Irish Stew

@ Galway, Ireland – Volvo Ocean Race Stopover.

Riordan’s, a little eatery that serve traditional Irish food.

Small & cosy – mind your head!

Seafood Chowder with bread selections – lots of mixed seafood in it… almost filled me to the top.

Here comes the proper Irish stew…

Puma team won today which brings them only 1 point away from Telefonica Blue who is at 2nd place now… Its getting really exciting. C’mon Puma!

Drooling,

Juanie

What a Night…

@ Kinvarra,Ireland; a picturesque village by the sea. With barely 200 people, this tiny village is a gem… least to me.

Chance upon Pier Head Bar & Restaurant when I ventured off the main street

Since its just me, I was seated at the bar so I can get all the attention from the bar staffs I want.

Kinvara Sirloin Steak Medium rare – thumbs up! Initially I opt for fish / seafood since its a fishing village but while chatting up with the locals, it is said that the steak can never go wrong here.

And of course, not forgetting the Guinness in Ireland.

The night ended late, with live Irish music and tap dancing by the local folks - don’t be fooled by their age, they probably have better stamina than me.

Drooling,

Juanie

Willows

You must have guessed blogging is in the backseat of my life now. Being grateful to Juan and Pny is understated. Without you, I wonder what will remain of DeeryLouAromas.

My apologies come to you amidst this confusing time in my life. Besides the mental drama driving my insides crazy, house-hunting and scheduling drain me from outside. I’m fine extrovert perspective but within, it’s a mess.

Be assured, I will come back to you, I will come back to blogging in this little cosy corner again. I miss this place and I would just have to get the right mindset and figure it all out. We do have lots to talk about and share and I am not about to give up what we lovingly started.

Peace be with you, love be within.

Millie’s Cookies

Whenever I passed by a Millie’s cookies store, I always take a second glance; And running through my mind there is a battle between should I or shouldn’t I?  It cost 99 pence for 1 small piece and is only worth it if you buy more.

They are freshly bake everyday and is the kind of soft cookies that I like.

Hope I won’t get sore throat…

Drooling,

Juanie

Just Snacking…

Cold Platter? Love the color of the prawns…

Starter? You just have to get it fresh. Big & Juicy scallops. Sprinkle some salt over and a quick pan fry in butter. Original & good. 

*******

Hungry again after a couple of hours. And who says you need to have it in Japanese restaurant. Home version of soba cold noodles.

Guess its one of my lazy quick fixed days again….

Drooling,

Juanie

Apple cinnamon cake

This is by far my best bake ever.

Did it late last night as a friend came by to help carry bags of beanies and the best thing to reward friend is a fantastic cake!

Another recipe from sundaynitedinner; I just tried their chocolate blackout which tasted great as well, just some minor hiccups but all was well=) A very trustworthy website for good bakes!

Few and simple steps to enjoy a high-tea snack:

1 ½, and 1/4 cups sugar, divided
110g (8 tablespoons) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 ounces cream cheese, softened (about 3/4 cup, 225g)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups chopped peeled Fuji apples (about 2 large)
Cooking spray


Preheat oven to 350°F.

Beat 1 1/2 cups sugar, butter, vanilla, and cream cheese at medium speed of a mixer until well blended (about 4 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, beating at low speed until blended.

Combine 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Combine two tablespoons cinnamon mixture and apples in a bowl. Stir apple mixture into batter. Pour batter into a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle top with remaining cinnamon mixture.

Bake for 65-70 minutes or until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan. Cool the cake completely on a wire rack. Cut using a serrated knife.

Makes 8-10 servings

Note to sister wenny: although it calls for cream cheese, but you barely taste it. So pls try it at home!

Drunken Chicken?

What do you do with your remaining beer if you are too bloated to finish it? Cook it!

• Soak diced chicken breasts in Tiger Beer and crushed ginger for 2hrs.
• Heat oil in wok and pour in the above.
• Add Goji berries, 1tsp of honey and more tiger beer.
• Simmer and served.
• If you prefer, you can drizzle some sesame oil.

Its a satisfied meal accompanied with rosy cheek.

Drooling,

Juanie

Singapore Day 2009 - London

Singapore Day took place in London – Hampton Court this year. Finally its our turn this time round! It is certainly a big event for all Singaporeans out in this end of the world to gather with free food, free goody bags and entertainment. I was there just for the food that I have been craving since don’t know when… Big thanks to the organizers for flying our local hawkers all the way here to cook for us.

They even move the ERP gantry here.

Lau Pa Sat, Marina Bay & Fort Canning

Queues and more queues for free Singapore delicacies.

Delicious chicken rice that I have been longing for.

Jack Neo…

Uncle frying hokkien mee for us

‘’People Mountain People Sea’’

Dim Sum Dollies

Blessed with good weather!

I was upset when I didn’t get my hands on old chang kee curry puff.

Satay

Free dessert.

One of the free gift that made me laugh is this wet wipes. Always come in handy to ‘Chope’ spaces in lieu of packet of tissue paper.

Drooling,

Juanie

Random homecooks

No lj-cuts here, so its going to be messy!
Accumulated from the last month or so..

Belgium mussels, but none were eaten because the shells didnt open. I guess it'd sat in the freezer for too long. Anyway, the soup still taste good. I'll do it again.

Recipe:

Fresh mussels, plenty
1 Belgium beer i.e. hoegarden
thickened cream
chicken stock
leek
onion
garlic

Stir fry garlic, onion and leek in a pot until fragrant and leek soften. Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add mussels and beer, let it cook for about 10mins or until the shells open. Pour in thickened cream(not too much) and allow it to simmer for another 3min. Garnish with parsley(optional) and serve!
Most of the time I just estimated, so just put however much you like.

Matcha-chocolate cupcakes. I didnt really like it because it tasted like fak-gao. Too dense and not sweet enough. I suspect I put too much bicarb soda that it collapsed after rising. Anyhoo, I dont think its a good recipe but yet I got positive feedback for it. Maybe it isnt that bad as I thought.. If you like dense, not sweet cupcakes, leave a comment and I'll post the recipe!

Pineapple fried rice! Its the pineapple season and I couldnt resist buying one in vic market ;)
Made a pineapple boat out of it too.
I wont have enough time to post the method but its just like frying rice. Easy!


Ingredients:

Cooked rice
raisin
chicken(marinated with fish sauce, sesame oil and pepper)
prawns(marinated with salt and pepper)
cucumber or veg of your choice
pineapple
chicken/pork floss
curry powder
onion
eggs, beaten
garlic



Korean spicy seafood soup.
Welcome winter!!


Ingredients:

seafood of your choice
zuchinni, bean sprouts, or veg of your choice
korean glass noodles
silken tofu
sliced beef(marinate with soy sauce, sesame oil and pepper)
chives
korean chili paste(gochujang)
chicken stock
eggs
garlic
onions


Stir fry garlic in a pot. Brown onions and add chicken stock. Bring it to a boil. Add gochjang to your liking. You can pour the soup into a wide shallow bowl and place it under fire, arrange the remaining ingredients in the bowl and cook them like how korean restaurents always do. If not, you can always do it the chinese way; Toss in the beef and seafood, then the veg, tofu and eggs. Boil under medium-high heat until cooked through. Its gonna be yum!




Sweet and spicy prawns with belachan. It was sooo spicy. But prawns were fresh, tomatoes were sweet... mmmmm


Ingredients:

Prawns(marinate with salt and pepper)
Tomato
mushroom
belachan paste
lemon juice
garlic


Fry garlic until fragrant. Add mushroom, tomato and fry for 1min. Add belachan paste and lemon juice and 1/4cup water. When sauce starts boiling, toss in prawns and cook through. Serve!

日本关西游 Japan Kansai Tour

It has been 9 days Kel and I was away to Kansai, Japan! Managed to squeeze Osaka, Kyoto & Kobe into our 7 day itinerary and stop-by at Hong Kong for 2 days. How time just buzz by – especially so when it’s a holiday and every minute counts.

To the relief of my boss, I’m back at work. Also trying to organize the bits and pieces we brought back from this trip when time permits. Finally unpacked my luggage last night and got rid of clutter around the house. (Read: take stock of shopping conquests during HK stopover)

Many Osakans own themselves bicycles with baskets for everyday commuting around their vicinity and probably to the nearest train station to save them walking. You can see cute little doggies or kids hitching a ride. It is not advisable to be walking or moving sideways suddenly on pathways as pedestrians share the space with bicycles whizzing pass.

Kel was green with envy at those many people riding their bicycles around town. He wanted so much to be cycling around, I guess it would be much easier for that to happen if I could also cycle and we can rent ourselves wheels.

With directions from our hostel’s receptionist, we head off finding the nearest bike shop so Kel can put his mind at ease finding out how much they cost (or maybe buy one if he likes). After goo-gaaing at foldable bikes, we thought we chance upon a gaming shop until walking in…

Those cakes and desserts are REAL. You put money in and try your luck/skill with that flimsy mechanism. I’m thinking, by the time I get my dessert I’m either too hungry or my cake tumbled flat. Some desserts come with packaging that is near impossible to pick up – but we heard the victory music once or twice, means somebody got their treat!

So while I resize the rest of our enormous pictures and prepare it for loading online, just wanted to share this…
Have so much more to tell you, stay tuned!


Warm love,
Starningblue

Korean Home Cook

@ Koreana Cuisine – tucked in the residential estate, this little place offers korean cuisine, home cook family style with no msg. Run by a korean couple who are ever so polite. Husband cook, wife takes order and served.

Kimchi Gook

Pajon

Gaji Jolim & Dukbukgi – love this 2 dishes especially the stir fried rice cake (very spicy) that often appears in korean dramas. I like to have it from korea street vendor though…

Dokgogi Jabche

Dolsot Bibimbap

Gimbap – koreans’ most popular & nutritious convenience meal. This dish originate from Japan and it is said that korean borrowed this idea during the colonial period.

The food here is cheap and good though standard may varies during busy days.

Addy: 32, Headstone Drive, Wealdstone, Harrow, HA3 5QH

Drooling,

Juanie