My birthday this year

This year I had wanted to bake myself a birthday cake but I was really busy with work that I really don't have time to do that. After visiting my FIL who is warded into TTS Hospital for a fall (thank God he is ok and after all the scans and MIR he just needs to be under a 24-hour observation to make sure there is no complication on the brain), hubby took me to a nice Korean restaurant at Novena Square for dinner. When I got home the boys gave me a home-made birthday card and when I was reading it, I just cannot help but laugh out loud at what they have written. So sweet of them. I kept all the birthday cards and mother's day card that they have made for me every year. They are my treasure (besides all my baking stuff!) LOL.

Actually, my surprise started on Monday night already. After I have got back from the Fullerton from a office cocktail reception, I found a little gift box in a paper bag in my chest of drawers when I was looking for my clothes to change. It was left there by hubby. The bag and box is so familiar because I usually shop there for my accessories. Hubby bought me a pair of nice earrinigs for my birthday. It came as a surprise because he told me that there will be no birthday present for me this year and the next few years because he bought me 4 bags and some clothings from the US during his last trip there. They are supposed to be my birthday and Christmas gifts for the next few years. But I was pleasantly surprised to receive his little surprise gift for me. So very sweet of him. Thanks dear for everything.

PS: My older boy wrote this on the card: "Thank you for raising us to be good, smart, strong and healthy boys. I will try to study more and get better grades in school. This card is for your love and care for me. From Jaren"

My younger boy wrote this: "To my dearest mummy, this card is for you. I may not have got good grades, but I know deep in my heart that I tried hard for the exams. I may not be the perfect son you were looking for. But I know that you love me and korkor equally, not just korkor because he got better grades. This card was dedicated to you, for your long awaiting birthday. Love, Jonathan"

Cannot help but got to lol at their message right?

Fondant and Buttercream Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes, both MM fondant and buttercream for a group of people in our church. From the picture of the MM fondant cupcakes, can you make a guess who they are for? You see this group of very dedicated volunteers in church be it raining or sunny weather. I really appreciate them for their hardwork and this is for you guys.

Shirt Cake

Tonight we had a PSG appreciation dinner at my son's school. This was the last PSG meeting with the present principal, Dr Ong. Dr Ong has been seconded to NIE and will be leaving the school by end of this year. To show appreciation to Dr Ong, I have represented the PSG to bake a cake as a farewell gift to him. I did a steamed moist chocolate cake with chocolate ganache covered with MM fondant into the shape of a shirt. I had originally wanted to make a tie to go with the shirt but I didn't have enough time. So in the end I just added buttons to the shirt which is faster and easier. I was glad that everyone enjoyed the cake.

Wedding Anniversary Cake

I just did a wedding anniversary cake as a gift for one of my directors' 25 years of marriage. Actually I did the numbers 2 and 5 and painted it with silver glistering powder but when I was putting the numbers on the cake, it broke. So no choice but had to put my little doggie in to fill up the space. It look a little strange but ... haiz ... what to do, no time to make another set of numbers already.

Chocolate Cupcakes

One of my colleagues did us a favour today and to thank her, I baked some chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache and then decorated it with fondant bees, ladybirds and flowers for her. Really appreciate her help and hope she likes them.

Marshmallow Fondant Cupcakes

I had to make a batch of marshmallow fondant covered cupcakes for a friend's nephew's first month celebration today. I had to do another batch for my son's classmate's birthday celebration today too. Was too busy making the sugarpaste toppers this whole week that I have not updated my blog at all. Sharing with you how the cupcakes was decorated.

Tahu Telor

I have got this recipe quite sometime ago when Zu translated it for us in KC. Not bad, in fact as good as Sanur's. :)




Tahu Telor
[Ingredients]
4 pkt egg tofu cut into cubes about 2 inches
6 eggs
3 tbsp cornstarch/cornflour
pinch of salt

[Sauce]
1/2 cup sweet sauce - this one is not the chinese sweet sauce. Get the kipas udang brand
5 cloves garlic
a bit of birds eye chilli (chilli padi) - up to you how spicy you want
blend everything and heat it over medium heat

[Garnishing]
carrot, julienned
cucumber, julienned
ground roasted peanuts

[Method]
Heat oil in a pot and immerse the mould for the tahu telur. Leave it in (make sure the oil covers at least 3/4 of the mould)

Beat eggs, salt and cornstarch. Add tofu .
Pour mixture into the mould (about 3/4 full).
The heat from the oil will cause the egg to overflow but don't panic.. lower the fire, take a scoop and scoop the overflowing egg and pour it back into the mould. Continue pouring the hot oil into the mould till the egg is crispy. Remove mould and let the tofu in the oil till the sides are crispy. Once brown and crispy, remove from oil and drain it.

[To serve]
Place tofu on a plate, garnish with cucumber and carrot and sprinkle ground peanuts. Pour sauce over.

[Ways to make the mould for tahu telor]
[Get a big condensed milk tin or golden churn tin, remove the top and bottom]

[some tips for those who wants to try this recipe]
[If no egg tofu, can replace with silken tofu and add a bit of oyster sauce abt 1 tsp into the egg mixture. Not suitable to use the normal tofu]

[Best is to use the mould that is wide and low like in the original recipe above]
[advised to use planta majerine tin (not butter) or golden churn because not only the size is just nice but not that high hence easier to fry later]

[when oil is hot, immerse the tin first and leave it for a while to heat the sides then only pour the tofu+egg mixture because if the mould is hot, the mixture will not stick to the side that much and when you are pouring the mixture, be extra careful because the mixture may overflow. Just scoop the overflow mixture and pour it back into the mould at the same time press the top a little to pack the tahu telor]

[Don't use high heat because it may brown too fast but the inside may not be thoroughly cooked and don't use too low fire because it will be too oily]

[if using something different tofu, adjust accordingly the qty of the eggs]
For easy estimation, if you cube the tofu and put them into a bowl, the quantity of the egg when poured into the same bowl with the tofu must be just about the same height. Your tahu telur will come out perfect]