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Key ingredients/steps to baking a successful chiffon cake

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:55:00 +0000

These are some lessons which I learnt the hard way:

1. A proper oven with even heat distribution is the key to baking cakes/cookies and anything delicious.

2. To beat really nice egg whites with stiff peaks, egg whites must not be "contaminated" with any egg yolks or oil.

3. When folding-in egg whites into the cake mixture, the mixture must be thoroughly and evenly mixed before placing the mixture in the baking pan.

Orange Chiffon Cake Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 12:40:00 +0000

Yay! Finally baked a successful chiffon cake using the below modified recipe from JoyofBaking. I'm so happy! This cake rised beautifully :)

Ingredients (Reduced sugar recipe)

7 egg whites (large eggs)
6 egg yolks
2 1/4 cups (225 grams) sifted cake flour
3/4 cups (150 grams) superfine white sugar (caster sugar)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons grated orange zest (outer orange skin)
1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable, corn, canola, or safflower oil
3/4 cup (180 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice (2 - 3 large oranges)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)

Directions

1. Separate the eggs while they are still cold. Place the egg yolks in one bowl and the whites (along with the extra egg white) in another. Cover with plastic wrap and bring to room temperature (about 30 minutes).

2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (170 degrees C) and have ready a 10 inch (25 cm) two piece ungreased tube pan. In the bowl of your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, (or use a hand mixer) place the flour, sugar (minus 1/4 cup (50 grams)), baking powder, salt, and orange zest. Beat until combined.

3. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the egg yolks, oil, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth (about one minute). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

4. In a separate bowl, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining 1/4 cup (50 grams) of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

5. With a large rubber spatula or wire whisk, gently fold the egg whites (in three additions) into the batter just until blended (being careful not to deflate the batter).

6. Pour the batter into the ungreased tube pan and bake for about 55 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. (When lightly pressed, the cake will spring back). Immediately upon removing the cake from the oven invert (turn upside down) the pan and place on a bottle or flat surface so it is suspended over the counter.

7. Let the cake cool completely before removing from pan (about 1 - 1 1/2 hours). To remove the cake from the pan, run a long metal spatula around the inside of the tube pan and center core. Invert onto a greased wire rack. Store in an airtight container for a few days at room temperature or for about a week in the refrigerator. This cake can also be frozen for a couple of months.

Serves 8-10 people

Tasty Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 09:59:00 +0000

Just bought a 30-litre electric oven yesterday and baked some really delicious vanilla cupcakes!

Makes a dozen cupcakes

Ingredients (Reduced sugar recipe)

150g butter (softened)
75g superfine sugar
190g self-raising flour
3 eggs
5ml or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with paper baking cups.

2.In a large bowl, mix butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, blending well after each one. Stir in the vanilla and flour just until mixed. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.

3.Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter.

Singapore Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 23:55:00 +0000

What is the Singapore Spirit?

In his National Day rally speech last year, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: "The Singapore spirit is not based on a common race, language or religion. It is based on deeper things that we share: Shared values like multiracialism, meritocracy, or respect for every talent; shared loyalty and commitment to Singapore; shared responsibility for each other and pride in what we have done together; shared memories as well as dreams and aspirations... "It is the spirit in each of us which makes Singapore work the way it does and which makes Singaporeans special."

天空是绵绵的软糖塌下来又怎样

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:24:00 +0000

I haven't had such a good relaxing break from work for a very long while. Took leave today to extend my long weekend from last week. Though I didn't go overseas, I enjoyed the free time that I spent with my husband, in-laws, girlfriends and myself.

Sunday was the best. I finally got to sing KTV with my girlfriends for FREE at a location I promised my girlfriends not to reveal lest it be fully booked by others who know of this. I haven't gone KTV-ing for such a long time. Probably, a good guess would about two years, about the time I married my hushand. Haha.

Ok, I admit, I was feeling lazy today. I had to take a great leap out of my bed and out of my house this morning to make sure that I don't end up lying in bed the whole day. And to my pleasant surprise, the weather was fantastic today and Marina Bay Sands Shoppes was perfectly crowdless. Even the Art Science Museum was empty! But that's because there's nothing much there to see anyway.

The shopping experience was great but I keep couldn't make up my mind what to have for lunch when food is priced at least 20% more expensive than anywhere else in Singapore. I was comtemplating whether to have a $20 beef burger at Au Chocolat or a $29 salmon steak at TWG? In the end, since I wasn't really craving for either, I succumbed to a cheaper $8.80 curry chicken and rice set at Toast Box. Hehe.

Can't differentiate hunger any more

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 03:57:00 +0000

There is this perpetual weird feeling in my stomach that I can no longer tell hunger apart from discomfort any more. I just want to suck on a sweet to make the feeling go away.

Tongue Twisters

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:35:00 +0000

1. If you understand, say "understand". If you don't understand, say "don't understand". But if you understand and say "don't understand", how do I understand that you understand? Understand?

2. I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish. But if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish.

3. If two witches were watching two watches, which witch would watch which watch?

4. I thought a thought. But the thought I thought wasn't the thought I thought I thought. If the thought I thought I thought had been the thought I thought, I wouldn't have thought so much.

5. Once a fellow met a fellow in a field of beans. Said a fellow to a fellow, "If a fellow asks a fellow, can a fellow tell a fellow what a fellow means?"

6. Mr Inside went over to see Mr Outside. Mr Inside stood outside and called to Mr Outside inside. Mr Outside answered Mr Inside from inside and told Mr Inside to come inside. Mr Inside said,"No" and told Mr Outside to come outside. Mr Outside and Mr Inside argued from inside and outside about going outside or coming inside. Finally Mr Outside coaxed Mr Inside to come inside and then both Mr Outside and Mr Inside went outside to the riverside.

7. If one doctor doctors another doctor, does the doctor who doctors the doctor doctor the doctor the way the doctor he is doctoring doctors? Or does the doctor doctor the way the doctor who doctors doctors? When a doctor falls ill, another doctor doctors the doctor. Does the doctor doctoring the doctor doctor the doctor in his own way or does the doctor doctoring the doctor doctors the doctor in the doctor's way?

8. We surely shall see the sun shine shortly. Whether the weather be fine, or whether the weather be not. Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot. We'll weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not. Watch? Whether the weather is hot. Whether the weather is cold. Whether the weather is either or not. It is whether we like it or not.

9. A flea and a fly in a flue. Said the fly, "Oh, what should we do?". Said the flee, "Let us fly". Said the fly, "Let us flee". So they flew through a flaw in the flue.

10. Mr See owned a saw and Mr Soar owned a seesaw. Now See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw before Soar saw See, which made Soar sore. Had Soar seen See's saw before See sawed Soar's seesaw, See's saw would not have sawed Soar's seesaw. So See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw. But it was sad to see Soar so sore just because See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw.

One week on...

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 04:49:00 +0000

Today marks one week from Jude's passing and his sudden departure had made me understand and appreciate the impermanence of life. I had always taken him for granted, assuming that he will always be there for me as a friend and I regretted not cherishing him as much as I should when he's alive. How I hoped I had spent a lot more time with him but it's too late. At least, Jude, you woke me up and made me learn a painful lesson with your passing.

Jude Alphonsus Tan Wei Xiong

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Sat, 26 May 2012 14:18:00 +0000

Dear Jude,

When I heard of your passing on this very day, I was taken aback. Your sudden passing in a traffic accident was shocking to all the people who ever knew you. Your kindness and humbleness towards others will never be forgotten. I can never forget the wonderful times that we spent together during TJ Titans, geo-tagging, playing guitar, singing Christmas carols, class outings, chalets and my wedding! You have brought imense joy and happiness to people who are fortunate to have known you. Life is short and unpredictable. I am glad to have you as a good friend and you will always live in my heart. Rest in peace my good friend. You will be remembered forever.

笔记

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:16:00 +0000

How to dramatically reduce crime in nightspots?

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:57:00 +0000

Yesterday my team and I had a brainstorming session on how to reduce crimes such as theft and outrage of modesty in popular nightspots. First, we looked at the factors that encouraged crime to happen.

Lighting
Dim lighting at nightspots makes it difficult for the victim to identify the culprit.

Alcohol
Drunk victims are easy targets for crime as they lose their inhibitions and judgement.

Crowded places
Increases chances of the culprit getting away after stealing something or molesting somebody.

Loud music
Screams for help by the victims may be drowned by the loud music.

So, to dramatically reduce crime, dramatic steps must be taken to make the conditions unfavourable for crime to take place, say, change the way nightspots conduct their businesses.

Now, envision the crime-free nightspot which is brightly-lit, spacious, does not serve alcohol and plays moderate volume music. Wouldn't it be a heaven on earth?

My growing angry birds family

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:28:00 +0000

Welcoming the red and blue birds on board

Spot the two new additions?

Yes, they are the white bird and adult pig!

Happy Winter Solstice 2011

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:11:00 +0000

It's the time of the year to eat tang yuan again!

I can sew my own angry bird soft toys too!

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:20:00 +0000

Oink! My first creation

The yellow bird, complete with tail and feather on the head

Best foes

My cute little niece Rei

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:43:00 +0000

Rei with a pair of reindeer horns

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:03:00 +0000

Camels or illusions?

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:09:00 +0000

Look carefully. The camels are really the little white lines in the picture. What you are seeing are the camels' shadows. Amazing!

Life Work Balance

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:57:00 +0000

Why is there an emphasis on acheiving Work Life Balance when the ultimate truth is really attaining Life Work Balance? Work should never be the core of life though work may be the means to a comfortable life.

So what's your life?

Logic Verus Temptation

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:09:00 +0000

Do you follow you heart or do you follow your brain?

Let's take for example the iPad2 (16GB, 3G) and the Samsung Galaxy Touch 10.1" (16GB, 3G). Both are priced at $848 at leading computer and electronics stores. Which would you choose?

iPad requires a microSIM card and cannot support Flash applications. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Touch, besides using a regular data SIM card and supports Flash, comes with free word processing programmes. Both, do not support USB port. For me, IF I REALLY NEED a TABLET, I'd choose the latter. But, if I really need a COMPUTER, I would choose the all functional and cheaper netbook with USB port. Come on, just admit it. The tablet is only more convenient for one to play games, especially the all-popular Angry Birds and to surf the internet on the go. Neither of them are necessities.

I'll be frank here. I am never an Apple supporter and I never owned any Apple product. This explains why I am always baffled when I see streets filled with people using iPhones, iPods and iPads. Most baffling of all, I see people owning both iPhone and iPad. Do they seriously need an iPad when they already have an iPhone?

If all consumers' purchasing decisions were based purely on logic, Apple wouldn't be making so much money like they are making now. Seems like consumers are all following their hearts instead of their brains.

2D1N Batam Tour!

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:57:00 +0000

On the ferry to Batam!

All excited

At South-East Asia's largest Buddhist temple

Laughing Buddha playing musical instruments

At a kueh lapis home industry

Yummy

Seafood lunch at 933 Golden Prawn

Houseflies sharing the food with us

Cultural show at the vicinity of our seafood restaurant

Man jumping through a ring of fire during the show

At Taman Mini Indonesia

Fat panda

Set dinner at our hotel, Golden View Hotel

The good thing about our hotel is that it's just next to the seafood restaurants

Yummy BBQ lobster

View from our hotel room

At an A&W restaurant in Batam Center Shopping Centre which is next to Batam Center Ferry Terminal

Food for thought

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:39:00 +0000

You are only just one out of thousands of workers in your organisation but you are the only husband that I have. No one is indispensable in their organisation. If you die, your company will get somebody to replace you. But, if you die, who is going to replace my husband and your future baby's father? Is it really worth it to risk and lose your life for work?

Conspiracy theories regarding the "Face on Mars"

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:48:00 +0000

Just wanted to share a few interesting pictures.

Photograph of the 'Face on Mars' taken in 1976 by Viking 1

When this picture came out, I can imagine the number of conspiracy theories that people came up with regarding Martians and the possibility of life on Mars then. So, is this photo sufficient to convince you that there is some sort of Earth-Mars connection? If so, look at the photos below:

The same photo taken over the years using a higher resolution camera

According to NASA, the landform is a mesa, or a flattened mountain of sorts. In 2001 photo, the 'facial features' on the Face of Mars are less distinct. It's amazing what optical illusions can do isn't it?

The photos were taken from:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2001/ast24may_1/

Happy moments :: 25th Executive Development Course

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:25:00 +0000

First day of the 25th Executive Development Course :)

"Do you believe in the existence of aliens and UFOs?"

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:10:00 +0000

Today, I was asked the above question and I thought that the person who asked me the question was joking. But, he wasn't. In full seriousness, he explained a few of his reasons why he believes that aliens and UFOs do exist.

I was then quoted examples from the precise alignment of pyramids to certain stars in the universe, writings on the dead sea scroll which suggested that another species of even higher intelligence had existed before humans and the discovery of footprints on moon before Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon.

For a moment, it didn't occur to me that there are really such people who believe in UFOs and aliens. Even so, I was still not convinced by his explanations which were somewhat thought- provoking.

Conversation about a watch

noreply@blogger.com (mushroom) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:51:00 +0000

When someone buys an expensive watch, he is making an irrational decision. Why do you need to buy a $12k watch to tell time when your handphone could jolly well do the function? Some people say that they are buying the history and story behind the brand and some people buy them to invest, hoping to sell their watches at a higher price than they were before. And yes, some people buy and wear those watches to prove that they are of a certain socio-economic status. Well, I am currently wearing a $5 brandless, waterproof digital watch which has stopwatch, illumination, alarm and date functions. Am I really that apathetic?