APPLE CAKE

Rain and rain.  Everyday has been raining, especially in the afternoon.  Actually I like rainy weather, cold and comfortable. On a quiet day listening to the rain and to savor a slice of cake with a cup of hot tea is an enjoyment in life.

This apple cake tastes better as it keeps longer.  Green apples give the cake a good bite.   

Slice 2 Granny Smith thinly and soak in salt water until ready to use

Peel 3 Granny Smith and dice into cubes.  Boil apples in water (cover the apples) with sugar, cinnamon, vanilla pods and cloves in a saucepan till soft and set aside

250g cake flour, 250g butter, 200g light brown sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 tbsp plain yogurt, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon powder, 1/2 tsp ginger powder, 1 tsp vanilla extra

Cream butter and sugar
Add in vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, and yogurt till mixture is light and fluffy.
Add in diced apples and mix thoroughly
Pour into baking tin.
Drain sliced apples thoroughly and place them on top of cake batter still fully fill
Bake at 170C for 50 mins (Cover the cake with a piece of paper to prevent the cake for being
  browned too early)
Poke cake with skewer and is ready when skewer comes out clean
Glace the apples with jam while cake is still hot

Bits of apple inside the cake

WERNER'S OVEN

The crispy pork knuckle is the attraction that lured us to Werner's Oven located at Upper East Coast Road, and at the same time to celebrate a birthday.  The place though simply decorated but has all the German classics and gives a homely feel once you entered.  They have a little bakery next door that offers awesome bread, pastries and cakes.

With 6 in the family it is a wiser choice to order a big platter for 4 that comes with 4 free glasses of apple spritzer and x'mas dessert sampler.  The platter consists of pork knuckle, roast duck, Virginia ham, sausages, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and pretzel.

Tall glass of diluted apple spritzer

Salty tough pretzel

Extra order of awesome Camembert fritter with cranberry jam.  The cheese was lightly floured and fried to a nice golden brown.  It retained it shape even when cut without oozing out.

Creamy mashed potatoe

Sauerkraut -  a good side dish for meat

Farmer sausages and the well-loved knuckle.  The gorgeous crispy skin with wonderful tender meat to die for.  Every bite is heaven

Roast ducks with tender meat in thick flavorful gravy

Virginia ham  -  a great salty flavor

Great selection of yummy cheese, farmer and garlic sausages

Satisfy and complete meal

X'mas puddings, cookies and fruit cakes to end the meal

Too full to accommodate extra desserts

SHIN KUSHIYA @ VIVOCITY 2

We were like children looking forward for sweet rewards and tried almost all the desserts.  I love the mochi and the portions were big enough to satisfy our cravings.

Mochi ice-cream set served with brown sugar syrup

Match ice-cream with ice-cream and chewy mochi served with red beans and brown sugar syrup

Oven-baked mochi, chewy and crispy served with red beans and roasted soya powder

Matcha ice-cream with matcha mochi, slight bitter

Tofu cheesecake, soft and without much cheese taste

Tiramisu

Soy pudding with red beans and roasted soya powder

Soft and creamy cream brulee without too much caramelized sugar which can be bitter

SHIN KUSHIYA @ VIVOCITY

Japanese restaurants that satisfy customers' sweet tooth are not many.   Shin Kushiya is one Japanese restaurante that not only provides yummy and reasonably priced food but also has a selection of unique desserts to choose from.  The branch in Vivo City has nice ambience with light-wood furniture and bright red seats.  Its seating capacity is big with some facing Sentosa waterfront which are reserved for couples.

Salmon Ikura Don was nice and fragrant with fresh salmon and salmon roe over rice

Pumpkin Croquettes

Pork with mozarella cheese filling

Their specialty charcoal grilled skewers with distinct smoky flavor.  Enoki mushrooms wrapped in pork

Spicy sushi rolled with salmon, avocado

Executive sets

Pasta with mushroom and bacon

Deep fried crispy pork cutlet

To continue with desserts !

I MISS

Came December will think of winter in Hong Kong.  The comfortable icy wind blowing against you as you walk the street.  Even it is icy cold the comfort food to eat after dinner is desserts, be it cold or hot.

Sweet mango pudding with juicy mangoes and ice-cream

Blended mangoes with pamelo and ice-cream in coconut milk

Stew pear with lotus in hot sugar syrup to go with braised chicken wings

Mango jelly milk drink

Hot bird nest in almond milk

SWEET SOUR BATANG FISH (MACKEREL)

Batang fish is suitable for frying and is delectable when eaten with sambal belachang.  Fish prepared with lime and fish sauce.

Mix thai fish sauce, lime juice, soya sauce and sesame oil.  Add garlic, ginger strips, diced raw onions, green and red chillies and spring onions to the sauce.  Pour sauce over fried fish and serve.

HUAI SHAN FISH MAW CHICKEN SOUP (淮 山 花 胶 鸡 汤)

Huai Shan (Chinese yam) strengthens the spleen, stomach, kidneys and other internal organs.  Frequent consumption helps strengthen the body and increases longevity.

Dried fish maw is rich in proteins and collagens, yet low in fat.  It helps to nourish the body and improve skin texture, and is a favourite of many women

Ingredients : 1 Chinese yam, 1 fish maw, 4-5 dried scallops, 1 medium piece ginger and chicken breast.  Blanch the fish maw with salt and hot water before cooking helps to eliminate fishy taste and make it less greasy.