Weekend cooking & baking endeavour

We had meatloaf for dinner on Thursday and Friday night. It was quite simple to put together, so I decided to give this American adopted Italian dish a go. OCT liked it very much, but I didn't care about it. Surprising it went well with bagel and salad, which I liked. We managed to wash them all down our stomach.

Yesterday, we had Chicken Piccata with stirfry spinach + celery/carrot. Chicken Piccata was a bit like the chinese honey lemon chicken. Except that honey was being replaced by white wine.(lots of it) We started to like the "popeye vege" and decided to incorporate it into our vegetable list. Celery is the only "negative calories" vegetable, according one of my ex-client ( a doctor) and good for those who wants to lose weight.

To keep up with my resolution to bake at least 5 new recipes per month, I baked the pear & walnut muffins and Irish Strawberry & Cream Cheesecake. Both sounded intriguing as I never tried a muffin with pear and walnut in it, neither had I tried cheesecake with Bailey cream in it.

Simply put, I think the muffin's fine...As in they are edible, but not "wow"! I should be more cynical while deciding the "to-bake"recipes from cookbook/website that have rave reviews next time...



Irish Strawberry & Cream Cheesecake is much more spectacular in term of taste and appearance than the muffins. It has a hint of Bailey cream but not too overwhelming.We give some away to friends, in case I can't resist the temptation to finish them myself.

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Some trivial thoughts

Lately, for some unknown reason I have fell in love with bald trees. I marvelled at their branches which stood fearlessly in the face of great adversity, and cold. I marvelled at their tenacity and perseverance, so boldly in the winter...All the qualities that I lacked beneath the layers of clothes and skin.

OCT and I talked about depression. I can't remember how we started this conversation.He said it's common here in US during winter, when people can't go out from their home, and everything seems gloomy. I suggested that the depressed people should be given chocolate, reiterating the benefits of eating chocolate eg antioxidant protection, and most importantly the feel good factor, as mentioned by Dr Sarah Brewer:

"Eating chocolate makes you feel good. It increases brain levels of several chemicals, including mood-altering PEA (phenylethylamine, related to amphetamine), which produces a mild, confidence-instilling buzz. Chocolate also contains tryptophan - a chemical converted to serotonin in the brain to lift mood and increase euphoria - and theobromine, a stimulant that peps you up. Chocolate is also virtually unique in that it melts in the mouth at body temperature, producing a silky, luscious sensation that adds to its appeal and, according to psychologists, is one of the main reasons why chocolate proves so addictive."

We are not sure if chocolate was part of the regimens for treating depression, but I would certainly include chocolate in many of my recipes in an effort to combat depression (though I don't even have the slightest sign of depression).

As I ponder on this, I did a quick check on my chocolate stock at home, and this is what I found. And this is just PART of my full stock not to mention that it's growing every week!

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Weekend Updates

After half of the winter has passed, it finally snowed last Friday, never mind that it only lasted a few hours and the snow accumulated was not really enough to do anything "interesting" (like making snowman or snow angel..)Below was pic taken from my window last friday: Compare this with the sight of my first snow in St Louis:

I think you know what I mean by "not enough snow to do anything interesting".... On Saturday, we went for a walk around the neighbourhood in the morning, and also for me to practise my photographic skill. OCT was quite stressed when he saw me bringing the camera. Because that would mean a highly disruptive walk.(I can stand at one place and take photos at different angles, and get really grumpy if the pics didn't turn out as I wish). It was a quiet Saturday, sunny but cold, brrr.......

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The second good news

Another good news that I received today is my favorite singer Emil Chow has just completed his latest album, after 2 years since his last album.Yes, I have been a big fan of him since young. (Though some friends think that his time has long pasted)

I got the information from Wakin.com. It's a cool site that plays his songs while you surf. He mentioned about his struggle for the past 2 years trying to rush his album, and also some of his thoughts in this site. A must visit for other fellow Wakin fans! This is really good news to me. I have been wondering what has happened to him after his concert tour with Jonathan Lee.... At least now that I know he has completed his album, it should hit the record rack soon. This year definitely.

Time flies when I am happy, and it's time to prepare dinner again.....

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It's finally here!

This is the parcel that I have been waiting for a long time, too long....since ST sent it out mid Dec. This must be the best day I have had since coming to St Louis. I received the parcel from the postman, who appeared to be the nicest person i have ever met in St Louis.

The phone rang before I managed to open the card. It was OCT, asking if I have received the parcel yet. He sounded more excited than I did and asked what's in the parcel.
"I don't know yet" I said.
"open it now la~" He urged.
"I will, after I hang up" I replied.
"ceh~"He said.

And this is what I found:

My eyes were all teary, and started to cry quite uncontrollably... Don't ask me why, because one should know: receiving a gift or even just a card from a dear friend is just the most moving thing that can happen to one, especially in a foreign land.

Thanks ST! What else can I say? For everything and every moment that you were there for me when I needed a friend by my side. Thanks for being such a supportive and accommodating friend all these years. For being there during my first breakup, my ups and downs, and the countless adventures we had together. For the April Fool we spent in Bangkok, Harbour Bridge we conquered, the afternoon in Darling Harbour, the most hilarous memory of "Better Man" in Rudy's Audi, the endless buffets, the $7/8 orange juice at One Fullerton Bar ( outrageously expensive to us back then) just to name a few.....

Life is so different and difficult, I must admit, without you...

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Leftover night

After a sumptuous 3-dishes meal for dinner yesterday, we were left with lots leftover which was tantamount to another 2 meals...This left me no choice but to eat the leftover tonight. Still, I insisted on having some creativity with my meal, so here's what i did.

I stirfried the leftover macaroni with my favorite home-made phad thai sauce (which is basically fish sauce + tamarind+ sugar + chilli), and microwaved the frozen cod-fish to go with the cabbage and eggplants from last night's dinner.

You see, I love to cook, but sometime dealing with the enormous amount of leftover could be painful...But now that the fridge is clear from leftover, I can think of something new for dinner tomorrow!

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Dinner- Homestyle

I still wasn't in the mood for cooking or baking today. Maybe it's the relentless rain, or just plain laziness. But dinner is my responsibility, and I don't have that much house chores to do, so I can't use that as an excuse for no time to make dinner, As dinner time approached,I decided to prepare some simple stirfry dishes that included belanchan eggplants, bacon cabbage and mum-style prawn for dinner.

OCT was impressed that I can conjure up a meal within an hour, and as usual he devoured them, and ate 2 big plates of rice. That helped to uplift my spirit, seeing the smile of satisfaction on his face.

After dinner, we went to the library and Straub's (a supermarket near our place) for a walk. I am finally in the mood to bake again, and is actually baking oatmeal raisin bar cookies now. This is in my "this week to-bake list" inspired by my friend bp. She baked us some of these for Christmas and it was so good that I ended up finished them by myself...

Here's my oatmeal raisin bar cookies:

It's healthy and tastes nice, but I think it maybe too healthy for OCT's taste now.

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Spinach & Feta Pasta

After realizing how unhealthy our daily meals are, I opted for a healthier pasta for dinner tonight. I kind of like spinach cooked in this way, rather than simply sautee with oil and garlic( or chinese stir-fry style). I also like spinach in quiche.

"Although it will not produce the magical effects that Popeye enjoyed, spinach is defintely packed with lots of goodness, like carotenoids, vitamin K, folate (folic acid), magnesium, manganese, and contain more protein than most vegetable. To get the full benefits of this leafy vegetable, eat it cooked, as cooking makes the antioxidant carotenoid responsible for much of spinach's nutritional potency easier for the body to absorb." This is what is quoted in one of the online resources. Ok, I think I shall eat more spinach from now on....

Though I intended it to be a healthy meal, OCT ended up eating somemore Pringles potato chips, homemake chocolate chips cookies and planter's peanut after the pasta... Maybe he isn't aware that he has slowly adapted to my not-so-healthy meals. Hence when the meal gets too "healthy", he feels something is amiss, and balances off with other "unhealthy" food. Not my fault, I have tried my best.....

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Hearty Beef Stew

Beef stew with rice was all we had for dinner last night. I was having a bad headache and really had no mood to experiment with new dishes. Hence I took out the beef stew meat that we bought Saturday,(which we had not put in the freezer) to prepare this.

Though it's a simple dish, Chintong and I devoured it. I added some red wine to the beef stew too, without Chintong knowing ( he hated dishes with alcohol/wine). Ironically, wine has been sneaked into most of our daily dishes, and he seems to be enjoying what he's eating! And whenever his cooking doesn't turn out to be as nice as mine, he would humbly ask for my enlightenment. Oh, I am more than pleased to share my secret with him: "just add some wine!"

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Daily Indulgence...

My Irish coffee, that is. Strong, fresh brew espresso with nothing but Bailey Irish cream. Recently however, i refrain myself from adding as much Irish cream as I usually do, fearing the amount of calories for one, and that it may not be enough to sustain me till spring. Though the amount used in my daily coffee dose is negligible (in my opinion), OCT has reproached me on my daily consumption and habitually dependence on caffeine and alcohol...Hmm....ok, i exaggerated a bit. Indeed, he gave me a lecture on importance of not building tolerance or dependence on the objects in issue.

In short, that's why I cut down on the irish cream in my cup. While sipping my Irish coffee, i wonder what has shaped individual's preference when it comes to the degree of bitterness/sweetness in their coffees. Adolescents prefer calories loaded, frappuccino, topped with whipped cream. Twenty/ thirty something prefers barely half-filled cappuccino. Mature generation likes it the way it is. Black.Or kopi-O. Why? I ponder.

Is it because we prefer everything sugar-coated while we were young, that's why we went for frappuccino?We grasped the sophisticated yet brutal facts on human nature after stepping into the complicated working world, and started to appreciate cappuccinos? Finally after a few more decades, we need something stronger, more stimulating to keep us going, despite our circumstances and also to remind us that our life is not too bitter after all, compared to the black coffee?

Actually I like my coffee to be bitter than sweeter, so that when everything goes wrong, i can still remind myself that, afterall, my life is sweeter, not bitter than I think. Having said all these, I will still sprinkle a little bit of sugar in my coffee, so that I remember "every cloud has a silver lining". Hope and kindness still exist.

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Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu is basically ham and swiss cheese wrapped with chicken breast and coated with breadcrumb. With all these ingredients, how could a dish tastes wrong? This is my favorite chicken dish for now. Chintong's eyes lit up after his first bite and wondered how I put all this together. This is the greatest, immediate and tangible satisfaction that good food gives me.

This is our dinner for tonight and chintong's lunch for tomorrow. Hmm....In fact, I have baked too many that this will be our dinner for tomorrow too :)

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A little accident in the kitchen

It all started with a meatloaf recipe i saw on a website...I was pondering on what to do with the 1.5 pound mince beef in the freezer, other than the usual spaghetti with meaty bolognese sauce. It seems nice, with 1000+ rave reviews.

I assembled the "very promising meatloaf" following the exact instructions from the recipe, while roasting mixed-herb potatoes in the lower tray. Everything seemed fine, and I happily proceeded to prepare the ingredients required for the tomyam fried rice. I checked the meatloaf at the twentieth minute, and horrified to find that it's drenched in oil!!!! I must do something, I thought.

And I did, which i regretted...I tried to take the wobbly disposable meatloaf pan out from the oven, and in split second, before i realised, it fell and spilled all over the floor of the oven, resulting in a lot of smoke! Remembering the last 2 incidents when fire alarm went off when my food burned, I immediately shut the oven door closed, ignoring the spillage, switched the oven off, opened each and every window and door in the apartment, hoping to get rid of the smoke the spillage has caused.

Called me timid, I was traumatized....and didn't know what to do for a few minutes. I didn't dare to open the oven, worrying that all the smoke will trigger the fire alarm...and I was also scared that it may explode! Emm.... afterall, I am just an innocent girl, how would I know how the oven reallly works? or whether it would explode or not....

In the end, I managed to calm myself down and continued to cook my planned tomyam fried rice. Too bad we can't have meatloaf tonight, because it really smelt nice... Dinner was nice, but it would be nicer with the meatloaf. We spent one hour cleaning the oven after dinner, Chintong was nice enough to do most of the job and even washed the dishes. He said I have had enough for one day. This is the tomyam fried rice with roasted herb potatoes:

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Second attempt on biscotti

Ok, my curiousity has finally pushed me to go Starbuck and bought a piece of chocolate-hazelnut biscotti, and a cup of my favorite cafe-mocha, of course. I was totally devastated that it tasted sooooo good compared to my chocolate dipped orange biscotti....

Once home, I was motivated to give biscotti a second try, after knowing how it shoud taste, and searched on all my available resources for another recipe for biscotti. I got one from "Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook", which i borrowed from the library. It's a recipe for "Chocolate-Hazelnut Biscotti". After much examination of the ingredients used in the Starbuck's biscotti and Martha's recipe, I decided to give it a try, but halving the recipe, just in case I fail again.

There were some descriptions that I was cluelss, like "beating the eggs and sugar until ribbon-like trait is formed for a few seconds when the whisk is lifted". What the heck was that? I proceed nevertheless, and beat the eggs, hoping that the phenomenon described would magically appear. And you bet, it didn't happen. At the point when the mixing bowl got a little hot, and the whisk started to sound and look weird, I turned the mixer off and used hand to mix the dough.

It certainly didn't look as effortless as Martha did it on her daily TV show. After i assembled the oversize biscotti onto the baking sheet, I secretly prayed that it would turn out nice, or at least edible.... And thank God that it did turn out delicious! I finally got the taste right, nevermind about the ribbon-like trait that didn't appear... Here is how it looks like:

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My first Phad-Thai

After lazing around for a whole day on Saturday, I decided to give Phad-Thai, a delicious Thai-style stirfry rice noodle that I love to eat a try. I was a bit sceptical at first because the recipe was not from a Thai, but rather from a Angmo's cookbook. Nevertheless, the last time when I saw it from the cookbook, I quickly gathered all the necessary sauces and pastes called for in the recipe...... And let them sat on my cabinet till this Saturday.

Though it couldn't rival the Phai-Thai I had from Singapore or Bangkok, it still turned out yummy and not too bad for a first timer. I think I will make it again sometime soon, I really got hooked on with the slightly sweet and sour taste.

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To blog or not to blog

I was talking with st about this topic the other day. To blog or not to blog? Or rather what to be included in the blog, in case the blog is read by the unintended readers. This is the dilemma. Blogging is fun, and is certainly a good way to vein your frustration, record your thought, even for daily trivial things. But things can get complicated when the content involves people that may read the blog.

I am just glad that I don't have all these concerns at the moment. Life is simple ver here, just me and my small world. Even Chintong doesn't seem to bother with what I blogged.

To blog or not to blog? I think it boils down to a decision one has to make after weighing the risk involved....I decided to blog anyway, and I don't care what people think after reading my blog. Afterall, that's my life. (Well, to be honest I think i still care a lot of what people think of me). How contradicting! That's me...

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A peaceful Saturday

After an eventful Christmas weekend, we decided to take things easy and do absolutely nothing this weekend. I promised myself to bake biscotti yesterday and i did! Below are the end products of my first-time chocolate dipped orange-walnut biscotti.

They look prettier after drying and certainly appear appetizing. However, I can't exactly remember how biscotti taste. Sigh... Maybe I should just buy one from Starbuck to confirm I get the flavour right.

I think I will make chocolate marble bread with chocolate ganache later if we are not going out. and phad thai for dinner since we have all the ingredient... Yesterday I saw a fellow blogger's blog, which has A LOT of dessert photos! I wonder if i would be half as good one day if I only make 5 desserts a month....

Maybe I should really get a job to sustain my expensive hobby...

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New Year Resolutions

It's end of the year, and yes, time for New Year Resolutions! I vividly remember almost the same time every year when i sit down quietly in a little cozy place, contemplating what I want to achieve in the coming year.

And the determination usually don't sustain till middle of the year, I would almost absolutely forget about all the resolutions I have made, and history repeats itself year after year. But, no, I have not given up on making New Year Resolutions. And as I would make it a resolution to keep up my resolutions every year, I make it a resolution to follow through my resolutions this year.

Other than that, I really want to...

1. Master English. O.k, I will try to read at least 4 books in a month, on top of the 5 magazines i subscibed.

2. Be a competent baker. I will try at least 5 new recipes each month.

3.Stay healthy. well, i know exercise is important, so....I will work out 3 times a week?

4.Make the world a better place, by being compassionate to people around me, prudent with the natural resources.

5. Learn the art of saving, from the master- OCT!

6. Keep in touch with friends and family whom I care so much.

Have you made you resolutions for 2006 yet? Till then, have a Happy New Year! I have to put my baby champagne into the fridge now, so that it will be chill enough on New Year Eve. (just a lame excuse to sign off, hehehe..)

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Dinners

Since I came to St Louis, I have been cooking dinner diligently every night. My apartment is kind of small, so there really isn't a lot of chores that needed my attention. In fact, I sometime feel guilty at the thought that dinner alone is the only thing i do for chintong. In order to make up for it, I try to cook dinner as sumptuous as possible. Below are some of the examples:



I know what you have been thinking.... and yes, i don't cook chinese meals everyday. There are so many new and affordable ingredients here!Hence i decided to cook western meals at least once a week, sometime using the oven to test out new recipes. I think i should try to make it a point to take pictures of my everyday meals so that i know what i have tried. I am really inspired by some fellow bloggers who bake and cook different dishes everyday, it really motivates me to try something new....

I think i will try my hands on biscotti tomorrow, and i shall take a picture of it no matter how it turns out to be.

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Rainy Day

It's a cold rainy day here. I can't surf the internet enough with my new babe, being deprived of all the usual softwares and programs that I was so used to back in Singapore. Despite the excitement of surfing in virtual space, I finished reading "The Martha Rules" by one of my inspirational role models, Martha Stewart.

As a successful business woman and self made billionaire, she shared her knowledge and wisdom in entrepreneurship with people who are interested to start their businesses. Here's the 10 rules as stated in the book:

Rule 1: What passion got to do with it?

Build you business success around something that you love- something that is inherently and endlessly interesting to you.

Rule 2: Ask yourself, what's the Big Idea?

Focus your attention and creativity on basic things, things that people need and want. The look for ways to enlarge, improve and enhance your Big Idea.

7 neccessities for assessing your business idea:
1. Is your idea better than alternatives on the market?
2. Is your idea simple for you to develop and simple for customers to understand?
3. Are you in a geographic location where your idea will work?
4. Is your idea affordable?
5. Is your idea too big?
6. Can you expand and extend your idea?
7. Does your idea make the world better?

Rule 3: Get a telescope, a wide angle lens, and a microscope

Create a business plan that allows you to stay true to your Big Idea but helps you focus on the details. Then remain flexible enough to zoom in or out on the vital aspects as your business grows.

Rule 4: Teach so you can learn

By sharing your knowldege about your productor service with your customers, you create a deep connection that will help you learn how best to build and manage your business.

Rule 5: All dressed up and ready to grow

Use smart, cost-effective promotional Techniques that will arrest the eye, tug at the heart, and convey what is unique and special about your business or service.

Rule 6: Quality is everyday

Quality should be placed at the top of your list of priorities, and it should remain there. Quality is something you should strive for in every direction, everyday.

Rule 7: Build an A team

Seek out and hire employees who are brimming with talent, energy, integrity, optimism, and generosity. Search for advisors and partners who complement your skills and understand your ideals.

Rule 8: So the pie isn't perfect? Cut it into wedges

When faced with a business challenge, evaluate or assess the situation, gather the good things in sight, abandon the bad, clear your mind, and move on. Focus on the positive. Stay in control, and never panic.

Rule 9: Take risks, not chances

In business, there's a difference between a risk and a chance. A well-calculated risk may well end up as an investment in your business. A careless chance can cause it to crumble. And when an opportunity presents itself, never assume it will be your last.

Rule 10: Make it beautiful

Listen intently, learn new things everyday, be willing to innovate, and become an authority your customers will thrust. As an entrepreneur, you will find great joy and satisfaction in making your customers' lives easier, more meaningful, and more beautiful.

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My new laptop

Finally, I got a new laptop! I can finally bid farewell to Chintong's old Mac and start quality blogging. I must say that we snatched a very good deal based on any standard that i am aware of. We got a Acer Aspire with $599, with a free Lexmark all in one printer and a wireless G router. What more can i ask for?!

However, there's a little problem, i.e I have to setup the laptop on my own. I know, this may not sound difficult. But for me, a computer illiterate, it certainly is challenging. I was sitting down in the living room for the whole afternoon yesterday, trying to figure out how to install the router. And when the old Mac's OS failed me at one point, I had no choice but to call the provider's tech support for help..It was such a pain to go through all the humiliation of not knowing what parts the technician was talking about. When the system was finally up and running, we went off to catch "The Chronical of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe".

To my dismay, I was denied access to internet when we were back! Too tired after the 125 min movie, i threw in the white towel for the day, and decided to fight the battle again today. it's another long day for me, trying to reach one technician after another when they can't solve my problem, and called my ISP provider to ask for some confidential information required to have a successful installation. And yes, I managed to pull everything together on my own. My satisfaction is beyond words.

This is life, things can't always go your way, and when you want something bad enough, you will find ways to get it.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you out there. May the warmth of the season brings great joy and peace to your heart. This is a photo taken during our Christmas eve party. We put on the santa hat to inject some festive mood into the party.

The temperature at St Louis was probably negative five degree celcius, but our little apartment was so warm that a heater was not required. I had tried my hands on preparing a honey baked ham for the first time following a recipe from allrecipes.com. And you bet, it turned out spectacular! I was so busy that i forgot to take a photo of it. Here, is a photo taken by our friend Melvin. The rest of the friends brought their signature dishes to add to the big feast.
The food was definitely too much for 9 adults and 2 kids. We ended up having a Christmas lunch at our place to finish up the leftover. Though it was fun to host friends at our apartment, Chintong and I were totally exhausted after the 2 days celebration. Chintong said it was more tiring than working...

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Recipes By Categories

Updating....

Breakfast
Basic Buttermilk Pancake
Banana Sour Cream Pancake
Crepes
Lemon and Dried Cranberries Scones with Raspberry Chocolate Chips

Muffins,Quickbreads and Scones
Meyer Lemon and Dried Blueberry Scones
Lemon Scented Blueberry Cupcakes
Mocha Muffins with Chocolate Chips and Pecan
Blueberry Streusel Muffins
Classic Banana Bread
Espresso Walnut Cake
Strawberry Bread
Orange Strawberry Muffins
Starbucks' Pumpkin Scones
Lemon and Dried Cranberries Scones with Raspberry Chocolate Chips
Fig Financiers
Raspberry Chocolate Chips Muffins

Yeast Bread
Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls
Asiago and Balsamic Caramelised Onion Focaccia
Onion Mustard Monkey Bread
Cheesy Zucchini and Red Onion Flatbread
Chocolate Babka
Grand Tuna Melt
Tender Potato Bread
Danish Braid
Caterpillar Bread
Danish Braid
French Bread
Pork Floss Bun

Cookies And Bar
Almond Biscotti
Irish Cream Brownies
Banana Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Pistachio Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Chocolate Chips Cookies
Eggless Chocolate Chips Cookies
Chocolate Hazelnut Sables
Nibby Hazelnut Cookies
World Peace Cookies
Viennese Chocolate Sables
Lemon Espresso Bites
Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Lavender Sables
Favorite Chocolate Biscottis
Mosaic Biscottis
M&M Bar Cookies
Matcha Cookies
Buttermilk Cookies
Almond, Fennel Seed and Orange Biscotti
Vanilla Shortbread
Pineapple Tarts
Rugelach
Nutella Two Tone Cookies
Cherry Garcia Biscotti
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Coffee Hazelnut Cookies
Peppermint Cookie and Cream Brownies


Cakes
Fig Financiers
Hummingbird Cake
Espresso Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake
Lemon Curd Marbled Cheesecake
The Most Fabulous Chocolate Cake
Accidental Coffee Coffee Cake
Raspberry-Laced Chocolate Cupcakes with Marbled Glaze
Peach Cheesecake
Strawberry Country Cake
Ina's Lemon Cake
CI Lemon Cake
Coffee Coconut Ice-Cream Cake
Chocolate Coffee Cheesecake
Carrot Cupcakes
Banana Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache
Buttermilk Chocolate Pound Cake
Chocolate Banana Cake
Devil's Food White Out Cake
Mississippi Mud Cake
Yellow Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Strawberry Celebration Cake
Chocolate Genoise
Traditional Madeleine
Walnut Coffee Cake
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Chocolate Fallen Souffle Cake
Coconut cupcake
Lemon Pound Cake with Cherry Compote
Ligurian Lemon Cake
Low Fat Chocolate Marble Cake
Black and White Angel Food Cake
Black and White Chocolate Cake
Coffee Walnut Cake with Coffee Mascarpone Cream
Tiramisu Cake
Lemon Cheesecake with mango topping
Apple Cheesecake
Chocolate Matcha Cupcakes
Party Chocolate Cake
Banana Chiffon Cake
My take on Macrina's Lemon Lavender Cake
Banana Cupcake with Lime Glaze
Mango Cream Cake
Espresso Chiffon Cake with Caramel Glaze/Bittersweet Glaze
Pichet Ong's Banana Cake
Chocolate Raspberry Charlotte Cake
Mini Cherry Almond Tea Cakes
Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream
Blueberry Crumb Cake
Chocolate Matcha Cupcakes
Lavender Chiffon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Matcha Cupcakes
Macrina's Lemon Lavender Coffee Cake
Mango Mascarpone Mousse Cake
Strawberry Friands
Nutella Cupcakes
Vanilla Chiffon Cake
Banana Cake with Caramel Espresso Frosting
Grand Marnier Chiffon Cake
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Little Fellas Raspberry Swirl (mini raspberry swirl cheesecake)
Little Fellas Chocolate Swirl (mini chocolate swirl cheesecake)
Little Fellas Cappuccino (mini cappuccino cheesecake)
Lemon Angel Food Cake
Yule Log


Pies and Tarts
Bacon Spinach and Feta Quiche
Normandy Apple Tart
Peach Cobbler
Egg Tarts
Strawberry Tart
Chocolate Ganache Tart
French Lemon Cream Tart
Chocolate Espresso Tart
Pavlova with Mixed Berries
Plum Galette
Matcha Crean Cheese Tarts
Nutella Tart
Seafood Quiche
Nectarine Tart
Mango Tart
Strawberry Rhubarb Tart
Lemon Meringue Pie

Other Baked Goodies
Best Matcha Cocoa Brownie
Cherry Clafoutis
Favortie Sweet Tart Dough
Chocolate Eclairs
Cherry Clafoutis 2
Almond and Dark Chocolate Granola
Profiterole
Blackberry and Mango Clafoutis
Cheesecake Pops
Moscato and Vanilla Poached Pears

Pizza
Malaysian Pizza
Giada's Pizza Dough
Mini Ham and Cheese Calzone

Ice Creams, Sorbets and other Cold treats
Mixed Berries Frozen Yogurt
Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet
Gianduja Ice Cream
Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream

No bake Sweet Treats

Chocolate Truffles
Rocky Road


Appetizers

Thai Shrimp Cake
Asparagus Melt with Pesto Spread
Tomatoes with Fresh Peach and Basil Vinaigrette
Korean Enoki Pancakes
Steamed Fish Rolls
Golden Crisp Daikon Cake

Salad
Warm New Potato Salad with Grainy Mustard
Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia Salad
Barefoot Contessa's Caesar Salad
Potato Salad
Summer BLT Pasta Salad
Shrimp and Mango Salad with Glass Noodles
Berry Salad
Tomatoes with Fresh Peach and Basil Vinaigrette
Vietnamese Chicken Salad



Soup



Pasta
Chicken and Pasta Toss
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Linguine
Curry Baked Rice
Shrimp Scampi with Linguini
Linguine Alla Carbonara
Penne with Turkey Meatballs
Shrimp Florentine with Caramelized Garlic
Spaghetti with Asparagus, Parmesan and Ham
Pasta Primavera
Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna Roll-ups with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
Asparagus Pesto Lasagna
Shrimp and Scallop Arrabbiata
Shrimp Arrabbiata
Triple S Pasta
Antipasto Salad
Penne with Roasted Vegetables and Goat Cheese
Soba with tofu, red bell pepper and shiitake mushroom
Char Kway Teow

Savory Dishes
(Meat)
Mustard Herd Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Chinese Style Stove Top Pot Roast
Balsamic Soy Glazed Chicken Wings
Oven Fried Chicken
Beef Carnitas
Pork Carnitas
Deviled Chicken Divan
Turkey Meatballs with homemade Marinara Sauce
Indonesian Chicken
Roast Pork I
Chipotle Orange Chicken CutletI
Chicken Satay
Curry Turkey Burger
Diner Meatloaf Muffins
Shredded Beef and Mushroom Ragu
Char Siew/ Chinese Style Roast Pork
Chicken Edamame Bowl
Chicken Saltimbocca
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Barbecue Meatloaf
Thai Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Breasts with Gorgonzola-Tomato Salsa
Stuffed Turkey with Lemon, Oregano and Red Onion
Italian Sausage and Bread Stuffing
Chinese Beef Stew with Daikon

(Seafood)
Salmon with Sweet and Sour Pan Sauce
Tilapia with Balsamic Butter Sauce
Five Spice Tilapia with Citrus Ponzu Sauce
Salmon Teriyaki Bowl
Oven Baked Salmon with Toasted Almond and Parsley Salsa
Seafood Tofu with Gochujang Sauce

(Vegetable)
Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms
Make Ahead Mashed Potato
Broccoli with Hot Bacon Dressing
Seared Tofu with Gingered Vegetables
Eggplant Parmesan
Vegetable and Tofu Curry
Meditteranean Stuffed Eggplant

Other Delicious Stuffs
OCT's Pineapple Fried Rice

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About

My name is Mandy, a Malaysian Chinese who resides in the United States since 2005.

Fresh from the Oven was first started as a space to update friends and families of my life in the United States. However, it was soon turned into a cooking and baking blog, recording my kitchen experiments because I spent most of my free time reading and trying out new recipes. Later, food photography becomes an obsession. So I cook more food to practice my photography skill.

I didn't start baking until I got married and moved to the US. The brownie mix from a box was the first revelation that I could bake too. Later, enbolden by my very encouraging husband- OCT and my friends, I started baking from scratch. I have a degree in applied chemistry, so I think I know a thing or two about mixing things without burning down the kitchen.

I love the act of mixing, baking and creating desserts for people I love. It makes people feel special when presented with homemade desserts. Which in turn makes me happy.

It wasn't until year 2009 that it became clear to me that, I could turn something I deeply passionate about into a career. So I went to The French Pastry School in Chicago, to have a formal and professional training in pastry. It is the best decision I have ever made in my life, only second to marrying OCT!

I am currently working in a professional pastry kitchen, doing what I love to do! I wake up every morning, looking forward to make someone's day special. It is the best feeling in the world.

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Want to Contact me?

Comments, suggestions and questions are always welcome.

Just drop me an email at freshfromtheoven606(at)gmail(dot)com

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Blogroll

64 sq ft Kitchen
A Daily Obsession
Alpineberry
Applemint
Baking and Books
Cafe Fernando
Cherrapeno
Chocolate and Zucchini
Chubby Hubby
Cookie Baker Lynn
Culinary Concortion by Peabody
Culinary in The Country
David Lebovitz
Dessert First
Dine and Dish
Epicurean Escapism
Food Beam
Food Lover's Journey
Food to nourish the spirit and soothe the soul
Happy Home Baking
Hot.Sour.Salty.Sweet and Umami
Jaden's Steamy Kitchen
Jumbo Empanadas
Kitchen Unplugged
Kitchen Wench
Kuidaore
La Mia Cucina
La Tartine Gourmande
Little Corner of Mine
Matt Bites
Milk and Cookies
My Cooking Hut
Nook and Pantry
Oh For the Love of Food
Once Upon a Feast
Once Upon a Tart
Orangette
Piggy Cooking Jourmal
R Khooks
Rasa Malaysia
Simply Annes
Smitten Kitchen
Sweetnicks
Tartelette
Taste and Tell
Technicolor Kitchen
The Journal of a Girl Who Loves to Cook
Veronica Test Kitchen
What's For Lunch, Honey
Wok and Spoon
Bake or Break
No Special Effects
Cook & Eat
Food Blogga
The Wednesday Chef
Veggie Venture
Bron Marshall

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