CHEERY & CHIC CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT LE MERIDIEN PUTRAJAYA

A lavish spread of irresistible holiday eats will deck the halls of Le Meridien Putraja this festive season. Executive Chef Liou Chong Yaw and his culinary team comprising Pastry Chef Hansraja Jayaraman (front row, left), Production Chef Irwan Sutan Chairul (back row, centre) and Junior Sous Chef Abdul Razak Mahamad will pull out the stops, serving up a myriad of Yuletide faves guarantee to steal hearts and fill tummies.

A showcase of Seafood Terrine Platter with Condiments was the opening volley at the media preview. Norwegian Salmon Apricot Gravlax, Smoked Rainbow Trout with Pickles, Smoked Duck with Orange Segments and Pomegranate, Potato Salad with Egg, Green Onion and Crispy Beef Strips are some of the distinctive curtain-raisers to look out for when you patronise the celebratory line-up.

In our tropical climes, those dishes’ vibrant colours and captivating flavours should do well to tease diners’ appetite for the array of main courses. Anyone anticipating a whole roast turkey won’t be disappointed but if you prefer to move beyond big bird, we recommend the delectable Christmas Roast Garlic Lamb Leg or Louisiana BBQ Short Ribs with Roasted Vegetables from the Carvery Station.

You can decide on the quantity of roast meat to satisfy the palate but make space on your plate for the complementary sides: Bread with Chestnut Stuffing, Brussel Sprouts with Turkey Toast and Sautéed Fresh Squash with Parsley, along with Cranberry, Giblet, Mint and Mustard Sauces won’t go remiss. 

Tradition and modernity combine to create a decadent plethora of sweet treats for dessert. Nibble on the hotel’s assortment of Deluxe Christmas Cookies or enjoy a slice of luscious Wild Berries Cheesecake.

My personal faves are Plum Pudding, Macarons and the chocolatey Yule Log. More fruity and traditional choices: Christmas Stollen with Vanilla Sauce, Mince Pies and Ginger Fruit Cake are notable options to consider.

Prices for the festive celebration buffet at Latest Recipe are as follow:

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner RM168 nett per adult, RM84 nett per child

Christmas Day Brunch RM148 nett per adult, RM74 nett per child.

New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner RM168 nett per adult, RM84 nett per child

New Year’s Day Brunch RM148 nett per adult, RM74 nett per child

New Year’s Day Buffet Dinner RM138 nett per adult, RM69 nett per child.

For reservations at Latest Recipe, Le Meridien Putrajaya, call tel: 03-8689 6888 or visit https://www.facebook.com/lemeridienputrajaya/

NEW DIM SUM & MOONCAKE GALORE FROM LE MEI

Prawns star at Le Mei's latest dim sum showcase as the chef's mainstay ingredient of choice since Le Mei is a halal eatery. The crustaceans' fresh sweetness and QQ springiness are evident at first bite when we sample new, stellar servings of Deep-fried Golden Almond coated Prawn Balls with Parmesan, Steamed Fresh Shrimp with Spinach Dumplings and Steamed Shrimp Dumplings with Black Pepper-seared Foie Gras.

Tiny baby abalones perch atop Steamed Scallop & Prawn Dumplings evoke a touch of luxe whilst chopped asparagus lend some crunch to the Sunday Dim Sum Buffet. These words are music to the ears, mouths and stomachs of every food-crazy Malaysians, record-breaking obesity figures be damned.

At Le Mei Chinese restaurant at Le Meridien Putrajaya, sensible diners are susceptible to gluttony on Sundays at the Dim Sum Buffet from 11 am to 2.30 pm. At RM138 nett per adult and RM69 nett per kid, Dim Sum Chef Yau Fong Peng and his team will roll out their arsenal of dainty morsels for diners to have their fill.

Inspired by the saying ‘once you go black, you’d never go back’, the unique Squid Ink Dumplings with Sea Urchin has distinct allure thanks to its uncommon jet-black, mildly chewy dumpling skin and the inclusion of sea urchin — an ingredient rarely used in dim sum-making but is beginning to wend its way into Chinese cuisine.

As with any Dim Sum Chef worth his salt, Chef Yau ensures his dim sum du jour teases and tickles the tastebuds with myriad textural combinations: ranging from the crisp and crunchy to unctuous-gelatinous alongside a varying palette of light, clear flavours contrasting with heavier deep-fried and baked variants.

 

Renditions of the abovementioned traits are found in Green Pea Phoenix Shrimp with Ebiko, Crispy Dried Cod with Fresh Prawns, and Black Sesame tipped ‘Cigar’ Rolls with Prawn & Fish Paste. Happily, we find the offerings on-point and tasty eaten on their own or dipped into the ubiquitous sweet bean paste or chilli sauce.

 

Giving diners more bang for their bucks, the supporting cast of delectable offerings includes Braised Fish Maw with Crab Meat Soup, Sautéed Asparagus with Prawns in XO Sauce and Stir-fried Noodles with Shredded Chicken in Supreme Soya Sauce.

Sweet ending comes in the form of Chilled Mango Purée with Vanilla Ice Cream, Pomelo and Sago.

Le Mei’s Dim Sum Buffer is available on Sundays from 11am to 2.30pm, while regular dim sum à la carte is served on weekdays from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

EIGHT VARIETIES LEND SHINE TO MID-AUTUMN FEST

 

Dim Sum Chef Yau Fong Peng and his team will also have their hands full, preparing for an onslaught of mooncake orders for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival in September.

Handcrafted for sale from July 28 to September 24, this year will see the signature debut of Coffee and Raisin Mini Snowskin, made fresh daily. The coffee accent is subtle enough to make its presence felt, punctuated by the fruity sweetness of raisins.

 

Last year’s runaway best-seller, Premium Durian Mini Snowskin, makes a comeback whilst other fruity mooncake flavours include Jackfruit and Mango Mini Snowskin.

 

High protein flour, peanut oil, golden syrup, soda bicarbonate and alkaline water form the key ingredients for the baked mooncake skin. We had a first-hand look at how the confection was made and came away with greater appreciation for the efforts involved.

 

Green Tea with Cheese and Cashewnuts is the most inventive variant we sampled. Purists will like classic versions such as Assorted Fruits and Nuts or White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk and Melon Seeds.

 

 

New twists to old staples result in Pandan Lotus Paste with Hazelnut Mooncakes, White Lotus Paste with Walnuts and Black Sesame. In line with today’s healthier consumer demands, the mooncakes are less cloyingly sweet without sacrificing its lush rich taste.

 

Priced from RM18 upwards, the mooncakes can be purchased in an auspicious red gift box of four. Le Mei offers 20% discount to credit card holders of Maybank, Citibank, CIMB, Hong Leong Bank, HSBC and UOB.

For reservations at Le Mei, call tel: 03-8689 6888. Address: Lobby Level, Le Meridien Putrajaya. Website: www.lemeridien.com