Summer Berry Pavlova + Rose & Raspberry Syrup and NEW VANILLE MAGAZINE is out!

Announcing the third issue of Vanille Magazine! The Spanish version is out and is filled with all lovely Spring and Summer dessert recipes. There's also a section dedicated to cold treats. As we all know, what can be more perfect to cool off a sweaty hot sunny day with a scoop of ice-cream of sorbet? That's not all. This issue also focuses on on of our all time favourite special ingredient. The Vanilla Bean. So, be sure to hop on over to check it out or try out the recipes or like what I always find joy in doing; feasting with the eyes. To celebrate this issue I baked A SUMMER BERRY PAVLOVA served with ROSE & RASPBERRY SYRUP.

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Torte Tart, from Vanille Magazine

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!!

Love Is In The Air..da..dee..da.. (humming the melody by John Paul Young) while preparing these CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TRUFFLE TORTE TARTELETTE. Isn't that a mouthful? A combination of a creamy dark chocolate truffle, raspberry preserved, served in a mini tart shell (store-bought or self-baked) and topped with tangy sugar coated red-currents. Dark and tangy? This combination works and blew my mind away. Also I couldn't decide whether it should be a torte or tart, so it is now both..a torte and a tart.

Next, I'm excited to announce that the Issue 2: Vanille Magazine will showcase a couple new collaborators and the theme this time is all about L♥VE. Bring on the berries and chocolate. Who could resist them? There will be fantastic savoury and sweet treats recipes to impress your love ones.

Lingonberry Cream Cheese Brownie & TGIF

oOOos.. aaahHHhs..mMMMmmmmm..is ringing in my ears. Ultra dark, rich, moist, fudgey and satisfaction guarantee is my kind of comfort when sinking a bite into these LIGONBERRY CREAM CHEESE BROWNIE. Slightly mysterious looking aren't they, tantalizing the eyes, calling your name [Yes, you!] tempting and bewitching your mind to grab a slice. It might make you want to run off, locking yourself in the room, enjoying every single moment alone with them. Oh! don't let me stop you there, the star of the show is the light lingonberry marbled cream cheese making this rich fudgey brownie simply irresistible.

Raspberry Lemonade Yogurt Pops and Guest Post

Summer is here. Though it's summer all year round here in KL, this is dedicated to my friends abroad on the other side of the globe. For my friends down under, there will be another recipe coming up for you too. Instead of my usual sinful treats, I decided to take a lighter approach for today's post. What can be a perfect summer treat to quench a thirst on a hot day? In my books, it definitely has to have some form of citrus involved, and must be icy-cold. Today's post is pretty special as I have never done this before. It my very first time guest posting for another sweet blogger, who I had the chance to get to know a little more. Hoorah!!! Who is this sweet gal? Oops, I have just let one clue out of the hat. Okay.. I don't think I can hold it in any longer. To welcome her, may I have some "drum rolls" please? I am pleased to introduce you to Jes from Pencil Kitchen. Do pop over her blog and give her a holler too. Oh! You might get to know me a little more too. For a moment I thought I am the Asian Donna Hay, being interviewed by Jes. That's me living in my own dreamland ;).

Baking Recipe: Raspberry Ricotta Tart & THANKS!!!

Raspberry has always been one of my favourite berry. These tiny, tangy ruby gems are a perfect size to pop into the mouth; if you crave for a snack. Plus they somehow make all desserts look so much prettier and appetizing..Don't you think?

Over this Holiday Season, I stocked up on buttery puff pastry and heaps of berries. It's been a while since I worked with puff pastry, and I won't deny further. I love it to bits. The buttery taste and how it's flaky when taking a bite into it makes me wants more every single time. If only I had the skills to make them from scratch I would. Then again, on second thoughts, I shall leave it to the 'pro pastry chef'.

My Raspberry Ricotta Tart is simple to make and fuss free. It's ultra light and fluffy too. If not mistaken, it will only require you to spare 30 minutes of your time.

I have a message to all of you foodie friends [scroll down a little further for recipe]. This year has been an exciting and wonderful year. My best friend highlighted to me that 'I am now living my life', and I couldn't agree more. I had goals set out for my year 2011 to achieve. I realised and feel that I have accomplished quite a lot. Not something that I would take for granted. Travelling down to San Francisco to attend the Foodbuzz Festival on my own[ who would have thought that I would be gutsy?!?], finally meeting Chef Tyler Florence and meeting new foodie friends. It's truly an amazing adventure.

My blog started without a single direction, and slowly evolved along the way. Though I try to post as much recipe I could, I do know that there were times that I just didn't post anything either. Yet, you have all came back and left me with such sweet comments. I cannot THANK YOU enough for all your kind words and support. Hopefully, year 2012 will bring us more exciting stories and journey to fulfill our lives. Do stay tune..There's just one more post of San Francisco that I am eager to share with you. If you did enjoy reading my travel journal, thanks for inviting me to your home and glad that you did.

For recipe: Click on image + zoom

To digress, back to this lovely Raspberry Ricotta Tart. If you are pressed for time, or don't feel like much washing up, and also like to watch your waist.. do try this tart out. If my brother and sister in-law enjoyed it [they can be fussy..]I guess your guests would too.

Plus, I have join the Virtual New Year 2012 blog hop. Make sure to pop over to Lora from Cake Duchess and check it out. I am sure it's going to be a lot of fun, even though we are all from different time zone.

xx

Baking Recipe: {Think Pink} Cupid Cupcake

Recipe

I know I'm a little late.. but the saying goes "better late than never" right? October is Breast Awareness month. So in conjunction to that, I thought of making something in pink. What did I come up with this time? My cupcake is called Cupid Cupcake. Don't ask me why, but I thought it's cute and suits the whole pink theme I suppose. Lol..

Before I proceed on, I would like to take a minute here to stress the utmost importance to all ladies of all ages out there to make sure to get yourself checked or at least please do a Self Breast Examination (SBE)check. Early detection could do wonders and safe our lives. Also to those who have lost their love ones who lost their battle to breast cancer, do stay strong and send on the healthy message reminding one another on how important we are; whether a mother, wife, daughter, girl friend or friend.

Now, back to cupcake business..

Cookout

I really do miss cooking for my friends or them cooking and having a party or cookout sessions. Don’t any of you ladies miss it? Sadly, I made a couple of mistakes. It would be not taking enough photos of our creations. Perhaps a mess in the kitchen, but the food was delicious.

Warm grill tender meat, the smell of melted mozzarella & aged cheddar/cheddar over the luscious creamy mashed potato; the tangy Tom Yam fried meehoon, mild sweetness of the crepe and wrapped in it was chicken cubes or the classic fried wanton. Not forgetting our signature Sangria and to end the night with sweet desserts.. A favourite amongst all was the Panna Cotta and Lemon Tart.

The meal below, was a spontaneous cookout by Ms. Stephie, whom created a mess in my kitchen and had trouble frying the wantons. Lets just say it took 2 hours before we all could sit down and eat. Lol.. It was sure funny seeing her cook. But the end result was a D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S meal.

Dessert was made by myself of course. ;)

Raw Wanton

Tom Yam Fried Meehoon

Fried Wanton

Crepe Chicken

Vanilla Panna Cotta with Raspberry Jelly

I could only go on and on on what we all made and shared over the years. If you ladies manage to capture the shots, do pass it over to me, so I can compile them together; provided you guys are reading my blog. >.<
Here’s a gentle reminder of the times spent together and hopefully more cookouts to come over the years. Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy good food, catch up and let go of one another’s busy schedule once a while?

xx