Half A Century

I know this looks messy but it is very delicious :D

Last Sunday was Umi's 50th birthday and tomorrow is Abah's. Since both of them are in Pattaya right now, we could not celebrate Abah's birthday together until Sunday. So I still have two days to plan for the menu which I still have not had a clue about it. I just don't know what to cook or bake for him. 

What I baked for Umi was a carrot cake. Not just any ordinary carrot cake. But a moist and delicious carrot cake topped with the best cream cheese frosting ever. I did not cook her anything since we went out for lunch at a hotel. I did make the carrot cake in a cupcake form for her friends as well which I think is the best size to eat this cake.

Carrot cake (Adapted from Allrecipes)

Ingredients :

• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp vanilla essence
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 cups grated carrot, squeezed out the juice
• 1 cup crushed pineapple
• 1 cup freshly grated coconut
• 2 tbsp yogurt

Method :

1. Preheat the oven to 175C/350F.

2. In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

3. Stir in carrots, pineapple, coconut and yogurt. 

4. Divide the batter into two greased pan and bake for 30-45 minutes. 

note : Makes about 25 cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients :

• 500g cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cup icing sugar 
• 2 tsp vanilla

Method :

1. Beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Mix in the icing sugar and vanilla.

Whole Wheat Pizza

1st May was Labour Day and we just got back from Sabah two days ago. It was fun indeed. We stayed at Hyatt Regency Hotel and the breakfast buffet was great - it was definitely up to my liking. However, I must say that the croissants weren't as great as the ones in Hilton. The room was very spacious but there was no bathtub so Hani was quite frustrated I think. :P

This is like only half of the room.

We went to three islands which I could recall their names, to snorkel. It was fun. The fish were beautiful. :) 

The same fish that I saw when I went snorkeling. We call it the rainbow fish. :D

We also bought lots of dried fish, shrimps and oysters - Sabah is actually famous for the seafood, apart from the Mount Kinabalu and Rafflesia. However, we did not buy any lobsters as they were expensive. Pretty much like the ones in Peninsular. 

Well, yesterday I made some pizzas for lunch. I found an amazing recipe for the crust but still could not find a great recipe for the sauce. Maybe someone can recommend me any recipes?  

Ingredients (Whole Wheat Pizza Crust) :

• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 

 Method :
1. Proof the yeast by dissolving the yeast with warm water and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Combine all the other ingredients together and pour in the yeast mixture into the same bowl. Using a dough hook, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth.
3. Let the dough double in a lightly greased bowl for about one hour.
4. When the dough is doubled, tip it out into a lightly floured surface and divide into 2 balls for 2 thin pizza crusts. Let it rise for 45 minutes, until doubled.
5. Preheat the oven to 220C. Roll a ball of dough using a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Then, drape it over both of your fists and gently pull the edges outwards, while rotating the dough. When the circle has reached the desired size, place it on a well oiled pizza pan. Top your pizza with your favourite toppings.
6. Bake for 16-20 minutes (depending on the thickness), until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges.

1 hour dinner rolls

It's Sunday again. That means I have to go back to college and prepare for the classes tomorrow. :( I'm finally done with my assignment on nationalism. But I have a few other assignments to be finished within this week. And tomorrow I have my first Malaysian Studies test which carries only 5% of the final mark. I hope I can answer the questions.

Since yesterday was Hani's birthday, we (me and Hani) had a sleepover at Hilton Hotel KL. It was fun. During breakfast, we just ate everything until we could not eat anymore.

Umi has been asking me to bake some bread since morning but I was pretty busy finishing my assignment that I didn't have the mood to bake. However, a few hours before going back to Subang Jaya, I suddenly felt like eating homemade bread. And so I made some easy ones. :)

The recipe is from this site. I've made some slight changes to satisfy my own taste buds. I just love the rolls. Look how soft it is.

Recipe (water-roux) :

Ingredients :

• 25g bread flour
• 125ml water

Method :

Cook over medium heat and stir until it forms a thick paste. Leave it to cool slightly.

Recipe (1 hour dinner rolls) :

Ingredients :

• 1 1/4 cup warm milk
• 1 tbsp instant yeast
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 cups of bread flour (high protein flour)
• water-roux

Method:

1. Put everything in a mixing bowl including the water roux and knead using a dough hook for about 7-10 minutes. If kneading by hand, it will take a longer time. (The dough is quite sticky so there is no need to add too much flour)

2. Let the dough rise for 20-30 minutes. Then, punch down the dough and divide into 15-16 equal parts.

3. Shape into dinner rolls and let it rise again for 20 minutes.

4. Brush the buns with some milk and bake in a preheated oven at 200C for 13-15 minutes.

My Dearest Sister

On your birthday, dear sister,
I wish that all your dreams come true.
May your day be filled with joy,
Wonderful gifts and goodies, too.



On your day I wish for you
Favorite people to embrace,
Loving smiles and caring looks
That earthly gifts cannot replace.



I wish you fine and simple pleasures.
I wish you many years of laughter.
I wish you all of life’s best treasures.
I wish you happily ever after!



Happy Birthday!
by Joanna Fuchs
I must say that she is one of the most wonderful person in my life. Even though she can be quite annoying sometime, but she is definitely the best sister anyone could ever have. And she may be a pain in the butt at times, but you will miss her when she's not around with you. I really miss you sister! :( 
Happy Sweet 16 Hani!
p/s : You should read the post that she dedicated to me. I almost cried when I read it. I love you too barnie! :'(