Happy Saturday #2

Happy Saturday #2 was organized by me but half of it was a major fail

1) rain like mad when we were suppose to head to Truffs at Telok Ayer Street
2) no more cakes/tarts at Truffs when we reach
3) it just can't stop raining!!!!

The weather was really a spoiler but we didn't really let it get to us. Brought the girls to Shots instead though I have not been there since they moved.I still remember the super awesome hazelnut latte and the chocolate lava cake which I have been dying to try. Guess what! They no longer serve chocolate lava cake and most of the sweet stuffs are just passable. Just go for the coffee

 

90 Club Street, Singapore 069458.
Opening hours:
Mon-Thu:  9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Fri:            10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat-Sun:    10:00 am - 8:00 pm

After waiting very long for the rain to stop, we decided to move to our next stop : HORT PARK to begin our Southern Ridge walk! And, the rain refuses to stop so we started our walk wearing poncho that got us so wet and sticky, we gave up wearing it. That was when the rain decided to totally stop. Amazing!

 

The three very silly people

There wasn't much people along the way because of the rain so we even get to stop in the middle of the road to take picture. Haha! We ended our walk at Mount Faber because we were going to take the cable car! Not like I am really excited because I have fear for height. And Rina couldn't stop disturbing me throughout the ride. But we could 50% off our tickets so, no complains. Look below to see promotion.

There is 50% off adult tickets for DBS/POSB credit/debit cardholders, NTUC cardholders and SingTel customer. Simply present your NTUC member card, SingTel operator logo on your mobile or pay with DBS/POSB credit/debit card to enjoy the discount. After discount, it will cost $13 for each adult :)) promotion till 31st May 2013. More information: http://www.singaporecablecar.com.sg/promotions/

Do not have much photographs because Yvonne brought hers and I became lazy... Hee..

Recipe - Strawberry Jelly Heart Cheesecake (Part 2)

Seriously finding it really hard to keep on blogging especially now that I am not so free afterall. Funny it is that people see me as a idle person (simply because I am not holding a full-time job) but I find myself working just as much sometimes. But very much happier and ready to take on full-time again!

Anyway, I am back to update about the Strawberry Jelly Heart Cheesecake that I made the second time (this time for my nephew). So sorry it took me forever.

First part of the recipe is here: recipe strawberry heart jelly cheesecake

with the cute candles we got him!

 

I have doubled the portion for the biscuit and cheese layer so it is more beautifully thick now. BUT it is  too cheesy for me because I am not a cheesecake person and from reviews, only the super cheesecake lovers are in approval for this double portion. Also about the jelly...  It sure look more aesthetically pleasing now but we find the jelly powder I got from Phoon Huat compliment the cheesecake more as it is slightly sour and softer. So you might want to look out for Shaky Jelly ($1 per pack) at Phoon Huat instead :)

I think I will stick to the single portion the next time I make and use a slightly smaller tin if there is no special occasion.

Will update more of my baking adventures. April has been a happy baking month because of all the happy occasions that calls for it!

Recipe - Strawberry Heart Jelly Cheesecake

Posted this picture on my facebook on mummy's birthday. Really pleased with my first try result and everyone's feedback was rather good. I don't really eat cheesecake but decided to do this because mummy like strawberry and it seems something healthier - no cream or too much sugar, butter... My nephew like it alot so I'm actually making another one for his birthday and it is in the fridge right now. 

For my first try, I bought strawberry jelly powder at Phoon Huat for $1 and thought is was reasonably priced. But the second try is within such a short span of time, I didn't want to visit Phoon Huat again and decided to hunt down Tortally jelly powder instead. What I bought is red but raspberry jelly powder. Will review it again after we have the cake tml but it only cost my $0.55!!! I also decided to do a double portion because the cake turn out to be a little too flat for the first try. I'm using 8" square tray. Below recipe adapted from Happy Home Baking and Bing Cooks is single portion.

Many recipes online calls for food processor (for biscuit crumbs) and electric mixer but I have neither. I did all the steps manually :) was initially worried about the whisking part but the cream cheese still turns out pretty well. So not to worry if you do not have these electronic appliances. 


Ingredients:
base:110g digestive biscuits(about 8 pieces)
40g melted butter

filling:
250g cream cheese, soften at room temperature
50g icing sugar
1 tablespoon gelatin powder
40ml boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 box Tortally jelly powder
250ml boiling water
250ml cold water

10 strawberries

Method:
1. Place biscuit into a clean ziplock bag and press until fine crumbs. Mix biscuit crumbs & melted butter together and press firmly with the help of a spoon onto the base of cake tin. Chill in fridge while preparing step 2.

2. Dissolve gelatin powder in 40ml of boiling water. Stir well (can take awhile) until all gelatin has dissolved. Set aside to cool.

3. Whisk cream cheese , icing sugar and vanilla essence until smooth & creamy. Blend in gelatin solution and mix well.

4. Remove the cake tin from the fridge and use a fork to prick holes all over the biscuit base.Pour the cheese mixture into the cake tin. Set it aside and prepare the strawberries by using heart-shaped cookie cutter or making a 'V' at the top of the strawberry.

5. Press strawberry gently into cheese mixture. Remember to space them out evenly. Cover the cake tin with cling wrap and place  in the fridge. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.

6. Dissolve the jelly crystal in the cup of boiling water, followed by the cold water. Allow jelly solution to cool for 10 minutes before pouring it gently over the cheese layer. Pour the jelly on the cheese mixture. Refridgerate for another 4 hours before removing from cake tin.

Viola!


Bing Cooks has step by step guide with photographs and it helped me alot for my first try. I'm still finding it alittle impossible to capture every moment. Hope practice really makes perfection.

Crystal Jade Golden Palace

Have been feeling a little over-dosed from all the usual brunch items, I decided it is time for DIM SUM! Dim sum is one of my favourite food but I have not had it for a long long time because.... ... It is impossible to just go to Royal China or Taste Paradise when the crave kicks in. I tried my luck by calling Royal China but was turn away with aloof service staff.

Decided to give Crystal Jade Golden Palace at Paragon a chance. Good thing we were really early because most of the tables are reserved after 12.30pm. Anyway, the service at Crystal Jade Golden Palace is really good. One of the staff noticed that I'm left-handed and helped to shift my chopstick rest to my left - ATTENTIVE! They were also friendly especially to the regular customers, without making us feel uncomfortable.

We were really impressed when we walked into the restaurant because it look really really grand. Can't say that the food is equally impressive. I guess we are paying more for the ambiance and service. Can't be too greedy sometimes.

i LOVE his polka dot shirt!

 

one last photo before we head off to National Museum for Public Garden flea market

Next post on Strawberry Jelly Heart cheesecake, promise!

recipes - Chocolate Chips Cookies (family favourite!)

I baked some Chocolate Chips cookies yesterday and I am so eager to share. Have been using this recipe for the longest time and it is my family favourite! I have to constantly remind myself not to take another piece when stepping into the kitchen. They don't look like the most drool-worthy cookies but is just simply irresistible!

 

Chocolate Chips Cookies

- 125g butter

- 75g icing sugar

- 1 egg yolk with a little vanilla essence

- 120g chocolate chips cookies

Mix A:

- 1/4 teaspoons salt

- 165g plain flour

- 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

 

Bake at 150 degree Celsius

Note: 

1. The original recipe calls for 85g of icing sugar and I have reduced slightly to accommodate my Daddy and Mummy.

2. I have doubled the portion when baking because one portion is just simply NOT ENOUGH!

3. Do not press or stir too long after adding chocolate chips

4. Original recipe states to bake at 170 degree Celsius but I have to adjust to 150 for mine.

This is my first recipe with photographs and it really not easy especially since I am so used to this recipe. I keep forgetting to capture what I did. Am going to try Strawberry Heart Jelly Cheesecake tomorrow!

Homebodies @ Boat Quay

I have just started working as a Assistant Teacher at a Speech&Drama class every Saturday morning and is very thankful for the chance. Was introduced into the job by an ex-parent of mine who is really really really nice. So my weekly morning jog with boyfriend is being replaced with breakfast after my class instead. Not exactly a healthy substitute but we are working on exercising on other days :))

After my first class, I met boyfriend and we went for some simple breakfast near Clark Quay before walking to Boat Quay, in search for one of the newest cafe in town!

Have read about Homebodies on the papers a couple of week back and thought it would be a good time to visit them for some good coffee. It is not too difficult to find as long as you keep an look out for the signboard along the shophouse. We were the only customer the whole time and I secretly enjoyed it alot. It was as if the time stood still for us while we were at the cafe. 

There aren't much choices available. It is either espresso or latte (with various sizes) and hotdogs. Thought the coffee were rather reasonably priced though I wish there could be some sweet stuffs for me to pair with the coffee. There were banana cake, berries muffins and some cookies but nothing that interest me. The magazines in the cafe are also really up-to-date and features some of my favourite read - home&decor and food&travel. Plus point +++

 

 Will definitely drop by again soon since it is fairly near my class :) 

After coffee, we went to Funan because I wanted to get a tripod. Managed to get one at about $25 which is good enough for my compact camera and maybe those simple DSLR as well. There were quite a few tripod available at this price range but we decided to just get the most sleek and pretty one. Superficial like that. Did some trial shots just before waiting for bus back home: