I am back!

I spent a good 6 days of rest and relax in Movenpick Karon Phuket with some good friends and their families.

Though I have been to Phuket many times but this is the first time we stay in Karon. We love this part of the beach as it is very family oriented and not so congested and we will definitely go back again.

The hotel food was good and the facilities were awesome. The kids spent many hours in the pool playing ball and swimming. We hired a driver that takes us to some nice place for our meals as well as activities like go karting, ATV and BB gun. We also spent a day in Coral island doing kayaking and para-sailing for the older kids.

I didn't expect the kids to gel so well together. They had such a great time as well and we, as parents were extremely pleased with them.

Time passes by so quickly and though been home for already 6 days, my list of to do doesn't seem to end.

This blogger’s party came at a perfect timing for me as I really needed some "me" time after working so hard the past few days.

After our Cook with Love event in October, we decided to meet up again so that we can connect properly. Initial plan was to gather in some cafe or restaurant but knowing us, there are plenty to share. Thus, J volunteered her condo function room this time round.

An afternoon passed by so quickly, there were so much to share among like minded people. Speaking the same lingo bonded us even further. With a wonderful spread of goodies shared by my fellow bloggers, I wish my tummy was more expandable to eat more.

Didn't have a chance to take a proper picture of my contribution but I am pleased that I got a very good review on this Banana Loaf

This loaf is moist, soft and delicious.



I also done some muffin based on the same author but it turned out to be a disappointment. I strongly suspect that I overmixed it. Overall taste was not that bad actually. Will try it again later on.



By The Batter Baker - Liquer Chocolate Cake



By Busy Gran's Kitchen - Sambal Sandwiches



By Tested and Tasted - Konnyaku Jelly. Sorry D, I missed out your Macaroni Cheese



By Sugar and Everything Nice - Chicken Drumlets



By Baking Library - Pizza Pie



By Baking Library - Chocolate chip cookies



By Passionate about Baking - Blondies



BySweet and Happy Ending - Potato Salad



Sorry couldn't take better pictures but I can ensure you that each and everyone is delicious. If you are interested, you might find the recipe in the respective blogs.

Thanks gals and guy, I had a very great time and see you all in 2011.

Cheers

Recipe source: Small Cakes - Roger Pizey

What you need:

2 bananas, mashed or puree
150g unsalted butter
230g castor sugar
50g ground hazelnuts
2 eggs, lightly beaten
175g plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
133g sour cream

Method

Greased and lined a 18X7X8 cm deep loaf tin.

Preheat oven to 170 degree c.

Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy.

Add in ground hazelnuts and followed by eggs.

Sift in the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder and mix well together.

Mix in the sour cream and finally add in the bananas.

Pour into pan and bake for 20 mins.

We are off

Everytime before we head off for a holiday, it is always a mad rush the week before and this time round it is not exception.

In between baking and decorating my cake orders, I was also busy gathering all the necessary toiletries, what to pack and what beach stuff to bring along.

Yes, we are heading off to get some rest and for the kids to have some fun with their friends. This time round, we are travelling with 4 families and my kids were so excited about it that they were counting down.

6 days will be over in a blink but I am sure we are going to have tons of fun and hopefully no sunburnt.

Before I go, I will leave you with a final batch of scones that I made for my little project. I hope S likes it and find it good enough.

See ya on Monday.

Early start?

These two days, my little princess won’t be going to school. I think she is one happy bird now that she can wake up later.

Though I have no problem getting my kids out of bed but my helper is struggling each morning to get my princess ready for school. Not that she sleeps late but somehow, the little one responded better with my voice.

This little one, since young, cannot be deprived from sleep and food whereas my older one cannot do without play. One good thing is that both kids don't cry or whine when they are deprived from sleep thus make travelling really easy. I can easily wake them in the early hour or past midnight and they will drag their feet with a sleepy mind to wherever they needed to be.

With a bad back, my kids also know that I cannot carry them as well. So I am lucky in that sense.

Okay to start the morning, I wanted to attempt Table for 2's sponge pancake. Looking at her close shot of her pancake, I was thinking about it since last week but due to work commitment, it was held back.

In fact, we actually did a dry run last night and my kids love the taste of it but we didn't do it right as it collapsed once it looses it heat.

So the plan was to have it for breakfast. Unfortunately, after the first one, the second one was burnt and thus no photos for it.

Come to think of it, it looks so similar to one that I done some time back under a different name.

Anyway, there goes our breakfast. Thankfully, my little one had her share and she was a happy gal.

Demoralised, I went about packing the house. I came upon a book that I actually borrowed from the library for my son. I decided to read that and since then, I just couldn't put the book down till I finished it an hour or so ago.

Thinking back, the last time I pick up a book to read was 5 years ago!!!! Blamed it on being a busy mother to a young child back then, or without helper or rather efficient helper, then again, I am sure I can come up with 101 excuses not able to read...

Well it is a good accomplishment. At least I started to pick up a habit that I lost. Hopefully, my mojo for the next book is maintained.

Have some sweet potatoes that my little one requested when I went grocery last week. Didn't want to rot it away and I don't know how else to prepare it besides the boring tong sui.

My helper suggested to fried it and make it into a snack. She doesn't know what to call these. I faintly remember having such snacks during Lunar New Year in the form of yam and it was delicious. If you know the name, do let me know.

It is an easy recipe and can be easily churned out within a hour. A little heavy handed with the caramelising but overall, it is crispy and yummy.

Counting down

My son begins his year end school holiday on Monday. Having him at home can be quite a torture as he will either dribble his football around the house or he will be playing with his ping pong. tick tock tick tock..... or he will bounced his tennis ball against the wall. Luckily for my neighbour, we are a stand alone unit and don't have to share a common wall.

With him being home 100% of the day, can be nerve breaking. As he didn't do well for his Math Paper, I asked him to use the time to catch up. Of course this advice gets blown away by the wind. I wonder how I am going to pass these two weeks!!! Already I am having a headache for the last two days.

Well, on a positive note, I shouldn't complain so much as out of the 14 days minus 2 weekends and a public holiday, 4 days in soccer training and 4 hours of Math coaching by his school counsellor (Mr Sim is such a nice guy).

I really must learn to enjoy having him in the house for very soon, my little boy will find his own program. He already started having his own entertainment plan. Just after the exam, he already went for to a movie and a birthday party. Last Sunday, he chose to spend time with his friends on Halloween rather than doing our annual Halloween Parade as a family. Of course as a mom, I felt a little uneasy feel but knowing that he is growing up and needed his space. We obliged to let him go.

Perhaps I will cook dinner with him tomorrow. After all, he does enjoy being in the kitchen and I am sure my little one will be too glad to join in the fun as well.

As for today, I wanted to make some Assorted Donuts. A recipe provided by LearntoBake for this month's challenge.

The dough is very wet and while kneading, I can feel my Kitchen Aid's motor heating up. Decided to knead by hand and on second thought, I don't know whether I am doing it correctly (yah time to go for class next year). Brought out my Kenwood which I think is more reliable for making bread. Though still wet (as compared to bread making), but I think it did pass the stretch test. It proof so beautifully after 40 mins and I was really happy.

I didn't do a good job in cutting it with a donut ring. The cutter that I bought somehow not aligned with the inner ring (I remembered it didn't come cheap for this one as it is stainless steel). Thus I have to pinch off the centre which by then leaves my donut distorted. arrrghhh!

We waited for the final proof before deep frying. Though the frying part was easy, I understand why the commercial method is done in a certain way because keep them round and nice is not that easy as the dough is soft.

We couldn't wait to frost the donut. Did some with colourful sprinkles as my girl insisted, some with chocolate crunch balls which is my favourite, some with dark chocolate which is hubby's favourite and some coated with just icing sugar which is son's favourite.

As I was doing it, I was already thinking of a possibility of having a donut party for kids. I am sure they will have a blast coating the donut with their favourite toppings.

This recipe is really good. It yields a crispy outer skin and a soft and fluffy texture.

Definitely a keeper!!



Note: It is still soft the next day.

What you need:
yield 36 donuts

A)
400g bread flour
100g cake flour
10g instant yeast

B)
80g castor sugar
10g salt
20g milk powder

C)
50g egg
250g Cold water

D)
100g butter, softened

Method

Mix A, add in B and C into a mixing bowl and using a dough hook, mix for 5 mins at medium speed.

Add in D and further knead for 10 -15 mins till it is smooth and elastic (stretch test).

Leave dough in oiled bowl and cover with cling wrap. Proof for 40 mins till double in volume.

Floured table and roll the dough to 1 - 1.5cm thick. Rest for another 10 mins.

Using a donut cutter, cut out the dough and transfer the donut to a tray. Allow to rest for further 30 mins to allow the donut to rise.

Heat oil to around 160 - 170 deg celsius and deep fry the donut to golden brown (both sides). Drain and let it cool before frosting with your favourite toppings.