Ingredient:

2 tsp peanut oil

¼ tsp red-pepper flakes

1 cup bite-sized pieces or strips of red or green bell pepper

¼ medium onion, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 Tbsp orange juice

2 Tbsp jarred jalapefio pepper slices

1 Tbsp hoisin sauce

10 ounces (about 301 medium precooked frozen shrimp, defrosted, tails removed)

Step :

Heat the oil and pepper flakes in a medium-hot skillet, and then aid all the remaining ingredients except the shrimp.

Cook the mixture 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Acid the shrimp and cook 2 to 3 more minutes.

Stirring frequently. Serve over brown rice. Makes 2 servings

Per Serving:

240 calories

30 grams (g) protein

12 g carbohydrates

8 g fat (1.5 g saturated)

2 g fiber

340 milligrams (mg) sodium

1. 200g fresh cod fillets
2. Young ginger, sliced long and thin
3. One large red chilli, sliced long and thin
4. Lee Kum Kee seasoned soya sauce for seafood
5. Spring onions, cut into Scm pieces
6. Chinese parsley

Step 1 : Steam cod for eight to 10 minutes (depending on the fillet’s thickness)

Step 2 : In the last two minutes of steaming, heat some oil in a pan (Andrea uses light soya oil) and fry the ginger till fragrant, then add the chili and soya sauce, followed by the spring onions. Remove the mix quickly so as not to overcook the chili and spring onions.

Step 3 : Place the steamed cod in a serving dish and pour the sauce mix over, then top with Chinese parsley. Serve immediately.

The Games Room – A room for both “boys and big boys,” .

Avid entertainers, I take great pleasure in hosting friends and family here. An after-school hangout, a karaoke lounge, a party area — this is multi-functional room. The pool table is from Leisurtron.

Ingredients

1. Vegetable oil ½ cup
2. Medium prawns, 500 gram, peeled, deveined, tails left intact
3. Thick coconut milk, ¾ cup
4. Large tamarind slices,2
5. Coarse black pepper, ½ levelled tsp
6. Chilli flakes, ½ levelled tsp
7. Salt, ¾ levelled tsp
8. Sugar, ¾ levelled tsp
9. Onion (optional), 1 medium, sliced thinly
10. Cucumber (optional), ½ small, discard core and shred coarsely.

Method

1. Head oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat and fry prawn until just cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
2. Remove most of the oil from pan, reserving about 1 tsp and return to heat again. When hot, pour in coconut milk and add all other ingredients except onion and cucumber. Stir over medium heat until thick. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
3. Return prawns to the pan and turn off heat. Add onion and cucumber and mix well.
4. Serve immediately.

This is surprisingly refreshing despite being served hot. Mint is known to warm the body and stimulate the appetite, although which appetite is meant, remains unclean. Well, this way or the other, a little warning stimulation never did hurt anyone.

Ingredients

1. Fresh mint leaves, 2 good handfuls, stems removed, washed and drained.
2. Cube sugar, 6 lumps, or use 3 tsp granulated sugar.
3. Good quality green tea, 4 tea bags
4. Fresh boiled water, sufficient to fill choose teapot.

NOTE : This is excellent served after a rich and spicy meal, to soothe an overworked tummy.

Steps

1. Get a teapot that will serve four~five generously
2. Put the mint leaves into teapot. Put sugar on top of mint leaves. Put teabags in teapot and pour in hot water almost to the brim. Leave to steep for about 4~5 minutes.
3. Pour a cup of tea out and then pour it back into the teapot. Repeat this about 5 ~6 times until sugar is dissolved and diffused through the tea. Discard teabags but leave mint leaves inside teapot and pour into cups or handled glasses.
4. Serve immediately.

My honey – Gwen chose an Eastern- inspired theme for the master bedroom. The center piece is the large bed facing the windows.

I wanted to put the bed along the wall, but my wife suggested facing it outside, so that we can wake up with the sun and the view every morning. All beds in my house and the lounger sofa are from Gallery 62 – Lavender, while pillows are from JT Home.

Harissa sauce would perfectly complement the rich, smoky lamb and succulent cous cous. The salad component is a mix of seeded and coarsely chopped cucumber, fresh coriander and red and green chillies, bound with a little yogurt, seasoned with salt and a squeeze of lime.

Ingredients

1. Black peppercorn, 1 ½ tsp
2. Cumin seeds, 1 ½ tsp
3. Salt, 2 levelled tsp
4. Lamb lion chops, 8, leave the fat on
5. Water or chicken stock, 1 cup
6. Olive oil, 2 tsp
7. Instant cous cous, 1 cup
8. Red onion 2, medium, peeled and sliced into thick rings.

Steps

1. Combine pepper, cumin and 1 tsp salt and pound to a coarse powder. Wipe the lamb chops dry with paper towels and season well with the pounded salt and spice mixture. Set aside.
2. Heat the water or stock, remaining salf and 1 tsp olive oil in a pot and when boiling, turn off heat. Stir in the cous cous and when combined, cover and set aside for 3 minutes.
3. Heat the remaining olive oil in a pan and sear the onion until lightly charred and fragrant. Fluff up cous cous and stir in onions lightly until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
4. Heat the same pan, without adding any oil, until smoking and cook the lamb chops for about 2 minutes each side. Do not overcook.
5. Dish out cous cous and arrange lamb chops over or alongside cous cous. Serve with harissa souce and a green salad if you like.

Ingredients

1. Fresh red chillies, 3, sliced thickly
2. Hot red chili flakes, 2 tsp
3. Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, 1 handful
4. Garlic, 3 cloves
5. Cumin seeds, 12 tsp, group
6. Extra virgin olive oil, 1 ½ tsp
7. Lemon juice, 1 ½ tsp
8. Salt, 1 levelled tsp or to taste
9. Sugar, ½ levelled tsp

Steps

Combine ingredients in a blender and process to a slightly chucky consistency.

My family stays Singapore, a main reason being my children’s education. The eldest, Gwen (16) and Rebecca (13), want to finish high school here. They have a lot more freedom here than they would have back home. Because it’s so safe, I don’t have to worry as much.

Living here has given them opportunities for traveling, meeting new people and picking up new interests, which has not only allowed them to gross’ personally, but have also made them bond more closely as a family. Life in Singapore is sometimes stressful, but there are so many advantages. It’s important to embrace all the different cultures here and try not to get overwhelmed by everything.

A beautiful home, a loving family, endless possibilities for exploring new places and trying new things — the reasons why my family decided to stay.

The freedom that has come with my exploration of new concepts of beauty has resulted in a new appreciation of Asian and Eastern-inspired art. A favorite piece of hers is the reclining Buddha figure in the master bedroom, which I found at an antiques shop on Dempsey Road. In the same room is another beloved piece, a framed transcription of a Burmese religious text. I came across this item at Apsara, which specializes in antique Chinese lacquer furniture and Burmese antiques.

Also eye-catching is the collection of figurines from Thoms S.B. Raffles on display in the living room bookcase.

Despite its size, every nook and corner of the house is used. I will enjoy hosting family and friends and often throw parties. “There’s always music playing and people coming over. It’s a great house for entertaining,” start thinking in my brain.

Going on advice and recommendations from friends, she enlisted the home-styling services of Gallery 62. “Jessica was great. She took the floor plan, came up with the color schemes, and was involved in the whole process.”

Sonia says she found it difficult to choose from the large variety of products available, especially carpets and Oriental rugs. “I looked at so many samples. It was hard for me to visualize how they would look against the rest of the decor,” she confesses. In the end, she chose well; the individual rugs and carpets — all from Mohammad’s Carpets — create a distinctive ambiance in each room.

Experimenting with different color schemes and cultural influences was also a new experience for Erney. She credits Jessica with opening her mind to new home-styling ideas. “Our house in Texas is decorated Mediterranean-style and is furnished in mostly neutral colors, which is fitting for the landscape of California, but not for Singapore or Malaysia. Jessica introduced me to different Asian cultures and brighter colors. I felt freer here to try out new things.”

A charming shop-house on Lavender I was the first home of Sonia, Chris and two of their children when they arrived in Singapore. Craving more space, however, they soon moved to The Colonnade.

“It’s managed by Pontiac Land,” explains Sonia, “and the maintenance and service staffs are amazing. They bring up your groceries and if something needs fixing, it is usually fixed that same day. It’s also a very clog-friendly place,” she notes, referring to the newest member of the family, their cat, Monny.

Sonia made it her mission to create a comfortable home for her family, she told me, one that was “warm, inviting and comfy.” She wanted elegant furnishings that would nevertheless be able to withstand the wear and tear of family living. “I didn’t want delicate things. With two teenage boys living at home, I wanted both durability and style.”

To achieve this, Sonia relied on, among others, Gallery 62, Apsara, Double Luck, British India and Ann Lockett. “We brought nothing from the New Zealand,” she says.

Amazingly, all these temples were built purely through human labor, with bricks twice the size as modern ones, and twice as heavy. I was amazed by the architecture, which has stood the test of time for thousands of years.

We even visited Ta Prohm, the temple where Angelina Jolie (Sexy chic) filmed Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Our guide, who was coincidentally Angelina’s guide, showed us the exact location where they had filmed the scene.

This was just one of the many trips that ISS organizes as part of the school programs. It helps the students enrich their life experience, nurture their curiosity, and expand their minds internationally. The trip to Cambodia was a very rewarding experience. I especially enjoyed interacting with the local people, who were peaceful and hospitable. Cambodia, I’ll be back…

For our project, three of my classmates and I had to plan a trip to somewhere in the region to help the less fortunate. Our budget for the trip was set at NZ $500 each and we had to plan everything ourselves, from our airline tickets and visas to accommodation.

After researching the organizations we could help, we decided on Nehemiah House, a shelter for girls who have been sexually or physically abused, in Malaybalay, Philippines. We went on our six-day visit last January.

Nehemiah House is located on a mountain, and it took us 18 hours to get there from the airport. When we arrived, the girls were waiting outside the house to greet us. Seeing them put a huge smile on our faces. There were eleven girls, aged 9 to 23. After introductions, we played some games to break the ice, and we also shared our plans to make over their rooms (the girls had told us they wanted their rooms re-decorated).

When our school described the trip before we left New Zealand, they said it would be a “life-changing experience.” At first I was doubtful, but now I completely agree. I left Nehemiah House with a totally different understanding of what it means to help the less fortunate. My trip made me realize that just donating money is not enough to ease the pain and loneliness of those in need; they also need a friend who can make them smile and give them hope. And love u all.

Our activities included volleyball, dancing, stage performs, exchange gift and leisure activity games. We spent time with the students helping them build relationships by using English. After class, the fun didn’t stop as we had people taking us out to eat or coming with us to enjoy a great meal at the canteen…Very nice food.  One student, nicknamed Ah Boy, loved to hang out with us so much that after we ate, he would show us around the campus until our next class started. We even had two parties to foster cultural exchange while we were there.

We did manage to get away from the university a few times to visit landmarks, and we even found a Wal-Mart! But the best part of the whole experience was hanging out with our new friends. All the best to China, and our new friends in there….

I couldn’t believe what a huge difference there is between Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, even though they are right next to each other. Malaysia has no much more land and the houses are very different. They seem to lead a much simpler life there.

A local guide took us to explore the rocky seashore. There were hermit crabs, snails and mudskippers. We also saw mangrove roots, which are called pencil roots, sticking out of the water to absorb oxygen. I was sad to see how polluted the entire area was. When people litter, they do not realize the harm it does to the marine plants and animals.

We also visited a Malay village and I noticed that the girls were dressed differently, wearing headscarves and less revealing attire. This is because Malaysia is an Islamic country. At the local school, we ate Malay food with our hands! It was fun interacting with the students. Their hospitality was overwhelming. It was definitely a great experience for me!

I love Malaysia…..

Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines, temples and aesthetic displays, such as walking barefoot over hot coals, ascending ladders with bladed rungs, and piercing the skin with swords are performed by entranced devotees. It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who observe the rite.

One of the most picturesque festivals in Thailand, Loy Krathong takes place each November on the full moon. The country is illuminated under a night sky as thousands of candlelit “boats” or kratongs are gently launched into Thailand’s waterways. The idea is to put all your misfortunes in the boat and allow them to float away. In Phuket, major hotels usually host a special evening so that guests can take part.

Another spectacular event is Phuket’s Gay Festival at the end of March. Patong Beach comes alive with sequined, feathered, glittery participants, dancing, parading, and partying in the streets and on the beach. The festival has become one of the biggest tourist happenings on the island and its international reputation grows yearly.

Celebrated on 13 April, the Songkran Festival is the traditional Thai New Year event, when families and friends gather together to visit temples, sprinkle water in reverence on Buddha images, and on each others’ hands for good luck.

In recent years, the tradition of sprinkling water has become an excuse for water fights, and it is not uncommon to have buckets of water thrown at you by merry­makers. II you’re in a tourist area like Patong on the day, leave behind anything you don’t want soaked when you go out.

Shopping

You might associate shopping in Phuket with flea markets, which is what you’ll find in Patong, but this island offers much more than knock-off handbags and souvenirs. Fine art, furniture, clothing, jewelers and antiques abound. But the boutiques are scattered in unlikely, hard-to-find places, so you’ll need a driver and a plan.

Surin Plaza (5/50 Moo 3 Cherng Talay) near Surin Beach is a super- luxe three-storey mall filled with home accessories, art and clothes. Lamont, on the first floor, features stunning Chinese and Japanese antique furniture and decorative objects, but are just as pricey as they would be in Singapore. A few doors down, Lola is a fabulous girly shop filled with great resort-wear and accessories.

Dutch-owned art gallery Soul of Asia on the second floor houses some amazing work from artists such as Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso and a range of Asian artists at reasonable prices. Once you’ve finished shopping, grab a drink or a Thai meal at chic Silk on the third floor.

If you’re in the market for antiques and artifacts, a minute clown the road from Surin Plaza is Oriental Fine Art (106/19­20 Bangtao Beach Road), a multi-storey building filled with museum-quality pieces.

Fans of fabric giant Jim Thompson should head to Canal Village (Laguna). There are three Thompson stores at this alfresco mall, including an outlet with fantastic discounts on cushions, table accessories and more. Also in Canal, you’ll find suitable souvenirs, pashminas, sunglasses and jeweler.

Phuket City shouldn’t be a top priority, but if you’re on the island for an extended period, the Sino-Portuguese shop houses in this part of town are home to some pretty nice shops. Visit Golden Lotus, Fai Sor Kam and Oriental Origin.

On your way back, make a stop at Gems Gallery, “The World’s Largest Jeweler Store”, for an endless array of baubles. Bargaining is acceptable here, so you may just get a good deal.

You can’t go wrong with food in Thailand, and Phuket is no exception. The local cuisine and seafood is incredible at most places, but the following offer outstanding ambiance in addition.

Baan Rim Pa (100/7 Kalim Beach Road, Patong), perhaps the most well-known restaurant on the island, serves authentic Royal Thai cuisine in a beautiful cliffside setting overlooking the Andaman Sea. This fine- dining alfresco establishment is always fully booked, even in the low season, so make your reservations even before you arrive to get a coveted waterfront table.

In the same strip, Joe’s Downstairs for Western cuisine and Da Maurizio for Italian are also delicious and offer similar views.

Another waterfront favorite is Rockfish (33/6 Kamala Beach Road), serving contemporary Western cuisine and seafood alongside authentic Thai fare in a swanky two-story beach hut.

Finally, if you love fresh seafood, it doesn’t come any fresher than at Lotus (Moo 4 Cherng Talay, Laguna). Choose your live lobster, fish, prawns or crab from the tanks in front and then enjoy the feeling of sand between your toes while you wait at your table on the beach. Casual, tasty and reasonably priced.

The area abounds with stunning white beaches, tall cliffs, pristine coral reefs, dramatic diving locations, and a lively nightlife. Puerto Galera Bay and Dalaruan Bay are considered to be the best natural harbor in the Philippines and among the loveliest in the world. Three mountains rise above Puerto Galera, providing excellent hiking among tropical rainforests and waterfalls.

Popular destinations include the Ponderosa Golf Club, an amazing nine-hole course with dramatic panoramic views from jangly mountaintops. Bring plenty of balls to tackle the 30-foot drops between greens. You can also explore the hinterland, the python cave, virgin forests, the Tamaraw waterfalls, or hot springs. Rent a motorcycle or, for more comfort, a jeep.

Many of the beaches remain inaccessible by road. It’s a delight to find small coves and beaches where you can snorkel with no other tourists in sight. A number of regattas are held by the yacht club at different times of the year and yacht races are held on Fridays and followed by barbecues at the Puerto Galera yacht club.

Yacht Charter Philippines is a sailing outfit in Puerto Galera on Mindoro Island. Its sailing holiday packages include accommodation in one of two secluded and luxurious ocean side villas and the charter of a 36-foot cruiser-racer yacht.