Welcome, Guest

1. •  
     CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeFeb 1st 2008)

    
   I am sure all of us can sniff out a good eating place from miles. But how many here can actually cook? Or rather, how good can you cook? Becos most of the time we complain about bad food in terms of taste, presentation and so on. As much as diners complain constantly complain about bad food, these restaurants will always think their food is good. None will think otherwise. So if u can be chef for 1 day, what will you cook?
2. •  
     CommentAuthorChicken Rice Man (CommentTimeFeb 1st 2008)

    
   actually not an easy question to answer. depends on the occassion. i find cooking western food much easier as a lot of it is just popping something into the oven. i really respect those guys that can cook chinese food well.
   
   one of my favourite and easiest things i cook is a mean mushroom soup that you can find in one of the jamie oliver books. it uses Porcini as a base which really makes the soup stand out. Definately much better than anything you can get at any restaurant in Singapore.

   Heavenly Cod
3. •  
     CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeFeb 1st 2008)

    
   have only made fried rice, fried spagetti.. and my own take on lasagne using spagetti,mayo, chilli tuna, bread n chez..tried making a broccoli/mushroom soup b4 which amazingly my mom ate without falling ill..
   
   tink my forte is bakin marble cakes..used to get orders for hari raya...now wanna make for myself also no time
4. •  
     CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeFeb 1st 2008)

    
   Wow...CRM is really a hidden talent aka SGP Michelin chef !
5. •  
     CommentAuthoraudrey ong (CommentTimeFeb 1st 2008)

    
   haha well, i think cooking is essential to helping you appreciate the food.
   
   Like for myself, i cook alot, and bake alot too, so when im in a restaurant and trying a dish, i'll sort of automatically go (not out loud of course) oh yeah, he left the steak on the grill for just that one extra minute, and now it's tough.
   
   or it helps me to tell what sort of spices are used in the seasoning of a dish, as i cook often and know what these spices smell/taste like, and then it's that much easier for me to replicate the dish at home. haha.
   
   in terms of baking, of course it's a lil harder to tell what goes in, but when i go around tasting other people's baked goodies, like for now, my current obsession is cupcakes, then i'll know how i'd like my own version to improve.
   
   macadamia naddz, your marble cake sounds interesting. haha. maybe i should convince you to order.. and yeah. i do also think that a natural extension of a love to cook/bake, would be to start taking orders. Which is what im already doing. It's the extra buzz you get when satisfied, happy people tell you they love your stuff..

   Blues Almighty, Heavenly Cod
6. •  
     CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeFeb 1st 2008)

    
   AO...can tell u sure love your food ! : )
7. •  
     CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeFeb 1st 2008)

    
   hehz..i recently baked one last week...got the recipe off the net but modified it a wee bit..ill b happyto take orders(just not too many or else ill faint)
   
   my gmom alwez said tat people who love to eat will in turn love to cook n experiment with diff foods..i think shez right..only i wish i had the time to experiment and cook...usually after i cook sumthin ill b way too tired to even enjoy it..so my lucky mom gets to eat it instead..
   
   i for one failed at my tries to make cupcakes and stick to order it..hey audrey hows abt u make sum cupcakes n ill make a marble cake..we could swap haha..or if theres a HGW gathering we could bring it as a potluck(",)
8. •  
     CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

    
   Well for me i can cook a mean dish of tomato based spaghetti served in mussels, mushrooms and italian sausages. I find that u can cook up a mean dish when u add in 'extra ingredients' such as love, emotion and compassion into it. Tats why sometimes home food is best food.

   Blues Almighty
9. •  
     CommentAuthorDG (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

    
   I agree with you Ratatouille - I cook best whenever I'm in the mood for injecting love and passion into my food....whenever I'm inspired by someone or something, that's when I cook best.

   ice
10. •  
      CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

     
    very likely thats the problem with restaurants. food now that becomes a tool for money making lacks alot such ingredients, especially franchised chains. Food is not even prepared by humans but by machines.
11. •  
      CommentAuthorDG (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

     
    Yes, I totally, totally agree on this. Everything is mechanised, production "lined"! And they get away with it because so many people are attracted by the "reasonable" prices (even I'm guilty of that too sometimes because I just feel too tired to cook, uninspired etc and will just settle for any ol fare out there), so become commercially successful, and then think they can get away with this again by setting up a few more outlets etc etc......
12. •  
      CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

     
    its sad when food bcomes like a mass production line..no more personal touch..loses its spark..juz so sum1 can gain more *kachings*..dats ylove my gdads food but like most malay food..too much coconut milk n oli..so fattenin
13. •  
      CommentAuthorDG (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

     
    Hey, why don't you come up with a healthy version that taste as good (I don't even mind a bit not as good)....I am sure to support!
    
    I love Malay food but am also on the lookout for healthier versions!
14. •  
      CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

     
    heh..will try..already experimented using anlene milk instead of coconut milk for the food..not bad..
    n my stepdad makes really good egyptian/medeterinean stuff..must get him to teach me..
15. •  
      CommentAuthorXiang Wei (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

     
    I can whip up anything relating more to western food... anyone need tips just msg me
16. •  
      CommentAuthorice (CommentTimeFeb 2nd 2008)

     
    DG: PHAWH. u sure not only koe how to cook..u can be a poet too...
    
    
17. •  
      CommentAuthorDG (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008)

     
    No lah, I can't be a poet, I like to keep things short....like "Hey, you look real 2-D!" LOL!
18. •  
      CommentAuthorDG (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008)

     
    Xiang Wei, share share your western food recipes!
    
    We have a discussion thread just for that under "Sharing recipes".....waiting to hear from you there!
19. •  
      CommentAuthorladyironchef (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008)

     
    It's a matter of cooking it for who :)
20. •  
      CommentAuthorJon Wan (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008)

     
    i was a chef once....no no..a cosmis cook...well actually a kitchen assistant...but i've worked in McDonalds before!!! S$3.20 an hour
21. •  
      CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008)

     
    gosh..gone were the days..now i wonder how much they pay
22. •  
      CommentAuthorladyironchef (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008 edited)

     
    ha! i doubt the pay increase much. $3.50? $4? lol
    
    You are always welcome to visit ladyironchef for my gastronomic food experience. Whatever written above are my geniune feelings expressed in words that may be subjected to my personal distortion or bias. Please do not feel emotional or distress should you have any violent objections. Kindly click the little X at the upper, extreme right of your screen if negative adjectives would be derived. Otherwise, feel free to furnish me with comments, may it be positive or negative : )
23. •  
      CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008)

     
    haha..tru..work@ gelare also get paid 4.50..
24. •  
      CommentAuthorHoongy ! (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008)

     
    when I was a student chef in the US I got paid US$6.50 an hour - I thought that was bad until I saw the last few posts.
    
    For the record, the only thing I can cook is maggi mee - but hey, I can do it without boiling water :)
25. •  
      CommentAuthorladyironchef (CommentTimeFeb 7th 2008)

     
    woo.. maggi mee without boiling water? how u manage that?
    
    You are always welcome to visit ladyironchef for my gastronomic food experience. Whatever written above are my geniune feelings expressed in words that may be subjected to my personal distortion or bias. Please do not feel emotional or distress should you have any violent objections. Kindly click the little X at the upper, extreme right of your screen if negative adjectives would be derived. Otherwise, feel free to furnish me with comments, may it be positive or negative : )
26. •  
      CommentAuthorDG (CommentTimeFeb 8th 2008)

     
    yah LIC, you gotta ask Hoongy how he does that!
27. •  
      CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeFeb 8th 2008)

     
    i think he juz chew on those noodles. like mamee
28. •  
      CommentAuthorDG (CommentTimeFeb 8th 2008)

     
    Well, I think he really has a method! You should ask him to show you!
29. •  
      CommentAuthorgalinusa (CommentTimeFeb 8th 2008)

     
    as a student, i make a super easy "claypot" rice - cook rice as per normal but just before the rice is fully cooked, add marinated chicken (chopped chicken chunks, smashed ginger root, pepper, light and dark soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions), let the chicken cook thru and eat!
30. •  
      CommentAuthormacadamia^n (CommentTimeFeb 8th 2008)

     
    sounds intresting galinusa..thanks for the tip
31. •  
      CommentAuthorice (CommentTimeFeb 8th 2008)

     
    i think i can cook pig trotters, fish head noodles & good ol' simple fried rice well.
    
    & oh..ginger chix!
32. •  
      CommentAuthorladyironchef (CommentTimeFeb 10th 2008)

     
    hahaha. if it is for the special person in my life, cook anything also can
    
    You are always welcome to visit ladyironchef for my gastronomic food experience. Whatever written above are my geniune feelings expressed in words that may be subjected to my personal distortion or bias. Please do not feel emotional or distress should you have any violent objections. Kindly click the little X at the upper, extreme right of your screen if negative adjectives would be derived. Otherwise, feel free to furnish me with comments, may it be positive or negative : )
33. •  
      CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeFeb 10th 2008)

     
    ironlady: that's very true. but actualli that special person would probably find anything u cook to be super special too.
34. •  
      CommentAuthoryingz (CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008)

     
    well i do cook..follow from recipe books! recently bought this portable stove that runs frm electricity. somemore got free pot! haha. im gona start boiling chunky potato, mushroom soups from it. shark's fin as well! but if i can be a chef, i would want to cook almost anything. perhaps start from baking a cake..
35. •  
      CommentAuthorJon Wan (CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008)

     
    other countries have minimum wage structures..we don't
    
    anyway...when we're young, we're not solely working for $$...
36. •  
      CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeFeb 14th 2008)

     
    moi can cook chix rice and make hay zhor (prawn paste roll)...make the chix rice chilli too (tho more from helping mom)...generally can whip up a simple meal for a family of four...veg, meat, soup.
    
    other stuff are still theoretical lo...only teachings and tips from mom, the super cook....still got loads to learn from her....she still haven fulfil her promise to teach me how to make typical nonya kaya...:(
37. •  
      CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeFeb 14th 2008)

     
    wow hay zhor...... i love them. maybe u could cook some if the forum guys ever meet up for makans. can give the hay zhors a review too!
38. •  
      CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeFeb 15th 2008)

     
    haha! we shall see, its lotsa work involved jus in making the filling...:P
39. •  
      CommentAuthorRatatouille (CommentTimeFeb 16th 2008)

     
    for good food we sure can wait!
40. •  
      CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeFeb 16th 2008)

     
    hee...:P
41. •  
      CommentAuthorHis Food Blog (CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008)

     
    I think its important that many of us being food lovers & even food critics knows how to cook and cook it well. Its only through doing it that you discover what goes behind a good dish and how easy or difficult is it to execute it. Only then would you appreciate the effort and thoughts that goes into the dish.
    
    Having said that, as a food lover cum critic, I am proud to say that I am able to cook fairly well. I agree with CRM that Western is definitely easier to cook as compared to Asian dishes. You will come to realise that more thoughts goes into preparing a piping hot dish in an Asian kitchen.
    
    I've blogged about my few experiences that I have cooked myself and you can read it below:
    http://hisfoodblog.blogspot.com/search/label/home-cook

    Heavenly Cod
42. •  
      CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008)

     
    i dare not claim to cook well really....at least some frens who had tried my cooking did not die from FP..:)
    I only dare to say its edible and i definitely will not die of hunger if my mom is no longer ard...:)
    
    Maybe cos I am a chinese (asian), even though i m open to a lot of types of food but at the end of the day, simple hot chinese dishes wif a nice bowl of piping hot rice jus works it best for me. Even if its jus home cooked soup or plain porridge.
43. •  
      CommentAuthorHeavenly Cod (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008 edited)

     
    i agree. simple chinese dishes are v heartwarming actually. esp the ones prepared by my mum. if only she could see this..
44. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    totally agree. something about home cooking that you can not find anywhere else. i'm feeling homesick all of sudden. =(
45. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    hmm...give a ring home...or email them...
    
    guess u r still coping with the move to spore.
46. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    it's 5am in california. sigh....
47. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    awww... write out ur thoughts in the email.... sometimes u express urself better in written form n will be able to share more...
    
    hey i'm here...not gg for din...will just have snacks...
48. •  
      CommentAuthorJon Wan (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    i'm here now too
49. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    she left...must be hard for her for her to be away fr family...well at least got crazy dudes and chicks to chat with over here
50. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 24th 2008)

     
    yeah chatting here does help.