personalised upsidedown apple orange cake

Last weekend was trying to come up with a cake that doesn't look 'dark' since the kids are havingt exam and can't afford to be sick. Trying to think of somethining different, short of time (need to get cake baked within 2 hours) plus the brain was abit groggy since my throat and teeth wasn't feeling too well.

Decided to use sliced apple as a base sprinkled with brown sugar to give it a brown look when turn upside down. Then the stingy part of me decided to use plain cake paper since greased proof paper are more expensive, to line the bottom to ease turning over. Next the cake. Didn't want to use plain pound cake since it is so 'plain'. Saw the recipe for orange cake so proceeded to use that recipe. Three quartered way thro creaming with eggs added, decided the cake is too small to cover cake tin so decided to multiply everything by 5/3. (ok,ok I know I am a maths person but actually the reason was because I wanted to use 250 g of butter instead of the original 150 g) In the process everything was slowed down by another 20 minutes and I added extra sugar. (fingers crossed from then on). Cut the story short, got the cake done in the last 5 minutes and when it was turned over, Au and daddy had trouble peeling off the paper. ; p

Comments. Good very nice not that sweet from the fussy no sweet happy garden residents ; p phew, good from the kids. Ad the no-cake-eater too a slice for breakfast on Sunday and the cake was gonethis morning.

Conclusion oklah, can bake it again with a few changes. Use 3 apples, season with salt/lemon juice. Add cinammon to apples, no saving cake paper and measure right amount of sugar. And not forgetting start abit earlier. Last but not least cut a piece for myself before it is gone!

Communicating with Him

Been talking to Him about two things.
First one to settle my mouth problem. It was awesome. He took the pain off and I believe it is solved.
Two is that we let us hear Him correct. I am positive He hears and He replies but we need to hear it and not let scams and hacked messages got through. Even if it got through, make our eyes, ears and mind recognise it. Thanks. I believe.

Marbled Brownies

Tried this last Friday after investing in a tray
160 g butter
170 g sugar
1 1/2 tsp milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 vanilla
96 g flour
65 g cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Melt butter, add sugar vanilla salt, cream, add milk, eggs
and the rest. pour into pan

cheesy part
beat
250 g cream cheese with
50 g sugar
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 egg
Dollop on brownie stir to get pattern bake in 180 Celsius for 50 minutes.

Note
1. Sugar used is reduced bu 20 and 15 g to cater for not-so-sweet tooth. Turn out ok
2. Forgot to put 1/2 cup chocolate chips on cheesy part
3. Lemon juice was own idea to replace vanilla so not to be too 'chai'

comments. good very good. want another round and this time want to copy Secret recipe's idea of eating with ice cream!

As One Age

'As God adds years to your life, ask Him to add life to your years.' Again something stolen from Our Daily Bread but it tickle my thoughts

Whether old age is boring or interesting depends on us and no one else. As we retire, and reach our golden years, we should still take responsibility for our life. This is the time to go into things that have always interest us but had no time for. Some people like to acquire new skills while others new knowledge.It is also wonderful to be able to do things without thinking if is beneficial financially or otherwise, This is the time do do because we want to do and not because we have to do or we need to do or we should do. This is the beauty I am experiencing now. I am blessed that I am comfortable financially with a roof over my head and acceptable good health.

I have taken up so many things and still have more to come. As my hubby reaches 55 (I won't say retire since I am not sure if he will) we should find things to share and do together at the same time not giving up our individual interest. I don't enjoy gardening just as he doesn't fancy books too much but we enjoy cooking.

Chocolate Cake

This recipe is from Amy Beh and I did a bit of variation
Original list of ingredients
250 g butter
250 caster sugar which I change to 230 g of icing sugar
4 eggs, separated
150 g self raising flour
70 g cocoa powder
1/4 cup evaporated milk my change...... just use milk powder with 1/4 water. thickness depends on how creamy you want your cake to be

method is different from any other cake making
Feedback.... very moist and chocolaty. Her original is good , changes only reduces the sweetness for those who don't have a sweet tooth and when one is lazy to open a tin of milk. Bake this whenever the children want a chocolate cake and I am loyal to this recipe.

Chicken Stew, My style

As time goes by, I tend to cook certain dishes my way, without exact measurement and adding ingredients as I feel like it.Just like the chicken stew
For a family of 5
1 kampong chicken cut into7 or 8 pieces, season with salt and pepper, dusted with flour
3 large carrots into chunks
5 potatoes into chunks too
1 tin button mushroom sliced thickly
3 large bombay onions, skinned and quartered
half a bulb of garlic
1 tin Campbell chicken soup
1 tin of water
butter
flour to coat chicken before frying in butter
4 tomatoes skinned and quartered
I like to put the potatoes and carrots first then the rest of the vegetables.
Chicken is on top before pouring in soup and water.
Slow cook once it is boiling.
When I think the chicken is cooked, I take it out and let the rest still slow cook so that the stew is thick and creamy but still chunky. (Chicken not overcooked)
Off the fire when satisfied with consistency. Put in the chicken again.
15 minutes before dinner, heat it up.

I have to confess that I am not sure this is chicken stew but the family loves it . I personally like it because it is soooo simple to cook and has all the nutrients . Good for packing to S'ban too.

Again

I think I am in trouble. I just love the quotations found in Our Daily bread everyday. They show me exactly what I think the Christian ministry should be. Why I am in trouble? Cuz I can't be quoting them everyday but I just can't help it. Any help from IT people?

Today's lovely quote

Lord, may I be a shining light
For all the world to see
Your goodness and Your love displayed
As You reach out through me. —Sper

Witnessing is not just something a Christian says, but what he is.