Chik's Crib: August 2015

29 August 2015

Green Tea Molten Lava Cake

Recipe August 29, 2015 0

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 need 34 exact grams of flour? That seems awfully pedantic. What's the extra gram of flour going to do to the cakes?

Photo by R

Maybe my Sorrento Electronic Scale is going wonky, but it powers off if it doesn't detect any sudden increase in weight. Like say, when I gingerly pour matcha powder onto it incrementally, just to make sure I don't over or under-pour the 6g called for in the recipe. Why not tell me 3 teaspoons instead, so people without an electronic scale don't get put off by the recipe. Or even people with electronic scales.

Basilico

Western Food August 25, 2015 0

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 Glen Waverley spot, but 'round that area, it feels totally different. I've been accused of going into a new suburb and without fail, exclaim how amazing it was, and how much better it is compared to where I live. In all fairness, almost any place would be more exciting than Clayton. Even this residential area, which, doesn't exactly scream Terrific Italian Joint. Still, this makes uncovering a restaurant like Basilico all the more pleasing, and I'm glad we took a chance on it.

We had the Mix Fish Grill ($25.90), which came with an abundance of well-grilled squid, mussels and prawns. The fries were pretty good as well. I passed on the grilled vegetables, but my tablemates loved it. If I wanted to eat vegetables I would have stayed home.

Impressions of Paris: Lautrec, Degas, Daumier and Atget

Melbourne August 20, 2015 0

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 by the beauty surrounding me.

Because my brother-in-law has a keen eye for architecture, I did learn plenty about the Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Rococo style; my appreciation for historical buildings grew as my knowledge increased. Still, it's easy to feel awed by huge buildings that stretch imposingly into the sky, and less so (for me) to be touched by pieces of paintings. After spending one too many hours in my vacation staring incomprehensibly at paintings while an English audio-book drones on into my ear, I found myself walking extra fast to get to the end of the museum, where I can have a seat at the cafe and get a cup of espresso.

I "get" paintings with rich, beautiful colours depicting triumphant military generals winning a battle, but anything more sophisticated than that flies over my head. I have to admit, it rankled at me that I couldn't see what others are gazing in wonder at. The audiobooks help somewhat, but I didn't have the groundwork to see what others are admiring.

Photo by R

Cream Puffs (Pâte à Choux with Cream Patisserie) Recipe

Recipe August 14, 2015 0

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 and an old wooden spatula, until I inherited a silicone one from a friend when she graduated.

Since ingredients like flour, butter and sugar are requisite for most recipes, I buy these in bulk to keep costs low. Maybe it's the baker in me, but I like to know that I have the basic ingredients on hand to start almost any recipe I come across.

Luk Yu Teahouse

Singapore August 11, 2015 0

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. Ever since I saw that they are running a 30% off ala carte promotion from 3-5pm, I've always lusted for it. No shame. Because no money either.

I like the Siew Mai, a staple dish in any dim sum. This is not the most photogenic one I came across, but the taste more than makes up for it.

The Spring Rolls is pretty good as well, and I love the huge chunks of prawns inside each roll.

Chicken Up Little

Singapore August 07, 2015 0

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 most flavour-per-calorie.

A number of Korean Fried Chicken stores have sprung up in Singapore in my absence, especially around in the Bugis area. There's Bonchon Chicken smack-dab in Bugis+, Choo Choo Chicken at Bali Lane a few minutes walk away from Bugis MRT, and Chicken Up Little right at the back of Bugis Village.

Crafted with by Templatesyard | Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates

29 August 2015

Green Tea Molten Lava Cake

25 August 2015

Basilico

20 August 2015

Impressions of Paris: Lautrec, Degas, Daumier and Atget

14 August 2015

Cream Puffs (Pâte à Choux with Cream Patisserie) Recipe

11 August 2015

Luk Yu Teahouse

07 August 2015

Chicken Up Little

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