Final wishlist

Enough of being indecisive. Let's get down to business. I really have got to start putting my thoughts & ideas into action for my cousin's engagement ceremony.

So here are my wishlist:

1. Croquembouche
2. Fruit Tart
3. Cupcakes
4. Brownie Platter
5. Custard Puff
6. Mini cupcakes

Out of the six, I wonder how many I'll eventually do. It's all about time-management (am I advising myself? I suppose so..).

Anyways, I'll make use of this festive season to run through everything (finer details included) & start pantry shopping next week.

P.S: The more I look at the list, I'm inclined to believe that only no.1, 3 & 4 will get my attention, although I'd really want to include no.5, since I'll be making the Croquembouche. It makes more sense, aint it?

Still contemplating

I haven't been feeling well. This is probably due to insufficient rest since last November & lack of sleep lately. But I am so looking forward to the long weekend this week, due to the Lunar New Year celebrations (yay!)

With regards to my cousin's engagement on the 28th of this month, I am still indecisive of what / which goodie I should be doing for the gifts exchange. There are a couple of ideas though...

As for the guests, I'm not sure if I should contribute in this area. Not that I don't want to but one of my aunts, who is very good at making traditional desserts, is in charge of this. But then, no harm in mixing a little of traditional goodies with modern ones.

If I'm going to contribute in both the gifts exchange & desserts, now will I have enough time to prepare? Hhmmm.... I hope I'm able to take leave that week (fingers & toes crossed).

Meantime, let me finalize the list first.

Till the next entry. Hopefully I'll feel much better then.

Cranberry Almond Biscotti

I tried my hands on biscotti about 2 weeks ago (I think! This is the result of outdated posts, I can't recall when exactly). Although this biscuit do not get a second glance from me in any cafes, my tasting experience last Hari Raya changed my mind.

Nothing against the (hard) texture of biscotti, it is meant to be dipped into your cuppa. But the ones I tasted last year, which was bought and given a packet to me by SIL, were of the 'right' crispy texture. And they were delicious! Then I thought I should try baking biscotti myself.

It didn't happen until January 2010. I started looking for the recipes and found one I could experiment with. The whole process took about 2hrs. Afterwhich they were kept in airtight container & stored (not for long since I have 2 little monster boys).

I have mixed feelings (or should I say, "taste") about the end result of the biscotti. I'm not sure that it was the 'right' texture. Hhmmmm.... Anyways, I am always on the prowl for different recipes to experiment with.

Here's one that you can try & if you do, please feedback.

Cranberry Almond Biscotti

Cranberry Almond Biscotti

Makes 16-20 pieces

2/3 cup caster sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup flaked almonds

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 177C and place oven rack in centre of oven.

2. Beat sugar & eggs on high speed until thick, pale & fluffy *When you slowly raise the beaters, the batter will fall back into bowl in slow ribbons.

3. In a separate bowl, whick flour, baking powder & salt. Add to the egg mixture & beat until combined.

4. Fold in the flaked almonds & cranberries.

5. Transfer dough to parchment paper lined on baking tray. Form into a log (like french loaf) about 30cm long & 9cm wide. You may have to dampen your hands to form the log as the dough is quite sticky.

6. Bake for 25 minutes or until firm, Remove from heat & let cool on wire rack about 10 minutes.

7. Reduce oven temperature to 165C. Transfer log onto cutting board & cut into 2cm slices, at a diagonal. Place the biscotti cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, then slices over & bake for another 10 minutes (or until golden brown for both sides).

8. Remove from oven and let cool. Once cooled, store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Peeved

People say "Once bitten, twice shy". I think I'm too soft at heart that I allowed myself to be 'bitten' once again.

I feel bad about writing this post but I think some people needs to have some sense of responsibility.

About three weeks ago, I made some goodies for a regular (if you've read my previous posts, you'd know which one). She has this habit whereby she would change her collection date at the last minute. (And if it so happened that I have a full fridge, I'd have to find some ways to rearrange my own stuff.) She did this time, but since I don't have to hold (not literally) her goodies for too long, I agreed. Even on the day of the new collection time, she had some difficulties.

I can totally understand her difficulties and have also agreed that payment will be transferred to my account instead of COD. Details have been given and she promised to have it all done by an agreed date. Up to today, there wasn't any history of that agreed transaction. SMSs were sent but no replies. I gave her the benefit of the doubt that probably her phone was faulty; that she sent it for repair and hasn't collected her new phone yet.

But as the days passed by I kept thinking as to why she has to hold the payment that was rightfully due to me. I've baked & prepared the goods that she has collected & distributed to her friends, whom I believe by now would have digested every single ingredient I've put into the goodies.

I called her today but she wasn't answering. So her phone wasn't sent for servicing. Now the big question mark. Why? What happened?

If it was someone else (new), this would have been a different post. But because she's a regular, whom she addresses me as "kakak" (elder sister); someone who has been supporting me and discussed how she wanted her goodies to be decorated each time etc, that's why it bothered me that this happened.

The last time something similar as this happened, someone in her family had passed on. The uncollected goodie which I prepared for her was 'donated' to someone. This time I have no clue whatsoever.

Is it time for me change the T & C? Even to my regulars?

Kek Lapis from Lanny's

I have been wanting to write in about his great-tasting Kek Lapis (translated: Layered Cake) from Indonesia since 2 weeks ago (yes... that long) but have forgotten all about it.

Three boxes were brought in by my overseas colleagues since they were here to accompany a travelling group. I was expecting that they would bring the soft Kek Ambon (they brought that the last time they were here). But this was even better (big grin)! I'm not actually a fan of Kek Lapis, but loves to try different Kek Lapis made by different people. Especially during the festive season.

This Lapis (as many call it) from Lanny's taste so good, the whole 6" cake gone in just a few hours. I was so excited about tasting it that the moment I arrived home with one box, I sliced it up and couldn't stop popping them into my mouth. Fortunately I managed to share a few slices with my neighbour. And the rest was history. Even the kids loved it.

The great thing about the Kek Lapis is that the (five) spices are not overwhelming. It's a balanced hint of spices & vanilla, with reasonable amount of prune. For (overseas) foodies who have not heard or tasted the Kek Lapis, it comes originally without prunes. There are varieties - with prunes or chocolate layered.

I have tasted others but this by far was the best yet. Now I am thinking of whether there's a Lanny's Cake outlet in Batam, or how I can order more of this (they couldn't possibly send via registered mail, can they?)

Anyways, I'll get more info from my colleagues. If they have an outlet in Batam, all the better; easy access to great-tasting cake. Wonder what varieties they offer... hhmmmm....