Sunday, September 9, 2012

Of bugs, horses and farm animals...



It's a bug life


People say that life's a bug. Or literally, it's a bug life. I accidentally found this heart-warming place called "Uluhati" through the internet, while browsing around places of accomodation to attend a relative's wedding at Ulu Langat, Selangor last two weeks (the second week of Syawal).To tell you the truth, I have never been here before, or even have any expectations on this place. Safely to say, I was clueless all the time. Apparently, I was thinking of doing a lengthy entry on this place at another time. But being me, the ever forgetful one, it's better to have this entry once and for all.


It's a turkey world




You see, I fell in love in this place. Hard time. My kid was enjoying his time here, and even had the experience of running around this place. I wonder on how things would be different if I have found this place years ago, this is like a therapy for someone who have so many things to shoulder. I loved this place. Definitely do. It's like a magical place for city dwellers, away from the crowds. Away from the tramplings of city life. I do not know how to describe this, but if you are someone who loves nature and life away from the noises and traffic jams in towns, this is the place to be... I think it's better for me to let the pictures describe the "feel" for you.



Horse ridng

It's looking at me.... ;)

A kitten found in Uluhati

"Ayam belanda" -Turkeys are roaming free



I stayed in this long house



And to think that bungalows and condos are the "means" of life. Well, an orchard full of durian trees will definitely do for me ;) .Have a  happy day, indeed......


I will definitely come again
Notes:

1) Uluhati is a privately-owned farm, situated in Batu 18, Ulu Langat, Selangor.
2) It is secluded and suitable for people who like privacy....

Walnut Orange Baked Cheese Cake-The Recipe


This is a sure-favourite for cheese lovers

Walnut Orange Baked Cheese Cake

Who would ever say no to cheese, anyway?
As much as I would like to spend time surfing the internet and blogsphere, I could not forget the fact that I have a day job. Sometimes, I would try to forget the fact that I have tonnes of things to be done and dreaming of being able to update my blog almost every day. Or even dreaming of the idea that my kitchen is indeed my office, but to whom am I to lie anyway? Myself? Hmm.. it's so funny to think that I once dreaming of climbing the best position in my job, and yet now, I dream of setting up my office in my kitchen or vice-versa. I am blabbering now, as I don't know whether I have the time update this blog again. Probably this is my last entry for this month, or maybe there will be another entry.There are so many things I have wanted to share with the readers of this blog, but things are getting busy at my work place. I could not simply procrastinate things anymore, if not people are going to chase me, for there are many tasks to be completed. Well, any way- I would like to share the recipe of my favourite cheese cake. I have adapted it  from my old cook book. The original recipe used Ricotta cheese.
Here it goes;

Ingredients;

115g/ 4 oz/ 1 cup walnut pieces
150g/ 5 oz/ 2/3 cup butter, softened ( I used SCS unsalted butter)
150g/ 5 oz/ 2/3 cup caster sugar ( You could reduce the sugar by 2-3 tbsp)
5 eggs separated
finely grated rind of orange
150g/ 5 oz/ 2/3 cup of cream cheese ( I used the whole tub of SCS cream cheese) - You could use Philly's too
40 g / 1 1/2 oz/ 6 tbsp plain flour

To finish;

60 ml / 4 tbsp apricot jam
15ml/ 1 tbsp water
30ml/ 2tbsp orange juice
50g/ 2 oz plain chocolate, shaved or grated ( I used the Collata Chocolate - found in Malaysian bake stores -a brand of chocolates used by professional chocolatiers- not easily melt- great for shaving and grating)

How;

1) Preheat the oven to 120c for 7-8 minute. (I used electric conventional oven).Grease and line the base of a deep 23cm/ 9 inch round, loose-base cake tin. Roughly chop  the walnuts and toast them lightly.
2) Cream the butter and 115g/4 oz/ 1/2 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.
3) Then, add in the egg yolks, orange rind, cream cheese, flour and walnuts . Mix well.
4) In another clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff . (Note; your whisks must be clean from grease, water, oil or butter- if not your egg whites would not be stiff after whipping. You could always wash your whisks again after the creaming of butter process)
5) Gradually, whisk in the remaining sugar. Fold a quarter of the whisked whites into the ricotta mixture. Carefully fold in the rest. Turn the mixture into the prepared tin. Bake for about 30 minutes until risen and firm.
6) Leave to cool in the tin.
7) Transfer the cake to a serving plate. Heat the apricot jam  with the water in a small saucepan. Press through a sieve into a bowl; stir in the orange juice. Brush over the top and sides of the cake. Scatter the cake generously with the shaved/ grated chocolate.
8) Arrange some strawberries or cut oranges on top of the cake. Make sure you have drizzle the apricot jam on the cut strawberries and oranges.
9) Keep the cake in a closed container, and place in a refrigerater. Keep cold.

On a final note, Happy Sunday everyone....




Now, that's a cheesy temptation......
 

Sunday, September 2, 2012

My Favourite Baked Cheese Cake


Walnut Orange Baked Cheese Cake


I loved baking this cheese cake. It's a baked cheese cake anyway. No refrigeration is required to do the base of the cheese cake. In a way, this cake will never fail me...And I am baking this for the third time, a request from my older sister. She's bringing this for her office's Eid potluck party. I have just finished baking this cake for her and the need to update this blog with the picture of the favourite cheese cake of mine, could not be resisted. I am so tired for the past one week, and could not think of typing the recipe of this cheese cake. I am just doing a quick entry at the moment, and will do another update of the recipe in a few days time. There are so many things to do, within a limited time. Therefore, let me leave you with the pictures of my favourite cheese cake and transfer you to a cheesy land....

 
Specially baked for my older sister...





This cake is surely a winner, and even the unbaked batter is finger-licking good.










Meanwhile, happy days ahead and may your days be filled with wonderful moments....
I topped this cake with fresh slices of Australian strawberries and cut  oranges, sprinkled with shaved chocolate.

Merdeka Raya 2012 - Eid



It's a Merdeka Raya - Malaysia's Independence Day
  
My son playing with the "bunga api"...

I think it's not too late to wish Happy Independence Day to all Malaysians. This year, we are very lucky to have Eid cum Independence Day. What a busy Eid for me this year, with work loads, entertaining relatives and cousins who thronged  my parents' house in Melaka and  my grandmother's house in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. I guess, I truly enjoyed this year's Eid celebration as I got to spend time with my siblings and cousins. I took many pictures and really liked to capture the celebrative mood  in everyone's faces. And people always say, a picture tells a thousand word. It's definitely true. I am sharing the happiness for Eid among my family members and letting the pictures to speak for themselves...

 

Azeem and Grandpa
   

Grandfather's house- Villa Sentosa, Melaka
 
 

Raya Tent...
  
 

The Bridge near my Grandfather's House
  


And nothing beats the feel of celebrating Eid in my grandma's house in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan
  


Grandma's house- always been captivated by its beauty and simplicity
 
Loved this stair case

 


Motifs found near the staircase at my grandma's house



Coconut trees at my garndma's house...


Eid is definitely a time to reflect on memories of yesteryears and hoping for the best things to come.....
Cousins and second cousins

After all
 
Eid is about spending time

With our loved ones

And bonding with cousins and sisters



Eventually, it's a happy Eid for me too, and I hope it goes the same for all the Muslims around the world... Have a joyous celebration.



And life is beautiful, indeed....






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