Things are getting smaller...

While the food in most cafes may be a little too heavy in the sense that they contain more fats and calories than your body need in a day, one can opt for more dainty looking treats just to satisfy the hunger pangs without burdening your health with unwanted loads. 

My Mum's Scone @ RM4.00

CBTL's double espresso @ RM6.50

Por Lor? Polo? Whatever you may call...

Breakfast in Hong Kong has a strong Western influence owing to its era of colonisation for about 150 years. Simply walk into any of the tea houses (char chan teng) in Hong Kong and you will be greeted by the harmonious blend of east-meet-west breakfast in their menu. While the breakfast sets are wonderfully paired with both Chinese and British ingredients - e.g. Char siew Spaghetti and scrambled egg set, Chinese noodles and butter toast set etc. - the Hongkies generally mix up anything they can think of, creating a variant cuisine which is usually widely accepted by the community. Thanks to its culture that nurtures its people into ones with high adaptive features, that nothing ever sounds strange to them as long as it is practicable. 

Old Town White Coffee (Gao) @ RM3.20

It's the surface of the bun that gives rise to the name - Po Lor - literally translated as pineapple in Hong Kong version of Cantonese.

Por Lor Bun (or Polo?) with Ham and Cheese @ RM4.20

I'm seeing double!

It was a rainy afternoon. My biological clock informed me that it's time for a light meal. Since La Promise, my usual place for afternoon tea, is merely 500 yards from my place, why not go there again for tea. Hopefully I'd find something interesting this time. Arrived at La Promise, the waitress led me to the cake cabinet and introduced their new item - Double Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake. Double chocolate? Such a perfect match with double espresso, which I normally order whenever I go to La Promise.

The Double Effect:

Double Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake @ RM4.90

Double espresso @ RM5.90

LA PROMISE BAKERY AND CAFE

7, Jalan Panggung Wayang,

34000 Taiping, Perak.

Malaysia.

Tel: +605-8079007

The Making of Ipoh Famous Egg Tarts

After visiting the kitchen of Choy Kee Bakery in Kampung Simee, I can't stop thinking about the bakery and their products especially their signature pastry, which is also my favourite pastry, egg tarts! I can't help but fall in love with the kitchen (not the pastry sifu). I am currently making my weekly pilgrimage to Choy Kee to watch the making of egg tarts. 

Stack of pastry skin.

The pastry skin being neatly pressed into the pastry mould.

The pastry chef pouring the egg custard mixture into the crust.

The finished products - freshly baked egg tarts with piping hot wobbly custard.

Bought some tarts and rushed all the way to Sin Yoon Loong for their famous white coffee.

Best Chinese Egg Tarts and Coffee Pairing

CHOY KEE BAKERY

218, Lebuh 3 Simee,

31400 Ipoh, Perak.

Malaysia.

Tel: +605-545 4351

Business hours: 11.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.

Closed on Mondays.

Weekday Breakfast Addition

Weekday Breakfast Special
McChicken Muffin with Egg @ RM5.50 (inclusive of free flow of coffee)

I prefer food to be presented this way that the meat comes larger than the muffin. Double satisfaction~~

The Chicken Muffin set without egg is also available.

 

Starbucks Dark Fairtrade Certified Italian Roast and American Breakfast

Home cooked American breakfast has always been my first choice. As many people have had the wrong perception of American breakfast being unhealthy, loaded with excess calories and cholesterol, they, particularly the adults, tend to eliminate it from their food lists and stop their family from consuming it as well. Of course, I do not deny the fact that some American breakfasts are sinfully packed with oil and fats. Thanks to the method of preparation adopted by most vendors and chefs, a supposed-to-be balanced meal has been branded as the culprit to cardiovascular diseases.

I, though not being too enthusiastic about American breakfast, would like to bring you to the correct path and  enlighten you on the real goodness of American breakfast. American breakfast, can be both healthy and sumptuous, provided if you cook it the proper way by using the five universal healthy combination - steaming, blanching, poaching, toasting and grilling - which are definitely free from oil.

Starbucks Dark Fairtrade Certified Italian Roast @ RM30.00

The French Press Brew

Homemade American Breakfast 

Healthy multi-grain toast, steamed pork ham and fat free scrambled egg.

Ho's Birthday Tea

Ho celebrated her 41st birthday last Tuesday. As her birthday fell on a weekday, it was unlikely that she would celebrate it at home with her parents. Being the 'closest' person to her (sitting beside her in the common room), I tried by all means cheering her up on her big day and took her to Starbucks for a mini celebration. I even invited two favourite colleagues of hers to come along but only one had managed to make it while the other was feeling unwell on the same day.

Chocolate Eclairs @ RM3.80

Chocolate Banana Muffin @ RM5.90

Mocha Frappuccino @ RM14.00

Tuxedo Cake @ RM9.90

Ho's Birthday Tea for three

I drink, I buy @ Full of Beans

My third visit to the Full of Beans was not only for coffee appreciation purpose or to quench the coffee 'thirst', it was mainly on purchasing the Syphon Coffee Maker which I can call my own. While I enjoyed my cup of handcrafted specialty coffee made from the Syphon, I watched the barista demonstrate the coffee making steps and acquired a better knowledge in the art of coffee making.

Ethiopian Mocha @ RM9.50

Coffee flavoured macaroon @ RM2.50

Sip your coffee your own way, munch you macaroon your own way, spend your afternoon your own way.

FULL OF BEANS

3A-1-6, Straits Quay Marina Mall,

Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang 3,

10470 Tanjong Bungah, Penang.

Malaysia.

Tel: +6016-4119066

Good Coffee and Breakfast @ Lighthouse Coffee Cafe

Lighthouse Coffee Cafe is not just a cafe but also a coffee school in Penang. Been serving good coffee on the island for years, the cafe makes a perfect place for coffee appreciation and small gathering among the coffee  enthusiasts. With more than 20 varieties of coffee to offer, I am glad to have discovered this wonderful breakfast spot during one of my regular pilgrimage to the island.

Lighthouse Coffee Cafe

 The interior of the cafe

Assorted coffee beans in the rice sack

Feel free to leave your messages on the soft board

The menu

Doppio Piccolo Latte @ RM8.00

A beautiful latte heart featuring a combination of the typical "Rosetta" and a heart.

Rich, smooth and creamy mini latte with double espresso base.

Smoked Salmon Bloomer @ RM10.50

Smoked salmon, cheese and creamy scrambled egg on a slice of poppy seed Belgian bloomer with a side salad.

Big Breakfast @ RM11.90

Scrambled egg, chicken sausage, smoked chicken ham, baked beans, cherry tomato with wholemeal bread.

LIGHTHOUSE COFFEE CAFE

Logan Heritage No 4,
Bishop Street,
10300 Georgetown, 

Penang,

Malaysia.
Business Hours: 8:30am - 8:30pm (daily)
Tel: +604 - 228 8628
Mobile: +6012 - 436 0836
Website: www.lighthouse-coffee.com.my
Email: lighthouse.coffee@yahoo.com

My New Toy - Hario Coffee Syphon TCA-3

I bought another new toy a month after buying the pump-driven semi-automatic espresso machine. This Japanese made Hario Syphon brews the most awesome smooth and aromatic coffee.

Hario Coffee Syphon TCA-3 @ RM350.00

Lower Bowl

Upper Bowl

Alcohol Burner, Windbreak and Burner Cover.

Filter

Spoon Handle and Measuring Spoon

Attach the filter to the upper glass bowl stem. 

Pour almost boiling water into the lower bowl, up to the desired level on the measuring scale (120 ml water per cup) and then, light the alcohol burner.

Add a level spoonful per cup (about 10g or 0.35oz) of ground coffee into the upper bowl.

Position the upper bowl by pressing lightly, without forcing: The air expanded by the heat causes the water to rise in the upper bowl.

When the water from the lower bowl rises to the upper bowl, with the spoon handle to mix lightly. And heat for 40 to 60 seconds. Since the lower bowl will then be almost empty, take extreme care NOT to overheat. 

Move the stand away from the burner and extinguish the flame by placing lid on the burner. Wait for coffee to drip naturally into the lower bowl. Do NOT move the burner without extinguishing the flame.

Remove the upper bowl by gently rocking back and forth, and place it on the stand.

You now have a perfect pot of coffee to be served straight to the cup.

 The perfect syphon brew is best served with a slice of peanut butter layered cake and butter egg tart.

TRUNG NGUYEN Legendee Ca Phe Rang Xay