My first experience with Penang Assam Laksa was at the Gurney Drive beachfront before it all got relocated because of serious erosion. It was an epiphany for me on the balance of flavors. On the seafront with a strong wind blowing in, it was comforting yet spicy and very playful. Much like the shoes of Jimmy Choo, a Penangite.
It was as if the entire troupe from Riverdance were having a party in my mouth. With fireworks. Within a space of 10 minutes, I had slurped down 3 bowls of Assam Laksa. It was an experience I have not forgotten.
The closest I’ve ever been to recreating the experience in Singapore was the Penang Hawkers Fare at the York Hotel. Unfortunately, the years have not been kind to them. Thus, I’ve been on a lookout for a nice Penang Assam Laksa.
Recently, I’ve noticed a small restaurant called Penang Recipe on Upper Thompson Road that featured Penang cuisine. It had Assam Laksa and the other famous Penang dish Lor Bak. So there’s no helping but to give it a try no?
Slow-baked Egg with Mash
Got a message out of the blue; I seized the moment to ask about dinner and we ended up at Equina, a newly-opened tapas bar by hotelier Loh Lik Peng and Jason Atherton on Jiak Chuan Road.
Side-track: It being Christmas, I thought it appropriate to get a Christmas gift. However, gift or otherwise, it’s been a while I’ve bought a feminine product, so I turned to my go-to advisors on such matters: The Faerie Imp and M Or The Food Blogger Formerly Known as The Skinny Epicurean. Both gave good advice that was reasonable and actionable. Thanks, ladies.
2012 doesn’t look to be a good year, so there’s no helping but to start it with a fortifying meal. This time I decided to take it easy and do a very simple meal with a 3 new dishes that I’ve been aching to try out.
Also, this year, we have a vegetarian joining us, so I was particularly concerned about the menu as I suck at vegetarian dishes and I’ve always felt that vegetarian dinners are perfectly fine provided you have a big meal before.
Anyway, here are my notes of the New Year’s Day Dinner for 2012:
I was ill for several months this year and have not cooked for a long time, so I guess I needed a challenge. I wanted to cook Christmas dinner for mum and sis but her goddaughters were present when I asked, therefore, in a fit of insanity, I also invited the two girls with their parents to Christmas dinner.
Angsty teens: what was I thinking?
…and I’ll say it again.
So before the Internet gets too choked up with well wishes, allow me to cast the first stone: Seasons Greetings to you and yours and have a Happy Christmas!
