Durian Pancakes, Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

I visited Kuala Lumpur for the first time last weekend.

Aside from the Battu Caves, shopping and Petronas Towers, I was told that I must try some durian while in town.

 

Durian is a local speciality fruit that is sold on street corners and is basically Southeast Asia's answer to marmite - you either love it or hate it.

It has a hard shell with spikes that protect the yellow flesh.

 

It also STINKS. Your hands smell for ages after eating it and everybody around you will stare when you walk around with it or order it in a restaurant - so much so that there are 'No Durian' signs posted in hotel lifts and on public transport.

 

Although we were hesitant to try this distinctive fruit, we had heard it tasted great in pancakes so we headed to Lai Po Heen restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental where  durian pancakes is one of the chef's specialities.

 

 

It is true what they say about the smell.
I was away from the table when they were served. 
When I returned I thought I could smell a gas leak....'nope, that's the durian'.
It is potent to say the least and we could tell that people on tables around us were giving us weird looks....maybe not one for a first date...

 

 

 

These tiny little, creamy pancake packages look sweet and innocent but the taste can certainly pack a punch.

It really wasn't what I was expecting and although there was very little durian actually in the pancakes (it was mainly cream) the taste was still very strong and these three pancakes were enough to fill us up for brunch.

 

We had a lovely brunch at the Mandarin and I'm pleased that we can say we have tried durian.

Buuuut, I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the fruit - it's potent and has the longest lasting after-taste ever! I'm sure, with time, it is a fruit that I could grow to love, they just need to learn a way to mask that smell!

Breakfast: Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Singapore

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day.

Wake up, stretch and eat is my motto.

Since moving to Singapore, I have spent my weekends exploring all the funky and retro brunch cafes around the city that are serving up thick New York-style pancakes, French toast and fry ups.

 

Nothing compares though to Singapore and Malaysia's famous Kaya Toast.

In fact, we wake up half an hour early every Thursday (not sure why Thursday?) and head to Far East Square before work for a set of this deliciously sweet breakfast.

 

 

From the outside this breakfast doesn't look too appetizing but delve in to this sweet treat and you will be instantly hooked.

It can't be that bad if the Fashion News Editor of Harper's Bazaar Singapore, Yi Lian Ng, is also raving about it on her blog post for Mulberry.

 

For the full kaya experience you have to order a set which consists of two soft-boiled eggs with a drop of dark soya sauce and a plate of homemade kaya toast.

You've been warned the kaya toast is addictive!

 

Kaya is a thick, sweet coconut jam which is made with fragrant pandan leaves, eggs and coconut. 

A LOT of effort goes in to making homemade kaya, with hours of stirring involved.

In Singapore, kaya is served on toasted bread with a thick layer of butter and then dipped into the eggs.

 

Sounds a little peculiar...but don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

 

                

 

                

 

                

 

                



Ya Kun Kaya Toast is a family run business in Singapore that was set up in 1926.

Moved from it's famous stall in Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre, it is now located between Chinatown and the CBD in Far East Square with franchises throughout Southeast Asia, Dubai and India.

It is normally busy from 7.30am during the week, serving people from all walks of life before they start their day.

A set costs only 4 Singapore dollars (around £2) each - making it a definite attraction for all foodie travellers to the city.



See you there next Thursday?

 

Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Far East Square, 18 China Street, #01-01, Singapore 049560 

Pancake Cake...yep, a pancake cake!

Yep, that's right...I made a pancake cake - it does exactly what it says on the tin.
A tower of a dozen pancakes, each layer separated with cream or chocolate all topped off with a creamy chocolate sauce.
Ideal for impressing friends on pancake day or as a super indulgent Sunday brunch, here's how to make this little beauty...

Ingredients:
Plain flour
2 Eggs
Milk
150g milk chocolate
50g unsalted butter
500ml double cream

To start make a classic batch of pancakes, the more you make the higher your pancake cake is going to be.  I've been making pancakes for so long I just make up the quantities but Jamie Oliver recommends 3 cups of flour to 3 cups of milk to 2 eggs, basically you want to make sure the mixture isn't too thick and lumpy.

Once you have cooked your pancakes let them cool on a plate...

.....and watch the tower grow.

Once you've made all the pancakes leave them to one side and now is time to create the  fillings that will separate each cake.

I used melted chocolate and cream.
Whip the cream up with an electric whisk until it thickens and loses its runniness.
For the chocolate, melt 150g milk chocolate with 50g unsalted butter in a bowl over boiling water.  Don't let the bowl touch the water.  Again, let it melt until the mixture thickens.

Then create the layers.  I start with a cream base on the plate and then place the first pancake on top.
Then a chocolate layer and alternate between cream and chocolate on each layer..

Pour the remaining chocolate over the top (I made too much) and leave to set.
Obviously you can brighten your cake up with ground nuts, berries and even hundreds and thousands! I went for a cream heart....

Bank Holiday Breakfast Bonanza

Bank Holidays and long weekends mean two things for me -  mega lie-ins and making amazingly delicious breakfasts or, by the time I've got up, more like brunch or a late lunch.

Below are some of my favourite long weekend breakfasts - perfect to share with friends and all taste even better with a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine!

Eggy Bread (French Toast)

The perfect breakfast in bed treat.

Ingredients:

Serves 2

Butter

3 eggs

Milk

Bread

Toppings:

Icing sugar

Maple syrup

Blueberries

Strawberries

Bacon

Chocolate spread

Honey

Image taken by HoneybrookDelights

Whisk the eggs and milk together in a large mixing bowl.  Once well mixed soak one slice of bread in the mixture.  Heat a knob of butter in a frying pan over a low to medium heat.  Once melted, fry the eggy bread on both sides.  Turn the oven on to a low heat and put all slices of eggy bread on a plate to keep warm while you make the rest of the batch.

For those with a sweet tooth, top with icing sugar and maple syrup and serve with strawberries.  Bacon also makes a great topping if you’re looking for something more savoury.

Image taken by HoneybrookDelights

Blueberry Pancakes

Pancakes are another favourite of mine to make at weekends and blueberries are SO SO good for you.  They do take a while but are so much fun to make and flip with friends.

Image taken by HoneybrookDelights

Chop up a large handful of blueberries and mix in with the pancake mix and then fry and flip.  

Porridge

I’m not sure if it was due to the freezing cold mornings but this winter I rekindled my love with porridge.   

I prefer porridge thick and creamy - farmhouse style - which is best made yourself rather than with sachets.  

A definite winter warmer to snuggle up in bed with, porridge can also be enjoyed in the spring and summer by adding refreshing citrus juices to the oats, rather than milk.  What’s more, endless studies highlight how great porridge oats are for you especially if you're on a diet or wanting to keep your cholesterol levels down.

Porridge Lady has a great blog for porridge fans like myself with a fantastic range of unique and adventurous serving suggestions and recipes.

My favourite serving suggestions:

Last Christmas I broke up Ferrero Rocher chocolates into small chunks and mixed in with the warm porridge which melted the chocolate and was soooo delicious.  More normal suggestions for sugar lovers include golden syrup, sultanas and honey.

Add a fruity kick by mixing in chopped berries, bananas, apples or pineapple chunks..  

If you're staying away from dairy products use lemon, apple or orange juices as a replacement to milk.  Heat the juice or pulp of one lemon or orange into a pan and slowly add the oats, making sure you get the right juice to oats consistency. The oats will soften and bind just as if they were mixing with milk.  This recipe is zingy and instantly wakes me up in the morning.

The Great British Fried Brekkie

A long weekend usually results in at least one messy night out and what's the perfect cure for the morning after? A huge fry-up! 

This MUST include the works (including hash browns, black pudding, sausages AND bacon) and the meat has to be the best quality, ideally from a local butcher.

Mmmmmmmm - enjoy!

Crazy about confectioneries

Ok, I admit, a weird blog post title but I have to confess, I'm utterly obsessed with confectionery jars (and their contents). 

The boyfriend finds this very weird but I love my new kitchen worktops being lined with quaint old farmhouse-style jars.  Infact, it doesn't just stop at confectionery - funky olive oil bottles send me giddy and don't even get me started on unique sweet chilli sauce pots.  Walking around Harrods or even John Lewis' Food Halls is like heaven!

You may assume that I'm some stuffy middle-aged woman but no, I'm not (far from it), and you'd be surprised by how many of my friends have the same obsession.  So below are some of my favourites from mine and friends kitchens and, please, share some of your own - everyone loves a good bit of food porn!

I LOVE locally made produce and this is delicious on toast!  Huffkins also make some fantastic hampers which are perfect for Christmas time.

Organically produced in Wiltshire, this treat is sold at the Highgrove Estate (home to HRH Prince Charles).  Produce grown on the estate is sold in a fantastic food shop in nearby Tetbury - I could spend hours here.

Found this little gem at The Gazette, a French cafe and restaurant in Balham, South London, which serves a mean pastry selection for brunch.  

 

Cottage Delights treats are springing up everywhere.  I was a true fan from the start and love their hot spicy sauce set.

And here are the olive oil specials!!

Indulge with that someone special this Valentine's Day

It's true to say that St Valentine's Day has the world population split more so than marmite...you either love it or hate it.  A day designed for admirers to show their affections and express their feelings to their loved ones, in my eyes, should be everyone's favourite day of the year and the PERFECT excuse to indulge with that someone special, whether it be your partner, best friend, mum, brother or even your dog.

To many it's seen as hype and a way to spend more money on unnecessary pink fluffy cards, expensive boxes of chocolates and flowers that will only wilt away in a few days.  But in a world where there is so much controversy, hatred and fighting, shouldn't we take some time out to show those around us just how thankful we are for their love and happiness that they bring into our lives?

I'd be the first to admit that this year's Valentine's hype has been on overkill since the Christmas decorations were boxed up, so this year go back to basics.  There's no better way to show your loved ones just how much you care and appreciate them than with some indulgent home-made goodies.

Below are some scrumptious suggestions that are easy and affordable to create and are guaranteed to put a huge smile on that lucky person's face.   Perfect as a breakfast surprise, lunchtime treat or as a way to spend some quality time cooking up together.

Enjoy! xx

Blueberry Pancakes
Jam-packed with anti-oxidant goodness, mix a handful of chopped blueberries to your pancake mix before pouring in the frying pan to bring a sweet kick and add some colour. Jamie Oliver has a great, creamy pancake mix recipe. Finish off with your favourite topping (maple syrup goes perfect with this).



Perfect blueberry pancakes

Eggy Bread!
I just loooove a bit of eggy bread in the morning! 

Serves 2

3 eggs

Milk - 200ml

Icing sugar

Bread

Scrumptious eggy bread

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and a sprinkle of icing sugar.  Generously coat each slice of bread in the mixture and fry until the egg mixture has turned a golden brown colour.  Perfect topped with golden syrup and strawberries.



 

Sickly Sweet Cupcakes
Not for those who don't have a sweet tooth.....these sickly treats are ideal to slip into your partner's lunchbox or send in a box anonymously to your Valentine.  To make these sickly treats, make a small well in your cooked cake mixture and pour in caramel or maple syrup and top butter icing mixed with caramel.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!