{Quick Guide} Mooncakes For Mid Autumn Festival 2012

Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the few most important holidays in the Chinese calendar that many still celebrate today. Every years during or before the festival, you would be able to see different types of mooncake available ranging from either traditional baked mooncakes or modern fusion of yoghurt or ice cream mooncakes.

Above shows the Baked Mooncake with Mixed Nuts and Jamón Ibérico (伊比利亚火腿五仁果子月饼) from Mandarin Court which is baked to golden brown perfection with chockfull of crunchy goodness.  I love its rich nutty flavour which makes Spanish delicacy pairs perfectly with the assorted nuts in this traditional delight. Each box is S$62.00 / 4 pieces.

MANDARIN COURT

Other popular flavours include the Baked Mooncake with Double Yolk and White Lotus Paste (双黄白莲蓉月饼) and Baked Mooncake with Single Yolk and White Lotus Paste (单黄白莲蓉月饼).

Photo Credit:- Mandarin Court

If you can't decide on which flavours to get, perhaps the Assorted Mini Snow Skin Selection (四喜映月), containing two of each snow skin mooncake flavour such as:-

~ Mini Snow Skin Raspberry Mooncake (NEW)
~ Mini Snow Skin Cheese with Citrus Mooncake (NEW)
~ Mini Snow Skin Green Tea and Melon Seeds Mooncake
~ Mini Snow Skin Lychee Martini Mooncake

would be great to satisfy your sweet craving. Each box is at S$58.00 / 8 pieces.

For orders or enquiries, please call 6831 6320 or 6831 6262 or email mandarincourt.orchard@meritushotels.com.

PARADISE GROUP

Photo Credit:- Paradise Group

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Paradise Group features a fine selection of exquisite new snowskin mooncakes creations and traditional baked treasures specially created by Executive Pastry Chef Fung Wing Sang. These mooncakes are available from 19 August to 30 September 2012 at selected Paradise Group outlets from 19 August to 16 September 2012.

For your information, ANZ and Citibank credit cardholders, as well as Paradise Gourmet Rewards members will enjoy 20% early bird discount (19 August - 16 September 2012) on the mooncakes. Ordering details and price lists HERE.

PRIMA DELI

Photo Credit:- PrimaDeli

With PrimaDéli celebrates it's 20th anniversary this year they have introduce new family favourite mooncakes (full list HERE) for family to enjoy the delightful trio of mini Toffee Cappuccino, Chocolate Hazelnut and Raspberry Truffle snowskin mooncakes at most of their outlets island.

As a special debut, PrimaDéli has a limited edition Mao Shan Wang snowskin mooncake (S$16.95 each or S$67.80 per box) which comes with a satisfying filling of Mao Shan Wang and lotus paste for durian lovers. Furthermore there is also a 15% OFF with minimum purchase of 1 box of 4 pieces (regular size) or 9 pieces (mini size).

To order you could visit their outlets or website @  http://www.primadeli.com
 

SWENSEN'S ICE CREAM MOONCAKE

Photo credited to Swensen's

Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with cool Swensen’s ice cream mooncakes that comes in six authentic flavors.  This year, let these sweet affair at both Swensen's and Earle Swensen's filled you with mouth-watering Swensen’s signature smooth and full dairy ice creams which encased in a unique pastry skin. Read more over at this post HERE.

CRYSTAL JADE MOONCAKE

This year Mid-Autumn Festival, Crystal Jade offers a limited edition Premium Gold Treasure Box (S$88.00 / 4 pieces) which features four individual boxes with lids of silk, each adored with with words "Fei Cui (翡翠)" which means Crystal Jade in Chinese. Read more at this post HERE.

Read More...

Crystal Jade Celebrate 2012 Mid-Autumn Festival with Limited Edition Treasure Box

This year Mid-Autumn Festival, Crystal Jade offers a limited edition Premium Gold Treasure Box (S$88.00 / 4 pieces) which features four individual boxes with lids of silk, each adored with with words "Fei Cui (翡翠)" which means Crystal Jade in Chinese.

The set comprises of:- Gold Leaf White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Gold Leaf Red Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Gold Leaf Plain White Lotus Paste, and Gold Leaf Mixed Nuts and Ham.

Mixed Nuts and Ham is always one of the flavour that I always look forward to. And this one from Crystal Jade has a stronger ham taste compared to the other few that I have tried which is more on the orange peel scented.

For a modern and healthier choice, perhaps you could consider this Kindred Bliss (S$22.00 / 4 pieces) with a selection of four yoghurt and pudding flavoured mooncakes such as Mango (yellow), Mixed Berries (purple), Apple (green) and Original (white).

Original Yoghurt Pudding Mooncake with Nata De Coco.

Photo Credit:- Crystal Jade

For your information, Crystal Jade's selection of 23 mooncake varieties will be available from 27 August till 30 September 2012 at most Crystal Jade Outlets. There is also a 15% OFF exclusively for DBS/POSB Credit And Debit Cardmembers.

Orders or enquiry can be made via Crystal Jade Mooncake Hotline at 6512 0808, Monday - Friday (9am - 6pm).

Read More...

Crystal Jade Jiang Nan @ Vivo City

Recently Crystal Jade Jiang Nan (翡翠江南) has returned as a casual eatery in VivoCity (facing Tung Lok Signatures - 同乐经典) at Level 1, #01-52 featuring simple Shanghai, Sichuan, Wu Xi and Guangdong dishes such as homemade noodles, xiao long bao and etc.

And since Aunt's Birthday is approaching in mid-June, I suggest to have an early celebration for her over at Crystal Jade Jiang Nan as well to try out their new menu.

APPETIZERS

餐前小吃

For appetizers Mum and Aunty both suggested to order this "Deep-fried White Bait "Wu Xi" Style (无锡小鱼儿)" where the crispy white baits are tossed with fried garlic, salt and pepper together with a layer of caramelized sugar coating. Indeed this is a wonderful snack to start off while waiting for the main dish to be served.
Price: S$9.80/plate(small)

For something adventure, I decided to try their "Marinated Pig’s Ear with Cucumber (湘江红油顺风)" which is a common appetizer in Zhejiang. These slices of crunchy pig’s ears are spiced with chilli oil, together with fresh cucumbers and sesame oil which helps to further enhance its flavour and texture.
Price: S$8.50/plate (small)

Just a note this "Steamed Beancurd with Egg Yolk, French Bean, Carrot, Black Fungus Served in a Cup (五彩拌豆腐)" is kind of a cold appetizer which is tasteless on it's own. So in order to flavour this dish, you have to adjust the taste using the provided condiments such as chilli oil, shallot oil, extra virgin olive oil and black vinegar.

As you can see from the above, it is such a vibrant appetizer with tofu, egg yolk, carrots and etc added to achieve the colour, fibre and nutrition. Although I have tried to add a bit here and there of the provided condiments but we still find this appetizer not very suitable for my liking but mum said it taste great together with the Deep-fried White Bait.
Price: S$8.00/cup

MAIN DISH

主菜

All along, the traditional Xiao Long Bao from Crystal Jade taste quiet decent with it's juicy filling of minced pork and soft dumpling skin so without hesitate I decided to order their new "Crystal Jade Multi-flavoured Xiao Long Bao (翡翠水晶八式小笼包)" for Aunt's Birthday to create some atmosphere.

Each tray comes with Crystal Jade’s Original Xiao Long Bao, Prawn Xiao Long Bao, Vegetable And Dried Beancurd Xiao Long Bao, Spicy Beef and Spicy Chicken Xiao Long Bao for an authentic Sichuan experience or western flavour such as Foie Gras, Cheese and Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao. To start with try those with a lighter taste(original) before moving on to the stronger flavour such as spicy beef and remember to eat them immediately or else the outer skin will be harden.
Price: S$14.50/serving tray

Another "must try" dish is their "La Mian with Spicy Chicken, Preserved Egg And Cucumber in “Sichuan” Style (重庆口水鸡拉面)" where the springy handmade noodle is served together with cold spicy chicken which makes it a refreshing dish for a change.

Although the "ma la" spicy sauce was a bit too strong(spicy) rather than numbing(ma la) to our taste but overall it still blends well with the cold noodles and tender chicken that leaves us crave for more helpings.
Price: S$11.80/plate(small)

Since their "Not Fried Rice (不是炒饭)" is sold out by the time we arrived (around 1.00pm), we have to sort for another alternative. So from the service staff recommendation, we ordered the "Fried Five Grain Rice With Anchovies" which served in a Korean style stone pot.

The 4 of us simple love this fried rice which is full of nutritious and vibrant colours from the ingredients used such as brown rice, preserved pickles, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, sweetcorn kernel and etc served together with some crispy anchovies on top. 
Price: S$13.00/serving

BEVERAGE AND DESSERT

饮料与甜品

We are amazed by the presentation of this "Hong Kong Style Cold Milk Tea" as it is served in a tall glass flask together with some dry ice flowing from the center of the flask. The overall taste of the milk tea is quiet smooth and fragrant but it could be better if it slightly colder.
Price: S$4.50/serving

To end the lunch, we ordered 3 different types of dessert such as "Pumpkin Cake with Red Bean Paste And Salted Egg Yolk (南瓜饼)" (i made something similar before, HERE) and "Japanese Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Fruit And Cream (白雪红梅)". So if you can't decide on which one to choice, you can order what I did with the combination plate of 2 items each.
Price: S$5.40/plate

They have a few choices on their shaved ice dessert but Aunt prefer this "Green Tea Snow Ice" with toppings such as colourful jelly, kidney beans and etc.
Price: S$4.50/serving

At the end of our meal, we are given a complimentary voucher of "8 pieces of Original Xiao Long Bao" for next return visit. (voucher is given with purchase from any basket of Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao). Shall return again to try their "Not Fried Rice (不是炒饭)" since we didn't get to try it this round plus to enjoy our complimentary Xiao Long Bao.

CRYSTAL JADE JIANG NAN

1 Harbour Front Walk
#01-52 VivoCity
Reservation: +65 6221 1830

Opening Hours:-
Monday to Friday: 11.30am - 10.30pm
Saturday, Sundays and Public Holidays: 11.00am - 10.30pm

Read More...

Crystal Jade Dumpling Festival 2012

For this Dumpling Festival(端午节), Crystal Jade offers a range of traditional rice dumplings together with their new "Brown Rice Dumpling(红糙米八宝肉粽)" and "Cool Dessert Dumplings(冰冻甜品粽)" which are chilled puddings in the shape of dumplings.

Brown Rice Dumpling(红糙米八宝肉粽)is a hearty, savoury combination of steamed red brown rice, glutinous rice, chestnut, lotus seeds, peanuts, black eyed peas, pork and salted egg yolk. And this is definitely something worth trying for those who love brown rice as well as "beans and nuts".
Price: S$5.20 per dumpling

Rice Dumpling With Pork And Spicy Shrimp Paste(香辣虾米肉粽)is another sweet and savoury combination of pork, chestnut, dried shrimp paste, green bean(split green bean), black-eyed pea and glutinous rice which similar to the Cantonese style green bean dumpling.

Personally I would prefer this compared to the above because of the added green bean which makes it sweet and savoury taste.
Price: S$4.50 per dumpling

For something sweet and meatless, you can go for either this Red Bean Paste Dumpling(红豆沙咸水粽) or the Cooling Dessert Dumpling. This is a very simple traditional steamed “Kee Zhang” that is wrapped with generous amount of  smooth and fragrant red bean fillings.
Price: S$4.00 per dumpling

The NEW Crystal Jade Cooling Dessert Dumpling(冰冻甜品粽) is available in 3 different flavour such as:-

~ Petite Cheese And Peach Cool Dumpling(一口芝士蜜桃青凉粽)
Pudding made with cream cheese and canned peaches for those who like a hint of saltiness in their sweet.

~ Petite Black Glutinous Rice And Sago Cool Dumpling(一口黑糯米青凉粽)
Black glutinous rice which is said to be high in fire and antioxidants is cooked to tender stickiness with fragrant coconut milk.

~ Petite Sweetcorn Cool Dumpling(一口粟米青凉粽)
Delicious sweet corn mixed with evaporated milk based on the local dessert taste

Price: S$2.70 for 3 pieces; or S$5.00 for 6pieces


All dumplings are available from 04 - 23 June 2012 at Crystal Jade My Bread outlets. And savoury dumplings are also available at selected Crystal Jade restaurant. For your information, this year Dumpling Festival falls on Saturday, 23 June 2012.

Read More...

Crystal Jade Chinese New Year Specialties 2012

Chinese New Year is around the corner and I am sure everyone is busying with sending auspicious gifts and hampers to business partners, relatives, friends and etc. And last week while at the mist of our spring cleaning, I received a big surprised from Crystal Jade. I was quite shock when the deliveryman hand over a big bag to me as I was not inform before hand on this "surprised".

At first I thought the big box might be "Yu Sheng - 鱼生" since the packaging is more or less quite similar but after removing the cover we are all excited about the assorted flavour of the steamed cakes inside the "Eternal Bliss Gift Set". As you can see above, isn't it look gorgeous as a gift set for Chinese New Year!

Inside the bag there is also this Fortune Bo Lo Pineapple Tart  - 旺上旺菠箩黄梨挞 that comes in a floral design rectangle box with 2 individual sealed packets contain 8 tarts each. To be honest this is our first time trying Bo Lo Pineapple Tarts which is a signature pastry from Crystal Jade My Bread that comes with a combination inspired from the famous Hong Kong "Bo Lo Bao(菠蘿包)". Each bite you would be surprised by it's hint of sweet crispy crust on top which follows by generous amount of tasty pineapple jam fillings. Indeed our family finds it very special compared to the usual buttery taste pineapple tarts that we used to eat.

This Fortune Bo Lo Pineapple Tarts comes is 4 different packaging ranging from S$14.80 - S$30.80. The twin packet shown above is known as "Double Happiness Pack" priced at S$16.80. (more details HERE)

If you still can't decide on what to get during Chinese New Year gathering for your Potluck dishes or tea-snack to impressive your guest especially the elderly. I suggest you could consider getting this Eternal Bliss Gift Set - 五福临门(S$37.80). This set consists of both sweet(water chestnut cake, pandan aloe vera cake, glutinous rice cake) and savoury cake (carrot cake, yam cake) which represent auspicious meaning during Chinese New Year.

And if you ever tried their Dim Sum served at Crystal Jade Kitchen, I am sure you would love these delicious carrot/yam cake which is so soft, flavorsome and made with generous amount of ingredients.

Other than pastries and cakes from Crystal Jade My Bread, there are other Chinese New Year proudcts such as "Peng Cai - 盆菜", "Yu Sheng - 鱼生", "Pagoda of Eight Treasures - 开运八宝塔", "Buddha Jumps over the Wall - 佛跳墙" and etc which is available at different Crystal Jade outlet. (Detail HERE)

Above shows the "Golden Abalone Treasure Pot - 金装鲍鱼盆菜" at a promotion price of S$408.80(10 pax) or S$248.80(6 pax) available from now till 06 Feb 2012.

Glutinous Rice is another auspicious dish to have during Chinese New Year and this year Crystal Jade has come out with this NEW "Pagoda of Eight Treasures - 开运八宝塔" for S$88.80. There are 8 "treasures" arranged neatly on bamboo basket such as:- Fried Glutinous Rice, Preserved Sausage, Preserved Liver Sausage, Deep-fried Chicken Fillet, Fried Quail Egg, Marinated Octopus, Sauteed French Bean and Sauteed Shrimp with Mushroom.

All the Chinese New Year goodies are available for Promotion Price from 05 Jan - 22 January, 25 Jan - 06 February at selected Crystal Jade Outlets. More details and full promotion booklet can be found HERE.

Lastly I would like to thanks Crystal Jade and Linea Communications for the Fortune Bo Lo Pineapple Tarts and Eternal Bliss Gift Set.

Read More...

Aloha Tropical X'mas @ Crystal Jade 2011

Photos courtesy of Crystal Jade

This year December, Crystal Jade is aiming to bring Christmas menu convenience to celebrations in both home and office where they injects local flavor into its festive take-away menu with dishes like Roasted Home Recipe Turkey, Smoked Duck Breast and Ham Wellington together with some pies, log cakes, desserts and etc.

The above Crystal Jade’s Roasted Home Recipe Turkey ($78.00, approx. 3.5-4.5kg) is prepared the day itself before collection with it right combination of east and west seasonings that include five spice, orange juice, oregano and more leaving you an exotic taste.

Photos courtesy of Crystal Jade

As for the Christmas package, it comes in either Premium Tropical Xmas Package(S$128.00) for parties of 6 - 8 persons or this Deluxe Aloha Package (S$330.00) for parties of 15 - 18 persons. With these professional cooked dishes it will definitely leaves you with more time to catch up with your guests. And as you can see from the above it comprises of:

~ 1 Mixed Fruit Tropical Christmas Cake
~ 1 Roasted Whole Home Recipe Turkey with Herbs and Spices
~ 1 Honey Baked Ham
~ 2 plates of Aloha Fried Rice with Pork Floss
~ 16 pieces Fried Almond Fish Fingers
~ 16 pieces Pork Skewer with Teriyaki Sauce
~ 16 Mushroom Vol-Au-Vent
~ 16 pieces Sambal Crabmeat Vol-Au-Vent
~ 16 pieces Cheese & Bacon Croquette
~ 16 pieces Mini Spicy Minced Pork and Bean Pie

Photos courtesy of Crystal Jade

Kids at the party will be thrilled with all these Tropical Cutie Cupcake(S$14.80/6 pcs) that are decorated with cute Christmas theme toppers. These cupcakes comes in 3 different theme at price ranging from S$12.80 - S$14.80 for 6 pieces which is a great treat for kids' party at childcare or Sunday school too.

For your information there is a also an exclusive 10 - 15% discount for CITIBANK Card members while making orders. All Christmas orders starts from Wednesday, 16 Nov 2011 - 02 January 2012(terms and conditions applies).

You can call their Party Hotline @ 6512 0800 (Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm excluding public holidays) or visit their festive promotion website HERE.

Read More...