Post #1570: Ciabatta Sunday

I baked two loaves of Ciabatta again yesterday. I don't know if I am going to keep on with this but so far I enjoy both making and eating them. And yes, this is the 1570th post! Whoa.

Shoe Shopping

We went out shopping for shoes, because we had to. Miss K needed a pair of proper business-like shoes for a conference that she is attending in Doha, Qatar next month. It's a conference that will be attended by many influential and reputable people in the world such as Boris Becker, Cherie Blair and many others as speakers. She got the pair that she needed and three more pairs that she could use as well, including one pair of those like the above, Toms lookalike! Might as well. We had invested our time in going out and if she was able to find multiple pairs that she liked for different occasions, she should get them. It was a productive couple of hours in the midst of super crowded Orchard road on Sunday. 

Little Butter Cakes

Back when we were in Japan and went around some shopping place, I bought a couple of silicone baking pans. I used them once or twice and put them away. I nearly forgot that I had them until recently. I used them to make these little butter cakes. I certainly like and the looks. And the taste too.

Decorating Begins...

Christmas decoration in the city begins by the end of October. Main streets like Orchard rd., are decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments. With these being done rather aggressively, how can anyone forget that Christmas is nearing. Shopping malls start erecting Christmas trees inside or outside or in both of, their buildings. Ngee Ann City, where Takashimaya shopping center is, always puts a giant Christmas tree in the Atrium. This picture is this year's tree. There's a high chance that I will have a picture or two in front of the tree, as I did in the past, even though I do not care that much. I do not know why I still do it anyway. The tree is too big too ignore when one passes by. Maybe.

Crystal Jade Paragon - Lunch

DH and I had lunch in Crystal Jade in Paragon last month. It's hard to believe that it has been more than a month already. Time goes by so fast, faster than I could keep up with. Anyway, DH also had a bowl of fish porridge for himself. I had my favorite barbecue pork pastries above. We made sure we had a  vegetable dish and we had the long bean dish that we order often. Overall, it was nice, homey and quite a simple enjoyable afternoon with him.

Crodos

Cronuts, for Americans and maybe the rest of the world,  are now here. Gastronomia created and called theirs as Crodos. Basically they all are croissants in the shape of donuts and have taken the pastry by storm?? Yes, they are now available in Singapore, $4.90 each! Yay or nay? I am indifferent.

Jamie's Italian Kitchen, Singapore

Jamie's Italian Kitchen has opened in Singapore and just like everyone else, we (I, reluctantly, because we just went to the London one!) also joined the crowd and tried their food and drink. Our reservation was made a long while back and it was for mid October. 

We had a couple of pasta dishes that were not too impressive, I was told. They were somehow a bit over-seasoned.

We shared fried calamari which we quite like, but we thought it was a little expensive. I stuck to my favorite, Baked Mushroom and a shared side order of Roasted Pumpkins, Beets and Squash.

Another dish that we shared was Arancini (Risotto Balls).

For desserts, my lil companion wanted Panna Cota and I wanted to compare their Tiramisu with those I had earlier. This is my third time ordering Tiramisu and it never really tastes the same. The best one I had among the three, was the first one. I had it in Westfield Sheperd Bush with DH. It was perfectly boozed....

Ciabatta & Bread Sticks

I find weekends to be the perfect time to bake Ciabatta.  I could prepare the starter the night before and wake up the next morning and start working on the dough. By the time the rest of the family members are awake, the bread will be ready.  I am an early riser anyway, that includes weekends too. I try not to start running my mixer too early as I do not want to hear any complaints from the neighbors. This recipe from The Kitchn is one of my favorites.

Basil

Basil. Under the hot sun on Sunday morning.

Crystal Jade Kitchen Lunch

DH and I had lunch at Crystal Jade Kitchen in Suntec City, it was all about comfort food. Aside from the above, DH had fish porridge and we also ordered a basket of Dumplings.