Baking Sessions

How did you spent your Christmas holiday this year? I spent most of my days making bread, bread and bread. Ya.. For 3 consecutive days, I have been making a load of bread each day. Really making good use of the new Kenwood BM450 bread maker. Just can't wait to share my baking experience with you all.. Here you go: 

On Christmas eve, I made pure Chocolate bread for my hubby and kids. :) 

Nowadays making bread is just so simple with breadmaker (any brand and model). :) Just throw in all the ingredients and it will do the kneading and raising and then baking on its own. You must follow the amount of ingredient stated in the recipe book ya.. Don't be too pandai pandai to add your own ingredient weight into your recipe ya. Maybe once you master already, then you can add whatever you want into it. So, i followed suit what is stated on the book, what to put first and put end are also important. E.g you can't put yeast first, then top up with water and flour. Your dough will raise too high and end up your bread too hollow inside. So , must follow ya... :) 

The base ingredients are water, egg, flour, brown sugar, salt, butter and yeast. All into the mold waiting to knead.

After the 1st knead process. 

I find this KENWOOD breadmaker does a good job in the kneading processes. It will make sure no dough balance stick at the side of the mold. End result, very clean wall with a nice dough in the centre of the mold. Fantastic! No user intervention! Very auto! 

Baking process done in 55mins!

It is very hot! So wear protective gloves when handle with it!

The mold is a non-stick material. Just turn the mold upside down , a light shake, the bread will come out. Nothing stick in between.. Be careful ya.. must wear protective gloves. Don't get yourself burn, it is indeed piping hot!!

Chocolate Bread waiting to be cut/slice

MASTERPIECE!!

Nice? I share half of the loaf with my parents in law when they dropped by our house to join us for dinner. Got their compliments tau? hehehe.. so happy!! :)

On Christmas day, which is also Sunday, I will bring my kids to visit my mum. I always make it a point to visit them at least once in a week. They actually miss their grandchildren very much. Ya, i miss them too :) Especially my mum. My best friend! :) Made them light wholemeal bread, mixture of high protein flour and wholemeal bread. I think is 70% wholemeal and 30% HP flour. Less sugar for them , as my parents do not really fancy sweet stuff. Oh ya, wholemeal bread won't raise high, it is more compact compare to normal bread. This is normal. :) 

Light wholemeal bread for my mum and dad :)

Another MASTERPIECE!

My parents didn't cook any for lunch on Monday. Just tah-pau some Assam Curry Fish and eat with the bread. FINISHED tau? :P Oh ya, if you see those black dots dots on the bread, those are actually black sesame seeds. I also added white sesame seeds too, but can't see here.. just some additionall touch from me to my parents. :)  

Next, on Monday which is Christmas's replacement holiday, made another bread. Raisin + Chopped Almonds Bread. Saliva dripping le? Hehehe..I weight all the ingredients put all into the mold, also added raisin and chopped almonds into the breadmaker pocket. Ya, it is a pocket! A small compartment to put side dry ingredients. This is new ya.. not all breadmaker has this. Why do we need this? Coz if you put these dry ingredients too early during kneading process, it will turn too soggy and crushed even before baking. So Kenwood breadmaker has these few programmes that will ajar the pocket door, at certain period of kneading, don't you think it is intelligent? :P For this bread, I used the delay timer of 6hours. I set the Start button at 9am , and since i need to bring MM to visit my parents again, so I plan to have my fresh baked bread at 3pm when i reach home. So , i set 6 hours timer , 9am-3pm , is 6 hours la.. Once reached home at 3pm, OMG! The smell!! As though, i entered into bakery shop.. hahahaha! So delighted tau!! 

Add in raisin and chopped almonds into the breadmaker pocket.

Raisin + Chopped Almonds Bread .. The best look!

Another another MASTERPIECE!

Soft inside, crunchy outside!! Delicious!! So satisfying!

The reason I decided to get a breadmaker is because I don't want my family to consume so much artificial perservatives which are loaded into those commercial bread. Since I did not use any perservative, I need to store those bread in good condition. I put all into TUPPERWARE brand containers , and keep it into fridge if we can't finished the load within 2 days time. But, actually usually finished in 2 days time la.. :P Hor??? Hubby hor?? Hehehehe.. :P

New Kitchen Appliance: Breadmaker

Few weeks ago, my hubby told me that maybe we should try to make homemade bread. Lately, almost everyday, our breakfast is bread bread and bread. Of coz, not just plain bread. It will be a rotating ingredients such as ommelette, hard boiled egg, ham, bacon, crabstick, sausages or cheese as the filling of the sandwiches. Before this I always tah-pau nasi lemak, mcD meal and roti canai, in which all these are just too fattening. Beside that, i need to spend extra time to find parking and tau pau from these stall. End up , i'm always way out of clock to reach the office. :S 

My 2 kids loves to eat bread. Sometimes MM will ask 'Mommy! Wo yau men pau'. When MM is eating, the young toddler JJ will want too. JJ nowadays knows how to nod when she wants something. I find that in just 14 months, JJ is quite good in interacting. She can understand us, and we can understand her needs as well. Things is getting easier for us now.. at least. :)

Empress Breadmaker - Cosway

Noxxa Breadmaker Oven - Amway

So, I'm been searching high and low for our preferred home breadmaker. The normal breadmaker is ranging from RM200-RM500. We went to cosway to take a lot at the Empress Breadmaker, which is at RM269 + 5 RP. I almost wanted to buy it coz it suit all our needs, but we changed our mind when the promoter told us that this model will discontinued next year. I wonder what the cosway boss will feel. The promoter is pouring rice out from boss' rice bucket. hehehehe.. :P Then 2 of my colls bought the Noxxa Breadmaker from AMWAY. It is a 3 in 1 appliance (Oven+Toaster+Breadmaker). And it cost about RM1000! Physically it looks like an microwave oven. I'm actually lacking of space to put another big appliance. I guess this option is big no no for me since i already have oven and toaster , and only looking for a breadmaker. 

Elba Breadmaker

Next , we went to an electrical shop nearby our house. We saw this ELBA brand. See once, not bad.. see twice, 'ei, macam tesco breadmaker look'. The price is at RM499, but the boss willing to let go at RM299, without us even asking for negotiation! Skeptical skeptical.. macam tak betul aje..:P So, i tell hubby, go home think thrice first. My objective is simple, i just want to get one durable breadmaker that able to make good breads for my family and at the same time won't eat up my kitchen space.

Kenwood BM450

Have you heard of KENWOOD breadmaker? Heard of Kenwood, sure will concern about the price tag. Price ranging from RM500-RM900. Ya.. luxury brand. It has 2 models in Malaysia BM260 and BM450. BM260 is around RM500+ , but the review about the noise when kneading , pull me back. Check out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ZeU5ePkdM&feature=related

BM450 is at RM900 (price quoted by SenQ), Yes.. RM900, mata also terbeliak liao! Some more need to wait for 1 week for stock arrival. But the look of it is so class! Like a love at first sight! Touch screen lagi.. easy for clean up! Like it so much.. seen the review at youtube, love it even more! Check out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwiLnEgkuD8 . OK! So made up my mind ! It gotta be KENWOOD BM450. But too pricey wor! How how how le? Been google a lot about it, and finally found a appliance site www.cresdo.com that sell only at RM809. Free shipping lagi! Next, check out if this site is a scam or what.. quite a number of ppl bought from this site and some gave very good review. A blogger even hint me to put in discount coupon 'tweentyoff' during checkout to get additional RM20 discount. HOHOHO ... So total is just RM789.. i'm saving RM111 if i buy from this site. OK! Set. Paid and delivered to my doorstep within 5 working days.


Arrived in superb condition. Warranty chopped and attached. Recipes book all ada.. wah! Siok habis. The look of this breadmaker.. adui.. Memang class! Worth every of my penny!!

Made my first Egg-enriched white bread 2 days ago. So damn happy 1st trial, it turned out so yummy delicious. Hehehehe! So many other recipes to try... just can't wait to try more and more.. Will blog about this more soon..  :)

This weekends, will go shop for more bread ingredients.. Yippie!

Btw, Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and family. :)

     

JJ is on the move!!

JJ takes her first steps at her 13th month. Not very steady yet, but able to walk unassisted in short distance. Though a bit late compared to her sister who can walked quite well at 11+months, JJ is still within the expected milestone. :) Ganbatte JJ!!  

Water Play at Home

This is how my 2 daughters spend their Sunday morning with each other. Yeah, water play at our lovely home. :) While they playing, I'll be around doing trimming and watering my plants. What a relaxing Sunday.. Message to hub: We should get a garden table and chairs to enjoy coffee while children are playing. **Wink wink** :P

MM's 1st Concert

This is the 1st time MM performed at children concert held by her daycare centre on 8th Nov 2011. The concert started at 7:30pm but myself and hubby was so excited and thrilled when finally it is our precious daughter's turn to dance. I almost can't recognize as her teacher has tied up her hair, make up and she just look so different.... in a good way.. :) Good job to all all MM's dedicated teachers.

When the music starts.. OMG, it is a rock and roll!.. She shook her butt, swung her hands.. turned here and there.. just funny to see a group of 3 years old students dancing. :) It was not organized and most of them doing their own acts and choreography. But who care... we just want these young children not stage-shy and having fun performing in front of thousands spectators. The concert ended at 10:20pm and every children are given a goodies bag and big angry bird balloon.

Since we are not allowed to bring in camera into the concert, I managed to snap few photos once we reached home.

Practising at home.. hehehe

Chick Pea Crunchy Fresh Spring Mesclun Salad

I have always wanted to make veggie salad as a meal. But i have never got an idea how. Frankly speaking , i dislike Mayo, the whole thing just flooded with mayo is just big big NO for me. It is so fattening! :P I must as well eat proper rice meal instead. :P 

Few weeks ago, while breastfeeding my baby JJ, I bummed into NIGELLA EXPRESS tv show. She is damn fine cook. Just love the way she talk, prepare, cook and present her food. Absolutely love her kitchen and appliances too! It is everyone dream to have such kitchen at own home. You know what? I dreamt to have a bright white kitchen that is as big as my current living room.. Big enough to have a centre bar that i can have my quick meal/snack with my hubby and kids. Just like what Nigella is having now! OK! Wake up, Lisa!! 

Enough with all the long intro above. In short, Nigella actually taught me this recipe. Of coz, not exactly what she had cooked, I added my touch into it. Bought a pack of Ready-to-eat Spring Mesclun Salad from Tesco, it is manually trimmed, selected and trippled washed veggies, so that you can open and eat without any hassle. It is not cheap! RM6.80 per pack , able to serve 2-3persons. But for us, 2 adults (me and my hub) kau tim all already. :P We are big eater BTW. :P Each pack comes with wasabi salad dressing. I didn't put all, only half of it. Just enough to make the salad a bit oily.. and smoother.. 

Ingredients:
1) 1 bag of Crunchy Fresh Spring Mesclun Salad
2) 300gm of chick pea
3) Half lemon
4) 1 slide of Kraft Cheese
5) 2 boiled eggs (cut into half)
6) Salt
7) Black Pepper

Method:
1) Soak the chick pea for overnight then boil it till soft for about 2 hours (I added salt into the boiling water, to add taste to the chick pea)
2) Put the veggies and chick peas into a big mixing bowl, add in the salad dressing, olive oil (optional), lemon into it. Add in salt and black pepper to taste. The toss it and make sure the dressing and seasoning are fully combined.
3) Serve it on plate with the eggs at the side and top it with Kraft cheese.
4) Now, it is ready to eat!

This was mine and hubby's lunch meal on last Sunday. This recipe is good for those that had hard time to go to toilet. My digestion system is actually not good. I don't purge daily... only after 2-3 days i had once. Bad uh? Ya.. indeed.. after having this salad, I went twice a day on Monday. Not diarrhea , just normal purging. Is as though, I did cleansing job to my body.. , even my hub told me his stool colour is different on Monday ... YUCK! :P

Maybe you should give this recipe a try and tell me what you think about it!  :)

Breakdown

Don't know what happened to my body system for these last 2 weeks. Been coughing for 2 weeks and 3 days ago been down with flu and fever on and off. Finished up 3 bottles Of cough syrup  and took 2 courses of different antibiotic also can't subside the fever. Yesterday, doctor asked me to get admitted to check further but I reluctant as I don't think my hubby can take care of the children at night without me. Doctor gave me a strong and expensive antibiotic injection and thank God, no more fever after day. But I'm still having very bad cough. Now I even have chest pain whenever I cough. Must have injured the chest muscle due to extensive coughing. No choice, now I'm going to see chest specialist at ISH for further diagnosis. I'm sure it will cost me a bomb, but no choice, this expense really must pay. Hopefully nothing serious. Ok! I'm gonna go see doctor now! 

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

This year MM celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival at her preschool. The preschool's principal is so thoughtful to organize such a happy event which also include parents' presence as well. All children are required to bring their lantern or candles to the night. There are snack buffet for the kids and clowns are also invited to blow and tie them balloon. As before, MM has never been brave enough go close to clown. She was extremely scare to even have a picture with them. LOL!

MM also has close friends. I think the closest is XW. They are almost at the same size. Very cute to see them together especially when they auto hold-hand at one moment. So cute! 3 years old , and already have close best friend. :)

We left the event a bit early as we need to rush to pick up baby JJ at nanny's hs. MM was very unhappy to leave the event, in the car, she kept asking me to bring her back to school. Now if you ask her if she loves school.. she will not hesitate to answer you "YES"! LOL!

Happy Birthday to Happy MM!

Hohoho.. my darling MM is 3 years old todate! We did early celebration for her at her preschool together with her buddies and classmates yesterday. Today the exact day, will be among our close family members. I started to do the preparation 1 month before the party. Write letter to principal la.. order and pack goodies  la, order cake and cupcakes la.. prepare all the homemade food for her party la.. 

I guess i'm more excited than MM. Can't actually sleep the night before as worrying that i'm might not able to be on time for the event. Teacher requested me to come before 9:30am, as that's the time they will take their breakfast. And that same night also baby JJ woke me up at 2am and played till 4am before going back to bed. Woke up at 6:30am and quickly send baby JJ to nanny and then prepare red eggs, bento ham sandwich, konnyaku jelly (made this on Sunday) and fried chicken nuggets. Rush like mad.. and luckily reached preschool on time at 9:10am. Phew!

Luckily nearby my office, there is a shop that sells lots of party goodies and i requested the boss to help me pack into 25 bags. So, all ready and i just need to dump in sweet/chocolate/gummies before the event.

Everyone was so excited seeing this big 3D angry bird cake! I mean really EVERYONE.. not only children... but teachers as well... LOL! The cupcakes are actually recommendation from my colleague. I ordered it from Waiseehomemade (Check her out in Facebook), and apparently she living around my neighbourhood only. :) Thanks Waisee for such a nice cupcakes! The children are so happy of this!!

All SMILES.............. that really made my day seeing her so extremely happy. All my hard work paid off! :)

Mommy and Daddy wishing you HAPPY 3 YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY and be happy and healthy always! Also not to forget, behaved and be obedient ALWAYS! :) 

10 Months Old

Another 5 days JJ will soon be 10 months old. These are her 10months old milestones:

1) Weight: 9kg , Height : 73-75cm

2) With 2 bottom and 2 upper front teeth

3) Taking 3-4 milk intake of each at 7-8oz

4) Loves lean-meat pork porridge

5) Loves snack.. what you eat she will want to have some too.. 

6) Her hair is so long, that i need to give her a hair cut yesterday. 

7) Able to pull herself up into standing position, and when she gets tired, she can gently lower herself down into sitting position. 

8) Able to walk very slowly holding on her sister's study chair.. 

9) Gets upset when toys are removed

10) Loves to snuggle under mommy's hugs

11) Waves bye-bye <- occasionally, if her mood is good 

12) Only take max 2 naps daily

13) Loves to play Peek-ka-boo, I see you! She even know how to play it.. she will pull her skirt up to cover her face, and then she will uncover it and start giggling and laughing at her own acts .. LOL! Very cute to see her bottom 2 teeth when she laugh.. hehehe!

14) Loves her sister's presence. She will smile and giggle when seeing her sister standing at the doorstep to greet 

Tell lies..

Few weeks ago I read an article saying toddler at 2yrs 10months tends to lie. But actually this age toddlers they don't intentionally say lies. Is just that they have short term memory of 10mins or a little bit more. At this age also I find them are the cutest and nice to be with.. Though when we were busy with something urgent, just can't help but wish we can teleport them to somewhere for a moment.. LOL

Just now, daddy brought MM to have her favorite Siew Yuk (Roasted Pork) rice. I also ask daddy to order herbal drink for her,since she is quite heaty this few days. Below are our conversations after both of them came back fr lunch:

Mommy: MM, did you drink ur herbal tea?
MM: hou chi yau.. (I think got..)
Daddy: WHAT? U drank whole glass and now u said "hou chi yau"??

Hehehehe.. 

Mommy: So MM, u got drink herbal tea or not?
MM: YAU!!  (GOT!!)

LOL! 

Wordless: Photography