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Friday, October 22, 2010

Choc-Chip Cookies *New Recipe*


I had my flour, leftover brown sugar and remaining choc-chips begging to be put to good use while I was "spring-cleaning" the pantry. I wasn't keen on baking cookies again because the first cookie recipe always make giant size cookies no matter how many times I modified it. They're too large that they won't fit in an ordinary lunchbox.

I bought this bargain cookbook at DFO one day called "Comfort Food: Recipes to soothe, cheer, reassure and indulge" not the cookbook by the masterchef guy, Gary. It had very simple recipes including choc-chip cookies. But the photo shows those cookies looking hard and crunchy like those biscuits you find in a supermarket. I'm the cookie type who prefers soft, chewy cookies.

This time I didn't care cos I wanted to clear my pantry.

Choc-Chip Cookies
Makes 14

INGREDIENTS
215g plain flour, sifted
1tsp baking powder
115g butter
125g brown sugar
50g caster sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla essence
1 egg
115g Choc-chips (Or chocolate of your choice eg. M&Ms)

METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius

2 Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat until they are thoroughly combined. (use your hands to knead if necessary)

3 Place tablespoonfuls of the mixture on a baking tray lined with baking paper, spacing them well apart to allow spreading during cooking

4 Bake in the oven for 10-13 minutes until the cookies are golden brown. (Or until the cookies no longer look moist)

5 Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool.

Only 5 steps!

I had a 2 hour uni break between lectures and I drove back home (5 mins away) and made those cookies. I finished them in over an hour. Mixing them took me 30 mins.

Whats even better is that the cookies weren't hard and crunchy at all. They were just the way I like them! Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside~ AND they're normal sized too unlike my giant ones.

So my bargain cookbook was worth more my $$$$$ after all.

Irresistible cookies! (No not my 100 free paintballs voucher...)

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Just an update

Yes it has been month's since I last baked something. I'm either:
- too busy or
- not motivated

yeah since I have been gyming, I lost and gained weight here and there. And I'm beginning to be very cautious about what I eat. Since then I've been avoid lots of food.. mostly my favourite foods like desserts or something quick/easy/cheap like fast food or instant noodles.

After all, I did mention food journeys should be posted. I did during the holidays encouraged my nephew who is eight to bake with me. I bought a cookie pack at the supermarket that was on special. I need to get him out of the tv/DS/wii somehow.

At first he was sooo excited but about 5 mins later, his enthusiasm dropped. But he managed to push through, decorated his cookies before they went in the oven, and felt a sense of joy when they were done.

Since my gyming, I've been eating more veggies ever than I had in the past year. Back when I was living alone for the first time, I did not shop in the fruit and veg aisle in the supermarket. And yes I sort of did suffer the consequences... and this is going to sound stupid but I have been going to my favourite restaurant and order their ceaser salad. yes it is the most fattiest salad of all... personally I prefer it with less dressing.

I have... or had... a massive obsession with dips and turkish bread/dinner rolls. I LOVE cavier dip and Spinach and pine nuts. I wouldn't mind trying the other dips I saw in the aisle yesterday like smoked salmon, beetroot and other varieties.

I remember when I moved houses again, I received a housewarming gift from my cousin. It was a jaffle maker, and I left it on the top shelf knowing it will be of use one day. and it is! Every morning before I go to uni, I make toasted sandwiches. I tried tomato, cheese and spinach but i found that the tomato was a hassle. I did replace it with tuna or I've been just adding spinach and cheese so far. I bought shaved ham from the deli but it was quite salty. I'm currently thinking of foods to carry to uni for lunch also because I refuse to eat their sushi since I got very sick from them once. I tried making a week supply of carrot sticks but my cutting skills fail and they didn't last long.. So.. not doing that for a while.

I found out at the end of every week i have tons of spinach leaves left.. and I feel bad for throwing them away for rubbish collection, so yesterday I brought them home to mum this time, because I HAVE to eat my spinach (I don't know why.. it somehow keeps me awake in the morning). And I also have to stay there for a few days and I will go crazy without them lol!

Anyway mum had a use for them today. she added them with the ramen and dumplings with white dashi soup I think for lunch. then she added the leftovers as a snowpea, luncheon meat and spinach stirfry. so there's other options other than... spinach and cheese (I don't like ricotta) sandwich.

I'm a bit disappointed that I lost the microwavable egg poachers. But I'm fine with my daily breakfast for now.

I need to learn the basics. I don't even know how to make a sunny-side up egg or an omelette! yes.. shame on me... I don't know how to make mash potato also....

Friday, March 26, 2010

Baking Challenge #4 continued: Catering for the grown-ups


Inspired by the Babycakes cupcakes I bought during the Harvest's Picnic @ Hanging Rock last month, I decided to make vanilla cupcakes with strawberry frosting. as plain as it sounds (I'm not a vanilla fan lol) It was delicious!

there was no strawberry frosting in my cookbook. But that didn't bother me as I can just use the the frosting recipe and replace the flavours.

I was also being simple... also I'm not very creative at making fancy decorations so I just chopped the chocolate into triangles. Omg i bought the wrong type of chocolate (85% instead of 70% cocoa). A bit too bitter for my liking but it was easily forgiven with the strawberry sensation. *phew* They were enjoyed by everyone.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Baking Challenge #4: Yoshi Cupcakes


I've been too busy with uni work that I haven't had time to bake stuff. I was supposed to make a cake but I had other things to do.

But my nephew's bday was coming up real soon, and he's having a party. and I wanted to make him a surprise cos he loves Yoshi! (he stole my yoshi plushie I had a few years ago)

I was time poor so I bought frosting from the supermarket. it was sort of like whipped cream but it tasted horrible! I'm not buying that again. I just used that to glue the Yoshi to the cupcakes. yes.. the still popular choc cupcakes