Finger food is always a great hit during parties or informal gathering. As a guest, finger food is convenient to snack on. As a host, you cut down the need for washing utensils. Be it a guest or a host, party or gathering is about spending time getting together and have fun. I read about [...]
Archive by Author
As good as an Italian Zabaglione
In the musical Nine, film director Guido Contini is searching for inspiration for his movie called Italy. Seriously, this is a BIG topic. Tiramisu alone deserves a chapter. Let us zoom a little closer and explore the beauty of a Tiramisu’s fragment, zabaglione. Zabaglione, also known as zabaione, or sabayon in French, is a light [...]
No recipe, just improvise
Moving house left me with a pool of books waiting to be sorted. It is definitely easier for me to cook whatever at hand rather than digging out a recipe hiding at some corner. After all, before the emergence of cookbook, cooks follow their senses. Why can’t you and me? It’s time to jazz up [...]
Kitchen territory, no trespassing
Kitchen staffs and service staffs have symbiotic relationship. Not only both parties need to speak the same language, they need to respect each other. Yet, there are always newbies and idiots in every kitchen. “Chef, can I get some cookies?” asked a newbie service staff. “Ok. Wait.” Busy with orders, Chef gave a short, crisp [...]
Leftovers makeover
Chinese New Year celebrates the abundance of food. Having leftover is a must as it signifies you don’t have to worry about starving in the year ahead. I enjoyed great food and had wonderful time over the festive season, and now it’s over, it’s time to deal with the leftovers from Chinese New Year. For [...]
Ice Ice Baby
Malaysia doesn’t have four seasons. However, like every other Chinese New Year, the heat from the sun comes to a peak during this festive season. After a few days feasting on meaty dishes and buttery cookies, I desperately look for something light, cooling and refreshing. I need ice. Here are some of the ways you [...]
Bring home the romance
Candle lit dinner with soft music could be romantic on Valentine’s Day. Candle lit dinner with soft music besides some fifty other couples doing the same thing in a busy restaurant is not. Making home-cooked meal on Valentine’s Day could be romantic. An oily and sweaty face washing a sink full with dishes is not. [...]
To Die For Home-made Nutella
Ever get caught spooning Nutella right from the jar…with your finger? You are definitely not alone. There are millions of people out there, guilty as you! Fans of Nutella have declared that Feb 5th is World Nutella Day. Before you rush to the stores to get jars of Nutella to join the celebration, you can actually [...]
A Day in a Michelin-starred Kitchen
“We received your application to work in our kitchen. Could you come to the kitchen for a tryout next Monday?” “Yes, sure!” I said confidently without any hesitation. Oh my god, a call from the HR of a Michelin-starred restaurant! Just right after my graduation at Le Cordon Bleu! My first job interview for a [...]
How to make a restaurant-style dessert at home
You want to make a dessert to impress your guest. You don’t want to spend the whole day in the kitchen preparing and washing the dishes. Here is an easy way out: panna cotta with cucumber and mango. Panna cotta is a cooked cream originally from Italy. It’s often served with berries. I would like [...]
Never trust a skinny chef?
“Smallest size please.” Excitedly, I tried on my first chef uniform. The Le Cordon Bleu logo was printed clearly on the top left corner. To my dismay, the double-breasted jacket looked loose from every angle. “No smaller one?” “Sorry.” Uniforms supposed to project professionalism. In this ‘one design fit all’ jacket, no matter how many [...]
