How my week went by

I was in the mood to cook Sabshuka this week but was disappointed that I couldn't find fresh coriander leaves at any of the supermarkets. I couldn't even find them in the wet market early this week.

I gave up. Until DH suggested going to Mustafa Centre to get our monthly groceries yesterday. I almost gave again up cos I only saw Chinese Parsley available. After walking the aisle again that I saw what I've been looking for this whole week. Relief! Now I hope I won't be too tired after work tomorrow to use it in my Sabshuka dish.

I have originally planned to take a break till the end of the month before I start baking again. But couldn't help it. Although I am tired, with a stiff left shoulder & backache, I have to bake a Brownie for a friend today. How couldn't I when it was to celebrate her two lovelies' birthday (born on the same date just a year apart) & it's also her wedding anniversary.

So I started this morning baking a colourful Brownie Platter for the kids' birthday celebration & then a Cotton Cheesecake for herself.

I had a great time (eating too) at the barbeque gathering. There were really great food & wonderful company. We feel like we're a part of their family too.

I'm grateful that my friend was helping to 'promote' my Brownie to his family. And so a themed birthday Brownie will be coming up soon!

sistabrownie under construction

If you've googled "sistabrownie" & clicked on sistabrownie.com, you'd notice that the page does not exist anymore. Don't worry; it's only the website. I'm still around!

This is because I'm doing some restructuring & construction on sistabrownie - goodies range, website hosting & updates, recipes concoctions, experiments etc... This whole process will definitely take some time to complete. Not to mention other daily demands which may 'interrupt' this process. Therefore I ask for your patience during this transition.

Anyways even with the website not in service for the time-being, you can still get in touch with me here, on Facebook or browse through my album in Flickr.

Hope to update you soon!

Brownie Platter

I've promised a friend that I will bake / make him something from sistabrownie range of goodies. That was last year. Didn't have a chance to do it as I was doing semi graveyard shifts. And so it dragged to Y2010. He had commented on my Brownies & Muffins and hinted when he would finally get to taste them.

So when the chance came for me to meet him, I baked him some Brownie Platter & special delivered them to his workplace (cos I need to get something from him as well hehehe...). Not exactly a barter trade but I got a very good deal from him too.

I hope he enjoyed them & I'm sure those hints were not the last from him (winkz!).

Brownie & Macarons

While I was busy with the Brownie Platter last weekend, I was also busy texting & confirming another Brownie request from a friend. She had initially asked for the Brownie the same Mother's Day weekend. But I couldn't commit and thus she asked if I can still do one for her in the coming week. We agreed for the heart-shaped Brownie to be ready by Wednesday.

She had asked for the specific greeting on the Brownie & to ensure that the Brownie looked its best with coloured candies on top. This was what I prepared for her - Heart-shaped coloured candy Brownie with Macarons.

Notice the Macarons at the sides?

I had a little too much egg whites from all the baking last week & thought what would be the best way to put the egg whites to good use - Lemon Meringue or Macarons? I decided to try the latter.

I've tried making them before after going through many different versions & techniques. I tell ya, the lesser ingredients required, the more sensitive the recipe gets, especially getting the technique right.

I was very apprehensive about giving it another go. But I guess when you failed too many times, it just drives you to wanting to know that you can get it right at least once.

So I did. I finally get to see those 'feet'. I used some as the Brownie deco & others I just slather them with Chocolate Cream.

Mother's Day weekend

I spent the weekend before Mother's Day in the kitchen preparing Chocolate Tarts for LJ. She had requested for 2 sets to be celebrated on Mother's Day.

After the tarts preparation, moving on to Brownie Platter for a friend's son's 1st birthday celebration.

After this picture was taken, I realized that the platter looked so much like a big palette of eye-shadow. Don't you think? ; ).

Dear daughter's birthday

It was my daughter's birthday yesterday. I didn't know what cake to prepare for her and finally decided on Strawberry Charlotte Cake.

Besides the surprise Strawberry Charlotte Cake, I've also managed to prepare 40pcs Chocolate Cuppies with Snow Frosting for her classmates & teachers too. It was a very hectic day for me on Tuesday, as Mum couldn't come over at the last minute to help me with these preparations.

But at the end of the day what matters is that everything was completed on time. Phew!

Brownie & Chocolate Mousse

Before going on the weekend break, I have accepted some requests from friends for this week. Turned out my schedule was quite tight, especially this coming weekend.

The first one was from a friend & his wife. They have requested for a Brownie & Chocolate Mousse.

While preparing requests from friends, dear daughter's surprise birthday cake is coming up. This will be the first time in 7 years that I'll be making something for her. Otherwise we'd be ordering the cake from someone else or buy from a bakery.

Wish me luck!

Weekend break

I was away during the Labour Day weekend. We managed to get onboard a cruise, which we were on standby. It was quite a last minute preparation, considering we only have about less than 24hrs to pack (I'm packing for 3 + myself).

I admit it has been a long time since I relaxed, despite being in the company of the kids. I would have thought of a getaway with just the hubby. But this short trip proved me wrong. I could actually relax even with the 3 little munkies... hee! Or is it all in the mind? Hhmmm.... Was I in desperation for relaxation that I managed to turn the negative to positive energy?

View @ 6.30am

Anyways the kids enjoyed themselves although they weren't signed up for any programmes at the kids' centre (I thought the charge were too expensive per hourly). We spent most of the time either at the buffet food outlet or the arcade : )

Kid's pool

This trip was also an early celebration of dear daughter's 7th birthday.

Now, back to work!