Water Chestnut Soup

I went to Shop and Save Supermarket to buy some stuffs so I can cook soup for my husband. He requested something different and extraordinary. He said that the common soups I prepared for him are repetitious already and his taste bud is clamouring for something different. On the shelf over there, I noticed something different and as the label stated they are water chest nuts. With its extraordinary look, I asked myself how to cook them? As I was keen to know how, I asked the sales staff which is a Chinese and she told me how. So, look at my water chestnuts.

Just look how I peeled off the skin and chopped them.

Now, here is my chicken with water chest nut soup. So delicious!

By the way, you want to know what a water chestnut is? According to www.about.com the knobby vegetable with the papery brown skin is a staple in Chinese cooking. The water chestnut is actually not a nut at all, but an aquatic vegetable that grows in marshes. (This is why the ones that you purchase in the store may have a muddy coating.) The name "water chestnut" comes from the fact that it resembles a chestnut in shape and coloring. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, it has been cultivated in China since ancient times.

Availibility: Water chestnuts require a long frost-free growing season (7 months) which means that they are only grown in semi-tropical areas, including a few States such as California and Florida. Fresh water chestnuts are available year-round in Asian markets, either packaged or in bins. Unless you live in an area where they are grown locally, they are generally not available in local groceries and supermarkets. Canned water chestnuts are available year round at most groceries and supermarkets.

Selecting Water Chestnuts: When choosing fresh water chestnuts, look for firm ones with an unwrinkled skin and no soft spots - otherwise when you peel the water chestnut you may find it has softened and turned mushy. Generally, it's best to buy a few more chestnuts than needed, just in case a few have spoiled.

Nutritional Information: Nutritionally, water chestnuts are a good source of potassium and fiber. They are low in sodium, and fat is virtually non-existent. Caloriewise, one cup of water chestnut slices contains about one hundred-thirty calories. Low carb dieters, beware: water chestnuts are high in carbohydrates. You may try replacing them with low carb bamboo shoots.

Ampalaya Con Carne

My husband is progressing well since he survived brain accident or stroke. Since he already recovered, already concentrating on his functional skills and wishes to gain weight, he requested for a pork meal. So I went to Prime Supermarket and bought some food stuffs without any recipe in mind. And these are what I bought. Look.

Can You guess what I cooked? Remember, I used less salt and oil with my cooking. As you can see below, I used Pan salt which has lower sodium and Olive oil.

Your guess is right. I cooked ampalaya con carne. Just look below and see my ampalaya con carne straight from the casserole. Sarap tingnan di ba?

So what is so outstanding with this meal I cooked? The ampalaya of course. You know why? They are midget bitter gourd from Thailand. And as its name implies, the taste is really bitter but challenging. Yes, you will be challenge to take some more bites. I'm not joking. You can ask my husband. And he will surely tell you that my version is the best.

Joking aside, bitter gourd is really good for health. That is why I see to it that I include this vegetable in my cooking once a week at least. And I choose the midget ones than the big common ones. Why? The small ones are more nutritious. I think.

Sakae Sushi

Do you like Japanese food or sushi in particular? If yes, then go to the nearest Sakae Sushi outlet now. Surely, you'll be satisfied. Just look at these photos. So simple looking, but they are actually so yummy.

For your information, the restaurant was established because of a man's love for his wife who happens to be a fan of Japanese food. Romantic, right? Well, because of that love, it has grown into a chain of restaurants. How wonderful to see love and business grow together.

And you know what, "today, Sakae Sushi has grown into a global chain of more than 50 outlets throughout Asia and beyond, serving over 200 varieties of delectables of sushi, sashimi and many others. Its economical price, ever-changing menu, endearing staff and ambiance ensure that this fairytale dining experience will never be short of fans’ accolades.
So who says kissing the frog can’t get you a piece of your fairytale dream!
To experience this fairytale, drop by any Sakae Sushi outlet today!"

So what are you waiting for. Go to the nearest Sakae Sushi now....

Dietary Fibre

Since my husband had a mild stroke, I became more conscious of the importance of fibre in our everyday food intake. That is why fruits and vegetables are prominently placed in our refrigerator.

What is fibre for? Well, fibre especially soluble fibre can help to reduce your blood cholesterol. Soluble fibre is present in foods such as wholegrains, oats, barley, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

My husband's dietician has given us tips on how to include more fibre in our diet. Here they are:

Eat at least 2 portions of fruits and vegetables a day.

Choose unpolished rice, wholemail or multigrain bread, oatmeal and branflakes.

Include legumes such as peas, kidney beans,chickpeas, longbeans and dhal in dishes and soups.

Try to replace meat with legumes in your soups and dishes on some days.

Have fruits as snacks instead of potato chips, ckes and kuehs.

Ask and pay for more vegetables when eating out.

Pizza Hut Home Delivery

Last Friday, I got lazy. I was not in the mood to cook for our dinner. You see, only my youngest and me were at home. My husband was over there in Vietnam and my second had an appointment to attend to. Surely, with only two persons at home, cooking dinner would not be that challenging. Actually we intended to go down and eat at the nearest food court, but going down made us lazy too. So the final decision was to dial Pizza Hut for a home delivery.

I could say that eating pizza especially from Pizza Hut is a fantastic idea. But spending SGD 24.00 for those food items is not that fantastic. Wahhh! I really don't want to be lazy anymore.

Chicken Macaroni Salad

During the past years, whenever my daughters have examination, I always see to it that I cook pasta for them. Since my youngest will have an exam tomorrow, she requested a chicken macaroni salad. How can I decline my bunso? I told her that I will prepare the best for her.

The problem was I have not cooked or prepared that salad for a long time. And I already forgot how to do it that well. My problem was easily solved as I searched the net on how to prepare it. I read the pinoy cook’s post about it and another one from allrecipes.com. Guess which recipe I followed? I combined the two. Though those recipes and their cooking are excellent, I could not say that about mine. Wahh, I am not a real good cook kasi. But you know what, my chicken macaroni salad turned out to be good. I am proud. Just look at the photos above….Puede na di ba???

Foods at Sundanese Restaurant

We ate at this Sundanese Restaurant at Terminal 2 of Changi Airport. It is supposed to be an Indonesian restaurant but the staffs are Filipinos and the food seems to be not the same as the ones I ate in Jakarta. But my family enjoyed the food.

So the next time you go to Changi Airport, I recommend this restaurant for you to visit.

Vietnam Tidbits

I was attracted by the colourful packaging of these snacks/tidbits from Vietnam. I was surprised that the Vietnam I knew before is different now especially with its improving economy. And imagine, its people can produce eye- catching packaging for these simple food items. It seems to look classy. What do you think?

But how about the taste of these tidbits? Ahh, I concluded that food snacks from South East Asian countries are almost always the same. And with regards to taste, those from Vietnam are okay. Though, I still prefer those from my country, the Philippines.

But look here. These sweet potato chips are good. With a colourful packaging, it complements the real sweet taste.

Buffet at Siam Kitchen

Two Sundays ago, my youngest invited the whole family (4 of us) for lunch after the Sunday Mass we attended. She got a monetary reward from her company where she works as a Software Engineer. As a very good daughter, she wanted to share her blessing.

When we went to the restaurant of our choice, we decided to have a buffet lunch. Was it worth it? Based on the menu given to us, we could say yes. Why so? Oh, we were able to taste those that we never normally order when we go there to eat. Just look, it was really worth it.

So visit the Siam Kitchen now and enjoy their mouth watering dishes....

Mee Goreng and Teh Tarikh

Mee Goreng
Teh Tarikh
man doing the "action"
man with glasses of teh tarikh
a new discovered place to dine

Months ago, the Horizon Food Court in Causeway Point had a major renovation. So when I went back there some months ago, I was impressed of the place. It is now more spacious and attractive. Well, there are now new stalls. And one of those stalls is this Teh Sarabat. Thay have delicious mee goreng that tastes so good though it seems to burn my tongue. Soooo hot! Comes with it is the teh tarikh. You may wonder what it means. It means pulled tea. So you see the man on photo above? He's pulling the tea that high. Terrific!! And the end product: a well mixed and nice smelling tea with milk. Wanna try???

Sinigang sa Bayabas

My husband requested a fish meal. So I went to the wet market and look for fresh fish. Luckily. I found milk fish. I bought 3 pieces for $5. With the Mama Sita packet of sinigang na bayabas, fresh long beans and "patola", I cooked this. Hmmmmm. sarap!!!

Happy 2007

I got so busy and I had not posted here for a long time. So I want to begin the year 2007 with a new entry. Since chicken rice is top here in Sg, my entry will be about chicken rice.

Have you been to ViVo City? Oh, it is the newest and hip shopping mall here. Over there you can find the Chicken Rice Shop. Though you can also find one in KL, it is inviting to enter the restaurant in ViVo City. And look at the above photos I captured on camera. Surely, you'll like to come and visit.

With a sure place to eat a very sumptous version of the very famous chicken rice, the year 2007 will really be a very bright year to look forward to.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FOOD BLOGGERS!!!!

Fish Soup

We went to Banquet Food Court and ordered fish soup. We ordered both the fried and the fresh fish soup. And look, both are appetizing.

Before, I eat fish if it is fried, grilled or steamed only. Now, I found out that fish in a soup is also delectable. Wanna try fish soup???

Roti Prata

This is roti prata. This is best eaten in the morning with teh tarikh. As you can see, the one on the bottom has a burnt portion. I really wanted to complain then. But how could I when one piece costs only 50 cents? Ahh, never mind. I still like roti prata in the morning.....

Noodles

Come on folks and choose the noodles you like. I specifically like the Traditional Laksa and Prawn Noodle. As you can see, all of them are affordable. And don't worry, the real serving is entirely the same as the one on this photo advertisement. If not, don't blame me, please...please... Blame the hawker... Joking aside, noodles are my likes since childhood. And finding that noodles can be cooked in many different ways made me so thankful.

Chicken Briyani

This is an Indian food called Chicken Briyani. Yeah, it tastes great!

Almost paradise???

For the past weeks, I’ve read about the issue whether Singapore is really a foodie paradise. I’ve read in the newspaper about a man’s comment that those people who say that Singapore is a foodie paradise don’t know anything about food or uninformed. OUCHHH!!!!

Well, what is a paradise in the first place? According to my Little Oxford dictionary, paradise is a delightful place. So it goes that a foodie paradise is a delightful place for food lovers.

Is Singapore really a foodie paradise? It depends on the person who’s saying it for delight is a feeling that differs from person to person. That man may not see his own country as a foodie paradise but persons like me who may know nothing about food may see his country as a foodie paradise because of the simple truth that we have individual differences thus our differences in perception and in particular, tastes.

Well, considering that I really know nothing about food, then I should better change my blog title. Since I am delighted easily, can I name my blog, Pinay in Singapore, A Paradise Lost? Accch, not nice!!! How about if I change the title to Pinay in Singapore, an Almost Paradise? Wahhh, it is not nice also.

You know what, when I went to eat in Regency Mills, a shopping mall in Virginia, I discovered this Singapore eatery, which serves Singapore food of course. Seeing those Caucasians who queue for their orders, I felt proud, for Singapore food is an aspect of my everyday life here. The fact that the food over there was lagging behind as my uninformed palate dictated to me, I could just imagine then how those people would react once they tasted the real local food here.

Paradise is also a place where things that delight you are within your reach. I remember when we were in living in Hong Kong, Tuen Muen in particular, there were nights that we as a family wanted to go out to eat. Imagine us, being used in Singapore to being able to eat out even in the wee hours, and then there in HK where it was so difficult to find an open restaurant nearby at that holy hour. We almost always shouted: “bring us back to Singapore!!”

So STOP it people. For me, Singapore is still a foodie paradise. And my blog title remains the same.

Happy 41st!!

Today is National Day, Singapore's 41st birthday. That is why it is a public holiday today.

The photo above is called Popiah. It consists of fresh veggies like turnip and cucumber. It is mixed with grounded peanuts too. And...it has that tangy and hot taste . In short, it is a completely different experience when you eat it.

Since Popiah is one of the local dish that captivated my palate, it is just natural for me to post it as my Singapore food for the day.

Happy Birthday Singapore!!!

Steamed Red Grouper

When we (my husband and me) went to the wet market, we saw fresh red grouper. My husband decided to buy 2 pieces which cost ten dollars only. When we discussed on how to cook them, I automatically suggested that we better fry them for our two daughters like fried fish only. My husband said that he wanted to eat a healthy meal so he wanted the fishes to be steamed. And why should I try to fry them when just two weeks ago I had burnt my hand with hot oil while frying? Oh, it left an ugly mark on my hand, very ugly!If only you could see. But surely I'll not photograph my hand now, for the life of me.

Anyhow, my husband volunteered to cook the fishes for us. He steamed it and did put some garnishings. As you can see, there are sliced young ginger, young onion leaves, garlic and sliced onion which my husband sauteed first. What a combination!

I asked my husband why he did not ask the fish hawker to cut the fish head, for you know he don't like to eat the head every time. He explained that it is not nice to have a steamed fish which is headless. Steamed fish according to him should always be steamed whole. And I agree with him.

Just look at his steamed red grouper. They look soooo delicious. You see, my whole family ate with much gusto. My youngest prepared a sauce with a combination of vinegar and soy sauce. And hmmmm... What a nice meal we had!!!

Singapore's Hokkien Mee

I just came from my course and I met my husband near the MRT for us to eat in the Food Court. Since it is Friday and my 2 daughters have their own meetings with their own sets of friends, me and my husband decided to eat out by ourselves here in Family Court. Of course the food here is cheaper as compared to other eateries. But still the quality of food here is not bad. Just look at my "Hokkien Mee". So nice!! It is a local food here in Singapore and it costs only SGD 3.00.

You may say that it looks pale and not that tasty. Don't be deceived by its look. Hokkien Mee tastes so nice. It has pork, scrambled egg, prawns and squid. It is made tastier with a portion of sambal sauce. Combined with that mee, both white and yellow, it is already a wholesome meal.

Wanna try my Hokkien Mee?