Spinelli's Cakes

Red Velvet ($5.50), Black White and Brown Cheese ($5.50)

Many occasions, i steered clear of that bloody looking red cake; so this is our first classic Red Velvet. And i never knew this strong looking cake tastes this light and healthy! The natural red coming from the all-beneficial beetroot plant helps retain moisture in this cake recipe and give it an unique hint of organic sweetness.

The Red Velvet makes a perfect match for tea, but not the strong coffee. It is thus no wonder that at the Spinelli counter today, the Black White and Brown Cheese cakes were swiftly snapped up by the coffee drinkers - mine was almost the last piece. The Red Velvet has still a whole cake to go.

I like them both.

Spicy Bean Curd, 麻婆豆腐

Such a simple dish; i could easily polish off 2 bowl of rice with a big ladle of it. The flavor of celery here is especially beckoning; it is indispensable! Think i had better keep a copy of this recipe; share it too.

INGREDIENTS:
2 boxes  Bean curd, cut in cubes
4 pcs      Prawns (optional)
3 tbsp     Celery, diced
1 tbsp     Garlic, chopped
1 tbsp     Ginger, chopped
1 cup      Water

SEASONING:
2 tbsp     Spicy Soy bean sauce, 辣豆醬
1.5 tbsp  Tomato sauce
0.5 tbsp  Sugar
2 tbsp     Light soy sauce
dash of Pepper
dash of Sesame oil

STEPS:
1. Heat oil in wok, fry chopped garlic and ginger until fragrant.
2. Add prawns, bean curd, water and all seasonings until well cooked.
3. Broil until the gravy is reduced to your desired amount; the gravy tastes great with rice!
4. Thicken the gravy with tapioca flour and water (optional - we skipped this)
5. Sprinkle with diced celery.
Serve!

根叔美食世家, Gen Shu Steamed Rice

Hong Kong Steamed Rice with Chicken and Salted Fish ($3.80)

Sampan Porridge ($3.50)

Steamed Yam Cake with Rice Noodle Roll ($2.80)

If there's 1 place for decent HK steamed rice at hawker pricing, we reckon this is it - at Gen Shu's, the Toa Payoh Lor 4, Blk 74 Food Centre. We though it has really good standard.

Gen Shu mastered the technique of producing moist plump grains, finished with a flavorful roast! It was then topped up with good quality sausages, salted fish and boneless meat from a chicken drumstick. Howbeit, my return would be plainly for the charred steamed rice.

Broiled porridge for Ric who is suffering from a really bad throat infection and fever. I understand that the porridge is delicious, with ingredients aplenty - you can't see that, as they were buried beneath the heaviness of the well textured porridge.

We didn't actually enjoyed Gen Shu's famous yam cake today... seems a little too soft for our liking.

Rochor Beancurd House - Portuguese Egg Tart

Original Portugese Egg Tart ($1.50 per pcs)

Sis has been buying traditional tau huay and soy bean drinks from the Rochor Beancurd House, and we realized that everyone's favorite remain with these old-fashioned beancurd rather than the new age soy pudding such as the Lao Ban.

Today, there's another nice surprise - Portuguese egg tarts. Just look at the flakiness of its layers of thin pastry! This is so tempting with the soft egg custard! Crunch......

海记, Hai Kee Teochew Char Kway Teow

Teochew Fried Kway Teow ($3)

I've never blogged about Hai Kee!? Didn't realize that! We had known him since his time at the old Margaret Food Centre. Made famous by his $2 plate of moist fried kway teow which usually consist of 20 odd cockles; a type of seawater clams. Customers would line up outside his stall even before he opens.

Tonight, we just decide to join the slow queue at his relocated stall in the Telok Blangah Crescent Market and Food Centre, where he still fry his noodle, one plate at a time.

It is undoubtedly lip-smacking good, albeit the MSG. And having 25 cockles in one serving plate means getting to enjoy every mouthful of small, fresh clams meat! For this, we queue!

Arirang Korean Restaurant

Chicken Ginseng Soup, Samgyetang ($20) + Rice ($3)

Korean cuisine is something i would craved for after an absence, so we bought a Groupon for the Arirang Korean Restaurant, thinking it shouldn't get too bad right?

And we were quite safe.

6 complementary side dishes of Banchan -

Anchovies, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Sweet Black Beans, Kimchi, Hot Green Chili.

Enjoyed the simple dishes of unlimited Banchan and hot Ginseng soup, albeit the missing glutinous rice which we considered mandatory in a Samgyetang.

Our first try of Korean dumplings made up of chives, tofu, Korean vermicelli and minced pork fillings were impressive. Overall food standard aren't stunning, but fairly comfortable for a repeat.

Steamed Korean Dumplings, Mandu ($15)

Trivento Tribu, Pinot Noir Argentina 2010

Argentina Trivento Tribu, 13.5% vol ($13.90)

I had thought all pinot noir grapes to taste somewhat there, but guess i am seriously mistaken. The Trivento, described of having "red fruits and violets; young with a touch of smooth oak" - was too abstract to be readily savour.

We both though this is a dry blend; not that i'm complaining because compared to the sweet
Pinot Noir of Naked Grape, we do prefer this drier blend. It depends on what's your take.

Alan Banana Leaves BBQ Seafood

We complaint about the less than satisfying chili sambal used on the Stingray and the stir-fried Squids which we had expected to be done on a hotplate BBQ. Maybe we made the wrong choice of BBQ stalls at Pasir Panjang Food Centre; there are a handful of them here? But Alan was observed to be the most popular.

Back home, i googled and found fave reviews on them, on the same food we were served. 

If you too feel that they are the best, you should try the Tokyo BBQ, at West Coast who actually spoils us. We couldn't accept anything less; except that Alan's Stingray is really plump and thickly sliced - it is value for money.

BBQ Stingray ($10)

Sambal Stingray ($10)

This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often.

"This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don't like something, change it. If you don't like your job, quit. If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, life is simple. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, size them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion." -  HOLSTEE

Came across these life quotes after installing Pocket Apps - it lets you save articles on web pages that you like to read it later, offline. I didn't use the Apps to save anything cos there was just too much to read, always. So i actually benefit from Pocket's weekly email to me that listed top 5 most popular read - Pocket Hits, they call it. Now, that's what i need.

And i like this read. Especially ringing is, "When you eat, appreciate every last bite".