Select Catering - Ala-Carte International Buffet

Ala-Carte Int'l Buffet Menu A: 11+1 Courses ($17.12 with GST, min 25 Pax)

Having the option of going international for home buffet is quite a refreshing change. Select Caterer manages to stage a palatable feast that the family actually enjoy; after our many buffet events. It seems, a change of cuisine is most welcoming.

Albeit the higher pricing compared to what we paid for standard local fare, it was worthwhile that everyone gave the thumbs up for this. For once, the mains of rice and noodle were nearly wiped out! And i didn't even get to taste a piece of the Sushi :)

Here's our selection from their menu A:

Appetizer  - German Potato Salad with Turkey Bacon

Poultry  - Signature Curry Chicken with Potatoes

Meat  - Sautéed Sliced Beef with Lemon Grass

Ocean Catch  - Assam Fish Fillet with Pineapple

Seafood  - Sambal Sotong on bed of Banana Leaf (in chili curry)

Vegetables  - Vegetarian Oyster Sauce Broccoli with Assorted Mushrooms

Main Course (rice)  - Baked Butter Rice with Assorted Hams & Fried Shallot

Main Course (noodle)  - Italian Spaghetti Aglio Olio with Colourful Bell Peppers

Finger Food  -  Japanese Sushi and Maki Platter

Pastry  - Selection of Mini Fruit Tartlets

Sweet Dessert  - Chilled Lychee with Mango & Crystal Grass Jelly

Japanese Sushi with condiments

Teochew Kueh - melting in the mouth!

Mushroom Rice kueh ($0.80), Mushroom Soon Kueh ($0.70), 'Gu Cai' Kueh ($0.70)

Melting in the mouth Teochew kueh at Sims Vista Food Centre, stall 01-23. Not everybody appreciate the texture that you could easily crush between your tongue and palate; but we really thought our old pioneers might rejoice in this, for they have such weaker bite. Personally, we would prefer the chewy version.

For the price, these were palm-sized large and definitely affordable. Its strong aroma of dried shrimp and fried garlic entices you, and fillings were generous. But their use of MSG is something we can't ignore; therefore, just maybe we will return for more.

Geylang Laksa & Prawn Noodle

Upon reading this stall from Dr Tay at ieat, Ric says we drive down Sims Drive to 'eat wind' and noodles for breakfast :))

According to Dr Tay, the stall serves "old school" Laksa which he defines one that is "very fragrant but not overly spicy or overly rich such that you can down a whole bowl and not feel jelak. (bloated)". Well, that was exactly how it feels like. But because it doesn't bowl you over, you might simply register it as any typical bowl of good Laksa from your neighborhood hawker.

Ingredients are plentiful. Both for its Laksa and Prawn Mee. Lots of cockles and fresh prawns for the Laksa; even more prawns for the Prawn noodle! Between the 2, i actually enjoyed the light and flavorful prawn broth over the curry Laksa. You tell me?

Laksa ($3)

Prawn Noodle Kway Teow Soup ($3)

More from The Body Shop

Strawberry shower gel and body lotion, 60ml. (Christmas pack) 

Vitamin C Energizing Face Spritz, 100ml ($20.90)

Just when i'm starting to take for granted, The Body Shop. They never fail to surprise me with the above. I was thus prompted to write.

The Strawberry Shower Gel and Body Lotion - since Christmas. I was trying to finish the small packaging and discard it. Thinking, yucky! Strawberry!? But the strawberry scent was less than revolting; in fact, it left the bathroom with a nice fragrance. The body lotion was the best - containing real strawberry seed oil, it is really lightweight. The skin absorbs it totally within 15 mins of application, feeling soft and unsticky. Love it.

The Vitamin C Energizing Face Spritz is a convenient product, compared to cream moisturizer. After bath or face wash, i'll simply put the spray on my palm and pat it on my check and forehead. Done! Instant hydration that left the skin feeling pumped up! It works like the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, but feels denser. I like the idea of Vitamin C on the skin albeit its distinct orange scent.

I had since left Ric with the Vitamin C face spritz. With the ease of application, i expect no more excuse from the man for not taking care of his dull skin!

Homemade Achar (Pickled Vegetables) - No cooking required!

Much horror of consuming overly sweeten pickled vegetables from the Supermarket. This is the simplest and healthiest Achar recipe we've come across. We were determined to try.

You only need to purchase the Mae Pranom Sweet Chili Sauce from Sheng Siong supermarket, and dump in all your favorite vegetables! No added sugar.

Mae Pranom Sweet Chili Sauce, 260g ($5.20)

INGREDIENTS:
1 large cucumber (halved, do not peel away the skin. Trimmed off the seeds portion, and thinly sliced it)
1 large carrot (peeled and cut thinly)
1 sweet pineapple (peeled and cut into bite pieces)
130g of Thai sweet chili sauce
2 tbs of white sesame (toasted on low heat)
3 tbs of coarsely grounded peanut

STEPS:
We julienne the vegetables and add in Thai sweet chili sauce. Mix well. Before transferring everything into a glass container, sprinkle on the sesame seed and peanut. Mix gently.

Leave the Achar in the refrigerator for at least 12hrs, or overnight before consumption. Before serving, garnish with more ground peanut.

This will be our side dish for tonight!