Happy 7th Birthday to Our Dear Sofie



 



May 22, 2013

To my Darling and Sweet Sofie,

It's been seven years since I witnessed your many firsts - first cry, first embrace, first crawl, and first walk and so on and so forth. How could time passed by so fast?!!

Looking back over the years,

It brings me pure joy as I see you grow into a charming, sweet girl. Your many wonderful handcrafted cards that bear your sweet thoughts are living proof to that. And it never fails to put a smile on me, each time I receive one.

 

As you turn seven today, you are about to celebrate a major milestone of being a full blown youngster. I know you are slowly becoming your own person now. Continue to explore and learn new things. Mommy will be here to support and guide you all the way.

 

Thank you for being the lovable daughter that you are. Your countless “I Love You and I miss You” are forever engraved in my heart. Thank you for appreciating my baked goodies and for always inspiring me to be a better Mom.

 

Enjoy your birthday and cherish the memories that this day will bring. Not all little girls are blessed to become a Princess on their special day. Jesus is so good that He made your wish possible.
 

I am truly grateful whenever you tell me that I am the best Mom in the world. Now, it's my turn to say - Happy Birthday to the most caring and loving daughter in the whole wide world!!

 

 

Love,

Mommy

What Makes Singapore Chicken Rice Taste Better (if not the Best)?

Chicken Rice is arguably considered one of Singapore's national dishes. So popular is the dish that it's impossible not to find it in every corner of the city-state. Sellers have different versions and ways of preparing it to create a certain distinction and selling point. With competition increasingly becoming more tough, it is indeed a challenge to make ones version most noticeable. In general, there are two types of chicken that can be tried - Roasted and Steamed. Depending on your personal preference, you can have it either way. But have you ever explored the different breeds of chicken used in the dish? Or are you even aware that there are many chicken varieties to consider?  

Yes, there are more than just one chicken variety in the supermarket. The use of each is highly dependent on the particular dish you wanted to cook and the manner it is to be prepared. But perhaps, the most interesting of all is Kampong Chicken (synonymous to Native or Free Range Chicken in other countries). Kampong is a Malay word for village. Ergo, it is a chicken that is raised in a village. As a food, Kampong Chicken is regarded as premium and thus, commands a higher price in the market. It is believed to have  better flavour compared to the conventionally farmed chickens. To validate this claim and let our taste buds discover the difference, we've visited some popular restaurants known for serving good Chicken Rice in Singapore - Boon Tong Kee and Five Star.

Boon Tong Kee is a long heralded brand for Chicken Rice. Being one of the pioneers, it gained a loyal following from the locals. The restaurant serves the typical farmed chicken for their Chicken Rice Dish.   

 The typical sauce accompaniment to the chicken rice dish

Roasted Chicken Boon Tong Kee version - mildly salted, oily, with acidic after taste, dry and flaky in texture

Steamed Chicken Boon Tong Kee version - very strong skin note, bloody, with acidic after taste, soft in texture

Five Star is another well established brand that uses Kampong Chicken in their dish. From the signage in front of the restaurant, it looks like they are really capitalizing on that unique selling point.

Steamed Chicken Five Star version - juicy and tender meat, very lingering after taste, less skin note, not bloody at all

Roasted Chicken Five Star version - sweet, with good roasted note, full-bodied mouthfeel, more long lasting taste

Across all attributes, it's clearly noted that Kampong Chicken is a better type of chicken compared to the typical farmed raised, be it roasted or steamed. So the next time you crave for your favourite Chicken Rice, you know that there is something more to it that makes it more appetizing apart from the sauce that goes with it and the fat or broth used in the rice. Before savouring hefty servings of it, make sure that you have selected the right kind of chicken.

Celebrating Mother's Day 2013 (3 of 3 Parts) - Dinner @ Home

This is the last post on my Mother's Day series. After hopping from one restaurant to another, we capped our Mother's Day celebration with a simple dinner at home. 

 Our surf and turf themed meals

Orange Baked Salmon with Dill and Pan Roasted Sirloin Steak -  

 Steamed Fresh Prawns and Orange Baked Salmon with Dill

 

Berry Banana Chocolate Parfait for dessert

 

To prepare  the Orange Baked Salmon with Dill, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on the salmon (skin side down), season with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic, top with dill and orange slices. Transfer to an oven-proof dish and bake for 15 - 20 minutes at 200 C.

 

For the Sirloin Steak, pan fry it on  2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil with 2 cloves of garlic and 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary at 3 minutes per side if you want it well done. Cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

 

The Stir-fry Vegetables is a pretty straight forward dish. Sauté the vegetables - snow peas, baby carrots, Portobello mushrooms and cherry tomatoes with garlic and onion in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add some alfalfa sprouts for an added flavour and crunch.

 

For the dessert, alternately layer banana slices, chocolate ice cream, double dutch ice cream and top it with fresh blue berries and strawberries. Drizzle some chocolate syrup and add chocolate wafer sticks like Kit Kat.

 

It took me about 45 minutes to prepare this entire meal. As Rachel Ray normally puts it, a meal is never more than 30 minutes away. In my case, I only required a couple of minutes more . :-)



Celebrating Mother's Day 2013 (2 of 3 Parts) - Breakfast @ Sky On 57 Marina Bay Sands

Celebrating Mother's Day with a great family, good food and superb ambiance is definitely second to none. I couldn't ask for anything more. Sky On 57 is the perfect place for dreamy moment such as this. I've long heard about Chef Justin Quek's restaurant and although there were conflicting reviews about it, I think it's worth to give it a try. Hence, it was my top of mind choice for a place to dine on Mother's Day.

The breakfast spread at the restaurant features a combined buffet and specialty food concepts. There were the usual buffet stations for breakfast such as breads, fruits, salads, congees, cereals and a lot more. But the interesting ones were those special a la carte choices which are divided into Western and Asian Concepts. We had four of the most popular ones, and all were just a fitting choice for a gastronomic satisfaction. I wouldn't say that the dishes were extremely superb but rather, generally acceptable.

 Tonkotsu Ramen

 Eggs Benedict

 Croissants Croque-Madame - this was my favourite, I want to make it at home one day.

 French Toast with Marinated Wild Berries and Whipped Cream

 The bread section

 Cold Cuts

Aside from good food, I guess this is exactly what this restaurant is all about - relaxing ambiance and a stunning view. It was already my third time to visit the roof top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, but the view never ceases to amaze and calm. With the addition of Gardens by the Bay, this place undoubtedly provides a 360 degree experience of panoramic beauty.  

Celebrating Mother's Day 2013 (1 of 3 Parts) : Dinner at Jumbo Seafood Restaurant

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms in the world! How did you celebrate this special day with your loved ones? Mine, was a 2-day affair of good food enjoyment with my family. We started it off with a dinner by the river side at Clarke Quay in Jumbo Seafood Restaurant. It's been years since I last dined in this restaurant and it's good to re-live gastronomical memories from this place known for serving one of the best (if not the best) Chili Crabs in Singapore.

We were seated outside just beside the river, so the ambiance at that night was really nice. I got this beautiful bouquet of flowers from the husband and it adorned the table romantically.

After much careful thought and selection, we opted to try the special set menu for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Since we are a small family, we settled for Set Menu A which consisted of the following:  

Everything that's part of the menu was nice. The Braised Pumpkin Broth with Seafood was a star. After tasting the Chili Crab again for the nth time, I would generally conclude that Jumbo Seafood's version is still by far the best, most subtle, simple yet succulent chili crab for me. The overall taste of the sauce is straightforward with less complex profiles and that makes it more appealing and appetizing. Although, I've been hearing mix reviews about this restaurant, personally I would commend it for all that it has to offer. From its food repertoire to its good service and ambiance, it's indeed great to be back!

Duo of Berries Muffins

Why do baked goods oftentimes regarded as unhealthy? We normally associate them with high fat, loaded with sugar, too much carbohydrates and "what have you not". Yet, ironically, the more we are inclined to have them most of the time. Isn't the remark "sinfully good" a favorite of many? Well, to lessen this guilty pleasure in consuming those goodies, why not balance it with something more favourable to your health?

This is actually what this muffin recipe is all about. I've adapted this recipe from the Barefoot Contessa - Ina Garten. Originally, the recipe calls for 3 types of berries - blueberry, strawberry and raspberry. But since my kids are slighthly averse with sour notes, I only used blueberry and strawberry hence, the name Duo of Berries Muffins. It's less sweet, soft in texture and the crust on the top makes a  nice distinguishing taste feature.

What you need:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp kosher salt (I used normal salt, it's fine as well)

1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon powder

1 1/4 cups milk

2 extra large eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup unsalted butter (225g), melted

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 cup diced, fresh strawberries

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

How to make:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 190C. Line muffin tins with paper liners.

2. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Stir with your hand (or a whisk) until fully combined. In another bowl, combine the milk, eggs and melted butter.

3. Make a well in the middle of the dry mixture, pour the wet mixture into the well and stir until just combined. There will be some lumps but don't over mix the batter. Add the blueberries, strawberries and sugar and stir gently to combine.

4. Spoon batter into the muffin cups to fill the liners. Bake for 25 mins, until a cake tester comes out clean and the tops are nicely brown.

A Letter to my Son on his 8th Birthday

How time flies unbelievably fast. My son will turn 8 tomorrow and I have prepared a special birthday letter for him...

 



 

April 20, 2013

To my sweet and dear Riley,

This day may not be only special to you but to mine as well. How could I forget that happy moment when I first saw you out of my womb? Since mommy had to undergo operation, giving birth was not easy. But I was overjoyed with your arrival that feeling the pain after was the least of my concern.  You see, that’s how much mommy loves you. I had and will always be willing to endure all forms of sacrifices and challenges that will come along the way to rear you.

As all mothers do, they wish nothing but the best for their children. And as you celebrate your 8^th birthday, here are the 8 wishes that I pray God will grant you:

A Happy childhood. Enjoy every moment of your being a kid. Don’t worry and think too much. Win over your fears and negative thoughts. Let loose and explore your curiosity. Enjoy the company of your friends and cherish all wonderful memories with them.

Good Education. I know school is no easy task especially since you’re getting it in a foreign land. It breaks my heart whenever you tell me that you are getting “stressed” from school. It’s too much too soon, for this unwanted kind.  Don’t be afraid and don’t be stressed to learn. Remember that the greatest men in the world learned and built their achievements the hard way.  If you think you can, you will. And I am here to support you no matter what.

Good Health. Your health is always at the top of my prayers. I always pray for your safety especially when you’re at school.  So don’t get irritated at me when I relentlessly remind you to take care of yourself. From the simplest washing of hands to being mindful of your environment, these are of prime importance.

Gratitude for all your blessings. As I oftentimes tell you, you and your sister are so blessed. Appreciate and acknowledge what you have and always thank the Lord for His countless gifts.

A kind heart to nurture. This early, I can already see how kind hearted you are. May you nourish it as you grow old and may it bring you good fate. Treat everyone with kindness, even those who bully you – not because you want them to be nice, but because you are.

Big dreams. The dreams that you’re starting to build, pursue them. Never stop dreaming and make them big. Nothing is impossible to those who work hard.  

More family time. I guess this wish is more for me too. Time is running too fast and I can see that as you grow day by day. If I will meet the Magic Fairy and she will ask me for only one wish that is to have more time to spend with you and your sister.  I thank you for understanding my work even if at times you wanted to hate my boss and the company that I work for. In those moments that you feel sad because I cannot be with you, please know that my sadness is far greater than what you have. At the end of it all, you know that you are my priority and nothing will come on top of that.  

More birthday celebrations together. As you start to celebrate your birthday more independently, I just want you to be happy. From here on, you may celebrate it in any which way you want but we will forever celebrate it together as a family.

Thank you for being a good son. Nothing is ever more heart-warming each time you tell me “I don’t want you to die mommy. I always pray to Jesus that you will live forever”.  Whenever I am sick you would say “Give me your illness mommy, I’d rather be the one who’s sick instead of you.” These mean so much to me and these words of yours I have lovingly kept in my heart.  

Happy birthday my dear and I thank you for being the best gift a mother could wish for. 

Love,

Mommy

Summer in the Philippines (Comfort Food and Fabuluous Places)

Apologies! Apologies! I know it's been terribly quiet down here. A short vacation back home and a series of activities have kept me away from blogging. We've just returned from our short but worthwhile visit to the Philippines.The kids were on a school holiday so we took the opportunity to travel. And what a perfect time it was to visit because summer has just started in the country! Wonderful sceneries and pristine beaches welcomed us!

 Caleruega in Batulao, Batangas.

 La Luz Beach Resort, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

La Luz Beach Resort, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

This was the perfect lunch setting I've been missing so much and I was extremely delighted to have it again. The sun, the water plus comfort food - priceless!!

Every visit to our home country won't be complete without indulging into our favorite dishes and these were just some of them.

Lumpiang Sariwa (Filipino version of Fresh Spring Roll with Peanut Sauce) from Contis

 Garlic Sotanghon (Rice Noodles sauted in Annato Oil hence, the yellow color) from Contis

 Fresh Mangoes - surely divine!

 Mango Bravo Cake from Contis - the must have cake for my son; there's nothing like it so far

 And the sinfully good ones... Crispy Pata (Deep Fried Pork Knuckles) from Kanin Club

 Crispy Dinuguan (Cripy Pork in Pork Blood Stew) from Kanin Club

 Pancit Canton (Filipino Chow Mien) from Kanin Club

Seafood Kare Kare from Kanin Club (Seafood Stew in Peanut Sauce)

With all these foods to savor back home, I am getting gastronomically home-sick again.