#ewew cooks Spam & Potato Hash with a Chinese Twist

In the western world, this dish would be called Spam & Potato Hash, a breakfast casserole cooked in a cast iron skillet.  Add an egg or two and you have a lovely breakfast dish to start off your morning.

But I don't have a cast iron skillet...and a good Spam & Potato Hash needs the high heat of a cast iron skillet to get them cubes of deliciousness well caramelised and crusty.  So, I took inspiration from this dish and put my spin on this popular breakfast staple and made Spam & Potato Hash with a Chinese Twist. ^.^

For this simple and easy-to-cook dish, all the ingredients you'll need are two potatoes, two eggs, half a can of luncheon meat (or spam) and a bunch of green beans.

You start by dicing the half can of spam into small cubes and pan-fry them in a non-stick pan until they're slightly browned on most sides.  You may lightly oil the pan although there's no necessity as the spam will ooze out oil when you fry them.

Next, you do the same with the diced potatoes by frying them in shallow oil until soft and browned.

Then, just heat some oil and crack two eggs directly into the pan.  Season with salt and pepper and stir them briskly around the pan, making sure that they're well browned with crispy edges.

Finally, saute the green beans that have been cut into 1-inch lengths in some oil.  Do not add any water as you don't want them to steam.  You want them to blister and develop a nice char (which will take a while).  Add some chopped garlic when the beans are almost done.

Once the french beans have softened, throw back in the earlier pre-cooked spam, potatoes and egg...and mix everything together.  Drizzle in enough oyster sauce until you're satisfied with the savouriness of the dish.

And here's my take on Spam & Potato Hash with a Chinese Twist that goes very well with steamed rice.

I don't think I've come across anyone cooking this dish (this way before), so maybe I can claim I created it....*wink wink*...which didn't take much doing actually! :P

I just threw in four of our favourite foodstuff into a pan and let it work its magic.  In fact, no magic needed when you have spam, eggs, potatoes....staples in any pantry.  You just need french beans...and voila....you have yourself a truly yummy one-dish meal that's complete with meat, eggs, carbs and veggie all-in-one.  Now this is a dish that will please the younglings, I bet! ^o^

And in case you have leftovers (which will be a rarity) but in the remote chance that you do, just toss them in with your leftover rice....and you got yourself a lovely fried rice.  I suppose you can substitute spam with ham in this dish but anything ham can do, spam can do better! ^_~

Yamaguchi Fish Market @ Kampung Pandan

My last visit to Yamaguchi Fish Market @ Kampung Pandan was more than a year ago...and I did say then that I may return to try live uni in a shell one day.  And that was exactly what I came for (last weekend) when I saw it offered at a price that was at least affordable to me.

We got there fairly early (around 6.30pm) but all the tables were already reserved with only the counter seats available.  I don't recommend the counter seats though as I was privy to the sometimes frantic food preparation in action.

It wasn't a case of looking at a calm sushi chef showcasing his mastery of sushi preparation but a case of seeing how long it took a chef to shuck an oyster or the collected dirty plates piling in the sink...haha! :D  For a Japanese restaurant, the place is rather dimly lit, which isn't great for photo taking, so please excuse the rather subdued photos.

The first thing that I ordered was the Live Uni @ RM88 served in its shell, of course.  It came sitting in a big bowl of ice with some green vegetation (which I reckon isn't for eating) just to make the uni look more worthy of its price? ;P

The five slices of uni in the shell may look big (coz I zoomed in) but don't be fooled by the photo as they were actually very tiny pieces.  Just look at the teaspoon at the top of the picture and you can gauge how small it was.  I once watched David Rocco's Dolce Vita where he travels off the coast of Naples to the island of Procida and dives for sea urchins.  Although they were smallish, the sea urchin roe had an amazingly vibrant orange colour, an indication as to just how fresh it was.  And all he needed was just a little of the fresh and rich roe to make a simple but delicious pasta dish.

To say I was disappointed with the taste would be putting it mildly....it didn't taste like the sea...in fact, it didn't taste good at all!  The uni sushi I had on my previous visit here tasted way way better.  I guess when something is offered at a cheap price, it can't be any good.  I should have known that there's no such thing as a cheap uni when one normally costs double the price! O_o  A cheap uni = a teeny-tiny uni = a not tasty uni!! Haiz, when something is too good to be true, it usually is! T_T

Disappointment aside, we also came because of the unagi promotion we saw posted by Gourmet Hunter KL. There are four dishes to choose from for this promotion...Unagi Train Sushi, Unagi Train Cheesy Sushi (RM36), Unagi Claypot Udon (RM46) and Steamed Unagi Rice with Egg.

And we knew exactly which two we wanted.  I wouldn't want a cheesy unagi nor have my unagi 'swimming' in a hot broth.  So, we started with the Unagi Train Sushi @ RM36, served on top a shorter 'train' of sushi rice.

We were very happy to see that it was a pretty long 'train'.  How long, you ask?  Well, I placed a Japanese wooden chopstick there for comparison purposes....and I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that the unagi was longer than the chopstick (probably about 9 inches)! ^_^

We were also extremely pleased with the taste of the unagi....sweet, caramelised, soft, tasty, perfect! ^.^

Our final unagi choice was the Steamed Unagi Rice with Egg @ RM46 that came served in a wooden box over a flame to keep the rice steaming hot while you eat.

Again, the portion of unagi was very substantial for the price paid.  Just look at it....and this was just half of the whole unagi! O_o

This is a fantastic deal indeed....for such quality and delicious tasting unagi.  We have no complaints whatsoever :)

Besides the lovely unagi, the steaming hot rice was also accompanied by a delightfully fluffy and appetising egg.  This was a dang good dish overall, one you won't regret ordering. ^o^

For more carbs, simply add on the Garlic Fried Rice @ RM10 which was scrumptious enough to please.

The Trio of Salmon @ RM45 featured a plate of freshness with salmon and salmon belly sashimi together with a small dish of salmon roe (ikura).

The three thick slices of salmon sashimi and two pieces of salmon belly met the freshness and taste test with flying colours.

The serving of ikura didn't fare as well though this time.  Although still bursting with juices, it wasn't quite bursting with saltiness like the last time we had it here.  We've had ikura lots of time elsewhere since but none could match the freshness and saltiness of the awesome one we had here...the first time.

Since the fresh juices here cost less than the green tea (RM12), we opted for the Orange Juice and Ice Honey Lemon, both at RM11.

If you have the cash to splash, you can splurge on some of these expensive premium seafood I saw in their tanks.  How about some Alaskan Snow Crabs for RM398 (for one?), Canadian Lobster for RM138/550g, French Crabs or American Oysters for RM78 (6 pcs)? O_o

My Personal Opinion

It would seem that the quality and freshness of some of their products (like uni and ikura) weren't as good as they once were or at least not as good as what I had before.  To think that I paid RM100 (after taxes) for a spoonful of crappy tasting uni was heartbreaking.

Luckily, the quality and taste of the unagi was very satisfying indeed...and so was the price as a generous portion like this can easily cost RM60 (or more) at other places.  The only blip was the less than stellar live uni (I must remember to never go for uni that seems insanely cheap!).

If unagi is a favourite of yours (as they were ours), don't miss this opportunity to sink your teeth into some good and very reasonably priced unagi.  You still have time to savour this as the promotion is available until the end of June.

Although this is a Japanese restaurant abundant with lots of very premium (and expensive) seafood, you can have a meal here (this time) that won't hurt your pocket too much if you stick to the unagi promotion and resist the temptation of the other menu offerings.  If you come away with eating just the unagi and nothing else, you'll still come away feeling very contented.

Yamaguchi Fish Market
No 16 Jalan Kampung Pandan
55000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-9284 6686

#ewew cooks 5-Course Dinner-for-Two

A close friend of mine commented the other day how she missed (and longed for) my cooking.  She vividly remembered the great western meal I once cooked for her (and some friends) a long time ago.

So, when an opportune time presented itself, I decided to cook her a 5-Course Dinner-for-Two...and make it memorable enough for her to last the next few years....wuahahahaha! :D

I took some inspiration from a 7-course meal I had at Marco Creative Cuisine @ 1 Utama recently (though that one is way out of my league) to come up with my own 5-course menu (just for a bit of fun!) which I hope my friend will enjoy.  So, let's begin on my rather 'amateurish-and-not-very-creative' journey of flavours! ^_*

Prelude - Drinks

If you and your guest(s) are non-drinkers, it'll be nice to get a bottle of sparkling juice (it doesn't have to be expensive) and get it chilled.  For drinking water, you can add a bit of pizzazz by just making it lemon-infused water.  P/S: And no, I wasn't serving Evian water...it was just the bottle I got from my previous dining experience at Fisherman's Cove @ Starhill.  After paying a whopping RM32(!) for a bottle of distilled water, I was as hell going to take it home with me as a keepsake.  The bottle now sits in my fridge (filled with 'normal' water) as a reminder of how much I once paid for a bottle of water.

1st Course - Palate Cleanser

Of course I wouldn't know how to make lime foams (like Marco's menu) or anything remotely similar, so I made the only thing I knew how...a Lemon Jelly (I just dissolved a little agar-agar powder with some lemon juice, lemon zest and a bit of sugar and let it set).  As long as it's citrusy, sourish and can awaken the palate, I think that should work as a palate cleanser, right?  Kekeke! :D

2nd Course - Starter

Our starter of Mango Salsa with Chargrilled Prawns & Squid was something I cooked before to great success (check out the recipe here).  It's a refreshing and not-too-heavy starter of nicely charred seafood (this time I added squid...and scored them for better presentation!) with juicy chunks of mango.  As this starter can be eaten at room temperature, the prawns and squid can be pre-cooked and the mango salsa prepped ahead of time (just toss with the dressing at the last minute).

3rd Course - Main & Sides

As with many dinner parties, chicken is always a very-forgiving protein to cook as well as a cheap protein of choice.  So, I made Roast Chicken with Chinese Coriander & Honey (you can reference the recipe here). Roast chicken is one of the easiest mains to nail which won't need you to slave over a fire to cook it.  Just put it in the oven (when your guests arrive) and it should be ready by the time you get to the main course.

And with any main, you need sides to go with it....and what's better than Roasted Potatoes & Capsicums. Both the roasted potatoes and capsicums can be roasted together with the chicken if you have a big enough oven or you're cooking for a small number of guests.  Otherwise, the potatoes and capsicums can be roasted beforehand and reheated later (when you're roasting the chicken)....easy peasy which leaves you with very little away time from your guest(s).

4th Course - Dessert

For the dessert course, you could go with something really simple.....like some store-bought good quality ice cream or even just fresh fruits and it'll be all good.  But I chose to make Fresh Coconut Jelly instead.  The good thing about making coconut jelly is that you can make it ahead of time, even the day before, and let it set in the fridge.  That'll leave you with one less thing to do on the day itself.

5th & Final Course - Coffee

As with all good meals, it has to end with a good cup of coffee.  Of course, we can't have cafe-quality coffee at home, so just go with one you usually drink at home.  Add a small piece of cookie or chocolate for a touch of finesse. ^_~ 

I used to cook this type of meal for as many as 10 guests but I've not done that in a long while as I have 'retired' aka I'm too afraid of all the work that needs to be done.  Cooking for two or four (max) is all I can (and want to) handle these days, nothing more than that.  That's why it'll be to your advantage to choose your menu wisely.  Choose dishes that you have cooked before...to a certain degree of success.  A dinner party is not the time to experiment with new dishes.  Also choose one that's fairly easy to do in which some of the items can be prepped ahead.  That way you don't have to spend too much time in the kitchen and away from your guest(s).

This 5-course meal I cooked cost me only about RM30 per head.  Even if you choose a simple (and cheap) menu, it doesn't mean it won't be successful.  In the end, whoever you're cooking for will appreciate it nonetheless.  After all, it's a home-cooked meal from the heart :)

Wild Honey @ Pavilion

Wild Honey @ Pavilion, a popular Singapore chain of restaurants, opened in Pavilion in the later part of last year, serving all-day breakfast.

This wave of new brunch cafes opening up in Pavilion (and Pavilion Elite) of late is a welcome delight to many (shoppers or otherwise).  Brunch is my happiest meal time, after all! ^_~

Loved the very modern feel of the place with its diverse range of colours, decor and interior furnishings from wood to rattan to the plush velvety sofas and chairs that's both welcoming and comforting.

The outside seating looks so comfy you'll want to sit there for hours :)

The menu comes in sections to cover meat, fish, vegetarian, breads/cereals/fruits, sandwiches & tarts, salads, sweet breakfast options, desserts, drinks and a children's menu.

This was what I had.....over two visits.  The first time, I was alone and I had the Norwegian @ RM54(!)...and yes, the price is expensive but, before you judge, please pop your eyeballs back into their sockets and let me explain what was on the plate first.

From the name, it was quite obvious that this is a dish featuring Norwegian salmon.  You have two poached eggs wrapped in Norwegian smoked salmon, filled with Hollandaise sauce and salmon pearls, on top of wholewheat brioche with grilled asparagus spears and avocado.

This was a well executed dish...the eggs were perfectly runny and the brioche toasted nicely with a crust that's just crisp and lovely to eat.  I usually shun away from eating the crust as I find them to be unduly hard but not this one...I love the bread here :)

I also loved the inclusion of crunchy yet soft grilled asparagus spears, slices of avocado and the burst of juiciness from the ikura to bring a bit of freshness to the otherwise rich Hollandaise sauce and creamy eggs. ^o^  However, I still felt it needed more acidity to cut through the richness of the Hollandaise...perhaps some juicy vine tomatoes or peppery arugula? ^_*

As for the expensive price, I have this to say.  The portion is really generous and I found it tremendously trying to finish the plate of two thick slices of bread with two long slices of smoked salmon and two creamy eggs in a rich sauce on my own.  Besides that, note that it came with quality (and expensive) ingredients like three thick asparagus spears (which I've seen selling at supermarkets at around RM23 for 9 about spears), a whole avocado and smoked salmon.  Now, imagine you're sharing it with someone else or if they serve just half the portion at RM27...now that sound more reasonable, right? ;)

On another visit with friends (after dinner at the same mall), we tried the Canadian @ RM28 made up of a stack of three buttermilk pancakes with chicken sausages and served with a forest berry sauce and 100% pure Canadian maple syrup.

I adored the taste of the chicken sausages although they didn't look very presentable.  I can appreciate that the sausage looked rustic as it was probably house-made but I'm not sure why they had to cut the sausage in half (and make it look so unpresentable with the ends oozing out like that).  To make it seem like there were more sausages on the plate? @_@

The buttermilk pancakes were pleasant, just not quite as good as the ones from Ra.Ft Cafe.  Preferred the maple syrup to the berry sauce which was a bit on the tart side.  I suppose if you eat the pancakes with both sauces together, the sweet maple syrup should balance out the tart berry sauce.

We also shared the Brittany @ RM30 of Panettone french toast topped with thin slices of baby bananas and salted caramel mascarpone and finished with some crunchy toffee'd hazelnuts and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

Loved the generous slices of fresh, sweet bananas with the thick, fluffy and pillow soft french toast.

Definitely preferred the french toast to the earlier buttermilk pancakes.

I've tried the Cappuccino @ RM12 and Flat White @ RM12 here.  They serve good coffees since they're the same ones as Common Man Coffee Roasters which I've enjoyed having before.  As you can see, the coffee (he)art was like night and day...or should I say day and night.  The left one was when I dined alone in the morning and the one on the right was after dinner hours....the barista's shift ended?  Kekeke! :D

The Mandarin Wilderness @ RM20, a good relief for a hot afternoon, is a mix of ice blended raspberry, banana, mandarin orange and Royal honey garnished with a stick of fresh raspberries.  For some reason, I tasted a tinge of bitterness in this icy treat which I wasn't very fond of.  I'm not sure what it was but if I were to guess, I'd probably say the pith of the mandarin oranges?

The Wild Iced Tea @ RM14 is their own blend of unsweetened peppermint, lemon verbena, rosehip and hibiscus.  Drinks that are red/pink coloured or purple (berry) flavoured always attracts me.  I guess I like to drink with my 'eyes' but this one didn't cut it :P

The Queen Bee @ RM14 is a concoction of ruby red grapefruit, elderflower and Royal honey.  Unfortunately, everything else besides the coffees weren't as endearing for its slight bitter after taste.  Maybe I don't have a thing for grapefruit, elderflower, hibiscus or peppermint.

I'm not sure if they serve complimentary water here (I wasn't offered any) as there's still or sparkling mineral water on their menu.

My Personal Opinion

Expect to pay top dollar here as the prices are on the high side when compared to what most cafes offer with a breakfast dish costing north of RM30 and some even more than RM50.  Plus it didn't help when prices increased between RM2 - RM10 for most of their dishes and drinks (when comparing the prices I paid from the ones I saw on a blog 3 months ago).  Probably because of the high prices, I think many come with higher-than-usual expectations hoping to be wowed by the food.  So, my suggestion would be to keep your expectations in check when you dine here so that you won't be gravely disappointed.

For me, the food was decent...maybe not wow (for the prices charged) but, if I judge the components separately, they certainly do compensate with the use of top-notch ingredients, generous portions and competently prepared food.

And yes, I can see myself returning...but probably sparingly because of the prices.  And next time, I'll choose a lighter option (if I'm dining alone) or make sure I bring a plus one to share a heftier dish! ^_*

Wild Honey
#06-645 Level 6
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2110 1626