"OLD" CAFE IN MY NEIGHBOURHOOD

15/11/2013

When a cafe/restaurant has been operating for a long time in the same neighbourhood, it surely is a testimony that there must be something good about the place. 

It could be that the food is fresh and tasty and not too much MSG being use maybe! You know,  that thirsty feeling you get after having meals outside at certain places.   There are certain "bestseller" dishes that could be everybody's favourite  as they are still on the menu. 

It could also mean that the service is good and efficient.  The customers instantly feel that they have come "home for meals" when they stepped inside. The staff are welcoming,  whether you just want a light meal or there is a group of you for family meals.  They also give recommendations and suggestions appropriately  and not just pushing the expensive items at you. 

Most important it could be that the prices are reasonable.  In these times of rising costs they are able to offer decent value meals, that a definitely a winner.

The above are my personal criteria for having a meal at any restaurant. I am talking about the GAIA Bistro in my neighbourhood.

The cafe has undergone renovations and the interior is conducive for that weekend casual family dinner.

The bestseller items - Fried Tung Fun - Thai style... mildly  spicy and very appetising.

Homemade beancurd with pumpking puree-

So, it is another item off the list for Jeremy wedding when I made the booking for  lunch.   I have decided not to cater for a buffet lunch on the wedding day but instead to have a proper lunch at this cafe.  At least there would be wastage of food as there is always leftovers from buffet.  It would save the problem of cleaning up thereafter.  Besides it will be more relaxing for everyone to dine in the comfort with air-conditioning and table service as well. 

 

CREAM CHEESE AND SPINACH PIZZA

11/11/2013

Whenever I see spinach ("poh chai") in the market, I could buy a big bunch.

I normally blanch them in boiling water for a 2-3 minutes.   Immediately remove and place them into a bowl of ice water to stop further cooking.  Drain and squeeze out as much water as possible and packed them into the freezer.  I  could use them for quiche and pizza. 

Since I had some leftover cream cheese from baking a Lemon Cheesecake for my sister J birthday, I decided to bake a Cream Cheese and Spinach pizza for easy weekday dinner.  

I had prepared the pizza dough the previous night.  I used my hand to press the dough out to a thin crust.
This can always be substituted with pre-bought pizza base or paratha or wraps.
Defrost the spinach and squeeze out the water and chopped it up.   Mix the cream cheese with the spinach add pinch of salt and plenty of black pepper.
 

Spread the filling onto the pizza and sprinkle with pine nuts  and bake in pre-heated oven at 200C for around 15 minutes till brown at the edges. 

Enjoy it over the weekend!

RELAX AND HAVE SOME DIM SUM..

13/11/2013

We have often hear this "life is short,  so love the people around you more"!

This is true, I just visited my cousin brother last week and yesterday was his funeral! I am sad by his sudden demise but also glad that we have the last chance to see him.  In fact we were told that he fell down on the same day after we left his house.  But what a testimony at the wake- the large crowd were  mainly his church members and they gave us a glimpse into his personal life.  I was told that he would hike up the hill around his house and then sing praises/hymns every morning.  He was a Chinese school teacher and after his retirement he had been coaching mental arithmetics and basketball to the students- sometimes for free and out of his own pockets! He was one of the likeable cousin and may he rest in peace.     

"Dim sum"- to touching the heart.  So having dim sum together would be a great way to show our love to people around us.  Took my sister to the New Shanghai Cafe at Pavilion for dim sum.   

Esther toasting Aunty May with good health!

Pan Fried Chive Dumplings 

"thanks for dumplings, but this porridge looks good.." 

From left: steamed piggy bun, Layered cake and chee cheong fun.

From top: vegetables dumpling, Siew mai and 

Steamed Glutinous Rice in Lotus leaf

The servings are large and pretty tasty. There is a wide selection of chinese teas available.  However, the cafe is at the corner lot of the food court and hence were rather noisy, not quite the right environment to relax and have a quiet chitchat.

ESCAPADE TO SG. LEMBING -PART 2

24/10/2013

My greatest challenge - was to "conquer this mountain"- around 273m above sea level! I was not at all confident that I could made this climb firstly because of my knees and also my stamina.  However  both my sisters are ardent hikers and hence the main purpose of this trip as we have heard so many great reviews and seen the beautiful photos too.  

After a fairly good night rest, we were up and ready  by 5 a.m. and we drove down to the town centre.

It was around 5 .30 am. as we made our ascent and looking at this photo, I notice that those white spots could be what is called the energy balls in the early morning. There is a stairway with handrails leading up, though in certain places you literally heave yourself up rocks.

We had to stop and rest and to catch our breath now and then.     

the twinkling lights of the village below 

The climb could take around 45-60 minutes depending on your stamina.   Both of my sisters were way ahead of us and by the time we reached the plateau, they were nowhere to be seen.   

This is the view which greeted us at the top...


looking celestial ...


enthralling as the clouds drift and shift around

Finally -the tinge of pink peeking from the horizon 

mystical... see the meandering river below

That's all folks, the sun is not coming out further.

I did it!

Sorry this view was blocked by me... some said that rock in the background is the Gua Charas-

where the statue of the reclining Buddha is located.

When we came down and looked up,  I was amazed that I have actually climbed all that way.

Down to earth... that the Bukit Panorama in the background.

There is another attraction in Sungai Lembing ... the Rainbow Waterfall.   We did not book  the vehicle to the waterfall as we were not sure of the timing.    So if you want to do both the hike and the waterfall on the same day, you have to come down quickly and book the 4-wheel drive to standby as the rainbow over the waterfall can only be seen at the certain time when the sun rises. Must also bring along  extra clothings as you have to cross the river on foot!  

Time to replenish ourselves  to the only food court

Lembing Taufoo...hmm..... soft ...

Rice rolls (Chee Cheong fun) with eggs! Delicious... love this . 

the Yong Tau foo-

Lembing mee- we did not get to visit the noddle makers.

Brillant sales tactics - buy a chopping to cut up the jackfruit! 

one of the many hanging bridges - there is a new bridge new on the right. 

Sungai Lembing - a shallow peaceful river

It  can turn monster during the monsoon... flooding the whole village almost every year.   Due to the annual flooding, there is no petrol station in the town, so do fill up before you enter here otherwise you will be like us - leaving the town with only less than half the tank!.

So we have no choice but to forego our intention to drop by the Gua Charas to see the statue of the reclining Buddha and instead went straight to Kuantan to refill.

We managed to do some shopping for the dried seafood especially this "mui heong" salted fish. Cheap buys and good service from the boss... he was not at all hurried and ruffled with the sudden crowd and happily serving everyone.

We dropped again in Karak to this restaurant...as we promised.  We had our tea break here on our way to Sg. Lembing.   We saw the special dish that the next table was having and promised ourselves that we will definitely come back for lunch here. 

You don't really have to go all the way to Karak ... they have a branch in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail too.

Golden crowns of coconut bread.... smelled good and taste good.

The speciality - Kaya Swiss Rolls  

Typical Cantonese zhong (dumplings)  -  soft rice with plenty of fillings..yum

We did not try this but was informed that it was delicious..

the home brand of soya sauce for all their dishes.

Stir fry kailan .... crunchy and aromatic with chinese wine.

the chef's recommendation - Spring rolls- crispy fried pig's caul enclosing moist juicy meat, dried oysters and vegetables .... 

a bit salty but otherwise.... thumbs up!

Stir fry choy sum (spinach)- tender and sweet

This is what we came for.... Sang Har Mee... drooling again!.

Big fresh succulent  prawns and the wanton mee (sang mee) was lightly fried which soaked up all the beautiful creamy sauce. As the owner said... "must be willing to use fresh ingredients and the end result is good food."

What a satisfying ending for the trip!