Mrs aDDamo

三毛和九把刀之間

2012-02-05T15:51:00.002+11:00

在台北機場,又係書店,真係周圍都是引诱,努力地說服了Marito.

在三毛和九把刀之間,最後的一刻我選擇了九把刀.書是包裝好,不能打開偷看,
就因為書皮的那句話,我就拿了一本出cashier付錢.

勵志書我不再需要,而中文的勵志書更加謝謝,因為許多翻譯得不夠原文的貼切.
"即使你的人生跟那些暢銷的心理勵志書完全背道而馳,那又怎样?"
Yes,又怎样,繼續煩躁和埋怨周圍的人和事.

'戰鬥'二字在書名出现有些不明白,是blog集成的書,又不是有大病為何要戰鬥呢?

今日看完你那場2009年激烈的戰鬥,那年我都是在戰鬥.
在不是自己的地方去爭取公平的對待
最後誰勝誰負沒有人敢大聲說明,但大家都心知肚明.

那些年是幼稚還是血氣過剩不重要,最重要在那場戰鬥中我學會了什麼.

'人生是不停的戰鬥',就是不停地學習,
學得懂就上新一課,學不懂就再來一次. Life Lesson!
很久沒有看過三百多頁的中文字,實在太爽,温習和學習了很多中文字和詞: 如"惡搞" !!

台北書店 Taipei Bookstore

2012-02-05T15:24:00.000+11:00

去台湾,最大的心頭好是書店,但係買書對Marito是不能接受,書太重,行李就超重;
家中已有好多書.雖然我也是一個非常有節制的人,但我的腦子只知道這次是非買不可.

到了那間台北最大的書店, 安排好Marito坐下,書店有WiFi他可以慢慢玩.

我自己大書店裡走了數圈,是起碼五六個圈,因為我怕自己走漏了任何一個角落.

兩個幾小時,終於要走,我一本書都沒有買,因為太多選擇而我又不能太過份,所以我要買最有值得我花錢的那本.

離開書店,有三個作者在我腦海裡.

第一個是三毛,我喜爱她和荷茜的片段.太久沒有看中文書,真的不知道自己還會否喜歡她其他的作品.

第二個是幾米,不知道他的文筆但是有许多圖畫非常吸引,感觉好似看小王子一樣.

第三個-九把刀,2012年我才知道你是誰.連你是'那些年'的作者我都不太清楚.

你的書好似周圍都係.如果你的書不買得,不好看, 不會在最當眼的角落出现.

還有數天才離開台北所以我還有時間考慮,心想如果真是沒有機會買我都要返香港買.哈哈!

I don't know how she does it

2011-11-06T22:30:00.000+11:00

If you are mother with young children, I would suggest you and your husband watching this movie. It would definitely make you feel better, he may know more what is in your mind, appreciate all your hard work.

Most of the young mother after their materitary leave, they have to go back to work force be a part of breadwinner.

In Hong Kong, we can employ a domestic helper to share some of your role or grandparents may help. In Australia, the mother would leave a baby (12 months) in child care every day and then go to work. After work, they pick up baby home, give them a bath and start cooking dinner for the baby and family.

Thing sometime may not go smooth as plan. Mother can always create magic, solve the problems. That's what happen, no matter how old we are, whatever happen, the first word come out is "MUM" not "DAD" !!

Image you have an Italian mother in law at home, expecting you make pasta, sauce and sausage every year, preparing dinner with 2/3 courses every night like some people no need to work. Your husband come home, expecting dinner is in the table, the quality of cooking is same as his mum.

In that situation, you definitely need to Laugh Out Loud to keep youself claim and happy.

No one is perfect. Our imperfect make ourself more special, because no one is the same !!

3 B salad - Board Beans, beetroot & bean shoots

2011-10-23T22:47:00.000+11:00

Board beans are the winter plant. It is very easy to take care, basically you dont have to do anything.

This winter is very wet and cold. The fungal totally destoryed our plants.

Luckily, we still have 2 full buckets, better than nothing.

I used fresh beetroot, just boiled it with some sugar.

The fresh beetroot is more natural favor and not as sweet as the can one.

When the beetroots are ready, mixed it with board beans & bean shoots,

then add some olive oil and salt. Done !

Raspberry Souffle

2011-08-20T22:41:00.000+10:00

SBS food safari最近做法國餐，最吸引我的當然是甜品，

今日星期五一放工返家第一件事就係整 souffle.

我睇電視都睇過數次

好多comment 都話難整, 但又好似好好味，

而且我有Ｄ掛住燉蛋之類的甜品

所以都要試一試

Souffle 好鬆好light

用了raspberry 做底，好好味.

Souffle用蛋白做真係日日食都吾會肥

Recipe is from SBS有 video 教你整
http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipe/12896/Raspberry_souffle/search/true

Enjoy !!

Wedding cupcakes

2011-08-09T22:16:00.001+10:00

今次係我第二次做 event cake,感覺非常之榮幸但也十分之緊張,
結婚一世人一次,個蛋糕又什麼差異,真係成世都記得,特別我這類蛋糕痴.

新娘子是朋友的妹妹,她對我簡直信心十足, 她從來沒有試過我的蛋糕, 還沒有要求試食,
餅面design任我做,所以更落力做.

Cupcakes - 3 favours - Chocolate, Blueberry & Vanilla.

You can find all the recipes it in http://www.joyofbaking.com/

Icing is cream cheese icing & lemon mousse. I mixed few receips together just because most of guests are Asian and we don't have sweet teeth like western.

Very Happy !!

Sleeveless cardigan & Matched Booties

2011-06-19T17:48:00.000+10:00

I like Crochet but not in clothing, sometimes the feeling of texture is too thick.

This cardigan is using both method, top part is crochet, bottom part is knitting.

The texture feel just right and have the crochet lace pattern. I really like it.

Besides that it is seamless which is very suitable for new born baby.

2 booties - More blue or more white ??

Little white dress & booties

2011-06-13T21:28:00.002+10:00

It is the first time to knit that complicated pattern.

I never think I can make it similar to what my mum made for us when we were young.

Sometimes if don't touch it, dirty your hand, you may not really know how to treasure what you have.

Just like this dress, it reminds me all dark blue jumpers wearing in the old day -

can't image how many times and effort put on it, especially dark blue colour.

Thanks for my friend showing me how to read pattern.

Thanks for the baby girl's mum always give me a lot of encouragement.

and Thanks for my mum knitting in front of me all the time.

Bread machine - Ciabatta Bread

2011-06-13T20:57:00.001+10:00

第一次用麵包機做Ciabatta, 香味,口感同高級麵包屋差不多.

麵包機今次的工作只是發酵過程,之後拿出來,分開小份再發多一小時.

D個包有olive oil 做材料,香味好清,沒有牛油的濃郁味

One hour before and after , it is growing...

完成啦

第一個食法 - Ricotta cheese 加碎olive, 鹽鹽香香.

新鮮的Ricotta cheese 其實好似墩奶，好味到可以成碗食什麼都不用加

第二個食法，早餐之愛 - Olive oil +oregano+ salt.

Love the bread machine !!

Fish without fish smell

2011-06-12T18:29:00.000+10:00

Wog 對海鮮不大興趣, 每次買魚或煮魚都好似同Ｄ細佬一樣, 傾一大餐

佢通常一入屋就話, 好魚味, 而我的答案就係 "魚如果吾係魚味, 會係什麼味呢?"

而Tuna steak 係佢唯一主動提意要食的魚. 煎之前放d 油,salt & pepper 塗在魚上, 大約＋五分鍾就可以煎, 當佢係牛排咁煎就ok啦. 我通常seal both sides first, 跟着就切開一個lemon放埋落個pan 一齊煎.
因為lemon 可以除去Ｄ腥昧, 而加Ｄfavour . 我現在煮什麽魚都用Ｄ個方法.

Easter Feaster

2011-04-26T18:40:00.000+10:00

星期五, 由早上九點至下午五時半在厨房一整天, 非常充實, 但非常之倦

總共做了四個意大利的小食和一個主菜for Easter lunch.
其實都係–些簡單的菜如果一日做–個的話.

有炸飯 Arancini - 用意大利飯做的, 中間放了芝士和peas with tomato sauce. 雖然吾脆但至小無散, 能夠做到一個波狀.

Cassatti di Ricotta - 外面是好似甜的雲吞皮而中間包了ricotta (是芝士一種), 一齊炸.熱食時中間的ricotta 好似steam milk, very nice.

Frittelle / Italian biscuit- 都是炸的, 好似中式新年食品年堆差不多不過是咸的還加了parsley

主菜係Lasagna. 炸了一整天成個厨房都係油煙味, 吾洗食都飽.

Chestnut 爆粟子

2011-04-26T17:58:00.001+10:00

又係粟子的季節, 原來係意大利有chestnut festival

http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy-featured/chestnut-festivals-october

每次奶奶食粟子都會提起粟子節, 雖然她沒有提及什麼故事, 由她滿足的微笑, 我相信她腦子中是充滿了許多的回憶.

這兒街上係無炒粟子買的, 就算有得買都只是燒的. 街市可以買到通常都係放在BBQ 上燒, 我就未食過, 但人家話比較乾.

我吾炒也吾燒, 係爆.

首先我洗下Ｄ粟子, 放Ｄ水和粟子一齊煲, 大約水滚, 我倒出D粟子, 用刀仔在每一個粟子切一口, 要切破粟殼, 放回煲中,不用放水在煲裏, 開火, 等Ｄ粟子殼燒焦, 就可以關火.

記得要放煲蓋, 如果吾係就爆到周廚房都係粟子.就算關了火最好用筷子架問煲蓋等半小時先食.

Ｄ個做法, 粟子不太乾身而外殼和香味好似炒粟子.

Mini Guava 蕃石榴

2011-04-22T21:06:00.000+10:00

細個的時候好鍾意蕃石榴的香味. 好耐都沒有聞過.甚至有點忘記了.

有時候我會去Ｄ唐人店買包維他石榴汁去回味–下.

前星期鄰居屋前的兩棵小樹掛滿果子有紅有黃, 鄰居吾知道是什麽果子但是可以吃.

她叫我試試. 原來係蕃石榴, 不過佢就係細種. 香味不大但味道是一樣.
鄰居知道我鐘意, 除了給我一大包之外, 她還給我自已做的蕃石榴果醬.
沒有自家做的麵包, 又怎配得上那些果醬,而等下先食得.

鄰居是葡萄牙人, 什麽都食同中國人沒大分別, 上次還請我食豬耳, 真係難得.

Baby boy turn now

2011-04-19T23:33:00.000+10:00

一對鞋仔兩個著法

加多–件小外套

I am in heaven - Homemade Pasta

2011-04-10T14:17:00.001+10:00

In this recent years, my most favourite food is Homemade Pasta (probably since the first time I made it) with red sauce (tomato sauce) - yes, it is that simple, no complication - to cover all the natural favour.

It is also what Audrey Hepburn like - red sauce with pasta, beautiful woman and have a beautiful heart.
Every time when I have it, just feel like in heaven. It just slip to the throat smoothly.

With this pasta, you really don't need the fancy sauce. Because all your mind would only focus on the Pasta.

After making tomato sauce in past 4 weeks, it's time for pasta !!!!!!

How to make it -
1 Kg flour + 4 to 5 eggs, pinch of salt + few drops of oil - make a dough.
More eggs you put, the pasta will be more filling when you eat. You don't need to eat much.
Put it in the plastic bag, leave it for 1-3 hours in the warm atmosphere.
The dough would work it out themselves.
After few hours, take out the dough. If the dough is a bit wet, put some flour.
If not, when you make the spaghetti, they will stick together.
Use the pasta machine to roll it out different shape of pasta - all up to you.
Normally, I will use no.1 thickness in the machine for 2 times and then do no.3 thickness 1 time, then no. 6 thickness 1 time. Then no.7 thickness 1 time - the texture would be Angel hair level.
Then I boil some water and put some salt.
When the pasta is ready, put it to the boiling water. When it is done, take out the pasta and leave it under the running cold water (過冷河).
Then I divide to different portion and freeze it.
When you wants to eat it, take out the pasta for 10-15 minutes.
Heat up some sauce, put the pasta in the sauce and bring it to boil.

Rather than cook it straight away, you can dry it - put it in the clothes hangers to dry it.
But it must be dry completely, if not, it will have mould sharing your pasta sooner or later.

Yes, I don't really knead - if you give it enough time and warm atmosphere - it would come up very well.
Just like life - give time to understand , give love; you don't have to worry what will come back - it definitely is good !!

Just a little bit of time, you can get the food from heaven, what a magic !!

Crocheted Ballet Flats

2011-04-05T21:06:00.002+10:00

Caring for your baby's feet start from a pair of Ballet Flats

It is a very good information about baby's feet:

http://motherandbaby.ninemsn.com.au/baby/babyhealth/1071842/step-by-step

Crochet ballet slipper

2011-04-05T20:42:00.001+10:00

I am not sure she is - Reason, Season, or Lifetime Friends but definitely she is very special.

Thanks for sharing all the fascinating topics - quantum physics, calculus, universal, human power and etc.

Something little for someone special.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime Friends from Anonymous

When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. S/he has come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

S/he is there to meet a need. Then without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, s/he will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes s/he dies. Sometimes s/he walks away. Sometimes s/he acts up or out and forces you to take a stand. What we must realize is that the need has been met.

When a person comes into your life for a season, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. S/he may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. S/he may teach you something you have never done. S/he usually gives you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons. Those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. You must accept the lesson, love the person/people anyway, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Colourful life

2011-04-03T14:55:00.002+10:00

Nature have secretly remind us

Life is short

How long flowers last for

Just a moment

Sometimes, may not be that great

because we focus on a tiny little spot

When you look at the big picture - what a colourful life

Sneaker booties

2011-03-28T22:30:00.002+11:00

今年好多兔仔兔女出世呀, 小鞋子一定用得著.

那麼小,一定好快鈎好, 但係比起織件衫更用神, 都鈎了好幾次先似Ｄ樣.

Long zucchini ( 很長的節瓜)

2011-03-22T22:38:00.000+11:00

It is a kind of Italian zucchini. I have try to do some search but exactly name still can't find it.

Even it is long (more than 1 meter) but doesn't taste old or tough.

And the skin has a very soft hair, very interesting. (like 節瓜)

We also cook the young leaves and mix with small pasta like a soup.

Italian way - cook with tomato as usual with some herbs !

Hug-Me-Tight Shrug 外套

2011-03-04T22:35:00.042+11:00

Ｄ件係我第一次睇pattern 織的外套. 第一次咁有耐性跟足指示. 非常高興.

如果你都想織D個pattern,就留comment. I am more than happy to share.

Have FUN !!

Yoghurt cake with latte ice-cream

2011-03-04T22:31:00.004+11:00

Weather is getting cold now. It's the time to start the oven, warm up the house.

Fromage blanc cake - I call it yogurt cake because it is made by yoghurt.

The good thing about this cake is not using butter and it is very very light.

The recipe is from Citron et Vanille - Fromage blanc cake

My yoghurt cake is served with latte ice-cream.

Friday night, just can't afford any more time to make Silvia's stawberry sauce.

I love my Tomato

2011-02-27T18:50:00.004+11:00

今年太多雨水, Tomato 的收成比往年較遲, 而且变壞的機會亦很高, 又担心又失望.

連續3 個星期六都是圍繞着它們, 剪黄葉和剪下差吾多熟的.

突然令我問問自己從時開始熱愛它們; 因為許多人會覺得我是受老公的影響. 但想起從前係香港的時候, 媽媽常買澳洲的Roma tomato, 而我放學回家就當佢蘋果那樣起吃. 平時同茶餐廳我只叫西炒飯, 早幾年就開始叫鴛鴦飯,第一瓶自己買的香水是 Versace 蕃茄葉味.So - it is definitely not because of him.

雖然收成較遲, 但係比往年大個.

How can I keep it – modified Italian way = Tomato sauce BUT I put it in freezer.

WOG - Italian point of view in my house - it is NOT acceptable, make sauce must be ........bababababababa.....

WOK - me - my dear, it would be fine and will be very safe in the freezer..

This conversation would be repeated in our whole life.

Traditional Italian way need to boil it for couple hours and then bottle it up, wrap it with blanket and let it cool down slowly (over night). If it is not boiled long enough to make the sauce thicken, it would go off very easily because of the tomato's acidity.

For me, it is not really economical and I don't want to take the risk after spending all afternoon to peel off tomato's skin plus couple of burned fingers.

It is a very simply process. Firstly, cut a cross in the bottom of tomato, put it in hot water for couple minutes. Then it will allow you to take off the skin very easily.

Put all skin-off tomato in the pot. Boil it for 30 minutes. Add some basil in it and salt.

Use the hand blender to make the sauce more smoother.

Then, simmer it for 30 - 40 minutes to thicken the sauce. It depends on how many tomato you use.

WogWok - tomato sauce

Moist Choloclate mud cake (Moist Chocolate rich cake)

2010-10-10T21:34:00.004+11:00

It is an addication. I went to my friend's wedding last week. It is the best chocolate MUD cake I ever have. It is moist, have mud cake feeling and sweetness just right.

This mud cake is stayed in my head for a week. I can't make it during the weeks. When you addicted on something, no matter what you need to do, just want to have it. So what I do - I bought a Sara Lee Chocolate moist cake during the week. :) but it is not good enough.

This weekend mission - chocolate mud cake

This recipe pass my digestive system. I don't feel heavy at all and really moist but may be not enough mud cake feeling. It should call Moist and Rich chocolate cake.

Ingredients:
200 unsalted butter, 200 dark chocolate
1 tablespoon instand coffee
1 cup warm water
1/3 buttermilk
1 1/2 self raising flour
1/4 cup cocoa
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
pinch of salt

What to do:
Grease the baking pan. (I used 24 inch baking pan)
Combine butter, chopped chocolate, coffee, water and butter milk in a bowl.
Put the bowl in the water-bath, let all butter and chocolate melt.
Let it cool down for few minutes.
Add caster sugar to mixture and beat well until dissolved.
Add sifted flour, cocoa, salt and lightly beaten eggs and vanilla.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
Baking at 150 degree for around 1 hour.
Test with skewer, cool cake in pan (I forget this step, what happen - my cake is boken into different pieces when it is still warm)

I use 70% Lindt Cocoa so the cake a bit bitter.

Falling apart chocolate cake - still taste great !!!

Artichoke

2010-10-10T20:52:00.002+11:00

Italian love artichoke, stuff it with cheese and breadcrumbs to steam it. It does take a lot of time to do it. My mum has told me artichoke is very good for health, especially for our liver. So the more time-saving recipe is boiling it with some chickpeas and beans. Then we can enjoy this plant in a healthy way with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and chickpeas soup.

I never saw artichoke plant. Fortunately, my mother-in-law has put 1 in the garden and produce 1 artichoke per year. After 15 years +, finally it wakes up. This year, we have 15 artichokes, it seems more to come, very excited.

Nothing happen

First artichoke is coming!!

This week --

Beautiful purple color. This is a wild plant which has a horns.

Roast Pork Shoulder

2010-09-19T17:59:00.003+10:00

This week have watched 2 different cooking shows to make Roast Pork. Saturday morning, what is in my mind - go to the supermarket get a Pork shoulder or leg.

It is a very easy cooking method. Preparation less than 10 minus, put salt all over pork skin. I also put some rosemary inside the meat and lemon zest on the top of the skin to add some favor.
I put some water in the tray as learning from one of the cooking show.

According to the package, 1 hour 200 degree for 1 kg pork, it is quiet accurate.

But my pork shoulder is wrapped by net, it seems take longer time to make the pork fully cook.

Pork skin become crackling the meat is very soft and juicy.
It is not much different Hong Kong style BBQ pork (燒肉), especially the skin part. I haven't eaten it for at least 5 years.

I also pan-fired shredded cabbage for side-dishes.
Very simple- Heat up a little bit oil, add curry powder and turmeric first in order to bring up the spices favour and then add shredded cabbage and pinch of salt. When the cabbage become soft, it is done. I learnt it from one of my Indian's friend.

Turmeric is one of my favor - in summer time, I would boil rice together with turmeric and eat it with yogurt mixed with few drops of lemon juice.

French Brioche

2010-09-18T21:57:00.004+10:00

After Opera cake, it should be Bread time.

When I did research about Opera Cake, also found some French Bread recipe.

I don't think I have eaten Brioche before. Seeing some photos from - very attractive - that is the motivation !

This recipe is from my favor blog -French brioche

In the beginning, the dough is incredible sticky, not much difference from porridge. I started getting worry and try to think some quick fix - add more flour, do this, do that.... But author of this recipe is a very famous blogger and also author of some magazines - so I should stick to what she said.

It comes up very light, fluffy and not really feel the butter when you eat it.
It does remind me Maxim's at home, their long sweet bread. Love it, good for breakfast, afternoon tea. I keep it in the fridge and microwave for 20 second - Perfetto !

Red orange salad

2010-08-19T22:54:00.004+10:00

In Jamie's Italy book, it has a dessert recipe - quality vanilla ice-cream mixed with Olive oil. You may think this dessert is a bit strange. If you know somebody is Italian, you will find out how much they love olive oil, just like Chinese love soy sauce.

First time, when Mia Marito made this orange salad for me. I looked at him and didn't know what to say, have a big question mark on my head - Orange with Olive Oil. As usual, I gave it to go.
Now, I am the one to make it. This salad is great for hot summer.

Mix Red orange and orange, not only taste good but also look very attractive.

Red orange Salad recipe
Cut 2 red oranges and 2 oranges into small cubes.
Mix it with quality Olive oil (plenty), pinch of salt, pepper and fresh oregano

Incomplete Opera cake

2010-08-17T22:08:00.005+10:00

Have flipped through my French dessert cook book in the past few weeks which was bought from online bookshop. Every picture looks great, but it always includes 4 or 5 items to compose the whole cake. Looking at the lengthy process, it is really made me hesitating.

The term of “French dessert” give me impression which is only born at Professional kitchen.
Last year, I have made a very creative cake for Jess’s birthday. So what am I going to do this year? It may be a good excuse for me to pick 1 from this book related to chocolate – OPERA CAKE - goal set!

It needs: 4 rectangular sponge cakes (thin layer), Coffee mousse – but need to make Italian meringue first

Coffee syrup, Chocolate ganache, Silky chocolate ganache topping – I leave this one, wait for next time

After prepared all items, next step is layering the cake.

First layer is sponge cake, coffee syrup, chocolate graache, then sponge cake again, coffee syrup, coffee mousse this time, repeat 2 times. All done – no, no, no. it needs to look pretty. Nearly 10 pm at night, my brain just a little exhausted, try to use the Italian Mergiue to pip rose, but I forgot how to do it. Just the name would do. It is very simple decoration but I love the silky and shiny look of the meringue.

Look at each layer - can you smell the chocolate ganache blend with coffee mousse.

Considering how much time and effort to spend, it made me understand why the cost of quality French dessert is a little bit more expensive.

Lemon Mousse Tart

2010-08-14T23:10:00.004+10:00

I have made mango mousse in summer which is not a good one. It only mixed gelatin powder, milk and mango together. My mum has made a very good mango mousse which need to blend on the top of ice but i can't find the recipe. Mango is not the season at the moment so I choose lemon to make the mousse. Lemon mousse is not in the top of my list. It's winter time and currently tart is my favour ~ lemon mousse tart should be well matched, sour lemon mousse with sweet pastry.

4 tablespoon of unsalted butter used in Lemon curd - start getting a bit concern. I know it is a bit contradiction in here. I love dessert but concern about how much sugar and butter in used.

To make myself feel butter I select high quality ingredients than go for the price.

High quality ingredients = good for health - that's how my mind works.

Pastry - Jamie Oliver's short crust pastry (my favour)

Lemon mousse recipe is made from lemon curd and whipping cream.

Lemon curd recipe (make 360 ml)
3 Eggs
1/3 cup (2-3 lemons) must be Fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Lemon zest
3/4 cup Caster Sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)

In a stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water.
Put eggs, sugar and lemon juice in the bowl and whisk.
Stir constantly to prevent it from curdling.
Mixture becomes thick when temperature reach 160 C (~ take 10 minutes).
Remove from heat and pour it through a strainer immediately to remove any lumps (I haven't done this step because no lumps at all).
Cut butter into small pieces and put it into the mixture until all melted.
Add lemon zest and let it cool down.
Cover immediately to prevent a skin form.
It can keep in the refrigerate up to 1 week.

How good - can't stop licking it, just not me

Lemon mousse

Lemon curd 50g

Gelatin powder 2g

Cold water 10g

Whipping cream 50g ( I used non-diary cream) - whipped

Put gelatin powder into cold water.

When all gelatin powder dissolve in cold water, put it into lemon curd, mix well.

Then, mix whipping cream together.

Finally, put lemon mousse in the prepared pastry case and garnished by strawberry and fresh mint leaves.

I gave half to my lovely neighbour and she gave me 2 bags of lemon from her tree - so more lemon idea to come.

No Knead Ciabatta Bread

2010-08-04T23:24:00.002+10:00

This is the third time to make this recipe within 2 weeks.

Here is winter now, it just perfect with soup. Besides that it is so easy to make. No need to knead. Before going to bed, mix all ingredients, cover it probably. Next day, just put in the oven for half hours, then you can have fresh bread in the table. Amazing !

Ingredients
Bread flour 3 Cups
Table salt 1 ¼ teaspoons
Dry yeast ¼ teaspoons
Warm water 1 ½ cups

Method
1. Put flour, salt, yeast together
2. Pour water in it, mix well, if not sticky add more water
3. Use foil or plastic wrap set it aside for 12 – 18 hours depends on room temperature
4. After 12 hours, the dough will be double size
5. Dust in work surface, make it round (just try to seam the side)
6. Place a cotton linen, dust generally
7. Lift the dough in the tea towel so it is seam side down
8. Folds the ends of the towel loosely over the dough to cover it
9. Place in the warm area for 1-2 hours
10. Dough will be become double size again
11. Pre heat oven 250 degree and put the pot in it, around 30 minutes
12. Put the dough into pre-heat pot coving the lid and bake for 30 minutes
13. Remove the lid and continue baking until the bread is a deep brown colour Around 10 – 15 minutes
14. Lift out from the pot and put in the rack for resting, around an hour

First time, I made it using the pot with lid (above method). This time, I just put the dough in a tray. But I add 1 ¾ cup water, a bit more than the recipe and baking time only 25 minutes because I worried it would become stone.

Remember the dough is very sticky, don’t worry. If you try to put flour to make a bit smooth like normal dough, it would become very dense inside, not very enjoyable.

My friend also forward me a youtube clip, I attached it below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX_6l2bmvQI

Non-dairy cream 甜忌廉

2010-08-02T21:46:00.005+10:00

Who would like to have cream but NON-Dairy, taste like what – soy ?

In Hong Kong, non-dairy cream(甜忌廉) is very popular for cake decoration. It’s because we don’t get use to milk and cheese, just like other Asian country. Whipping cream sometimes is too heavy for our taste buds. You hardly find any cake shop selling cupcakes with massive butter cream icing to cover it.

Personally, I am very health conscious. Cake with icing and whipping cream at the top - sorry not my cup of tea. After learning how to make butter cream in the cake decoration class, I am more resisted it by considering how much sugar and butter is used.

Can't find anywhere to sell non-dairy cream in Melbourne. Are you crazy, there have plenty of cow in here but you like to use non-diary cream.

I found the recipe in ehow webpage. Taste is really great, not so sweet, have lemon favor, soft and creamy. It can form stiff peak and stand firm. I purposely kept in the fringe for 2 days to see whether it would change to liquid form or not. Answer is NO.

Next time, I will use it to decorate my cake, let see how it goes !

Ingredients
Non-Dairy Creamer 1 cup
Cold water ¼ cup
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon (chilled)
Icing sugar 3 tablespoons

Method
1. Before starting, put the mixing bowl and the beaters in the refrigerator to chill.
2. Put lemon juice, non-dairy creamer and cold water in the mixing bowl
3. Beat on high speed about 1 minutes or until soft peaks form
4. Add icing sugar gradually and continue to beat about 2 minutes or until stiff peaks form

* Non-Dairy Creamer is coffee whitener. I use Nestle coffeemate which is made from glucose syrup, vegetable fat, milk protein ...
I feel like meeting my long lost friend again. It was what I had on my birthday cake at home.
Love it !

Creme Burlee Cheese Tart

2010-07-26T21:51:00.010+10:00

The first time to make this tart, so far so good. Someone love food said to me, even the presentation didn't look good, the taste would not be too bad as long as follow the recipe (what's the meaning behind :)
I used Jamie Oliver's Shortcrust pastry, very tasty and easy to do. You can eat it without any filling - somebody finish it before the filling was made last time !!
Filling is Creme Burlee Cheese from one of blog friend.
Finally, made caramel at the surface of the tart.
It just complement the sweetness of this tart because I normally use less sugar..

第一次做tart , 不過不失. 某某同我說, 就算差極味道都應該吾錯. 因為佢想食呀, 哈哈.
Tart 皮是 Shortcrust pastry, 我係用Jamie Oliver 的recipe, 好易做. 上次未做好filling ,就己經食清了.
餡是用其中一個 blog 友的Creme Burlee Cheese Cake 的做法, 餅底換了tart 皮
最後在tart 面上做焦糖. 其實做焦糖都幾好, 我通常都減糖,
有時D味道差小小, 有焦糖係面就互補不足.

Ciabatta

2010-07-18T22:09:00.009+10:00

我覺得中文名應叫農夫飽, 因為texture 幾粗, 同硬豬仔差不多. 如果你有去過French or Italian restaurant , 通常比Ｄ麵包dip with Oliver oil and balsamic vinegar, 就係D 個啦.

怕左Mr A 早上打開睇, 破壞我好事,寫番張note先.

足足發了18 小時, 由10 cm 發到20 cm diameter, 等到頸都長.

最後焗好, 還要resting １小時, 到了這個階段我的耐性只可以維持多 20 mins.

個飽好香, 個皮就脆,中間就軟但heavy.

Happy Man Happy Meal - Pasta al forno

2010-07-04T00:26:00.004+10:00

Pasta al forno - from The Siclian Kitchen" mention that "it is the sort of cooking men get married over"
How lucky am I, he is making it for me, haha.

It is similar to lasagne but used penne instead of a sheet of pasta and put eggplants in between.

雪糕瑞士卷

2010-06-27T13:02:00.004+10:00

細個另一至愛, 不過好似吾見再有得賣, in here - better don't think about it.

我還加了strawberry jam 在海綿蛋糕之上, 簡直做到十足十

豬仔包

2010-06-27T12:46:00.002+10:00

細個最愛食, 今次自己搞吓先, 已經係第三次整麵包特別港式,

終於麵團可以發大成3 至4 倍, 都吾錯. 香味就一定不及出去買,

因為我用植物油而且只是足夠分糧, 對-沒有跟足recipe again !

Online Shopping

2010-06-27T12:14:00.003+10:00

看其他blog 友有得上堂學做吾同的蛋糕, 我非常羨慕, 這裏 D class 好貴而且D餅好似無甘details. 只好係人地的blog 內學吓先.

無意中發現買書的website, 特別係cookbook, 價錢比起這兒平不單只, 還要是日本chef 呀, 我又點忍得手.
最後我選了這–本, 吾洗一星期就到, 我當然笑到吾停得口, 連發夢都想怎樣整, 因為有的技術性的問題睇書都學不到.

另外是中文書, 有Ｄ材料的名我真係吾知是什麽, 要translate 先完才可開始動工

Lemon & Almond Biscottini

2010-06-27T11:24:00.009+10:00

Wog 每次見到免費 recipe 一定會拿番張返屋企, 睇完後就會同我講那一個好易做, 其實即係叫我造. 今次佢選了 Lemon & Almond Biscottini. 由於他了解我的習慣第一句說話就係 '吾好改過recipe' 我沒有改什麼, 只係減了些糖, 哈哈 .

好香杏仁味.

Broccoli & Italian Sausage Cannoli

2010-06-27T10:34:00.001+10:00

Crepes & Apple tart

2010-06-27T09:55:00.003+10:00

或者係冬天, 對Pie & Tart 特別有興趣, 加埋雪糕, 簡直是無敵.
個Crepes 其實係我的早餐, 同Apple tart 一樣加了秘制的plum.
Preserved plum 係前兩年用bandy 浸, 非常入味, 最重要係無發酶

有袖冷衫

2010-06-27T09:11:00.000+10:00

終於完成了第一件有的袖冷衫, 足足搞在三年.

因為夏天無可能在火車上織衫, 而冬天,又想織D可以快收工的冷物

所以就拖了３年才完成.

如果等我件衫來著,一定凍死.

其實我係無跟pattern織, 或者細個睇得我媽多, 想下計下就織出來.

21 Chocolate Cake

2010-06-27T09:00:00.002+10:00

This is the first massive project in my life. 21 Birthday cake for 100 people. I think it comes out quite ok, smell the fresh strawberry and chocolate.

Tiramisu Birthday cake

2010-06-27T08:56:00.003+10:00

Specially for my friend's cousin. Actually it is very hard to do the icing in the soft surface. Not really fun !

Chocolate Mud Cake

2009-09-24T23:26:00.002+10:00

This one is my love.
Smell of the dark chocolate already bring you to heaven. Yep, it is exactly how I feel.
Chocolate curl is a bit difficult to make. No easy way, just practice, practice and practice.
Chocolate ganache look so great.
I donated this one to nurses in the aged care center. They are working so hard.

Roses basket

2009-09-24T22:48:00.002+10:00

How long it takes me to finish all roses - not so long, just 1 saturday afternoon. First time, not bad. At least, I managed to make enough putting on the top of the cake. This basket was given to my lovely neighbour who always give us fresh fig, homemade cookies and light bites

Mickey Mouse

2009-09-22T23:04:00.002+10:00

I am not a big fan of Mickey Mouse. But this one just can't resist.
This cake has given to my friend's little daughter. She loved it.
Tips - all black area is using choclate dark brown to make the butter cream.

Bear - my first cake

2009-09-12T22:50:00.002+10:00

It is my first time to decorate cake. I have seen my friend doing it couple years ago but not feel interesting at all. But now, just feel amazing. Just can't believe I make it.

Falls wonderfully

2009-02-02T09:56:00.005+11:00

Sometimes everything falls wonderfully into place. We don't have to force this to happen;
We somehow find ourselves in the right place, at the right time, and we see magic all around us.
You simply have to find a way to recognise them.
Think of yourself as a lucky soul being offered gifts by a kind cosmos.
To bring these nearer, just relax.