Kitchen Adventure: Garlic Zoom from Chef'n

I was looking through a friend's photo album in Facebook and found a photo of a very interesting kitchen tool.  Now that I am spending a lot of time in the kitchen, I agree that this is a must have for me.

Chef'n's Garlic Zoom. View full product profile here. :)  I wonder if they have a retail shop here in Singapore. Hmmm...

Singapore Adventure: Pre-Christmas Get Together

The Cookies love going on dates.  Well, the myriad of photos in our Facebook albums of us on a date should suffice as proof. 

But every once in a while, it feels really nice to out with friends.  Especially those who are so dear to us.  :)

The past Sunday, we went out of our humble hole in Lakeside to meet up with Fred and Hazel, the Laus, and Capt Jet to share a (pre-Christmas) seafood dinner at the No Signboard Seafood restaurant in Vivo City.

Side topic >> Surprisingly, we have figured out that we can take a bus directly to Vivo City from the bus stop just across our block. Neat!  The bus ride takes around 40 minutes, which is just about the same time if we take the MRT which requires a transfer from the EWL (Green) to the NEL (Purple).

Okay, so on with the group date. :)

The original plan was to have it at the Holiday Inn in Orchard so we could checkout the buffet lineup they have over there, but the restaurant was already fully booked. Too bad.  So, the next best thing is to do Chili Crabs! Hehehe... It was then decided to have dinner at the No Signboard Seafood Restaurant.

We ordered the usual - Chili Crabs with Sri Lankan crabs, Crispy Baby Squid, Cereal Prawn (which I only found out from Hazel you can request to have the prawn shelled), Sharksfin Soup with Crab Meat, Hokkien Mee, and Yang Chow Fried Rice.  Fred kidded about the bulk order to be our last meal. Hahaha.. Well, can you blame me, these are my all-time favorite foods at that restaurant, and you asked me to place the order. What do you expect? :P

Baby Cedric joined us for dinner.  And he was truly adorable! 

He ate on his own, and inspite of the little mess he made, it was just delightful seeing him scoop the rice from the bowl and taking a mouthful of it.  And the way he had his noodles with a big slurp is just soooo cute!

And the face he made when he had a spoonful of Sharksfin Soup will definetly bring a smile to your lips. Hehehe...



After dinner, we headed for a little stroll on the roof deck to see the giant Christmas Tree. Of course, it's photo time! :)



And to cap the night off, a nice Christmas Fondue dessert at Haagen-Dazs. 

It was a good way to start the week. :)

So that concludes the Pre-Christmas Dinner with Capt Jet.  Now I am off to plan the Christmas Dinner. Hmmm... Ideas, ideas...

LO Project: Mad Hatter Tea Party Themed Invitation (Updated)

With lots of thanks to two of my favorite colleagues - Jajah and Chrissie, for the confidence, here's my latest layout project.

Paper and embellishments from the Mad Hatter Tea Party Minikit from Designs in Digital.



UPDATE

It appears that Designs in Digital has gone out of business.  I was lucky to have purchased this minikit before they closed down.  If you're interested in the minikit for your personal project, I'd be glad to share the minikit with you.  I had a hard time looking for this kit myself so I understand your dilemma. Drop me a note if you want it. :)

Cookies @ Lakeside: A Blissful Two Months

It's been two months since the Cookie Wedding and 58 months since our Cookie Adventure started.  Indeed, time flies by so quickly when you're having fun! :)

To celebrate this very special day, Wifey Cookie cooked up a chinese-inspired dinner for Hubby Cookie.  Well, after watching too much Rachael Ray, Ina Garten, and the rest of the superstars on AFC and Food Network, the chef in me is screaming to be set free.  Hehehe... Feeling MasterChef much! :P

For the entree, which I just got off the frozen section shelf of NTUC, is Pan-Fried Veggie Meat Dumplings. 

I actually considered the idea of making home-made siomai, but it would be too much work already.  And my steamer is still in one of the unopened boxes sitting in the stock room.  So, I just took the practical way out and picked something off the shelf.  Nevertheless, enough effort was given for the pan-frying part! 

For the rice course, a Cookie regular, Fried Rice with Chinese Sausage.

A recipe I have already perfected! *bow*  I have tried out variations of this special Wifey Cookie Chinese-Style fried rice.  Sometimes with luncheon meat.  One time with salted fish.  And it always comes out nicely.  The secret is the sesame seed oil.  You'll never get it right with your regular vegetable oil.  That toasted flavour is what  makes it taste (almost) authentic. *useful tip*

And for the main event ... *drum roll*...  A first in the Wifey Cookie kitchen ... *trumpets* Broccoli and
Shiitake Mushroom in Oyster Sauce.

I remember attempting to cook this a while back, but if my memory serves me right, that was a bust. Hehehe...  And so this time, I must get it right.  I got the recipe off one recipes website and tweaked it a bit and came up with this.

Well, based on the customer feedback, I pulled it off. That's why I so love feeding my Cookie, he would eat anything! Hahaha...  But seriously, I was pleasantly surprised it did turn out quite palatable. :) *pat pat on Wifey Cookie's back*

So that's my little Chinese flair for our 2nd monthsary as Hubby and Wifey.

Hubby Cookie's birthday is coming up in a few days, and I already planned out a nice "Resto-Style" birthday dinner for him. *excited*

Note:  The photos were shot with my iPhone and surprisingly turned out quite nice, too. ;) 

Cookies @ Lakeside: Solved... For Now

Hubby Cookie had a little stroll at Plaza Singapura yesterday and found the newly-opened Challenger shop. And so, the cable problem of our mini entertainment centre is solved for now. With a damage of 50 SGD! :)

Interested about the product? Find out more about the cable box here.

Cookies @ Lakeside: Half a Living Room

Thanks to the great efforts of my Hubby Cookie, we now have half a living room. :)

But we really need to do something about those cables! It's still a work in progress but ain't it exciting to see our home slowly take shape. :) 

Will keep you posted!

Oh yeah, that's Seabiscuit on TV. And the TV bench is from your friendly neighbourhood Ikea. :)

Singapore Adventure: Moving On

Since we have moved to Singapore, we have stayed in our humble (rented) flat at Woodlands.  It was a fun three-year run,  and it's just right about time to move on.  So as the Cookies flip the pages to a new chapter of their life together as Hubby and Wifey Cookie, we also say hello to a new home sweet home at Lakeside.  And new pieces of furniture!  Woohoo! :D

30 October 2010, Saturday, was the designated move day.  All went well. No rain, as I have prayed for.  And a small get-together and catchup with Cookie friends at the new flat.

Thanks for your help, friends! 

So now, after the exhausting task of packing three years worth of stuff into boxes comes the gruelling task of unpacking, sorting, and making the new place feel like home.

I am giving myself a month to achieve this.  Wish me luck!

Cookie Wedding Journal: The Day

The red envelopes have been opened.  The photos have been uploaded and duly tagged.  And the white gown and suit have been dry cleaned.

Yes, it was a wonderful wedding.  I have not spoken about it at length here on Cookie Adventures but just by viewing the photos, you'll definitely have a clear picture of the memorable day that Lord and I, and our special guests had that day. :)

So, here it goes... Enjoy!

Wedding Preparations
Where: Sofitel Philippine Plaza

Marriage Ceremony
Where: Binondo Church

After Wedding Photoshoot
Where: Sofitel Philippine Plaza

Wedding Banquet
Where: La Castellana

And of course, a few fun shots from the photobooth! :)

It is indeed the happiest day in the life of the Cookies. And we have all of our families and friends to thank for making it really special.  But of course, the people who have worked long and hard to make it happen are our real heroes.

Malou Castillejos - Bridal Gown, Groom's Suit, Entourage Gown's
Ralph Alejandrino - Photography and Video
Val Villarin - Bride's Hair and Makeup
Mindy Ordonez of Theme Park Events Specialists - Full Wedding Coordination
Impressions Music Ensemble - Entertainment
Hizon's Catering - Wedding Banquet
La Castellana - Reception Venue


Wanna see more?  Check out  more Cookie Wedding photos here.