Halal Food Hunt

Imagine this. You have no idea what to cook. And even if you did, you don't know where to find the Halal ingredients. And on top of that, you're working on a budget!!
Sound familiar? Well - fret no more!!

HALAL FOOD HUNT TO THE RESCUE!!!

I think those scenarios above are actually quite common and I'm guessing you've probably been caught in many more similar situations and you just wish you had someone to help. Well, the ladies from Halal Food Hunt are here to make it really simple for you.

What exactly do they do? Well, they
Go out and source for Halal ingredients
They make videos that show you how to cook dishes with the ingredients they buy
You can then buy the Recipe Packs from them and cook away
They will even deliver the Recipe Packs to your doorstep!!!

Well, if that's not making things simpler for us then I'm not sure what you wanna call it...
What a great idea right?? They make it so simple that all we have to do is order the recipe pack and then cook! No more need to hunt for ingredients and even if you were to find them outside, no more need to figure out what to do with those ingredients!

But don't take my word for it... I'll let the ladies tell you themselves...



You can head down to their website HERE and order the recipe packs.
Recipe packs can range from Western faves like their Mega Burger and pasta dishes to Asian dishes like Fried Carrot Cake, Nasi Lemak and Wanton Noodles and even sides and desserts like Prawn Popiah and Red Velvet Cupcakes! YUM!!

Ordering is really easy too and they even deliver the pack to your doorstep!!
Lazy people like me confirm happy!! LOL

Anyways the great news is that Season 2 is finally here!!
And guess what - The Halal Food Blog Team were lucky enough to be invited down to try some of their dishes!! Power or what!

Halal Food Hunt Team with 1/2 of The Halal Food Blog Team

We got a chance to try their version of Teriyaki Chicken Wings and also some Chocolate Truffles!
And you can see in the video just how much we actually enjoyed the dishes!!
(Seriously I'm not kidding you can literally see the look on my face)

Well, most of the time you're reading our words so for those of you who miss hearing our voices, here's the video for your enjoyment!! (Please ah make sure you enjoy!)



And let me just repeat myself in case you didn't case it the first two times...
THE FOOD WAS THE BOMB!!

Teriyaki Wings (image from Halal Food Hunt)

The Teriyaki Wings were excellent! Juicy and tender chicken wings with a delicious sweet teriyaki glaze! I'm the Chicken Wings guy and I can eat my fair share and these were really good!

I especially like a little bit of char on the skin so you have some crispy parts. The wings were so tasty that you won't even need any extra chilli sauce! Sedap giler!!

The Chocolate Truffles were a big surprise because we didn't really know what to expect. We've had truffles from shops before but how would home-made ones fare? After all, it's difficult to make truffles right??



Oh my how wrong we were! It's so easy and the result was spectacular!
The chocolate ganache was rich and the dark chocolate taste was delicious when in contrast with the sweet chocolate! And let me tell you... when you pop it into your mouth, prepare for a literal 'explosion' of chocolate!! (Oh you'll see how good it is by the look on my face in the videot)

2 excellent dishes - so easy to make and economical too! Cut out the hassle from your cooking with the Recipe Packs!!

You can actually view the episodes on the Chocolate Truffles HERE and the one for the Teriyaki Chicken Wings HERE.
And more importantly - you can order the Recipe Packs from their site HERE!!!

In fact, we loved it so much that we'd like you to have some too! (But you gotta cook it yourself!)
That's right! The Halal Food Blog & Halal Food Hunt are giving you a chance to win Recipe Packs and have your own fun cooking up a storm and feasting on your resulting glory!!

Head down to our Facebook page for full details of the contest out soon!
A few simple steps and you could be one of the lucky winners of a Recipe Pack courtesy of the lovely ladies from Halal Food Hunt!!

Okay enough talking and more cooking/eating please!

Remember to head down to Halal Food Hunt's website, Facebook Page, Instagram  and YouTube channel and make sure you subscribe so that you receive all their updates too!

And we're gonna leave you now with a fun video that the ladies from Halal Food Hunt made to celebrate #HAPPYDAY with Muslims in Singapore. The video has been viewed and liked by people all over the world. That's right it's international baby!!

So show your support.
And remember that the ladies from Halal Food Hunt always say...
"Halal first, everything else later!"

Krispy Kreme Singapore: Halal or Not?

Okay so we had a little bit of confusion the past week or so and it all has to do with one of the biggest brand names (in terms of food) to hit Singapore shores in quite awhile.

Everyone was super excited when the news broke that Krispy Kreme was finally going to open in Singapore after what seemed like an endless wait. But the question remained... would it be certified Halal?

The Halal Food Blog checked directly with Krispy Kreme via their Facebook page and the great news was that they were definitely intending to apply for Halal certification. At that point, opening day was still really far away so it was just a waiting game.

When the big day finally came, we heard the crowd was massive!
But thankfully, the crowd did lessen (somewhat) and when we visited Krispy Kreme about a week ago, there was a queue but thankfully it wasn't that bad.

Not so bad right the queue?

Yes the bright lights at the far end are the counter by the way.
But surprisingly, the wait wasn't even that long. Thanks to the speedy workers at the counters, we reached the counter about 15 minutes after we joined in.

While in the queue, I asked one of the staff if they were already Halal. After all, best to hear it from the horse's mouth am I right? And the staff replied "Yes. All Halal".
Great news right?

About 2 days ago, I noticed on my Twitter feed that quite a number of people had inquired with the ever-popular @HalalSG (which is administrated by MUIS apparently) and the same question so many people asked was if Krispy Kreme was certified Halal.

And the response was always "Krispy Kreme has yet to submit any Halal applications"

So what exactly was going on here? I've got Krispy Kreme admin and staff telling me Halal and yet some people are saying it's not Halal and not even applications submitted? Hmmmmm......

So we decided it was time to set things straight once and for all rather then hear things from so many sources all over the place.

So we sent a message directly to Krispy Kreme again via their Facebook page and waited for a response.
People deserved to know the full story especially since so many different versions were flying around.

So they thankfully replied quite speedily.

So here is the story as we know it as of now;

1. The Krispy Kreme outlet at Tangs Orchard has not yet been certified Halal. This is because they could only submit an application 2 weeks after opening. So this means that Halal certification of the Tangs Orchard outlet should be on its way soon.
2. The ingredients used in making Krispy Kreme doughnuts are certified as Halal by an overseas body which is recognized by MUIS. The process of certifying in SG by MUIS is currently underway.
3. The kitchen where the Krispy Kreme products (i.e. yummy delicious doughnuts) are prepared has already been certified Halal by MUIS (with certificate issued).

And thanks to our valued readers, we also discovered the reason why people kept saying/hearing that no applications had been received from Krispy Kreme for Halal certification.

Apparently, the whole Krispy Kreme franchise in Singapore is being managed by a company called 'Manna 360' and the applications were submitted under this name instead of 'Krispy Kreme'.
And after reading so much about it on the @HalalSG Twitter feed, we also saw that Krispy Kreme responded directly so explain the situation;

So sorry for all the confusion folks.

I guess the good news is that Halal certification is just a matter of time away and we just have to be patient for the certificate to be hung on the wall at the Tangs Orchard outlet. And for some who responded to us privately, I guess the information provided so far is enough reason to start eating already.

Well, whatever your decision dear readers, it's always at our own discretion :)
All we can say is - it's just a matter of time.

Look out for our review of the Krispy Kreme doughnuts including the much-talked about Red Velvet!
(Once they have announced official Halal certification of course)
But if you really cannot tahan, then read about the Krispy Kreme we had in KL at the following link;

http://thehalalfoodblog.blogspot.sg/2013/06/kl-sedap-part-7-krispy-kreme.html

Ramadhan Special 2013: AquaMarine Part 2

Advertorial

Did you know that our post on our first visit to AquaMarine is the most viewed post on the blog?
An average of almost a thousand views a month in 8 months!

The popularity of Halal buffet spreads in Singapore is undisputed and there may still not be that many around but there are still more around today than let's say 3 years ago. People love buffets! And AquaMarine is steadily becoming one of the most popular Halal buffet venues in Singapore.

For the holy month of Ramadhan, AquaMarine has invited a special team all the way from Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta led by Chef Sahroni to present a lovely and special Indonesia spread for us this fasting month!

We were lucky enough to have the chance to visit AquaMarine to sample all the goodies!

Me & Chef Sahroni

There's the mastermind behind the delicious dishes being served at AquaMarine this Ramadhan.
Quiet guy in person but I guess that's because he lets his food do the talking.

I'll run down everything for you in the usual style we have for buffet posts. Lots of pictures!
Let me start by explaining how to identify the special dishes on display.

If you a dish displayed with the Indonesian flag on top, that means that the dish was prepared by Chef Sahroni and his team.

You'll still be able to enjoy the normal AquaMarine fare that you love but they'll be displayed with the usual all-white tags okay.

Whole Roasted Lamb

If you're dropping by on the weekends, something extra special awaits you!

They have a whole roasted lamb prepared for the weekends and there'll be a chef there to carve out some meat for you based on your preference. Yes that's right. A WHOLE ROASTED LAMB!

The Expert

Chili Kicap or Sambal Belachan

I don't know if you see what I see... but I see a whole roasted lamb just laying there.. relaxing and waiting for you to take a nice big bite! Hahaha!

The chef tells me they marinate the lamb overnight and they roast it for at least 3 hours til they get the meat to the desired tender state. Enjoy it with a selection of condiments such as Chili Kicap, Sambal Belachan or some cucumbers and onions.

The lamb itself was really tender and tasty and went well with the Chili Kicap I had on the side.
But remember - it's only gonna be there on the weekends!

Assorted Salads & Starters

Jelantas Sayuran (Potatoes & Vegetables with Egg Yolk)

Selada Soun dengan Udang Kecil (Glass Noodle Salad with Shrimp)

Asianan Jakarta (Vegetables with Chili and Peanut Sauce)

They offered a number of salads and starters to get your tastebuds going.
Dishes such as Balinese Tuna Salad, Glass Noodle Salad with Shrimp and Jelantas Sayuran were obviously big favourites.

If you're a fan of egg yolks like me, then go for the Jelantas Sayuran it's the bomb!
But for the real Indonesian-style salad - try the Asianan Jakarta which is topped with kerupuk!!
And for those looking for a nice hearty start - they have Gado-Gado!

Gado-Gado station

Nasi Goreng Borobudur

Ayam Panggang Bumbu Bali

Daging Rendang

Cumi Cabai Hijau

For the rice and noodle lovers out there, they have Nasi Goreng Borobudur and also Mee Goreng for you.
Great to pair with the many dishes they have on offer too!

Try the Ayam Panggang Bumbu Bali if you love the flavour of Indonesian spices.
The meat in the Daging Rendang is SUPER TENDER so that's definitely a must-try!

I actually really enjoyed the Cumi Cabai Hijau. The squid was cooked just nice and the gravy had just the right level of spiciness. Enough to heat your mouth up but leave you wanting more!

Bakar Station

Cumi and Buntut Bakar (Squid and Oxtail)

Woo hoo this was one of my favourite stations!
The squid and the oxtail were really really grilled perfectly!

The Oxtail simply fell apart from the bone and had a great sweet-savoury flavour.
The squid was not only well-grilled but also had squid eggs hidden within! Extra flavour!

Penyet Station

They also had a Penyet Station which serves rice with a choice of Ayam Penyet or Bebek (Duck) Penyet!

Oxtail Soup

And saving one of the best for the last...
I have actually never had Oxtail soup previously but this July 2013 I have had the chance to try a few different versions and I can safely say that I'm a lover of it!

The Oxtail Soup is apparently one of the signature dishes served by Chef Sahroni at Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta where he is based and I we can definitely see why.

The beef broth was brimming with a nice hearty beef flavour and the meat itself was tender.
If you love beef and/or oxtail then this is definitely a must must have.

Done with the special mains? How about some dessert specials?

Beautiful Decor

Pudding Serikaya

Pudding Pandan

Klepon (Onde-Onde)

Dadar Gulung

Well they definitely get top marks for presentation!! Check out the Klepon!

They not only look good but taste good too!
That top white layer on the Pudding Pandan is actually coconut cream... Yummy!
The Kelpon was a one-bite wonder!

The Dadar Gulung was obviously a hot favourite with the crowd.
It kept flying off the serving tray and all gone within a few minutes!

Centek Manis (Sago Pearls with Coconut Milk)

One of my favourites was the Centek Manis.
Not only do they look pretty, they taste excellent. Nice and smooth texture and you can taste the coconut milk flavour as soon as you chomp down.

Lapis Legit

Lapis Surabaya

Another two special creations are the Lapis Legit and the Lapis Surabaya.

I cannot begin to tell you how soft and fluffy the Lapis Surabaya was. Simply delicious.
And for the traditional Kueh Lapis, go for the Lapis Legit or the Sarang Semut!

Wow what a spread! And that's just the special offerings for Ramadhan!
You can still get the usual favourites too!

Smoked Salmon and Cold Cuts

Oysters

Snails (for the more adventurous!)

Crab Claws

Assorted Sushi and Sashimi

Chawanmushi

Indian Food Spread

Ikan Bakar

Chilli Crab

Lamb Chop

Durian Spring Roll

Chocolate Butter Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Let me just say this about the Chocolate Butter Pudding....
OH MY GOD!!

If you are lovers of Bread and Butter Pudding, you simply MUST try this!
Chocolate + Butter = THE BOMB!
And when you bathe that combination in Vanilla Sauce, you're in for a sinful treat!!

Tell me honestly that the pictures above are not making your mouth water...

Durian Pengat

And if you want something equally as sinful but a little more local...

Go for the Durian Pengat!

It looks like ice cream but it's pure durian.

My darling wife wants to make enquiry if she can buy one whole tub of it!

Not to worry, they do serve dates for us breaking fast.
And there is also a prayer room reserved on one of the upper levels for Solat before you begin on the big feast breaking fast with your family and loved ones.

Aquamarine has been on the up and up since our last visit and it's quite clear why.
Good food and special seasonal promotions make for a great place to makan and one of the best Halal buffet spreads in town!

Prices for the buffet are as follows;

Sunday to Thursday - $68++ per adult / $34++ per child
Friday and Sturday - $78++ per adult / $39++ per child

Special thanks to Chermaine and Cheryl for the invitation.
Great experience thanks to a great team effort!

 

Aquamarine

Marina Mandarin Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
Marina Square

http://www.meritushotels.com/en/hotelinformation/marina-mandarin-singapore/dining-entertainment/aquamarine
Tel: 6845 1111

Operating Hours (Iftar):
Dinner: 6.30pm - 10.30pm