DimSumDolly* - the different morsels of the life of a foodie

Tokyo Banana

My friend Rodney gave this to me after arriving in Singapore from Tokyo for a short visit. It's a Japanese snack called Tokyo Banana which he bought at Narita Airport. Cute wrapper.

A white and yellow box is what you see after the wrapper is torn off. The snack is apparently very popular in Japan.

Sitting pretty and cute in individually wrapped packets are miniature 'bananas' which are really sponge cakes with a soft banana filling. The sponge cake is nice and soft and the filling is made from real banana. It was a wee bit sweet for me but I think it would have gone well as a teatime snack with a cup of Earl Grey tea.

How to Snag a Rich Man

Just because it's Friday and I feel like writing something bimbotic, I've decided to translate an article I read in the Chinese section of my paper 我报, the free morning paper, which I found very amusing. This article I'm translating first appeared on a China website (doesn't say which one) and is about six ways of snagging a rich man. These ways are based on the 80-episode Hong Kong blockbuster drama 珠光宝气 (Gem of Life) which is currently still showing in Hong Kong.

Two of the characters, played by Gigi Lai (黎姿) and Ada Choi (蔡少芬), scheme and worm their way into the hearts of the rich men they have set their sights on marrying in a bid to ensure they will live a life of luxury. I've no idea what the drama is about since I'm not watching it. My sis, though, tells me it's enjoyable as there are many twists and turns in the plot. So aspiring tai-tais, to marry rich or what we call 嫁入豪门 (jia4 ru4 hao2 men2) in Chinese, here are the six lessons you can glean from the drama.

1. Don't bother about the nice but poor guy 不理穷小子

Eddie Kwan's (關禮傑) character goes to jail for Lai's character, and Wong Hei's (王喜) character is the long-suffering dude who does everything in his ability to make Choi's character happy. But alas, they are poor and everything they do can never measure up to the riches that the two rich dudes the two women have their eye on possess. So nice guys finish last.

2. Arm yourself with some knowledge of the arts 要懂点艺术

Yes, it's a battlefield out there, so I use the word 'arm' instead of an innocuous 'Cultivate your knowledge'. So upper crust society is into the appreciation of arts and culture. As they say, birds of the same feather flock together. In order to develop the same plumage, you'll have to be able to wax lyrical - intelligently of course – about a painting as Lai's character does. Her ability to do so attracts Moses Chan's (陈豪）character, a rich man's scion, and makes him see her in a different light.

3. Listen to your mother 听妈妈的话

This brings us back to the old adage of obeying your parents. The matriarch, played by Louise Lee (李司棋), is the mother who, knowing that Kwan's and Wong's characters won't make good son-in-laws, schemes and plots to get rid of these two men – to great success. Thus, she clears the way for her daughters' path to taitai-dom.

4. Be able to endure a little suffering 吃得苦中苦

Well, you can't possibly expect everything to be so easy, can you? Take Choi's character for example. To gain the sympathy of the rich dude, she had to jump into a pool and climb a mountain cave. OK, frankly I don't know to what extent how hard that was since I didn't watch it, but I'm guessing it was merely physically exerting, which I suppose to a fragile flower vase IS torturous and constitutes suffering (苦)!

5. Don't appear too eager or easy 不投怀送抱

The phrase 不投怀送抱 literally means don't throw yourself into the arms of a man, i.e. don't appear too eager or easy to get. The logic here is that men want what they can't get, especially so for rich men who are used to getting what they want by using money. Rich men are used to women throwing themselves at them and actually find that women who are too eager a turn-off.

So then learn from Choi's character in starting off as friends first and just talking about things like family and kinship. Nothing too threatening you know. Even if you're very interested, never show your interest and never make the first move in making your feelings known. Just pretend to be blase, sweet and innocent, so as to pique his curiosity slowly but surely.

6. Be in the right profession 要找对工作

Look for a job that allows you to fraternise with high society – Lai's character is a sales person at a jewellery store; people who can afford to patronise the store are normally the rich and chichi set. Whilst Choi's character is a public relations officer who often has dealings with the upper crust.

So good luck to all aspiring tai-tais! Dimsumdolly is resigned to the fact that she'll never become one - not when she sticks around at home all day (so much so that her friend calls her 'old bird') and bothers to translates articles like that!

Prive Bakery Cafe

I came to know of Prive Bakery Cafe through my teammate, D, who took me there for lunch after practice at Sentosa one Saturday afternoon.

Marina at Keppel Bay was the perfect place to chill after a hard paddle. Being close to water is always nice and relaxing, plus the fact that it's close to Sentosa is all the better as it means being able to get to food fast. These pictures were taken on our second trip there as D was very nice to give me a birthday treat! Thanks babe!

D chose the big breakfast and it certainly looked hearty!

I went for the rosemary chicken and mango sandwich with mayonnaise and tomato spread. The sandwich came with a serving of salad in balsamic vinegar dressing. The salt used for flavouring was some kind of gourmet sea salt with large flakes; it looked nice but to me salt is salt. I'm not quite the salt connoisseur yet. I did enjoy the sandwich with its tender and big chicken slices plus slightly grilled mango slices.

For dessert, we went for the peach tart with hazelnut crumble. Served warm, the pastry had the right amount of moisture and crunch even after baking and it was delicious. However, I think it would have gone well with an accompaniment of vanilla bean ice cream as well.

The Affogato is really good too; the coffee is strong and is served with delicious vanilla ice cream. You know it's a good vanilla when you can see the black speckles of vanilla from the vanilla pods. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of it in my haste to 'attack' it!

I had read some reviews about the place when it first opened several months ago and those reviews had complained of the place's bad service. However, I think they have ironed out those teething problems as I found the service there prompt.

There are other main courses like pastas. A breakfast menu is also available and the dessert spread is also pretty good. Budget for at least $20 per person. I enjoyed my meal there and I think it's a good place to wild the afternoon away with some friends over coffee, cake and good conversation.

No. 2 Keppel Bay Vista
Marina at Keppel Bay
Singapore 098382
Tel: +65 6776 0777
info@prive.com.sg

Casa Verde

I had read about the recent opening of Casa Verde, a new Italian cafe at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on a few blogs, so I decided to check it out.

There's an indoor and al fresco dining area - if you like to enjoy more of the greenery sit outdoors. For indoor seating, it'd be best to call in advance and make a reservation. I wanted to change my mind about sitting outside, but all the tables indoors were booked out on a Friday night.

Veal ragout pasta

The tiramisu after I 'attacked' it. It was nice and creamy but I felt that it could do with more alcohol.

The carpaccio with arugula is also a good appetizer to try – it's a generous serving of beef slices and arugula flavoured with lemon juice. What I liked about their dinner menu was that you could choose to have different sets. There are four courses altogether if you choose to go for the appetizer, the primi, secondi and dolci (dessert). However, you can also pick any two or any three you want. It's really flexible and, if I remember correctly, a four-course meal goes for $48+. There is no service charge. Wine lovers will be glad to know that there is wine available there as well.

I went back again on the afternoon of my birthday last Friday to have lunch with a friend visiting from the US. This time, I could see the lush greenery and foliage a lot better! The place was almost full that afternoon with many expat mums with babies in tow and some tourists.

My friend chose the fish & chips - I tried it and it failed to impress. I felt that the batter was way too thick. It was almost like fried bread. Why they are serving fish & chips at an Italian eatery baffles me.

As I wasn't feeling too hungry, I went for rabbit food – a salad that contained chicken, walnuts, green apple cubes and raisins. Didn't like it - I thought it was rather bland, the chicken was rather tasteless and hard, and I didn't like the dressing.

As it was a rather hot and humid day, I ordered a cup of fresh apple and orange mixed juice to cool off. My friend ordered an ice cappuccino which very oddly was served in this plastic cup and sealed with a plastic seal as well. I thought that was a bit strange.

Service was generally good and efficient. I felt that the food served during dinner was better and apparently the dinner menu changes every two weeks. Whatever it is, I like sitting amidst all that greenery and enjoying a meal that even though doesn't blow my mind, is hearty enough.

1 Cluny Road
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Visitor Centre
Singapore 259569
Tel: (65) 6467 7326

Pet Portraits

My very talented friend Eng is making use of her artistic talents to start a small business painting pet portraits. I love the one she has painted (see above) of Rex, my beloved sable-coloured collie who unfortunately passed on two years ago.

I emailed Eng my favourite photo of Rex (above) and she used watercolours to paint him. I'm always in awe of people who can draw or have some sort of artistic talent 'cos I have zilch. I can only draw stick figures – even then I don't do it well. Bleh.

Here's another one she painted of someone's cat.

If you like what you see, please email her at preciouspetsportraits@googlemail.com to get her to paint a portrait of your pet. Prices run from SGD68 – 168 depending on size, either A5 or A4, and complexity. If you are not located in Singapore, Eng can still post the portrait to you, but postage charges will apply.

Please support local artists!

Peppermint Tea & Oil

Peppermint tea with peppermint essential oil

I have just discovered a really lovely way of drinking peppermint tea - add a drop of Peppermint essential oil into steaming hot peppermint tea, inhale the vapours as the steam vapourises the air and you'll feel instantly refreshed.

Do take note, however, that not all essential oils you find on sale are suitable for consumption. I've been using only Young Living essential oils as these are of therapeutic grade and many of the essential oils they produce can be ingested.

As Young Living's essential oils are of very high quality and grade, the oils are very concentrated hence just one drop is sufficient. When putting peppermint oil in peppermint tea, take care to add only one drop, at most two. Any more and I can guarantee that it'll stink your eyes till they water, and the vapours will shoot up your nasal passage and clear sinuses you had never known you had.

Just one or two drops however, makes the tea really lovely. As you inhale the vapours (best to put your face over it and have a towel over your head so that the vapours won't diffuse off so fast), you'll feel the peppermint's cooling effect going down your nasal passage. As you sip the tea, you can feel that cooling effect of the oils going down your throat. It's a great feeling!

I gave a friend a small bottle of peppermint oil to try. She put it in cold water and told me that it was really nice and refreshing! Says it helps her drink more water and the lovely, pure smell of peppermint doesn't make it feel like she's drinking plain water which she hates.

Other uses of peppermint therapeutic-grade essential oil for ingestion:

1. Add a drop of Peppermint oil to herbal tea to aid in digestion and relieve heartburn.
2. Add Peppermint oil to food as a flavoring and a preservative.
3. Place a couple of drops of Peppermint oil in a cup of hot water and enjoy in place of coffee.

Other uses for the oil:

1. Rub 4-6 drops in the palm and rub over stomach and around the navel to relieve indigestion, flatulence and diarrhea.

2. Apply Peppermint oil immediately to an injured area (bruised shin, hit on the foot or hand) to relieve pain. If there is a cut, apply the Peppermint oil around (not on) the open wound.

3. Apply a drop of Peppermint oil topically on unbroken skin to stop itching.

4. Inhale Peppermint oil before and during a workout to boost your mood and reduce fatigue.

5. Massage several drops of Peppermint oil on the abdomen to relieve nausea.

6. To relieve a headache, rub a drop of Peppermint oil on the temples, forehead, over the sinuses (stay away from the eyes) and on the back of the neck.

7. Place two drops of Peppermint oil on the tongue and rub another drop under the nose to improve alertness and concentration.

8. Diffuse Peppermint oil in the room while studying to improve concentration and accuracy.

9. Rub 4 drops of Peppermint oil on chest and stomach to relieve travel sickness.

10. Place a drop of Peppermint oil on the tongue and inhale into the nose and sinuses to relieve congestion from a cold.

11. To deter rats, mice, ants or cockroaches, place two drops of Peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place along the path or point of entry for these pests.

12. To kill aphids, add 4-5 drops of Peppermint oil to 4 ounces of water and spray the plants.

13. Rub Peppermint oil on joints to relieve arthritis or tendonitis pain.

14. Place a drop of Peppermint oil on the tongue to stop bad breath.

15. Inhale the fragrance of Peppermint oil to curb the appetite and lessen the impulse to overeat.

16. Remove ticks by applying a drop of Peppermint oil on a cotton swab and swabbing the tick. Wait for it to unhedge its head and remove from your pet.

17. Mix Peppermint oil in a footbath to relieve sore feet. Keep water agitated while soaking feet.

Drop me a note with your email address if you want more information on how to get the Young Living essential oils.

Turning 30

And so I join the rest of my good friends in the 30s club. I never imagined that on my 30th birthday I would be 'enjoying' an unemployed status – yesterday was my last day at the bank – the only reason I thought I be having this status is if I had entered taitai-dom. Alas, I've failed miserably on that account.

Does it feel any different? No, not really. My 20s were a journey of self-discovery and experiences...uncovering what I like and don't like. What I want (somewhat anyway), what I treasure and value. I'm more confident as a person and I've come to understand myself more. However I think it's a journey that's set to continue as we all change as the years go by.

In my 20s, I came to know some really good friends who will, I'm confident, remain friends for life. I came to know what I'm good and not good at. I had my adventures, but I still yearn to have more. I recognise in myself a restless spirit which I find very hard to quell. It's both a curse and blessing really. It disallows one from getting too uncomfortable and encourages change which can be both seen as bane and boon.

Of course, I wished I were more accomplished career-wise. Many people younger than me are earning heaps more than I do. I'm sometimes bitter about it, but I get over it after awhile by taking a Buddhist/Zen attitude towards such things – no point comparing as everyone has a different path to tread in life.

So here's to more adventures, discoveries, kinship, friendship, and health! Happy 30th to me. :)

Zhou's Kitchen 周庄

The first birthday dinner was one eaten two days ahead of my actual birthday at Zhou's Kitchen in Square 2 (next to Novena Square). The Cantonese restaurant is a Chinese casual dining outlet under the Tung Lok group.

For drinks, I chose to have the 凉茶 ('cooling' tea) which was chrysanthemum tea with ginseng. I liked it as I could taste the ginseng but it was a little too sweet for me and my relatives so we had to ask for water to dilute it.

Roast Peking duck served with pancake 北京片皮鸭

The Peking duck was pretty good but they didn't give us enough pancakes, hence the left over pieces of duck skin placed on top of the ones wrapped up. Minus points for this.

Double-boiled spring chicken soup with cabbage and eight treasures 冰山雪莲炖八宝童鸡

I couldn't spot the eight treasures; I could count only five – red dates, wolfberries, snow fungus, and barley. The soup was tasty or as we call it in Cantonese 甜 ("tim" as pronounced in Cantonese), which literally translated means 'sweet', but Cantonese don't mean sugary sweet when we say that. It just means that the soup is very robust in flavour and has lots of body. But I think they had put a bit of ready-made chicken stock inside. I may be wrong, but it tasted somewhat like the soup contained it.

The spring chicken that was used in the boiling of the soup was served to us. Surprisingly it was still tasty and tender.

Steamed sea bass with chef's special spicy sauce 酱蒸金目鲈

The steamed sea bass was a little too sweet and salty for me. I'm not a big fan of these so-called special sauces. This one tasted like the Thai sweet chilli sauce, which was pretty tasty. But I would have preferred my fish simply served the normal soy sauce with some sesame oil. Sometimes simple is better.

Poached young cabbage with bamboo fungus 杞子竹笙浸白菜苗

Having something light for a change was nice. I enjoyed the soup the vegetable was served in and I like the use of wolfberries and bamboo fungus to add flavour and texture respectively.

Steamed prawns and vermicelli with garlic sauce 蒜茸粉丝蒸生虾

Notwithstanding the fact that the prawns were a little small, this dish was pretty good. There was good flavour in the prawns with the minced garlic stuffed in it and left to steam. I'm also a big fan of vermicelli so no complaints there!

Coffee spare ribs with almond flakes 杏片咖啡骨

My sister and relatives felt that this was too sweet and the coffee flavour too intense for their liking. I, on the other hand, enjoyed it as I like the sweet taste and the roasted coffee taste. The roasted flak almonds added extra crunch and texture. The spare ribs were tender and had the right amount of fat and lean meat.

Fried crispy noodles with shredded duck meat and pickled vegetables 雪菜鸭丝炒生面

The last main dish was made with the meat of the Peking duck that came as the first course. I'm generally not a big fan of crispy noodles as I often find it too dry. The duck wasn't exactly fantastic as well, so this dish was just so-so for me. I could have gone without it.

Red bean pancake 豆沙窝饼

The pastry was crispy but yet melted in your mouth. It tasted alright but was a rather boring dessert.

Mango soft roll 香芒软糍

The last item on the set menu wasn't exactly mind-blowing with its glutinous rice flour skin coated with coconut shaivings. It was passable but it just lacked creativity and imagination.

The interiors were of muted creamy tones which were nice and pleasant. Service was generally good and efficient. For a meal with these number of dishes and including drinks and taxes, budget for about $40 per person. You can definitely fill your stomach on less though. Overall, I wouldn't mind going back for a casual dinner with family and friends.

10 Sinaran Drive
#01-73 Square 2
Singapore 307506
(Next to Velocity@Novena Square,
above Novena MRT)
Tel : +65 6893 1123

Last day of 29

It's the last day I can say I'm in my 20s! Aiyah, I'm going to miss writing the digit '2' in front of my age. I'm going to miss ticking the 25-29 age band on forms. Time to update 'About Me' blurb, but it'll stay for a couple more hours. :)

Hong Kong was Worth a Thought

Five years ago, I would have packed up and left immediately upon being offered a job as an editor in a publishing company in Hong Kong. I would have gone without a care or thought, excited by the possibilities that lay head. But today, I choose to reject the offer because at 29 (OK, just indulge me while I can still say I’m 29 for a couple more days - it also means I have to change the 'About Me' blurp on the right) I’m feeling lazy about having to rebuild a life and dreading the thought of living like a student should I relocate to Hong Kong on local package terms.

As much as I love Hong Kong, I think it’s very different when you work and live there. I would have to live in a pigeon hole with the amount I can afford for rent on the far-from-spectacular pay. I’ll end up complaining that I have no money to do anything after paying for rent, utilities, food and transport. No money to socialize and meet people. In which case, I’ll then end up moaning about feeling lonely. After London, I just don’t feel very adventurous when it comes to relocating on my own. I figured I’m just spoilt – I like the creature comforts of home.

I had applied for the job on a bit of a whim and, you could say, desperation. I had a phone interview and had to take an editorial test which was emailed back to the company. At the back of my mind, I think I always knew I probably wouldn’t go even if offered because I had told myself that I wouldn’t relocate again unless if it were with a partner. I had written the same thing several weeks ago to a few people I hadn’t contacted in a long time. But I went through the process because I wanted to see how far I could go. And hey, it doesn’t hurt to open a few doors for one’s self.

So after telling myself all that, it was rather stupid to even think about Hong Kong. Still, it was worth a thought nonetheless. Ha.

Phuket Eats

Well, of course there would be a bit of write-up on the food. Can't possibly go to a place without photographing some of the food!

On the first night, we went to a home-style eatery for dinner. We were the only customers and it was rather sweet that they made the effort to lay the red table cloth and put a small vase of flowers to make the spartan place look more pleasant.

It was interesting to see their use of the tree trunk to hang their pots and wares.

The chef for the night stir-frying my green curry fried rice which was stated on the menu as "Green Carry Fried Rice". Other misspellings we came across in other eateries were "French Fire", "French Fried", "Paper Steak" etc. Quite amusing.

Green curry fried rice with chicken

This budding young chef who was probably the lady's grandson later started cooking his own dinner. My friend and I were so impressed by him – he started moving around the kitchen like a pro, taking out the onions to chop and putting in spices and sauces into the wok. Later, I saw the lady dip her finger into the sauce and give him the thumbs up. Impressive!!!

A "chai peng" or economy rice stall at one of the local markets in Phuket Town. But frankly, I would think twice about buying anything from there because there were houseflies buzzing all around...

Don't know what these are, but they look like some kind of insect and it's something I don't think I could stomach. If anyone knows what this is, do enlighten me.

Chilli and spices

Tiny crabs and some water apples above

Prawn paste and some common herbs for sale

Stall selling preserved vegetables

A local child at a fruit stall at the local market

Pad Thai

We went for Japanese on the second night as my friend's friends said it was cheap and good in Phuket. I liked this unagi roll which had a small piece of cream cheese inside. It actually tasted really good with the unagi!

Bought this pack of durian chips at the airport to try. It costs THB 290, that's almost SGD12! But its taste is really disappointing! There's hardly any trace of durian. So DON'T BUY if you are ever tempted to do so.