This steamed radish cake is served at Dim Sum restaurants and also a dish made at home and served during the Chinese New Year celebration. This happens to be Curry's favorite too and his father used to make it all the time when he is here on his annual visit. There is another similar taro version of which I will keep it in my to do list until I can locate a good taro and the recipe.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Happy Birthday Curry! Wishing you the best in everything, older and wiser, success in work and love always from us all.
This year I made a real birthday cake with a dense butter and sour cream cake with a rich chocolate frosting. And went overboard decorating it as I didn't made anything for Valentine's Day and thought my ideas should be let loose and flow!
Chocolate cake seems to be one of Curry's favorite but not really mine. I attempted his birthday cake for the first time when we first met 15 years ago in the miserable university dorm kitchen of mine. It was a good attempt, although not very presentable but it is always the thought that counts. I always tell my kids that all the cakes I make for them are special as there is only one of such cake in this world and no one else can make it nor eat it except them only. Well, of course they always wanted a birthday cake with a character which I couldn't make and had to order it instead! But all the other dessert cakes I have made so far serves the same message. I really think that is the real message of a birthday, the person is super special on his day and the candles represent all he had gone through since he was born years ago and should be celebrated every year as he progresses in life with a special cake. I hope this cake represents my kids love for their daddy and my hope and passion for my husband to continue to grow old healthy and happy. And of course love me for who I am, no matter how cranky I can get at times.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
I thought of it! Maybe I should do something to celebrate my 2nd year of blogging but hey, with what I have been feeding it here all these 2 years, I think it is already Overstuffed!
Although February has been very slow here, my ideas get going in my brain. There are alot of baking and cooking I want to try out but this time of the year just slows everything down. Call it the transitional upset from winter to the ever forward hoping Spring weather with all its marvellous colors that I long to get inspired from to do something. Hopefully these past few days with the warm sun will get those buds everywhere popping out and brighten up my mojo again!
Here's to another year of happy baking, cooking, travel, ranting and blogging! And hey, guess what I got for this special day? A New Canon camera to replace my beloved old broken one. Now that is what I call encouragement to go on with this blog! Will Be Back soon!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Gong Xi Fa Chai! Hey, in my household we celebrate Chinese New Year for 15 days and although I am 3 days late with my wishes, I still intend to do alot of cooking and celebration and hopefully I can catch up!
Finally my cough and cold had subsided and trying to pick up the momentum to ensure I don't miss out on doing things that I wanted to do for this celebration that I most enjoy and love of all the holidays celebrations! Although we are away from the hustle and bustle of Malaysia and Hong Kong's atmosphere of celebration, I still try my best to celebrate with my kids.
My Canon camera gave up on me and I miss it so much! Suddenly I felt that my pictures are not as interesting nor striking anymore and hoping Curry will get it fixed or get me a similar one very soon or else I will lose my interest in food photography very fast! At the meantime, I have to put my Sony to use of which I inherited from my ever technology hip brother.
According to the geomancer, the Tiger Year looks bright and prosperous. Well, they always say that every year but I am not complaining. So far, every year had been peaceful and although not always smooth sailing, I count my blessings. This is the 10th year I haven't been back to Malaysia to enjoy all the fun of this celebration and chances are that I won't be able to do so for the next 10 years till my kids grow up and out of school!
Today's Bento boxes have been long coming and my kids enjoyed them. Snow day today and both remained at home. February is coming to an end soon and I am so looking forward to March already with all this snow squalls and ice patches lingering and spoiling days! This year's snow fall has been less in my neck of the woods and absolutely went crazy down south. Imagine snow in major part of Texas and Florida! Perhaps the earth has really shifted its position or the effect of global warming is getting more evident these days! Whatever it is, I hope the Tiger Year will keep roaring in a good way with its prosperity and luck to everywhere and to everyone I know. Wishing you all a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
What a way to kick off February! The kids and I took turns getting sick and Curry had to travel away. And all the cough and sniffle makes me a very lethargic and helpless person. I hate being sick as it really affects my days, plans and sometimes my children have to bear with my lack of consistency and abrupt anger, accumulated from frustrations and a weary mind.
Kids have recovered with the irritating dry cough creeping up once in a while and I am already hearing Prince D complaining he is sick every morning just to avoid preschool! Perhaps the Terrible Three symptom is only kicking in now and sometimes I find my own son's emotional outbursts unbearable. And yet when he cheekily smiles when he gets his way, I forgot on why I was mad with him in the first place. Kids.... they can drive you insane and make you mad and yet your love for them eventually is unconditional and genuine.
With 3 bananas almost rotting given another day on the countertop, I had to use them or thrash them. Chinese people has the most taboos in everything and my kids and I were deprived of everything sweet including fruits by Curry and according to him, to prevent the building up of phlegm and triggering of more coughing! Seriously, if I had to live by all these taboos, I will eventually die.
This recipe has no butter and less sugar. Good for a quick snack or morning grab and go and with added granola, it gave a crunch and extra goodness to the muffin. I used 3 large bananas, just double the amount if using baby bananas. The easiest thing to make and Miss E made it with me within 10 mins.
2 cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 cup low fat milk
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup granola
1)Preheat oven to 350F.
2)Line 8 to 10 muffin pans with paper liners.
3)Beat the eggs and add into the mashed banana. Mix and pour in milk and mix again.
4)In another bowl,mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar with a fork.
5)Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and fold in.
6)Divide the batter between the muffin tins. Scatter the granola on top of each muffin.
7)Bake for 30 to 35 mins till slightly brown.
Makes : 8 to 10 medium muffins