Monday 18 March 2013

Marché Restaurant

Over the weekend, we went to Orchard. This rarely happens, like once in 3 months. Mwahaha! I always like going there. Even if we just walk around, makes me feel very cosmopolitan. Hek hek

Apologies, this entry won't be highlighting the resto's showstopper - the pork knuckle.  We didn't order it because it's expensive (S$43/pc) and we weren't really in the mood to indulge.

Moving on, I had the Garlic Pork Sausage with Baked Potato. It was just okay. I originally wanted the grilled chicken but it wasn't available. And they didn't have any spicy sausages like chorizo or even just the hungarian. Sad. :(

Garlic Pork Sausage S$5.90 Baked Potato S$3.20
The husband ordered the seafood paella. I love the tenderness of the seafood (mussels and shrimp) however I wasn't really fond of the celery, I don't like a hint of sweetness in my paella. :D But the husband was happy so I guess this dish was value for money!
Seafood Paella S$16.90
We got the Cream of Asparagus and Plain Rosti (not in photo) for the little girl. But she was too busy playing in the play area, she didn't even spend more than 10 minutes with us to eat! We had to force feed (well, not really force, if you know what I mean :P) her with the soup. But she didn't finish it, she ate the bread we bought at the resto's bakery, though.
Cream of Asparagus S$5.30
The husband got these bruschetta as add ons (I guess to have more carbs?!!). I didn't know these were bruschettas, I guess I'm used to chopped tomatoes on top of a slice of french baguette. These were nice - warm and chewy. :)
Bruschetta S$2.90
For dessert, we had the Chocolate Mousse. I spent more than 10 minutes just ogling at the desserts. I couldn't make up my mind! Good thing I chose this over the Panna Cotta. The husband loved it because it's Dark Chocolate! 
Chocolate Mousse S$5.40
We paid a total of $52 inclusive of everything. Not bad for all the food we had. They gave our little girl a balloon and they have free pretty little mints after you pay. Of course, we will be back. To try the pork knuckle, perhaps? :D
Free mints!

Marche
313 Orchard Road
#01-39/46 313 @ Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6834 4041

Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm

Friday 15 March 2013

Cushiony Cupcakes

Is there even a term, cushion-y cupcakes? LOL If there's none, then I'm claiming it. Seriously, these cupcakes were fluffy, smooth and it almost melts in your mouth!

My online baking buddy, Tiyay Lisa, the fab lady behind the blog, www.mybarecupboard.com has inspired me to make these fluffy, heavenly yum yums. Tiyay, I was in chiffon heaven!!



Ingredients:
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/8 cup corn oil
  • 1/8 milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup cake flour
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder (sift together with cake flour)
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1/8 cup + 1 tsp caster sugar

Frosting:

  • 60 grams whipping cream
  • 10 grams sugar
  • 1 tsp custard powder
  • 5 tsp strawberry jam


Method:

1. Preheat oven to 175℃。
2. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with salt. Then add oil, milk and vanilla extract, whisk till well-blended.
3. Fold in flour mixture and set aside.
4. In another bowl, beat egg whites , sugar and cream of tartar to stiff peak.
5. Scoop 1/3 of the egg white mixture to the yolk batter, fold well, then pour batter back to the remaining egg whites. Fold lightly till well-mixed.
6. Fill baking cases with about 30-32g of batter. Bake for 20 mins, then leave to cool.
7. Beat cream with sugar until stiff, add in the custard powder, mix well. Pipe on top of the cupcakes.
8. Add a small dollop of jam on top. Chill before serving.







Sources:
dreamersloft.blogspot.com
mybarecupboard.com

Sunday 10 March 2013

Berry Thumbprint Cookies

I have been craving for cookies since last week. So I thought of making one. Browsed some blogs, then played games in Facebook (sheeesh, I know!) :P then decided to be a good girl and bake some cookies.  Never thought this would turn out really the melts-in-your-mouth kind of cookies!


Cookie dough:
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup confectioners' sugar, sifted (I used a little less than 1/2 cup)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
Filling:
  • store bought berry jam
1.  the oven to 180ºC and line two baking sheets with baking paper.

2. In the bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla for about 2 minutes. Beat in flour until a dough forms – it won’t be sticky.

3. Roll dough by teaspoonfuls into balls, and place 2.5cm (1in) apart onto prepared sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven, and press something round into tops of cookies to make indentations. 

4. Return to oven, and bake until light brown on the edges, 7 to 9 minutes more. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

5. Once cooled, fill them with your choice of topping.



Source: http://technicolorkitcheninenglish.blogspot.com

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Crispy Fish Fillet

What is your staple breading for your fish or chicken fillets? Mine is simple. I don't use the store-bought ones because I want to do it from scratch. I guess I learned from reading online and spending more time in the kitchen nowadays that it's healthier to use homemade stuff. Well, almost everything, that is. :)

Ingredients:
  • flour
  • garlic powder
  • paprika
  • salt
  • pepper
  • egg + 3 Tbsp milk
  • Japanese breadcrumbs
Directions:
  1. Season your fish with salt and pepper. 
  2. Mix all the dry ingredients for the breading in a bowl.
  3. Beat egg and combine with milk.
  4. Dredge your fish into the flour breading mixture. Dip in egg and coat with the Japanese breadcrumbs.
  5. Fry in canola oil until golden brown. Line the plate with paper towel.
  6. Serve hot with lemon wedges.