.Food.Tasting.at.Taste.Paradise.

Ola!
So, having been missing from this scene for quite awhile, I’m back now to bring you saliva-inducing snippets from my recent food tasting session at one of the establishments under the belt of Paradise Group.

Taste Paradise (味之楼) opened its doors in 2006 as a cozy and intimate restaurant in Chinatown. With good reviews and at the encouragement of many satisfied customers, the restaurant was relocated to ION Orchard in 2009 to serve diners in a grand and majestic ambience, at a more convenient location.

Marking 9 years of establishment with tens of thousands of satisfied diners, Taste Paradise embarks on a new journey of providing an exceptional dining experience that engages all senses with a new menu, refurbished restaurant interior and the usual excellence in service.
2015-08-09-14-45-26_deco[1]As Paradise Group’s Brand Ambassador, I was really elated to be invited to this food tasting session for its new menu launched recently, showcasing more Cantonese delicacies and refreshing takes on modern Chinese dishes.
2015-08-09-14-50-25_deco[1]Our sumptuous 7-course meal kicked off with Crisp-fried Soft Shell Crab (肉松软壳蟹) tossed with Pork Floss for our appetiser. (S$15.80 per serving)
2015-08-09-14-48-35_deco[1]As the name states, the soft shell crab was crisply fried well, and coupling with pork floss was a match-make in heaven.

Our starter was a Combination of Pan-seared Foie Gras, Wasabi Mayonnaise Prawn and Sliced Peking Duck. (味之楼经典三品 — 煎鹅肝,芥末奶滋虾,北京片皮鸭) (S$22 per serving)
2015-08-09-14-57-04_deco[1]We were advised by our friendly server Vincent Lee, who also happens to be the supervisor of this Taste Paradise outlet, on the sequence in tasting this dish for the utmost experience. So we had to start off with the foie gras, which literally melted in our mouths. I was never a foie gras person, but I finished this in record timing.
2015-08-09-14-52-55_deco[1]Next would be the peking duck skin, which was crispy and yet with some juicy fats to add to the taste.
2015-08-09-14-55-48_deco[1]Followed by the succulent prawn, in which matching with wasabi mayonnaise never goes wrong. Lastly, eating the chunky watermelon piece which helped to prep our palette for the dish to come.
2015-08-09-14-54-36_deco[1]For the soup, we decided to go for the Double-boiled Whole Yellow Melon Soup with Assorted Seafood and Diced Mushrooms (海鲜炖金盅), as I’m not a fan of shark’s fin. (S$18 per serving)
2015-08-09-14-58-55_deco[1]2015-08-09-14-59-44_deco[1]Having boiled the melon as a whole for hours with generous amount of ingredients (lots of dried and fresh scallops, fish maw, crab meat, diced mushrooms and duck meat), the soup tasted heavenly. And when we scooped the soup up the long melon ‘passageway’, some bits of soft melon flesh were scraped off onto our spoons too, adding even more melon taste to the whole experience.

Up next! Pan-seared Kurobuta Pork with “Dang Gui” Sauce (当归黑豚肉) for our meat option. (S$22 per serving)
2015-08-09-15-01-00_deco[1]2015-08-09-15-01-38_deco[1]This dish was SO. GOOD. The pork fillet was really tender with bits of fats in between, and the “dang gui” sauce was an interesting and refreshing twist. Something which I hadn’t tasted before elsewhere. *thumbs up*

Our 5th course was Crisp-fried Edamame Tofu with White Truffle and Mushroom Sauce (白松露翡翠碧玉), because I love truffle be it white or black. *cues Michael Jackson’s song “Black or White”* (S$8 per serving)
2015-08-09-15-02-54_deco[1]2015-08-09-15-03-24_deco[1]It didn’t disappoint me! The white truffle taste was strong enough yet not overpowering, and went really well with the crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside edamame tofu. I can have 2 to 3 servings of this at one go.

Because I really love truffle, I chose for my main dish to be Stir-fried Angel Hair Pasta with Black Truffle Sauce with Assorted Seafood (黑松露海鲜天使面) (S$12 per serving)
2015-08-09-15-04-33_deco[1]Lovely truffle smell whiffed past my nose, and its taste filled up my whole mouth when I tasted the pasta. Plus I’m more of a seafood than meat person, hence I was happy to see chunks of fresh scallops and prawns in this dish as well (as with all the previous dishes with seafood too).

Sadly, we’ve come to the last course of this sumptuous meal for the day. To end on an sweeter note, we chose 2 different types of desserts to try out.
Warm Double-boiled Hashima with American Ginseng and Red Dates (温泡参红枣炖雪蛤). (S$12.80 per serving)
2015-08-09-15-05-57_deco[1]Coupled with a generous portion of hashima, I can already feel the collagen taking their spot under my face skin after consuming it.

Combination of Chilled Mango Puree, Black Glutinous Rice with Ice Cream and Pumpkin Pastry (甜品三品 — 杨枝甘露,黑糯米伴雪糕,南瓜饼). (S$10.80 per serving)
2015-08-09-15-08-29_deco[1]2015-08-09-15-10-54_deco[1]2015-08-09-15-09-35_deco[1]One scoop of the refreshing mango puree, one bite of the chewy pumpkin pastry, then one small spoonful of the black glutinous rice with coconut ice cream. More than perfect ending! So satisfying! *smack lips*

Next time when you are having a headache on where to bring your family and friends for celebrations and gatherings, why not go to Taste Paradise and check out their exciting new menu! I guarantee you will not be disappointed! *wide grin*

.Food.Tasting.at.Paradise.Inn.


Couple of days back, Ving had the honor to be invited to a food tasting session at Paradise Inn at Marina Square.
Started 7 years ago, Paradise Inn is the third culinary concept initiated by Paradise Group and is currently the brand with the most number of outlets island-wide. As her brand tagline suggests, Paradise Inn aims to be an all-in-one dining concept — a restaurant, tea-house, as well as dessert place. Therefore, the focus of the menu is circled around these three main areas.

Paradise Inn‘s main menu offers nostalgic and familiar home-cooked dishes that are popular among local Chinese. One can easily call these ‘comfort food’ or ‘grandma’s dishes’. Think of them as simple, heart-warming and nothing pretentious. Like how a granny would have cooked it, the quality of the ingredients used and affordability are the main concerns when these dishes are concocted. 2014-06-19-11-37-04_deco[1]Paradise Inn’s current revamped menu’s version is already the fourth, combining the best and most popular dishes from all the past versions. Paradise InnSo let’s check out what awesome dishes Ving and buddy be served today!!!
Starting out with some lovely drinks… 2014-06-19-11-41-55_deco[1]Left: Floral & Herb-infused Hot Tea (S$3.80++ per person)
Our combination was Lily Flower + Forget Me Not + Dried Longan + Chrysanthemum.
Benefits: Nourishes lungs. Relieves cough. Detoxifies the body and has beauty enhancing properties.
It smells and tastes light and floral, with notes from chrysanthemum at the end.
Nice to have it after a heavy meal!
Bonus for the presentation aspect, whereby it comes in a nice little teapot and kept warm with a burning candle at the bottom.

Right: Fruit-infused Ice Tea (S$4.20++ per glass)
We chose the Elderflower and Melon combination, which was very refreshing and suitable for Singapore’s hot weather!
It was gone in no time!

Before the mains were served, a strong supporting actor came into the scene…
Stewed Pork Belly served with Lotus Bun, S$2.60++ per piece 2014-06-19-11-43-11_deco[1]I’m usually not a fan of pork belly, but gosh Paradise Inn sure knows how to do this dish well.
Having been simmered for hours, the meat is so tender with the right amount of fats melting in your mouth, coupled with the homemade sauce and sweet soft lotus bun.
My gosh. Every bite feels like heaven.
Can I have one more piece, please?!

Then came one of our main leads for the day…
Traditional Double-Boiled Black Chicken Ginseng Soup, S$23.90++ per pot 2014-06-19-11-53-52_deco[1]Ingredients used:
Black Chicken + Ginseng + American Ginseng + Spare Ribs + Lean Meat + Chicken + Chicken Feet

Benefits:
Nourishes lungs. Improves blood circulation. Rejuvenates the body.
Every spoonful of it oozing with goodness! 2014-06-19-11-57-38_deco[1]It was light and very flavorful, no doubt that it had been double-boiled for hours.
Plus it doesn’t cause your mouth to have this greasy feel at all.
I can totally have at least 3 bowls of this!

Hot-Plate Tofu with Preserved ‘Cai Xin’ and Minced Pork, S$11.90++ 2014-06-19-11-47-37_deco[1]I’ve always been a fan of hot-plate tofu (a must-have for me during zi-char sessions).
Generous portion of bursting flavors, coupled with a big tofu that’s crispy on the outside but soft and silky on the inside.
I can literally consume the whole thing by myself! >.<

Sauteed French Beans with Dried Shrimps and Preserved Turnip, S$12.90++ 2014-06-19-11-52-32_deco[1]Only one word to describe this dish: CRUNCHY
It was actually rather addictive to keep munching on this dish ‘cos of its crunchiness.
But of ‘cos the yumminess played a big part too!

Crisp-Fried Crystal Prawns with Salted Egg Yolk, S$18.90++ 2014-06-19-11-51-08_deco[1]One of my all-time favourite (though very sinful) dishes in Paradise restaurants.
I first tried this in Canton Paradise, and have never gotten enough of its taste.
Was so happy to find it in Paradise Inn too!!
The richness of the salted egg yolk you can never forget, couple with big prawns crisp-fried to the right degree

. Supreme Seafood Fried Rice, S$12.90++ 2014-06-19-11-55-27_deco[1]I’m super love fried rice, and this is what I would call the “Golden Fried Rice“.
Paradise Inn isn’t stingy with the ingredients at all, with chunky bits of fresh prawns and scallops.
Plus point which differentiates this from other fried rice:
They added in fish roe, which contributes to this slight crunchiness when u are chewing your rice.
Gosh…. I can eat this everyday.

The spread!!
2014-06-19-12-04-26_deco[1]Happy and satisfied (and super full) us after the treat!!
2014-06-19-12-26-27_deco[1]Thank you very much for the sumptuous meal, Paradise Inn!!! ^_^ *throws confetti*

.days.of.ving’s.life.:.hongkong.episode.2.


WELCOME BACK ! ! !

In this post, I’ll share with you guys what I did / where I went on the 2nd day of my Hong Kong trip!!!
(In case you missed out Day 1’s, here’s it!!!)

After a good night’s rest, we begin the day with a hearty meal at this Golden Sand Restaurant (or rather, a Hong Kong cafe) that’s just across from our hotel!
Glimpse of my jacket for the day that comes with a big hoodie!!! Love it!!!
Address: 85-87 Ivy Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong
Station: Olympic (Exit B1/C1)
Hours: Daily 630am – 12am
Contact: (852) 2392-4919

Big portions of food!!
Black Pepper Chicken Chop on Hotplate / Seafood Baked Rice
Happy with my food choice!!!
Also, bonus point for this restaurant was that it came with 2 cute chefs!
The kitchen was kinda open concept so I fed my eyes very well too! *chuckles*
After filling our tummies, time to explore some parts of Hong Kong!
1st stop: Sham Shui Po area.
This area came into the headlines last year end  ‘cos some scenes for a Hollywood mega blockbuster were being filmed there.
Can you guess which movie is it??? *drumroll*

TRANSFORMERS 4 ! ! ! ! !

Check out these links if you are interested to know more about the filming!
English: http://as.reddit.com/r/Moviesinthemaking/comments/1oy6a1/transformers_4_being_filmed_in_sham_shui_po_hong/
Mandarin: http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/entertainment/art/20131021/18472226

Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po is more commonly known as 鴨寮街, a street consisting of a large flea market selling ALL sorts of electronic/electrical components and related products.
I bought 2 casings for my Note 3 from here!
Another known street in Sham Shui Po is Yu Chau Street, 汝州街.
Most people who are the crafty type will, in one way or another, know or have heard of this street.
It is literally a treasure heaven for them (me included!), with shops and shops selling beads, ribbons, buttons, fabrics, and lotsa party items!
The huge selection range for any single item is AMAZING…..
I totally resisted myself from buying ALL the colors/styles back.
Do check out the area if you are in Hong Kong and looking for materials for your handicrafts!
Next up on our list was a place which I’d been super looking forward to go even before the trip.
It is often in the Top 3 places to go to if you are looking for those collectors items.
Come to think of it, I’d been to Hong Kong couple of times but this was the 1st time I got to visit this place.
If you guys have followed my stuff, you’ll know I absolutely LOVE toy figurines and have a small collection of them.
So……. No prizes for guessing correctly the place which I’m referring to! *drumroll*

CTMA CENTRE ! ! ! ! !

Address: 1N Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mongkok
Station: Yau Ma Tei (Exit A2) / Mongkok (Exit E2)
A heaven for figurine collectors…….!
I WANNA CREATE A SPACE IN MY HOME FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. . .
*building-castles-in-the-sky-in-progress*
Do. Not. Disturb.
There’s an area for some women’s wear too!
When I finally managed to tear myself away from CTMA Centre, I realised my tummy’s orchestra was happily churning out lovely music.
Time for dinner!
Walking along the happening street towards dinner place (which was just a short walk over from CTMA Centre)…
Almost missed this huge ass signboard of our chosen buffet dinner venue.
I’d heard good reviews on Little Sheep Mongolian Hotpot, so here I was!

Address: 16, 16A & 16B Argyle Street, Mongkok Commercial Centre, G/F to 4/F, Shop E, Mongkok
Station: Mongkok (Exit C4)
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am – 12am / Sat-Sun 10am – 12am
Contact: (852) 2396-8816
I don’t usually eat mutton ‘cos there’s always this smell in the meat (I wasn’t exactly a meat lover to begin with).
B U T
I actually wiped out countless thinly-sliced mutton pieces from this hotpot place.
Combined with the soup bases, S O G O O D . . .
I can feel the warmth of the sun that appeared behind me after consuming this delish dish.
(Or maybe it’s the warmth from the Ma La soup base in my tummy.)
After staying for almost 3 hours at Little Sheep, I went back to the hotel with a tummy that grew twice the size.
Couldn’t resist a round at 7-11 before bed-time.
LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!
Tidbits with my current obsession!!!
N A M E K O . . .
(Recently a friend discovered a shop at Dhoby Ghaut Xchange selling these snacks too!)
Favorite Dreyer’s in a cone!!!
Y SINGAPORE NO HAVE? ? ?
Loot of the day!!! *throws confetti*
Got a whole box with 8 different designs! Couldn’t resist!
Episode 3 of this trip will be out real soon! Stay tuned!!!

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.8


BIG HELLO EVERYONE!!!
Welcome to the 8th, as well as the last episode of Cooking Series in Mad Season 1!!!
This happens to be the final episode of the whole of Mad Season 1 too!!! *SOBXXX*

Tears aside!!!
Today Ving will be whipping up a healthy meal to mark the end of the season!
First thingy of coz is to go grocery shopping for ingredients!
This time at a wet market instead of supermarket!
Choosing Mushrooms!!
Done! Awaiting the stall holder to pack up and charge for the items!
Ingredients:
Brinjal (Eggplant) / Broccoli / Carrots / Capsicum / Cherry Tomatoes / Corn / Cucumber / Edamame / Golden Mushrooms / Gourd / Hotdogs / Longans / Mozzarella Cheese / Pineapple / Potatoes / Pumpkin / Shitake Mushrooms / Tofu
For today!
We’ll have a soup, a stir-fried vegetable dish, a baked dish, as well as some grilled vegetables.
Let’s prepare all the ingredients first!
Cooking time!!

1. Soup!
— Place all the chopped ingredients (Carrot + Corn + Golden Mushrooms + Gourd + Tofu + Miso Paste) into pot, add water and leave to boil.
— Add some Pepper and Salt for flavoring.

2. Baked Dish!
— Place some chopped ingredients onto a plate layered with Aluminium Foil (Brinjal + Capsicum + Potatoes + Pumpkin + Shitake Mushrooms)
— Add some Mozzarella Cheese on top of the ingredients, then leave to bake in the oven
3. Stir-fry Vegetables!
— Heat up frying pan with some Olive Oil
— Add in the chopped ingredients (Brinjal + Broccoli + Capsicum + Hotdogs + Pineapple + Shitake Mushrooms) and stir-fry
— Add some Multi-purpose Sauce and Black Pepper for flavoring
4. Grilled Vegetables!
— Smear minimal Sea Salt onto the sides of the sliced ingredients (Brinjal + Pumpkin + Shitake Mushroom)
— Heat the non-stick pan with some Olive Oil
— Place the pieces of Vegetables onto the pan and grill till golden brown
Optional side dish: Edamame!
Dessert: Longans!
Time to eat!!! ITTADAKIMASU!!!!
With this, Ving shall conclude the end of Cooking Series, as well as the end of Mad Season 1!!!
I sincerely hope that every one of you had enjoyed all the episodes in the various series for this season!!!
HUGE THANKS for all your support and patronage to this page, and also to Cycliclapse.com!!!

Do await! While we work even harder to bring you more interesting content!!!
TILL NEXT TIME!!! *throws confetti & pops party poppers*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.4.


大家好!!!!
Welcome back, and to the 4th Episode of Cooking Series in Mad Season 1!!!!
TGIF!!!!

For today!!!
Dinner being served yesterday was Chinese food whipped up by Ving.

Ingredients!!
Broccoli / Carrot / Corn / Edamame / Golden Mushrooms / Hotdogs / Onions / Potatoes / Rice Cakes / Tofu
Miso Paste / Multi-purpose Sauce / Pepper Grinded (both Black and White) / Two Rabbits Chilli Paste

1st Step:
Prepare ingredients.
2nd Step:
Cook soup.
1  Fill up your pot with X amount of water, depending on how much soup you want.
2. Add in some Miso Paste, stir it for it to dissolve, and leave it to boil.
3. When it’s boiling, add in Carrots, Corn, Onions and Potatoes.
4. Boil them on high fire for about 5-7 minutes, then switch to lower fire.
5. Add in Golden Mushrooms and Tofu, plus both Black and White Grinded Pepper.
6. Leave the soup to simmer till you want to serve
3rd Step:
Heat up 2 small pots of water, then add in Rice Cakes and Edamame into individual pot to boil for awhile (in order to soften them first).

4th Step:
Cook Broccoli dish.
1. Heat up some oil on your frying pan.
2. Add Onions and stir fry.
3. Add Broccoli in, then couple of minutes later add Rice Cakes and continue stir frying.
4. Add in Multi-purpose Sauce and Two Rabbits Chilli Paste, then mix them in evenly. (You can skip the chilli paste if you do not want the dish to be spicy.)
5. Add in Hotdogs and cook for another 2 minutes.
5th Step:
SERVE!!!
It’s rather easy to whip up these 2 simple dishes, so start cooking something today!!!

Kindly support us!!!! Thankssssss!!!! *juggles broccoli*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.3.


ANNYOHASAEYO!!!!
Welcome back, and to the 3rd Episode of the Cooking Series in our Mad Season 1!!!
Have you tried out the recipes in the previous episodes???

For today!!!
Ving tried whipping up a Korean-Japanese (2 of my favourite cuisines) fusion dinner.
Here are the ingredients:
Chicken / Korean Rice Cakes / Hotdogs / Straw Mushrooms / Tofu / Kimchi / Edamame / Seaweed / Cabbage / Carrots / Japanese Miso Soup Base / Onions / Oil / Korean Chilli Paste / Tteokbokki Sauce / Multi-purpose Sauce
1st Step:
Thaw the Chicken for Spicy Chicken Stew.
2nd Step:
Prepare the ingredients.
3rd Step:
Start cooking!

For me, I started with the Miso Soup first.
1. Fill up your pot with water (up to you on how much soup you want then fill up accordingly, with bit of excess for evaporation during simmering).
2. Add in Miso Paste (if you prefer it more flavorful, add more).
3. When it started boiling, add in the Tofu cubes.
4. Leave it to simmer while you prepare the Chicken Stew.
5. At in some Seaweed before serving.

4th Step:
Start on Spicy Chicken Stew.
1. Soften the Rice Cakes by placing them in boiling water for couple of minutes, then drain them and put them aside.
2. Pour some oil into pot, then stir fry some Onions.
3. Add Cabbage and Carrots in.
4. Add in Korean Chilli Paste, Tteokbokki Sauce and Multi-purpose Sauce, then mix all evenly.
5. Add in one small packet of Kimchi, then Straw Mushrooms and Hotdogs.
6. Simmer for awhile.
7. Add in the Rice Cakes that had been softened, add well as the diced Chicken meat.
8. Mix all together evenly, then simmer for awhile more.
Serve!!!
Makgeolli (Makkoli) optional!
Verdict:
S. U. C. C. E. S. S.
Do stay tuned for the 4th Episode of Building Series which will be up on coming Monday!!!
Kindly support us!!!! Thankssssss!!!! *juggles tteokbokki*

.if.ving.can.cook.,.so.can.you.!.(.part.2.0.).

So Ving took up a challenge in preparing a potluck feast for 12 adults and 4 kids.
Time for grocery shopping!
You think that’s all??
There’s more!! (Looking like an overload of Enoki mushrooms.)
The dishes prepared are….. *drum roll*

1. Chilled Tofu Salad
(tofu + cherry tomatoes + japanese sauce)
2. Cabbage Soup
(cabbage + corn + baby carrots + white radish + enoki mushrooms + onions + white pepper + sea salt + sugar)
3. Honey Chicken Drumlets
(drumlets + honey + soy sauce + chinese wine)
** Too chaotic that day forgot to take pictures of this dish!!

4. Herb-spiced Mid-joints
(mid-joints + mixed fresh herbs + honey + black pepper + soy sauce + sea salt)
5. Stir-fry Vegetables
(broccoli + capsicums + fishballs + enoki mushrooms + garlic + onions + oyster sauce + sea salt + sugar)
6. Pan-seared Dory Fillets with Sauteed Mushrooms
(dory fillets + shimeji mushrooms + onions + garlic + olive oil + black pepper + sea salt)
7. Stir-fry Soba with Asparagus & Mushrooms
(dried soba noodles + asparagus + white button mushrooms + garlic + sesame oil + japanese soy sauce + sugar)
8. Stir-fry Angel’s Hair Pasta
(angel’s hair pasta + baby carrots + corn + garlic + olive oil + black pepper + sea salt)
9. Grass Jelly & Longans Dessert
(grass jelly + longans)
Conclusion:
It was totally not easy cooking for such a big group of people!
Kind of estimated the portions wrongly haha so there were quite a bit of leftovers, plus it can get real chaotic in the kitchen.
Also, the sequence in cooking the different dishes needed to be planned out proper.
Nonetheless, it was an awesome first time experience!
(Though after this, Ving stayed away from the kitchen for about two weeks, not wanting to lay hands on the pots and pans at all.)