Heh heh, clearly from my title, it's quite evident that I am quite the terrible bridesmaid. Haven't been really posting much about the wedding and the preparatory stuff, but we are about exactly 10 days away from the BIG DAY. And so, it's only apt that we had our gals' night out and had a party.
The lovely Princess for the evening =)
Ok, it wasn't exactly a night out for me since Q and I hosted a dinner party for our special girl at my place. Joone graciously agreed to cook for our little dinner party of 7 and she brought along Mia, a.k.a Skinny Epicurean, a fabulous girl, enviously skinny, bubbly and funny and such a great help.
My cousin chef is amazing. Procrastination on my part, gave her only a week and half to plan the menu for the party. At 5pm, she arrived with a big basket of ingredients and semi-prepared courses and a crumpled piece of paper with her scribbling and drawing. I seriously doubt there will ever be a day I can cook off a piece of paper and still remain calm and in full control of the pots, the knives, the cooking fire and the food!
By 645pm, the wonderful smells from the pots on the stove and the bread baking in the oven were reaching the point of temptation.
In conjunction with her manic bread-making phase" revelation in her recent feature interview in AsiaOne Wine and Dine, Joone baked some herb and cheese bread. The bread was really good and warm, moist and bursting with flavours of the herbs and cheese. Aptly whetting our appetites, we were all eager for dinner to start.
Dinner comprised of a 4 course menu:
Crab Wantons in a Tom Yam Broth
Mentaiko Pasta
Braised beef cheek served with Mash Potato and vegetables
Flourless chocolate cake with Macadamia Ice Cream
When Joone suggested this dish, I could not imagine anything better. Ling has always liked her food spicy and I knew she was going to like the Tom Yam broth. The crab wantons were absolutely yummy! So fresh and the broth went perfectly with the little parcels of fresh seafood.
Our amuse buse was rather interesting. Kudos to the chef for her innovation. Who would have thought a little balsamic vinegar, and cheese atop of a simple cube of watermelon can provoke such an intense explosion of flavours on the palette!
Next up, was the Mentaiko pasta. Generous on the mentaiko and ebiko and nori, the pasta was a big hit with the girls. Joone was quite generous with the portions and most of us were absolutely stuffed after the pasta. But the next course was on the way and smelt too good to pass up.
The beef cheeks were sooo tender, a knife was almost unnecessary. But we are civilized girls, so we tried to preserve good table manners. Close to tearing the meat off the plate, I only stopped occasionally to have some mash potato crammed crassly into my mouth. The potatoes melt in your mouth and they were so creamy and good. Joone later reluctantly revealed her secret ingredient and for the fat-averse and faint-hearted, you'll miss a good creation.
For our sugar and sweet fix that evening, Joone prepared a secret recipe flourless chocolate cake - much to Q's delight. She and Mia were helping a friend bake carrot cakes in the afternoon and we were privileged to sample some of that as well. I was happy my favourite macadamia ice cream and berries along side to balance off.
It was truly an enjoyable night, though I think most of us were close to bursting at the seams. I also got a few of those lovely chocolate lollipops from Canele because they looked so beautiful and yummy! Plus, every princess has to have a wand doesn't she!
Debs and Charissa with their choc pops
Q and Ling embracing the princess - unicorn - theme
Q enjoying her dark choc pop
At the end of the evening, we all snuggled contently on the couch to finish of the evening with - 300! I know, a queer choice of a movie, inappropriate with the blood and violence. But yet, quite a chick flick if we think of the hot bods and too many a pecs!
That's when Joone suggested that we should go into a joint venture and rent out my kitchen and living room for private dining! She can do the cooking and the dining experience and I can create the ambience and the private experience.. Not too bad an idea!
SO,
Ladies and Gentlemen, my black house with the red dog is officially available to nightly rents! Joone is our official cook for hire and we can give you a private dining experience! For rates and details, leave a message on my blog!!!!
The Black House with the red dog
For Hire per night / per hour / per dinner
The Black House with the red dog
Joone - Cook for Hire
For Hire for any kinds of dining experience
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