=)

I am happy. I clinched a new sales deal for my dept. Even though it was not a major deal, it made me feeling good. My client was very easy-going and we hit it off very well. She said she enjoys chatting with me. I told her that I felt the same too. *Blushed* Probably, I was too chatty. I felt like I am back in audit. Some of my audit clients became my friends. Everything went on smoothly without any hipcups. After a week of unimaginable happenings, I finally see some light at the end of the tunnel. I felt blessed and I know that there is a guardian angel watching over me.

I like this particular quote from Helen Keller, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Things happen for a reason. And maybe, it is a blessing in disguise for me. Not gonna get upset anymore, be it personal or work. 

A Promise to deliver- Strawberry No bake cheesecake

Gonna make strawberry no bake cheesecake for my lovely colleagues in the office. I told them that I can bake this, bake that but not all of them tried my baked goods. And they started telling me, ' Eh, you always say you know how to bake this, bake that, but we never get to eat them one leh.' (Pardon me the singlish usage over here.) I promised I will bake them last week but I didn't. So, I am going to deliver my promise today. I bought fresh strawberries from Korea at a local supermarket and they taste really sweet. Remember I am one of the checkers for quality control of the ingredients and end product? It is never easy holding this task but I shall sacrifice myself. Hhehehe...

Korean strawberries, sweet.

I was feeling a tad blue over the weekend and the only thing that can cheer me up instantly will be baking. Baking never fails to blend away my sadness and releases the endorphins in me. Baking is always a joyous event even when I am doing it alone. However, it is always nice to have company to enjoy the baking process together.

For this recipe, you can go here.

With or without the strawberry jello? I like it with jello, of course!

I love Pineapple Tarts

I love pineapple tarts (PT). I really do. The only reason I repeat my recipes can be contributed to a few possibilities:

(A) I failed during the first baking attempt;
(B) Request from friends ;
(C) I simply wanted to bake again for some occasion;
(D) It's the one recipe which didn't fail me or rather, I didn't fail the recipe;
(E) All of the above.

So,so...anyone could have guessed why I baked pineapple tarts again. It is for our upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY)!! My mum helped me with rolling the Pineapple JAm (PJ) into balls this time round. Thanks Mum! I wrapped each of ball of PJ with the pastry dough myself. And this time round, I counted every single PT I baked. One hundred and twelve PT minus 2 ( each one safe inside my mum's and my tummy). There is a need for quality check, so we nominated ourselves as the checkers for quality bake fit for consumption. Truth is, Dad is taking a nap and my elder brother, Elwin is never keen in my baking adventure. In summary, there are only 2 nominees. ;)

You can find my recipe here

Enjoy and Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrate CNY!

恭喜发财，万事如意，主里蒙恩！=)

Flowers help, even just a stalk

I told myself everytime, whatever I post here will be a happy post. I tried and I did so far. This is what an baking addict should be feeling, a Happy Baking Addict all the time. No recipe today but a free rose giveaways for me during my lunch time. I love receiving flowers & I don't desire buying myself any. Not that I am unwilling to spend the money, just adores the feeling of receiving them.

During lunch today, I saw a number of the working class girls holding a stalk of rose, I knew for sure there will be a free rose giveaway. So, I made my way to the right location and got myself a pretty decent fresh red rose. It made me happy.

Zebra cake

I read that Zebra cake (ZC) originates from Azerbaijan. To others, this may seems like a typical marble cake. Observe the difference. ZC is cuter in appearance than MC. Until I see the step-by-step procedures, I can never guess how to create the zebra-ly effect. *_* 

Thanks to Little Corner of Mine that I get to discover this uniquely cute cake. Marble cake is cute too, but zebra cake is just cuter. Both are still cute, cute.

Recipe adapted from : AZ Cookbook

Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
-1 cup all purpose flour, sifted ( I use cake flour)
- 1 cup milk, room temperature
-1 cup oil ( corn, vegetable or canola oil is fine)
-1 tablespoon baking powder ( I omitted this)
-1 cup granulated sugar
-1/3 tsp vanilla powder ( I don't have vanilla powder, so I used vanilla extract)
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder

You will need an electric mixer, 23cm (9inch) round cake pan.

Method:

1. Place the eggs and sugar in the mixing bowl and beat until the mixture is creamy and light in colour.

2. Add the milk and oil and mix until well-blended.

3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, vanilla powder and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients slowly into the wet mixture and beat the batter till smooth and just well incorporated. Do not overbeat the batter to avoid introducing the air pockets into the batter.

4. Separate the batter into 2 equal portions. One portion to be mixed with cocoa powder, the other portion to be kept plain. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degree celsius.

5. Scoop 3 tablespoons of the plain batter into the centre of the cake pan. Then scoop three tablespoons of the cocoa batter into the centre on top of the plain batter. Note: Do not wait for the previous batter to spread. Keep going! Do not spread the batter or tilt the pan to distribute the batter.

6. Bake the batter for 40 minutes. To check if the cake is ready, insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake and see if the toothpick comes out clean.   Remove from the oven. Immediately run a small thin knife round the inside of the cake pan to loosen the cake. Invert the cake on a cooling rack. Turn the cake back over and let cool on the rack.

Enjoy!

My first Blog Award

Yay! I am given my first blog award. Honest Scrap Award!! Is this real life? I never dream of having a blog award but it is always cute seeing other bloggers being given one. My feeling right now? GGrreaaattt!!! This award is given by Sook from My Fabulous Recipes . Sook cooks/bakes yummylicious food. From Korean to Chinese to Italian to Japanese cusine and the list goes on and on. Her food always look Fabulous just like her blog title. I am loss for words. I told my family, ' Hey, I'm given an blog award.' No response. Probably, everyone was too engrossed in watching the primetime soap opera. Or I was too softspoken. I don't expect a pat on my shoulders by my parents as I ain't a little girl no more. At least, say something like, 'Well done, Corine.' Or something like,' We're so proud of you, darling.' Make me happy for two...three... seconds. It won't hurt right? Hahaha... I am kidding. I adores fishing some compliments from my parents out of fun sometimes. My good friend, KJL always tells me, Self-praise is no praise.

I know I need to share 10 honest things about myself with you. Hmmm... let me see... Here they are:

1.  I love baking, I really do and I always get excited when I hop into a shop selling baking needs. I seldom step out of the shop empty-handed each time.

2.  It took me almost three years to get down to creating my food blog. And here I am, more addicted than ever in baking.

3. I will attempt to learn to bake the desserts I enjoy eating. And once I know how to bake them (after successful attempts), I would let my friends and family savour them. That is the only way to evenly distribute the calories.

 4. I have a soft spot for horsehoes. I like them as an accessory, a fridge magnet or an ornament to hang on the wall. I just can't get enough of them.

5. Getting a birthday cake for my family and loved ones is a must for me. Yes, COMPULSORY. No birthday will be completed without a birthday cake.

6. I love travelling overseas and I wish I can finish watching all the musicals in London West End while my eyesight is still good. I wish to go on a road trip to the United States or Europe this year. If I visit the US, I wish I can meet up with Sook if my itinerary allows me. =)
7. I love smelly beancurd from Hong Kong. Visiting Hong Kong is never complete without having at least one smelly beancurd. They stink real bad but they are yummy!! I love Hong Kong , don't ask me why.

8. I majored in accounting in most part of my education years. I glad I chose this path as I had an amazing experience as an auditor.

9. Loves the food bloggers who share their fabulous recipes selflessly on their blog and their baking tips. It thrills me everytime I see a new comment on my post. Blogging about my bakes never fails to cheer me up when I am down.

10. I love watching cartoons. My favourites are: Tom and Jerry, Doraemon, Carebears and Smurfs.


I apologized for not passing the award to 10 favourite food bloggers. I am still a newbie to food blogging, hence kinda shy to ask my favourite bloggers to get the awards. Thanks again for this sweet award, Sook and you are one of my favourite food bloggers too! :) I love your F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S posts. =P

These are my favourites:
Do What I Like

Lily's Wai Sek Hong

Little Corner of Mine

My Fabulous Recipes

My Baking Addiction

The Repressed Pastry Chef

Happy Birthday, Mum! I love you always!! =)

Today is my mummy's birthday. We had steamboat. My mummy prepared the food and cooked the soup broth. Nothing beats home-cooked steamboat. Food prepared with TLC 'tender loving care' somehow taste especially delicious. This is normally what we usually have during Chinese New Year too. Simple and hassle free. Healthier choice too.

As I grow older, I looks forward to going home for dinner. When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I prefer to hang out with my friends and bf. Now, I yearns for more quality time spent with my family, most importantly with my parents. I bought a birthday for my mum. Am still a far cry from baking professional cakes. This is what I got for her from Prego @ Swissotel Stamford Hotel:

Mango Mousse

Happy Birthday, Mum!!! I love you always!!! ;)