Spiced Almond Steamer

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Not everything requires a bowl, a mixer, whisk, and measuring spoons.

Sometimes the most delicious comforts come out of milk, spice, and heat.

Ive been keeping it pretty simple in the kitchen lately. You know trying to treat my body right, and such. Im also trying to stay far far away from the Winter cold thats ruining the world as of late (that was totally dramatic).

Heres the plan:

Heat about 2 cups of almond milk in a small saucepan. If its unsweetened almond milk you might want to add a touch of honey. If its already sweetened no need.

Add about 1/8 teaspoon of ground cardamom and a good sprinkling of fresh ground nutmeg to the heating milk. Also add the scrapings of half a vanilla bean heck, throw the pod in too. If you dont have vanilla beans on hand, no worries (!) just throw in a dash of pure vanilla extract. If you want to add a bit of bourbon I wont tell a soul.

Heat until steaming hot.

Serve hot with cookies from your favorite bakery. Enjoy while reading a cookbook studded with Polaroids of your friends as bookmarks. (Suggestions no biggie.)

McDonald's Prosperity Burger 2012

Once in a blue moon eating fast food like big M could be fun...Business is good at Setiawangsa's McDonald outletProsperity promotion is back with the pepperish flavour that makes the burger Oriental and in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year. Kongsi Kongsi....You can either have it beef or chicken, I like beef burger.The amount of onion is lesser this year and the patty is less dense and loose, not as chunky as last year. See my previous year posting here.That's the damage for a burger feast at McDonald

Happy Chinese New Year 2012 - Year of the Dragon

Say goodbye to the Rabbit, and let's all put our hands together and welcome the mighty Dragon. May 2012 be a good year for all, filled with happiness, fortune, health and lots of good food.

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! xoxo

A "golden packet" for all my readers for abundance""

Herald in the Year of the Dragon in style

Love from us all! (Baby Sumo and family)

"Nian nian yo yu"

Enjoy this video of a special CNY acrobatic performance at The Gardens Mall I took yesterday afternoon.

Tong Pak Fu HK Dessert Restaurant @ Bukit Mertajam

Firstly, do not confuse this Tong Pak Fu with the HK one that recently launched at KLCC and Sunway Giza. In fact this is a Penang based dessert chain that has branches at Pulau Tikus, Raja Uda and Bukit Mertajam. Although their names share the same pronunciation in Cantonese, one word used is different. The HK one from HK uses (hundred) while this one uses (uncle) for the Pak. I think anyone who does not pay enough attention to details might think they are the same.

The menu selection is quite limited and consists of the usual stuff you would find at any dessert shop, so no surprises here.

Some mango dessert which I cant recall its name. Couldnt be bothered anyway because it is artificial as hell.

Honeydew Sago, diluted like water. Honeydew balls given were scooped too near the fruits skin hence tough and not sweet at all. And the sago is just tasteless with a weird texture.

This is supposingly one of the top 10 sellers Sunmelon Mini Sago. Same problem like the honeydew sago ear! lier, da mn fail.

Black Glutinous Rice soup, also another diluted and bland failure. After this I was simply boggled that someone who cant even cook a common Malaysian dessert like could open up a restaurant and serve it to people. Mind-blowing stuff, man.

To sum it up, this is by far the worst dessert shop I have ever walked into. What a waste of time and money. Totally rubbish in my opinion.

No 1 Jalan Gemilang 1,
Pusat Perniagaan Germilang,
14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Golden Phoenix, Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur Chinese New Year Menu & Dim Sum!

This marks my virginal visit to Golden Phoenix at Equatorial Hotel.

I missed the CNY preview last week no thanks to some unforeseen circumstances.By a happy chance, I managed to slot in a dim sum lunch here earlier this week where I got to sample a few items from the CNY set in addition to dainty morsels of the Chefs specialty dim sum.

To start off lunch, we lou-ed another Yee Sang; effectively marking my 15th Yee Sang of the year. Oh, Im certainly set for 2012. Imagine all that prosperity coming my way! LOL.

We chose one that came topped with ebiko and deep fried soft shelled crabs which was pleasantly meaty.
Good, good. I hate it when Im served soft-shelled crabs with more batter than meat!

Last to go on top was Golden Phoenixs specialmandarin gold coins; a symbol of prosperity and fortune, courtesy of Equatorial Hotel.
These gold coins were like gummy jelly beans, tangy and very nice to chew on!

Golden Phoenix @ Equatorial Hotel is a non-halal outlet and their Water Dragon 2012set atRM3838++ is anextravagant treat, perfect for the business dinner for your valued clients.

Water Dragon 2012

Caviar, Fuji Apple, Korean Pear, Pine Nuts and Salmon Yee Sang

Braised Superior Sharks Fin with Brown sauce

Spring Chicken with Thai Sauce

5 Head Abalone, Dried Oyster, Black Moss with Broccoli

Stir-fried Lobster with Ginger & Spring Onion

Steamed Dragon Tiger Grouper with King Soy sauce

Claypot Rice with Chinese Sausage and Wax Meat

Double-boiled Hasma and White Fungus with Ginseng

Deep-fried Nian Gou with Banana and Cheese

RM3838++ per table of 10 persons

(RM438++ per person additional cover)

TheDeep-fried Nian Gou with Banana and Cheese was a real treat. Sticky chewy nian gou with savoury salty cheese and sweet bananas sounds like a flawless match, which indeed it was.

For dim sum, I chose my usual favourites; the one that every self-respecting dim sum outlet should rightfully ace. The Chee ! Cheong F un came with sweet plump scallops so no complains there but my favourite Char Siew Pau (Barbeque Pork Buns) had too sauce and fat.

I prefer my fish balls fishier in taste and bouncier. This didnt quite hit the spot but was decent enough for hotel standards.

The outer layer for the Prawn and Cheese Balls below were actually deep fried maggi noodles!
Think of those Mamee snacks you had during your childhood days. Yes, those small yellow and purple packs ones.
These tasted somewhat similar, making theseballs really more-ish and addictive. Pop one into the mouth, enjoy the crunch and the hot cheese as it oozes out and flood your mouth.

I was told this was one of the Ch! efs spec ialty; The Har Kau (Prawn Dumplings) with Steamed Pumpkin. While the translucent skin and bouncy prawns won favour from me, I dont see how the pumpkin enhances the overall taste. Having said that, I like pumpkins so Im not complaining.

Golden Phoenix @ Equatorial Hotel is one of the few non-halal Chinese restaurant in KL city, making it deal for a porky Chinese feast or dim sum meal in a posh comfortable environment.

We were there on a weekday and the lunch crowd was impressive, consistent walk-ins on top of prior reservations diners. Thankfully I took my pictures before lunch.

Lastly, we polished off Golden Phoenixs famous Durian Pancake and wished each other Gong Hei Fatt Choy; with best wishes to life, health and career!

** The dim sum item prices are ranging from RM8++ per portion onwards. It is available from 12.00 noon to 2.30 pm, ! Mon to F ri.

Golden Phoenix @ Equatorial Hotel Chinese New Year set menus:

Yee Sang 2012

S M L

Australian Abalone Yee Sang RM128 RM198 RM278

Soft Shell Crab with Caviar Yee Sang RM108 RM158 RM188

Norwegian Salmon Yee Sang RM98 RM138 RM168

Korean Pear with Salmon Yee Sang RM98 RM138 RM168
Fuji Apple with Salmon Yee Sang RM98 RM138 RM168

Korean Pear Yee Sang RM58 RM88 RM118

Jelly Fish Yee Sang RM58 RM88 RM118

SET 1

Celestial Dragon Tales

Norwegian Salmon with Caviar Yee Sang

Braised Sharks Fin soup with Dried Scallop and Crab Meat

Deep-fried Spring Chicken with Lemon sauce

Braised Dried Oyster, Black Moss with Mushroom and Broccoli

Steamed Sea Grouper with King Soy sauce

Stir-fried Tiger Prawn with Salted Egg

Steamed Claypot Rice with Wax Meat and Chinese Sausage

Chilled Black Glutinous Rice with Ice Cream

Golden Phoenix Delights

(Loh Mai Chi and Deep-fried Nian Gou with Yam)

RM1338++ per table of 10 persons inclusive of one Prosperity Peach Tree*

*(While stock last)

Earth Dragon Tales

Norwegian Salmon with Korean Pear Yee Sang

Braised Sharks Fin Soup with Crab Meat

Roasted Chicken with Onion

Braised Sea Asparagus, Black Moss with Lotus Root and Broccoli

Steamed Pomfret with Soy sauce

Stir-fried Tiger Prawns in Vietnamese Style

Fried Rice with Salted Egg and Diced Prawn

Glutinous Dumpling with Ginger Tea

Pan-fried Nian Gou with Cheese

RM1538++ per table of 10 persons inclusive of one Chinese Tea Set*

*(While stock last)