Princess of Darkness

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A forlorn moment

Hate being by myself
Hate this feeling of being unwanted
Hate being one-sided
Hate to be the only one in this parallel
Hate when people start questioning
Hate when I'm the last to know
Hate when I have to find it out this way
and I really hate this feeling........

What am I doing?
What do I really want out of this?

Wish I can read people's mind
Wish I can tell whether people telling me the truths or not
Wish I can see through them

Just sick of playing this game.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Pancakes: Less is more

Yesterday, Jo and I had lunch at Pancakes on the Rocks, Darling Harbour and it was a nightmare for both of us. I don't know that we ordered the wrong things or the chef wasn't in a cooking mood or whatsoever but the food was unacceptable due to the price. We ordered two dishes, fisherman catch (it's pretty much fish and chips..4 skinny pieces of fish and dreadful fries with way too sour vinegar salad dressing on sad looking salad), devils delight pancakes which is supposed to be one of the famous dishes there. The texture of the pancakes tasted like mudcake and ice cream on top has funny taste, not rich enough to be served with plain taste chocolate pancakes. Unfortunately, the dish was nothing but a ripped off chocolate pancakes which you could just make at home in 5-10 minutes and probably cost around 3-4 dollars max!

We both agreed that this place is overrated and too commercialized by the whole fact that it is nothing but pancakes and some grilled dishes. We heard a lot of positive comments about this place that's why we visited there and sadly, we would not recommend this place to any of our friends. I could be wrong as I said that the chef might not be himself or cooked his best yesterday but it didn't erase the fact that our experience at Pancakes on the Rocks was unsatisfactory.

We had a conversation on the train that we could easily make our own pancakes that we both happy and doesn't cost 13-14 dollars for 2 pieces of pancakes. Instead we made a big stack of pancakes using one of the most basic pancakes recipe ever. It's easy, simple and less hassle. Most importantly, you know what you're making and you always put best ingredients to your own dish.

Today's blog, I introduce (which most of you already know how to make pancakes) basic pancakes recipe and you can easily adjust the recipe to suit your taste buds.

Ingredients:
Self-raising flour: 250g
(* if used plain flour and Baking powder ---> Plain flour 250g, Baking powder 18g)
Milk : 250ml (I used non-fat milk and it tasted great)
Egg : 1
Caster Sugar :20g
Vanilla extract : a few drops
Butter: 10g
Strawberry to serve

Method:
1. Sift flour into a mixing bowl, add sugar.
2. Make a small well in the middle of the flour, add egg then use whisk to mix
3. Gradually add milk (not in one go), slowly combine all the ingredients until get a nice smooth mixture.
4. Add vanilla extract and mix. Pour all mixture into a jug (this way, there will be no mess when you pour batter to the pan)
5. Pre-heat a non-stick pan. Lightly greased the pan with butter.
6. Pour in pancake batter to desired size, wait until bubbles burst on the surface and theedges start to go dry.
7. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
8. Served with fresh fruits (*optional: Honey, Maple Syrup, Fresh cream or Ice-cream)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

You're belong with me: Taylor Swift

You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset
She's going off about something that you said
'Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do

I'm in the room, it's a typical Tuesday night
I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn't like
And she'll never know your story like I do

But she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts
She's Cheer Captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time

If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You, you belong with me, you belong with me

Walking the streets with you and your worn-out jeans
I can't help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on a park bench, thinking to myself
Hey, isn't this easy?

And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town
I haven't seen it in a while since she brought you down
You say you're fine, I know you better than that
Hey, what ya doing with a girl like that?

She wears high heels, I wear sneakers
She's Cheer Captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time

If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me

Standing by and waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know?
Baby, you belong with me, you belong with me

Oh, I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night
I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're 'bout to cry
And I know your favorite songs and you tell me 'bout your dreams
Think I know where you belong, think I know it's with me

Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you?
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me

Standing by and waiting at your back door
All this time, how could you not know?
Baby, you belong with me, you belong with me

You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me?
You belong with me

Monday, May 18, 2009

What I like about you

I like how you can make me laugh
I like how you can make me cry and know that you will come back to me
I like how you can dance (in your very own ways)
I like how you are so sweet
I like how you put in all the effort just to listen me whining about the weather
I like how you can cook beautifully (deep fried chicken, dumplings, stir fry vegetable, noodles, chicken curry, lamb)
I like how you can bake (chocolate birthday cake)
I like how you flew all the way to Thailand just to be with me on my birthday
I like how you tell me that you love me randomly
I like how you can read my mind
I like how you hold my hand when we go for a walk
I like how you stand up for me when I need
I like how you are such a smart guy
I like how you get me even though other people don't
I like how you hug me tightly
I like how you whine when you don't get my full attention
and I like you how you love me...
love you darling :)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Frozen Chocolate Mousse

Frozen Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients (serves 2)

  • 60g good-quality dark cooking chocolate, broken into pieces
  • 60g unsalted butter, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons orange liqueur
  • 2 eggs, separated
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon caster sugar
  • cocoa powder, to serve

Method

  1. Lightly grease two 3/4-cup capacity ramekins or moulds. Line base and sides with a piece of plastic wrap. Allow plenty of overhang.
  2. Place chocolate and butter in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on MEDIUM (50%) for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute with a metal spoon, or until melted and smooth. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Add liqueur and egg yolks to chocolate mixture. Stir until well combined.
  4. Using an electric mixer, beat eggwhites and salt in a small bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar and beat well. Stir a third of eggwhite into chocolate mixture. Gently fold remaining eggwhite into chocolate mixture. Spoon into prepared ramekins. Fold over excess plastic wrap to cover. Freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight, if time permits, until firm.
  5. Using the plastic wrap, gently ease mousse from ramekins. Turn out onto chilled serving plates. Dust with cocoa and serve.
Recipe from http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/435/frozen+chocolate+mousse

Ham Cheese Souffle

Ham Cheese souffle


Serving size: Serves 4
Cuisine type: French
Cooking time: Less than 60 minutes
Course: Cakes/baking

INGREDIENTS
20g butter, melted or oil spray
40g butter
40g plain flour
400ml milk, warm
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
3 eggs, separated
4 slices of ham, diced

METHOD

Preheat oven to 220°C or 200°C fan-forced. Brush the insides of four 1-cup capacity ramekin dishes with melted butter ensuring that you brush vertically up the sides. This helps to ensure an even rise. Or lightly spray with canola oil spray

Make roux by melting butter in a medium saucepan. Add flour and cook, stirring one minute or until flour is lightly browned and bubbling. Gradually add milk, stirring continuously until you have a smooth white sauce; bring to a boil and remove from heat. Add cheeses and stir until melted. Season with salt,pepper and ham. Cool 5 minutes before stirring in egg yolks.

In a large clean mixing bowl whisk egg whites until soft peaks form. Add 1/3 of the egg whites to the cheese mixture before folding in the remaining egg whites. Divide mixture among prepared ramekin dishes. Run your finger tip around the inside edge of the ramekins to aid an even rise.

Place in preheated oven and cook 25 minutes, or until risen and golden brown. Serve immediately.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Penne Rigati Carbonara

My first attempt on making carbonara was ages ago and it was a huge failure but that doesn't stop me from pursuing this delicacy. Also, my honey is fond of carbonara dish so I think I might as well give it another go and it turned out great (according to my Jo-ja). So here you go, the recipe of Penne Rigati Carbonara



Serving: 4
Ingredients:
Bacon rashes (amount, it's up to you on how much you can consume this fatty part of porky)
400g Penne Rigati
3 eggs yolks, beaten
1 cup (250ml) cream
40g finely grated parmesan cheese
a pinch of salt
Fresh chives (for sprinkle, optional).

1. cook bacon in small heated frying pan, stirring, until crisp; drain.
2. Just before serving, cook pasta in large saucepan of boiling water, uncovered, until just tender; drain.
3. Combine pasta in warmed bowl with yolks (in this case I used bain marie technique), cream, salt and cheese; sprinklke with chives and freshly ground black pepper if desired.

Jo- Ploy's Pizza + Swirled choc-almond Biscotti

Well since I'm on 2 weeks break, I might as well be motivated in both cooking and baking right. I've been baking heaps since I moved to Sydney and I enjoy every bit of it. I don't think I will put in all the recipes cuz it will take me days to complete the whole list. Today, Jo and I decided that we're going to make our very own pizza from scratch as we both are too stingy to buy from domino or pizza hut..hahaha.. nah.. Just want to try and according from the recipe book, it doesn't sound like a big drama plus we both love baking/cooking and of course eating so might as well give it a try.

First recipe is Jo-Ploy's pizza (the reason we called this pizza by our names cuz for the topping, we just simply added stuffs that we like, didn't really follow the recipe book on that). However, for pizza dough and tomato pizza sauce, I give all the credit to The Australian Woman's Weekly: Great Italian food.

Pizza : 4-6 servings
Ingredients: Basic pizza dough
7 g instant yeast (2 teaspoons)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (1/2) cups or 375g plain flour
1 cup (250ml) warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil

Ingredients: tomato pizza sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small white onion (80g), chopped finely
2 cloves garlic, crushed
425g canned tomatoes
1.4cup (70g) tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon fresh oregano (I used mixed herbs for this occasion)

1 Halve basic pizza dough; roll out each half on lightly floured surface to form 30 cm round (or whatever shapes you want). Place on baking tray or oiled pizza rays. Spread each with half of the basic tomato pizza sauce; top with cheese.
2. Bake, uncovered in moderately hot oven about 15 minutes (or 200 degree celsius for 10 minutes) or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling. Sprinkle each with basil before serving (optional).
Basic pizza dough: combine yeast, salt and sifted flour in large bowl; mix well. Gradually stir in the warm water and oil (mix water and oil together). Knead on well floured surface about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic (windown checking). Place dough in large oiled bowl (or lightly dust the bowl with flour); stand in warm place the dough to ferment, about 30 minutes or until douh doubles in size. Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth. Roll out dough as required or to fit pizza tray.
Basic tomato pizza sauce: Heat oil in medium frying pan; cook onion, stirring occasionally, over low heat until soft and transparent. Stir in garlic, undrained, crushed tomatoes, paste, sugar and oregano (i used mixed herbs). Simmer, uncovered, about 15 minutes or until mixture thickens (can be made 2 days in advance and refrigerated, covered, or frozen for up to 6 months)

.......................................................................

Swirled choc-almond biscotti
Ingredients:
Butter 60g
Caster sugar 1 cup
Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon
Eggs 3
Plain flour 2 (1/4) cups
Baking powder 1 teaspoon
Baking soda 1/2 teaspoon
1 (1/2) cup of coarsely chopped almonds
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup plain flour

Beat butter, caster sugar, vanilla essence in medium bowl until just combined(or can do manually by soften butter first then mix with sugar and vanilla essence). Add 3 eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Mix dry ingredients together, plain flour, baking powder and baking soda. Stir in butter mixture then add coarsely chopped almonds. Cover, refrigerate 1 hour.
Halve dough. Knead cocoa powder into one half; shape into a 30 cm log. Knead the other half with plain flour. Place on greased oven tray. Bake in moderate oven 200 degree celsius for 10 minutes or until firm, cool on tray. Ising serrated knife cut log, diagonally, into 1 cm slices. Place slices on ungreased oven trays. Bake in moderately slow oven for 6 minutes ot until dry and crisp, turing halfway; cool on wire racks.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Love Story

Love Story by Taylor Swift

We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony in summer air

See the lights
See the party, the ball gowns
I see you make your way through the crowd
And say hello, little did I know

That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you please don't go, and I said

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

So I sneak out to the garden to see you
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew
So close your eyes
Escape this town for a little while

'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
But you were everything to me
I was begging you please don't go and I said

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

Romeo save me, they try to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story baby just say yes
Oh oh

I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you is fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said

Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you but you never come
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring

And said, marry me Juliet
You'll never have to be alone
I love you and that's all I really know
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress
It's a love story baby just say yes

Oh, oh, oh, oh
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you