Friday, 4 February 2011

Reunion Dinner At Peach Garden, 33 OCBC Centre

Last year our combined family reunion dinner was organised by my brother and it was held at "Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant - 四川豆花饭庄" at UOB Plaza(post HERE). And this year it will be my cousin's turn to source for the dinner venue as well as selection of menu.

Finally after some research he decided to held the dinner at one of the newest "Peach Garden(桃苑)" outlet at level 33, OCBC centre.

From the photo above, you can glance that our menu for this year is "Chef's Recommendation Lunar New Year Special Set Menu" that consists of 1 Yu Sheng as appetiser, 5 Main Courses and 2 Desserts to cater for 12 Adults.

Upon arriving at the restaurant there is a pool of "Tangerine()" available near the entrance counter for customers to pick up as a symbolise of "Good Luck". Other than tangerines there are also bottles of  Peach Garden homemade special "XO Sauce" on sale for customers to purchase home.

Before dinner starts there are some delicious "Almond Cookies(杏仁饼)" from Peach Garden that is served as snack. And most of us who tried agrees that these cookies do taste light with a hint of delicate Almond flavor that is not too overpowering. Some even believes that Almond cookies symbolise "COINS" which will bring good fortune too.

As usual the 1st dish for any Chinese New Year Menu will be "Yu Sheng(鱼生)" which symbolise good luck, prosperity, promotion and etc. According to the waitress this dish is known as "福星高照" and she will help to add/pour in the ingredients one at time with auspicious greetings used for Chinese New Year before we starts our "Lo Hei(撈起)".

Other than the usual Shark's fins and Abalones, "Roasted Golden Suckling Pig(金陵片披乳猪)" is another popular dish to be included in traditional Chinese New Year Reunion menu which symbolise "Gold and Good Luck". For this dish the crispy skin layers are eaten with either flat bun or thin wrapper together with hoisin sauce.

While the reminding parts of the suckling pig is usual cut into small pieces and braised with "Mei Cai(梅菜)"  or deep-fried with seasoning shown above. Eveyone comments that this is indeed a very delicious dishe as the crispy outer layer is being infuse with a light and tasty salt and pepper seasoning which makes it goes choice to go with either beer or wine.

Next on the list is this "Double-boiled Shark's Fin with Shrimp Dumpling and Mustard Green Soup(亭汤中鲍翅水饺菜胆). To me this soup is nothing really special perhaps just a good soup broth that tops with a small piece of "Sharks Fin" and Shrimp dumpling.

This "Braised 1 Head Whole Abalone with Sea Cucumber and Lettuce(原只1头鲍鱼海参菜)" is one of my aunt's family favourite dish as they loves the texture of Abalones.To us the sea cucumber is nicely cooked with a soft and gluey texture but the abalone was rather a bit bland to taste. Still prefer the braised abalone from Ah-Yat or Owen.

The "Braised Soon Hock with Yam Paste(芋泥焖笋壳鱼)" was rather miserable in appearance and taste. Before this dish is serve I was rather excited to see how the chef will incorporate "Yam Paste" into the dish but when it comes the serving appearance immediately gives it a "F" grade. Perhaps the waitress are pretty busy and they did not even ask us whether to serve the fish in whole or in individual portion. And we can only see a few yam cubes in it rather than what is mentioned as "Yam Paste" so I think there is nothing special about this dish which is just braised fish with yam cubes in sauce.

Last dish is "Saute Live Prawns with Noodles and Homemade Sauce(干爆生虾捞面)" with lots of LEEKS(蒜) that symbolise "money" whereas the noodles in this dish symbolise "longevity in health".

Finally it's Dessert time, as usual there are two different types of dessert in the Chinese New Year menu. The 1st one shown on the photo is "Dried Glutinous Rice Ball(干捞汤圆)" where the black sesame fillings rice ball is coated with grind peanuts.

Second dessert is rather something new apart from those usual mango pomelo or red bean soup. This is known as "Ice Refreshing Pearl Tea(冰凉珍珠茶)" that serves with mini chewy pearls and cold refreshing jelly together with fragrant tea.

Overall this is a great Reunion Dinner where everyone gets together and stay as a family that shares happiness and funtime. And as usual every year after reunion dinner, Uncle James will give each of us an advance ang bao known as "Ya Sui Qian(压岁钱). In the olden days, during Chinese New Year eve the elders will prepared some advance money to be given to the younger generation as this said New Year's money is use to suppress the evil spirit and the junior will have money to spend in peace in coming New Year.



Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner - Part I

Traditionally most Chinese families would gather together for a feast a few days or just before the start of Chinese Lunar New Year. And eventually this meal is known as “Tuan Yuan Fan(团 圆 饭) or Reunion Dinner which is eaten with all immediate family members as a symbol of strength and unity in the family. And during the reunion dinner there is always plenty of food on the table and also by having an excess of food would also symbolizes good fortune for the New Year too.

For the past few years my mum has being joining us together with my in-laws to have Reunion Dinner since she is alone after my dad passed away. And this round is our 2nd year having pre Chinese New Year dinner at "Jing Long Seafood Restaurant" which is located at Bedok North Ave 2.

We reached the place around 5.40pm and almost 3/4 of the restaurant is full of customers either waiting for the food to be served or at least already eaten the 1st dish which is "Yu Sheng". By 6pm the restaurant is fully packed with customers and the serving staffs also seems to be a bit slow and forgetful as they didn't even serve us any drink after 30 minutes upon our arrival.

Finally after another 10 minutes, our "Salmon Yu Sheng(三文鱼鱼生)" arrived and the waitress starts to mumbling all those auspicious words while adding in the ingredients.

Second dish is "Braised Shark Fins with Bean Sprout(银芽扣珍珠翅)". Out of all the dishes in the menu, we find this is actually abit below average taste as the stock is so thick and gluey that reminds me of the "Tau Suan(spilt green bean soup)".

When comes to fish, do you prefer steam or deep-fried? I think most of the people would prefer "Steam" rather than "Deep-fried" if the fish is fresh. But surprisingly our "Deep-fried Soon Hock Fish in Special Sauce(特味顺壳鱼)" on that day was quite impressive with their special sauce and also some "Papadum(an Indian cracker)" instead of usual prawn crackers around it.

Does this "Braised Mushroom with Dried Oyster(花菇耗士生菜)" look Familiar to you? Yes! If you have follow my Chinese New Year dishes, you would have read up the post on how we prepared a similar dish at home. (read more HERE)

Instead of the usual Crispy Cereal Prawns that my sister-in-law loves, this year we are having "Spicy Butter Prawn(奶辣脆皮虾)". And according to New Year myth, eating prawns will bring happiness and well-being because in Mandarin and Cantonese "Xia" and "Ha" mean laughter.

You can find this popular "Lotus Leaf Rice with Chinese Sausage(腊味荷叶饭)" dish in most of the Chinese New Year set menu from various restaurants. It is believes that these rice grain symbolise "silver and gold" that is being wrapped in a money bag.

Lastly for dessert we have something different this year which is the "Assorted Mochi(四季麻薯)" instead of their signature Mango Cream with Pomelo.

This is Part I of our Reunion Dinner on Sunday, 30 January 2010 at Jing Long Seafood Restaurant. Personally I think dine-out during Chinese New Year in any restaurants is actually very rush and the food might not be as good in quality compare to normal days. Although Jing Long serves quite good quality of food but from my past experience on eating reunion dinner in restaurants, I find that with the price that we are paying is actually goes to the staffs OT pay during festive season instead of the quality of the food.

Hope next year everyone can agreed to have something simple at home rather than eat out which is too costly and not worth paying for the price and quality of food we had.

JING LONG SEAFOOD RESTARUANT
Block 412 Bedok North Ave 2
#01-152
Singapore 460412
Reservation: (65)6442 9398
Website: http://www.jinglongseafood.com/

Daily Business Hours:
Lunch: 11.30am - 2.30pm(last order 2.15pm);
Dinner: 5.30pm - 10.30pm(last order 10.30pm)


Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Lotus Seeds, Longan And Persimmon Sweet Soup

Today is Chinese New Year Eve and I am sure most of the young kids are very excited about the "Ang Bao(s)" that they are going to collect over the long weekend holiday. And for the adults, especially all the "Mums'" no doubts most of you will be busying in the kitchen preparing all the yummy food for reunion dinner.

Ladies from the younger generation perhaps you can also contribute some easy Chinese New Year "Auspicious" sweet soup as after meal dessert to pamper the elderly for preparing such as great reunion feast and as well share the sweet and harmony atmosphere through the sweetness of the dessert.     

This is the most common Chinese New Year sweet soup that is being favourite by old and young generation. You can manipulate with the ingredients according to your preference but these are the usual ingredients used.


Preparation Time: 15 Minutes                                   Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients: (serves 4)
60g Dried Lotus Seeds(莲子), soak till soften
60g Fresh Gingko Nut(白果)
80g Dried Longan(桂圆肉)
1 1/2 Pieces of Brown Sugar(冰片糖)
2 Small Pieces of Dried Persimmon(柿饼), sliced
4 Sterculia Seeds (澎大海)
2 Litres of Water
1 Bundle of Pandan Leaves



Method:
1. Soak the Sterculia Seeds into hot water until fully burst out before removing the outer shell and seed. Rinse and drained well then set aside.
2. Soak Dried Lotus seeds in hot water for about 5 minutes till soften, rinse and remove any green sprouts from each seed and set aside.
3. Rinse the pre-packed fresh Gingko Nuts and season it with 1 teaspoon castor sugar.
4. Bring 2 Litres of water to boil, add in lotus seeds and dried longan, cook on medium hat for about 10 minutes, add in marinated gingko nuts and pandan leaves and cook for another 10 minutes before adding brown sugar to taste.
5. When done, add in sliced persimmon and prepared peng-da-hai then give them a quick stir before turning off the heat.
6. Dish up on bowl and serve either hot or cold.


Sterculia Seeds (Pend-da-hai "澎大海") is brown and wrinkled in appearance but sweet and cold in nature. These seeds were traditionally used to soothe a sore throat and cough, but in addition it also helps clear the intestine and assist proper bowel function. From the photo above it shows the "bursting" effect of the Sterculia seeds after being soaked in hot water for about 5 minutes.


With this Chinese New Year sweet soup, I wish everyone had a Sweet And Harmony moment with your loved one just like this sweet soup and their auspicious meaning of the ingredients. Stay healthy always and I hope you will find some inspiration through those Chinese New Year dishes or dessert that I have shared this year. Thanks.


Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Braised Mushroom With Sea Cucumber

Morning everyone! Tomorrow will be the eve of Chinese New Year and I believe most of the housewives are busy getting all the ingredients ready to prepare big feasts for the family and friends during coming New Year. And for those who are having Reunion Dinner either today or tomorrow, what is your favourite dish that you are looking forward to? I remember when I was young I always look forward to my dad’s “Ngoh Hiang - 五香” and “Steamed Yam and Sweet Potato With Coconut”.

But past few years, during Chinese New Year I will always look forward to my 2nd aunt’s Cantonese style “Braised Sea Cucumber with Mushroom and Fish Maw”. So this year mum suggests that maybe we can replicate this dish for own consume. So after checking with 2nd aunt on the ingredients and preparation methods here are our own version of the "Braised Mushroom with Sea Cucumber".

Ingredients: (serves 4 - 6)
250g Roasted Pork(烧肉), cut into bite sizes pieces
200g Dried Shiitake Mushrooms(花菇), soaked till soft
80g Dried Fish Maw(鱼肚), blanched in hot water
150g Fresh Pig Tendons(猪脚筋)
600g Sea Cucumber(海参)
4 Big Dried Scallop (干贝)
15g Black Moss(发菜), soaked till expand
1 Bulb of Garlic
3 Slices of Ginger
3 - 4 Dried Chili(辣椒干), optional
4 Tablespoon of Oyster Sauce
600ml or More of Hot Water

Note:-
~ You can also add in a few Dried Oysters(蚝豉) to enhance the flavour as well as for it's auspicious meaning of "Good Wealth" during Chinese New Year.

~ Adding a few dried chili will brings up the flavour of this dish and leave it a bit of spicy taste.


Here is a photo to show the steps on how to prepare this dish.

Method:
1. Soak dried shiitake mushroom and black moss separately in warm water, when the mushroom soften squeeze them dry to remove excess water and set side.

2. Rinse and scrap away any dirt from the sea cucumber and pig tendons and set aside.

3. Bring a pot of water to boil, blanched fish maw for about 3 minutes till soften, remove and soak in water for later use.

4. Heat up a big frying pan or pot, sauté garlic, ginger and dried chili with 1 tablespoon of oil till fragrant, add in roasted pork and give it a stir for 1 minute before adding mushroom and stirring for another 1 minute or more.

5. Next add in the sea cucumber and pig tendons and stir till the mixture is well mixed.

6. At this stage you can transfer the mixture to a THERMAL POT or Slow Cooker for ease cooking process. (for this recipe I use the Thermal Pot which I bough from Giant at S$29.90 for 5 litres pot which is cheap and good)

7. Add in enough hot water to cover the mixture, stir the black moss, oyster sauce and dried scallop. Cover and let the mixture simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes.

8. Remove from stove and place the inner pot back to the thermal pot holder and let it stand for an hour before placing the inner pot back to the stove and simmer for another 10 minutes.

9. Repeat step 8 till the ingredients soften and flavour. 

10. If you are using slow cooker, just set it to AUTO and cook for at least 2 hours or till soften.


This dish can be prepared a few days ahead and store in small containers in the fridge till later consume. And if you like this dish but don't wish to take the hassle to prepare it due to the process, you can always cook in big quantity and freeze them in the freezer which can be kept for about 2 months. On the other hand if you don't like the idea of freezing your food perhaps a thermal pot will help to shorten the cooking time.

Lastly I would like to wish everyone a HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR and stay in good Health, Prosper and all the best for throughout the year.


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