Reply #3: I have a friend who lived in Singapore for a number of years

[flamin lib]

and he was the inspiration for the dish. That is a combo of two or three recipes I found on the net.

My mandolin makes a very fine julliane cut and the cucumber looks like fine straw when it's piled on the plate.

I'm collecting recipes for a short cookbook for beginners. All my cooking is done for two these days - I don't like leftovers - so they have to be easily scalable. Other requirements are: no exotic ingredients (must all be available at the local mega mart), ease of preparation, make ahead possibilities and showy for presentation.

Any suggestions are welcome.