Relax Bistro

A get-together with friends of Mrs Pancakes. I think they prefer buffet but the Pancakes don't eat that much now, the group were kind enough for a compromise. This bistro was chosen by Mrs Pancakes and a good choice I must say.


Great company, good food and great conversation with the executive chef to boot.


What a way to start 2010!


Full post: http://eatreadlive-foodprint.blogspot.com/2010/01/relax-bistro.html

The Canopy @ Aramsa

On the recommendation of Mr Chocolate Chips Cookies, the Pancakes met up with Mr Going-to-get-Married-in-July for brunch at Bishan Park and to pass him and his wife to be their wedding gifts...


Full Post: http://eatreadlive-foodprint.blogspot.com/2010/01/canopy-aramsa.html

Mr K's Birthday Lunch @ The Pancakes

The Dependables came over as planned for Mr K's birthday lunch less Mr GE who is out of the country.  Salute to Mr K who really turned up at 7am in the morning to cook (his own) lunch. Mr Pancakes and Mr K had fun talking nonsense and cooking (and the only TWO we13 games which Mr Nurse witnessed.)


A reminder of the menu here. Mr Nurse added mushrooms cooked in cream and balsamic vinegar. Superbly done, I must say. And the use of fresh thyme leaves (forcefully) suggested by Mr Pancakes gave that extra zing to the dish. 

Mr Pancakes managed to squeeze in Italian Angelino Plums cooked in vanilla syrup because of the extra hands of Mr K. It did not turn out as well as Mr Pancakes wanted, but nevertheless, the virgin use of a vanilla bean (given by Mr Nurse) was exciting enough. All menu items will be added on to the 'Recipe' segment of this website. Including Mr Nurse's mushrooms. We missed out the lemon cake served with lemon curd done by Mrs Pancakes, which she will post later in the 'Recipe' section.


Amazingly, the Dependables did not take photos after so many rounds of gathering. Shall make a commitment to do so the next time round.


And yes, first time visit by the little princess of Mr K to the Pancakes. Super cute right?

Some reflections. Yes, Mr Pancakes (with Mrs Pancakes and Mr K) pulled off another meal. However, Mr Pancakes realised that it lacked the "WOW" factor. The whole dining experience was just normal. Mr Pancakes wants to jazz it up. Serves the food warm and surprise his guests. Right now, Mr Pancakes is at best is at the level of a hawker stall. So many things to work on. Quality of the cooking, presentation of the food, the temperature of the food when served, timing of the food being cooked just as the guests arrives and of course the "wow" factor. Also, kitchen management. The kitchen is always messed up as the last dish is hastily served. All these had gotta improve.


And yes, Mr Sailor, to make it good enough for you to wear your suit here to eat. ;)
Thanks for the encouragements.


Onward to the next level, Mr Pancakes. To the zi char standard, we go.

Mr K’s Birthday Lunch Menu

Avocado Milk Shake

A blend concoction of avocado & milk enhanced by the traditional flavours of gula Melaka.

Baby Spinach Salad

Tossed with crispy bacon bits, feta cheese with balsamic dressing.

Stuffed Pork Loins

Rolled pork loins stuffed with zesty baby spinach leaves and feta mix.Glazed with minty red currant jelly sauce.

Japanese Green Tea Pudding with Azuki Beans

Matcha pudding topped with azuki beans. Served with lemon cupcake & lemon curd.

Breakfast @ Pancakes'

"Extraordinary times requires extraordinary actions." And that's what Mr Pancakes and his gang did. We looked out for each other back then and we are still doing the same now. The Dependables convened and did what we set out to do. Mr K, couldn't make it due to work commitments. But nevertheless he called and was truly concerned. (I think I forgot to update him. Hmm...) And so, we had breakfast at the Pancakes' Place. Oh yah, Mr U was supposed to make his official announcement of his annulment of his freedom. Congrats to him.

(Mr Pancakes decided to use bigger font size from this post onwards.)

What a spread! But sadly, Mr Pancakes thought Mrs Pancakes took photos of the carnage (but she didn't!). Pity for our dear readers. But nevertheless, Mrs Pancakes did manage to take some of the dishes on offer that day.

The Breakfast Spread

*

Poached Eggs

(gamely cooked by Mr and Mrs Sailor)

*

Back Bacon

*

Pancakes(!) with Blueberry Maple Sauce

*

Pan-Pacific Bratwursts

*

Orange Juice / Guava Juice

*

Dark Chocolate Croissants

(recipe below)

*

Grilled Tomatoes with mixed herbs

*

Strawberries

(see previous post)

*

Great, hearty breakfast. And Mr Nurse did comment that most of the things were done from scratch. Au Naturel. Superb. That's what REAL cooking is all about.

And Mr Nurse still owe Mr Pancakes some money. :)

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This recipe is by Nigella Lawson. I just love her no frills (and fast) cooking. You can find her recipes on her website [here].

Chocolate Croissants

Only 3 ingredients needed for this. Extra simple.

You will need: 500g ready-rolled puff pastry (I used Sunshine Frozen puff pastry. Can be bought at bigger supermarkets.) 120g of dark chocolate (min. 70% cocoa . I used Cadbury Old Gold Dark Chocolate here) and 1 egg (beaten).

To make:

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C. Roll out the puff pastry to required thickness (0.5cm). And cut into 15 x 15cm squares.

2. Cut each square diagonally to give 2 triangles (they will appear quite small). Put the wider base of the triangle facing you, and the point away from you.

3.Break off small pieces of chocolate (approx. 1cm) to place on the pastry triangles, about 2cm up from the wide end nearest to you.

4. Then carefully roll from that chocolate-loaded end towards the point of the triangle.

5. You should now have something resembling a straight croissant. Seal it slightly with your fingertips and curl it around into a crescent. (You may have problems doing this.)

6. Place the 16 chocolate croissants on a baking tray lined with baking paper. DO NOT butter it. Paint croissants with the beaten egg. Bake for 15 minutes until they are golden and puffy.

If you are having friends over, chuck the croissants into the oven just as your friends arrive. Charm them with the heavenly smell of the croissants baking in the oven.

Note: The puff pastry that I used here is NOT recommended to be re-frozen. Pick a puff pastry that you can re-freeze if you do not want to do so.