Glorious Food!

I have been spending days in my week dreaming about baking or cooking. I'm not sure if I'm obsessed or not. But anyways, it's better than doing other nonsense stuff right? RIGHT? RIGHT?


So, just yesterday I did another dessert which was introduced by a friend because they were doing them as well so I as well give it a go! And my babies just turn out GORGEOUS! Ate half of the whole lot by four of us today including 3 friends and I'm planning to give some away as promised.

I've made Crème caramel! ! ! <3

Crème caramel, flan or better known as caramel custard is a custard dessert with a layer of soft caramel on top, as opposed to crème brûlée, which is custard with a hard caramel top. The dish is eaten throughout the world. In the later part of the 20th century crème caramel occupied an excessively large amount of territory in European restaurant dessert menus. (obtained from Mr.Wiki)

~The process~ 

This is how the recipe said it should turn out. And the bottom picture is how my pudding turned out.

 

Not bad for my first time huh? *winkwink* Definitely will be making them again! Yeepeeeh! =) I do love great recipes (combining all positives into my very own modified one).

Another 7 more in my fridge. Shall be bringing them to let my friends taste tomorrow. Cheers!!

Don't lose what you've lost. AGAIN. Work hard for it. Better still if there's even a second chance.

There are times that we're feeling so down as if the sky is about to fall right onto us. Cheer up because tomorrow  is sure to come and the sky will still be right up above us. Ever feel like the world is pressing unto you? Feel like you're insignificant? Have you heard about the news where this 70 year old woman died in a house and for 7 years nobody even know her non-existence, how sad is that? :( Neighbours didn't bother, family didn't care, even animals are more loving than humans, what kind of world are we turning into? Heartless is what earth should be replaced with.

Pull up your chin, squeeze out your confidence, conquer fear and you're be fearless, live towards your goal, believe in yourself and you achieve, love life because you only live once. We lost and we gain, we smile and we cry, we live and we die. My own favourite quote: Nobody is perfect or you are nobody. Imperfect bodies is what we are made of. With God by our side, nothing is out of reach.


Just dedicating this to someone I love. <3

 You mean much more to someone even though you thought you mean nothing to yourself.

 

*continue* Without you even knowing it. 

Live wisely!

Quoted from a friend

I was born to be optimistic haha! My blood type says B positive!

FUNNEH.

HAHA!!!

Everything unto Him because He blessed me

I promised myself. My every morning and night I thank Him with my heart.
I promised myself. My very first salary half of it goes unto Him.
I promised myself. My every bite I will not forget what He'd done for us.
I promised myself. My very first baby and also the rest I dedicate them to Him.
I promised myself. My this very life I will bring myself to Him.
I promised myself. My love shown to everyone is those overflows from Him.
I promised myself. I would love myself.
I promise.

3 ingredients 3 words

Have you ever heard of scones? Last week I was so in love with them.
The recipe is so simple and there is only 3 ingredients in them. Self-raising flour, butter and milk!
If you are not sure when to start baking or what to start with, I guess this would be the best choice ever.

TRUST ME.

I have made them last week with my housemate which turns out quite delicious. She made it first for 2 times, second time upon request :P and I've tried once myself and definitely again some day. (I still have no time to make my macaroon yet perhaps this week). Anyway, here's how they turn out.

Very own homemade whipped cream strawberry topped scones.

Yummy. Telling you the three words!

I LOVE SCONES! (and strawberries of course!) ;p :p *Winkwink*

Sometimes you want to be loved

Nobody knows love perfectly because love is imperfectly perfect.

We know girls always wants her prince to be there for her virtual or physically and even both if possible.

Virtually if he is there but physically not then that's when faith comes in place. Physically if he is here but virtually (mind) not then that's when wait comes in place.

We girls are so good in adapting into situations that sometimes we are unaware what is in front of us.

Sometimes we just want to be loved by our prince and not those overflowing family love that we have.

This video done by Wongfu productions is so true --> Strangers again. Just so true.

Girls, let me remind you, beating air with one hand makes no sound. Wind is not a sound.

Cute onot? :p


My 1st Song in the Playlist


Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by
If you Smile through your pain and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time (thats the time) you must keep on trying
Smile- What's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

That's the time (thats the time) you must keep on trying,
Smile- What's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile Even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky- You'll get by

That's the time (thats the time) you must keep on trying
Smile- What's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

How can my holiday be complete without . . .

SHOPPING?!!
Of course, you must be wondering how can I not shop for the past 3 weeks.
To be honest, this winter holiday I didn't really go like "too" into shopping but more to resting and chilling at home.

=FYI=
This year is where South Australia (where Adelaide is the heart of the city) had their BIGGEST SALE EVER!
Missing half of it somehow due to the mid year exams but nevermind, had done some catching up after that with my girl friends! :)

First of all, bad news!! :( Half of my nail dropped off due to the stupid lecture chair. HAVE U EXPERIENCE THAT PAIN?!! Plus the burn from the previous oven baking post :(((( I have bought this BIO-oil thingy that I'm using right now to make those scars go off, hopefully I can show you the honest results very soon in a month or so.

Second bad news! Uni started today!! :( That is a bad news for everyone right? No more late nights and late mornings wth.. . . .
 *friend commented that my mouth cramp swt =3=*

On to the good news! I've never really actually exhibit much of my fashion sense in my blog so maybe this is the first time I post more about clothings and accesories! Yay!! *clap hands*

Shopping in Australia had been really not that rewarding unless you are born rich with overflowing cash or maybe you are spending over budget. I have been looking at beautiful clothings but have managed to resist temptation since I know I can get much lower price back in Malaysia. Like seriously, RM60 for a thin lousy tank top print? I don't think so, RIGHT? Unless you're like drinking cash in replacement of water. =P

Anyways, enough of talking so these are my really good deals that I bought during this holiday and the rest I spent on food basically. =) I have managed to start a small lil business which is quite easy and earn a little pocket money but anyway, shall only continue with that during holidays. With the little money I've got, I finally go shopping with my girl friends without much guilt and also I think I can reward myself for doing a great job in my mid term semester exam anddd not to mention I didn't go shopping for quite some time as you noticed. So 1st stop,

The Eiffel Tower Inspired Necklace!

Been wanting this so long and guess how much is it?

AUD2.99! Quite cheap right, I know *wink wink wink wink -eye sore*

Black is the new black to match with anything easily.

Have been wanting a black shorts since I've lost my black skirt or maybe placed it at my home in Malaysia.

Guess how much is this? Shall reveal at the end of my post so keep reading!

This is how I would match them. Simple is beautiful, my concept! :)

The top is what I've been eyeing on quite some time now and I saw this at JayJays at a good bargain!

It is a full hand knitted long sleeve blouse with some details at the middle front part. Loves! It's only AUD10 which is RM30. Not that bad for me. I saw many of these top can go up to AUD 70 really! Didn't lie! =O =O O.o

This bag is a gift from a Japanese magazine. But won't tell you how I got them. 

It is a Loewe Tote Bag with A pretty L twist!

Throws everything inside quite conveniently. Hehe. Lazy me. Ya-I-know.

A Black Blazer.

I wonder if you can see clearly but those detail on the top sleeve and also the quality is darn good.

Inside the sleeve has also some pretty petite line details which when you can fold them' up with style.

The price is AUD15. What do you expect. It's already 50% off.
I need them for future working envi and maybe when I need OL wear.

Obviously the picture is not flipped properly but I think it looks nicer this way to the side. Ignore my socks  on the floor but anyway, this is a typical simple electric blue skirt that can fit many pretty pure white blouses. Goes well with a elaborated waist belt and some accesories.

May not wear them in this cold weather but perhaps when it's warmer. AUD 3.9!

Really can't let go of this dress because leopard is so IN nowadays and I'm so in love with them. I don't think I have any leopard print stuff in particular so this might be my first dress in leopard style. 

Got this from dotti (first time) because normally even the sales are super expensive. So happened to pass by and saw this ad (50% further after the saled items) so went in to have a lOOk. 

After much thinking and stuff I got this dress. Ain't it classy? With the black blazer and it'll be perfect for me. Sighs, I wish the burn on my left hand would just disappear.

Now thank you for your patience to read this abnormally longer post (compared to the rest of my posts) because I don't like to waste too much of your time to read my windy long stories normally. HAHA. *not funny* so, the price of my black shorts would be AUD7.9 and the leopard dress is AUD24.

Shall not shop until I get back to Malaysia again. Plomiseeee you LOh ;) *wink* *winkkkk ouch* 

Eye-sore LOL

Btw, do you know eye-sore is my fav cartoon. How adorable eye-sores are!

= Just love em'! =

Basic Meringue

Food Fact #1: What is meringue?

Meringue is whipped egg whites often combined with sugar that can be either baked, as a topping on meringue pies, or as cookies or shells for specific desserts. Unbaked meringue is used to fluff up popular dessert favorites like chocolate mousse.

By Amy Beh

Ingredients

• 3 egg whites
• A pinch of cream of tartar
• 100g castor sugar
• 
  

Method

Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Reduce the speed (this is to prevent sugar from flying out).
Add sugar, a tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until well combined.
Beat until meringue is thick and glossy and sugar has completely dissolved. Do not overbeat or the meringue will collapse.
Tip: Make sure egg whites are at room temperature as cold egg whites incorporate less air .
BAKING MEASUREMENT CONVERTER CLICK HERE <<

Taste as good as it looks

Bad things normally comes before good things.
So be patient. If good things happens before bad things then we will be super sad after.
But if bad things comes before good things then we will be really glad its over right? *心理捉弄*
Pff..I did get some bad burns on my left wrist on my hand but oh well. Every experience has a price to pay.
After the hard work, I did manage to make a lovely carrot walnut cake yesterday, not to mention someone brought me to eat dessert in chocolatree last night *wheee~!- pictures coming up next post because they are not with me now*

Jiggly reminded me to blog a bit more detail on my posts because they are so short -apparently o.O which its true I really do notice so I shall agree to her that I will write longer detailed posts. =) Happy? :P

Okay, put aside random thoughts. About yesterday again, I managed to buy all my ingredients in Coles supermarket and those sum up to about like AUD14.54 (approx) but someone decided to sponsor for me which made me feel so grateful now :/ *blush* then went home and did start baking after some slacking. You-know-lah, we facebook and eat and sleep and facebook and nothing-else-better-to-do.

Then I got the ball rolling and I've got everything mixed into the batter enter the baking mould back to the convectional oven and waited for about 30 minutes. Suddenly, the oven light went off and I wonder what happen so I opened to have a look at the cake (which we as bakers are not suppose to do that if not the tempt will drop drastically, really not ideal for the baking process). Not too surprise that clumsy me accidentally touched the side of the hot oven and let go of a side of the baking tray which made the cake slant a little and some middle part dropped off which made me :(((( in FB. I quickly put the unfinished cake into the oven and ran off to put my hand  into cold water asap.

Now my hand still has this dark scar which is terrifying so WHAT SHOULD I DO????!!
Anyone has any idea? Any some sort of miracle cream that will reduce the dark chocolate colour? Wth! See also xim tia.
Nevermind, I already have an idea to cover it up, not by concealer of some sort, but by wearing a bigger watch LOL *stupid right? But no choice, I really hope it gets well soon* It is as big as twice the size of your pinky fingernail.

Anyway, bad things has to pass and here comes the best part. Pictures again! :D

 Fresh from OveN!!

 Looks yummy or what? I've make a lemon refreshing icing which is not too sweet on the top! <3

 My first slice of cake which I've already eaten half of it LOL

 The texture of the cake is quite good means the recipe is very reliable! Which also means that I will use her website more often for other recipes too ekeke..

 Half of it gone in no time! :3

Do you want a slice too?

*Damn tempting right?* I know..=P

Definitely bake it again some other time.

Cheers!

Making life sweeter~ (Carrot Cake and Macaron Recipe)

Going to bake Carrot and walnut cake today and macaroons few days later (to allow the egg whites to age in my fridge first for the french macaron) =)

I admit I'm not a person that can bake very well but I believe I'm a person that can give anything a go in cooking. Nothing will go wrong as long as it is edible (n.n)

First, after surveying many recipes and stuff. I love to do foolproof recipes to keep the beginners (defining as first time baking a NEW recipe) right on track and slowly practice each recipe until you become an expert in it.

For the carrot and walnut cake, I will be combining my cake cookbook and a goodold blog from Chocolatesuze as you can click from the top tab of my blog (Recipes and find the Chocolatesuze from there). It seems to be quite a simple recipe to do and fyI, MY FAV CAKE SO FAR --> Carrot and Walnut cake. *It seems that you read my mind* or did you not? :(


Anyway, she mentioned that she took away 1/2 cup of crushed walnuts because she don't like it but I love it so I will be sprinkling them on top of the icing once I'm done with the cake ^_^

Another website that is quite useful is The Cake Mistress (Carrot walnut Cake).

For Almond Shell Raspberry Filling Macarons Recipe, I will be making my first attempt perhaps on Friday and the foolproof recipe that I've gather is this with step-by-step video HERE (curvehappens).

Raspberry and sugar jam for filling (optional)

* I will put those in red as in stuff you will need to prepare*

Preparing the shell you need: 120g almond meal (ground almonds)
120g powdered caster sugar

___________________________________________________________________________

120g (6 eggs) egg whites aged 2-3 few days in fridge (then remove until rtp-room temperature)

Separate til (60g and 60g in 2 bowls)

20g raspberry powder made from freeze dried raspberry (crush them yourselves)

1. Mix the almond meal and powdered caster sugar together until uniform (in a food processor or even hand if you wish)

-- Add raspberry powder until light pink

-- Sift out large lumps 

2. Whisk (1st bowl) 60g egg white until peaks form then slowly add 35g of sugar (Called meringue "pronounce as me'rang")

-- As it mix, you will need to prepare sugar syrup (BOIL 150g sugar and 50g of water BOIL until 121C)

-- Once bubbling remove from heat quickly

-- Then slowly add into the mixing meringue

-- Gradually increase speed once add all the syrup

-- Beat on med-high speed for 10 min until cool down (cream/fluff like)

3. Add remaining 60g egg white to the dry mixture in 1. mix until become--> paste mixture

4. Add 2, meringue to the 3. paste mixture until fold til appear thick and drip slowly (sharp fluff end)

5. Add some red food coloring to boost pink (optional)

6. Put into piping bag

7. Secure parchment paper onto baking sheet with mixture at sides (may spread some butter onto paper making it nonstick)

8. Once piped leaving 1 inch between each of piped shell then dry for 30 min prior to baking

-- Then add into oven for 150 degree for 20 min then cool for few min

-- Match up similar sized macaroon once cool as slowly peel off

_____________________________________________________________________

9. While resting prepare raspberry buttercream, 90g butter and 90g caster sugar

10. 3 rtp egg yolks (from whites)

11. Add in raspberry preserves/jam (as desired amount)

12. Beat egg yolk until pale in color and thickened

13. Boil 1/3 cup of confectionery *icing* sugar into syrup with 10g water

14. Once syrup done slowly add into beated yolks until creamy

15. Add little by little softened butter

16. Then once buttercream form, add jam/preserves

17. Throw in extra raspberry powder (depends)

18. Pipe buttercream into each pair once shell is paired up

Some of the really useful links mentioned:

Food Nouveau

Trissalicious

You Can Do It… At Home

Food Geek – this is the recipe I used for the raspberry macs

Syrup and Tang

Not So Humble Pie – Pictures of batter formation (which is crucial!)

Remember my previous post that I mentioned I will be making Japanese CheeseCake. This was how my first attempt turn out to be. =)

 It may look a bit burned on the top but I guess its the lighting. Actually it's slighly dark brown in color. Hehe!

 Quite uneven but I still call it a success because it tasted good and similar to the ones we buy from bakery

 Can try it out yourselves.

The skin of the cake and the cheesy part at the bottom. ^_^

Stay tune to see my first attempt on Macarons and Carrot Walnut cake in next post! Love!