My First Fondant Cake

Last weekend, I learnt something which was very interesting - Decorating a cake with Fondant!!

Well, though I love and enjoy eating food, I do love to cook too! This reminds me of my uni days...I like to cook something different each weekend for a change and also I love to bake. And I do admit I have sweettooth, which might be one of the reason baking can satisfy my sweet tastebud.

It has always been too costly for me to attend hands on baking or decorating classes when I was in Melbourne. Since I'm back in Malaysia with less pricey class (comparing to Aussie $$), I came across a few bake and decorating accessories supply shop that offers baking classes.

My decorated fondant cake

The first step to a fondant cake, is to bake a heavier base cake. This is to ensure the cake won't collapsed as the weight of fondant is heavier compared to normal icing. Also, to measure the size of the cake and technique to cut is horizontally without getting a slooping side cake. Secondly, to colour the fondant, lots of kneading and colour matching is needed.

Gumpaste (this is create flowers and other decorative for your cake) is added with some Gumtex to create a firm texture for the flowers. It is amazing to know that fondant can be kept for like a year of so, if its wrapped up with a cling wrap, stored in an air-tight container in room temperature..Cool!!

The borders are beautiful isn't it? My royal icing decorating skills still needed much improvement.. Techniques learnt: Kneading, Quiling, pipping royal icing on the cake, as well as making flower petals.

I'll start baking more varieties of cakes and to learn more of fondant icing as well as buttercream/royal icing. I'm searching around for more baking classes which are hands on, as you'll know what mistakes that you've made and that you can improve and prompt you to ask more questions! Practice make perfect ya? I hope I can bake more of those for my friends a family, or as a part time small business :)

Bibiwok @ Bandar Puteri Puchong

Another restaurant for some Nyonya delight..IT was a Thursday noon, I was busy the whole morning and not even knowing that the clock strucked at 1pm. Yup, my tummy is making noise and my colleague is hinting me that we should go for lunch. I've came up with an idea for our lunch, BibiWok. It was because we did drove pass a few times and it has an interesting concept of Thai and Nyonya Cuisine. So, we decided to head to the restaurant for something different...

Their menu has wide varieties of a lar carte main dishes, appertizers and desserts..instead, we've decided to go the individual choice of rice specialties..

Honey, Ginger with Lemongrass Drink RM5.50
Noticed the stirer? Its a lemongrass tied with Pandan leave..interesting yea? I ordered this hot drink and find it abit far to 'hot' as the ginger hot was strong..But it's good for our tummy i guess..

Recommended dish: Thai Style Fried Rice
My colleague ordered this and she commented that the tau fu pok is very crispy, as they've deep fried them. Fragant fried rice with pandan chicken..The portion was just nice to serve one and costs for only RM10.90

Nasi Lemak Special RM13.90
Its been quite awhile since I've last had nasi lemak, and so, I was tempted to order this special. I love the rice in particular, it smelled very fragrant with pandan and santan taste in it..The portion was huge with 2 pieces of chicken which I only managed to finished one. But, I would recommend that the sambal to add more spicy flavour in it..Overall, an average dish..

I saw it in their menu that Thai steamboat and Thai BBQ is served as well. I wonder how Thai BBQ would be, try out if you want to have a taste of Thai BBQ.



For Reservations:
Nyonya Thai Cuisines: 03-8060 7659 (Alice)
Thai BBQ & Steamboat: 03 - 80632497 (Annie)
Add: No. 16 & 16-1, Jalan Persiaran Puteri 1, Bandar Puteri Puchong, 47100 Puchong.
Business Hours: 11.30 am- 11.30pm

Brother's Birthday Celebration @ Shanghai Restaurant

Another visit to our favourite restaurant, however this time around was to celebrate my brother's birthday who just turn to 19 years old this year. He requested to have a family dinner in Shanghai restaurant as he claimed that he misses the Shanghai Steam Pork Dumplings very much. So here we are again, ordered his favourite dishes and to leave some sweet memories for him before he returns to Perth for his new semester studies.

Spicy Hot and Sour Soup

We ordered something different this time instead of shark fin soup. Turns out the taste was slightly watery and lack of spice in it. However, there was a lot of fillings in the soup. (Would prefer parkroyal's Si Chuan Dou Hua hot and soup)

Shanghai Steamed Pork Dumplings

The irresistible dish, a highly recommended steamed pork dumplings. The soup in the dumpling taste sweet and flavourful, dumpling skin are thin and smooth...

Vegetarian Steamed Dumplings

The fillings of vegetarian dumplings include green veggies, vermicelli and mushrooms. The dumplings lie on top of white cabbage that adds more of sweetness from the veggies. Goes perfect with chinese vinegar and ginger.

Braised pork tied with paddy straw in Nanking Sauce 稻草燜肉

The pork tasted similiar to 'Tung Po' Pork, but this is not as oily and is very much presentable though the layer of 'fat' is thick.. I guess pork lovers will definitely fall in love with this dish

Vegetarian cuttlefish in sweet and sour sauce
The 'cuttlefish' is deep fried to crispy before serving with sweet and sour sauce..It does goes well when its served with rice

Claypot Chicken and Yam with Mushrooms

This is also a special dish recommended, thick sauce which blended with yam paste and yam pieces..yummy..I believe this claypot has been cooked for quite some time as the yam pieces are very soft...

Steamed Sun Hock Fish with Soy Sauce

My favourite dish..steamed fish can never go wrong especially its steamed fresh fish..

Happy Birthday Liang Jin~

My brother's favourite vegetarian cake, Lemon Cheesecake. We always ordered Restaurant Cafe De Sky's vegan cakes as they have wide varieties of cakes and yet are very presentable..

Cake Cutting after making wishes while throwing a happy smile..

Once again, Shanghai Restaurant has filled our tummy well and gave us a big satisfaction night. Another night to remember with good food, good laughter and sweet moments....


Add: J.W.Marriott1st Floor, 183 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 603-2719 8288

Emperor Q @ Pavilion, KL

It's been quite awhile since we've last went to Pavilion for a night out. So, we've decided to go down for a movie, hence, to have our dinner there. Initially, I thought of having our dinner at food republic where there's wide variety for us to choose from. But, we can't really make up our mind to pick our choice...so, Bran dragged me to a restaurant which we walk passed before.. Emperor Q. This restaurant is under the same management to its dessert house located (The Japanese Sweets, MOF) at Gourmet Emporium.

The decor and ambiance of the restaurant looks nice and decent, and so do we hope that the food turns out to be delicious....

The main menu and drinks & dessert menu..

Roasted Chicken Mee Sua (RM 17.50)
It was written in the menu that noodles served is MEE SUA, but turns out to be japanese ramen...not sure if the definition of mee sua in jap means ramen?!? The noodles soup served was herbal soup which it tasted just right, but would be better with mee sua. As for the roasted chicken, the meat tasted too hard and dry (which means its overcooked). Overall, it was just a below than average standard food served..

Emperor Q Ginseng Chicken Set (RM 23.90)
Bran chose a set dinner which includes Ginseng chicken in a pot, side dish with blanched Kai Lan, soup and rice. The taste of the Ginseng in chicken pot was too strong that it tasted rather bitter in the soup, I guess it was due to the amount of ginseng they've added into the soup...

Bran drank his cup of water with a disappointment face..Aw...poor him..
Since the dinner was 'no good' to us, we decided to go for some ice-cream at the opposite dessert house 'MOF Japanese Sweets'

Three scoops gelato with a choice of Black Sesame, Red Bean with Green Tea and Hazelnut. (RM16.50)
I couldn't disagree with this dessert that it taste Delicious!! Apparently, it was written that the ice-creams are no preservative added, no sugar, no artificial flavor and no artificial colour added. I guess what's on it was true as the sesame gelato has lots of black sesame and they weren't too sweet as well~ Thumbs Up!

*Smile for the ice-cream*

Gu Yue Tien 古月天 @ Chulan Square, KL

Gu Yue Tien is not just like any other Chinese Cuisine Restaurant such as Overseas or Oriental Group Restaurants. Dishes served are fusion with flavours of Chinese and some western combination which I think it is interesting to try out. I've visited this restaurant quite a few times and believe me, you'll always find something new and special on their menu.. This time around, we went for the Gu Yue Tien Special Set Menu for 4 person at the cost of RM198++ with the following dishes served..

Seafood Platter
A combination of Fresh Oyster, Tiger Prawns & Cold Crab Platter

Braised Shark's Fin Soup with Crab Roe
Lot's of crab meat and shark fin in the soup, for those who love crab roe, i'm sure you'll fall in love with this soup as it has a flavourful taste of crab roe..

PanFried Scallop Roll Wrapped with Bacon & Mint Sauce
The panfried bacon is very crispy wrapping up with a big scallop in the middle. The scallop is topped with juicy sauce and alfafa..definitely a special dish on their menu

Duck Leg Confit with Pumpkin Mousseline & Red Wine Sauce
Like I said before, this special dish is fusioned with French flavor. The duck leg meat is tender and marinated with special sauce. I love the pumpking mousseline as it doesn't taste much like a normal mash potato and it's much healthier!

"Loh Mee" Noodles Soup with Seafood
Another chef specialties, adding some vinegar to the noodles soup, it brings out a heavier taste of the loh mee. Lots of fillings in this noodles..yummy yummy..Mind you that the serving might look small, but it will be very filling after having a bowl of that noodle.

The dessert of the day which is included in the set menu was honeydew milk sago..However, that was not the best ones I've tried on their menu. For those dessert lovers, Sweetened Almond Cream with Snow Frog Jelly and Chilled Bitter Gourd Pudding is a must try dessert..

Overall, the food quality has maintained for the past 2 years since it has started. It also serves Dim Sum during brunch hours and also, they're having discounts for the dim sum. (call up to find out when does the discounts end) Also , the dining area is nicely decorated and comfortable as it is situated in level 1 and you won't be disturbed by guests who walks in and out of the restaurant.


Address: Lot B5-A, Chulan Square, Jalan Raja Chulan.
Tel: 03-2148 0808

Homemade Tiramisu (Fast and Easy Step By Step Recipe)

I've planned to make some Tiramisu over this weekend since there's still lots of Kahlua in my kitchen..and since my hip hop class was cancelled that leave me more time to catch up with something which I love to do.. Baking and Cooking.

Follow-up is a simple step by step recipe of Tiramisu in a cup. It is also a Tiramisu which is Eggless Recipe. You could place it in a glass baking dish, however, I prefer to make it into smaller sizes of Tupperware so I can share it among my family and Friends.

Ingredients:

1 package (at least) 25 pieces a pack of savioardi (ie ladyfinger cookies), split & divided, 2 tbsp of espresso coffee/strong black coffee, 1 tbsp of brown sugar, 1 cup of boiling water, 2 cup/450 gram of mascarpone cheese, 1/2 cup of icing sugar, 2 tbsp kahlua coffee (put 3 tbsp if you prefer heavier taste), 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, 2 tsp vanilla essense, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Step 1:
Dissolve instant coffee and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar in boiling/hot water.


Cool the mixture then add in liquor.


Step 2:
Beat cream cheese in a large mixing bowl with electric mixture or hand held mixer on medium speed until smooth.

Step 3:
Add in icing sugar and vanilla essence to beat until smooth


Step 4:
In another mixing bowl, whisk the whipped cream until it reaches stiff peaks.


Step 5:
Gently fold in whipped cream to cheese mixture.

Step 6:
Dip each of the ladyfingers in coffee liquor mixture (Do Not Soak, just dip 1 or 2 seconds)
and arrange a layer at the bottom of glass baking dish/tupperware.
Step 7:

Pour 1st layer of the cream cheese mixture over ladyfingers and spread it evenly. Dip the remaining ladyfingers with coffee liquor and top it over the cream cheese. Spoon remaining cream cheese mixture over ladyfingers.

Step 8:
Dust with cocoa powder and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

I hope those of you who love Tiramisu would like this recipe, if you do try them yourself at home. They are just an 8 simple steps that you could just follow through and the outcome of it is fantastic! Enjoy!

Umaiya @ Damansara Utama

For those who stay or work in Damansara Utama might aware of this japanese restaurant which located in the centre of busy area where it is surrounded by banks and shop lots. In the restaurant, you can find cushion seats are on the floor with low-height tables where you would normally see them in Japanese and Korean restaurant. With the ambience and the design of this restaurant, you might feel as if you're stepping into a traditional Japanese restaurant.

I am fond of japanese food as mostly, their food are rather not too oily and is mostly served with miso soup. Though me and bran passed by this restaurant almost every other week, but we never step our foot into this restaurant. So, we decided to pay a visit to this restaurant without having to travel all the way to downtown KL and to avoid the 'Friday traffic jam pack'.

California Roll for RM1 per set ordered

Promotion, though the sushi roll doesn't taste extraordinary delicious i would say..Since it's cheap, we don't mind to have something extra!

Sizzling Seafood Set (RM32)

A recommended dish by the waitress. What's special in this set is the sizzling mix of seafood with fish, ebi prawns, squids and calamari. The sauce has a heavy taste of japanese egg mayonaise sauce with spicy sauce (hint of wasabi in the mixture)..It is a very flavourful dish and it goes best with the japanese rice too..The set also comes with a side salad, miso soup, dried prawns in sweet soy sauce and fruits..

Tempura Udon Set (RM26)

I've ordered this as I wanted to have a soup noodle dish..The Udon has lots of vegetables in it with a mix of different mushrooms. The tempura deeply fried has the skin coated with a crispy batter on it..goes perfect when it was dipped in the tempura light soy sauce.


Kani Unatama Maki (RM14)

Sushi roll wrapped with grilled eel (unagi), soft shell crab and egg roll, topped with mayonaise and wasabi sauce..I would recommend this sushi roll as the soft shell crabs are served hot and the taste of unagi and the crab goes well in combination..

To visit the restaurant again? Maybe yes, if I happened to drop by Damansara Utama. This is because I would prefer to continue my search for a better Japanese restaurant..I would comment that the dishes offered in this restaurant have limited dishes on their menu. If the restaurant could offer more varieties, that would probably attract more customers to drop in. For the price? With the ambience and service provided in this restaurant, it is an average for the price paid.

Address: 49G, Jalan ss21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400. PJ.

Tel: 03-77264410

Website: www.umai-ya.com