Cook.Bake.Love 四岁了。小送礼 4th Blog Anniversary & Little Giveaway

4年，1460天 ，479封贴，没有一定的坚持，没有你们的参与和支持，Cook.Bake.Love不可能走到今天。

这里不只有我的喜怒哀乐，还有许多我的第一次。。。我的第一个鲜奶油蛋糕，我的第一个翻糖蛋糕，我的第一个慕斯蛋糕，我的第一个面包，我的第一个传统月饼，我的第一个蛋挞，我的第一片糖霜饼干，我的第一勺自制雪糕，我的第一杯自制豆奶。。。当然少不了上图中的第一个figuring cake。

我想趁这个机会送出去年台湾行特别为Cook.Bake.Love读者们带回来的小礼物一表心意。

Cook.Bake.Love turns 4 today! Without your participation and support I don’t think this blog will be running until today.

To show my appreciation, I would like to have a little giveaway for all Cook.Bake.Love’s readers. The gifts were specially brought back from my Taiwan trip last year.


送礼详情 Giveaway Detail




礼物(1): 围裙 + 一份神秘礼物

Gift (1): Apron + one mystery gift

 

礼物(2): 《好吃不发胖低卡甜点》+ 一份神秘礼物

Gift (2): A non-fat/ non-butter recipe book《好吃不发胖低卡甜点》(Note: this book is written in Chinese) + one mystery gift

如何参加？

• 这个送礼活动开放给所有读者，不管你来自什么国家。
• 只需留言并注明你选择的礼物（礼物1或2）。
• 如果你只想留言并不想参加送礼活动，请在留言里特别注明。
• “关注”（Follow）Cook.Bake.Love将获得再多一个抽奖机会。请在留言里注明如果你已经关注了Cook.Bake.Love。
• 以匿名方式留言的读者一定要在留言里写下的名字，不然留言将作废。
• 送礼活动今天开始，截止日期为2013年4月14日。

How to join?

• This Giveaway is open to worldwide readers.
• Just leave a comment in this post and mention your preference of gift (gift 1 or 2).
• If you would like to leave comment but do not want to take part in the Giveaway, please mention in your comment.
• “Follow” Cook.Bake.Love to get an extra entry. Please mention in your comment if you are follower of Cook.Bake.Love.
• Anonymous must leave your name at the end of your comment. Else, the entry will be considered invalid.
• This Giveaway starts from today and ends on 14th Apr 2013.

[An Open Invitation] SMRT Circle Line Makan Session

In celebration of the Circle Line network completion, SMRT is organizing Free Makan Session with famous local bloggers to discover the simplest, tastiest local delights! I saw this advertisement yesterday and I thought it was an interesting event that you might be interested to join.

In particular I am interested in the makan session hosted by Dr. Leslie Tay, one of the pioneer local food bloggers from ieatishootipost, on 29th Oct 2011. I would like to invite my fellow blog pals to join the event; if you are keen I think we can make it like a mini bloggers meet-up, of course subject to availability of seat. Only limited seats available so do register yourself fast before they are all gone and don’t forget to drop me a line if you are going. :)

(Picture by ieatishootipost)

Below is the detail of the event copied from the official website: -

Event Details
Date: 29 October 2011 (Saturday)
Time: 1.45pm
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Venue: CC20Farrer Road (Farrer Road Circle Line MRT Station)

Menu
Yummy Chinese Cuisine at an Authentic Chinese Restaurant, WestLake recommended by ieatishootsipost
(Such as e.g. Kong Bak Pau, Hot and Sour Soup, Guo Tie)

All Attendees will receive:
1. Free Makan Session for all!!
2. An exclusive goodie bag
3. A meet and Makan sharing session with your favourite Top Bloggers
*Limited seats! Applicable to only 20 attendees per session*

Brief Makan Session Itinerary
1. Meet at Your Favourite Top Blogger at the respective MRT Station
2. "Take attendance" and Introduce yourself
3. Short walk to the food place from the respective MRT Station (Est. 5 to 10 mins only!)
4. Begin our 'Makan Session'! Yum Yum
5. Up close session with blogger
6. Photo taking time!

Click HERE for the official website and more detail.

黑暗的七月天。【烫种】椰糖椰丝葡萄干面包

七月，倒霉的一个月份，仿佛所有不好的事情都一起在这个月发生。这段日子我的生活的重心都放在妈妈和姑姑身上，家庭工作几乎脱离了轨道，心力交瘁，我甚至不知道我是怎么熬过去的。是性格使然又或者是庸人自扰，把东西都拦上身，一个人默默承担一切。在我最失意无助的时候朋友给我捎来问候的电话，甚至素未谋面的网友给我送来礼物鼓励我，让我好感动，这些我都铭记在心，但其实我最想得到的是身边那个人的肩膀让我靠一靠或是一句轻声的安慰，就这么简单，但这些却不曾出现过。反之，还为我增添烦恼与压力。

我真的很想学习放下，但我焦虑的性格不容许我这么做。一件事情还没解决之前我已经想到接下来可能会发生的事并且开始担心，有时真觉得快喘不过气了。

这面包是在妈妈被诊断得了系统性红斑狼疮前做的。内陷是自己炒的椰糖椰丝，趁现在还有记忆快点记录下来。会制作这款面包是爸爸谈起他很怀念家乡的传统咖啡店卖的椰丝面包，那是爸爸的最爱，生病前妈妈也非常喜欢吃。我想到冰箱里还有椰糖，于是打铁趁热买了新鲜椰丝尝试自己制作。

面团的食谱我选用了这个我第一次做时没有给予很好评语的烫种食谱。因为看到一些网友给予相当不错的评语，于是我想再试试看这个食谱。结论还是一样我觉得做出来的面包没有特别软和特别好吃，算是不过不失。

【烫种】椰糖椰丝葡萄干面包

椰糖椰丝
（食谱来源：Angel of Cook.Bake.Love)

材料：
新鲜椰丝 300+克
椰糖 1大颗（约120克）（切碎）
白糖 3-4 汤匙
牛油 20克
盐 一小撮

做法：
1）把椰丝加入不沾锅翻炒一下至椰丝颜色稍微变黄，加入椰糖炒均。试试味道不够甜的话加入适量白糖。
2）继续炒香，最后加入牛油和盐炒至牛油融化即可。放凉后才使用。另外，葡萄干泡水挤干后和炒好的椰丝混合。

烫种甜面团
食谱请看这里。（我总共制作了17-18个小面包）

注：
1）以上椰糖椰丝的份量我只用了一半，剩余的收入冷冻库。
2）我买了一粒椰子的椰丝大约有400+克，我保留了100克左右，所以只用来300+克来炒陷料。

我心中的巨人，妈妈和姑姑

妈妈和姑姑是我心目中永不厌倦的巨人，她们像一棵大树，从我出生到现在一路为我挡风遮雨。可是现在大树不再根深蒂固，大树经历狂风暴雨的侵袭，摇摇欲坠。

我和姑姑的感情并非一般，从我有记忆开始我和姑姑睡同一张床，打同一个地铺，甚至一起睡在小小的帆布床。童年，青少年时期的记忆许多画面都填满了姑姑的身影。到后来结婚生子每个周末我还是回去探望姑姑，特别是近来几乎每个周末我都和老公带着孩子接姑姑放工然后一起出去走走。

姑姑不只是我的一位长辈，她还是我的良师益友，我倾诉的对象，我的精神支柱。姑姑单身，她把一生奉献给家里，待我们这些侄儿侄女如她的亲生儿女。她对自己省吃俭用，一分一毫都不浪费，但是她却可以无条件的拿出自己的积蓄（说难听一点那是她的棺材本）来帮助有需要的家人。

姑姑无病无痛身体非常硬朗，这么一个健康活跃的好人，却因一场意外现在躺在ICU病房，前路不明。虽然暂时没有生命危险，但却还是岌岌可危，因为连医生也无法预测接下来的状况。我无法释怀，为什么要让姑姑这么一个好人承受这么大的痛苦，为什么非得给她这样一个凄凉的晚年？脸部，手脚和背部严重烧伤。此时此刻，姑姑还是那么的坚强，问她痛不痛，她竟然摇头。姑姑，就是这样一个人。

妈妈是典型的传统女性，老公孩子排第一。妈妈非常刻苦耐劳，年轻时吃了不少苦，除了十多年前检验出高血压，吃了药后一路来血压也控制得很好，基本上无病无痛连伤风感冒都少见，爸爸常常开玩笑说妈妈像头牛。听爸爸说大约二十几年前妈妈动手术割去颈部的一颗肿瘤，手术隔天就如常出外工作。眼见到了含饴弄孙的年龄，身体却出现了大状况。

上个星期姑姑发生事情时正是医生告诉我他不排除妈妈患上Myeloma（癌症）的可能性，化验的结果是“好”消息，妈妈没有Myeloma，但却迎来一头可怕的狼，系统性红斑狼疮 (SLE)，同样是不治之症。现在医院就等多一项验血报告来确定，但是另一位肾脏专家根据现有的报告已向我确定是SLE，而且已经危及肾脏。妈妈的健康每况愈下，脸色也一天比一天差，但她却坚持说她精神没差，也不觉得疲累，只担心不能照顾孙子。看到本来壮如牛的妈妈变成这样，我的心真的很痛。为什么就不能让幸苦了一辈子的妈妈有个健康快乐的晚年，让她享享清福？

我感到非常无助，因为我能做的就只有那么多，另一边厢，我却随时要自我催眠，一定要保持乐观，一定要坚强，那么我才会有力量陪他们前进。与此同时，这段奔波的日子我发现我忽略了Lucius，甚至对他感到不耐烦，作为母亲我很自责也很内疚。

上一篇博文收到很多关心的留言，在这里谢谢要大家的关心和问候，虽然素未谋面，但从字里行间我深深的感受到你们真挚的心意，让我心里暖暖的。谢谢。

请赐我力量

人算不如天算，最坏的未必是现在，最好的也可能在不远处。请大家珍惜每一天，停下脚步多看看身边的人，你会发现他们不再是你想像中般强壮，大树都可能被风吹倒，别说是不堪一击的人肉。多陪陪你爱和爱你的人，因为你不知道明天会发生什么事。此时此刻的我一定要保持冷静和乐观，养足体力和精神，因为我知道我还有很多战要打，只有这样我才能给予我爱的人他们所需要的。

请赐我力量。

求医～天曾亮过吗？栗米蓉蛋糕 Creamed Sweet Corn Cake

去年11月针对妈妈的健康我写了篇“天都光晒”，天到底是真的“光晒”了吗？还是暴风雨前夕异常的平静。

最近妈妈又开始食欲不振（特别是米饭和肉类包括鱼肉，完全吃不下），晚上睡不好，脸色也很差。五月份的第一个星期天带妈妈去吃点心，记忆犹新当时妈妈已经吃不多但是却吃了很多的雪糕，过后手就开始肿痛了，我们还认为是吃太多生冷的东西才会手痛。隔了一个星期母亲节当天我定了一个巧克力蛋糕，记得当时妈妈说那蛋糕很好吃，吃了很多。那时妈妈开始正餐吃不多，但是对面包糕点还是蛮有胃口的。而现在，即使对着她喜欢吃的面包糕点她也吃不多，吃一点就说很饱肚子很涨。

因为手肿痛去看了家庭医生，消炎药一停手又开始肿痛，于是做了一个全身健康检查，家庭医生初步诊断说是类风湿关节炎（rheumatoid arthritis）。看了这方面的专科却说不是，只是一般的关节炎，但验尿的结果却意外发现小便里有蛋白，而且还是很高的指数，而血液里的蛋白却过低，去年10月份检查时是完全这个问题的。蛋白尿意即肾脏有问题，但医生却说这和没有胃口吃不下没关系。去年底做了全身扫描和内窥镜都没发现什么，但现在这个医生还是担心和不排除身体里长了什么。另外，妈妈的红血球沉降率 (ESR) 很高，不是好事，医生说这点需要进一步investigate。

妈妈的脸变得浮肿，这应该是因为服用类固醇的消炎药。可是上星期开始妈妈的脚也变肿了。医生说是水肿，和肾脏有关。

第二次复诊医生安排妈妈做24-hour urine test来计算24小时内总共流失了多少蛋白在尿里和重复验ESR和其他相关的test，化验结果会在下星期复诊时知道。看了两次专科还是说不上一个所以然来，没有方向。下星期复诊希望可以找到医治的方向。有病就需要医治但是最怕是找不到原因，我很担心这样拖拖拉拉下去等到发现病因时却误了治疗的黄金时机。在这不明朗时期我们都尽量保持乐观的态度，也没有让爸妈知道太多的详情怕他们担心。我觉得妈妈表面上表现得越不在意，其实心里越担心，她只是不想表现出来让我们担心。

朋友/读者们，如果你们身边有亲人朋友曾经有过同样的病例或是症状希望你们可以和我分享，又或者有好医生介绍请留言或是电邮我。现在妈妈看的是Rheumatologists，医生说有必要的话过后会转去看肾脏专科。

在Christine家一看到这个蛋糕当天晚上就动手做了，除了因为我很喜欢吃栗米外，吸引我的是食谱里用的是creamy style的罐头栗米，我还是第一次看过用栗米蓉来做蛋糕，还有就是食谱里的牛油仅仅只有80g，大约是粉类的三份之一的份量而已。这几年每当我看到牛油的份量多于或是相等于粉量的食谱我大都会却步，只是偶尔做来解解馋。

以前做蛋糕我总认为牛油越多蛋糕就会越湿润越 香，三年前当我接触到使用优格（或sour cream）来做蛋糕后，我发现不一定需要很高的油量也能做出湿润好吃的蛋糕。这也是为什么我越来越少做磅蛋糕。

说回这蛋糕第一次做时一切材料准备就绪后，才发现只欠东风，缺少了最重要的材料，罐头栗米蓉。我明明记得家里有一罐栗米蓉，原来是我记错了，家里储存的是颗粒的栗米，结果只好把准备好的材料用来做另一款蛋糕。

周末赶紧买了罐栗米蓉再战过。在打牛油时我心里其实有点怀疑牛油份量是不是打错了，蛋糕出来会不会干干的。如果你也我一样有同样的疑问，让我告诉你这蛋糕一点也不干，应该是加入了大量栗米蓉的原故吧（用了大约半罐）！和一般磅蛋糕一样，这蛋糕也是要等到隔天或第三天时更湿润好吃。

我用了10寸的bundt pan来烤，相对食谱的份量烤盘尺寸稍大，但我好喜欢烤好后金黄亮亮的外皮。糖份我减了一点点，对我来说还是稍甜，可以再减5-10g。味道方面其实栗米的味道不是很明显，我觉得吃起来反而有点像小时候吃过纯朴的传统烤鸡蛋糕。这个食谱应该属于比较健康的，做法也很简单，我会再做。
 

粟米蓉蛋糕
（食谱取自簡易食譜，由来自槟城的Tan Lee Fang所提供）
準備時間: 20 分鐘
烹調時間: 45 分鐘
份量: 9 吋圓形蛋糕模

材料:
牛油 80克
幼砂糖 180克 (Angel用170克)
雞蛋 4隻
粟米蓉 200克
自發麵粉250克
發粉 ½ 茶匙

做法:
1) 預熱焗至 160C/320F.
2) 把自發麵粉和發粉一起篩過拌勻。
3) 用打蛋器，把牛油及糖搞打至鬆發。加入雞蛋，一次一隻，拌至麵糊輕及濃稠。
4) 交替加入拌好的麵粉和粟米蓉，拌勻。
5) 將麵糊倒入已鋪了蛋糕紙的 9吋蛋糕模裏面。
6) 放入已預熱之焗爐中，焗約 45分鐘，或直至全熟。

Creamed Sweet Corn Cake
(Recipe adapted from Christine's Recipes, provided by Tan Lee Fang from Penang, translated to English by Angel of Cook.Bake.Love)

Ingredients:
80g butter (soften)
180g castor sugar (Angel used 170g)
4 large eggs
200g creamed sweet corn (about half can)
250g self-raising flour
½ tsp baking powder

Method:
1) Preheat oven to 160C/320F. Lined and greased a 9” round pan (I used a 10” bundt pan).
2) Combine and sieve self-raising flour and baking powder together.
3) Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add egg, one at a time, mix well before each addition.
4) Fold in flour mixture alternate with creamed sweet corn, start and end with flour mixture.
5) Pour batter into the prepared pan, bake for about 45 mins or till a skewer inserted and comes our clean.

Lucius was caught red-handed.

照片身材走样？Help

Angel越来越懒得拿相机拍照，所以近期上载的照片大多是用iPhone拍的，但是问题来了，我发现有些照片的比例出现了问题，我的面包蛋糕变矮变胖了，但是在preview时是没有这个问题的。

想请问和Angel一样用手机拍摄的朋友，你们也有同样的问题吗？我也发现那些不成比例的照片大多是我有crop过的，但是在crop时我已经选择了保留current ratio，意即和原本照片的比例一样。

希望这个问题可以改善，在这里先谢谢大家的帮忙。

Velvety Chocolate Cake with Banana Butter Cream 嫩嫩的香蕉奶油夹心巧克力蛋糕

The original recipe is actually a devil’s food cake; I rename it because I omitted the chocolate ganache and I think it is no longer “devil”.

Personally I think the step involved is quite a lot but the result is rewarding. The cake is extremely moist and velvety. It goes very well with the banana butter cream (needless to say, of course), perhaps I should also sandwich with some banana slices, I am sure it gives the cake more depth.

One thing to note, separated egg method is used in this cake but the step is a bit different from a typical chiffon cake. The meringue (egg white and sugar mixture) is added to the egg yolk mixture first before adding of flour. I find that it is a bit difficult to incorporate the flour to the egg mixture; I am so worried of deflating the meringue.

I am submitting this to Aspiring Bakers # 5: Fruity March (March 2011) hosted by Jess of Bakericious. I have another banana cake to be posted; I hope I can make it before the deadline.

Ingredients: (make 2 round 6-inch cakes)

Chocolate Cake
(A)
80g dairy cream
80g bittersweet chocolate
40g unsalted butter
(B)
80g egg yolk
(C)
160g egg white
100g castor sugar
(D)
60g low protein flour (I used cake flour)
20g unsweetened cocoa powder

Banana Butter Cream
90g unsalted butter
25g icing sugar (sifted)
45g mashed bananas

Method:
1) Line the bottom of 2 round 6-inch pans with baking paper. Combine (D) and sift together.
2) Combine (A) and cook over double boiler, stir till chocolate is melted. 2) Add (B), mix till well blended (= egg yolk chocolate mixture).
3) With an electric mixer, beat egg white till foamy, add sugar in 3 sessions, and beat till soft peak (70-80%) (7-8分发) (When lifted, the tip of the meringue has soft and small bend).
4) Take 1/3 of the meringue to mix with the egg yolk chocolate mixture using a rubber spatula till 80% incorporated (need not mix till fully incorporated).
5) Fold in 1/3 of (D) gently, mix till just incorporated.
6) Fold in remaining meringue and (D) alternatively to form even chocolate batter.
7) Divide batter into 2 round 6-inch pans. Bake in preheated oven at 180C/160C for 20-25 minutes (I baked at 170C as my oven can’t set different upper and lower temp.)
8) Cool the cake upside down once remove from oven. Loosen the side with a small knife and unmold after the cakes have cool down completely.
9) To prepare banana butter cream, beat butter and icing sugar till fluffy and pale in colour, add mashed bananas and mix well. Slice the cake horizontally into 2 pieces, sandwich with banana butter cream.

(Recipe reference: 《美味糕点新主张》by 薛纪娟)

I would like to end this post with a “One Lovely Blog Award” presented to me by Edith of Precious Moments. Thank you Edith. I shall share my nomination in another post. I hope I can find time to compose and post it soon.

忙。累。圣诞惊喜

最近很少更新部落格，不是出国吃风，也不是忙着Christmas shopping，更不是忙着做烘培过圣诞。一天忙下来到有时间休息或做自己的事情时已经是累得力不从心了，只想放空脑袋，然后大睡一场（是间断的睡因为晚上Lucius都会醒来几次）。

有一天在照顾Lucius时我突然扭到脚，还抽筋，不知怎的我那时很紧张得喘不过气来，而Lucius却继续自顾自的往后爬，我喊破喉咙几次叫D出来都不见他踪影（他是知道的，聋的都听得到，但他却在房里继续手头上的事情。有时我很欣赏他的冷静，但有时他的“冷静”却又让我抓狂）。当下我觉得很无助，很沮丧，眼泪都流出来了。

圣诞节逼近，我是直到上个星期才意会到的（我以为还有两个星期才过节），还是由人家来提醒我的。用兰姆酒浸泡的一大罐杂果到现在还没开工。买了圣诞蛋糕的装饰看来也派不上用场了。还有， gingerbread man和圣诞树的cookie cutter，通通原封不动。

平淡而庸碌的生活要有像这样有心的人给我制造一些惊喜。上个星期放工回家在门口看到邮局的collection notice，是谁给我寄包裹了？想不通，忙着照顾Lucius，不想了。

后来查看email才知道是她给我寄来surprise Christian gift。:) 周六迫不及待到邮局领取包裹。

看看里头有什么。。。

好精致漂亮的纸杯，是任何喜欢烘培的人都难以抗拒的。

当中我特别喜欢这款小巧的“My Sweet Heart”正方形浅杯，已经有idea想要用它来烘什么了，但是想归想，又不知道到何时才有时间做了。

在此，要再次感谢neyeeloh的用心和礼物。真的很高兴通过这个平台让我认识到很多志同道合的朋友，虽然没有见过面但却感觉很亲切。

天都光晒

看港剧常常会听到“天都光晒”，这正是此时此刻我的心情。

过去的几天过得好漫长，恍如隔世，又好比重生。

陪着妈妈做内窥镜扫描时我好紧张，我觉得我全身无力，要扶着身边的爸爸才能站稳。在身旁陪伴着我的Lice说我脸都变白了。

随着医生的镜头和讲解心情像做过山车般，惊险非常。

完成后，如释重负，但看着还在沉睡中妈妈苍白的脸，我感到好心疼。从来都没看过妈妈这么虚弱过。虽然这次可以说是虚惊一场，但是这件事让我察觉到从小到大我们心目中的铁人也有脆弱的时候。

虽然报告要下星期才出来，但已经排除最坏的。还是那句话，天都光晒！

妈妈，你为我们付出的已太多太多，在你健康还好时，请你宠一宠自己吧！不要什么都为我们着想，什么都为我们打算。问你喜欢什么从来就没有意见，就只怕为我们添麻烦。你可以专制，你可以霸道一次吗？！妈妈，请给我们机会来孝敬你，保护你好吗？

结婚周年纪念之炸Kuning鱼

11th Nov 2010

累。但这么特别的一天，再累也要抽出时间记录下来。

今天是结婚三周年纪念日，三年前美丽大方，高挑苗条的新娘（哈哈，不要作呕）三年后已是一个八九个月宝宝的妈，名副其实的肥妈。

一个忙着准备考试，一个忙着照顾孩子，结婚三周年纪念日就只这么过。

早上醒来（其实是一整晚都没睡好，因为Lucius特别不合作，连连惊醒），D说我们去吃麦记早餐（怀孕时特别爱吃，所以他一直认为我非常爱麦记早餐）。吃饱了到超市买菜买肉，D看到他最爱的Kuning鱼很新鲜，所以就买了一盒。

在回家的路上Lucius吵着要喝奶，喝完奶后就乖乖睡着，辛好。一到家D开始清洗鱼，为鱼磨砂（涂上盐和咖哩粉），我洗米煮粥。最“艰巨”的任务当然是炸鱼，D自愿要炸，我乐得让他表现，因为我很不喜欢炸东西。

Tala。。。

炸得脆脆的Kuning鱼出炉了！那鱼的头脆得可以整个吃进肚子，不得不说D的炸工还蛮了得的，配上白粥，就是我们的结婚三周年纪念日午餐。

晚餐D要求零油烟，刚刚买了去骨鸡腿肉，家里又有腊肠，所以决定做完全电饭锅“砂煲”鸡饭。接下来会分享我的做法和简单的步骤图。

最后，当然要谢谢D的结婚周年礼物兼圣诞节礼物，他说的。

其实是我买东西，他代付钱说是礼物，这算是礼物吗？已经很久没有收到他亲手为我挑选的礼物了，我不是在抱怨，有胜于无，对吗? 心里还是会小开心的。

Pumpkin Donut & ”The Versatile Blogger” Award 黄澄澄的南瓜甜甜圈和领奖的事

左看右看我的甜甜圈都长得像加了糖的贝果多一点。

我没有甜甜圈切割器，所以把面团揉圆后在中间戳一个洞，但是我太“温柔”了，不敢把洞弄大一点，深怕面团会受伤，结果第二次发酵后那个洞变成了咪咪眼。

另一个方法是把面团擀开，找一个圆形切割器（杯子什么都行）分割成圆形，再找一个小的圆盖子在面团中间盖出洞来。割出来的小面团就滚圆做成小粒状的甜甜圈。这是很多年前我第一次做甜甜圈用的方法，还记得当时我是买了Prima牌的预拌粉，记忆中是很好吃，但是隔天会变硬。

这个配方做出来的甜甜圈很松软，刚炸好时真是好吃极了。还有，我很喜欢它的颜色，黄澄澄的好美。隔天外皮有点硬，但内部还是软的。配方没有加蛋，所以素食者也能做来吃。

Ingredients: (yield about 14 donuts)
250g bread flour (I used 180g bread flour & 70g plain flour)
10g custard powder
½ tsp salt
15g sugar
125ml cold water (I used about 100ml only)
4g (about 1tsp) instant yeast
50g pumpkin flesh (steamed and mashed)
20g butter
Castor sugar for coating

Method:

1) Mix all ingredients (except butter) to form a soft dough (do not add water at one shot, stop when soft dough is formed).
2) Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead and mix in the butter into the dough. Continue to knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

3) Form the dough into round ball, place it into a big mixing bowl and cover with cling wrap, let it rise in room temperature for 40 minutes.
4) Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out the dough into a big rectangle with a floured rolling pin and cut with floured donut cutter. Alternatively, divide dough into 30g each, roll into small ball and make a hole in the centre. Place the cut dough on floured pan. Cover with cling wrap and let it proof for 35 minutes.

5) Prepare a large pan lined with kitchen paper towel and add castor sugar into the pan. Heat oil and fry donut at medium low heat (the oil must not be too hot) till both sides become golden colour (I find that using chopsticks to turn the donut is easier). Once done, place donut in the pan and coat with sugar while it is still hot.

(Recipe reference: Famous Cuisine Magazine Issue No. 64)

上个星期neyeeloh颁给了我这个奖，不好意思等到现在才领奖。

认识neyeeloh是从她在一则留言开始，忘了是哪一篇，但我记得当时我正在上班的途中。看到留言后拜访她家，结果一看就爱上了，吸引我的是那份温馨亲切的感觉，当然还有neyeeloh用心为老公和孩子准备的蛋糕甜点和便当。

在这里要谢谢neyeeloh，谢谢你的奖，谢谢你伸出的友谊之手。

One Lovely Blog Award & "Thank You" from Lucius

Thanks Weng of I Heart My Bakes for dedicating this lovely award to me.

Cake Stencils & Two Lovely Awards

A reader, hociak, left a comment to ask how I "write" the wording on this simple birthday cake that I made for D.

I thought it is a good idea to take pictures to show hociak and also to share with you guys.

I guess many of you already know the answer.

You are right. I used cake stencil to create the wording and design.

I don't usually see cake stencils on sale, so when I saw it in NTUC Xtra, a local supermarket chain in Singapore, I grabbed both designs.

The other design I have is with wording "I Love You". I used it on this Father's Day cake.

These cake stencils were quite cheap; I remember I paid less than SGD2.00 each.

They are suitable for 8" round cake or bigger size cake.

How to use it? Simply place the cake stencil on the cake, dust with icing sugar (or cocoa powder, green tea powder..... whatever you can think of) and remove it carefully.

This thing is very good right? It turns a bare cake to a decent looking one (and meaningful one) in less than a minute time, especially useful for people like me who is lack of cake decoration skill.

If you are good in drawing, you can make your own cake stencil too. Just draw on a cardboard and cut out the design. I ever saw my secondary school classmate did that in our home econ class.

If you know of any places selling cake stencils please leave a comment to share ok?

Besides the exciting news of D returning home tomorrow after his long two weeks business trip, there is another reason to get excited.

I received two awards today! The awards are from Jess of Bakericious. Thank you, Jess.

I found out Jess's lovely blog when she started to leave comments in my blog. After which I became her reader too.

I would like to share these two awards with ALL of you. If I were to list down all there will be a very long list, so I try to limit to name only 10 blogs this time. They are either blogs that I have been following all these times or lovely blogs that I just discovered.

Anncoo
Blessed Homemaker
Hearty Bakes
Jane's Corner
Min's Blog
Nasi Lemak Lover
Small Small Baker
The Little Teochew

Tested and Tasted
我的厨房乐园

Please feel free to collect your awards from here when you are free ya! XOXO :)

Beautiful Saturday!

Had breakfast at Marche VivoCity with some nice people. Lovely.

My plate.

Coffee and milk.

I like the countryside style interior.

Artisan bread is not everyone's cup of tea but it is definitely mine.

I got a weakness. I can't restrict myself to take photos whenever I see beautiful fresh fruits and veggies.

This reminds me of my Europe trip two years ago. I made it a point to visit at least one fresh food market in every country I visited.

This crazy women seemed to be more excited to touch and smell the big fat fresh fruits and veggies in the market than seeing the Eiffel Tower or shopping at the Galeries Lafayette.

Here are some snapshots.

Different type of potatoes.

There is a small herbs garden outside the restaurant. How I wish it were at my doorstep. (Click to enlarge photos)

Marche @ VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk
03-14 Vivocity
Singapore 098585
http://www.marche-restaurants.com
Phone : +6563768226

Unable to "Paste" In Blogger Using IE8

I usually write my blog in Word document then copy and paste to Blogger. However, recently I am unable to do so using Internet Explorer 8, when I right click, the "Paste" function is disabled, Ctrl+V is also not working.

I tried using Mozilla Firefox, there is no such problem. However, for my post created in Mozilla Firefox there is some funny code in between paragraph when viewing by IE8.

I still prefer to use IE, so I hope to solve this problem.

Does anyone encounter the same problem?

Can someone help to solve the problem? If you know how to solve this problem, please share with me.

Thank you.

First Date Anniversary

D came home early today with these little sweet treats. Ya, today is our first date anniversary.

He reached home at 4pm when I was about to start whisking a cake for this occasion.

Hmm...I know I am a bit late as I was busy with my wardrobe clearance (side track a bit, I am going to start work very soon and I realize I almost need to change my whole wardrobe as I can't fit into any of my old clothes. I am still thinking if I should try to sell my old clothes which are still in very good condition).

Anyway, I can't be blamed right? He usually reaches home around 8pm so I still have enough time to make a decent simple cake.

With the pastries D brought home, I shall save the cake for another occasion.

Though there is no expensive gift, I feel HAPPY and SWEET that he can still remember this date and surprise me. Therefore, I decide to write a post to mark this day down. :-)

Happy Mother's Day 母亲节快乐

This is my first Mother's Day, Lucius says "Happy Mother's Day!" to me. Kekeke.

(I really look forward to the day to come, I am sure my heart will just melt instanstly when he says that to me.)


“世上只有妈妈好，有妈的孩子像个宝。。。”，从小妈妈就把我照顾得无微不至，把我捧在手心来疼。对于妈妈百分百的付出和牺牲，又何止一句“母亲节快乐！”能道出我对妈妈的爱和感激。

祝全天下伟大的妈妈，母亲节快乐!

WISHING ALL MOTHERS IN THE WORLD A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY!

Another Reason To Be Happy - Happy 101 Award

Thanks to tracieMoo and DG for passing this lovely award to me.

This is the third time tracieMoo passing me an award. Thank you very much for your support to my blog, tracieMoo. I really appreciate.

DG is a new friend I know from this blog and that's how I discover her yummy food blog - Tested and Tasted.

Here are some rules of this award:
- Having the picture of the award posted onto your blog
- Sharing the 10 things in life that make you happy with your readers
- Passing on the award to 10 other bloggers who brighten up your day. Sharing the links to the 10 bloggers', as mentioned above, on your blog
- Getting the 10 bloggers informed about the award
- Asking the 10 award recipients to relink their blogs to yours.

I will be sharing the 10 things that make me happy and delicate this award to all my fellow blog pals. I think all of you deserve it. :-) Please feel free to pick it up from here.

10 things that make me happy......

1) Thinking of my little prince though I have yet to meet him.
2) Spending quality time with D, my hubby.
3) Having my mum's home-cooked food.
4) Baking (of course).
5) Reading your comments on my blog, be it good or bad (though so far there isn't any bad one). :P
6) Meeting my good old friends and having a good chat with them.
7) Lots of sweet stuff, cakes, tarts, cookies, pastries......
8) Manage to squeeze into my size 26 skinny jeans again (if there is this day to come!)
9) A good body massage.
10) Looking good!

Back For Good & Happy New Year

I am back from my long weekend since Christmas Eve. I had 5-1/2 days of rest day in total.

Though this year I did not have any overseas tour, I still enjoyed my holidays. I had some quality time with my loved ones and my mind was totally relaxed.

I also managed to do some baking. I baked 3 chocalate cakes to give away to my good friends and a colleague who is leaving the company.

I also baked a fruitcake for D. It tasted even better than my last attempt, maybe because I soaked the mixed fruits for longer time. D liked it a lot, I was happy about it.

Lastly I baked a batch of butter cookies, my first attempt actually. It was a rather simple yet yummy recipe. I will post the pictures and recipe soon.

Here sharing some photos taken on Christmas day.

Chili Padi

Cabbage

Spring onion

Aloe vera

Dragon fruit tree with flower



Another dragon fruit tree

Passion fruit

Custard apple

Pineapple in a pot

Pineapple plants

Hope you enjoy viewing the photos.

At the end of this post,

I wish all my blog pals and readers have a HaPPy and ProsPrEous 2010!