Glutinous Rice Galore

We were out hunting for the sweetest mangoes on earth and young coconuts. Since it's been years that we have not visited the place where Rufus were taken home from, intentions of visiting uncle's petshop were easily felt. There were loads of white mini Schnauzers though.


People do still prefer the pepper colored Schnauzer rather than the whites as whites are not eligible to registered under MKA.


Anyway, these cutie pies are very very adorable and they had pink inner ears and skin.


Bad luck, most of the pups were taking their dog nap on that time.


Most were pretty white rather than lil fawn. Our Mc Dreamy.


The tiniest among all was awake though.


Aww. (*Heart can melt*)


All black. The unique one. Back to the actual storyline, we do really fancy small portion of traditional desserts with vivid and vibrant colors; which mostly includes Thai's cuisine. Without much guess and doubts, we tried our paws on making the glutinous rice with mango and coconut fillings just for a try. After flipping the recipe book, it was made known that most of it requires fresh coconut cream. We weren't surprise as it brings about a little hint of natural sugar and great aromatic coconut aroma, but, yet, fattening. It was worth trying though.


For starters, 2 cups of glutinous rice were soaked into a bowl of water for a duration of 3 hours and it was then transferred onto a tray. A cup of thick coconut milk (about 1 coconut of grated flesh were kneaded a few times, adding 1 cup of water while kneading with your fist, then strain) were poured onto the tray of glutinous rice. It was then steamed for about 15 minutes. Soon after, half cup of thin coconut milk (by adding half cup of water to the previous grated coconut which were used to make the thick coconut cream, knead and strain) were then poured onto the tray and let steamed and cooked for extra 15 to 20 minutes.


After the rice is cooked, set aside and let cooled. Toast the sesame seeds (either white or black) for 10 minutes on a low degree in an oven. We preferred black over the white as the black sesames looked good on the glutinous rice. Besides, sesame seed is a must as it stimulates a better tasting dessert in here.


While toasting begins, we tuned ourselves into cooking the coconut cream mixture aka coconut sauce. 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of pandan essence, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2-1/2 cups of thick coconut milk were mixed and cooked in a saucepan under low fire. It was stir continuously till sugar dissolved. Remove and set aside. Spoon 1/4 cup cooked glutinous rice into serving bowls and pour in 3 tablespoonfuls of coconut sauce onto the glutinous rice. Then, sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of sesame seeds onto it (portions varies to each individuals).


And for now; the toppings. There's basically two that we enjoyed very much. The first was with slices of sweet mangoes, yet the easiest. As we bypass and went to many Thai fairs, these dish; Glutinous Rice With Mangoes were widely sold in there.


Little did we know that the coconut sauce and the mangoes does really blend in together with the sticky rice. For the finishing of this dainty dish, a generous portion of mangoes were arranged attractively on the top.


We arranged the mangoes in a way where it potrays an artificial sea clam. It is best eaten cold.


Since the kids prefer icy cool desserts, we kept it in the refrigerator. Hence, the mangoes were slightly pushed down in order to get the cap onto the container. A single peppermint leave was the garnish of the day, as it freshens the readily packed dishes.


If mangoes are insufficient, then, it's time to switch to the other topping; coconut topping. The making of Glutinous Rice With Coconut Filling might be troublesome but, it's a very wise decision to sweat it out just to stimulate the new taste buds.


For the coconut fillings, boil 1/4 cup water and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar in a saucepan, keep stirring till sugar dissolved and becomes thick. Then, add in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pandan essence and 2 cups of grated coconut. Keep stirring till mixture becomes a lil dry.


Spoon a generous scoop of filling into prepared bowls (serving bowls were filled with glutinous rice and coconut sauce beforehand). Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of sesame seeds on the top.


If there's any extra coconut sauce, you can even spoon a tablespoon of it onto the coconut topping as it's not as moist as the mangoes. Family loved them, especially with more coconut sauces. And now, it's time for some weight-loss! =)

Chocolate Cravings

We've been cupcake-crazy since last month. We are tempted in making them as they were much more easier to be baked and uber cute as they were mini C-grade babies.


As we've been browsing for shots in the desktop, we managed to get a glimpse of a few shots of Baby Jessica. No, not Alba.


But Fatass's chubby niece! (*Pinch Cheeks*)


Jessica would have been loving these cuppies if she's back here since Fatass's nieces crave for loads of heavy cream and chocolates. This might be a healthy cupcake as there's slices of strawberries and yummy toasted chocolate coconut as its decor. A batch of Strawberry And Toasted Choco Coconut With Ganache Cupcakes.


The base was the usual moist which had been our favorite cuppy of all; devil's food! The frosting was obvious; chocolate ganache.


After topping each mini cuppies with one fifth of the strawberry slice, we spare some space for the toasted choco coconut.


The coconut was basically dessicated coconut mixed with dark cooking chocolate. After mixing, the toasting ceremony begins. The final outcome looked burnt though.


Anyway, it smells pretty edible to us. Let's chow down the whole thing - for good! (*Smiles*)

Kicking Off The Football Spirit

We were and are not any crazy avid football fan. The boys are and always will be. But then, we do know news about the Beckhams and Christiano Ronaldo though. Bol. Pa had always instill the Red ol' Devils spirit in us. In our younger days, Pa would grab us to tag along with him on the weekends just to find the devil's jerseys and adorable yet famous miniature figurines. During the good old years of the devils, Eric Cantona, 7, was a real big hit. Okay, we do remember some others like Phil Neville, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs. After the good years of M.U had plummeted, they have not been such a crazy ding dong like they've used to be. Anyway, they reinstated themselves once again; as the avid supporter of Manchester United. Not a big great fan; just a loyal supporter who will shout his lungs out for M.U's goals.


The other kid in the kennel, who may opposes and even insults the other football club in order to protect his supporting club's pride and dignity; Arsenal and FAM, will be none the other than William W.W.Leong. Dark as a muscavado and horny looking eh? (*Nodding In Agreement*)


Hence, we came up with ideas of combining these 2 as the theme of his birthday cakes. For the former cake was the base of the banana and chocolate mousse cake. The main fillings and chocolate sponges were arranged in order to ease the whole assembling process. We knew that the decorations and designs would be even more time-consuming. Hence, we speed up the whole assembling and chilling session, just like Speedy Gonzales.


Banana were bought a day ago since we knew that ripened bananas will ruined the whole cake's texture. To avoid the bananas becomes in a 'browning' condition, lemon juice were sprinkled onto the banana's surface. The first layer was the chocolate sponge, followed by the chocolate mousse and raw bananas. And then, back to the chocolate mousse and another layer of sponge. The third dollop of chocolate mousse and bananas were laid, followed by the last generous mousse and chocolate sponge.


After chilling in the refrigerator, the entire cake was covered in whipping cream. Hence, the piping session was automatically kick start. Whipping cream were used for piping as we were way too lazy to utilize the hardened buttercream. A badge-like were piped out, inclusive a rotary-like thingy in the centre of the cake.


Take a closer look, you'll see a bronze cum brown canon with a big wheel were piped. This is followed by the deep blue linings on the inner of the badge.


And this came down to the reds. No devils incurred. During brainstorming designs, we've planned to pipe out the reds with a red piping gel so that it's more captivating as it is much more tidy and glossy. The hints are way too much. Any idea of what actual logo is it? (*Roll Eyes*)


Drum rolls...


Yes, heard me right, it's Arsenal!!!


The outcome of the entire badge? Less uniformity and professionalism. We'll take on piping gel next time! To pull off the dramatic look, a smudge of dripping melted chocolate were poured on the sides of the cake. The chocolate ganache was too watery, hence, leaded to a very very clear transparent-like chocolate.


It was christened as Arsenal's Banana And Chocolate Mousse Cake. And the cake looked gorgeous only when certain angles were taken. Oh doggy...


As for the messages, we've only managed to pipe out two words; Leong and Bday since the wordings decors were real bad.


Here's the final shot of the cake; where the buttday boy had literally uses the knife to slice the cake his own way. Measure first, cut later.


Next up, we opted for the pandan kaya layer cake as gramps loves kaya very much. After many layering of vanilla sponges and pandan kaya cream, it was then chilled and covered with whipping cream.


Since Pa had bought him an Arsenal jersey and a FAM jersey which had his name adhered on it, we figured that we'll try to imitate the same thing too. It would be not that difficult and confusing as the lines involves only 2 vast colors; yellow and black.


Logo-piping was omitted. The logo was way too complicated. Tough challenge if we were forced to pipe the logo in an hour.


We start off with the yellow whipping cream. Vertical unstandardized lines were piped onto the surface of the cake.


Then, followed by the dark brown ganache as we had no black colorings. We were still searching for black colorings though. (*Desperado*)


And a lil mini detail which we shouldn't forget! The red Nike signature, which determines the originality of the jersey! =P


As for the grassy land, dessicated coconut was chosen. Simple as it sounds, coconut does always go with pandan kaya.


Hence, the dessicated coconut were colored in green coloring. It were then used to sprinkled on the white untouched surface.


Hence, the FAM Jersey Pandan Kaya Layer Cake were almost finish with some garnishing made just now.


Last but not least, the small details which consists of the name and the number of the buttday kid. Ma and Pa fought over the numbers. Ma said we should stick on his beloved son's rugby number; 4 while Pa said 16 as 16 is his exact age. Well, I bet on 16! (*Smiles*)


Here's the overall view of his imatation FAM jersey. (*Smiles With Full Pouty Lips*)


Reviews? The elders prefer the Pandan Kaya's as it's softer and has a smoother cream texture. On the other hand, the kids prefer the Chocolate Banana's as it were very chocolatey but it was best eaten in room's temperature, thanks to the gelatine! Should not have add them in, blame Fatass's sixth sense. And here's the shoutout for the day; Happy Buttday William Leong!

The Maternal's Gramps Grand Day

The other gramps of Fatass Michelle had her huge birthday dinner yesterday. All relatives were there; exclusive of the baby niece Jessica and her family. It's like gramps of the maternal side had 11 kids; which brought up to an average of 4 kids per family. I had no idea that Fatass had such loads of cousins. The family tree is huge. Speaking of tree, we got gramps a chocolate mousse cake decorated with the rose tree. The Roses Cream And Chocolate Mousse Cake.


The cream was made out of whipping cream and sadly to say that it was way too soft and roses can be hardly piped out from the piping bag. Hours later, the color started to fade slightly.


Branches and green leaves were piped unprofessionally besides than roses and rose buds. Thanks to smart Fatass Michelle.


It really gave us a sudden thought whether buttercream will do a better job than the usual whipping cream. We'll try that one day. One fine day...


After piping some roses, letterings and messages were piped in too. The sides were decorated with green bushes like cream and melted chocolate.


As for the cake, it's made out of the same chocolate sponge from Tiramisu's Cake. And the filling was a not-so-sweet chocolate mousse. As gramps from the maternal side have diabetes, we've been reducing loads of sugary ingredients. Wishing her a great happy birthday and may god bless her. Happy Buttday Gramps! (*Huggies*)