Birthday Outing 2015

October has always been a special month for me and we usually plan a vacation around my birthday. This year being a long one with the husband's Masters exams, moving to a new house (that reminds me that I still have a 3rd floor to decorate) and all the other things between, we decided to do something simple. So, we stayed a night in KL city and made the most out of it.

We started off the day with a drive to PJ BluInc Media office to collect my cheque for HerWorld Best Home Cook 2015 (will post soon on that) and headed to Jaya One which was just nearby. Parking was so easy as it was Fri, no crowd at the mall and the little one was so happy as we went about shopping for new toys and clothes for her (hmm..it's supposed to be my birthday).

We then had lunch at this Mexican place : http://www.fronterabar.com/
Review : Awesome food. We loved the Chicken Tortilla Soup which was so flavourful, grilled salmon, chicken burrito and of coz, my margarita ;).

Tummies filled, we drove to Sheraton Imperial KL and checked-in. The little one was so excited that she was practically jumping up and down and started enjoying her mini vacation.

Quill City Mall is just opposite Sheraton though you have to cross a very busy road. We took a walk and eventually got stuck in the rain that evening and somehow managed to cross over with a little help from a KTM officer.

That night we decided to go for Chinese food and after searching through Trip Advisor, we checked out Hakka Restaurant. It's opposite Pavilion, ample of parking, child friendly and full of people. The waiters were attentive and the food was yummy. There' s outdoor and indoor seating available too.

The next day we enjoyed the hotel breakfast and checked out their pool. At 12pm we checked out and headed to Levain Boulangerie to check out the place and get some pastries. The place was bustling with people enjoying a lazy Saturday afternoon and we joined in.

Check out the strawberry lover who could't wait to get her hands on it :

Feeling satisfed, we headed to Klang and had to stop to collect this awesome birthday cake the husband ordered for me from a fellow homebaker. The strawberry lover was in fruity heaven looking at the cake topped with her fav fruit. It was indeed a lovely celebration and I had too much outside food for 2 days that I couldn't wait to start cooking ;).

  

Lemon Blueberry Loaf Cake

It has been some time since I baked something special for dessert. So when I was out grocery shopping yesterday I bought a pack of fresh blueberries, a couple of lemons and a pack of edible flowers (I've been hunting for this for some time now and was too happy that I couldn't resist not buying them).

I started prepping the dessert the minute I came home after work and in 30 mins, it was in the oven, filling the house with that lovely smell...then I started on dinner which was Tofu and Vege Jalfrezi (I'll update that recipe later). The cake was cool by the time we finished dinner and I whipped up a simple lemon glaze and decorated it with the edible flowers...and it looked so LOVELY ;)

Do give this yummy, moist and easily impressive dessert a try. Feedbacks are welcome.

Ingredients :

1/3 cup unsalted butter (soft)
1 cup castor sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla
1 1/2 cup Cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
lemon zest from 2 lemons
1 cup fresh blueberries, coated with some cake flour

Method :

Preheat oven to 170C.
Prepare a loaf pan by greasing and lining the bottom and sides with baking paper.

Beat butter and sugar using electric mixer and then add in the eggs one by one.Add in vanilla. Beat well.
In a bowl, mix together flour and baking powder. Add this to the egg mixture alternately with milk.
Now using a spatula, fold in the blueberries and lemon zest.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 40-45 mins or till skewer comes out clean.

Lemon glaze :

1/2 cup icing sugar
Juice of half a lemon

Whisk both ingredients using a hand whisk till sugar dissolved.

Pour or drizzle glaze on cool cake.
Top with edible flowers.

Ready to serve.

Asian Style Orange Chicken

Hi everyone! Yesterday I made this yummy orange chicken recipe, something you can whip up for a quick weeknight dinner. Do give it a try ya.

                            

Here's the recipe :

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast, cubed, 

seasoned with some sea salt and ground garlic and pepper. Set aside.

Mix together:

rind and juice from 2 small oranges

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

2 tbsp light soy sauce

1/2 tbsp distilled white vinegar

2 tsp cornstarch

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp garlic powder

some freshly ground pepper

2 stalks spring onion, sliced

Method :

Heat some oil in a non-stick pan and pan fry chicken pieces till lightly brown and keep aside.

In now empty pan, add the orange sauce mixture . Cook and stir in medium heat till thickened. add in the chicken pieces, coat well, cover and let it cook in the heat.

Turn off fire, dish out and sprinkle spring onion. Serve hot with rice.