Cake in the egg shell

30.11.14 (Sun)

Lately, I am addicted into baking cake in the egg shell! The end product was so cute and children just loved it! Since our family love to eat egg, so I have no problem in collecting empty egg shells, just need a lil patient in the cleaning process.

Ingredients

3 egg whites

3 egg yolks

70g self raising flour

60ml fresh milk

35g canola oil

1 tsp cream of tartar

50g caster sugar

Artificial coloring 

12 empty egg shells

Methods

1. In a clean bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat egg whites using high speed. Add in 20g caster sugar and cream of tartar. Continue beating till stiff peak. Set aside.

2. In another bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat egg yolks and the remaining caster sugar till pale yellow. Add in oil. Beat to combine. Add in milk. Beat to combine.

3. Sift in flour and mixed well with a spatula. Mixed in egg whites (in 2-3 batches) using a spatula and mixed well.

4. Divide the batter into 3 portions. Add in coloring (red, orange, yellow) in each portion. Using the piping bag, piped in 1/3 of batter (red), followed by 1/3 of orange batter and 1/3 of yellow batter.

5. Baked at 170C for 15-20mins till skewer comes out clean.

Note:

Please click here for a useful clip. Easy to follow.

Hubby's 35th Birthday

26.11.14 (Wed)

Today is my Hubby's 35th birthday! As always, I will bake a cake for him. This year, I baked a Mango Cheese Cake with a layer of sponge cake inside and lots of sweet juicy mangoes cubes. (It's mango season now) Glad that the cake turned out to be yummy and nice. 

Abby & Ian gave PaPa a box of Guylian chocolate. We bought it few weeks ago.
Me: Abby, what do you want to give PaPa for birthday?
Abby: Hmm..chocolate?
Me: Do you have money to buy?
Abby: I can use my money in my piggy bank.

So, we bought the box of chocolate and kept it in a secret place. I reminded Abby to keep it as a secret and do not reveal to PaPa. But you know kids, they can't keep secret well. Haha...
Abby: PaPa, I bought a present for you!
Hubby: Oh, that's so sweet of you. What is it?
Abby: I can't tell you. It's a secret!

But that was one day Abby accidentally revealed out the answer over the dinner and Hubby heard it. Hubby pretended that he didn't hear what she said coz he knew, she will burst into tears if he found out what the present was.

So today when Abby handed him the present, he acted so happy and surprise. So funny! I gave Hubby a massage voucher - neck, shoulder and foot massage. (coz I knew I am not good at massaging) Then, we sang birthday song and cut the cake. I specially prepared one cupcake each for Abby & Ian, with candle on it. So that they won't fight with Hubby when blowing candle.

Later in the noon, we brought the kids to the dentist for check up. (subsidized by the government). The doctor praised them for having beautiful and healthy tooth and gave them each a toothbrush as reward. Ian was very brave until he saw the doctor taking his tool, he burst into tears. Ian thought the doctor was going to do something to his teeth and he was scared. Actually, the doctor wanted to apply some fluoride onto his teeth for strengthening purposes.

After the check up, we went to visit a friend. Then went to Hakataya for dinner because Hubby got a free bowl of noodle on his birthday! However, we missed out the free Boost juice as the shop was closed when we went there! Gotta wait for another year then!

And today Abby received her birthday present from 阿姨, ie my sister. Earlier, I asked my sis to help buy the Mr Men Little Miss toys from Mcd and she was very thoughtful to ship it over. (initially I told her we will go back and collect next CNY) Abby was very happy and excited.

Next event will be Abby's 5th birthday in about 2 weeks time. I plan to bake a special cake for her and have 2 celebrations, one at home and the other in Sunday School. Looking forward!

Mango Cheese Cake (version 2)

26.11.14 (Wed)
Today is my Hubby's BIG day. I baked a No-baked Mango Cheese Cake for him. (few days ago, our friends gave us 13 big mangoes, I made mango smoothies and decided to use some for this cake)

(using a 8" cake mould)
Ingredients:
The base McVities Digestive Biscuits (about 5-6pcs, depending on how thick you want the base to be)
Oreo biscuits (without the cream)
80g Unsalted butter (if you find that the biscuits are too dry, then add more butter)
30g icing sugar

1. Crush all the biscuits till it become almost like sand texture (crumbs) and mix it with the icing sugar.

2.  Melt the butter. Pour the butter into a tray together with biscuits crumbs. Mix it well.

3.  Compress it evenly on the base of the tray. Put in the fridge for at least 1hour or till it is hardened.

4.   Make some small holes all over the base using a fork (this is to ensure the cheese sticks to the base).



The Sponge Cake
Please see here for recipe. I added 2tsp of cocoa powder. The remaining batter can be used to bake cupcakes.

The Cheese content
500g cream cheese (I preferred Philadelphia brand)  
150g mango flavour yoghurt  
200g of sweetened condensed milk  
Fresh mangoes, cut in cubes  
8 teaspoon of gelatin powder, with 200ml water

1.  Let the cheese (500g) cool down to room temperature.

2. Pour the water into a small pot and heat up under low heat. Then, pour the gelatin powder (8 tsp with 200ml water) into the pot and stir it thoroughly until melted. The end product is a very thick and sticky gelatin mixture. Set aside for use.

3. Using an electric hand mixer, blend the cheese well to make it soft.

4. Next pour in the sweetened condensed milk and mix it well. Then pour the yoghurt. Blend it well and thoroughly.

5. Quickly pour the gelatin mixture into the earlier cheese content and then mix it well with a spatula. Add in the mangoes cubes.

6. Placed the sponge cake on top of the biscuit base. (cut the cake into 7")  

7. Finally, pour the final cheese content into the earlier prepared base tray.  

8. Put in the fridge for 1 hour or until the cheese has set.

9. Decorate as desired.

Abby's very first card received by post!

24.11.14 (Mon)

Today when we came back from grocery shopping, the postman just arrived. As usual, I asked Abby to collect mails (if any). She stood beside the letter box, waiting patiently. The postman came and passed some mails to her. (I was busy carrying the shopping bags from the car)

"Mum! Mum! Looked, I got a parcel!" shouted Abby.

I turned around and saw her holding a brown envelope. (I knew who sent the card)

"Oh wow, who send you the mail?"

"I don't know. Let's open it!"

"We shall open it inside the house ok?" (coz my sis asked to take a video of her opening the card, to capture her expression)

When my sister told me she wanted to send over the Mcd toys (I asked her to buy for Abby) as Abby's birthday present, I suggested why not she mailed a birthday card to her instead, She will be very happy coz Abby always complained to me that no one send her cards. (ever since we came here, Abby has been sending cards to family members and friends on special occasions) Initially, I thought my sister will just buy a normal birthday card from the shop and mailed over. When Abby opened up the envelope , I was so impressed of the artwork done! Thank you all for your sincerity, especially to my sister for her creativity! 

 

 

100 days Thanksgiving Day #32 to #61

100 days Thanksgiving Day #61:
Last day of November 2014! Thanked God for His grace and mercy over the past 11 months!
Today after church, we came back home and pretty much just relaxed at home. Weather was good and we also decorated the house for Abby's birthday party this coming Sat! A simple decoration made Abby so excited and happy. December is gonna be a joyful month as we will be celebrating our very first Christmas in a Western country, and most of all, it's Jesus birthday! Oh, which means Summer is here too! Pray that the weather will not be humid and hot! (I didn't want to be 'barbecued')

100 days Thanksgiving Day #59 & #60:
We had an eventful day. In the morning, we went to Sunnybank Plaza for the Santa Parade and also to watch the movie 'Penguins of Madagascar'. Somehow, I felt 由洋人扮成的圣诞老公公特别地亲切！There were also a small group of choir singing Christmas carols. The movie was very entertaining and funny.
At night, we went to CG. Thanked God for the 3 new friends tonight and also thanked to one of the CG member who is a GP for sharing with us information on skin cancer. Indeed, living in a country like Australia, chances of getting skin cancer is there and must consistently remind ourselves to apply sunscreen protection especially during Summer! And, another CG member gave Abby a doll as present. Abby was so happy that she named the doll 'Kayla'!


100 days Thanksgiving Day #58:
Today around 5pm, we experienced the second storm in Brisbane. And this round was golf ball sized hail stones, followed by strong wind and rain! Severe damages in the city. I really want to thank God for His protection as our area was not affected. No power shut down, no damages on window glasses/car. I continue to seek protection from God especially praying for my husband on his working days! Amen!

100 days Thanksgiving Day #57:
It has been an eventful day. Firstly, Happy Birthday to my hubby Mark Lee. I baked a simple Mango Cheese Cake for him. Abby & Ian bought a box of Guylian chocolate for him (using their piggy bank money) and I gave him a massage voucher.

Today, we brought the kids to the dentist for check up. Doctor praised them for beautiful and healthy tooth and gave them a toothbrush each as a reward. Then, we went to Hakataya for dinner, as Hubby got a free bowl of noodles on his birthday! But we missed out the free Boost juice coz the shop closed when we went there! Also, another BIG thank you to my sister, AiHoi Lin for shipping over a box of Mr Men Miss Little dolls for Abby! She loved them so much! 

100 days Thanksgiving Day #55:
A pleasant surprise from Malaysia! Abby received her very first mail from her aunties AiHoi Lin AiLee Lin, Grandma, Grand aunt Hoom Lun Tan Tan Hoom Tong and MeiYi Lim JieJie - a very creative and nice birthday card! Earlier I told my sister that Abby always complained that she never receive cards from anyone. (coz she likes to send cards to all on special occasions) So, when the postman passed the mails to her, she jumped in joy, shouting "Mum, looked, I've got a parcel!" Thank you all for this gift that made a small girl so so happy!


100 days Thanksgiving Day #54:
Today, choir took a break, no presentation, so I accompanied Abby & Ian to Sunday School. I was very happy to see Abby enjoying herself during praise and worship and in her class too. I remembered the first time Abby joined SS, she was so shy, always standing behind the lines and dare not even talk to anyone. But now, she stands the first row, close to teacher and always smiling! Thanked God for this transition period. And now, with Ian attending SS, hopefully he will 'blend' in soon!
After church, we went shopping. Both children were very happy coz they got to buy their favourite toys! Thank you Hubby for working hard to provide for the family!
 
100 days Thanksgiving Day #53:
Phew, now only I have the chance to sit down and relax! Since morning till 30mins ago, I was busy baking, washing, cooking, washing, cleaning! Thanked God I finished 60+ mini cupcakes, cookies, 4 dishes and one soup! Had a great fellowship with church members who came to our house for dinner! Oh and not forgetting the 15 mangoes, 10 peaches and 15 oranges given by them! I told Hubby, for the coming week, we will just munch on fruits as our meals! 
 
100 days Thanksgiving Day #52:
Busy day! It was Abby's school orientation (Prep 2015) today and we walked to the school early in the morning. (About 10mins walk) Altogether 8 classes (about 20/class) next year. Abby was very excited and happy to meet her class teacher and new friends. Then, baked a mango cake again for tonight's church bbq gathering at a very luxurious club house. Tomorrow another busy day as I need to bake 50 mini cupcakes, 20 blueberry cheese tarts and also prepare dinner for our guests. But I really thanked God for all these wonderful events!
And I wanted to say Happy 78th Birthday to my Dad who is now in Heaven with our Lord (7 yrs ago)! Will bake you a cake when we meet! 


100 days Thanksgiving Day #51:
Got to know that one of my friend is expecting her second baby. I felt so happy and excited for her. Pray that God will take care of her throughout the whole 9 months process.
Lately, I see much improvement in Ian's vocabulary and sometimes, I am amazed to hear "bombastic' words from him. Now, we are trying to teach him Mandarin and not so successful. Hopefully, Ian will be more willing to speak more mandarin soon.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #50:
Wow, already day #50, 50% accomplishment! I wanna thanked God for He is good! Yesterday marked the 6 months of our life here in Brisbane! Time really passes fast. There were so many things happened and God never failed us.
1. Bought a 2nd hand car within one week.
2. Found a house to rent within 2.5mths (with a very reasonable price and strategic location)
3. Started our own business within 3mths.
4. Found a loving church community, met so many nice and caring friends.
We really experienced God's guidance and protection since Day #1 we moved over here. I trust and know that God is always taking care of us. Amen!

100 days Thanksgiving Day #49:
I am in-charged of refreshment for Sunday School this coming Sunday. So, today I tried baking mini cupcakes with buttercream icing and it was so cute and colourful. Need to bake at least 50 cupcakes this Sunday. I also tried baking cake in the egg shell. Hubby commented that such a tedious job but I enjoyed it! I wanna thanked all my baking friends, especially recipes shared on Facebook.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #48:
God answered our prayer. Today's weather was much cooler than yesterday. Hopefully it will be the same till Autumn comes.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #47:
What a hot hot Sunday, just as the weather forecasted, 42C! Free sauna! Right after church, we went to the mall for free air-cond and also drank bubble tea. But, it was still HOT! Thanked God that the old fashioned air-conditioner at our house still working! At least, it helped to cool down the weather!
Today was Ian's first official Sunday School class. I dropped him in the class and went for service 'in peace'! The teachers all praised him for being so obedient in the class. Ian even made best friend with a 2yrs old gal! Funny boy.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #44, #45 & #46:
Thanked goodness the internet connection is back to the normal speed!
These few days weather was very hot and it will be 42C tomorrow! Pray that we will not fall sick under the hot weather and the children will learn how to keep themselves cool!

Today, we went for our very first lunch buffet here. (Groupon voucher) Food was satisfying. All of us skipped dinner tonight as we were too full! Moreover, there will be light refreshment at Cell Group tonight. Thanked God for the opportunity to serve in CG tonight - led P&W.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #43:
Yesterday, I baked mini sponge cake with yoghurt cream. Abby & Ian were so happy to have the cakes for snack time!
I want to thank my Hubby Mark Lee for his thoughtfulness and bought this small gift for me. Also, not forgetting to thank God for sending an 'angel', ie the dentist, to help solve my Hubby's toothache problem. The dentist even gave a discount - buy one free one! ( Filled 2 tooth for a price of one!)

100 days Thanksgiving Day #42:
I received a notice few days ago, informing us on the water supply shut down today (but, water supply is normal! Thanked God!). So, I suggested we have Domino's pizza for dinner (thought I won't be able to cook and wash). Abby & Ian were so excited since morning till Hubby went to collect the pizza in the evening! This was our 3rd time having pizza here and it was satisfying!

100 days Thanksgiving Day #40 & 41:
A brand new week! Yesterday at church, we got to know a couple who have just migrated here, around the same time as us. We had a good chat, sharing each other experiences here. After the church service, we went to check out this board game event at Woollongabba. Most of the games were too new to us. But, we had fun time playing Zenga with the kids. Ian was pretty good at it, fast and steady. On the other hand, Abby was a bit timid. Guessed we are going to buy a set of Zenga soon!

Today, I went to the market for grocery shopping with my most helpful two lil helpers. Though they could only help to carry light stuffs, but I was really happy and thankful for them, especially watching Abby holding Ian's hand (I asked her to take care of DiDi) and walked side by side. Praised God!

 

100 days Thanksgiving Day #39:
It's mango season now! $2 for one mango, Australian produce (I think the price will go down some more for the weeks to come) . Very juicy and sweet. It has been quite some time since I last baked a Mango Cake. Glad that my CG members liked it, some even thought I bought the cake from the bakery shop! A great sense of achievement!

 

100 days Thanksgiving Day #38:
A normal day. Tonight, we had dinner at one of the kids' favourite ramen restaurant. One good thing about this place is that you get a free bowl of noodle (just noodle) for each noodle set order. So usually, I will order a bowl of Char Siu Men , then share some of my pork and soup with Abby & Ian. They were so happy to have their share of noodle and I liked watching Ian enjoying his food. He always ensure he finished his food, till the last drop of soup! Kids are so easily satisfied!

100 days Thanksgiving Day #37:
Yesterday I baked blueberry muffin, with the leftover blueberry fillings. The muffin was so good. The beauty of home baking is the healthy ingredients that you put in.
Thanked God for the rain. Though it was short but its cooling.

Tonight I cooked vegetable curry, with all my favourite ingredients..yummy yummy! Also gave some to my neighbour.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #36:
Thanked God that Hubby's toothache problem has been solved. Managed to find a dentist that charged reasonably. (it is not CHEAP at all to see a dentist here, and Hubby kept telling Abby & Ian to become dentist/doctor in future!)
Today, I taught Abby a short poem in Mandarin, with easy words. She couldn't remember the words despite many trying. I got a bit angry and I raised my voice. I asked her to pay attention and read the poem repeatedly. She bowed down her head and wept. (I pretended I didn't see that) Then, she continued reading again and again and thanked God, she didn't give up, and finally, she remembered the whole poem.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #35:
Thanked God for the weather. These two days, weather was quite windy and cooling and it is already end of Spring. Hopefully our first Summer will not be too hot and humid.
Thanked God for choir practice every Tuesday night. Actually I was quite tired today, Hubby suggested I should stay home and rest. But I didn't coz I really enjoy singing songs, especially all the nice Christians songs. Abby and Ian always follow me to the practice and thanked God that they knew how to entertain themselves and didn't make much noise.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #34:
Today, both the children really made me mad. One minute, they play happily together. Another minute, they fight over small matters. Then both cried! Argh....Once scolded, they came to you with innocent faces (most powerful weapon) and said, "Mummy, I am sorry!" @_@
Tonight, my church Reverend and his wife came to visit us (previously, both the church pastors and wife came too). Really grateful to God for sending His faithful servants to care and pray for us. May God continue to use them in His ministries and God bless them abundantly.

100 days Thanksgiving Day #33:
Almost completing 1/3 of this 100 days thanksgiving challenge. Loved the song that the choir presented today.
I forgotten to thank my sister AiHoi Lin & my cousin MeiYi Lim for their effort in getting the Mcd toys for Abby. I shown Abby the picture and she was very happy. Wait till she sees the toys in person, she will be even more excited! 


100 days Thanksgiving Day #32:
Happy November to all!
Tonight, I was given the opportunity as one of the representative for our CG to join the church bible quiz on the book of Hosea & 1 & 2 Peter. There were 6 of us (all girls!) and we had only one week to prepare. So, we divided the books and each handled around 3 chapters. Guessed what??!! We were the champion! It was a fun night and through this activity, I got to know more about my CG members. All glories to God!

 

Mango Sponge Cake

8.11.14 (Sat)

It's mango season now! The Australian produce mangoes are very juicy and sweet, $2 each. I believed the price will go further down for the weeks to come.

It has been quite some time since I last baked a Mango Cake. Since there is Cell Group tonight, so I baked one and glad that everyone liked it. Some even thought I bought the cake from the bakery shop! A great sense of achievement!

Ingredients:

Sponge cake

4 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1/3 cup (35 grams) sifted cake flour
3 tablespoons (30 grams) cornstarch (corn flour)
1/2 cup (100 grams) plus 1 tablespoon (15 grams) granulated white sugar (divided) (you may wish to cut down the sugar portion to 60-80g, which I usually do)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)

Mango dices for decorations 

200ml whipping cream

 

Methods

While the eggs are still cold separate two of the eggs, placing the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another bowl. To the yolks, add the additional yolk, and the two remaining eggs. Cover bowls with plastic wrap and allow the eggs to come to room temperature (about 30 minutes). Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk the flour with the cornstarch.

Place the egg yolks and whole eggs, along with 1/2 cup (100grams) of the sugar, in your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on high speed for five minutes, or until thick, pale yellow and fluffy. (When you slowly raise the beaters the batter will fall back into the bowl in slow ribbons.) Then beat in the vanilla extract. Sift half the flour mixture over the beaten egg mixture and fold in gently with a rubber spatula, just until the flour is incorporated. Sift the remaining flour mixture into the batter and fold in.

In a clean bowl, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in the remaining one tablespoon sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold a little of the whites into the batter to lighten it, and then add the rest of the whites.

 

Bake for 30-35mins in a preheated oven, 170C till golden brown or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave cool on wire rack.

Divide the cake into half. Place one cake on the cake pan. Spread some cream on top and placed mango dices. Place another cake on top and decorate as desired.