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Monday, January 24, 2011

Holy Mackerel

Today in Guardian, I read about some of the world's best chefs and their proteges. Heston Blumenthal of Fat Duck talks of Ashley Palmer-Watts' journey in becoming his top chef with fatherly pride. Ashley is now the main chap in Heston's new restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Dinner is not opened yet but they are taking reservations and Heston and Ashley even exposed the recipe of one of the dishes which I thought was quite brave considering how people might now steal his idea but one look at it, made me realise why gourmet meals are gourmet.



Hay-smoked mackerel, lemon salad and gentleman's relish


Come on, it's just salad with some smoked fish and leaves, everyone can do that with eyes closed right?.
I couldn't be more wrong because the recipe reads like a science experiment. This is cooking with OCD precision.

The garlic used in this recipe has to be de-germed first. What does that even mean??

Apparently it means to remove the green sprout bit, I never know my garlic had any.

Anyway here is only an excerpt.






" .......................To make garlic and anchovy sauce, cover garlic with 300ml milk and add a dash of cold water. Bring slowly to a simmer then drain and rinse garlic under cold running water. Return garlic to pan and repeat process three times...." 

"......Weigh garlic and anchovy mix, add 30% of the total weight of mayonnaise, mix well. Refrigerate...."

".....Gut and fillet the mackerel. Run the tip of a sharp filleting knife down either side of the pin bones and bloodline in the centre of each fillet and remove this area by pulling it away with fish tweezers......"

Thanks for the recipe guys but no thanks.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Dress Envy

All the news channels were covering China's visit to the White House but I was only interested in what Michelle Obama was wearing. Her red gown by Alexander McQueen is a showstopper.


The colour is simply arresting and the drapping of the skirt very flattering.  She does have a liking for the bold palette and it suits her.

I came across this photo of her in shocking pink with a elaborate necklace.


The neck candy is by St Erasmus and is adorned with fresh water pearls, swarovski crystals and glass beads.


This piece belongs in Bollywood and it absolutely stunning.





Thursday, January 13, 2011

SoSingaporean

I must be missing home when I find myself looking up TalkingCock's website for new updates. They never fail to make me giggle or laugh out loud and admittedly quite homesick.

Today I read the 60 signs that you are a true Singaporean and I am proud to say that I am guilty of these signs:

3. You pat MRT seats to cool them down before you sit down ;


4. At lunch you start discussing what to have for dinner; 


11. You are never completely sure how many times you've sung the second verse of the National Athem;


25. You somehow feel that food tastes better eaten next to a longkang;


31. You always feel oddly hungry at 11pm and are willing to drive to far away places for supper;


36 Pork floss and mayo on bread is a completely natural combination to you;

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Floating Art

Z is only 2 months old but I think he is starting to see better and getting more engaged with his surroundings. I am shopping for a mobile that will keep him interested while he lies in his cot but I hate the plastic ones that you get from Toys R Us or any baby shop. They are usually bulky and has ghastly colours. I know he's too young to differentiate styles so I might as well get a mobile that I like. He wouldn't know the difference right?

I am considering these eco- friendly ones from Sevi, an Italian maker of wooden toys.


The colours are much easier on the eye and the designs very charming. I like this circus theme below.



His granny sent a Flensted mobile of elephants and it's floating above Z's changing mat now.


The other alternative is to ignore Z's needs and go with something larger than life. Something massive that will hang in the middle of his room. An art piece more than a playful mobile.

This is by artist Leah Pellegrini are made from hand blown glass. It is 2 feet by 2.5 feet and cost USD 145.

I am in love with these nature inspired ones from Colorado based artist, Jan Carson. The petals are all made of silk leaves and spans 50 inches.

This is my absolute favourite. The red maple leaf branch at USD 595. How magical to have this just floating in your room don't you think?

You can buy them all and see more designs here

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

2010- the year of the Tiger, is no more. It has been a pretty amazing 12 months and looking back, I feel truly blessed for

1. Having baby Z who is totally brilliant in every way ;



2. Leaving KL ( sob sob) , home for almost 5 years, to move to the Middle East and finding it a surprisingly interesting place to live.


3. Winning a legal tustle after almost 3 years of fighting;
4. Breaking ground in Project Lanka



5.  Finally setting up The Write Stuff 

The new year will be a challenging one. Project Lanka is due to be completed by mid year so we will have to furnish it and make it livable.  Project Z will be learning new tricks and definitely be causing much joy and pain to us but mostly joy.

As always, my resolution is to try a new hobby and travel to a new country so 2011 will not be any different.

2010 saw us in Istanbul and for this year, we are planning to visit our neighbour, Oman. The roads there are famous for carving through incredible landscapes.

 


( pics from here )


( pic from here )


Besides that, I have to start discovering more of Doha now that I am more mobile.
Happy New Year!