This year is shaping up to be a fantastic year in Singapore for music. It’s probably not a stretch to say that every year in Singapore is a good one, considering the wide variety of excellent entertainment that comes from the creative talents of the people who live here, along with the dizzying array of performers who make this one of their stops. The city-state is a popular destination for musicians from Europe, the U.S., and also from all over Asia. Singapore has been a world-class city for some time, drawing on its potential as a major trading port. The exports and imports here are not just food and goods, but often takes the form of ethereal entertainments.
For a perfect evening of ethereal entertainment, one of the best bets this year will be the Sam Hui concert. This event is coming in late June, but is already causing small waves of excitement among the locals here. It’s a perfect excuse to take a trip over, and enjoy an evening out, with dinner at one of the excellent Chinese food restaurants in town, and then get ready to see the show. Audiences here are very discerning, and for events as anticipated as this one, they are also extremely generous, and not afraid to show their enthusiasm. This is one way of getting in touch with the local culture, and also experience the world of global pop, with one of Hong Kong’s most beloved stars.
Sam Hui had retired from performing, and from his illustrious film career, years ago, but picked it up again in 2004. This was very good news for the long-term fans, who can be wonderfully fanatical about this pop star. He comes from very humble origins, making his rise even more meteoric than other stars who come from wealth and privilege. His reputation has always been very strong as a voice of the people, giving the audiences what they want in terms of energy and enthusiasm, and in the process, keeping the spirit of hope alive for millions.
Archive for the ‘Food and Beverage’ Category
Like many people, my sister loves seafood restaurants. She always orders some kind of sampler platter, which many of them offer and it will generally include a lobster tail, shrimp and either a fillet or some crab legs. Shellfish is her favorite, and she loves an assortment of shrimp in her meal. Sometimes this will include some battered baby shrimp, some scampi and sometimes grilled shrimp. Occasionally the fried shrimp will also include a choice of flavoring, such as Cajun barbeque, coconut or cilantro and lime. The possibilities are endless and some shrimp specialty locations will offer and endless variety.
My sister also loves the lobster and prefers it on a sampler platter where it will usually be removed from its shell. While she is more than capable of removing it herself, when she treats herself to a great seafood meal, she considers this to be more of a chore and enjoys it when the lobster is presented out of the shell. Her taste with lobster is simple and direct, she enjoys dipping it in butter and savoring the rich flavor.
The crabs are almost always served in the shell of their legs, and removing them is second nature to my sister. I never understood why this too wasn’t a chore, though I recognize that it certainly doesn’t seem like one to my sister. She usually dips the crap in butter and sometimes will use a sauce if one is provided. When a fish fillet is served, it is frequently Orange Roughy. This is a mild and light deep ocean fillet that is suitable to many pallets. My sister loves every item that is included with these sampler plates, though this definitely does not complete her experience. Every time she has seafood, and actually any other time it is available, my sister also enjoys a large bowl of New England clam chowder. To her, the creamier it is the better.
At the heart of every backyard grilling party is the staple, the hamburger. Most people make their burgers using beef and it is important to choose the right cut for one’s taste. When grilling remember that most of the fat will burn off, so while it is health conscious and wise to choose leaner cuts most of the time, for grilling this may not be the best option. The leaner cuts when grilled will tend to end up dry, so keep this in mind.
The fat that burns off during the cooking will also decrease the size of the burgers up to twenty five percent. Another thing to consider when making the perfect burger is the texture of the grind. Coarse grinds of hamburger stand up much better to the heat and the grill of the built in bbq than do the finer grinds. Finely ground meat becomes mushy and a bit soft, causing them to fall apart on, and fall through, the grill.
Adding spices and other ingredients to the patty is wonderful, however one thing that too, will cause the patties to fall apart on the grill is large chunks of onion or whole garlic cloves. So be certain to dice these ingredients up before adding them to the mix. There are other options for the choice of meat when it comes to grilling the perfect burger, as sausage, pork and ground lamb make wonderful grilled up meals.
Turkey is an option as well, but again it is softer and the texture may be hard for some outdoor chefs to work with. Dried bread crumbs in the mixture will serve to thicken up the patty, making it easier to work with, while adding a bit of flavor as well. Some flavors are better when mixed together, so try a bit of sausage with beef, or a bit of lamb.
The benefits of having a hot tub are numerous, and many of these are discovered as you start enjoying your hot tub with family and close friends. The health benefits are really very exciting, and there are so many reasons for going outdoors and enjoying a lovely soak. There is something particularly beneficial to the combination of hot water and moving jets, that improves circulation, gets the heart going, and may actually produce some of the physical benefits of aerobics. Relaxing as a form of exercise has a certain appeal, for sure, and portable hot tubs are the way to enter into these possibilities. There are also wonderful side effects that help the body to sleep more deeply, but to get these side effects, you’ll have to make it a part of your routine. It’s not difficult to consider the idea of pleasure at the end of every day.
There are also beautiful possibilities for entertaining when you have your own portable hot tub. For many people, the connection between the smell of the hot tub mixed with the smell of barbecue is heady and brings back terrific memories. And now the possibility of creating your own memories is right at your disposal. It’s also very convenient, because you won’t have to prepare very much, and there will be evenings when dinner gatherings might erupt spontaneously. There are plenty of social pluses to hosting a Summer grill and hot tub party, but there are also health benefits as well, and it’s possible to maximize the benefits by learning how to grill for health.
Grilling for health means being conscious of what happens in the cooking process. There are ways of preparing meats to insure that their nutritional potentials are unlocked, while also removing the carcinogens. Some of these methods are as delicious as they are health-conscious, such as adding soy, vitamin E, or garlic and herbs. Also, marinading the meat before grilling, in a thin sauce, and it’s much better if it’s homemade. There are extraordinary things that can be done with fruits and vegetables on the grill, and these are always healthy, grilled or not grilled. You can combine the benefits of moderate sun exposure, relaxing the body in very warm water, as well as healthy food with that special taste that only the grill can provide, and make for an extremely pleasurable experience on a lazy Summer afternoon. Good just got so much better.
When you’ve moved from the indoor stove to the outdoor kitchen, even if it’s just a beginning, things start to change. You’ve made a decision to enter into the good life, and become part of the culture you’ve always wanted to belong to. Good taste and relaxation are more important than a quick fix, although with your grill, you’ll be cooking meals with precision in no time flat. And once you’ve had a chance to look over our grill islands, you’ll see that it’s a splendid way to plant yourself in your new role.
Our grill islands offer a number of variations that will help you to personalize your space. There are details to make it suit your personality, and your way of entertaining, with features such as special lighting, sound systems, a built-in tv, as well as covers so that you can entertain even when the weather isn’t behaving. You can also choose styles and shapes, to fit your set-up exactly how you like it. It might not be the captain’s chair exactly, but you might start to feel a bit like Captain Kirk, enjoying being the master of your domain, or the perfect master chef with all the amenities you could ask for.
There are also grill islands with seating areas, so that you can do your entertaining and your cooking in the same place. This is an excellent option for the more social cooks, who like to talk with the family and guests while the food is being prepared. If you enjoy talking about food, this is the perfect place to share secrets and recipes. A bit of a secret here: we all love to share recipes. It doesn’t take very long before the splendid experience of grilling outdoors becomes an obsession, and a healthy one at that. You’re spending more time outdoors in the fresh air, and preparing food that is also very healthy, using fresh ingredients to offer the best tastes. This might be the ideal Final Frontier for you, where all the adventures of a life lie before you, and you can prepare the finest flavors with your friends and companions close at hand.
One of the aspects of the culture on the island of Singapore is the love of food, from the fine cuisine found in a top Singapore restaurant, to the hearty dishes found in the food malls and the hawker stands in the open air markets. Every festival, every celebration includes feasts that delight with foods and the flavors from the various cultures that make up the diverse society of Singapore. One of the most anticipated events, for those living on the island, and those tourists and visitors who have experienced it before, is the Singapore Food Festival. This year marked the sixteenth annual festival which ran from July17 through the 26th. This is a time when culture meets food, and food is celebrated by the culture.
The focus this year was Peranakan cuisine. Opening ceremonies included a parade which consisted of more than two hundred Peranakan’s dressed in traditional clothing and heading out through all the streets of downtown Singapore and meeting up at the Clarke Quay to begin the festival. One of the greatest moments of this year’s festival was the finale, the Peranakan Buffet. This was a table set up that ran the entire length of the Read Bridge and offered up more than one hundred different dishes, all under the night sky. The Peranakan society is made up of a blend of Malay, European, and Chinese descent. This is one of Singapore’s groups that evolved about three hundred years ago.
Many events that highlight the culture took place, as well as the events that were taking place throughout the entire island in Little India, Chinatown, and in the cultural heart of the city, the Kampong Glam Malay. The theme throughout each of the neighborhoods was ’supper’ a meal that is one of the most celebrated and loved by Singaporeans. During the festival, Read Bridge becomes known as Food Street and is open each day from 4 to 11pm. Many enjoy the flavors of the various restaurants and chefs of Singapore, taking breaks from the dining every now and then to visit the stalls of the Singapore River Market for shopping. Workshops were also provided, with the use of a full kitchen that was moved from location to location around the island. In all, this last festival was a huge success and has people excited for the 17th annual Singapore Food Festival next year.
If you go to Dubai, there are 3 restaurants I recommend which I personally found to be the best. I was staying in a 5 Star Hotel in Dubai when I stumbled upon The Pizza Corner, Cafe’ Havana and BICE. All three were simply delicious in their own way and had their own unique style.
My first choice, and one restaurant I will never forget is Pizza Corner. The huge pizzas are so tantalizing, mouth watering and delicious. The menu had a really good variety to pick from, like not only pizza, but seafood, salads, sandwiches, steaks, desserts, burgers, chicken and they even have cocktails. I sat down to eat, but they also have take away or delivery. I especially liked the prices, very reasonable. While I was in Dubai, I managed to go there quite often and got to try the Chicken Burger, the Turkey Meat pizza and a milk shake which was the best I’ve ever had.
My second most favorite place to eat, I found when I was shopping at Deira City Centre Mall and needed refreshment and a rest. Cafe’ Havana, a wonderful place for a snack, a refreshment and a very good place to people watch. Cafe’ Havan is a large cafe’ restaurant and it’s on the 2nd level of the mall on the way to the cinemas. I was greeted by the host and got to pick the table I wanted which was, of course, on the edge of the cafe’ so I could have a great people watching vantage point. The menu is varied, and I was surprised that it really wasn’t Cuban. But, I ordered the Turkey Club sandwich which came with a huge mound of fries. Very scrumptious. Very reasonably priced and very pleasant. The staff is superb, I felt like royalty stopping by after tons of shopping. I didn’t try the decadent looking cakes on display, was too full from my ’snack’.
Then I got to experience BICE. Very welcoming and pleasantly calm. I was kind of worried that it might have an atmosphere of being stuffy, but it wasn’t, it was casual dining at it’s best. The food was superb, really very good. I ordered the lamp chops and when my dish arrived, it was presented beautifully with cooked greens and the lamb portion was just right. The service was friendly and non-intrusive, just the way I like it. My mouth still waters when I remember that Lamb dish, so good, so juicy, mmmmmm.
The outdoor kitchen multiplies your cooking options, and choosing the right outdoor kitchen accessories multiplies this geometrically. First, with an outdoor kitchen, suddenly there are possibilities for flavors that were unheard of before. There is also the immense social nature of cooking outdoors, that makes a party really lively, and can make a simple family meal into a very special occasion. It can also become an every day luxury, and it never gets old. With the right accessories, there are radical changes possible for outdoor cooking.
The outdoor kitchen grill smoker box can help you to take all of your new grilling techniques and add the amazing possibilities of smoking to your culinary repertoire. Smoking foods on the grill is an old art form, and one that is, like any art form, in a constant state of evolution. These accessories move it to a new level, where the state of the art grill merges with the exceptional flavor provided with wood flavoring. The most advanced cooking techniques are brought to a new level. Hickory and mesquite are just the beginning of the flavors that can be used to infuse your food, and this will have your whole family, all your guests, and your whole neighborhood, deliciously curious about what’s on.
There are infinite possibilities for what will work with this smoker box, but consider trying grilled mesquite tuna. Preparing the tuna with the right marinade can do wonders to this already mouth-watering meal. Try different kinds of pepper, italian dressings and seasonings, or even portabella mushrooms to complete the taste. Other options for grilling mesquite tuna with your smoker box are trying minced garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt and pepper. Experiment with different oils, too, to lock in the flavors. Feel free to try combinations of flavors, because with the smoker, you’re bound to have a fantastic result!
My first trip to Australia to visit a good friend of my was back in the 70’s. They treated me to a traditional backyard Aussie BBQ. The backyard area was big and roomy with plenty of outdoor kitchen cabinets and a built-in grill. These people were serious about their BBQ. They purposely built their home up instead of spread out just so they could have their lovely traditional Aussie backyard. A backyard built to entertain while they put one on the barbie.
My second and final trip to Australia was in 2007. My friends have moved on and are now living in Thailand. My next stop by the way. But, being here now, in Australia, I’ve notice somethings changed. It seems that today’s home lack a backyard. The newer homes are on just has much land as what my friends had, but instead of building up the new homes spread out. Single stories. No room for a backyard, really. No room to entertain, to put on on the barbie. This is a dramatic change which started in the 90’s. It seems that people are spending their money on floor area instead of backyard area.
These new homes contradict the open-air lifestyle for which Australians are internationally renowned for. I guess I can understand that it’s cheaper to build a single-story house, but to lose a culture over it? I don’t know. It saddens me really. I had such fond memories of the time I spent in my friends backyard and looking forward to telling all my friends in the States that I was treated to a traditional Aussie ‘putting one on the barbie’. Which I did, I even wrote about it for my local newspaper. Australia’s changing, for the better? I really can’t say. As I’ve said, though, my second trip to Australia was my last.
There is no doubt that for the best restaurants, Dubai has a world reputation for serving beautiful and delicious cuisine. With the best ingredients and the top chefs in the Arab world, there is reason for every gourmet to celebrate here, and so many places to visit. On a culinary tour of the city, the visitor will notice that there is an international flavor to the city that reaches beyond the level of food. There are attractions and shopping centers galore, and a magnificent selection of fascinating neighborhoods to explore. There is also a tremendous cultural and intellectual presence here, which would come as no surprise, perhaps, given that this is becoming one of the shining international centers in the Arab world.
The Arab Media Forum is one example of the international scope of the city. Begun in 1999 through the Arab Press Club, the Arab Media Forum was founded to help promote a better cultural understanding between the Arab and the Western Media. It is always well-attended, drawing interest from journalists, academics, columnists, the broadcast media, and analysts and government officials. This Forum is a remarkable event in its scope and aims.
The most recent Forum, held in May of 2009, was the 8th annual Arab Media Forum, and by all accounts, the event was spectacular. The keynote address was by U.S. journalist and icon Seymour Hersh. He spoke about the vast and enormous changes in the media very recently, in large part due to two factors, Al Jazeera, which reports on events that other newspapers will not report, and the internet, which is changing global news very rapidly. He noted how we are living in an age where information can be reported and spread around the globe very quickly, through established news sources, or through blogs, which in large part are unchecked. There was also an excellent presentation by Eman Ayyad, from Al Jazeera. She spoke about the increasing links that the Western world was making with stories centered in the Arab world, and this has lead to increase in both interest and travel on the part of international journalists to the region. This heady presentation was part of a panel which also included journalists Robert Worth, Alain Gresh, and Jihad Al Khazen.
On of my life’s teacher once told me that when I drink a cup of coffee or drink some beverage, one I know will boost my energy either with caffeine or sugar that I am telling my body it’s inadequate. So, my body will stop producing it’s own energy, shut down the natural process of creating the necessary chemicals to give my body the energy it needs. My teachers wisdom took months for me to truly understand what she was saying. I never even thought about what I drink or eat has anything to do with how my body operates.
I love my coffee, I love my energy drinks. I even went to a coffee convention held at one of the Top New York Hotels to give a presentation about the wonders of caffeine. The reason it took months to understand and to take action, to be truly honest about it, I didn’t want to hear the wisdom of what my teacher was teaching. I didn’t want to give up the pleasures of the buzz of caffeine and sugars. Even though my surface body would start to function naturally, my caffeine addicted body was panicking with the thought of removing these false energy boost. But, in the background my subtle-body was stirring.
But, I also have to admit, once I heard those words of wisdom, my subtle-body also responded with the sparks of remembering it’s true state of being. It’s this spark that kept my teacher’s wisdom churning in my mind day and night. As this continued, over the months, my surface body cravings for the liquid gold I call coffee, became less surface and moved with and into the subtle-body. Yes, I am now caffeine free, energy drink free. For a few years now. My body is, one again, producing it’s own form of energy. Natural and subtle. Pleasant and serene.
Nam June Paik was born in 1932 in Seoul Korea. He has studied art history, music and philosophy in Tokyo, at Darmstadt and in Germany, respectively. He operated the video equipment for Radio Cologne, a studio that specializes in electronic music. Throughout the 1960’s and into the 70’s he was the artist in residence for many New York television studios and was associated with the NY group, Fluxus. This month at the James Cohan Gallery, an exhibit of his most important and innovative works will be presented and should not be missed. Many of the best restaurants Manhattan offers are in the neighborhood of the gallery, and dinner and show is one of the best ways to spend a New York summer evening.
The exhibition contains his work from the early 1970’s through 1994. There are sculptures created with video, live feed video installations, and the famous robot sculptures he created. He is known as the father of the techniques and artistry of the video world. He has worked with other great video pioneers such as Charlotte Moorman, Joseph Beuys, and John Cage. He balances technology’s pragmatism with philosophical ideas of Utopia, and is known for the ideas he has inspired over the years in the public masses that cause one to consider objects and reality.
He had long had a scientific interest in electronic and technological communication, which inspired his predictions of the affects technology would one day have on daily life. Among his concepts, he coined the phrase “electronic super-highway”, before it even existed, foreshadowing and predicting the way that technology connects various cultures and countries throughout the world at high rates of speed. This was all thought of during the time before the Internet revolution. Paik passed away in 2006 and will be remembered through his works that he leaves behind and for the ideas he inspired in all of those familiar with the man and his artistry.
The 2009 Taste of Dubai wrapped up today (March 14th) at Dubai Media City. The event, which began on Wednesday, March 11th, featured 68 signature dishes by 23 of the finest Dubai restaurants and celebrity chefs from around the globe.
This year’s celebrity chefs included James Martin, Giorgio Locatelli, and a battle between Gordon Ramsey and Gary Rhodes. Visitors staying in a five star hotel in Dubai are likely to have sampled the food of some of the participating chefs. Most of the top hotels sent their best chefs to the event.
The festival included food stalls from local restaurants and a variety of cooking demonstrations as well as entertainment. The MMI Beverage Theatre and the Taste Marketplace were the main attractions. The event even had its own currency: the della, which had to be purchased at an exchange stall or from roving della boys.
Cooking demonstrations and classes were very popular this year. The Mark Wilkinson Chefs Theatre offered demonstrations by celebrity chefs. Professional chefs also manned the Spinneys Cookery School to provide lessons to foodies of all stripes. There was even a Kiddies Kitchen to educate and entertain children.
Several lounges were available for relaxing. The Momotaro Sashimi Lounge served sushi and other Japanese foods and beverages in a quiet setting near the Media City Lake. The Blu Water Lounge was a more contemporary beverage lounge. In addition there was a variety of live performances on the entertainment stage.
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