Buonasera @ PJ

This about sums up our satisfying dinner.

Tried this place earlier this year when I attended a friend’s birthday dinner. Was impressed then and finally persuaded DH to try this place for himself (and he only agreed because our regular place is currently being renovated).

It was easy to please Master Price as all he wanted was pizza (available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Had a tough time deciding as all the pizzas come with tomato and fresh basil – was afraid MP would not like this combination. Wished they had plain cheese and pepperoni or something like that…but then that would not be ‘authentic Italian’ pizza with real pork bacon.

Pizza with pork bacon. Was really good with a light crispy base. Except for one slice, MP managed to finish the regular sized pizza all by himself!

DH also made his choice rather easily choosing Italian pork sausages which comes with roasted capsicum, fried onion, mash potatoes, mushroom sauce and salad.

Italian pork sausage

Trying to be ‘healthy’, we also ordered a salad to share. Next time I’ll definitely pick a tastier one with cheese and bacon!

The highlight of our dinner….5 layer ice cream cake dessert. I think this comes complimentary if you order over a certain amount or at the discretion of the head chef - depending how well you 'click' ha ha ha.

Had this the last time it was good then and still is spoon-licking good - refreshing with the right amount of creaminess without being over-indulgent or too jelak. There was about 1 minute of silence as we dig in and 'fight' we did – not to be out done by the other spooners (ha ha ha), it was yummy to the last spoonful. I think it’s a great dessert to share – having one to yourself would be alright but could be a little regretable since there are other choices available to satisfy your sweet tooth – tiramisu, chocolate pot, sticky date pudding, mixed berry zabaglione. Hard to decide ya...so don’t come alone!

Note that the Chef Enzo also offers Italian cooking classes. For more details do drop by the restaurant.

Address:
42, Jalan SS 2/66
Petaling Jaya
Tel - 7877.8586

(Closed Mondays)

Facing facts and reality (grudgingly)

Decided to take up my dad’s challenge to have oats for breakfast everyday for a month. There goes my usual mouth watering breakfast fare of nasi lemak, chee cheong fun, fried noodles, roti-cannai, dim sum, etc.

Though I have always known the benefits of calcium (especially more for women) and also oats, I’ve been sort of in denial-mode, unwittingly associated them as ‘old/sick people food’ thus avoiding them as in my mind – hey, I’m still young and just really don’t need them…well not just yet anyway!!! Ha ha ha….

As you know time usually makes a mockery of us all, moving all too quickly than we realize.

Now, to be healthy and stay physically young in the body (and not just in the mind), time to UP my intake of calcium and fibre!!!

Day 1 saga…..my first cook out with oats ended in quite a disaster.

First of all my colleague has a blue bag of oats, bother – cos that means I have too ‘cook’ it compared to the red bag which is instant. For first timers it can be a little confusing as both red and blue bag shouts seem to shout ‘instant’ but in fact the blue one requires a little cooking over the stove or microwave. Hm…actually both bags requires cooking, now I’m totally confused. Anyway, poured about 4 tbsp of oats into some hot water and based on the instructions on the bag, I can microwave it for 2.5 min which I did. But since I hardly use this MW, as you guessed (intentionally or unintentionally) ¾ of my breakfast exploded into the MW – bother, more cleaning up!!!

Much to my surprised, I enjoyed what’s left of the oats – probably worked up an appetite cleaning up the mess earlier!

Ps. I find this vanilla flavoured low fat Anlene Concentrate milk rather sweet so it pairs just nicely with the bland oats.

Add sufficient milk to your oats and mix to the consistency you like. I prefer it water down and not thick like porridge.

Other ways to jazz up oats – condense milk, fresh milk, sprinkling of sugar, egg white, honey, maple syrup, marmite, etc. You can also try the 'Super' health mix comprising oats, wheat germ, lecithin and grounded flax seed. *sounds very healthy huh, er...I'll slowly work there*

Hm….its long pass breakfast but I’m debating now whether I should have just a little more. Surprising huh, especially since I was dreading a little that this challenge would be a difficult one! Should be a walk in the park, erm….anyone care to jump in the band wagon for a month full of tasty wholesome goodness in a spoon, cup, mug or bowl? Your choice.