Singaporean Mee Siam

When you have already achieved your mile stone to an ordinary simply fried Mee Siam, the next course of action must be crossing beyond the Malaysian boundary for heading to the neighbouring country. Singapore or Singapura where there is no limits to noodle dishes (Char Kway Teow, Prawn Curry Laksa & Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup) and of course, Singaporean Mee Siam inclusive. Honestly, will you believe me if I say I have not stepped into Singapore ever? I have not pretty much and don't ask me why or why not. I myself can't conclude despite planning and making a couple of attempts, but nothing took place. Regardless, I quite know about their noodles dishes. Of course, from tv programs and listening to friends who have worked or visited Singapore. Henceforth, I didn't have much trouble in coining this Singporean Mee Siam or Mee Siam Singapura (Singapore Laksa) and tell me please, how far different can the ingredients be (Sarawak Laksa, Malaysian Fried Mee Hoon, Laksam Kelantan & Thai Fish Noodle Soup)? We still need the quintessential ingredients which by far, as far as I know, for this Thai origin and originality soupy noodle dish (Thai Mee Hoon Salad & Spicy Thai Noodles). Singapore Mee Siam. Perhaps not so close to other types of Mee Siam, yet its still rice noodles soaking in a spicy, aromatic, wondrous and tasty red hue gravy (Shrimp Pad Thai, Penang Curry Mee & Lamb Pho). 

Mandarin Orange Cake

The heat is one and the heat ignited for baking (Oatmeal Raisin Cookies & Chinese Peanut Cookies). Not something I planned actually, but when you receive loads of mandarin oranges during Chinese New Year from your Chinese friends despite telling them enough is enough, yet they won't stop. Honestly, I am not sure if the giving is out of goodwill or as a clearing stock by dumping on us, or for them receiving bounds and bounds of prosperity. Beats me and we on the other hand, just can't refuse because this oranges giving is supposedly like we are receiving gold in return. Oh-god! Wish the oranges will churn into real gold, but dream on and if you continue to gobble down as many oranges, cold and cough will end up being your best friend. Thus, tell me when. What should we possibly do? Of course, we can't offend our Chinese friends by refusing, but potentially we can use some for the oranges for this Mandarin Orange Cake. Sounds logical, isn't it? Easy-preasy and without having to use the cake mixer (Traditional Butter Cake & Sujee Cake), all you got to do is mixing and gently incorporating all the ingredients. Eggles  Mandarin Orange Cake? Sincerely a soft appreciated bliss in our mouth (Eggless Orange Cheesecake & Lemon Buttermilk Cake).

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

The last draw. The final draw before me telling myself I should possibly put a stop to making cookies because I wanted to sit back and rest prior to returning to work in another three days time. One more on my cookie card go, I made these Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Relatively the easiest I must say and conclude compared to those cookies I already felt good making. After all, unless you try, you never know and knowledge thirsting on cookie making, if you are asking me is no lost. Basically because people can't con you and you won't like open your mouth when they blow their own trumpets to their cookie expertise and you can in return tell them you also know it (Semperit Cookies, Vanilla Butter Cookies, Suji Cookies, Nyonya Pineapple Tarts & Chinese Peanut Cookies). Where did the recipe come from for these Oatmeal Raisin Cookie?  From a particular popular site which I am definitely not telling because it hit the back and front sack of disaster. Yes guys, another disaster. Beats me though why people share recipes that won't work, but we still get carried away with the attached beautiful visuals right? We do. Anyway, once I mixed the ingredients, dough was so sticky until I couldn't possibly pinch and roll out into small balls. Instead of throwing the dough away, I added extra oats and a little more flour which logically did the job. Thereafter, me literally squatting in front of my oven  and simultaneously keeping my fingers crossed. Thank god, the first batch came out and happiness was the moment of truth. Crunchy and natural burst of sweetness from honey and raisin, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies truly delighted my cookie making day. 

Semperit Cookies

My-my! Me and my baking. Still on-going.  Llike they say, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. True enough. I wouldn't keep quiet and I got down to making Semperit Cookies from the family group of Malay cookies. Nothing more did stop me and all went on well (Vanilla Butter Cookies, Cayenne Chocolate Cookies, Nyonya Pineapple Tarts & Chinese Peanut Cookies) until I had to pipe out the dough from the stringent and short tight tunnel like cookie mold. Oh-hack! Such a time consuming thing for ensuring that the long piece of dough didn't break in between and crumble and I also had make sure the size and shape were in balance with each other. What a killer go. In the end regardless, these buttery and vanilla scented Semperit Cookies were worthiness. I am sure you are agreeing and the more you will agree once you make. 

Lamb Massaman Curry

Thai cooking and Thai cuisine for this lady? I quite know it all actually due to me and my cooking expertise and me having travelled around Thailand in a good bit. But I must confess I have never ever made Massaman Curry before. Of course there is always a first time and it all began by me peeping into a couple of recipe books and then, deciding on which ingredients will raise alongside each other in tandem for the big bold Thai profound tastes (Thai Tomato Soup, Thai Crispy Fish, Shrimp Pad Thai, Thai Yellow Curry, Thai Fish Noodle Soup, Thai Green Curry & Tom Yum Fried Rice). But considering that beef is generally the meat choice for Massaman Curry, I had to look for an alternative and lamb couldn't be by far the better or best. After all it's not mutton (Nepalese Mutton Curry), it has to be lamb for us (Lamb Spaghetti, Lamb Rogan Josh, Lamb Kofta Curry, Lamb Fried Rice, Malaysian Lamb Stew & Lamb Pho). Lamb Massaman Curry? A must try aromatic, peppery, spicy and delicious till its last drop, another from the Thai curry family tree.

Vanilla Butter Cookies

Cookies making still on the go! Seemed like I was enjoying every bit to making cookies, though I must tell you that standing and making can break your bones and legs. Unless of course you pull a stool or you prefer to sit on the floor. Of course the possibilities are there to sitting on the floor, but try getting up after like an hour. Quite a killer any which way mind you. The best I think is still standing, thank god, all those cookies I made were in small batches. Otherwise, I beg to differ what would have been the outcome to me (Suji Cookies, Cayenne Chocolate Cookies, Nyonya Pineapple Tarts & Chinese Peanut Cookies). Vanilla Butter Cookies I must mention are a simplicity in terms of making the dough and also rolling it bit by bit at the back of the fork. Nothing really tremendous, in fact quite a straightforward technic and when they are being baked, thereafter coming out of the oven, walla! The scent is just so beautiful to our senses. Vanilla Butter Cookies? Buttery and vanilla scented, demure and crumbling lusciously upon the first light bite. Oh, eggless as well. 

Suji Cookies

Like a customary, must have, no matter what, do or die, Suji Cookies are a must for us Indians and made before Deepavali/The Festival Of Lights? If you are asking, its a big yes. I can't still remember sitting in a line, as though like in the factory and rolling, as well as putting the cherries atop the raw unbaked cookies before they going and coming out of the oven. Of course, over the many years, mum has given up and nothing much on my side as well. But Suji Cookies will forever be memorable. That's why once I completed my mission to Cayenne Chocolate Cookies, Nyonya Pineapple Cookies and Chinese Peanut Cookies, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Suji Cookies. Not a brain cracker anyway and pretty much ingredients easily available anywhere, these ghee scented and loaded tiny cute, pretty and attractive Suji Cookies are definitely crumbly and outside crusty sugar pops (Rava Laddu & Rava Kesari).