Chicken & Mushroom Pie

Having 2 old couple sitting at home do nothing but watching DVDs on the extreme hot Saturday, and not even a single mood to cook. What is the best comfort food for the night then?

Many will says, who cares, just go out and grab something to eat, or pack some food outside and eat at home. Or some even suggest, why worry, buy Ramly Burger, that will solve all the problems.

Well well well well… which category did you fall under? Neither the above was mentioned? Or like me get something from Cold Storage and baked on your own.

While running errands in Cold Storage, I was caught by this nice packing pie that manufactured by Victoria Crest. Victoria Crest is a Malaysian company that specializes in the production of high-quality Halal meat products. They are using quality spices and ingredients and consisting primarily of British-style foods, their products are all made from original recipes. Without second thought I bought Chicken & Mushroom Pie for a try. Well, it’s definitely not cheap, more of buying an experience (sauce from Victoria Crest website).

Instruction is clearly spelled out in the box… and you will not miss a single step of it. And also it’s easy to make too… I guess I will make one of this when am free!

Ok, here’s the instruction –

For best results cook from frozen. Place pies with foil base on baking tray in a preheated oven at 190ºC (Gas Mark 5) for 15 minutes then reduce temperature to 170ºC (Gas Mark 3) and bake for another 35 to 46 minutes or until golden brown.

Brush before with milk or beaten egg to aid browning. Times will vary according to oven.

Carefully remove from foil base and serve hot.

And this is how it looks like after baking for 60 minutes. Honestly, this is the comfort food for the old couple that lying at home and does nothing. Distress isn’t it?

Nam Heong Restaurant 南香茶餐室

Since our loved one has left us, we hardly go back to this place… the place that earned its fortune in tin trade. But we do drop by if we are on the way to the city – KL. No doubt Ipoh food is always nice, and hearty, at least it does to me, especially their bean sprout chicken, Foh San Dim Sum, etc.

I always wanted to take my favourite Kong Heng Popiah and many times I will either lost my way or turn to the wrong junction. Then ended up I gave up for another food. Of course, Nam Heong of Jalan Bandar Timah isn’t that bad choice if you are looking for Ipoh White Coffee.

Let me make the comparison between Ipoh and Penang food … here goes….

Ipoh Chee Cheong Fun is different from Penang’s type. Penang will add shrimp paste and other sauces, but Ipoh will add green chilies and some curry sauces, that’s make it so unique that you wouldn’t decline to have one.

Ipoh Char Koay Teow will have to give way to Penang’s one. Cuz, it will never have the Penang’s aroma, even though they fried like Penang’s way. Some how, something is missing some where. Can you spot anything missing?

Ipoh Curry Mee is also another noodle that is different from Penang too. Penang will add long beans, tau kua and Cantonese called it Tau Foo Pok, and soup base has strong coconut milk. Where as Ipoh Curry Mee has more spices and stronger aroma too. Another tip that will tell you that this doesn’t belong to Penang Curry Mee, that’s the lime that squeeze in the soup.

Ipoh Hor Fun (Flat Noodle 怡保雞絲河粉) is Ipoh’s signature. Penang Koay Teow Th’ng could never beat them. I wonder why? Perhaps Ipoh Hor Fun added some shrimps into their stock that makes the soup base fragrant and tasty. Even so, their flat noodle is smooth and nice. One could think of the water that they use to make noodle. Many were speculating they were using mountain water for making it, but, how true would that again? Right?



Address
2, Jalan Bandar Timah,
Ipoh Perak, 30000
怡保旧街场

Opens from 7.30am to 4pm

Hun Sai Fish Head Bee Hoon

Have you experience sitting in front of the grave yard and having your bowl of soupy hot fish head bee hoon (rice vermicelli)??

Well, I’ve just experienced it not long ago… seeing row by row of tombs, and greeneries of grasses that lining these tombs, is an unique scenery. If it’s not because of the recent disciplines, guess I would not discover this place. I was told the early start, it was only tricycle running the business, but now it has been growing with a small pick up van with a few helpers.

I supposed this is family running business, and it was started it small and now it’s growing to such situation, and it has also gained a certain percent of customer base for this. Even tables and chairs are unique…

The ingredients that preparing for the bowl of bee hoon is absolutely fresh! Though I didn’t order a bowl of prawn bee hoon, but I could see the prawns has its freshness and the meat is rather firm.

Both fish meat bee hoon costs RM4-50 per bowl, regardless deep fried fish or fresh one.

As for prawns is about RM8 per bowl. In fact, I am thinking I should go back again for the prawns. It was absolutely tempting!

Another type would be the assorted ingredients, eg. meat, meat ball, intestines, etc.

We have two different opinion on this, hubby finds it just nice, where as I find it too blend. But, talking about freshness of the ingredients, I do not have doubt about it. I guess I’ll leave it to the individual to judge then.


Address & Map
Paya Terubong
11060 Penang
Map - https://foursquare.com/venue/7506446

Agua Mediterranean Cuisine

Straits Quay is surely a place to visit, a place for a drink, and a place for good food. On our recently special occasion, we spent a simple dinner down there. It’s our first visit and also it was a very sweet one. Though half way thru it was pouring heavily, we could hear the wind howling, and the rain drops were fiercely hit on the windows and glass door. But still that did not spoil our dinner, despite that heavy down pour.

Since it’s a simple yet a quality time spent together, the food that we have also the simplest too. What is that not so simple for the night, I wonder?!

Set meal is always hearty and also filing, I guess that’s only applied to small eater. And set meal is always the worth for the money kind of meal, be it everywhere you go, it’s always the case. What comes with Agua Mediterranean down here, was pretty impressive.

Spicy Sweet Pepper & Tomato Soup with Croutons, served hot. Would anyone want to try if they are serving cold soup? In fact, there is such soup in the entire area over in Europe.

Fillet of Fish Tunise (fish in Tunisian Style with Spices, Herbs & Lemon)

Dessert is something that I always see it from the Asian Food Channel, Oranges in Caramel with Red Wine Sauce. This is cooked in Red Wine, Cinnamon & Cloves. It’s a special acquired taste, only if you like the taste of cloves. However, it’s a good experience to try out.

Apart from the set meal that I’d mentioned above, they do too have A la Carte service as well.

Mixed Mushroom Paprika, tarragon & cream served on toast (RM19.90) is appetizing and tasty. In fact, it’s simple that we could make one for breakfast also.

Pork Medallions Monaco (RM36.90), it’s a pan fried pork medallions, caramelized shallots and herbs baked potatoes.

Sometimes if you can’t afford for any fine dining dinner for a special occasion, Agua Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant is another better choice too. At least it has the cozy environment for anyone to enjoy their food.




Address & Contact Number
Agua Mediterranean Cuisine
3A-G-18 &19 Straits Quay
Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang
Tanjung Tokong
10470, Penang
Tel: +604-890 8668

Business Hour:


11am – 11pm Daily

Hard Rock Café

How many of us will have 10 years? Or rather how many couple can get thru their 10th year anniversary? I’ve just got thru mine and the 10th year anniversary was spending it quietly with my loved one. Looking back those years, what we had was bitter sweet, and also full of fond memories.

The very 1st year, we were telling ourselves, let’s try out all the fine dining restaurants in town each year… and each year goes by, we did try out each of everyone, from Ferringhi Grill before renovation to after renovation, 1885 from E&O hotel, Vintage Bulgaria, Cassis, Chin’s etc…

Few years ago, I was thinking or rather planning giving him a surprise to Maldives, I believe he will remember that for life. Not that am buying that for him or what, is something that I try to full fill his dream to this beautiful heaven place. Unfortunately whatever had planned would have to give up due to his beloved passing. But, however, I lost the Maldives dream yet I gain a free night stay in the renowned hotel – Hard Rock Hotel, Penang.

A room that is a lagoon next to your room, not a lagoon by nature but a lagoon man made. After all, I have nothing much to lose.

10 years of marriage is neither an easy to manage nor going thru. I truly salute those people that had gone thru the difficult time. Those days, many will say the itch year – the 7th year is the terrible year. But with so many temptations out there, you don’t really have to wait till the 7th year. Within the 10 years, there are many things happened, you could feel the love that he has been cherish for you, especially when you’re down with sickness, he basically took a day off to pamper you with his love and tender loving care. Over weekend, helped you to iron some clothes, which am sure many of us hate doing that; mopping the floor, and even cook simple dinner for you too.

The vows that had made 10 years ago, for our marriage whether for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer; in sickness and in health; to have and to cherish, till death do us part is something that many of us should learn in our life. When I looked at the old man seeing his wife leaving him alone with 5 children… he was staring at the casket when those men taking it out from the parlour, it was something sadden.

I guess that’s something that many of us will go thru one of these days. Thus, the anniversary that we spent together nothing spectacular, but we both honestly had it quietly. I bet nobody would believe it that we were actually watching Burlesque by Cher and Christina Aguilera. At least that’s one of the movies that he accompanied me to finish it, otherwise, you will either see him dozing off or on his laptop.

Hard Rock Café, the place for our meal. The meal that celebrated the 10th year anniversary, a rock place, yet having two of us which is not that rock in the café I do find it a bit awkward. I was told their pizza was absolutely rock, and that’s something that you shouldn’t missed. But I wasn’t that rock for the night, but took something real simple.

Their rocking promotion for the month is their burger… mostly beef burger if you’re a beefy fan! I was told a burger plus a drink for the meal that’s the promotion for now. American food will never go wrong if you’re big eater. Half chicken that grilled in BBQ sauce and with lots of French fries is definitely a mutual combination for the rocking meal.

The only disappointment is the sauce is too salty and sourish, it may not really suitable for Asians. Nevertheless, it was a good experience to rock and enjoy!

Happy Anniversary, darling!

Hickory Smoked Pulled-Lamb Sandwich
Hickory-smoked lamb, hand-pulled, so it's tender and juicy. Served with our choice of Hard Rock Café authentic vinegar-based or Hickory Bar-B-Que sauces and topped with marinated slaw. Served with seasoned fries, ranch beans and fresh coleslaw. Hard Rock Café sandwiches are inspired by their Southern roots, the smoked pulled pork sandwich (non-halal, do not served in Penang outlet) remains many Hard Rock fans’ favorite. All sandwiches served with seasoned fries or substitute onion rings for an additional charge. Add a side Caesar or House salad for an additional fee.

Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que Chicken
Hard Rock Café famous Southern-style half-chicken, rubbed, grilled and basted with their authentic Hickory Bar-B-Que sauce. Served with seasoned fries, ranch beans and fresh coleslaw.

Ice Lemon Tea

Orange Juice

Address & Contact Number
Hard Rock Café Penang
(c/o Hard Rock Hotel Penang)
Jalan Batu Feringghi
11100 Penang
Tel: +604-8811 711

Business Hours –
Restaurant & Merchandise
Daily 11am to 2am

Home Cooked ABC Soup

ABC soup is many households famous soup for the family, and am sure each of the family will know how to make this, though is very much depending on individual preference and measurements of the ingredients.

For my type of ABC Soup, I normally omitted the potato which I don’t really fancy of it, and surely adding more of onions and carrots. Some may added pepper corn to the soup to make it more fragrant.

Ingredients
2 medium size carrots, cut into chunks
2 large onions, cut into wedges
200g pork ribs
4 honey dates
4 large tomatoes, cut into wedges
1.5 to 1.7 liter of water

Steps

1. 

   First blanch pork ribs in the boiling water for about 5 to 8 minutes, dish out then rinse with cold water.



2. Boil the 1.5 liter water till it’s boiling, add the blanched pork ribs into the pot and the rest of the ingredients, eg. carrots, onions, tomato and honey dates.



3. Boil everything in the pot for about 2 hours in high flame, and simmer after that for about 30minutes.



4. Add salt for seasoning.

If you want to make your soup base more tasty you could add more either pork ribs or chicken feet. Cantonese normally do not add rock sugar into the soup but honey dates. Thus many would find the soup a bit blur and it doesn’t look clear as what it should be. However the honey dates could make the soup more tastier and sweeter. Some may add red dates as well and some wolfberries.

This soup is easy to make, and if you’re not into a meaty day, a pot of this soup could help to warmth your belly for the night too. Enjoy!

Da Ban Chinese Restaurant 大班中國風味館

Whenever I passed by this place, I would sure looking into this building. It gives me a very mystery kind of feel, until I stepped into it then I realized it was managed by a Chinese young lady.

It has been hosted a few beauty pageants that came to Penang for some kind of promotion, and also, they have been promoting China cuisine as well, they are also open for Chinese Reunion Dinner too.

It was an impressive decoration in the shop, with the man made brisk bridge that connect the entrance to the inner hall that shows that the owner has a creative idea in managing her eatery outlet.

It was our first time, so we are pretty conservative in ordering our food. Thus, the food that we ordered was merely simple yet something we had tasted before in other places.

As for the appetizers that served, it’s something that I’ve not personally try before, but it gives a very good lesson for us to understand that’s how a typical Chinese cuisine was served in China Mainland.

Shrimps and seaweed

Assorted Pig’s Intestine Porridge with ‘Kee Chee’ (怡神枸杞豬雜粥, RM10-80)

DaBan Fried Rice with Preserved Meat (大班臘味炒香飯, RM9-90)

Stir Fried ‘Yau Mak’ with Preserved Beancurd (大石腐乳炒油麥)


Other Review
Cariso Delicacies Corner
FoodMice @ 槟城
Bamboo Chopsticks


Address & Contact Number
Da Ban Chinese Restaurant
大班中國風味館
84 Jalan Zainal Abidin
10400 Penang
Tel/Fax: +604-227 2777

Business Hour: 12.30pm to 4am