Some food lovin'

So I finally visited one of the restaurants located within walking distance just outside my place. That was my very first time trying Turkish Cuisine and it was a yummatumtum experience. I shall let the pictures do the talking.

Humus (Chickpea Dip)

Some freshly-baked, chewy bread to go with the Humus dip. YUMM!
Coban Salata (Shepherd's Salad) *healthy!*

Kunefe (Seriously, one of THE BEST desserts ever!)

Hot Apple Tea served in a lovely little glass and saucer

My personal favourites were the Kunefe, and the Hot Apple Tea which served as a great accompaniment to the dessert. I love the warm trickling of sweet apple tea down my throat after dessert. Oooh and there was also the mixed grill combo (comprising of chicken, lamb, beef cubes, and chicken wings/drumlets) that was shared during dinner as well. It's a pity I didn't get to take pictures before I could even stop the swift fork action.

As a person who doesn't exactly consume much meat, I thought the grilled meats tasted good. I guess it's the way the marinated them with such fragrant spices and they weren't oily in the least.

Apart from that, they had pretty decent service and a nice chill-out atmosphere. It isn't too crowded either.

I say, it's definitely a restaurant to go to! (:

Until the next time,
Bren

baked goods!

Greetings!

School has been really hectic (projects season) and the homebody in me is screaming to be let out! Rather than having meetings all over town and attending everybody's 21st birthday party, all I really want to do is lounge around at home in my oversized shirt and watch re-runs of The O.C. This definitely won't happen in the near future for me. Sadly.

Oh, but all is not lost. I managed to squeeze in some girl-bonding time with my mates and baked some cupcakes! because girl time and cupcakes are inseparable like Madonna and cone bras.

Plain Jane cupcakes that needed a little dressing

We did this in the spirit of Chinese New Year! Yes, that was how long ago.

Heart made of orange peel in case you are wondering.

'M' for Meng Ye :)

All together now!

Not just pretty, very yummy also! Also, in the spirit of CNY, the cakes were orange flavoured and so was the cream cheese icing. haha. It was so good my mom asked for the recipe and baked orange cakes for my entire extended family. so awesome. It'll probably become a family tradition, orange cakes for everyone every year!

In case you might die reading my rambles about cakes and icing, I'll be kind enough to share the recipe :)

Sunshine & Vitamin C Cupcakes

Ingredients:

300g Plain Flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon each finely grated lemon, orange & grapefruit rind (i only used orange)
125g unsalted butter (you could use salted butter and skip the salt)
250g sugar
2 eggs
160ml orange and grapefruit juice in each parts (I only used orange juice)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (didn't have lemons)

Method:

1. Combine flour and baking powder.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light yellow and fluffy.
3. Add in eggs to butter mixture.
4. Alternately add flour mixture, juice and rind.
5. Beat until smooth, then pour mixture into cake tin or cupcake mould.
5. Bake in pre-heated 180C oven for 25 min or until cake tester comes out clean.


This is a very basic cake recipe and can be flavoured anyway including chocolate. Seasoned bakers should know the trick, but if you've never baked in your life, this recipe is simple and delicious to get you started.

Cooking and baking is a passion of mine, rest assured this will not be last of the recipes I'll share. =)


Have a very yummy week!
Meng Ye

A time for tea and some Alice goodness.

Have I mentioned that the weather has been blazing hot lately? It's been a good 34 - 37 degrees out there and even when I'm indoors, I still melt in the heat. Oh, our poor Earth... look what they've done.

Anyhoos... on a lighter note, I have been fervently anticipating the arrival of the Alice in Wonderland film. And while doing some blog hopping, I stumbled upon this lovely little stop motion project titled Lost Things, directed by talented photographer Angela Kohler who is based in L.A.



Bits of the short film seems to be inspired by Alice falling down the rabbit hole. I love love love the model's beautiful flaming red hair that puts together a picture perfect fantasy. While viewing this video, I kind of fell in love with the background music that was written by Alison Sudol from A Fine Frenzy specially for this film. If you're one to enjoy the like of Juno's soundtrack, you'll like this one. Have a listen when you have the time, especially on warm weekday afternoons. It keeps you light and skippy happy! (at least it works for me)

While I mope about the insane weather out there that just makes me feel like staying home, I still lust at the idea of enjoying the bright, sunny afternoons with pretty cupcakes and teacups in hand. But well, that's not gonna happen anytime soon... and so I feast my eyes on these picturesque, sugary goodies while sipping some good soothing tea.

Lucky Charms Cupcakes! I miss having my breakfast filled with these bright, adorable lucky charms.

Meng, these two are for you (:

Treat yourself to a pretty cupcake this week!

Cheers with teacups and cupcakes,
Bren

Thrift shopping

In a bid to make full use of the last day of my CNY break, I did a little thrift shopping at Sungei Road, (or Thieves Market as some know it) somewhere which I've been meaning to check out for awhile. This place is famed for its dirt cheap Dr. Martens boots and vinyl records but as you might have guessed it does require a bit of digging through before you score something nice. Even if you don't though, it's interesting exploring the wide range of items on sale, from collectibles and wearables to obsoletes. (Handphones with antennas, cassette players, gameboys; surely they ring a bell?!) And in case you're wondering, yes I did find a black vintage sling bag for $4. At the back of my mind while paying for it, I thought about my navy blue bag which looks almost similar to this but heck, thrifting brings out your most compulsive and indulgent nature. Not that I'm complaining...it's definitely worth an afternoon plowing through the stalls. I just wished the weather was better, as always; both my friend and I were sighing with relief once we reached Spinelli after what, an hour of thrifting?? Thank you, Willis Haviland Carrier for saving the day once again.

Have a lovely & 'thrifty' week!
Nat