For The Love Of Baking

March 5, 2008

The Other One

In the midst of doing this and that, you know, the usual; translations, web project (this time something I really had no clue about: programming, which I thank God that it’s over), I’ve been busy testing some recipes and taking their photos for one company’s website that soon to be launched. Finally somebody took my food photos seriously

I was so damn tired and bored, when an angel came my way and said these magic words, “Riana, do you need anything from SG?” Ow My God, yes! Yes, I need something I’ve been craving for almost 3 years now!

When I visited Singapore in 2005, I came across this heavenly bites called Bakin’ Boys. I remember I even kept the box and brought it home, just for the sake of remembrance of this God’s gift to the world. I craved for it ever since.

Now, the angel, had asked me if I need anything from the land of the lion. My answer was definite as the sun will rise tomorrow morning. I need some bites of The Beatles of the cookies realm: Bakin’ Boys.

So right here, right now, when I’m breathing the air, living the life intended for me, I’m waiting for the magic package to arrive safely at my door. Pray for me, will you?

Ok. Back to the title of this post.
Remember Lemon Meringue Pie? I did mention I also baked Chocolate Meringue Pie, didn’t I? Well, here is the recipe. And the photo. And it was so good.

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February 8, 2008

Guilty Pleasure

Ow, yeah, baby.

The photos speak more than the words could even describe, I hope. The sinful treats. The skeleton in our closets. The deep dark secret we keep, in which each one of us indulges ourselves to the core from time to time. Better than sex, better than p**n

The french macaroons were in pistachio, blueberry, strawberry, rose and cappucino flavors. Yes, they’re sweet. Even too sweet for some people. But the meringue must have that much amount of sugar to hold its pretty round shape. And they had lots of ground almond, which made them a divine delight melting in your mouth good. Got them from Bakerzin, the desserts paradise, one of my happiest places ever exist.

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January 20, 2008

Another Paradox

I‘ve been wanting to try this recipe for so long! Am I so glad I finally did it!

Lemon Meringue Pie. Classic indeed. The first time I heard about this dessert, I have to admit, I –a liiiitle bit– underestimated it. Ok, it has a crust, then lemon cream, then meringue. It is surely sweet and nice, but heck, no surprises. Little did I know I was gonna get one spoonful of surprises in my mouth.

It was oooooh so good! Remember the first time you tried a Pavlova? You thought the combination was just okay, but then, wow! Anna Pavlova had to be a very very wonderful person to have her name immortalized by this wonderful dessert. This is a similar case. You wouldn’t guess what the combination of this three classic regular layers will do to your day. Color it happy, baby. So happy indeed.

The cream was smooth and tangy, the buttery crust was nicely crumbles, the topping was crunchy on the outside, soft and cottony on the inside. Sweet, comforting, surprising. How can a surprise be comforting? Hm. Another paradox.

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October 24, 2007

Merged!

This is a not so actual event. I made this months ago, never remembered I even took a picture. Since most of my laziness to blog was because I didn’t care enough to take photos of the food I made, I figured out this baby deserves a publication.

Well, if you’re an Indonesian, or at least, a southeast-asian, pretty sure you’re familiar with Indonesian Steamed Cake, a.k.a. Bolu Kukus. It looks somehting like this:

The texture of this cake is soft and cloudy, light and sweet.

And you must also know the distinguished Indonesian cup cake, a.k.a. Kue Mangkok. They look like this. They could vary in color, though. Red, green, not blue.

Unlike its sister, Bolu Kukus, Kue Mangkok is rather chewy, rich and densed. It boasts the distinguished aroma of fermented cassava used in it, giving a hint of sour and sweet that tingles your tastebud craving for more.

One afternoon, they were both merged. Only because I whipped up Bolu Kukus, then decided to use up my homemade yoghurt ‘cause it’s getting too sour –time for me to make a brand new batch. The result: texture of Bolu Kukus, taste and aroma of Kue Mangkok.

I guess it took everything good from each kind and combine it in one cup. Although I’m not sure what good the invention was for, except to deceive people who expect Bolu Kukus, but then unavoidably scratch their heads with unavoidable frowns, finding out they didn’t get Bolu Kukus. It’s Kue Mangkok instead, already in their chewing mouth! Gotcha!

Me, I just hate to see my yoghurt gone bad.

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October 4, 2007

Not Too Cold, Not Too Sweet

To break my fasting today: the tropical freshy: cold blewah *what is blewah in English?*, passionfruit, a little bit of honey. Stirred together with water, room temperature cold, and… Maghrib time was just so gratefully fresh and naturally sweet. Not too sweet, though. Not too cold, either.

Have a nice fasting break, everyone. Isn’t fasting such a bless?

September 21, 2007

Nigella’s Chocohotopots

I‘m not really a fan of Nigella’s recipes. But I sure am a ~~big~~ fan of the show! Well,… after Jamie At Home, of course. C’mon. I mean, really.

The following recipe was not oh-my-God good, but it’s very easy to make, boasted the simple sweet and bitter taste, beautiful crack on top, wonderful gooey texture in the inside. Besides, the pots looked pretty

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September 10, 2007

Giving New Meaning to the Word “Beer”

It’s Bir Pletok. Or Pletok Beer. It’s Batavian spiced drink. Not “the beer” you usually have friday night

It’s a beer for people like me, who love cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, lemongrass, cardamom, and all the magic healing aroma of spices around the world.

Do not expect any alcohol. In fact, the only high you’ll get from drinking this, is only the high of rememberance of old time when spices were gold and whoever ruled spices was the king of the world.

The Famous Secang Wood

The flavor and smell was so strong it immediately kicks my afternoon laziness. The heat it produced brought comforting warmth I need before going to bed at night. Threw in some ice cubes and I was ready to have a picnic the Famous Five way (remember Julian, Dick, Anne, George, Timmy?).

For those of you who don’t really like spiced things, or are not used to herbal things, or are not sure if you’ll like it, I’m sorry I have to advice you to stay away from this drink.

This, is for hard core
spice & herb freaks only.