COOK'S DAY OUT- ORDER HOME DELIVERY

Too lazy or tired to cook? Well, just pick up your phone or orderline .
Do try these home delivery services:
http://www.dabao.sg/
www.tasteourfood.com
www.missclaritycafe.com
www.thaivillagerestaurant.com.sg
http://www.expressfood.com.sg/
http://www.brindas.com.sg/
http://www.omar-shariff.com/
http://www.themangotree.com.sg/
http://www.makanexpress.com.sg/
http://www.cuisinexpress.com.sg/
http://www.sakaesushi.com.sg/
www.sbestfood.com/sribistari

MISO 101

Miso is a staple Japanese condiment. It is made from soya beans, rice or barley with salt and a mould culture and then aged for one to three years. Miso is good for health because it is rich source of antioxidants & vitamin E. You can use it in soups, stews and even marinades.

Type of Miso

Shiro Miso (White Miso) – mild and sweet in taste and good for light broths, dips for raw vegetables, salad dressing and fish marinades.

Aka Miso (Red Miso) – saltier in taste and used for richer soups, stew and marinades for meats.

Hatcho Miso (Dark Miso) – strong salty flavor , brown and lumpy in color.

Mugi Miso (Barley Miso) – is made from rice or barley and is sweeter than dark miso pastes.

Foodies Blogs

Looking for more Blogs on Food? Well here is a list of foodies blog in
Singapore:
http://www.ieatishootipost.blogspot.com/
http://www.singapuradailyphoto.blogspot.com/
http://www.makansingapore.com/
www.chubbyhubby.net
www.makansutra.com
www.eatbma.blogspot.com

Indonesia
http://www.jenzcorner.com/

Malaysia
http://www.goodeaters.net/

HONEY 101

1) Manuka Honey
This honey has 10 to 16 UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) and is rich in antibacterial substance.

2) Comb Honey
It is usually presented in its original beeswax comb.

3) Raw Honey
This honey is extracted without heating or filtering in its very original condition.

4) Cream Honey
Taste like marshmallow with cream-like consistency and suitable as bread spread

5) Monofloral Honey
This honey has fruity and sweet citrus flavour. They can be in the form of mango, lychee or rambutan honey.

KOREAN FOOD=HEALTHY FOOD = SLOW FOOD

Here is a list of favorite Korean Foods that are popular with people around the world:

Bulgogi
(Thinly sliced beef marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, green onions, garlic, black pepper, sesame seeds and sesame oil and grilled at the table)

Bibimbab
(Rice combined with vegetables and beef)

Bulgalbi
(Beef short ribs, marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, green onions, garlic, black pepper, sesame oil and then grilled)

Gomtang
(Thick beef soup)

Seollungtang
(Beef bone soup)

Samgyeotang
(Chicken ginseng soup)

Hwayo
(Traditional vodka-liked distilled liquor that is high in alcohol content - 40%)

Muk
(A firm jelly made of acorn)

Red Kimchi
(Preserved salted cabbage in red pepper powder introduced into Korea way back in the 1600s.)

White (Baek) Kimchi
(Preserved salted cabbage in SMALL AMOUNT red pepper powder usually for children because it is mild flavor and less spicy)

Naengmyeon
(Chilled buckwheat noodle soup)

Donchimi
(An autumn dish - radish kimchi in seasoned water-preserved in red chili pepper, garlic and ginger in brine and store in a crock.)

Jeotgal
(Salted and preserved fish in a variety of seasonings such as powdered red pepper, garlic, ginger and more ginger)

KOREAN SPICY BEET HOT POT
500g sliced thinly
5 Wongbok cabbage leaves, cut into strip
50g carrot, peeled and cut into stips
8 shiitake mushrooms, cut into strips
6 spring onions, sectioned
1 egg

Beef seasoning
3 tbsp light soy sause
2 stbsp sake
1 tsp sugar
A few drop of sesame ooil
2 tsp chopped garlic
A dash of pepper

Broth:
2.5l stock
4-5 stbsp gochu jang (Korean hot chilli paste)
1 tsp chopped garlic
3 tsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp sake
2 tsp mirin
Salt to taste
A pinch of sugar

Method
1) Bring the broth ingredients to boil. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add salt & sugar adjust taste taste.
2) Mix beef with seasoning and set aside in fridge.
3) Place cabbage intoshallow pot, arrange carrot, mushroom, spring onion and beef on top of the cabbage. Add stock
4) Set pot on stove and boil medium heat. Make a well in the centre and crack an egg into it . Once the ingredient are cooked, the hot pot is ready.

HEALTHY BONES & COLD PREVENTION DIET

For Healthy Bones
Eat foods that are high in cakcium, minerals, proteins and vitamins.
Examples:
210g of salmon = 450mg of calcium
1 cup of bake beans = 300mg calcium
1glass of milk = 300 mg calcium
1 kg of brocolli = 300mg calcium
1 tub of yoghurt = 266mg of calcium
1 slice of cheese = 137mg of calcium

To prevent cold:
Orange juice (for vitamin C)
Oatmeal, bananas, fish, chicken & turkey (for production of white blood cell)
Apple, cranberries & tomato sauce (for flavonoids and anti-inflmmatory substances)

Besides that to fight FATIGUE you also need to

• Get some fresh air
• Take a walk
• Drink more water
• Choose your lunch wisely
• Have a snack

PIZZA WITH A PIAZZA

Hello Foodies,

Check out these pizza parlour in Singapore
(especially for those who have not tried pizzas other than PizzaHut's pizza).

www.dapaolo.com.sg
www.artpizza.com,
www.spizza.sg,
www.oishipizza.com
www.sarpinos.com.sg
www.cuisinexpress.com.sg

NUTS ABOUT DONUTS?

Here are some recommended doughnuts for you to try out. So start queuing early.

Munchy Donut @226 Tg Katong Road
-Blueberry Volcano, Typhoon Oreo

Missy Donut @ B2 Plaza Singapura
-Chocolate Swirl, Orange Cream-filled

Donut Factory @ Suntec City T3
-White Chocolate, Mint Dark Chocolate, Strawberry White Chocolate

Pop Doh @ B2 Takashima
- Double Chocolate wave

SEAFOOD SURPRISE

SEAFOOD Spaghetti
(A)
2 tbsp olive oil
½ brown-skinned onion finely chopped
4 slices bacon, cut into small bits
6 gloves garlic, chopped

(B)
1 green capsicum, cored and diced
150ml white wine
600g canned plum tomatoes, mashed fine
Salt., to taste
Black pepper, to taste

(C)
375 spaghetti

(D) (Garnish)
400g fresh asari clams, scrubbed clean
3 tbsp finely chopped parsley
Paper-thin slices of lemon for garnish

METHOD
1.Heat olive oil in a saucepan and throw in (A) ingredients.
2.Add (B) ingredients and fry for 10-15 minutes
3.Cook ( C) ingredient in boiling water and drain well
4.Add (D) ingredients to ingredients (A) & (B). And finally add Spaghetti last & mix thoroughly. Serve with lemon.

============================


SEAFOOD Fried Rice
A)
2 small dried squid
Oil for deep frying
(B)
500g rice
500ml water
2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
T tbsp pounded garlic
1 tsp ground tumeric
½ tsp meat curry powder
½ tsp salt
(C) (Garnish)
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp live oil
150g shelled cooked small clams
½ small, ripe pineapple, finely diced
6 shallots, finely diced
4 tbsp roughly chopped coriander leaves
1-2 tbsp very finely chopped red chilli

METHOD
1.Heat oil and deep fried the squid
2.Cook ingredient (B) until done
3.Toss ingredient (C) with ingredient (B) & serve immediately

==================



SEAFOOD Otak-otak
( A)
4tbsp finely sliced lemongrass
4 shallots, sliced
5 cloves garlic, crushed
2-3 red chilies, thinly sliced
300g minced pork
150g shelled prawns, roughed chopped
2 tbsp fish sauce
¾ tbsp black pepper
½ tsp sugar

(B)
4-6 squares of banana leaf, about 30 cm across
50g sakura ebi(dried Japanese Shrimp)

(Garnish)
Finely chopped spring onion for garnish

METHOD
1.Pound and grind (A) ingredients, mix well and chill for 30 minutes
2.Briefly steam, blanch or microwave banana leaf squares for about 15 seconds.
3.Spoon 2-3 tbsp of ingredient (A) in the centre of a leaf square (about 1cm thick).
4.Sprinkle ebi and fold them into otak-otak shape and seal with tooth picks or staples
5.Cook them over hot barbeque for 4-5 minutes. Serve with spring onion
============


FISH MOLEE
( A)
2 small onions, chopped
1 sprig curry leaf
300ml coconut milk

(B)
500g dory fish fillet, sliced
4 tomatoes

1 cup cooked rice

(Garnish)
1 sprig coriander

METHOD
1.Fry & stir in (A) ingredients
2.Bring it to a simmer
3.Throw in (B) ingredients and cook for another 5 minutes
4.Garnish and serve with rice

COFFEE 101

The Origin of Coffee

The word “Coffee” comes from the Latin name of genus ‘Coffea’ and originated in Ethopia. It was believed that adding sugar coffee may have been started by French monarch King LouisXIV. Ludwig van Beethoven, the famous musician that was reputed to have always counted 60 coffee beans for each cup he brewed. Chocolate was first added to coffee by the Europeans in 1600s. Iced coffee in a can has been popular in Japan since 1945. In Japan, the official Coffee Day falls on Oct 1st.

An average cup of coffee contains more than 1000 different chemical components, none of which is tasted in isolation but only as part of the overall flavor. Approximately 4000 Arabica beans are used to make one pound of roasted coffee.
A coffee tree has a lifespan of about 50 to 70 years. It takes 5 years for a coffee tree to produce its first crop after the coffee seed is planted.

Dark roasted coffees actually have less caffeine. Coffee beas are generally roasted between 400F and 425F. It is the most popular beverage worldwide with over 400 billion cups consumed each year. Coffee is grown commercially in over 45 countries throughout the world. Kopi Luwak (the world’s most expensive coffee are harvested from partially digested beans from the Asian Palm Civet that gorge on ripe coffee berries.

Deja Brew Names
Qahwa (Arabic Countries), Sourj (Armenian) , Masbout (Egypt) Buna (Ethopia), Kahvi (Finland), Kaffee (Denmark, German & Norway), Koffie (Holland), Kave (Hungary), Gehve (Iran), Koohii (Japan), Kalawa (Kenya), Kawa (Poland), Kafe (Spain) & etc...


Drinking Coffee for their Health Benefits:

Drinking more that one cups of coffee a day may help to:
Lower the risk of getting cancer by over 40%,
Reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.
Reduce muscle soreness and improve stamina (Good for avid athletes)
Helps to counter sleepiness
Treat asthma in Scotland since 1859.
(It does not cause osteoporosis)

Benefits & Disadvantage of drinking Coffee

Beneficial if less than 3 cups of coffee a day

Stamina Booster (It can boost physical performance).

Besides that it also boosts mental function and alertness and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. (making us more agreeable)

Lower diabetes risk (it protects against type II diabetes)

It fights cellulite & can help to fight pain.

It can reduce the risk of asthma attacks and treat allergies

It may protect against liver disease. (Decrease the alcohol-related cirrhosis)

Not beneficial if more than 3 cups a day. It can cause:

Heart: abnormal heart rhythms (cardiovascular disease), increase blood pressure

Head: restlessness, mood swing, nausea, anxiety, hyperventilation, panic attacks, migraines, depression, sleeplessness, headaches, vertigo and muscle tremor

Stomach: irritate the stomach, constipation, cause peptic ulcers (or cancer), stomach cramps, diarrhea, premenstrual bloating, gastrointestinal distress, miscarriage and low birth weights

Bone: osteoporosis,

Avoid taking caffeine if you are on antibiotics or anti-anxiety meds.


HOW MUCH CAFFEINE IS IN THESE DRINKS

Current evidence suggests that a moderate regular consumption (300mg daily) of caffeine does not adversely affect heat. However, pregnant women should drink less.

The following are guideline depending on the the product or method of preparation:
Painkiller/flu table 30-65 mg
1 Vivarin caffeine pill 200 mg

1 Hershey’s Kiss 1 mg
Milk chocolate bar(50g) 15 mg
Dark Chocolate Bar (50g) 40 mg

Filter/espresso coffee 100-150 mg
Instant Coffee 60-80mg
8 oz coffee 135 mg
16 oz coffee 135 mg
16 oz Starbuck Coffee Grande 259 mg

Can of “energy drink upto 80 mg
12 oz Snapple Iced Tea 31.5 mg
Can of cola 40 mg
12 oz Dr Pepper 41 mg
12 oz. Mountain Dew 55 mg
8.5 oz Red Bull 80 mg
16 oz Full Throttle energy Drink 144 mg
16 oz RockStar energy drink 160 mg
24 oz BooKoo energy drink 360mg

Links

http://www.starbucks.com.sg/promotions/index.html

http://www.highlandercoffee.com/html/coffeeresources.htm

Bonjour French Fair & More...

25 - 27 Oct // Wine for Asia 2007
It is Asia's most comprehensive international wine exhibition and Sopexa's first inaugural French Pavilion. Read on... ...
8 - 11 Nov // Bonjour French Fair
Come down for another season of food and wine at the Bonjour French Fair! There will even be a Giant Eiffel Tower for you to hang the wish of your choice. Read on to find out more.......
19 - 23 Nov // Alsace meets Asia 2007
The yearly affair with Alsace Wine is once again back from the 19 Nov - 23 Nov 2007 with more events. Read on to find out how you can be a part of it... ...
15 Nov // Beaujolais Nouveau
Join us on the 15th of Nov to mark the celebration of "Beaujolais Nouveau"! Look out for promotions available with purchase of the wine at Cold Storage, Isetan and Carrefour. More details will be coming your way so keep a look out... ... More Events >>

Here's your chance to win for yourself attractive prizes! Take part in our online contest and you may be the lucky winner! All you need is browse through our site and the answer to the questions is just few clicks away. Click, click, click, and you may be the next winner! Bonne Chance! Click Here For More Details >>

SEAFOOD PLATTER & SALSA RECIPES.

SEAFOOD WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE

Serves 4 as starter

10 mussels
10 clams
10 large prawns
10 large octopus
2 lemon
30ml brandy
50g tomato paste
5ml Tabasco sauce
10g gherkin or dill
Pickle, chopped
200g mayonnaise
Salt & pepper to taste

METHOD
Sauce
1) Mix mayonnaise, Tabasco sauce, Tomato past e& chopped pickle into a large mixing bowl and whip till blended
2) Add brandy and season to taste
3) Served chilled

Seafood
1) In a large pot of boiling water add a pinch of salt and lemon
2) Poach seafood in boiling water for no more than 5 mins
3) Chill seafood in an ice-bath for 3 to 5mins
4) Serve on bed of ice in large tray or display bowl

=================

SALSA PICO DE GALLO
(SERVES 8-10)

INGREDIENTS
– 12 tomatoes, desseded and ginely diced
– 2 white onions, finely diced
– 1.5 serrano chiles diced
– 200g cilantro, finely diced
– 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 large lime, juiced
– 1 tsp salt
– 500g tortilla chips

METHOD
1) Combined all vegetable ingredients in a large bowl and season with salt
2) Chill salsa for 2-3 hours for flavours to develop
3) Serve witg tortilla chips or as side dish to tacos or enchiladas