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Monday, 6 May 2013

Auckland City, Queen Street

Last week the weather was good and sunny and we decided to make a trip down to the City.  Instead of driving to the city (as it will be difficult to find parking space in the city), we took the ferry down from Half Moon Bay (near Bucklands Beach).

The ferry trip to the City from Half Moon Bay took just 30 minutes only.

 


You can purchase the tickets in the ferry itself.  Return tickets for two adults and (max.) four children for family package is NZ$36.00 and the other ticket Super Gold is usually for Senior Citizen which is free!








Transport Centre - train and bus to other state.


Queen Street - long walk with lots of shops on left and right.
 


at one junction, you will see SkyTower!  A must go for the first timer.  Casino, bungee jump,


                       Daiso in Auckland City!
 



On our ferry return ride, we saw this ferry going to Waiheke Island.  
Waiheke Island - a place to those who loves wines, places to visit vineyards and wineries. 
(Ha..Alvin of Chef&Sommelier, if you are reading this, Waiheke Island is the place you might like to visit).
 

You know what is this?  For towing the boat.



Wednesday, 1 May 2013

COFFEE AND WALNUT SPONGE CAKE

On the day I arrived to Auckland, my sister S has made this Coffee & Walnut Sponge Cake to welcome me.  

Before I could settle down to look around the surrounding,  she immediately slice a piece for me eventhough I wasn't ready upto eat anything as I was really tired and didn't sleep well through the journey flight.  Nevertheless instead of disappointing her effort of baking this cake for me, one mouthful of it could make you go for another slice!  This cake is indeed so delicious.......and in fact my sister has made this for the third time.

So, yesterday she bake this cake again!  This cake is so easy to make, all the ingredients dump into a bowl, and just whisk till combined.  That's it!  Well, you won't be disappoint with recipe from Delia's


COFFEE AND WALNUT SPONGE CAKE
Recipe sourced from Delia Online


Ingredients
165g  self-raising flour, sifted
1 ½ tsp baking powder
165g margarine (whipped vegetable fat), at room temperature
165g  golden caster sugar
3 large eggs
1
½ tbsp instant espresso dissolved in 1 1/2 tbsp of boiling water
75g finely chopped walnuts

For the filling and topping
500ml whipping cream
1 tbsp instant espresso powder
1 tbsp hot water
3-4 tbsp icing sugar (or to your sweetness)
10 walnut halves


Method

Preheat oven to 170Celcius.  
Grease two 8" round baking pans. 
Start off by sifting the flour and baking powder into a roomy mixing bowl, holding the sieve quite high to give the flour a good airing as it goes down, then add the butter, eggs, caster sugar and coffee powder.

Now, using an electric hand whisk, mix to a smooth, creamy consistency for about 1 minute. After that take a tablespoon and fold the chopped nuts into the mixture.

Next divide the mixture between the two prepared tins, level off using the back of a tablespoon and bake near the centre of the oven for about 25 minutes. The sponges are cooked when you press lightly with your little finger and the centre springs back.

Remove them from the oven and after about 30 seconds loosen the edges by sliding a palette knife all round then turn them out onto a wire cooling tray. Now carefully peel back the lining by gently pulling it back.

Then lightly place the other cooling tray on top and just flip them both over so that the tops are facing upwards (this is to prevent them sticking to the cooling tray).

While the cakes are cooling, make up the filling: in a small bowl, dissolves the instant coffee powder with the 1 tbsp hot water.  In another medium bowl, combine the whipping cream, icing sugar, coffee and whisk till creamy.

When the cakes are cold, spread half the filling over one, sandwich them together, then spread the rest over the top using a palette knife and making a swirling pattern. 

To decorate the topping, pipe swirl with the cream and top with whole walnut.
Shave some chocolate all over. 

(Do hop over to Delia's website as the ingredients we are baking here are measuring adjusted to  1 ½ recipe and if you prefer your cake to be more higher, do measure to 2 recipes instead.)








I loves this cake as this cake is soft with coffee flavour and with crunch from the bits of walnuts in the texture.  

 Two thumbs up to Sister S !

 

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Auckland Botanic Gardens

Kia Ora from New Zealand.

I've been here in Auckland a week now and it is good to be back here again.  The weather is cooling and sometimes do feel warm in the afternoon. 

Let's view some scenery photos.  Went to the Botanical Garden the other day as the weather is good to be outdoor.  As now is Autumn, so won't be able to see beautiful flowers surround.

 
















                                                                Lavenders


No flowers......

 

 


Monday, 22 April 2013

Mel is taking a long break holiday.....


To all my dear friends,

I will be taking a long break holiday for 3-4 months.  
I'm flying off to Auckland, NZ visiting my mum, sister, uncle, aunty, cousins, sister-in-law, nieces and friends.... thereafter might be off to Melbourne for a short visit too.

Well, during this long period of time, I will try to find time to update my blog here; , if I'm not posting my bakes or dishes, I will just post scenery pictures of NZ.

Here, I like to THANK YOU all for visiting my blog and leaving your comments as it does mean a lot to me!  Take care.  

Lots Love
Mel  
 
                                                  It's Autumn now and be there till winter!





  

Saturday, 13 April 2013

Baked Chicken Drumstick (Asian Style)

What to eat?  What to cook for dinner?  This is the common question frequently run into my head everyday.  As being the cook for the family, I am sure some of you might have to think ahead the menu to prepare for that day.  And most headache one is, if a member of the family is one picky of certain food, or if another member having cough or cold, we have to avoid deep fry food, or and so go on and on....

I think the easier way for me is Baked Chicken!

 
Baked Chicken Drumstick (Asian Style)
Recipe inspired from Greedy Gourmet 

Ingredients
olive oil, to drizzle
10 chicken drumsticks 
sea salt & black pepper to rub on the chicken

Glaze Sauce
6 tbsp honey
3 tbsp fish sauce   (I add only 2 tbsp)
1½ tbsp light soy sauce
 lemon lemons  (I only use 1 lemon)
3 tbsp rice wine vinegar 
1½ tbsp sesame oil
some whole shallots (optional)

Preheat the oven to 140°C.
Lightly oil a large baking dish. Season the drumsticks with salt and pepper and arrange in the dish in a single layer. Drizzle over a little olive oil, cover with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.

Prepare the glaze in the meantime. Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until evenly combined.
Take the chicken out of the oven and increase the temperature to 180°C.
Pour over the glaze and coat each drumstick.  (You may add in the whole shallots or garlic if you wish).
Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes, turning several times, until the chicken is tender and nicely glazed.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. 


At first I wasn't really sure whether this Asian style baked chicken would taste good because right after I have prepared the mix glaze sauce and give it a sip taste.....oh....very the 'soya sauce taste' but nevertheless just give it a go....


I served this Baked Chicken Drumsticks with steamed rice and baked tomatoes.

One picky member of my family, keep saying this chicken is very delicious for almost ten times!
"Ho chiak"