Made with Love

We were pleasantly surprised when Linda had insisted on preparing a meal for us (in return for the treat we had given them earlier to celebrate David's winging). The coleslaw salad was dressed with a tangy vinaigrette dressing and the pork was very tender. Yummmmm. Thanks Linda, we are going to miss you guys so much!

Gooey Butter Cake

As promised, I will share the recipe of the gooey butter cake which I brought to David's farewell party. It is so easy to prepare as the recipe already cut alot steps by using the yellow cake mix. I used Betty Crocker's. I am unsure if you just use a pound cake recipe in place of the cake mix, would you achieve the same taste. But this cake proved to be too big for my small toaster oven, the sides and top/bottom ended up too burnt. Bleah. But it was still well appreciated by everyone. Cheers.

Char siew-1st attempt

My 1st attempt at making char-siew, so faraway from home, I realised I took for granted many local delicacies which I passed by everyday heh. I skipped the marinade for this attempt, would definitely follow the recipe through the next attempt.

This recipe is from Lily again, her blog is so useful for novice cook like me and she is ever so helpful when I asked her for advice. Thanks Lily!

Mooncake!

It is far from the champagne truffle mooncakes from Raffles Hotel but we just have to make do with this mooncake imported from China, sold in the asian shop.

Trying to remember how many mooncakes I gobbled last year *evil grin*

Fun with lomo

Kenny's 1st lomo picture of his fave subject (ha-ha).

Blueberry season!

Grease and flour the top of a 12-mold muffin pan and line it with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 350F. Have all ingredients at room temperature.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat at high speed till light and fluffy:

4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 1/3 cups sugar

Add and beat on medium speed to combine:

2 large eggs

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

On a piece of wax paper, sift together:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the dry ingredients into the butter and egg mixture at low speed just till combined.

Add and mix till combined:

1 cup buttermilk

Fold in:

9 ounces (2 cups) fresh/thawed frozen blueberries

Scoop the batter into the prepared molds, filling each to the top of the paper liner.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Cool on a rack for 5 to 10 minutes before removing the muffins from their pan.

Recipe is from Little Cakes from the whimsical bakehouse

Kaye Hansen & Liv Hansen

Ps: Technically blueberries harvest is just over but we are still getting fresh and juicy ones from Walmarts, so yummmy in muffins!

David's Farewell Party

From left to right: Yukari and her 2 pretty gals- Kayla and Kinemai, Akemi and Ayumi, Linda and Erika

Big thanks to Linda and David who had kindly invited us to their farewell cum beer-tasting party. They had bought a home-brewing kit and were eager to share the raspberry beer. I didnt try it but Kenny said it was yummy. (Maybe that would make a nice present for my beer-fanatic hubby). There were so much yummy Japanese and Korean food! The little ladies are so sweet and adorable. And yes, I am mildy tempted to have 1 of my own! =p Here to more new-found friends! All the best to David and Linda who will be setting up their new home in Washington state, I am sure our path will cross again!