The fearsome predator spots the prey

The fearsome predator sees the prey
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976


Divide and Conquer
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Run into the herd and Divide and Conquer.

CARNAGE!
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

CARNAGE!

Beer Batter Cheese Bread

Beer Batter Cheese Bread
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Imp mentioned that D was cooking today and I was commiserating because of the heat. However I saw a recipe in the papers I wanted to try and was tempted into the kitchen. The recipe turned out to be very similar to this recipe.

The recipe in the papers today called for 350g of plain flour instead of the 1 and 1/2 cups of plain flour and 1 and 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour (though of course that would work). Also it used only 3 tablespoons of sugar (caster) instead of 1/3 cup of brown.

Also the recipe in the papers called for 250g of cheese (I used mozzarella but any kind would do) and a half teaspoon of pepper to be added. I also added some spring onions in - though you can toss just about anything you like in). To top off, the recipe suggested 4 tablespoons of butter and dribbling it over the top - I might skip this step the next time - was a bit too buttery.

I baked it 45 minutes in a 190 degrees oven. This was the last thing I started and the first thing to come out of the oven - no kneading :)

Basil Breadsticks

Basil Breadsticks
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Out of the oven!

Basil Breadsticks shaped

Basil Breadsticks shaped
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

The recipe called for saffron (and mine had disappeared) so because I didn't want my bread to look pale, I used a bit of egg wash. Yes I know the shape is strange - and yes they are rather large. I didn't want to spend the next two days putting tray after tray in the oven so I made them double the recommended size!

Basil Breadsticks risen dough

Basil Breadsticks risen dough
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Focaccia out of oven

Focaccia out of oven
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Ta-da! The bread out of the oven.

Focaccia Dough shaped

Focaccia Dough shaped
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Dough after the second rise - and about to go into the oven.

Shaped focaccia dough

Shaped focaccia dough
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Here's the dough before the second rise.

Risen Focaccia dough

Risen Focaccia dough
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Here's the dough after the first rise.

Focaccia Dough

Focaccia Dough
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Imp asked for a breakdown of what happens when you bake bread. So here's exhibit One - the dough before I left it in the sun to rise.

Sunny day

Sunny day
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

What else do you do on a sunny , steaming hot day but bake bread?

Pancakes

Pancakes
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Decided that pancakes would be a nice match for the jam (they were!) and this morning I made cranberry/raisin pancakes, sugar sprinkle pancakes and banana pancakes for brunch. The pale sad little pancake at the top was the last bit of batter I had and I didn't want to waste it.

The recipe came from Nigella of course (note how we're on first name terms now), care of How to be a Domestic Goddess. Fastest thing in the world to make - and you can make it the night before of course and just pour it out the next day. With a recipe this simple though, no reason you can't do it the morning itself.

Ginger Jam

Ginger Jam
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Last night I thought about what to eat this gorgeous jam with today (no, I'm not pregnant - since I started baking I wake up at 2 am wanting to make key lime pie) - and I have to say I'm not even a huge fan of ginger. The jam is tart and just sweet enough and it went beautifully with the hot cross buns I made the other day.

Mousakka

Mousakka
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

D made the most excellent vegetarian mousakka with special Du Puy lentils (I just learnt to spell this from Imp's blog post). The lentils had the lovely amount of bite without being too mushy. It was extremely filling, and I had bites of his dhaal too so I was stuffed by the end of the meal.

Tomato Consomme

Tomato Consomme
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

D and I had dinner a few weeks ago and were discussing a recipe I had happened to see on Jamie Oliver's new show. As the book hadn't come out yet, I told him what I thought the recipe had been though I was pretty sure I would have forgotten something. Sure enough, he found the recipe this morning and it turned out to be red wine vinegar.

Still the soup was delicious. D probably added half a bottle of vodka in there though - it was more vodka than tomato soup :) A lovely cool soup for a steaming day.

The white bean dip in the background was also fantastic.

Chocolate Malteser Cake

Chocolate Malteser Cake
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Here's another Nigella recipe from Feast.

Unfortunately as you can see, the cake wasn't even. I thought I had evened the batter out but heard a little pop after I put it in the oven after a minute or two. Anyway, no one expects me to do pretty cakes to that's fine :)

Cinnamon Bread

Cinnamon Bread
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Today was not a good baking day. I made cinnamon bread from my trusty "How to be a Domestic Goddess" in anticipation of dinner at D & Imp's place. However for some reason only known to my addled brain, I put in two cups of butter instead of a single cup when making the bread. I had to throw out one lot of dough, but fortunately, managed to salvage the rest by doubling the rest of the ingredients and kneading it again (thank you Kitchenaid!).

It was a nice, hot day, so the bread rose nicely and turned out pretty tasty after all.

Ikan Bilis (Anchovies)

Ikan Bilis (Anchovies)
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I didn't even know there were different grades of anchovies and dried shrimp till I went to the wholesale centre. Obviously you learn something new every day - one dead shrimp is not the same as another.

Dried goods store

Dried goods store
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

One of the stores selling dried shrimp, anchovies, moss, mushroom among other items.

Mom and I were told that sea cucumber (hanging in the middle of the photo) makes a great sponge for washing your dishes. The lady who sold it swore it was cleaner than normal sponges.

Victoria Street Wholesale Centre

Victoria Street Wholesale Centre
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

You have to love a place that sells practically every kind of dried good on the face of the earth. I went with J to the Victoria Street Wholesale centre two weeks ago, and then went again with my Mom last week. Everything there is very reasonable, and the sheer variety is stunning. You can also buy bubble wrap, paper products and party supplies. It's a weird mix but it works.

It's the sort of gem that not a lot of Singaporeans generally go to - it makes for a great walk between Little India and Arab Street too.

First Post!

Here's my new blog - since I'm going to be spending time in two countries I thought this would be a good way to keep in touch with family and friends in both countries!

I hope you enjoy :)