Food Lodge – Page 4 – goofydreamer

Breakfast à la Azis

January 15, 2016June 26, 2016by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

Fourteen of January and wow guys, its twenty and sixteen!! Who feels that January becomes a month when “What’s Next, What’s Next?” is flying on mind? Is it only me? Or you too?

Before I share photographs of my breakfast yesterday morning, I wanna make some confessions. First thing first, “What’s Next, What Next?” feeling is really bothering me lately when I keep thinking what my next journey is. It’s quite different from last year when I was very relaxed with what would I face a year ahead. This year, I really, really have to think what is my next step in life.

Second confession ; today is the end of my day off! I should have 10 days off but unfortunately, I just had two days. The rest was ‘half-day’ and still working from some upcoming projects. How do you feel when most of your colleague is resting and you’re still working? :(. Third, I feel like I’m not having a good start managing my allowance (hellooo! this is new year!). Trying to be discipline on spending my money but couldn’t help myself to not to pick a new bowl and two white saucers. Because sometimes, buying things like that for ‘food-scene’ purpose makes me happy (in fact, when you should be resting but still working, gah!).

Fourth, I cooked chinese noodles (been craving it for a while), fried chicken in thick honey and sweet soya sauce, and chocoffee (chocolate and coffee :|) pudding in one hour the day before yesterday just right after I came back home by 4.30 pm. I always love to cook something simple yet tasty. Quite brainless but versatile enough.

Okay, time to share a short story behind this breakfast scene. When I woke up yesterday morning, I had an idea to play around with my new bowl which I’m sure the color will be beautiful in picture. But then I found that hammatan season is still here and morning sun wasn’t smile and said no hello. I thought I would enjoy my breakfast normally without busy taking picture and I should forget photographing my breakfast-scene. I went straight to brew a cup of coffee and accidentally found a soft natural light from the window in my living room. I dropped my cup on a purple ‘flatlay’ and surprised that the color of the background was interesting enough. So, I boiled chinese noodles for a sec and mixed with the remaining sauce I cooked the day before yesterday (for sure, I kept it inside fridge!). Then, time to play on a new bowl! I added chicken on top and sprinkled with fried onion I brought from Indonesia. I was surprised that the light was fantastic, it wasn’t harsh yet gave a perfect lighting on the food. And believe it or not, I didn’t need complicated editing for this shot cause all the pictures are clear. A little touch-up in Lightroom and Photoshop for text (some of these are straight from camera)! Hm, I still dreaming someday I’ll have a mini studio complete with light box, so that every time I have an idea for food photography, I just take my camera, set the lighting and shoot!

Hello, it’s been a while for a food lodge on this blog (click on the image to zoom)!

Oh wait, I have one more confession ; I still want Sony A7r for my next cameraaa! :(

Happy Friday guys! Hope you have a groovy weekend just like how Justin grooves on this clip! :))

Food Lodge, iPhone, Travel

I Know I Miss These

December 13, 2015December 13, 2015by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

If yesterday I fell on my bed right after I went home from James Bond themed party, I finally could cross legs on my bed and updating this blog. It was such a crazy time prepared, worked and finally transformed a venue into Bond ‘feel’ when hello! it was just a day before (I know this is sounds ridiculous) we realised that the party was yesterday. It was just a dangerous one but finally thanked God for everything passed as always. If you asked me was I happy for the result? Nope, just I wish we could do more. But well, it passed.

Let’s move on!

On this post I just want to share some iPhone shots that I immediately realised it becomes an annual post (after this). Reminiscing a heaven called food (by clicking the picture, I guarantee you’ll be h’angry’).

1 | There was nothing but blessed when you spend time with kind human, shopping ;D, best friend’s talk and share delicious food then. Crispy fried duck with sambal, extra tofu, and extra tempeh I had with Andhi that evening blowed my mind (holy shit! I’m suddenly h’angry’ looking at this picture below).

2 | Yes, I’m missing you guys. The dark chocolate one, in particular :(. Below the donuts is one of my fave-ever snack. Shredded savoury beef on top of fluffy fresh bread is brilliant culinary invention.

3 | Until I had to come back to show my sister how delicious fried duck I had (yes, that one on top!) was. I chose ‘mie ayam‘ after I enjoyed ‘semanggi‘.

4 | There is always a room for Bakso. Enough said. I should explore and enjoy Indonesian traditional snacks more, I know.

5 | One of the best time for food I had when I was in Indonesia this year was having a family dinner. Pardon for low lighting on this picture below :P, I was managing my iPhone.

6| Oh God, that crushed fried onion and chilli inside sweet soya sauce plus fried milkfish, plus tempeh, plus tofu, plus urap, I mean, may I fly to Indonesia right now? :( and Rujak Cingur?

7| If you are a reader of this blog, you know how many times I mentioned Batagor as one of my fave Indonesian food ever. Gosh! that peanut sauce :( those dumplings :(

8| When I had lunch with my Dad only, in one fine afternoon, I realised I should do that kind of quality time more often. I chose Ramen while he chose ‘nasi uduk‘. I know I’m a straight one if I talk about street-food, especially for fried snacks, but it was an exception when I was there, I stopped by and bought some ‘filled tofu‘.

9| As I wish there was Starbucks cafe here :(

10| Sushi time with best friend was awesome. Ayos and Winda were so kind paying all of these food below :D

Now, I’m trying to get rid of these foods and finish my early snack ;|(read : just an apple).

Hello fried duck, hello tempeh, hello bakso, starbucks, sushi, I’ll see you again :(

Food Lodge

9.15

November 8, 2015November 8, 2015by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

Hello November!

While I have to prepare myself cause I’ve already entered this season ~~oh December is in the front already!~~, I realize that staying in my home and enjoying every second is a must-to-do. I’ve been very busy lately, that’s why I have no option but enjoying my Sunday as much as I can. When last week I had to work from Monday to Sunday, almost everyday I had to leave office late and went straight to venue, you can predict how I ate rubbish outside there. I also realize that next week I’ll be out of town for venues and venues. So, I decided to spend my money for some fruitful foods and here they are, something nice from yesterday pick-me-up :)

I fell in love with my juice, apple plus carrot plus celery plus beetroot was awesome. See that color? How cool ya! :)

Food Lodge, iPhone, Travel

Jamie’s Italian Singapore

October 24, 2015July 22, 2018by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

It’s better for me to squeeze my time to post this since I’ve been having hectic weeks lately. And it is such a sign that I have to prepare myself for an earlier December when I will probably have to work from Monday to Sunday.

And here is a short one of reminiscing the last meal I had with Maya when we were in Singapore. It happened when we were on our way to buy ferry tickets at Vivo City for Maya and Ranu, since they went and came back through Batam. When we passed Jamie’s Italian restaurant, I said to Maya, “Oh, I should enter and get some light meal. In fact, we should May. We still have time right? Come on, just a quick one”.

Then, after Maya and Ranu had the tickets in hand, I couldn’t even keep my last USD and changed it to SGD near the ticket counter. It was just because I wanted to see the interior and to taste the food at Jamie’s Italian. I requested specifically to have a seat near the glass window for a reason (read : to get natural light :P). We didn’t order heavy meals cause Maya and Ranu had to rush for the ferry of course, and I, my stomach was still full from ‘food-court’ meal I had in the afternoon and again, I had to rush as well to get some pieces at H&M store :P.

So, we just ordered mini burgers for Ranu, ricotta bruschetta for Maya, and I chose crab & avocado bruschetta with crunchy kale slaw. For me personally, I love the freshness of the ingredients for the kale slaw, it was just perfect. The bruschetta was on point, light and very Italian. The balsamic-roasted cherry tomatoes on top of Maya’s bruschetta was juicy, I was thinking how to cook the tomatoes perfectly like what they’ve done. Since we were in rush, I didn’t take many pictures of the interior on my iPhone, but I still remember there is an interesting hanging display of fresh ingredients where the chefs cook. And of course, I wish I had more time to have a proper breakfast or lunch or dinner there. Oh FYI, I’m a fan of Jamie Oliver :).

I suddenly missing Maya and her face, when she looked confused by looking at the price :P.

Design & Style, Food Lodge, iPhone, Travel

Ladurée Singapore

August 23, 2015July 22, 2018by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

While I’m still thinking and trying to write about how grateful I was, when I had chances to see my best friends this year in Indonesia, let me jump quickly for some iPhone pictures of Ladurée Singapore.

Visiting Ladurée store was on my list when I spent 4 days in Singapore for my quick jaunt this year. I had two main reasons why. First, I’ve eaten macarons several time but wondering their luxury double-decker macarons taste was on my mind since I dreamt about Paris. Second, I wanted to learn how Ladurée as one of the most well-known luxury bakery and sweets maker house in the world package their products. So in one fine afternoon on my third day in Singapore, I went to Takashimaya in Orchard road with Maya.

Entering hi-class mall with hi-class stuffs everywhere made me dizzy a bit (cause I couldn’t bring them home :P). Just five minutes after we entered the mall we found Ladurée’s counter. But I said to Maya that I wanted to buy the macarons in their store because I was so sure we could see more eye-candy macarons and other products, plus their beautiful interior. Because it was lunch time, both of us and Ranu (Maya’s cute son) decided to find something heavier for lunch. Then, after we went around to Harrods and other stores buying some goodies for both of us, we finally found Ladurée store and our eyes were sparkling. The interior is beautiful, details everywhere, and I fell in love with how Ladurée takes graphic design on their packaging seriously. I was so confused when I had to choose my own box of 6 and 8 macarons :P. The macarons? well, you’ll know the difference why their macarons is quite expensive if you grab some :). The texture and the taste of their fresh macarons is different. Crunchy outside, fluffy inside.

Do you think spending S$70 for 14 macarons is worth-it since the macarons have to fly over from Paris?

Oh, visiting Ladurée in Paris is still in my dream, tho :). Just like how Alice Gao was excited about Ladurée when she hadn’t never been to Paris that time (I think she made a wish to see Paris on that post and she flew to Paris many times years after!, should I put this post as a simply wish to see Paris soon? :)).

Food Lodge, Photography

Sweets Again

June 10, 2015June 19, 2015by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

One of my fav moment a day is when the sun goes down. It is peaceful every time I stare up to the sky when it calmly turns orange, pinkies, and other beautiful colors. As much as I love golden hour, I do love sunrise either. Something magical comes when the sun shines in the beginning of the day. Lately, the sun rarely smiles behind the clouds. As I’m writing this post, it’s raining outside. I have no complain for morning rain as I enjoy it (I shouldn’t say stay longer on my bed is what I love) yet it’s a bit challenging to do my morning ritual (read : capturing breakfast) on a cloudy day.

Though I realised when I photographed those berries (on my previous post), I found that I fell in love with the bright light on a cloudy day. And this was happened again last week Sunday. When I woke up with some deadlines on my head (yikes for deadlines on Sunday, sigh), I spoke to myself to try as much as I could to enjoy the day. Even I had to do some jobs in the afternoon while everybody rested, I didn’t complain for that cause enjoying pretty breakfast was one of the best thing I had.

Here was round one. A cute mini chocolate croissant with extra dark chocolate on top, a mini cinnamon bun, mango and berries, and sure, a cup of coffee (click for a bigger picture!).

An hour flew by, then I had the second round. Still on my bed with crunchy cereal from Eat Natural with yogurt and berries (the cherries make the picture so interesting ;)). I had to admit that my second breakfast was quite too sweet. I just realised that there is juicy raisins inside the toasted whole oat and flakes (I think my eyes had shiny sparkles when I read Brazil nuts on the package). I’m not a fan of raisins yet the pumpkin seeds is yum.

Pictures above were taken with my mirrorless. I learned one thing that using macro setting makes the pictures more natural. And again, it was a surprise for me that natural light on cloudy day made me happy.

Now, time to prepare myself for work, I’m hoping I can pass this week with a smile on my face.

Cheers,

-A-

P.S. The scene above wasn’t styled for the photography purpose, haha! I was actually working on my bed (the earphones was there after I did karaoke on my iPhone :D), and I just like, oh, messy bed could actually be interesting for breakfast scene. No, it’s still raining and just put of my table lamp and the ambiance of my room is just, um, I think my bed is calling me :(.

Food Lodge, iPhone

So Tasteful

May 27, 2015May 27, 2015by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

Just want to share some iPhone shots from my breakfast this morning. I cooked meat balls in thick tomato and oyster sauce last night and the idea enjoying it with butter basmati rice came out when I woke up this morning. Fresh carrots with lemon juice and mint was so so good!

My flatmate is going for his annual leave back to Indonesia this noon and I’m gonna miss him (can’t wait for my turn!).

Cheers,

-A-

Food Lodge, Recipes

May I Enjoy

May 9, 2015April 1, 2018by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

Ah, May. A month when awesome people were born :)

First, David was born on early of May (good news is he’s in instagram since last week!) and I have many beloved best friends that had their birthdays and some will celebrate later. Two weeks ago, when I had a day off on Saturday (plus Sunday was ‘loooong weekend’ for me!!) my flatmate and I spent the day from visiting this cool market to find something for my friend, watching The Avengers (he’s so keen with that kind of superhero movie, I’m more ‘drama-reality life’ person), groceries shopping and in the end, I ended at French supermarket. It took days for me to kill my laziness for this post but finally could share some pretty things here.

1 | I can’t far away from white plates and cups for my props collection but this pattern stole my heart. First time I went to one of the oldest supermarket in this town, I found myself stood in front of it for seconds. I couldn’t resist to bring it home two weeks later along with a new white tea-cup and a square side plate.

2 | I had fun with Spanish gems last week. I made a promise when I first saw them in a French supermarket months ago that I would bring them one box if I had enough money. It’s not a secret that you’ll never have enough money for berries if you live in a country where some particular fruits are not cultivated. But for these pretties, I didn’t even care if my wallet screamed after I took them home. I mostly enjoyed them raw as a snack cause they were so sweet!.

I added one in my oats plus dark chocolate on top of hot oats (hello oats, it’s been a while for brekkie!).

3 | I took french veggie home along with the strawberry. I thought for simply salad later in the Sunday noon. I posted the chicken patty recipe on the previous post.

4 | Playing with dark chocolate later in the evening. I had cold that day so instead of tea, I brewed lemon plus ginger plus honey. When I took my flatmate to the traditional market where he bought some souvenirs, I saw a cute brass deer (he’s going home in the end of this month, wait, can I replace his seat on the plane? :|). I wanted to bring it home that day yet I had to be kind with my wallet. But when we came back two weeks ago, instead of one, I brought one giraffe and one lizard along (aren’t they so cute?). Oh, I bought some magnets for my friends as well (can’t wait to pack all of them inside my suitcase!).

That’s all simply things I had for early May. Looking forward for another happineess this month! (oops, you see my idol’s feed on my iPhone on that scene above? :)). Let me enjoy a bit of my Saturday night with this one and this one.

Happy weekend!,

-A-

Food Lodge, iPhone

Semur Ayam

April 22, 2015May 17, 2015by Azis AbdulLeave a Comment

When I went home yesterday and saw the chicken and tofu I fried in the morning, I realised I had to finish what I cooked. I left it in the saucepan on my stove because first, there was no space in the fridge since I put a full jar of avocado juice there. Second, I did cook the chicken inside the sauce for quite long. It means, they would not spoil even I left outside for more than eight hours (for sure I closed my saucepan). I prefer to prepare my dinner in the morning if I’m not lazy and just warm it in the evening rather than I have to start cooking my dinner after work (and I always like to cook a bit more so I can enjoy it as breakfast as well).

When I looked at the chicken in the sauce, I quickly thought to tweak it into another dish. I grabbed my bigger pan and I boiled water. Then, I moved the chicken with the sauce in it. I knew I thought for Semur. I added small red pepper to give a stronger taste, few cloves (it’s a must), small fresh tomatoes, and my last soy sauce (until the last drops!, I have no more soy sauce right now :(). My Semur was a simpler version from the authentic one because I didn’t use ginger, lemon grass and cinnamon. Even though I didn’t use any of them but trust me, the cloves plus soy sauce and I think, it was because I used white onions, the taste was just uh!.

I enjoyed it with rice vermicelli instead with rice, fried potato, added my leftover pok coy to add green and shrimp crackers (it was like a dream I found shrimp crackers here :)).

Food Lodge, iPhone

An Impromptu

April 10, 2015April 11, 2015by Azis Abdul2 Comments

You’ll be so happy if you have one more day off after the weekend. If Monday is the day, you’ll definitely be happier. After I did an Easter decor for the churches on Saturday last week, then attended meeting until late (and had a light issue in the house for two, oh no, four days :(), I had one day off for Easter. Just like in many countries in the world, Easter is quite important here.

When I woke up on Monday, I knew that I had to type my report for ‘last-night-meeting’ and sent it to my ED while she’s in London right now (I was off yet I worked, fiuh!). I was quite on time that morning for some other deadlines though I realised that typing a report based on my notes in notebook plus recording via iPhone plus (of course) everything that I had to remember in my mind, was quite exhausting. It took me went to the kitchen by 10 am to prepare some fruits with yogurt with bread and cheese for my late breakfast (this is what I love if I have time on the weekend when I can squeeze my time to watch movie and go for groceries shopping after, Cinderella wasn’t bad for last week :)). Pictures of what I had on my bed was an impromptu shot since I had to hurry up to cook my lunch.

For Lunch, I was quite pleased that I brought broccoli and turned it into a simply delish food. You know, I always love to see edible green in my food and broccoli is one of my fav. I always love to cook simply food, when I don’t have to tweak them too much. For this lunch, what I did was I boiled them very quickly (more or less just one minute to make them stay fresh), then I cooked chicken breast in soy and honey sauce, and enjoyed with shrimp dumplings. For sure, no need to include rice in this sexy lunch.

Looking forward for something new for my food, I really want to take some cooking classes to improve my skill if I have enough time when I’m coming home this year (really want to attend pastry class, oh come on, don’t count that day you still have months ahead Zis :|).