Well, I thought I was going to be updated by now but not so – I’ve been battling something, don’t know what and I’ve not felt well, at all. So, keep an eye out and I’ll be posting soon. The weather seems to agree; here are the pictures from today. Huge thunderstorm today; I think it may be an omen...
Well, as you have noticed, I’m a little behind in my postings! I’ve been a little under the weather and Paul is working like a madman. He did enjoy some new dishes this weekend – I did feel better here and there did some cooking, so it’ll be fun to post that.
Paul and I realized at 6:30 on the 17th that it was St. Patrick’s Day. Paul wanted to go out anyway, so we went to Brewerkz in Clarke Quay (pronounced Key). We had heard from our friends Doug and Mary that that’s where they would go when they wanted a good burger. So, we took the MRT and had a good time there – the wind was blowing and the sun was down. What a pleasant night; the breeze seemed to wash the stress and tension right out of us!
We enjoy the energy of Clarke Quay and we’ve posted about it before but it’s a great place to go and hang out and just walk along the river – very nice.
So, late Happy St. Patty’s Day everyone!
This was a neat shadowbox displayed in the restaurant - this flag was flown over the U.S. Embassy.
Brewerkz is a working Brewery, so here are some shots - not the best - it was dark in there!
I just like this picture - I took it outside our apartment here - there are flowers like this everywhere!
I spent Tuesday morning with Samia, Hayley, Birgit and the cooking class learning about Italian Cooking. It was really nice to sit in between two friends and take the class; we shared fantastic food and, as always, learned some great recipes and tips, i.e. don’t ever cook with really good EVOO – there’s no purpose in it – the heat destroys all of the nutritional value. Just regular Olive Oil will do!
Myself & Hayley -
Birgit & Me -
I love this kind of stuff and Paul, of course, loves it. Since his family is Italian he was especially interested in the menu and delighted to hear about the Roasted Chicken recipe (one of his all-time favorites). I had actually roasted up two chickens the Sunday night before using Samia’s recipe from her book. Absolutely delightful! I should have gotten a picture of that! AND, I was wearing my naughty apron that says, “Dip Me in Chocolate and Call me Dessert!” LOL
Here was the menu for Italian Interpretations:
Crab Ravioli with a Tomato, Vodka & Cream Sauce (TOO DIE FOR!!!!)
Ragout of Mushrooms with Cream & Fresh Pasta
Farafelle with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts & Pine Nuts
Mixed Baby Greens with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Slow-Oven Roasted Chicken
Sauteed Spinach with Olive Oil & Lemon
Tiramisu
Yes, many of these recipes have dairy and you guys know I don’t eat dairy, but I did have to sacrifice a few days of digestive health for the greater good and try these out! Wow!
Enoki Mushrooms -
I’m now, more than ever, ready to make my own pasta. Samia exhibited all of the steps (see pictures below) and told us how to dye the pasta, make special types (lasagna blankets with herbs pressed in between two sheets – see below – Samia used her signature Coriander Leaves in the pasta)!
After we had partaken of all of the good food, Birgit and I headed out to Holland Village to “raid” Pantry Magic and Phoon Huat! We had a lot of fun; I finally got a food mill! Oh, yeah, I’m easily amused and pleased! I also picked up some spatulas and Madagascar Vanilla – yum!
Birgit showed me some great places to eat and then we headed into Phoon Huat – another fantastic gourmet shop and I found Brown Sugar along with Sliced Almonds. So, I would say I’m well stocked for some good meals. And after all of his hard work, Paul deserves some gourmet meals to keep him going!
I’m going to another class tomorrow (Arabian Nights) so I’ll have even more to share later. Birgit and I are going shopping after that class, too. Smile…
A Variation on Serving Individually - Tiramasu
What a great day! I met Iris (we met back in January at a cooking class!) and her daughter at the Botanical Gardens today. We had a light snack and then walked the gardens – such beauty. It’s still my favorite place in Singapore. Iris and her family are off for their next adventure in Gabon, Africa – we wish them the best. We’ll only have them in S’pore for 2 more weeks! It’s great meeting people from all over the world – her and her husband are from The Netherlands and I have family from there. It’s such a small world, after all! (Smiles)
We were lucky to have sun (and a lot of heat/humidity) in the morning but it just poured this afternoon – luckily we were out of there by then. My afternoon was also a lot of fun because I had my second Pilates session with Jessie. It’s great to be back doing that! My body needs it, for sure!
Tomorrow is Italian Interpretations Class - yum! I'm meeting some great friends there - Hayley and Birgit!
Well, it took me going to S’pore to learn some French cooking! I have never really experienced French cooking other than eating it in the US and France, but I really didn’t understand some of the nuances that define the cuisine.
Today was such an eye-opening experience and I not only learned new French words, but some of the secrets of French cooking. Samia is a wonderful chef and fantastic teacher and that was especially exhibited today. The menu was taken from Julia Child’s book Mastering the Art of French Cooking:
Potage Parmentier (Potato & Onion/Leek Soup)
Salad Nicoise (or Mediterranean Combination Salad)
Pommes de Terre A L’huile (French Potato Salad)
Sauce Vinaigrette (French Dressing)
Homard aux Aromates (Lobster Steamed in White Wine with Herb Sauce) - today Samia used Prawns instead of Lobster
Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Stew in Red Wine, with Bacon, Onions and Mushrooms), Oignons Glaces A Brun (Brown-braised Onions)
Champignons Sautés Au Beurre (Sautéed Mushrooms)
Crème Plombières aux Fruits (French version of the Tiramisu)
Salad Nicoise - Plating...
Salad Nicoise with Tuna and Anchovies -
Samia made some changes to the recipes that really helped me understand the dishes more fully and didn’t make me so scared to try Beef Bourguignon (if you’ve seen Julie and Julia, you’ll understand what I mean)! This was truly a spectacular class and I enjoyed every minute. I know that I have so much more to learn but the fragrances, textures and flavors will stay with me for a long time. What an experience!
Boeuf Bourguignon -
Potage Parmentier -
Oignons Glaces a Brun -
Samia using a rolling pin (of sorts) to press the liquids through a Chinoise - for the Wine with Herb Sauce
I also learned about the gourmet shops around S’pore and I tasted the most wonderful Late Harvest Riesling Vinegar (Cuisine Perel – out of CA) – can a vinegar taste good? Yes, yes it can! I also learned to use fresh-dried Bay Leaves – Samia has a friend in (in the south of France, mind you) that brought her fresh-dried Bay Leaves from her garden – oh my – they had the most wonderful fragrance. McCormick has nothing on these – these leaves were about 3-times larger than those we buy in the supermarket!
I’m taking Italian Interpretations on Tuesday and Arabian Nights on Thursday, so it will be a culinary week and Paul will probably enjoy the “fruits” of my learning.
Here is Samia testing the blanching of green beans - for Salad Nicoise
I just liked this tree - outside from Coriander Leaf
We had a blast in one of the hottest areas in Singapore – Club Street. We went to the “Screening Room” and had dinner downstairs and then drinks on the rooftop and finished up by watching “The Wedding Date” in an intimate (seats about 30, tops), plush theatre. We’re absolutely in love with this concept! Denver definitely needs something like this! Someday – when I’m rich and famous! LOL
Views from the Rooftop Bar -
There are 5 floors encompassing different experiences depending on your taste - the rooftop bar was very popular!! We think it was all meant to be – we love “The Wedding Date” – it’s such a cute little movie and Paul likes it because the boy gets the girl (very important criteria for him!). Also, you get to have drinks and food in the theatre with you while you watch the movie – it such a relaxed and inviting environment!
We will definitely be going back – they also show foreign movies, etc. so we’ll get to see more obscure movies that would normally pass us by. Interestingly enough, they are playing the “Gangs of New York” this upcoming weekend and having a movie-inspired menu to go with it. Too fun!
An interesting view in one of the bathrooms - how's that for eternity!
