tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7864720477724092032012-01-09T23:51:39.579+08:00CONSUMED BY FOODLihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.comBlogger811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-31595331204811423162009-11-27T01:27:00.006+08:002010-08-21T00:18:38.037+08:00

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.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-44787527617521671522009-09-22T10:33:00.004+08:002009-09-22T10:38:07.518+08:00

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+08:00

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+08:00

Okay, 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+08:00

Not 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+08:00

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, the

Lihttp://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+08:00

I 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+08:00

I 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+08:00

Hi 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+08:00

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+08:00

Apart 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+08:00

I 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+08:00

In 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+08:00

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+08:00

I 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+08:00

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+08:00

A 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+08:00

I 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+08:00

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+09:00

This 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 for

Lihttp://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+09:00

Tonight 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+09:00

Just 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 enjoy

Lihttp://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+09:00

Keeping 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.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-17793643494326294332009-03-08T13:06:00.002+09:002009-03-12T20:03:15.107+09:00

Yesterday, 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 excess

Lihttp://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+08:00

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 character

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-43088879923739626842009-02-14T13:45:00.010+09:002010-12-26T19:08:23.011+08:00

Cake decorating has never been my forte but I am starting to appreciate it as a form of art. Modelling with sugar paste (aka rolled fondant, pastillage, plastic icing) is like sculpting with clay - it requires getting proportions right and it helps if you have the ability to visualise form and structure without having to physically see it. Although not entirely necessary, it also helps if you

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-79203680979733246142009-02-13T17:32:00.006+09:002009-02-13T19:53:26.745+09:00

I suppose the title is a bit misleading but if you are like me, always leaving things to the last minute but still want a handmade gift for your special sweetheart on St. Valentine's day (which is, by the way, tommorow - Feb 14), then I suggest you make these palmiers.All you need is some store bought puff pastry - the good sort like this, some white sugar and natural red food colour. Place 1/4

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-3782978977745962732009-02-12T23:01:00.007+09:002009-02-13T00:06:01.998+09:00

I have been meaning to share these tender little treats with you for a while now. Last week S, my sister-in-law , told me she would like to make some butter cookies - the really short and crumbly sort. Although the ones she helped Mum make for Chinese New Year tasted good, she was a little disappointed with the texture as they turned out slightly crunchier than expected.The texture of biscuits

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-40591398107993330612009-02-10T13:28:00.016+09:002009-02-12T23:00:46.221+09:00

As a child growing up in Asia, I knew salads came in 2 varieties: the one that looks well arranged in a bowl like the garden salad served with Thousand Island dressing and the other that looks like a bit of a mess but tastes really good, like the coleslaw and the potato salad. Almost every form of salad I knew back then was dressed in salad cream or Thousand Island dressing. I can't say I was

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-86103105738968883592009-02-07T19:10:00.010+09:002009-02-08T01:00:58.037+09:00

Avocado is one of my favourite fruit. It is also aptly known as the butter pear because its flesh bears a buttery quality and the fruit resembles a pear with thick and dark bumpy skin. I was introduced to this peculiar looking fruit as a child and could not really appreciate its taste nor could I understand why Mum waxed lyrical about it. But now, I eat it almost everyday in summer when it is in

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-15091628064574993722009-02-05T16:37:00.007+09:002009-02-05T17:44:04.851+09:00

Remember those pineapple tarts I mentioned in an earlier post? Well, I discovered some pineapple "jam" and pastry left in Mum's freezer so I decided to use them up before they find themselves forgotten and part of the deep polar cavern of her age-weathered icebox.I was going to make the pineapple tarts the traditional way but after watching an episode of The Little Einsteins with my nephew, I

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-26430654230286183792009-02-04T00:06:00.012+09:002009-02-16T09:34:06.677+09:00

There are a handful of desserts that cross cultural boundaries and get the universal nod of approval. I think creme caramel is one of them. A mixture of sugar, eggs, vanilla and milk cooked gently in a hot water bath to set in the most luxurious silken texture, it is a dessert to eat and remind yourself comfort can be derived from the most humble of beginnings. creme caramel500 ml full-cream milk

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-14612384023537751472009-01-27T22:35:00.010+09:002009-01-30T16:50:05.299+09:00

Gavin, my favourite little man, just turned 2 and although he is too young to remember how we celebrated his special day it is for us, the grown ups who adore him so much, part of the ceremony of him becoming a year older. This year, Gavin's birthday celebration was kept fairly low-key because the poor little man was experiencing a bout of growing pains. Although we (his parents and myself)

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-78610272073095644292009-01-25T19:38:00.010+09:002009-01-30T01:12:29.769+09:00

How quickly time passes and I am in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, celebrating Chinese New Year with my family. Arrived just a day before, I was not present for our traditional family Lunar New Year biscuit bake-off. This year, Mum replaced her popular pineapple tarts with some pineapple logs that I am not particularly enthused about although admittedly, they do not make for bad eating. I have myself to

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-21670448413581318322009-01-21T10:46:00.006+09:002009-01-21T12:18:14.592+09:00

I mentioned how I am a real fan of breakfast. To start my day, I am not all that keen on processed cereal that comes in a box as I have always looked at them as some kind of healthy junk-food. A paradox, I know. A friend of mine insists on eating a bowl of raw muesli with skim milk every morning and will willingly swear on his pet's life that it is the best way to start the day. I will not

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-43231916134497677482009-01-18T19:11:00.010+09:002009-01-20T13:39:26.581+09:00

En papillote is a method of cooking food in a paper pouch or parcel. It is a very effective manner of cookery because all the nutrients are contained within - it works on the basis whereby moisture from the meat and/or vegetables is trapped and steams themselves. This was last night's dinner: well-seasoned coral trout cutlet/steaks, on a bed of summer vegetables like yellow capsicums, tomatoes,

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-60392386528042878832009-01-18T12:01:00.007+09:002009-01-18T13:28:32.797+09:00

Earlier this week, I visited a friend of mine who was in the midst of clearing her over-stocked pantry. She offered me a huge bag of glutinous rice - I would say a good 5 kilos worth so I had to think of things to cook with it.Glutinous rice has a sticky and chewy texture when cooked al dente but becomes glue-like when overcooked. It is a common ingredient in many Asian cuisines featuring in

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-55348832030797847242009-01-17T17:50:00.007+09:002009-01-17T21:37:21.915+09:00

Here is another savoury instalment - Spanish meatballs, a recipe I came across in a tapas cookbook I received last Christmas. They look very appetising in the photo and I put them down as part of a menu for a wedding I am planning for somebody else. I made them a few nights ago with a few additions and changes to the original recipe and they were very well-received at the table. The meatballs

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-89128286870863497752009-01-13T10:05:00.010+09:002009-01-15T08:15:21.340+09:00

Some recipes offer instant gratification while others require a longer wait before you can taste the rewards. This is one of those recipes because it involves pickling, a method of preserving food in liquid concoctions with varying amounts of salt, sugar and acid. My love for pickles go beyond the dill cucumber slices found in cheeseburgers, or the almost flourescent green and yellow pickles in a

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-35917303139023454562009-01-10T18:03:00.011+09:002009-01-11T19:16:39.838+09:00

Visually appealing, this cake is perfect for those who cannot decide between making a cheese cake and a pound cake. It would be misleading to call it a pound cake because it does not follow the mass ratio of a true pound cake, nor is it made by the usual creaming method. This cake is simply a hybrid of 3 recipes: Japanese cotton cheesecake, cream cheese pound cake and Jaffa cake.This recipe

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-51607483965634683272009-01-07T11:27:00.013+09:002010-12-26T19:17:09.593+08:00

Here is a cheat's version of a tarte fine of apple I made a few days ago with a few items I found while cleaning out the fridge and freezer: store-bought butter puff pastry, some leftover frangipane (from my previous summer apricot tart post), and a couple of old but still crisp Granny Smith apples (frankly, any tart apple will do - try Pink Lady or Sundowner) . There is really nothing to it. The

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-83599023166452299042008-12-29T18:00:00.003+09:002009-03-09T10:37:50.658+09:00

I began KITCHEN MUSINGS almost 2 years ago while taking a break from the things that were bringing me down and this project gave me a sort of focus and creative outlet. It made me happy. This blog has always been a way to communicate my opinions and ideas about food as well as to capture mouth-watering pictures of things that I have prepared (and whatever else I find attractive) but lately, my

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-24949136329413471302008-12-23T22:55:00.000+09:002008-12-26T10:34:22.277+09:00

Wishing everyone a Merry X'mas and Happy New Year

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-335712098720940592008-09-19T22:00:00.007+08:002008-09-24T14:29:54.838+08:00

I completely missed out on writing an entry in the month of August and it is not because I haven't spent enough time in the kitchen but rather the contrary. August leading into September has been incredibly frantic with me juggling my role in an increasingly busy commercial kitchen with finding a new home and trying to develop my favourite project at the same time. This juggling act continues...

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-34230148613604681372008-07-30T22:34:00.005+08:002008-07-30T23:46:06.766+08:00

I will keep this post brief as I am still encountering processing issues with my laptop.It is that time of the month again where Daring Bakers unite and test our baking skills and patience in the kitchen. This month's host is Chris from Mele Cotte (thank you Chris!) where you will find the entire recipe for the gateaux. Also, check out the various renditions of Filbert on my fellow DB sites. I

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-23121890479252466542008-07-20T11:21:00.003+08:002008-07-22T01:03:44.694+08:00

Okay, the reason for this continuous evacuation of blog entries is because my laptop is playing up and there has been a backlog of posts I need to clear before a friend of mine looks at it (my laptop that is) and God only knows what will happen to all my image and text files when that happens! It is a race against time and I hope to get most of what I would like to share published before the

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-15938477046257232062008-07-20T11:21:00.001+08:002008-07-21T20:38:39.929+08:00

I discovered a pile of leftover buckwheat crepes that were slightly stale at the back of my fridge and eventhough they were a few days old (I made them on Bastille Day, not deliberately to celebrate the occasion though), I could not bring myself to toss them into the bin. Apart from the age-old saying, "think of all the starving children" as a constant reminder not to waste food, I do think most

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-34262666019837340062008-07-13T16:57:00.015+08:002008-07-15T10:38:31.191+08:00

The cold weather makes me want to hoover everything edible in my path, in particular temperature raising foods like slow-cooked meat casseroles so rich and savoury they leave your lips sticky, hearty soups, golden-roasted root vegetables seasoned with crunchy flakes of salt and espelette, spicy Indian curry with roti, pomme puree, thick slices of warm toast with soft and creamy scrambled eggs,

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-24250035810161468272008-07-09T23:30:00.002+08:002008-07-16T19:53:14.944+08:00

I have just started at my new job -- one that is less demanding than the last, thus leaving me more time to the setting up of my little project. The 2-month hiatus I took has obviously done me some good as I finally have clarity of thought and the might of a nourished spirit to actuate what I have been pussy-footing about the past couple of years. Yes, it's about bloody time! I thought I would

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-17885043333028884732008-06-29T17:55:00.006+08:002008-06-29T21:46:58.604+08:00

Firstly, I want to sincerely apologise for missing 3 Daring Bakers challenges in a row. But if anyone has noticed, my blog laid dormant for the months of March and April, which explains my absence from 2 of the challenges. As for the month of May, the call to make the Spring-inspired Opera gateaux, well, I was on the road, so that in itself presented a few of its own difficulties (map reading has

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-5423817456659866272008-06-28T02:43:00.007+08:002008-06-28T10:57:00.029+08:00

Mick used to go to bed rather late so whenever I had an urge to bake at midnight, he would always be there for me to bounce ideas off him. Sometimes he would ask for a progress report ("what is the consistency of the dough/batter?", "does it smell/taste/look good?", "when is it going to be ready?"), but he would always know of the outcome (by picture and word) before anyone else does. Blueberry

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-69409509214268094392008-06-21T21:38:00.004+08:002008-06-23T01:57:32.837+08:00

Lately, I've been finding myself trawling through the internet looking for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free products and recipes. It isn't that I have recently been diagnosed with an intolerance towards certain food groups (though oysters and mussels do make me crook!) but since returning from my vacation, I have felt this urgency for a lifestyle overhaul. I am not sure if it post-vacation guilt

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-58489472798352373972008-06-15T20:35:00.008+08:002008-06-16T16:49:27.581+08:00

Yesterday, as any follower of Hallmark celebrations would know, was Father's Day.I'm no daddy-hater or cynic who look upon folk who enjoy these greeting-card celebrations with disdain and distaste. My family and I are consistently inconsistent about such celebrations. That is to say, we only celebrate such occasions depending on (a) whether we are sufficiently reminded of their occurrence and (b)

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-20110940417848006792008-05-12T15:33:00.017+08:002008-05-19T14:40:28.973+08:00

Yeast is yeast, is yeast, some might argue but this miraculous microbe that brings us delicious bread, refreshing beer and wholesome Vegemite comes in 3 forms: fresh, granular and powdered. Using fresh bakers' yeast yields results unsurpassable to its dried variant in my opinion and to make a generalisation, I find the action of fresh yeast more robust, the flavour of its finished product mildly

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-31623042276193696202008-05-09T19:10:00.004+08:002008-05-15T23:02:05.319+08:00

Mick loved tarts. And yes, I am referring to the sort you eat with a fork as well as the other variety that don skirts resembling thick belts and walk like they know you are watching them with dirty in your eyes. He was rather disappointed when he missed out on the petit lemon meringue tarts I made for his brother Marc's wake last October and I kept saying I would make him some - but never got

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-59712787181425965052008-05-09T13:30:00.000+08:002008-05-09T22:41:38.341+08:00

J-M aka Mick, a frequent contributing editor, a selfless volunteer to my experimental recipes and my dearest close friend passed away 6 weeks ago. His departure was unexpected making it that little harder to come to terms with, but then again, I don't suppose there are easier means of confronting the loss of someone close to heart be it expected or not.The following posts will be dedicated to

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-43084850416671325132008-02-28T02:20:00.021+09:002008-03-02T13:25:24.983+09:00

This month's Daring Bakers (fondly abbreviated DB by other fellow members) challenge hosted by Mary and Sara involves making French bread following the recipe by Julia Child. Although I have made bread with success in the past, I felt rather dubious undertaking this particular project. I suppose it is partly because I want my first DB entry to be groundbreaking, to be successful and prehaps even

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-18790968571899294872008-02-24T23:24:00.018+09:002008-02-27T23:00:55.749+09:00

Yes, finally a post for the month of February and I do apologise for going all quiet. The thing is, I am on vacation. That's right, 1000s of miles away from work and soaking in the company of the people I love most and for the past fortnight, I have been caught in the usual flurry of activity surrounding Chinese New Year festivities and playing host-n-guide to a mate of mine visiting from

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-10539705048515790452008-01-13T16:57:00.000+09:002008-01-14T21:17:34.527+09:00

If like me, you have lapsed into an episode of self-loathing when finding your favourite pair of jeans are just too snug, and when convincing yourself being "buxom" and "voluptuous" equate to Nigella-esque domestic goddessness just isn't cutting it anymore (I mean, how many of us are blessed enough to pull off a waist to hip ratio like that?!), then it's time to put those holiday treats away,

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-24563454013044812212007-12-23T22:55:00.000+09:002007-12-24T00:35:56.700+09:00

As I write this post, our 4.6 kilogram turkey is submerged in an ice-cold briney bath in the kitchen sink. It is quite a sight because this bird is as big as a baby! OK, so it wasn't really my idea to get the turkey (but I am getting quite excited about cooking it come x'mas day!), I was thinking more along the lines of a big generous rib roast (which we ended up getting because we don't like to

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-91531182782184338482007-12-06T18:18:00.000+09:002007-12-17T17:31:34.474+09:00

I am beaming with pride as I write this post because I am quite pleased with my efforts today. Although I didn't get around to my list of things to do before Christmas arrives, I manufactured what I consider perfect little cupcakes.The inspiration for my almond-rose cupcakes with white chocolate frosting came a couple of weeks ago when I sampled a very good rose syrup by Mymouné which unlike most

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-1753574786070747022007-12-06T02:14:00.000+09:002007-12-17T16:58:31.056+09:00

I feel relaxed today - almost happy but definately content, unlike last Sunday, my birthday which was really Crapday because I spent 12 hours at work, found out the lock on my car door is screwed because some punk tried to pick it, had dinner cancelled on me and most tragic of all, had not a crumb of cake to eat.There must be something about getting older. I get overwhelmed by a lot of things,

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-65939827885363230902007-11-06T23:15:00.000+09:002007-11-20T21:16:02.458+09:00

It's true, breakfast is good for you. For some, the idea of having anything more than a cup of coffee or tea is just too much to stomach in the morning. I say bring it on - croissants with butter and jam, eggs, tomato and mushroom on toast, bagels filled with cream cheese and smoked salmon, a good bircher muesli, freshly brewed stove-top coffee... the works! The thing is, I enjoy a good sit-down

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-82968476607067865022007-10-26T00:11:00.000+08:002007-11-16T00:07:09.363+09:00

You know summer is around the corner when the air is warm, slightly heavy and smells like freshly cut grass. I love summer. But when the weather gets warmer, I feel less inclined to cook anything fussy. Less time in the kitchen means more time to enjoy the balmy outdoors.The other evening, I made a quick curry and to work the Asian theme further, I made coriander-garlic naan, and mango pudding

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-69019562693907616632007-10-24T18:54:00.000+08:002007-11-16T00:08:23.823+09:00

Spring has sprung, as they say and I celebrated the first weekend of the season with a plump and juicy leg of roasted lamb. I purchased the perfect joint with the truest intention of roasting it and inviting some friends over for dinner that evening but true to form (and to the tradition of getting distracted), I ended up going out to town with a girlfriend and the leg of lamb was left to get

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-19154418516997959052007-09-17T14:01:00.001+08:002007-10-24T18:49:44.526+08:00

I am dedicating this month (well, whatever is left of it anyway) to the preparation of several farinaceous dishes beginning with an extraordinarily coloured gnocchi. On Sunday afternoon after a last minute cancellation to watch the new Pixar animated movie, "Ratatouille" with my very dear friend Jean-Michel, I headed to my local green grocers in search of some produce that may inspire me to cook

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-39000331296532417662007-08-19T14:26:00.001+08:002010-12-26T19:44:58.684+08:00

It is difficult for me to decide which of these 3 components should be the leading star of this dessert just as it is hard for me to decide which of my 3 current favourite actors I would like nothing more than to have a cuddle with.I simply adore rice pudding but not the sort you get in tins under the name "creamed rice" nor the type served in a large bain-marie at some hotel buffet looking all

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-77156289269168240062007-08-17T22:29:00.000+08:002007-08-23T15:08:42.929+08:00

Admittedly, I was in a slightly drug-induced daze whilst baking this batch of delectable brownies, for you see, I am nursing an extremely sore lower back. (NOTE: The brownies contain NO traces of narcotics). Anyway, my friends seem to be interested in how I managed to cause so much damage to myself - they ask with concern, with a cheeky gleam in their eyes and a slightly naughty inflexion in

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-53076844052813307962007-08-17T17:29:00.001+08:002007-08-19T14:47:10.543+08:00

Cooking for one can be quite a challenge at times. Back when I was a student, the concept of a freshly cooked home meal was simply quite alien to me unless I was eating at my girlfriend's home whose mum cooked dinner everyday. I went through a phase of scouring internet sites for advice on the best freezeable ingredients so I could cook when time permitted, portioned my balanced and

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-28068925379235070032007-08-08T10:12:00.000+08:002007-08-17T20:11:50.567+08:00

There was only too brief a respite from the dreary weather on Sunday so I made most of the afternoon lying on the grass leisurely leafing through the cook's companion by Stephanie Alexander while capturing whatever warmth the sun could offer before it disappeared once again behind the heavy clouds. Earlier at the grocers I had picked up a bag of royal blue potatoes, a bunch of vibrant green

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-64995386241742927432007-06-20T15:00:00.000+08:002007-06-24T15:44:52.290+08:00

A dichotomy exists in everything we do. We are constantly torn between choice and necessity - the latter usually bringing less pleasure to the activity we participate in.It has been quite a month, photos to show and food to write about. But until I get my laptop working and my thoughts organised, here is a beef burger filled with garlic and herbed soft cheese my housemate and I had the luxury to

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-66172629489601449852007-05-13T23:49:00.000+08:002007-08-23T19:33:48.201+08:00

I am partial to a light and tangy chilled lemon cheesecake which when made right is just like eating a lush lemon mousse that has a little more substance and body and in my opinion, is just the perfect way to end any meal. My mum on the other hand, loves baked cheesecake so I decided to make her a good one for this Mother's Day. Of course this doesn't mean I am an authority in baked cheesecakes,

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-21923203848769781492007-05-11T01:15:00.000+08:002007-05-11T18:14:15.768+08:00

The warm company of my family and the day-to-day leisurely pace that I have become quite accustomed to the past months will soon be replaced with a sense of stressful urgency (a.k.a. work) as my vacation is now drawing close to an end. I get wistful whenever it is time to leave and I suppose my attempt to cling on to what is dear to me, that is, my family (with one new little guy) and my home, is

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-10729809901701293332007-04-27T22:38:00.000+08:002007-05-01T00:49:55.672+08:00

I remember the first thing I ever baked as a child was a chocolate cake following a recipe out of my mother's food economics journal. It was simply the best-tasting cake because it was a chocolate cake and I baked it on my own. In fact, it was THE chocolate cake and I held the recipe for this cake on a pedestal so high you cannot begin to imagine my despair when I revisited it only to find the

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-24264676084371000462007-04-26T11:39:00.000+08:002007-04-26T19:12:57.491+08:00

Jaffa is the tiger that doesn't roar. It can't because let's face it, Jaffa isn't a tiger, it is a cake with the cool orange and chocolate brown stripes of a tiger. Surely it deserves a name like any other cake. Besides, wouldn't you agree there is something gratifying when you take a moment to name the cake you have baked, get acquainted with it before greedily gobbling it up? JAFFA CAKE 3 eggs,

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-66543778119625540632007-04-24T02:05:00.000+08:002007-04-25T19:31:24.698+08:00

A couple of months ago I decided the time has come for me to cleanse my body of last year’s dietary indiscretions so I subjected myself to a detox diet which (thankfully) allowed bread – but it had to be high in fibre, made with unbleached flour, low in salt and sugar, no fat, and preferably yeast-free. With such criteria to meet (and living in a city that is not so big on dietetic breads), I

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-72915834468979486902007-04-19T02:20:00.000+08:002007-04-24T02:08:36.448+08:00

beginning with bread...Since diagnosed with diabetes, dad has made quite an effort to change his diet opting for brown bread instead of his favourite supermarket soft n fluffy white. We were at the shops the other day and I almost blurted out a string of profanities when I saw the price for a 350g (so-called) sourdough loaf. But seeing how samples were generously offered, I thought I should try

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-20928186012431994412007-04-16T10:50:00.000+08:002007-04-24T02:09:12.767+08:00

There was no hesitation when I launched into this mini baking session around midnight. I had a craving and it was keeping me awake so I knew exactly what I had to make - a very tender and flaky shortbread with a melt-in-your-mouth quality.A good shortbread recipe is indispensable as it works as an excellent base for additions like candied fruit, nuts, toffee bits or whatever that may take your

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-38368315864124120612007-04-07T23:01:00.000+08:002007-04-24T02:10:17.527+08:00

Alright, it's true, the thought of basboosa being a word you shouldn't say in front of children did cross my mind when I stumbled upon it whilst researching a recipe for sugee cake which incidentally happened to be what my mum had a longing for. Interestingly, the Middle-Eastern sweet basboosa and the traditional Kristang sugee cake both bear striking similarities in the ingredients used, method

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-54537017940505346682007-04-04T09:52:00.000+08:002007-04-24T02:10:54.693+08:00

Late last week I spent hours in bed feverishly battling with what I think was a 24-hour bug possibly afflicted upon me when I was (briefly) caring for my baby nephew. I hate to think someone as adorable as him could be harbouring such nasties in his cute little body but his mum assured me it was possible for she too has fallen ill from whatever the poor little guy is still suffering from.Of

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-786472047772409203.post-78820427588118387072007-03-28T18:36:00.000+08:002007-04-24T02:11:34.019+08:00

"Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! One a penny, Two a penny, Hot cross buns!"Eversince my success with brioche, I have been encouraged to continue into the vast universe of bread baking and seeing that Easter weekend is just around the corner, I decided I just had to take advantage of this holiday and have a go at hot cross buns. Sure they are meant to be eaten on Good Friday (the cross symbolising

Lihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12674960844740277046noreply@blogger.com1