Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Ratatouille - The Actual Dish From the Pixar Movie

Ratatouille remains one of all my all-time favorite films, and not just because it features food as a theme, but Brad Bird's film is simply perfect from start to finish.

It is also an animated feature that is equally meant for adults as it is for children. The final speech given my the food critic, Anton Ego is simply one of the best endings to a film ever.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Mao Shan Wang Mooncakes From Prima Deli

When it comes to mooncakes, in recent years, I have become somewhat jaded with what has been on offer. One one hand, you have the hotels who is bent on coming up with even more insane flavors and variations of this simple dessert.

On the other hand, you have 80 or 100 year old shops touting how mooncakes that are handmade are still the best, and to be perfectly honest, I have never subscribed to either faction. That is why, this year, I have decided to write about something in-between.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Butter Basil Rice With Salted Egg Yolk Prawns

Last weekend, I was asking Pauline what she would like to have that we have not cooked at home before, and the first thing she came up with was salted egg yolk pork ribs, a dish which she enjoyed at Mellben.

Well, I was fine with the salted egg yolk portion, but did not like the pork rib as much as I always felt it was not a great combination. She suggested prawns instead and I agreed without hesitation.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The Silver Seabass - Basted Seabass With Cauliflower Puree and Sauvignon Apples and Prawn Oil

For the past few months, I have been experimenting and exploring various ways to cook a signature fish dish, and mixing different components and ingredients to attempt to achieve the perfect balance of flavors on a plate.

Well, I believe I have come to a point where I am reasonably satisfied to present my Silver Seabass dish. Reasonably, well, because I don't think I will ever be 100 percent happy as I will keep on trying new things on a plate.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

How To Make An Italian Pizza Video With Mauro And Peter

In a new series of cooking video which I have the fortune of having Chef Peter and Mauro from Giorgio Ferrari to host, I wanted to start on something that is a favorite of everyone.

By everyone, I mean it is something that locals and westerners adore, a comfort food that is universally enjoyed, and yet, very hard to get right. I am referring to the perennial pizza. So for this very first video, it is on how to make an authentic Italian pizza.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist at Hong Lim Food Centre

For me, I have always had a hard time finding great wanton noodle stalls here. And so far, Nam Seng has been my favorite simply because it gets most of the things right in a bowl of wanton mee.

But it is not perfect. And that is the problem with wanton noodles. You simply cannot find one perfect bowl where the noodles are perfect, the sauce is perfect, the wantons are perfect and the char siew is perfect.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp and Roasted Tomato Sauce

There is something about a classic Italian tomato sauce that just wows me, but ever since I had that first taste of authentic Italian pasta cooked right in the heart of Pisa, I have not been able to get that same beautiful taste here.

Don't get me wrong, there are some wonderful Italian pasta places to go to here, including my favorite Pietro's, but restaurants here still tend to use canned tomato pastes and purees instead of making tomato paste from scratch.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Ikea Styled Beef Meatballs with Mini Potato Fondants

Sometimes, it is always good to go back to an old recipe and simply try to improve it, and that was the case with my original meatballs dish which I have now sought to get it better.

And not only that, Ikea themselves have recently done the same thing, improving their original recipe. While I am not sure if Ikea's new recipe has gone down well with the general public, I am personally more satisfied with this newer meatball dish of mine.