Eid-ul-Adha and Memories



My grandma's house is all lit up for Eid

 Eid-ul- Adha has just passed, but I am still longing for the times spent with loved ones at my maternal grandmother's house in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. It's always a pleasure to celebrate Eid at our own ancestral home. If you have been following my blog for a while, I have mentioned that Eid-ul-Adha has always been my favourite celebration. I maybe biased here, but I personally think that there is more time to spend with family during Eid-ul-Adha compared to Eid-ul-Fitr. 



Lemang in the making. Lemang is a type of delicacy where glutinous rice and coconut milk
are cooked in the bamboo casing. 



For Negeri Sembilan folks, we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha in a very big scale. Even though this year, my family did not do any "Qurban" ceremony, we still celebrated Eid in a very grand style. Apparently, my cousins decided to cook their own "lemang" during the eve of Eid, and they really worked hard until midnight. So, this year I did not even buy a single "lemang" courtesy of cousins.





Home-cooked lemang

Meanwhile, my son really enjoyed this year's Eid as he got to spend time, playing games with cousins and second cousins. 

My son and his second cousin- they really looked like twins



Rainbow marble cake- my tradional cake for Eid-ul Adha. I have made
adjustments from my own original recipe.

And I as usual, needed to bake something to bring to my "hometown", remembering that my mother does not really like fancy, frosted cake- ended up baking the ever versatile rainbow marble cake. This time around, I have made adjustments to my original recipe.( I will do another entry specially on that recipe). The cake turned out nice and fluffy and tasted even better after a few days. My mother brought a plate full of cake pieces to the kampung surau for Eid morning prayers.





Rainbow marble cake- cut into pieces. Original recipe- please see here



Using grandma's old crockery, it feels like I am being transported to yesteryears..



Sometimes, what really matters in our life is time spent with our loved ones. It has been two months since I went back to my "home town" and I felt that this year's Eid was definitely the best. Never mind for the massive traffic jam of going back to grandma's house- what really matters is the idea of going back to our own roots and culture. My grandmother has passed away for 21 years, but the picture of her grandchildren and great grandchildren happily playing hide and seek in her massive compound, is sure  something to be treasured in my heart.



This little girl- my niece who was excited as well to celebrate Eid.



Well, I have definitely coming back to my roots once again and humbled by memories of spending time with my ever lovely grandma. And life is even sweeter with the idea of celebrating Eid with family and relatives, having dinner of barbecued fish and steak. Nothing beats the feel of celebrating Eid in my grandmother's house.



We even had barbeque during the second night of Eid.

 

I belong here, I am..... Yes, I am.



1234 Cake



The sold-out  1234 butter cake





It's definitely a winner - a buttery yellow cake



For months I have been craving for a pure butter cake. A simple no-fuss butter cake, without all the trimmings and frosting. A simple cake with no strings attached, or guilty indulgence. A cake which I could readily whip up within minutes, without the need to measure the ingredients using the kitchen scale. So after looking around, flipping through the pages of baking books and even blog walking- I have tracked and discovered the simple recipe of 1234 cake. 1234 cake  has been around for ages in the American kitchen. This butter cake recipe is definitely suitable for layered cakes, it has that "linger on" taste. But be warned, you will not stop eating this. 1234 cake is a classic yellow American cake. A cake which is so dense and airy, and I think is suitable for frosting or to be covered with fondant.

  After more than a month of not baking anything, I finally found the mood to bake again. 1234 cake has finally broken my spell of a "no- no- baking" again. In the previous entry, I have mentioned about the overzealous tasks in my work place, and of me being in a very stressful place. Then came morning, and I finally got the answer to my stress. It's my mistake- I have forgotten my passion all this while, neglected and pushed it away at the corner of my life. Now, here I am- back on track. About this cake- I have loosely based my 1234 cake recipe to  this wonderful lady. You could check on her wonderful blog.

   Now, back to my 1234 cake - I have baked this cake at 3.45 in the morning. And finished all the clean-up of utensils by 5.15 a.m. But, anyhow, I felt like I was given a new spirit. It's like visiting an old friend, a friend with lots of chemistry, sharing happy moments, reflecting on painful days. It's like finding  a lost soul of mine.

    Happily, I cut the cake into pieces, put them into a container and brought  it to my work place. Immediately, asking colleagues to give the cake a try.  And I came home with an empty food container. phew ;) Well, I thought that my cake did not really rise up. But after checking several images in the net, I have concluded that it was meant to be. I have used a 9X9X3 square baking pan and I have managed to get a flat cake. Probably if I were to use a smaller size baking pan, I would get a rise-up cake.

    All right, this is my version of 1234 cake recipe. I have made adjustments to the cake  so that you'll get a better version  than mine. Probably my baking method for this morning was wrong, but I had discovered what went wrong. Perhaps, I would do another entry for this cake. But, now I am posting the better version of the cake's recipe. Here goes;

The ingredients

1 cup of unsalted butter ( I have used SCS and Emborg unsalted butter)

2 cups of fine sugar ( caster sugar)

3 cups of all-purpose flour ( plain flour)

4 large eggs

1 cup of fresh milk +( 2 tbsp of fresh milk- optional)

1 tbsp of double-action baking powder

1 tsp of vanilla

1 tsp of fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp of salt

How

** In a clean bowl, sift in flour and double-action baking powder. Stir well.

1) Grease your baking pan with butter. Line it with baking parchment.

2) Separate your egg  whites and yellow into two different bowls.

3) Beat your egg whites using electric mixer until you reach the soft peak. (At this stage, you could add 2 tbsp from the 2 cups of fine sugar)

4) Cut the butter into cubes. In a baking bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy and the colour changes to yellow white.

5) Add in the egg yellow, one by one. (Or in my case, I beat the egg yellow lightly- before adding them into the baking bowl).

6)Add in vanilla. Mix well. Stir in the salt.

7) Add in half of the flour mixture. Mix well. Then, add in half of the milk. Mix it again.

** At this stage, you could pre-heat the oven at 150C for at least 8 minutes ( I use the electric conventional oven)

8) Add in the last half of the flour mixture. Mix well. Next, add in the last half of the milk. Mix it again. (Add in the 2tbsp of fresh milk-if any)

9) Lastly, add in the soft- peak egg white. Stir well, using the wooden spoon. Add in the lemon juice. Stir well.

10) Pour the batter into the baking pan. Level the batter.

11) Put the baking pan immediately into the pre-heated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes or less.

12) Check if your cake is ready by inserting a skewer. If the skewer comes out clean, then your cake is ready.

Happy baking, everyone...Thank goodness for a butter cake.

This is a happy -feel-good butter cake...

Nothing beats  the taste of a butter cake with a cup of dark, black coffee

Where's my baking mood anyway?

My dream kitchen- rustic and country with a table suitable for baking matters
(Picture : google)

It has been more than a month since I have updated my blog. Seriously, I totally lost my mood to blog or bake. There are simply too many things to be done at the same time. That's the problem of people who have a day job. The tasks at work are too overwhelming that we don't have the time to concentrate on our own passion. You see, I love baking very much, to the extent that I have to ban myself from entering the baking section of the book store. I always end up with baking books even if  I don't have the time to try out the recipes. Therefore, baking books become the "white elephants" of my domestic life. It is so therapeutic to flip the pages of the baking books but when it is the time to try  out the recipes, I go cold feet. Not that I like the feeling so much, but I could not bring myself to take out my mixer and do the usual ritual of baking procedures. Maybe I am stressed out with my job. Yes, maybe.

   A few years ago, when I started this blog, I remember that baking used to be my channel to release my stress. It was like a calling to me. But lately, due to the overwhelming tasks to be done at my work place, I found myself to be mentally tired. Well, it has been a few weeks that I have seen beautiful cakes in the net and thinking and wishing of me finding the mood to bake again- but to no avail. I have bookmarked some recipes, but yet I am still having the "baker's block" syndrome (Is there such thing as this- I coined this phrase from "writer's block" - only one wonders). I have seen pictures of cakes to be inspired. But it has done no wonders to me.

  Meanwhile, more than a month ago, I went to Empire Gallery in Subang Jaya and found some interesting things in one of the shops. One, as seen in the picture below, - "Baking Fair". Various colours of Kitchen Aid mixers and not forgetting the toasters. Pleasing to the eyes, definitely.

It's like going to the candy store...;)



Secondly, the one I have been looking for. As seen from the picture,-- macaroon and whoopie pie baking pan. Never mind that I need to spend more than RM 70.00 for that particular pan- as long as I finally found the one that I've been looking for, I am more than happy. I bought the pan at the end and it is now comfortably stored in my baking compartment, hmmm....still in its plastic........

Finally, a macaroon baking pan for me ;)

Well, probably I need to find my baking mood again. It  went hiatus for more than a month. But at the end of the day, only baking could cure my stress and boredom.

Yes, I should be inspired again by this Rainbow Marble Cake
that I have baked during the last Eid-ul- Adha.

Happy Wednesday every one, and may I be inspired to bake again as Eid-ul-Adha is just around the corner ;)

P/S : Really looking forward to go back to grandma's house in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan.

Having Eid's breakfast at grandma's house...

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......

 

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....