Friday, April 27, 2012

Buy Meat Online! - cook a special meal on Mother's day


Mother's Day is an inner struggle for working children in Hong Kong - you want to give your beloved mom an incredible special surprise, however, your long working hours won't allow effective shopping by the stores' closing times. It's a blessing that there are e-catalogs and e-commerce for most of the things we need (altho the choices are not as comprehensive in HK as compared to the US) - at least it saves us that few hours walk after work spread out in 5 days in search for a perfect gift :P

To celebrate Mother's Day, nothing is better than cooking a special meal for your special her. If a 'heart-shaped' beef steak could win the heart of your romantic valentine, a 'Sesame and Pepper seared Tenderloin' would definitely win the heart of your food-savvy mother.

Sesame and Pepper seared Tenderloin (Serving 4)

Photo & recipe provided by Pacific Gourmet Hong Kong

Ingredients:

4 Fillet Steaks by Donald Russell – 200 grams each
20g Sesame Seeds
5g Black Pepper (crushed)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
10g Butter


For the Leek and Cream Sauce:


400g Leek (white part only- cut into thin slices)
100ml Double Cream
100ml Moredough Chicken Stock
50mls White Wine
10g Millel Parmesan (grated)


Method:
1. Begin by making the leek and cream sauce. Place the leek, cream, stock and wine into a pan and bring to the boil.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, then add the parmesan and season to taste with salt. Set aside and keep warm.
3. Allow the meat to come to room temperature and pat dry with kitchen paper.
4. Heat the oil and butter together in a large frying pan..
5. Combine the sesame seeds and pepper and press the mixture onto each side of the tenderloins, covering to your liking.
6. For medium rare; cook each tenderloin over a high heat for 3 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the second side. Rest for 4 minutes in a warm place before serving.
7. Arrange the rested medallions on preheated plates with the leek and cream sauce.
8. Serve with steamed rice or boiled new potatoes.
(Recipe by Pacific Gourmet)

Buying Meat Online - Meat supplier recommendations

There is rising number of online butchers in recent years. Here are a few which provide one-stop service from choosing the meat, the cut, the condiments, the recipes, to finally the delivery straight to your home or office address. 

- $$$ - 
  • Same day delivery from Mon-Fri;
  • Clear website layout of cuts and styles; 
  • You choose the dishes you want to cook instead of pieces of meat; 
  • Safe vacuum packaging, available to deliver even to your office 
Categories: Meat, Game, Seafood, Bakery, Pasta, Sausages, Cheese, Fresh Produce - Source mostly from Australia 

- $$ - 
  • Wide choice of meat cuts and other products;
  • Decent quality with reasonable price
Categories: Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Cheese, Seasonings, Wine, Party Food - Source mostly from Australia

Hing Lung Food Place Limited
- $ - 
  • Lower minimum order to get free delivery; 
  • Provides food marinade service;
  • Good price for party level quality if not looking for top-tier quality
Categories: Meat, Seafood, Hotpot & BBQ food - International source


Sunday, April 15, 2012

Super sweet popcorn recipes - Pop your movie night on



Sugared-up popcorn is a fabulous party treat – it’s easy to make, easy to serve, and everyone loves it! I was inspired by the store-bought watermelon popcorn in yesterday’s party post to find some party-worthy recipes you can make at home. Here are my faves – salty, sweet, and perfect for snacking:
1. Cinnamon bun popcorn (cinnamon caramel corn with pecans and white chocolate) via Our Best Bites
2. Pretty pretty princess pink party popcorn (made with white chocolate) via Erin Cooks
3. Popcorn brittle (caramel, M&M’s & peanuts) via Simple and Delicious
4. S’mores popcorn via Nest of Posies
5. Chocolate & peanut butter popcorn (I’d call it Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup popcorn!) via Brown Eyed Baker
6. Popcorn trail mix with dried fruit and nuts via GoodLife Eats
PS. If you need a primer on how to make fresh-popped popcorn on the stove (super cheap and easy!), check out the perfect popcorn recipe at Simply Recipes.

Re-posted from: Super sweet popcorn recipes | Chickabug

Thursday, April 12, 2012

New toy! Pin! Pin! Pin!


 Hi! Today I am not gonna talk no party stuff - but another passion of mine - Social Media stuff :D

As you see this lovingly crafted 'Pinterest' logo on top, yes!
Pinterest has landed on PartyStuff Hong Kong :DD 
It's gonna be a new wave in the social media network (Like!)

Once you have signed up an account, you could grab and pin all kind of lovely pictures on internet or capture your own to share on your pin board. If you used to like photo album sites like Webshots or Picassa --- Pinterest will definitely impress you better with its nice-looking interface.

The reasons why I am loving Pinterest are that:

1. It looks good
2. It's super easy to use
3. It could link to Facebook, Twitter, blogs and websites easily which makes so much more fun using it

Click on this cute button to see what happens! ---> Follow Me on Pinterest

Have fun and enjoy pinning :D

Friday, April 13, 2012

After a day using the Pinterest, here's my user review:

Great functions:
1. 'Bookmarklet' -- A programmed bookmark button you could use in phone app and internet browser to directly pin pictures from the internet page you are on
2. Category -- you could assign a category to each of your board so that your pictures from that board could appear in that category search results of people looking for it
3. Followers -- As there is minimal personal info involved in the Pinterest account, people tend to feel much freer to follow, like and re-pin your pictures to their own board, it's great to attract audience to your source website if you pin photos from your own site ;)

Downside:
1. Server failure -- I encountered frequent server connection failure of Pinterest on iPhone which was quite frustrating, hope they would improve on that
2. Can't pin from Facebook and Youtube -- Some of our greatest pictures are on Facebook...being unable to pin from there is definitely inconvenient, that means we could only generate organic pictures or re-pin...

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy PASTEL Easter! - Trends you must know in Spring/Summer 2012




How are you spending your long Easter weekend? Beside making sure you are well rested and pampered, I want to make sure you have something interesting to read from PartyStuff HK :)

Hong Kong people aren't fond of celebrating Easter itself in general, however, we celebrate fashion at all times!! Yay! Taking advantage of Easter, let me try to uncover your love in the light-sided spectrum of pastel colours.

 

 

What are pastel colours and their meanings?


Pastel colours generally refer to light colours like the shades of red, blue, purple, green....etc.  They are common spring colours and their symbolic meaning in Easter are rebirth, new growth, and new beginnings.


Here's your video guide on How to make Easter Eggs:



Have you taken note of the ingredients yet? Don't forget to support the environment by using natural dyes - just a friendly reminder ;)

How about some Pastel party occasions?


Pastel colours are popular in occasions like weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers due to its light and soothing qualities. You could input so much imagination in decorating your party venue in this bright yet colorful scheme - balloons, flags, table clothes, frames, ribbons, props, food, drinks...as far as your imagination could reach! It's simple and you will find its ability to create so many nice memorable photos afterward!



Photos: thesweetestoccasion.com





With the uprising acceptance and even popularity in using food dyes in pastry kitchens in Hong Kong, it's not hard to find cakeries which could custom-make your desired design and colours of cakes for your special occasion. Check out the following stores for pastel ideas:

Party supplies: 

Simply Love: http://www.simplylove.com.hk/
City'Super: http://www.citysuper.com.hk

DIY baking supplies:

Phil Baking: http://www.twinsco.com
Baking Warehouse: http://www.bakingwarehouse.com

Cakeries:

Complete Deelite: http://completedeelite.com/v2/
Sweet Secret: http://www.sweetsecrets.com.hk



Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion in Pastel


As a side topic - Talking about fashion, ladies & gents, according to Vogue, the pastel trend is back this year! It's time to stock up your closet with a pastel touch!
by Berberry Prorsum - Vogue, 2012
by Mulberry - Vogue, 2012

by Tommy Hilfiger - Vogue, 2012

by Valentino - Vogue, 2012

 Who wouldn't listen to Vogue? So, pastel is going to be a sought-after trend these seasons, even for party decorations! How about throwing a pastel fashion party with your girl friends clinging mimosa flutes in your Easter afternoon?