Time to turn "stressed" to "desserts" again

Finally got down to more baking after many busy days, nights, fights and frights. Will try to put all the unpleasant ones events behind, afterall, they are only work.

My colleagues in my ex-co will know their fate next Tuesday, whether they are 'safe' or will be 'eliminated'. Yes, it's another round of reduction and another painful wait just to find out the final decisions. Whatever the outcome, I' hope eveything will be alright!

First the bread machine, and now, my blender also broke down. The durian pulp meant for durian smoothie desserts turned into durian muffins instead. I think I've improved, and my latest batch of 18 turned out yummier, and the bottoms un-burned.

Yummy Durian Muffins

What a big turnoff.... indeed

To mark Earth Hour today, it has been reported that a lot of people and estabishments intend to participate and do their part and will swtich off their lights for one hour tomorrow, at 8:30pm (local time). What a noble thing to do! It would certainly make a huge difference to enable a brighter furture. But what I don't get it is some indicate they will switch off "unnecessary lightings" and the such. Hmmm, if they are unnecessary in the first place, why not swtiched it off permanently??!!

Another turnoff - the bread machine, is half-dead. It tripped my mains once it started the bake cycle, just like the last time. Looks like it has decided to observe the Earth Hour too, and switched itself off with about slightly an hour more to go. Guess I could only use it to knead from now on.

Although the bread machine did it's part, I've to pop my loaf inside the oven. (Hey, it is necessary) My sweet loaf ended up pretty hard and holely on top as I've set the temperature too high initially. Luckily the burnt rasins on top could be removed easily; but I should have taken a picture or two of blacken rasins sticking out. It looked kind of unqiue, and definitely one-of-a-kind. Overall, quite edible, but I do not expect any takers, even my little one who doesn't mind rasin buns.

Guess I will not attempt another bread until I visit SisC.

Sweet Mixed Fruits "Loaf"

Girls gotta have fund

It was International Women's Day yesterday and the newspaper article reminded girls ought to take control and plan for themselves. Very timely reminder, I thought. Surely, we have to ensure we are self sufficient, and have enough to fend for ourselves when we are "not young" and alone as we will most likely out-lived our partners. There should be absolutely no guilt to safekeep our own money, and better still, if "what's his is mine, and what's mine is mine" applies. :D

There's a potluck party to celebrate OUR day, and my mum prepared her highly-acclaimed dish. Something that my sisters and colleagues wanted so much to learn...

Mum's Abacus
Hey, yet another reminder for us to be 'calculative' and have money for us to count?

11:11 phenomenon

When I glanced at the clock, it reads "11:11". Whenever I see this timing, I remembered what an ex-colleague once shared pretty long time ago - that it is more than chance or coincidence. It's a sign... a wake-up call... To some, the numbers showed up everywhere. It didn't have a powerful effect on me, but for those who sighted it often, I hoped it brought them good luck!!

Hot Dog Puffs
Made two, for sons, but their dad took one without permission.

Luckily SonZ is happy with the sardine puffs.

Strawberry and Mango Yogurt
The unsweetened yogurt goes well with fresh strawberries and mangoes

Damned if you do - or don't

Yup, I saw this header in yesterday's Sunday Times... it caught my attention alright, and I was so automatically drawn to it as it resonant so well with what I'm doing for a living now. Folks who knew what I'm doing could easily identify with what I'm talking about. I didn't finish the article though, found it kind of dry, but had a good laugh at 'bracing for a bumpy ride" where the writer tried but was unsuccessful in his appeal to waive a traffic offence. I recently knew of someone who did just that, and was successful. It sure needs some great story-telling skills, and with apprporiately amplification of a few 'facts' to one's advantage to win some sympathy from the officers in blue, it is something that is achievable.

Ice Jelly with Fruit Cocktail and Lime Juice

What could be better than a nice cool ice jelly to forget those damned tasks in such damp weather? Anyone care to have some too? Futhermore, with all the stressed, is a good way to reverse it with desserts!! :D

First deserving pat on my back

I was stressed out the whole of last week!! Supposed to implement a new, replacement service in a week's time at work but it simply is not ready to face the world. Finally good news towards the end of last week - with some plans changed, the service don't have to die-die go-live despite all the undesirable issues and possible flaws if it's launched. But that only means I've burdened myself with more work to come out with an interim process, but I think it's the right thing to do.

So, I managed to put some office work aside, instead of a totally burnt weekend - and oh I'm glad. I've always wanted to challenge myself to prepare my favourite black pepper crab - and I DID, well, with flying colours! (*pat). And not just only that, I also single-handedly prepared baked rice for SonZ who is not at all keen to try the crab (but wanted soft-shell crab instead), and sardine puffs.

Restaurant-standard Black Pepper Crabs (serious!)
SonS, despite the spiciness, and continuously drowning himself with water, kept asking for more.

Oh, who would imagine this day I could actually whipped a crab dish so nice!!

Sardine Puffs (nice too!)
Half of what I've prepared end up in SonZ's stomach before it is officially served!

Well, after the nice dinner came the not so nice part. With no helpers, both SO and me have to washed up. *sigh*

Credits:
Sardine Puffs - SitiZ
Photo Effects - FunBoxPhoto shared by HHB

When are you going to bake lasagna?

SonZ had been pestering and pressurizing me to bake lasagna for many weeks already. I finally had to stop preparing my presentation materials todayh to bake it for dinner, although the master chef had returned. I cheated by using prepared pasta sauce and dry lasagna sheets, added minced meat, button mushrooms, cheese slices, ham and Mozzarella cheese.

Overly-baked cheese and Overly-red Lasagna
BTW, it didn't taste as bad as it looks!

Pardon me, I don't even know that lasagna is the fat, orange cat's favourite food. When I was looking high and low for lasange sheets at the supermarket, the aunty at the supermarket asked if I'm looking for Garfiield's favourite food? Even SonS could let me know what Garfield's favourite food is. Hmmm, why I never knew?

The after-meal durian milk shake is yummy-delicious. So good, there's not time for picture taking.

4 big and 9 small

4 big and 9 small? No, it has nothing to do with buying 4D!! It's the number of durian muffin I decided to bake a few nights ago, after 10:30pm, after picking some durians while fetching SonS from his night class. It's also my way to de-stressed... so much to catch up with my office work!!

How did I fare? Well, to tell you the truth, let's check[ed] the following:-
[X} Did not use the right type of flour
[X] Did not save half of the durian plup but add wet ingredients
[X] Did not mix the dry ingredients at all before adding the wet ingredients
[X] Did not just mix, but over-mixed when combine wet and dry ingredients
[X] Did not understand the functions and controls of the oven (anyone knows where's the manual?)

Anyway, I managed to bake these barely edible durian muffins and by the time I'm done, it's way past midnight. I brought some to torture my lunch mates the next day while we celebrated the one year older, but not wiser, Chu2. :p

Durian Muffins

Yes, there were nine.

A Feng Shui email appeared in my mailbox today. His answer to a popular question posed by the media was how to survive an expected to be very tough Year of the Ox is "Be like the OX. Work hard, be persistent and make down to earth decisions!"

My decision?

"I will attempt durian muffin again!!"

Don't have to wait until Olympics afterall....

Not in the distant past, I was disappointed with my first "muffin baking encounter" and hoped that I do not have to wait for the next Olympics before I could make some decent muffins. Well, I don't have to, not even Youth Olympics in 2010!! And, they are not from pre-mix!! :D

I worked from home today, and managed to take my simple lunch and complete these muffins in less than one and a half hour, including cleaning and photoshoot. I'm glad this baking session was uneventful (i.e. no disaster like the last) as I had strict time restriction to catch my next meeting.

Banana Walnut Muffins

This very simple and manageable recipe requires no electric mixer or blender - my kind of recipe. Although it should make 6, I only managed 4 - as I read that instead of 1/2 or 2/3 full, we should filled it up to nearly full to have high(er) domes. Well, mine didn't turn out too bad (I'm entitled to my own opinions), although some batter overflowed.

Credits:
Paper muffin cups, courtesy by SitiZ
SonZ's home economics book

Why time not enough?

While browsing the various food blogs (mostly local) to search for simple, yet yummy recipes and admiring the amazing skills of others, I came across some tagging activities going on in blog space. I do not know how it all got started, but bloggers will share 7 facts about themselves (known as meme), and then tag 7 other bloggers to share about themselves. I read today's Sunday Times and discovered similar tagging activity going on in Facebook as well. Instead of 5, they have to share 15 things about themselves and then tag 15 others. It's no mean feat! All these activities will keep folks busy, won't they? I do not have a Facebook account, do not plan to have one, as I know that I could not afford the time (not my priority), and most importantly, do not want to be addicted (hmmm, makes me wonder what I am doing right this moment....) Well, time really no enough!!

For more dessert actions, I came across the Tropical Bloom Smoothie recipe in SonZ's home economics book, and decided to give it a shot with the new blender I received for subscribing Straits Times. Instead of bananas, I used mangoes instead. And, another boo-boo, I actually forgot to add milk!!

Mango Smoothie, my frozen sippers
SonZ prefer it without cinnamon and nutmeg, and as usual, he gets it his way...

Brought Back Some Sweet Memories

In between sipping homemade smoothie and browsing the travel guide (yes, planning to go somewhere in June), I recalled some of the things I did when I was younger which is not too long ago :p (must be triggered after reading the article in ST about connecting with old pal).... In my primary school days, I used to run up a down moving escalator and vice versa (imagine our horror if our children do it now!), standing handsfree and balance on buses (I need to hold those railings for my dear life when in mrt trains nowadays), and in secondary school days, how we save $$ by calling and hang up exactly after 2 rings to signal our classmate it's time to come down and walk to school (sorry, no SMSes then), and the oh-so-fun and exciting times when playing catch by appearing from under table tennis table at void decks to tag those standing and screaming above (wonder why one of the neighbourhood have to replace their under-utilized table tennis tables frequently, but if I'm not wrong, 'ours' were made of cement). Oh, if only we just turn back the clock by JUST A FEW YEARSSSSS to re-live those days again....

What a disaster!

I am curious if anyone store their pans, trays, takeout containers and other barang barang inside their oven when it is not in use? I am equally curious to find out if anyone forgets and went ahead to preheat the oven before removing the stuff? I am extremely curious to know if anyone had the opporunity to see and smell melted plastic in a hot oven? Hmmm, and how does one get rid of those goo??!!

Well, I have my reasons to be curious - I happened to be one of those 'anyone' who did just that! Hopefully, not the only one (otherwise, could I register myself with any organization, being the first?), but the last!!

I was happily struggling with my marbled cream cheese brownie when I switched on the oven before removing my stored-away stuff in the oven. By the time I discovered, it already at the preset temperature of 180. I quickly removed the top, followed by the bottom tray. One of the takeout container fell, landed at the base of the oven, and instantly melted. OMG! OMG!

At first, I tried to remove the sticky goo, but stopped after a while as the oven is too hot and reckon it is not the right way. After a while, some parts turned whitish, and hardened, and I managed to peel and scrape them off. I decided to quicken the cooling process by rubbing 2 ice cubes over the area and managed to remove most of it. I scrubbed with detergent about 8 times before I preheat the oven to bake my brownie. I'm still wondering if the brownie is safe to eat and not 'intoxicated' by the fumes.

Marbled Cream Cheese Brownie

I had a fun time swirling the brownie despite my earlier disaster. I think I've 'over-swirled'.

Done
I much prefer the pre-baked look.

Worth the trouble (disaster)?
Well, at least it's well-received.

Credits: Small Small Baker

I simply love quick and simple recipes

After the egg tarts episode, I simply love recipes that do not need lots of ingredients and procedures, even better if no elaborate equipments are required and non-greasy.

Egg in toast
It's easy to prepare, and I could sandwiched anything in between, be it cheese, sliced ham, or anything I fancy. This is already my 3rd attempt and I've gotten the thumbs up from SonS.

Strawberry Pudding
Here's my attempt to make layered strawberry pudding with diced strawberries in one and mangoes in another. Lesson learnt - pudding is too soft to be layered - at least for mine. :p

How creative could I get?
It's more baked rice for our weekend lunch. Well, kids love it.

Kitchen on loan

Time flies and surprisingly, I've blogged (and still are at this point) for slightly over a month already. While I only just started to blog, I happened to read an article that considered blogging so 'old school'. Blogging has been declining steadily since a year ago, and previous bloggers have since swtiched to Twitter and/or another service I just couldn't recall at this moment (something very alien to me). Looks like I need more effort to keep pace with new trends and technology...

As much as I would like to try new recipes, I need to catch up with my high volume of work, so I loaned my kitchen to 2 bodies who wished to experiment with the Portuguese egg tart recipe from a newly bought cookbook (and mess up my kitchen in the process, said one body). The incentive, I was first served with mushroom cream soup.

Mushroom Cream Soup

with mushrooms (of course), butter, bacon, garlic & milk

"C'mon, give it to me now!!"

Although I was not involved in the making of the egg tarts, I could tell it''s a lot of work and oh-so greasy and therefore, extremely extremely sinful. I don't think I will attempt this on my own - simply too tedious for me.

Portuguese Egg Tarts

Although not pretty but definitely pass-able for a first attempt!

These were from the very first batch of 12. Some of the subsequent tarts looked more decent.

OK, it's back to work for me now.

In future, no work means strictly no work

I enjoyed my week-long break; not so much to do with new year visitings, places I went (or didn't) but just simply NOT working and have leisure time to just do what I want to do, even if it meant do nothing at all. I actually promised myself before CNY not to login to my office messaging services for 9 full days, but I failed myself. I logged in on the 3rd day of CNY; and I so regretted it. I thought it wouldn't do much 'harm' to just take a quick look and see how many emails had accumulated. I was so wrong; so very wrong. I spotted a recalled email notification, then the recalled email itself arrived (with no subject title) soon after, and then another similar message with subject title. I just couldn't contain my curiosity to find out how this expected mass communications went; my jaws dropped upon reading the contents within. I didn't even dare to open the attachment as it would probably upset me further. After lifting my jaws from the floor, I fired out an email to find out who sent out those emails, and logged out immediately.

Why can't I just stick to what I have promised myself??!! (oo) Didn't I say no work at all??!! Nevermind, I will try harder. I've already decided to book another week-long break without work, although the next 3 months will be super busy. Don't care. Anyway, we're forced to take 5 days leave to cut costs for the company.

Yesterday, I brought mum to do a little shopping to buy some baking accessories and have lunch at the newly re-opened shopping complex. I experimented with baked rice, yes again, with more cheese and longer bake time. Mum and sons enjoyed very much and I'm glad. In fact, I don't even get to eat much, but I don't mind it at all!

Ham & Cheese Baked Rice

I jokingly told SonS that if I tell him that I will bake rice for dinner tonight, he will faint. It turned out he was keen to have it, and when I told him I was not serious, he replied "Now I really will faint!".

Again, not enough for the SonZ, the mousie who like cheeezzeee

This is specially for mum.

I popped it back into the oven for a couple more minutes before I served, so the final piece looks yummier.

Fishie needs more cheese

For my week-long break, I had the honour of having some (ex)colleagues over to keep me company this afternoon. We had quite a heavy lunch, but didn't felt sleeply despite the warm weather. Perhaps, we occupied ourselves with important tasks at hand and were kept rather busy, that's why.....

Although it's already pretty late to prepare baked rice for dinner, I still decide to go ahead after they left. While the rice is cooking, I fetched SonS. This is the second time I tried baked rice (the first was maybe 3 months or so ago), and I would gladly declare this is much much MUCH better than the first. All of a sudden, I think I begin to have a better 'feel' in cooking already (ahem-ahem). To further improve, I need to be MORE generous with the cheese and have sufficient time to leave them to bake longer. I could afford to wait, but my sons couldn't, as dinner was 15 mins later than usual already.

"meow"

SonS loves kitty cats. No prize for guessing who gets to eat from this fishy dish. When SonS is done, he is greeted with a 'meow' indicating a full and satisifed stomach (I hope!).

SonZ wants it all!

SonZ loves baked rice, with lots and lots of cheese (and curry too). He volunteered eagerly to finish everything, but sorry to disappoint, it has to serve 3.

Remember, next time more cheese, okie?

And for desserts, Strawberry puddings

As the sayings goes - "anything that can go..."

Well, I did become more adventurous, and decided to tried out the bread machine (on loan from SisM).
After popping everything necessary (with extreme accuracy as warned by the manual) to make a white loaf (the most basic and simpliest), the bread machine is on it's way to kneal-and-bake land.

Nothing will go wrong, right? Everything steps and required portions are done accordingly to what was stated, bread machine has started to work the mixture and the few peeps I took did not find anything amiss. It's just going to be a 2 hours 45 mins wait to see and touch my LOAF of Bread!

WRONG!! Murphy decided to pay me a visit again...

With about 45 mins to go (that's when the bake cycle is about to begin, I think), my circuit breaker tripped and the bread machine became lifeless. After I reset the tripped circuit breaker, I stared at the bread machine, wondering how do I skip all the knealing, rising, waiting stages and start the baking cycle? No, I found nothing there that indicate I could achieve that.

Errrrrrggghh!! I need to fetch SonS soon, so I have no time to waste. After some quick thinking, I decide to act fast and furious. I lift the dough out of the pan, did a bit of folding and divided it into 7 parts before arranging them into the geased aluminum pizza pan. I covered it with a wet cloth and left to fetch SonS. Upon my returned, they got bigger, I turned on the oven, brushed some beaten egg on top of the dough (should have covered the whole top), sprinkled some herbs and seeds (should have kneal it into the dough as some are burnt) and popped it into the oven (should have use bottom heat instead of top and bottom).

Anyway, here's the end result. I know laughter is good for you, go ahead to work your lungs.... you may start now!!

Ok ok... can stop laughing now!

Next up, 'agar-agar' pizza

Just sharing one of the what was prepared for lunch/tea at my place today. SisC brought her cook books and necessary equipments (roller and pizza pan - *paisei, see how lacking I am*) and bought all essential ingredients, made the dough and roll it into shape; SisM opened the can of pineapple; SisL cleaned and cut the green peppers, onions, pineapples and 3-layer-pork; and me, sprinkle the cheese on top and the most important task to pop it in and out of the oven! :p

Credits:
Who else, but SisC (again!).

Akan datang - another cooking session planned at SisL's place this coming Sunday. Must learn from her how to make "agar-agar" pizza; hmmm, what's that? What she meant is actually 'play by ear', 'guess-timation' or not following cookbooks or any proven recipes. Hey, that means kungfu up to mark! SisM suggested monthly 'cooking' and 'sharing' sessions; I don't mind if we rotate the kitchens each time. I've no maid, and not the maid at home; if you know what I mean.

Updates (the next day):
I've used some left-over dough made the day before. It attempted to escape twice by spilling out of the container... but I managed to foul it's plan and dinner was served:-