Simple Dinner Rolls

Simplicity can be beautiful. I made these simple Dinner Rolls on Thursday night. Soft and fluffy, they're pretty much a delight to eat! I used a bread machine to mix the dough but a mixer would work just as well. My Kenwood BM 250 is just such a darling! (: The recipe uses Tangzhong, a mixture of bread flour and milk that allows for bread to be really nice and soft. 

This recipe is relatively simple so I'm rating it a difficulty level 2 out of 5. It will take about 3 hour 15 minutes in all to complete. 

Something awesome is happening soon!

God's grace has been plentiful for the both of us. Be it planning for the wedding, be it the house, be it our relationship, our families or even this blog. I started out blogging almost 2 years ago with the intention of recording my recipes for my own use and maybe the idea of sharing it with friends and families as I'm a really visual person. Step by step image recipes help me recall the steps and guide me in my own baking and cooking. I've really never thought that I'll come this far. My God is awesome! His blessings overflow and this time round, it's in a form of a video I did with NTUC Media. 

I was approached by Sylvy who gave me my first shot at a magazine feature. This time round, she's asked of me to do an instructional video for NTUC featuring snowskin mooncakes. We did the filming last Thursday, with the generous loaning of my MIL's place for the filming. The crew consisting of Alan, Bing and Gwen were dedicated and fun-loving! I'm really looking forward to the launch of the video in the first week of September. 

Till then, have fun making some snowskin mooncakes! (: 

Billy & Cynthia POST 9: Our Progress (August 2013)

It's already mid August and we're merely 4.5 months away from the wedding! It's been a luxury having 14 months to plan for our wedding. But as time ticks away, it seems like we have so much to do and so little time for everything! It really doesn't help that work has been taking up so much of both of our time. We've also been hunting for Interior Designers for our first home.

So before I go on to share our progress for our big day planning, here's 2 photos of our pre-wedding photoshoot that I'd like to share with all of you! (: 

These photos maybe pretty but somehow, they do bring back a certain amount of bad memories with the bridal studio. Seletar Broadway, sighs.. where should I even begin? In any case, more on the bridal studio in time to come. 

We've settled most of the larger components for the wedding. 

Here's a list of stuff we have completed/settled so far...

1) Pre-wedding photoshoot

2) Booking of restaurant

3) Booking of church

4) Booking of honeymoon

5) Purchase of bridesmaids' dresses

6) Purchase of groomsmen's Bermudas

7) Confirmation of photographers

8) Confirmation of videographers

9) Confirmation of bridesmaids

10) Additional printing of photobooks

11) Booking of beloved Pastor Zhuang! (:

Here's what we're in the midst of doing...

1) Confirmation of candy bar idea

2) Confirmation of balloon decor

3) Confirmation of guo da li

4) Confirmation of ang bao box

5) Confirmation of wedding invites

6) Confirmation of wedding favours

7) Confirmation of flower decor for church

8) Confirmation of timeline for AD

9) Confirmation of location for picking of bride (me!)

10) Childhood montage

11) Helper's list

Here's what we have yet to do.. (!!!!)

1) Booking of caterer

2) Sewing of bow ties for the groomsmen

3) DIY decor for the reception

4) DIY decor for the candy bar

5) DIY decor for the church decor

6) DIY decor for the restaurant

7) Booking of hotel for AD

8) Praise & Worship team for Holy Matrimony

The list seems never ending isn't it? Nevertheless, we're truly blessed in many aspects of our wedding. Friends, families and loved ones giving us a helping hand for our big day. So let me collect myself and share more details of our big day planning with all of you soon! (: 

Snowskin Mooncake 2013

Something pretty awesome is coming up soon! As such, I've made these little gems. Milk Tea Snowskin Mooncakes and Cranberry Snowskin Mooncakes. 

8 September 2013

I made these mini mooncakes: green tea, cranberry and milk tea flavour for my cell group (:

You may refer to this link for the recipe that I've used. Here's a video tutorial I did for the making of snowskin mooncakes! (: 

I'd love to see the bakes or stuff you've cooked using the blog's recipe! Do share photos of stuff you've baked or cooked using the blog's recipe with me either via FB message to http://facebook.com/limcynthia OR http://facebook.com/thebakingbiatch OR via email at cynthia.lim.hl@gmail.com! I look forward to hearing from you! (: 

Tropical Pops

The weather has been insane of late, raining one day and sunny the other. Prompted by my sister, we decided to make these Tropical Pops for a hot day. We were lucky as we made them last night and it was insanely hot this afternoon.. these came in real handy! 

There's really good to eat, not just ice but frozen fruits. Delectable! (: They're really easy to make and you can even make them with your little ones! Lesser sweet ice-creams and more fresh fruits! These took me about 15 minutes to make and I'd rate them a difficulty level 2 out of 5.

Doraemon Steamed Cakes

Ang-ang-ang! Doraemon has been one of my favourite cartoons to watch as a child alongside Banana in Pyjamas, Pink Panther and Power Ranger! As I was baking a Doraemon Rainbow Cake for a themed party, I baked some Doraemon Steamed Cakes too!

 These steamed cakes taste similar to the steamed egg cakes I used to have as a kid. The recipe was adapted from Angela Chia's video on Facebook. In her video, yield was not indicated (video showed that one would get 6 cupcakes but I got way more cupcakes than that [how misleading!]). I truly thought that somewhere somehow, I got the recipe wrong. 

In any case, this recipe is perfect for those who do not have ovens but yet wish to have some nice snacks! This recipe is relatively simple to do so I'm giving it a difficulty level 3 out of 5. It takes about 30 - 45 minutes in all to steam about 10 - 13 cupcakes depending on your steamer. I could only steam 7 at once so I did them in 2 batches. However, please do not whip up a super large batch at once and then let them sit for hours before steaming them. I'd suggest a maximum of 15 - 20 mins at max between whisking the batter and steaming them. 

Totoro Steamed Cake

Totoro! The fav boy's favourite cartoon character. I had the luxury to steam these little cakes over the PSLE Oral weekend. They're like little cutie pies that attract both the young and the old. They taste similar to the steamed egg cakes I used to have as a kid. 

The recipe was adapted from Angela Chia's video on Facebook. In her video, yield was not indicated (video showed that one would get 6 cupcakes but I got way more cupcakes than that [how misleading!]). I truly thought that somewhere somehow, I got the recipe wrong. 

In any case, this recipe is perfect for those who do not have ovens but yet wish to have some nice snacks! This recipe is relatively simple to do so I'm giving it a difficulty level 3 out of 5. It takes about 30 - 45 minutes in all to steam about 10 - 13 cupcakes depending on your steamer. I could only steam 7 at once so I did them in 2 batches. However, please do not whip up a super large batch at once and then let them sit for hours before steaming them. I'd suggest a maximum of 15 - 20 mins at max between whisking the batter and steaming them. 

Zebra Butter Cake

The Mrs Ng SK Cake was made popular by Wendy of Wendyinkk.blogspot.com. This was one recipe that I tried and really loved! So earlier this week, as the school was going through EV and that my colleagues had worked so hard preparing for it, I decided to bake them a butter cake for all to share! 

It has been an easier week for me as I was not involved during EV but I was part of the PSLE Oral by serving in the waiting room. I also had the luxury to do more marking. I've always had an issue with students who can't write neatly. My buttons were pushed to the extreme when this silly boy of mine has his 'f's looking like 't'! This work here that I've marked is not the first as I've had him write like this time and time again in my work and I've even penalised him for such handwriting during his spelling. However, this time round, it was too annoying. His entire worksheet was laced with imperfect 'f's. I decided to print out those tracing worksheets used for young children for him to practice his 'f's. Urrrgh, sometimes, kids.  

That aside, I adopted Wendy's recipe and made it Zebra styled. I just love how beautifully flat the butter cake worked out to be! 

This recipe took me about 1 hour 15 minutes in all to prepare and bake. I'd rate it a difficulty level 3 out of 5. 

The Ultimate Rainbow Cake

The Ultimate Rainbow Cake. One that would wow the socks off people you gift it to. I've done a couple of Rainbow cakes but this is just about one of my very favourite. I challenged myself to match the layers with the Rainbow Petals on the outside. Well, I guess teaching has taught me one thing: PATIENCE. 

It was also a good time for me to take time off all the marking and lesson preparation to do what I like best: baking. It's already my 7th week into teaching and I am pretty much enjoying myself. It's not just delivering syllabus.. but helping kids. I become like a mother to some of my kids cos' they don't get the right support at home. It opens my eyes to the many sufferings of the world too, and in turn, be more thankful for the many good things I'm blessed with. 

Oh yes, speaking of blessings.. I've FINALLY GRADUATED! 

It's been a long long journey. But I've made it! When people tell you that you'll get no where with a low PSLE score, don't take them for real. 

I completed PSLE with 186. I was a "goner" in many people's eyes. Headed to Normal Academic in Xinmin. "Wasted" a year more than my peers. Thankfully, I did fairly well during my N and O levels to do my Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Then I "wasted" more time to do my second Diploma in Education with NIE. By God's grace, I crossover and did my degree with two years of no pay leave. After going one big round, I graduate today. 

So not doing well for PSLE is not the end. You just need that "waking moment". 

That aside,without my family, friends and the fav boy, I would never have gotten this far. It hasn't been easy by truly, with God's grace, I've made it! Praise The Lord!

Okay, merry stuff aside, I really like The Ultimate Rainbow Cake! (:

I'd rate this a difficulty level 5 out of 5 and it takes about 4 hours in all to complete.

Click on for the recipe..

Cold Tofu Dish

This simple Cold Tofu Dish was recommended by Vanessa via Culinary Kitchenette blog.. It is really effortless and simple to prepare! 

Cold Tofu Dish Recipe

1 packet silken tofu

1 century egg, diced

3 tbsp floss

1 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1/4 tbsp sesame oil

Method

Slit the sides of the tofu packaging and drain away water. Assemble on plate. 

Add the cut century egg on the tofu. Then, add the floss. 

Mix the light soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl. Pour around and over the tofu and serve immediately.

I LOVED IT A LOT as it was really refreshing! Give this a try! (: 

I'd love to see the bakes or stuff you've cooked using the blog's recipe! Do share photos of stuff you've baked or cooked using the blog's recipe with me either via FB message to http://facebook.com/limcynthia OR http://facebook.com/thebakingbiatch OR via email at cynthia.lim.hl@gmail.com! I look forward to hearing from you! (: 

Life of a Teacher # 1 - Drawer

As you're probably know, I'm teaching in a local primary school. 

Sometimes, there are some things children do that really amuse me. So I'm gonna start a small new section o featuring snippets of my life as a teacher. Some of these stuff may amuse you as much as it amused me! (: 

One who teaches: Teacher

One who draws: Drawer

HAHA!