Friday, December 30, 2011

Singapore Again :)



Alhamdulillah, we ended 2011 with a splendid getaway in Singapore…yes again. This is the third time we were here just in 2011. Can’t get enough with this “lion city”. To cut some cost we stayed in JB and drove to Singapore two days in a row. To be honest Singapore is an expensive city especially in food and parking :). But I must say, the system there is very sophisticated and centralized. Maneuvering here and there wasn’t that difficult as long as u know where to go. Thanks to GPS :) .

The best part in this holiday was the food. We blew out some money on the food there (and a wee bit indulging myself on a pair of new shoes ) yay !!!...ya back to the food,Murtabak Singapore, Beef Biryani, Sup Tulang Merah and etc :)
Welcoming 2012 with a great feeling. InsyaAllah.


Al-Falah Mosque
Things that catched my eyes while waiting hubby (Al-Falah Mosque, Orchard Rd)


Paragon (Orchard Rd)
Sultan MosqueZam-Zam Singapore
Sup tulang merah..

Not into my liking though...but worth to try :)

Monday, November 14, 2011

Oven Baked Cheese Pasta







Ingredients



2 cups of pasta (i'm using penne)
3 cups of milk
2 tbs of plain flour
1 0nion ,2 clove of garlic (finely chopped)
baby mushroom (approximately)
Parmesan cheese, Cheddar cheese (grated)
salt ,black-pepper.
italian herbs.
butter & olive oil

1.Boil the pasta until ala dente-drained


For the white sauce (Bechamel Sauce)


2.Heat up the pan,put the olive oil and butter, sauted the onion n garlic until golden brown
3.Put in the dice mushroom.Stir well
4.Add the plain flour.Stir until the flour form a dough
5.Add the milk.Stir well for a smooth mixture.
6.Put in salt, white pepper,black pepper and dry italian herbs

Next, combine the sauce with the pasta put in a baking dish.


Spread over on top with grated cheese.


Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees for 25-30 min.
Serve with mix salads.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Tasty DIM SUM

Asian flavors never fail me. The tangy taste, the aroma, the depiction are impeccable where it never stop me from craving more. I love Chinese food very much. In fact in my pantry, I have most of the basic ingredients for chine cuisine. U name it, sour plum sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil etc.
It is very difficult to get halal Dim Sum here so I’m thinking of trying one. This is when my husband been busy with his work and only came home late night and I’m obliged with my night classes for this semester. So you can count how many nights we have dinner together :(.
I chose to prepare something light for dinner just for me, myself and I for that fastidious night.
Yes a wee bit cheating here as I’m using frozen dim sum pastry where you can find it in the supermarket nearby.

Ingredients:
Dim Sum pastry
For the filling:
Minced beef.
Oil, Garlic, ginger, spring onion, white button mushroom, fresh red chili salt, black & white pepper and sesame oil

Method:
Heat up the wok and put a little bit vege oil.
Sauté the chopped garlic, ginger, fresh chilli and white button mushroom add the minced beef, stir until cooked.
Add the salt, black n white pepper for seasoning. Dash some sesame oil for the flavor and garnish with chopped spring onion.

Once cooked, put 1 tsp of the filling in the pastry.Fold it in any shape u want and steamed it for about 7-10 mins.

For the dipping:
Chopped garlic. chopped ginger
soy sauce, sesame oil and bird's eye chilli

Super easy and super yummy :).





Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The best carrot & pineapple cake :)

Assalamualaikum,

Eid Mubarak to all of you.I wonder if there any readers out there? :)
Well, I know this is such a long silent despite I have so many things to share here. By the way have u had enough with the yummy food last Eid? I'm going to share the best recipe i ever tried.

Carrot & pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting. Made this during last eid Adha and Alhamdulillah, I received just wonderful responses from family how good it taste :)

The recipe can be ladled from the show “barefoot contessa” with Ina Garten and wee changes were made to the recipe :)


For the cake
2 cups caster sugar
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil (i'm using corn oil)
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2½ cups self raising flour
1 tablespoon 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda -omit this cause I'm using self rasing flour
1 teaspoons salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnut
2 stick of carrots, grated
½ cup diced fresh pineapple (can pineapple)-rinsed the liquid

For the frosting:
250 g cream cheese, at room temperature
100 g of butter , at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sieved


Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans. Beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light yellow. Add the vanilla.


In another bowl, sift together 2½ cups flour, the cinnamon, and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Toss the raisins and walnuts with 1 tablespoon flour. Fold in the carrots and pineapple.

Add to the batter and mix well. Divide the batter equally between the two pans.

Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans set over a wire rack.


For the frosting, mix the cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined.


Add the sugar and mix until smooth.


Place one layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

Enjoy :)




Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Eid Mubarak :)

I was sitting alone at home today…Doing some baking for raya and I realized, I had abandoned this little space for quite a while. I was avidly trying my very best to devote my time during this holy month of Ramadhan to alleviate my ibadah. To be acceptance is in the hand of Allah…I’ll pray for that.

Alhamdulillah, Ramadhan this year is the best Ramadhan ..at least for me..I felt calm and serene and rejuvenate.

So how about your eid preparation? I don’t really do fancy clothing this year, am trying to be modest if possible :). Alhamdulillah ‘rezeki” from Allah is always there. Mr N, being so generous handing me upfront “duit raya”…in cheque from by the way..”sigh!!!!. and all banks are closed for this festive season. I can’t really cash it out immediately…emmm..I know why he did that ;) No last minute shopping for me !..Utterly control freak hehe

I guess it is not to late to wish everyone

Eid Mubarak
Selamat Hari Raya..Min al Aidil Wal Faizin
Maaf Zahir dan Batin.


Monday, August 8, 2011

8th of Ramadhan :) Blessed!!!

Note for a husband...



8th August 2011, 8th of Ramadhan.


Alhamdulillah, we turn 3 today. With the blessing of Ramadhan, I wish for the beautiful years ahead with you


Thank you so much for everything...Yes everything !!!


You are the most kind hearted person I ever met. Always thinking of others rather than yourself.



Ya Allah, ampunkanlah dosa kami


Tempatkanlah kami dalam golongan orang-orang yang beriman


Jauhkanlah kami dari hasad dengki, riak, sombong dan angkuh.


Kau tunjukkanlah kami jalan yang benar.


Janganlah sesekali Kau palingkan rahmatMu dari kami,


Sesungguhnya kami hanyala hambaMu yang miskin lagi hina, yang sentiasa dahagakan rahmatMu Ya Allah.


Berkatilah ikatan pernikahan ini kekal hingga ke Jannah.


Ameen...



Thank u Allah for this pure love...

Sunday, July 24, 2011

On a beautiful gift



"I took him to the Universal Studio Singapore on his birthday, but for mine, he took me to the nucleus of the universe.For that I blessed. Alhamdulillah"

Assalamulaikum

I haven’t written a lot on my recent visit to Mecca and Medina, haven’t I? Well, it was a journey worth to remember. Thinking of that moment, really make my eyes waters. It was kind of soul retreat for me. I started see things in different perceptions, in a better way I must say. My husband said I changed, “cooler” than before :). Alhamdulillah


The journey supposed to be scheduled on the June 16th which falls on my birthday. We purposely chose that date. But being a Muslim we must believe things happen for a reason, “we plan, but Allah is the greatest planner”. Thus, it was rescheduled on the 17th, still in the birthday mood.
Before the plain take off there are so many things wandered in my mind; scared, nervous, restless of nothing. Not because of the flight, but because of the negative attitude embedded in my life since forever; all the sins, the wrongdoings. Many questions pondered; what if I?, what if…?, what if.



I keep recite this “Ya Allah please be easy with me, forgive all my sins whether I realized it or not”. I prayed that this ziarah/ umrah will be a worthy journey for me not merely just holiday escapade; maybe for some people. Wallahuallam.

Both Medina and Mecca have its own distinct values. Our ziarah started in Medina. I will try to convey my very best to depict my experiences and my memories there.

Medina (June 2011)


After we landed in Jeddah, we were greeted by the mutawwif (ustaz which will lead the ziarah, he is Indonesian btw). There was a bus taking us to Medina. It took about 5 hours to reach our hotel there. We stopped in between for our dinner. Alhamdulillah rice for dinner, (I only ate pasta in the flight).The journey continued and I had my zikir and a comfortable rest in the bus. Almost entering haram ( non muslims are forbid/haram to enter Medina and Mecca, ), the ustaz wake us up and this is what he said:


Assalamulaikum, tuan puan tamu Allah tamu Rasulullah. Maafkan saya kerana mengejutkan tuan puan dari lena. Kita sememangnya, sudah hampir memasuki sempadan tanah haram. Oleh itu kita di sunatkan membaca doa memasuki tanah haram.”



what a pleasant thought, i just love here, whatever you do, whenever you go there are always dua' to recite to show how barakah the place was...Beautiful !!!


And after reciting the dua, Ustaz lead the selawat upon Muhammad (pbuh). At that moment I can’t hide my emotions anymore my tears burst the minute I recite the selawat and when the bus make a turn nearby the nabawi mosque. I can’t believe I’m here now, near to our prophet Muhammad. I heard some people moan quietly. Yes it was such an amazing feeling…to be close to someone you love, someone you adore and that someone is thinking of you when he is near to death. Subhanallah, How could you not love him? Thinking of him? Even Allah (s.w.t), pays His selawat upon him.


Basically, the selawat lead by the Ustaz came into two versions. You know the Arabic one, but here I’m going to share the Malay one which really put you into deep emotions, especially if u are in Medina. It is from Raihan. Listen to that carefully…you may need face towel after.
I shall continue this travelogue later :). InsyaAllah


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Lemon Meringue Cheesecuppies

(Receipe from anna olson show)

Ingredients
Crust
1-1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (I'm using digestive biscuits)
1-1/2 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake
1 cup cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large eggs, room temperature

Meringue
1 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tsp cornstarch
I add 1/2 tsp vanilla essense to reduce to egg smell :)

Directions
Crust
1.Preheat oven to 350°F (depends on your oven) and line 6 mini muffin tins with paper cups.
2.To make crust, combine all ingredients until evenly blended and crumbly. Press into bottom of mini muffins cups. Bake for 8 minutes, then cool.

Cheesecake
1.To make cheesecake, reduce oven to 325°F. Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, then gradually add sugar while beating, scraping the sides of the bowl often. Beat in cornstarch, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, scraping well after each addition. Spoon or pipe cheesecake filling into cooled mini muffin tins and bake for about 18 minutes, until cheesecake still moves a little when pan is shaken gently. Let cheesecakes cool to room temperature. Meringue layer can be made once cheesecake have cooled and cheesecakes can be chilled overnight and then finished





Meringue
1.For meringue, preheat oven to 375?F. With an electric mixer, whip egg whites with lemon juice n vanilla extract until foamy. While whipping, gradually pour in sugar and whip on one speed less than highest until whites hold a stiff peak (the meringue stands upright when whisk is lifted). Whisk in cornstarch. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star or plain tip and pipe on top of each cheesecake. Bake pie for about 6 minutes, just until meringue browns lightly. Allow cheesecakes to chill for at least an hour and up to a day before serving.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Red Velvet Bread Pudding :)




This wasn't my intention at the first place you know, to combine these sweet tooth :). I baked red velvet cake last night and hubby keeps saying I haven’t bake a proper cake for him... (Haven’t I? you've got to be kidding me man!!!). He added, he only tastes the balance of the batter which I baked in a smaller ramekin.



Then I replied (If you want, you need to order and pay for it la)
He: “Duduk satu rumah pun kena bayar ke??? pffft”.


So while baking for the order, I realized we had halve of walnut bread that I bought few days back. So I’m thinking to bake bread pudding for him and yes, he was right, (not a proper red velvet for him).I have remnants of the red velvet batter so my inner creativity yielded the second I ripped my bread in the baking tin.


I should combine these two and see what happen?


err..yummilicious :)

Ok the Bread Pudding Recipe:
Halve of walnut bread *any bread will do*
2 cups of milk
1 egg
¼ cup of sugar, and 2-3 tbs condensed milk
Chocolate spread,
Vanilla essence
Fresh strawberries and raisins
*Red velvet batter”

1.Rip the bread in a tiny pieces
2.Spread the chocolate over the bread
3.Mix all milk, egg, condensed milk and vanilla essence together.
4. Thinly slice the strawberry.
5. Put in the bread in baking tin and pour the liquid mixture
6.Mix well and add the strawberry and raisins.
7.Spread the red velvet cake batter on top * just a thin layer” and bake for about 20-30 min.



Enjoy the pictures :)










WW: Pre Raya Mood :)



Sunday, July 10, 2011

Tart Galore

Had a basic tart making class last weekend ranging from sweet to savory tart...I never had a proper class in baking so this is really great and easy. Wonderful team-mates i must say :).

Now I can take order for raya anyone ???


The Pastry

Cheese tart

Fruit tart


Coconut Tart

Chocolate tart

Egg tart

and the best part you could take some back home :) yeah



Sunday, June 5, 2011

:On a prayer:

I had sleepless night last night...



Thinking of all my sins

and pray hard that Allah will forgive me, for all the wrongdoings I've done

Ya Allah, Kau ampunkan dosa-dosa ku

Ya Allah, Kau permudahkan segalan urusanku

Ya Allah, Kau berikanla aku kekuatan menempuh musuh-musuh agamamu

Ya Allah , The most gracious and merciful...


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY?


What with that ruling...to be honest I’ve got no idea at all.

Looking at numerous posting on Wordless Wednesday makes me ponder and paused therefore I google-d it and this is what came out.
.
“On Wednesdays all over the internet, bloggers post a photograph with no words to explain it on their blog. Hence the ‘wordless’ title. The idea is that the photo itself says so much that it doesn’t need any description.” (Source: wiki answer).

Now I get the idea, but wait a minute why Wednesday? I love Friday, can I create Wordless Friday then?




(macam-macam)



Friday, May 13, 2011

On a beautiful birthday weekend

Apparently I managed to kidnap my husband somewhere on his birthday last Saturday. I just feel culpable as charged for not taking him anywhere on his birthday this year as I know I will take-off up in the sky on my birthday this coming June, InsyaAllah. And of course when he persistently asked what he will receive on his birthday, I just can’t help it even I’m in the middle of everything (the never-ending tasks at office).

Off we went to Universal Studio Singapore which I thought had so much fun to offer. Yes for those who opt for a day trip, this short getaway definitely a perfecto (I’m from Melaka so you can do the math). Gracias to my lovely Miss S for purchased the ticket earlier otherwise we will end up stand in line forever. (Do take note for those wished-for to go, buy your ticket earlier either online or u can simply get it from wisma genting in KL). (Ticket -weekend $72)

Yes, we decide on for driving there for a better maneuver here in there. Utterly, the parking part will cause a hole in your pocket; approximately RM 63 ($26) max after conversion.

Definitely our knight in shining armor will be the GPS :)...it is cool anyway, just to have a small pocket device that can direct you anyway. Brilliant invention I must say.

Back to the Universal Studio, I love this place undeniably will come back again :). The best thing about it, despite the colossal amount of visitors in a day, they manage to keep the toilet part grime- less. ..Cliché? Not really, it does impinge your mood on a vacation when you spot filth toilet. Not that I really a germ freak, but in certain conditions I do mind:).

and the roller coaster ride...Only Allah knows what I feel inside :) (I had overcome my fear factor )



Ok I better keep the excitement low for those who haven’t and wish to go.



Enjoy.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

1st time in Cameron Highlands

Have I ever tell that I never been to Cameron Highlands? Pathetic haa ???.Shame on me the be Malaysian. So off we went to cameron highlands, and yes I do falling in love with the ambience there. Surprisingly, all things u do there were effortlessly done, no hassle.. Enjoying the moment with your love one is priceless :).


So hubby when and where is our next vacay ??


Our first night stay


Our 2nd night stay


The breathtaking view

The scrumptious treat


The unique flavour

The infamous red fruit

The flora :)