‘Green Tea with Ginseng & Honey’ - AriZona

The majestic colors and sublime beauty of cherry blossoms’ artwork catches my eyes just like what Casanova always says: “Love at first sight!” From a distance, I am thinking to myself, what is the Ming Dynasty vase look-alike doing at umisushi, Changi City Point? By the way, Changi City Point, branded as ‘A Garden City in the East’ (located besides the Expo MRT Station) has just recently opened its doors. You may want to do your X’mas shopping or have your weekend dates there…something new to rave or roam about.

My noddle tells my left hand to pick up ‘the bottle’ and right hand to open my pocketbook. Of course, there are other designs cum flavors but I am fatally attracted to this particular bottle. ‘This is the one’, I tell myself. Happy with the purchase, I begin to study the bottle like a pro curator as it reads: ‘Green Tea with Ginseng & Honey, No preservatives, SueBee Premium Orange Honey, 100% All Natural, 1 pint/16oz, Made in USA …’

‘Made in USA?’ You got to be kidding…How could an American Co come up with such divine Chinese-Inspired designs? Adamantly, I check up its website which wows me further with their exotic, intricate design concepts! Perhaps, Designers or Beverage Manufacturers should take a leaf out of its books! (http://drinkarizona.com/index_national.html#lounge_home)

Now, it has come to the most interesting and favorite part of my blogging process; how’s the taste? Hmmm, refreshing-cooling; more hints of green tea and a subtle note of sweet-tart honey palate. As for the ginseng part, you have to put in more imaginary efforts to feel it.

How I desire its design is for real; hand-painted on the bottle instead of a plastic, tearable coat enwrapping the bottle. I am intrigued, at the same time dismayed that I can’t keep it forever with me. Urrh, again I have to remind myself that the retail price is only SGD3.00 and ‘What do you expect?’

CAVEAT: Not all umisushi outlets carry this AriZona Collection!

Exotic Fijian Longans

This triplet of Fijian Longans is complimentary from the fruiterer when I purchased the Golden Apples. The fruit is shaped like a round plum and its flesh is encased in a hard, dark purplish-brown shell which you would have to crack open like you do to a hard-boiled egg in order to savor it. The flesh tastes delightfully sweet and succulent; the texture is a cross between a longan and rambutan. The fruiterer told me that this exotic fruit is derived from a Malaysian friend’s orchard and not for sale. Later, I learnt that its botanical name is Pometia Pinnata while its Malaysian name is called Kasai.*

The scant triplet is at a premium and in the end, distributed among my father, mother and myself. I hope our local fruiterers can bring in this exquisite fruit which I believe its novelty will boost up sales.

*http://www.montosogardens.com/pometia_pinnata.htm

Buah Kedongdong aka Golden Apple

Buah Kedongdong aka Spondias Dulcis, Ambarella or Golden Apple* is a tropical fruit that looks like an oval prune, feels hard, smells like unripe mango and has an inedible, fibrous core. The flesh is delectably crunchy and tastes tart; a good ingredient in making Rojak (a popular veg & fruit salad dish commonly seen in Indonesian, Malaysia & S’pore).

I recommend you cutting the fruit into slices (Centre) and drizzle it with a D.I.Y sauce (Left) made up of compounding dark soya sauce, chopped chili padi and fine sugar or just simply sprinkle preserved sour plum powder over it (Right). You can also try blending it with preserved sour plums to convert into a glass of refreshing, tasty juice.

If you enjoy eating fresh guava, you will adore this fruit too. Both fruits similarly do not belong to the sweet category but are rather best liked for their ‘crunchy munchy’ texture. Overall, this fruit is a toothsome, healthy snack to masticate at home, work or play.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buah_kedongdong

Mahjong-tile-sized ‘Cheezy Heart’…….Singapore

‘Cheezy Heart’, a dessert sized and fashioned like a mahjong tile which comprises of 3 distinct layers. The 1st layer is a glistening crimson-colored jelly encasing a heart-shaped-cut strawberry adorning its centre as a precious ruby gem.

The 2nd layer is a light cheesecake which you can safely indulge without worry of adding to your current pounds.

The base or 3rd layer is a digestive biscuit crust supporting the preceding 2 layers firmly together.

SGD $1.90 for a pair or SGD $3.80 for a set of four

What I like best is the ‘design concept’: you can request for them to make it into ‘a rectangle birthday cake’ by piecing all the ‘mahjong tiles’ together. No more need to meticulously count the number of guests or try your best to cut the whole cake into many equal pieces. Neither is it cloying for the palate or stomach after a hearty feast.

I tried once for a friend’s birthday. The end result was amazing; they were speechless as they were consumed in admiring the newfangled birthday cake; similarly in a way the commoners were startled at The Emperor’s New Clothes. I was smiling to myself, thinking what other better way than this to conclude the birthday celebration!

Cottage Pies Cafe

No.1 Pasir Ris Central St 3 #01-01

White Sands Singapore 518457

Tel: 65-6585 1741   Fax: 65-6583 5155



http://www.cottagepies.com.sg/

Operating Hours: Mon-Sat 7.30am to 10pm / Sun & PH 11am to 10pm

A good bowl of Chinese Noodles…….Singapore

One of my faves: A piping hot bowl of handmade, springy noodles contained in a signature broth which you will want to slurp till the last drop. Not the ubiquitous vegetables, Sweet leaves aka Mani Chai (in Chinese) floating atop the soup. Deep fried anchovies are sprinkled to enhance the gusto while fried slivered shallots highlight the aroma. Handmade scrumptious meatballs make you think of Grandma cooking at the kitchen and succulent abalone clams bring the tang of the ocean to your overall bowl.

The partner in crime relish is the distinguished, in-house freshly-made chili paste which I would always love to dip my meatballs, anchovies and abalone clams into. Highly recommended for hardcore spice lovers! They will make your lips pucker and nose running afterwards…but with enjoyment and satiation!

Poon Nah City Homemade Noodles
810 Geylang Road
#05-02 City Plaza
Singapore 409286
Opens daily 10.30am – 8.30pm unless notified

Cost per bowl: SGD 4.00/5.00

Health Tip: I will usually order the ‘SGD5.00’ and request for more abalone clams and less carbos (noodles)!