Strawberry Sandwich (Wha..? No way!)

It has been so long that it felt like I forgot how to write to you guys. Half an hour later, I decided it's best to just bear my heart. It hasn't been easy, will never be easy, to change. To align yourself to your surrounding, to mould yourself to someone else's theories and to change. "Difficult" does not even cut it close. How then, do you keep your self? 

Fortunate for some of us, if you have some berries, a scoop of ice cream, tablespoon of sugar and a pinch of cinnamon, it might just reenergise you for your battles tomorrow. That was how this sandwich came to be. Some self-healing.

Transition

Its been more than half a month since I have posted anything. I, too, feel really sad (if some misses me). It has been the longest transition period of my life. No, I have not stopped baking. But i have stopped taking pictures and posting. Due to lack of my old props that I've collected, and due to lack of better lighting.

I really do hope to post as soon as I can. And I can only hope for your patience. :)

Love you guys,
Jes

Baileys Tiramisu

Life at a pause. It's one of the little pieces of heaven to be able to pause time and take it easy. 

During those times, it is only inevitable to gain some weight and have yourself some indulgence.

Let's go straight to the recipe. I combined my most favourite things to produce the Powerpuff Tiramisu.

Varlhona Cocoa, Baileys Coffee Liquer and Tiramisu (doh).

Chinese Almond Cookies

Dear Cheap Labounie Shoes,

I would like to thank you for your persistent out-of-context comments. Realising that this may just be my problem in the level of intelligence, i took the courage and consulted my girlfriends. As if had a head triple the size of an alien, they stared at me outrageously. After about 45 minutes of torment on my pride,  they kindly acknowledged my stupidity and told me that your comments were purely spams.  Despite my doubt that you are a can of spiced ham, i decided that your persistence deserves a definitive answer in order for us both to move on.

I politely decline.

Sincerely,
Jes

This recipe was long due. About 2 month long. And from this, i learn one special lesson. A lesson i'll always remember to tell my children about.

Never underestimate laziness. 

This was why my soap dispenser took months to refill. (i leave the rest to your imagination)
And why we all have "hot pockets" in our pantry.

 Nevertheless, let me introduce you to my cousin "Emily". She has just begun falling in love with photography. And to be honest, she's already better than me. More photographs from her in the future (cross your fingers!)

Cheese Bundt Chiffon Cake

Would you believe me if I had told you this was a very easy cake?

And if like normal people, you're a cheese lover, you might want to go crazy on the topping.

This is the second best way to get kids to love you. The first would be crispy fried chicken. Yea, i know how to get me some of that lurvin.

This recipe might surprise you but it'll get you some of that velvety smooth, melt-in-the-mouth, overly-cheesy cheese cake!

Lurvin,

Jes

Ps: Ovalette is a stabiliser for chiffon cakes, you can substitute it with same amount of condensed milk. 

Birthday Cake

Every once in a while, i would try my best to make someone happy. 

I cooked my mom a full pasta meal when i was merely 10 years old.

I would drop little trails of (eherm) pixie dust to a birthday present. 

I was very much reprimanded in both occasions. 

As i remember, it was "not pixie dust".

 My little "happy" giveaways never end beautifully.

Soon enough (about 10 years), I stopped trying.

 Then, i met you.

You fell asleep.

Yes, my little "happy" treats never end successfully. 

But this cake was delicious. 

Ariosto Roast Potatoes - Out of the slump

More than 3 months ago, my 10 year old oven was put to rest. It is a tale as old as time, how my journey as a baker begun with this metal box.

You may wonder why it took me 3 months to purchase an oven. And I will disappoint you with this. Laziness. Baking became a habit, almost an obligation. Week by week, baking was pushed to the back of my head. Week by week, packets of butter remained untouched. Then, it striked me, why was i baking.

I believe every baker has asked themselves this very same question a hundred times and ends up with a hundred different answers. And even now, I do not yet have an answer I am proud enough to announce. However, one rainy day, i decided to purchase the best oven there is to select from.
Along with it, I decide to not commit. I decide to bake as I please. Afterall, life, it goes on.

This was long overdue to Ariosto Spa Buccinasco. Ariosto was nice enough to send some of their samples to me so i would write a post for them about horse years ago. The lady was nice enough to not push me for this post and has commented that their best seasonings are roast potatoes and roast chicken.  Many bloggers have used their products, for example, The Novice Housewife and Angies Recipes. So why not?

Ingredients

1 kg baby potatoes (unpeeled and cut in halves)

1 packet roast potato Ariosto seasonings

olive oil to coat

3 tbsp honey

6 cloves of garlic (unpeeled and crushed)

corriander (finely chopped)

butter

1. Combine all the ingredients together.

2. Lay out on a baking sheet and bake at 200C for 60-80 minutes, turning every 20 minutes. Or you may roast the potatoes on a grilling pan with butter until caramelised and crisp.

3. Serve while warm.

miss me?

Jes

Cheese Loaf Bread - Birthday Post

You might be wondering. A bread for birthday? No, we had cakes but i baked bread and there were birthdays.

25th & 26th were both my girlfriends' birthdays. They are my special people and that's all needed to be said. So happy birthday, you two. After knowing you for 20 years, I believe i'll still strive my best to give you a surprise birthday!

I took the recipe from Clockwork Lemon (a recipe I have wanted to try for so long), used Cheese instead and voila.

Milo Pound Brownie Cake

"You're almost there. 2.8km", the board writes.

We glanced at one another amongst our group, as if a ritual before the war. It wasn't a question, really, nor a suggestion. We knew we had to start running. 

From our relaxed attitude, it was obvious this wasn't our first run. Run the first 0.2km, then, run the last 0.4km and run whenever a teacher is at sight. Those were the rules. And from experience, be aware that a teacher jogs along with the very last runner.

But here's the catch. At the end of the 3.2km race, you'd be offered a cold cup of Milo and a long queue to the loo.

This was how Milo came into a hormonal-pimpled-rebelious-teenager's life who now has owwies in her teeth because she sleeps with a spoonful of milo-slash-nutella in her mouth.

The name is Milo. I am beautiful chocolate and ovaltine malty made better. I taste best when half-sticky or coating the surface of cold milk.

Pandan Kaya Bread Pudding

You see, when you start working, everything becomes a little harder to get through. Especially for a boring person such as myself. 

So you fatten yourself up, preparing for the long hibernation we call "Holiday". Holidays for me (reminder: boring person) is to sleep, eat mac & cheese, occasionally dragged out of the room for hygiene purposes and movies. Oh, and of course popcorns. 

I would of course refuse to get my hands on baking, with a determination equal to that of an addicted hippie holding a roll of weed swearing to quit after one last round.

Unfortunately, no, I do not smoke weed because I'm a boring person.