I finally got down to doing it. I made and froze 2 different puree and they should last at least 2 weeks. Hope she likes them!
Labels: Gabrielle, My Kitchen Adventures, Parenthood
Saturday, December 27, 2008
{Christmas Gathering at Home}
Noi and Randy are back for Christmas and so it's time for a get-together. I wish I was able to whip up a feast for them, but really didn't have the ability to do that. After standing for 3hours yesterday baking the cookies, my feet swelled so bad they looked horrible. I knew I couldn't manage standing for long hours again today. Thank God Winnie ordered Roast Chicken, Honey Baked Ham and Cheesy Sausages. So my job was only to prepare a soup, a vege dish and desserts.
I made a pot of Crab, Clam and Corn Chowder from scratch and by the time I'm done with it, my feet puffed up again. All thanks to Jasmine who came early to help me out. She then took over and prepare the vege for me. She was my "maid" for the day... wahaha... Thanks tons pal!
I made a pot of Crab, Clam and Corn Chowder from scratch and by the time I'm done with it, my feet puffed up again. All thanks to Jasmine who came early to help me out. She then took over and prepare the vege for me. She was my "maid" for the day... wahaha... Thanks tons pal!
Entertainment for the evening = Wii!!! and the little princesses, Tricia and Reeann...
Labels: Christmas, Family n Friends, My Kitchen Adventures
Friday, December 26, 2008
{Sugar Cookies}
I baked again today! My first try at baking cookies... so I selected the simplest basic sugar cookies recipe from Martha Stewart's website.
I love this recipe. I think the cookies taste so good! Not too sweet at all... Nice!
Labels: Christmas, My Kitchen Adventures
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
{Bolognaise Pasta Pie}
It's a potluck party at the Kwek residence this year. I decided to tap into the recipe magazine I got from Melbourne again. There's this super simple recipe to make a nice looking pasta pie in there so I decided to give it a shot.
Verdict: I think it looks better than it tastes... think it's too dry to start with and it's not flavourful enough... Well, but I had fun making it.
More and more kids at our Christmas party as the years go by... This Christmas, we were joined by a pair of cute little twin girls, Valene and Valencia. There's also baby Aining who's only 11 days old, so she and mommy Choon Yng couldn't join us today. Next year, our 小B will join in the fun too! (^_^)
Verdict: I think it looks better than it tastes... think it's too dry to start with and it's not flavourful enough... Well, but I had fun making it.
More and more kids at our Christmas party as the years go by... This Christmas, we were joined by a pair of cute little twin girls, Valene and Valencia. There's also baby Aining who's only 11 days old, so she and mommy Choon Yng couldn't join us today. Next year, our 小B will join in the fun too! (^_^)
Labels: Christmas, My Kitchen Adventures
Sunday, December 21, 2008
{Oreo Truffles}
We're going to Jie Jie's place for our family's annual Christmas gathering. I didn't have time (& energy) to buy presents for my nieces/ nephew and cousin this year. So I was thinking of making some yummies to bring over. I remembered Nicole's very pretty oreo truffles and decided to have a go at that.
I got white chocolate and wanted to do what Nicole did with her truffles. But for some reason, the white chocolate didn't melt like the way its dark counterpart did. It was hard and I couldn't drizzle it over the truffles! So I added on some rainbow sprinkles over them instead. Didn't turn out too bad... (^_*)
I got white chocolate and wanted to do what Nicole did with her truffles. But for some reason, the white chocolate didn't melt like the way its dark counterpart did. It was hard and I couldn't drizzle it over the truffles! So I added on some rainbow sprinkles over them instead. Didn't turn out too bad... (^_*)Labels: My Kitchen Adventures
Saturday, December 06, 2008
{Breakfast Surprise}
We were kept busy with a lot of things lately and I didn't plan anything special for Calvin for his birthday this year. He was on duty last night and I decided to give him a little surprise when he gets home this morning - breakfast with love!!
He was back early this morning and the surprise wasn't ready!! Thank God it didn't take much time and it wasn't too difficult to prepare this. He was pleasantly surprised when he saw what was served on the table. And he said it was yummy!! (^__^) I love you, baby...
He was back early this morning and the surprise wasn't ready!! Thank God it didn't take much time and it wasn't too difficult to prepare this. He was pleasantly surprised when he saw what was served on the table. And he said it was yummy!! (^__^) I love you, baby...* * *
Cheesy Egg in Ham Basket (that's what I call it)
I bought a recipe magazine in Melbourne when we were there. And I was attracted to this. Creative and yet simple to prepare. I made some modification to the ingredients but here's the original recipe:
Ingredients
Makes 6
Preparation: 10min
Cooking: 12min
Method
I'll add the herbs the next time I make this.
I bought a recipe magazine in Melbourne when we were there. And I was attracted to this. Creative and yet simple to prepare. I made some modification to the ingredients but here's the original recipe:
Ingredients
Makes 6
Preparation: 10min
Cooking: 12min
- 60g reduced-fat fetta, crumbled
1/3 cup grated reduced-fat tasty cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
100g packet (12 slices) fat-free shaved leg ham
6 eggs
I used:
shredded cheddar, shaved honey glazed chicken ham, bacon bits and eggs
Method
- 1. Preheat oven to 200 deg C. Grease a 6 x 1/3 cup muffin tray. Combine cheeses and herbs in a bowl.
2. Line each cup hole in tray with 2 overlapping slices of ham to shape nests. Fill with half the cheese mixture. Carefully crack and egg in each hole (avoid broken yolks) and top with remaining cheese mixture.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes for a medium-set egg or until cooked as you prefer. Sprinkle with black pepper. Serve with toast.
I'll add the herbs the next time I make this.
Labels: Calvin, My Kitchen Adventures
Sunday, September 28, 2008
{Anniversary Breakfast}
There are so many things I wanted to do for our anniversary, but there are so many constraints... Sometimes we're just at the mercy of our work schedules... Calvin's on course now and hence he can't take leave tomorrow (the actual day of our anniversary). So the things that I wanted to do for him will have to be spread across a few days...
First on the list, I wanna make him a yummy breakfast. Inspired by the pancake I tasted in Melbourne, I decided to make pancake for breakfast on this beautiful Sunday morning.
I didn't succeed in making those fluffy pancakes. And for some reason, the colour of my pancakes is ugly!! How did you guys get the even light brown colour on your pancakes?? Mine turned out like "prata" colour... hahaha...
Oh and of cos, I had to try out what Nicole did with her pancakes... heartshaped ones!! Got the shape, but the colour... is just wrong... :p
Well, but my man said they tasted yummy!! YEAH!! I used the Basic Pancake recipe I found on Martha Stewart's website.
We had grapes, willow mushrooms and veal sausages to go with the pancakes. And not forgetting our Nespressos! He had double mega shot of Roma and I had my regular Latte...
I love mornings like that... I hope to be able to prepare breakfast for us more often from now on.
Happy Anniversary, my love.
First on the list, I wanna make him a yummy breakfast. Inspired by the pancake I tasted in Melbourne, I decided to make pancake for breakfast on this beautiful Sunday morning.
I didn't succeed in making those fluffy pancakes. And for some reason, the colour of my pancakes is ugly!! How did you guys get the even light brown colour on your pancakes?? Mine turned out like "prata" colour... hahaha...
Oh and of cos, I had to try out what Nicole did with her pancakes... heartshaped ones!! Got the shape, but the colour... is just wrong... :p
Well, but my man said they tasted yummy!! YEAH!! I used the Basic Pancake recipe I found on Martha Stewart's website.
We had grapes, willow mushrooms and veal sausages to go with the pancakes. And not forgetting our Nespressos! He had double mega shot of Roma and I had my regular Latte...
I love mornings like that... I hope to be able to prepare breakfast for us more often from now on.
Happy Anniversary, my love.
Labels: Just us, My Kitchen Adventures
Sunday, September 21, 2008
{What's been happening??}
WOW! I've been "missing" for almost a month now! Gosh! Time flies... I've been slogging my ass off so I can go for our much awaited trip with a peace of mind. Imagine working every day from 8am to 11pm, having all 3 meals in front of the laptop. I was really really drained... every ounce of energy is drained out of my body. But I tell myself, hang in there... we're gonna have a real good break!
Calvin had been really busy and stressed out at work as well. He had to take a series of tests in preparation for the course that he's attending right after our trip. The passing grade for each test is 80% and from the way he's mugging, I can tell it's much more difficult than the tests he had to take in his PTI course months back.
Today, 21 Sep 2008, we're back in Singapore after 8 days in Melbourne, and the hectic work schedule is about to start again! Calvin has gone back to base to start packing up for his course that starts tomorrow, and as for me, I need to start cheong-ing again tomorrow and get ready for my mega presentation in KL on Tuesday!
Here's some flash back on what's been happening over the last couple of weeks:
Calvin had been really busy and stressed out at work as well. He had to take a series of tests in preparation for the course that he's attending right after our trip. The passing grade for each test is 80% and from the way he's mugging, I can tell it's much more difficult than the tests he had to take in his PTI course months back.
Today, 21 Sep 2008, we're back in Singapore after 8 days in Melbourne, and the hectic work schedule is about to start again! Calvin has gone back to base to start packing up for his course that starts tomorrow, and as for me, I need to start cheong-ing again tomorrow and get ready for my mega presentation in KL on Tuesday!
Here's some flash back on what's been happening over the last couple of weeks:
August 25, Monday
At 18 weeks, I think I look more like fat than pregnant... Would you give up your seat for me if you see me in the MRT? Surprisingly, this is the week that I start getting seats from nice commuters. Well, there are still a lot of people who couldn't care less.
I think nowadays, these people don't even bother pretending to be asleep... They can look you in the eye, look at your bulging tummy and not give a heck. They probably think that it's their right to remain in their seat. No obligations at all to offer seats to people who needs it more. Well, if you look at it this way, it make sense too right? But then... whatever happened to our "gracious society"??
At 18 weeks, I think I look more like fat than pregnant... Would you give up your seat for me if you see me in the MRT? Surprisingly, this is the week that I start getting seats from nice commuters. Well, there are still a lot of people who couldn't care less.
I think nowadays, these people don't even bother pretending to be asleep... They can look you in the eye, look at your bulging tummy and not give a heck. They probably think that it's their right to remain in their seat. No obligations at all to offer seats to people who needs it more. Well, if you look at it this way, it make sense too right? But then... whatever happened to our "gracious society"??
August 26, Tuesday
Calvin was on leave and decided to give all our soft toys a bath! And he even took pictures to show me... haha... So, Hammie, Tammie, Terror, Nuah-nuah, Hoops & Yoyo and the other little soft toys all went for a wet spin in the washing machine, coming out of it clean and smelling good. (^__^)
Calvin was on leave and decided to give all our soft toys a bath! And he even took pictures to show me... haha... So, Hammie, Tammie, Terror, Nuah-nuah, Hoops & Yoyo and the other little soft toys all went for a wet spin in the washing machine, coming out of it clean and smelling good. (^__^)
August 30, Saturday
This is the last day of Esther and Joeel's exhibition and we had to go there. We've been wanting to go but had been too strapped for time. So, we decided to get out of the house early and beat the crowd in town. We're so proud of them! They are really talented and I really admire them for their pursuit of their dreams. Way to go pals!
This is the last day of Esther and Joeel's exhibition and we had to go there. We've been wanting to go but had been too strapped for time. So, we decided to get out of the house early and beat the crowd in town. We're so proud of them! They are really talented and I really admire them for their pursuit of their dreams. Way to go pals!
September 4, Thursday
As I was chatting to Calvin in bed, ready to sleep, I felt 小B move for the first time! It was amazing!!! Initially I wasn't sure... it felt like a little bubble "blurping" in my tummy... so cute... so amazing... too bad, 小B didn't move again and Calvin didn't get to feel it.
As I was chatting to Calvin in bed, ready to sleep, I felt 小B move for the first time! It was amazing!!! Initially I wasn't sure... it felt like a little bubble "blurping" in my tummy... so cute... so amazing... too bad, 小B didn't move again and Calvin didn't get to feel it.
September 6, Saturday
Some weeks ago, my colleagues came back from a client briefing and started raving about this coffee machine. The client's even ready to give us some good discounts. It's really cool and I've always wanted to have a coffee machine at home. So I went home and told Calvin about it. He was totally not keen at all, he thinks the maintenance will be too much of a hassle. So, the conversation stopped there.
And then, some time later, I showed him the George Clooney Nespresso TVC and immediately he fell in love with the machine and asked me to go find out more about it and to check if we're able to get any discounts for it. Every other day since then, he'd ask me about the status of our Nespresso. hahaha... what kind of charm did George Clooney have on my husband??!!
Finally, all's been arranged and here's our Nespresso at work on the first day.
Some weeks ago, my colleagues came back from a client briefing and started raving about this coffee machine. The client's even ready to give us some good discounts. It's really cool and I've always wanted to have a coffee machine at home. So I went home and told Calvin about it. He was totally not keen at all, he thinks the maintenance will be too much of a hassle. So, the conversation stopped there.
And then, some time later, I showed him the George Clooney Nespresso TVC and immediately he fell in love with the machine and asked me to go find out more about it and to check if we're able to get any discounts for it. Every other day since then, he'd ask me about the status of our Nespresso. hahaha... what kind of charm did George Clooney have on my husband??!!
Finally, all's been arranged and here's our Nespresso at work on the first day.
On Sunday, Calvin's sisters and cousins came over for lunch. Charlene (his cousin who works in Melbourne) was back for holidays and so we arranged for a gathering. We whipped up a few home cooked dishes especially for her. Calvin boiled lotus root with pork ribs soup and steamed fish. I stirfried some kailan and tried my hands at a new dish. Something that my parents and granny cooked on regular basis long time ago. It's basically stirfried sliced potatoes with sliced pork. I'm glad it turned out pretty ok.. :) I'd probably cook this dish again. Yum yum... (no pictures cos we're all famished).
Oh, and of course we served our guests Nespresso that day! (^__^)
Oh, and of course we served our guests Nespresso that day! (^__^)
September 10, Wednesday
Selina (Calvin's eldest sister) sms'd me on Tuesday and asked for my office address. She wanted to send me something. She's so sweet and thoughtful. I received this beautiful, sweet, romantic flower arrangement late this afternoon and my heart melted. So sweeeet..... Thank you Da Jie! Love the flowers, love the thoughts and love you!
Receiving the flowers that Da Jie sent was like marking the end of my busy stressful period and the start of the trip that we yearned for for so long.
Selina (Calvin's eldest sister) sms'd me on Tuesday and asked for my office address. She wanted to send me something. She's so sweet and thoughtful. I received this beautiful, sweet, romantic flower arrangement late this afternoon and my heart melted. So sweeeet..... Thank you Da Jie! Love the flowers, love the thoughts and love you!
Receiving the flowers that Da Jie sent was like marking the end of my busy stressful period and the start of the trip that we yearned for for so long.
September 11, Thursday
It's confirmed! 小B is a girl... our precious little girl... our darling princess... It's so funny. Most of our friends have guessed that we're having a boy. Even Dr Ho said during the last scan that there seemed to be some indication that it's a boy. So from then till now, we've kind of been in tuned with the idea of having a boy. Then today, during the detailed scan, Dr Ho said "guess the gender has changed... it's a girl..." hahaha.... it took us a bit of "adjustments" but we're very HAPPY!!! Now, we've gotta start deciding on a beautiful, meaningful name for our baby girl... (^__^)
September 12, Friday
We're off to Melbourne!!! Long awaited holiday... YEAH!!
It's confirmed! 小B is a girl... our precious little girl... our darling princess... It's so funny. Most of our friends have guessed that we're having a boy. Even Dr Ho said during the last scan that there seemed to be some indication that it's a boy. So from then till now, we've kind of been in tuned with the idea of having a boy. Then today, during the detailed scan, Dr Ho said "guess the gender has changed... it's a girl..." hahaha.... it took us a bit of "adjustments" but we're very HAPPY!!! Now, we've gotta start deciding on a beautiful, meaningful name for our baby girl... (^__^)
September 12, Friday
We're off to Melbourne!!! Long awaited holiday... YEAH!!
Labels: Family n Friends, My Kitchen Adventures, Preggie
Sunday, August 24, 2008
{Working Sunday...}
Calvin's on duty today. He had to work last Sunday and next Sunday too... 3 consecutive Sundays in a row. :( Don't like... but bo bian. I had to do some work at home too. My annual plan's due in 1.5wks and it's not quite started yet! Damn..
It's a rainy weekend and I really didn't feel like going out to get food. So, using whatever I have at home, I cooked myself lunch. Nothing new at all! I must have cooked this like 4/5 times this year... Spicy Shrimps Aglio Olio Pasta again! It's getting yummier... haha... Love eating it! In fact, after I finished the plate of pasta, I felt I could eat some more of it! :p
It's a rainy weekend and I really didn't feel like going out to get food. So, using whatever I have at home, I cooked myself lunch. Nothing new at all! I must have cooked this like 4/5 times this year... Spicy Shrimps Aglio Olio Pasta again! It's getting yummier... haha... Love eating it! In fact, after I finished the plate of pasta, I felt I could eat some more of it! :p
Hmmmm... what's for dinner later???
Labels: My Kitchen Adventures
Saturday, August 09, 2008
{Happy Birthday Singapore!}
We're 43!!
As usual, Calvin had to work on National Day. I was feeling a little bored at home alone and had been thinking of baking. When I saw Sheena online this morning, I suggested a baking session at my place. Since Gor Gor has to work as well and the girls and Jie Jie had no plans today, they readily agreed! Yes!
Sheena wanted something chocolatey, so we're baked Chocolate Cupcakes. And since it's National Day, I decided the icing should be in red colour! Sarah helped sprinkled the white stars on the cupcakes while Sheena dozed off after drooling over the uniformed men on TV... hahahaha... We had such a good laugh over our soft spot for uniformed men.
It was fun spending National Day with you girls, while our uniformed men are at work, serving the nation! :p
Sheena wanted something chocolatey, so we're baked Chocolate Cupcakes. And since it's National Day, I decided the icing should be in red colour! Sarah helped sprinkled the white stars on the cupcakes while Sheena dozed off after drooling over the uniformed men on TV... hahahaha... We had such a good laugh over our soft spot for uniformed men.
It was fun spending National Day with you girls, while our uniformed men are at work, serving the nation! :p
Labels: My Kitchen Adventures
Sunday, July 27, 2008
{Back in the kitchen...}
I've been away from my kitchen for quite a while now. About 2 weeks ago, I was reading a Christian magazine that Mingli passed me and I came across an article about this American family who has an annual burger party to celebrate Independence Day. There are also recipes for burgers in the article. An idea struck me then...
Dennis, Eunice and us have always celebrated one another's birthdays by having a meal together. A way of showering God's blessings on one another. So, I suggested inviting them over for a simple meal... a homemade burger meal. I was quite excited about it since I haven't been cooking for a while. (^__*)
I was keen to try the "Sante Fe Turkey Burger" but I substituted with beef instead and made quite a bit of improvisation (or rather took away ingredients that I don't like). Very easy to make. Hassle free too.
Dennis, Eunice and us have always celebrated one another's birthdays by having a meal together. A way of showering God's blessings on one another. So, I suggested inviting them over for a simple meal... a homemade burger meal. I was quite excited about it since I haven't been cooking for a while. (^__*)
I was keen to try the "Sante Fe Turkey Burger" but I substituted with beef instead and made quite a bit of improvisation (or rather took away ingredients that I don't like). Very easy to make. Hassle free too.
- Ingredients (serves 4):
600gm ground beef
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (can't find it here and I used shredded Mozzarella)
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup bottled salsa, with extra for topping the burger
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp of Worchestershire sauce (my own improvisation)
Method:
Gently mix the above ingredients in a bowl. Be careful not to overwork the meat as overworking it will make the patties heavy and tough.
Divide into 4 1/2 inch think patties.
Grill to the doneness of your liking.
Top burger buns with beef patty, tomatoes and salsa.
~ Sante Fe Beef Burger ~
~ Have a blessed birthday, bro! ~
We ended the day with.... durians!!!! We just had a durian party at Vincent and Lili's place last Saturday and my handsome hubs is craving for durians again!! *faint... Well, I was supposed to go for a Daughtry gig with him tonight but my ever thoughtful hubs decided to skip it as he thought it'd be too tiring for me. So, hopefully the durians made up for his "loss"...
Labels: My Kitchen Adventures
Sunday, June 08, 2008
{Fried Fish for Dinner}
Calvin's on duty today... have had him around on weekends for the last 3 months and now that he's back to work, he's gonna be working 3 weekends in the entire month of June! :(
I really didn't know what to eat, but I'm perpetually hungry... Calvin's mom bought us some ingredients and there was a piece of Batang fish in the freezer. Was planning to steam it, but one look at it, I knew I had to fry it! It reminds me of what I ate when I was young!
Since it was a small piece of fish, and I didn't really want to mess up the kitchen with oily feeling... I decided to fry it in a little pot (what we normally cook instant noodles in).. Good choice! haha no mess at all after all the frying.
I really didn't know what to eat, but I'm perpetually hungry... Calvin's mom bought us some ingredients and there was a piece of Batang fish in the freezer. Was planning to steam it, but one look at it, I knew I had to fry it! It reminds me of what I ate when I was young!
Since it was a small piece of fish, and I didn't really want to mess up the kitchen with oily feeling... I decided to fry it in a little pot (what we normally cook instant noodles in).. Good choice! haha no mess at all after all the frying.
Drizzled some light soy sauce on it.. just like how my parents and my granny would have it... YUMZ! Next time, I'll fry it with some shredded ginger. My granny always did it that way.. and it's very good!
Labels: My Kitchen Adventures
Saturday, June 07, 2008
{First product of our slow cooker}
Calvin has never really been a fan of soups. Me, on the other hand, being a Cantonese, grew up on having soup for dinner every single night! I have been asking Calvin to go shop for a slow cooker for a long time, so I can make soups before I go out for work and then come home to a boiling pot of hot soup for dinner. But we procrastinated...
On Thursday, Calvin decided to buy a slow cooker from NTUC Xtra. And he also bought ingredients to make a yummy pot of beef stew for me!
On Thursday, Calvin decided to buy a slow cooker from NTUC Xtra. And he also bought ingredients to make a yummy pot of beef stew for me!
The beef stew is really yummy and it's sooooo easy to make! We invited Calvin's eldest sis, Selina over for dinner to share the good stuff.. she too loved it.
Well done baby! I don't mind having it again soon!! hehe...
Well done baby! I don't mind having it again soon!! hehe...
Labels: Calvin, My Kitchen Adventures
Saturday, May 10, 2008
{Baking Craze}
I baked again! This time with Jasmine... and we baked rum & raisin cupcakes! It's a very easy recipe from the 500 cupcakes & muffins recipe book. Esther, I'm putting your wonderful gift to good use, huh? hehe...
I've tagged this page since day 1 cos I know rum & raisin is one of Calvin's favourite flavours. So, as Jas and I were deciding on what to bake, Calvin suggested this.
I've tagged this page since day 1 cos I know rum & raisin is one of Calvin's favourite flavours. So, as Jas and I were deciding on what to bake, Calvin suggested this.
- Rum & Raisin Cupcakes [makes 1 1/2 dozen]
Ingredients:
for the cupcakes
75g raisins
3 tbsp dark rum
225g unsalted butter, softened
225g caster sugar
225g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
for the syrup
5 tbsp dark rum
2 tbsp light brown sugar
Method:
Soak the raisins in the rum for 2-3 hours or overnight to soften them. Drain.
Preheat the oven to 175 deg C. Place 18 paper baking cases in muffin tins. Combine all the cupcake ingredients in a large bowl and beat with an electric whisk until smooth and pale, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the sultanas. Spoon the batter into the cases. Bake for 20 minutes.
While the cupcakes are in the oven, combine the syrup ingredients in a pan. Over low heat, dissolve the sugar in the rum. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Remove tins from the oven. With a toothpick, prick 5 holes in each cupcake and pour the warm syrup over them. Then remove the cupcakes and cool on a rack.
We made 2 batches and we ended up with 48 mini cupcakes. Each batch that went into the oven, we modified some parts of the recipe. We both preferred the last batch where we stirred in the rum syrup into the batter before baking. That gave a bit more rum taste to the cupcakes and also gave them a bit more moisture. We love our products!! (^__*)
P.S. I'm already planning for another baking session.. :p [oh... notice my new hairdo??]
Labels: Family n Friends, My Kitchen Adventures
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
{My eventful birthday}
Took leave today because nobody should work on their birthdays! haha.. Calvin can't be around because of that course that seems to be never-ending!!
I invited some dear friends over and we had a blast trying to whip out yummy lunch for ourselves. Thank God Long came too... he's a chef, you see... haha. So my kitchen turned into a mini restaurant kitchen with a head chef (Long) and many other cooks (Diane, Audrey, Teri, Ben and me). It was great fun!!
So, the day started with me waking up at 7am and getting ready to bake my birthday cake. I decided to bake cheesecakes as I've been thinking about it for quite a while. Used the "baked cheesecake" recipe in the book Esther bought for me last year.
I invited some dear friends over and we had a blast trying to whip out yummy lunch for ourselves. Thank God Long came too... he's a chef, you see... haha. So my kitchen turned into a mini restaurant kitchen with a head chef (Long) and many other cooks (Diane, Audrey, Teri, Ben and me). It was great fun!!
So, the day started with me waking up at 7am and getting ready to bake my birthday cake. I decided to bake cheesecakes as I've been thinking about it for quite a while. Used the "baked cheesecake" recipe in the book Esther bought for me last year.
- ~ Baked Cheesecake ~
Makes 1 dozen (or 28 minis)
Ingredients:
125g digestive biscuit crumbs
5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
450g ricotta cheese
450g cream cheese, softened
2 tsp vanilla essence
175g icing sugar, sieved
3 eggs
150g fresh blueberries
Method:
Preheat the oven to 160 deg C. Place 12 paper baking cases in a muffin tin.
Put the digestive biscuit crumbs into a medium bowl and stir in the butter. Spoon tablespoons of the crumb mixture into the cases, pressing firmly into the bottom. Chill until set.
In a large bowl, beat the ricotta cheese until smooth. Add the cream cheese, vanilla and icing sugar, blending until smooth. Slowly add the eggs, blending well. Spoon the mixture into the cases.
Bake for 25 minutes. Remove tin from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then remove the cupcakes and cool on a rack. Chill until time to serve. Serve topped with blueberries.
I call them Mini Chocolate Swirl Cheese Cuppies (^__^)
I added some "decor" on my cakes... chocolate swirls.. :p I couldn't find ricotta cheese in both Phoon Huat and NTUC Xtra! So I replaced the ricotta cheese with cream cheese. It didn't turn out too bad. Except that I think the texture shouldn't be like this had I used ricotta cheese. But anyhow, everyone liked my cheese cuppies!! yippee!!
Then met up with the gang at AMK Hub to do grocery shopping. And here's what we whipped out after more than 3 hours in the kitchen...
Then met up with the gang at AMK Hub to do grocery shopping. And here's what we whipped out after more than 3 hours in the kitchen...
~ Diane's Baked Potato Salad with her self-made dressing~
~ Cream of Wine & Mussel Soup (this is damn good!) ~
~ Spicy Prawn & Scallop with Aglio Olio Angel Hair (again) ~
- ~ Cream of Wine & Mussel Soup ~
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1.5kg mussels, cleaned
40g butter
3 garlic cloves, crushed
300ml white wine
750ml fish stock
150ml double cream
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Salt and ground black pepper
Method:
Discard any open mussels that do not close when tapped sharply. Heat the butter in a large saucepan and fry the garlic for 1 minute. Add the mussels, pour over half the wine, cover the saucepan tightly and cook over high heat for about 4 minutes, to steam the mussels until their shells open.
Drain the mussels through a colander or fine sieve placed over a clean saucepan. Stand the colander over a bowl and put to one side. Add the remaining wine and stock to the strained liqour and heat gently until simmering.
Discard any shells that have not opened. Shell about 2/3 of the mussels and add them to the soup. Warm through a few seconds, then remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the cream and parsley, with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the remaining mussels in their shells.
And here's my wonderful company for my wonderful day (^__^)
Labels: Me, My Kitchen Adventures, TTC
Sunday, May 04, 2008
{Pasta Perfectto}
Sometimes, it's a chore to think about what to eat. We didn't really want eat out for lunch and the queue at NTUC Xtra is horrendously long. Thank God we still have some frozen prawns and scallops and some pasta at home. So while Calvin was studying for his test, I cooked lunch for us. It's the 2nd time I cooked pasta aglio-olio-style. I think I've improved substantially! Calvin thought so too! Yippee!!
Labels: My Kitchen Adventures
Saturday, April 26, 2008
{Frozen Food Converts}
We've been hearing a lot from frozen food advocates lately. Hear about it on the news, read about it on the papers... With rising food prices these days, the media's been really encouraging about switching to frozen meat. About 1-2 months back, we decided to try out frozen scallops, it turned out really well. But we had no basis of comparison since we've never cooked fresh scallops anyway. We saw frozen prawns in NTUC Xtra last night and decided to give it a shot. Yumz! The prawns were fresh and yummy! Just like fresh prawns... well at least we didn't think there was any difference. We're officially frozen food converts now. And, the pack of 500g costs only S$6.50.. quite a deal huh?
I stirfried them with small kailan in sambal belachan paste... Simple lunch for my handsome hubs after his morning training.
I stirfried them with small kailan in sambal belachan paste... Simple lunch for my handsome hubs after his morning training.
Labels: My Kitchen Adventures
Saturday, April 19, 2008
{Purple-Top Birthday Cupcakes for Ying}
I had to attend a client's event at Botanic Gardens today and since it's Ying's birthday soon, I asked Teri what she thinks if we were to have a picnic celebration for her today. She's all for the idea and she went ahead to organise a potluck picnic! Thanks boli for organising it despite your busy schedule.. :)
I offered to buy the birthday cake, but as it got closer to the date, I suddenly decided to bake it myself! I surfed the Martha Stewart site for an easy cupcake and a cheesy icing recipe. I wanted a cheese-based icing so that I'd eat my own cupcake too! haha... I really dislike cream or whipped cream to be specific. So I figured if it's cream cheese, maybe I'd be ok with it. So, here's what I found and used...
I offered to buy the birthday cake, but as it got closer to the date, I suddenly decided to bake it myself! I surfed the Martha Stewart site for an easy cupcake and a cheesy icing recipe. I wanted a cheese-based icing so that I'd eat my own cupcake too! haha... I really dislike cream or whipped cream to be specific. So I figured if it's cream cheese, maybe I'd be ok with it. So, here's what I found and used...
Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients (Makes 12)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.
- Into a medium bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream and beginning and ending with flour.
- Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool in pan 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Ingredients (Makes enough for about 50 cupcake bites)
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Place cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until creamy, about 30 seconds.
- With the mixer on low, slowly add sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowls as necessary.
- Add vanilla and increase mixer speed to medium. Blend until frosting is fluffy, about 1 minute.
The above recipe (I skipped the sour cream, cos I didn't manage to buy any :p) made me 28 mini cupcakes, out of which 12 went straight into the bin!... (~_~) I halved the quantity for the icing and I still had left over... Oh, and I added a bit of violet food colouring into the icing. Why purple? Miss birthday girl randomly picked this colour.. thank God there is purple food colouring!
So, what happened to those 12 little cupcakes? I baked them late Friday night after work and I totally forgot that I should be reading the temperature in °F and not °C! DUH!!! *faint* How stoooopid!!! So the first tray came out BLACK! I was laughing at myself!! hahaha...
As I was spreading the purple icing on the cupcakes, I found it a little difficult to smear it on smoothly. Although I think the end result didn't look that bad, I had wanted them to turn out really smooth like Yuxiang's. Well, I clearly wasn't successful. :( How did you do that, Yuxiang? Is there a technique?? Or is it pure skill? :p
All in all, I had great fun baking (even though I was a little stressed at some point..) and Calvin rated my cupcakes 8/10!! happiness!
So, what happened to those 12 little cupcakes? I baked them late Friday night after work and I totally forgot that I should be reading the temperature in °F and not °C! DUH!!! *faint* How stoooopid!!! So the first tray came out BLACK! I was laughing at myself!! hahaha...
As I was spreading the purple icing on the cupcakes, I found it a little difficult to smear it on smoothly. Although I think the end result didn't look that bad, I had wanted them to turn out really smooth like Yuxiang's. Well, I clearly wasn't successful. :( How did you do that, Yuxiang? Is there a technique?? Or is it pure skill? :p
All in all, I had great fun baking (even though I was a little stressed at some point..) and Calvin rated my cupcakes 8/10!! happiness!
Labels: Family n Friends, My Kitchen Adventures
Sunday, March 30, 2008
{Sunday with the folks}
It was an impromptu lunch gathering with our folks. As we were preparing to cook lunch for my parents, Calvin suggested getting his parents & sister over as well. Which is a great idea! His dad has been asking us to organise a get-together with my parents ever since CNY. So we got them over and I got a bit stressed!
It's the first time I cook for my parents and his parents! I know my parents would eat whatever I cook and however it tastes. But I can't cook crap for his parents!! OMG! Thank God the dishes I planned to cook were the simple ones that I've cooked before. So it can't go that wrong... haha..
It turned out to be a seafood themed lunch. We had prawns, fish and scallops. It was a late lunch and since everyone was famished, I didn't manage to take any photos... Here's the simple mini menu:
It's the first time I cook for my parents and his parents! I know my parents would eat whatever I cook and however it tastes. But I can't cook crap for his parents!! OMG! Thank God the dishes I planned to cook were the simple ones that I've cooked before. So it can't go that wrong... haha..
It turned out to be a seafood themed lunch. We had prawns, fish and scallops. It was a late lunch and since everyone was famished, I didn't manage to take any photos... Here's the simple mini menu:
* * *
After Calvin's parents left, I brought out my handsome new gadget to show my dad. And I realised he owns a Nikon DSLR (can't remember which model)! hmmm... I should have gotten a Nikon huh.. we would have been able to share lenses! But then again, think I might still have preferred a Canon, because I used to work on this account... it's called brand loyalty. ha!
Labels: Family n Friends, My Kitchen Adventures