Squash @ The Central - Sexy Time

It's easy to see why my diet has gone haywire, especially after the onset of the new year, with Chinese New Year and Valentines day fast approaching and the food tastings numbering up, one can't help but to load up on calorific foods. Most of you might not know this, but my struggle to balance out being a food evangelist and to pursue a standard of healthy living is very real, and I'm sure most of the others out there can empathise with me.

To be very honest, the juice diet fad has always struck me as ludicrous, capitalising on the power of highly acclaimed celebrities to increase the appeal of a certain sort of lifestyle. Hence when I was alerted of this new juice.salad.wrap kiosk located at Central, my interest was piqued.

Li Bai Cantonese Restarant: Splendours of Spring CNY'15

All it took was a little dish of dim sum samples to remind me of good times spent in Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant on my previous visit. The opulent entrance might be intimidating to some, but to others it exudes abundance and lavishness, states that we normally associate with Chinese New Year. 

This year, Li Bai rolls out the big guns for CNY; Executive Chef Chung and culinary team presents a range of goodies from Yu Sheng takeaway platters to exquisite dine in menus to fit every occasion. If you're looking to bring the family out to soak in the festive mood, Li Bai has 5 different set menus designed for 8 to 10 pax with prices ranging from $868 to $3998 and another 4 set menus catered to smaller groups priced at $138 to $588. Note that these menus will be available from 2nd Feb to 4th March, so do make your reservations accordingly!

Brewerkz: Beer Food

Let's start off with a confession. Here's me coming clean about my drinking ways, yes, I might be a little bit of a beer snob ( I frequent Smith Street Taps quite a bit) but when the stomach's empty and the wallet feeling a little underweight, I head on over to Brewerkz for their stellar happy hour price schemes and excellent beers.

Where else can you get 500ml pints at $7 nett? I'll take it... even if it means having to drink in broad daylight. 

To accompany the beers, Brewerkz has an extensive menu that satisfy those pub grub cravings. Worth visiting are the BBQ Pork Ribs (1/2 rack $33, full rack $57), glazed in a homemade chipotle honey BBQ sauce, the full of the bone juicy flesh has just the right amount of smokiness. Seriously finger licking good. Then there's the shredded slaw... pardon me as I get a tissue to wipe my mouth.

Equally 'meaty', the Pork Knuckle ($34) attends to the voracious appetites of the carnivores with its crisp golden brown exterior breaking into succulent tender flesh. Shame on the cheddar mashed potato that had a really chalky consistency. Put that aside and plunge your porcine shards of goodness into the delicious pot of homemade mustard. The deal is sealed. Definitely one of the best valued pork knuckles here in Singapore.

Brewerkz

Orchard Parade Hotel

#01-02 Orchard Parade Hotel

1 Tanglin Road

S(247905)

t: 6884 7077

w: http://www.brewerkz.com/

Operating Hours:

Mon-Thurs & Sun: 12pm - 12am

Fri, Sat & PH: 12pm - 1am

[RECIPE]: Cookie Dough Brownie

Here's how this is going down, my dear-hearts, fudgy cookie dough wrestled into a pan and baked to sweet submission, then an eggless brown sugared dough spread over the top, all this with a huge amount of discipline and hell load of self denial in tow, and finally, Valrhona crunchy pearls sprinkled and pushed into place. 

It's cruel. Every step of the way. so many reasons to pick up the mixing bowl and spoon the batter shamelessly. But no, I soldiered on to produce these babies. And trust me, it's all worth it.

You're thinking movie scenes, sweat pants, bundles of tissue strewed all over and a wailing female lead stuffing her face with cookie dough ice cream in an effort to put an end to her misery. Neh... we all know it doesn't work. But hey, these brownies will definitely work its magic on even the grouchiest pants in the office.

Did I mention they make terrific cheerleaders too? Pyramid formation, boo-yah.

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Cookie Dough Brownies

adapted from Bakerita

Ingredients

For the brownies

• 110g Unsalted Butter, melted
• 150g White Sugar
• 160g Light Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs (120g)
• 96g all purpose flour
• 64g cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

For the cookie dough

• 55g butter, softened
• 52g brown sugar
• 50g white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tblspoon milk 
• 128g all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 75g chocolate chips/shaved chocolate (I used Valrhona dulcey crunchy pearls)

for the brownies

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper and grease lightly.
2. Combine the melted butter, sugars and vanilla in a mixing bowl. On slow speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly combined.
3. In a separate bowl, sieve the flour and cocoa powder. Put in the salt. Gradually stir flour mixture into the egg mixture until blended. Making sure there are no lumps of dry ingredients and pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. 
4. Lick the spoon.
5. Bake in preheated oven for about 30mins or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove and allow to cool before frosting.

For the Cookie Dough layer

1. In a medium bowl, use a wooden spoon and mix the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Make sure that your butter is well softened before doing this otherwise you'll have to suffer a really painful process when spreading it out. Whisk in the vanilla and milk. Mix in the flour until well incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips; I used Valrhona Dulcey Crunchy Pearls here (because I'm so ghetto) but regular chocolate chips will work just fine.
2. Spread cookie dough in an even layer on top of the cooled brownies. Refrigerate for about 1 hour until firmed up before removing it from the pan and cutting into your desired shape.

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Yorijori: Relight my fire baby.

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Nestled inconspicuously at a small corner of the Paya Lebar Kovan Community Center, lies Yorijori Korean BBQ, Ministry of Food's latest dabble in the vivacious local Korean food scene. With "yori" meaning to cook and "jori" to recuperate, I was expecting a soothing and palatable journey of soulful Korean classics when invited for the media tasting at this humble neighbourhood joint. 

Sure enough, the weather was on our side. Cool winds swept through the mainly alfresco dining area (a scene I deem rather problematic during stormy weather), and we settled down to the generous hospitality of the knowledgeable staff, the gregarious sounds of evening line-dancing activities chiming in the background.. 

boCHINche: Meat you there!

Now if previous reviews are anything to go by, you would know Bochinche as an Argentinian restaurant that's popular for two things. Meat and sharing plates. I finally got the chance to check this place out in place of the poor ol' missus, who was stuck at work while I got to sample some of their new wares. 

We started off with the Chilled Pea Soup, Shallots, Yoghurt and Chopped mint ($8). This is one of their new, healthier (#eatclean) menu offerings. Though it looks velvety smooth, there was a slight grainy bite to it which I felt gave it more character. The mint gave you a cool minty freshness as an aftertaste, just like smoking Marlboro menthol light cigs (I kid, it's way better and healthier than cigs). The shallot rings giving it a mild sweetness while the breadcrumbs added some crunch. Only way to make this dish better is to add ham in! Cos who doesn't love green pea and ham soup? RIGHT?!

Dolcetto by Basilico: Delizioso

To say that this post is overdue is an understatement as the memories of Christmas fade into the background, and a heavy stream of red takes to the street. Yes, Chinese New Year is around the corner, hinting the procession of lo hei and festive goodies. Still, what's good is always worth sharing and my trip to Dolcetto at the Regent Hotel Singapore sure does justify a post, even if it might be a very tardy one.

Not a desserts fan, get a load of the sandwiches, daily soup and salads at Dolcetto. Being a take-away extension of the famous Basilico upstairs, you'll be guaranteed similar standards of food in tidier portions. Having visited Basilico before on a business lunch; an affair that resulted in me feasting flagrantly with wild abandon in front of my Chairman, grunting as I tugged on the cheesy strings of the white truffle infused calzone and getting carried away helping myself to one too many smoked buffalo mozzarella balls, I swore I almost choked when he asked me asked me if I was enjoying the food! ; As I perused the display at Dolcetto, I was thrilled to see that congruent offerings were carried downstairs. Take for example the Buffalo Mozzarella Salad, served with a simple balsamic vinegar dressing and the sweetest tomatoes ever. Perfect if you are allowing yourself to go big on the indulgent stuff without inheriting too much guilt. 

Senso: Sunday Prosecco Brunch

Senso Ristorante and Bar has got a special place in my heart (and tummy). Recollections from a somewhat suggestive first 'business lunch' with the current boyfriend (read more about it here) float as thick as smog around our window seats which were sadly occupied by another eccentric couple. To celebrate our monthsary, we turned to the trusty folks at Senso for a good time, armed with our Entertainer apps, we were ready to rock out the Sunday Prosecco Brunch in style and reckless abandon. Working in the F&B industry, day-offs are rare and that explains our 'go big or go home' attitudes. 

Priced at just 98++ with free flow of Prosecco, wines, beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea, it sounds like a steal, but truth be told, it gets better! Think a buffet of starters, Cause nobody does cold cuts better than the Italian!; fresh Italian breads, a galore of cheeses, salami, parma, prosciutto, smoked salmon, oysters. Tuck into a bowlful of the freshest prawns and revel in the crystal sweetness of these babies.

Outback Steakhouse: Magic, Madness, Heaven, Sin

I can never say no to ribs. And seriously, looking at those peeking honeyed strands of tender meat percolating barbecued goodness, only a saint can resist (or can they?)

Dinner at Outback Steakhouse was an interesting experience since my previous exposure was in Sydney. Uprooting, might I add, since I had the misconception that Outback steakhouse as name stakes was an all Australian joint, NO, in fact, it's an Australian-themed American casual dining restaurant chain based in Tampa, Florida with over 1200 locations in 23 countries now. Pardon me for the large rock I've been hiding under...

So moving on, we started our feast with non other than the quintessential American pub grub classic, Buffalo wings dressed as Kookaburra Wings (half $9.90, full $14.90), chicken joints tossed in a savoury blend of spices and then fanned out around a well of creamy blue cheese dressing. If you appreciate a good chunky blue cheese dressing then this would be one not to miss. A quick dipping with the fresh celery sticks would satiate those with a penchant for sauces.

Joe & Dough:Perfect for the Average Joe

When I first received the invite to sample Joe & Dough's Christmas offerings (I know this post came in a little late), I was ecstatic. Those who know me well would understand my undying love for bread and coffee, hence it was easy to understand my buzzing enthusiasm.

Founded in 2009, Joe & Dough has been slowly extending it's empire, spanning across the island in very strategic locations, for example, Kallang Leisure Park, Milennia Walk, Golden Shoe, Orchard Gateway and even Square 2. All this, in a bid to capture the working adult market. Its' success rate, evident from its steadily growing presence on the island.