Of creamy cheese and sexy salsa...

oh yeah.

Pasta al Formaggio topped off with a tomato salsa, serves 1

For Salsa :D
-Tomatoes
-Red chillies
-Onion
-Garlic
-Lime Juice
~Coriander
~Salt and pepper, to taste
Ok, you'll want to make this first. It'll last up to 3 days in the fridge. Notice how there are no measurements? That's cause that parts entirely up to you! :-D Like it tomatoey? Throw in more tomatoes. Love your onions and garlic? Toss in a couple of extra cloves. I love mine SPICY, and tend to kick it up with a few extra chillies. Anyways, roughly chop up everything except the tomatoes and coriander and throw them into a blender. Cut the tomatoes into quarters and blitz. Don't do this or too long, you want it to be a little chunky. It'll break down more when you put it on the heat. Heat up around 2 tbsp of olive oil in a pan. Pour paste in and simmer till thickened. DON'T FORGET TO STIR!!!!!! When desired consistency has been attained, throw in roughly chopped coriander. Done :)

For pasta

~Angel hair pasta (quantity based on how much you can eat)
~1 tbs butter
~1/4 cup cream
~1/4 cup grated cheese.*
~ Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to directions. I like to boil it with a clove of garlic for extra flavour. When al dente ( not rock hard, but not flaccid either), drain and run under cold water. Leave to one side. Heat up a pan and melt butter. Whisk in cream and cheese till the sauce is smooth. Season. Toss in pre-cooked pasta . Done :)

* I like using mozzarella, but feel free to experiment.

Just top off your pasta with a GENEROUS dollop of salsa, and there you have it. A good dish to have on a sunny day, out in the garden, or just by the window staring at the sky.

Cheers!

Cinnamon buns

I'm off to Johor for the weekend. Expect to see a post on pasta al' formagio (did I spell that right?) topped off with some tomato salsa. For now:

LONG LIVE THE JUBILEE TEAM!!

RECYCLE!!!!!!

You heard me, we're DESPERATE for your trash! Help us, to help you, to help our world.
GO GREEN!!!

Becase I got tagged...

I tag anyone who has messed up a recipe they'd done dozens of times before.

1.ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
On the topside of my left hand. Was prepping apples for a pie. Knife slipped. :-)


2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Culinary Arts articles.

3. WHAT DOES YOUR CELL PHONE LOOK LIKE?
a faithful companion.

4. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
I can't answer that, it'd be too confusing.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
Around 2.30 in the morning.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
A mug of hot chocolate, piled high with whipped cream, marshmallows and a Kit Kat crunchy sticking out of the top.

(Lucky number 7 went M.I.A)

8. WHAT'S YOUR MIDDLE NAME?
Cupcake.

9. THE BEST TV SHOW EVER CREATED:
Hell's Kitchen.

10. THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO?
My dad

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Sometimes though, much less than I used to be.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
Several people actually, for reasons they could not control. Well ok, 2 of them could, but the rest couldn't.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOGNE / PERFUME?

Pleasures Delight, by Estee Lauder. It smells like Deserts!!! :)

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
* James Bond voice * Do I look like a give a damn?

15. WOULD YOU RATHER BE SMART OR FUNNY?
Does this have to be an either/or situation?

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS?
A tall caramel machiato, thank you.

17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Cheese, chicken and MORE CHEESE!

18. IF YOU CAN EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A ghiradelli chocolate chip cookie. Make that 2.

19. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU MADE MAD?
I have a hunch, but I'm not too sure if I'm right. :-)

20. DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
Very, very, very BAD bm. Horrendous, in fact.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU?
My favourite stuffed toy, Hanee. A small hound dog from Hush Puppies.

22. DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE?
Yes. JOSH GROBAN!!!!!

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE-JOINTED?
In which area are you refering to?

24. FAVOURITE CLOTHING BRAND?
If it fits and looks good....

25. WHAT'S YOUR DREAM CAR?
A Kancil!!!

26. WHAT COLOUR IS IT?
Baby blue.

27. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF EXERCISE?
Swimming, Dancing.

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Unfortunately, been there,done that.

29. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU?
Doing little things every so often. Just because.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
34.67895

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
refer to 14.

32. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL OFTEN?
I mostly SMS, so, can't answer that one.

33. WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST?
Pessimistic people who CONSTANTLY REFUSE to see the bright side of life. It's ok to have your bad days, but would it kill you to laugh a little once in a blue baboon?

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE U.S.?
My sense of direction must really be off. I had NO IDEA I was even IN the US to begin with.

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
My Ego. Bruise that, and I'll be out for quite a bit.

36. TATER TOTS OR FRIES?
Fries?

37. FIRST JOB?
Never had one to begin with.

38. EVER PRANK CALLED SOMEONE?
Nope. Lost childhood, I know.

39. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS?
Napping.

40. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A lil' reduction in the chest area.

41. WHY DID YOU FILL OUT THIS SURVEY?
Because I was tagged twice?

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My 'gift of the gab', whatever the hell that is.

43. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL?
Darn it, I was looking forward to using Frangelico in my Nutella cake.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
A free-stand mixer.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
Provided I have at least one, I'll be content.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Let me get back to you on that one.

47. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
Sometimes.

48. WHICH FINGER[S] IS YOUR FAVORITE?
*Stares at fingers* I can't decide, I LOVE EM' ALL!!!!

49. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
You don't need to know.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yep, I'd say it looks kinda neat.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Chicken?

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
Talking about myself too much.

53. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF?
Again, No Comment.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
If I liked me, yes.

55. HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL?
Perhaps.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
If you look like a Greek God but think a debate is something you use to catch fish with, I'm afraid we don't have much of a future together. Sorry.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE YOUR ANGER?
KNEAD BREAD.

58. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME?
School.

59. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY?
More than I'd like.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Refer to 21.

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
More than I use.

62. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Sarcasm? What is this....SAR-CAS-EM? I don't believe I've ever heard of it before. Is it a kind of wild-river Salmon?

63. DO YOU KNOW ANYONE FAMOUS?
I might?

64. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT?
I hope I haven't, it sounds like a painful place to be in.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
A love for food and a sense of humour.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Must I answer this? I have too many.

67. HOW MANY PAIRS OF SHOES DO YOU HAVE?
6-7 pairs.

68. DO YOU UN-TIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Yep.

69. WERE YOU UPSET ABOUT STEVE IRWIN DYING?
Very much so.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR?
CHoColaTe.....mmmmmmmmmm

71. ARE YOU LAZY?
yeah

72. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLOURS?
Blue, brown and pink.

73. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND?
Rascal Flatts.

74. HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH DO YOU HAVE?
Again, I'll get back to you.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
If they want to.

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Angels we have heard on high- Josh Groban, and Brian McKnight.

77. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Fish ball soup.

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My mum.

79. WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Their VOICE.

80. FAVORITE THOUGHT PROVOKING SONG:
Per Te-Josh Groban.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE:
High School Musical ^.^;

82. FAVORITE DRINK:
Refer to 6.

83. FAVORITE ZODIAC SIGN:
Leo *ROAR*

84. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
Swimming.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Dark brown, the brown that you see in 70% dark chocolate.

86. EYE COLOR?
refer to 85.

87. DO YOU WEAR GLASSES?
I wish I could.

88. SIBLINGS?
An older brother.

89. FAVORITE MONTH(s)?
December, because it feels like a holiday all on it's own.

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
I'll eat it in a pinch.

91. LAST THING YOU WATCHED?
Anthony Bourdain, A cook's travels.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Valentines Day. As commercial as it is, it has a certain charm of it's own.

93. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT?
Yes...I wouldn't even be able to look them in the eye.

94. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter!!!!

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Can I have both?

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE-NIGHT STANDS?
Relationships.

97. WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Do I look like a cheap fortune teller to you?

98. WHO IS THE LEAST LIKELY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Refer to 97.

99. Create your own question!
What do you think, of a rose flavored cupcake, covered with rose scented whipped cream piped to look like a rose?

100. IS ANYONE IN LOVE WITH YOU?
Why don't you ask them?

Thank You Melissa

The Noble, The Honorable, The Wise, All Knowing Melissa De Bruyne Choon Ming May. Never would you associate her in any scandal, Nor would you find her doing anything GOOFY or OUT OF THE NORM. No...... not Melissa. She is but the most SERIOUS, the most STOIC person alive. She has NO sense of humour. NOOOOOOO, not Melissa. In fact, to sum her up in a word, she would be
BORING!Ok, if you really believed that drivel, you're EVIDENTLY don't know her. ;-)

I LOVE THIS KID!!!! You never know what she has going up in her head, but whatever it is, you know its gonna be a BLAST! She somehow manages to constantly exude a semblance of calm, under which an aura of insanity. And I meant that in the nicest way possible.

So why bring her up? Well, whenever I think of De Bruyne Choon, I always associate her with creme brulee, simply because she is in possession of one of my lifelong longings.... A CHEF'S TORCH. And from what I hear, she yields it pretty well. When she first told me about her creme brulee adventures, I first got jealous, then curious....... could you actually make that thing, without the blowtorch?So, pig headed as I was, I decided to try it on my own, WITHOUT A PROPER RECIPE! Oh, and a side note, I had no idea how I was gonna brulee the damn thing, but I'd cross that river when I came to it.

NATURALLY it turned out a disaster. The custard was an uncooked river in the centre, but resembled scrambled eggs at the sides, The 'brulee top' which I so 'cleverly' discovered could be done in the oven, wasn't even properly brulee-ed. The whole thing was a mess. So, I did what any girl in my position would do, I dragged my broken heart off to Brickfields to do some Deepavali shopping.

While attempting to SQUEEZE myself out of a particularly tight ( not to mention expensive) punjabi suit, I get an SMS from Melissa asking how the creme brulee went. After a couple of SMSes with me telling her what happened, darling that she was, She TYPED OUT her whole recipe and sent it to me with her blessings. Spirit renewed, i tried again. And now,

I dare you to tell me that doesn't look like a work of art to you. :)

The result I got with her instructions ( with a little tweaking of my own) were incredible! Decadent, custard the colour fresh coconut cream. Smooth, rich and not cloyingly sweet and fragrant, heavenly so. I imagine it to be one of those things you'd turn to after a particularly nasty break up with someone whose been with you for 10 years. Be warned though, the custard takes a while to set up, at least 6 hours, but the result is well worth it. And now, dear reader, I pass the recipe on to you. The little brackets at the sides show you what I did, so it's up to you. Follow hers or mine. Either way, you'll find it to be something difficult enough for you to feel like a competent cook, easy enough to not scare you away, and comforting enough to be enjoyed thoroughly at the end of a rough day.

CREME BRULEE makes 2, 4 inch ramekins
~1 cup cream ( 2/3 cream + 1/3 milk )
~2 Tbsp castor sugar ( 1 + 1/2 Tbsp )
~3 medium egg yolks
~1/2 tsp vanilla essence
~(zest of half an orange)
~ 4 Tbsp castor sugar to brulee



Preheat oven to 150'C
Beat yolks with the vanilla and heat the cream and sugar (with orange zest, if using) over the stove. When cream has heated up, slowly mix it into the beaten egg yolks little by little. This is called tempering the eggs. You're bringing up the temperature of the yolks slowly, and therefore avoiding an inedible mess of sweet eggy clumps floating in an orange scented liquid. Take this custard and strain it ( into a liquid measuring cup for ease ) divide among your ramekins. I imagine teacups would be an absolutely adorable substitution for these, just make sure they are oven safe) place ramekins into a pan and transfer into your waiting, preheated oven. Pour hot water into the pan until halfway up the bowls, being careful not to splash any into the custard mix. This is called a Bain Marie. It is usually used to cook egg based desserts, as it provides slow, even heating which results in a smooth texture. Bake for 25-30 minute. You'll have to eyeball this part, when shaken, the custards should jiggle a little in the centre but be firm at the sides. But DON'T EXCEED the time. Let cool IN THE BAIN MARIE, and when slightly warm to the touch, let cool some more outside the water bath. When cool, let set in the fridge for AT LEAST six hours.

For the caramel top- If you have a torch, just dust the tops of the cold custards with the sugar and melt it to the hue you want. If you don't, melt the sugar over the stove with 2 Tbsp of water, then QUICKLY spoon caramel over top of custards. In both cases, be careful, the sugar continues to cook for a couple of seconds after the heat has been removed.And a sugar that has been burnt too long ends up BITTER rather than SWEET. Always stop at a lighter shade then the one you want to achieve, and work from there. you can always add more heat if you want.

Enjoy!
P.S- Melissa's picture Mercilessly Stolen From KBB's blog. Don't worry, I'll pay her back with cinnamon buns later. ;-D

Joyful Joyful

It felt like the right thing to do. No food yet, but don't worry, recipes will be coming up soon!!

RULES:

1. Put Your iTunes, Windows Media Player, ETC on Shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.

5.Put this on your journal.

1. If someone says, "Is this okay?" You say?

Down to the sea- The little mermaid 2 ( well, I'm not a child born of sea and shore so I really don't see what the problem is...)

2.How would you describe yourself?

Hasta Mi Final - Il Divo ( You can find the English translation here => http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/spanish-lyrics-translation/27620-il-divo-hasta-mi-final.html . Read them, and understand my confusion.)

3.What do you like in a guy?

Don't let go (with Sarah Mclachlan)- Bryan Adams ( Well, I do like hugs. Though, some space would be nice once in a while.)

4.How do you feel today?

For longer than forever - Swan Princess soundtrack ( Like a swan turned human dreaming of prince charming? I can live with that.)

5.What is your life's purpose?

Me and Mrs. Jones - Michael Buble ( For the record, if it were really spot on it would read 'me and MR. Jones'. Just to clear up any cobwebs.)

6.What is your motto?

Lean on me - Michael Buble (Yes actually. If you ever do have a problem, come to me. I might not be able to help, but if listening makes things easier, then Fire Away!!)

7. What do your friends think of you?

Billy Brown - Mika (.... I really wish my life were THAT interesting)

8.What do you think of your parents?

Perfect day-Clay Aiken ( Well, not perfect. But could be worse.)

9.What do you think about very often?

You Raise me up - Westlife ( Right song, WRONG artist)

10.What is 2 + 2?

Hit me up- Gia Farrell ( Quadruplets!! )

11.What do you think of your best friend(s)?

So amazing - Beyonce and Stevie Wonder ( *pats i-pod* Couldn't have said it better myself.)

12.What do you think of the person you like?

Bad Habits - My favourite highway ( *glares at i-pod*........ I take that back.)

13.What is your life story?

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield ( cliche.... but rather accurate.)

14.What do you want to be when you grow up?

It's not just me - Rascal Flatts ( Hopelessly, Madly, Deeply, Truly in LOVE with someone who might not like me back? Isn't that what PUBERTY'S for?)

15.What do you think of when you see the person you like?

Machine - Josh Groban feat. Herbie Hancock ( A workaholic? great....I'm sooooo thrilled)

16.What will you dance to at your wedding?

Can you feel the love tonight- Timon and Pumba ( ooh ooh ooooh... Do I get the warthog and meerkat too? The wedding packages you find nowadays! )

17.What will they play at your funeral?

Dearest - Ayumi Hamasaki ( Lyrics here => http://www.lyrics007.com/Ayumi%20Hamasaki%20Lyrics/Dearest%20(English)%20Lyrics.html Please explain. )

18.What is your hobby/interest?

Finale - Kristin Chenoweth (.....huh?)

19.What is your biggest fear?

London Bridges - Fergie ( i never knew there was a superstition about walking under bridges. )

20.What is your biggest secret?

You don't know me - Michael Buble ( And I don't intend for you to find out. )

21.What do you think of your friends?

Glory - Jim Brickman ( hmmmm.... open to interpretation.)

22.What will you post this as?

Joyful Joyful - Lauryn Hill ( Whatever you say.)

For Keilly.

I'm guessing you're sick with everyone telling you they 'know how you feel' and that 'everything will be ok'. Well, I won't lie, things won't be the same again. Losing someone, especially someone as close as your father was to you is a hard, hard thing to get over. But believe it or not, time heals. Though, be patient. It's a slow worker, not unlike our TNB workmen. However, in time, the pain eases.

While we're not very close, and I never knew your father, I'm sure he was a remarkable man, to have raised a daughter like you. It's ok to be angry, and upset. But please, come to us if you ever need to get anything of your chest. I'll be waiting with a listening ear and a warm cinnamon bun at hand. You have a family at school who loves you, just as much as your family at home does. And we'll be there for you, whether you like it or not.

I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral. Above all I'm sorry for your loss. I really do wish I could do more (and if I can, don't hesitate to let me know ) but for now, I leave you with a promise of the biggest, warmest, squishiest hug i could possibly give. Love you Keilly. My prayers are with you. God Bless.


I didn't make this, but kudos to the baker out there who did.