27 June 2007
Crème Brûlée
Almost all my close friends know that I am a sucker for Crème Brulée and it is one of those classic French dessert recipes that chefs seem to insist on "enhancing" - adding bits of fruit, nuts, or – worse still – oatmeal. I suppose their reasoning is that nobody could possibly be interested in such a simple dessert in these complex foodie days. They are wrong. Crème Brulée is Crème Brulée. It is beautiful. If you want to add foreign bodies to it, then it isn’t Crème Brulée anymore. Got it? Good!
Rant over. Now, I think the easiest, and possibly least stressful way to caramalise the topping is with a blowtorch. However, as most people don't own one, and calling out the plumber at nine in the evening could prove a tad expensive, just place the sugared puddings under a very hot pre-heated grill until golden and bubbling (watch them like a hawk, though). Remember to leave the desserts to rest for a while in order to let the suger harden and the ramekins cool down.
The Spanish have a dessert - called Crema Catalana - which is essentially identical, bar the flavouring: instead of vanilla, use a stick of cinamon, broken into pieces. In typical flamboyant Spanish style, they singe the top with a red hot iron!
Serves six
Ingredients:
500ml (18fl oz) double cream
1 fat juicy vanilla pod
approx. 100g (4oz) caster sugar (plus extra for the topping)
6 egg yolks
Method:
Pre-heat the oven (140C°)
Pour the cream into a saucepan. Split the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape the seeds into the cream. Chop the empty pod into bits, and add these too. Bring to boiling point, then lower the heat and simmer gently for five minutes.
Beat the sugar and egg yolks together in a large heat-proof bowl until pale and creamy. Bring the cream back to boiling point, then pour over the egg mixture, whisking all the time until thickened – this indicates that the eggs have begun to cook slightly.
Strain through a fine sieve into a large jug, then use this to fill 6 ramekins about two thirds full. Place the ramekins in a large roasting tray and pour in enough hot water to come halfway up their sides. Place on the centre shelf and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the custards are just set and still a bit wobbly in the middle. Remove from the water and allow to cool to room temperature.
When you’re ready to serve, sprinkle one level teaspoon of caster sugar evenly over the surface of each crème, then caramelise with a blowtorch.
Leave to cool for a couple of minutes, then enjoy one of France’s greatest contributions to eating pleasure!
I am gonna whip this up on saturday and will post pics soon.... so look out!
Signed off @
3:22:00 PM
26 June 2007
Personality Type: The Backstabber
It’s perfectly natural if a particular face flashed into your mind after reading the title. It’s always good to remember those who we must watch out for as we tread through our robotic lives.
The Backstabber is yet another special personality type. Special, because it is The Backstabber & Backstabber alone, who keeps us between a prosperous life & a life full of poverty, hatred & depression (even a murderous life, if we choose to take it that far). For the sake of my own sanity & hopefully your own, I’m creating a list of Backstabberly characteristics that we must all memorize and attempt to pin onto people we live, work & play amongst. No one must be left out! It is a question of life & death, my friends. For safety, use the ‘3 strikes.....
1. The typical Backstabber will always be lurking. Lurking to see what you do, when you do it & how you do it.
2. In the office, the Backstabber might just be the person who comes to your cube unsuspectingly.
3. The Backstabber will always be first person willing to help when you need assistance—not because he genuinely wants to help, but because he wants to learn how you work & possibly expose weaknesses in the process.
4. The Backstabber, whenever the opportunity arises, will use the CC (or God forbid, the BCC!!) function in Microsoft Outlook.
5. The Backstabber will never take any blame upon himself. Never.
6. The Backstabber is also either a Drama Fanner or Drama Queen (personality types already covered The Bastardly).
7. The Backstabber pretends to be naive of very obvious things for the sake of seeing how you react.
8. The Backstabber’s main goal is to expose you in front of as many people as possible. In meetings they tend to laugh a lot, possibly ask stupid questions. Don’t fall into this stupidity trap. Their main goal is to get you to open your mouth, so that you may set yourself up for a beating.
9. All backstabbers are naturally very selfish & spoiled people. They will do anything to get the most and be the best. This includes whoring themselves, shady bribing techniques, hiring brothas to make hits—pretty much whatever it takes (think of the Terminator.)
10. Always know your Backstabber, but don’t become one yourself. It’s like the War On Terrorism—it will go on forever (or at least until one man is left standing). Basically, ignoring the Backstabber is not an option b/c that’s when you’re most vulnerable!
Remember, the only way to get a Backstabber off your back is to move to a different city, challenge them to an old-school duel, & of course.... to be continued!
Signed off @
10:39:00 AM
19 June 2007
3 Days of MC
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday... yes 3 days of MC...
Severe back - pain has made me stay at home with 3 days of MC. Have been eating well and putting on WEIGHT... time for my fruit diet... trust me, it works!
Signed off @
4:08:00 PM
18 June 2007
Sivaji - The Boss ( THE BEST )
Well well, what can I say??
The two years of wait is jolly well worth to bits. Sivaji-The Boss is an out and out Rajini movie and I see Shankar's touches in the technical aspects. The most surprising element of this movie is definately Superstar's youthful look. He definately looks at least 10 - 15 yrs younger. Whatever you came looking for comes as a package in our Thalaivar's movie.... BE it his punch dialogues or be it his style or be it his Mottai look.. oh my gawd.. he is definately the best and now we know why he is hailed as Superstar...
Sherya comes and goes and of course she is a beauty. Look out for Thalaivar's mottai get-up as this is the highlight of the movie...Sivajiyum naane, MG Ramachandranum naane... Chumma pera keta vudana athiruthila...
Signed off @
9:27:00 PM
15 June 2007
Long queue for Sivaji Tickets....
Dear Manbumigu Makkalzzzz,
As all know, Ticket sales for Sivaji started on Tuesday 10am @ Golden Village... the above video would show you how eager makkalz were to watch the movie.... My parents had to get the tickets as we were all working. Tickets were available for shows starting from Thursday till Sunday. My parents waited 3 hrs to lay their hands on 5 tickets and yes.. we r watching the 9.30pm show tonight!!! The queue was so long that when i called my mom, she was screaming at meee.. and that we are torturing her.... ma poor parents.... so in the end they got a free movie la... my sista and I paid for their tickets. Seriously speaking, I cannot wait for the day to end... can't wait to watch the movie... Thalaivar ROCKS!!! Thalaivar... Valzga (2X)
Signed off @
8:38:00 AM
14 June 2007
SIVAJI...Chumma pera keta vudana athiruthila
Ada ada ada asathudhu un styleNada nada nada nadapadhu un style
Gada gada gada siripadhu un style
Pada pada pada pesuvadhu un style
Suda suda suda thoduvadhu un style
Thada thada thada adhiradi un style
Adikadi mudi kalaivadhu style
Vara vara ellamay style...
Ragalai seiyura thiru veera
Mirala sei manmadha maara
Kavi thedum kalaga kaara
Kann thadavum kandhala maara
Ginn nidru kanniya koora
Thinn nindru vellai kaara…
Adada nee kaithadi mittai
Nadandhayae maraikira kattai,
Irundhayae uruvathail ettai,
Malarndhayae kozhu kozhu muthai,
Ice nadhiyai nerambukul vittai,
G ennum sollilay suttai,
Eiffel tower idhayathil nattai,
Pattasai paatai......
Signed off @
8:43:00 AM
13 June 2007
@ Gan Bro's Birthday....
And this is Singapore Jothika... but too bad la her baby is not Kakka Kakka SOOORYAA! She definately makes my day @ times.....
Signed off @
7:52:00 AM
12 June 2007
Cam whoring @ Tangkak
Anu with her usual cam whoring tactics....
STYLE....STYLE....STYLE
Can you believe it, this shampoo only cost me 10 ringgit!
plus blow dry.....
Her new Look
And thats Lavi and Anu.
Signed off @
11:00:00 AM
11 June 2007
FARNIE!
I have never ever thought of this!!! But I dun think I would try either....
What will happen if this sign were to appear on the roads of Singapurrr one
day???
How can one ever pay ??? AFTER DEATH ???
Signed off @
8:51:00 PM
29 yrs of marriage....
As i sat there with thousand and one things on my mind.... yes, food do cheer me up. Luncheon @ TCC with a wonderful friend... who always tell me " dun stress dun stress". I think I am addicted to coffee... yes coffee. Not nescafe, but those expensive kinda coffee.... I think i spending more $$$ for my coffees rather than my lunches.
Happy Anniversary MOM N DAD! Today marks 29 yrs of marriage... Hats off to em...
Signed off @
9:16:00 AM
08 June 2007
sorry is never the hardest word to say........
busy with hubby.....
busy with family.....
updates for the past month.....
busy with work.....
Have been busy with Pablo Picasso's opening, Print Basel 2007 and no time for msn and friendster also sooo dun scold me k for not updating....
And wallahhh my designs all over Singapurrrr
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Signed off @
4:26:00 PM
