Mix tomatoes and tomato paste. Put salt, pepper, and chilli flakes as per your preference. Set aside.
In a pan, saute the onions. Once it changed color, put the tomatoes and saute for a couple of minutes.
It will release water and have it almost dry.
Create small holes and crack the eggs there.
Put a lid until the eggs are cooked.
Served with rice, bread, or pita.
Shakshuka - Middle Eastern Egg Dish
VERDICT WILL: Sometimes, all we need is a simple meal. And that is reason why Abbey cooked Shahouka that day. Less than 20mins it is all ready! Imagine? A nutritious and yet tasty food only costs you only two main ingredients. Egg and tomato. Thanks Abbey for exploring different cuisine to light up our daily dinner. :)
ABBEY: It is a lunch out and we decided to go for Umisushi (Waterway Point branch). I had Tori Teriyaki Bento for SGD 7.40 and a serving of sushi. You can use NETS, credit card or cash for payment. You’ll be having a new experience if you pay by cash as you will put the payment like in a vending machine. That’s cool. I like the side dishes that comes with the bento. The chicken is moist and taste sweet and really goes well with wasabi and soy sauce. That fixed my Japanese food craving.
Tori Teriyaki Bento
Grilled Saba Bento
umisushi at Waterway Point - MENU
umisushi at Waterway Point
WILL: That was holiday, and I craving for a Touch of Japanese cuisine. So we headed to Waterway Punggol to explore what umisushi offers for lunch. I want rice and we decided to get a bento meal. I ordered Grilled Saba and Abbey went for Tori Teriyaki (Grilled Chicken) for $7.70. I grabbed some sushi too. My grilled mackerel is awesome. This the perfect alternative for beef or chicken. I love every bite of it. One thing, Umisushi’s wasabe is not as smooth as other’s. Sad. But the food is tasty, you will forget their “lack of intense” wasabe. And I don’t wonder why Abbey bought 2 bentos of Saba last Monday for us to have a mini celebration.
1 Bulb of Garlic (Minced) 10 Strips of Bacon (Cut into Small Pieces) 3 Cups of Cold Rice (From Fridge) 3 Eggs 1 Cup of Grated Cheese Salt and Pepper to taste Fried Rice 1. Cook the bacon as crispy as you desired. 2. Take out the excess fat from bacon and add the minced garlic. 3. Add in the cold rice and saute as you would fried rice. Omelet 1. Beat the eggs, pour salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 2 minutes. 2. Lower down the heat and put on top the grated cheese. 3. Cover your pan. Mold the rice using a small cup and cover the rice with your cheesy omelette.
ENJOY!
Bacon Omurice
VERDICT ABBEY: After my omurice surprise, Wilma “retaliated” with her version. Fried rice with bacon, and eggs with cheese. Wow. It really felt good at the tummy. Sorry not sorry. I need to indulge myself with that lovely bowl of rice. I was very full. It is delicious and great to wake up with after a week’s work.
ABBEY: Still lazy to cook after the US trip, we dined at PocoLoco (Science Centre) and also to catch up with Chat. For appetizer, we had Funghi. The mushroom are flavorful, well seasoned and delicious. For my main, I had Lasagna di Pollo ($12.00) fresh from the oven. I think I burnt my tongue as I was too excited to eat it. Not too much to be said on that but the serving packs a lot of chicken. PocoLoco is a microbrewery. And since me and my wife don’t drink beer, we made Chat drink their concoction of Seaweed Barley Malt.
PocoLoco Microbrewery Jurong Verde Beer
PocoLoco Microbrewery at Jurong
PocoLoco Microbrewery Funghi
PocoLoco Microbrewery Gnocchi wit Pesto Sauce
PocoLoco Microbrewery Lasagna Di Pollo
PocoLoco Microbrewery Lava Dessert
PocoLoco Microbrewery Beer Menu
PocoLoco Microbrewery Menu
WILL: After our “Yes! Yes! Yo! sa Chicago” visit, we meet-up with ever loving Chat. We went to their home at Lakeside and for dinner, we hailed taxi to our way to PocoLoco. This diner is located above the Snow City and don’t be surprised of the woody smell. PocoLoco has its own brewery and Chat likes beer and on that we get Verde (Green Colored Beer - $7) for her. I got Gnocci in Pesto Sauce ($11). Abbey ordered Funghi ($6) as appetizer and we add up Lava for dessert. Firstly, I love their Gnocci. Homemade for real. Funghi, their sautéed mushroom is simple but superb. Chocolate Lava, well, I can eat two more of those. Be sure to send an email or call or chope your seat. They are always fully booked. Why? Even this is one of the cheapest Italian restaurant in Singapore, they doesn’t compromise the taste of the food they serve. What are you waiting for? Sms your gang and try this restaurant.
ABBEY: We got hungry after attending a financial literacy seminar. We went to E!Hub Downtown East and surveyed the mall to dine in.
We found Magic Wok. We were lucky that when we walked a table was available. Else guest should have a reservation. I tried the Basil Minced Beef with Egg for S$6.80. Wow, it was sweet, spicy and delicious. Serving is appropriate for the price and really filled me in.
Magic Wok Thai Restaurant (E!Hub Downtown East) MENU
Magic Wok Thai Restaurant (E!Hub Downtown East) PAD THAI
WILL: We decided to explore Pasir Ris area after our seminar at Tampines. We took MRT and walked our way to E!Hub Downtown East. We roam around the mall and saw a little signage of Magic Wok. It is situated just around the corner of 3rd floor. There are no people when we arrived but only one table doesn’t have the RESERVED sign. We were ushered to our seats and after few minutes, the diners started swarming in and the queue started to pile up. We also observed that there are Food Panda delivery men taking pack meals. OMG! I asked Abbey, what is this restaurant? The food should be great! My order, Phad Thai, is only S$4.80 and yet the serving seems to be for two people. It is savoury. It seems that you were transported to Thailand in a snap! No wonder why there is a queue and delivery men pouring in to take online orders, and we are so lucky to get a table. The ONLY table. This is one of the best Thai Restaurant I have tried. It beats the fancy restaurant that only can offer is a name. We’ll be back here for sure!
In a pan with little oil, fry the eggs. Let it rest and cut it to strips.
In the same pan, melt the margarine and put the garlic then rice.
Lay out food wrap and knit egg strips alternately.
Put a bowl of rice on top. Seal the wrap until the egg-rice forms a globe shape.
Unwrap the egg-rice and place in a center of a bowl.
Put curry on the side and serve. Enjoy.
VERDICT WILL: “Uwi ka na, dali!”, and on that cue I know, there is something waiting for me at home waiting to unfold! Once I entered our flat, Abbey immediately assisted me to direct to our room. I want to go to the fridge but he blocked me and offered me that he will get it for me. From there, I know there is something in that kitchen. Ha! After I changed, hubby is waiting for me at the dining table, then a bowl of well crafted Omurice and aroma of curry surprised me. The Omurice is a picturesque. I hate to destroy it by my spoon. But that’s food. So I got to eat it. Sorry. The texture of egg at top of the rice is incredible. It went well with the vegetable curry around it. Please, husbands! Surprise your wives too! They deserve it! 😍
ABBEY: Once Gong Cha was replaced by Liho, a new fad began. And that was cheese tea. Yes, liquid cheese. At first I wondered what would be its taste. My first cup was a Cheese Mango Smoothie. Cheese is good; salty and sweet. Mango taste like from artificial flavorings. Three ways to drink: You can sip the cheese on top, poke a straw and taste your preferred flavor below the cheese or mix them. A cup costs 6.90 SGD, only 1 size for smoothie. I like their Cheese Ovaltine Smoothie. It reminds me of Gong Cha’s Golden Ovaltine with creamy cheese on top.
Room for improvement though: Kindly get a good estimate of the demand on your stores. I visited your Waterway Point branch twice. First, no cheese. Second, got cheese but no smoothie.
WILL: Liho took over Gong Cha! Huhuhu! Yup all Gong Cha’s branches in Singapore were overhauled by new Liho and by its new offering. Yes! They still offer drinks but this is a rebellious change. Why? Have you tried to put cheese on your tea or chocolate shake? Hmm, everybody is curios (yes that includes us) and that curiosity builds up a long queue and caused cheese to beout of stock for weeks. I tried Cheese ‘n’ Choc Smoothie and Cheese Ovaltine Smoothie. The result, I got addicted to Cheese Ovaltine Smoothie. The salty and sweet taste shook up my tastebuds and I keep on craving for this. It is $6.90 per serving. Expensive but it makes me happy! 😝 Try it! You will love Liho as you loved Gong Cha. :)
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LiHO 里喝 Punggol
(A) #B2-K10, Waterway Point, 83 Punggol Central, 828761
ABBEY: Spectra replaced Wonder Full light and water show at Marina Bay. But it seems it didn’t surpass the latter. We watched its first show but the climax died down at the end and expecting that there is something more when it ended. I was hoping that the centerpiece will somehow go for fireworks or get lights with water spray, but it just changes light. It lacked story and excitement.
Spectra – Light & Water Show - Marina Bay Sands
WILL:Wonder Full bid goodbye to its audience for this year. But some ending makes a way for a new beginning. So Spectra came to life.
We where there to witness the premiere of this show and every audience is expecting a lot on this new MBS water and light show.
We were awed by the colorful lights but there is a missing piece on that show. Hmm, maybe because Wonder Full have a story and Spectra is all about displaying of lights.
Anyways, thank you Marina Bay Sands for this free Water and Light Show!
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Spectra – Light & Water Show - Marina Bay Sands
(H) Sunday to Thursday – 8pm & 9pm / Friday & Saturday – 8pm, 9pm and 10pm
ABBEY: We went to Kallang Ice World so our visitors can show and enhance their skating skills on ice. For S$17.50 we got a two-hour playtime. Skate aides/guides in form of bent metal bars are free. I hope they can also have for adult my size (almost 6ft). If you want to maximize the time, make sure to change fast and hit the rink as soon as you can as the time starts ticking by the time of your entry. This also includes if the resurfacing happens during your stay. Please keep your ticket and don’t lose it. Else you’ll be charged for a full payment before you go out. The good thing about the place it is enclosed and not much crowd will see you fall or do your stunts. :)
Kallang Ice World at Leisure Park Kallang Skating Rink and Metal Bar
Kallang Ice World at Leisure Park Kallang Fee List
WILL: This will be the second time for us to ice skate. And this time, we have enough time to linger around on a plate of snow.
Kallang Ice World is way better than The Rink of Jurong. Why? Firstly, the skaters have more privacy. Second, the metal bar is free for use. Third, it is not that crowded.
So please be reminded to bring your own socks and mittens or you can buy it at the counter. The fee is $S17.50 for two hours and the cleaning of the ice arena is included in that 2-hours.
I enjoyed skating here. But please be careful or you will end up seeing doctor because of strains.
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Kallang Ice World
(H) Sun-Thu: 10AM-10PM / Fri-Sat & Eve of PH: 10AM-12AM / PH: 9AM-10PM
ABBEY: Make sure you plan well when visiting the Kusu / St. John's / Lazarus islands. Singapore Island Cruise is the only ferry company that provides this service. Purchase ticket for SGD18.00 at their office at Marina South Pier. Take note of the ferry timings else you need to wait for a couple of hours for the next one. First stop is St. John’s and Lazarus island. This is a perfect place for picnic and spend sometime at the beach. The water is more serene at the back of the island (with reference from the ferry dock). Then next is Kusu or turtle island. It is more of a pilgrimage place as there are 3 temples on it. So be quiet to show respect for the people who are praying. For the island tour, wear light clothing, pack food especially water to avoid dehydration. There are no shops on the islands. Go ahead, book your tour and explore other islands of Singapore.
Singapore Island Cruise
St. John's Island, Kusu Island, & Lazarus Island
FERRY SCHEDULE
WILL: In this life full of stress and anxiety, sometimes all you need is vitamin “sea”. But where to go to escape a “city-life” here in Singapore, beside Pulau Ubin? Aha! Island hopping! Who told you that Singapore has only 4 islands (Main Singapore, Pulau Ubin, Sentosa, Jurong)? Singapore has 63 and in one day, we visited another 3 of those. We alighted at Marina South Pier MRT station just parallel to Cruise Center. We bought a ticket for S$18 at Singapore Island Cruise. Please be on time or you will end up waiting for an hour or two for the next boat. The journey is enjoyable and fast. In no time, we reached St. John’s Island. You can have a picnic at this site. There are tables and benches and emerge yourself to see the busy city from another perspective. Connecting with that is Lazarus Island. It is not Boracay, it is not Phuket, it is Lazarus Beach. Calm sea water and white sands stuns me and Abbey when we saw this hidden gem of Singapore. :) Tsk! Unlucky of me, I didn’t brought swimsuit. So what we did, we soaked our feet into the water to somewhat detoxify our body.
We went back to St. John’s Island to catch the boat to our next destination...Kusu Island. Kusu is sacred place. Some people go here for their pilgrimage. At the back of Chinese temple, you can find also a beach but not as good of Lazarus but the difference is, there are some cottages here for you to put your belongings and sleep not under the scorching heat of the sun. Oh! There is a wishing well too! In this trip, please bring your own food and drinks. No hawker or anyone in there to sell you something. Put on your sunscreen protector! :) Visit the islands! It is worth your time!
ABBEY: At first, I was hesitant to go for Chinkee Tan's talk here in Singapore due to my schedule. But my thirst for learning won. We attended it at AIA Alexandra and I'm glad we did. It reminded me of the things I learned at Millionaire Mind Intensive: to change your mindset, your beliefs and money blueprint. My greatest take away is when he said to be contented but not satisfied. This will ensure to pursue greater cause, purpose and dream. I also enrolled for his mentorship where I got tons of materials like books and videos for free for a price of 100SGD. Invest in education, learn from the successful ones and be like them. Thanks Mr. Chinkee Tan. See you soon!
Chink+ : Be Moneywise: Learn To Protect And Grow Money
WILL: Chinkee Tan is one of the famous financial speaker in Philippines and we did not let the opportunity pass to see him live when he visited Singapore. His 3-hour seminar was held at AIA Alexandra. My greatest take-away was when he told the attendees that "Huwag mong ipilit ang lifestyle mo. And compute the real value ng bawat binibili mo". He also emphasized to group on to three the goals we have in life.. Short, Medium to Long Term Goals. In that you can achieve those step-by-step..little-by-little. He pinpointed out that he was neck-deep on debts when his wife got ill. That is how important the health and medical insurance is. Oh! We bought his package to have sessions with him. ;) Can't wait to learn more and be more knowledgeable because of this man.
ABBEY: This is our first "dine out" after our US trip and we were too lazy to cook. We went to Knuckles an hour before dinner to avoid the rush hour. I got Chicken Chop for 8SGD. The big serving of chicken came with fries and greens. I also had couple of bites of the featured Knuckle entrée. It is crispy outside and moist and soft inside. Definitely a match for beers. But I had soda instead. :) Make sure to come early as it will be packed.
Knuckles Bistro (Singapore) - German Restaurant - Menu
Knuckles Bistro (Singapore) - Chicken Chop
Knuckles Bistro (Singapore) - German Pork Knuckles
Knuckles Bistro (Singapore) - German Restaurant
Knuckles Bistro (Singapore) - German Restaurant - Menu
WILL: I am longing for crispy pata! And every time I found a restaurant here in Singapore that serves pork knuckles, I am always swept off my feet on its price! Well, one diner gave a solution for that! Presenting KNUCKLES! A S$10 German Pork Knuckles with mashed potato on the side. The crispness and juiciness is delighting. Oh! It is boneless! :) Even there is a mashed potato to serve as my carbo intake, I still ordered garlic rice. Perfect!!! We found a gem! Great food, nice ambiance, and all smiling staff! Hey! We WILL return!
ABBEY: When I saw this at a candy shop in Chicago, I didn't take my hands off it. I need to try and savor the drink they are having in Harry Potter. Not exactly the same as butterbeer but closest one. My Aunt Araceli bought it for me as a treat. Unfortunately, we forgot to bring it back to Singapore. My wife saw how sad I am so she checked the item online, ordered it and have it shipped to us. I was ecstatic when I opened the box. In the blender, we put a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then pour a bottle of butterscotch drink and some ice. The result is a white, creamy, sweet slushie; perfect for a hot weather. Thanks Baby Wilma.
Virgils Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer from Hop Shop Craft Beers & Ciders Store Singapore
WILL: I saw the sadness on Abbey's face when he realized that he forgot the Butterscotch (gift from Mommy Telec) in Ate Gail's fridge. So, the wife is to the rescue! Haha! I searched for a store here in Singapore that can deliver those "Harry Potter soda". I am shocked to find out that in USA a bottle costs is US$3.50 and here in Singapore it is S$3.50 too. Who says that everything here in SG is expensive? Hmp! So I bought 4 bottles of it. When it was delivered, I requested Abbey to open it. I saw a sparkle in his eyes, smiled onto me and hugged me tight. That is how simple (childish?) Abbey is. Haha! When my nephews are here, we feasted on the drink, put some of Butterscotch, ice and vanilla ice cream to the blender! Cha-na-nan! A Butterscotch Shake! Bye diet! Yikes! You can buy it here in SG at Hop Shop Craft Beers and Ciders Store and they will deliver it for you! Happy Harry Pottering!
ABBEY: We had dinner with our guests from Pinas at Food Capital @ Grand Copthorne Hotel. The buffet setup is circular. You can check the food items in one fluid circular motion. What caught my attention is their carving station. The beef and lamb is soft, tender and moist. I put gravy on each bite. Next is laksa. I was craving for it and didn't get disappointed with the bowl I got. Then I had some chicken tandoori, sushi and chicken lasagna. The beef stew literally melted in mouth. No chewing needed. :) To wash them down, I had coffee. We availed EATIGO's 50% reservation service and the price went down to S$37++ (UP S$74++).
WILL: Grand Copthorne at Clarke Quay announced its opening of newly renovated restaurant... the Food Capital. While browsing EATIGO, I am on my luck that Food Capital is on their list of 50% discount. I booked and an instant confirmation sent to my email and I received an SMS too. We were greeted delightfully by the concierge and guided us to our table. And from the video, it doesn't have too many selection BUT the viands are incredibly savory. What I love the most is their fresh oyster. Yeah! Yeah! Every hotel buffet has it, but Grand Copthorne Hotel's Food Capital has the meatiest and oyster I have tasted. Hmmmm, other hotels, you should check out who is their supplier. Haha! Their laksa is remarkable too. Chocolate fountain is available for kids to enjoy. Coffee and tea is there to help you digest your first round meal. Haha! Do not skip their desserts, specially the eclair. You can have a seat beside the window for you to enjoy the sight of Singapore River. Enjoy the discounted buffet!
