tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7864720477724092032024-03-13T12:54:06.613+08:00KITCHEN MUSINGSCONSUMED BY FOODLihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-31595331204811423162009-11-27T01:27:00.006+08:002010-08-21T00:18:38.037+08:00enough to put a smile on our faces...I have some great news to share. After much anticipation, my sister-in-law, S gave birth to a healthy baby boy, an ounce short of 10 pounds (4.5kg that converts to) in the late morning of 24 November. We are all so happy with the new addition to our family and Gavin especially, has taken to his little brother Gareth with much warmth, enthusiasm and love. Carrying the little guy in my arms was Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-44787527617521671522009-09-22T10:33:00.004+08:002009-09-22T10:38:07.518+08:00You are cute as a button! yes you are! Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-82659068578424811402009-09-19T21:09:00.000+08:002009-09-19T10:59:44.638+08:00I couldn't resist...I've been promising a shift from dessert recipes but this cake is a true gem! I followed the recipe posted by Elise who also shares a plethora of recipes from cooking references she has tried and tested. It involves a bit of work but I think it is well worth it - perfect for brightening up an overcast Saturday.As most strawberries found in Kuala Lumpur are imported and can be quite dearly priced,Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-14370736268076552322009-09-19T00:37:00.009+08:002009-09-19T01:02:49.323+08:00Roast potato medleyOkay, this is not quite what I promised to post but I couldn't keep this one to myself. It is so simple to throw together and great for satisfying a carb-craving. It is what I label as a "quick and dirty" because it's a very earthy dish that takes no time to prepare. Simply scrub the skins of the potatoes you plan on using - pictured above, I used 3 different types of sweet potaotes: yellow, Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-87766818666650879932009-09-06T20:32:00.008+08:002009-09-06T20:53:20.436+08:00A break from sweetsNot sure if I mentioned before that I was pescetarian for a while after returning from my trip to the US last year. I mainly ate a vegetarian diet rich in fruit, vegetables, pulses and legumes, supplemented with up to 3 small portions of fish during the week. However, after several bouts of passing out at the most inconvenient of times and being told it was a result of a low blood iron count, I Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-67512372898314298452009-08-13T00:34:00.023+08:002009-08-19T01:38:18.147+08:00A week of chocolate Quite unexpectedly, I recieved a message from a friend the other day asking how often I exercise and brush my teeth during the day. This curious text came shortly after I uploaded more pictures of some sweet items I made for our online catalogue. chocolate cream tartIt is only mid-week and I have gone through more than 5 kilos of chocolate. Since we've launched our official business website, theLihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-69758084416222066522009-08-09T21:50:00.009+08:002009-08-09T23:16:25.967+08:00the nibblers vs. the chompersI spent a good part of last week experimenting with these biscuits. I know they look pretty basic - shortbread topped with dried fruit and nuts, but I assure you they are anything but. These biscuits embody the minimalist perfection of taste and texture. There is no recipe to follow but you can hardly go wrong. It is just paramount to begin with good chocolate, quality garnish and your favourite Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-75235010151041867452009-06-13T23:31:00.003+08:002009-06-13T23:55:15.600+08:00Dried berry and almond biscottiI can't get enough of these crunchy double-baked biscuits - nor can my Mum. We both love dunking these biscuits into our morning coffee. I made this particular batch with some chewy and tart dried berries along with some roast almonds left from a previous baking project but the base of this recipe is so versatile you can easily tailor it to suit your whim and fancy. A particularly popular Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-71823257581884812022009-06-08T20:32:00.002+08:002009-06-08T20:45:08.730+08:00I am still hereHi everyone,Many apologies for my vanishing act in the month of May. I have been occupied but I am still spending a lot of time cooking. I have just been falling a little short on time trying to document and capture images of my kitchen creations.There is a very important project I am currently investing a lot of time and energy in. I hope I will be able to share it with you all soon... I am Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-26322926408337284632009-05-09T19:17:00.003+08:002009-05-10T15:48:42.673+08:00Chicken with lemon, garlic and thyme Tonight I cooked dinner for us while Mum relaxed. Since Dad and my sibs are quite fussy eaters, I kept things simple and cooked chicken with lemon, garlic and thyme.I know the very idea of leaving an oven on for 2 or more hours in such hot climes is absurd and inconceivable, but really, why not step out and run some errands while the chicken pieces cook in the slow, gentle heat? chicken with Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-89484648982203423192009-05-08T19:22:00.005+08:002009-05-09T14:25:01.504+08:00Snack attack: Chocolate cereal clustersApart from an apple-blueberry crumble I made for a picnic last weekend, I haven't been in the mood for baked lately. Part reason is the cleaning up afterwards but mostly it has to do with the fact that I have packed on the winter kilos well ahead of time this year and I fear if I continue to pile on the padding, I might grow to be the size of a bouncy castle!As part compromise, I made these Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-65726832034167487292009-04-29T08:15:00.005+08:002009-04-30T06:16:28.739+08:00Sometimes green is good - basil aioliI made this sauce by serendipity. A few days ago, I made a basil vinagerette: zest and juice of a lemon, a bunch of basil leaves and olive oil blitzed into a smooth green emulsion to dress some cooked chicken fillets. Of course, in order for my hand blender to do its job efficiently, I had to make a quantity that far exceeded the amount required so I was left with a jar of mentioned dressing Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-59930193045087600932009-04-22T08:00:00.005+08:002009-04-23T19:27:17.562+08:00The little white dress - Lebni tartIn Pure Dessert by Alice Medrich, she described this tart as the dessert equivalent of "the little white dress". It had me reminiscing about Alicia Silverstone and the white Calvin Klein slip she wore in the movie "Clueless" - fresh, innocent and desirable. This tart is all that minus the teenage superficiality, identity confusion and "*gasp*I have nothing to wear!". If you enjoy cheesecake but Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-84013320497553653752009-04-11T05:32:00.003+08:002009-04-11T05:51:33.781+08:00Happy Easter!Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Easter! Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-50264951645717062442009-04-05T10:31:00.009+08:002009-04-06T18:48:35.363+08:00BrowniesI have been making brownies with different types of recipe, chocolate and method but only one seems to stand from the crowd. It is the simplest brownie to prepare amongst the plethora of recipes I have gathered over the years and it never fails to satisfy.As with many comfort foods, we are divided when it comes to how textures, serving temperatures and flavours ought to be - like whether a true Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-73181188040877359122009-03-31T19:09:00.000+08:002009-03-31T09:34:32.170+08:00Spiced lamb and tomato soup with couscous I spent most part of today working on figures for my upcoming business venture and the remainder reading "a short history of everybody for the last 13,000 years" - a book by Jared Diamond. My cerebral hemispheres feel a little more worked out than usual and I am relishing this sensation, knowing I have exercised and fired a few dormant neural pathways today.So tonight's dinner is a healthy Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-91825805771820195762009-03-30T12:44:00.003+08:002009-03-30T15:21:36.492+08:00Remembering someone special - Dark chocolate chestnut trufflesA year ago today, I lost my closest friend Jean-Michel Howland aka Micka (to me), after a very unfortunate accident left him battling for life in the Intensive Care Unit for 4 nights. I remember thinking, if part of my soul could bring him back to life, I would gladly surrender it and I am certain everyone who knew him would do the same... He was a great man with a warm soul and a true heart. My Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-85049491190438449172009-03-30T06:42:00.002+08:002009-03-30T08:13:10.622+08:00Incredibly awesome ginger-pear cakeI made this cake purely out of necessity. It has been a while since I last baked a cake and I had to use the small pears that were going too ripe in the crisper compartment of my fridge so I made something to satisfy the two criteria. I mentioned in several posts back about my cravings for caramel. Although this cake doesn't feature caramel per se, the treacle in the gingerbread contributes Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-37845232082334253272009-03-29T17:11:00.009+08:002009-03-30T06:31:36.932+08:00Rustic mushroom salad Today, we put our clocks back an hour as Daylight Savings come to an end. I was hoping to take full advantage of this event by spending an extra hour in bed but of course with numeric confusion, I ended getting out of bed at 6; 2 hours too early which was a disappointment especially since it is Sunday.Anyway, after breakfast and a trip to the markets, I made a warm mushroom salad and a Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-4559151722123770932009-03-20T06:46:00.001+09:002009-03-21T06:20:59.051+09:00Autumn pasta - mushrooms, spinach, pine nuts and creme fraicheThis is one of my favourite quick weeknight meals when I want to indulge in a bowl of pasta. Again, all there is to this very satisfying dish are a handful of ingredients you can add to or subtract from. Pasta being the key ingredient is something you cannot do without and the type you choose is entirely up to you. Last night, I picked up this peculiar tripe-resembling variety called spugnole forLihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-18773501737121418742009-03-19T17:12:00.005+09:002009-03-19T18:31:35.127+09:00Warm chickpea and broccoli salad with toasted almondsTonight I made myself a warm salad. To be honest, calling it a salad would be slightly misdirected as I think it is more a stir-fry with one unlikely candidate as the protein component - chickpeas (NB I added a few shelled prawns just because I had them - of course, you can omit them should you wish to keep this dish vegetarian). This is an incredibly fast, substantial and cheap meal to prepare Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-57825847537273553632009-03-17T18:11:00.005+09:002009-03-18T09:12:08.295+09:00Luxury in a jar - Berry and rhubarb jamJust the other morning while I was filling out the little jars at work with breakfast jam, I thought to myself, "Such luxurious times we live in". Centuries ago, jam was a delicacy only the royalty enjoyed. These preserves were made from fruit picked from the garden and glasshouse on the palace grounds. Fast forward to the present and I am portioning jam from a large bucket and everyone can enjoyLihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-68033191427912335902009-03-16T19:06:00.004+09:002009-03-16T19:48:51.221+09:00Soba noodles with seared tuna steakKeeping it simple and fresh tonight with a handful of ingredients I found in my cupboard and fridge. This is a very healthy and wholesome dish you can prepare for yourself even after a long hard day at work and my promise to you is a feeling of being nourished from within. Although I included slices of seared tuna in tonight's version, vegetarian variations can be just as easy to prepare, simply Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-17793643494326294332009-03-08T13:06:00.002+09:002009-03-12T20:03:15.107+09:00Little bites - various canapesYesterday, after a fairly busy week, I did absolutely nothing productive. Although I felt a touch of guilt for not seizing the glorious beach weather, it was quickly overcome by watching a marathon session of [scrubs] in bed, slothing in my favourite pajamas and bingeing on my body weight of chocolate eclairs and crunchy seedless white grapes. Needless to say, I felt a little ill from this excessLihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-72858074711092811292009-02-28T09:00:00.009+09:002010-12-26T19:04:02.869+08:00Daring Bakers February Challenge: A flourless chocolate cake Another month, another Daring Baker's instalment: The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE's blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef. They have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.What this specimen lacks in the usual aesthetics of a cake, it definately makes up for in Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2