Cheap-and-Good "Siew Mai" (chinese dumpling)

If you love Siew Mai, my family found a yummy version selling at the supermarket -- Sin Mui Heng Fish & Shrimp Siew Mai. My family finds it at least as good as the siew mai you can get the food court, and it costs you 70-80% less.

For the rest of my post, go here:

http://crookedturret.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/insingapore-cheap-and-good-siew-mai-chinese-dumpling/

Value Buy: Roti Prata (also called Roti Canai in Malaysia)

Finding trouble getting good Roti Prata these days? Or, if the roti prata is great, crisp and puffy, the curry that's served with it is diluted and substandard?

Just look to the supermarket.

My family likes the Spring Home Roti Paratha (SGD2.40 for a pack of 5). They're really easy to keep (stick it in the freezer until you're ready to eat it) and prepare (pan-fry from frozen). Tip: After frying, scrunch the roti prata for a softer texture.

Fairprice also has its own house brand roti prata. Doesn't taste as good as the ones by Spring Home, but still better than many roti prata you find these days. And they're even cheaper.

The only thing with buying these frozen packs is that you have to prepare the curry yourself. But the good news is: it's not difficult to make a curry. Browse the internet for simple curry recipes, and experiment until you find a version that you like.

You can also try eating roti prata with ice-cream (yum!) or fruits. And I enjoy roti prata with jam as well.

Freebie Alert: Singapore Medicine Postcards with prepaid international postage

I came across another free-postcard promotion recently when I was at the post office. This series of 5 postcards promotes the medical facilities in Singapore.

My one quibble: they could have made the postcards more attractive. Looks like most of the pictures were originally taken or created for a brochure. I would have liked to see much more creative postcards. The type which will make people WANT to send these cards to their relatives and friends. As it is, to my eyes, only the one on the far right is attractive. And my second choice would be the one second from left in the picture above. At least that has some conceptual interest. The rest...

There's no lucky draw for sending these cards, just free overseas postage. The plus point: it doesn't look like there's a post-by date attached to this set.

Freebie Alert: Grand Prix Postcards with prepaid international postage and lucky draw

For a number of years now, the Singapore Tourism Board has been printing up postcards that people in Singapore can send overseas for free (as a bonus, sender and receiver would be eligible for a lucky draw with prizes like tickets, accommodation, etc).

Many people of course make the effort to send to relatives and friends overseas because of the lucky draw associated with the postcards, but I find that it's a great way to save on postage.

The latest free-postcard campaign is a series of cards promoting the 1st Grand Prix to be held in Singapore later this year (see above). Sender and receiver will be eligible for a lucky draw, as usual.

Where to find them

I picked up some at a Library, and more from a ZoCard rack. But, according to their website, the free printed postcards (with pre-paid international postage) can also be found at:

• Guardian Health & Beauty stores
• McCafés
• Post Offices
• Clubs and Community centres
• Hotels
• International Schools/ Universities
• Embassies
• Singapore Visitors Centres

Post-by date

If you're sending these cards, note that you have to post them by 17 August. And, because of the lucky draw, the postcards will be sent overseas only after the winners have been picked, ie after 17 August.

E-Cards

Personally, I love the idea of sending printed postcards. We use email and the internet to communicate so much these days, that it's become somewhat special to send and receive postcards with notes written by hand.

But, if you really prefer e-cards, go to their website at: http://www.visitsingapore.com/projectpostcard/

Lucky Draw Prizes

GRAND PRIZES - one each for the winning printed postcard and winning e-card. Each grand prize for the winning printed postcard and winning e-card will comprise:
a A pair of VIP tickets (Paddock Club access) to the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix for each of the sender and the foreign recipient
b Business Class return ticket to Singapore on Singapore Airlines for the foreign recipient only
c 5D/4N hotel accommodation at Marina Mandarin Singapore for the foreign recipient only

CONSOLATION PRIZES - 20 for the printed postcards & 20 for the e-cards. Each of the consolation prize winners shall win one of the following consolation prizes:
a G-MAX Reverse Bungy and GX-5 Xtreme Swing (10 pairs of tickets. Worth $160 each)
b Singapore HiPPOtours (10 sets of one-day sightseeing passes for City HiPPOtours and River HiPPOtours for 4 pax. Worth $132 each)
c Singapore Flyer (10 pairs of tickets. Worth $59 each)
d Dining experiences at any of the restaurants under Tung Lok Group (10 dining vouchers. Worth $100 each)