Matcha cookies

I have been busy baking the past couple of days. Of course it wasn't the non-stop baking type. It was done at a leisurely pace. I prefer to give homemade cookies to family and friends rather than buy them off the shelf. It's just a sense of satisfaction I get. Pineapple tarts and chocolate chips are a must. However, I'm a bit more adventurous this year. I still have a batch or 2 of tarts to do but as I went around the blogs looking for a 'melting moments' recipe, I came across this simple to do matcha cookie and it just called out to me, 'try me, try me'. Which I did as you can see. :) It's a cookie for matcha lovers but I'm not one. However, it's not too bad really, although the next batch I make, I might cut down on the powder used, so it doesn't come out too strong. I got this recipe from sweet decadenze. This recipe is for Peony by request.

Sushi making session at Aunt's

My aunt called me up on Wednesday and requested for a sushi session at her house. My initial plan was to do it next week but when Princess heard about it, she wanted it right away the next day. So, after my morning at Mustafa's, we headed off to aunt's place after Princess got home from school, and prepared the ingredients we needed. There was an abundance of fillings and toppings for the rice, so much so that there wasn't enough rice for them.

The rice didn't turn out great yesterday as it's my first time trying that certain brand. I didn't know if I needed to add more water, or less. Thus, it resulted in a not too well-cooked rice. It was cooked alright, but not fluffy enough.

We prepared thinly-sliced carrots, crabsticks, cheese sausages, Japanese cucumber sticks, tuna mayo, Unagi (eel), avocado, tamago (egg), otah (by the request of uncle), tuna flakes, sauteed mushrooms, ebiko (prawn roe) and Doraemon fishcakes.

Princess made her own bear sushi and the roll was done by me. She didn't want it to be cut up so I didn't manage to take a photo of the interior.

These were made using the sushi moulds from Daiso. I didn't think I liked them so much. I prefer the rolled ones.

For the very first time ever, I made California Rolls. I don't think I did it very well but these were yummy.

There were nicer rolls after this lot of photos but as it was very cumbersome and messy I didn't bother to take more photos.

Lunch with friends

One day last week, I believe it was on a Thursday, two friends and I were supposed to meet in town for lunch. However, at the last minute I had to wait for the arrival of some computer chairs, thus I decided to invite the girls over instead. I wasn't sure what food to prepare for them and the bff said she felt like having either a solid hamburger from Wendy's or The Handburger, failing which, she'd settle for Japanese food. I don't make a mean burger so the next best was Japanese food which was right up my alley. :P I'm not saying I make great Japanese food, but it's much easier than a burger any day!

I served the meal in very pretty disposable containers which I bought from Daiso. I went to the wet market that morning and picked up a few pieces of fresh salmon which I cooked with teriyaki sauce. I used ready CP tornedo prawns which were so yummy and so convenient. I picked up a packet of California maki and made a fruit stick with sun melon, strawberries & blueberries. I also made a side salad and drizzled some goma salad dressing over. To comply with bff's wishes (I was making up for her birthday Monday past), I added mini burgers to the bentos. As I didn't manage to find any fatty minced beef, I decided to pick up some fresh English breakfast sausages and squeezed out the stuffing and made them into patties. I am embarrassed to say that the salmon turned out a little undercooked and a little pink in the middle but nobody complained and every one's plate was empty at the end of the meal. That is the greatest compliment one can ever get. :) We had a surprise guest who decided to join us at the last minute but thankfully there was more than enough rice, etc to go around.

This is princess' portion - she didn't eat the burger, I did. :)

This was specially made for the princess as she loves cha soba. What she gets from the Japanese stall in school is only soba. Yes, they have a Japanese stall in school! Isn't she ever-so lucky??

This organic tofu is my favourite choice whenever I make cold tofu. It is so smooth and it just glides down the throat. Love it! Unfortunately I wasn't prepared and forgot to pick up some bonito flakes to garnish it with.

Bff brought along a little gift of 'Black as Chocolate" ice-cream, all the way from Taiwan. Her cousin-in-law is a partner in this cake business and she sometimes brings goodies when she comes home for a visit. Lucky us get to try this. Read more about them here.

What lovely packaging.

The box comes with a spoon. How thoughtful, you can eat on the go, but I think the portion is too big for one person.

Look at all the yummy chocolate bits!

Verdict - I thought it was yummy with all the little bits of chocolate. Princess of course loved every bit of it, but hubby thought it was only so-so, as it was not creamy enough for him.

Nanbantei

This quaint hole in the wall Japanese eatery beckoned to us one rainy Sunday afternoon, while we were at Far East Plaza to pick up something for sis. We had arranged to meet mum for lunch in Orchard. But as most malls in Orchard are not linked, we weren't too keen to venture out into the pouring rain. Besides, we had no idea what to eat. So we took a stroll around the mall and chanced upon this Japanese restaurant which apparently specializes in yakitori. Business was brisk. While we were seated at the counter seats beside the entrance, customers were going in and out.

Mum ordered the Obento, I believe it cost $12.90 and it comes with 5 sticks of yakitori, rice, and pickles. Not sure if I had left my camera home that day, thus we used the camera phone. Hubby had the Shokado ($14.90/$16.90 - can't remember) which comprised a grilled fish/sashimi, some pieces of yasai tempura, fruits, rice and pickles. As for me, I had the Unagi ($18). All were excellent. For princess, we ordered her 2 sticks of chicken meatball yakitori ($5), agedashi tofu ($8) and a bowl of rice.

Prices are reasonable for the sets. Ala carte can set you back by quite a bit and drinks too were costly. But I guess at the end of the day you are paying for the quality. We'll be back for sure.

Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant
14 Scotts Road
#05-132
Far East Plaza
Singapore 228213