Chocolate macarons + crunchy cocoa nibs

made another batch using parchment paper - shld have just used silpat mats instead...

cocoa nibs added a welcome contrast

Packed for the boss

it's been a while - cupcake 101

Gave a private lesson at my home kitchen last Sunday to a good friend of mine...

came out a little cracked but still tastes great!


dark chocolate cupcakes (adapted from Joyofbaking)



smoothed with dark chocolate ganache + white choc chips sprinkles

tip 101: replace boiling water w/coffee granules dissolved in hot water

I've been thinking of teaching cupcakes/cakes decorating lessons but the kitchen still needs a little work (actually needs an island to store all my bakes proper) and install a sliding door to keep the little ones out of the kitchen. But all reno plans have to be shelved till the second one pops out!

Hail Macarons!

Attempt no. dunno what - taste the success!

waiting for the skin to form

out comes the feet



sandwiched with chocolate ganache - yum!



the big lemony feet

oohh--weee-ahhhh

Chocolate macarons w/chocolate ganache + Lemon macarons w/lemon curd

Ta-dah! These packs are given to top 3 heychocolat fans. Check your mailbox! Enjoy!

Look who's here!





Sorry for the late post Vik!

Children's Day Party!

for Shanen's preschool...  

Shortbread cookies eaten plain or

sandwiched with ganache

(recipe adapted from Joyofbaking)

Dark Chocolate Brownies w/Nutella



 (recipe adapted from Jamie's Blooming Brilliant Brownies)



All set and ready to go party!

 More pics on flick flick...

Can't import all my previous posts from wordpress

Another bad mistake/judgement of mine, i simply gave up importing my posts over at wordpress. Couldn't believe the design and setting of the blog provider is that rigid!

[Afternote: still in the process of reactivating my old blog, All updates will be posted here from now]

All plans shelved (for the time being)

or after my second one pops out! she will be arriving *hopefully and cross my fingers* after CNY on 14 Feb (V-Day!).

Thousand apologies to all who had sms-ed /called / emailed and i took darn too long to reply - I'M TERRIBLY SORRY!!! & extremely grateful to all for your concerns and well wishes. Unfortunately, I will not be taking bake orders anytime soon as doctor had ordered plenty of bedrest after having gone through amnio test - got poked twice (ouch!) which is another story...might as well share it here:

Nightmare begun when i went to this so-called reputable clinic, located at Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. He happily scanned, printed pics and took my blood without explaining to me what the test is for (just said it's 'very advanced and very important'), the costs, what to expect from the results. i'm so so dumb (i know) considering it's my second pregnancy and i shld have taken the initiative to check w/him first. I didn't because i assumed all doctors are kind and have the onus to explain to patients without asking and i thought nothing wld go wrong.

FIRST SHOCK: Bill came up to $500++ (got to know from the staff the special blood test = OSCAR test) went back home straightaway and spent hours to google about OSCAR.

SECOND SHOCK: Results came back high risk and they didn't inform me straightaway - i called them! Here's the conversation b/w me and one of their staff:

Staff: yeah your result came back but i can't tell you over
the phone. you've to make appointment to see the doctor.

Me: you mean he can't tell me now? Can i see him tomorrow
then?

Staff: tomorrow he's fully booked (almost impatiently).
you can come in to wait.

Me: you mean it's not urgent? then can i stick to my
appointment date (which is a month later)?

Staff: can if you like (hanged up!).

oh yes, i'm still cursing and swearing as i type this. I hope none of you will meet irresponsible people like them *pui*. Anyway, my hubby called the clinic straightafter (from San Francisco) and demanded to talk to the doctor (after losing his temper and screaming at the staff). The doctor eventually told him the news that we dreaded and we immediately went for a second opinion. i shld have just trusted my instincts and not gone to see this doctor considering he freely advertises his abortion services online (what can be expected from someone who don't even believe in or treasure life?).

anyway, long story short, we found a specialist at Camden Medical who told us the results are totally inaccurate and nothing's wrong w/our baby. But perhaps my own anxiety and inability to cope w/the 'what-ifs', we still went ahead w/the amnio test. we got hold of another professional gynae who took time and patience to explain to us on our results and gave us the option to do the amnio test or wait for the 20wks' scan for better judgement. Luckily, the test went well (albeit the 2 needling pokes - doctor said my baby keeps moving towards the needle) and hopefully, everything will go smoothly from now...

God bless everyone!