[Circuit Breaker] Cooking with Perfect Earth Pasta

Received the Perfect Earth Pasta from my friends at Forever Young Enterprise, a well-known and established Organic and Natural Health Food provider in the industry. I was most impressed that the Perfect Earth Pasta is a range of gluten-free, allergen-free, gmo-free, suitable for vegan and is also Kosher certified product. Wow!

Perfect Earth Pasta

Now, let's do the taste test. I'm not much of a cook and the last I had cooked any pasta was, hmm...possibly right after my university days and during share house period? Like, about more than 10 years ago? Hahaha, I'm usually a ramyeon person more than a pasta lover. However, am excited to try Perfect Earth Pasta because I didn't know that know there's such a wide range of pasta available made of the various rice like organic range of black rice, red rice and brown rice, plus there's another range with chia seeds!

Randomly chose one to try, and decided on the Perfect Earth Organic Chia Pasta Brown Rice. Going to do a kimchi chicken bulgogi sauce for the pasta.

let's try this

Here are the ingredients for the sauce

1. One pack of kimchi - I used Bibigo stir-fried kimchi pack (80g)

2. Two large cloves of garlic - chopped

3. One small slim carrot - chopped

4. One big yellow onion - sliced

5. One pack of chicken bulgogi - about 330g

At home, the stove is not working, so most of the time, I can only do cooking in the pot or in the toaster. For this experiment, I used the rice cooker to cook the meat and the sauce, while the soup pot is used to boil the pasta.

stir-fried kimchi pack

To cook the chicken

1. Heat up the oil in the rice-cooker

2. Placed in the chopped garlic and brown it till fragrant

3. Placed in the onions and carrots. Fry till onions are soft.

4. Add in the chicken bulgogi and brown it for about 5 minutes

5. Pour in the kimchi. Add water to the sauce in the kimchi pack and put it together with the meat

6. Simmer for another 10 mins

kimchi chicken bulgogi

To cook the pasta

1. Put salt into the water and wait till it boils

2. Drop in the pasta sticks (2 handfuls for 2 pax)

3. Cook for about 5 minutes and it should have softened but still al-dente

4. Drain the pasta and move the pasta into the chicken pot

5. Toss well and simmer for about a minute will do

Perfect Earth Organic Chia Pasta Brown Rice - cooked

I liked the texture of the cooked pasta which is not too al-dente and not too soft too. The chia seeds gave it a lovely texture, much like toasted sesame.

kimchi chicken bulgogi pasta

lovely bite and texture

Easy to cook, healthy and reasonably priced! Let's stock up some of these in the food cupboard, shall we?

Thank you Hence and Tracy for the introduction to Perfect Earth Pasta!

To purchase, please visit the URL below:
https://www.foreveryoung.com.sg/product-category/pasta/
https://shopee.sg/foreveryoungsg
https://www.qoo10.sg/shop/foreveryoungsg

[Order Food Online] Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Good news to My Millennium members! Enjoy up to 20% savings when you takeaway from Millennium Hotels and Resorts restaurants in Singapore! And for My Millennium member, there's an additional 5% off your takeaway, yay!

Grand Copthorne Waterfront link to order:

https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/destinations/asia/singapore/grand-copthorne-waterfront/order-food-online/

M Social link to order:

https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/destinations/asia/singapore/grand-copthorne-waterfront/order-food-online/

Grand Shanghai link to order

https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/destinations/asia/singapore/grand-copthorne-waterfront/order-food-online/

Millennium Hotels & Resorts

https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/offers/asia/order-food-online/




Here are some of the foods that I have tried previously at Grissini (Grand Copthorne Waterfront) and Beast & Butterflies (M Social), and now available for takeaway too!

Grissini - Ortolana Pizza

Beast & Butterflies - Chili Crab 

Beast & Butterflies - Cassoulet duck confit

[Circuit Breaker/Heightened Alert] Sharing My List of Resources

Yes, we are in this period and in it together. Let's see some of the list of resources available for food options that does takeaway and/or online delivery. Personally, I use online delivery most of the time and the issue is that my area, Yew Tee, isn't that popular with restaurants so the options available are not too big but still ok.

Local F&Bs (Compilation)

Compiled by WhereToEat Singapore: https://wte.sg/3dYk6WM

If you have more to add on, do contact WhereToEat Singapore! Thanking you in advance.

(Editor Note in 2021: Seems like the list in WhereToEat was last updated in 2020)

Food Deliveries Platforms (that I have tried before)

GrabFood (currently using in 2021)

Pros: 

• Current default choice ever since the Foodpanda increased the delivery fee
• Able to purchase Grab Stay-home Pack @$1.99 per month to offset max. of $4 from delivery fee (30 vouchers per cycle) for orders of $15 and above. Do bear in mind that at certain times, the delivery fee fluctuation for the same shop could between $2 and $6.90. Also observed that there are certain 'service fee' that's not deductible using the voucher. Other vouchers such as Grabfood vouchers from Shopee, can offset the amount, including delivery fee. So, see which one is more worthwhile to use
• Plenty of riders for Grab platform and so far, there was no missed delivery yet
• More shop options compared to the other two platforms

Cons:

• Less options of shops around home address but slightly more/different than the other two
• For island-wide delivery to my home address, typical delivery fee would be around $12 to $22

Deliveroo 

Pros: 

• I like Deliveroo for its shorter waiting time for delivery....most of the time anyways, although there had been occasions where it fell short too. But if you contact Helpdesk, typically they will offer a discount code for next use.

Cons: 

• For home address, the choices of food is actually more or less the same as Foodpanda

Foodpanda 

Pros:

• Used it quite often previously at the workplace, as it has a tier-ed delivery charge where some can be as low as less than $2 when compared to Deliveroo, assuming both are not having any promo. Less attractive to use in 2021 as the delivery fee is relatively higher

Cons: 

• For home address, the choices of food is actually more or less the same as Deliveroo

WhyQ 

Pros: 

• I like this because I can order hawker food from Bukit Panjang Hawker Center and not the usual places that I see on Foodpanda/Deliveroo. 
• I can also indicate things like "pack the soup separately", "add chili" for each order. 
• There are multiple promo codes to choose from (thus far).

Cons: 

• The selection is only from Bukit Panjang Hawker Center for my area... 
• There are extra charges based on how many items you order. For example, if you get 2 items even from the same stall, it is counted as twice. Hence, delivery fee will be x 2. Same with if you get one item from Stall A and then get another one from Stall B, the delivery fee will be x 2 as well. 

Oddle Eats (used on a few occasions in 2020 and 2021, usually to order birthday meals) 

Pros:

• Plenty of restaurants to choose from for island-wide delivery
• Some restaurants offers discount for first-time order, or there are also credit card offers to watch out for

Cons:

• Minimum order for delivery for my address is usually $50 and above and free delivery for orders above $100 may be offered by selected shops
• GST costs + delivery fee

Feastbump (rarely used)

Pros: 

• Food from places that are far far from Yew Tee!

Cons: 

• High min. order and/or high delivery charges. The minimum order, so far I have seen is $35 but most are $50 and above. Delivery fee ranges from $5 to $25 for my area.

Current promo: 

• $5 delivery fee island-wide, min. order requirements are more or less the same

Groceries Shopping Platform (that I have tried before)

Shopee

I guess I am more of a Shopee person rather than a Qoo10 person? Not sure why also. I think the things are cheaper in Qoo10 but just more comfortable using Shopee, so far.

Grocer King 

URL: https://shopee.sg/grocerking

For: meats and vegetables

Order received: Fast. Within 2 days after payment was confirmed.

Pros: Fresh vegetables

Cons: My order of the frozen items were completely thawed when it was sent over at evening time around 6pm

APC E-Store 

URL: https://shopee.sg/apcestore

For: Dried seafood, lap cheong, mushrooms

Order received: Fast. Within 4 days after payment was confirmed

Pros: small free gifts from the seller (food)

Cons: certain item can be pricier. 

Kimchi Mall

URL: https://shopee.sg/liffey180228.sg

For: Korean foods

Order received: Moderate. Within 6 days after payment was confirmed

Pros: Promo items with good pricing (between 10% to 40% off for selected items). Items are well packed.

Cons: None at the moment. 

LHH Vegetables

URL: https://shopee.sg/lhh_veg
For: Fresh vegetables
Order received: Very fast. Within the next business day after payment received.
Pros: Fresh vegetables bundles ranging from $16 to $32 per box. Free delivery above $30.
Cons: Unable to request for a change of the vegetables type. Delivery fee of $5 for orders below $30

Forever Young Singapore

URL: https://shopee.sg/foreveryoungsg

For: Pasta, honey, jam, rice, noodles, cereals

Order received: Got the Perfect Pasta delivered by a friend, hence NA

Pros: Reasonably priced and one could get organic, gluten free, vegan suited products

Cons: Certain popular items might be sold out pretty fast

Harin Mart

URL: https://www.harinmart.com/

For: Korean groceries

Order received: Fast. Within 4 days after payment was confirmed and after sending them an enquiry on the third day.

Pros: like a Korean supermarket. Pretty good selection of vegetables, noodles, convenience foods, sauces, broth, fruits etc. Delivery fee of $3 but there's a tax on the total order. Hence, I think the price displayed is before GST.

Cons: Missed out one item out of 10. Sent them an enquiry via their website but not responded at the moment.

Double Chin Food Specialists

URL: https://www.doublechinfs.com/
For: Frozen poultry, pork, beef and seafood
Order received: Super fast. Within next business day for orders before 10pm the day before.
Pros: Reasonably priced and min. $30 and above for free delivery. Receive the order the next business day after payment.
Cons: Hope they will have more selection soon

Here are some of the dishes that I've whipped up using the supplies from above:

porridge with dried scallops, oysters (from APC E-Store) and fresh spinach (from LHH)

Perfect Earth Chia Seed Brown Rice Pasta with mushrooms, red chilies from LHH Vege

Bibigo Wanton from Harin Mart, bok choy from LHH

Dongwon Spicy Tuna with diced yellow onions (from Harin Mart) and chilies from LHH

curry chicken using meat from Double Chin

Hope you had enjoyed the list. Most of the above are just personal experiences, hence it may be different for others. Do share your favourite online stores too! 

#sgunited #stayhome #savefnbsg

Dashi Master Marusaya @ 86 Robertson Quay

Marusaya specialises in authentic Japanese cuisine using all natural dashi (だし).  No MSG and no preservatives. The dashi (broth) forms the foundation of Japanese cuisine, and is typically made from katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes). At Marusaya, the katsuobushi had undergone a process of simmering, smoking and drying for about 2 years instead of the typical 1 year. The result is Satsuma Hongare-Honbushi which has a more concentrated savoury umami flavour.

entrance

interior

Thank you Jennifer from JY Consultancy and Marusaya for the invitation to try the dishes at Dashi Master.

The service crew will bring out the cold towel (oshibori) for diners before the start of the meal.

おしぼり

ビールじゃない

For appetiser, started with Half-Dried Bonito Fish Jerky (Taberu Katsuobushi). Hmm, first time in my life, having bonito flakes as appetiser! It was an interesting experience. The texture is as it looked like. Taste wise, the savoury flavour releases slowly as you chew. If you are curious about the taste of bonito fish jerky, then this appetiser would be perfect to satiate that curiosity.

Half-Dried Bonito Beef Jerky 食べる鰹節 @$15++

closer view

Next, was the Blanched Spinach with Dashi Sauce. Spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes in delicious dashi sauce, and topped with bonito flakes shavings. Yums!

Blanched Spinach with Dashi Sauce お浸し @$9++

yummy

The agedashi tofu here was pretty good. Served with sliced capsicum and swimming in dashi. The tofu skin was mochi mochi and carried the stock well.

Agedashi Tofu 揚げ出し豆腐 @$12++

chewy mochi skin

How about some oden too? This would be a good dish to showcase the delicious dashi broth. We had daikon, konjac, chikuwa, chicken meatballs and hard boiled egg. My favourite was the homemade chicken meatballs. So flavourful and best matched with the broth.

おでん @$20++ per portion (photo showed 2 portions combined)

The limelight at Dashi Master, is the Dashi Shabu Set. Diners could pick their choice of meat; A4 Wagyu Beef $68++, A5 Wagyu Beef $108++ or Pork $48++. There's also the homemade chicken meatballs hotpot at $38++ per pax.

To start, service crew would bring out a large steel pot with shredded vegetables in it. There's Chinese cabbage, carrot, kale, tang oh, leak, shimeji, shiitake and myoga. All awaiting for the dashi broth to be poured over.

huge pot of shredded vegetables 

in goes the dashi

A4 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef and Hokkaido Pork (3 pax portion)

waiting for the soup to boil, then turn it down to 80 degrees for optimal cooking

now is the time

The source of the meat could be seasonal. For example, at the moment, they are serving Miyazaki beef and at other times, it could be from the Kagoshima prefecture.

The beef was happiness in a slice. After you are done with the meat and vegetables, one could choose either udon or porridge as the finale for the meal. Included as part of the Shabu Set.

If you like a firm chewy texture, go for the homemade udon. Made fresh daily.

Add caption

I prefer the porridge, as the grains would be absorbing all the goodness of the shabu pot into itself.

bubbling with anticipation

porridge

Have enjoyed a hearty meal at Dashi Master Marusaya. The flavour of the dashi was not too overpowering and has the right balance to let the ingredients shine.

To end the meal, let's enjoy a scoop of ice-cream (on the house, if you flash this page!).

black sesame (front) and matcha ice-cream (back)

ごちそうさまでした！

Dashi Master Marusaya

Address: 86 Robertson Quay, #01-01 Robertson Blue, Singapore 238245
Website: http://bitejapan.asia/marusaya/
Contact: 6732 0383
Business Hours:
Mon-Fri: 5pm - 11.30pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 11.30pm

Itacho Sushi @ Novena Square

Was famished and decided to try this new Itacho outlet at Novena Square 2. Staff will take your temperature and customer will leave their name and contact number. Like the other sushi chain restaurant in Singapore, Itacho has its app that customer can download from Google Play or App Store.

Ordering was simple but took quite long to browse as there were sections like Sushi King, Season Special, Easter Surprise etc. At 2.30pm, the two limited promotion items were sold out. There goes my cheap sushi.

I love scallops, so ordered one and the Mar promotional item of roasted bincho red wine with lemon sauce. The aburi scallop sushi is rather pricey and I'd recommend the Genki sushi version where 3 hotate sushi is only about $5+.

[front to back] Roasted Bincho Red Wine with Lemon Sauce @$2.20 and Roasted Scallop @$3.30

Not the pretties looking and there's a noticeable difference in size between the $2.20 and $3.30 sushi.

the only flavour you'll remember is the lemon tang

There's a drink promo where $2.50 gets you two canned drinks. The menu has a few combo which you could choose. I chose a sweet one and another unsweetened one.

Mango Green Tea @$2.50 (1 for 1)

One of the prettier looking dish was the Roasted Kagashima Wagyu Beef. Plating was on-point and served with garlic chips too! The wagyu slice was thin as expected for this price point. Worth ordering.

[Sushi King] Roasted Kagoshima Wagyu Beef w Garlic @$10

different angle

Next, was also a luxurious item of Sea Urchin Tai sushi. Was abit cautious in ordering uni (sea urchin) at Itacho but was pleasantly surprised by this item. The small dollop of uni looked pretty good actually, but overall, this piece was tiny. No funky taste, and the sushi had a little hint of sweetness.

[Season Special] Sea Urchin Tai Sushi @$4.50 (UP $5.60)

Usually, I'll be full with 7 pieces of sushi but at Itacho, I needed more (due to the average size of the sushi piece which was slightly smaller). Added 2 more pieces of sushi; sea eel and akami.

Sea Eel Sushi @$3

Blue Fin Tuna Sushi  Akami @$3.40 (UP $4.50)

The sea eel sushi had a glaze that tasted too sweet for me, so it wasn't as enjoyable as anticipated. Was rather happy with the akami. Good portion and tasted about just right!

Spent $34 for the above meal.

Itacho Sushi

Address: #02-85/89, NOVENA Square 2
Website: https://www.itachosushi.com.sg/
Contact: 6261 4616
Business Hours:
SUN TO THURS: 1100 - 2200
FRI, SAT & HOLIDAY EVE: 1100 - 2300