Mother's Day 2017

If your mother is an avid reader, here are some gift ideas for Mother's Day.

Hippy Days Arabian Nights

By Katherine Boland

Published by Wild Dingo Press

This memoir by artist Katherine Boland is a rollicking good read.

Katherine follows her heart and her dreams with gusto, not stopping to consider the "could haves" or the "should haves."

She arrived in Australia as a child with her family on the 10-pound Pom scheme.

Restaurant review

Good Chance Popiah

New World Centre

1 Jalan Berseh #01-15

Singapore 209037

Tel 9622 9445

Open daily from 11.30am to 9.30pm

I first sampled the famous do-it-yourself popiah (spring rolls) at Good Chance Popiah a number of years ago and was pleased to find that the restaurant had opened a new branch at the New World Centre, during my recent visit to Singapore.

My niece and fellow foodie Jong-Ee Kao was keen to try my roasted cauliflower recipe, so here it is.

Roasted cauliflower with lemon and mustard

adapted from Neil Perry's recipe

Serves 4

1 head cauliflower

2 tbsp plus ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp salt

½ tsp sugar

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice or to taste

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

1 tbsp salted baby capers, rinsed and drained

1 tbsp chopped flat parsley leaves

Put oven rack on the middle shelf and preheat to 220 degrees C.

I was privileged to meet my facebook foodie friend Hee Heng, recently, in Melbourne.

We were introduced by my late brother in law Alan Chionh via facebook when Hee Heng started a new venture as restaurateur and head chef of Chuup restaurant, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

After an illustrious career, he cashed out of a business he owned and retired.

“Sharing my mom's family cooking was something I always wanted to do and my retirement gave me the time to pursue what I love to do.” he said.

Valentine's Day 2017

So, it's that time of the year for romantics to celebrate St Valentine's Day.

What to give your beloved, where to go for that romantic dinner and how much does a dozen long-stemmed roses cost?

Maybe I'm being unromantically practical, but sometimes a good back rub or foot massage, when your soul is as weary as your tired body, can be more meaningful than flowers and chocolates.

How about loading and unloading the dishwasher for a change or prepare a picnic by the beach or in the park while the babysitter minds the children?

Just a reminder that chef Frank Kun Fu of Bowl Bowl Sichuan in Collingwood will be doing another cooking demonstration at Williams-Sonoma at Chadstone shopping centre on Saturday, 28 January from noon.

Roll up for a front seat and watch Frank whip up some culinary magic.

There will be tastings, prizes and more.

Williams-Sonoma is on the lower ground floor near David Jones.

See you there!

Chinese New Year of the Rooster 2017

The Year of the Fire Rooster will start on January 28, 2017 and last until February 15, 2018.

According to the Chinese zodiac, the rooster is the 10th animal in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac signs.

The Years of the Rooster are 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029...
The Rooster is almost the epitome of fidelity and punctuality.

For our ancestors who had no alarm clocks, the crowing was significant because it awakened people to get up and start to work.

Cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma, Chadstone shopping centre.

Ennis Le from Hanoi Mee.

The recent cooking demonstration by talented Vietnamese chef Ennis Le from Hanoi Mee in Port Melbourne was a great success.

Participants watched Ennis create tantalising modern Vietnamese delights and were thrilled to sample his dishes.

If you missed the demonstration, here are his recipes to try at home.

Keep your eye out for more cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma, Chadstone shopping centre, soon!

Cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma, Chadstone shopping centre.

Ennis Le from Hanoi Mee.

Looking for some culinary inspirations for your next dinner?

Come to Williams-Sonoma at Chadstone shopping centre on Thursday, 12 January at 5pm and watch talented chef Ennis Le from Hanoi Mee in Port Melbourne, while he whips up some exciting modern Vietnamese dishes.

Book a ringside seat at the demonstration kitchen of Williams-Sonoma, which is on the lower level, near David Jones.

Update

Cooking demonstration by Frank Kun Fu of Bowl Bowl Sichuan Street food and dumpling at Williams-Sonoma.

Frank Kun Fu's cooking demonstration at the popular homeware and gourmet food shop Williams-Sonoma at Chadstone shopping centre on Saturday, 7 January 2017, was very well received.