STI: Crumbly squares of flavour

Feb 15, 2009

Crumbly squares of flavour

By Thng Lay Teen 

 

Eating the muffins at Sweet Bistro, a small stall in the market and food centre in Holland Drive, is a hit-and-miss affair.

 

Though Mr Tan Hwa Teng makes eight types of muffins ($1 each), he sells only four types on any given day.

 

Which was why I got to taste only four types despite making two visits. But they hit the spot.

 

The first time, I was there at noon and only the banana and oats version was left. It was fragrant with a lovely buttery taste and was not too sweet.

 

When I went again the following week before 10am, he also had the banana and oats available. It was as good as on the first visit. The chocolate chip and oats muffin was also delightful, as was the raisin and walnut.

 

The cinnamon in the apple cinnamon muffin was not apparent, which was a pity, but the fresh apple slices were crunchy and naturally sweet.

 

Bite into one of the square muffins and parts of it gently fall apart. This is the crumbly texture that the former hotel banquet chef wanted to achieve.

 

Though he could not remember where he ate what he calls the 'original' crumbly muffin, the 45-year-old could remember the texture clearly.

 

And he strove to recreate it by modifying recipes from several former colleagues who were hotel pastry chefs here.

 

Asked how he made his muffins so crumbly, he would only say that he uses less of one ingredient.

 

If muffins alone are not enough to get you started for the day, the no-frills but freshly made sandwiches ($2) should do it.

 

You can get one done on the spot. Specify the filling you want - egg with mayonnaise, tuna, ham or cheese - and whether you like it with white or wholemeal bread or in a croissant. If you want more than two types of filling, the sandwich will cost 50 cents more.

 

Mr Tan also makes three types of desserts, which vary from day to day.

 

The barley ($1.50) comes with thin pear slices, medlar seeds, white fungus, Chinese almonds and red dates. It is real comfort fare - hearty and just on the right side of sweet.

 

He says his bestseller is tau suan (mung bean dessert, $1.20), but after eating his muffins, sandwiches and the satisfying bowl of barley, I really had no room for more.

 

I may go back another day. Hopefully, I may get to sample the other muffins.

 

SWEET BISTRO

Block 44 Holland Drive, 02-24

Open: 7am to 3pm daily, closed on Mondays

Food: ***