Monday, March 30, 2009

Dorayaki

The food of my favourite cartoon character, Doraemon; the red bean paste filled pancake.

Brought this snack when i popped by Bugis for lunch last week. It was the Japan fair held by Cold Storage at the atrium of Bugis Junction. It was air flown from Japan and could last appro. 3 weeks. Price is $2 per piece.


The packaging is convenient & it look sweet.


The green color packaging is green tea flavour which is cream based. Not to my liking at all as i prefer genuine filling.


Look at the solid red bean filling.
The red bean filling is not too sweet and the pancake is light and fluffy with a spongy texture.

Will definately get it if i sees it again. =)

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Madeline-Recipe

Mr. Fong has been bugging me for the recipe of Madeline. Finally got it from my Dear Chef =)

Part 1Yolk 60gm
Sugar 10gm
Honey 15gm

Part 2Egg White 60gm
Sugar 75gm

Part 3Salt 1gm
Baking Power 3gm
Cake Flour 90gm
Lemon Zest 1/2 no.
Soft Butter 90gm

Method:-

1. Mix the yolk, sugar and honey together.

2. Whip egg white and sugar in a pastry mixer till the egg white firms up to be ribbon stage.

3. Mix all the ingredient in part 3 with part 1.

Next, slowly fold into the egg white bit by bit till mixture smoothens.
Pour into mold, bake at 180 °c.

Timing depends on how big is the mould that one is pouring, if small, about 8-10, till golden brown.

So now i just have to wait for Mr. Fong to bake his Madeline and to bring it to me. Heeeee...

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Pontini (Valentine Day)

I had finally got back all my pictures for the Valentine dinner that I had with J. He had secretly reserved a table at Pontini about a month before CNY =)
Well, it our first time having Valentine dinner together, while the rest of the years, as a chef he cook for others!

Pontini is an Italian fine dining restaurant and it is one of the hosting restaurants for World Gourmet Summit. It is defiantly worth to mention that Chef Michele Pavanello had returned to Pontini in 2007 after his success in II Lido.

The ambience of the place is of my liking; posh lighting and decor, dimmed incandescent lighting and servers with good attitude. The restaurant served a 6-course meal for Valentine Day with an extra choice of main course which is $188 per couple.

Saffron-baked Hokkaido Scallop with warm Asparagus Salad
Really fresh scallop which matches well with the saffron sauce.

Homemade Tarragon Tagliolini with Oyster Ragout and Caviar
My favourite out of all the dishes, however i could hardly see any caviar. And i wish they could serve more than 1 oyster.


Pan-roasted European Seabass with Langoustine Sauce & Baby Spinach
To my disappointment, I can't differentiate from the taste of the meat that it is really european seabass. The spinach is scantily blanched. (J suggested that it could be local seabass.)

Seared Grain-fed Beef Tenderloin with Bone Marrow & White Truffle Emulsion
One of the 2 main courses beside the seabass which is much better. The tenderloin is perfectly cooked, nicely mixed with the white truffle... yummy...

Dark Chocolate Terrine with Rashberry Sorbet
It was too sour for the sorbet that i give up after 2 bites. Good try for 2 extreme flavours to exist on 1 plate.

Surprise from the manager whom treated me my all time favourite; Tiramisu
With the first look, i thought there is too much of mascarpone cheese, but to my surprise, it was just nice. I personally prefer tiramisu that is not too moist, and this just fits in to what i want.

I would definately go back again as the ambience is really smoothing and comfortable. And of course, the food is really nice and you get to try the ever-changing creation from Chef Michele Pavanello.


Pontini
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
392 Havelock Road
Tel: 6233-1133

Thursday, March 5, 2009

黑芝麻包 (鼎泰丰- Paragon)





















现做现买,要等上十五至二十分钟。
纯手工制作,每个都搓的很圆。
口感很好,很香。一擘开, 纯纯的黑芝麻香味马上就能闻到!
喜欢黑芝麻的朋友,不妨尝尝看。

鼎泰丰(Din Tai Feng)
The Paragon #B1-03/06
290 Orchard Road