Culinary Experience : Tiramisu

Got to know this recipe after a potluck with my Tibetian Kakis...Really very simple and effective recipe!! Love it!!

Ingredient:

- Mascarpone Cheese (500g)
- Brown Sugar (200g) (I usually use abt 150g)
- 4 Eggs
- Lady Fingers (2packets) --> this taste like those 鸡蛋糕we eat during cny! No kidding!
- Vanilla Essence (2 tbsp)
- Coffee (I use Nescafe ahaha)
- Cocoa Powder

Directions:

- Whisk egg yolk and brown sugar till sugar melts
- Add mascarpone till smooth and cream like
- Whisk egg white separately till stiff
- Mix egg white with 1st mixture
- Add vanilla essence
- Prepare coffee and cool (this is so impt!). Then dip lady fingers into coffee
- Layering: Ladyfingers --> creamy mixture --> cocoa powder --> lady fingers --> creamy mixture. Then chill overnight.
- Dust a thin coat of cocoa powder on top just before serving (Be careful not to put too much cocoa powder...if not you may choke on the powder haha)

Culinary Experience: Recipe for Gingerbread Man

Every Christmas, my biggest headache is finding a nice and thoughtful present for all my friends and colleagues. Something that is not too ex....yet presentable wor...haha...it's really nt easy.

This year, my friend Hwee Yee sent out a link http://zenhabits.net/humbug/ on a "No New Gifts Holiday Challenge"...the whole point of this website is create awareness that during the holiday seasons, people tend to consume an insane amount of resources, and this have a huge impact on the environment. So...we shd not get new presents, but think of alternative ways to make a difference, e.g. handmade presents, providing a service (car wash, do housework), volunteer at a charity together...and the list goes on....Honestly, I was really inspired by this link!! ....and I decided to make some cookies for my beloved...

Just in case I lose my recipe over the years...here goes....

(Source: Allrecipe.com...with a twist)

Ingredient:
- 1 cup butter

- 1 cup brown sugar

- 1 egg

- 1 1/2 tbsp orange/ lemon zest

- 2 tbsp molasses

- 3 cups all purpose flour

- 2 tsp baking soda (I used 1 1/2 tsp baking soda & 1/2 tsp baking powder)

- 2 tsp ground cinnamon

- 1 tsp ground ginger

- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

- 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

- Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and mix well. Mix in orange and molasses. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt until well combined.

- Divide the dough into a few portions and flatten them. Wrap in clingfilm and chill for at least 2 hrs ( I chillded it overnight)

- Preheat oven to 190 deg C (This depends on the oven you use....For my case, I set it to 170 deg C)

- On slightly floured surface, roll dough to ~ 3mm and cut

- Bake for 10-12min

Result? : Quite good la! If not, won't share it here le haha....Happy Holidays!!

Christmas 2011

Christmas has always been my favourite festival of the year! It's the time where family and friends come together to bond and make merry!!

As what we did last year, Xian-Jun and me invited our parents and siblings over for a Christmas Feast. We can't cook very well...so most of the food are from the Christmas Hamper from NTUC... But I'm proud to present my Gingerbread Man and Tiramisu this year! Super happy to receive good feedback and it has certainly motivated me to cook (at least bake) more in the coming year *LOL*

Looking forward to popiah party at mummy's place tmr with my big extended family....yum yum!!

Christmas Menu: Honey Ribs, Sushi, Honey-Baked Ham, Salad w Mixed Herb Mushrooms, Tiramisu (Gingerbread man nt in photo) & of cos lotsa booze

Victory sign! We achieved all these in less than 2 hours...ello...heating up food like the ribs & assembling salad also take some time hor..haha

Our Christmas Tree & newly decorated wall!

Christmas 2011

Time flies, Christmas is coming!!

Around this time last year, I still remember I went KTV with my ex-colleagues during working hours (shh...haha)...Over the last year, my life has changed radically....I've changed job, went to Tibet & seen Mt Everest to experience a different culture, made new friends, bought myself some toys etc etc *lol*

The biggest takeaway, I suppose, is to take things in my stride. Sometimes things are not within my control (and I am quite a control freak!!) and I just gotta take all new experiences positively. In short, 我看开了!

Special thanks to my family and friends who are always there for me. I love you guys!

The Lantern @ Fullerton Bay Hotel

Even though I don't drink alcohol, I absolutely enjoy gg to clubs/ pubs/ hotel lounges to chill out with a bunch of good friends. One of my all time fav hangout is the Lantern @ Fullerton Bay Hotel!!

Apart from the fabulous view of the Marina Bay area at night, the service there is immaculate!! When I went there to celebrate a colleague's birthday last wed, the waitor went out of his way to help us get a Choc Fondant (aka molten choc cake) even though the Lantern does not serve any dessert/ cakes. Thanks to the attentive staff, we had a great and memorable celebration!

This is also a very romantic place to hang out with your loved ones....don't say I nvr recommend good places to go to. Haha. :)

View of One Fullerton & Esplanade areas. The skyline of Singapore has certainly changed alot over the years and it never fails to touch a cord in my heart.

Laser show @ MBS. Although there's no music like what we saw in HK's Symphony of Lights, it's uniquely Singapore!

Another perspective of MBS. I wish I had taken a panoramic shot!!! Regret...wellz....it just means I shd go again. Haha...

Day at the Zoo, Zoo, Zoooooooooo

It has been years since I went to the Zoo! Since I am on leave these few days and entry is free, I decided to revisit my childhoold and spend a day there!!

The morning started off with a light drizzle, which was such a bumper. Just imagine a child with an ice cream. Just as she is abt to eat the ice cream, someone knocked into her and the ice cream dropped onto the floor. That is the kind of disappointment I felt!...haha. However, me and my friends decided to proceed with our plans. And I must say lady luck was shining on us today!!!

Although most of the animals were lazing around in the hot afternoon sun...and the shows were not all that fantastic, I had a great day...simply wandering around, taking shots here and there (and realising that I have no gift in animal portraiture...sigh!!!) and having an ice cold smoothie (which cost $12 from Ben & Jerry..COUGH!!) while watching the world goes by.

Oh wellz, shall make full use of my break before a new beginning in 2 weeks' time....

This & That in Hong Kong

I've always loved Hong Kong....Some people may find it a highly polluted, noisy and stressful city. But the noise, the food, the shopping, and recently I realised the natural landscape, appealed very much to me!! Just to share some photo of my fav food places and street scenes taken during my recent trip.

Foodie

(1) Agnes B Cafe

Overview of Agnes B Cafe in TST...Yeah, the handsome man with childish victory sign is none other than my Mr Chin. Hahah!

Didn't get to try the choc at Agnes B Delice. But they look really really yummy!!

(b) Shatin Steamboat Restaurant

Cant remember the name of the restaurant. But it's located in a shopping mall near Shatin MTR. The soup, beef and the deep fried thing are excellent!!

(c) Australian Milk Company

A very very smooth steamed milk. I will order this (and the soft fluffy egg sandwich) everytime I go HK!!

(d) Yung Kee

This century egg was served as appetizer at the beginning of the meal. In the past, I don't dare to eat century egg...I'll even remove the century egg from the century egg porridge haha. But this dish...I love!!

Yung Kee's famous roast goose. The fragrant and succulent flesh...Thumbs up!!

(e) Macau Cafe

This cafe is located at TST. I will usually drop by for breakfast...Quite a popular place.

Street Scene

Don't think too much...there's no particular theme to the following photos. Just street scenes I come across when walking here and there. Gosh, I think I exercised alot whenever I am in HK!! 买东西，吃东西is hard work!! *LOL*

Typical street scene ...located in Mong Kok

Photo taken @ Flower Market

Another macro of more flowers

Lomo effect

Inside the MTR

Hotel Icon @ Hong Kong

To some people, hotel may be the least of their concern during their overseas trip...After all, it is just a place where we go back to shower and rest before doing more exploration, shopping, eating...whatever people do on a trip.

To me, a good hotel is like the icing on a cake...and a very yummy one!! A good hotel, be it in terms of location (aka convenience) or ambience, adds to that unique experience of every country I've been to. Hotel Icon....is one such hotel.....and I must say it is one of the best hotels I've stayed in so far!!

Hotel Icon is an upscale hotel, in the heart of TST, Hong Kong. Oki....it may nt be right next to the MTR or shopping areas, but there's hotel shuttle service every half an hour...so I am not complaining haha....

I absolutely fell in love with the modern feel of the hotel, from the lobby with its sweeping staircase.... and our room with a spectacular view of the Victoria Harbour.... and the modern art found in every corner of the hotel.... and the excellent Dim Sum we had every morning.... to the exclusive lounge, Above & Beyond, on the 28th floor....

In any case, it is a hotel I would definitely go back to next time I come back to Hong Kong....Hopefully the price will remain affordable!! (I heard from Mr Chin that we got a good deal this time round as the hotel is still in the soft launch phase..sigh)

The grand lobby, with the sweeping staircase. Everytime I step into the hotel, I would also smell a faint fragrance...very much like the Elizabeth Arden Green Tea perfume....What a good first impression!!

The Lobby Lounge

I used to go out early in the morning and explore every little corner when I travel in the past. Now, I try to slow down my pace and just enjoy the atmosphere. This photo was taken when we hung out at Above & Beyond with a hot tea and a good book on a rainy afternoon.

Hubby reading newspapers (what's new? haha) & drinking his daily cuppacino

Moi playing with my new ipad. Oh just to mention that I abosolutely love the painting of HK night view. Too bad I have no idea where to get it.....

The real deal..as viewed from the 28th floor lounge. We watched the Symphony of Lights here on our first night in HK. Needless to say, it's good to be here and not having to squeeze with the crowd along Victoria Harbour. hahaha....=P

Overview of Above & Beyond. There are many interesting books and ecletic artifacts all over the lounge, giving it a very exclusive, yet cosy feeling. It's a gd place to hang out...at any time of the day.

Enormous Wine Fridge

Our lovely and spacious room (#25-17...shd buy 4D huh)

Another perspective of our room

Even the toilet is impressive!!

Modern HK painting @ the lift lobby.

Most stressed out day in a long long time....

18 Jun...the big day of my great friends from DSTA - Alex & Venessa

When Alex approached me to be a backup wedding photographer a few mnths ago, I said "YES" immediately. It's always very touching that someone trusts you enough to get you involved in what was probably one of the most important and eventful milestones of their life.

I guess I didn't expect him to tell me a couple of weeks before the wedding that he would also like me to do up an express highlight of the photos taken that morning to be shown at the banquet!! Well, what else can I say to my buddy???

The day started (at 6am!!) with a heavy rain and it got us quite worried. But all's well that that ends well. The rain stopped before Alex reached Ven's place...and from that moment onwards, the wedding went without a hitch! The easy camaraderie and closeness of both families reminded me strongly of my own wedding day...wahh....1.5yrs have passed. Time really flies man!!

The afternoon was a mad rush (even more stressful than my GE deployment) !! Although I did try out iMovie and Proshow Producer before the actual day. It was completely different working under a tight schedule! If not for Alex & Ven's main PG - William Goh, with his wonderful photo, I won't be able to do up the photo montage within such a short span of time!!

Nevertheless, it was a great day. Alex & Ven, thanks for involving me on your big day. Although my photos are not as great as William's, I hope you do like some of them...and of cos the photo montage I made (alot of sweat and toil k....haha). Wish you a blessed marriage and wonderful journey ahead....

I always love to take the moment after the parents cover the veil over the bride...anticipating and waiting for the arrival of the person she spend the rest of her life with...

Radiant bride!!

This was taken before they set off for Alex's place..with Alex looking at his bride in a besotted manner. Throughout the day, he kept saying that Ven looks beautiful. Haha....A bit mushy but I am really happy for them!!

When I first stepped into Alex's house, I got a shock...The house is full of clashing colors, like blue, yellow, magenta and green! haha. But it's a great backdrop for photography!! In this photo, Alex and Ven were wearing Alex's Oakley's collection of shades - Juliet and Penny. Quite stylo la....haha

Another sweet sweet lovey photo in front of the violently yellow wall

Loving lomography

I can't remember when or how I developed an interest in lomography. It probably began 2 years ago, when I went Japan for honeymoon. In this particularly nice shop called "Loft", there was a wide selection of lomo cameras, with heaps of accessories. Ohh I was so tempted to get it......but sometimes I have my rationale side hahaaa.... As I know next to nothing abt lomography, I decided to read up more abt it before making the investment.

From what I read online, lomography began in early 1990s, when 2 students in Austria stumbled upon the Lomo Kompakt Automat ( a Russian camera) and discovered the mindblowing photos that were produced. The vibrant colors, with deep saturation and vignette..and the blurring effect...were nothing they have ever seen before. Eventually, its popularity grew .....

Lomography emphasizes casual, carefree way to document our everyday life. There is no need to think, no need to compose. Just take!! You never know if you are getting a clear or blur, overly-saturated or overly exposed photo. Every photo is a surprise !!

Although I own a Diana F+, there is actually no need to get a lomo camera nowadays with photoshop and smart phones (with apps such as Pudding camera, vignette etc) in the market!! No more need to buy expensive film or spend $$ on developing the photo (where you don't even know how they will turn out)!! haha. I have been trying to finish this roll of film for the longest time, but I can't bear to use it in a really casual manner haha.....I know I am violating the rules of lomography.....but what to do? I am a "thrifty" person. Below are some photo taken using other means. Standby....

This is my Diana F+, with whom I have a love-hate relation. On one hand, I love the effects of the photo taken...however, I have absolutely no control on the outcome of the photo!! Anyway, in case you are curious...the photo is taken using my Sony Alpha 700 and edited on Lightroom.

*cheeky smile*

This is the glass ceiling at Wheelock Place. I have taken several shots here over the years, esp during Christmas, when there's alot of lovely deco hanging in the air. But this is my fav so far and it was taken "casually" using my humble HTC Desire.

Wan & Only

After 3 long weeks of hard work on that "national event" that occurs once every 5 years and burning 3 weekends, it is a huge relief to have a break at last and do something different!!!

This week sees a couple of firsts for me...one of which is my first experience with rollerblading. I still don't know why I agreed to let Josh teach me how to blade...but I did. I gotta say my balancing skills really sux big time and I feel so bad for all my 3 colleagues who were patiently guiding me and trying to break my fall (but end up I still fell 3 times......just goes to show how clumsy I am! haha). Overall, it's still an interesting experience....Haven't decided if I wld try it again though... LOL!

Another first experience is helping my friend Mr Wan with the set up of his first ever church wedding. I am such a sucker for weddings...be it wedding photography or wedding floristry. So when he asked if I cld help out at 7am on a Sat, I agreed immediately. It was amazing to see how adding flowers strategically here and there enhanced the romantic atmosphere of the church (although I did have a slight overdose of hydrangea at the end of it haha) !! Can't wait to start my floral arrangement classes in June!