Another year wiser.
Happy Birthday to me!
Busy much ? Well, Ive been kinda caught up with some stuffs and didnt had time to blog, or rather, lost the mood to blog lately. Be prepared to see more updates like these now..
So what what I been up lately?
Making cakes ? Well, yeah.. This was a cake, based on a painting by Syed Jamal, Langit dan Bumi.
This is NOT a cake, but a painting Im busy-ing with. Its called paint by numbers and all you do is just . fill in the blanks! Paint it according to the numbers and it will eventually come to life 
Also, busy with my 3 pups. Can you imagine the party everyday :S Its quite a scene. They are a bunch ofconfetti.
Been eating out more these days. Not in the whole cooking / baking mojo either. Hence this year, I didnt bake myself a birthday cake although the idea is well planted in my head already.
What else ? Oh yeah, been busy shedding off pounds these couple of months. not sure about you, but I dont know for how long Ive been in the whole process of losing weight.. 10 years since after school ? Kilos shed, piled on, shed, piled on again, repeat process 5 times. Its not fun if youve been plump and always the bigger sized among your friends / family.. this picture was taken after 7kgs was lost, a couple of days ago lah. 5 more to go this 2 months and another 5 to go for the rest of the year (which I believe is totally doable now) Then I can go for my beach holidays ;P
Best feeling? Not being able to wear the pants not because its getting tighter, but loose! #freddiemercury.jpg
No birthday cake? No problem but got 4 awesome cakes from Les Deux Garcons in Bangsar with my sis and nieces..
Ok thats it for now
Happy days 
Ginisang Labanos Recipe
Ginisang Labanos is the Filipino term for sauted daikon (or white radish). This is a simple vegetable recipe that goes well with hot steamed rice.
This recipe uses sliced pork and shrimp. Although there are some similar recipes that do not use meat or seafood (which makes it purely vegetarian), I opted to add pork and shrimp to enhance the flavor. I did this because daikon is one of the vegetables that require a little bit of an acquired taste to be enjoyed because of its mild bitter flavor. I liked the outcome because there is a collaboration of different flavors which makes it more attractive to the palate.
Aside from Ginisang Labanos, you can also use daikon when cooking pork sinigang or sinigang na hipon. This even makes a good appetizer known as ensaladang labanos or daikon salad.
Try this Ginisang Labanos Recipe and let me know what you think.
Ginisang Labanos Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb daikon (white radish), sliced into thick strips
- 1 medium carrot, sliced into thick strips
- 1 medium tomato, cubed
- 3/4 cup pork, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup small shrimps
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
Cooking Procedure
Number of servings (yield): 4
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vidalia onion soup with wild rice
My love of hearty crocks of hearty French onion soup is well-documented (its the rare recipe Ive covered twice in the archives, and you just know I had to riff on it here) because I have to insist that nothing is so loud with flavor as onions, cooked for an hour with a meaty broth and cognac, then broiled with a charred cap of strong cheese. Oof, how long must we wait until it gets cold again?
... Read the rest of vidalia onion soup with wild rice on smittenkitchen.com
smitten kitchen 2006-2012. |permalink to vidalia onion soup with wild rice | 15 comments to date | see more: Grain/Rice, Photo, Soup, Spring, Vegetarian
McCafe
A quick day trip to Singapore gave me another chance to go to McCafe for a quick early breakfast. Quick without the lines but quality enough to arouse me from my stupor that comes with getting up early to catch the first flight of the day. It's not only refreshing but also value for money. Where else can breakfast be had with a cup of quality coffee for under SGD6? McCafe has quite an incredible beverage menu from the hot, cold, frappe and juices/smoothies.
I got for myself a promo morning set: coffee and a sandwich. The aroma from my coffee and the pleasant sight of my sandwich really set the tone for the day. I was made ready. It was a moment of unbridled joy before the long day of meetings!
I am always impressed by the quality that comes with the McDonald franchise. A great business format that ensures great beverage and food in every country it operates from. Every McDonald taste the same and of the same high quaility in the countries that I have travelled to and eaten from.
So why McCafe is not in KL makes no sense. Why that long in introducing a winner? It generates 15% more revenue compare to the regular McDonald outlet. It draws customers from other more expensive coffee outlets. I believe it will compete well against more expensive brands like PappaRich and beyond.
Great wake-up beverage. The Cappuccino was really rich and aromatic.
Pesto chicken, fajita chicken strips, cheese and pesto sauce with a zing. Warm and filling.
I got for myself a promo morning set: coffee and a sandwich. The aroma from my coffee and the pleasant sight of my sandwich really set the tone for the day. I was made ready. It was a moment of unbridled joy before the long day of meetings!
I am always impressed by the quality that comes with the McDonald franchise. A great business format that ensures great beverage and food in every country it operates from. Every McDonald taste the same and of the same high quaility in the countries that I have travelled to and eaten from.
So why McCafe is not in KL makes no sense. Why that long in introducing a winner? It generates 15% more revenue compare to the regular McDonald outlet. It draws customers from other more expensive coffee outlets. I believe it will compete well against more expensive brands like PappaRich and beyond.
! 
Triple Decker, come alive with the great smell and taste of wholemeal bread with cheddar cheese and turkey ham.
Fresca Mexican Kitchen & Bar @ The Gardens, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur
KL-lites have always had a fondness of Tex-Mex items that we are no longer strangers to tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos (or what is described in this place's menu, a bit like our local popiah).
Recently joining the fold is Fresca Mexican Kitchen & Bar. It has the advantage of prime location, up front at the entrance to Gardens mall.
However, this is the run up to the most anticipated Mexican eatery will be La Mexicana that is slated to open early next month at The Terrace at Hock Choon. According to a little birdie, that particular place is own by a Mexican lady so hopefully she keeps things as genuine as possible.
The place is gorgeous and during the daytime, the clear glass windows allow the sunlight to pour through to play shadows on the rustic tiles.
Splashes of colour such as a bright blue tiled wall at one corner of the kitchen and a colourful patterned tiled floor jazz up the otherwise dark bronze palette.
Seating choices are aplenty: small cafe tables at the front for you to watch passer-bys enter into the mall, banquet seats in the front, square tables on the side and teeny weeny tables for cosy dining for two.
The set up here reminds me a little of a Spanish tapas bar as they serve botanas, Mexican for small plates that are great for sharing. This is best shared with tequila and a tall jug of icy cool margaritas.
For something more substantial, there is platos principales, the main plates that is divided into tortilla based dishes such as enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas and burritos. Also included in this repertoire is traditional Mexican delicastessen choices.
Last but not least is postres or desserts to keep any sweet tooth lover happy.
The k! itchen i s still slowly finding its own pulse as some items seem to have fared better in an earlier visit while others now boast a marked improvement such as the Albondigas en chile chipotle (RM16) that is filled with less stringy minced meat to give it a softer and more tender bite. Incidentally, those meatballs are simply gorgeous with the aromatic tomato based sauce you eat with the soft tortillas.
However, the Churros con chocolat (RM13) was a tad too crispy this time round. Would have been slightly better if the churros had a softer center.
While we wait for the food to arrive, it is Guacamole with chips (RM20). The mashed up avocado is a lovely creamy consistency and there is plenty to go around for generous amounts to top your crispy nachos.
Small bites as we found out makes tummies quite full after a while. The sopes, a roadside snack is essentially like a small pizza with different toppings. Instead of a crispy base, it uses a soft dough that has higher pinched sides. Our Sopes de Salpicon (RM13) is generously topped with lettuce, roast beef shreds and avocado. You drizzle the pico de gallo sauce on the side. It gives it a very mild kick to the Mexican street food.
The Enchilads Verdes (RM15) is stuffed with chicken shreds, baked with cheese and served with a bit of the piquant pico de gallo sauce. It is a comforting dish. I love the Tacos Alambre (RM18) as they use the softer corn tortillas to serve roast beef, poblano chiles and crispy bacon.
For the main meal, I really enjoyed the Pescado a la Veracruzana (RM39), the fish fillet served with an aromatic sauce of onions, olives and Jalapeno chiles. The accompanying Mexican rice is aromatic with long fluffy grains and is served with a mixed salad. This is said to be a specialty from Veracruz, a Mexican coastal town.
Desserts is the Tequi-lime pie (RM15), a dense cheesecake based tart flavoured with a slight sourish tinge from just a hint of tequila and lime. This is followed by the crispy churros we dip in chocolate sauce.
The place is more ideal for eating with a big group of people since ordering more varieties means you end up hitting up a large hole in the pocket. For those who prefer to keep it safe, just order the main meals that start from RM26 onwards. In terms of flavours, the Mexican spices seem a little more subdued but it still makes pleasant dining especially if you are looking for a nice place to chill.
And if you are wondering, fresca means fresh in Mexican.
Fresca Mexican Kitchen & Bar
Lot G-242A, Ground Floor
The Gardens
Midvalley City
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2201 2893
(Pork Free. For more pictures, see the Flickr set.)
*Dis! claimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. This review is time sensitive; changes may occur to the place later on that can affect this opinion. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from this place for writing the review.
TWG Tea Pavilion
TWG Tea fits Pavilion to a T _ stop and rest your feet here after too much window-shopping or simply sit and swap news about frenemies after watching GSC's latest superhero blockbuster.
Customers can wander through a wonderland of chocolates, macarons and tea, complete with a sparkling dining hall where a windfall of creative culinary creations await.
TWG T ea Pavilion,Ground Floor, Pavilion Shopping Mall, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2142-9922
Pun Chun; A Bowl of Duck Noodles That Has Travelled Far
Pun Chuns signature Duck Drumstick Mee (dry/soup) @ RM7.30/USD2.40 for Small, RM8.30/USD2.80 for Big With the tender flesh almost falling off the bones; the duck drumstick was infused with an aromatic herbal scent from the soup; and served in the similar traditional manner of an aluminium container
Not AGAIN?! This my friend, is not the first time I am writing about Pun Chun; the name behind the ridiculously iconic drum drumstick noodles originating from the town of Bidor to the south of Perak.
However, the old Pun Chun has taken the liberty to expand beyond the silver state; first with an acid test of a Pun Chun Noodle House outlet in Kota Kemuning in 2008, then this second one in Ara Damansara, followed closely by a third in Bandar Puteri Puchong.
Heres an excerpt taken from their official website :
Established in Bidor, Perak since the 1940s, Pun Chun Restaurant is a must-stop destination for all good food fanatics. Well-known for its Duck Drumstick Noodle, Wan Ton Noodle and not forgetting the all time famous Chicken Biscuit and Shat Kek Ma.
In May 2008, Pun Chun Noodle House was set up in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam. Just like the original, Pun Chun Noodle House offers the same mouth watering cuisines. KLites can now easily satisfy their cravings for a sumptuous meal within the Klang Valley vicinity itself. Kota Kemuning is located approximately 20 minutes from Subang Jaya and 30 minutes from Petaling Jaya via major expressways.
What I enjoyed most about their noodles is the fact that they were not tossed with a liberal (read : overdose) amount of oil, nor black soy sauce. Lighter than usual, with barely a hankering for water as an aftermath.
This outlet in Ara Damansara started up late last year, though I almost always passed by the corner lot while going home from a meal at Do Re Mi; what could possibly be the ONLY worthy coffee shop/food court in all of the area. Seriously.
The fact that the residential community in Ara Damansara/Kelana Jaya is building up REALLY fast; with Citta Mall opening last year, and Paradigm Malls grand opening very VERY soon (not to forget Pacific Place which could be a humongous change to the landscape of the area forever .), there is a definite lack of good hawker food around the vicinity.
Rempah Chicken Mee (RM5.30/USD1.80 for SMALL) came with a HUGE chunk of chicken cooked in a dry curry redolent with spices; yet very Chinese-style of curries.
This outlet opens from 7am to 4pm daily, catering mostly to the breakfast crowd especially on weekends. When we were there on a Sunday, the place was almost packed. Yet, the vibe was a very leisurely Sunday morning brekkie with neither a need to rush ones meal. Many patrons were seen tucking into their signature Duck Drumstick Noodles (either dry or soup, though I prefer the dry version for more flavour AND the same herbal! soup se rved with the piece de resistance .) while others were enjoying their Wanton Mee with Char Siew, or Shredded Chicken (a healthier choice) Mee.
A side serving of predominantly-lean Char Siew (roasted pork in a sweet sauce) @ RM4/USD1.40 completed the experience, or you can opt for a plate of Fried wantan with chili sauce.
The simple, one page menu for all the food that you can order at Pun Chun, and nothing beyond RM10/USD3.30 per portion. Except the Fried Wan Ton but you can also request for a smaller portion, I believe.
Verdict? A good choice if you have a craving for good noodles served with a variety of delectable cuts of pork, chicken or duck especially the duck drumstick, and at a reasonable price to boot. However, comparing this to the original Pun Chun in Bidor, my vote still sways towards the latter. Being the legend that brought up this famous dish of duck drumstick cooked in a herbal soup, served with egg noodles since 1940s, you cant help but lifting your hats off for the family behind this. Yes, theyve been through ups (featured in media) and downs (ridiculous price hikes for a small town like Bidor, and mediocre service unlike any other), but now with four outlets all over Malaysia, I guess the only way for Pun Chun to go is UP.
PUN CHUN NOODLE HOUSE (non-Halal)
H-G-21, Block H,
Jalan PJU 1A/3,
Taipan 2 Damansara,
Ara Damansara,
47301, Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia
Tel: 017-7701121
Operating Hours: 7.00am to 4.00pm, DAILY
View the Google Map and location of the two other outlets
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