Osmanthus Chiffon Cake

I like scent of osmanthus(桂花），and after some research, it's good for high blood pressure patient. So again, I modified my staple chiffon cake recipe and make it. Another successful work!

It has light tea colour and light osmanthus aroma. And what surprised me is that both my mom and hubby like it. Happy!


Ingredients:
3 egg yolks
18-20g sugar
30g oil
50g water
1/2 tsp dried osmanthus flower
55g self raising flour

3 egg white
40g sugar
A few drops of lemon juice or cream of tartar

Method:
1. Blend dried lavender with water(to get the aroma). Set aside.
2. Whisk egg yolks with 18g sugar till sugar dissolved.
3. Add oil , mix well and add osmanthus water mixture. Stir well.
4. Fold flour.
5. In another bowl, Whisk egg white with lemon juice till soft peak.
6. Add sugar in three parts till stiff peak.
7. Pour mixture to cake tin and bake at 180 degree for 35 min.
8. Remove from oven and turn over to cool.
9. Remove from mold and ready to serve.

Hairy Crabs Feast at Taste Paradise and Paradise Pavillion

一年一度的大闸蟹季节又到了。爱吃蟹的我当然不会错过。我很庆幸可以尝到乐天集团的Taste Paradise和 Paradise Pavillion在10月1日至11月30日特别推出的大闸蟹套餐。我准备好食指大动了！

这里所选用的大闸蟹都来自中国阳澄湖，据说蟹膏更饱满，肉质更鲜甜美味。Taste Paradise和 Paradise Pavillion的厨师分别发挥创意，设计不同的大闸蟹套餐，让食客可以在两家餐馆品尝到不同的大闸蟹料理。

这里分别为你介绍两家餐馆的主打料理，让你知道今年大闸蟹套餐的特色。

Paradise Pavillion推出的前菜：水晶大闸蟹粉拌梅酒手撕龙虾(combination of Hairy Crab Roe and Fresh Meat Jelly and Shredded Lobster Meat with Plum Wine)。用蟹膏和蟹肉制成的果冻，带有微微的药材味，很爽口。旁边的酸甜龙虾沙拉同样提升其清爽度，很醒胃。

Taste Paradise的套餐前菜：蟹粉汉堡拼烧汁带子（Parma Ham Mantou Slider served with Hairy Crab Roe, accompanied with Pan-seared scallops with Teriyaki sauce)。汉堡般的馒头放在满满蟹膏和蟹肉煮成的酱汁上，感觉像在吃沾满辣椒螃蟹的馒头，很有满足感。带子扮演了提升鲜味的作用。

Paradise Pavillion的主打汤：大闸蟹粉石锅鲍翅（Braised Superior Shark's Fin with Hairy Crab Roe accompanied with Spring Roll served in Japanese Stone Pot)。如果你喜欢吃鱼翅，你会觉得这锅汤超有满足感的。用蟹膏煮的羹汤，也提升了鲜甜味。香脆的春卷条，像油条一样吸附汤汁，让食客可以沾着吃。

Taste Paradise的主打汤：清炖蟹粉鸡豆花(Chicken and Egg White Beancurd topped with Hairy Crab Roe)。这汤是现煮现呈，所以需要等15-20分钟。蛋白豆花配蟹粉清鸡汤，很清淡也很暖胃，有解腻作用。

吃大闸蟹时间到！如果觉得吃蟹很累人，或不想自己动手，可假手于熟练的服务员，让她代劳，吃蟹就可变得很轻松。

光是看服务员的手法，也是一种享受，更是一门学问。

附着在蟹壳上的是满满的蟹膏，不要浪费这些精华！

把肺和脏物去干净，就可放心的吃饱满的蟹肉。

连蟹脚的肉，都帮你处理好，只要吸一吸，就可轻松把肉吃进肚里。螃蟹属寒，记得吃蟹后喝暖胃的姜茶。

甜品之前，先来个面食。Paradise Pavillion的大闸蟹粉珍菌炒年糕(Sautéed Rice Cake with Hairy Crab Roe and Wild Mushroom), 让人很有饱足感。

甜品来了！Taste Paradise的桂花椰香奶冻(Chilled Osmanthus Jelly served with Coconut Ice Cream and Milk)，是一款中西合璧的甜品。椰香雪糕配桂花果冻，清爽又解腻。

Paradise Pavillion的雪蛤马蹄露拼柚子蛋糕(Combination of Hashima with Water Chestnut and Pomelo Cheesecake), 同样清爽。尤其喜欢带有柠檬清香的乳酪蛋糕。

Taste Paradise推出的六道菜套餐，每人$138++（至少2人享用），如果你有ANZ,OCBC和PGR信用卡，每人只需付$108++。

Paradise Pavilion推出的两套六道菜套餐，每人$128++和$168++（至少2人享用），如果你有ANZ,OCBC和PGR信用卡，每人只需付$98++或$138++。

此外，Paradise Pavilion也可单点大闸蟹佳肴。清蒸或盐焗大闸蟹，每只$68和$98++。

大闸蟹季节只到11月底，所以记得趁早预约：
Taste Paradise, #04-07 ION Orchard. Tel: 65099660.
Paradise Pavilion, #02-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre, Ground Plaza. Tel: 65099308.

Lavender Chiffon Cake

I like Chiffon cake, for its airiness and softness. But unfortunately, I can't seems to find a good Chiffon cake in the market. Either they are too dry or too moist, or they lack the aroma and flavor. So I look around, looking for a healthy(less than 4 eggS) yet easy to follow recipe. And I stumbled upon this recipe from SSB and I have been using this staple recipe since.

Recently, I bought a packet of dried lavender, without concrete idea of what to do with it. When I searched for recipes using lavender, there's lavender chiffon cake but with lemon and earl grey tea etc. I am curious how will lavender chiffon cake without lemon or other ingredients turned out. So I tried using just dried lavender, and maybe add purple sweet potatoes for the purple colors.

I modified the original recipe, And it turned out well. It has a nice and mild lavender aroma, yet moist and as usual airy and soft.

My dear friend Wendy and her son very "给面子”，finish the cake in a flash and give very good comments. And immediately she asked for the recipe. After a week, she still urged me for the recipe. So Wendy, This is for u:

Ingredients:
3 egg yolks
18-20g sugar
30g oil
50g milk
1/2 tsp dried lavender
55g self raising flour
(Optional) mash 1 purple sweet potato for color and flavor or just use purple coloring.

3 egg white
40g sugar
A few drops of lemon juice or cream of tartar

Method:
1. Blend dried lavender with milk(to get the aroma). Set aside.
2. Whisk egg yolks with 18g sugar till sugar dissolved.
3. Add oil , mix well and add milk mixture. and colouring. Stir well.
4. Fold flour.
5. In another bowl, Whisk egg white with lemon juice till soft peak.
6. Add sugar in three parts till stiff peak.
7. Pour mixture to cake tin and bake at 180 degree for 35 min.
8. Remove from oven and turn over to cool.
9. Remove from mold and ready to serve.

Dine out: Paradise Inn Suntec

I was at Suntec Paradise Inn during lunch time one weekday. Understand From PR person (who invited me) that suntec basement was undergoing a facelift and the restaurant was revamped. He said that lunch time Usually crowded as there are many offices around.

To be frank, I can't really differentiate the different paradise group restaurants. He told me that Paradise Inn is specialized in home cooked specialties. No wander I see many dishes choice from the menu.

After starter, we had 金瓜蚝士汤（top pic-$23.90). This healthy soup Used only lean meat and 老母鸡.

For starter, we ordered 脆皮虾枣（$8.90）. It is very different from the hei zou I had. It reminded me of Yam ring crust. Crispier than any hei zou.

Their signature dish: 招牌扣肉包（$2.60). They use 五花肉。meat tender and fats melt in my mouth.

This is their new dish: 三杯鹿肉煲($14.90). 很好下饭。

If you are a vegetarian , this is for you: 蒜茸鸡腿菇炒甜豆($12.90). 鸡腿菇texture reminded me of fish cake. Healthy!

This is another signature dish that you can't miss: 猪手焖米粉($12.90)

Don't forget to have some fruit/herb/flower infused ice tea.

Paradise Inn
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-110 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983.
Tel: 63364048

Have lunch at Park Regis Hotel - Royal Pavillion

If you are near CBD area, and looking for a lunch venue for dim sum, here is a new place. Started from March this year, the ground floor of Park Regis has a face lift and give you a new dining experience. Royal Pavillion官邸 is a new dining platform serving modern Cantonese cuisine.

I was there one afternoon to try out some of the dishes. Below are some of my favourites:

Carrot Cake with "Lao Gan Die" Chilli Sauce老干爹酱炒萝卜糕, for those who like your carrot cake hot and spicy.$8.80++

Baked Swiss BBQ Snow Bun瑞士雪花包, their version of 波箩包. Bun Not as crispy, but filling juicy and sweet.

Crispy Shredded Radish Pastry Roll萝卜丝酥卷, crispy outside and moist inside. My must try favourite.$4,50++

Royal Smoked Duck官邸荔枝木脆皮熏鸭，让人越咬越香。($35++ half potion, $68++ full potion)

Steamed Diced Vegetables Dumpling佛山花素饺，皮Q馅脆。健康素食选择。$4.50++

甜品：（左起）Special Walnut Pastry特制核桃酥，Steamed Mashed Taro with Pumpkin Puree served in Young Coconut椰皇金瓜泥($8.50++)，Lime Lemonade with Aloe Vera and Lemongrass Jelly芦荟酸柑香茅冻


Park Regis Singapore, Royal Pavillion
23 Merchant Road, Singapore 058268
Tel: +65 6818 8888
Fax: +65 6818 8868

Review: Ultimate Crab Feast at ParkRoyal Beach Road

If you are into crab like me, good news! This year ParkRoyal Crab Feast Buffet is here! From now till 27 July 2014, you can indulge in a spread of 27 crabs dishes, all at ParkRoyal Plaza Brasserie.

This year New dishes include Crab Kut Teh, cereal crab, marmite crab, crabmeat roti John, spicy crabmeat salad, crabmeat Tartlet and Crabmeat Masala etc. other all time favourites include Salted Egg Crab, butter crab, black pepper crab and Chilli crab etc.

Most of the crabs being served are mud crabs. Meat are fresh and firm.

Besides mud crabs, there are also flower crabs and spanner crabs. Below are some of my must have list:

Crab Kut Teh. I like the strong garlic and peppery soup.

I like Curry crab, a bit spicy and sweet. If you like local curry flavor, can choose Nonya crab.

Among all crabs, my all time favourites are Salted Egg Crab and Butter Crab.

If you like sweet taste, go for Marmite Crab, cereal Crab and XO sauce Crab.

This is Curry Crab. Must try!

This is local delight: black pepper crab.

Before I post this news, I was told that weekend dinner buffet is fully booked. Yes, so for those who don't want to miss this chance, should start booking for weekday now.

The Ultimate Crab Feast (13 June- 27 July 2014)
buffet Dinner (Daily): 6pm-10.30pm
Adult: $65++, Child: $39++.
Address: ParkRoyal on Beach Road, 7500 Beach Road Level 1.
Tel: 65055710

Review: Cat & The Fiddle Cheesecakes

收到这份礼物之前，已先在报章得知这个新品牌。Cat & The Fiddle最大卖点就是专门供应宅配乳酪蛋糕。此外，价格非常合理，而且口味新颖。

原本想在适当的节日订一个试试，却没想到美梦成真，得到了公关公司的厚爱，让我可以自选喜欢的乳酪蛋糕。

我上了该官网：www.catandthefiddle.com,看了每一种蛋糕的特色和图片，甚至留意顾客留言，最后决定订购当中最贵，材料最多的Sicilian Wildcats乳酪蛋糕（$31.90）。

目前，该网站共推出10款乳酪蛋糕，每个重1.1公斤，包括下次很想尝试的Paws of Fury（$24.90）和The Emperor's Romance（$24.90）。前者是鸳鸯口味；后者是荔枝马提尼口味。其他让人垂涎的口味还包括Sweet and Smokey Taffy($19.90)-海盐焦糖口味、The Modern Duke's Pudding($22.90)-Cookies and cream口味、Over The Moon($19.90)-香草原味、The Russian Whiskers($24.90)-芒果伏特加口味、Maneki Neko($28.90)-柚子柑橘口味、Carribean Surfari($28.90)-黄梨椰子兰姆酒口味和Queen of Hearts($22.90)-草莓口味。

我订的Sicilian Wildcats乳酪蛋糕（$31.90）其实是Tiramisu口味，乳酪蛋糕中间是浸了满满Espresso和Marsala酒、Rum和Brandy的海绵蛋糕。那么多种酒？不要被这些酒给吓到，其实酒味和分量刚刚好，不会太强，连不喝酒的我都能接受。

上网订购的程序非常简单，只要选择你要的口味，然后选择要不要附加品（如蜡烛，印板等等）。接着，你必须输入个人详情，并写明你要宅配或自取，宅配要另外付$9。好处是若今天下午两点前下订，隔天就可送到。你可选择中午12点至5点送上，或是5点之后送上。

我在星期五的中午下订，隔天4点45分就收到。我迫不及待地把送到的乳酪蛋糕送进嘴里。可能蛋糕须放在冷冻库保鲜，口感像在吃乳酪雪糕。于是我把蛋糕放进冰箱，并发现放在冰箱几小时后取出的口感更佳--绵密细滑，而且海绵蛋糕湿润，口齿留香。

这里的乳酪蛋糕都是现烤，不加人造色素和添加物，因此一般建议在三天内吃完。我为了要试验三天后的成果，于是待一个星期再尝试，发现外层虽然有一点干，但里面的海绵蛋糕还是湿润的。口感还不错。

蛋糕盒上贴心地附上一张感谢卡，发现有小提醒：三至四个小时后才吃，口感更佳。原来是自己没注意，下次我不会再这么急了。如果你要请客，最好也要把这几小时算在内。

是不是也想试一试？喜欢吃乳酪蛋糕的朋友，记得上网：www.catandthefiddle.com 浏览和订购。

ParkRoyal Buffet - April - May 2014

如果你是海鲜发烧友，从现在至4月30日可在这里享受丰盛的新鲜海鲜自助餐；如果你想在母亲节期间带妈妈吃妈妈会喜欢的自助餐，不如到这里来大快朵颐。

感谢ParkRoyal on Beach Road的Plaza Brasserie餐厅公关，让我可以品尝和记录这段期间特别推出的Treasures of The Sea自助餐。

先介绍从现在至2014年4月30日特别推出的海鲜主题自助晚餐，饕客除了可以在这里吃到新鲜海鲜和海鲜料理外，还可以自选海鲜料理让厨师为你现炒。菜肴选择非常丰富，海鲜也以不同风味呈现，包括本地口味的咖哩鱼头、参巴三文鱼、娘惹蒸鱼等；亚洲风味的龙虾粥、冬炎鱼汤、海鲜天府罗、XO虾、寿司等等，还有西式料理的烤西式三文鱼、海鲜鲍鱼浓汤等。

不只主食有不同口味，连甜品也照顾到每个人的味蕾，包括浓郁榴莲泥、白果芋泥、Chendol、红豆汤、芝麻糊、芒果布丁、杏仁豆腐，还有各色西式糕点等等。我喜欢这里的prata部门的甜味prata，尤其是榴莲prata。爱吃海鲜的你，现在至2014年4月30日（劳动节前夕）记得订位，享用特别在这个时候推出的海鲜主题自助晚餐。成人收费：$62++；儿童收费：$37。

5月1日至30日，适逢母亲节期间，最适合带母亲到这里来享受自助餐，因为这段期间特别推出The Best For Mum自助餐。菜肴都是妈妈会喜欢的家常菜口味，如猪脚醋、咸鱼炒饭、罗汉斋、洋葱炒蛋、薄饼等等。甜品也有妈妈喜欢的磨磨查查和黑糯米等。

母亲节当天，妈妈还有特别待遇，如送上黑鸡炖汤、蜜桃姜汁，可免费参加厨师教烹饪课，还有单人用父亲节自助餐券。最好的是，如果这个月份，与母亲和祖母或外婆享用自助午餐和自助晚餐，母亲和祖母（外婆）可免费用餐。

2014年5月1日至30日，自助午餐（中午12点至下午2.30点），成人：$39++（周日）；$40++（周末），母亲节当天成人：$65++，儿童：$39++。
自助晚餐（晚上6点至10.30点），成人：$58++（周日）；$60++（星期五至日）。

海鲜自助餐选择多样，包括：

黑椒虾婆

辣椒螃蟹。旁边还有炸馒头

不要错过皮脆肉嫩的烧肉和脆皮鸡

虾子新鲜弹牙

一字排开四种口味三文鱼

新鲜生蚝一定要多吃几个

泰式炸鱼旁边是我的最爱：入口即化的焖海参

现炒海鲜料理：辣椒淡菜

现炒豆豉圣旨

现炒姜葱lala

炸软壳蟹

可无限量点整条清蒸鱼

很合本地人口味的咖哩鱼头

可点caesar salad配温泉蛋

可点现煮拉面

我的自选菜

一定要试榴莲煎饼！

甜品选择多