Ab's Cooking Journey...Part 8...~Maki-Zushi aka Sushi Roll~

During my cooking journey part 1, I have tried to make sushi..But I used normal rice instead of short grain rice..After a lesson learn, I went to a rice shop near my house and told them I want short grain rice to make sushi..RM6.80 per kg..I have no idea whether it is reasonable or expensive..Anyway, my mum said it is expensive..Hehe!!

Then I went to buy cucumber..There are two big baskets of cucumber..Again, have no idea how to choose..Hehe..I called my mum to get some info..Finally I bought ONE cucumber..Luckily the promoter did not "beh song" me..Hehe!!

After bought all the ingredients, I start to cook two cups of rice..But it became too much..Hehe..After that, I cooked the seasonings and mixed it with the rice..The rice became shinny..Looks so delicious..Hehe!!

Then I put some rice on top of a piece of seaweed, placed a cucumber stick with Tuna and rolled it..As I put too much rice, the Sushi Roll became quite big..Hehe!! Anyway, it is quite tasty..

Mission done successfully!! Yeah!!


Ingredients to make seasonings..


Rice with seasonings


Ready to roll


After rolled


My Homemade Sushi Roll

Ab's Cooking Journey...Part 7...~Banana Cake~

It is my first time to buy banana..Totally have no idea how to choose..Hehe!! Just simply chose one and paid..Hehe!! Luckily it is good after I tried one..

This time I wanna bake Banana Cake..Supposed it is cupcake..After I tried to bake two cups, their outlook seemed like "hangus"..Even the paper cup also abit "hangus"..So I finally used an aluminum foil box to bake..

After I tried my homemade banana cake, my comment is - it is not a banana cake..Hahaha!! It is because I could not taste any banana's taste..Haiz, the banana is not put enough..Mission considered failed!!

Besides banana, I have put some sultanas into the mixture and sprinkled some chopped walnuts on top of the mixture..I could taste that my homemade banana cake is fulled of sultanas taste..Haiyo, "gek sei ngo"..I think I have put too much sultanas into it..Mission confirmed failed!!

Anyway, it is a good try for me..Hehe!! Lesson learn for this journey is need to use own imagination to estimate ingredients..Hahaha!!


Ingredients for making Banana Cake


Chopped walnuts sprinkled on top of mixture


Result out..


Tasty??

Unexpected 100 d@ys' Surprise...

Unexpected...It is really contrary to my expectations..

At first, I thought he want a walk..Before drop down from car, he suddenly took out two Portuguese Egg Tarts..I was so wondered..He said it is 100 d@ys' surprise..Hehe!! Besides egg tarts, there is a Hand-made Photo Frame..He had made it until late of the night..I was so sorry because I misunderstood him at first..Anyway, he did not mind at all..Hehe!!

We did have a great d@y and I was so happy and touched..

~Thanks for giving me such a big surprise~

Hand-Made Photo Frame

Bumble Bee @utobot...

It is an ordinary Frid@y..We went out for lunch as usual..

While waiting for him to feed his car, he disappeared a moment and bought me a Bumble Bee @utobot..I was so happy..Hehe..I like Bumble Bee very much and even dream about it..Hehe!! Yahooh, I have two Bumble Bee's products..Thanks ya!!

Jimmy, thanks for cheering me up..

Bumble Bee

Little Pirates M@x...

Thanks for your "Little Pir@tes M@x"...
I will keep it nicely...

~Appreciate present moment is the most important~

Pirates Puppy

Ab's Cooking Journey...Part 6...~Almond Crunch~

This time I am challenging to bake cookies again...Hehe!!

Almond Crunch...Result? Success!! Yahooh!!

Lesson learn from my last mission is it should read recipe carefully...Thus this time I remembered to use caster sugar and shape the mixture into balls...Hehe!!

After mixture is ready, it is required to divide the mixture into 10g each and shape into balls...It is just likes the step we make the "Tang Yuan"...There is a step to wash surface of the balls with egg...I like this step very much...It is very funny!!! Hehe!!!

For the first bake, I took it as a trial...So I just put a few of it...It is because I would like to test the baking temperature and time according the recipe if it is suitable for my homemade cookies...It is required to bake at 170°C for 20 minutes...The result of first round baking is my cookies are overcooked...They are almost "hangus" and the color turned black instead of orange-yellowish...I think my oven is one of the root cause also...It is old version and I suspected the flow of heat is not balance...

Luckily, I just baked few...:)
I tried to change the baking temperature to 150°C and baking time to 15 minutes...Came out a plate of shiny orange-yellowish Almond Crunch...Yeah!!! It was successful...Hehehe!!! The taste of cookies is nice and the sweetness level is good enough...One thing is failed - the almond is too soft instead of crisp...It is because I have used raw almond...Jimmy commented that it should use cooked almond...

Thus, lesson learn from the making of Almond Crunch - it should use cooked almond to make the almond crisp after baked...


Ingredients for the making of Almond Crunch


First round baking - Trial


"Hangus" cookies


Second round baking


Orange-yellowish Homemade Almond Crunch

Ab's Special Breakfast...

This is my first time to prepare breakfast ~ Sandwich for Jimmy...Hehe!! Excited!!

Firstly, I cut the cucumber into few slices (I am very "pandai" this time because cut something without mum's help)...Then put the 3 cucumber slices on top of one piece of whole grain bread...Meanwhile, my mum helped me to boil egg because I do not know how to make it...Hehe!! Paiseh Paiseh, I know how to make it from now onwards...Thanks, mum!!!

After that, I put some Tuna above the cucumber slices and placed a piece of cheese on it...At the same time, egg is ready...I smashed the egg and put on top of cheese...Finally, AB's homemade special healthy sandwiches is ready...Hehehe!! Looks good??

After done, I have pasted a pack of tissue on top of the tupperware with tape...It it easy for Jimmy to clean up himself if he get dirty...Hehehe!! Does it unique?? Anyway, he did not use it finally...


Cucumber slices


Tuna on top..


Cheese...


Smashed egg...


AB's Homemade Special Sandwich


Tissue pasted...


Unique idea?

One Quarter's Surprise...Happy~

One quarter passed~Yeah!!

He bought a size of 30 Bumble Bee T-shirt for me..Unfortunately, it is tight for me..But I still can wear it..Just abit short only..Anyway, he gave to my BB and decided to buy for me a new one..

We went to 5 Petronas petrol station in Ipoh to buy it..But it is out of stock..Left small sizes and others autobots T-shirts..We are finally buy nothing..:(

After I went back home, he called me that he bought size 34 at Tasek Petronas..Haiyo, "gek sei ngo la"..Told him just forget about it..But he insisted to buy it..Supposed white T for kids and black T for adults..However, black T is too big for me so he bought white T..This is the reason that he kept laughing at me because I am wearing kids' size T..Anyway, I am so touched and happy..Hehe!!

Thanks ya, Jimmy Zai!! Muacksss..Hehe!!

Transformer~Bumble Bee T..

Happy Penang Trip

I have planned for about two weeks for my 2D1N "Happy Penang Trip"..Hehe!! Suppose it is a big surprise for HIM..Haiz, finally he knew about it..FAILED again!! Sometimes I felt that I am so st*p*d..Don't know how to pretend and communicate wisely..Anyway, it is an enjoyable and unforgettable trip for us..Hehe!! Do you agree?

We drove AFU to Penang..cross the Penang bridge..Our first station is Penang Hill..There are a lot of people and we are forced to buy 12pm ticket..At that moment, it was just 10.30am..So we went to Kek Lok Si first..Drove to the uppermost of Kek Lok Si..It is required RM2 for parking fee..Anyway, we treated it as a donation..We stayed there for 20 minutes only..After that, we went to second upper of Kek Lok Si..It is required RM2 for parking fee again..It is just a distance within 2km, they request for another Rm2 for parking fee..We did not drop there because nothing special at there..We concluded that they have a "brilliant" business mind..

Penang Bridge


Kek Lok Si


Then, we backed to Penang Hill..It was quite hot..So we went to a Mini Muzuem to have a look and cool down ourselves while waiting for our train..At 11.45am, the ticket-keeper allowed us to enter although our ticket is 12pm..Their system is quite messy..They allowed visitor to get into the train without manage properly..The train is so compact..Just put in visitor without count it properly..Quite suffer to stand in a crowded train with the air flow is not good..

During the going up way, we saw a lot of trees and few parts of Penang view..About 1/4 journey, there is an interchange railway..When reached 1/2 journey, we changed to another train..After 3/4 journey, we crossed under a tunnel which built on 1922..Finally, we reached top of the Penang Hill..It just used up 25 minutes..We took few pictures at there..The view of Penang is nice but there is a lot of haze..It spoilt our pictures..We took a walk at there and watched "Snake Show"..We stayed around 20 minutes then took a ride down to hill..

Penang Hill Entrance


Mini Muzuem


Railway Interchange


Our next station is so called famous "Te Chang Yau Cha Gui"..An Indonesian girl took our order..Her service and attitude are very BAD..We WILL NOT recommend to our friends..Some more, the food is normal and nothing special..It is quite oily too..

Te Chang Yau Cha Gui with Chicken Floss & Mayonnaise


We went to downhill of Kek Lok Si to buy "Biscuit Tambun"..I call it as "Dragon Ball Biscuit"..Hehe!! The shop name is "Seng Heang Biscuit Tambun"..My cube mate Pat and my mum strongly recommend it..The biscuit are nice and tasty..

Biscuit Tambun


Tasty


After that, we went to Padang Brown's Food Court to have lunch..I have been there since I was baby..Hehe!! My parents like there very much..We like to eat the "Yang Tau Fu"..We called it as "Big Wok Food"..Supposed we have the famous Cendol at Penang Road..Finally we took it at this food court..They are more or less the same..Just there is more famous for visitors..

Padang Brown's Food Court


Yang Tau Fu & Cendol


Then, I drove to check in - Tanjung Bungah Beach Resort..Unfortunately, I am too concentrated to chat with Jimmy..Hehe!! I did not realize that I missed out the hotel..I just realized when I almost reached Batu Ferringgi..So paiseh!!

Arrived hotel, the hotel lobby is facing to its own beach..It is quite refreshing and nice view..After we checked in, we found that the room is not as good as what we have searched through online..Not a 4 or 3 1/2 stars hotel..Just a normal 3 stars hotel..Anyway, we took a rest then walked down to the beach..

Beach View


Small Island


Cafe


Around 6.30pm, we went to Gurney Drive to have our dinner..We have ordered so many Penang local foods, such as Laksa, Chao Kuey Teow, Chee Cheong Fun, Dumpling, Fried Oyster, Sushi, Roasted Cutter Fish and Ma Chi..Unfortunately, we did not take any pictures of them..What a waste!! Hehe!! I would like to apologize to Jimmy because I left him for quite a long time while I went for buy foods..Hehe!! Paiseh!!

After that, we walked at Gurney Shopping Mall..We went to Cold Storage to buy mineral water..We are so lucky because finally we found the glass bottled Coke..We hope to get it for quite a long time!! It is imported from Thailand..We hope to get those are made in Malaysia..Anyway, He bought for me one..Thanks ya, Jimmy!! Hehe!!

Coke in glass bottle


The next day morning, we took our buffet breakfast at cafe..It is quite nice to have breakfast with the morning sun and sea view..Hehe!! So relax and enjoyable..After that, we packed and checked out..

We went to Sleeping Buddha Temple and "Lifting Buddha" Temple..At "Lifting Buddha" Temple, there is a monk who sprays water to prayer while praying..We took part in it and he tied a "Buddhist Tali" for us..After that, we rode Ferry to leave Penang Island..

I am so happy and enjoy during this trip..Hehe!! Thanks ya!!

Ab's Cooking Journey...Part 5...~Cheese Crunch~

Cheese Crunch..My surprise for Jimmy during Penang trip..Unfortunately, he knew about it because of my "careless" and finally the surprise gone..Some more, my homemade cheese crunch failed because it is lack of sweet taste..:(

Cheese Crunch - 50% successful

I made my homemade cheese crunch after work..Unexpected that it is consumed time..I made until sleepy..:(

Why 50% successful? Firstly, the sugar I used is coarse sugar instead of fine sugar..Came out the sugar is not melted completely with the butter..They are like crystal floating on the crunch..Second, it is supposed to shape it round before press it with a fork..I overlooked the step and just took a pinch of mixture with my fingers instead of shape it round..So the shapes of cheese crunch are not balance..

My oven is quite small..Everytime only can bake around 12 pieces of cheese crunch..It is consumed time..I have baked around 6 times..During baking, it is so "wangi"..I have tried one after first bake, it is crisp and "wangi" but no sweet taste..My parents tried also and commented no sweet taste besides crisp..Haiz, quite disappointed about it..

Luckily, Jimmy is encouraging me..Hehe!! Thanks ya!! It is a good lesson learn that I have..Next time should read the procedures clearly..

Ingredients for Cheese Crunch


Before put into oven


Homemade Cheese Crunch

Ab's Cooking Journey...Part 4...~Sponge Cake & Tiramisu~

Two weeks passed, Part 4 finally came - Sponge Cake & Tiramisu..Hehe!!

Tiramisu = Pick me up..It is a cool Italian dessert that once tasted, leaves an indelible impression on you..Hehe!! Do you have this feeling after you tasted it?

Firstly, I need a sponge cake. During the making of sponge cake, it is quite difficult to whip the egg white and sugar until stiff..It needs time and patient..Hehe!! The sponge cake that I baked is quite "slim"..So that is not enough to slice it into 2 layers..Haiz, unsuccessful at the first stage..Anyway, I have my own idea to make it..Hehe!!

After that, I started to prepare Tiramisu..All the while is fine..Hehe!! When it required whipped whipping cream, I just realized that the whipping cream has been expired for two days..Finally I went to Tesco Extra to buy a new one..After done all, my homemade tiramisu is ready to keep in fridge for 5 hours..

The next day morning, I dust my homemade tiramisu with cocoa powder..I like this step very much..Hehe!! I felt great and surprise after I tasted it..Because I can't imagine that I could make it successfully..Hehe!! I am so happy..Jimmy commented that it is nice also..Hehe!! Yeah!!

Tiramisu~Mission Done Successfully!!


Ingredients for the making of Sponge Cake


"Slimmy" coffee sponge cake


Ingredients for the making of Tiramisu


Tiramisu before keep in frigde


Tiramisu after dust with cocoa powder


My homemade Tiramisu..