct 10 update: ok, don't go. The cook has left.

 

Coffee Plug

The barister usually sticks a piece of tape over my coffe cup lid to prevent it from spilling. But, this coffee place has a plastic tab instead.