Bakes at Crusty Oven

Cherry Brandy ($6.40), Baked Banana ($3.80), Oreo Cheesecake ($3.50)

I have to buy a $8 for $16 voucher for some pies at Crusty to realize that not all pies are created equal; some are more equal than the others.

The priciest cherry brandy pie which the stall lady recommended was a disappointment; it was dry and flaky. In contrast, the humble banana pie which Ric picked, was deliciously moisten.

The Oreo cheesecake was by far, our strangest tasting cheesecake - it has the rich look of an American cheesecake, but tasted and smell so weak; it even turned slightly icy after we left it in the fridge for the night - water in cheesecake!? Forgive me.

韩江鱼汤, Han Jiang Fish Soup

Late lunch on a Sunday; we want to decide on something fast.

Spotted this really long queue as we drove into Blk 409, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, Teck Ghee Square  hawker centre and i decidedly joined the line. Lucky we did; we were their last customers this afternoon as they declined new orders - explaining their near consumed fish broth.

Fish Meat Porridge ($4)

Good choice to follow long queues. It was satisfying biting into these thick slices of beautifully cut fillets! Wonderful, with a dipping sauce of cut chili and salted soy beans. The soup comes with lots of greens and seaweed and tastes on the sweeter side; while i had preferred a savory broth.

Still, we shall return for their thick fish slices, but most probably not the fish heads.

Fish Meat Bee Hoon Soup ($4)

Batang Fish Head Soup ($4)

Bio-Life, 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

26 Apr 2014, Sat

Woke up on Saturday morning and hurried to check at the mirror - cos i was amazed to feel my stubborn pimple finally subsiding! Just after 1 night application of the Tea Tree Oil! 

You had no idea how disturbed i was when this pimple stayed for weeks and refused to go away by itself - which it usually does. Being such a pig head, i refused to apply my trusty Hazeline Snow cream. Then every salesperson i met during this period tries to recommend products for pimples! That was when i realized how glaring my redness was. Believe me, it was a swelling red, much worse than this first photo. I became desperate.

No stinging pain when i first dripped the oil onto my broken pimple that Friday night. Just a little stinging followed by an amazingly cool peppermint sensation; i was grateful. A few more applications on the weekend while i left the pimple alone on the busy work week, checking back and administering it only on the weekends. See it is healing? Slowly but surely.

4 May 2014, Sun

11 May 2014, Sun

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.