Hot Shots - May 31, 2024
Charmaine Yam

Hello All,

Last week's family prawn celebration was a resounding success, with no hitches in sight. Even our humble hang basket is thriving now, as every plant takes root and flourishes. The weather is still a bit wonky, below 10°C with showers in the morning and sunny with highs of 17°C in the afternoon. Despite the unpredictable weather—chilly mornings with showers and sunny afternoons reaching highs of 17°C—summer feels tantalizingly close, sparking office chatter about eagerly awaited tomato plants yearning for a full day of sun.

I had a migraine and was bedridden for most of Monday and Tuesday this week. When I returned to work, I found a temple of "pomelo" (also spelled pummelo, pumelo, pomello, pommelo) erected on my desk. Cindy, my thoughtful coworker, had saved a few for me so I wouldn't miss out. Pomelos are one of my most beloved fruits, so I hugged the pile while no one was looking and whispered, "Thank you, Cindy," while the office was still empty.

Last week’s office treat was a Smoky Carrot Chickpea Hummus with pita chips. I love it when people gather, snack, and chat—it’s where I get the best intel on how everyone’s week is going and how we can better assist each other within the daily grind of fruit and vegetables. Sometimes, there is nothing you can do but listen, and it might be just what one needs.

Meanwhile, culinary experiments with whole wheat baked empanadas filled with beef curry delighted the taste buds of our Discovery team members selected for this week's tasting table.

During all this excitement, Kelly from our sales team finished off the last of the Jerk chicken marinade she had procured from me and asked about other flavors available from the archives of my Instagram account, @yam_can_cook. Irene also expressed an interest in sampling a flight of homemade marinades. It's so rewarding to hear that my interpretation of recipes is gaining popularity among colleagues.

Let's see what I have uncovered this week:

This weekend will be filled with Greek-inspired lamb skewers, crafting tzatziki, pickles, and scouring the farmer's markets for zucchini blossoms. If you haven't experienced the delight of fried zucchini blossoms yet, you're in for a delicious surprise!

With the essence of pomelos lingering in the air and the sweetness of ripe Ataulfo mangoes beckoning, the thought of mango pomelo sago dessert or sticky rice with mango promises a sensory journey where taste, texture, and imagination intertwine in delicious harmony.

Until next week, savor every moment and every bite.

Yours in gastronomic delight,
- The Compliance Officer

Hot Shots - May 31, 2024

Discover More