(Media Gifting) Have you ever tried your hand at making “Maesil Cheong” or Korean Green Plum Syrup? Me neither but I am so excited to give it a go! Thanks to the newly-launched 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝘀𝗼𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗸.𝗰𝗼𝗺 an e-commerce website for Korean produce and ingredients by @brandfitsg, you can purchase this nifty D.I.Y. Kit that includes a box of Korean green plums, Korean sugar, a sturdy glass jar and other paraphernalia. There are clear instructions provided to guide you through the simple process. After which, it just needs to be left to be fermented for 3 months for the natural sugar (or condiment) substitute to be born. You can enjoy your homemade “Maesil Cheong” with a splash of water and ice, as a tea (just add hot water), or add it to salads, marinades and wherever sweetness with a Korean touch is required in a dish. I’ll be making mine over this weekend and enjoying the fruits of my labour (quite literally) come early September. Yay! #sogoodksg #veronicaphuaeats #veronicaphuadrinks #maesilcheong #koreansyrup #greenplumsyrup #stayhomestaysafe

Our recent family dinner at @portaportaitalianrestaurant was so enjoyable, we can’t wait to return! The heartwarming charm of Chef-owner Rosie’s very delicious Italian classic dishes lie in their unabashedly bold flavours and hearty servings. Dining there truly feels like I am in the home of a Nonna (Italian grandma) whose mission in life is to feed anyone who steps through her doors, the most delicious food. More reasons for this impression is how the spacious yet cosy restaurant is decorated with numerous photos of Chef Rosie and her late Italian husband Nino, as well as the paraphernalia they‘d collected over the years - from the time they lived in Italy and during their annual trips back. When you visit, I recommend walking around for a closer look. If you’d like to know what were the standouts from our dinner, please read on: 1. Brodo di Pesce Misto ($35.60+) - What a huge serving of rich, tomato-based soup brimming with fish, prawns, squid and clams. A meal unto itself, everything tasted fantastically fresh as Chef-owner Rosie goes to the market every morning to buy the seafood for that day. 2. Calamari - Although large and chunky, the rings and tentacles of the squid were remarkably tender. The thin battered coating was properly seasoned too unlike the tasteless versions I’ve had at some places. Do note the portion shown is smaller than standard because it came compliments of Chef Rosie. 3. Antipasti Misti ($20.50+) - This platter of housemade antipasti had given @cheahwenqi an epiphany during our video shoot for @ourgrandfatherstory. The eggplant in olive oil was so outrageously delicious, it overturned her lifelong view on the vegetable. It must be said that the other three antipasti which included roasted peppers and mushrooms, were equally sublime. 4. Pollo Al Rosmarino ($29.50+) - I know most people would not gravitate towards chicken at an Italian restaurant but this is worth considering if you crave more protein. An order consists of four aromatic, juicy and tender pieces of the poultry, roasted potatoes and a mixed salad. 5. Spaghetti Puttanesca ($25.50+) - If your palate favours the savoury, this would suit you well. ⬇️Continued in Comments⬇️

So lucky to have travelled to Malacca last weekend for a project. Interstate travel isn't allowed yet, and we got a police-stamped permit btw #hadtosaythiscospplDMingme Even more lucky was an invitation to visit the home and mansion/museum/temple of possibly the longest-recorded Peranakan family of 17 generations.😳😍 I was in awe examining the space for 2 hours - the architecture, tiles, paraphernalia, vintage furniture, photographs, letters from the British empire, historical notes, ancestral altars, WOW. My soul was fed! 😍😍 🎏 This pic was taken in one of the air wells in their 200-foot-long house (these unique narrow spacial designs are common in Malacca and Penang), where the ceramic fish and birds on the wall spout rainwater collected by the gutters above! Thank you so much @tai_yong, Queen Panda and Ida for the invite and tour! Incredibly memorable! 🙏🏼😭💞