Savour Din Tai Fungs Delicious yet Healthy Classics Plus Complimentary Famous Amos Christmas Cookies Gift Set While Stocks Last

As year-end festive season approaching, Din Tai Fung is also one of the favourite dining place for family gathering or celebratory meal. And from 01 November to 31 December 2012, Din Tai Fung diners will receive an exclusive complimentary box of Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies (150g) with a minimum spending of S$98.00, or S$88.00 for Citibank Cardmembers.

This redeemable Famous Amos Cookies come in two different festive packaging such as the "Red Pyramid Gift Box" (shown on the 1st photo) which secured with a golden ribbon (worth S$10.00, while stocks last). Alternatively there is also another endearing square "Bear Tin"(above, worth S$11.50) which would be available only after the red pyramid gift box is fully redeemed.

Beside the cookies promotion, there are about 30% of Din Tai Fung dishes being certified as ‘Healthier Choices’ by the Health Promotion Board. So below are some of the dishes that I would like to share with you from their Healthy Signature Classics which our family love.

First on the list is definitely they well-known Steamed Pork Dumplings which is also known as Xiao Long Bao - 小笼包  (S$6.80 for 6 pieces / S$9.50 for 10 pieces). As we all know their Xiao long Bao is made with flavoursome minced pork which wrapped in delicate dough skin with at least 18 exquisite folds. I love the bites with each mouthful of juicy meat filling and melt-in-your-mouth skin.

Next as a soup lover, their new Truffle Chicken Soup (S$19.80 per serving) taste awesome with aroma of the truffles which is strong but not overpowering making it a bonus point to enhance the taste of the chicken broth. This new dish is available in a limited quantity per day at Din Tai Fung outlets such as Marina Bay Sands, Paragon, 112 Katong and Resorts World Sentosa.

Lastly, if you love the combination of beef and noodles I am assure you would like this Special Braised Beef Noodle Soup With Beef Brisket (S$11.00 per serving). The meat used is of the less fatty portion of the beef and it is also prepared by steaming to retain the flavours of the dish which makes it a healthier choice. I also love the broth which is prepared using fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomato puree which makes it taste better in both flavour and taste.

* All related photos in this post credited to Touch Communications and Din Tai Fung but review of the dishes are on my own preference and thoughts.

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Holiday Granola – Only 8 Edible Gift Making Days Until Christmas!

When I was asked to take part in a special holiday YouTube playlist called, “Christmas Morning Breakfast,” I started thinking about seasonal variation on things like eggs benedict, quiche, and French toast. But then I realized…you can’t wrap those things up and give them as an edible gift, so I decided to do this granola instead.

We’ve covered the edible gift topic before, and discussed the fine line between, “Wow, what a creative and thoughtful gift!” and “Wow, what a cheapskate!” Happily, when it comes to this delicious, crunchy treat, one taste and the lucky recipient will forget about any ulterior economic motivations.

Since this was a Christmas-themed recipe, I went with lots of festively colored dried fruit, but the beauty of the granola technique is that it pretty much works with anything. I love the looks of the green pumpkin seeds, but things like hazelnuts and pecans would also work wonderfully.

As I mentioned in the video, it’s really up to you to determine the cooking time. I tend to like mine just golden-brown, but many enjoy the deeper, nuttier flavor of a longer roasting. Since you are pulling and tossing every 10 minutes, this is pretty easy to monitor, but just be careful towards the end, as it can get bitter if you go too far.

Anyway, whether this is for a quick and easy holiday breakfast, with milk or over Greek yogurt; or you are going to package some up as a stocking stuffer for the foodies in your life, I hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for about 6 cups of Granola

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut (pure coconut, not candied)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped candy covered chocolate pieces (like M&M’s)

1/2 cup golden raisins, chopped

1 cup mixed dried fruit (any combo of cranberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, etc.)

*Bake at 325 degrees F. for 30-40 minutes or until browned.

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