Deep-Fried Arrowhead Chips

Usually about a month or so before the Chinese New Year, you will be able to catch a glimpse of these "Arrowhead(cigu) - 钱菇" at most of the vegetable vendors in the wet market. This bulb-like corms of the arrowhead is sold roughly about S$3.00 per kg depending on individual stalls.

Last Glimpse @ MV DOULOS

Doulos was owned by a private Charity Organisation known as GBA Ships e.V. since 1977 till now. It has served about more than 20 Millions visitor during all these years on their floating book fair. This unique ship has visited more than 100 countries in including Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and many island nations.

A week or two back, I saw on one of channel 8, Saturday programme known as "Say Goodbye - 说再见" whereby they mention about the last service of this floating bookstore in it's December trip at Vivo City, Singapore. It is such a sad moment to see the bookstore ending it's last service on 30th December 2009. Can't imagine this is my 1st and last visit to this ship.........

Thank God, because of some invitation, we managed to get some information on this floating bookstore and had the chance to visit this ship during it's last service in Singapore. We will at Vivo City harbour joining the long queue while waiting to on board Doulos. And despite of the hot weather in the late afternoon, there are still many crowds waiting for their turn with families and kids. After about 30 minutes or so of queuing time, we managed to board the ship and begin our tour to explore the ship.

Although the ship was of age, but the outlook and interior layout is still in good condition. On board the ship, you can either join their guided tour to go around the ship or you can head straight to their bookstore right at the end of the second floor deck. The MV Doulos holds the biggest floating library in the world whereby there is somewhere around 3000 to 5000 books on the shelf and half a million in the hold. You can find almost all kinds of book there from kids reader, adult fashion, cookbook, leisure and etc.

One of the greater purpose of the Doulos community of this ship is to share the message of hope in a restored relationship with God in their ports visited. Although this is our last visit to the ship but I am sure it's beautiful stories and images will always be kept in our memories.

Chinese New Year Flower Fair - 新年花市

Usually during a month or so before Chinese New Year, there will be a lot of places selling all kinds of imported flowers or plants from China and the neighbouring countries like Taiwan, Malaysia and etc. Flower nurseries/gardens will bring in all kinds of auspicious flowers/plants to welcome a new head start of the year.

Every year for about the past 5 years or so, there is always a mini "Flower Fair" which showcase more than 50 different types of flowers/potted plants from the neighbouring countries. And each year the whole market area will be crowded with people of all ages who comes to admire or buying these plants. And only on occasion like this we are able to see all kind of festive flowers that brings up the atmosphere of the surrounding with their multi colourful petals.

So sorry that I can't named all the flowers/plants that appears in these photo because I am also not sure of their actual name. But all these beautiful flower can't resists my intention to share with all the readers on the coming Chinese New Year mood.

From this photo, you can see some of the common Chinese New Year plants that can be easily found in most household during New Year visit. "Pussy willows - 銀柳" which is in the middle are well known for it white or silvery buds that are silky and when they blooms it will emerald green leaves sprout that gives it a new lease of life to which it will symbolise a new beginning, prosperity and signs of growth. These are usually sold in bunches of different length or colour which will look great in a long vase.

Next you can see pots of, "Mandarin Oranges - 柑" that comes in different sizes. Some belief that the bigger it is , the bigger it represents bigger opportunities, it also speaks of sweet success too. During Chinese New Year, everyone who goes to house visiting/greetings will accompanied with a pair of oranges which is a traditional practice among the Chinese. It symbolises "Gold" and all the good wishes for the new year.

Other than the two main plants, you can also see "Red Radish" which symbolised "Good Luck - 好采头" and "Lucky Bamboo - 开运竹" which represent a harmonious balance of all the five elements of nature -" water, fire, earth, wood and metal".

Other than the usual Chinese New Year plants, some businessman or folks also love to get Pomegranate plants which some believed that they can use it's stalk of leaves to cast away evil spirits or bring them "Good Luck". And a pot of 3Ft or above Pomegranate plant might cost up to S$100 during this Chinese New Year season. But so far, I don't really see they bear any big fruits of those kind that is sold in the supermarket. Next popular on the flower might be the "Orchid" plants around the flower fair but I am not sure what special meaning it has for the New Year. Maybe those of you know any clue on this can drop me a note to share with us.

Other than the flower fair which is near our area, we also visit the "Flower Nurseries" along Thomson Road area. Everyone of us feel so excited with the Chinese New Year atmosphere with all these colourful New Year flowers/plants. There are at least about 4 nurseries along the stretch of road, so do drop by before Chinese New Year which falls on 14 February 2010 to embrace yourself with all these wonderful sight.

Look at this set of combination, I love those pots of "tiny daisy" which look like little smiling faces that can easily brighten up your days. I am not sure what is the name of the colourful flower that is shown on the bottom left. This pot comes with a bunch of very colourful tiny flowers that really caught my attention at 1st sight. And when you take a closer look, you can also find the a pot each of the red and white cherry blossom from the photo.

From the 1st picture on the left, you can see the "Nepenthes" being decorated with New Year decorations. But Rey was much more interested on the wall of "Ferns" which comes in different colour and types. Along the way while admiring those potted tangerine, we spotted 3 interesting plant. The one shown on the bottom left look like a "huge hand" which is called the "Yellow Lotus Plant". Second on the row, is the "Ling Zhi - 灵芝". At the first glance, we still thought it is not a real plant because we hardly see any real Ling Zhi around in Singapore. And this pot of Ling Zhi cost around S$90+. As for the last picture on the right, it has a very unique name which called "Nipple Fruit" which is similar to tomato family.

So... why not join in the Chinese New New countdown and immersed yourself in the festive season Flower Fair.....

Birthday Treat @ Sakae Sushi Part III

This is our 3rd visit to Sakae sushi in the month of January. As we are all busy with work and etc during the weekday where my Birthday falls on, we decided to make it up for a weekend dinner instead. While flipping through the menu, we are struggling on whether to settle for Teppanyaki or Ala Carte Menu. And after some voting, we decide to get one item each from our favourite section.

First, we have a plate of this Bamboo Clam from the Teppanyaki Menu which cost about S$8.99. The bamboo clam is fresh, springy and nicely infused with garlic bits that enhance the overall flavour of this dish. I recommend to eat this dish with steam rice so that you can enjoy the yummy gravy with it.

It has being long time since my last tried on this "Agedashi Tofu" from the menu. I remember I used to love this dish a few years back and I even tried a few recipes on making this dish at home. I love the tofu which has a crispy outer layer, when bite the center is so soft and silky. This tofu goes well with it's special Tentsuyu broth which is make with Dashi, Mirin and Soy Sauce.

Tempura Ramen is something new to us today compare to the usual Tempura Udon or Ten Don(天丼) that we usually ordered from the menu. So far I notice that most of the Ramen in Sakae came in a very "HUGE" serving bowl which will give you a fright on the content in it. From the photo, you can see that the Ramen is served in some cloudy white colored broth, with soft-boiled egg, kamaboko, spinach and etc. And it is also served with a pair of deep-fried tempura prawns. We don't really like the taste of the Ramen broth which we find it rather salty.

We love Unagi, especially the Unagi Don, but today we would like to try something new so we pick up this "Unagi Tamago Toji" from the Hotplate section. Imagine, combining the yummy Unagi with Tamago Toji(eggdrop soup) on the Hotplate and served piping hot together with a bowl of steam rice. Wow.. isn't that great for a hearty meal where you can enjoy fish, egg, vegetables and mushroom all in one.

I used to love this deep-fried sushi which is coated with a layer of batter which makes it taste crispy and fragrant. Fried Maki is one of the colour plate item found under the Side Order Menu. I have not tasted this for about a year or so and today we find that it is rather not the same taste as what we used to have before. Maybe is the ingredients or somehow rather something is different from the past.