Singapore Night Festival 2015

ABBEY: Yahoo, another unwinding activity after a day's work. Singapore lit up the night when they launched Night Festival. We went last Aug 21. 

The first performance we saw is Anooki. :) They are performing at the front wall of National Museum. Yes, on the wall. It was a cartoon projection. The Anookis played, ran, and made the wall like jelly. They colored it with red, blue, green and even filled it up with balls. At the end, they whistled to the tune of Happy Birthday greeting Singapore for its 50th.

Then we went to Armenian street. Loud music caught our attention and we saw New Stream Brass Band playing and encouraging the crowd to sing and dance with the beat.

Next is the Peranakan Museum Variety Show (by The Main Wayang Co.). The Peranakans really got the crowd's vibes with their novelty songs. It was fun, cheerful and tiring (as you dance, shout and sing).

Few minutes after the show, we got to see the Spark! by World Beaters Music of UK. I thought they are yet to start their performance but they will be on a break. Luckily, they still beat their percussions and play along with the crowd as they marched to their place. They were all in white. And the drums have led lights. Taking snaps is easy as they got their own spotlights :)

We wanted to wait for Bloco Singapura (percussion band) but it was getting late so we headed home.

WILL: I am always excited once the Bras-Basah-Bugis Precinct will close its streets for annual Singapore Night Festival. Why? It is a feast. It never fails to amuse and make me glad. 

Last Friday, we watched the show of The Anooki Celebrate Singapore. They are so cute. I am smiling from start to the end of the show. It lighten up the mood of every people who witnessed that little Inuits. 

Then, we walked to Armenian Street to check out the New Stream Brass Band. I never get tired of clapping and stomping my feet on their beat. 

Next!!! The Peranakan Museum Variety Show. This is a total party! Abbey and I danced to their songs. 

We were on our way home when Spark (LED-lit drummers) marched towards to our direction. Do not get be intimidated if the first in line drummer is grumpy, because the last in line member is showing off her best smile. Haha! 

Great job Singapore Night Festival 2015 team. Till next year!

Comnam - Vietnamese Street Eats

ABBEY: Before heading to 2015 Singapore Night Festival, we filled up our tummies with food from Comnam Broken Rice bowl in Raffles City. It caters Vietnamese street food. 

I got marinated pork cutlet (with chicken ham, pickles, viet steamed egg with pork) for 10.5 sgd. Within minutes, the order was already on our table. It was zesty and tangy due to cilantro and lime and was flavorful. They are also using fish sauce which is used also in Philippines. Sweet, sour, salty, and spicy; all in one bowl. 

We also tried their version of sugar cane juice. They put lime on that as well. This is a sister company of NamNam Noodle Bar.

WILL: I am intrigued on the long queue that is building up every time I passed at Raffles City. So when Abbey and I got the chance to have dinner there, we instantly grabbed the chance. 

Comnam is serving broken rice. In Philippines this kind of rice is used for chicken feeds and I am not surprised that this store explains that in Vietnam's history it was taken by peasants. But now they discovered that this tiny rice absorbs more sauces and flavours. 

I went for Abalone, Pork Ribs, Soft Boiled Egg, Bean Sprouts Rice Soup. ($13.90 GST included / no service charge). The soup is tasty and the rice's texture is incredibly nice. I will love to consume this kind of food when it is raining or when I feel sick. It gives comfort to its consumer. 

A recommendable place to dine. :) 

Braised Pork/Mushroom Kimchi Recipe

Ingredients:

Kimchi (whole cabbage as this will be used for wrapping)

Slices of pork belly

Onion (1/2 of king sized-thinly sliced)

Pepper paste (depends how spicy you want)

3-4 tbsp sesame oil

3-4 honey

Ground black pepper.

Vegetarian version:

4-6 shitake mushrooms (soaked for at least 3 hours to be plumped- cubed or sliced)

2-3 stalks of green onion (chopped small)

Onion (1/2 of king sized-thinly sliced)

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp honey

2-3 tbsp sesame oil

Ground black pepper

For the vegetarian version, mix all the ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

On a pan, layer the onions.

Wrap the pork belly with kimchi. Put a strip of sesame oil before rolling. This will give more flavor to the pork. Ensure that the roll is tight. Put it on the pan when finished.

Do the same with the mushrooms.

Once all the rolls are on the pan, spread pepper paste on each of them.

Sprinkle with ground black pepper; drizzle with sesame oil and honey.

Put a cup of water and bring to a boil.

Upon boiling, lower the heat and rinse the rolls with the soup base.

Simmer for 45-60mins. This will give delicious aroma to your kitchen. :)

Add water if needed.

Serve with freshly cooked rice.

VERDICT

WILL: Abbey slashed one our week's menu and announced that he'll be cooking the menu I was drooling for months whenever I am watching it in Maangchi's youtube channel. 

The cravings end when the Braised Pork Kimchi touched my tastebuds. It is way too hot and spicy but I can't hold back my spoon to stop scooping the food inside my mouth. 

It is not only taste good but also one of the healthy alternatives in our daily menu. :) 

Love my chef a lot! Next time "Cooking Time" post please!