New Home : Washer & Dryer

A few weeks ago, the man and myself made a fairly big purchase for our new home.

It started out with me walking into the shop because of a very deceptive sign "50% of display items, LAST DAY TODAY" and this sign was placed next to all the colorful Kitchen Aid cake mixer. I thought to myself, that's an extremely great deal, must go check it out.

To only find out that the deal was not for the cake mixers but for the washing machines, dryers and some other items.

I was about to walk out of the shop before I decided to take another look since we needed to get a washing machine.

An hour later, I was swiping my card for a brand new washing machine and dryer. My dad had told us sometime back that he would bless us with a washing machine so the man and I decided to invest in a dryer since our new home doesn't have much, or rather no space to dry clothes, and I really don't like my clothes to be hanging out our windows for the whole neighbourhood to see.

And since it was on a 50% discount, we decided to get them. We got the dryer at a further RM500 discount because there was a slight dent and scratch on it. But oh well, we're simple people and didn't mind that.

The brand is...

Indesit is an Italian brand and the parent company for Ariston. My mum's Ariston oven is more than 30 years and still going strong. Did some research and Indesit is a really good and reliable brand, so good investment indeed.

Although our purchases are the display units, they still provide us with a one year warranty from the date of delivery. And since we're not moving in anytime yet, they allow us to store our purchases at their shop for a maximum of one year. A great deal which works our perfect for us.

Recipe : Chocolate Ice-Cream (with egg)

This is a slightly more complicated recipe compared to the Chocolate Ice-Cream (without egg) one. But it's worth the trouble, trust me.

To make this classic, use good quality chocolate to give the best flavour.

Serves 6.

Got this recipe from 500 Delicious Desserts Book.

Ingredients:
750ml / 3 cups milk
10cm / 4inch piece of vanilla pod
4 Egg Yolks
150gm / 5 oz or 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
225gm / 8oz Dark (bittersweet) Chocolate, melted
* If Milk Chocolate is used rather than Dark Chocolate, you'll get a very sweet ice-cream. Too sweet for my taste buds. Good quality bittersweet dark chocolate is best!

Method:
1. To make the custard, heat the milk with the vanilla pod in a small pan. Remove from the heat as soon as small bubbles start to form. Do not boil. 

2. Beat the egg yolks with a wire whisk or electric beater. Gradually incorporate the sugar, and continue beating for about 5 minutes until the mixture is pale yellow. Strain the milk, and slowly add it to the egg mixture, drop by drop.

3. Pour the mixture into a double boiler with the melted chocolate. Stir over moderate heat until the water in the pan is boiling, and the custard thickens enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

4. Pour mixture into an ice-cream maker and let it mix till thickened. The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If you would like a firmer consistency, place them into a container and in the freezer for 2 hours.

5. If you don't have an ice-cream maker, after point 4 - Pour mixture into a freezer container and freeze until set, about 3 hours. Remove from the container and chop roughly into 3 inch pieces. Place in a bowl of a food processor and process till smooth. Return to the freezer container, and freeze again until firm. Repeat the freezing-chopping process 2 or 3 times until a smooth consistency is reached, then freeze until it is to be served.

I don't have a picture of this ice-cream cos we walloped it before I could manage to snap one. =p

Places to Visit : El Escorial, Madrid, Spain

Perfect Gift

Mum got me this book on her last trip to Singapore. A book just on desserts!! The perfect gift!

I've tried out 2 recipes from this book so far, the chocolate ice-cream and vanilla ice-cream and they both turn out perfect! (ah, just realised I've not posted the recipe for the chocolate ice-cream from this book).

Saw this book and variations of it at the Big Bad Wolf Sale, going for really cheap prices. If you are looking out for good recipes book, one with recipes that actually turn out well, this is definitely the range to go for.

I've recently looked through this book again and marked out the recipes that I want to try out next. Stay tune for that!

Stash from BBW Sale : Mediterranean, Food of the Sun @ RM8

Got this book thinking mainly of Z =p She loves experimenting new cuisine and has made quite a few Middle Eastern dishes. This is a really thick book filled with healthy, hearty, light meal, and only at RM8.

Recipe : Maryland Chocolate Chip Cookies

These delicate cookies are quickly and easily made and taste distinctly better than any shop-bought version. Using ready-toasted chopped hazelnuts can save even more time. 

Ingredients:
4oz / 110g Dark Chocolate Chips - good quality
1 Vanilla Pod
4oz / 110g Soft Butter - good quality (I use either Tatura or Anchor)
4oz / 110g Light Soft Brown Sugar
1 Medium Egg
2oz / 50g Toasted Hazelnuts - chopped
3oz / 75g Plain Wholemeal Flour

Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 175 degrees Celsius.
- Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.

1. Begin by splitting the vanilla pod lengthways and, using the end of a teaspoon or a small sharp knife, scoop out the seeds.

2. Put the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the egg and vanilla seeds before adding the remaining ingredients, then stir until thoroughly mixed.

4. Take spoonfuls of the dough, sufficient to form small rounds about the size of a walnut, then arrange them, well spaced out on the baking trays. (You will find it easier to bake one batch at a time).

5. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies turn golden color and feel firm in the centre when slightly pressed. Once baked, remove from baking sheets with a palette knife. Cool them on a wire rack and when cold, store in an airtight container.

* Makes about 60 small cookies or 30 big cookies.
** The dough will spread out quite a bit while baking.

Stash from BBW Sale : Bob Green, The Best Life Diet Cookbook @ RM10

He used to appear on Oprah's show lots and taught how to whip up lotsa healthy meals. Seem quite a genuine guy so thought I'd give his book a try.

Valentines Day, 2013

So my man's not big on V-day, or any other big celebrations for that matter but I am such a sucker for all these and couldn't let this day go by without doing anything for him.

He was traveling on that day so I decided to whip up something and surprise him. One of his favourite cookies, White Chocolate Macadamia. This was by far one of the easiest cookies to make but it was so expensive. I paid RM29 for just 300gms of macadamia nuts. But it was all worth it for him.

Then I went shopping at found this little munchkin at Parksons and managed to get him with a 30% discount. They were having a sale just for BonusLink members and the couple behind me at the counter was kind enough to give me their card to be swiped. Of course, they get to accumulate points too.

Doesn't he so represent my man?? Haha! In the most adorable way possible of course.

The final product!

Many shops try to extort customers by raising the price of their food, chocolates, flowers, etc during V-day which deters many from celebrating it. But there are many things that you can do without spending so much $$$.

Stash from BBW Sale : Grill @ RM8

Another steal at the BBW Sale. Will come in handy now that we have a BBQ grill at home, thanks to my lovely mum who got the grill for me.

Stash from BBW Sale, Starting with Baking Ingredients @ RM35

This was the most expensive book we purchased at the Big Bad Wolf Sale. It's thick and heavy and filled with really informational and educational jewels, especially for new learners or even season cooks and bakers who have been in the field for a many years but would like some refresher.

Information in the book is simple yet thorough.

And of course, it's filled with great recipes too!

Mum has tried one so far and turned out great! If I'm not mistaken, it was a chocolate-strawberry filled cake she made for one of her cellies.

Exercise Update Week 6

Monday : Rest
Tuesday : Rest
Wednesday : 1 hour Pilates
Thursday : 1 hour Pilates - Intermediate
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Rest

Wanted to fit in Gasing trek for the weekend but wasn't feeling the greatest from Fri night to Sunday, so didn't wanna push it.

Stash from BBW Sale - Jamie Oliver @ RM30

Have yet to try any recipes from this book. But will do soon.. :)

Exercise Update Week 5

Total Fail!

Didn't exercise a day in week 5.

But... BUT.... Week 6 will must be better!

Exercise Update Week 4

Ok week 4 was a real downer. The only day I got to exercise was on Monday. We went to Lata Hammer waterfalls for the day and each way the trek is about an hour. Every other day last week were filled with appointments and what nots. And to top that, when I didn't have any appointments, I was just too tired to exercise.

Must.Not.Slack!

On a side note, Lata Hammer was the B.O.M.B! As always! Although this time it was much much much colder. Took me like close to an hour before I actually went into the water, and when I did it was only barely for 15 minutes.