Baking Recipe: White Chocolate and Pomegranate Mousse Tart

I have been really excited and have been holding back a while now. Ah! finally I get to share this recipe with all of you. When Foodbuzz and Frigidaire sent out an e-mail asking for us to share our favourite Spring recipes, I jumped right on it and was praying really hard to be selected. After all, I have always wanted to take part in some fun cooking or baking campaign and this is just perfect.

This is my chance to work with another of my favourite fruit: Pomegranate. I just love those rich tangy ruby gems. Throw a couple in the mouth and it feels like candy pops, popping away. Juicy, sweet and above all delish!!

My main focus for this recipe is to allow the Pomegranate to shine. It sure sounds like Spring and perfect to move into a Summer treat as well. Another main ingredient here is the luscious smooth white chocolate. In my opinion these two will work out as a perfect couple. Slightly sweet and sour....yummm!!

For recipe: Click on image

The tart is filled with fluffy white chocolate mousse with pomegranate curd swirls. I have also decided to make individual white chocolate and pomegranate mousse tart to tantalize my family's the taste buds; where the bright flavours of pomegranate awakens their senses in every bite.

I hope you will enjoy them as much I did making them for you. Caution: These tarts might have you asked for more; so make sure to stash some away. To finish off, the tart is then garnished with some fresh pomegranate for the extra bite and kick and some topped with whipped cream. Bright flavours and light, perfect for any time of day.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Frigidaire. When you check out Suzanne Goin's springtime recipes at www.maketimeforchange.com, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children's U.S. programs. Plus, you'll be entered for a chance to win the new Frigidaire Range with Symmetry^TM Double Ovens – featuring two large ovens (that can each fit up to a 28 pound turkey!), providing the flexibility to cook multiple dishes at the same time at different temperatures, so you can get more on the table at the same time.

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Caramel Pear Cheesecake and Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for buzzing on my post and made it possible for me to be part of Top 9. My Caramel Pear Cheesecake made Top 9 on 10/01/2012 and Peppermint Chocolate Cookies made Top 9 on 14/12/2011. This is a great motivation to kick start the year 2012 to continue to bake more goodies.

Knowing that I am halfway across the world, at one point I thought 'would that even be possible?'. Last year of 2011, has taught me many things, and one of it is to believe in myself and once I have set a goal, nothing is impossible to achieve it.

Also, because of you buzzing and leaving me with sweet comments, I now get to meet a couple more of you.
Plus to those who have clicked on the Twitter, Facebook Fan page and Follow button.. THANKS.
This will certainly keep me going so long I know that you enjoy feasting with your eyes while you are at my blog.

Have a great week everyone!!

Cheers~

Foodbuzz Festival 2011: Last Day (Nov 6th, 2011)

When you're having a great time and with great company around you, somehow time passes by faster. So this will be my last post of the Foodbuzz Festival 2011, but it wouldn't be my last post on San Francisco just yet. I have been planning this trip together with Elisabeth several months back where we will be staying back in San Francisco after the event. Plus I want to show you San Francisco through my own eyes.

If you asked me, I think one week in San Francisco isn't enough, as there was so much more to do in this city. Before I dive in, all good things must come to an end. And with a blink of an eye, Foodbuzz Festival 2011 came to a close where our Farewell Brunch was held at Perry's Place, on Stuart Street.

 

Angela's fork there.. she was trying to steal my fruits..LOL

Trying to make my selection interesting.. :P

Overall, brunch is not great as I didn't find the selection satisfying. The ladies (Emily, Angela, Elisabeth, Dorlene) and I got a great table with a good view of the Bay Bridge. So that pretty much made up the not so great brunch. Also it's the last day to really chat our hearts out since the ladies are all leaving on that same day except for Elisabeth and myself.

After brunch, the ladies and I walked over to The Ferry Building which is just across the road from Perry's Place. When I was at The Ferry Building, I was more like a kid in a candy stall. My first stop was Sur La Table. You definitely can't miss this shop. That's where the ladies and I split up. It was like everybody went looking for their Easter Eggs to fill up their goodie basket.

Can I dare say that it's a cook or baker's haven? I wanted to buy cutleries, food items, more ramekins etc. The sad part is I knew I had to control myself. Trust me, it's not easy at all for me. Since travelling alone, I know I won't be able to lug everything back home [sigh..] However, I did find something that I've always wanted to get my hands on. For me this is important; it's Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract. Without thinking, I checked out with 2 large bottles of the good vanilla extract and a bottle of the vanilla bean paste. For that moment, I feel like I strike a jackpot.. LOL.

Next pit stop I made was Miette. I've heard so much about this place, so obviously I got to try it out. It is this dainty little pastry shop, where their baked goodies are inspired by the patisseries of Paris. Without thinking much, I grabbed myself a pastel pink cake stand, and to celebrate my own pre-birthday in San Francisco, I got myself the Mini Sharffen Berger cake and a classic Eclair. This certainly made my afternoon perfect.

My Pre-Bday Cake..oh! so cute..

Photos of some of fresh produce, and I particularly love the colour of all the butternut squash and pumpkin. All the orange and green, and tiny cherry tomatoes adding a splash of colour.

This was a perfect Sunday. Bright and sunny with some cool wind. Just perfect to stroll around the city. We made our ways back to the hotel, and I was really worried over Elisabeth, since the cold does affect her knees. While Elisabeth rested, I head up to the 36th floor of the Grand Hyatt, to meet up with Emily and Angela. We just couldn't stop chatting and I do miss all of the ladies a lot, even drafting out this post for you.

What do you think of the view? Isn't it spectacular. If you try hard enough to peep to the very left, while that is if you're standing on the 36th floor in the Grand Hyatt, you can see a little of the Golden Gate Bridge, then if you look straight ahead, you can see The Rock or also known as Alcatraz, and Coit Tower. Lastly, if you peep more towards the right, you can see The TransAmerica Building, one of San Francisco's famous landmark, also one of their tallest skycraper in the city.

Having travel quite a fair bit, almost every country or I think every country will have their own Chinatown. The entrance to Chinatown pretty much looks the same world wide. I would say this is more of a tourist to-do thing. Since I'm Chinese, this is one area that I tend to skip. Bonnie @ Bonnie Bella told me that Chinatown in San Francisco is about 2-3 blocks, so there are lots of restaurants and souvenier shops for you to choose from. Do take a stroll and check out what little Chinese antique shops have in store for you if you have time to spare.

I'll leave you now with two grafitti art work that I really like and I think it makes a perfect postcard picture. Do you recall that I mentioned that when travel, one must embrace each country's culture? Well of course, in the books of law, it is considered as vandalism. But in my eyes, whoever drew both of these is truly artsy and I am loving every bit of it. This is San Francisco filled with quirky art works, so go explore, cause I sure did. Till then peeps!!

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Sneaky Vanilla Vanilla Cupcake is #1

THANKS to Visda for breaking the good news to me. Visda, whom I met at the Foodbuzz Festival, Day 1 on 4th Nov, 2011 over the cocktail session, is such a nice lady and it sure feels good to be recognised by someone. What a double joy I tell you.

First, I have arrived San Francisco safely on 4th Nov, 2011, meeting Elisabeth from Food and Thrift Finds at the airport, then heading to the Grand Hyatt to register. What a day.. I will not forget this event. That's for sure.

Also, THANKS to all of you who constantly buzz my goodies and it's been really great that I could still make it to Top 9 in Foodbuzz. Lets keep them coming.. LOL.. I'm greedy..[kidding ;p]

Okay now, I shall leave you and got to head to bed and wake up to another day in San Francisco. See you soon!!

xx

Baking Recipe: Oreo Overload Cheesecake (Non-Baked) & Foodbuzz Festival 2011

Wow, I've been so caught up recently with work that I have not been able to update you all with my goodies. I do have a valid reason really and I hope I have not lost you foodie friends. Recently, I've been handed over with some new tasks and I really got to pull up my socks and clear most of it off since I'll be heading off to San Francisco this coming November.

And for what reason you might ask? Well, I'm so terribly excited as I will be attending the Foodbuzz Food Blogging Festival which is happening next month, or to be exact next week Friday, November 4th, 2011. Woooo hoooooo.. Yep peeps, I'll be flying in. So if any of you are going, lets make a date or mark it down. Make sure to give me a holler down over at my comment area. We really ought to meet, greet and chat.

Now back to this Oreo Overload Cheesecake. I made this cake over the weekend to celebrate my sister in-law's birthday. I knew she and my brother loves oreo so I asked her what cake would she like. She mentioned that she likes cheese cake. Instead of the regular cheesecake, I decided to make her favourite cake combining it with her favourite cookie.

For recipe: Click on image

Why is it Oreo Overload? It's because every single bite you get, you will get to taste the oreo bits. So no fighting there  ;P. Everyone gets equal parts love from Oreo. This cake is super simple to make, very minimal washing up, it's light, melts in the mouth and packed with Oreo flavour. No twisting and dunking here, but maybe just some licking?

Till then, don't forget to buzz me over at my e-mail or comments area if you're attending the Foodbuzz Festival (4th-6th November, 2011). It's getting closer, one more week to go..

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Oreo Hazelnut Butter Cream Chocolate Cake is #2

This is amazing.. one of my very favourite pairing of Oreo and Hazelnut Cream has made it to Foodbuzz's Top 9, Oct 11, 2011. Thanks so much everyone who buzzed my posts and making them possible. Also, to my new followers, YOU ROCK.. my aim is to reach 100 followers by end of year 2011; you have made it possible and so much earlier. Right now, I am aiming higher, so stay tune as I have something planned up my sleeves.

Currently, I know I baked a lot of desserts and not so much of cooking recipes for now. However, whenever possible I will definitely squeeze in some of my favourite meals. Trust me, I don't eat like this every single day. Hahaha.. that just wouldn't do. Maybe once a week treat?

Till then..enjoy the rest of your week.

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Apple and Blueberry Pie with Vanilla Bean Sauce is #8

What a way to end the month of September for me. This month has been a little slow I admit, as work was really crazy since financial year end is around the corner and I believe most of us are working insanely hours to crunch in the numbers. Lol.. having said that, this is a fantastic way for me to end this month.

Another Top 9; this is what I could only dream of. Apple and Blueberry Pie is Sept 29th, 2011 Top 9 in Foodbuzz [woooHooo]. Having selected amongst all of you great food writers, photographers, cooks or shall I call you Chefs.. makes me feel proud to stand together with or next to you. So much to learn still. ;).

THANKS for buzzing!! Happy cooking and baking everyone.. with lots of food love, buzzes and support from me back to you.

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Nutella Banana Bread is #6

Hi everyone!! Thanks for making this possible. Nutella Banana Bread was Foodbuzz's Top 9, September 23, 2011. Yippiee.. A fantastic way to start the weekend.

You have no idea how much they mean to me. I do apologise as I am not able to revert to all responses on my Facebook page, or to all my comments. Please be assured that all of you are always on my mind. Otherwise I wouldn't put in a lot of thought I guess.. to think of something to bake or cook and in hopes that you'll try it out ;).

Because of all of you, that really keeps me going.. So to all of you; I know you put in tons of effort in to your daily meals, from prepping, to cooking or baking and even taking all the fancy photos.. no matter what you are ALL WINNERS in my eyes!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend y'all.

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Pumpkin, Sage and Feta Pasta is #6

Woohooo!! Thanks guys and gals for making this dish of mine possible to be part Foodbuzz Top 9 (Sept 5, 2011). A wonderful Monday to me and perfect to chase the blues away.

Have a great week everyone..

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Amanda's Pink Rainbow Cake is #1

Gosh.. THANK YOU to all my foodie friends who buzzed, and my friends [the quiet supporters] that left me with so many sweet comments whether in my blog or over chat rooms. This is real EPIC. I am so thrilled and really feel like a kid all over again. Being no# 1 for the very first time, is something to me.. however having made Top 9 is already something to me..

Have a great week and hopefully this Pink Rainbow Cake will put heaps of smiles on any little girl to big girls face. I really do believe now, when a door closes another will open. This is a beginning of a wonderful food journey for me.

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Lemon Curd Pavlova Tart is #3

Hooray! My favourite tart, with a twist made it to Top 9 in Foodbuzz, 8th August, 2011. Thanks everyone for buzzing and leaving me with sweet comments. And to my new foodie friends, thanks for becoming my newest follower. Lets all share the love of food, indulgence is a must and moderation is key.

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Kiwi Orange Creamsicle is #9

Yeay!!! Made it to Top 9 once more. This is really the cherry on top of the cake as my blog anniversary gift. Thank you foodie friends for voting, and buzzing.. Then again, I'm still not quite sure how it all works..Oh! well.. it's okay. Perhaps you can try buzzing and so it moves around the queue..LOLs.. Top 9 or not, I still hope that I'm able to constantly come up with more delicious food posts. So please stay tune to check on what I'm up to.

A shout out to Ann: THANKS for alerting me in my blog comment. Otherwise I wouldn't even know :).
Once again the earliest blogger friend who noticed and comment.. AWESOME!!

xx

Food Buzz Top 9: Jo's Veggie-ish Samosas is #6

Hoorahhhh.. [jumping with joy].. it may sound silly but I'm thrilled to received an e-mail from FoodBuzz editioral board informing me that I made it to Top 9: July 18, 2011. Woooo hoooooo..

Honestly, my post wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for you guys and gals of course in FoodBuzz who buzzed my post. I deeply appreciate it. I hope there will be more to come. Happy cooking and baking everyone!!

**It's indeed a memorable day to me and I would like to share it with you.

xx