Welcoming Ramadhan Al-Mubarak

The holy month of Ramadhan is like a light in a deserted soul

I miss spending Ramadhan in my home town- Melaka

Tomorrow, marks the first day of Ramadhan- the fasting month for all Muslims. In Malaysia, tomorow is the day when Muslims will start to fast. I welcome Ramadhan with full of heart and soul. Always been fascinated with this holy month, when prayers are held and hearts are purified with Quranic readings. I truly hoped that I could do a lot of baking this month as Eid is coming over after Ramadhan. I've got several orders for Eid biscuits, but I am not sure whether I would manage to complete all orders, God willing. I hoped too that Ramadhan would inspire me with baking assignments, time is always available for me to bake some cookies and cakes and I would always be happy to bits. On a final note, to my Muslim friends, may Ramadhan light up your souls... and keep you blessed. Happy Ramadhan...

Sometimes ...

Now, baking seemed to be a luxury

What we really need in life -is our inner strength

Life's been busy- really busy, that I don't have the time and energy to do my baking vocation. Apparently, I have so many baking projects outlined, but they had to be kept on hold. In actual fact, I miss my baking moments so much, that browsing my recipe books, seemed to be a luxury. Not that baking can't unstress my mind, it's just that at the moment, I have lost some of my energy. Work definitely has taken a toll on me. When will I have the time to do my favourite past time I do wonder as my hands are aching to do all sorts of baking experiments. To do something out of your own passion, is something that I cannot afford now. Eventually, it is difficult at times to be yourself in a challenging world, or even to stay normal in an upside-down environment. Being someone who holds another job in another arena, means I am having less time in the kitchen. Well, I am praying for another opportunity to do baking projects. Until then, recipe books will definitely be my best friends and time is definitely my enemy...... ;(

P/S: Sometimes, all that we need is our inner strength and determination to stay "alive" in a very stressful world. Oh, wish that I've taken a culinary degree instead....

Macaroonage in July

Red Velvet Cupcake, and 5 pieces of macaroons -lemon, blueberry, cranberry macaroons - the other two I've forgotten the flavours.


Perfect indulgence... hmmm

July has been a busy month for me. So, to celebrate the end of one important event, I went to Whisk- just to savour the delectable and sweet macaroons. I have always been fond of Whisk. There are local baking aficionados who jump into the bandwagons by baking macaroons and selling them in the local malls' flea markets, but nothing beats the macaroons by Whisk. I know, because I've bought a big-sized macaroon for RM2 and ended up being frustrated. Thus, whenever I feel that I need something sweet, coffee et all, I always think of Whisk. So , I had a bit of macaroonage that afternoon with my friend, and went home happy. Hmm... that's what we call sweet escapade...

Chocolate Rose Bouquet

A wedding flower bouquet- roses and all are made entirely from Belgian Chocolate

Ms chocolatier, Sujatha - she was reluctant to pose for the picture, but I have managed to coax her up.

Bangsar Shopping Centre, (BSC) has been around for years - but I have only managed to visit it last May. It definitely has its own charm, despite being relatively unknown for some people. What caught my eyes here was this little chocolate stall, Chocolate Chapters. Its abundant personalised chocolate designs were magnificent. You could just have anything in your mind, and ask them to create it for you- teddy bears, baby booties, truffles cake or even chocolate cigars. Yes, cigars! But what really made me marvel with this chocolate stall, was the wedding rose flower Bouquet - I could not help but admire the intricate rose petals created from chocolate. Those roses were definitely chocolate wonders. The company even has its own website- http://www.chocolatechapters.com/. Manned by soft-spoken nice young lady Sujatha, you'll definitely ask questions on these beautiful intricate creations. For those crafty, amazing art creation, I truly believe they deserved to be mentioned here. Eventually, I bought some personalised chocolates for a special occasion, and what a delight to present those chocolates as gifts. Life is sweet, and it is even sweeter with some Belgian chocolates to make up your day. Send chocolates to your loved ones and you'll definitely see them smile. Yes, chocolates, love and smile....

I am being nostalgic again

Me -in my 20's (years ago)- West Sussex, UK

The Big Ben- the UK has shaped me a lot in terms of my perspectives in life.

I am just being nostalgic, remembering my 20 something years. Forgive me if I am being a nostalgic freak- just can't help it-thinking that how time flies by. Going to be mid 30s this year, but still longing for those happy 20 something moments. Time flies by, but memory lingers on -especially those happy moments. This year, after having happy dreams of visiting UK - I have decided to set 2013 as a year to revisit my 20 something years - to Uk of course... God willing! That is going to be my target... Yes, happy moments, happy twenty something years... When you reach your 30's you'll reflect your youth days with a smile....

A Special Birthday Cake

A cake in the box

Happy 10th Birthday INAS...

This is a postponed entry. I was extremely busy that I couldn't have time to do this post. And now, here I am. As you can see, this is quite a birthday cake. I have baked a classic simple chocolate cake, with my prized ingredient of muscovado sugar, frosted with chocolate ganache topped with fresh strawberries which have been glazed with apricot jam. Apparently, it's a birthday cake for a young client. My friend asked me for a chocolate cake specially baked for her daughter. And I have decided to bake my chocolate cake which is always a hit with young clents. Untold story -it's also a last minute baking expedition. I have baked this cake twice. The first one was a crumbly but delicious cake, so I have decided to give that to my friend -the owner of this cake. The second attempt was fine, but running out of time, I couldn't decorate it well. No wonder, as I was up by 4 a.m that morning, just to bake the cake. Probably I should have baked this cake earlier- yes, lesson learnt. Verdict- my friend told me that this is definitely a sell-out among her children, especially the birthday girl. Upon, hearing that- I was definitely grinning to my ears. ;)

Now, this is the ultimate recipe that I think everyone should bake;
Ingredients=cake -115g/ 4oz plain choc, 45ml/3tbsp milk (fresh),150g/ 2/3 cup unsalted butter,150g/scant 1 cup light muscovado sugar ( you can use brown sugar), 3 eggs, 200g/ 1 3/4 cup self-raising flour, 15ml/ 1tbsp cocoa powder

Frosting/ Ganache = 1-2 tbsp of butter,3-4 tsp of caster sugar, 250g cooking choc,1tbsp fresh milk, 1 tsp of salt,1tbsp of cocoa powder-sifted (double boil all these)

How =1- Preheat oven 150c for 15 mins, 2- Grease 9 inch round cake tin-line with non stick baking paper. 3- Melt choc and milk- double boil (put in a heatproof bowl -over a pan of simmering water), 4- Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, 5- Add eggs one by one, beat well after each addition, 6- Stir in choc mixture and mix thoroughly, 7- Sift flour and cocoa over mixture, fold in with a metal spoon until evenly mixed. 8- Bake 40-45 mins, Check if it is ready by inserting a skewer. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready. 9- Cool the cake, frost with chocolate frosting/ ganache

Happy baking everyone and have a lovely Saturday.

A Nostalgic Marble Cake

Cut into squares

Close up view- the melting cake

A total heaven

I always have a fond memory of marble cake. As you see, when ever I remember marble cake, I will always remember my late grandmother. She passed away when I was just a fifteen year old clueless girl, but what an impact she had left me. In my heart, I remember her with a nice feeling, the kind of feeling reserved for a loved one. That is why I have always searched for the similar recipe of marble cake as baked by my grandmother. I couldn't get the original one, but I'm working on it. However, recently, I have come across an old fashioned marble cake recipe, and I jumped on the opportunity to bake this cake and bring it to my work place. It turned out to be a successful baking adventure. It has a nice soft texture and you will not stop eating it. In other words, you will not get bored of this cake. I liked this cake as it just melt in my mouth, and I kept popping it while cutting into squares. Eating this, brought out memories of seeing my grandmother baking in her old kitchen. Mean while, at the work place, my friends kept saying that this is the cake just like the old days, the ones being baked by grandmothers especially during Eid celebration. I totally agreed on that. Now, this is definitely going to be THE cake for this year's Eid celebration. Here goes the recipe- it's a 10 egg- marble cake recipe and I assure you, it's worth it.


Ingredients
10 egg yellow

10 egg whites

300 g castor sugar

315 g plain flour- sieved twice

*2 tsp double acting baking powder - sieve together

*2 tbp cocoa powder -sieve together

**400g butter (I used unsalted) } beat these two together in a bowl

**6 tbp sweetened condensed milk }

1 tsp vanilla

How

1) Beat egg whites thoroughly, (for about 3-4 mins), then add in the sugar. While beating the whites and sugar, add in the egg yellow. Then, add in vanilla. Beat well for 7 mins.

2) Stop the mixer, add in the butter and milk mixture, mix well.

3) Add in plain flour, mix well again.

4) Divide the mixture evenly into two big bowls. One bowl is reserved for the original butter mixture.

** In another bowl, combine the butter mixture and the cocoa powder. Mix well.

5) Line 9 x 9 x 3 baking pan with a parchment paper. Grease with butter.

6) Put 5 dollops/ spoons of butter mixture into the baking pan. Level it. Then put in another 5 dollops of the cocoa mixture. Do that alternately until done. Use a fork /skewer to mix the batter.

7) Bake for 1 hour - 180 C.

Cut into squares and enjoy it with a cup of hot tea/ coffee and you will know what I mean....
Happy baking everyone.....