Rejoice! It is Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone! A day late, but hey, it is still Christmas!

The days leading to Christmas were so busy. Tons of last minute shoppings and bakings, in addition to the usual parties and events as well as church practices. Nonetheless, these are part of the fun of Christmas, my favourite time of the year...

So what did I bake for Christmas? Take a look below:

Chocolate Banana Cake (based on wonderful recipe from SeaDragon with slight changes.)


Vanilla Sugar Cookies (recipe taken from epicurous.com)


More Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe from Williams-Sonoma). Supposed to be crispy, but mine still turned out chewy (???).


Mini Vanilla Butter Cupcakes for the children carollers!


Triple Layered Chocolate Oreos Cake for brother's birthday. (truly yummilicious, thanks to Fatboy for recipe. I use my own recipe for chocolate sponge and chocolate ganache.) - (FAVOURITE RECIPE)


Tiramisu (laddened with alcohol, the flavour gets better the longer it sits in the fridge (i.e., days not weeks or months, mind you). I had a slice 3 days after making it, and I couldn't stop at 1 slice. Recipe taken from Kitchen Capers - see sidebar for link). - (FAVOURITE RECIPE)


Once again, have yourself a blessed Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

"Celebrate in the Wonders of His birth, Rejoice in the Beauty of Christmas!"

Martha's Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Another recipe to try for the undisputed most popular cookie among the young ones in my family - the Chocolate Chip Cookie. I was taken by the rave review that I read here that I thought that I must simply try out this recipe, and so I did.


Recipe from Martha Stewart. Click the link above if you want the recipe.

These cookies turned out chewy and soft with a slight crispy edge. Although the kids polished them off at no time, they commented the cookies were a little too soft. Almost cake like. Then again, my cookies were considered "underbake" according to the recipe. It is impossible to bake them for 18 minutes in my oven even at reduced temperature without burning them. I have learned this too many times.

Anyhow, soft or not, they are still pretty darn good. Well, anything that has chocolate in it has got to be good, right?

For another favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe of mine, click here.

MyCoffee Eats: Dinner @ Pacifica (MIGF)

Delayed posting on my dining experience at Pacifica, Mandarin Oriental during the recent Malaysia International Gourmet Festival.

This is my 3rd time consecutively that I had dined at Pacifica during the yearly Gourmet Festival. Each time brought about a different experience, all pleasurable nonetheless.

My friends and I opted for the 3-course menu. In addition, we were given a glass of champagne and an additional chef’s special surprise.


The obligatory bread basket. An entire small loaf of their “bread of the month” which was the Multigrain Raisin Bread, in addition to a selection of other variety of bread. The multigrain bread was really so good particularly if you eat it with the accompanying herb butter. Yum, yum, yum! We enjoyed it so much that we nearly polished off the entire loaf. Talking about being full even before the first course arrived. I was so impressed that I wanted to buy a loaf but changed my mind when I was told that small loaf costs RM25! As much as I enjoyed it, I really thought the price was ridiculously expensive!


Amuse Bouche: Darn, I forgot what this was. But I remember liking it. Something “salmon” .


For the appetizer, I chose Kumamoto Oyster Flight: Demi Sel Beurre Fondue, Verjus Jelly, Crisp Shallot Mignonette, Micro Herbs, Tartines Cauliflower Puree, Truffle Emulsion. (oh, baby!)

while my friends picked the Warm Scallop Ceviche, Orange-Chili Marmalade and Carrot-Ginger Broth.


Here comes the main - Lamb Tasting: Grilled Chop Cordon Bleu, Pencil Asparagus Poached Loin, Black Garbanzo Bean Puree, Harissa Sauce Shank Confit with Porcini Mushrooms. Not a lamb lover, I have to give my thumbs up for this main dish. I had it medium rare and it was wonderfully tender and bursting with flavour at every bite. Even my friend who usually abhors lamb, enjoyed her every bite.

Although on the menu, there was no other main alternatives listed but when one of my friend who arrived late and who does not take lamb asked the waiter, she was told that there’s actually a non-lamb alternative. She was given an alternative main dish of cod, which she chose and loved. Unfortunately I could not remember other details such how it was done (e.g., pan-fried, grilled or baked) but I do remember taking a bite and liking it a lot. But then again, I have never not like a cod dish.


This must be the chef’s special. Prelude to dessert although we mistook as THE dessert for the night. This dessert was clearly non-citrusy and for a while we were puzzled and thought that perhaps the dessert was replaced with another for that night. Nevertheless, we still savored every crispy and creamy bite to it.


Feeling rather stuffed at this point, we were truly surprised when minutes later we were served with another dessert. Only then we remembered that there was a chef’s special for us in addition to the standard menu. So this was actually THE dessert from the menu - Citrus Curd Tart, Lemongrass Ice Milk and Sauce, Mango Salad. Luckily, it was neither too rich nor coyingly sweet, so although stuffed we still managed to make room for this dessert.


Last but not least, more sweet endings - friandises. Various types of chocolate truffles and other goodies

and a cup of good strong coffee.

Another year of waiting till next year’s Gourmet Festival.

MyCoffee Eats: Dinner @ Out of Africa

Out of Africa? I thought I was “in”.

Hehe, bad joke aside, it was quite an experience dining at Out of Africa. Who would have thought a place like this exists in Kelab Syabas? Ambience is kind of rustic yet serene and relaxing at the same time. Menu is rather extensive with some of the most imaginative names I have come across (meat lovers will definitely love this place) and servings are really waistline-challenging.
Pumpkin Soup in mini cauldron and Chicken Liver Pate
My friend and I shared a Chicken Liver Pate and Pumpkin Soup as starters. The latter is served in a mini cauldron with really tasty garlic toasts. Pumpkin soup was definitely good, warm yet tantalizing and perfect for a rainy evening. The liver pate came in a generous chunk with toasts and some sweet chutney. Rich and creamy, I was surprised (and slightly appalled) that we nearly finished the entire block.


Bobotie Set
For main, we ordered something that sounds like Bobotie. Described as a common dish in Africa, it is supposed to be a very mild dry beef curry. The sight of it was not really appealing and unfortunately, so was the taste. It was too dry and the accompanying rice, crackers (papadam), and slices of bananas (yes, very strange indeed) did nothing to elevate the problem. The only thing I liked were the sambal-like condiment and the side salad.


Warm Whisky Sticky Toffee Pudding with Ice-cream
A meal is not finished without dessert so we ordered a Warm Whisky Sticky Toffee Pudding to share. Definitely very sweet but it was still yummy when eaten together with the accompanying ice-cream. In my opinion, one can hardly go wrong with the classic combination of warm & cold dessert. Then again, I would definitely not mind if they were more generous with the whisky though.

For something different and exotic, Out of Africa is definitely worth a try!

Out of Africa Restaurant and Kudu Bar
Inside Kelab Syabas, PJ State
Tel: 03-7955 3432

Still Here...(Strawberry Chocolate Gateau)

There has been a brief lapse in posting but rest assured I am still here. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities, including a trip to Bangkok. Sadly, my baking had taken a backseat as a result. With Christmas coming, I have better brush up my bakings again soon.

Strawberry Chocolate Gateau
I baked this cake sometime back. It's actually a Devil's Food Cake spread with the easiest Chocolate Fudge frosting I have ever made (no cream used, only condensed milk) and decorated with fresh strawberries. The frosting was surprisingly good. Sweet as expected, but not sickening so. I believe using good semi-sweet chocolate chips in the frosting makes a difference!

But I should have waited for the frosting to cool a bit before dipping the strawberries in it. As you can see in the picture, the frosting was too thin to coat the strawberries properly.

**edited to include recipe
Extremely Easy Chocolate Glaze
1 cup good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can condensed milk
1t vanilla essence
1T Nescafe Gold (optional)
Method:
1) Heat condensed milk in saucepan over medium heat until warm state. Add in chocolate chips. Stir constantly to combine until chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Add coffee powder and stir until it dissolves.
2) Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool slightly until desired spreading consistency before glazing over cakes.

I wanted to make something... (Sweet Corn Konyaku Jellies)

It has been a long time since I made anything. And I really wanted to make something. But I was slightly short of time though so I made the simplest of things - sweet corn konyaku jelly. Simple but satisfaction guaranteed! :-)

Based on this recipe.

Weekend of Indulgence: Iketeru, Hilton KL

One more post on my stay at Hilton KL, or to be more specific about my mini kaiseki course at Iketeru Japanese Restaurant.

By this time, I couldn't really recall back each individual dishes that were included in the kaiseki course., but I have pictures! *wink*


1st appetizer. The one in the middle sure looks like some cheese cake, right? It was actually some kind of egg or tofu sponge.


2nd Appetizer


Dumpling in clear broth


A selection of sashimi


Also ordered a portion of Dragon Roll


I can't remember what this was but I really liked this dish. Check out the cute buttony mushrooms.


Grilled fatty salmon. Ultra-delicious with melt-in-your mouth fatty meat.


Another main course. Not bad as well.


Rice dish. Just in case one isn't full by this time.


Finale: Desserts consisting of Goma Ice-cream, Mochi and delicioius rock melon.

Iketeru
Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Weekend of Indulgence @ Hilton KL

Here's a peek into my room. Not a big room but I love the concept. Don't get alarmed with the open-area bath/vanity room. There is a glass sliding door for those who are not inclined to shower in full view of others; unless of course if you are staying alone...


I love the bath! And also the "rain" shower. Pure bliss....

Of course it does help that the room has a big plasma screen as well.

Weekend of Indulgence: Hi-Tea @ Cosmo Lounge, Hilton KL

Haven't done much baking lately. I missed baking but for a long time now, weekends were filled with activities. Just imagine, 12 birthdays over a period of 5-6 weeks not to mention a couple of weddings here and there plus visiting friends from offshore, these were more than enough to take its toll on me. But there had been lots of eating though...hehe.

A few weeks ago, I once again spent a weekend of indulgence at my favourite hotel in KL at the moment - Hilton Kuala Lumpur. This time, was hoping to be upgraded to their Executive Floor but the furthest I got was their Honors Floor..*grin*

Anyhow, the entire afternoon was spent having hi-tea at the Cosmo Lounge. The hi-tea spread was rather small (both in selection and serving - you will see later), but was rather interesting. Everything came in bite-size servings, this was the first time I actually saw only 2 small cuts of "chee cheong fun" served on a sauce plate, and this was later reduced to just one small piece. *LOL* But the small serving worked in a sense that I got a chance to taste almost EVERYTHING at least once. Enough yakking, let's take a look at some of their spread.

Savouries

Asian appetizers. First time I saw chee cheong fun served in such miniscule serving. The grilled unagi was the best. Sadly, only 3 plates were replenished each time. Still it didn't stop me from having countless plates of this.


The prawn in cold mango consomme was yummy!


Savoury pastries.


More western-styled appetizers and various sandwiches. Not bad...Not the tuna nor egg sandwiches though. Fillings were surprisingly measly.


This was another favourite of mine, creamy mushroom in the smallest ever brioche that I came across. Small enough to pop the entire thing into your mouth at one go.

Highlight of every hi-teas - the DESSERTS!

Started with something light...


Freshly prepared crepes with choices of fillings and condiments...Delicious!



At this point, any pretense to hold back was lost. Major pig-out time!


This looks cute, doesn't it?


Another 2 of my favourites, Chocolate Truffle and Lime Creme Brulee. Truly yummilicious!


This looked ugly, I know. They called this Chocolate Fritters. Not very nice though since it was quite cold. Might be nice if served warm or when just fried.
Also included was a chocolate fountain with various condiments - fruits, marshmallows, baked goods. No need to go into details here. After all, one can never go wrong with a chocolate fountain.


What a nice way to spend the afternoon. Surrounded by a relaxing environment with live piano music, lots of yummy goodies and plenty of conversations, it's undoubtedly one of my favourite pastimes for a lazy weekend afternoon. My only gripe was the hi-tea only comes with one miserable round of coffee/tea. Duh, how stingy!

Cosmo Lounge
Hilton Kuala Lumpur