Black Forrest

I didn't realise the major difference between cooking chocolate and eating chocolate until I made these:

Fyi, no one in the house is really fond of eating Black Forrest Chocolate. I personally prefer milk chocolate over Black Forrest and don't start with chocolate containing nuts, we'd go nuts over nuts! But not Black Forrest, thank you. We'll eat them nonetheless but very slowly. Somehow there were 2 and 1/2 bars in the fridge few weeks ago and I was wondering where did they come from. The chocolate is still there for weeks, (still in the 2 1/2 condition) untouched. So, I decided to bake something out of it. For those who are wondering why do we have to use cooking chocolate in baking, check this out: *Cooking Choc vs Eating Choc*

1.By using cooking chocolate, I got a very fudgy batter which resulted in fudgy brownies. But by using eating chocolate I got a runny batter which makes me spoon in more flour and later it turned into a sodden brownie. I know, brownies should be dense and heavy but when it is almost hard, u know it's not a good brownie.

2.Same goes with frosting. To my disappointment, the frosting was not fudgy at all. Should've just stick to the usual ganache recipe :(


Lesson: There's a reason why cooking chocolate is created!

Sentirsi italiano!

My brother wanted to eat spaghetti yesterday so he was really eager to help me to shop and cook it :)

So we made the usual Spaghetti Bolognese with Meatballs. The meatballs have been inside the fridge ages ago *it was really that long since we had pasta in the house ><"*

Unfortunately, Spaghetti was out of stock so we bought vermicelli instead.

Bolognese sauce recipe

Olive oil
3 cloves of garlic
1 large bombay onion
500g of mince meat
1 small can of tomato paste
water
2 fresh tomatoes
Salt and pepper
Preferred herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, parsley* optional

1. First u want to heat up the pot and put about 5 tbs olive oil. Mine is out of stock so I use the usual cooking oil. Put in chopped garlic and onion until it has soften. This takes quite a few minutes for me with medium heat.
2. Put in mince meat. Usually people will simmer it first but I was really lazy yesterday so once the meat has turned brown I put in the tomato paste and give em a good stir. Then I put in quite a few cups of leftover water from boiling the pasta. Stir and put in diced tomatoes.
3. Season with salt, pepper and herbs to taste and simmer it for hours. But but we did the bolognese the lazy way so we simmer it for just about 15 minutes. So we don't have that thick and beautiful sauce and end up with runny bolognese instead *as u can see in the picture*

And just to complete the italian sphere yeaterday, I made pizza too.

Pizza

The dough- I follow the mauripan instant yeast recipe but I only use half of the ingredient

The sauce- Tomato paste+water+salt+pepper

Topping- Capsicum, pepperoni *supposedly* bombay onion- I forgot to put it and mozarella cheese

Preheat the oven for 200 degrees Celsius for about 15 minutes and bake the pizza for half and hour   

My first recipe book

Despite by the "profound passion" in cooking, I never bought myself a recipe book! How could I!

How could one claim oneself to be so into something when the basic tool of it is not yet in possession?

The truth is I have always been a frugal shopper and recipe book for me is a bit of a luxury. One of the things in the "What Do I Do If I'm Rich" list is buying recipe books T_T All the recipe books in the house are my mom's and my aunt's. Maybe they too have this sort of list but they never have gotten rich so they end up buying second hand recipe books :"(   

Luckily I got book vouchers to redeem so few things on the "rich" list can be crossed before I get rich :)

After browsing through the "Food & Drink" rack I finally made my mind to get this:

And it was worth it! However there's still this slight feeling of guilty for not redeeming the voucher for something more academical.

So, this morning, for the first time, I sat at the balcony to enjoy the morning weather while enjoying the book. I read it from the first page! Note: first page does not start from the acknowledgement. First page starts from publisher, year published, where it is published etc :P I know, it looks like I am a bit too obsessed but I am just soooo excited with this new toy and trying to savour it from cover to cover *literally* :D

I was so preoccupied reading it until someone feel left out and trying very hard to bug me

Then he thought of enjoying the morning view with me. It would've been romantic but hello??? I got a book to read :P Look! I have to put aside the book or else he will not settle down and he will move back and forth my lap.

Look how much he enjoys it:

He's being too clingy nowadays. He needs to be mature and grow up but who can resist spoiling him when he went all mushy mushy and cuddly around u? Grrrr..  

By the way this is his usual favourite chill spot on a weekend morning, the rooftop gutter, to 'check out' the birds obviously.

Marshmallow

Today I woke up soooo early and found out that my head is lighter and my throat is better, Alhamdulillah :) I am left with only a slight cough and phlegm but it's alright I can easily suck it in back from the nose back to the throat *I guess it is where it goes* Man it sounds disgusting when it is written in details :"(

By the way, last week, before I went off to campus, I managed to try a recipe from Joy of Baking.

Homemade Marshmallows:

1 cup (240 ml) cold water, divided

3 - 1/4 ounce envelopes (21 grams) unflavored gelatin

2 cups (400 grams) granulated white sugar

1 cup (240 ml) light corn (or golden) syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Garnish:

3-4 cups (350-460 grams) confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/candy/HomemadeMarshmallows.html#ixzz1nLggDhMN

And let me tell you this, homemade marshmallow tasted so so much better than the store-bought ones. It is much more fluffier and less sweeter. And as usual, I did lessen the sugar a bit. If I'm not mistaken I reduce half of it to 1 cup only. And I use Kijang brand Gelatine. 

I've been wanting to try marshmallow for ages but I am so doubtful of the gelatine halal-ness. At last I found this Halal directory by Jakim and it is stated here that Kijang Gelatine is halal! :D Thank you Jakim for the wonderful effort!

Pus on tonsils

 I know, gross! But after coming back from the clinic, I opened up my mouth widely in front of the mirror and saw my tonsils are doing perfectly fine the only difference is that it looks a bit more red than usual. It doesn't even look like the one I googled. And as I have expected, the doctor said, all the fever, flu and cough resulted from the cut on the tonsils and now it becomes pus T_T

Talking about which, I shouldn't have bake carrot cupcake yesterday T_T

My mom already warn me she dislikes carrot cupcake for being oily. And yesterday when I'm mixing the batter, I put two and a half cup oil. We already contemplated oily cupcakes coming its way out of the oven but to our surprise, the oil miraculously gone despite by the oily batter.

Then today we were talking about how carrot cake uses plenty of oil perhaps to soften the carrots. While doing that, I open the recipe back and guess what?

one and a half cup oil *too embarrassed to type it in numbers*

Fever

I think I'm catching a fever T_T

Symptom: Being extra extra hardworking just before the fever settle down into my already weak body.

I remembered when I was 12, I made bread and butter pudding and caramel pudding afterwards but I have no appetite to eat either one. "Surprisingly", that evening I caught a fever ><"

Next case: In The Middle, Brick will act very normal when he's not well. *not that relevant but just to show how people will act weirdly in times of sickness*

Right now, my nose is runny and I just baked brownies and I'm going to make carrot cupcake after this..

Guess what will happen after 5pm? :"(

The Big Project 2 - Ben 10 car

realising that I don't have enough fondant at this moment...

The "finishing" touch

Thank you so much to my sister's boss for trusting me with his son's birthday cake. This cake took me 3 days to be done and I tell u it ain't easy man! Maybe because the lackness of skill or I am plain untalented when it comes to designing. I have to redo so many times because it's very hard for me to get a smooth and precise windows, doors etc. Well look at the name of the boy itself. I made two! lol The first one is the smaller one I made earlier but my mom said I should make it bigger and bolder.

Anyhow, thank you so much mom for being there. Even she doesn't help rolling the fondant or making figures but her presence that keeping me accompany and her motivation that driven me to finish the cake is far far better! :) *oh and not forgetting her constructive critics and comments too :p* Unlike my dad who is more of a spirit crusher. He gives comment that makes you just wanna cry there and then! :"( Man will always be man *shake head* but on another note, my lil brother's expression makes it all worth it! When a Ben 10 fan approves, then only I can exhale in reassurance. 

I guess I have 1 more round of baking to do until I have to open law books T_T

The nearer I am to finishing my degree the more intense my passion towards cooking grows. Is it a sign or more of a hobby turn habit or just an escapade?

There's a car in my fridge!

Ever witnessed air force guy get married? Well, u should! It was really awesomeee! You get to see jet flying just above your head and the shadow lays flat on everyone and u got see two gentlemen blowing pipe bag while the bride and groom are walking towards the dais *instead of the usual kompang* and before that, they walk under the swords. Man, it was such a hit that everyone couldn't stop clicking their cameras and phones! It is very rare that guests pay absolute attention to the bride and groom but this one is totally different! Despite by the burning sun, everyone can't seem to blink for even a second worrying that they will miss anything andddd luckily *and excitedly* I was one of the few! to witness :P  

The bride and groom

Having a jet flying just above your head. How cool is that?

 

 

 

 

The pipe bag guys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just look at the crowd!

Oh, and this is the BEST part of the day: free ice cream!

Anyways, back to the post title, I am making a big project again! See:

The ultimate recipe for happiness!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

I am touched knowing the fact that the Prophet himself despite being the most honourable man persistently and consistently being grateful for even the smallest delectation he received. He even prostrates upon seeing a monkey to show how grateful he is towards his creator for creating him as a human!

Hair tips

Just when I was in a rush to take a shower few days back, I saw this in the bathroom:

Instead of this:

But because I was in a hurry, I just put a dollop of the baby blue coloured liquid onto my palm and wash my hair. It took me a few days later to ask my lil sister where had my shampoo gone. And in between that few days I just use what ever there is in the toilet which is of course the men shampoo because I am so forgetful that the minute I'm reaching for the shampoo is apparently the only minute I remembered my shampoo has gone and when I'm done shampoo-ing, I forgot all about it T_T

My sister nonchalant answer was this: "I don't know. What shampoo are u using?" Okay pause there. I begin to have the feeling that everyone in the house couldn't care less. They don't even realise what they're using! including the shampoo? I can't help but feeling my level of observation is the highest here. *Everyone lets open NST and spot the difference. I'm sure you will walk home proud*. We just use everything there is and by the time it finishes, it will took us about a gazzilionth times of toilet entrance and millions of self-reminder just  to make us really remember to buy a new one. Would anyone care to invent a water resistant post-it pleaseee ><"

Long story short *how ironic*, my sister continue to say, "I think men shampoo is good for me. See, now I don't have hair fall problems nymore!" Then I realised what she said is in fact true! For all of these while I've been changing my shampoo from hair fall control, to kaffir lime base and recently, itchy scalp just to see the result is disappointing! while the solution is really near *yet so far*: men shampoo. So girls, there u have it the ultimate tip for hair fall control! And for those married, good news! u can now cut 10 big bucks from ur monthly budget cuz now u can share ur shampoo with ur husband! *another good reason to get married :P*

Okay, all I need right now is a good men shampoo *but smells nice- like women shampoo*. Anyone?

P/s: the men shampoo is my kid brother's. His bathroom is locked *god knows why*. Hence he had to use ours for now. Wait..if the bathroom is locked, how did the shampoo survive in our bathroom? *self-reminder: ask lil brother how did the shampoo finds its way out*

Piping gel tutorial & recipe

My first time using piping gel is on my friend's birthday cake 2 years back. It was expensive but the result was quite disappointing because the colour we had chosen was so light that it doesn't match the dark ganache.

Anyways, back to piping gel, one thing I'm pretty sure about piping gel is that it is easy to handle. So, I tried googling some useful piping gel recipe. To my surprise, they weren't that much. In fact, I only found one! Thanks to Cakes and More blog here at last I got to make myself a home-made piping gel! :D

Here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup sugar( I have used a 1/4 measure and halved)-I use 2 tbs sugar
1 tablespoon cornflour
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ( I used a teaspoon or so as I felt the gel would be too sour)
1/4 cup water.

METHOD 
Mix sugar and corn flour in a small saucepan, gradually add juice then water. Stir over high heat until mixture boils then thickens. Colour as desired using liquid or powder
Dont take your eye off the ball whilst making it or it goes lumpy you have to stir it all the time. It keeps for weeks in the fridge  

As u can see, I took the recipe straight from the blog because it worked! The only thing I need to improve is knowing when to stop so that I will not over do it like I did. Hehe. And not only the recipe is easy, it's yummy too :)

Maqlubah Rice

Maqlubah rice is from Jordan and it means upside down. The good thing about making Maqlubah Rice is that it doesn't require additional "lauk" to go with. It has all u need from protein * from the chicken* and vitamin *from the fried veggies*. However, as I think the process will result in the lackness of taste of the chicken, I eliminate the chicken part.

So now, it's time for ala Wawa again! :P I cannot simply follow the Maqlubah 101 probably because I just cannot cook it as good as a Jordanian would have done it or another selfish reason is perhaps because I am too fond of my mom "Masak lemak daging salai dengan belimbing" so I rather couple the rice with that. :P

By the way, syukran jazilan to my dearest lil sister for introducing the Maqlubah rice to us and much apology because I ruin the original version of it :"( *Warning: This was made last week when she is still here, miss u, Iyah!*

 Basically, here are all the spices u need. It's like making curry. U can easily reap off the packet or add more spices or better yet make ur own curry! We chose the second option!

 So here are some of the ingredient. The preparation includes frying potatoes, brinjal and cauliflower

1. Heat about 3/4 cup of ghee or in my our case, we're using just butter because ghee is exxy T_T Sautee 4 diced shallots and 3 cloves of diced garlic. *Basic menumis*. Then add some salt, the Maqlubah spices and in our case we add 1/2 tsp of cumin powder and 1 tsp coriander powder and an Indonesian Bay Leaf *bought months ago and haven't got the chance to use it*.
2. Put in the washed rice and everything you had fried and add water.
3. Let the water simmer and cover it.
4.At this point, put a flat pan at the bottom. *This is a tip given by our maid long ago. Without her we wouldn't have known how to cook rice without the rice cooker..hehe*
5. Medium heat!
6. Check if your rice is ready. If it is still uncook, add more water and cover it back. Check regularly, don't let it dry too much before adding the water.

Without prejudice to the look of it, the taste is awesome! A fusion of soury taste combine with a mild and soft rice and everything nice! *sounds rhetoric I know T_T*

Individual Shepherd's pie ala wawa~

Have you gus notice the changes in my blog especially the header? Thanks a bunch to my dearest Yus for make up-ing this blog :)

Have you ever tasted shepherd's pie from secret recipe? It's awesome! Being an outdated person I am, it took me until just recently to discover the shepherd's pie! lol. My mom is the one ordering it and afterwards she asked me to make shepherd's pie with crust the next time I'm making Shepherd's pie ><". Usually I make shepherd's pie without the pie. And I reckon that that's the way it should be made right? Despite by the name pie. *Please answer: yes, everyone make shepherd's pie without pie. U're not weird.*

So, this pie may not taste exactly like the one u have in SR but it has pie crust! :D The one in SR is delichio mucho! It tasted of mutton and I loveeeeee mutton! Duh, the name is shepherd's pie! Of course it is made of the sheep the shepherd's keep! So, there you go, don't expect it to taste exactly like SR's ya?

Here goes the recipe:

Pie crust

Mashed potatoes (about 3 potatoes):
3 tbs Butter
1 egg
-boil the potatoes until it soften, peel off the skin, mashed it with butter. When it has cool down, mash it again this time, add in egg so that the mashed potatoes join when you bake it later.

Filling:
5 tbs olive oil
1 onion diced
2 cloves of garlic
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp rosemary
1 tsp paprika
pepper
salt
2 sticks of celery
cubed beef (about one bowl) + beef stock from boiling the beef
1 tbs corn starch mix with water (to thicken the filling)

So first you, caramelised the onion and garlic into the hot oil until it is golden brown and soft. Then you put in the spices followed by the celery. Make sure the celery is soft. If it dries up and it still doesn't soften, put in some beef stock and simmer it. Put in the beef and the beef stock and taste. Add more pepper or salt if necessary. Put in corn starch and let it boil and thickens and you're ready for the next step!

Put in the filling onto the pie crust and pipe the mashed potatoes

Bake it in a 180 degrees Celsius preheated oven for about 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

My faithful helper will be leaving me this evening :"(

Now, anyone wants to fill up the vacancy? Just kidding. U're irreplaceable! *Hiring someone else would be costly of course :P*

The Big Project

Remember the big project I mention in this post? Well, here it is:

From the front

From the back

This is for my lil sister's birthday who will be sitting for her SPM this year. Since she has been working really hard, I guess she deserves a surprise cake made by my other lil sister (the free sample one) and yours truly :)

By the way the one writing "gud luck" is the birthday girl herself. It's the thought that counts, huh? :P

The ink is edible don't freak out

How efficient are we? heheh..

So, these are the steps in putting the cake together:
1. Bake a cake, crumb coat it. In case you are using layered cake like mine, frost in between so they will stick together.
2. Measure the cake roughly.
3. On a clean surface, sprinkle generous amount of corn starch and start rolling. roll a bit, lift the fondant, sprinkle some corn starch underneath and turn it 180 degrees, and roll it again. Repeat the steps until it expanded to the measurement wanted.
4. If, the fondant is not enough, add some at the centre and repeat the rolling steps.
5. Since my cake is small, I just lift up the fondant and cover the cake but if u have a big cake, roll the fondant over the rolling pin first or else it will tear.
6. Other shapes and figures are made by using ur own imagination and creativity. We added some figures just to finish the leftover fondant by the way ;)