Bye bye 2013

I started 2013 with a resolution to begin a habit of writing a little something, anything I wanted to each week of the year so that when I look back I would know whether it was a fulfilling one or just another one of those years and I am happy I did because my year though simple, was filled with happy memories of outings with the kids and my husband.
I may continue to write, I may not. Whatever it is, I am glad I recorded most of the happy moments of 2013.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Ah Chiang Traditional Charcoal Porridge Day

Had famous Ah Chiang's Cantonese porridge at Toa Payoh and the kids loved it.
Not too bad but I still prefer Joe's at Smith St.
Ah Chiang's porridge is smooth but has this strong soya sauce taste to it.
There wasn't a lot of pork in my porridge either. However, I couldn't have done a better job myself, especially since its apparently traditionally boiled over charcoal fire.

2 Outlets:
190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh
#01-526
&
65 Tiong Poh Rd

Korean Pancake Day!

Mummy made Korean seafood pancake for lunch!!!
After she makes the batter with salt, pepper flour, water and eggs, she adds squid, prawns, vegetables like bean sprouts and onions to the batter and then pan fries the concoction.
For the dipping sauce, she uses fish sauce,
garlic, shallots, chilli and sugar.
Super yummy. Gotta be the best pan fried Korean pancake in town.

Festive Joys

Highlight #1
Mum made tiger prawn red thai curry with papaya tonight and it was so so so yummy.
The sweet juicy papaya in the fragrant curry together with the freshness of the prawns is what makes this dish so tantalising.
I will put the recipe up soon.

Highlight #2

Christmas came early for me because the husband bought me a Panasonic pore cleanser.

This device rids surface pores of your skin of dirt by suction. Suppose to use 2x weekly.

Only $66 each.

Vintage = Gold

My partner bought me a gold plated vintage digital Casio watch last week. So happy with the watch because I can relive the 70s and look like an old uncle at the same time. Hahaha. 

Comes in both men and women size. 

This is the female size. Bought it at an old watch shop in Toa Payoh for $55.00. 

Uber Old School Kopi: Heap Seng Leong Kopitiam

Had uber yummy old school kopi from Heap Seng Leong at 10 North Bridge Rd in the morning.

Love their perfectly toasted kaya butter toast, love their rich, thick kopi, love their soft gooey eggs.

There are not many old kopi places like this one left in Singapore where you can savour a cup of coffee and plate of toast made the old way.

What an amazing blessing it is to still be able to show our kids what a kopitiam was like in the 80s.

If you don't want toast, you can order fried noodles or porridge from the uber friendly aunty who runs the one and only food stall in the kopitiam. Her tasty old school styled porridge is only $2/bowl.

Heap Seng Leong
10 North Bridge Rd

Date Night in November: Din Tai Fung

November date night with the spouse was by chance at Din Tai Fung at Chinatown Point and it turned out to be a good choice after all.

Have missed having their noodles and Xiao long bao much and am glad we satisfied that Chinese wanting. 

Can't really go wrong with Din Tai Fung but I seem to like the food here much better than the outlets at Nex in Serangoon and at Paragon in Orchard. 

Had pork and preserved veg la mian because my tummy wasn't feeling so good that day and I must say i wasn't disappointed with it. (I have been served with hard noodles at other outlets before)

Good old chinese handmade noodles with yummy hot soup is one of man's greatest inventions. Lol.

Never really liked their crab meat xiao long bao but the husband does so we ordered that as well as the pork one which I love.

We also had our beloved crispy skin prawn cake which was served hot and crispy. (Sometimes they come out soggy and cold)

I was impressed with their service, food was good and waiting time short at this outlet. 

For their sake, I truly hope they continue to keep it this way.

One of the better Din Tai Fung outlets I have eaten at.

Operation Knee Can't Walk - Double Boiled Pork Essence

The mother-in-law had total knee cap replacement on 1 leg, 5 days ago so I have been making double boiled pork essence for her to drink for the past few days.

Since the Chinese believe that one should not have chicken or certain fish right after an operation for fear of wound infection, I have been making pork essence instead. This is the easiest thing to make, super yummy and very nutritious.

Also had plenty during both my post natal confinements and loved it. Here's the recipe:

1. Go get a slab of fresh lean pork fillet from your local butcher. $10 worth of meat can make about 3 portions of soup.
2. Wash the meat clean, dry it and place it on top of an overturned bowl in a double boiler pot.
3. Add half cup hot water and sprinkle wolfberries, huaqishen (optional) and yuzhu (optional) around the overturned bowl.
4. Steam for about 1 hour or so.
5. Pour essence out, add a little salt to taste and drink up.

Try it out.

Spaghetti Squash Friday

My mom came home from Canada with a spaghetti squash and made us yummy spaghetti squash bolognese for dinner tonight.
Spaghetti squash cannot be found in this region and is more commonly found in North America.

To me, it is like a cross between radish and thick vermicelli and is also great as a cold summer dish.
Often used as a substitute for pasta, it cooks very quickly and shreds up very easily with a fork.

Enjoyed mom's squash bolognese very much even though I laughed at her for lugging a 3kg squash home.

Sunday Night Cap: Awfully Chocolate Super Stacked Choc Cake

Some me time after the kids go to bed = A slice of Awfully Chocolate's Super Stacked Choc Cake and a cup of Earl grey courtesy of the equally super awesome other half and I shall worry about the hips tomorrow...

This $7.50 little wonder is tastefully bitter sweet, moist and oh so soft. Layer after layer of rich, thick bitter choc that is sure to satisfy any chocolate cravings almost immediately.

www.awfullychocolate.com

Good night and have an awesome week ahead.

Heavenly night cap

Weekend Shenanigans at Legoland Malaysia

We finally did LegoLand Malaysia and I only have 1 word to describe the experience - HOT!!!

With the humid scorching tropical sun constantly beating furiously down on us, the experience was not exactly pleasant but the kids were happy and that is all that matters.

I will leave writing about Legoland to another day. Recovery from roller coaster ride in progress.

....

Toasted Nostalgia: Dong Po Colonial Cafe

I love Sundays for so many apparent reasons and one of the best things about Sundays is the family food hunting we do together. This ritual has gradually become an important bonding time between us and our 2 children. 

Today, the better half brought us to Dong Po Colonial Cafe for kopi and toast brekkie. Love the  old school cafe decor and kaya toast which was very very good. Really the best kaya toast I have ever had because the butter they used was thick yet not too cold and the toast was warm and not too hard. Excellent combo of thinly spread kaya coupled with thick melting butter and crispy bouncy toast.

We also had their signature warm almond toast, strawberry mousse cake, strawberry lamington and long cup butter cake. My top picks are the strawberry mousse cake, almond toast and definitely kaya toast. 

Great chill out place hidden along an old quiet street.

4.5/5 
56 Kandahar St.
Open 930am to 930pm daily.

JB Baby: Jeju Korean BBQ

Went back to work yesterday after a 4 day birthday hiatus.
Took time off to spend time with both my children baking choc chip cookies, reading made up pirate stories, doing somersaults and playing all kinds of games from blanket castle peekaboo to uncoordinated amateur princess badminton. Albeit the bones feeling a little brittle by the 4th day, I thoroughly enjoyed the bonding time we had together.

And aside from that, I ate loads of bbq meat for my birthday dinner and I may have eaten too much considering the extent of the nightmares in my sleep after dinner. Hahaha. 
Had korean bbq at Korean run Jeju Korean in Bukit Indah, JB. Fed the entire family of 4 with bbq beef, pork, chicken and pot of bean paste soup for RM127. Cheap and cheerful.
They serve 15 types of both hot and cold appetisers like the usual kimchi, black beans and bean sprouts. 
Like the huge yummy variety they have.
Being the meat lover that I am, I enjoyed the bbq meats the most. Nothing beats biting on warm meat wrapped in cold fresh lettuce. The meats were awesome!
Be prepared to have your hair and clothes smelling like charcoal grilled meat by the end of it.
Great relaxing casual dining for families with young kids. 
Go early as it can get busy. 

Address 22 Jalan Indah
15/3 Taman Bukit Indah
81200, Johor Bahru

Bakerzin Cake from the Spouse

Its my birthday and I turn 34 today!
By most standards, I have yet to achieve much in my lifetime but as a young girl I remember wanting to be married and be a mummy much and I thank the Lord everyday that both wife and mummy dream came true.
Was very touched by what was written on the cake.
It is always nice to be recognised sometimes.
7 years of being a wife to my lovely spouse and 5 years and counting of being a mummy to my 2 beautiful children.
May I always strive to be the best wife and mummy to them so God help me! Lol.
Far better than a Tiffany.
My birthday wish is that I get a cake like this one every year.

Strawberry cheesecake from Bakerzin.

So creamy and heavenly in taste.

Monday Shout Out

Jeremiah 29:11"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Gotta love this one. Even better when you know its true.
Another beautiful week ahead. Looking forward to the next weekend with my family.
In the meantime, life goes on.
Have yourselves a wonderful week ahead!

Fishy in a Good Way Sunday: Rong Ji Seafood

Here I go again. I seem to be back with a vengeance. 
My makan kaki aka husband brought us to have the best grouper fish bee hoon soup I have ever had for dinner at Rong Ji Seafood at Northstar tonight. 
It was so good, I could go back again tomorrow and the day after if I could.
His cousin recommended this place and I, after tonight, shall too.

Here's why -
1) Plenty of Great Fish Meat - Every pc is cut thick, super tender, firm yet not hard and very very fresh.

2) Mouth Watering Soup - Naturally sweet, tastefully rich and very flavourful. Every mouthful is a delight to the palette. Once you start, its hard to stop.

3) Not overly cooked thick smooth beehoon that goes so well with the soup. Every slurp is oh so satisfying.

A huge claypot of fish bee hoon is enough for 3-4 people and costs $35 each.

The lady taking orders at the front of the stall will tell you what fish is available on that day. (Fyi, grouper sells out fast)
She usually recommends taking the grouper tail part to us as its "sweeter" than the fish head part.

We also had venison (deer) meat which was so soft and cooked with great tasting sauce. Great cooking fire control. 

Go early because the wait can be quite long once the crowd builds up.

Northstar@AMK
7030 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5
Near Buangkok and Yio Chu Kang Rd
Rating:
4.5/5
☆☆☆☆

Cheap & Cheerful Laksa: Sungei Rd Laksa @ Kelantan Lane

Today was the partner's turn to decide on what to eat and he picked laksa.
Most people would go to Katong laksa for laksa but my partner would rather have Sungei Rd Laksa at Kelantan lane any day.
A hot bowl of laksa is only $2/bowl and each bowl comes with generous servings of clams and minced pork. The soup base is spicy, creamy and rich in taste and gives you for a run for your money. Especially great for a rainy day like today.

4/5 for sure
Sungei Road Laksa
Address: 31 Kelantan Lane (Seng Chuan Eating House)

Saturday in JB

Had a fantastic Saturday in JB with my family. The ever loving husband brought me for foot reflexology in the evening and I got to eat my favourite tomato noodles for lunch.

黄记 noodle shop in Jalan Bukit Indah sells freshly cooked handmade tomato and spinach flavored noodles and I love their tomato noodles the most. Come to think of it, I can't remember ever having tomato flavoured noodles anywhere else. If you love tomatoes, you will like this. Its a tastefully tangy tomato delight for my taste buds. They also sell their noodles raw if you are interested in cooking some at home.

--------------

Massage parlours are a common sight in Johor Bahru but the one we frequent the most, smells nice and has a comforting spa ambience. Its called Fizzio and they have 2 shop fronts in the Taman Sentosa area that I know of. We usually go to the one right opposite the Grand Sentosa.
Their prices are competitive and they are very clean in all aspects and by far, the most professional and friendly. Best part is they only close at 1am which is great if you ever need a late night massage for any reason.
A 40 min foot massage only costs RM32/pax so if given a choice between a not so comfortable SGD18/pax, 45 min foot massage in Chinatown Singapore and this, I'd choose this any day.

A Time for Everything

Favourite bible paragraph of all time. Beautiful. Everything has a place in time.

Ecclesiastes 3

New International Version (NIV)

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,    and a season for every activity under the heavens 2     a time to be born and a time to die,    a time to plant and a time to uproot,3     a time to kill and a time to heal,    a time to tear down and a time to build,4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,    a time to mourn and a time to dance,5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,6     a time to search and a time to give up,    a time to keep and a time to throw away,7     a time to tear and a time to mend,    a time to be silent and a time to speak,8     a time to love and a time to hate,    a time for war and a time for peace.9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Have bread, will Baker Talent

Bread alert, bread lovers - this bakery bakes darn good bread.
Baker Talent has a few outlets nationwide but we have only had bread from their Jurong west outlet and our whole family loves their freshly baked bread.
Their selection is not wide and very simple in appearance but quality of taste is on par with, if not better than brands like Breadtalk.
There's always a queue and their bread sells off their trays like hotcakes.
My favourite is their golden brown bolo buns. Crusty and sweet on the outside and so buttery inside. Best eaten hot out from the oven.
Google them and you will see all the great reviews people have put up about them.
Do give this awesome local bakery a try.
They are worth it.

Outlets:

Play Mobil Surprise

Play Mobil is definitely one of my favourite childhood toys. There is something about its rigid yet versatile outlook that still, after decades since it first launched appeals to both young and old until today and these little toys really do last a lifetime.

Check out my childhood Play Mobil made in 1974 on the right and my daughter's modern day Play Mobil on the left. As you can see, mine is still standing strong and still looks as good as new.

That is why I very willingly buy Play Mobil for my destructive kids. You gotta love its reputable durability.

We bought Play mobil for our kids today because it was the last day of the Play Mobil sale at Henderson rd (203 Henderson Ind Pk). This occasional sale is probably the only time you can grab hold of cheap Play Mobil at. They were selling full themed $900 sets for only $300.

After much contemplation on which sets to buy, we chose a school bus for our younger girl and a fire truck for our older girl. Both came up to only $70.00 in total which is a real bargain for Play Mobil. Very happy we scored a great deal.

Pow Wow Saturday @ Pow Sing Restaurant

I grew up with fond memories of Pow Sing and until today, Pow Sing delivers my kind of comfort food every time.
Its a little on the expensive side for simple tze char dishes but the occasional treat to oneself is a must.

The spouse cum "makan kaki" brought us there tonight and we ordered chicken rice, white steamed chicken, crispy chilli sotong, assam ikan pedas, stir fried kai lan and fish maw soup all in small portions for 3 adults and 2 kids and the total bill was $75 inclusive of 3 cups of chinese tea.

Most people order their fish head curry and white steamed chicken which have been their signature dishes for years but they do have other dishes worth a try like the crispy chilli sotong which is super crispy and fragrant.

Do expect a queue if you dont make a reservation.

Rating: 3.5/5

Pow Sing Restaurant
65 Serangoon Garden Way

No Highway Like the Chai Tow Kway Way

Lurve this good ole stall's chai tow kway. It definitely lives up to its reputation for being one of Singapore's top 10 chay tow kway.

Lim Kee sells soon kueh, chuee kway, fried kway teow and chay tow kway at Bukit Merah Central food centre and all their kways are yaaaaaaameeeeee! and we all say amen.

What i love most about this chai tow kway is the bite. The kway has a very well balanced bounce to it and it isnt too oily. 

Must try because its tasty and you wont have to wait too long.

Rating 4/5 

Lim Kee 

Bukit Merah Central Food Centre

#02-49

Satay! Satay!

I had no intention to blog about anything this weekend but this one is blog worthy.

I was craving for satay at 12 midnight so my food enthusiast of a husband drove us to Hougang for late night satay. Its one of the only satay stalls in Sing Sing that opens past midnight. 

Located in a S11, 24hr coffee shop at Hougang St 21, Blk 212, Poh Kee Satay will be sure to satisfy your satay cravings.


Their char grilled satays are sweet, moist and tender and I like their peanut sauce which has pineapple puree in it. The sauce is not too spicy and goes very well with the satay meat.

We ordered 10 chicken satays, 5 mutton satays and 1 ketupat for $8.50. We could have had more if not for the yummy cheese fries we ordered from the western food stall. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Poh Kee Satay
Hougang St 21, Blk 212.
7pm - 1am

*Poh Kee has moved to 205D Compassvale Lane

Please pardon the bad picture quality.