P.O.S.T.R.E

To my niece...

2012-01-15T21:21:00.000+08:00

For my niece's full month baby shower.

Something red, like those red eggs and angkukueh, something auspicious.

Red. Top choice.

Next, easy ingredients, easy steps, easy cleaning.

Macarons.

Finally, an act of artistry, a dash of gold.

Why not Black?

2011-11-19T15:26:00.001+08:00

Since there's still a bottle of Bamboo Charcoal resting in the cupboard which I don't see myself making bread any time soon with this rainy season, I don't want them to go expired too.

Macarons. Why not? I thought to myself. I need challenge and despite this being the eleventh attempt, I never get them right.. bOo! The only consolation being at least the feet appeared.

Why not black? I want colors in my "Bake till I drop..." album. Green, pink, red, brown, orange... all been there... something unexpected will be good.

Peach Vanilla

2011-11-13T14:44:00.001+08:00

I don't fancy cupcakes. Definitely not that thick frosting on the top.

What I fancy, really, is the room for me to design and decorate it. For those who contradict themselves, like I do, I baked cupcakes this week. Just a simple vanilla cupcake base with peach-flavour buttercream. (Yesh, I bought the peach-gel paste and I can't wait to see the color!)

A little too eggy-taste I realized, however, many recipes I came across called for 2 eggs. Could it be the eggs I used were too huge they stand for 1 normal egg?

Cloudies

2011-10-23T13:58:00.001+08:00

Because I feel like eating air.

Never been a fan of marshmallows (and I really hate maggot-like jellybean). Until someone (sorry I forgot who) taught me to eat BBQ-ed marshmallow..then I learnt to appreciate the fluffiness that melts from within.

Naturally, marshmallow won't be top of my baking ingredients but funny how I've got urge to make tarts and to mellow the hardness of the pate sucree, I thought baked marshmallow can do a great job for that. Almost immediately I visualized how the tart would/should look like and there's no turning back.

Still a great disparity from my imagination, partly due to the large marshmallows purchased instead of small tiny ones... perhaps I can try using meringue next time to achieve the appearances I want.

Oat Bites

2011-10-09T13:26:00.002+08:00

Thanks Sue for the recipe! and I did improvise a bit.. kind of different texture from what my colleague had made.. nevertheless, still love its fragrance.

My ValentinO

2011-08-13T12:07:00.006+08:00

Honestly, I grew tired of my foodography skills.. that's when I stopped baking for a while now.

Thank god I chanced upon Pique Nique and their multiple delectable desserts, especially their signature red velvet cake.

It sets my passion burning furiously once again.

Thus, the first comeback was to re-create this so-simple-yet-unforgettable red velvet.

There's some interesting facts about baking, especially after an intense discussion with my colleague who also bakes and apparently talks about food science and how it affects baking. Informative and interesting and definitely one beneficial conversation I ever had in my jounrney in baking.

ok, I still have lots to improve on my stagnant foodography skills.. Boo (not that puppy)!

New York Cheesecake

2011-07-09T13:20:00.003+08:00

New York Cheesecake.

Requested by L.

A few had queried what's the diference between NY and Chicago Cheesecake.

Ans: There's sour cream in NY Cheesecake and it's usually taller.

Personally, I still prefer Chicago Cheesecake :)

However, I'd have to admit that this time round the cheesecake really turns out good, in terms of presentation, texture, surface smoothness.

Have a great time baking with L and enjoing the cake in CBTL... hohohohO..

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just that my oven base was burning and all smokey after a few mins of baking :x Hope nothing's wrong with it...

Kenny Rogers

2011-05-21T21:24:00.003+08:00

Corn muffin, a signature at Kenny Rogers.

A recipe madly sought after.

A recipe almost uniform at all websites, acclaimed as almost-kenny-rogers-corn-muffin.

A taste so familiar and yet, so foreign.

Fine-tuning is needed.

Orange Meringue

2011-05-02T11:54:00.003+08:00

This Week's Creation.

Matcha Souffle

2011-05-02T11:34:00.002+08:00

Last week's creation. :)

Noir. Blanco. No..Si..No...

2011-04-17T16:18:00.005+08:00

It's Black...and White. It's a combination of contradicting flavors.

Black Sesame and Coconut..and to finish off with white chocolate ganache.

I'm seeking peace within my contradicting mind. Materialising my thoughts.

The black sesame sponge has surprised me, definitely. Overall, a tad too sweet.

Probably it's my first, it's my last.

Ultimate Sinner

2011-04-02T13:13:00.004+08:00

Fat Witch Brownie topped with blanco chocolat mousse

Pecanic Pancake

2011-03-12T09:55:00.003+08:00

Confession: I used pancake mix >.<

scone de arándanos limón

2011-03-06T09:45:00.003+08:00

I think I hold it against the blueberries.

If not, how can I explain why they are always the only one left behind in my fridge for weeks and I still couldn't figure how to deal with them?

Then, finally, I managed to kill their time.

The first ever scone I ate, was flown in from australia. That was a cranberry scone. Tasted much like a normal bread than muffin which I would prefer.

Since I had already tried blueberry muffins, I thought, why not scones? Besides, there is finally the presence of milk in the fridge.. and guess what?! Lemons too.

So, ta-da --> Scone de arandanos limon

and so, as I recalled, the method of rubbing in the butter into the dry ingredients is capable of achieving the biscuit texture. True enough, it emerged as such which I like. Eat it when it's hot!

Cheesecake de Fresca

2011-03-05T13:19:00.002+08:00

3rd attempt. Not that the previous 2 fail, just got a craving to make it again.

New Frontier - Wholemeal Loaf

2011-02-19T20:17:00.004+08:00

Finally, an edible bread emerged from my oven today.

At least, it tasted like bread.

A greater satisfaction arose from the fact that I actually knead the dough by hand. Grasp!

SO, saving is in progress to welcome KitchenAid or Kenwood in near future!

P/S: Special Thanks to Aunt Florence for her time, guidance and detailed coaching for baking bread.

CNY goodies

2011-01-15T23:58:00.005+08:00

Lunar Chinese New Year is round the corner.

Thus, I intend to cease the unbearable torture of sniffing all the freshly baked cny goodies from every household's oven except mine. The visual torture of seas of red-capped containers in every confectionery shops shall put to an end too.

In fact, this is my first *official* new year goodies endeavor.

E-x-c-i-t-e-d

Steam or Bake?

2011-01-08T18:19:00.004+08:00

I tried both.

Steamed versus Baked Banana Pudding.

Verdict:

30minutes, instead of 45minutes, steam would be better.

Surprisingly good outcome for the baked.

Almost pudding-y.

Almost heavenly.

One for December

2010-12-26T22:32:00.002+08:00

Due to the series of events that took place in December, I could only afford one bake this month, today.

Sticky Apricot Cake

2010-11-28T19:34:00.005+08:00

I'm all determined to relive the sticky pudding happiness after eating PS Cafe's PS Banana Vanilla Steam Pudding yesterday. So, the search was on.

In fact, the infamous Sticky Date Pudding has always keep me awed. Despite no prior encounter with it, I am well-informed of its positive feedbacks. You can probably imagined the gleam on my face when I found one such recipe.

Instead of accquring Medjool dates which stand at a staggering 10++ bucks per small box, I chose dried apricot for its similar texture.

Of course, a good warm sticky cake wouldn't be complete without a good ice-cream for its HOT-&-COLD invincible tasting experience. Thus proven, B&J ice-cream is unbeatable.

Soft Pretzels - F - A - I - L

2010-11-17T20:04:00.005+08:00

but not exactly epic.

I mean, well, you know your soft pretzel failed when they tasted crunchy and bland, like unseasoned rice crackers.

Lesson gathered:

1. More sugar please.

2. No more double layer of egg-wash.

3. Perhaps test other recipes available. In other words, don't base on one.

4. Bake one tray at a time.

5. Perhaps shorter duration is needed to bake.

Nevertheless, I could only comfort myself with its better than expected appearance..whee~~

Blueberry Crumble Bar

2010-11-13T15:45:00.006+08:00

Change of Plan for this week postre.

Too heaty since last week's lavamaniac, thus brownie needs to give way.

The 2, despite 2, lonesome-looking punnets of blueberries stared back from the cool metal frame in their lighted and cooly confined white box.

So, out they came, into the embrace of the warmth of cosy oven.

Classic: Japanese Light Cheesecake

2010-11-07T10:39:00.006+08:00

It's such a classic there's no point thinking of a unique name for it.

Special thanks to my aunt for the recipe.

P/S: Co-baker - Wanli-san

Lavamaniac

2010-11-06T12:11:00.005+08:00

Rule: Never underestimate the power of unsweetened baking chocolate

Seriously, it was a tad too rich and I could feel the burning sensation as it glide down my throat.

P.O.S.T.R.E Special - Matcha-Adzukiness Macarons

2010-10-30T21:07:00.004+08:00

The side-product of my Berrilicious Tartie was 3 egg whites. So, without a moment of hesitation, I decided to use them to make macarons.

Reasons being:

(A) I need consistency (confirmation of my procedures) that my macarons have feet developed with every bake.

(B) I want to try baking Matcha-flavoured macarons.

So here they are:

You're right, I'm on FB! LOL!

(1) Good thing that when I piped them, it was of great (desired) consistency.

(2) A piping tip is proved to be essential, so is a piping bag.

(3) Not sure if the failed-to-develop glossy surface is due to the fact that I chose NOT to sieve the almond meal this time round.

(4) Matcha and adzuki red beans-cum-cream cheese filling begetted an explosive tasting experience.

Berrilicious Tartie

2010-10-30T20:06:00.004+08:00

Tartie - A term I shall use for small tarts.

This is one tartie I have no complaint.

:))

Pecunious Pear Tart

2010-10-23T16:56:00.003+08:00

It has been a difficult week. Torn between tart, mousse, prezetel and bread.

Then, a decision made. Tart. One thing I dying to bake since the day I have an oven.

Vocabulary-poor week. Thanks to Bro's rescue for entitling this tart baked.

Finally a decent tart. lalalalala~~~

Choya Gelée

2010-10-17T09:30:00.006+08:00

Perhaps it's the first attempt of non-bake dessert, thus the excitement.

Perhaps it's the wine part.

Perhaps I just want to take a break from bake.

Whatever it is, my postre journey has beginning to incur greater costs than ever to obtain bakewares, kitchenwares and exotic ingredients (difficult to find and expensive to buy), all in the name of food presentation.

It should have been blackberries but I had improvised with grapes and kiwis (and peaches) to fit the bill (pun intended) of a decent presentation of this choya gelee.

Chicago Cheesecake

2010-10-10T10:37:00.004+08:00

This is one of the main reason that I learn baking.

I can bid farewell to my favourite Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Chicago Cheesecake, now that I had baked my own.

Its taste spelled satisfaction.

~lala~ cookies

2010-09-25T14:41:00.003+08:00

so lavender-ly

Feety Macarons

2010-09-17T09:56:00.003+08:00

Finally, the fifth attempt, I got those feet.

Proudly presents: Cinnamon Macarons with chocolate ganache

Honeyed Cinnamon Pecan + Chocolate Hazelnut = Divine

2010-08-15T23:06:00.005+08:00

Recipe search engines had topped at pecan and hazelnut related sweets since these two nuts were flew in from New Zealand about a month ago.

After such long break, I finally set my oven heated up again. Muffin bites have always been my favourite bakes - for its simplicity and high successful probability.
DaDa ~

Presenting to you...

Honeyed Cinnamon Pecan Muffin and Chocolate Hazelnut Muffin!!

Nods were received upon their divine tastes :)

Walnut Brownie

2010-05-10T11:13:00.003+08:00

Apples to keep your Doc off for a second

2010-05-07T01:56:00.003+08:00

Wild Carmen

2010-04-03T14:09:00.003+08:00

Attempted a great breakfast workout which eventually ended in a lunch fashion. But who cares. The richness in the pancake, together with butter and maple syrup...the wonderful accomplices. To further curb the spoilt taste buds after saturating with sweetness, sauteed bacon ends it perfectly altogether.

Chocolate Muffins

2008-09-07T21:57:00.004+08:00

Confession of a young baker: Succumbing to Premix Muffin Mix

It was bought and reccommended by my aunt.. and in fact, it's really good.. which makes me more determined to bake my "start-from-scratch" muffins someday..and hey.. didn't I succeeded in my Banana Walnut Muffins.. hMM..

and thEse werE verY yUmmY.. I gulped dowN a fEW MinS aftEr It's oUt oF the OveN..

Almost Rocky..or is it S'more...

2008-08-23T10:08:00.006+08:00

well.. hOw do yoU define "Rocky Road" or "S'more"?.. jUSt ponderiNg.. beiNg a grEeNhOrn iN bakIng haS alWays puT mE iN an awKwaRd posItIon, oFten becaUse oF mY "pte ltd" kNowledge..

so whaT iF the nUts aRE embedded In the inteNsified FudGy bRownie anD onLy gOt sOMe maRshmellOws heaT-tannIng on tOp oF the bRowNie? dO theY qualIfy for the tItLe oF "rOcky roaD" or "S'more" or neiTher?

Beats me.

NoNethEless, that's whAt I'd baKed for mY dad's 55TH bIrthdaY tOday.

and yEs! yOu mIght haVe realISed.. iT's a bIrThdaY brOwnie, not cake..I've yet to mustER enOuGh coUraGe for cake attempt.

Big, Chewy, Chocolatey

2008-08-17T09:54:00.006+08:00

2nd attempt at baking some common-yet-forever-tasty chocolate chips cookies... and mind yOu.. these hUmongous looKinG cooKies are so cHewY and delicioUS. ThouGh I'm never a bIg faN for cOokies but stIll I will lOve tO leT mY peepS try these!!!

stroNglY inflUenced bY the games at wOrld staGE...

Vanilla and Grape Cupcakes

2008-07-27T23:17:00.002+08:00

Assortment not.

Mushroom Meringue

2008-07-22T20:26:00.002+08:00

MushrooMs tO be eaTen raW!

When it gets egg-y

2008-07-08T18:48:00.005+08:00

Don't judge book by its cover.

" Ay appearance shalt be improve."

Green bean Muffin

2008-07-01T12:47:00.005+08:00

The classic combination.

When Matcha meets red bean.

Not Adzuki

2008-06-30T22:01:00.002+08:00

It's not adzuki red beans.

It's not canned adzuki red beans.

It's not bought from elsewhere.

I cooked it. To be used.

To be continued...

Plain Jane Chocolate Cupcake

2008-06-29T18:48:00.006+08:00

Plain Jane.

is just as nice.

Tiramisu 2nd

2008-06-27T09:17:00.005+08:00

Sugar cut down to 4 Tbsp.

Sweetness. Just nice.

something still amiss

Matcha Cupcake

2008-06-23T20:02:00.009+08:00

Garnished with Chocolate chips and brushed with buttercream

Dual-Buttermilk Cupcake

2008-06-22T15:14:00.005+08:00

And I stepped into cupcake wonderland...

Tira finally Mis U

2008-06-19T21:06:00.007+08:00

Too Much sugar thOugh.. cuTting down to more than half next time.

bRo commented " But 还是有幸福的感觉。"

or was it "sinful" he meant...(-_-")

Checkerboard Cookies

2008-06-18T14:08:00.006+08:00

ROOoooooms for improvement.

But tastes well.

Biscuit 2nd attempt

2008-06-16T13:14:00.000+08:00

Baked Biscuits again.

Followed a slightly different recipe.

Yet, the outcome is better than the first trial. Though still room for improvement.

wonder if I should only use egg white instead of the whole egg next time..

or is it the butter..(-_-")

Matcha Cookies

2008-06-13T19:46:00.000+08:00

Clove-d

Finally...

Biscuit

2008-06-13T19:33:00.000+08:00

Brief Intro: Biscuit is actually a short bread. The crust is crispy yet the inside is very soft and flaky. (The description above is not exactly as what I'd baked(70% yes 30% no, , that's why more improvement shall be made.)

Chocolate Mascarpone Brownie

2008-06-06T10:48:00.000+08:00

The Baking

The Making of Ganache

The Brownie

Chocolate Walnut Biscotti

2008-06-01T19:42:00.000+08:00

The Making

The Baking

The Biscotti

Banana Crumbs Walnut Muffins

2008-05-31T23:29:00.000+08:00

The Making

The Baking

The Muffins

Outrageous Chocolate Cookies

2008-05-27T21:01:00.000+08:00

The Outrageous Making

The Baking

The Outrageous Cookies

Chewy Oatmeal Raisins Cookies

2008-05-17T17:27:00.001+08:00

The Making

The Baking

The Cookies

Almond Biscotti

2008-05-17T17:24:00.001+08:00