My Xmas 2014 & New Year 2015

Hi everyone!
OMG, I finally blog again! :)

As some of you know, my mum lost her battle with cancer and passed away after some complications in early November - without regaining her consciousness after spending a week in ICU
She has been fighting for 5 years, we always wished for the best but we have to surrender to God's will
I, my sister and brother were devastated. We're always very close to each other and constantly in touch. She's just 67 years and we still have so many plans ahead
I felt like my whole world came crushing down, I felt like doing nothing but crying and mourning for her passing. Last Christmas, was one tough time to go through, as we're usually together celebrating
This is really the darkest time in my entire life. Something that I usually only watched in the movie happened to me, it took a while for me to accept it

I am thankful to have my big family member so close together, strengthening each other. I also appreciate and feel so thankful for many support I got from many of you - you know who you are :) Emails, messages, sms-es, calls, and even your presence. Thank you!

I am glad now I can write about this and share with you all without making my face soaking wet in tears, even though my eyes is now still full of tears. Just like the saying, only time can heal - which I started to find the truth in it
I believe my mum is now in heaven, happy and pain free. And I know she wouldn't want me to let myself drown in sorrow for long

I have been have actually started cooking and doing some baking too since the last couple of days in the month of December to welcome New Year, but I still don't find the mood to blog. I tried but each time my fingers and mind just froze
Until today, I really kicked my butt and told myself to better start now. It's New Year after all :)

Okay, just to share the food I enjoyed on Xmas day in my sis' place. Her DH was the chef of the day and I brought tiramisu and chocolate pudding for dessert
I made a mistake on making the tiramisu this time. I froze the mascarpone cheese, it ended up giving me grainy cream in the dessert eeewww... But aside from that, the taste is as great. Luckily my sis and her DH didn't find it disturbing while I grumbled in every bite I took LOL

Here is the yummy spread... Shrimp & smoked salmon bruschetta, meatballs, stir fry chicken with cashew nuts and pineapple, homemade egg and tomato noodles and blanched greens. Fresh watermelon juice and other tetra pack juices for the drink. Of course we have beers and coffee (not in the picture) LOL

The picture below is the more complete version, see the chicken bitterballen (bottom centre).. yum yum..

Chocolate, authentic Dutch meringue, candy canes and Port :)

 

 

We were so stuffed that day we couldn't finish it and I brought back some home :P

Thanks to the chef for feeding us well :)

 

We had some gift exchange too that day :)

 

 

Such a great time we had :)

 

 

Coming to New Year, this was what I cooked on the eve at home..

 

 

 

Super easy roasted chicken I ever made on Xmas two years ago.

You may view HERE for the recipe

This time I was really happy with the result, how it looked like. Believe me, do not skip the pan searing part. I skipped that last time, and it didn't look pretty :)

My family liked it so much it's only left bones in no time. My kids enjoyed eating the crisp and tasty skin we were left with naked bird after they tore the skin apart and munch them LOL

 

 

Another thing I made was this...

 

 

 

Somehow I felt quite guilty for not baking anything for Xmas, so I baked this simple yet yummy swiss roll and covered them in chocolate buttercream to resemble log cake. Just a simple one, but it's really loved by the whole family :)

 

 

Below is the picture taken the next morning...

 

 

This delicious cake used recipe from Anncoo Journal

 

Here's the recipe...

 

What you need:

 

70g cake flour

20g sugar

4 egg yolks

30g oil (I used rice bran)

30g fresh milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 egg whites

50g caster sugar

 

Method:

1. Prepare baking tray (I used 10"x 12"), line and grease. Preheat oven to 170degC
2. In a bowl, mix egg yolks, vanilla extract, sugar, oil, milk and mix well with hand whisk
3. Add in sifted flour, mix again
4. Beat egg whites til foamy, add sugar gradually and mix til smooth peak form
5. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into egg yolk mixture and fold in the remaining egg whites
6. Pour on the tray and level the surface, gently knock on the tray and bake for 15mins
7. Turn cooled cake on a plastic sheet. Peel of baking sheet and invert so skin facing up. Trim one end 45deg and the other end too
8. Spread filling (I used Nutella) and roll (place a tea towel underneath to prevent plastic sheet slip)
9. Wrap with cling wrap and chill for one hour

 

I used recipe from Brown Eyed Baker for the chocolate buttercream:

 

What you need:

 

227g unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup icing sugar (original recipe 2 1/2 cup which I find is way too sweet to my liking)

1 tsp vanilla extract

120g semi sweet chocolate chips / chopped dark chocolate

 

Method:

1. Beat butter with mixer on medium high speed for about 5mins, scrape the bowl once or twice
2. Lower the speed to low and add in icing sugar, mix well
3. Increase speed to medium high and add in vanilla extract, mix well
4. Add in melted chocolate and beat about 2mins til light and fluffy

The buttercream tastes nice but I don't really find the colour dark enough and texture was a little too runny (I guess it's because I reduced lots of the icing sugar) but it's still manageable

Perhaps I should have added some cocoa powder for the colour and texture, let me try next time :)

 

 

After taking photo of the swiss roll the next morning, it's gone during breakfast time LOL

 

So, that's what I had during the festive season last December

My first Xmas and New Year without my mum around, but I'm sure she's watching over us celebrating from up there with a big smile...

 

Happy New Year - Another Feast, A Boozy Night

After the big spread we had on Xmas Day, we indulged another round for New year :)

Pumpkin bacon macaroni cheese
Incredibly tasty, cheesy and creamy, yum!

 

 

Recipe is from Brown Eyed Baker

 

What you need:

 

12 slices thick-cut peppered bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces (I used 10 slices back bacon)

½ butternut squash, finely diced (I used 1/4 japanese pumpkin)

½ yellow onion, finely diced

salt and pepper, to taste

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded, divided

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

16 ounces cavatappi pasta (I used 400g elbow)

1 cup plain breadcrumbs (I used panko breadcrumbs)

 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200degC
2. Butter casserole dish of your choice
3. Heat a large pot of water over high heat for the pasta, cover
4. In a pan, fry bacon with a little oil til crisp. Remove from heat to a towel lined plate to drain
5. Set aside 2 tbsps of bacon grease in the pan
6. Adjust heat to medium low, add in pumpkin and onion to the bacon grease
7. Cook, stir occasionally til pumpkin and onion are browned and soft
8. With a wooden spoon, mash up the mixture. It doesn't have to be completely smooth, leave some chunks in for texture
9. Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the box instruction - cook al dente
10. When cooked, drain it in a colander
11. For the sauce: In a large pan, melt 4 tbsps of the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute, until the flour start to brown a bit and smells nutty, whisk constantly. Slowly, add in the milk. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer, stir occasionally
12. Stir in both cheeses, adding a handful at a time and stir til completely melt each time - it's about 1 1/2 cup each in all
13. Season with salt and pepper, off heat
14. Add the cooked pasta, bacon and pumpkin mixture to the sauce. Stir til it's completely combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish
15. Melt the remaining 4 tbsps of butter and mix with the breadcrumbs
16. Sprinkle the macaroni cheese with the remaining 1/2 cup gruyere and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs mixture on top of the cheese
17. Bake until browned and bubbly, about 20 minutes

 

 A hearty red meatballs carrot soup prepared by my mum

This is cooked by many Indonesians, a dish easily found in wedding dinners and Chinese food restaurants in the country

 

 

 

 

Recipe is from my mum

 

What you need:

 

1 chicken bone

a pot of water

200g minced chicken

half a can of luncheon meat, diced and put into food processor til smooth

1 tbsp fried onion, finely crushed

4 large tomatoes, cut into chunks

1 onion, diced

4 carrots, diced

5 frozen chicken sausages, sliced

a little butter, salt, pepper, sugar, nutmeg, tomato ketchup

corn flour diluted in water (2:1)

 

Method:

1. Bring a pot of water with chicken bone to a boil, discard the residue
2. In a small pot, bring to a boil tomatoes with a little of the chicken stock til tomatoes turn really soft. Transfer to another pot with a strainer and add into the chicken stock, let it simmer
3. In a pan, heat butter and sautee onion til soft, transfer to the chicken stock
4. In a large bowl, combine chicken, luncheon meat, a little salt and pepper, fried onion
5. Shape into balls (my mum prefers to shape into oval shape) and put into the chicken stock
6. The balls are cooked when they float
7. Add in carrots, stir well
8. When the carrots are half cooked, add in sausages, stir well
9. Add in seasonings to the soup - salt, pepper, nutmeg, tomato ketchup, sugar
10. Adjust the taste, bring to a boil
11. Add in diluted corn flour and stir til the desired thickness achieved
12. Bring to a boil one more time and turn off heat

 

Now is dessert time! What better dessert can be made so boozy other than tiramisu LOL

A super boozy kind we made this time, it's extremely yummy and addictive. The only thing forced us to stop eating this was when we felt our cheeks getting warmer LOL

A big NO for those kids keen to try :)

 

 

 

 

Recipe is from Annielicious

 

What you need:

 

8 tsp instant coffee powder (I used Nescafe Gold)

8 tsp caster sugar

10 tbsp kahlua

500g mascarpone cheese

200 ml chilled whipping cream

2 large eggs

2 packs of sponge fingers (Annie has emphasized in the importance of using a good quality sponge fingers but I was too lazy to find the brand she used, I just grabbed any brand I could find in supermarket hehe... I will find the particular brand Annie mentioned, Cantreau brand Savoiardi - to experience the difference)

cocoa powder (to sieve on top before serving)

 

Method:

1. In a bowl can fit the length of sponge finger, mix instant coffee powder and caster sugar in a bowl. Add 8 tbsps kahlua into the coffee mixture. Stir til all completely melted. Set aside
2. Beat cold whipping cream til stiff. Once done, put the cream back to the fridge
3. Separate egg whites and yolks. Beat egg yolk til pale
4. In another clean and dry bowl, beat egg whites til stiff peak
5. Add mascarpone into a mixing bowl and add in egg yolk, mix well
6. Add in whipping cream, egg whites and 2 tbsps kahlua into the mascarpone mixture. Mix til everything incorporated. Put the whole bowl back to the fridge
7. Prepare a removable base cake tin, line the sides with baking paper. No need to line the base. Using mousse cake ring is the best way to make great looking tiramisu. But if appearance doesn't matter, you may use any kind of dish with approximately 5 cm height at the sides. I used 22 square pan, perfect for me

 

To assembly:

 

1st layer:

Dip sponge fingers (sugary sides  down) into the coffee mixture, dip half part of the sponge fingers. The next time I make this again, I'll dip the whole thing to get the maximum moistness of the whole tiramisu. Dipping half part gave me still dry parts of the sponge fingers here and there which I don't prefer

Cut sponge fingers to fit the pan if neccessary (I didn't need to do that)

 

2nd layer:

Spread half the cream mixture on top of the sponge fingers. Sift some cocoa powder (I didn't add cocoa powder for this 2nd layer - which I regretted. I'll add for the next try )

 

3rd layer:

Repeat the step for 1st layer. Dip the sponge fingers into the coffee mixture (this time sugary sides up) and put another layer of the sponge fingers on top of the cream

 

4th layer:

Cover with the remaining cream on top

 

Keep the tiramisu covered in clingwrap overnight

Sift cocoa powder just before serving

If mousse ring or removable pan is used, use a sharp knife to run around the base of the cake, carefully transfer the cake to a plate or serving dish

You may cut the sponge fingers into half and arrange them all around the side of the cake and tie with ribbon for a pretty finishing touch

 

Why my version was real boozy?

After left overnight in the fridge, I tried my first bite and found that some of the sponge fingers were quite dry, so I literally poured the remaining coffee mixture added with some kahlua at one side of the cake, tilting the pan so the liquid run through all over the bottom part of the cake, let the sponge fingers absorbed all of it

It's an idea based on logic to wet the dry spinge fingers. It worked,  but boy, what a strong kahlua based dessert we had! LOL

 

We still had a few dry parts at the centre of the cake from the sponge fingers at the 3rd layer, though but we enjoyed it to the max

it's super yummy!

 

The making process - especially to make the cream was a little troublesome, since I only have one stand mixer, so a few times of washing required

But believe me, it's really really worth it! :)

Tiramisu lover, this is a must try!

 

Besides dessert, as if it's not boozy enough, my sis made one of any girl's favorite drink, frozen margaritha

 

 

 

 

And DH bought this, first time we tried and fell in love with it at the very first sip! Nice, light, so fruity, refreshing!

 

 

 

 

Oh and DH managed to find a bottle of Erdinger beer in the fridge, out favorite beer besides Paulaner :)

 

To go along with the drinks, my sis also stocked up on many savoury munches - chips, nuts, cheese balls. Perfect!

 

 

So, do you think it's a feast? LOL

It was to our family. We are still stuffed everytime thinking of what we had for the just over Xmas and New Year :)

Well, we definitely had so much fun, that what's matter the most :)

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

Xmas & New Year's Eve 2011

Hi everybody! I hope it's still not too late to wish you a Happy New Year! :)

This is my first post of the year 2012, finally I can sit down and have ample of time in front of computer

Phew...just done with the first week of Abby's primary school
As much as her, the whole thing has drained me out too wew...
The jump from 3.5 hours in kindergarten to 6.5 hours in primary school does give her a big pinch
Poor girl, it's a struggle for her to open her eyes every single morning :)
Was quite anxious initially, but I guess she's been fine so far, still adjustment period, but she's fine
So proud of her :)

                                           Her first day... ready to go! Look at her sleepy face :)

Her second day, in PE attire, just reached school, also still sleepy :)

As for Ian, he's in K1 now, still in the same school, so there's not much of a problem
The only thing is now there's homework for him every Friday, hope I can make him sit still and do his homework LOL

Well, I hope everybody had fun during the festive season
I did...and going to share what's our festive meal on Xmas...
Kitchen was real busy on that day :)

My sis baked Noel Nutballs I posted before...
I made Milo Agar Agar I ever posted before too.. Also White Xmas Log Cake posted recently

My mum cooked Steamed Rolled Meat With Sauce, accompanied by Mini Croquette, Blanched Veggies and Pickled Cucumber, yum yum yum!
In Indonesia, we call this Galantine, I'm pretty sure it's originally from Dutch

Recipe is from my mum

What you need:

For the rolled meat:

300g minced chicken (or can be mixed with minced pork)
1/2 can of luncheon meat
200g fine breadcrumbs
250ml fresh milk
7 eggs
salt, pepper, nutmeg, sugar, approx. 5 tbsp (heaped) blended fried onion

1. Mix all of the above ingredients, shape into a roll on lightly greased aluminium foil, wrap tightly
2. Steam on high heat for 30minutes

Note:
Batter has to be soft enough so the steamed rolled meat will not be hard
If you think the batter is still not soft, you may add more milk or breadcrumbs

For the croquette:

5 medium potatoes (I used Indonesian Brastagi potatoes), steamed, peeled and mashed
salt, pepper, nutmeg, sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp butter, 1 tbsp sago flour*
*sago flour used when the mashed potatoes is too soft, otherwise you may omit that

For the coating:
enough fine breadcrumbs
enough egg whites, lightly beaten and mix with a little water

1. Mix all the ingredients for croquette
2. Shape as desired (mine was oval shape as shown in the pic above, some like it round)
3. Roll each croqutte on the breadcrumbs til evenly coated
4. Dip the coated croquette into eggwhites mixture
5. Roll one more time on the breadcrumbs as final coating
6. Fry the croquette til golden brown on medium fire

Note:
Make sure the oil really hot before start frying the croquette, otherwise they're really easy to burst
Frying process should be fast

For the sauce:

a pot of chicken stock (I just boiled chicken bone with a pot of water, discard the residue and simmer for 30minutes)
half of large onion, chopped
butter to sautee the onion
dark sweet soya sauce (kecap manis)
worchestershire sauce
tomato ketchup
salt, sugar
cornstarch mixed with a little water as thickener

1. Sautee onion with butter til fragrant and soft
2. Pour onion into the chicken pot, add kecap manis, worchestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, sugar
3. Stir well and adjust taste
4. While stirring continuously, pour in the cornstarch mixture til getting the desired consistency

For the veggies, they were french beans and carrots, cut and blanched, seasoned with salt and pepper
For the pickled cucumber, just peel and cut cucumber, seasoned with white vinegar and sugar, stir well and keep it chilled for a few hours before consumed (mine was kept in the fridge overnight)

Oh, another cake my sis baked, with my help, is Victoria Chocolate Pudding Cake which I ever made before
I did take a snap with my Blackberry phone

On that day, it's really a feast! We were really stuffed!
And to end the day, there were still bottles of Corona and Ben & Jerry's ice cream! LOL

Okay, for New Year, we didn't really cook or bake
In fact, it's just one dish I baked, it's Indonesian style baked macaroni
Indonesians call this dish Macaroni Schotel, derived from Dutch influence we have
It's actually slightly different from the common baked macaroni
Macaroni schotel has more dense and firm texture, it can be cut into slices

Recipe is from a very old Indonesian magazine, Femina

What you need:

225g macaroni, prepare as directed

1/4 can luncheon meat, diced

200g breakfast ham, cut square

150g boiled chicken breast, diced

5 eggs, beaten

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

1 medium onion, chopped

6 tbsp breadcrumbs

30g plain flour

500ml fresh milk

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp dijon mustard

enough butter to sautee garlic & onion

enough grated cheddar cheese to sprinkle on top

1. Heat up butter and sautee garlic and onion til soft and fragrant
2. Add in plain flour and breadcrumbs, mix well. Add in milk gradually while stirring continuously til smooth
3. Season with pepper, nutmeg and mustard. Mix well. Add in ham, luncheon meat, and chicken as well as eggs, bring to boil
4. Add in boiled macaroni, mix well. Adjust the taste
5. Pour onto greased baking dish, sprinkle the top with grated cheese
6. Bake in preheated oven of 180degC for approximately 35minutes til golden brown

Nice dish long time forgotten *slurp*

A great choice to welcome the new year :)

Xmas and New Year's Eve 2010

Just wanna share what we had in the eve of Xmas day...

Specially made by my mum - Chicken Shepherd Pie (recipe posted soon - will put up in separate posting for easier search)

I made Ham & Cheese Baked Rice - adapted from Precious Moments, yummy and loved by the whole family - will put up recipe in separate posting for easier search :)

My sis bought Tatsumoto ham and cheese sausages, we baked with a little oilve oil - eaten with wholegrain mustard

No time to make dessert, my sis bought ice cream - Ben & Jerry, always admire their creativity in flavor combination

New Year's Eve countdown menu:

Domino Pizza's home delivery - Hawaiian Pizza with NY crust

And Pepperoni Pizza with NY crust

Adults only:
One of the best beer - Erdinger with its prefect partner :P

Nothing fancy but we had a great time! :)