Apple walnut cinnamon scrolls

http://www.missinthekitchen.com/2010/12/06/apple-walnut-cinnamon-rolls/

Tried out this recipe tonight zD was awesome! Wonder if it woukd be better if i cooked the apple, cinnamon n sugar together first before spreading it out, may let the apples tenderise and the juices caramelise instead of just dry up in the oven lol still really yummy recipe though xD its a hit as is! Just thinking of ways to improve it xD doesnt mean its got anything wrong with it hahah just means there may be ways to make it better xD

http://www.ohhowcivilized.com/blog/2013/6/20/step-by-step-recipe-matchamisu-matcha-green-tea-tiramisu.html

Made this matcha misu with eba over the weekend xD IT WAS SO TASTYYYYY!! We even got teary as we bit into it LOL!!
the only bit that could be improved was the sponge haha next time may use siovardi biscuits like tiramisu haha texture may improve xD

Tiramisu update

So I made the tiramisu video and gave mum half the tiramisu to take to work. apparently she got rave reviews, and one of the ladies told her daughter to contact me to get the recipe LOL! I gave her the recipe and youtube link so she can do it exactly how i did it (and so she wouldn't have to ask for tips lol) it's funny xD

AHH would be so awesome do make youtube cooking videos and blog about food every day xD I guess doing it as a job would be too much and also too unstable.. but as a hobby, maybe I can do a video every week? HAHA

the most constructive feedback I got from the video exercise is to just incorporate the ingredients list into the video, like talk about the ingredients as I am cooking, rather than list them slowly at the beginning. Also include my face so it's more personal & engaging with the audience. hmmmmm good food for thought :) also my voice over was kinda awkward hahaha

Carrot Cake!

I made carrot cake last night! It was really yummy! I used this recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Carrot-Cake-III/

I reduced the sugar of the cake to 1.5 cups instead of 2 cups, and for the icing sugar I used 3 cups instead of 4... I think next time I will just 2 cups for the frosting, it was still quite sweet lol I also swapped 1.5 cups of vegetable oil for 1.5 cups of melted butter.. may reduce the butter next time hahaha

The middle of the cake fell out when I was trying to tip it onto a wire rack for cooling !! I didn't grease the tray enough hahaha bleh! Still yummy though, made a massive pan! I gave a quarter to richard, a quarter to mandi, a quarter to clement, and still have a quarter at home! (which is a regular take away container hahaha)

All in all, it was a really fun experience XD mum helped me cut the carrots and break up the pecans since I was really slow (I was doing it mindfully and relaxingly!) hahaha

Clement said it was really delicious XD and his mum asked where she can buy one! HAHAHA XDD great recipe! will make again with less sugar in the frosting hahaha ^^

Tiramisu!

So i have to make a video for one of my assignments, i want to make a cooking video, but im a bit scared people will say mean things about it .... =[ "constructive criticism" ... T_T.... really scared actually, i really like cooking and don't want people to say mean things about it haha guess i gotta grow a tougher skin huh?? =]

So this is the assignment criteria:

Video Presentation: Best get started on this one as soon as you can! By 
the start of week 4 you’ll have uploaded a video presentation for viewing and 
constructive criticism online. We don’t care whether you use your camera phone, whether you have an Oscar-winning crew of 100, or whether you simply talk over the 
top of some slides you’ve prepared – the emphasis is on telling a story in 3 minutes, 
and in an effective way. You’re able to talk on absolutely anything you like (keep it 
controversy-free, please! The videos will be moderated for any 
offensive/inappropriate content), the key is to introduce a topic to an audience that 
probably know nothing about it, and impart some key information in a highly concise 
way. You’ll be provided with lots of suggested resources for this, in terms of software 
and presentation style, and will be given a lot of feedback from the rest of the class 
and your tutors. Many of you won’t have done anything like this before, that’s okay, 
you’re being marked on content and approach, not aesthetics or editing or lighting or 
sound (though obviously you have to be able to be heard clearly!), but obviously 
these are important aspects in oral/visual presentation - take the opportunity to have 
fun but also apply some of the ideas and techniques that will be covered in the 
lecture and in other great talks you can find online.

so.... im not even sure if a cooking video is even.. relevant?? "tell a story in 3minutes in an effective way" ... "key is to introduce a topic to an audience that probably know nothing about it, and impart some key information in a highly concise way" "apply some of the ideas and techniques that will be covered in the lecture and in other great talks you can find online" ... so it's mainly a talk.... i guess i will be conveying the message .. on how to make tiramisu (something the audience will probably know nothing about) and will be presenting the info in a highly concise way by explaining what i am doing... applying techniques.. by.. ?? not mumbling and being clear LOL may work actually... hmm

so what i want to say first is...

1. tiramisu - sounds fancy doesn't it? Hurricanes describes it as "A dessert of sponge soaked in coffee, layered with cream and mascarpone, powdered chocolate" and they charge $14.50 for a slice. A SLICE!! 
2. I don't know about you, but I like getting my money's worth. I can show you how to make a whole dish of tiramisu for under $14 so you never have to pay ridiculous prices for this deliciously mouthwatering dessert ever again!
3. What you will need is:
a) 2 cups of strong black coffee ($2.15 sachet of coffee) - optional to add coffee flavoured liqueur into this mixture as well
b) 3 eggs separated, separated ($2.70 a doz - 3/12*$2.70 = 68c for 3 eggs)
c) 1/3 cup caster sugar ($1.82 per 500gm bag, 70gm = 26c )
d) 250gm mascarpone ($5)
e) 300ml thickened cream ($1.50)
f) 1 large packet of sponge fingers ($4.30 for 400gm)

Total cost: $13.89 ~ $13.90

4. Go through this recipe:
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/8677/tiramisu

5. serves 8-10 people depending on how greedy they are, so each slice will cost less than $2! a whole lot better than the $14.50 charged at Hurricanes ey??  (final shot of tiramisu slice, then the gaping hole in the middle of the tiramisu dish. hahaaha

Also, i guess i was scared about people criticising it, but hey, the whole point of the assignment is to get constructive feedback about how i present information, and the assignment is 7.5%. it is no reflection on how well i cook, and no reflection of me as a person, so yeh! if they criticise... then it will be feedback on information presentation, not on my cooking skills or how much people like me or not hahaaha

i'm looking forward to this XD

I want to make this recipe!! but maybe substitute the wafers for something healthier.. hahaha but mmm wafers...
http://backtoherroots.com/2013/04/23/coconut-milk-banana-pudding/

also bought heaps of over-ripe bananas!!! they were 99c/kg!!  and coconut cream is 89c at woolies!! so going to make some banana cake or something xD I also bought greek yogurt, so maybe i'll try panna cotta (with coconut cream + yogurt) then a banana bread (with banana and yogurt) XD

http://msihua.com/2013/03/greek-yoghurt-banana-bread-recipe/ <-healthyyy!!! (ok maybe not the sugar... but raw sugar is better than white...... slightly better LOL i'll replace the butter with coconut oil xD since i have a whole jar of it and no butter at home ^^

http://www.masterchef.com.au/recipes/vanilla-bean-panna-cotta-with-cherry-soup.htm where i will sub milk for coconut cream :D yum yum probably omit the vanilla bean since the taste of coconut is already strong ^^ (update! Yoghurt with plain milk panna cotta tastes weird!)

oh yehh!! nearly halfway through the book Heaven to Wudang!! third book of the second trilogy by Kylie Chan - SHE IS SO AWESOMEEEE!! :DDDD I LOVEE THE BOOKS!! gaaaa dunno how i will hang in there when i finish the book and want to buy the next one...

found this random pic in my phone lol

foodie adventures!!! :D

Haloumi

I went grocery shopping again!!! I brought haloumi!!! Yummy I love pan frying it! Crunchy on the outside yummy and goey in the inside hopefully!! Mwhaha can't wait till I cook it!

Yesterdays lunch

Haha something is wrong with the projector in lecture so decided to do a post. This is my lunch yesterday haha brown rice quinoa spam onion and zuchinni

The other day my friend and I made  Bak kut teh together!  Mmmm Going to make it for my family when I get back haha

Char Siu!!

http://appetiteforchina.com/recipes/cantonese-roast-pork-char-siu/

I found a recipe for Char Siu so I went to woolies and surrounding shops to buy the ingredients XD I have three chunks of pork belly marinating and waiting for me to roast tomorrow!! WOO HOO!! can't wait!! :D

In the meantime, I'm going to try make some profiteroles :)
http://www.kimbaskitchen.com/2010/11/guest-post-profiteroles-with-coffee.html

Mushroom sauce

I want to try this one too!! :D
I love mushroom sauceeee yum yum yum XD

http://wholesome-cook.com/2012/05/09/the-best-creamy-mushroom-sauce-for-steaks/

Foodie adventures by Liz XD

So last night I decided to bake bread!!! XDDD I used Jamie Oliver's recipe for the basic bread. Instead of bread flour, I just used normal plain white flour, so it was more sticky than the pictures because plain flour doesn't have as much gluten as bread flour - so it's not as elastic (or so I've read!) So I had to add another half cup of flour to make it a BIT less sticky - still sticky though.. hahaha I proved the bread 3 times before putting it into the oven, my new mini oven said to make the temp 20 degrees less than normal, so I put it in there fore about 10 minutes extra! turned out really yummy XD

So tonight I'm making steak!! I've marinated the steak in the best steak marinade in existence since this morning LOL really interested to see what it will turn out like!! ^^ I'm also making the best ever potato salad - half portions though! LOL I'm steaming the potatoes, the eggs, adding peas and microwaving the bacon LOL that way I'm not using TOO much water.. to boil everything... hahaha and not using too much oil with the bacon XD oh oh and i bought whole egg mayo (65% fat free) OMG i was so shocked to know that WHOLE EGG MAYO is 80% FAT LOL then again, all mayo is fat - but in 100ml, there is 3000KJ!! LOL!!!!! oh man. thats why i opted for the more expensive 65$ fat free version, at least 100ml is 1000KJ.. hahhaha

going to make ribs and chips with Eba tomorrow ^^ I've been eying Beth's melt in your mouth ribs recipe for some time!! EXCITED XD

oh yeh - study HAHAHAa

YEH! HOT POT! It's so cold these days! So I went to hot pot with the guys, IT COST FRIGGEN $160!! $40 EACH!! (picture on the top) so I was like, dude I can feed my whole family with $40! so I did LOL! on the bottom picture is what I made the next day at home! okay it cost me $45, but still :D SO GOOD! SO WORTH IT! FED THE WHOLE FAMILY! AND HAD FOOD LEFT OVER FOR THE NEXT DAY WEE!

Lamb curry noodles! mindfully eating! It's the best curry I've had!!! The awesome thing about mindful eating, is that everything you eat, every time you eat, it's the best food you ever have, because you're not analysing, you're not comparing, you're not thinking, you're just being in the moment and enjoying the food at that very moment XDD yummm

Oh yeh had cheese toastie today XD ham, cheese and avocado yummm XD

Enjoying food

Ever noticed that food tastes the best when you have nothing else on your mind? It is so much more enjoyable when you are doing nothing but focusing on how wonderful the food is that you're eating? During my stressed out days (past yr and a half) I noticed that food lost it's *ZOMGIT'SSODELICIOUS/EXPLODEWITHHAPPINESS* factor, now I realise that it's because I was never present while eating my food. I was always worrying about this, worrying about that, thinking about this, thinking about that, reading this book, watching that tv show, texting this person, talking to that person, while eating. It's no wonder food hasn't reached it's full glory even though I was eating so much of it all the time haha!

I'm trying something new, especially since I'm tightening my belt to save money for my end of year trip. Whenever I am eating, I am going to fully devote all my attention to eating. To tasting every morsel, to enjoy every bite, every slurp, every crunch. I am going to be mindful while eating and I am going to get my money's worth for every bite of food I consume xD

Today I had this plain steamed fish for lunch, that was it, but I didn't reach for my phone, I didn't read a book, I wasn't thinking of the exams I still have in the next week. I just solely focused eating that fish, on tasting that fish. I enjoyed a whole lot, compared to how much I would have enjoyed it had I been texting on my phone, surfing the internet, stalking facebook. I got so much satisfaction out of eating something as plain as steamed fish, that it made me less peckish for more little snacks during the day =]

Yup, I am going to put this into use and keep enjoying every bit of food I eat, without distractions xD enjoying the little things in life! Food is probably the most expensive thing we spend money on, so why not enjoy it to it's full extent? XD

Mini apple pies!!!

I have always wanted to make apple pies!!! I didnt have a pie dish though, so I used my two cupcake trays instead xD
I used Jamie Oliver's recipe and made a few adjustments:
http://www.jamieshomecookingskills.com.au/recipe.php?title=apple-pie

My adjustments to the recipe:
1) I used two small eggs instead of one large one in the pastry, it turned out super sticky so while i was rolling it out into little circles to line the cupcake tray,
2) I added extra plain flour until the dough was soft and springy to kneed ^^
3) I didnt have a cookie cutter big enough so I used a mug LOL
4) I cut the apple into small rectangular prisms like maccas since apple eigths wont fit into the cupcakes
5) I put it in the oven at 180C for 30-40minutes until the crust was golden/brown and not soft

Some adjustments I will make for next time:
1) Use 1 tablespoon of sugar instead of 3, apples and sultanas already have sugar
2) Add more flour if using two eggs, or just use one large egg
3) roll the pastry thinner to fit more apple bits (and make more pies!!)
4) Use 4 apples instead of 5

Yup xD they were delicious xD I gave them away to family so I didnt have any left overs xD its a good feeling to share ^^

Blueberry bagel with chocolate Philly

Lol I went grocery shopping today 8D so happy haha!

Delish foodies update!!!!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Pie-by-Grandma-Ople/Detail.aspx

I am going to make this next week after I finish my progress report!! I wanted to make it today but i didn't feel like i deserved to be rewarded with a fun baking session - I got a remedial massage with my dad already LOL!! it was so funny, i got so ticklish XD

Anyway!! here are some photos from my lasagna and other food places I've been :) Yeh I have just realised I go out to eat way too much..

This is when panda and I shared a hot dog dewheels while she took me to see Wallace and Gromit at the powerhouse museum XD

Pub near uni, grilled chicken burger xD it was delicious XD

Got dominoes with my dear for dinner after uni XD

The lasagna I made with dear XDD he was having fun putting cheese on the lasagna - first time he ever made a lasagna XD

How it turned out XDD those are turkey sausages btw XD

Went with engo guys to Meat and Wine Co ... expensive man >.> here's the meat (kangaroo yummm~!!!) didn't get the wagyu - fat HAAHAH

and here's the wine hahaha we got the cheapest one xD

Samstar came back from singapore for the week so we went to a coffee shop and pigged out with panda! XDD omg so delicious XD

Dear's bday at his place, we went to kbbq and had a green tea bday cake :)

Arthur's pizza !! we had garlic pizza..

And supreme pizza and another one... i couldnt finish it so we packed it up, then when we were going home there was a homeless person so i gave the left overs to him. I was kinda cautious cos i was like.. what if they blow up at me/its an insult to them etc.... but then he was just really eager to get some food so i guess that opened my eyes haha i'll give them my left overs from now on.. maybe bake them some stuff ?? iuno haha

BAKERY NEAR UNI!! XD

had tiramisu, carrot cake, KURTOSHHHH!!! (the swirly thing XD so crunchy yummmm xDD) and mocha XD

Went to victoria's basement yesterday! it was fun to look at cooking ware!! look how cute those are!! i want to make waffles and the animal pikelets!! XD

Samstar's farewell, going back to singapore today.. last night we had thai XD I LOVE PENANG CURRY OMGGG we had left over sauce so we threw in extra rice and soaked it all up for seconds XD

NOT TO MENTION THEIR FAMOUS FRIED ICE CREAM!!!!! XDDDDD OMGGG I WANT TO GO BACK ITS SO GOOD HAHAHAHA XD

Alrighty, my dinner is ready - mum made fried rice tonight XDD its been ages since she's made fried rice!!! ^____^ and the latest episodes of How I Met Your Mother have been downloaded - YAY XD

Have a good day Foodies =]

Black forest cake

My friend made a cake for my other friend ans it was soooo good we should try it Liz! IT WAS SOOO GOOOD!!!! SOOO AWESOME!!! I COULD SAY IT'S THE BEST BLACKFOREST CAKE I'VE EVER HAD! 

It had a dark chocolate cake and milk chocolate frosting and blackcurrant jelly layers!!!!! Omg sooo good!!!!!

Haha we could make it too all she did was buy chocolate cake mix ans airopland jelly and made her own frosting!!! Such good cake!!!

Curry part 2

So I said I would make curry and I made veggie curry 8D! Noticed I can't eat too much beef made me pop up painful pimples.... Going go lay off beef..... Yeah I made so much curry it lasted me 2 days living on it haha I added some instant noodles to if the last time solo yummy

Bacon my love!!!!

Lol winter makes me fat and lazy it's been so cold some morning and I was really craving bacon and egg muffins so I made some hehe!  So bad but so good well I tried to be healthy the bacon is 97% fat free! =) brought it from aldi =) it made my day!

recipes to try!

http://www.food.com/recipe/absolute-best-ever-lasagna-28768

omg I havent had lasagna is ages!!!!!! I want to make it tomorrow!! so many good reviews XDD

http://www.food.com/recipe/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-39087

that creamy cajun chicken pasta also has lots of great reviews.. xDD

OMG I WANT TO MAKE THIS CAKE FOR RICHARD ON HIS BIRTHDAY HAHAHAHAHA
http://www.food.com/recipe/better-than-sex-cake-iii-3595

Curry!!

I'm going to have curry to night! Curry tonight curry to night curry for a cold winter to night tonight 8D

I hit jackpot! 8D

ZOMG! I'm so happy =) I found an awesome healthy one pot recipe! LOL ! I can be lazy and health at the same time! 8D awesome! I'm going to try all these recipes! mwhahahahah heres there link lol !

Healthy one pot recipes! 8D YUmmy!

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's day!!!

I made dinner for my family tonight! ^^

I made pumpkin soup which tasted a bit bland, and lamb filo :D which tasted yummy :D I don't know why the filo pastry didn't turn out brownie.. shrugs. I've got left over filo pastry which I am planning to make dessert with (after my assignment is due!!)

Take a look at these easy babies!

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/28382/banana+filo+tarts+with+honey+caramel+sauce


http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Banana-split-baklava-339079?columns=Infinity&position=13/22


http://www.kidspot.com.au/best-recipes/dessert+6/filo-cups-with-cinnamon-rhubarb-recipe+1347.htm

Chocolate fondant!

LOL! I want  to make chocolate fondants 8D! awwwwwww yummmmmm!!!!  Crunchy cakey outside and molten chocolate in the middle awesome! 8D
Cheats' Chocolate fondant!