Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Recipe - Sweet and Sour Pork

Hmmm ... I'm never a fan of DEEP FRYING (which I also believe a lot more others out there share the same view as me). Hate the cleaning up after that and the waste of oil. But ... since my sister had especially requested for it ... no choice loh.

I had done a Hawthorn Berry version sometime back. But I don't think she will like it as much because that was a wee bit on the more sourish side. So I'd decided to do it the traditional way.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Drama - 宮 (Goong - Princess Hours)


Princess Hour is a drama that depicts a modern Korea constitutional monarchy. Shin Chae-kyeong and Lee Shin (the Crown Prince) go through numerous incidents in which they end up fighting. Chae-kyeong witnesses the scene where Lee Shin proposes to another woman to avoid their arranged marriage. The story evolves from the fact that Chae-kyeong's grandfather was very close to the former monarch, whose wish was for her and the next Crown Prince to get married.

Faced with the decreasing popularity among the public for the Royalty, a grand wedding for the Crown Prince, Lee Shin, is decided to be the best publicity move to improve the image of the Royalty and at the same time prepare Shin for immediate succession. This gives some impetus to the otherwise unrealistic union of the two. A perfect boy from a noble bloodline, with good looks and a sense of unpolished beauty has to marry against his will to an ordinary girl from an ordinary family, with a clumsy character, average grades and average looks.

After 14 years of living in England with his mom, Lee Yul appears all of a sudden. He is Shin's cousin as well as the former Crown Prince. Everything seemed to be going normally until Chae Kyung's optimistic spirit wins the heart of internally lonely, Yul. As the Crown Prince Shin and simple-minded Chae Kyung's relationship appear to developing deeper feelings, a series of scandals are exposed to the public right after the pair were officially announced married. Will love prevail all in a world of political pressures and martial hardships? Or will being in the spotlight of the public be too much for the young newlyweds to endure?

The process how Shin Chae-kyeong and Lee Shin fall in love with each other unfolds with excitement in this drama.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Feasting TIME!!!

We had a great feast at a friend's newly open Japanese restaurant - Tenza Izakaya @ Sunset Way last night.


Tenza Izakaya
Sumibiyaki & Sake Bar


106 Clementi St 12, #01-38D
Singapore, 120106



A decent sized restaurant which offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Enjoy fresh air and embrace in the serenity while dining outdoors. With comfortable seats (provided for both adults and the little ones), candle lights flicking and wind blowing gently to enhance atmosphere accompanied by the delicious food and drinks and served by friendly staffs ... what more can you can ask for to end your day!!!

Not to mention, if you choose to dine indoors, you get a full with of what's happening in the kitchen with their open concept kitchen.

Hmm ... ok I think I better stop LOL if not it will sound like I am advertising for my friend :p But then again ... WHY NOT!!! hehehe

Anyway, my dinner on Saturday night were as follows:-



Starter for all diners. Cabbage with their special in house miso. Just dip the cabbage leaves into the sauce and start munching away. First time I ate my cabbage RAW and I never expect I would enjoy eating raw cabbage that much. I can't stop munching ...


Sashimi was served finally and see how pretty it was ... almost can't bear to eat up what's being served but the sashimi looks so delicious, it would be a SIN if I don't eat it ... LOL. Sashimi is so FRESH. The fishes are freshly imported on every Tuesday, Fridays and Saturdays.


Next item, Kani Karaage (deep fried soft shell crab). Fried till perfection and the sauce that came with it really compliment the crabs. I was taken surprised by the sauce as it tasted very different from those served at other places. I usually eat my soft shell crab as it is because I find it actually tasted better without the sauce. But here, I soaked my crabs in the sauce before sinking my teeth into them.


This is Tatami Iwashi (grilled sardine mat). 1st time seeing and trying this. Basically it is a Japanese processed food product made from baby sardines laid out and dried while entwined in a single layer to form a large mat-like sheet. It serve as a snack or accompaniment to sake or beer drinking or you can even eat it just like that.


This dish is Unagi Jyoyo Age (deep fried eel with yam). Yam paste is used to coat the unagi before sending it to be fried. That being said, the distinct taste of the unagi is there when you bite into it.


Asari Sakamushi (sake steamed clam). I guess no need to say much for this. Sweetness from the clams + sake ... OISHII!!!


Not done yet ... more to come. Buta Yawaraka Ni (8 hours braised pork). For fatty meat lovers, this is one that you cannot miss. Feedback from some customers said that the meat should be more fatty but to me, I think this is just right.


Our last dish ... Tai Tuba Maki Ni (snapper rolled with beancurd skin). I've only got one word for this ... OISHII!!!



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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Satisfying My Cravings ...

Got craving for 扣肉包 so decided to make my own version of it for dinner tonight ... ^_^

Braised Pork Belly + Steam Bun




I've already tried my best to choose the most 'lean' piece of PORK BELLY from the butcher to reduce guilt but FATS is something that cannot be avoided for this dish.

Being able to sink my teeth into those fats can be considered as an indulgence especially you have an eyeful hubby who is always on the look out for those fatty tissues.

The next thing after this meal ... find ways to burn off those extra fats consumed!!! LOL.

Monday, May 10, 2010

US ... here I COME!!!

Erm ... US stands for Universal Studios and not United States :p

Finally it is my turn to try on the rides at US. The last time we were there we got kids with us and hence cannot go on the rides. Taking my sister as an excuse, I have a chance to re-visit US once again. Sister is on vacation and she got a friend with her this time so ... what a perfect excuse to head to US again!!!

The weather was good, the company was great and we had so much fun!!! The only pity thing about this visit is that the famous Cylon (blue track) & Human (red track) coaster ride is not ready yet. It was closed down awhile back due to some technical issues. But it is ok ... give me another excuse to go again hahahaha

Check out the pictures we took HERE.


P/S: Hubby almost 'dumped' me upon reaching US. He was not feeling very well and was thinking maybe he just drop us there and come pick us up later. I just kept quiet when he made that suggestion. Luckily he decided to just come along despite the fact that he's unwell. Thanks dearie ... thanks for coming along and hence make my day so special.

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Movie Treats

Woo Hoo ... haven been to the movies for the longest time. Finally had the chance to do it and that resulted in 2 movies in a week ... YIPPIE!!!

Hubby and myself had caught Iron Man 2 last sunday (1 May 2010) and IP Man 2 last night.


My personal preference ... IP Man 2.

Friday, May 07, 2010

Mother's Day Project

Mother's day project from the boys' school.


Though it was nothing much but it was really touched to received it from the boys ^_^

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Drama - 冬季恋歌 (Winter Sonata)


冬季恋歌 (Winter Sonata) was the second of the season-themed drama series directed by Yoon Suk-ho. The other titles to the series are:

秋天的童话 (Autumn Fairy Tale)
夏日香气 (Summer Scent)
春天华尔兹 (Spring Waltz)


The story begins when Joon-sang, who is the son of an eminent musician who moves to Chuncheon; a rural city in South Korea. As an extraordinarily talented student, Joon-sang is welcomed by his fellow students as well as teachers, but remains a quiet, introverted young man. As a result of his belief that his father is dead and serious conflicts with his mother, Joon-sang believes that no one truly loves him.

On one fortuitous day on the ride to school, Joon-sang's classmate Yu-jin interrupts him on the bus. Joon-sang soon falls in love with Yu-jin, who opens herself to him with an innocent heart. Their love, however, is cut short after Joon-sang is involved in a serious auto-accident and, due to brain damage, is unable to recall his past life.

Joon-sang's mother, desiring Joon-sang's love and respect, has Joon-sang brainwashed by a psychologist, so that Joon-sang will not remember his painful memories of growing up as an illegitimate child. As a result, Joon-sang's memories prior to the accident are erased. Joon-sang's mother decides to move to the United States with Joon-sang, where he can start a new life under the identity of Li Min-hyung. As such, both his friends and teachers are told that Joon-sang is dead.

Ten years later, Joon-sang is an award-winning architect in the United States. He does not remember anything about his life in Korea. He is completely different, an open-minded person who cares about other people, including his mother. He returns to Korea and Yu-jin sees him on the street, prompting her to put off her engagement to childhood friend Sang-hyuk. Little does she know that Joon-sang is dating her friend and sometime rival Che-lin. The story's plot intensifies when Yu-jin begins work at the firm where Joon-sang is employed, and tries to find out if he is her lost lover Joon-sang.