Bloomin' brilliant brownies

While Nick was out at footie, I made some brownies following a Jamie Oliver recipe and they are aptly named, for they are bloomin’ brilliant!

 

 

 

I used macadamias in mine, result was a moist, chocolatey, nutty concoction that I couldn’t stop eating! It was a bit crumbly but not dry, not sure if I overbaked or if I should have added an extra egg since mine may not have been large enough. Had to squeeze some bits together after cutting so they could remain squarish.

Can’t wait to make them again and this time have the vanilla ice-cream ready!

Nat's first school concert

I was a proud mama this evening as Nat successfully performed in her first school concert. Themed ‘Happy Feet” the event was held at the YWCA Fort Canning Lodge and had the Outram K2 class graduation as the main highlight.

It wouldn’t have surprised me if Nat chose to chicken out, but she seemed in her element on stage and didn’t display any nerves at all.

She’s been practicing at home and they had a full dress rehearsal earlier on Tuesday with the school so I think that helped a lot. That was also when she got to wear make-up for the first time ever, something she was quite chuffed about.

 

While the kids hung out with their classmates and waited for the performances to start, me, Ma, Swana, Nick and Sasha had a quick bite to eat with the F&B provided as part of the ticket cost. We paid $20 per adult and another $35 for the costumes…these things don’t come cheap!

There was a photo display corner where we could order pictures of the kids taken at rehearsals and we bought a bunch. 

It was free seating inside the function room and while they stated no photography or videography since there was an appointed vendor, the parents didn’t care and whipped out their phones and cameras the moment their kids appeared.

The whole event was quite informal. The K2 kids did their graduation thing first, then performances by the various classes from the youngest to the oldest. Nat and Gigi’s performance was in the middle and they did their routine to the tune of a Chinese song about a dragonfly.

 

They stood at the back, Nat looked so graceful in her costume and when the song ended and her classmates had left the stage, my little diva continued posing on stage for a few more seconds before realising she was the last one left, which made the audience laugh!

The kids were on a high after the finale and zinged around calling out to their friends and teachers in the foyer…I didn’t know they had older friends!

Sasha Scare

Just got back from KKH…Sasha gave us such a scare this evening while we were hanging at Membina. One minute she was in the living room, the next minute we heard a loud thud from Swana’s room.

We all rushed and Nick found her lying on the platform motionless. Apparently she had been jumping on the bed and fell, landing on her chest. He carried her and called out a few times, “Sasha wake up, Sasha wake up” but she was limp in his arms and motionless.

It was only a few seconds that she was blacked out but felt like an eternity…I was asking Swana to call an ambulance and Nick was saying her arm looked awkward when she started to wail. Phew, crying was a good sign!

We rushed to KK nonetheless to get her checked out, Nick was like a headless chicken, never seen him so panicked before. She was quiet on the way to the hospital but once there, she starting walking about. Had to wait about 20-30 mins to get to the triage, but thereafter our consultation was expedited because of her loss of consciousness.

We were in and out in about 2 hours, during which time she took a chest x-ray. So brave, she cooperated in taking off her shirt and standing still with her arms outstretched and then once it was over, she asked me to take my top off for my turn!

The x-ray turned out clear but the doctor advised to keep her overnight for observation which we decided against since she was back to her normal active self and we felt we could observe from home. I think she should be ok. I think.

Earlier in the day, I was in a culinary mood and prepared lunch while Nick took Nat out to mass and Vivo.

I’d been meaning to recreate the mustard soup we tried in Holland and today was THE day. Followed the recipe but didn’t have leeks and substituted them with onions.

Didn’t quite taste the same as what we had, the soup was thick and I think leeks would have been better. The end result was quite salty because instead of being patient and letting the bacon impart its salt, I had added some extra chicken stock cube at the end just after adding the bacon because I felt it was tasteless. Duh!

Had some frozen puff pastry and was inspired to make an open tart after watching Barefoot Contessa a few days ago and also since I had some cheese expiring soon.

I rolled out the pastry and topped it like a pizza with sliced tomatoes, zucchinis and bacon and added lots of bacon and grated cheddar. Baked it at 180°C for 45 mins

 

 

I think it was have been better to cook the zucchinis and tomatoes beforehand and strain them before assembling to prevent a soggy base, since these veggies release water when cooked. But overall, quite pleased with the result, but again, quite salty from the bacon…think next time cannot buy bacon from NTUC, even when desperate! The pastry on its own was also very oily, must experiment with other brands.

In the afternoon, Swana came over with Gigi, and Nat and Gigi helped me to make chocolate chip and macadamia cookies and some with mini M&Ms. Followed a recipe I found online on Quest for Delish, except I added the nuts/M&Ms.

And instead of 1 large egg, I used 2 medium ones…which I think I should have used 1.5 instead as my dough was a little runny. Also I think can afford to reduce the sugar a little, the chocolate chips already add sweetness. And note to self – M&Ms will melt!

 

I didn’t have the patience to chill my dough for 24 hours, and made some immediately, and another batch with an hour of chilling. The chilled result is definitely better!

Aside from being a tad too sweet, these cookies were great, taste a lot like Famous Amos ones. I’m hooked!

Crispy korrokes

Ben had mentioned he was making Japanese curry for the family dinner so I offered to bring dessert and korroke/Japanese croquettes to accompany his dish.

In the morning, while Nick brought Sasha to the doctor (he was concerned about her new bout of the sniffles) I made a yellow jelly using golden kiwis we had in the fridge and an instant mix.

Before heading to AMK, I started work on the korroke. They are so easy!

Boil and mash some potatoes, season with salt and pepper and set aside. Stir fry some minced beef and chopped onions, season with salt and pepper and cook till beef is brown. Mix the two together and form into patties.

 

Coat in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs before frying till brown, and voila, a croquette nicer than those sold at Taka’s Food Hall or MOS! 

Latteria Lunch

My restaurant week indulgence ended yesterday with a final lunch at Latteria Mozzarella Bar on Duxton Hill. I had a reservation elsewhere originally but was sold on Latteria after reading the reviews and changed my booking.

Went with Wai Leng, Boon Huat, Cheryl and Wee Ngee and the 5 of us had an excellent meal I must say, really good value for money. For sure I’m going to put on weight after this week…the diet starts next Monday!

The $25 menu comprised 4 items and portions were generous. I loved, loved, loved the starter of crab and straciatella cheese salad with roast zucchini. They didn’t stinge on the crab, the cheese was light and the roasted zucchini and balsamic sauce went well with the whole thing.

The second course was a smoked scamorza and Porcini mushroom risotto. The Arborio rice was al dente and the portion was almost as big as a main.

For my actual main, I went with the tiger prawns with chick pea cream, while the rest had the beef sirloin which they served medium rare, which I wouldn’t have been able to deal with. The prawns were firm and there were quite a few, but I was full by this point so luckily there was no accompanying starch dish.

Dessert was a lemon pannacotta with balsamic strawberries. The pannacotta had a zing from the lemon and was smooth and creamy. Yum!

Had a glance at the ala carte menu, in comparison, the restaurant week price seemed like a bargain so I would come back here again during Restaurant Week.

Cheryl and I both happened to wear kimono tops yesterday, so we just had to take a picture. We found out through FB that my former colleague Caren from SingTel is her cousin and we’ve arranged to have dinner end of the month. Small world eh? Add that on to Wee Ngee who’s brother David is ex-SES.

At the end of the work day, we held a small farewell party for Boon Huat, our ex-MD. He was a really good leader, and whipped the region into shape during the 3plus years he was around and I will miss his ‘zhai-ness’. There was drinks at the Bank Bar downstairs too, and I had me a couple of vodka bitter lemons.

Nick and the kids came to fetch me and after the kids fell asleep I was out the door to No.5 to meet the gang. Kaelash and Jean were in town after having an anniversary dinner and John’s birthday is approaching so it was an excuse to togok!

 

 

 

Stayed till closing time, was wide awake thanks to the lunchtime coffee I had at Latteria!

T is for...

…Tamarind Hill.

There were so many T restaurants to choose from during Restaurant Week but I wanted something Asian since my boy doesn’t appreciate ang moh food.

I liked the sound of Tamarind Hill because it served contemporary Thai. The fact that it’s new, set in a colonial house in Labrador Park and looked romantic on its website didn’t hurt either.

Met the boy at his office and we drove to Alexandra for our 6.30pm reservation. The place was easy enough to find, and I had a good idea of what to expect since Wai Leng had dined there earlier in the week and had given me the lowdown.

It was a lovely experience. Set atop a slope, the entrance is lined with lots of candles exuding a romantic feel so I think it's a great place for dates and special occasions. The hostess was warm and friendly and the service staff attentive and eager to please.

A lemongrass drink was served upon arrival, and it was a pleasant drink - not too overpowering with the lemongrass.

The menu was made up of 4 courses i.e. Tamarind Platter for 2 comprising Thai fish cake, soft shell crab, and an orange chicken combination; Tom Yam Martini; choice of pork tendorloin phranang curry, seafood yellow curry or stir fried duck with basil and ended with a dessert platter.

Though the starter portions were small, they whet my appetite for more. The fish cake was a tad bland but I could live with it. The soft shell crab was fried to perfection, not too oily and not overcooked.

The tom yam martini I think some people will either love or hate. Nick is not a fan of cold soups and his request to replace his with something hot was granted with a plain tom yam broth.

I stuck with the chilled soup, I quite enjoyed the salty tangy savoury cold chicken-based broth, especially when combined with the bits of kaffir lime leaves lining the rim. It's not spicy at all, the tom yam flavour is very subtle.

We opted for the seafood yellow curry and pork tendorloin phranang for our mains, and they were served with a fried fruit rice. The pork curry was spicy and 'lemak', and the portion generous. The pork was very tender and as nice as it was, 2 of us struggled to finish it.

The seafood curry was more an assam-type gravy and laden with pineapples. It was nice too, the seafood cooked just right and being lighter, it was a nice contrast with the heavier pork dish.

Dessert was nothing to shout about though, just an assortment of red bean, kiwi and coconut jellies...very average. Overall though I think the restaurant is a gem and I would definitely try to go back, if not for dinner, then to have a drink at the gorgeous bar area!

Private Affairs

Restaurant Week Lunch #2 took place today. Again I went with colleagues, a different set this time, except for fellow foodie Wai Leng. As it is Phil’s birthday next week, I bought him lunch instead of a present.

We ate at Private Affairs, just down the road from us at Boon Tat Street. We were greeted by a Halle Berry-looking hostess who showed us to level 2. They have a little lift inside the shophouse.

The menu was priced at $40++ and the restaurant was pretty full with Restaurant Week diners and it was a noisy and young crowd.

 

For my starter, I ordered the lesser of 2 evils…it was a choice between salmon or foie gras so I went with the Pan Seared Foie Gras with Slow Cooked Egg and Morel Sauce.

Am not a big fan of foie gras but will eat it if no choice. The edges were fully cooked so the first few bits were bearable but as I got to the middle, I started to get a bit ‘geli’ with the pinkness and the richness and had to force myself to finish as much as I could. Washed it down with lots of water and the egg but couldn’t quite get rid of the taste all afternoon.

Was glad when my main of Miso Cod Fish with Spiced Eggplant Salad arrived. It was a little skimpy on size but made up in terms of flavour. The fish was perfectly cooked and I rather enjoyed the salad it came with. Anything with zucchini gets my vote!

For dessert, I opted for the Pear Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream. It was baked on an open puff pastry base, and I love tarts with ice cream so I was happy with my dessert.

Overall food was good but it didn't wow me. Doubt will be returning soon but at least I can check it off my list!