Seafood Galore at Plaza Brasserie

For this coming Mother's Day you can make your mum feel special by treating her a sumptuous seafood spread on either lunch/dinner at Plaza Brasserie (Park Royal, Beach Road) from 12 - 13 May 2012. And on top of the wide range of buffet spread, each mum also gets to enjoy a complimentary glass of cocktail or mocktail on the two mentioned dates.

SEAFOOD GALORE

Good News! For your information, Plaza Brasserie's popular Seafood Galore buffet is back from 01 May to 30 June 2012 in conjunction for the celebration of Mother's and Father's day. And to whet your appetite, Savour Executive Chef, Jackson Goh's signature dishes such as deep-fried prawns with garlic sauce, claypot braised fish head, alongside an array of fresh oysters, shellfish, chilli crab and baked whole salmon will be on the ordering menu on top of the usual buffet spread.

From Mondays to Thursdays:-
pair your selection of fresh fish with a preferred sauce and allow their chefs to whip up your dish.

Sweet and Sour fish is always one of the popular dishes among kids and adults due to its crispy deep-fried texture plus sweet and savoury sauce which makes it a great pair.

Cantonese Style Steamed Fish with Soy Sauce is definitely something on your ordering list for mum and dad to enjoy.

But out of the 3 "fish" dishes we had that day, I personally preferred the Braised Fish Head With Yam which consists of most of my favourite ingredients such as Yam, Chestnut, Button Mushrooms and etc. And I am sure both mum and dad or anyone in the family would loves this dish to bits.

As From Fridays to Sundays:-
You can indulge in the 'Crustacean Selections', ranging from bamboo clams to juicy crabs prepared in your favourite choice of sauce.

This Cereal Prawns is sure to be on the "Must" order list where you can find dish, you can find big and fresh succulent prawns hiding below a pool of crispy and fragrant fried cereal. Each prawn taste so juicy and crunchy especially with the combination of those delicious fried cereal.  

Although I am not a fan of "shellfish" but this Stir-fried Bamboo Clam and Lala has indeed bought up my attention with its natural sea flavours, sweetness and some extra spices to lighten up this dish.

PREVIEW OF WHAT'S ON THE BUFFET SPREAD

Bread and Salad Counters:- I guess most of you would prefers to start off the buffet by having some refreshing salads, bread or cheese before the main course comes into picture. 

Like all other buffet spread, this one at Plaza Brasserie also consists of both hot and cold stations where you get to enjoy their signature "Soft Shell Crab with Tobiko Mayo", "Braised Sea Cucumber". "Chicken Rice", "Fruit Rojak", "Fresh Seafood on Ice" and etc.

Dessert Counter:-  Provide a range of Western and Local dessert such as Mango Pudding, Mini Pancakes,  Chocolate Mousse(Must Try!), Fresh Cut Fruits and Daily Tong Shui like; Cheng Tng, Sesame Tang Yuan, Tau Suan and etc.

WHAT'S ON MY PLATE!

At the Chef's cooking station, you pick up your desire choice of freshly made Roti Prata from the wide varieties such as Chocolate, Durian, Egg, Onion, Plain and etc. But if you love Durian like me, you must try their Durian Prata which consists of "real" durian pulp in between those flashy skin.

Something Extra!

CARROT CAKE

(Not included in the buffet spread)

This is something extra apart from the buffet spread that we are having. Indeed Park Royal has a very unique Carrot Cake that is rich and moist in taste plus it is full of grated carrot and toasted nuts in between each layer of smooth and silky sweet cream cheese frosting.{Must Try!}

SEAFOOD GALORE @ PLAZA BRASSERIE

Mondays to Sundays (excluding the following dates)
Dinner Adult: S$52.00++            Child: S$31.00++(4 to 12 years old)

Mother's Day Special

12 and 13 May 2012
Lunch
Adult: S$58.00++          Child: S$35.00++(4 to 12 years old)
Dinner 
Adult: S$58.00++          Child: S$35.00++(4 to 12 years old)

Father's Day Special

16 and 17 June 2012
High Tea
Adult: S$42.00++           Child: S$25.00++(4 to 12 years old)
Dinner
Adult: S$55.00++           Child S$33.00++(4 to 12 years old)

For enquiries and reservations, please call 6505 5710 or email fb.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com

Samgyetang - Ginseng Chicken Soup with Rice and Chestnut Stuffings

Ginseng is one of Korea's most famous products which encompassing goodness as a booster for the immune system. As a source of energy and vitality, it promotes longevity and increases libido. There are different grades of ginseng and the top grade being the wild Korean ginseng which is considered to be the best whereas the fresh cream-coloured roots are blended for drinks and used for cooking.

Samgyetang(삼계탕/参鸡汤), a Korean style chicken soup which consists of a whole young chicken and Korean Ginseng. In Korean culture, it is believed that this soup can prevent illness and it is traditionally served in the summer for its supposed nutrients, which replaces those lost through excessive sweating and physical exertion during the hot summers in Korea.

GINSENG CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE STUFFING

Samgyetang(삼계탕)

I still remember vividly, Andy our Korean tour-guide mentioned to us that this Samgyetang(삼계탕) or “ginseng chicken soup” is one of their popular dish in Korea. And during the 3 hottest days of the year in Summer which they called "bok days(복날)" according to the Lunar Calendar, people would take a break, feast on foods to replenish their strength and stamina. So this Samgyetang(삼계탕) becomes one of their popular choices to strengthen their body.

(Serves: 2-3 | Preparation: 10 minutes | Cooking: 60 minutes)

Ingredients:
1 Whole Chicken, about 800g - 1kg
3 - 4 Pieces Finger-thick Fresh or Dried Ginseng Roots, washed
4 Red Dates
2 Thin Slices of Ginger
2 Cloves Garlic, washed and lightly pound
2 Stalks Spring Onion, washed
Extra Chestnut and Gingko Nut, 4 each(optional)

Stuffing:
1/2 Cup(100g) Glutinous Rice, rinse and soaked for 30 minutes
4 Red Dates
4 Fresh Chestnuts, shell and skin removed
4 Fresh Ginkgo Nuts, shell and skin removed
2 Cloves Garlic
1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Method:-

1. Clean and rinse the chicken thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside. Meanwhile drain the soaked glutinous rice and combine with the rest of the stuffing ingredients. 

2. First using one or two red dates to block the opening from the chicken neck area in order to prevent the stuffing from oozing out during simmering. Next stuff the rice mixture into the chicken.(remember not to pack the mixture too tightly as it will swell during cooking)

3. When done, close the cavity of the chicken by threading a skewer/toothpick or using portion of the ginseng root/red dates to block the opening.

4. Place chicken in a soup pot/claypot large enough to hold the chicken, add in enough water to cover the chicken then scatter in remaining ingredients (ginseng roots, garlic, ginger, red dates, extra ginkgo nuts and chestnut) and bring it to boil.

5. Skim off the white foam, cover and low the heat and simmer gently for about 50 - 60 minutes(turning the chicken once/twice).

6. To serve,remove the chicken from the pot and cut into halves or quarters in small bowls, ladle some ginseng soup over it and garnish with some ground black pepper and chopped spring onion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTE:-

~ You can replaced whole Ginseng with 2 - 3 Tablespoons dried ginseng shavings or ginseng roots.

If you compare this recipe with the previous Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup(参鸡汤) recipe which I have shared sometime back, you would notice this recipe above is similar to the euthenics Samgyetang which consists of ginseng roots, chestuts, ginko nuts, garlic and glutinous rice.

We can never get tired of this fragrant and delicious Ginseng Chicken Soup which could also act as one-pot dish due to it's ingredients.

Rosemary Honey Chicken Drumlets

There are many ways you can enjoy honey either on it's own, mix it with water or juice, drizzle on fruits and pancakes or use it for baking cake or savoury food. No matter which method you prefer, a daily dose of honey in whichever way is good to boost the body's supply of antioxidants which is therefore essential for protecting against free radicals.

In my last related honey post, I have shared a "Honey Lemonade" recipe which is good for flushing out your body system and gives it a boost to increase your daily energy. And in this post, I will be sharing another finger licking recipe using honey to enhance it taste and colours.

ROSEMARY HONEY CHICKEN DRUMLETS

If drumlets is not your preference you can always replace it with mid-joints or even chicken maryland for a hearty serving portion together with some mashed potato or garden salad to complete the meal.

(Serves: 2-3 |      Preparation: 5 minutes |         Cooking: 30 - 40 minutes)

Ingredients:
10 - 12 Chicken Drumlets
1 Tablespoon Honey Sheep Lemon West Coast Honey
1/2 Tablespoon Oyster Sauce
1/2 Tablespoon Cooking Wine
1/2 Teaspoon Dark Soy Sauce
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
2 Sprigs Rosemary, remove leaves and roughly chopped

Method:-

1. Trim the bone end of each chicken drumlets, remove skin around the bone and push the down the flesh to the head of the drumlet to form a cluster.

2. Marinate the drumlets with honey, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, pepper and rosemary leaves. Set aside in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

3. Line baking tray with baking paper or aluminum foil, arrange marinated chicken drumlets(remove from the fridge 10 - 15 minuets before cooking)on it and bake in oven toaster for about 30 minutes(flipping the drumlets two to three time during cooking to even the brown colours)

ALTERNATIVELY:-

~ Bake in a preheated 200° Celsius(400 degrees Fahrenheit) oven for about 30 - 40 minutes or till cooked through.

4. Next brush chicken drumlets with some extra honey lemon during the last 5 minutes of cooking time to enhance the colour and flavour of the drumlets.

5. When done, remove from oven and serve immediately.

Personally I love this hassle free recipe which consists of light fruity flavors of lemon with fresh herbs and honey which makes it an refreshing starter for parties or even main dish. And in conjunction with the Food Revolution Day mentioned below, I would like to encourage more readers or food lovers to choose and eat your food wisely. Nothing beats homecook food which use fresh ingredients, I am sure with some simple recipe(s) such as this Rosemary Honey Chicken Drumblets above, you are able to feed your loved ones with fresh and healthier meals anytime of the day.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

Recently there is a wave about this "Food Revolution Day" which is going to take place on 19th May 2012 in different parts of the world. Initially this project is bought up by Jaime Olive to bring awareness across food consumers on proper diet habits using fresh ingredients rather than processed food which are high in sugar, unnatural preservatives and unknown chemicals. And here in Singapore we also have a group of food lovers who gets together to support this event, and this would be held on 19th May 2012 at The Lawn.

So all food lovers in Singapore, come and join with us on Food Revolution Day where all food lovers gather for a dinner party, share and learn about their knowledge about food! To find out more, you can hope over to Facebook or Twitter now to get the latest updates! Cya there!

Cuisine Paradise Turns 7!

Today, 30 April 2012 marks my 2,555 days (7th years) in blogging where Cuisine Paradise turns seven(7). Indeed time flies and it had being 7 years since I started with my 1st recipe post on "Steam Mini Pandan Kueh" with an aim just to share my tried and tested recipes and homecook dishes with friends.

Along the years, I have learn to cook and bake different kind of cuisines, food styling as well as into food photographing.  Despite of the ups and downs during my blogging days, I have get to know many new friends who share the same interest either from cooking, baking or photographing.

And to all readers of Cuisine Paradise, I hope I am enable to enlighten you with more improvements from my post and style of preparing the food(cooking/baking) through different stages of my project themes. Here I would like to sincerely voice out my appreciations and thoughts for those who has supported Cuisine Paradise during all these years. Thanks for all your feedback, comments and thoughts which enable Cuisine Paradise to achieve what it has today. Without all your supports and spread of words, Cuisine Paradise would not able to achieve up to 1.8 million page view (since June 2011 till date) and currently having about 150,000+ visitors per month.

Below are some of the flashbacks from Cuisine Paradise over the years:-

MOST POPULAR RECIPE

Avocado Chicken Parmigiana

With over 110,000 pins via from "Pinterest" and a total of 150,000+ Pageviews till date, this is one of the most popular recipe among readers of Cuisine Paradise. It is so easy to prepare that you only need an oven toaster instead of an oven to handle this recipe. And moreover this dish can be pair with either salad or pasta to end with a complete hearty meal.

If you want to prepare something simple and yet flavorsome to impress your loved ones, here is the recipe.

MOST POPULAR KITCHEN GADGET

Happy Call Double-sided Pressure Pan

It's only a few months back that this "Happy Call Double-Sided Pressure Pan" has finally makes it way into many kitchens in Singapore and Malaysia after a year or so in Singapore. This happens from a Happy Call group known as Munch Ministry which set up by 2 ladies who share their interests and recipes on cooking quick and simply healthy food using  HCP.

Even though I have one of this Happy Call Pan (HCP) for more than a year plus, I did not really fully utilize it until I was influence by this HCP group in facebook. After which I have develop interest in trying different recipes using HCP from dishes to bake. Below are some example of my HCP cooking/baking project. For the full HCP recipes menu, please refer HERE.

Baked Sweet Potato	Sizzling Tofu	Claypot Rice
Pineapple Upside-down Cake	Muah Chee	Pandan Chiffon Cake

OUR FAVOURITE BENTO

Making Bento is one of our weekly or at least twice a month mother and kid bonding activities whereby my boy and I will agreed on a theme to work together to assemble his bento.  Up till date I have about 30 quick and easy kid's bento featured in Cuisine Paradise and inSing.com, below are some of our favourite among the rest.

Easter Chicky Bento	Penguins Bento	Red Angry Birds Bento

PRODUCT REVIEWS

As a homemake and someone who loves to explore new kitchen products, I love to try new food or kitchen products whenever I spot something interesting during our weekly marketing trip. And from time to time I would also received product samples from media to be featured in Cuisine Paradise. Below are some of the product review posts and you could also read up more on this link HERE.

VOGEL's mueslis	Easy Thai Cooking(cookbook)	Zespri Kiwifruit Recipes

CURRENT PROJECT

Korean Cooking

It has never come across my mind to learn how to prepare Korean cuisines at home. And it's only due to my recent interest in Korea drama that I am starting to love how to appreciate Korea dishes in another view. Before starting on this cooking project, friendly speaking I am not a fan of even their well-known appetizer; Kimchi(김치) nor Korean Rice Cake (Tteok - 떡) which can be used to cook soup, stewed or noodles. But now with their easy to prepare and delicious dishes I am keen in exploring more Korean cuisines with the help of my new Korean friend. Thanks Daphne!

Below are some samples of my Korean Cooking Project post. If you are keen to read up more on this project you can click on the link HERE.

Kimchi Tofu Soup	Korean Rice Cakes with Ramen Noodles	Sangyetang (recipe coming soon)

Lastly I hope my passion for "food" on this blog would be able to commit for another 7 years or more but till then I really needs all your supports and feedback in order to maintain this blog and continue to strike for better improvements. And if you are new to cooking/baking, I would like to welcome you on board and sincerely hope that my recipes collection would be able to help you cookout some quick and easy dishes for your loved ones.