Author: Bima

The Smoky Comfort of Chicken Claypot Rice

The Smoky Comfort of Chicken Claypot Rice

There are few things in the culinary world as satisfying as lifting the heavy lid of a clay pot and being hit with a cloud of steam smelling of sesame oil, caramelized soy, and savory chicken. Chicken Claypot Rice, or Shā Guō Fàn, is the 

The Zesty Elegance of Chilled Lemon Soufflé

The Zesty Elegance of Chilled Lemon Soufflé

If you are looking for a dessert that screams sophistication but brings a refreshing chill to the table, look no further than the Chilled Lemon Soufflé (or Soufflé Froid Au Citron). Unlike its hot, temperamental cousin that deflates if you look at it the wrong 

Red Wine Poached Egg Muffin with Hollandaise: A Bold Twist on Brunch Classics

Red Wine Poached Egg Muffin with Hollandaise: A Bold Twist on Brunch Classics

This dish is best named “Red Wine Poached Egg Muffin with Hollandaise” — a contemporary fusion brunch item combining French poaching technique, classic English muffin culture, and modern café-style plating. The vibrant purple hue of the egg, tinted by red wine, brings both visual drama and a deep, aromatic taste.


How It Tastes

This dish delivers a sophisticated, layered flavour experience:

  • The red wine–poached egg is silky, aromatic, and gently acidic, carrying notes of fruit and warmth from the wine.
  • Hollandaise sauce adds buttery richness and a velvety finish.
  • Toasted English muffin offers crispness and a comforting, slightly nutty foundation.
  • Roasted peppers bring sweetness, while herbs add freshness.

Together, it tastes like a luxurious upgrade from Eggs Benedict — richer, earthier, and unmistakably gourmet.


Short Story & Where It Comes From

The technique of poaching eggs in wine originates from classic French cuisine, most notably in dishes like Oeufs en Meurette from the Burgundy region. Traditionally, eggs are simmered in red wine with aromatics and served with sauce, bacon, and bread.

Your dish transforms this old-world idea into a modern brunch interpretation by:

  • Using the English muffin structure
  • Adding hollandaise instead of traditional red wine sauce
  • Keeping the wine-poached egg as the centrepiece

It reflects the global culinary trend of taking heritage techniques and reimagining them for café culture.


How the Dish Has Changed Over Time

Originally, red wine–poached eggs were served as rustic French fare, with bread but rarely in sandwich form. Today, chefs elevate the experience by:

  • Incorporating refined sauces
  • Adding roasted vegetables
  • Experimenting with brunch formats
  • Using higher-quality eggs and artisanal bread

This modern version is lighter, more visually appealing, and designed for the brunch market rather than traditional French dining.


Current Popularity & Average Price

Gourmet brunch dishes featuring premium poached eggs, wine reductions, or hollandaise-based combinations are highly popular in boutique cafés.

Average price in Singapore cafés:
💲 SGD $14 – $20
(up to $22–25 in upscale brunch restaurants due to the technique and premium ingredients)


Recipe: Red Wine Poached Egg Muffin with Hollandaise

Ingredients (1 Serving)

For Red Wine–Poached Egg

  • 1 fresh egg
  • 250 ml red wine
  • 100 ml water
  • ½ small onion, sliced
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Pinch of salt & pepper

For Hollandaise

  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 60 g melted butter (warm)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Optional: smoked paprika or cayenne

For Assembly

  • 1 English muffin, split and toasted
  • 2–3 tbsp roasted peppers
  • Fresh chopped chives or parsley

Instructions

1. Poach the Egg in Red Wine

  1. Combine wine, water, onion, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small pot.
  2. Bring to a gentle simmer — not boiling.
  3. Crack the egg into a cup, then gently slide into the simmering wine.
  4. Poach for 3 minutes until the egg is soft and purple-tinted.
  5. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm.

2. Make the Hollandaise

  1. Whisk egg yolks and lemon juice in a heatproof bowl.
  2. Place over simmering water and slowly add melted butter while whisking constantly.
  3. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.
  4. Keep warm.

3. Assemble the Muffin

  1. Place the toasted bottom half of the English muffin on a plate.
  2. Add roasted peppers.
  3. Gently place the wine-poached egg pouch on top.
  4. Spoon warm hollandaise generously over the egg.
  5. Lean the top muffin half to the side for presentation.
  6. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley.
Herb-Roasted Rack of Lamb with Couscous and Creamy Tzatziki

Herb-Roasted Rack of Lamb with Couscous and Creamy Tzatziki

This beautifully plated dish is known as Herb-Roasted Rack of Lamb with Couscous and Creamy Tzatziki – a Mediterranean-inspired plate that balances richness, freshness, and aromatic herbs. The lamb, cooked to a juicy medium-rare, carries deep savory notes highlighted by rosemary and roasted garlic, while 

A Comforting Classic: The Story Behind Beef Lasagna with Basil Pesto

A Comforting Classic: The Story Behind Beef Lasagna with Basil Pesto

This dish is best described as Classic Beef Lasagna served with a vibrant Basil Pesto, a modern twist on the well-loved Italian baked pasta. The golden, cheesy top paired with a rich meat layer and bright green pesto sauce creates a visually appealing and flavour-packed 

Beef Bourguignon Medallion: A French Classic in Modern Elegance

Beef Bourguignon Medallion: A French Classic in Modern Elegance


The dish is Beef Bourguignon Medallion — a refined, modern presentation of the legendary French Boeuf Bourguignon, traditionally known as a rustic Burgundy beef stew. In this contemporary plated form, the beef is shaped into a compact medallion and served with a glossy, deeply flavoured red-wine jus, giving it an elegant restaurant-style finish.


How It Tastes

Beef Bourguignon is celebrated for its deep, earthy, wine-forward flavour. The dish combines slow-braised beef, aromatic vegetables, herbs, and red wine to produce a sauce that is rich, silky, and intensely savoury.
In this refined version, the medallion holds a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the sauce delivers notes of caramelisation, mushrooms, thyme, and a hint of smokiness from the reduction.


A Short Story: Where This Dish Comes From

Boeuf Bourguignon originated in the Burgundy region of France, famously known for its wine culture. Historically, it was a peasant-style dish, created as a way to transform tougher cuts of beef into tender, slow-cooked stews. As winemaking grew, Burgundy red wine became the natural braising liquid for local cuisine.

Over time, chefs elevated the dish from humble farmhouse kitchens to fine dining restaurants, showcasing how slow-cooked comfort food could become an icon of French gastronomy.


How the Dish Has Changed Over Time

Originally cooked in large pots and served as a hearty stew, Boeuf Bourguignon today appears in many modern interpretations:

  • Deconstructed plates with the sauce separated
  • Medallions or roulades formed from braised beef
  • Reduced, glossy jus replacing thick rustic gravy
  • Fine-dining garnishes such as microherbs or whipped potato

The version in the image follows this modern evolution — minimalist, elegant, focused on texture and sauce intensity.


How It Is Served Today

In contemporary dining, Beef Bourguignon is often offered as:

  • A signature dish in bistros, French restaurants, and modern European kitchens
  • A plated entrée with precise portions
  • A luxurious comfort food in weekend brunches
  • A favourite in culinary schools as a foundation of braising technique

Its timeless appeal remains unchanged — hearty, soulful, but now presented with sophistication.


Average Price Today

Depending on the venue:

  • Casual French bistro: SGD $18 – $28
  • Mid-range restaurant: SGD $28 – $45
  • Fine dining setting: SGD $45 – $70

A plated medallion like the one shown typically falls into the SGD $35 – $55 range.


Recipe: Beef Bourguignon Medallion (Modern Plated Version)

Ingredients (4 portions)

For the Beef:

  • 800g beef chuck, brisket, or blade
  • Salt & black pepper
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups red wine (Burgundy preferred)
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 150g mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 tbsp butter (for finishing)

For Plating:

  • Fresh parsley or micro herbs
  • Optional: mashed potato or creamed cauliflower base

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef

  1. Cut the beef into large chunks.
  2. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Sear in oil until the surface is browned and caramelised. Remove and set aside.

2. Develop the Base

  1. In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
  2. Add tomato paste and cook until slightly caramelised.
  3. Add mushrooms and cook until lightly browned.

3. Deglaze & Braise

  1. Pour in the red wine and reduce by half.
  2. Add beef stock, bay leaf, and thyme.
  3. Return the beef to the pot.
  4. Cover and braise for 2.5–3 hours until fork-tender.

4. Form Medallions

  1. Shred the braised beef lightly or press it into a mould while warm.
  2. Chill to set the shape (optional for clean medallions).

5. Make the Sauce

  1. Strain the braising liquid.
  2. Reduce until thick, glossy, and rich.
  3. Whisk in a tablespoon of butter.

6. Plate

  1. Place the beef medallion in the centre of a plate.
  2. Spoon the reduced jus around it.
  3. Garnish with a small sprig of parsley.