Simple Bento for Thursday!

Age is really catching up, it is a fact that I can't deny. This pregnancy is quite a tough one for me as I am carrying a huge bump all over the places and with my previous slip disc issue, things simply didn't help.

However, the joy of seeing that smile the kids wear upon seeing my bento gives me the strength to carry on what I am doing. Not forgetting my promise to Hubs, I will go slower, giving discounted time spent in the kitchen trying to toil my very limited creative cells to come up with some better looking bento.

Here, I present one of the rare bento I prepared for Brayden!

He is a very simple boy who is easily satisfied so long he has his favorite bread and cheese. He woke up at 6-ish this morning just to remind me and make sure I did not leave out his share.

Here, we created this together. He told me what he wanted, passed me the molds and *drum roll* here is his simple bento filled with love!

Not forgetting his hugs and kisses. He actually thanked me for making this. :)



Ethyl on the other hand gets her regular bento to school.

There are seldom complains of what I had packed for her in the box. There was this day that my tum hurts so much in the morning that I had to give bento-making a miss, she skipped her recess totally! I was a lil sad.

She came back home and devoured a big bowl of noodles after school. It goes to show she was so hungry. Yet without bento, she had no appetite and did not know what to eat during recess!

Even though I tried to make bento for her, I still have to remind her that our lil missy is coming soon; and with the new addition, I will be really hands-tied that she may have to eat in school more often.

My usual sensible girl said she understands albeit it takes a while for her to adjust. Time shall be given. She will adapt to this change I am sure.

9 January 2012 - Zoo theme

Inspired by zoo themed bento, I tried my hands on a small scale project. Thanks to the molds and food picks that I have bought that made this look a little less boring.

It took me 15 minutes to get a 5-minute task done, that is what happens when the brain is malfunctioning in the early morning.

Prepared the egg mayo late last night before using them this morning. Really save me a great deal of time I need this morning and I can laze on the bed for another 10 minutes before getting my fat ass off the cosy bed!

5 January 2012

Last bento for week one of school!

As promised, I will take a bento-break on every Friday as I had to prepare 2 bento each for both the Husband & Daughter.

When I picked her up, she told me she shared her recess bento with a few friends. Such small serving and she shared with friends? I was concerned.

"Mom, they said the bento looks cute and wanted to try."

Oh well, knowing that she is willing to share, and didn't starve herself makes me feel good as there are other children who likes my bento too!



Lunch is simple. They have long Thurdays hence I prepared lunch bento for her as well.

Keeping them in an insulated bag keeps the food warm till 12pm. She enjoyed her meals and does look forward to having more.

The sleep debt I and slowly crediting seems worthwhile :)

4 January 2012

Challenging task to me it is when it comes to making breakfast bento. I will be struggling with ideas and what food to prepare for the next day!

Didn't want Ethyl to be overloaded with sandwiches, but that seems like a staple for breakfast bento isn't it? Taking into consideration of the time constraint, and for the fact that I am in my last trimester, energy level is greatly compromised. "Do things within your means" keeps ringing in my ears. The Hubs is not too pleased with me making bento for both the daughter and himself. In this case, I must learn to balance rest, so that he does not worry too much about me.

Giving Ethyl a great deal of variety seems rather impossible as she is a fussy eater too. Ham & Cheese is her all-time favorite that won't go wrong!

3 January 2012

After a long break from the December school break, I am finally resuming my bento-making sessions!

The difference this time round is Ethyl will be in the morning session, and my day starts as early as 4.50am (or even earlier) when I had to prepare her lunch bento as well.


Rilakkuma wanabe ends up looking odd with my generous cocoa powder added!



Brayden also had his bento for the start of the new school year. His favorite Thomas and Friends accompanied him to school!

Waking up early in the morning to prepare bento is really quite an adjustment for me to make. As I will have to sleep after the kids do. Rest is never enough. No, I am not complaining though, I am enjoying making something for my loved ones to make a great start to their day!

Cheesy Chicken/Pork Rolls

Here is the recipe for the cheesy chicken roll!

I added ham as well cos the kids love ham & cheese! Could have added more cheese...this particular roll had lesser cheese.

Ingredients:

• Palm size lead meat/Chicken thigh about 1.5 - 2 cm thick
• 1/2 teaspoon Light Soy Sauce
• 2 tablespoon plain yogurt
• 2 slice Sliced Cheese (I used Cheddar Cheese here)
• 3 slices of Ham
• 1 Egg, beaten
• Plain Flour for dusting
• Breadcrumbs for coating
• Oil for deep frying

How to do it:

• Spread yogurt on the meat together with the seasoning in a ziplock bag and mix them all together.
• Leave for 10 minutes.
• Place cheese & ham on one side of the meat. Try to keep the cheese away from the side as it will melt and sip through the meat when you fry.
• Fold the meat.
• Dust with flour.
• Dip in beaten egg.
• Coat well with breadcrumbs.
• Deep fry till it turns golden brown (you can also try baking it for healthier option)
• Serve immediately.

Original recipe adopted from Wokking Mum.

After a long oven hiatus...

I stepped away from my oven after the excitement of owning one faded. Upon Ethyl's nagging, of which I really admire her perseverance, I stepped into the kitchen and meddled with my baking utensils once again with Ethyl as my lil baking assistant.

Brayden called me "cooking mama" as I baked. That was how he relates baking with that game.

I tried the same recipe before and it was yummy! But this time, I had to do it twice as it was burnt the first time!

The momentum to bake seems to be creeping back and I am looking for my moulds (Brayden played with all my kitchen stuff and kept them in his secret hiding place) for egg tarts. I hope to bake Portuguese egg tart (I found one recipe that I think will taste good).

When will I start baking cookies??

Ingredients:


180gm Butter

180gm fine sugar

2 large eggs, beat lightly

250gm cake flour

1tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp biocarbonate of soda

220gm of mashed bananas

50gm whipped cream

1/2 tsp banana essence

2 bananas sliced (can change to some walnuts to be placed on top of the cake)


Method:


1. Cream butter and sugar till light and creamy

2. pour in eggs gradually and beat till creamy (i split the mixture into 3 portions)

3. Add in whip cream, mashed bananas and banana essence - mix well

4. Add in cake flour, baking powder and biocarbonate of soda and mix well (mix only for a while)

5. pour mixture into 8" round tray (i used a bundt pan instead) and arrange bananas or walnuts on top

6. Bake at 175C for about 55 to 60 mins (mine cooked in 30 mins at 180C) so please monitor. when i left in round tray for 45mins, it's burnt!

National Day 2008

Ethyl's school is celebrating there National Day Party earlier and she has no school on Friday! YEAH!!! Too bad Daddy's working away...never mind, we'll have some plans for her tomorrow *winks*


She has been ugging me to bake her nice cakes, for her birthday, for Bray's birthday etc. Since their birthdays are still some months away, I gave her a nice surprise...I bake for her school party!

I piped the colors base on red and white...but don't know why the red turns out so pinkish. Added decorative stars and the cupcake I used vanilla cupcake added with M&M's. Am sure my princess will love it!

Now, I am perspiring like a pig...gotta go wash up and together with her, am going to send the cupcakes to school!

Happy National Day!

Melting Moments

Back in baking and meddling in my kitchen!




Initial intention was I pity my baby sis who had 8 teeth extracted and undergoing major "overhaul" on her mouth.

This doesn't look as professional as it should be because I couldn't find my nozzles. I think little girl must have kept them without my knowledge.

Anyways, I should avoid my bakes...but they smell buttery and the aroma from the oven...Ohh...how to resist? I took one...erm...two small ones. *guilty*

By the way, got the recipe from here. Simple and easy! I tell you, they are so nice even on it's own! I sandwiched the cookies with nutella...awfully sinful for Hubby, the kids and my sis!!! *evil grin*

Bake to Oven

Gina says I have a fetish to bake...well, maybe she is right. Eversince my gynae said I have to refrain from taking sugar laden stuff, I tried not to bake, at least I won't feel like eating them.

Well, such "determination" didn't last. I was so bored, and am itchy to bake a thing or two.

Hubby has been working hard especially so this week. So, I decided to bake something light so that I can pinch a little, and they can enjoy too!



I baked the Japanese Cotton Sponge Cake!

Am a tad too lazy to take pictures. Am really glad my cake raised well and it was so spongy and fluffy inside! Took 3 little cups...*opps*

Chocolate Brownie (With recipe)

Thought I didn't want to blog about this...but as I was eating halfway, I thought I might as well make a record here. *winks*

Wanted to bake something so that Hubby can bring it to work for breakfast tomorrow. Gina will also get to have some as well...It'll be heavenly if I have some vanilla ice cream on this brownie as well...Oh...

As requested, the recipe.

Ingredients:

7tbsp cocoa powder (sifted)
1tbsp instant coffee powder
200g castor sugar
4 small eggs (lightly beaten)
120g flour (sifted)
1tsp baking powder (sifted)
40g chopped wlanuts (I changed to almonds)
200g cooking chocolate (chopped to pieces; I used dark chocolate)
100g Butter

Method:

1.Melt chocolate and butter over slow heat.
2. Stir in cocoa and instant coffee powder. Add in castor sugar and stir till combined.
3. Leave to cool for a while before pouring into a mixing bowl. Add in eggs and stir till well blended.
4. fold in flour gently. Pour batter into a greased and lined baking tray 21 x 21 cm.
5. Sprinkle walnut on top and push it gently into the batter.
6. Bake at 180 deg c for 30 to 35 mins till the brownie is cooked.

Busy Sunday

This sunday is quite a busy day for me.


Woke up at about 9.35am when missy asked for mornign dose of milk. Made her milk, she drifted off to dreamland again. I was still tired, laid on the bed, trying to take a wink, but I simply can't. Kept tossing, thus I laid down, and started to think of Hubby.


Poor him has been working the whole of this week (plus overtime). I really hope we could spend more time together before I deliver; he said he'll try, I know there were times things were not up to him.


Anyways, missy is still sleeping soundly, I woke up and get the laundry and some chores done. She must have been really tired...she woke up at 11-ish while I just made myself bread for breakie. She requested fro some as well...and so, I made some for her.


She waited for me to finish my chores before I bathe her. GOSH...the weather is really humid! I simply can't stand it! Imagine myself doing confinement during this period!!! Thank goodness there's the invention of aircon.


Well, after bathing, Brought Ethyl with me to plaza. Her fringe needs some trimming, brought her to my hair stylist, had her fringe trimmed, returned the library books, sat there and read for a while. I did not let her borrow any books this time, as I anticipated that I may not have the time to bring her out for the next few weekends. Thank goodness she did not fuss.


We went grocery shopping after that. Planning to cook dinner as it has been a while since I last stepped into the kitchen to cook. Am craving for pasta, thus bought some ingredients meant for my craving...


Back home, I have the urge to bake...I should have taken a rest, but I opted to bake for Hubby instead. It has been a while I baked for him as well.


Quickly went through my recipes, picked up Peanut Butter Cookies and started to bring out all needed ingredients and get my hands on to bake!

This time, I coated the cookies with ganache. Hubby loves this cookie! He says it tasted just nice for him and he kept eating when he's bake at 6-ish and before dinner was served.

After the bake, I carried on to cook dinner. We both loved the pasta, Ethyl had her alphabets pasta cooked in soup. She later regretted not sharing the pasta with us! Haha...

She said the pasta was nice and she loves it! Too bad, she already had her dinner then!

It was really tiring to be in the kitchen for more than 3 hours preparing the cookies and dinner. Nothing beats seeing how my darlings enjoyed my home cooked dinner and of course, my homebaked cookie!

Now, my back still aches eventhough Hubby gave me a good back rub before he turned in...I know for sure all the works are appreciated.

Going Bananas

Now, I should be fair to Hubby since he has been nice...and to persuade him that I need a big and nice oven PLUS a mordernly sleek looking kitchen that is functional, I shall make his stomach happy.



His fave...Banana Cake! I got this recipe from Aunty Yochana, this is simple and easy to make. Somehow my product is very soft, and I can't slice my cake propery thus no pictures on the final product. But it tastes good for a pregger. I took 2 slices just a while ago!