Events/Products
Restaurant Reviews
The chic Chef Zam's @Work food studio being loaded with sophisticated Philips kitchen appliances.
Philips Christmas Cooking with Chef Zam
Looking for easy Christmas recipes? You're at the right place.
Cooking gives me such joy, which is why I was so excited to be invited to the Christmas Cooking with Philips and Chef Zam event.
It was definitely a new experience for me as we were required to cook after learning the steps to the recipes as demonstrated by the chef. It gave us the opportunity for a hands-on participation, rather than just taking notes and eating readily prepared food. I was reluctant at first (I attended the event with a fully prepped face and salon-washed hair), but the feeling of being to cook alongside other food enthusiasts under the watchful guidance of the chef really did make the entire experience very engaging and interesting.
The chic Chef Zam's @Work food studio being loaded with sophisticated Philips kitchen appliances.
Chef Zam looking slick as always in front of the camera
(Food styling and photo taken at home)
The adept and talented celebrity chef took us through four delicious yet simple-to-follow recipes that were easily prepared using the ever handy Philips appliances. Food prepared include ayam percik, chicken risotto, while desserts consisted of Cretan Kalitsounia and banana Nutella spring rolls.
Chef Zam started off with the famous Terengganu and Kelantanese dish, ayam percik. This eminent dish hails from Northeastern Malaysia and is well-liked by people from all around the country. It is usually served alongside the distinguished blue-colored nasi kerabu, ulam, crackers, and the savory belacan.
A whole chicken is marinated with blended red onions, garlic, ginger, lemongrass and cumin powder. It is then left to chill in the refrigerator.
In a pot, saute the blended paste of shallots, garlic, ginger, shrimp paste, and chili paste.
Add condensed coconut milk, fenugreek, and crushed lemongrass. Add salt and sugar to taste and saute sauce for about 30 minutes until it thickens.
Remove chicken from the refrigerator, pour (percik) the sauce over it, and bake for 10 minutes in the Philips Airfryer on 150°C. Repeat similar steps, and bake for another 10 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
The Philips Airfryer is magical. It is undoubtedly the first of its kind of next-gen kitchen appliance for healthy cooking because no oil is needed to 'fry' the chicken. As suggested by the name, the 'air-frying' method being used is capable of cooking the chicken to crisp without even having to use a single drop of oil! I was so impressed that the first thing I did after the demo was to go home and check the price for the product. It is pricey but definitely worth it. *Added to wishlist*
Dish 2: Chicken Risotto.
Risotto isn't something that I would make on a regular basis due to the lengthy time and hassle involved throughout the cooking process. However, Philips managed to sweep me off my feet, yet again. Using the Philips Electric Pressure Cooker, Chef Zam managed to fudge together a delicious pot of risotto without even having to keep tabs on the cooking process and not a single stir was needed in the early stages.
It's just tossing in ingredients after ingredients and closing the lid shut and giving it enough time to cook. After about half an hour of doing nothing, your pot of risotto is miraculously done!
The cooking process was honestly so effortless that most of the time, we just stood behind the counter, taking selfies and wondering what we could actually do since Philips appliances have obviously taken over every task there was.
On to the desserts:
On to the desserts:
The chef made both the cretan kalitsounia and spring rolls using the convenient ready-made fillo pastry as the crust. He layered them (about 4-5 sheets) using melted butter as adhesive.
Fillings:
Originated from the Greek island of Crete, cretan kalitsounia are little pastries most commonly filled with fresh and soft cheese, and drizzled with warm sugary syrup just before they are eaten. They make a delightful holiday tradition and a perfect all-day snack. The recipe of the filling put together by Chef Zam consisted of ricotta cheese, eggs, and honey which are blended together. As for the syrup, sugar and cinnamon sticks are boiled in a pot of water until the solution thickens.
The banana nutella spring roll is delicious and effortless to make. Using the same crust, place a small chunk of ripe banana, and coat it with your topping of choice. Nutella and peanut butter is used as shown above. When that is done, seal it using egg wash.
When everything is rolled and ready to go, give them each a last brush of melted butter before putting them into the magnificent and godly airfryer for about 8 minutes at 190°. When that is done, you will have beautiful hot golden brown pastries ready to be devoured.
Required to prepare a quick perfect 3-course meal? No sweat.
The end result:
A table filled with awesome food!
I would say that the recipes put together by Chef Zam are fail-safe and exceedingly easy to follow. Now everyone can be a chef with these simple recipes, together with the help of the sophisticated Philips appliances. Can't wait to wow my family and friends with this newly acquired knowledge!
Thanks, Chef Zam, for the great demo and insight!
#selfie
The day spend with Chef Zam and Philips definitely felt like I was being brought on a world tour, traveling through different countries as I went along. I got to learn and taste food from different parts of the world, making the experience fun and eye-opening. Looking forward for the next one!
xx
How-to
Is Groupon Safe and Reliable? - Groupon Malaysia
Is Groupon Safe and Reliable? Read more to find out.
Can anyone really refuse a good Groupon deal in which branded goods can be gotten at half price? While the whole bargain may appear favorable to your wallet, could the approach of a "marked-down-to-sell-more" technique, however, imply a fault in the goods or services being provided?
If it's too good to be true, then it probably is, so how exactly safe and reliable are your Groupons?
I have been an avid fan of Groupon Malaysia since it's establishment in this economically rich country, and I believe that daily deal sites are one of man's best creation. Being able to save up to 70% on the total prices on consumer goods and services that are deemed essential in life definitely feels as though Santa really do exist. The thing is, he is nonexistent, and neither are cheap, first-rate deals.
Getaways and Travels
This category, in my opinion, is the most reliable and valuable type of Groupons, especially if the deals involve accommodations at prominent 5-star hotels (you know, expensive hotels and resorts that you otherwise would never splurge on). The best way to go about "verifying" if the price of the stay has indeed been marked down, is by logging in to Agoda or other similar websites to compare the prices online.
Goods
Purchases of goods from Groupon, Lazada, or any other online shopping sites are generally fine. Keep in mind that most products can be sold at cheaper prices only because they were manufactured and sold by OEM companies. However, with experiences working in online shopping sites, I've found out that there are a handful of suppliers who send out counterfeit goods to the consumers, which in turn, damage the reputation of these online sites. Always read and check the return and exchange policy to ensure that you will be rightfully entitled to the privileges of a consumer.
Beauty and Healthcare
...a.k.a, the categories I detest the most. Most of these small-time/barely-known beauty and health spas manage to find fame (and revenue) only with the help of reputable online shopping sites. They deliberately price their deals as low as they could, and when the customers swallow the baits, they will then unveil their hateful tactics - offering an additional "compulsory" on-site service that if you choose not to accept and pay for (usually 5 times the price of the original deal), the attendants will immediately stop being friendly to you, and that naturally leads to a lousy service.
I have recently purchased a waxing deal which resulted in an infection. The motive of online shopping is always about browsing through sites to see which can offer the lowest price for the same type of goods/services, and the quality/brands are usually given the least priority. Most of the spas/clinics offering their services online are start-ups or businesses that just could not flourish (why would they otherwise give you a 80% discount?) and are hoping to score some easy customers online by just paying a minimal commission fee. So, how well do you think you know your beauty/healthy experts?
*This does not apply to every deal though, some are actually up to the mark.
Food and Beverages
Gives you good savings, but always remember to bring along the printed voucher or else "Noooooooo, must have printed voucher. If no then kenot give you eat". Always check what is included in the deal as to be sure that you are not getting less than what you have been promised.
The tips and guide to using Groupon vouchers are endless. The gist here is to always remember your rights as a consumer. Hope this helps! :)
Can anyone really refuse a good Groupon deal in which branded goods can be gotten at half price? While the whole bargain may appear favorable to your wallet, could the approach of a "marked-down-to-sell-more" technique, however, imply a fault in the goods or services being provided?
If it's too good to be true, then it probably is, so how exactly safe and reliable are your Groupons?
The Good and Bad of Groupon
Is Groupon safe and reliable? Below are a list of reasons why you should or should not purchase a Groupon deal online according to their respective categories, based on my personal experiences:Getaways and Travels
This category, in my opinion, is the most reliable and valuable type of Groupons, especially if the deals involve accommodations at prominent 5-star hotels (you know, expensive hotels and resorts that you otherwise would never splurge on). The best way to go about "verifying" if the price of the stay has indeed been marked down, is by logging in to Agoda or other similar websites to compare the prices online.
Goods
Purchases of goods from Groupon, Lazada, or any other online shopping sites are generally fine. Keep in mind that most products can be sold at cheaper prices only because they were manufactured and sold by OEM companies. However, with experiences working in online shopping sites, I've found out that there are a handful of suppliers who send out counterfeit goods to the consumers, which in turn, damage the reputation of these online sites. Always read and check the return and exchange policy to ensure that you will be rightfully entitled to the privileges of a consumer.
Beauty and Healthcare
...a.k.a, the categories I detest the most. Most of these small-time/barely-known beauty and health spas manage to find fame (and revenue) only with the help of reputable online shopping sites. They deliberately price their deals as low as they could, and when the customers swallow the baits, they will then unveil their hateful tactics - offering an additional "compulsory" on-site service that if you choose not to accept and pay for (usually 5 times the price of the original deal), the attendants will immediately stop being friendly to you, and that naturally leads to a lousy service.
I have recently purchased a waxing deal which resulted in an infection. The motive of online shopping is always about browsing through sites to see which can offer the lowest price for the same type of goods/services, and the quality/brands are usually given the least priority. Most of the spas/clinics offering their services online are start-ups or businesses that just could not flourish (why would they otherwise give you a 80% discount?) and are hoping to score some easy customers online by just paying a minimal commission fee. So, how well do you think you know your beauty/healthy experts?
*This does not apply to every deal though, some are actually up to the mark.
Food and Beverages
Gives you good savings, but always remember to bring along the printed voucher or else "Noooooooo, must have printed voucher. If no then kenot give you eat". Always check what is included in the deal as to be sure that you are not getting less than what you have been promised.
The tips and guide to using Groupon vouchers are endless. The gist here is to always remember your rights as a consumer. Hope this helps! :)
Thailand
Travel
My First Taste of Bangkok
I finally witnessed for myself Asia’s most notorious city.
Throughout the flight, I couldn’t help but to picture Bangkok the way The Hangover has portrayed it to be – treacherous and very chaotic. Being the world’s top tourist destination, there is no way that it should be sidelined in anyone’s travel list, however dangerous it is claimed to be.
This trip to Bangkok was solely for shopping and food, and although I am very tempted to upload pictures of all my hoards, that would, however, make this post a very lengthy and boring one. Ending this post with a few pictures taken throughout the trip:
For related travel stories, click here.
Throughout the flight, I couldn’t help but to picture Bangkok the way The Hangover has portrayed it to be – treacherous and very chaotic. Being the world’s top tourist destination, there is no way that it should be sidelined in anyone’s travel list, however dangerous it is claimed to be.
 |
| My First Trip to Bangkok |
Love it or
hate it, people just can’t stop themselves from traveling to this fast-paced
cosmopolitan city. Moderation is hardly the word used to describe its people
and the activities here. Instead, extremity and intensity are all that fuel the
city.
Majestic
temples of infinite sizes, immeasurable glistening lights stretched along the
streets, ceaseless surge of traffic that brims the freeway, adept drivers
vigorously maneuvering their tuk tuks through the crowd – this city provides an atmosphere so distinctive from the rest.
 |
| Rush hour traffic |
Lively and
hectic, this city is a melting pot where many global citizens call home. With an
escalating number of capitalists permeating the local economy, it is only a
matter-of-course that luxurious high-rise office towers and residences are
copiously beetling from the grounds of Bangkok. The skyline looks especially stunning
when the sun is about to go down, while the lights emitted by the skyscrapers
after dark gives the city all the lofty glory it deserves.
 |
| Night view of the famous Sukhumvit Road |
 |
| Pampered with awesome food at a rooftop bar and restaurant |
 |
| Good shisha is abundant too |
This trip to Bangkok was solely for shopping and food, and although I am very tempted to upload pictures of all my hoards, that would, however, make this post a very lengthy and boring one. Ending this post with a few pictures taken throughout the trip:
 |
| "Laughing Gas" or nitrous oxide sold at Khao San Road |
 |
| Wise words by Grey Hound Cafe, Siam Center |
 |
| Entrance to Siam Paragon |
 |
| Fried insects, anyone? |
For related travel stories, click here.
Malaysia
Travel
The villas are spacious and clean, though these aging units could do better with some restoration especially in plumbing and fittings (we encountered problems with ours and had to request for a different unit). If you are not one who's daring enough to take a dip in the polluted sea, rejoice in other forms of activities instead e.g. go-karting and ATV. Canoeing, paddle-boarding and hourly bicycle tours are also available!
AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor
 |
| AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor
Formerly known as the Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort &Spa, AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort is the quickest and the most effortless way of getting out of the city for a weekend of relaxation. Unfortunately, Sepang remains unpopular due to the murky seawater and a shore full of waste. |
| Buggies and bicycles are plenty and readily available |
 |
| Chalet at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
 |
| Room at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
 |
| Rooms at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor are spacious and comfortable |
 |
| Water chalets at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
 |
| Water chalets at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
 |
| Room at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
 |
| Free bicycle rental at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
 |
| Infinity pool at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
 |
| The infinity pool provides an awesome view of the sunset |
 |
| Beach at Sepang |
 |
| Beach at Sepang |
 |
| Quiet and serene beach at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Selangor |
 |
| The shore is unfortunately covered with waste and occasionally, carcasses of fish |
The villas are spacious and clean, though these aging units could do better with some restoration especially in plumbing and fittings (we encountered problems with ours and had to request for a different unit). If you are not one who's daring enough to take a dip in the polluted sea, rejoice in other forms of activities instead e.g. go-karting and ATV. Canoeing, paddle-boarding and hourly bicycle tours are also available!
AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort
Address: No. 67, Jalan Pantai Bagan Lalang Kg Bagan Lalang, 43950 Sungai Pelek, Selangor
Contact number: +60 3-3182 3600
Happy traveling!
For related travel stories, click here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Trending Posts
-
World’s Highest Rope Course at The Gravityz, Penang Photo by Danial Saad Adventure seekers - this one's for you! Located in Malaysia... -
Looking for the best rooftop restaurants in Kuala Lumpur with stunning views, affordable drinks, amazing ambiance and good food? This list c... -
A Truly Authentic Local Market: Nat Pokok Getah, Arau, Perlis Malaysia is truthfully one of the most beautiful destinations in the worl... -
Subang Jaya has long been known to be a paradise for shisha lovers. If you are looking for new shisha places, then this list is perfect for ... -
Looking for good, smooth & flavorful shisha? Here is a list of the top 33 shisha places in Kuala Lumpur created just for you! Explore fu... -
Housed within the artistic precinct of Penang's George Town is the Jawi House Cafe Gallery - the island's first Peranakan Muslim her...
-
Full house at Icescape on Christmas 2015 Icescape is recognized as the first and only Olympic size ice-skating rink in Malaysia which wa... -
Located in Kepong, Bukit Sri Bintang is just a short drive away from Desa Park City. It makes the perfect hiking spot for those seeking for ... -
Just can't seem to get enough of shisha? You should definitely bookmark this page for the top 12 shisha places in Petaling Jaya! Explore... -
Attractions at Kota Kuala Muda Tsunami Memorial, Kedah What Happened at Kota Kuala Muda in 2004? Just Another Usual Day December 26th, 2004 ...
