Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Kimchi-ed...at home!!


Having slurped up the wholesome flavours of Korean cuisine during my April trip, it was a matter of time before I signed up for a cooking class ;p and the "Korean Cuisine Masterclass" conducted by Chef Yoo Sung Yeb (direct from Korea) certainly did not disappoint!

The PA newsletter introduced his class as such ~

"From elaborate Korean royal court cuisine to modern fusion dishes, Korean food is very varied and enjoyed in many parts of the world. Traditional Korean meals are well known for the many side dishes called banchan that accompany the staple foods of rice, soup and kimchi. Once enjoyed only by the royal courts [think Daejanggeum!], Korean royal cuisine can take anything from hours to days to prepare. Preparation is very detailed and precise, balancing warm and cold, hot and mild, solid and liquid, as well as creating harmony between textures and colours."


Chef Yoo was very systematic in sharing his recipes for 5 dishes and though he spoke through an interpreter, the Korean spirit of diligence and fun shone through :) Here's the famous Samgyetang (Korean Chicken Ginseng Soup) where the chicken is stuffed with rice and several herbs. Interestingly, Koreans consume soups in summer and cold dishes in winter!



Sweet Ginseng - a simple dish showcasing the taste of fresh ginseng with a little coating of syrup and honey.



Cold Korean Chicken Soup - not to be confused with Samgyetang, this dish took the longest time to prepare, and by then we were most happy to just sit back and watch the chef wield his mastery! Note the 5 colours used for garnish - red (chilli), green (cucumber skin), yellow (egg yolk), white (egg white) and black (mushroom).


Kimchi Jeongol - a dish reserved for special occasions, the kimchi soup base gave a fiery kick to the yummy ingredients...


A delightful end to the tasting session with my fave, Sujeonggwa (chilled sweet drink made from cinnamon, ginger and sugar) :D

stormiii at 12:22 am

1cups of tea

Sunday, August 27, 2006

P.S. I love you!


I managed to make good on my "gastro priority checklist" by making it to the second PS Cafe outlet (28B Harding Road, enter by Dempsey/Minden Road) after my last ProjectShop review :) And what's more, the menu featured good, English brunch favourites!



Tucked away in a secret corner of Singapore's last pockets of wooded areas, PS Cafe is a gem of a place indeed and an unbeatable location for an urban escape. The cafe expands on the quirky, retro-ish feel found in its Paragon outlet and has a lovely outdoor patio. Imagine having brunch in the cool morning air and truly enjoying that sense of freedom that nature evokes...



After skimming past the pancakes and muesli, I finally located what I'd came for - Bacon & Eggs (beautifully poached)... served with tomato, beef sausages, baked beans and two slices of toast (with a yummy tomato/garlic spread). Top that with a banana smoothie. Mumtaz and Yen Lee can vouch for the grin that went from my left to right ear :D PS Cafe is only open for brunch on weekends (9.30am to 3pm) and lunch/dinner on weekdays.

stormiii at 12:06 am

1cups of tea