My pet peeve in baking is finding a recipe I want to try, only to see that the author measures the ingredients in lbs or cups. I heart the metric system. Deep deep.  But still, not everything should be measured in a metric form. When I recently searched online for matcha molten lava cakes recipe, I ran into a whole slew of recipes that seem to demand absolute precision - to the gram! - in their ingredients . I mean, do I really...

It constantly amazes me how big and diverse Melbourne is. After staying here for such a long while, it's easy to fall into a routine and let the months drift by in a cloud of ennui. I cook the same food, do the same things at home, and go to the same few restaurants. There is comfort in familiarity, but every so often, I get bored of the same ol' things and start looking for something new.  Basilico is just 5 minutes away from our usual...

Truth be told, I'm not a big fan of exhibitions or museums. Maybe it's my short attention span, but I could never see the attraction in walking around an enclosed space looking at objects on display for an entire day. When I was touring Italy a couple of years ago, I wanted to fully immerse myself in its rich history. But there are only so many palazzo I can gasp at before the opulence sets my expectations up too much and I get jaded...

Baking is an expensive hobby.  Even as my frugality stops me from buying my heart's desires at every turn (hello there Cuisinart ICE-100!), nevertheless, the costs add up. I curb my spending as much as I could.  A handheld $19 electric mixer does most of the grunt work for me. A collection of metal jars and stainless steel pots replaces the need for a proper mixing bowl. I made do with spoons...

In my family, Miss XS is the one who hearts dim sum and drags everybody along to eat. Me? I never cared much for dim sum growing up. Of course, now I'm in Australia and absence, as they say, makes the heart grow fonder. I have come to miss dim sum, and I make up for lost time every holiday.   One place that I've been wanting to try for a while is Luk Yu. They have a branch in Chinatown, which is an area I frequent regularly in Singapore....

My enthusiasm for Korean Fried Chicken is contagious, and has spread to all my friends. I told myself that I would take a break from all the Korean fried chickens that I have been gnawing on in Melbourne, but my stomach had other plans. When I got to Singapore and took a bite of Popeye's chicken, I knew I could never go back to the American way. And if I'm going to eat something that's deep-fried, I'm going to choose the one that gives me the...