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! 

Nama Chocolate (Royce) [Rum version]

Royce's Nama Chocolate has been one of my favourite little treats and I can hardly bring myself to pay $15 for a box of these delights. 

The recipe I used is from justonecookbook.com (: 

It's usually recommended to use high quality branded chocolates and cocoa powder such as Valrhona, I only had Phoon Huat ones on hand. Hence, I decided to still give it a go but I'm proud to say that these taste AWESOME. They maybe better with Valrhona, but for now, the Phoon Huat ones are good enough for me.

This recipe is almost fool proof. But of course, steps must be taken to ensure that it turns out right. 

Cuisine & Wine Asia Magazine Feature, July 2013

When God's blessings flow, there's not stopping. Following Billy & my previous feature in NTUC's Next Magazine, Cuisine & Wine Asia did a feature on lost kuehs and my Kueh Lapis was being featured! 

It's indeed blessings after blessings that we've been showered with. 

Cuisine & Wine Asia July/August 2013. The magazine is published once every 2 months. The latest copy has just hit the news stands! I got one copy for 8 bucks ($7.60 with Times member) from Times Bookstore!

The series of feature showcases 4 (including myself) ladies who are in the run to keep traditional kuehs running. As you may already know, Kueh Lapis (which is being featured in this article) is one of those traditional kuehs that many do not even attempt to bake as it is not only rich (fattening if taken in large quantities) but it is a challenge to sit by the oven to bake it for hours. The traditional kueh is still popular in its own way during festive seasons like Chinese New Year but not many bake it from home anymore. Most people simply purchase them from popular chains like Bengawan Solo. 

I'm blessed to love this kueh and also love a challenge enough to bake this often enough as and when I feel like it. This gift of baking from God to bless people I love with food has indeed brought me quite far. 

Here's a clearer view of the article if you're keen! 

(Click on the image for a magnified view!)

So with thanksgiving, I'm giving away 3 copies of this magazine if you'd like to have a copy of it! Open to anyone from any country! I'll bear the postage fees! (: You may do so via ANY of these channels:

1) Facebook (my personal page)

click on this link and leave a comment "I'd love a copy of this!" and leave your name and country. 

2) The Baking Biatch's Facebook page

click on this link and leave a comment "I'd love a copy of this!" and leave your name and country. 

3) Blog (this entry!)

Leave a comment on this blog entry stating "I'd love a copy of this!" and leave your name and country. 

I'll close this giveaway on the 19th of July Friday (: Winners will be chosen at random. Else, you may grab a copy of the magazine from bookstores/news stand for SGD$8! I believe that it is also sold across Asia! (: 

Thank you for sharing my joy with me! (: 

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4 AUGUST 2013 Update

Apologies for the late selection of the winners for the giveaway as I've been really busy with work! As the response was overwhelming, I am truly honoured to be giving away a total of 5 copies of the magazines in all. Here are the names of the winners based on application I've used to select the names at random.

1) 

Jessica Wong from Singapore

2) 

Teoh Choon Choon from Singapore

3) 

Fenny from Malaysia, Sabah

4) 

Kit Wai from Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

5) 

Rachel from Malaysia

For those who did not manage to win this giveaway, fret not! The magazine can be purchased from most major bookstores! (: CONGRATS to the winners! Please contact me via email at cynthia.lim.hl@gmail.com with your full name and mailing details so that I may mail the magazine to you (: 

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT! (: