Dips/Sauces [Small bowl]
This recipe is an inspiration from a Mexican friend of mine who now lives in Mexico City. Congratulations to my dear friend Antonio who has open his own Mexican restaurant.
We both agree that there are a few ingredients that should be inside a bowl of guacamole – Shallots, tomatoes, chillies and coriander is a must!
Here is how I made it at home. Try it!
Mexican Guacamole
Ingredients:
Ripe avocados (Hass variety)
Tomatoes
Shallots
Green chilli
Coriander
Lime juice
Salt and Pepper
Cut the avocados vertical until it split into two. Scoop out the seed and remove all the flesh with a spoon.
Cut the tomatoes into tiny cubes.
Cut the shallots and green chillies finely.
Add all the ingredients into a bowl and use a fork to mash it. I prefer to leave small chunks of avocados.
Squeeze a little bit of lime juice and add salt and pepper to taste.
Cut the coriander coarsely. Add and mix it with the content.
Serve immediately.
Tip: Serve with nachos or tortillas. Guacamole is best prepared on the spot and serve immediately.
Rosie G.
www.flavoursofsingapore.nl
Salad/Sauces [1 small bowl]
Unlike the traditional “acar timun” (pickled cucumber), this version of mine is made with grated cucumber and best served chilled. Served with Rosie’s Beef Fried Rice.
Fresh Cucumber & Shallots Acar
Ingredients
- ½ cucumber, peeled and coarsely grated keeping the juice
- 2 tablespoons of vinegar
- ½ shallots, finely chopped
- ½ red chillies, finely chopped (optional)
First, halve the cucumber and peel it. Keep the other half. Use a grater (the coarse part) and grate the cucumber. Make sure to keep the excess juice of the cucumber. Once this is done pour the cucumber and the juice into a bowl.
Finely chopped the chillies and shallots and mix it with the grated cucumber.
Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and stir the content.
Cover and store the bowl in a fridge for a few minutes and serve with the fried rice.
Tip: Salt is not needed as we use vinegar as a substitute.
Rosie G.
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In Dutch:
Verse komkommer en uitjes Acar
Salades/Sauzen [1 kleine schaal)
Deze versie is met geraspte verse komkommer en wordt het beste gekoeld geserveerd. Past uitstekend bij Rosie’s Beef Fried Rice.
Verse komkommer en uitjes Acar
Ingredienten
- ½ komkommer, geschild en grof geraspt, zodat het vruchtsap goed bewaard blijft.
- 2 eetlepels natuurazijn
- ½ sjalotje, zeer fijn gesneden
- ½ rode peper, zeer fijn gehakt (optioneel)
Begin met de komkommer, schil hem en rasp met een groffe rasp vervolgens het vruchtvlees. Zorg dat je het sap in een kom opvangt, dit ga je later gebruiken. Doe dus de geraspte komkommer en het opgevangen sap in een kom.
Snijdt / hak de rode peper en sjalotje zeer fijn, voeg daarna toe aan de kom.
Voeg 2 eetlepels natuurazijn toe aan de kom met inhoud en roer het geheel goed door.
Doe er een deksel of folie op en zet het in de koelkast, pas bij gebruik uit de koeling halen. Prima te serveren bij Rosie’s Beef Fried Rice.
Tip: Zout is niet nodig, de azijn is al een substituut.
Rosie G.
Lontong
Main Courses [1 packet serves 2 persons]
Lontong is made from rice that is compact into a bag or square pocketed palm leaves. Originally lontong was made with rice stuffed into palm leaves and boiled.
As time goes by, people find it time consuming to find palm leaves and making them into a square pockets and then filling it up with rice. Nowadays, stores are selling small pre-packed plastic bags of rice which has holes around it. The method of cooking is still the same.
I was actually surprised to find different varieties of “lontong” here in Netherlands. To my knowledge there is only one type of lontong. Lontong is firm and not sticky. I have tried lontong “ketan” but the results were not as I expected. It turns out to be soft and very sticky even after 3 hours of cooking. I find it strange that normally it takes about 90 minutes to cook lontong. I finally found the right type of lontong and it is sold in a box of 4 bags. The brand is “Nivo”. However it also takes about 3 hours to boil.
Lontong (Rice Cakes)
How to prepare and boil lontong?
First, in a bowl of water wash the plastic bags of rice thoroughly making sure that the “cloudy” water becomes clear.
Boil a pot with water big enough to fill your desired amount of lontong bags. Take note that the lontong will expand when it is cooking.
When the water starts to boil, drop gently the lontong bags. Push in the bags so that it stays at the bottom.
Let it boil until you notice the rice bags are filled with white rice. This will take a while (depending on your country), in Singapore it took me 90 minutes to boil a bag of lontong. Here the lontong took 3 hours to cook then it is ready.
When your lontong is ready, take it out from the pot and allow it to cool. Do not wash the lontong. When it has cool down, you can either cut or store in the fridge.
Tip: Serves best with Singapore Chicken Soto Soup (Singapore Soto Ayam) or dip with peanut sauce with satays or gado-gado.
Rosie G.
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In Dutch:
Lontong
Hoofdgerecht [1 pakje is voor 2 personen]
Lontong wordt gemaakt van compacte rijst, die traditioneel werd gekookt in palm bladeren, die kruiselings in elkaar geweven om een bal rijst heen worden gestoomd. Tegenwoordig kan dit veel makkelijker, er is namelijk zeer goede kwaliteit rijst verkrijgbaar, die reeds is verpakt in plastic zakjes, waarin je de rijst compact kunt stomen.
Natuurlijk is het mooi tradities voort te zetten, maar het is in Nederland niet makkelijk palmbladeren te vinden, die dan ook nog gedroogd zijn, vandaar de keuze voor gemak, zonder daarbij aan kwaliteit in te boeten. De methode van bereiding is hetzelfde, of je nu met voorverpakte rijst in plastic zakjes werkt, of met palmbladeren.
Ik was in feite aangenaam verrast, hier in Nederland verschillende variaties van “lontong” aan te treffen in de Toko winkels. Ik ken slechts 1 soort Lontong, een compacte, niet plakkende rijst. Hier in Nederland kwam ik ook lontong “ketan” tegen, maar deze is niet aan te bevelen. De rijst wordt zeer zacht door de lange kooktijd, meer dan 3 uren. Mijn ervaring is, dat 90 minuten kooktijd voldoende is, de rijst is dan compact, niet plakkerig. Na meerdere variëteiten te hebben geprobeerd, is mijn keuze gevallen op “Nivo” lontong rijst, die wordt verkocht in zakjes van 4. Echter, ook deze soort heeft 3 uren nodig om te koken met het juiste resultaat.
Hoe maak je lontong?
Was de zakjes rijst eerst zeer grondig, tot het stromende water helder wordt, bij het wassen van de rijst.
Zet een grote pan water op het vuur, waar je benodigde hoeveelheid makkelijk in past (houdt rekening met het uitzetten van de rijst tijdens het koken).
Kook het water eerst, wanneer het water kookt, voeg dan pas de zakjes met rijst toe. Druk de zakjes langzaam en voorzichtig naar de bodem van de pan, zodat ze tijdens het koken niet boven drijven.
Kook nu door, tot je de zakjes ‘strak’ ziet worden, door het uitzetten van de rijst in het plastic zakje. Dit is een goed indicatie, in de regel duurt dit ongeveer 3 uren hier in Nederland.
Wanneer je lontong gereed is, haal ze uit de pan en laat het drogen in een vergiet in het zakje. Niet wassen, gewoon laten drogen en afkoelen.
Hierna kun je of de lontong in de koelkast leggen voor later gebruik, of je kunt ze in de gewenste vierkantjes / kubusjes snijden.
Selamat makan!
Tip: Lontong wordt in Azie geserveerd bij gado gado, Singapore Chicken Soto Soup (Singapore Soto Ayam, zie Rosie’s recept) of als dip met pindasaus bij sateh.
Rosie G.
July 2010
Waiting for the Dutch team....
It’s never too late to post about the World Cup 2010, especially when Holland is 2nd and vice-world champion! Yes we all had our moments of yelps, screaming, cursing and sighing when Robben missed scoring, not once but twice. We all thought Holland would be the champion. I believe many have also bled, predicting Holland to be the world champion. And everyone in Amsterdam feared the worst, that our city would be overcrowded, and our roads would be congested, if Holland celebrated its victory on the Museumplein in Amsterdam.
Dutch football team arriving and the crowd cheering!
But we did not win. The best team won. We are nonetheless second in the world. This however did not stop fans streaming into the lovely charming center of Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of fans, dressed in orange shirts, out on the streets of Amsterdam. This was the moment to celebrate, as the last time Holland was also the runner up, was in 1978. I felt lucky. Lucky enough to be a part of a winning team and the world’s best supporters!
From the canals, we walked towards Museumplein for the party!
The Dutch really know how to celebrate, so who would not want to be part of such an event?! The crowd and players were singing a Dutch song “Bloed, zweet en tranen” which literally means “Blood, sweat and tears”. The whole atmosphere at Museumplein was so overwhelming, that I felt goosebumps all over. I captured these moments on my phone, but pictures alone could not explain the energy, the buzz, the team spirit between the players and the supporters and the tears from the crowd. I could go on and on about it. I was and am happy to be a part of the celebration. One that will always stay in my memory…
Party at Museumplein!
Foodmonster
Singapore has a lot to offer in terms of good food and below is just a few of the many and one of the best in my humble opinion.
These places have all been visited by friends and myself, some are through recommendations. However, I cannot guarantee if the quality is still up to standard today…
Anyway, I will list the food places plus the websites for you to browse through, for an idea of the place and menu prices. Please note that not all food stalls have their own website. They are popular among locals and over the years gain their popularity. No website needed!
Symbols in terms of spending per person: SGD$3-$10 ($) ,
SGD$10-$25 ($$) , SGD$25-$50 ($$$), SGD$50-$100 ($$$-$$$$)
SGD$100 and above ($$$$)
Nasi Padang
River Valley Nasi Padang
Traditional Malay food. Great variety and really delicious. The food comes close to my cooking.
Their price is slightly higher than in most nasi padang stalls in coffee shops or hawker centers. However that is the price to pay for really good food. Singaporeans may find it pricey but in my opinion it is value for money, good food and the owners do not compromise on the ingredients. And, it is always crowded… I know what goes inside a certain recipe and most shop owners tend to cut down on products, because (Singapore) customers complain the food is too expensive. Rice with vegetables and meat may cost SGD$3.50( 1.75 euro) per plate in normal shops but at River Valley it may cost around SGD$5.00 ( 2.50 euro). Thumbs up to River Valley Nasi Padang for maintaining the authenticity of the food! ($)
Address: Nasi Padang River Valley Pte Ltd – 55 Zion Road, S(247780) Tel: 67343383
Roti Prata
Thasevi Food Famous Jalan Kayu Prata
It is easy to find roti prata in Singapore. The best is one that is soft, yet crispy. Most important, the curry must be good and tasty and not watery. Jalan Kayu (the name of the street) is known to have the best roti prata in Singapore. One to mention is Thasevi Food Famous Jalan Kayu Prata. Even the name says it all! This place is in the North part of Singapore. If you order your prata, do not forget to order Teh Tarik!. Best is to go by car. ($)
Address: 237/239 Jalan Kayu Singapore. Tel: +65 6481 1537
Nasi Lemak
International Food Stall
When I think of Changi Village, it reminds me of one dish- nasi lemak! This stall is still one of the most popular nasi lemak in Singapore. Expect very long queues during lunch. There are also a few competitors in the same vicinity. Located at the east side of Singapore. ($)
Address: #1-57 Changi Village Market & Food Centre, Blk 2 Changi Village Road, Singapore 500002
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
There are plentiful of stalls selling hainanese chicken rice. One to mention is Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice located at Maxwell Food Centre. ($)
http://www.tiantianchickenrice.com/
Hawker Centers
Maxwell Food Centre
Home to some of the best hawker food in Singapore. Located in the heart of Chinatown. We used to have a stall in Maxwell Food Centre. ($)
Address: Maxwell Road Food Centre lies at the top end of Tanjong Pagar Road and junction of South Bridge Road and Maxwell Road. Nearest MRT station: Chinatown
Lau Pa Sat
We call this the festival market. Located in the central business district area, right in between the skyscrapers, this place comes lively at night and in the weekends. A huge 24/7 eatery with different variety of food. Pick your choice! I like the satays from stall number 9. ($)
http://www.laupasat.biz/home.html
Mexican
Cafe Iguana
Contemporary Mexican restaurant and bar in downtown Singapore. I like the one in Riverside Point facing the Singapore river. ($$)
Margarita’s
They now have 3 restaurants on Singapore island. I like the ambience at Dempsey Hill where you can find a lot of nice places to sit, dine or just chill out. Here you can also find Margarita’s. My favourite is Fajitas with chicken and their signature dish, called Kitchen Sink Burrito. ($$)
http://www.dempseyhill.com/tenants_Margarita.htm
Seafood
Long Beach Seafood
Chinese seafood restaurants. Try the ones at East Coast Seafood Centre. Located by the beach. One of the Singapore signature dishes is the Chilli Crab! Must try! ($$$)
http://www.longbeachseafood.com.sg/
Jumbo Seafood
Located also at East Coast Seafood Centre. ($$$)
http://www.jumboseafood.com.sg/
French
Au Petit Salut
One of my favourite French restaurants to dine in Singapore. Located at Dempsey Hill. Elegant and alfresco dining area. Ordered a bottle of Alter Ego (Chateau Palmer) and loved it!
Depending on either lunch or dinner. ($$$-$$$$)
http://www.aupetitsalut.com/aps/aboutus.html
Italian
Da Paolo
One name comes to my mind, that we often visited, is Da Paolo. There are a few outlets in Singapore and the ones in Cluny Court and Holland Village have a nice ambience; cosy and stylish. Oh yes, there is an area called Holland Village in Singapore and there is a mini windmill too! ($$$)
http://www.dapaolo.com.sg/index.php
German
Werner’s Oven
One of my favourite German restaurants at the east side of Singapore in the Siglap neighbourhood area. A family run business place with authentic dishes and warm service! And they also sell pretzels at their bakery! ($$)
http://www.wernersoven.com.sg/
Indonesian
Tambuah Mas
Love their Tahu Telor. ($$$)
Indian
Samy’s Curry
Ever tried eating your food on a banana leaf? Try Samy’s Curry. This place is unlike the typical “restaurant” type . Located also at Dempsey Hill, I usually bring my foreign friends here. All of them love it, even my in-laws! Have a look at the counter, tell them what you want and they will bring to your table. Do not be surprised if the waiters come around and start asking if you want more rice or curry! The giant prawns are simply irresistible, but spiiiiicy! ($$-$$$)
Brazilian
Brazil Churrascaria
Brazilian barbeque restaurant.
In this place, you’ll be in for a night full of surprises. Huge salad bar with a variety to match, excellent. You’ll sit at your table and the macho waiters will come and ‘serve’ you: A huge skewer with grilled meats and a huge knife in the other hand, intimidating and asking you, if you want any one of the meat. The meat is of superb quality and the variety is enormous. Be prepared to get stuffed with kilos of meat! ($$-$$$)
Address: 14/16 Sixth Avenue. Tel: +65 6463 1923
Thai
Patara
A fine dining Thai restaurant. ($$$)
Thai Express
This is the “cafe” version where they serve simple Thai food. ($$)
http://www.thaiexpress.com.sg/
Japanese
Sushi Tei
Open kitchen concept where you can enjoy good sushi. There are many outlets in Singapore. ($$)
Chinese Restaurants
Crystal Jade Restaurants
A culinary chinese restaurant in Singapore. Offering good quality Cantonese and Teochew chinese cuisine and fine dining ambience. $$$
Din Tai Fung
One of the best dim sum and dumpling place to go is at Din Tai Fung. Located in downtonwn Orchard Road. $$
Address: 290 Orchard Road, #B1-03/06 Paragon Shopping Centre. Tel: +65 68368336. MRT station: Orchard.
Others
Little Bali-Villa Bali
A place to chill out with friends in these idyllic surroundings. Beautifully designed with Balinese atmosphere. The place is so spacious. I love their Rogan Josh (a south Indian curry). ($$-$$$)
High Tea
Swissotel The Stamford, Equinox Restaurant
Equinox is located on the 70th (!) floor of the Swissotel. Beautiful views over Singapore. ($$$)
http://www.swissotel.com/EN/Home
Champagne Brunch in Hotels
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Greenhouse Restaurant ($$$$)
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Singapore/Dining/Greenhouse/Default.htm
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Mezza 9 ($$$$)
http://www.singapore.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/restaurants/index.jsp
Four Seasons Hotel
One-Ninety ($$$$)
http://www.fourseasons.com/singapore/dining/one_ninety/
The Fullerton Hotel
Town Restaurant ($$$$)
http://www-singapore.com/fullerton/dining.htm
Sunday Brunch
The Sentosa Resort & Spa ($$$$)
In Sentosa (an off island which is connected by road to Singapore)
An international buffet and barbeque!
Enjoy while you are in Singapore!