Spinacas: Hearty Salads Delivered

I am a huge vegetable lover and those who have dined with me would know that I am always the one who clear up any remaining side greens on the plate. Hence, I don't run away from any vegetables or find it a chore to consume salads. 

Nonetheless, finding the right place that offers nutritious salads that does not skimp on ingredients has been quite a hassle until I was introduced to Spinacas, an online salad delivery service started by Phyllis Chua to busy working crowd. 

The concept is very straightforward--high protein, low carb salads which are great for paleo and primal dieters. Well, if the words paleo and primal sound greek to you (and to me initially), trying Spinacas salads will give you an inkling on what they are all about. 


Basically, the salads are low-GI as refined high GI carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and potatoes are fully absent. Yet, each salad comes with at least 100g of meat and I didn't have to worry about the other toppings, as they are pre-decided. These toppings include honey cherry tomatoes, broccoli, hard-boiled egg, nuts, seedless grapes and a seasonal surprise ingredient. 

Not to forget the surprise cheddar cheese inside each box as it imparted natural flavors without depending too much on the dressing. All I have to do is to select the meat preference (or the vegetarian option) and size (regular or petit). The website here also explains clearly how one can select their salad choice that best meet their dietary preferences! 

Out of the 4 types which I've tried, I enjoyed the Pulled Pork which delivered a smoky, peppery taste to the salad naturally, as well as lightly seasoned tofu pattie that is suitable for those who prefer salads to be meat-free. Moroccan Chicken is topped with fiery Chilli peppers but the spice level is well within manageable limits. Meanwhile, I find the Espresso Ribs to be slightly too sweet and short of bitter coffee notes. 

Nonetheless, I truly enjoyed such a wholesome and delicious meal that saved me both the time and trouble to prepare it. In fact, one regular size salad was sufficient to keep me full for hours till the next meal, unlike most salads that I've tried. 

It was also thoughtful for Spinacas to keep the meats, dressing and greens in different containers to ensure that the salad stay fresh and crisp until consumption. While the meat options are currently limited to poultry animals, I hope that the menu can gradually expand to seafood for fish lovers like me! 

Price starts from $9 for salads and $1 for add-ons.

*Latest News* Spinacas has launched a new side of Cauliflower rice (carb-free, rice-like texture, uses 100% cauliflower florets, deliciously sauteed with olive oil until light and fluffy, tossed with coriander, sesame seeds and cashew nuts) and partnered with Coco Water to offer refreshing coconut water over this CNY! 

Spinacas

195 Pearl's Hill Terrace

#01-55

Singapore 168976

Tel: +65 97707039

Delivery from Mondays to Fridays

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spinacas

Website: http://spinacas.com/

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Corine and Cake : Turning Dream into Online Cake Boutique

Ex-magazine editor Corine Yeoh quit her full-time job to pursue her passion in baking after receiving an oven as Christmas present from her then-boyfriend and current husband. Online demand increased rapidly and Corine soon moved out from a shared kitchen space to a full-fledged kitchen in Tai Seng in September 2015.

Having travelled to Taiwan to pick up the skills from Taiwanese and Japanese instructors, Corine creates beautifully stacked cakes that are fit for any occasion with a confident hand.
 

For instance, this glorious four-layer Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel ($58/6 in) would be the party showstopper with pretzels, berries and a caramel-filled syringe. 

Made with 66% chocolate that is imported from Italy and added with sea salt flakes for crunchiness, the chocolate layers were deep and mellow but the salty notes were barely traceable, probably also due to the fact that the caramel was in short supply. Similar to most of Corine's cakes, this is frosted in Swiss meringue buttercream so that they can withstand the hot weather but would be better if the cream is accented with vanilla. 

New flavors include this Matcha Azuki cake ($18/6 in) which is a little too sweet to my liking but it is not shy of the tea taste. Made with brown sugar, the deep green layers are smothered in luscious buttercream that is generously mixed with red beans. 

Just like the previous cake, you've got to be patient and let the cake sit in the room temperature for a while to enjoy the real texture of the cake. 

I am not a huge fan of buttercream cakes so I naturally swoon at the sight of this lovely Strawberry Shortcake ($48/6in). The sugar is held in fine moderation but the sponge layers could be more moist and refined. 

With the increasing health-conscious consumers in mind, Corine ensures that her cakes are trans-fat free and sweetened with applesauce which is also used substitute most fats in the cakes, resulting in a less sweet and low-fat indulgence. From rustic style cakes to pretty fondant cakes, you can customize the cakes by just emailing Corine at hello@corineandcake.com to discuss your ideal cake.

Prices vary according to size, flavors and complexity
For more information, visit Corine and Cake at http://www.corineandcake.com/

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Papitto Gelato Gourmet Italian Ice Cream from GoBuyLah.Sg

Are you bored of the conventional brands off ice cream in supermarkets or looking for higher quality and healthier gelato for your family? Try Papitto, a Singapore online gelato retailer . pints that has been churning the low-fat Italian frozen treat since June 2005. 

When I first tried Papitto a couple of months back, the Strawberry Cheesecake flavour set my heart aflutter as it was lighter in texture than the real cheesecake yet no less authentic due to the chunky graham crumbs and fresh strawberries folded into the cream.

But other flavours that left me deeply impressed. the Belgian Chocolate and Rocher appealed with its robust cacao tones that gradually crawl onto the tastebuds. It's quite a sophisticated level of chocolate satisfaction, unlike some brands whose flavour are either masked by the sugar or taste simply synthetic. 

Low-fat Banana Passionfruit Sorbet 

The French Vanilla, spiked with copious amount of real vanilla beans, speaks its own language to the soul. Smooth, fragrant but could go stricter with the sugar. All these are part of the SPECTACULICIOUS combo (up to $96.00) which allows you to enjoy 6 flavours for the price of 5 pints at only $80.00. 

Hence, I prefer the non-sugar series such as the matcha and black sesame ($18 each) as they tread on the fine line in terms of sweetness. Those who prefer the flavours to be strong and distinct may find the matcha slightly too light but it was still acceptable for me. 

Perhaps the issue that I am concern about is that Papitto's gelato seemed to be very sensitive to temperature changes and thus the ice cream melts very quickly once the pint is out of the fridge. 

Nonetheless, this is not a big problem since the gelatos are easily gone within minutes. For all ice cream lovers out there, you can order these gelato pints online at www.gobuylah.sg  They are delivered fast and prompt right to your doorstep within few working days of the date of order. 

With a constant streak to innovate more unique flavours for the increasingly sophisticated palates, do look out for new flavours such as Pu Er with Longan or even Roselle and Rose Hip Tea.

Papitto Gelato

8A Admiralty Street, 

#03-08,Food Xchange @Admiralty, 

Singapore 757437

+65 81239912

Brought to you by GoBuyLah.sg.

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Garden Picks SG : Tasty Soy Crisps and Gourmet Nuts

Snacking can be a healthy affair if we picked the right type of snack at the right amount. Instead of grabbing for potato chips, why not try the all-new soy crisps from Garden Picks? 

Available in four assorted flavours, I first tried the lighter coloured Honey Mustard, which had a smoky allure, though a tad salty for me. The Sweet Lime Chilli takes on a bright red coating but it is not too fiery, with a refreshing acidity from the lime juice powder. But I knew straightaway both soy crisps are good when I could not stop eating it. So I am glad they come in friendly zip-lock bags to prolong its freshness for other days.  

But there is more than just soy crisps at Garden Picks, the leading online retailer for good quality dried fruits and nuts. Its clients include corporate customers, government ministries, schools and hotels in Singapore. 

You can find assorted dried fruits and nuts ranging from wolfberries, dried cranberries, dried kiwis and natural USA walnuts. They work great as your granola ingredients or simply on its own as healthy snacks that will fuel your busy working days. 

Though I understand a need to be health-conscious, sometimes plain nuts can be a little too boring and thus I was delighted to find a good range of Gourmet Nuts including French Vanilla Almond and Wasabi Green Peas. 

The Salted Caramel Nuts and Manuka Honey Cashews tick all the right boxes for me as they are crunchy and hold the perfect sweetness in the thin sugary coating. I plated them using the colourful RICE kitchenware which is also available at Motherworks Singapore

In fact, there is no limit to how you want to enjoy the nuts and dried fruits. You can use the dried blueberries to make some Blueberry and Cream Cookies or nutty Florentine bars like what I did! 

But one fact remained unchanged--they are dangerously moreish no matter what form they take! 

Standard packs are sold at 3 for $10

Shop online for your healthy snacks from Garden Picks 
@ http://www.gardenpicks.com.sg/

For latest updates, check out their facebook @ https://m.facebook.com/gardenpicks

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Gobuylah : Shop Online for Food and More!

A new wave of online groceries ranging from Japanese ingredients, halal food to gourmet meats and organic vegetables has swept the local market scene in recent years. But where should one go when you need to get an assorted items from local snacks to overseas gourmet produce?

Much to my delight, I learnt about this one-stop online supermarket gobuylah.com where I can look for daily essentials or some exotic gourmet ingredients without stepping out of my house!

 

After a quick browse through the site, I realize that it actually collaborates with such a wide variety of brands ranging from mother/baby products to IT/electronics and even Fashion!  

As a food shopaholic, I immediately jumped to the food section and discovered hundreds of items there, some of which are not even easily found in local supermarkets. 

There is even a hot deals section where you find items at a discounted price. Navigating around the website is very easy as there is a search bar at the top for you to look directly for the item you want.

At the check out counter, I can also choose to pay via cash on delivery, apart from the usual virtual methods. 

Items that I bought include Eden Natural Black Beans; Eden Spiced Pumpkin Seeds and Barley  Malt; Natural Glory Organic Red Wild Rice and Organic Honeydew Honey; Whittard Chocolate Chai Tea; Verace Wild Honey; Papitto's Ice Cream and even kitchen appliances like Waffle Maker and Stylux Fruit Dessert Ice Cream Maker! 

What I like best about gobuylah is the free delivery service regardless of the amount spent. Unless some of your products are out of stock, the goods are delivered quickly within 5-6 days. Some of the goods are even delivered in a very nice packaging with recipes, just like the products I received from VERACE.

That said, it would definitely benefit customers more if they can update the inventory stock online so that it eliminates the hassle of searching for timely substitutes. Also do note that your order might not arrive on the same day/time as gobuylah arranges directly with the different supplier of the goods for the delivery. 

 

First time members get to enjoy $5 OFF and key in "Dairy05" to enjoy additional $5 discount!  (= $10 OFF at no minimum spending!)

Valid from 28th May~28th June 2015 on www.gobuylah.com

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The Ice Cream & Cookie Co: Gourmet Ice Cream

Ice cream cookie is easy to eat but difficult to buy. After picking up the news about this delicious chilled treat from the Straits Times, I went online to order immediately, only to learn that there was a policy of minimum order of 5pieces for each flavour. But the folks have changed it.

Now, they allow customers to order single pieces for any flavour, which is great especially for people who love to try a bit of everything. You can pick them up yourself or request delivery (charges apply). If only they have implemented the changes earlier, I would not have to go around the island visiting restaurants/café just to buy the cookie and leave.

Chocolate macaroon + Earl grey ice cream-- discernible tea taste but macaroon was slightly too thin and crumbly.  

Chocolate macaroon + Espresso ice cream $6.90

If you think of this as simply ice-cream + 2 pieces of biscuits, then the price will not be very cheap. But after buying 2 of the (now-not-so-new) patisserie line flavours from The Cajun Kings, I began hunting for more as the ice cream is well-assured of quality. So far none has disappointed but I prefer the regular creations (cookies sandwiches $5) to the patisserie line (macaron sandwiches $6.90 ). 

Though the ice cream leans on the sweet side,one good thing about Ice Cream Cookie is that they do not recycle the same biscuit base for different ice cream flavours. So each one is a unique combination. Depending on your taste preferences, my favourite was the Milk & Cookies(Belgian Chocolate Chip Cookie + Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream). This is NOT just an average cookies-and-cream ice cream. The cookie was laced with chunky fat chocolate chips and the ice cream had a precise vanilla flavour. Big and bulky, this could simply be the most sinful indulgence out of the list but I like it.Strawberry Shortcake cost a whopping $8 (similar to the Milks & Cookies) when bought at Cups and Canvas, one of the shops that retail the ice cream. Felt like daylight robbery because the actual price is $5. But forget it. This boasts a buttery Shortbread cookie and fruity strawberry ice cream. Cups & Canvas goes an extra mile by providing strawberry sauce and chocolate sauce (which tasted like hersheys). Nice thought but the ice cream is quite sweet itself and can do without itRecently they even have durian puff (Choux pastry puff + durian ice cream) after releasing the macaron series. However, as said earlier, perhaps it's safer to stick to the cookies line for it is what they excel at. And so the new Butterscotch Bacon (Brown sugar cookie + butterscotch bacon ice cream) sounds devilishly good and may fit the perfect bill. 

Ice Cream Cookie Co

To browse menu and order, visit: http://icecreamcookieco.com/

Or they can be purchased at retail venues including The Cajun Kings or Cups and Canvas.

Connect with me on facebook for the latest updates and exclusive photos! :)

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Chili's Central @ Clarke Quay x Food Panda-Singapore Dine

Want to have some American Tex-Mex style food but too lazy to step out of house? Singapore's leading food delivery company Foodpanda-Singapore Dine has launched a successful collaboration with Chili's to add another new and exciting menu to the list of over 130 restaurants.

 So what is Foodpanda? 

It is a fast and convenient online platform where you can navigate at ease. There have already been many good reviews/testimonials about their service, one of which was written by my friend Sihan at fundamentally-flawed :)

To celebrate this joyous occasion, a media launch party was held at Chili's Central @ Clarke Quay, where guests sipped cocktails such as Mojito and interchanged merry conversations over the in-house Tostada Chips with zingy tomato salsa.
The food served that evening were available on the delivery menu.

Take for example the Big Mouth Bites, mini burgers with made with USDA ground beef. I digged excitedly into this slider but the too-thick beef patty did not shine as it was under-seasoned and dry.

But the Quesadillas were a hot favourite. The gooey jack cheese binds the chicken and grilled onions into a delicious mess within well-toasted buttery tortillas.

Not sure if the Boneless Chicken Wings in Texas are usually heavy on the seasonings but the deep-fried nuggets here did. As a result, the blue cheese dip had to sit on cold bench. Nonetheless, the chicken breast meat was sure juicy and I'm sure those who prefer strong flavours will like this.

The Southwestern Egg Rolls looked like an open-faced Chinese spring roll with a riot of colorful vegetables including black bean, corn, red pepper with smoked chicken and japelano jack cheese. Indeed a very busy fried fritter with tinge of Indian spices.

I did not spot signature items from Chili's such as the Baby Back Ribs thrice basted in sweet and tangy BBQ sauce at the party. But when the craving hits, I can solve it with just a few mouse clicks.

Browse full delivery menu online here or search complete listings of restaurants on www.foodpanda.sg

Chili's Singapore

Central @Clarke Quay

6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #01-18 The Central

Sun - Tues	11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Wed - Thur	11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Fri-Sat	11:30 am - 12:00 am

(Last orders will be 30 minutes before closing)
Tel : +65 6225-1687

Other outlets: Tanglin / Resorts World Sentosa/ J-Cube

More details : http://chilis.sg/index.php 

*Special thanks to Antoniya and team from Foodpanda-Singapore Dine for the invite

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