When the wife is lazy..

It was a slow saturday evening, and I was lazy. Instead of waiting for some meat to defrost before the cooking can start, here's what I found in our kitchen.

And to make this for our dinner..

We probably shouldn't do this too often, not very healthy. But it all goes so well with the garlic chilli sauce we bought in Malacca!

Oh! In case you are wondering what I did to the potatoes, it was diced and cooked in campbell's mushroom soup. Delish.

Warm love,
Starningblue

Bangkok: Som Tam Nua

Cannot miss having Papaya Salad when in Thailand, it is like a staple where it can be eaten as an appetizer, it's sweet, tangy and spicy notes excites the taste buds all at one time.

We walked from MBK shopping centre to reach Som Tam Nua (meaning Green Papaya Salad) at Siam Square Soi 5. Arriving at about 7pm, there is a queue and a crowd has gathered outside the 2 storey restaurant waiting for their turn to have a table. I'm told it is a common sight on weekend nights. I'm not the queueing sort but something tells me it will be worth it.

The wait was not for too long. After about 20 mins, we were ushered upstairs and once we caught the attention of awaitress, Lawrence ordered the must haves and we await the feast.

 Pineapple Rice

 Green Chicken Curry

 Green Papaya Salad

 Sticky Rice

 Spicy Tom Yum Soup

 Fried Fish with Spicy Sauce

 Chicken Wings

Probably the only dish which was not spicy are the chicken wings. That said, it was such good food that made a satisfying meal. With 4 of us, it was easy for us to order more and have variety. All of us had steamed plain rice and Lawrence ordered himself the sticky rice, which is more and filling and authentic to some parts of Thailand how they eat.

Although I can't remember it clearly, I do not think this meal cost us more than SGD 40. This is what I love about Bangkok!

Warm Love,

Starningblue



Bangkok: Another Hound Cafe

Visits to Bangkok now seems to be a yearly affair, I wonder how long will this hold up - not that I'm complaining!

The recent trip to Bangkok, we were there with Lawrence from Peepshow Machine and we know it is going to be a food trip. haha

The usuals had to be done, the Chatuchak Market, MBK shopping, stocking up on cheap iPhone covers etc. When out feet needs some resting, we look for food.

Another Hound Cafe was one of the places we ate at deserving a mention. Situated on the 1st Floor of Siam Paragon, we initially felt a bit guilty queuing up at a well-dressed place with our flip flops and shorts but despite the surroundings, the service is warm and prices ridiculously decent.

When there, be sure to order Pad Thai with Scallops, the scallops come juicy and large, it's been a while since I've enjoyed such delicacy in a normal fare. The Salmon Carpaccio packs a punch of herbs so delish and fresh. The guys ordered dishes such as Soft Shell Crab pasta, Greyhound Famous Fried Chicken Wings, Tender Duck with Rice. Everything was good!

For a refreshing drink, order the House Special Ice Lemon Tea, works wonders for us after an afternoon in the sweltering heat.

We also ordered something called Complicated Noodles; I'll leave you to find out what it is when you visit this cafe. Trust me, it is another delicious must try!

Warm Love,

Starningblue

Sweet Potato Soup

Mommy used to cook homemade sweet soup once in a while, now that I live apart from Mom, I miss it and cook it myself.

Over the weekend, I decided to make Sweet Potato Soup as it is so easy and quick to cook and the versions sold outside at food places are often too sweet for my liking.

Ingredients:
Japanese Sweet Potatoes
Orange Sweet Potatoes
Pandan Leaves (tie into a bunch)
Cane Sugar
Water, about 1.8 to 2 litres


How to:

Put water and pandan leaves in a pot and bring it to a boil. While water is cooking, skin and chop sweet potatoes into large squares.

Once water is boiling, put in the chopped potatoes and cook on medium heat for another 20 mins or till potatoes are soft.

Switch off the fire, add in cane sugar to taste and serve either warm or chilled.

Note: Some prefer their sweet potato soup with a tinge of ginger, if so you may add a few slices of old ginger when boiling the water and pandan leaves. I find it heaty so ginger was omitted.


Warm Love,
Starningblue

Melaka Chicken Rice Ball

Starningblue just triggered my cravings… and I can only drool over the photos from my last trip. Ah… Melaka I missed.

x Juan

Majestic Melaka

We usually lodge at Holiday Inn or Puri Hotel when we are in Melaka, this time Kel wants to pamper ourselves a bit and book for the slighlty more upmarket Majestic Hotel. Not that I'm complaining...

The drive to Malacca is pleasant as usual, this time we travel in a convoy of 2 cars; our friend Patrick and family has taken this trip with us. As we are familiar around town, Majestic Hotel hotel was easy to find; which is located at the back lane of Renaissance Hotel and Putra Specialist Hospital.

I can't say the environment outside the hotel is as comfy as the hotel, but the hospitality once we step into the compound kind of make it all up. Checking in was a breeze; you don't have to go to the reception - the receptionist comes to you. Our luggages barely touched the floor and we were already given keys and informed how to head to our room. *insert wide-eyed look here*

During the brief checking in process, I hardly had time to appreciate the architecture of the refurbished Peranakan house, the nostalgic air or wander around the lobby area where trinkets and snacks were scattered around.

The room? Open air bathroom with free standing bath tub and comes with bath salts, arrival tea serving 'ceremony' by the bell man (basically, they officially seat the guests down in the room and serve you Chinese Tea still warm from the basket. Cool!), what more can I say? Only 1 downer, the view of a big drain canal outside the window..

After the waa-ing and gaa-ing, we realise we need to head out the hot afternoon sun to search of food. Turning left from the hotel entrance and walking straight down leads us to a coffee shop situated on a busy road junction where gems of local food can be found. In the day, they serve Melaka Chicken Rice Ball and the I-don't-know-what-it's-called fried food (refer to picture below). When night falls, the coffee shop is closed and an uncle with a push cart will sell deep-fried goodies such as Yiu Tiao aka Chinese Doughnut and yummylicious Butterfly which is a fried dough with sesame seeds shaped in a butterfly.

The venture itself around the hotel is fruitful, we hardly had to venture out much except to dine at Teo Soon Loong Teochew Seafood Restaurant where good homestyle Teochew food can be found and to have the famous Melaka Chicken Rice Ball at Jonker Street area. Wasted we did not have time to go for our usual-must-have Chendol at Jonker 88.

If you are impressed by now and would like to reserve a stay at Majestic Hotel why do I feel I'm advertising for them??, you have to ensure that breakfast is thrown into the package. There are no buffet spreads when you walk into the lounge and after much questioning and curiosity, you will find a small menu on some tables which lists what you can order. Although the service is slow and indifferent, the quality of the meals do make us feel like we are at an atas all-day breakfast joint.

Kel and I do not hide the fact that we love Melaka but the recent popularity rise due to drama series like Little Nonya made the city a tad too crowded for us.. Nevertheless, Melaka will always be a place where we find weekend refuge from Singapore.

Once we a while, we may splurge again at Majestic Hotel.


Warm Love,
Starningblue

Off to Hiatus & Back

No excuse for the long absence, leaving a void here? I can't say it was intentional, I hope the refreshing new look for this blog makes up for it!

Much of my time away from here was spent working, sleeping, coughing (nasty virus!) and also trips to Melaka in my homeland and the land of smiles, Bangkok - which I will fill you in bit by bit.

Have a lovely weekend!


Warm Love,
Starningblue