FRESH FRUIT JUICE PARLOR

As a big fan of fruit juice, it’s a constant battle of finding the right place to quench my thirst. I am a very fussy person. I love a place where they offer genuine, freshly squeezed fruit juice instead of concentrated/ manufactured juices. So I came across few really good fruit juice stalls in KL, and here goes.

Learn more about Boost Juice Bars over here

BOOST JUICE BARS

Offering various choices of fruit juice, be it orange to berries, Boost Juice bars is indeed one of the best fruit juice parlor that I have ever came across. Among the special beverages in here, one of that I am fascinated most with are the choices of Low-fat smoothies. I am a sucker for yogurt smoothies, and the best part is they are 98% fat free! My ultimate favorite will be Mango Passion that consist mango, passion fruit, tropical juice, sorbet, TD4 vanilla yogurt and ice. Just the sound of it makes you drool right? If you want something more chocolatey but low-fat at the same time, well you can always go for King William Chocolate, which consist of chocolate, banana, TD4 vanilla yogurt and Ice, milk and soy.

Credit to http://www.wowwoo.com/boost-juice-bars-pavilion-kl/

If you are looking for something more unique, well in Boost juice bars, you can find Fruity Crushers! I’ve tried Berry Crush, a combination of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, apple juice, sorbet and ice, and they were simply delicious. The sweet & sour combo drink is a refreshing change to something different from what I usually taste.

There’s nothing much to the ambience here, but to me it’s a great pit stop to buy your drinks and convenient enough to move to next location with minimum hassle.

Courtesy of http://www.wowwoo.com/juice-works-pavilion-kl/

JUICE WORKS

Juice works are similar to Boost, offering variety of fruit juices that has the ability to make me go gaga! The choices that are available in this parlor are from smoothies, berry lovers, fruit smashes, as well as tropical paradise. What I love personally in this fresh fruit parlor is the Caribbean Cocktail, awesome combination of Mango, Pineapple, Tropical juice and banana. However, I find the selections of smoothies are little compare to Boost juice bar.

Get to know more about the location over here

The ambience, however is something simple, and is equally great for a stop to purchase you juice and proceed to your next destination. Also, there are several high chairs has been placed for buyers to hang out at the parlor and enjoy their drink.

Okay, do check out these two fruit juice parlor to enjoy your freshly squeezed fruit juice and keep you healthy and fit!  

DARK CHOCOLATE & WHITE CHOCOLATE

Chocolates are considered as one of the biggest choice of confectionery for many in the world, and have been around as long as we remember. There are various types of chocolates in the world, from dark chocolates, milk chocolates, bittersweet chocolates, liquor chocolates, and many more. I am hardcore fan of a milk chocolate, but many may argue that milk chocolate are not true, authentic chocolate and would claim that dark chocolate has stronger flavor of cocoa compare to milk chocolate. Well, I guess it’s up to everyone’s preferences but being a true blue chocolate fan, I’d made a trip to local chocolate stores around Malaysia, and personally found a liking towards these two chocolate stores. Let’s check it out!

Godiva Café

Get more information over here

Just imagine this, a high class café, fitted with elegant interior and serving you with authentic Belgium chocolates, well how does that sounds like? Good eh? Well, this is what I was welcomed with once I stepped into Godiva Café in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, which happens to be the only Godiva Café in Malaysia. Godiva has the good choices of authentic dark chocolates, therefore many dark chocolate lovers prefers to visit this café to enjoy their favorite dark chocolates here. Of course, all these rich, authentic chocolates come with high price. Well, to enjoy good chocolates, you got to spend a little more, right?

Read more about Godiva Chocolatier

I was told that Godiva’s chocolate truffles are the best in the world, so obviously I got to give it a try and find out for myself. True to the rumors, the Godiva chocolate truffles are indeed the best that I have tasted! The smooth texture and the yummy chocolate filling are simply amazing! Apart from the chocolate truffles, I have tried the Coeur Blanc, white chocolate filled with pralines. The white chocolate has a sweet, vanilla flavor that I find it rather unique. However, I am not a fan, so I did not go for second piece of white chocolate.

Apart from chocolates, they too serve chocolate cakes. The Godiva chocolate cake, true to its reputation, was indeed the best chocolate cake that I’ve tasted ever. It’s rich filling, and tender texture is simply the best! To cater those who are not big fan of chocolates, they too serve cookies as well as macaroons. Therefore, feel free to bask in the true, creamy, heavenly chocolates whenever you give Godiva Café a visit!

Theobroma Chocolate Lounge

Maybe going to a classy chocolate outlet is my kinda thing, because Theobroma Chocolate Lounge, are just as classy as Godiva. This fancy chocolate lounge offers varieties of chocolates from A-Z. Upon entering, you will be welcomed with a board of tasty looking chocolates, and be spoilt for choices. In here, they have choices of chocolate that pairs with almost anything, you name it, and they have it.

The Hot Belgian Chocolate with Mug and Warmer were simply amazing for its’ light and warm texture. If you’ve noticed, chocolate drinks are generally thick with its texture and seemed too ‘heavy’. However, Hot Belgian chocolate is very different, with its light texture and appetizing aroma, every drop of the drinks taste wonderful. Apart from that, they too offer a grand frappe named Snow White Frappe made with Belgian white chocolate. This was indeed the best white chocolate based frappe that I’ve ever tasted, and wouldn’t mind a second or a third glass!

I was also very attracted to Chocolate Affair- chocolate fondue with 4 seasonal fruits for two. I have to say that this was indeed the best chocolate fondue that I have ever tasted. The tangy and fruity flavors that are mixed with sweet chocolate are to die for. Apart from that, they also serve a variety of waffles and beverages that have hints of chocolates, hence, chocolate lovers should definitely give this lounge a try!

After getting my chocolate fix from these two very unique but interesting chocolate inspired café, I’ve realized that Godiva has more choice of dark chocolates, whereas Theobroma Chocolate Lounge were much more diverse in their choices of food, where they have waffles, fondues, beverages that are inspired by many types of chocolates specifically white chocolates. This was solely my opinion, do go for a visit and judge the chocolate paradise yourself, today!

Herbs & Spices

Credit to: http://www.wowwoo.com/?s=indian+cuisine

I can never imagine my life without spices. What about you? Can you imagine the same? As a Malaysian, I imagine most of us will enjoy our meal with  reasonable amount of that adds fragrance and hints of spiciness in our dish. As a Malaysian Indian, I've seen how my mother adds spices to almost every dish that she cooks. All those spices that she have added contributes to each and every unique flavor in the curries, be it, chicken or fish, or even mutton. 

Spices has been revolving around us as early as 2000 years before century. There are plenty of types of spices available in the world, and be used for various purposes such as for cooking, medicinal purposes, religious ritual as well as for cosmetics. In Malaysia, most of our dish consist of spices and it has been a routine for us to include necessary spices and enjoy the dish. No matter it's Chinese, Malay or Indian dish, there is a must to sprinkle a little bit of spices to give the dish an extra kick!

There are abundant kind of spices are being used for cooking, after a thorough interrogation with my mom on what are the spices that she use regularly in cooking, I've managed to get hold on couple of spices that she simply can't live without. So, here goes,

CARDAMOM

It is one of the most beneficial spice for our health. At the same time, it is also ranks as third most expensive spices in the world.  Cardamom, originated from India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia, are made from the cardamom plant's seed. A whole cardamom pods are priced at RM21 for 100 grams! That's quite pricey, don't you think? BUT, there's a valid reason for its costly price. The pod of cardamom has to be hand-picked to ensure the freshness of the seeds' before they fully ripe. 

My mother never failed to add couple of cardamom into her dish that she finds quite 'heavy', say 'Briyani' or mutton curry? Whenever one of these slip into my dish, I will quietly put them away, unable to take the sweet, gingery and slightly peppery taste. However, my mom will make me eat them anyway, and never fail to add the punchline, "They are very good for your digestion, and will prevent your tummy to be bloated!"

SAFFRON

I can't believe my eyes when I discover that Saffron ranked as the most expensive spices, pricing at RM 68 for as little as 10 grams! Why on earth are Saffron so expensive? Here's why. 

The saffron stands from reddish-orange sex organs, named stigma, originating from a crocus flower. However, each crocus has only three of these tiny threads, and will take over 4,600 saffron threads, equivalent to 1,500 crocuses- just to gain a mere 10 grams.

Saffron's maiden land are the Middle East and Mediterranean area, in fact most saffron is still grown there. Presently, Iran is the largest saffron producer, growing about 94 percent of the world's saffron. 

How would  you know that you've found a good quality saffron? The best kind of saffron is deep red, with a fine, yet musky and earthy, taste like honey. It is used in cooking risotto, and at times even in Briyani! 

Psst! Let me tell you a secret. My mom told me numerous times that Saffron has the power to add fairness and brightness in baby's skin if the mother consume a glass of milk, mixed with a pinch of saffron throughout her pregnancy. However, my mother did not took her own advice while she was expecting me. That explains a lot on my dark skin, Geez, thanks Mom!

CINNAMON

I'm sure most of you have heard of cinnamon before, in fact cinnamon makes regular appearances in our desserts such as doughnuts and apple pie, every now and then. The spice are commonly used for sweet and savory food. The name "cinnamon" origin from the Greek  kinnámōmon from  Phoenician.

Cinnamon also has its own medicinal values, in ancient times, they were used for various traditional medicines. It is believed to have control over type 2 diabetes by controlling its blood glucose level. 

As I mentioned earlier, cinnamon are also added in dessert recipes as well. Apart from apple pies, you can find hint of cinnamon in several other food and beverages such as  spicy candies, tea, and hot cocoa. However in Middle East, cinnamon are used for savory dishes such as lamb and chicken. 

After all these research on various spices, I can't help but to crave for something full of spices. Hopefully my in-depth explanation on couple of significant spices has been helpful for you! Have a good day!

YUM..It's Tom Yum!

Occasionally, we will have sudden craving for something spicy, something sour, and some Thailand cuisine. The moment we think about Thailand cuisine, Tom Yam will be the 1^st thing that appears on our mind. Tom Yam also will be our ultimate choice whenever we are in knack of savoring something sour and spicy to keep our appetite coming. Tom Yam is a very common dish that we add in our meals occasionally, for its exotic tang that serves our taste buds.

Tom Yum Kung

Tom Yam’s origin is from Thailand, and in the origin, these soups with different serving dish has its very own terms. For an example, Tom Yam that is cooked with prawns is called Tom Yam Kung while Tom Yam Kai is for Tom Yam that is cooked with chicken. Tom Yam that is served with pieces of fish, shrimp, and squid are known as Tom Yam Thale.

Tom Yum Kai

This soup is also best served with a choice of chicken, seafood or vegetable and it works as an excellent combination of soup. Not only it will go very well with rice, but it is also excellent to be served with noodles. This is the reason are known as one of the most flexible dish ever!

The signature element of Tom Yam is the multiple flavors that are contribute by each unique ingredient in the soup, such as lemon grass, lime juice, chili peppers, and even Tom Yam milk. All these ingredients will be a perfect blend in your mouth, allowing you to distinctly recognize each and every flavor in the soup. Spicy lovers will have a soft spot for this dish, for the exotic spicy flavor that are served by the dish.

Are you craving for a nice, hot, Tom Yam soup right now? Well you can always head to the nearest restaurant to get your share of spicy & sour this very moment! 

Yum-Chatime!

I'm back with another promotion! In celebration of Malaysia’s 56^th Independence Day, enjoy RM1 drink on the second drink you purchase. All you have to do is buy the first cup at the normal price the next drink is only priced at RM1. Pretty cool ayy?

As always, there’s terms and condition applicable to this promotion. Mark your calendar mates, from 26^th until the 31st August, and from 3pm-6pm to enjoy this promotion! The terms and condition to this promotion would be:

-          The second drink is either of the same prices or lower.

-          Not in conjunction with any other promotion that is on going

-          Not applicable at Chatime Queensbay and Gurney Plaza outlets.

-          Not applicable for delivery services

Enjoy the promotion and Happy Independence Day, Malaysia! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

Check out the Chatime outlet near you, here! 

Franchise vs. Street Food

So today, I was craving for a bowl of Kai Si Hor Fun and I was annoying almost everybody in the office about it. And yes, as always I managed to get myself a bowl of Kai Si Hor Fun at one of the famous kopitiam franchises. As I was waiting for my food to be served, they were chitter chatter about the food I ordered and how it is being too commercialised that it has lost its authenticity.

Check out this place for one of the best Hor Fun!

Most of the people I worked with are Chinese and they were telling me how good and refreshing is the bowl of Hor Fun that they get to enjoy back in Ipoh, the birthplace of Hor Fun. So, when the food arrived, I put aside all my thoughts and I indulged on a bowl of perfection, at least to me it is. And they were still saying how good the hawker food is compared to all the prestigious places people would actually go to eat. So, for today I guess, it is only appropriate if I were to cover of franchise food vs. plain old good street/hawker food.

So the question is what makes people go to the expensive franchises outlet instead of the good street stalls? It is a matter of choice and preference. Simple, basic, everyday example would be coffee. Why on earth would you go to an expensive coffee shop and get a black coffee when you can get a fresh one brewed at the warung? The way I see it, coffee is coffee. It is made of coffee beans. You may add sugar or cream to it. Again, it’s preference and choice. Of course I too believe that people buy things with brands that they are comfortable with and they trust.

When a food is too commercialised, it will lose its authenticity. And it is a sad fact that people are still consuming it, well for the sake of eating. But do they enjoy the food? I believe not. Again, it all goes back to preference and choice. And just recently I was reading some online article about youngsters are more inclined in joining the F&B business and opening up a restaurant rather than open up a hawker stall. Why, you ask? Well, it’s simple. 40 years ago, they’ve seen how hard their parents worked under the blazing hot sun opening a hawker stall selling their family’s authentic dish made with love to provide a shelter.

However, this is not the case in this present time, as more and more people wants things to be done easier! Did you see the salad pack at the supermarket? They even have ready-made vegetables used as coleslaw and not forgetting Caesar salad packed in plastic bowl ready to eat! People are getting lazier, aren’t they or we, for this matter? Opening a restaurant and selling food (not good food) seems like a simple matter and everybody can venture into it and what attracts them most is the profit margin that is waaaaaaaaaaaaay higher in comparison to street stalls.

I’m actually running out of idea to talk about this matter. And I strongly stand by my opinion when I said it’s all the matter of choice and preference and most of the hawker stalls are one of a kind and it’s a lost for people to only go to franchise outlets and not acknowledge the goodness of food at the roadside. Till then, toodles! 

French Bread

This time around, I want to introduce you to various French breads in the market. Well, most people only know about the famous baguette and croissant. Well, there’s more to French bread than just those two kinds.

To begin with, we have couronne.  Couronne is actually bread in shape of a ring or some may say shape of a crown. It may be made using wheat flour or sourdough.

Next is the ficelle. Ficelle is smaller, thinner version of a baguette that looks like a breadstick with a spongy texture in the inside.

Flute is a larger, heavier version of a baguette. Well, I guess you can never mention French bread without mentioning a baguette!

Let’s move on to another type of bread, the brioche. Brioche or what I like to call cute looking bread is a light, slightly sweet made from egg, yeast and butter, and glazed with egg wash.  

Then, there’s boule. Boule is round bread in shaped of a squashed ball. However in the U.K it is called a cob. Boule is French for round or ball.

Fougasse is a raised flatbread from Southern France. The recipe and flavour is almost similar to focaccia, (refer here for more information) but the surface of the bread is styles with slashes.

Pain De Mie is also known as Pullman’s loaf is also known as sandwich bread is white or whole meal bread baked in a long, narrow, lidded pan. The lid slides on and off the pan making the loaf a flat and rectangular in shape used as sandwich bread.

Viennosierie is the kind of bun consumed during breakfast made with the combination of baking bread traditionally and sweet pastry using laminated dough.

So, the next time you go to a bakery, check these out. Bon Apetit! 

List of bakeries:

1. Delifrance
2. Bread Story
3. De Bread 

Free Ice Cream!

Check out Haagen-Dazs's outlets here

Ho Ho Ho! Hahahahahaha Haagen Dazs! Good news everybody! For one day only, Haagen Dazs is giving out free single scoop of ice cream to the first 100 people in celebration of their 100K likes on Facebook. With just few clicks you will get a free scoop of ice cream!

Date: 16^th August 2013 (from 1pm onwards)

Venue: ALL Haagen Dazs Outlet in Malaysia

Here’s how:

1.       Log in to your Facebook account

2.       Go to Haagen Dazs Malaysia official page

3.       Click “Get Offer”

4.       An email will then be sent to you. *Note that it’s the e-mail address you used to register your Facebook account*

5.       Now, sign in to your e-mail account.

6.       Click on the e-mail, entitled “ Facebook Offers: Your Haagen Dazs ® Malaysia offer is here

7.       Print it out

8.       Bring it to the nearest Haagen Dazs outlet

9.       EAT your free ice cream!

10.   Don’t forget to share the happiness with your family and friends!

Check out Haagen Dazs's outlets here

Hold your horses, as always there’s terms and conditions to the offer:

1.       The offer is only valid with an original copy of the printed e-mail. No Xerox copy will be accepted.

2.       Offer is valid from 1pm onwards.

3.       Offer is on first come first serve basis.

4.       Valid only for Facebook users aged 13 and above.

5.      Valid for Belgian Chocolate, Coffee, Macadamia Nut Brittle, Summer Berries & Cream, Tiramisu and Vanilla & Cream flavors only.

6.      Not valid with other discounts (including Häagen-Dazs Ambäasador privileges), promotions or corporate/complimentary/ENT/gift offers.

7.      Extra charge for waffle cone and toppings. Customer is responsible for applicable taxes.

8.      Cannot be resold or exchanged for cash; void if altered, copied, sold or transferred. Offer must be surrendered at time of redemption.

9.      HD Marketing & Distribution Sdn Bhd reserves the right to change or withdraw promotion without prior notice.

So, what are you waiting for? Click away, mates!

Laksa Nyonya

Asian dishes are diversed and rich in flavours! Most popular dishes in Malaysia, putting aside all the dishes serves with rice will definitely be the noodle variety also known as Laksa. Laksa varies in different state of Malaysia. Laksa Nyonya as the name suggested is a Peranakan dish that has captured the taste buds of many locals and tourists all around the world.

What separates this Laksa Nyonya from other laksa is the fact that the richness in the broth itself. Its flavourful and leaving those who eats it wanting more. Some may say that this dish is similar to curry laksa. Laksa Nyonya may be eaten with other types of noodles and not necessarily the typical long, cylindrical noodle, laksa. To be enjoyed at any time of the day, this dish is also suitable for everybody in the family.

The stock is made of chicken-based stock with a mixture of spices namely, galangal, lemongrass, chilli paste, turmeric, shallot, garlic, shrimp paste (belacan), dried shrimp, torch ginger (bunga kantan) and candle nut. This mixture of spice not only provides the distinct taste it also give rise to the pleasant aroma. This broth is then thickened with coconut milk that adds the richness to the dish. You may add prawns, tofu puff and fish balls as condiments to the broth to further enhance its flavour.

The garnishing for this dish is the simple yet still rich in flavours, some coriander leaves, quail eggs, shredded chicken meat, slices of egg omelette, bean sprouts, chives and fried shallots. One of the reasons this dish is suitable for all ages is because, the special chilli paste may be added into the dish for a spicier taste. The spicy sauce is a simple mixture of red chillies, salt, sugar and vinegar.

Curry laksa and laksa Nyonya differs in terms of the spices used in making both dishes. No curry powder or curry related spiced is used in the making of Laksa Nyonya. One will be able to distinguish between two by the aroma produced and the colour of the stocks. The curry laksa is bright brown in colour, whereas the Laksa Nyonya is paler in colour and slightly peachy in colour.

At wowwoo.com, you will be able to find find restaurants that serves this delightful cuisine with just few clicks! Check out the page!

     

1. Onde - Onde

2. Madam Lim's Kitchen

3. Precious Old China

4. Baba Low's 486

5. Old China Cafe

Penang Food

Penang is an island located 330km north from the capital state of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. This small yet rich island is paradise for both local and tourists. Penang food is sure to tickle your taste buds and make you crave for more. For those who are watching their waistline, Penang is sure to torment you! 

Penang is also known as the melting pot of culture and tradition. The food here varies from Malay cuisine all the way to Western cuisine! You name it, they sure to have it! Penang food is so rich in flavours, which is has also made one of the local’s favourite, the Penang Assam Laksa to be listed on one of the most delicious dish by CNN GO in 2011. The Assam Laksa itself is a dish originated from the Peranakan, a race that are the descendent of the15th century Chinese immigrant whom had married and settled down in Malaya.

It’s hard to separate Penang food and Penang Island itself with history. For example, Char Kuey Teow that is now enjoyed by Malaysian has a story on its own. The simple stir-friend rice cakes with light soy sauce, fish cakes, cockles, bean sprouts and chives were once meant to be eaten by labourers who needed such nutrients to enable to work the long hours. The recipe has been re-vamped as, originally pork lards were used to replace the seafood placed and the dish was stir-fried in pork fat instead of cooking oil.

Being the melting pot of culture and flavours, you’ll see a lot of fusion and mixture of food of different roots in Penang Island. This is where the term Rojak was derived from. Typically this term means mixture. Rojak buah is one of the locals’ favourite Penang foods. A mixture of local fruit salad dressed with a special dark brown nutty dressing.

There’s an endless list of Penang food to write about! These are just few of the examples of Penang food that you should try! Make your visit worthwhile by trying out these and other scrumptious delicacies! 

I scream! You scream! We scream for ICE CREAM SANDWICH!

New recipes are invented as time passes by. Much to my surprise, the current “it” in the culinary world, is ice cream sandwich. Ice cream sandwich is an invention in with an ice cream is squashed in between two pieces of cookies or two slices on thin cakes. Ice cream sandwich is the getting more attention as more companies are making their own rendition of the ice cream sandwich. Ice cream sandwich is also the name of Android 4.0 used in Android’s devices.

The term sandwich is probably used as the main ingredient; the ice cream is placed in between pieces of biscuits or cakes. This makes the dish an appropriate dessert to be enjoyed with the whole family. According to Tessa Arias, the person responsible for re-vamping the ice cream sandwich recipe, there’s tonnes of different ingredient you can try out in making ice cream sandwich. 

You may actually find an actual ice cream bread sandwich here in Malaysia. Few scoops of ice cream placed in between a six inches bun sprinkled with chocolate rice and nuts is a typical ice cream sandwich which the locals call it Ais Krim Roti (Ice cream in bread). There’s also fried ice cream, where the ice cream is fried in a batter making it crunchy on the outside and creamy in the inside.  

Try sandwiching ice cream in between brownies. Imagine indulging in such rich flavours both from the brownie and the creaminess of the ice cream. You might also want to try and inside frosting a cake from the inside, like making red velvet sandwich, by putting the cream cheese topping in between the red velvet cake.

When entertaining a mass number of crowd, you might want to prepare your ice cream sandwich ahead by making it a few hours or a day ahead. This will enable the ice cream to freeze well and ready to be eaten during the event. Nobody wants a melting sandwich to be eaten on a hot sunny day!

There’s tonnes of different thing you may try in making ice cream sandwich. A lot of condiments may also be inserted in making a perfect sundae that you may enjoy during any time of the day.Have fun trying! I scream, you scream. We all scream for ICE CREAM SANDWICH!