It's DECEMBER, and time for The BIG Christmas Cirque at Bens/B.IG

Festivals somehow cannot escape the culinary excitement they generate, and in our wonderful multicultural and multicreeded land, the whole year seems to be one gastronomic treat after another. So when I was invited to try the Christmas spread at the beginning of November, I was mentally making a note to prepare for Yee Sang in December.  The BIG Group has always innovated novel treats, and this year is no different.

Their lavish takeaway...YES, TAKEAWAY menu means for the culinarily challenged, you can now host a Christmas party as if you slaved over the kitchen since Gor Dong. (Winter solstice, 22nd December).  Order in advance, select your date and pick up from Ben's Independent Grocers, Publika.  And as the spread is Kosher, you can even use it for Hanukkah.  (well, kosher in so far as it's pork free, not the other baffling combinations of no dairy and meat etc etc). Alright, let's not complicate matters, and just say it's PORK FREE.  (I am not seeing myself doing cartwheels of delight at this information however, I have to admit).  What? Noglazed ham?

Starters of Chicken Liver Pate & Melba Toast, Hummus, Babaganoush, Beetroot Yoghurt, Cold Prawn & Cocktail sauce, (whatever happened to the good old prawn cocktails of the days of yore).  I have to say, that chicken liver pate is to die for.  And no forcefed goose had to be forcefed in the process. Uppermost left is a Quiche Lorraine, and Lower Right is Turkey Pie.

The pate was seriously good, I think me and Jamie Khoo of Elle must have whacked an entire jar between the two of us.

The spread goes on, (clockwise left top) Macaroni and Cheese, Beef Lasagna, Crusty Potato Dauphins, brussel sprout leaves with bacon (Beef) and chestnuts

These hasselback potatoes I imagine would taste great if piping hot.  Reminds me of an accordion.

Roasted Rosemary Pumpkin.... gorgeous, I think I shall make some myself.


We three meats of Orient are.....

Stuffed Leg of Lamb

Capon Chicken... to the uninitiated, a capon is a castrated chicken, (Yim Kai) that due to its castration, becomes unusually large.  No, I am not a capon...

Chef holds up the star of the night, traditional Roast Turkey and Stuffing...so if you've heard rumours that the import of turkeys has been curbed this year, it's somewhat true, I hear and they're not readily availaible, (raw or otherwise), but evidently, B.I.G. has their ways and means of flying in the bird.

Herb Parmesan Crusted Beef Tenderloin


And the pieces de resistant... DESSERTS...

Red Velvet Log, Chocolate Pavlova With Mixed Berries, Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding, Peanut butter jello log, Mince Pies (oooh, forgot to take pictures, the mince pies were amazing, melt in the mouth), raspberry meringue trifle, sticky date pudding, spiced orange cheesecake.

They had also lined up for us gingerbread houses for us to decorate.  Me? Decorate??? Shudder...Of course dinner time conversation went to Hansel and Gretel and greedy children eating off an edible house....

Children's choir ...

There is also a dining in option at Ben's, Plan B and Ben's General Food Store, starting 1st December, ...smoked salmon terrine and aragula, stuffed turkey rolls with sweet chestnut cranberry stuffing, sides of grilled brocolli, hasselback potatoes and caramelised shallot gravy.

For dessert, the red berry pavlova topped with strawberry ice cream, red berry coulis and pomegranate.

And all set to decorate her Bangsar Gingerbread House, is ...BANGSAR BABE.

It's December.... Peace on Earth Goodwill twards man.

Website: www.thebigrroup.co
facebook: www.facebook.com/
Enquiries: Tanith Rahim
Brand Guardian - Flagship
tanith.rahim@thebiggroup.co
+60362092270

Christmas & New Year At Sheraton Imperial

In the blink of an eye, another year has zoomed by. It's almost bittersweet when one contemplates the year that was, and that haunting melody from Fiddler on the Roof always plays like an earworm during this period:

Sunrise, sunset (x2),
Swiftly fly the years,
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears.

December onwards is also a time of dietary disaster, for from now until Chinese New Year, the eating will be continuous.  Obviously, it's also a time when F&B establishments hop on to the binge wagon, with their yuletide offerings.  The first of such was at Villa Danielli in Sheraton Imperial.  Actually, I thought the invitation was for us to check out the transformation of Villa Danielli into a Christmas wonderland, and I wasn't expecting a full fledged, bursting to the brim type dinner.

To start with, canapes.  I just love the word canape, (pronounce ken-a-pay..or probably keen a pi if you're Australian), these dainty finger food thingies that deludes you into thinking you're very ladidah, especially with a glass of bubbly in hand, flitting around from table to table.

Canapes
Duck Foie Gras Lollipop with Crunchy Pistachio and Pineapple Sauce
Tandoori Fish Bruschetta with Mint
Seafood Pasta Aglio Olio
Pasta Arabiata

Wild Mushroom with Lamb, Grilled Leek and Yellow Tomato (Promotion: Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence).  We were served elegant tasting portions, which made it possible for us to sample the entire spread.  But that still didn't ensure we were not stuffed like chinese rice dumplings by the end of the meal.

Bread rolls, which sadly, no one touched, because there was soooooo much food on the table. Black colored buns seem to be the in thing these days.

Octopus Pickles, Soft Bean Curd and Wakame with Ponzu Dressing (Promotion: New Year Day Brunch at Essence)

Dill and Peppered Ahi Tuna with Capellini Pasta Salad and Grilled Baby Fennel (Promotion: Christmas Brunch at Essence) The Ahi was seared perfectly, maintaining it's gorgeous pink rawness in the centre.

Rolled Eggplant Cannelloni filled with Vegetable Caponata (Promotion: New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence)

Gorgonzola and Pistachio Parfait with Apple, Celeriac and Raspberry salad, Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette and Warm Ricotta Cheese Croquette (Promotion: Christmas Eve 5-course set menu at Villa Danieli)

An impressive array of soups and more starters that went straight from the lip to the hip.  I swear I must have put on 2kgs from this meal alone.

From Top Left, Clockwise
Cream of Spinach with Salmon Flake (Promotion: Christmas Brunch at Essence)
Roma Tomato Soup with Pesto (Promotion: New Year Day Brunch at Essence)
Potato and Fontina Cheese Ravioli with Sautéed Spinach and Parmesan Cream (Promotion: Christmas Eve 5-course set menu at Villa Danieli)
Creamed Cod Squid Ink Ravioli with Thyme, Tomato Fillet and Prawns in Tomato Coulisse Sauce (Promotion: New Year’s Eve 5-course set menu at Villa Danieli)

Not in Photo:

Watercress and Soya Milk Soup with Sundried Tomato Nougat (Promotion: Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence)
Prawn Bisque (Promotion: New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence)

With long time bloggers and friends, KgBoy&Citygal, and Ivy Aiwei.  Such youthful vigour they possess...while the old man drools on his shirt...(as is evidenced by that patch of moisture)

Pan Seared Snow Fish Medallion, Leeks Puree and White Asparagus, Sprouts and Ash Sauce (Promotion: New Year’s Eve 5-course set menu at Villa Danieli)

Seared Duck Breast with Grilled Pineapple and Berries Balsamic Sauce (Promotion: New Year Day Brunch at Essence)

Crusted White Pepper Beef Tenderloin with Buche de Chevre Gratin, Pear Compote and Celeriac Mille Foille (Promotion: Christmas Eve 5-course set menu at Villa Danieli)

Pan Seared Cod with Crusted Coconut Chili and Citrus Cinnamon Reduction (Promotion: Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence)

Also available in the menu are Skewered Salmon Medallion with Apricot-Olive Couscous and Sautéed Baby Greens (Promotion: Christmas Brunch at Essence) & 

Harissa Marinated Chicken Roulade with Mushroom Stew (Promotion: New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence

White Chocolate Parfait and White Chocolate Mousse, Pistachio and Raspberry, Orange Gelatin Sheet (Promotion: Christmas Eve 5-course set menu at Villa Danieli)

Litchi and Raspberry Mousse Yule Log (Promotion: Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence)

Caramel Fudge Chantilly with Apple Crepes (Promotion: Christmas Brunch at Essence)

Berries Millie Feuillie with Gingerbread Patisier (Promotion: New Year Day Brunch at Essence)

Raspberry Panna Cotta with Crispy Almonds and Lemon Mousse (Promotion: New Year’s Eve 5-course set menu at Villa Danieli)

Also available: Poached Cinnamon Pear William Sabayon with White Cranberry Shaving (Promotion: New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence)

The Christmas brunch is priced at RM188++ per person (food only) and RM368++ per person for those who would like to enjoy bottomless sparkling wine, draughts beers, white wine and red wine. (that would be me) Enjoy this at Pavilions Lounge from 11am to 12pm and Essence from 12pm to 3pm on 25 December 2013. Alternatively, usher in the New Year’s Day  on 1 January 2014 with the same offer.

New Year’s Eve dinner buffet at Essence will be served from 6.30pm to 10.30pm and is priced at RM118++ per person (food only) and RM158++ per person (inclusive of free flow of house wines or 3 bottles of beer).

Villa Danieli , 5-course set dinner is only available on 31 December 2013 and is priced at RM220++ per person.Wine pairing for an additional of RM120++ per person.

For further enquiries or table reservations, please contact Villa Danieli at 03-2717 9900 or email restaurants.imperial@sheraton.com or visit www.sheratonimperialkualalumpur.com to find out more.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, may your heart be light, and your stomach heavy.

Belated Yuletide

So much to blog about, so little time. Christmas barely came and went, and I'm already tucking into the annual Prosperity Burger, from MacDonalds which is a sure herald of Chinese New Year approaching us with the speed of a charging bull.

Nevertheless, since I had so painstakingly edited the pictures from Christmas, I thought I might as well put it up for posterity. I am in the unique position to witness the birth of a family tradition, I think. Not hailing from a Christian family, Christmas Eve dinners were something we only read about in Enid Blyton books, Beano comics, ....and when we were abroad, perhaps the odd Christmas Day lunch, but we ourselves, the FBB family, never really celebrated it in any way.

A number of factors precipitated this change. First, my late grandmother became a Christian a year of so before her demise. That year, my mother said, oh, lets have a Christmas Eve dinner since Poh Poh is a Christian. That was rather shortlived, as she (my grandmother) died the following year, and my folks continued with their annual holidays around the yuletide. Meanwhile, the Christmas tree and its pretty decor was gaining "importance" in the seasonal decorations, as there were the grandchildren slowly popping out of the ovens....

Then my mother herself embraced the Papal religion, and must have decided that London was getting too cold in December, so they stayed put in the equator, hence precipitating the final straw that completed the evolution of the Christmas Eve dinner tradition in our household. It is unanimously agreed that we spare the large bird the slaughter, since it's nice to look at, but no one really can truly say they love turkey.

For starters, we had a duet of pizzas, with a dried tomato pesto sauce as the base, and another one with the normal basil pesto, sprinkled with scallops, funghi and bacon.

Those aren't fishballs. They're scallops.


The smoked salmon platter.









Lovely dunno whatchewcallit, from France. It's something like a cross between a sausage, with the texture more akin to luncheon meat, and didnt require cooking. Delicious!


I often wonder why we don't eat brussel sprouts more often, as I actually belong to that strange category of people who LOVE brussel sprouts.


Quail Eggs and Walnut Salads. Those who frequent my dinner parties would recognise the blue salad bowl instantly, I am sure.




Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding. The cut was a Rib Eye, good, but not as good as the Wagyu Rib Eye we had a few weeks ago. It's bad when standards have been set so high.


Satay From Kajang, courtesy of the inlaws.


Observe this manger scene. Birth of another tradition.....






Notice the difference between this manger scene and the previous one? I'll explain later.


Desserts. No Marks & Spencer's Christmas Pudding this year, since we hadn't even finished last year's (2007) one. Sigh. I love Christmas pudding though. We had to make do with my brandy soaked Spencer's Four Seasons Cake.


....and the Durian Cheese Cake....

To answer the question about the manger scene, well, I think its a Roman Catholic practise. Anyway, in the first manger scene, there was no baby.

After doing the reading from the gospels.....

...one of the grandchildren would then place the baby Jesus into the crib. Awwww.....Christmas, is afterall, about the birth of Jesus Christ, not the sales in Mid Valley Megamall featuring Santa Clause.

Then there is the mad scramble to open the presents. No waiting till Christmas morning in this household. Afterall, no one believes in Santa, so the kids aren't gonna be waiting for his sleigh to be flying through the night skies. But the unparalleled look of sheer joy when baby boy opened his present of a transformer toy....sigh, would melt the heart of the greatest cynic.




Poor Santa.....kids becoming too adult for their own good eh! I remember an Ally McBeal episode where a teacher was getting sued for telling the kids there was no such thing as Santa Clause. Roll eyes..... Americans....

Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
Though you are Lord
Above all.
(from the Christian song, "Above All")