Taste of Home: Potato Salad

My family and I love good potato salad. While in the eyes of many, potato salad is considered as a good “side dish”, in my household we embrace it as a reasonable main dish option. Potato salad is basically made from boiled potatoes and a variety of other ingredients. We love the summery, healthy and hearty combination of proteins (eggs and cheese), carbohydrates (potatoes), fats (butter and olive oil and mayonnaise), vegetables and herbs.

Potato salad

Potato salad

Here’s my secret tips that makes this potato salad the very best every single time and what distinguishes this potato salad from the rest:

• First, the potato preparation. We don’t like mushing out the potatoes in the salad. We prefer the potatoes to be firmer and flavorful. So, I get the yellow-ish/white potatoes peeled and cut into bite sizes. Then, boil it quickly (about 4 minutes from the time the water starts boiling), drain the water from it, and sautéed the potatoes with butter. The result is awesome – the potatoes are firmer, crunchy-edged, golden brown and of course tastier.
• Second, it’s best to put the ingredients together a day in advance or at least a few hours before you serve it. This would allow the potatoes to absorb the delicious flavors of all the ingredients which gives it so much extra flavor.

Peeled potatoes

Potatoes sauteed in butter and olive oil.

For us, potato salad is supreme. It’s perfect for a summer lunch/supper soiree with family and friends. It’s very simple, very easy to make and easy to customize, very tasty and certainly an eternal crowd pleaser!

To those of you who would like to try, here’s my recipe:

What you will need (good for 4 persons)

• 3 big Yukon (yellow-ish/white) potatoes – peeled and cut into bite sizes
• 4 large-sized chicken eggs – boiled and quartered
• 4 tablespoons Benedicta mayonnaise
• 140 grams green peas
• 140 grams sweet corn
• 1 large shallot – sliced in cubes
• 1 small yellow bell pepper – sliced
• 12 cherry tomatoes – halves
• ½ of a medium carrot – peeled and cubes
• 6 stems of spring onions – cut into small sizes
• Iodized salt and freshly crashed Kampot black pepper – to taste
• butter and olive oil (to sautéed the potatoes)

Potato salad

Potato salad

How to make the best Potato Salad

• Prepare the potatoes.
  • Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite sizes.
  • Put the potatoes in the cooking pot. Add water. Seasoned with iodized salt. Bring it to boil, approximately 4 minutes from the start the water is boiling. Use a fork to test whether the potatoes are cooked enough. Make sure you do not over-boil the potatoes.
  • Remove the water, using a strainer.
  • Put a 2 tablespoons of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan, sautéed the potatoes until they turn light golden brown.
• Prepare the eggs.
  • Wash the eggs before you boil them to remove the bacteria and all the dirt attached to the shell.
  • Boil the eggs for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the eggshells and slice the eggs into quarters.

Looks delicious

variety of vegetables

Potato salad

• Put it together.
  • Put the other ingredients in a mixing bowl: green peas, corn, bell pepper, shallots, and tomatoes. Toss the vegetables.
  • Add in the potatoes, cheese and mayonnaise. Toss the mixture well.
  • Season with iodized salt and freshly crashed Kampot black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  • Put the eggs on top.
  • Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap.
• Put the potato salad in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving it so that potatoes will absorb all the flavors from the other ingredients.
• It is best eaten when it is cold. You can also serve it with BBQ meats or sausages you like or you can eat it as it is.
• Serve, share and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vietnam: Discover 100 Roofs Café in Da Lat

We were eager to explore the 100 Roofs Café (also called as The Maze Bar), so right after we wandered around at the Crazy House, we walked toward the highest hill in the city. Situated at 57 Phan Boi Chau Street, barely a few meters away from the market, hidden between a row of small shops and just in front of the local KFC, we found this very peculiar place.

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

From the outside, the place looked just like any of the neighborhood typical multi-storey buildings and looked just like any bar; however, inside it is a completely different world.

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

As soon as we got into the reception area, we bought our drinks then we began our adventure inside of this six-storey magnificent masterpiece. Entering the bamboo-shaped like gate, we felt like we were in another world – a Hobbit like labyrinth of narrow staircases, with a series of mystical cave-like rooms, small winding paths, secular trees, animals, artwork and sculpture – all these were made with concrete and cement harmoniously designed to create an impression of a natural cave in the jungle.

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

100 Roofs Café is totally a unique bar, so different from any bars we have been to, and we didn’t really know what to expect. There wasn’t anyone else in the maze area when we were there. Many rooms, some passageways and even the way to the secret garden were dark, so it was kind of spooky. There were times we felt we had lost our way. There were several winding stairs – some lead us to a dead end, some lead us to rooms that look like a coral reef or a cave, some lead us to the floor above and some were steep, but a new surprise awaited us around every corner. We followed the music and eventually arrived at the top level bar and then to the rooftop garden that continues several floors higher.

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

What an architectural a-maze-ing experience! After visiting the place – we found out that it makes the Crazy House look conservative as it is crazier, scarier and more fun. The 100 Roofs Café is awesome – it’s a maze bar and at the same time an amusement park! A fun place to hang-out with family and friends. It is worth seeing and a must see for every visitors who comes to Da Lat.

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

The 100 Roofs Café (The Maze Bar) in Dalat, Vietnam

Little Lilly travel tips:

• There is no entrance fee to the 100 Roofs Café. You just need to buy a drink (beer, wine, cocktail, chilled drinks, or fruit juices) to be able to wander aimlessly inside. From the value point of view, the drinks are very reasonably priced.
• I heard that it gets pretty busy about 8pm, so maybe head over a little earlier to avoid the queue at the bars.
• All the walls, floors and ceilings are hard. Some ceilings are low. There are basement levels and there’s a secret garden that is open until nightfall. There are some bars inside. Some areas have music. And there are toilets dotted about but you have to find them.

 

Singapore: Jewel Changi Airport, what a Jewel!

As soon as we landed at Singapore’s Changi Airport, I told my son that I would like to take him to the Jewel before we would head to the hotel. “What’s that? Is it a mall?” he asked. “It’s both – a mall and an airport. I’ve heard that it has everything – lots of good restaurants, a hotel, branded shops, beautiful park, entertainment places, a waterfall, and many more,” I answered. “I’ve learned that the Jewel houses around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of 120 species and it was just officially opened on October 18, 2019.” I explained.

The waterfall vortex

The Jewel

So, after we got our checked-in luggage, my son and I trekked toward the Jewel to see this impressive architectural marvel. As we sauntered toward the Jewel from Terminal 2, we spied a view of the control tower which gave us a little reminder that we were at the airport, and which meant that the dome of the Jewel couldn’t be higher than the tower.

The tower at the airport

Once there, we were so impressed about the place – the greenery, the architecture, etc. and so we spent at least an hour there just wandering around looking for the best view points. Even though there were many people, we managed to find a quieter space for us.

Forest around the waterfall

The center piece of the Jewel is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall (40 meters high), which is artificially made, surrounded by rich flora and fauna. It falls from the ceiling of the dome to the bottom of the building, and the waterfall’s flow alternates between cascades and trickles to reduce air turbulence and to prevent excess humidity in the place. Just seeing the waterfall already amazed us; it’s truly awe-inspiring.

The Jewel

The Jewel

As we ambled around, we found the Shiseido Forest Valley Trail on the east side. We thought that it was a great way to stretch our legs by having a walk up this little “hill”. At some view point it looks like a dense jungle. There is so much greenery in there. And at the top there is a canopy bridge giving another overview of this indoor forest. We did not get the opportunity to enjoy the various activities on the 5^th floor, such as sky nets, mirror maze, hedge maze, etc., but it’s something we are hoping to do on our next visit to Singapore.

The Jewel

After taking photos of the beautiful waterfall and sauntered around, we had lunch at the Pizza Express. Then we browsed around the shops and grabbed a car to the hotel. Even though it is a very busy spot, my son didn’t want to leave.

at the Pizza Express

at the Pizza Express

Jewel is definitely a magnificent and artistic engineering done by Singapore. It is worth your while to spend a couple of hours there during a layover, stopover, arrival or departure of Singapore’s Changi Airport. What a jewel! The world’s greatest airport just got even better!

The Jewel

Little Lilly travel tips:

• The entrance fees at the Canopy Park on the 5^th floor start from $4.50 to $19.80. It depends on the paid attractions that you wanted to see and do.
• How did we get there?
  • We went to the 3^rd floor of Terminal 2 and walked all the way to the Jewel via wakalator.
  • If you are coming from Terminal 3, you go to the 3^rd floor and approached via wakalator.
  • Go to the ground floor of Terminal 2 or 3, and take a taxi or grab to the Jewel.

• If you want to check out gardens like this, visit the Gardens by the Bay at Marina Bay.

Vietnam: Dalat’s Datanla Waterfalls and Alpine Coaster – What’s not to love?

After we walked around the city and visited some artificial and architectural attractions, we were opt for visiting something natural. We decided to see the Datanla Waterfalls as it is only located 5 km south of the city and set amidst the preservation forests.

So after lunch, we grabbed a car and headed to Datanla Waterfalls. In Vietnamese local dialect, Datanla means “water under the leaves”.

Datanla Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam

Datanla Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam

Before going there we didn’t research about the place, so our expectations were very simple: to see the waterfalls, to hear the gushing sound of the water falling, to see the jungle and to enjoy the tranquility. However, once we arrived there, we learned that we can either hike down to the falls or take the alpine coaster. We settled for riding the alpine coaster, which was built by Wiegand, a German company. It is apparently used both as a thrill attraction and as a transportation system to visit the Datanla Waterfalls which are at the bottom of the gorge.

Riding an Alpine coaster to see the Datanla Waterfalls

Alpine coaster trail

The departure area was at the top of the track and the sleds have to go down the slope to reach the waterfalls. As soon as I got on the sled alone (my husband and my son were on the other sled), I let the track clear out, released the brakes and off I went.

Alpine coaster trail

Off to see Datanla Waterfalls on an alpine coaster

When I arrived the waterfall area, I got out of the sled to visit the falls. Then, we hiked towards the waterfalls and spent some time there. We climbed up further to get a close up view of the falls and have some quieter space. We were pleased to watch the beautiful landscape with the sound of the waterfall flushing down the hill. Those waterfalls are the not the biggest or most impressive ones but a series of small waterfalls that cascades down the hillside and nestled in lush and lovely vegetation.

Datanla Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam

Datanla Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam

Datanla Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam

After spending some time at the waterfall, we took another sled that took us back up to the top with a cable car system which is a real funicular. The return journey was not as exciting as the way down, but the slower pace allowed me to enjoy the wonderful scenery as I glided by the wondrous setting.It was my first time riding on an alpine roller coaster, I felt a bit scared at the beginning as there were lots of sharp turns but eventually the ride became an exhilarating experience. Fortunately, it wasn’t very busy when we went there so my husband and my son went down as fast as they could without having to brake because of a car in front. We were amazed at how exciting it was, and certainly, the alpine coaster totally exceeded our expectations.

Alpine coaster trail

Alpine coaster trail

Datanla Waterfalls and alpine coaster – what’s not to love? Datanla waterfalls themselves are alluring, but what made it more fun was the control-your-own-speed alpine coaster in which you can zip through the woods and bask in the jungle’s views. The ride was fun, thrilling and not expensive. I think Datanla has a unique charm as a pretty little natural gem surrounded by the gorgeous greenery. Really worth it.

Datanla Waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam

Alpine coaster

Little Lilly travel tips:

• It’s great for young people, couple, family or solo traveler.
• A return ticket on the alpine coaster was
  • 150,000 VND for an adult (over 120cm) and
  • 120,000 VND for children (120 cm and below). However, if your child is over 120 cm then you have to pay the adult price.
• How did we get there?
  • We took a Grab car, and the cost was between 72,000 to 95,000 VND.
  • If you are on a budget, you can take the bus bound to Duc Trong or Bao Loc and the cost is 10,000 VND. You can catch them from the bus station at the top of the central market (south end of Nguyen Van Troi, next to Eximbank).
• You can combine and mix the options for going up and down. For example, you can hike down on foot to enjoy the forest trail and then ride the coaster backup or vice versa. Or you can do both.
• Apparently, Datanla is like a little choose-your-own adventure park. There are many things to do there:
  • you can rent an ethnic minority costume for a photo op
  • you can ride a cable car from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Monastery, and enjoy great aerial views as you venture the Vietnamese wilderness
  • or you can also go canyoneering, rappelling, go rock climbing, slide dow, free jump from 10-20m, and go abseiling.
• There is a restaurant at the entrance serving food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The best time to visit is during the weekdays as it is too busy during weekends. Highly recommended to visit a little past lunch time. The carts down were really cool but it is sucks when someone in front of you pulls the brakes.