AiLeng's diary 爱玲的日记: May 2013

Friday, 31 May 2013

Funny Ian

Lately, Ian has been talking a lot, or at least, making lots of sounds..I would say by watching educational cartoons do help, ie Barney, Dora..as these cartoons are interactive and Ian could response to it when he watched certain parts..

Friday, 17 May 2013

Blessings Bakery House

13.5.13 (Mon)

Baking is one of my favorite thing to do..I used to help my mum made egg tarts, curry puffs (for sale)..Somewhere around the last quarter of year 2012, I started to bake, mostly cookies and muffins..and by God's grace, I managed to sell about 15 bottles of walnut butter cookies during CNY 2013...Then, I am into baking cakes! (coz one of my church friend asked if I knew how to bake cakes..so I decided to explore on this area and bought a book on cake recipe) So far, I would say I am pretty good at baking cheese cakes (non-baked)..

On Labour Day this year, we attended a farewell dinner with some of our church friends..and I baked a mango cake..(mango season now) I was quite happy to receive good comments and compliments on the cake..then one of our friend suggested I can try selling my cake online! (previously, I wasn't confident enough to sell my baking products, as I kept telling myself, I am not professional, I baked for families, friends and also for joy) However, I thought it was a good idea so the next day, I approached another church friend, Christina, who loves to bake as much as I do, if she is interested to become my baking partner, and together, we create a page on Facebook..She thought it's an excellent idea and the website "Blessings Bakery House" began!

For the past 2 weeks, both of us were busy planning and discussing how are we gonna run this business, usually through facebook chat..Christina helped to design the logo while I, setting up the page with photos..We even came out with a slogan "More than just a cake!"..

On 13th May, we launched the page and thank God for many supports from families and friends who like our page..so far, both of us have some orders and we pray that God will bless our business and through this business, we will glorify His name.

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Marble Cake

15.5.13 (Wed)

Eversince the launching of my bakery house on Facebook, I have been searching for new recipe so that I can have more products for sale..Today, I tried Marble Cake! Quite a time consuming recipe (at least for me) and Ian, my son, gave me headache when he tried to sake my chiffon cake mould! Luckily, the cake turned out nice and hubby loved it!

Ingredients
5 ounces (140 grams) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon brewed coffee (optional)
2 1/4 cups (295 grams) all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated white sugar (I cut down to 200g)
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup (80 ml) sour cream or plain yogurt, room temperature (I omitted this)
1/2 cup (120 ml) milk, room temperature

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter, or spray with a non stick spray, a 10 inch (25 cm) bundt or tube pan.

2. In a heatproof bowl, placed over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate with the coffee. Remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.

3. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract and sour cream.

5. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and the milk to the batter, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Remove a little more than half of the batter and place into a separate bowl. To the remaining batter stir, or beat, in the melted chocolate. Place the batters into the prepared bundt pan by alternating spoonfuls of vanilla batter with the chocolate batter. Then, with the end of a wooden skewer or knife, gently draw swirls through the batter to marbleize it. Don't over mix.

6. Bake for about 35 - 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center just comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 20 minutes before removing the cake from the pan to cool completely. Can dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder or powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature. This cake is best the day it's made, but it will keep for a couple of days at room temperature or it can be frozen.

Serves about 10 people.

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Just for laugh

After a meeting I was coming out of a hotel and I was looking for my car keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room... it wasn't ther...e.

Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. My husband has shouted many times for leaving the keys in the ignition. My theory is, the ignition is the best place not to lose them. His theory is that the car will be stolen. Immediately I rushed to the parking lot, I came to a terrifying conclusion. His theory was right. The parking lot was empty.

I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, car number and description of the place where I parked etc. I equally confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen.

Then I made the most difficult call of all, to my husband!!!

"Honey," I stammered; I always call him "honey" in times like these.

"I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.

" There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard his voice.

"Idiot", he shouted, "I dropped you at the hotel !"

Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get me."

He shouted again, "I will, as soon as I manage to convince this policeman that I have not stolen your car."

Happy Mother's Day 2013

12.5.13 (Sun)

Happy Mother's Day!

Started the day with attending church service in the morning..The Sunday School children were asked to present a song - Honor your father and mother..and as usual, my timid daughter, Abby, she refused to stand on the stage and sing but I managed to force her to..haha.

Next Sunday School..we organised a Parent's Day special for the children and invited their parents to join us. We had P&W, games and appreciation gifts for the parents..and also cakes to celebrate Mother's Day. (I baked a blueberry cheesecake)..All in all, everyone had a fun time and thanks to the parents for joining us and I am sure their children would appreciate that.

After church, we went to Sushi Tei, Sunway Carnival to celebrate Mother's Day (initially I wanted to go to Tao Cruisine but fully booked)..I couldn't make any booking as it was on first come first serve basis..so due to this special occasion, people were queuing up for their turns..we were lucky to skip the queue as so happened, the restaurant had a 3 seats and I quickly raised up my hands and they spotted me! Phew..

To be honest, I am not a fan of Jap food..I only eat certain sushi and cooked food..and I found Jap food is very sweet due to the soya sauce used..Anyway, we had a good lunch and the kids were happy.

Ice lemon green tea, I loved it but a bit expensive, RM6.80!

I liked carlifornia rolls.

Grilled salmon, the kids loved it!

Pan fried chicken with rice.

This year Mother's Day was special to me as I rceived my very first gifts from Abby (she made then in Kindy and Sunday School)..and also wished me "Happy Mother's Day!"..hopefully next year, Ian could also wished me Happy Mother's Day, :P

Abby asked for my photo so that she could framed it up..(gave her a pic taken 7 yrs ago!)

Craftwork from Sunday School

Monday, 13 May 2013

Chocolate Mud Cake

13.5.13 (Mon)

If you have tried the Chocolate Mud Cake from Secret Recipe, I am sure you will love it..it's very chocolatelicious and moisture..hubby has been asking me to learn how to bake the cake..I googled and found this easy recipe and gave it a try today..hmm..I wouldn't say the cake is equally good as Secret Recipe but acceptable..might need to google for another recipe on it.

Ingredients

250g butter, chopped

200g dark chocolate

2 cups caster sugar

1 1/3 cups water

1 tsp instant coffee

3/4 cup plain flour

3/4 cup self raising flour

1/4 cup cocoa

3 eggs, lightly beaten

Chocolate Ganache

100ml whipping cream

90g dark chocolate, chopped

40g butter

Method

1. In a large saucepan, add butter, dark chocolate, sugar, water & coffee. Melt together over a low heat until sugar is dissolved and butter and chocolate are melted. Allowed to cool for 10mins.

2. Sift flour & cocoa in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add the cooled liquid and beat gently.

4. Add the eggs and mix gently.

5. Pour mixture into a greased cake tin and bake for 150 degree celcius for 1 3/4 hrs. (keep checking the cake)

6. Chocolate ganache: Heat the whipping cream. Add in dark chocolate until melted. Stir in butter.

Wednesday, 8 May 2013

Rules for a Happy Marriage

Rules for a Happy Marriage

1. Never both be angry at the same time.

2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.

3. If one of you has to win an argument, let it be your mate.

4. If you have to criticize, do it lovingly.

5. Never bring up mistakes of the past.

6. Neglect the whole world rather than each other.

7. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.

8. At least once every day try to say one kind or complimentary thing to your life's partner.

9. When you have done something wrong, be ready to admit and ask for forgiveness.

10. It takes two to make a quarrel, and the one in the wrong is the one who does the most talking.

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake

7.5.13 (Tuesday)

A friend of mine passed me this recipe during our Perth trip in Feb 2013..However, I modified a bit by using my own cheesecake recipe..esp on the base and ingredients part..If you find this recipe is easier to follow, go ahead..else try this.

Ingredients

200g plain chocolate biscuits

80g butter, melted

1/3 cup cold tap water

5 tsp gelatin

500g cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup icing sugar

1/2 cup milk

150g white chocolate, melted

150g dark chocolate, melted

1 1/2 cups thickened cream, whipped

100g milk chocolate, grated

cocoa powder, to serve

Method

1. Grease and line a 24cm (base) springform pan. Process biscuits in a food processor to fine crumbs. Transfer to a bowl. Add melted butter. Stir until well combined. Use your fingertips to press into base of prepared pan. Refrigerate for 20mins or until firm.

2. Place water into a heatproof microwavesafe bowl. Sprinkle over gelatine. Stand for 1 min. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH (100%) power for 20-40 seconds or until gelatine dissolves. Set aside for 15mins.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar and milk until smooth. Stir in gelatine. Divide cream cheese mixture between 2 bowls.

4. Stir white chocolate into 1 cream cheese mixture. Stir dark chocolate into other.

5. Fold half the cream through white chocolate mixture and half through dark chocolate mixture.

6. Pour dark chocolate mixture over biscuit base. Freeze for 10mins or until firm to the touch. Carefully spread white chocolate mixture over the dark. Cover. Refrigerate overnight.

7. Release sides of pan. Place cheesecake onto a serving platter. Sprinkle with grated milk chocolate. Dust with cocoa. Cut into slices with a warm knife. Serve.

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Khun Thai Authentic Thai Restaurant 坤泰正宗泰国餐厅

4.5.13 (Sat)

On the eve of Malaysia GE13, we went to this newly opened Thai restaurant in Klang - Khun Thai Aunthentic Thai Restaurant..to pre-celebrate Mother's day..(since we won't be in Klang on the actual day.

The restaurant was located somewhere near Bukit Tinggi 3..there will be signboard to guide you..However, when we turned into the road leading to the place, what we never expected was, the muddy and uneven road! (not advisable to go during rainy days) And I think the journey was about 10mins until you come to the end of the road..(in case you will be wondering where's the restaurant in the car, just liked my MIL..she was wondering if anyone would wanna come to eat at this deserted place!)

Finally, we reached and to our surprise, the place was crowded! Luckily, we made a booking earlier..The place was quite spacious, with a mini playland and some nice landscaping..We ordered some typical Thai food..(price was considered reasonable) but I think I preferred the Thai restaurant we always go to in Kulim.