I Scream, or Get Creamed

It's nearing 1 month since I've temporarily relocated to Suzhou. Apart from the awful weather (anything under 15 degrees is terrible, by my standards), work is taking its toil on me. I have to admit figures ain't my cup of tea--especially when they don't concern monetary numbers. To eyeball product lists, part numbers and horrors of horrors Bill of Materials lists (BOM), you can imagine how many mind bombs detonated inside my head!!!

Thank God for after work ice-cream and those cheap thrills 'Hit the bugger who pops up' arcade games. Thank you for saving my sanity.

Dairy Queen (DQ) Waffle Bowl Sundae
The Waffle Treat comes in three varieties. This one contains caramel and pecan nuts. To be more precise with the description, Waffle Treat goes like this: Start with a waffle with the edges dipped in chocolate and molded in a bowl while still warm and soft. Two scoops of ice cream are placed at the center of the waffle, instant-freezing chocolate is added, then a generous amount of whipped cream, caramel syrup and, finally, pecan nuts.

Singapore food cravings…

One weekend, we decided to check out Food Loft at ‘IN CITY’ shopping mall.

Mind you, this mall is not only spacious, it houses Sephora, Mango, Zara, Pull and Bear, H&M.
Strangely, I didn’t feel a hint of excitement. Perhaps that’s because of the season (don’t like winter) or it’s due to the lack of moolah. Converting things to SGD not only is a hassle, it’s a sure mood dampener for shopping inclinations. Why are things so expensive in China? I feel so poor. Golly.
I digress. Here are the dishes we ordered. I thought that was quite a fair bit for 2 but locals here eat like it's their last meal on Earth.

(Curry puffs-20RMB, Hainanese Chicken Rice-28RMB, Hokkien Prawn Noodle-30RMB, Hotplace Tofu with Omelette-25RMB)= 73RMB (15SGD)

The Punk in Me!

Was deliberating over this hoodie at Hard Rock cafe (San Diego) on my last visit. Decided to take my food first to prevent another impluse buy. The Apple Crumble at Hard Rock is really yummy! It was a satisfying meal. So, did I purchase the hoodie in the end?

Ah, the punk in me said yes and followed me home it did! ;-)

Do Nut Queue

Donut Factory, Munchy Donuts and what have you. It took me such a long time to finally sink my teeth into these.
As my readers know, I don’t queue well for food. But then a chance occasion made me pass a Donut Factory branch and lo and behold, there’s an express counter that attends to dine-in orders. No more hassle of long waits in line.
Needless to say, all resistance dissolved and I bought a set of 2 donuts and 1 cappuccino.

Now I understand why people would patiently wait to buy a boxful of these. I love the spicy cheese donut and the famed double chocolate one has a white chocolate coating with milk chocolate sauce oozing out when bitten.

Delicious!

But this is my first and only time eating it. I will definitely get second helpings but once again, I assert my stand of not queuing too long to get my share.

Free Ice-Cream (2 days in a row)

Simple Everyday Happiness: Eating ice-cream.

Friday’s serving was yet another treat from KT. Damn paiseh. Always eat sundaes FOC courtesy of his generosity. Anyway, a simple hot fudge sundae from Mac is so delightful. Makes me happy and my tummy purr in bliss.

Today I was checking out the newly opened ‘Mr Bean’ in my neighbourbood. Wanted to get my Tou Huay fix and was craving for their soya bean ice-cream. Unfortunately, the staff told me that their ice-cream machine is not functioning properly and the stuff is soft unlike their normal serving.
ARGH! I started whining a bit, lamenting that I have been wanting to eat their soya bean ice-cream for the longest time. The lady in charge dispensed a cupful from the machine and told me it’s on the house since she doesn’t want to sell me sub-standard stuff.

Seriously. Soft’s good too. I wonder what other ingredient they added to harden the ice-cream. Gelatin? No need lah. Maybe I just have a soft spot for soy product.

Since I am on the topic of food, I must try the thyme leaves with bread and olive oil recipe sometime soon! A splendid alternative to my favourite bread Focaccia bread. Has anyone eaten "focaccia col formaggio(focaccia with cheese)"? It’s my slice of heaven.

Mango Mania!

This is by far the best mango pudding I have eaten to date.

There's a scoop of fragrant coconut ice-cream heaped onto a cupcake shaped mango flavoured pudding. Served with fresh juicy pieces of mango slices, blended mango ice is poured generously over the entire dish to inundate everything in the dish.

Verdict: Absolutely yummy! A gastronomic delight. \(^-^)/

P/S Nope. I haven't tried the famed mango ice of Taiwan nor Hong Kong yet. So, this one's the best for now.

Buffet: The Sin of Gluttony

I love buffets! It gives me the same delight as going into a confectionery and biting into all the Godiva chocs sitting prettily on paper dollies. And I pay a fixed price! Yea—dream on!

Problem is, I haven’t been to a buffet for the longest time. Why? I hate the Singaporean mentality of buffets. Since it’s an eat-all-you-want concept, people tend to gorge themselves on the food. It’s usually the juiciest oysters and lobsters (pricey seafood) that captures the hearts of diners and they always make a beeline for this section.

As for myself, I don’t eat raw oysters (nor any form of raw food) and have to miss out on something good in life. But fire was discovered for a good reason right?

Whatever it is, I love buffets because I like the food tasting opportunities they offer. It’s when I can go on a dish pinching spree and taste a lil’ of everything. My taste buds will be in for a treat! Fresh seafood, yummy Asian food, fine European cheeses, lovingly made pastries and out-of-this world desserts! Buffets are great because I get to sample many different culinary styles and take the headache out of picking a singular dish off the menu on capricious days.

Unfortunately, most people attend buffets to get their money’s worth. I suspect if they really eat more than what they have paid for, the restaurant wouldn’t survive long enough to welcome them on their second visit. The very fact that buffet serving restaurants are still thriving is testimony to its lucrative nature.

Anyway, I wouldn’t bear to allow anyone to treat me to a buffet because I know deep down the person’s heart would bleed to see me eating in moderation. Unless the person shares my sentiments of the right way to approach a buffet.

I wish I can go for a dim sum buffet soon. The Line at Shangri-La Hotel would be a fantastic choice too. But my ultimate short term goal would be to drop by The Fullerton for their Chocolate Buffet!

Look at the gorgeous spread!


Main table of delight-yummy cakes and "pop in your mouth" finger food.


5 tiered chocolate fountain, flowing with the nectar of life. Fruits and marshmallows on platters-waiting for their skinny dipping session.

I haven’t been there yet, so photo credits goes to stormii from Storm in a Teacup!

Apparently, the quality of the chocolate laden treats is not compromised. Obviously, this has to do with its pricey charge. Still, it’s fine to indulgence once in a blue moon. I heard from credible sources that the sumptuous spread of luscious chocolate creations and the famed Chocolate Fountain will catapult one straight up to seventh heaven. And the drink station with its premium chocolate blended drinks is also the highlight of the buffet selection.

Come to think of it, a Starbucks drink cost around $5.50. A tiny box of fine chocolates cost around $12. This price of this eat-your-fill buffet then doesn’t seem too exorbitant after all. Drink aromatic traditional kopi at $0.80 from your regular coffee shop and save the balance for this. Sure makes more sense.

Details:
The Fullerton Singapore - Chocolate Buffet
Where: The Courtyard (tel: 6877-8129)
When: 8-11pm every Friday and Saturday
Cost: $32 per person before tax!!!
Highly recommended: The chocolate mango yoghurt mousse and mint chocolate cakes. The drink station also spins the smoothest chocolate-y concoctions

Anyone wants to go with me? =)

Daily Trivia:
The "all you can eat" buffet has been ascribed to Herb Macdonald, a Las Vegas hotel manager who introduced the idea in 1946.

Candies fit for Royalty

Wonder why I am constantly talking about food? I love to eat! Anything interesting, new, yummy, extremely fattening and savoury…However, I am still contemplating whether to chomp down escargots—snails that are cooked and served as food. And I am a bit queasy putting gooey things into my orifice, so I usually avoid oysters and clams (not even in char kway teow)! I think I have a general abhorrence for mollusks cos they are slimy creatures. I will puke if I eat them raw, and will only eat baked oysters in creamy cheese, cooked in garlic and herb sauce.

Anyway, back to sweets. I also do not like to consume sweets on their own. Mints are for freshening the breath, but I prefer using the potent breath spray more. Maybe I had tasted all the lovely candies in the world during my childhood. My mother used to buy us the most wonderful assortment of international sweets—Japanese, Swedish, English, American, Turkish…and I no longer find them novel.
It’s ironic that I continue to love desserts like ice-cream, chocolates, brownies and cakes.
BUT, there is always 1 exception that I will break the rules for. The candy is a Chinese traditional candy called “Dragon beard Candy”. I suspect it’s named after its appearance. But maybe, as its Chinese name "龙须糖" suggest, it may be named to signify its status as a palace delicacy and something that is fit for a king.


Dragon Beard Candy

How it is made:
The 'shifu' will sprinkle flour and knead at a hardened piece of malt candy till it’s relatively soft, then start pulling its ends. Soon, countless fine threads will be produced and, and these are used to wrap crushed peanut.
Every time I see someone selling it, I will buy at least 2 boxes. It costs $2.50 for a box of 5. 1 for 50 cents! Not cheap. =(

They look like silk worm’s cocoon and can be eaten in two ways.
1. When consumed freshly made on the spot, it’s fluffy and soft. It melts when put into the mouth and the fragrant peanut brings out the flavour of the malt. Simply yummy.

2. When chilled in the refrigerator, it turns hard, but because the malt is in fine strands, it will make the candy crispy when bitten into and you will have a crunchy good time.


Crushed peanut fillings within

Yea, this candy is my weakness. Since I see some aunties making them to sell in pushcarts, I hope that I can learn the craft in future and be self-sufficient to satisfy my own sugar cravings.

Daily Trivia:
Mollusk, common name for members of a phylum of soft-bodied animals (Latin mollus, “soft”), usually with a hard external shell. Familiar mollusks include the clam, oyster, snail, slug, octopus and squid. The mollusk phylum is the second largest in the animal kingdom, after the arthropods. Eat all the oysters you can! =P

Weekend Treat

Marsha Marsha Marshmallow™

Chocolate Ice Cream with Fudge Chunks & Toasted Marshmallow & Graham Cracker Swirls

I love Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream. Nothing can curb this sinful craving when the refrigerator in the neighbourhood VideoEzy store sings out all the enticing flavours available through the public announcement system. Ok, I exaggerate.

This brand of ice-cream carries the most creative treats that you can ever imagine. And the concoctions they come up with simply allows you to experience that ‘little bit of heaven’.

Heaven must be made of edible candy canes for its pearly gates. Marshmallow clouds float around lazily and there is an ever flowing fountain of milk chocolate in the middle of the Garden of Eden. The peppermint flavoured grass glistened in the honey golden sun and the heavenly folks queue for their daily treats from the Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream factory that is open 24/7 all week!
Now…why does this sound like a scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? =P

I thought this flavour—the Marsha Marsha Marshmallow is not as nice as the New York Super Fudge Chunk. However, the Graham biscuit swirls does make up for the NUTS that are absent in this tub.
The only question is, “Where is the marshmallow???”

Can’t believe it’s raining again….maybe one day, I will invent an ice-cream that will turn hot slowly in the mouth and slides warmly down the gullet, all the way to the stomach. That’s when I can set up an ice-cream empire to rival B&J throughout the world and people will consume my creations all year long. Everyone will be kept satisfied and happy all winter!

My favourite Ben & Jerry's flavour:

Chocolate Ice Cream with White & Dark Fudge Chunks, Pecans, Walnuts & Fudge Covered Almonds