Chong Pang Food Centre - Our Favourite Place For Satisfying Meal

In Singapore, after a long day at work, most of us (especially young couples) tend to eat out because by the time we get home it’s already too late (around 7pm) to prepare dinner and do the washing-ups. Furthermore, on days like closing of the month or working overtime, I am sure a satisfying meal with hearty dish and a comfort beverage will instantly lift up your mood and chase away the blues despite your busy schedules and tiring day.

5 Recipes Using Spare Ribs

Spare ribs are inexpensive ingredients which are full of flavour and it can be used in many different ways such as barbecued, roasted, steamed or slow-cooked. In Singapore spare ribs are often used to prepare one of our well-known local dish; Bak Kut Teh (肉骨茶) which we can replicate at home using store bought spice pack too.

Here we have 5 Asian-style spare rib recipes which you might be interested to try out over the weekend. All the ingredients used can be easily obtain from local supermarkets and I have also included demo clips and Chinese version of the recipes on how to prepare these dishes.

Day Trip To Pulau Ubin - 乌敏岛

Pulau Ubin is a small island minutes (about 10 minutes boat ride) away from Singapore and it was once used for quarrying granite that was used extensive in building the high rise buildings in Singapore. It had being more than 10 years since I last visited this beautiful "kampong style aka village" island and recently we had made two separate trips there in order to explore different parts of the island.

This offshore island is a great place for nature and bike loves to spend a day or two exploring the island by hiring a bicycle, set up a camp at one of the camping site or learn more about the mangroves and the sea creates that lives there.

[June School Holidays: Week 4] Pulau Ubin, Food Hunt and Recipes

Time passes so quickly that we are into the last week of June school holidays in a blink of eyes. The boy and I had so much fun exploring different parts of Singapore as well as feasting on new and existing eateries and cafes. With that we have found our new love in Waffle and Bingsu plus memorable day trips to Pulau Ubin and Johor.

This week we also sharing some easy homecook recipes like steamed herbal chicken, stir-fry sambal okra, durian sweetcorn muffin and etc.

[Resort World Sentosa] S.E.A Aquarium, Skyride & Food

On the 3rd week of June School Holidays the boy suggests to re-visit S.E.A Aquarium which is located in Resort World Sentosa (RWS). And while browsing through their website for on-line tickets, I managed to spot a good deal that helps to save some dollars too. Besides seeing the marine creatures, we also explore the coastal parts of the island by hopping onto the beach tram which ferry us from Siloso to Palawan Beach. Oh ya not to forget we also took the courage to ride on the Skyride chairlift too.

[June School Holidays: Week 3] Resort World Sentosa, Food Hunt and Recipes

On the 3rd week of June holidays, we continue our food hunt at Hong Lim Food Centre, Monster Curry, Boon Tong Kee as well as feast on our favouite durian since it is on peak season. Besides food the boy and I also went for a day trip to Resort World Sentosa which you can read more in details below.

As for this week recipes we are featuring huai shan chicken soup, fried dumpling and braised chicken with bitter gourd which I hope you will like it.

JB (Johor Bahru) Food Trail, Malaysia

This June school holidays we did not managed to plan any overseas trips because our passport renewal was held up due to some delay. But after picking our new passport on the second week of June, we decided to join cousin and his family for an impromptu food and shopping day trip to Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia.

With a good itinerary and guide (cousin) that bring us around, we managed to conquer a few "must try" food places like Restoran Ya Wang, Hiap Joo Bakery, Hui Lau Shan, Cedar Point Food Centre and etc which you can check it out in this post.

Malay Fried Chicken Rice - 马来炸鸡饭

This Malay Fried Chicken Rice is inspired by my next door neighbour whom is a great cook. KaKak (Mdm khatijah) is a cheerful lady whom often share her cooking tips with me. Besides that she also taught me many delicious dishes which everyone loves such as Nasi Ayam Goreng (Malay fried chicken rice), Roti John (omelette sandwich), Bergedil (potato patty), Spicy Fried Spaghetti with Shrimp and etc.

This delicious fried chicken is flavoured by two main seasonings which are; turmeric and chicken stock powder. Furthermore to enhance the taste and texture of the chicken I also added some grated ginger juice to act as meat tenderizer too.

[June School Holidays: Week 2] JB Food Trip, Food Hunt and Recipes

Moving into second week of June holidays, we continue our food hunt with waffle and ice cream at Sunday Folks, dim sum lunch at the newly opened London Fat Duck Restaurant at Scotts Square, weekly movie as well as an impromptu day trip to Johor Bahru (JB) shopping malls.

Besides eating out, I also cook dinner on most of the weekday nights with our favourite dishes like Hong Zao Chicken (红槽鸡), Malay Fried Chicken Rice, ABC Soup and etc which you can refer to the recipes below.

Durian Sweetcorn Muffin - 榴莲玉米玛芬

I love corn muffin especially those served as sides in American restaurant that comes with bits of corn kernels in it because I simply adore its sweetness and sandy texture on each bites. So for this mentioned recipe, I turn my favourite ingredients; cornmeal, sweetcorn and durian into a sinful and yet delicious teatime snack which we go crazy with.

Korean Dessert In Singapore - Bingsu Vs Soft Serve Ice Cream

The Korean wave continues to hit Singapore over the past few years with K-Drama, boy bands, fashion and now even dessert cafes are into trend these days selling Bingsu (Korean style shaved ice with assorted toppings) and soft serve ice cream which are popular among youngster.

In June school holidays; together with my partner in crime (my boy, Instagramer @greenpiggy) we have a lot of fun going around Singapore to hunt for food as well as sightseeing. Below are some of the Korean Dessert Cafes which we have tried and would like to share our views with you too.

[June School Holidays: Week 1] Fishing, Cafe Hopping and Food Hunt

Time flies and now we are into the last week of June School Holidays. Although we did not plan any overseas trip this year but we do have lot of fun during the past few weeks exploring different parts of Singapore. For example; we went for fishing, food hunt, picnic, cafe hopping as well as day trip to Johor, Malaysia.

And on days when the boy has tuition classes, we would stay in door enjoying bonding time together whipping up meals or baking some tea snacks. Some days we also mingle around our little garden take care of our plants and vegetables. So for this and the subsequent posts we welcome you to join us walking through the wonderful time and memories that shared between me and the boy during the June school holidays.

[Gluten + Dairy Free] Banana Bread With Raspberry And Coconut

Recently I have an obsession for Banana Bread and I have being trying different combination of ingredients and methods to get the best recipe for my family. And for those who do gluten free bakes you will realize most of the time the bakes tend to be dry and crumbly due to the use of ingredients. But for this super easy one bowl "gluten + dairy free" Banana Bread recipe; the end result is amazing with super moist and hearty texture all thanks to the over-ripe bananas. Furthermore together with the raspberry the combination of banana and coconut are a match made in heaven that adds bonus points to this bake too.

[recipes] Perfect Italiano Cheese - Weekend Brunch Ideas

We love brunch and I am sure you love it too. So why not starts your weekend right with some fuss free homemade cafe-style brunch in your comfort zone. You can choose between the usual egg and toast, pasta or even new ideas like Nacho Pizza which requires minimal ingredients and preparation steps which enable you to have more time to enjoy the meal with your loved ones.

Mixed Berry Magic Cake - 莓子香草魔法蛋糕

Magic Cake (also known as 魔法蛋糕 or Magic Custard Cake) is where one cake batter magically turns into 3 distinct layers after being baked in the oven. And it feels so amazing when you see a fluffy sponge layer on top, wobble custard layer in the middle and a dense cake layer on the bottom while cutting the cake.

Chocolate Banana Nutella Cake - 香蕉榛子酱蛋糕

Nothing beats a slice of good old pound cake for afternoon tea. This fusion version of Chocolate Banana Nutella Pound Cake includes mashed banana to add-on a moist texture even when refrigerated plus the rich flavour of Dutch-processed cocoa powder and Nutella for a more chocolately taste.

[recipe] Coconut Banana Bread - 椰子香蕉面包

Today we will be having banana bread that is made with ripe bananas that are sweet and fragrant together with coconut oil and fresh shredded coconut that add in strong coconut flavour without overpowering the taste of the bananas. We love the moist and soft interior of the cake with a slight crisp top that is covered with lightly burnt shredded coconut that adds extra bits for a perfect breakfast or tea choice.

[Day 2] Disneyland California + Disney California Adventure

Disneyland Park - Anaheim, California

First of all, thanks to those who leave me encouragement notes as well as enquiry emails regarding our first trip to West Coast of the United States. Meanwhile I will try my best to share as much information as I could for the rest of the upcoming posts which I hope it would useful in a way for those who are planning to travel to U.S soon.

[Day 2] Disneyland Park where dreams come true is a magical theme park fill with fun, laughter and excitement for family or visitors of all ages. There are a total of 5 Disneyland Theme Parks in the world with two in U.S (California and Florida); one each in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris (but from what I Google there is 6th Disneyland currently under construction in Shanghai). Among the five we are blessed to conquer four of them and in this post I would like to share our experience in Disneyland Park, California as well as Disney California Adventure Park. Hope you would enjoy reading through this.

Betty Crocker - Our Favourite Cake & Cookie Mixes

[Betty Crocker] Homemade cookies with LOVE

Think about it this is the 11th Mother's Day that I am celebrating with the family and this year my boy gave me a special handmade gift; Assorted Chocolate Chip Cookies which he made solely on his own. And to spread the love for this special occasion, he even packed the cookies into gift bags for his granny and grandma as well my bestie whom is also his schoolmate mum.

Labour Day Long Weekend

Time flies when another week had past without your notice. It seems like last Friday we had a wonderful Labour Day Holiday and now it's Friday again which is two day away before 10 May, Mother's Day. By the way, have you get ready your presents or plans to celebrate with your beloved mum. For us we had an earlier celebration in order to avoid the crowds so if you have time you can  read up some of the places that we went (National Museum, East Coast Park) and eateries (Thai boat noodles, Wee's Family Coffee Shop) that we tried over the long holiday weekend.

[Day 1] Our Ultimate California + Las Vegas Trip In 2014

After months of planning and consideration, our family finally set-off for our first long haul flight to U.S. last December (2014) by joining the 14D11N Ultimate California + Las Vegas tour from Dynasty Travel. I still remember vividly during the preparations, we were worried about the traveling time, food, weather etc and moreover our tour only finalized two weeks before departure due to the dates and group size.

Looking back it had being almost 5 months since we returned from the trip but only till recently I have the time to go through those photos to compile the writeup.  I hope through these related posts I am able to share with you our wonderful memories and encounters during the 14 days west coast U.S. trip.

Beetroot Chiffon Cake - 甜菜根威风蛋糕

Beetroot Chiffon Cake

Finally it's Friday! It had being a busy week where I need to be out of the house most of the time running errands but on the bright side I managed to overcome my fear on driving which is an achievement to me. Ops sorry! Let's be back on track with the Beetroot Chiffon Cake.

I am always excited when it comes to chiffon cake because our family love its spongy and fluffy texture. In this post we are using Beetroot which is a natural superfood to bake a healthy chiffon cake for the family.

Fun Recipe Ideas using The Laughing Cow Cheeses

[Main] Cheesy Penne with Salmon and Broccoli

Dairy products such as cheese and milk are often considered as a natural source of calcium to strengthen children's teeth and bones. With that our fridge is always packed with bottles of fresh milk and array of cheese in all form such as cheese spread, sandwich cheese and belcube cheese.

The Laughing Cow cheese products have been around for many many years. It’s known for its superbly smooth and creamy taste. So in this post I would like to share a quick pasta lunch recipe which can be easily prepared in less than 20 minutes using their cheese spread and sliced cheddar to create a delicious white cheese sauce. Besides that there are also a few fun ideas of adding cheese into your daily diet. 

Moments And Memories - March School Holiday 2015

Monday, 23 March 2015 marks an important date in Singapore history because our founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew has passed away peacefully at the age of 91. With the great lost and seven-day of national mourning, members of the public flooded to join the long waiting queue (waited as long as 10 hours) to pay their last respects for Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the Lying-in-State located in Parliament House. Indeed it was a long and heart wrenching week for everyone in Singapore but Mr Lee's name will forever be remembered in our heart for his contributions to build a better Singapore (read more @ http://www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg/).

[recipes] Mango Sago Pomelo vs Mango Pudding

[Dessert] Homemade Mango Sago with Pomelo

Now is definitely a good time to make some mango dessert especially when those sweet Honey Mango from Thailand are on offer. Since the fruit stalls at my area are selling 1 for either a dollar to two depending its outer appearance and ripeness, I bought a dozen to make some cool refreshing chilling Mango Sago as well as Mango Pudding to beat the scorching heat.

2015 Chinese New Year Family Gatherings

Chinese New Year Gatherings

Gosh, it's almost coming to the end of 1st quarter for 2015 and before we move on to new recipe posts. With that here are some recap of our Chinese New Year gatherings with relatives and friends whom I am bless to have them with us even though we might not get together often during the year. But thanks to the advance social media platforms we are still able to keep in touch with each other through texts, photos or even video clips in our cozy chat groups.

[With Recipes] 2015 Chinese New Year Lunch Gathering With Relatives

Like previous two years, mum invited our relatives to come over for lunch gathering on the second day of Chinese New Year where everyone gets together to mingle around and enjoy some homecook feast. As you know to prepare a semi-buffet for a big group of 30 people was indeed a challenging job but thanks God with past years experience we managed to get everything ready just in time for lunch.

In this post I would be sharing a few recipes on the dishes and bakes that we prepared  and I hope they might come in handy for you too.

[Wordless Wednesday] Chinese New Year In Singapore

[Chinese New Year Flowers] Cherry Blossoms

[with recipes] Homemade Chinese New Year Bakes

Are you ready for the Chinese New Year feast! Here we are counting down 3 days to the year of Sheep (Goat/Ram) which falls on this Thursday, 19 February 2015. I am sure by now most of you have already done your new year shopping; completed your bakes and left with last minutes grocery or fresh food pick-up before reunion dinner on Wednesday.

Likewise for the past few days we had being busy churning up new year goodies as gifts for relatives to show our appreciations and blessings to them. Below are recipes on some of our favourite bakes for this year including 2 recipes using air-fryer to "air-fried" crab sticks and arrowhead chips.

Double Chocolate Pound Cake with Peanut Butter Glaze

Double Chocolate Pound Cake with Peanut Butter Glaze

Apart from our favourite chiffon cakes, pound cake is another choice which often appears on our baking list. Although most pound cake recipes called for an equal amount of butter, sugar and flour in “1 : 1 : 1” ratio, this recipe is slightly different because more butter is being used than usual.

[3 recipes] Homemade Asian Noodle using Philips Noodle Maker (HR2365/05)

Spinach Wanton Noodle - 菠菜云吞面

In this second part (refer to part I here) of homemade noodles write-up, we continue to explore more recipes using Philips Avance Noodle Maker together with fresh vegetable and/or fruit juice to make delicious and fuss free Asian noodle dish in 30 minutes or less. Each flavour of noodle tested  in this post has its unique taste that blends well with the recipe which I hope it will suits your preference too.

[3 recipes] Homemade Pasta using Philips Noodle Maker (HR2365/05)

Baked Pumpkin Fettuccine

Have you tried making your own pasta or even Asian noodles like Japanese Udon or thin noodle for Stir-fry Chow Mien (recipe)? Our family is a big fan of noodles and now with our new Philips Avance Noodle Maker, I am able to make customized fresh noodles (with/without egg, choice of flour and etc) such as egg noodle, penne, fettuccine in 15 minutes including preparations.

In this post I will be sharing 3 types of noodles made with this noodle maker using natural ingredients for its colour, flavour and texture well as a few quick recipes plus tips on it.

[recipes] Pandan Chiffon Cake - 香兰戚风蛋糕

Pandan Chiffon Cake - 香兰戚风蛋糕

Nothing beats a slice of comfort homemade Pandan Chiffon Cake (香兰戚风蛋糕) to cheer up my boy whenever he is moody or stress over school work. This old school sponge cake is flavoured  and coloured with gorgeous jade green colour juice obtained from pandan leaves (pandanus / screwpine) . Besides this cake also has an unique aroma and spongy texture which reminds you of home especially for those Singaporean residing overseas for years.

[5 Recipes] Back To School Lunch Ideas With Perfect Italiano 4 Cheese Melt

Back-to-school Lunch Ideas

It's a brand new year and welcome to 2015 folks! With new school term starting I am sure most of you with kid(s) like us who is going back to school it will be another year of brain cracking time to prepare their lunch and/or tea snack. Likewise our boy who is in higher primary this year will most probably be spending more time in the school or rushing for after school enrichment classes. So preparing some quick lunch/snack such as sandwiches, muffins or hot food (baked rice/pasta) will be a great choice to fill up his hungry tummy until dinner.

Recently Perfect Italiano has launched a new addition; Perfect Italiano 4 Cheese Melt to their existing ranges exclusive only to Cold Storage supermarkets. This delicious blend is perfect for melting and grilling which is a bonus to turn simple tasty meals in minutes. Below are 5 recipes tested using this new blend of cheese to whip up some quick cheesy meal.