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:-

Happy Moo Year!

I wanted to make something for Lunar New Year. Yes, something quick, simple and more or less fail-safe. No, not ID10T-proof, as nothing is ID10T-proof. Oh c'mon, photos could still turn-up blurry using those ID10T-proof, dummy point-and-shoot cameras. :p Pineapple tarts (tedious, too much work), mini-prawn rolls (time consuming), cookies (never tried before, and no cute-cute cookie cutter)... are out of question.

Fear not! I've something up my sleeve. SisC shared with me how to make those delicious and more importantly, easy-to-prepare chocolate-almond-cornflakes-bites years ago. I've made it a couple of times with slight variations, such as replacing the hundreds-and-thousands (aka coloured-rice) with roasted almond bits, cronflicks pre-bundled with almonds, unsweetened baking chocolate, etc. They are mostly not decisions made intentionally, but by mistakes or 'fate', because I bought the wrong stuff, or what I needed wasn't available when I needed them (new murphy's law - i can't find 'em when I need 'em). And I'm not ashamed to share I've burnt the chocolate at least once and have to abort my 'operations' as I ran out of chocolate once. :)

Chocolate-Almond-Cornfakes Bites

Credits:
SisC for sharing this easy-to-make goodie with me years ago.

Given the current gloomy economic climate, let's still welcome the "Year of Ox" with open arms and celebrate. I watched 'the secret' DVD about a year ago and it over Oprah's show yesterday morning. So, I said to myself, must consistently remind myself to think and be positive so as to attract what I wanted ( but not without ACTing); must create a 'vision board' to etch into my mind what I want to achieve (again, must ACT to see results as nothing will fall from the sky) - that is, believe and apply the "Law of Attractions". Could I? Only time will tell......

Happy Niu Year!

Happy Moo Year!
Moo moo moooooooooo.....

If only all things could end up the way

Finally, I found durian! (must persevere)

I have been looking for durians. It seems I have problem looking for fruits I need; first mangos, now durians...

A couple of days ago, I sighted durians at the newly re-opened supermarket but couldn't buy then since I need to be back at office. I specially made a trip down yesterday, but the promoter was selling Chinese New Year (CNY) goodies instead. She told me durians will probably be on sale only after CNY. Imagine my disappointment! My puffs at home couldn't wait that long, I figured, but I'll still keep my eyes (and nose) open.

I happened to be at the supermarket again this evening, and guess what, she's selling durians today. OK, no complains since I got what I wanted, and she gave me a good deal.

Oh, and I found a long-lost helper! (think of alternatives to ease the pain)

For whipping, I was not ready to do so by hand (Chu2 says it will take an hour, OMG) and so I did a web search on one old Braun multipractic (MC 100) I tucked away in my kitchen cabinet (probably used it like 10 times in about the same number of years I owned it). I managed to find the users' manual online. YES, it's capable of doing the job; in fact, it's able to whisk, blend, and.... Looks like I could save some money and space with one less gadget. I am glad that it is still functioning after being deserted for so long.

And I made it!

After about 1 hour and about the same time to clean-up (errrhh, the latter is the part I detested), my durian puffs are ready. Part II is accomplished!! Furthermore, I have enough durian fillings to freeze as ice-cream. :)

Afterthoughts...

Well, if all things end up this way (no no, not how the puff end up looking like la) - get through the disappointments, persevere, look for alternatives and achieve what you set out to do despite the initial 'setbacks'....

Premix 'nuff 'nuff and puff

Blueberry Muffins (premix)

Saw muffin premixes at the supermarket, and think to myself: "Why Not?!"
Since I've yet to invest in my very own electic beater/whisker/mixer/food-processor (if ever, to add to the juicer, steamer, etc that's lying around...), I think I could manage to "just add water" and stir.

Cheated!! Six they say... but I only managed 5, and they didn't even rise!
Taste - Far from nice, it's "rubbery". No more premix for me... although I believe it's entirely my fault (ahem - anyone still sense some doubts!!??)

Hope it's not until the next Olympics before I could make some decent muffins!

I'm very keen to make mini durian puff, and alas, I began Part I.

I did such a lousy job with the piping - they were supposed to be equally spaced, ~5 cm apart and regular in shape and size, but look what I've done. :p

Hot chicks in the Oven
Well, at least that's what I thought they look like..

These are stored in the fridge currently, awaiting to be filled with durian.....

End of Part I, to be continued... (hopefully)

Credits: Wokking Mum for Choux pastry (aka puff)

About the only thing I could prepare

SonZ insisted I prepare sushi today since I refused to bring them to Sakae Sushi yesterday. We had Stingray (and more) near Sunset Way instead - and all enjoyed that; told sons I will not bring them in future as I don't get to eat as much nowadays. :p

Sushi is probably the only 'dish' I could prepare in confidence. As usual, SonZ would appear out of no where once I've completed all the sushi rolls. He would "asked for permission" to lick clean the leftover tuna and crabstick in mayo. Then he would standby and dump all the 'unsightly' end pieces into his stomach while I cut the sushi roll. By the time I'm done with the cutting, he's half-way through his dinner.

I made another batch of mango pudding. This time round, I cut down the water and evaporated milk by half and up the mango juice. It's much smoother - I love it! It's topped with cookie made by SisC. I'll get her recipe, probably try it out (since SonS says it's YUMMY) and share in a bit.

"Pain, Sweat and Scar" that's not meant to be

With my sudden urge to bake (call it predictable short-lived craze if you must!), I managed to invite two shifu to teach me bake today. With the help from LeeY and Chu2, here's our accomplishments after browsing hundreds of creations from cake/bakery books on loan from the library (courtesy of Chu2).

Strawberry Sponge Cake
No takers as yet since DadJ bought a durian cake on New Year's eve that's still not consumed. The durian cake will take priority first.

Chocolate Walnut Brownie
This is 'slightly' over-baked, but still very edible. We had some good laugh while preparing this, don't we? (It's not everyday you'll get to see LeeY make a boo-boo, but hey, that's all because she lost her concentration due to her incoming SMSes.) Well, at least both my shifu tried this, and Chu2 is going to attempt it at home this coming weekend (so, mine is a trial...). SonZ loved them and requested DadJ to buy ice-cream for his subsequent rounds.

My Apologies (really really)
What about the "pain, sweat and scar"? Chu2 was kept busy busy and scalded herself while dishing out the sponge cake. Sorrie, dear!

Credits:
Thanks to both LeeY and Chu2 for coming and getting all the baking essentials for me to make all this happen - I definitely learned something today (like what is folding, don't over or under beat/whisk, set oven heat from bottom-only, remove the bottom cookie/dripping tray, put the rack at the middle, watch the clock as the oven timer might fail, be careful as hot things hurt, don't be distracted, etc etc etc). Cheers!

Updates:
SonS loved the brownie too - commented it was better than outside (Wow!! The truth - he didn't get to eat much of brownie before...). I also noticed that the top of the brownie looks quite normal and presentatable after a few hours of storage, i.e. not so 'black and glossy'. As for the sponge cake, it's a little 'rough' (I know why I know why - thanks to Chu2 stirring instead of folding).

My First Attempt!

Happy 2009, Everyone!

This is my first attempt at blogging (and this is not even my 2009 resolution), and well, making puddings. What inspired me? It's all the enthusiastic and fantastic creations by homemakers (well, mostly) that got me started. Hats off to all of you out there...

(Now I could declare I am a blogger)

What do I have to share? Pineapple Pudding, anyone?

Here's the recipe for the pineapple puddings.

Ingredients:

1 packet of Jelly Crystals (pineapple flavour)
1 can of round-cut pineapple; half cut into small chunks
1 cup of boiling 'water cum pineapple syrup'
1 can of Evaporated Milk (Full cream)

Method:

Pour jelly crystals into boiling 'water cum pineapple syrup' and stir jelly crystals until they are completely dissolved. Add in the can of evaporate milk and add the pineapple chunks. Scope the mixture into serving glasses and chill in fridge.

Credits: Happy Home Baking

Updates:
The pineapple pudding was prepared on 30th January, and the very next day, I attempted the Mango Pudding once I've finally got my hands on a mango (the fruit seems to have disappeared from supermarkets and neighbourhood fruit stalls for some reasons). SonS loved both version, but SonZ only adores the mango pudding.