Choux Eclairs???

My first attempt to bake choux exclairs after an inspiring show by Rachel Allen Bake. But unfortunately the batter turn out very wet and I can't pipe out the shape I want it to be. I guess I miss the consistency concept of the batter for chaux pastry. Not to waste the batter I scoop it into paper cups and bake it, make a hole and voila, my version of cream puff (not so really)

Seriously when it comes to choux pastry, its all about the right measurement of the ingredients. For me when it comes to cooking, I don't really like the concept of "recipe" as cooking requires creativity, and creative food need no recipe :). But pastry is exceptional, right "recipe" is a must for you to get the good end result.

Otherwise your eclairs will end up like mine, turn out to be not-so-really-cream-puff.

Ingredients

Choux pastry

100g (3 ½ oz) strong white or plain flour

Pinch of salt

150ml (1/4 pint) water

75g (3oz) butter

3 eggs, beaten

1 extra egg, beaten - to brush eclairs before baking

For the chocolate glacé icing

200g (7oz) icing sugar

25g (1oz) cocoa powder

1 2 tbsp boiling water

For the crème chantilly filling

50g (2oz) icing sugar (1 generous tbsp), sifted

1 tsp vanilla extract

400ml (14fl oz) whipped cream (measure when whipped)

2 piping bags

Plain 5-8mm (1/4 – 3/8 in) nozzle

Plain 3mm (1/8 in) nozzle (optional

For the method you can peek at this link :)

The shiny, red-lacquered soles

I might be crazy thinking of it :) but I don't care,

I'm gonna grab u babe ........emmmm ya (in my dream)..but one fine day ..one fine day hehe.

Christian Louboutin????

Simple PUMP and I'm loving it..

(Picture : Source)

"Superwoman"

Thinking of her, my highest deepest respect to a lady I called "mak"for being such a good wife and mother....U are a Superwoman..Suddenly I miss my mum. It is not she's staying thousand miles away from me but since I resumed working, I hardly going back (I went home every weekend fyi). Honestly, I skipped cooking couple of times or even more for the past 3 weeks of my working life and ya, I suffered from viral fever that weaken my whole body. And a wheezing cough never been easier. I never felt so paralysed... Enough said!!!

My mother enjoyed cooking, even for a simple dish, and I just wanna be like her albeit she has piles of daunting task at work to be settled. Occasionally she loves to make pizza and because of that, I try to make one I mean two (plates) for my husband. All from scratch, I mean the dough :). Alhamdulillah, "menjadi".

My version of plate pizza

Topping: Pasta /Barbecue sauce for the spread, slices of courgette/ zucchini, chicken sausage, fresh tomatoes, button mushroom and grated mozarella cheese

Hot from oven.

For the dough receipe I'm using as per attached here . Have a try then !!!!

Just a picture...

(Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting)

"The Garden"

What to decide on a simple concept for a wee space in our garden never been easier. But I leave it to my dearie to decide as he loves gardening so much??? emmm :). One thing we need to consider is type of grass for our lawn. It must requires a very minimal maintenance cost since both of us are working, therefore what's the best is pearl grass.

Seriously carpet-grass looks very smooth and lush, but demanding truely effort as it tends to grow and the colour could turn from lush green to yellow. As compare to pearl-grass its a versatile lawn grass and requires no cutting. But I don't know, up to your preferences. To be honest if I am that good and " rajin" i definitely choose the lush carpet grass for my lawn..Hehehe , just my say :)

Our humble garden before the planting process

Day-1 after the process taken place ..simple je :)

(need colours i think, white, pink, purple, red flowers)

"2011 "

The most anticipated moment has arrived. I'm officially an employee now, no more staying at home alone feel bad and mourn about it. I'm welcoming 2011 with a new spirit and hoping for a positive attitude throughout the years coming, InsyaAllah.

Ushering our new year celebration, hubby and I were headed to Singapore, not really a vacation though as it was merely for a wedding invitation but we managed to sneak out and wandered along the infamous "Orchard Road" indulging our eyes on those designers' brand which I think, too good to be true :). Too bad, i forgot to bring my camera and can only snapped few pictures using my uncle's. I wonder when i can get all the soft copies since I'm fully employed now hehe. Talking about our Singapore trip definitely a good way to boost my mood for working life.

Vacation?????? I know I've been bragging about our Istanbul trip early this year (in the FB, I mean), unfortunately we were out of luck this time. Too many errands to occupied at the end of year 2010 and having a long journey vacay is not really a good choice for us, especially with the "moving to a new house thingy" lots of $$$$ need to splurge.

Back to the wedding I attended..01/01/11, was such a beautiful ceremony between "Hisham Zain & Nona Kirana", I'm flattered when the groom thanked me n hubby in his speech for coming, :) Happy beautiful life ahead you both. Congratulations on your wedding. If happened you guys read this, thank u so much for the hospitality and the treat. The food was awwwwesome !!!!!.

p/s: Nona Kirana is one of MediaCorp (Singapore) personalities, DJ and TV presenter :). Below is their pre-wedding MV which I linked from the youtube.