Post No. 104

just got this ahh-mazing stand mixer not too long ago, and I just have to try it out. so we've made Apple Tea Cake. the cake was just blah. but the mixer was THE BEST THING EVER. 

cant wait to make more desserts soon!

Post No. 103

not much to say bout my week cept that it was incredibly hectic and I was tired most of the time. so much to do, so much to read, so much to study for. having said that, I did have some good food over this month, and I shall share!

1. Char Kuey Teow. I missed this desperately and I just need to have a fix. I think I've mastered this dish, but dont have the right utensils. still, it tasted amazing, and I'll know what to do the next time I have a craving.

2. I shall declare that herbal chicken soup my all time favourite soup. Best to have in the recent cold, rainy nights.

3. Crispy Skin salmon. <3

4. Taro bubble tea.

5. Reese Peanut Butter chocolate. Holymoly. Discovered another sliced of heaven with this chocolate! randomly picked this up at the green grocer. and I can't wait to get MORE. 

Post No. 83

Couples week back, Coles and Woolies had this massive prawn sale. So the seafood lover in me just cannot bare to have this sale to slip out of my hands and I went to get 2kg of prawn. The prawn flesh had been used to make a number of yummy dishes, and I knew the shells and will come in handy someday.
After sitting in the freezer for almost two months, I finally found a use for the heads and shells.
Prawn Noodles Asian Style!

I confess. I never liked the taste or smell of Prawn Noodles while I was living at Malaysia. I avoid it at all cost. But lately my cravings for Malaysian hawkers food is getting too strong. So strong that I am getting ahead of myself making lists of places to visit and food that I must taste when I'm back for my December/January visit.

All in all. Prawn noodles stock was delicious! I did have some doubts when I was making the stock. It smelled terrible in my opinion. But after awhile, you get acquired to the smell and its smells wonderful.

The shells that I've used. The more you use for the stock, the better the taste. also let it simmer for a least 2 hours. I think I left mine to simmer for 3 hours.

The end product! It got some pretty basic toppings like bean sprouts, fish balls, hard boiled eggs, tou pok, and crunchy shallots. Gotta love the eggs. They taste so good with the soup. I don't have any prawns the freezer and I didn't get any from the stores. So this is a bowl of prawn noodles without any prawns. Lolxxx.

Awesome stuff!

p/s: I forgot to add that. after simmering the shells for 3 hours, I've added a packet of prawn noodle stock paste into the soup. so it saves you work from making your own chilli paste plus it makes the soup extra flavoursome.

Post No. 82

Beef is probably one of my favourite ingredient that I'd like to have in a meal. I believe when there is beef, there will always be a happy me. To be honest, I'm not particularly picky when it comes to the cut of meat, cept for the minor chewy parts of course. I still remember when dad took us all out for dinners and the first choice will definitely be a piece of nicely prepared steak with the usual accompanies. But ever since I moved to Sydney, I don't usually get the luxury of ordering a good medium rare steak due of the price of eating out. Hence I resort to home-cooked versions for satisfy my once-in-a-while steak craving.

Having said that, I used to think I am good with steaks and they should be the easiest thing to deal with. WRONG. I failed to produce delicious yummy juicy steaks on multiple occasions ever since I moved to my new place couple months ago. kinda embarrassing when you think about it. and not to mention Masterchef just makes it looks so easy.

and so today. after a long long time of not having any steaks, I was at the local butcher picking out four fresh looking minute steaks.

and made steak sandwiches! So I the obvious lettuce and tomatoes and steak, with beetroot slices and a fried egg. Beets and eggs are the best thing is sandwiches. ever. 

was kinda disappointed with the steak again. they did not turn out well. the surface did not brown or caramelize as I liked them too. and they were a bit chewy (I suspect they did not use the right cut). Tell me how to make yum yum succulent steaks please! All in all, its still beef and its still good. for now.

on another note. these are the most amazing desert/pastry I got off jenius.com.au. Instant Maple Apple Tarte Tatin. Easiest thing to make and all It needs was maple syrup, apples, puff pastries and butter. smells and taste heavenly I swear. 

and I found new love for bubble milk tea with pearls. maybe instead of being an coffee addict. I'll be a bubble milk tea addict instead.

Post No. 77

was on a bread making/baking frenzy couple weeks back. the best parts of baking are kneading. and tasting. it might sounds weird. but I find kneading enjoyable. almost fun. its almost like having a good time working with playdough. brings back childhood memories doesn't it?

also got inspired by almost bourdain to make this shanghai scallion pancake. I don't really have any recollection of actually trying this dish, but I don't know what came over me to make this. It wasn't hard to make. but it isn't what I expected it to taste like. maybe its the way I do it. but it reminds me of frozen roti canai that you heat up at home. ohwell.

PORK. nuff said.

Post No. 65

First week back to uni was. slavery. I am still determined to make the best of this semester. with good grades. and a better life. Having these big goals set for myself. I guess. its for the best. For the first time in my life, I'm actually trying to do everything ahead of time. like reading textbooks. writing up my assignments. and what not. I just hope that this new determination of mine will last throughout the semester.

Internet getting capped is the biggest bitch. I can't do anything. but now I'm back ;;)))


Food. Been reading bout them a lot lately. If you haven't noticed, I've added a new column at the right side dedicated to all good food webbies. and today. Julie Goodwin from masterchef is starting her new series. I'm excited. Hmmmn. what's for dinner tonight?

Had laksa few weeks back. It was good. not to hard to do. and it curbs my craving at the moment. yums. and I've read raves about laska fried chicken from various sources. ought to try that out sometime. will let you know how it turned out.

It's a bit late to post this. Masterchef finale night really got my head spinning. I've wanted to join the rest of the country in preparing a feast to celebrate in front of the TV. but things didn't turned out the way I wanted them to. and I don't really have enough time and ingredients to make everything I've planned. So I've settled for a massive bowl of roasted vegetables and homemade chicken fingers. It didn't sound much, but I was stuffed for the night. Tasted pretty awesome too.

Been caught in this baking frenzy last couple days. making lots of fruit crumbles. It started with pear with blueberries. then followed by yesterdays two apples and mixed berries. and now. I have another two apples crumble in the oven going on. Life is better when you have a little sweets at the end of the day. I've never tried crumbles at any other places before, so I don't really know how they are supposed to be like. but I reckon mine tasted pretty good.


I hope to challenge some pork dishes soon. Bah Kut Teh anyone?


p/s: I've placed an order for iphone4. just wished that it will be here tomorrow.

Post No. 33

Been really into the cooking kick since I've into my new place. Trying out different stuff and all. Doing dishes that I've been wanting to do. So far only've been touching the savoury stuff. would be more than happy to tackle the sweet stuff once my holiday starts. and also I hope I have the right equipments.
Been craving for cakes ever since. all cake is good cake.