Ultimate Colla-gen From Korea

Recently I have received a very interesting "product" to try out which is totally different from those daily "food products" that I have tried. When parcel arrived, I was surprise with it's packaging which resemble those "Japanese style" bento box wrap-up. And when I upload a photo of the above on instagram (here) and facebook (here) I received many interesting answers such as "burberry bags, mooncakes, cookbook" and etc.

To reveal the mystery, below is the content of what was being wrapped under that burberry cloth.

I am always curious when it comes to the word "Collagen" whenever I watch those Korean dream where the actor/actress will eat first thing in the morning to nourish their skin and etc. So when I get chance to review this Ultimate Colla-gen from Korea, I was delighted to give it a try.

Ultimate Colla-gen is available in 2 formulations which caters to people of all age groups. For individuals in their 20s to 40s, Ultimate Colla-gen Plus will help them nurtures skin, hair and nails. Whereas for those in their Golden Years, Ultimate Colla-gen Gold will nurtures their joints, bones and skin.

When compared to other collagen products in the current market, Ultimate Colla-gen’s Nano-molecular collagen was found to be 50% smaller which in a way enable fast and easy absorption into the body.

The reason why we need collagen is because as we age at around 25 years old, the collagen levels starts to drop at about 1.5% every year. So by the age of 45, our collagen levels in the body will ave reduced by up to 30%. But with consuming of Ultimate Colla-gen at least it helps to supplement natural collagen loss in line with balanced diet, skin cares and sleeping habits.

Ultimate Colla-gen is 100% developed and blended in Korea, according to strict Good Manufacturing Practice. It has a light and refreshing after taste which is not fishy or oily as compared to some other similar products because it is s made using real blueberry extract. Most important it has NO preservatives, NO trace metals and NO sugar.

Furthermore Ultimate Colla-gen is also Halal-certified in Korea. Each 38kcal sachet of Ultimate Colla-gen contains 5,000mg of Nano Collagen combined with an optimum and synergistic mix of 6 other multi-nutrients like Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Probiotics, Glucosamine, Acai Berry, Real Blueberries extract, Chondroitin, Silica and MSM.

Apart from mixing it into warm/cold water, you could also mix it with your favourite juice and consume together. Just empty the whole sachet into a 200ml glass of water, stir well and drink.

Both Ultimate Colla-gen Plus and Ultimate Colla-gen Gold can be purchased from Nishino Pharmacy outlets, Pharmex Healthcare outlets, Robinsons, Pan Derma Clinique@Great World City and selected Sa Sa Outlets. Each box contains 30 sachets which is enough for one month’s consumption at S$88.00.

Lastly I would like to thanks Absolute PR and Ultimate Colla-gen for the complimentary product.

Nyonya Food Affair At Buffet Town

For the month of September till 31st October 2012, Buffet Town is having "A Nyonya Food Affair" theme to provide diners with a different dining experience. So about two weeks go I have visited their outlet on a weekday dinner together with Celes and Shitting.

Although the Nyonya section is not very big but it does consists most of the Peranakan signature dishes such as Babi Pongteh, Itek Tim, Kueh Pie Tee, Chap Chye and etc.

Part of the Nyonya Food Section which is visible from the entrance and beside the pizza station.

For something refreshing, start off with these Nyonya Appetizers such as:- Sambal, Achar, Papaya Pickle, Chin Chalok and etc. Personally I love the Papaya Pickle and Achar.

After the appetizer, you could move on to their delicious home-cooked main dishes such as:- Otak Otak Pangang, Nyonya Fried Mee Siam, Babi Pongteh (braised pork) and Nyonya Chap Chye.

Most of us love the Fried Mee Siam which is fragrant with spices used and filled with old-school flavour.  The texture of the Babi Pongteh is soft and flavorsome which goes well with steamed rice together with the Chap Chye.

Other than dishes above, they also have others such as:- Shrimp Fritters, Ngoh Hiang, Kueh Pie Tee, Itek Tim (Salted Mustard Duck Soup) and Nyonya Curry Chicken.

Out of the above-mentioned, Curry Chicken is our less favourite because we find it a bit too saltish to our liking and it is not fragrant enough as compared to the usual local curry chicken that we had. But other than that, Kueh Pie Tee and Itek Tim are both "must try" which you don't want to miss out. Love the Itek Tim soup which reminds me of my grandma cooking.

Kueh Lapis is one of my favourite kueh especially during Chinese New Year and at the Nyonya Buffet  you could also find assorted nyonya kueh such as Kueh Salat,  Pulut Inti, Steamed Lapis and even Chendol as after meal dessert.

Apart from the Nyonya Food Affair, Buffet Town also has  20 over other categories of food which definitely would satisfy the taste bubs of the 450 seating capacity. No wonder it is always "super long" queue outside the restaurant during lunch or dinner.

So if you love seafood on ice, I would suggested you to go for their fresh sashimi and oyster which we all find it fresh and worth trying.

Above are some of the food from other various stations such as:- Rojak, Assorted Satay, Chilli And Black Pepper Crabs, Assorted Tempura, Roasted Beef and not forgetting their crispy and delicious assorted Pizza which is something not to be missed.

After a hearty meal, you could grab a cup of coffee/tea to pair with some miniature assorted mousse cups, cakes, self made Ice Kechang, ice cream, soy beancurd and etc. Their mango mousse cups are something that I love and it always run out pretty fast too.

Lastly, you won't want to miss out the best dessert at Buffet Town which is their freshly made Waffle. It is crispy on the outer layer and yet light and fluffy with each bites. I love to pair it with my favourite Green Tea Gelato (example from Kiseki post here) plus drizzle of chocolate sauce but too bad that night they have run out of green tea gelato.

A Nyonya Food Affair will be available from 10th September 2012 till 31st October 2012 at Buffet Town, Raffles City. So if you love Nyonya food, do call early to make reservation in order to avoid disappointment.


BUFFET TOWN
Raffles City
#B1-44E
252 North Bridge Road
Reservation: +65 6837 3793
Website: www.buffettown.com.sg

Opening Hours:
11.30am - 3.00pm daily (Last order at 2.30pm)
6.00pm - 10.30pm daily (Last order at 9.30pm)

Buffet Town Pricing:
Monday - Friday Lunch: S$24.80++ (adult); S$17.80++ (child)
Sat, Sun, Eve of and PH Lunch: S$29.80++ (adult); S$17.80++ (child)

Monday - Thursday Dinner: S$34.80++ (adult); S$20.80++ (child)
Friday - Sunday, Eve of and PH Dinner: S$39.80++ (adult); S$20.80++ (child)

* Child(6 - 12 years old)


Thank you Chantel and Buffet Town for the tasting invite. You could also read more HERE from my old post regarding my 1st visit to Buffet Town for their lunch buffet.

Huiji Double-boiled Chicken Essence

Year end school exam is around the corner and I believe most of the parents as just as stress as their kids who are going to take the exam. And often during this period, bottled chicken essence is always something mum would give to the kids to keep them alert as well as nourishing their fatigue body.  Although bottled chicken essence might be convenience, but as a mum we always wanted something better for our kid(s) so I am sure we won't mind taking the time to prepare our own Chicken Essence which is full of goodness.

If Chinese herbs is not accessible in your areas or you don't really know the quantity to add, perhaps you could add a cup (20ml, huiji measuring cup) of Huiji Waist Tonic like what I did. Huiji Waist Tonic is good in a way because it is alcohol free plus it consists of a few types of marvelous Chinese Herbs such as Cordyceps (冬蟲草) which helps to tonify the lungs and kidneys, arrest bleeding and dissolve phlegm. Du Zhong (杜仲) helps to tonify the liver and kidney that suits everyone in the family.

HUIJI DOUBLE-BOILED CHICKEN ESSENCE

Chicken Essence is the Chicken Juice gathered from double-boiled the prepared chicken after 3 - 4 hours of cooking time. It has a lot of nutritional values which helps to restore physical strength, replenish body fluid lost through  childbirth, illness or stress. On top of it by adding extra Huiji Waist Tonic to the chicken essence it also helps to benefit those individual which has fatigue body, lack of sleep or weakness caused by illnesses.

(Serves: 1 | Preparation: 10 minutes | Cooking: 3 - 4 hours)

Ingredients:
3 Chicken Breast / 1 Kampong Chicken
1 Cup (20ml, using huiji measuring cup) Huiji Waist Tonic
8 Pieces Wolfberries, optional

Method:-
1. Trim and remove the skin and fats on the chicken parts used. Next pound the chicken meat using a mallet (shown above) or back of a chopper till soft and tender.

2. If you don't have a stewing pot for double-boiled, you could use a small porcelain rice bowl, over turn it and place in a double-boiler pot (shown above).

3. Scatter the wolfberries around the bowl, if using. Place the prepared chicken meat on and around the bowl (refer to the photo above).

4. Cover the double-boiler. Place it into the slow-cooker. Add water to almost 3/4 full in the slow-cooker and cook on AUTO mode for about 3 - 3.5 hours.

5. When done, pour soup on serving bowl. Stir in 1 cup (20ml) of Huiji Waist Tonic and serve chicken essence hot.

For some of you, the process might look slightly tedious especially on pounding/smashing up of the chicken. But trust me, it is actually quiet easy using a mallet or back of the chopper. After which you just need to arrange the prepared chicken in a double-boiler and cook it in a slow-cooker for a few hours before you or your loved ones could enjoy this wholesome goodness.

If you like to try other recipe using Huiji Waist tonic you could check out my Steamed Drunken Prawn recipe HERE.

Lemon Bar aka Lemon Slice

Lemon Bar or Lemon Slice is a combination of buttery shortbread and tangy lemon filling that makes it so irresistible to stop at one. Although different recipes yield different result in texture and taste, I prefer mine with crispy shortbread crust that filled with soft and tangy lemon filling.