Merry Christmas With a Simple Tomato and Garlic Basil Capellini

It's amazing how time flies, and Christmas is here and gone. I just realised that I have been blogging here for over a year!

And in that time, it has been an extremely fulfilling period, meeting all sorts of people and making new friends everywhere.

Hong Kong Adventures - sky100 and Kowloon Harbour

The past week, Pauline and myself made Hong Kong this year's vacation trip, and quite specifically, we decided to venture to this colorful city entirely on our own.

To savor HK in its entirety, you simply have to do this on foot, for no amount of coach and car travel can really get you close to the actual atmosphere that is HK.

Sembawang White Bee Hoon

I have never been real big on bee hoon dishes, so it came as a surprise that I actually found a favorite place for having this rather simple but yet, very tasty dish in the vicinity of Sembawang.

Located in a coffeeshop called You Huak Restaurant, this place is usually packed during lunch and dinner, and its quite common to see long queues forming just to wait for a table here. So, how good is it?

Chong Pang Nasi Lemak - Best Nasi Lemak and Best Fried Chicken

I was told about this Chong Pang Nasi Lemak by a couple of knowledgeable foodies, and when I first sighted this humbly looking kopitiam, my expectations were to say the least, moderate.

Little would I realize that this place would be serving the best concoction of nasi lemak that I have ever tasted. And then some. Without a doubt, this is the pinnacle of nasi lemak nirvana.

Hooked on Heads at Sin Ming Plaza - Delicious Assam Curry Fish Head

I was fiddling around the new ihawker app, which is the iPhone version of the ieatishootipost blog, and it is really quite fascinating. There is this one feature where you can find his famous posts using your current location.

And there I was one day, after having my bak kut teh at Sin Ming, when I was trying to figure out what else was good around here, that I discovered Hooked on Head through this app and feature.

Shin Minori Japanese Restaurant at UE Square

I used to remember Hanabi at King's Arcade many years back when a bunch of my buddies would go there for the great Japanese buffet fare there.

Since then, the ownership has changed hands and somehow, it just wasn't quite the same as before. So it was a pleasant surprise to discover that the original owner, Angeline has since started a new and similar Japanese buffet styled place at UE Square.

Ravioli With Seafood Cream and Butter Sauce

It has been awhile since my last recipe, so I thought I'd do a new dish over the weekend, and inspired by something that Masterchef Peter did.

It is actually one of my simplest recipes, and this can be quickly done in less than half an hour, and very sumptuous at the same time.

Prince Coffee House at Beach Road

Mention Han's and Jack's Place, and one will immediately conjure up images and flavors of classic Hainanese cooking.

And such Hainanese delicacies tend to fuse both western and chinese cooking. Haninese pork chops with sirloin steaks. And this is where Han's and Jack's Place have succeeded so well.

Hong Qin Fish and Duck Porridge at Geylang - Best Duck Porridge in Singapore

When I was covering the story for Thye Moh Chan, I happened to chance upon this corner food stall near the main road, just opposite Thye Moh Chan.

I thought I would be having an average bowl of porridge, but it turned out to be one of the best bowls of porridge I ever had. And personally, I have been very big on duck porridge.

Subhani Family Stall in Clementi - Best Sup Kambing in Singapore

Truth be told, I am not a regular consumer of sup kanbing, or for that matter, mee goreng and many other sumptuous Malay dishes.

Reason is I always find most sup kambings have a strong smell of mutton, which can be quite off-putting to me and to Pauline, especially.

Think Different - Remembering Steve Jobs

Today is a sad day for everyone, and truly, this passing of a great man affects on a universal level that has never been seen since Lennon died on that fateful day in 1980.

Steve Jobs, innovator, expert salesman, CEO and father, was more than just your average technology chief. He was, as he himself said, a bridge between the liberal arts and technology.

Penang Seafood Restaurant - An Excellent Penang Prawn Noodle and Assam Laksa Place

Truth be told, I have always been more of a fan of the Katong Laksa variant, and recently, I just stated that Sungei Laksa gets my vote as my personal favorite of all laksas out there.

But I was brought recently to this delightful and charming place just next to Aljunied MRT Station, which serves one of the best, if not, the best Penang Assam Laksa locally.

Lau Ah Tee Bak Kut Teh at Whampoa, Next to Boon Keng MRT

Having been to Whampoa West a couple of times, I have begun to realize that there are a lot of very traditional Teochew eateries and restaurants surrounding this place.

I was brought to this very excellent bak kut teh place by the Master of Chinese Tea himself, Kenry Peh. And I was certainly was not disappointed by the fare presented here.

Goh Su Yong - A Singapore Music Treasure

Goh Su Yong was a gentleman I met during my TV interview, the reporter had wanted his views on how new technology is used in music, and how from a traditional perspective, would he be able to embrace such new technologies.

After that remarkable day, Mr Goh and I managed to get together a number of times at his music and school and attempted to collaborate together, and although it was difficult at first, we eventually manage to make some great music together.

Freshly Baked By Le Bijoux - The Best Chocolate Sponge Cake in Singapore

During my many times past Killiney Road, I have never noticed this little but very well positioned bakery near the beginning of the street.

It is owned by Ms Audrey Tan, a fabulous baker who churns out all sorts of baking goodness daily, from breads to cakes.

Niu Che Shui Famous Glutinous Rice - The Best Glutinous Rice

I have never savored sweet glutinous rice until I was informed of this very famous stall in Chinatown Complex Food Centre, a place I have been to on many occasions.

In fact, this stall has been in existence for more than 40 years, and the owner himself has been working diligently for this amount of time.

Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly - Best Grass Jelly or Chin Chow in Singapore, Endorsed by President Nathan

During Chan Wai's visit here for his food chronicles, there was a day when he and Rex needed something soothing to detoxify the amount food they had consumed.

Immediately, one will think of grass jelly as the cooling agent to partake to reduce heat and aid digestion. It is also know here as Chin Chow in Mandarin and Hokkien.

The Mooncake Melodies - Celebrating 2011's Mid-Autumn and Lantern Festival, Featuring Yam Ah Mee

As we are about to approach 2011's Mid-Autumn Festival, I would like to contribute to this year's festival in my own way. No, I am not contributing a mooncake recipe, nor am I close to anything near that.

Instead, my musical instincts have led me to write and record a special musical album for this occasion called The Mooncake Melodies.

Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake in Maxwell Market

Until recently, I have never tasted an oyster cake before, and it was a friend of mine who is very well versed with the inner trappings of Maxwell Market that led me to this stall one afternoon.

Run by a very friendly lady boss, this stall serves nothing but oyster cakes, and from the looks of it, they are selling a bunch of these really well.

Sirloin Wine - More Music From the Silver Chef, My Second Album On CDBaby and iTunes

It has been a very busy past month or so, both with my food adventures with Chan Wai, scouring all over Singapore to find unique Singaporean dishes, and this, my second album.

As my follow-up to Silverfish, this has been a very exhilarating and satisfying experience and process. If anything, I believe I have pushed the boundaries of recording music on iPad to its limits with this latest collection.

Thye Moh Chan Cake House - A Piece of Singapore History About to be Lost Forever With Video

Traditional chinese pastry shops are rare these days, and as time passes, they will get even less, which is a very sad reality.

Last week, I was proud to present Tong Heng here, and it is heartwarming to see that its present generation of owners continuing to preserve its legacy.

iPad Music and GarageBand Workshop at Woodland RC Zone 1

Making music on the iPad has been so fulfilling and satisfying over the last couple of months, having been featured in the media as well.

As I am now working on the follow-up to Silverfish, I was also approached by some friends and other enthusiasts who felt I should consider conducting some lessons on music using the iPad.

Chan Wai, Food Writer Extraordinaire With Video

If you have been noticing on my last couple of posts, there has been a constant mention of this wonderful gentleman by the name of Chan Wai, who just so happens to be one of Hong Kong's best food critics.

Chan Chun Wai, (Chan Wai for short), is a freelance food and travel writer and goes all over the globe to find the best in cuisine and food. He is basically Asia's Anthony Bourdain.

Tong Heng - The Ultimate and Best Egg Tarts in Singapore

Traditional Chinese bakeries are a rare sight these days, and even more remote outside the confines of our Chinatown. But just on the edge of Chinatown, is this very popular shop that has made its name in egg tarts.

According to its present generation of owners, the history of Tong Heng stretches back to almost a century, and the tradition is very much kept alive today.

Rich and Good Cake Shop at Kandahar Street With Video - Best Swiss Roll in Singapore

If you enjoy a good old traditional swiss roll, it is rather hard to find a decent one these days. Especially one that is fully handmade and tastes like it was made many years ago.

Well, fret no more as I have recently located one right in the heart of Kandahar Street, and is even quaintly housed in a shophouse settting that simply oozes tradition.

Zai Shun Curry Fish Head at Jurong East - Forget Me Not Fish 忘不了鱼, The Mystical Fish of the West With Video

Steamed fish has always been a Chinese favorite and  very often, the most expensive component on a menu in restaurants and zhe char places alike.

Yet, I was almost dumbfounded when I was told that there was a fish in a Jurong East coffeeshop that was selling steamed fish going for more than $100 a kilogram.

Silverfish Remix

I have enjoyed so much creating Silverfish on the iPad using Garageband, that it was inevitable that I would revisit some of the music there to produce something extra.

And way back in the 80s, I remembered how much I enjoyed buying 12 inch vinyl singles containing different mixes of my favorite songs.

Mystery Chef Dish 1 - Laksa Risotto

Remember one of my earliest posts and recipes, the one on laksa risotto? Well, I have decided that this was such a unique dish, that I have gotten a professional chef to perfect it.

But rather then to tell you who this exquisite and talented chef is, I will only share with you only the picture of this beautiful dish for now.

The Master Of Chinese Tea - Pek Sin Choon With Video

Chinese tea is akin to wine when it comes to cuisine and food pairing. And for those who enjoy a delicious bowl of bak kut teh, chinese tea is a must to go along with.

I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert on this subject, and will not even attempt to explain the various teas from Jasmine to Dragonwell.

White Wine Beef Stew With Pappardelle

It has been awhile since I last cooked some stew at home, and over the weekend, I decided to whip up the classic beef stew, with a slight twist.

Instead of using red wine, I decided to go for a lighter flavor base with a dry white wine as the base for this gorgeous dish, topped off with some beautiful pappardelle.

Sungei Road Laksa - Best Laksa in Singapore

I have had my fair share of Katong Laksa, and other variants of this popular local dish. But today, I just discovered the pinnacle of all things Laksa.

Located in Kelantan Road, Sungei Road Laksa is a humble stall in a typical coffeeshop, but manned by a family of 3 when I was there.

Apricot Brandy Snowskin Mooncake

I was very honored to sample a very special mooncake last week at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Chef Sheldon Tan, who is the executive chef there, was eager to share his latest creation with the Silver Chef.

In addition to this uniquely flavored mooncake, he also had 3 other special snowskin mooncakes on offer and each was a delight in itself.

Bali Nasi Lemak at Geylang Lorong 15

Nasi Lemak is such a common breakfast fare that sometimes one can take for granted the effort that goes in preparing the components that make up this delightful meal.

And Mrs Fong and her family have been doing this business for more than a decade, braving through tough times to build up a very reputable and popular nasi lemak outlet in the heart of Geylang.

From Musician to Chef - Lynnette Seah at Rubato With Video

If this past week was about my transition from cooking to music, I was equally fortunate enough to be involved in another event that was just the other way around.

Lynnette Seah is not only our Singapore Symphony Orchestra co-leader, but an extremely celebrated and accomplished violinist. She happens to be a great cook too.

Silverfish - The Music of The Silver Chef

In my previous posts, I have always mentioned how much I use the iPhone to take pictures and video, and even edit entire videos on the Apple device. Well, recently I have gotten an iPad ...

And Steve was not wrong when he said that the iPad is a magical device. Yup, it really is amazing at the amount of things you never thought you could, or even wanted to do on this Apple tablet.

SaladStop! at One George Street Next to OCBC Building With Video

I have never been a big salad person, and I believe that applies to most food lovers too. There's something that is very stripped down, flavor wise when it comes to eating just greens.

But recently, my trip to SaladStop! has somewhat made me a convert. And for good reason too. It came as a surprise then that having a bowl of salad can comprise of interesting flavors and taste.

Toa Payoh Hwa Heng Beef Noodle

Ever since my visit to my favorite beef noodle stall at Kovan Ri Yi, Bobcat has been telling me try out this also very notable beef noodle place at Maude Road, and finally, I managed to make a trip there.

I undersand this used to be the famous Odeon beef noodle many eons back, but unfortunately, I never had the recollection of visiting this during those heydays. And for some reason, their stall name actually says Toa Payoh. Hmmm.

Northern Thai Opposite Jalan Besar Plaza

I have never been a real fan of Thai food, as for some reason, I have always found the heat in Thai food a tad too overpowering to really taste the subtlety of the flavors underneath.

Despite that, I do enjoy my sometimes foray into more high end thai cuisine at Renn Thai for the lovely fishcakes and green curry. But last week, I was treated to a really wonderful Thai meal in the most unlikeliest of places.

Garlic Linguine With Black Truffle - A Tribute to Mr. Chiam See Tong

On Sunday morning, Mr Chiam See Tong was no longer an elected Member of Parliament, and that in itself, was a sad event, for he has served an unprecendented 27 years as an elected Opposition MP.

To Mr Chiam, who contested in my GRC this year, I was both moved and inspired by his courage and sincereity, two factors that contributed to his immense popularity in Potong Pasir all these years.

Lemon Butter Chicken Breasts With Shrimp and Celery - A Singapore General Elections 2011 Special Dish

The general elections was upon us Singaporeans this past weekend, and after nearly 2 decades, I finally had the opportunity to cast my vote as a citizen.

Indeed, this year's election has been somewhat of a historic one, with the first ever victory by an opposition party in a GRC, and the use of social and new media by the parties in an effort to win the votes of the younger generation.

Pan Roasted Snapper with Lemon Celery Puree

Seems like I have been doing quite a fair bit of pasta cooking the past few weeks, so this past weekend, I decided to play around more with protein based dishes.

A lot of cooking is about understanding flavor profiles, and being creative about mixing different flavors to create something new and fresh, and this week, I would like to make something out of lemon and celery.

Classic Spaghetti Vongole

For those who have noticed, I have a recent fetish with pasta dishes, and I have been honing my pasta skills and for that, I have a special mentor too.

The thing about pasta is that cooking it is really very simple, but mastering it and creating genuine tasty pasta dishes is really something else.

Truffle Penne With Garlic Bacon

I was so enchanted with the penne dish I had at Sky 57 that I had always wanted to recreate this dish at home someday, and finally that day has arrived.

But alas, I did not have the luxury of Alaska smoked bacon nor white truffles, so had to make do with far modest ingredients for my own penne dish. Surprisingly, it turned out far better than I had hoped.

Ice Edge Cafe With Video

Part of the fun of writing this blog is to really discover gems that would have totally escaped our eyes, if not for enthusiastic friends who fervently bring new and excellent eateries to our attention.

Ice Edge Cafe at Simon Plaza in Kovan, is one such cafe that exudes joy and satisfaction. Thanks to a very special guest, who took the trouble to bring winekaki and myself there.

Mushroom Ragout Breakfast

This past weekend, Pauline and I were both down with the flu and basically stayed at home the entire weekend. While it was a rather dreary time, it also gave me the opportunity to do a bit more cooking.

I had this idea for breakfast on Sunday, as I just had a nice tea buffet at Lawry's a couple of days earlier, and they had this simple but delightful mushroom ragout with garlic toast, and I decided to replicate this somewhat.

Mushroom Linguine

It was at Rubato's that Pauline and I had this terrific mushroom tagliatelle made by Chef Peter Neo that had me mesmerised for days.

It was off menu and is still so, though I had suggested to the owner to make it part of the regular menu as it was such a beautiful dish of pasta.

An Evening With Susur Lee With Video

Ever since Pauline and I saw Susur Lee on Top Chef Masters, we were rooting for him all the way until the finals, which unfortunately, he lost by the narrowest of margins.

So, when I was graciously invited by DBS Indulge and HungryGoWhere to attend a master class, jointly organised by DBS and the Asian Food Channel, I had no hesitation in saying Yes!

Tiger Prawn Capellini

This would have been called tiger prawn risotto, had it not been for a last minute decision to cook pasta instead of risotto.

Nevertheless, the resulting dish was just as appealing as my original idea for a shrimp risotto, and in some ways, might have just turned out better.

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice 天天海南鸡饭

Despite having so much chicken rice in the last few months, I have not had the chance to sample one of the most talked about Hainanese chicken rice in town, namely, Tian Tian.

So, it was without hesitation, when one of my golf buddies suggested we go Maxwell Market one afternoon that I agreed with the intention of checking this very famous chicken rice eatery.

Chinese Sausage Linguine

It's strange how you can take the unlikeliest of ingredients and make an edible dish out of it, and that is exactly what I did this weekend.

My mum, who has always had this notion that she is the best cook in the family (which belongs to my late Dad, by the way), decided to hand us some chinese sausages.