Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Happy "Niu" Year :)

Well, it seems that everyone's really into the Peranakan theme this year because of TCS 8's drama serial "The Little Nyonya" (highest viewership ratings in 15 years!)... and I'm not about to complain because I've seriously missed this cuisine :D For our CNY reunion dinner this year, Aunt prepared the hearty Fish Maw Soup (He Peow Soup)!

Mom's famous Beef Rendang.

The must have "Chup Cai" or 10 types of vegetables stir-fry.

Uncle's Assam Prawns - voted No. 2 Dish of the Night :)

Aunt's "Ngoh Hiang" or 5 spiced rolls with pork prawns and water chestnut.

The No. 1 Dish went to Aunt's "Ayam Buah Keluak" aka. Chicken with Black Nuts (Pangium edule)! The licorish tasting meat of the nuts were first removed, then stuffed back into the empty kernels after being mixed with prawn and pork... hard work but oh so yummy!

At Grannie's place - a couple of my favourite CNY goodies :D

To end on yet another Peranakan note, Grannie proudly showed us her handsewn beaded slippers before we left :) Grannie started to stitch them for extra income when her children were little. It is hard work as the beads are incredibly tiny. A piece of art, for sure!

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stormiii at 10:59 pm

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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Chinatown

In my quest to soak up more of the local atmosphere, I ventured down to Chinatown just days before the Lunar New Year :) The crowds were out and about as people hurried with their last purchases, while tourists braved the heat and tackled persistent sellers.

Stalls selling CNY goodies and decorations line the street. A myriad of reds, pinks, whites and colours compete for one's attention :)

Instead of live cherry blossoms, we have pussy willows for sale here.

Not forgetting the ubiquitous twisted bamboo and... is that a lingzhi (Ganoderma) plant in the background?! Always something new each year :P

Mei Xiang Yuan Dessert was the perfect antidote for the sunny afternoon. Business was brisk with many office workers stopping to get takeaways.

A soothing combination of smooth almond paste and mango/pomelo ice :) YUM!






stormiii at 3:34 pm

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I'm back!

What better way to celebrate my return to SG than with a helping of Grandma's Mee Siam?

Steaming hot Kopi O and two crisp slices of kaya toast... I'm home :)

stormiii at 6:28 pm

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