Billy & Cynthia Post 9: Things to bring for photoshoot

So, we did our photoshoot on the 4th of March. We got to select our photographs on the 23rd. We were blessed to have our great friends TYE and SSS to select the photographs with us. Of course, the best part and the funniest part was our silly little wedding planner, Shayna. 

"This one not nice, don't want."

"This one not nice because you sit on the floor" and proceeds to fling the photograph across the table. 

She made the photo selection such a breeze!

We have only 35 photographs in the package that we signed up for but there were 200+ photographs that we took throughout the photoshoot. Most of them were generally pretty with some exception of unflattering angles/weird facial expressions. Some locations that I really liked were edited with horribly weird contrasts RUINING the images. I was pretty upset but then again, the photos for those images weren't too amazing so giving them up were not so much of a waste. What I cannot understand was their motive behind editing the photographs so heavily to get a specific effect like 'nostalgia'. Why not show me the raw images? Odd indeed. 

In any case, this blog post is to help those who are planning to or are going to do their pre-wedding photoshoot. Here's a list of stuff to bring and or prepare. (:

Ribbon Nutella Mango Swiss Roll

So after a long wait, I've finally picked up my Miss Junko Swiss Roll Book 2 to work on another Swiss Roll.  I term it the Ribbon Nutella Mango Swiss Roll. My previous attempt a real long time ago with the Pikachu design was kinda spongy for the design part. I wanted the entire cake to be as soft as possible. Of course, I wanted it to look really pretty. So I was bored enough from the warm weather (it's been insane of late here nowadays!) and since I had the evening free (rare moments), I decided to bake this very ribbon design that I've been eyeing. I choose Nutella and fresh mango cubes as they were just about the only stuff I have on hand right now. 

This is the Pikachu one I did probably a year or two ago. I should recreate it and make it real soft like what I did to the Ribbon Nutella Mango Swiss Roll. 

This Swiss Roll recipe is indeed really soft, softer than I had imagined. Of course, measures have to be taken to let it be that soft and to maintain its level of moisture. I've had experiences baking soft Swiss Rolls like those for the Yule Logs I did last Christmas, but truth be told, this recipe is even softer and it is a keeper for me. 

I termed this recipe as a difficulty level 4 as precision is required. Exact portions are required for each step to work so if you're afraid of a lil' precision and hard work for such a pretty swiss roll, I'd suggest you look else where. But trust me, the product is worth the hard work (: This recipe also requires your full attention as meringue is being used. Please do not work on the recipe halfway and attend to other matters, the meringue will deflate and turn watery with time. Then, the recipe will not be successful. 

Time with Cynthia: Folding of cake batter using bare hands

Ever had sponge cake batter that is clumpy after baking or still has pockets of flour in it after baking? Then this method of folding in cake batter using bare hands will help you achieve the right cake batter.

Our fingers enable us to feel for pockets of flour and oil left unfolded unlike using a spatula where it's easy to miss pockets of flour and traces of oil. 

Try this method now, of course, with cleanly scrubbed hands! (: 

Time with Cynthia: Removal of Chiffon Cake by hand

Here's a video for the removal of Chiffon Cake by hand. 

Refer to recipe for Fluffy Pandan Chiffon Cake here.

Recipe for Rainbow Chiffon Cake here.

Recipe for Black Tea Forest Fruit Chiffon Cakes here.

Time with Cynthia: Hand Folding for Chiffon Batter

Here's a video for the folding of batter for chiffon cakes. 

Refer to recipe for Fluffy Pandan Chiffon Cake here.

Recipe for Rainbow Chiffon Cake here.

Recipe for Black Tea Forest Fruit Chiffon Cakes here.

Billy & Cynthia POST 8: Pre-wedding Photoshoot

So, we did our pre-wedding photoshoot on the 4th of March. It was raining the week before and was predicted to rain the week following the photoshoot. We were indeed blessed with the awesome non-humid weather. We started off really early in the morning at 9am. We were really blessed to have my MOH, Esther come along for the photoshoot to give us a helping hand! 

Click on to read more as.......

Food Review: The Rice Table at International Building

Boasting an array of 14 buffet items on the lunch menu as well 19 items on the dinner menu, The Rice Table located in International Building (Between Thai Embassy & Isetan Scotts) is my favourite place for a good Indonesian Buffet. Being an ala-carte buffet, it's conducive for gatherings and get-togethers as opposed to buffet line buffets. This is one of the places I love to gather with good friends and even my mum whenever I have a craving for their Indonesian food, which is quite often! Some time ago, I gathered there with Sandra and Esther for a lazy afternoon lunch! Just thinking of the food as I blog this entry makes me salivate!

Here are the details of the opening hours and address. I'd recommend making reservations even if it's for lunch as the place can get quite packed with people at times! 

The lunch buffet consists of 14 dishes at a price of $17.90 nett excluding drinks. 

The dinner buffet consists of 19 dishes at a price of $17.90 nett excluding drinks. 

Here's the drinks menu. The juices used to be a flat rate of $3.50 and drinks were refillable. However, that's been removed some time ago. Nevertheless, the sour plum drink is really good. They do serve Chendols too. 

Click on the link for more images of the good food! 

Marbled Eggs

So, as Easter is approaching, eggs are somewhat loved by many even though it doesn't have much true meaning in relation to the purpose/significance of Easter. Here's a really simple recipe for Marbled Eggs for any parties that you may have or even a simple treat for kids! I've used gel food colouring in these eggs as they're the easier way out but you may definitely seek alternative natural food colouring options like Pandan Leaves for green, Blue Pea Flowers for blue, Beetroot for red so on and so forth. 

Food Review: Paul at Takashimaya

A couple of weeks back, the fav boy, Hong Bin, Bryna and I had a date. We caught up with each other and shared thoughts on our wedding preparation. They're getting married in June and she's gonna be my wedding coordinator too! We had dinner in Lucky Plaza and adjourned to Paul at Takashimaya for a chat. 

The atmosphere was pretty decent and the staff were relatively friendly. We ordered a few snacks to share. 

Their speciality, chocolate cake was claimed as a sponge cake by the waiter. Well, this cake was dense and nothing to brag about, the waiter could have mentioned that this was just a slice of rich chocolate cake rather than a sponge cake. If it were to be a sponge cake, I'd expect so much more. 

The fruit tart was pretty to look at and I loved it! The tart was still crunchy despite the filling. Something I really appreciate in a tart. (:

The apricot pie was good too. Not too sweet, just the right texture.

The combo was a supposed good deal but the though of another slice of the chocolate cake made us shudder. The yellow macaron, flavour I can't remember was pretty good. Not too sweet and it has perfect feet! The pink macaron was decent but the jam was a miserly option. A cream would have been much more apt. The creme brulee was horrid. Creme Brulees are meant to be warm with an awesome crunchy and sticky top but this dessert was plain cold.

Bryna and Hong Bin did enjoy their pot of Earl Grey tea though.

Based on these few items and the prices we paid for the snacks, I wouldn't go back for another round unless I've got a major craving for the 2 tarts. Such a pity cos' it's a really pretty place to gather and spend a lazy time together! 

No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

The No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake been highly requested but I've not baked/prepared any prior to this. The only drawback and of course, the biggest drawback here is that I'm lactose intolerant and cream cheese will send me running for the loo when consumed. However, the fav boy is such a fan of cheese and since my hands were itching to bake and that Philadelphia was on promotion in NTUC, I decided to try this out. 

NTUC is having a promotion for these cream cheese blocks. I believe that I paid $9.95 for both blocks and an adorable hand whisk and measuring spoon was thrown in as a freebie! What a deal, isn't it? So being itchy-handded, I started prepping this last night as I wanted to be sure that the cheesecake layer sets right.

So if you've guessed it right last night via the Facebook posts I posted, you're smart XD

These No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake are really simple to make but they require time to set. I made them in 3 variety of flavours: Original, Blueberry and Strawberry. I also made them in 3 variety of sizes. Shooters, Jars and Cups (:

These are the mini shooters which are just so adorable!

Marble Cake

This is attempt two of Marble Cake.

The first time round, there was too much chocolate, this time round, it's much better.

And of course, I used my favourite brand of butter this time round.

This takes about 30 minutes to prepare and 1 hour to bake. 

This costs about $15 to bake.

Recipe's adapted from Suzette Cooks.

This blog post was previously cranky so here's a repost of it (:

Marble Cake Recipe (7 inch)

Ingredients:

3 eggs

195g salted butter (SCS socks!)

195g self-raising flour

120g castor sugar

190ml milk

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder

Butter/Oil for greasing pan

Bread Pudding

This was my first attempt at baking a Bread Pudding. I'm lactose intolerant so this was a 'risk' as I couldn't sample this project to check if it was on track! Nevertheless, this was done up for my favourite boy who loves bread pudding but we couldn't find a good one outside that he liked.

This project takes 40 minutes to prepare and costs about $15 cos' raisins are expensive!

Subsequent projects should cost you no more than $8. 

This blog post was previously cranky so here's a repost of it (:

Bread Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

2 slices plain or wholemeal bread

1/2 cup low fat milk

1/2 egg, beaten

25g raisins or dried cranberries

2 tbsp soft brown sugar

Butter/Oil for greasing pan

Mini Apple Tartlets

This is my second attempt at baking Apple Pie/Tarts.

The first attempt were 'Mcdonald' style pies but somehow, there was too much pastry.

Hence, this miniature version!

This project takes about 2.5 hours and costs about $20. 

This project yields about 12 mini tartlets.

Recipe credits: Small Small Baker

The blog post for this recipe was previously cranky so here's a repost for it. (:

Mini Apple Tartlets Recipe

Ingredients

Pastry

130g plain flour

100g butter, cubed

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tbsp sugar

35-40 ml cold water

Filling

(A) 

220 g apple, cubed (About 2 China Fuji Apples)

260ml water

20 ml lemon juice (Optional)

90g sugar

(B)

60ml water

2 tbsp cornflour

20g butter (Margarine works well too)

1 tsp brown sugar

1 egg, beaten for glazing

Pineapple Tarts

I experimented with pineapple tarts this new year (2011).

This recipe was from my second attempt, the improved version.

This project will cost about $20 and it takes 4 hours to complete.

This blog post was previously cranky so here's a repost of it. (:

Pineapple Tarts Recipe

Ingredients

Pineapple Paste

4 Honey Pineapples

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp white sugar

Pastry

4 oz plain flour (about 125+g)

4 oz all purpose flour (about 125+g)

5oz salted butter (about 150+g)

3 eggs

1 egg for glaze

Mini Fruit Tarts

These Mini Fruit Tarts were my first attempt at baking any tarts.

Who can ever resist pretty fruit tarts with tasty custard and buttery tart?

This project takes about 4 hours and costs about $30.

Recipe Credits: The Kwoks Viewfinder

This blog post was previously cranky so here's a repost of it. (:

Mini Fruit Tarts Recipe

Ingredients

Tart Shell (Makes at least 50 mini tarts)

500 g cake flour

150g icing sugar

250g softened butter

150g whole eggs (About 3 medium sized eggs)

Custard cream

10 tbsp corn flour

5 egg yolks

12 1/3 tbsp sugar

500ml milk

1 punnet of strawberries

3 kiwis