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

Cooking Recipe: Juicy Oven Baked Fried Chicken Fillet

You know how we tend to feel a little stuffed over the holiday season? That's because there is just so much good food served around the table. If you have been there.. you are not alone ;). I for one, love to throw parties and tend to over feed my friends.. LOL. Not that they are complaining, but I guess they just need to work out harder after the holiday season.

For this year, I decided that it's going to be different. I wanted us to eat slightly lighter yet packed on flavour. Also it was really nice that 2 of my friends [Thanks ladies..] who were free to join my brother, sister in-law and myself for dinner. Dinner was no frills but definitely tasty where I prepared a simple starter, main-course and of course we ended it with dessert. No perfect meal is complete without dessert.The inspiration? Dinner is very much inspired by a movie night meal. My guests definitely could get comfortable and eat with their hands if they liked. Do you see what I meant by 'no frills'?

For recipe: Click on image + zoom

In a nutshell, it's big on flavour and easy to make. Not to mention you can prepare them in advance and just pop them in the oven when it's time to eat. The Juicy Oven Baked Fried Chicken Fillet is really simple to make, and best part you don't need a hot pot of oil to fry them. See how this is suddenly much lighter? Don't frown just yet... I promise you that it is really tasty. To proof my point on big on flavour, the chicken fillet is marinated in buttermilk, smoked paprika, and some cayenne for that extra kick. Then, I added shredded mild and aged cheddar into panko bread crumbs that adds the light crunch in every bite. Then served my juicy tender oven baked fried chicken fillet with my very own light tangy dip and simple feta baby spinach salad on the side. Yummmmm..yummmmm....Till then!!

xx

Baking Recipe: Misletoe Cupcakes (Vanilla Buttercream+ Dark Chocolate Ganache Filled Cupcake)

When it comes to sharing the love and joy, I love turning to classics when I bake. It seems safe, but trust me nobody could resist a good old ultra moist fluffy chocolate cake, filled with ooey gooey dark chocolate ganache filling and frosted with old fashion vanilla butter cream.

I suppose you could say I am one who treasures my past, and present. While baking these cupcakes, the first thing that came to my mind is Audrey Hepburn in her Breakfast at Tiffany's advert. The whole black and white, is just so chic and classy. Since coming across the advert while I was just a mere young lady, I told myself that I would love to grow up to be refined and poise. Not quite sure if that worked out though..LOL.

Anyways, back to my Mistletoe Cupcake. Honestly, I don't know what to call them, and since I have always wanted to decorate with a mistletoe, I thought it would be a great idea to name my cuppies just as it is. For the love birds, you could say that I am creating a moment for you to get your kiss..Forgive me if I sounded lame. Then again, we are just a reserved bunch of people. So no kisses here tonight peeps! Hmmmph..[do I sense some raised eye brows?!?]

By the way, there won't be any recipe card, this time round. For recipe, please click on Chocolate Ganache Cupcake and here for the Old Fashion Vanilla Butter cream [note: do omit the lemon juice]. However, I have a virtual card to all of you readers whom I called you my foodie friend. Thanks for all the support through out the months and I do hope you will be back for more. Till then!!

xx

Cooking Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie-Cheater's Way

Over this holiday season, it's going to be a quiet one in my family. However, that will not dampen my holiday spirits. It's the best time now that I get to cook more and not only show you that I bake, I could actually cook up a storm. And if I say so myself.. the taste is wicked. It's the holidays, so a little self praised is good for the soul.

While my parents are vacationing in Spain and Portugal along together with my god-parents, I am going to record down every single thing I cook or bake, whenever I possibly can that is.

Lately, it has been raining every single day here. I love rain, but it does make things like running errands difficult. The traffic, getting wet and possibly catching a cold is a pain. Not to mention, the weather around the world is getting stranger by the day. It does cool down and sometimes I experience very cool breeze in the evening. That's really odd.. Anyways, since it has been a wet day, I thought the best pick me up to stay warm and fuzzy is my own quick cheat Chicken Pot Pie. No rue/ roux required. Plus I have promised my brother yonks ago that I will cook him my Chicken Pot Pie.

While I am sure all of you will have your own recipe, and so do I. I do usually make a rue/roux, but this time round I switch it up since I am pressed for time. My recipe? ...again cooking without one. I say so long you know the basics, you can spice up this classic dish any how you like. I thought this one "bowl" dish will make a perfect dinner meal.

For recipe: Click on image + zoom

Instead of chicken breast and heavy cream, I have replaced these two ingredients with chicken fillet and full cream milk. I love chicken fillet, as this meat is usually near the thigh area of the chicken, and it's ultra tender. Also, I don't have heavy cream in the pantry, and since Christmas is around the corner with all the goodies coming up; I thought of eating lighter and substituted it with full cream milk. However, you can replace with Low Fat Milk as well. Works out just as good, but a note: Taste will be much lighter and not as rich compared to using a full cream milk.
No matter how you cook Chicken Pot Pie, it will be delish. The key is to use fresh simple ingredients, and use a good buttery store bought puff pastry. After all, to make our own puff pastry requires a lot of skill. I think for this part, lets just let the pro make us their wonderful buttery flaky puff pastry.

Happy Holidays y'all!!

xx

Baking Recipe: Peppermint Chocolate Cookie

Let it snow.. let it snow.. let it snow!! It's a song that I'm sure everybody know off. Since it don't snow in  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I thought let's make a crisp white cookie with white and red snow sprinkles.As usual, what I imagine to be, might not turn out the way I wanted. But this time round, I am absolutely satisfied. So, Caution: Lots of sweet treats coming your way this Christmas. Strap on your seat belt and enjoy the remaining days of December 2011. If not a sweet toother, do read on anyhow ;).

After all my long journals about San Francisco, perhaps I should really keep this post real short and SWEET. Christmas is one of my favourite time of the year. In my mind, I think it's magical apart from the gifts..LOL. This is indeed the best time of the year as we are surrounded with heaps of LOVE, and lots of feel good movies where they constantly remind us to be kind and forgiving. Plus there is always Santa and the Elves. Though these are just made believes, it sure does gives us a little glimpse of hope in life.

While growing up, my mom used to host Christmas parties for family and friends and she would whip up a lot of food, enough to fit a whole long yard and still manage to find time to bake her delicious chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream. She may not remember it now though, but I remembered it loud and clear like it was just yesterday. We would have roast turkey or sometimes chicken, grilled lamb chops, salad, appetizers and the list could just go on and on. One could only imagine how we managed to fit almost 30 plus people in our home. It was a long tiring day affair but a joyous one I must say.

Come to think of it, that is probably how it got me started to host parties as I grew older. I found a lot of joy sharing my cooking and baking with my family and friends too. The best part is hearing them go ''ohhhh... oooOOooo..yuummmmmmmmMMmm".

For recipe: Click on image + Zoom

On a quick note, I think this cookie would have you doing the same too. Plus the cookie is perfect to go with a glass of cold milk and if you are not selfish, leave a cookie or two under your Christmas tree. This cookie has all the Christmas cheer flavour in one tiny little package. A topping of crushed red and white peppermint candy provides the perfect finish for thin white-chocolate covered mint cookies. It's dark, chocolaty and crunchy on the inside, covered with smooth velvety white chocolate and topped with crushed peppermint candy. Let me be honest here too, this recipe is not for non sweet toothers, as I do find this recipe a little on the sweet side. But think of it, just one sweet cookie a year and what could be more of a Christmas cheer without a Peppermint Chocolate Cookie? Also this makes a perfect gift exchange. There's just something about Christmas that makes everyone happy.

Since I am not in the States right now, and certainly would have loved to take part in some cookies or sweet treats exchange, this is a virtual one for all of you foodie friends, and also to a couple of special new friends I have come to grown fond of. Here's a toast to Angela, Bonnie, Elisabeth, Emily, Gina, Nami, and Visda (no favouritism here.. just decided to arrange your names in alphabetical order..)

Till then.. and a let's all Drink and Be Merry to another wonderful year of food blogging!!

xx