tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58355132108798627802024-03-16T02:10:14.551+01:00AMBITIOUS BUBBLE<center>Pastry chef wannabe.. Aiming to become a master of arts in pastry at the comforts of my own kitchen.. :p Yeah right! No harm in dreaming.. :p</center>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-64754779036926693442014-01-27T17:05:00.000+01:002014-01-27T17:21:52.014+01:00Daring Bakers' Challenge - January 2014: Baumkuchen (Tree Cake) <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><em>Blog-checking lines: The January 2014 Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Francijn of "Koken in de Brouwerij". She challenged us all to bake layered cakes in the tradition of Baumkuchen (tree cake) and Schichttorte (layered cake).</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">I was very thrilled when I saw this month's challenge! I would have never imagined being able to make a Baumkuchen in my kitchen. I first saw this cake back in December 2012 in a department store here in Hong Kong, and boy was I completely fascinated by the unique way this cake was being baked. It was almost like pit roasting a cake! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">I was super satisfied with what I was able to produce for this challenge. The flavor of the cake itself was very much reliant on just marzipan and vanilla sugar. The simplicity of the flavors of this cake made it extra special. Sometimes, less really is more. It was very timely that I met some of my girl-friends for a dinner date tonight, so I got to share the cake with them. It was a little nerve wrecking though because my friend, F, is from Germany, so she knew what a good Baumkuchen should be... Thankfully enough, she liked it; the only thing she said was that I should change the chocolate glaze, because the glaze of a Baumkuchen should be pure chocolate, which was what the challenge recipe called for anyway, but I decided to make a ganache instead... oops, my bad! Oh, and I have give her credit for this cake as well since she got me the marzipan and vanilla sugar when she went back to Germany.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Just for a little "did you know?", Baumkuchen is made by first baking a thin layer of the cake batter then smearing another thin layer on top of the baked cake. By doing this process around ten times or more, you'll end up creating the tree trunk like layers inside the cake. Then you coat the baked cake with apricot jam and glaze it with either chocolate or sugar icing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">A traditional Baumkuchen would have cylindrical layers on the cake because of the way it has been baked in the "roast pit". So technically, this cake we were challenged to bake this month can be called Schichttorte (layered cake) since the layers we created were horizontal layers, just to mimic the concept of making Baumkuchen using a standard baking pan and oven. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">I feel like I have a new found knowledge and technique from this challenge, and this is really what Daring Bakers' all about. I can't wait for what's in store for us on February!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Charlotte </span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-71989955054061355002013-12-27T16:30:00.004+01:002013-12-27T16:37:25.285+01:00Daring Bakers' Challenge - December 2013: Whoopie Pie<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I almost
forgot to write a post about my whoopie pie! My date orientation has been a
little messed up lately; probably because I’m on a three week holiday… Always a
good thing, I guess!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="color: #b45f06;">Blog-checking
lines: The December Daring Bakers' Challenge
had us all cheering - the lovely and talented Bourbonnatrix of Bourbonnatrix
Bakes was our hostess and challenged us to make fun, delicious and creative
whoopie pies! Delicious little cake-like cookies sandwiching luscious filling
in any flavors we chose... What else is there to say but "Whoopie!"</span></em></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk78PfpnYkY/Ur2b-xj4LhI/AAAAAAAABGc/StWJVgkE3z0/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk78PfpnYkY/Ur2b-xj4LhI/AAAAAAAABGc/StWJVgkE3z0/s320/IMG_1440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #442200; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">For this month’s challenge, I decided to
follow the classic recipe for whoopie pie provided by our hostess to a tee. I
took my pies to a dinner party, and I’d like to think that people enjoyed it
despite the fact that we were all so full from the cheesy and super delectable tartiflette
served by our host and hostess! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srqw6UYEt64/Ur2ckw7uWmI/AAAAAAAABGo/UNyCvXDpVUM/s1600/IMG_2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srqw6UYEt64/Ur2ckw7uWmI/AAAAAAAABGo/UNyCvXDpVUM/s320/IMG_2515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #442200; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I know I said I followed the classic recipe
for whoopie pie, but I can’t help but put a tiny twist on my pies. I added a
raspberry on the center of the filling to make a more balanced flavor. I don’t
really like my desserts too sweet, so the tartness of the raspberry made me
enjoy the whoopie pies, and I think the people at the dinner party liked it as
well. The only down side to it was when I sandwiched the cake onto the filling;
the raspberry kind of poked through a little and made the top of my whoopie
pies crack. Nevertheless, bellies were definitely satisfied!</span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #442200; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Times;">Bisou bisous,</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #442200; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Times;">Charlotte</span></span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-34325705405404290912013-10-27T12:08:00.001+01:002013-10-27T12:08:40.772+01:00Daring Bakers' Challenge - October 2013: Double Crusted Savory Pot Pies<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">I can't believe it's the 27th of the month again. I've been a very busy bee this month. Good thing I was able to make the challenge early this month. Although I don't have enough time to blog properly, so pardon me for the sloppy pictures and post.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8PTnkLJNF4/UmzZ4ZMlPnI/AAAAAAAABFg/096aw4TcdA8/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8PTnkLJNF4/UmzZ4ZMlPnI/AAAAAAAABFg/096aw4TcdA8/s320/IMG_1264.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Blog-checking lines: Hannah of Rise and Shine was our October 2013 Daring Bakers' hostess and she challenged us to bake our own double crusted savory pot pies. Using any from-scratch crust and filling we choose, we were allowed to get completely creative with our recipe, showing off the savory flavors and fillings from our own home or region.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q40kJHS9a8E/UmzZzGjDrKI/AAAAAAAABEI/HFy9M2QdBO0/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q40kJHS9a8E/UmzZzGjDrKI/AAAAAAAABEI/HFy9M2QdBO0/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Since the host wanted us to have our own flair to our pie by having flavors from our own culture incorporated to our pie, I decided to add chorizo to the classic chicken pot pie. In Philippines, there is a very similar dish to a chicken pot pie called chicken pastel. There are distinct differences from a chicken pastel to a chicken pot pie, and one of them is having the presence of chorizo. So that is the twist I made to my chicken pot pie. As for my crust, I tried using a rough puff, and it worked out really well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Charlotte</span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-82402016795231989462013-10-21T05:14:00.001+02:002013-10-21T05:14:30.458+02:00Speculoos Cheesecake
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I love it when I come
across new flavours. Recently, someone gave me a pack of biscuits that are
absolutely addictive. These biscuits have a similar flavour profile to
gingerbread, but a lot lot better (I prefer it better anyway)! It is the
biscuit behind the famous Cookie Butter that every food lover I know has been
raving about - Speculoos. Speculoos originated from Belgium and was
traditionally made around Saint Nicholas Day. Presently, Speculoos is available
to munch on all year round. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #b45f06;">In 2007, Speculoos was
developed into a spread thanks to the winning entry to the show De Bedenkers
(The Inventors) in Belgium; companies quickly produced the spread to make it
commercially available, and indeed it sold like hot cakes!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OL-XZVL8m8/UmSTa7ul66I/AAAAAAAABDc/quT6VGJzDhk/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OL-XZVL8m8/UmSTa7ul66I/AAAAAAAABDc/quT6VGJzDhk/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I personally prefer the
biscuit over the spread and find myself craving for a Speculoos or two to dip
into my morning coffee. You can almost say that Oreo is for my milk as Speculoos
is for my coffee! Having that analogy in mind, I remembered back when I was a
teen, Oreo cheesecake was one of the 'it' desserts. So, my palate and my food
loving tummy just quickly drew me to the idea of making a Speculoos
cheesecake. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAH7kOzyZyQ/UmSTar6kG2I/AAAAAAAABDY/c7l805rNnB8/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAH7kOzyZyQ/UmSTar6kG2I/AAAAAAAABDY/c7l805rNnB8/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I used a classic cheesecake
recipe and tweaked it to showcase the flavours of Speculoos. I used the Speculoos
biscuits to make the crust of my cheesecake. Then I incorporated the spread to
a third of my classic cheesecake filling batter. I then gently folded the Speculoos
cheesecake mixture into the classic cheesecake filling to make a marbled effect.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #b45f06;">My speculoos cheesecake
project was an undoubted success! One slice was not enough and it left me
craving for more. But I have to
discipline myself to save some for the following days. In fact, I think I still
have a slice left, and maybe devouring it now is a nice way to end this post!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Bisous bisous,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Charlotte</span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-65090870192777615172013-09-26T18:00:00.000+02:002013-09-26T18:04:14.364+02:00Daring Bakers' Challenge - September 2013: Pastel de Tres Leches or Three Milk Cake<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">I can't believe it's been a year since my last post! So
much had happened, I didn’t even have any time to pause and notice the
world was passing me by. I am set to live in Hong Kong for another year,
and I'm not complaining. I'm still head over heels with Hong Kong, and
sometimes still feel like a newbie, exploring what this city has to offer. I
recently just moved to my own place; it's a small studio but for a
petite-sized me, I'm feeling super cosy and homey. I've set-up my kitchen to be
functional and hopefully get back into baking.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-PH"><span style="color: #783f04;">I feel like I have such a struggle finding the intense
passion in baking I once had in 2010. A part of me feels like it’s never coming
back. Maybe that’s the way to go… Instead of searching or brainstorming ideas
with myself on how to ‘recover’, maybe I should just accept my present and move
forward. No more pressure in getting my blog going as when I first started this
page; no more pressure of baking regularly. My aim is to bake because it’s my
sweet escape and blog when I feel like sharing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-PH"><span style="color: #783f04;">Enough rambling about my semi-personal issues, and on with
the true essence of this post! Last time I participated in Daring Bakers' was
January of 2011. It’s been a while, but I’m glad I am still welcomed to join
the baking fun this month.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-PH"><span style="color: #783f04;"><i>Blog-checking line: Imma of la Galletika was our Sept. 2013
Daring Bakers’ hostess and WOW did she bring us something decadent and
delicious! Pastel de Tres Leches or Three Milk Cake, creamy yet airy, super
moist but not soggy.. just plain delish!</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfW4muYv4OxGHJU_kcHgmeKm6kD2JtB27H4r0562tqj0eZ7d5Rl9mfYC0AAnc2Zcfd3FkbNXeerlY3CLLNeaTVpI5TWWasRChHo3gINEWlf6wiOg5PDw9aD65MtVpdclD6lxb0fgXX5Md/s1600/IMG_0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfW4muYv4OxGHJU_kcHgmeKm6kD2JtB27H4r0562tqj0eZ7d5Rl9mfYC0AAnc2Zcfd3FkbNXeerlY3CLLNeaTVpI5TWWasRChHo3gINEWlf6wiOg5PDw9aD65MtVpdclD6lxb0fgXX5Md/s320/IMG_0916.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-PH"><span style="color: #783f04;">This month I was introduced to a cake that I’ve never heard
of before. While I was reading through the challenge, my taste buds were slowly
escalating into a state of salivation. I love dairy, I always have. So the idea
of soaking a cake in a mixture made of three kinds of milk just sounded
completely divine! I’m not quite sure of the origin of this cake; all I know
is, it is quite well-known around Central and South America. Essentially, it is
made out of a sponge cake, sometimes butter cake, that has been soaked in a milk
syrup consisting of condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream, then
served with fruits and whipped cream. The milk syrup may be infused with
different flavours, but I followed the recipe from the challenge to a T, having
the milk soaking liquid spiced with cinnamon and spiked with rum.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g_FrBfEsTFN2rIBNiZ-aw8J_gzZLqNP2Y3M7eaY49IGjNfmofQ5aNqM2M4P3oFYqjh1CesuICrhpowy9633idZTuQELCabbqc2n7i6ano7qiu3HXzVlinzRdlhrEQC7v3YZiGMriI3ag/s1600/DSC052471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g_FrBfEsTFN2rIBNiZ-aw8J_gzZLqNP2Y3M7eaY49IGjNfmofQ5aNqM2M4P3oFYqjh1CesuICrhpowy9633idZTuQELCabbqc2n7i6ano7qiu3HXzVlinzRdlhrEQC7v3YZiGMriI3ag/s320/DSC052471.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-PH"><span style="color: #783f04;">The flavour expectation I had for this cake did not
disappoint! I chose mangoes to go with my Pastel de Tres Leches, and it was a
perfect marriage. Even just by the smell of the cake, you would know it was an
amazing piece of edible goodness. The richness and power of the dairy immensely
flavoured in this cake would take you to a quick retreat to the Latin world.
The only thing I would improve on next time is to not soak the cake with all the
milk syrup; I think there was too much of the soaking liquid, and as a result
some of the syrup was oozing out even after decorating the cake. Regardless of
this minor thing, this is a cake definitely worth baking again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-PH"><span style="color: #783f04;">‘Til my next baking episode!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-PH"><span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-PH"><span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com7Hong Kong22.396428 114.1094970000000321.9265115 113.46405000000003 22.8663445 114.75494400000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-16556666851264085002012-09-15T06:45:00.000+02:002012-09-15T15:59:57.579+02:00Back to Basics with Brownies and Muffins<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">For the last three years, I have felt like a nomad, finding a home from country to country. As unsettling as it may sound, it had its perks. Aside from the obvious of learning cultures and growing as an individual, my baking skills had immensely improved. Each country I temporarily called home gave me some sort of nudge to elevate my skills as a pastry chef wannabe.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">I was blown away by the abundance of fresh produce back in Britain. Ingredients I used to just read about or see on cooking shows were easily available in any local grocery. My palate was in total bliss with all the berries and dairies I was able to savour for the very first time; they were absolutely inspiring. </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WoGTtDSlpk/UFMzRAKn12I/AAAAAAAABCQ/t4vFQlyWZj4/s1600/uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9WoGTtDSlpk/UFMzRAKn12I/AAAAAAAABCQ/t4vFQlyWZj4/s320/uk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Though British weather has got its bitter-cold, gloomy reputation, it was a complete perfection when it came down to baking. The same recipe I used in Philippines to make pie crust was magically easier to work with and came out very nice and flaky. Hand-whipping a bowl of cream was a breeze. It was definitely there in Britain where I realize the relevance of weather in baking.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtAw0zlFxvE/UFMzNLZQfLI/AAAAAAAABCA/dOTVkXkFwC4/s1600/kr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtAw0zlFxvE/UFMzNLZQfLI/AAAAAAAABCA/dOTVkXkFwC4/s320/kr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">My change of residence to South Korea was probably the turning point to my home-baking episodes. While the culture and lifestyle of Korea was enjoyably rich and refreshingly different, I needed to find an outlet to retreat myself to somewhere I am more familiar with once in a while. That was when I started to bake on a regular basis. I got very focused on practicing and making French desserts, entremets and pastries. It was also in Korea when this blog was born. My skills as a home-baker were really developed and until now I still can't believe what I was able to create with my half-pint oven and hand-held mixer.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqeoKaGsMv8/UFMzLskypKI/AAAAAAAABB4/ic1dK_TTGwc/s1600/cn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqeoKaGsMv8/UFMzLskypKI/AAAAAAAABB4/ic1dK_TTGwc/s320/cn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">China was a challenge. For some reason, my love and thirst for good food and baking went to an all time low. I was also not enthusiastic with blogging anymore because of all the blocked sites in China with blogger being one of them. I had to use a VPN to access my blog; it became such a big job, most of the time I couldn't be bothered anymore. I wasn't prepared to let it just be like that. I created a website under the name <a href="http://www.sugarbowltreats.com/" target="_blank">Sugar Bowl</a> which I intended to sell home-baked desserts with the aim to push myself to bake. It didn't have much direction until someone placed an order for a fondant cake. I gave it a go even with minute knowledge and experience with fondant cakes. I surprised myself with what I was able to make, and to top it all off, the client was very delighted with it. That was the start, and through word of mouth, I was constantly receiving fondant cake orders. Then it was obvious what direction <a href="http://www.sugarbowltreats.com/" target="_blank">Sugar Bowl</a> was at. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AHtFKgSI0QU/UFMzKr5iP4I/AAAAAAAABBw/F8Sj3zuBqEw/s1600/brownies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AHtFKgSI0QU/UFMzKr5iP4I/AAAAAAAABBw/F8Sj3zuBqEw/s320/brownies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Just a few weeks ago, H and I relocated again. The place we call home now is in the vibrant Hong Kong. I am curious to see how things will unfold here. It seems like every time I move to a new place, there's also something new and exciting that's going to happen. I also took down <a href="http://www.sugarbowltreats.com/" target="_blank">Sugar Bowl</a> with me here, and as for its future, only time will tell. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8eSMvitmV4/UFMzIgeCzHI/AAAAAAAABBo/lsOxE4ev9G4/s1600/blueberries+and+lemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8eSMvitmV4/UFMzIgeCzHI/AAAAAAAABBo/lsOxE4ev9G4/s320/blueberries+and+lemon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Hong Kong has so far been one big pot of inspiration. I have only been here for a couple of weeks meaning I am so busy getting our flat furnished and all that, but I am itching to bake properly already! I already found shops that sell a wide range of baking ingredients and tools that I see myself frequenting at. Aside from the bountiful Hong Kong style bakeries, there are loads of restaurants for good eats and patisseries for sweet fix. Afternoon tea is also very popular here. Hong Kong definitely has all the reasons for me to get my mojo for food and baking back!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRBXEXAjGiUtv__zQOHr6FyS-yV73IY86byBqTZa3BliaWY2cDRvvcdKOOtwNBPbcgrl6eo7Okgo8awqG1VtJVF2EXffrRnvPtMjSHbPFvZzTDxRM80qVzjOI2Go91aHsgiATVe8VWlss/s1600/muffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRBXEXAjGiUtv__zQOHr6FyS-yV73IY86byBqTZa3BliaWY2cDRvvcdKOOtwNBPbcgrl6eo7Okgo8awqG1VtJVF2EXffrRnvPtMjSHbPFvZzTDxRM80qVzjOI2Go91aHsgiATVe8VWlss/s320/muffins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">For a very humble start, I squeezed in some baking in the midst of chaos in the house. One of my dearest friends, B, had a house party recently so I decided to tote a box of brownies with me. Then on my recent trip to the groceries, I saw loads of lovely gems of blueberries so I made some cute blueberry lemon muffins for breakfast. Hope these two classics is a sign of a more fruitful baking and blogging by yours truly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Charlotte</span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-7203957927898849322012-05-20T14:11:00.000+02:002012-05-20T14:11:14.120+02:00Character Cakes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Character cakes seemed to be popular this week at </span><a href="http://sugar-bowl.weebly.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Sugar Bowl</span></a><span style="color: #b45f06;">. I have to admit I felt nervous about making these character cakes because I wanted them to look as close to the original characters as possible.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQgcYOqHLfk/T7jdiBcPIVI/AAAAAAAABBM/N_5T-mWI0OU/s1600/minnie+mouse+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQgcYOqHLfk/T7jdiBcPIVI/AAAAAAAABBM/N_5T-mWI0OU/s320/minnie+mouse+cake.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Minnie Mouse Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiue7dzRLHN8I8zRBWbM8MtZdJ97ok2MVHJ3CakCuJ9BXLXH1dEUvNCCXufXZo8t8r_GerslzhGALq2g3rTDPvn4F4XrsCGFEYGccNSvThd4mk2EN1p2cDW2Ve5IEEf-R4r2ynMoOee2T0L/s1600/cars+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiue7dzRLHN8I8zRBWbM8MtZdJ97ok2MVHJ3CakCuJ9BXLXH1dEUvNCCXufXZo8t8r_GerslzhGALq2g3rTDPvn4F4XrsCGFEYGccNSvThd4mk2EN1p2cDW2Ve5IEEf-R4r2ynMoOee2T0L/s320/cars+cake.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Cars Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m9pZlkAs2Ws/T7jdoRJ2cvI/AAAAAAAABBc/vzuFZL7p0d4/s1600/spiderman+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m9pZlkAs2Ws/T7jdoRJ2cvI/AAAAAAAABBc/vzuFZL7p0d4/s320/spiderman+cake.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Spiderman Cake</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">I'm quite pleased by the outcome of all the cakes; tell me what you think? Do they look authentic enough?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-45136134279745790612012-05-06T07:21:00.002+02:002012-05-06T07:31:20.466+02:00More Fondant Cakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Here's another post... a photoblog of more of the fondant cakes I made since my last entry. Enjoy! :)</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8H2ODb8KFMUNrJASsl0hIpZB2TkBEL7GxihCM1mexmX8RdUdzhdhpQfhPnRaQS7P69Qwzfi7p_fzIPeo8IpICan9CKgPyHtNWvVlTj-UCaPnAeOJKBNoYP4G7XALdsiGq_u44gF2R0JS/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8H2ODb8KFMUNrJASsl0hIpZB2TkBEL7GxihCM1mexmX8RdUdzhdhpQfhPnRaQS7P69Qwzfi7p_fzIPeo8IpICan9CKgPyHtNWvVlTj-UCaPnAeOJKBNoYP4G7XALdsiGq_u44gF2R0JS/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Animal Themed Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7v8tcRgR5C8/T6YH3SBGH8I/AAAAAAAABAQ/2szHR_WXS1I/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7v8tcRgR5C8/T6YH3SBGH8I/AAAAAAAABAQ/2szHR_WXS1I/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">iPad Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--LlOme5xTuw/T6YH5Rpj9fI/AAAAAAAABAY/pEIAChHKrmg/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--LlOme5xTuw/T6YH5Rpj9fI/AAAAAAAABAY/pEIAChHKrmg/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Teletubbies Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDH4AOnK9gk/T6YIAeFiM2I/AAAAAAAABAo/Q5GwgQ7HyGM/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDH4AOnK9gk/T6YIAeFiM2I/AAAAAAAABAo/Q5GwgQ7HyGM/s320/11.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Cricket Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcKd7mHencA/T6YICGs1khI/AAAAAAAABAw/nzNhX_dAw3o/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcKd7mHencA/T6YICGs1khI/AAAAAAAABAw/nzNhX_dAw3o/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">BlackBerry Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhQfVIsHtoU/T6YIDQBCh4I/AAAAAAAABA4/KRek4TkO7H8/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhQfVIsHtoU/T6YIDQBCh4I/AAAAAAAABA4/KRek4TkO7H8/s320/13.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Cricket Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z95WoCTrxMY/T6YIGZon-qI/AAAAAAAABBA/axRNcXZ_MWA/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z95WoCTrxMY/T6YIGZon-qI/AAAAAAAABBA/axRNcXZ_MWA/s320/14.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Winnie the Pooh Cake</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-64285490356873673212012-04-10T07:19:00.000+02:002012-04-10T07:19:17.694+02:00Busy Bee...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Things have been pretty hectic for me these last couple of months. It all started when my sister J asked me to make her a bag cake when I visited home on January. On that visit, I also made a bridal shower cake for a dear friend. When I came back to China, luck decided to be on my side. I was starting to get cake orders (especially fondant cakes), and my Saturday baking classes also took off. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">You can only imagine the schedule I have. After a days work with energtic kids, I go home and either bake, buy more supplies or deliver; to top it all off, I also conduct baking classes during Saturdays. Although I stopped doing the baking classes already. I have never been this busy in my life - juggling a job, house chores and baking. I never really felt the need to own a daily planner or a smart phone until now!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Anyway, here's a parade of pictures of a couple of my baking classes and most of the cakes I've made...</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzklBR5SZGT4mzXQB24AMFNe3sM8dgbkAQIX7MHxUsxrYJqdInQYHpB6FGvpr3RPIGTJy4DTyNwHq6UWPC4IliouRmCkvAk751UbRv-2lagS2eHmQTShwZ1RHcnmQcT0ZFeYf6SVXK4he/s1600/DSC03591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzklBR5SZGT4mzXQB24AMFNe3sM8dgbkAQIX7MHxUsxrYJqdInQYHpB6FGvpr3RPIGTJy4DTyNwHq6UWPC4IliouRmCkvAk751UbRv-2lagS2eHmQTShwZ1RHcnmQcT0ZFeYf6SVXK4he/s320/DSC03591.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Baking Class</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorNbqYYf4HBj_Po3-75D4KzAZ55EDFx5ZvIi1-y9yb3rRpxvarZvkerR4o29WDPQPFYmmBJSeuOi2QtiewKUJZUg4cRQ-pMw5TNFGCwL9SwpSG8WBqAfJRInjyKJPp7MhgJu3q0TsMydX/s1600/DSC03610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorNbqYYf4HBj_Po3-75D4KzAZ55EDFx5ZvIi1-y9yb3rRpxvarZvkerR4o29WDPQPFYmmBJSeuOi2QtiewKUJZUg4cRQ-pMw5TNFGCwL9SwpSG8WBqAfJRInjyKJPp7MhgJu3q0TsMydX/s320/DSC03610.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Baking Class</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjythKzXTm4/T4O_bXrhW0I/AAAAAAAAA9s/xibAUiLgsg8/s1600/DSC03335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjythKzXTm4/T4O_bXrhW0I/AAAAAAAAA9s/xibAUiLgsg8/s320/DSC03335.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Baking Class</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6vXCSeOS4g/T4O_4nULhxI/AAAAAAAAA-s/ieBK5w5gBDs/s1600/bag+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6vXCSeOS4g/T4O_4nULhxI/AAAAAAAAA-s/ieBK5w5gBDs/s320/bag+cake.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Bag Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_d3FrWgjq8/T4O_6Id3eUI/AAAAAAAAA-0/tXvM33NEOCQ/s1600/bridal+shower+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_d3FrWgjq8/T4O_6Id3eUI/AAAAAAAAA-0/tXvM33NEOCQ/s320/bridal+shower+cake.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Bridal Shower Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M06c1Nu3SF4/T4O_gp5Pm_I/AAAAAAAAA90/j8ifptdS--Q/s1600/DSC03537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M06c1Nu3SF4/T4O_gp5Pm_I/AAAAAAAAA90/j8ifptdS--Q/s320/DSC03537.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Bag Cake</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Se-iWu88RB4/T4O_lewx18I/AAAAAAAAA98/t-5GuTLs7wM/s1600/DSC03634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Se-iWu88RB4/T4O_lewx18I/AAAAAAAAA98/t-5GuTLs7wM/s320/DSC03634.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Football Cake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAxxU6mPxA0/T4O_ngrJZYI/AAAAAAAAA-E/4RcgBZA8hP4/s1600/DSC03672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAxxU6mPxA0/T4O_ngrJZYI/AAAAAAAAA-E/4RcgBZA8hP4/s320/DSC03672.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Rugby Ball Cake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVZ3F-9MOVA/T4O_omXo7KI/AAAAAAAAA-M/T7oi7TNL4E4/s1600/DSC03692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVZ3F-9MOVA/T4O_omXo7KI/AAAAAAAAA-M/T7oi7TNL4E4/s320/DSC03692.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Stationery Cake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCK5TYmPkmM/T4O_sgwRi1I/AAAAAAAAA-U/KgyfygJ4N70/s1600/DSC03745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCK5TYmPkmM/T4O_sgwRi1I/AAAAAAAAA-U/KgyfygJ4N70/s320/DSC03745.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Rapunzel Cake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95pBgVcthj0/T4O_xkMYXkI/AAAAAAAAA-c/HAy8M7TMCyI/s1600/DSC03771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95pBgVcthj0/T4O_xkMYXkI/AAAAAAAAA-c/HAy8M7TMCyI/s320/DSC03771.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Teletubbies Cake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0Qwg0bp4462YxIBeHKIHJikHORtTEQPST3Tuv_BATzkvBc7iK6d2r7nTcy9mpVDSlePeVdmSk5t4TDXyHKpG3ww9FfxFmcyw1q5d3HCLeVttES5IwQRFXnhddNUra9FKoKrFKinWz7NT/s1600/DSC03792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0Qwg0bp4462YxIBeHKIHJikHORtTEQPST3Tuv_BATzkvBc7iK6d2r7nTcy9mpVDSlePeVdmSk5t4TDXyHKpG3ww9FfxFmcyw1q5d3HCLeVttES5IwQRFXnhddNUra9FKoKrFKinWz7NT/s320/DSC03792.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">iphone Cake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Au revoir for now, I hope it won't be this long until my next post. My schedule is kind of relaxed for now, so I'm hoping to squeeze in a leisure baking. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com1Shenzhen, Guangdong, China22.543099 114.0578679999999822.335167000000002 113.62097149999998 22.751031 114.49476449999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-28769764247873750142012-01-03T14:27:00.001+01:002012-01-03T14:51:53.035+01:00Tarte Au Citron<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Happy new year everyone! Last year wasn't exactly my best year; there were loads going on and I hardly had any time to bake or blog. This year I want to start fresh; I'm welcoming the New Year in my blog with a nice, clean and crisp tarte au citron (lemon tart).</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFmDXdJpQ4U/TwL9VYtsatI/AAAAAAAAA9U/0AeZnNVkYgk/s1600/DSC03318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFmDXdJpQ4U/TwL9VYtsatI/AAAAAAAAA9U/0AeZnNVkYgk/s320/DSC03318.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I love lemon tarts or any lemony desserts. They're not heavy in the tummy and I always feel refreshed after having a bite.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Components used for this dessert treat:</strong></span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2012/01/lemon-tart-filling.html">Lemon Tart Filling</a></li>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2011/06/pate-brisee.html">Pate Brisee</a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0Shenzhen, Guangdong, China22.543099 114.0578679999999822.335167000000002 113.62097149999998 22.751031 114.49476449999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-26330166745326418852011-12-01T07:11:00.000+01:002011-12-01T07:11:27.768+01:00It's December Again!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I can't believe it is December again; the festivities from last season still feel so fresh to me... It's safe to say I had an extremely memorable 2010 Christmas! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4RpdcmWXoYE/TtcWZ-m8VLI/AAAAAAAAA88/1PGfvWlsFeo/s1600/Spiced+Christmas+Cookies+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4RpdcmWXoYE/TtcWZ-m8VLI/AAAAAAAAA88/1PGfvWlsFeo/s320/Spiced+Christmas+Cookies+2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">This year, I would be celebrating Christmas in yet again another city. It is definitely not easy to get into the Christmas spirit especially in a country that doesn't really celebrate this season. In a bit of positivity, China has more Christmas feel going on as compared to Korea; so if I managed to be all festive in Korea then I would definitely be able to here in China.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFxsNHqipFY/TtcWYKIQGTI/AAAAAAAAA80/D9maJd-u84g/s1600/DSC03077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFxsNHqipFY/TtcWYKIQGTI/AAAAAAAAA80/D9maJd-u84g/s320/DSC03077.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Last year I was giving away almond biscotti as my yearly Christmas treat giveaway. This year I decided to spice things up by making lovely festive spiced cookies. I decided to make these cookies as soon as I laid my eyes on some cute cookie cutters while I was baking supply shopping.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3sOFo3RFTc/TtcWbVOir7I/AAAAAAAAA9E/DZN-EEZgeZ8/s1600/Spiced+Christmas+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3sOFo3RFTc/TtcWbVOir7I/AAAAAAAAA9E/DZN-EEZgeZ8/s320/Spiced+Christmas+Cookies.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I kept the design of my cookies nice and simple as I want the deliciousness of my cookies to be all about the cookie than the sugary decorative icing. I am glad I made this decision because the cookies definitely taste sensational! I will be bringing a box full of these cookies later this afternoon on my Mandarin class... I hope everyone will enjoy each bite.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte </span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-76322642850453136752011-11-23T07:37:00.004+01:002011-11-23T07:58:05.819+01:00I'm Baking and Blogging Again... Finally!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #783f04;">It's been such a long time since I last blogged; I say more than two months? My blog is starting to collect dusts and creepy crawlers are starting to take notice. Fear not, I'm back! I finally have an oven! Yey yey yey! Oh, it was driving me crazy not being able to bake and blog. I have to thank everyone though for still visiting Ambitious Bubble even if there was a clear scarcity of updates.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Looking for an oven in China was not the easiest task as ovens are not common in Chinese kitchens. I did my research, searched hard and finally saw one that looked decent. The oven I finally decided to invest on turned out to have no new stock in the store, so I had to make a decision and get the display model that had little scratches here and there. I would normally try to check other shops but since it was such a quest to find an oven, I settled for the display oven; plus, I so wanted to start baking already! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Oven was not the only difficult mission I encountered. Finding baking supplies was also a nightmare since baking/desserts are not Chinese staples. I had the same experience in Korea, but was blessed with a friend who's good with her googling skills and managed to find a baking supply shop (which I totally miss). So in my mind, if Korea has one, then China has to have one especially that most things are 'made in China'! I was very determined to find a baking shop; search after search after search, alas, I found one! The shop is an hour away from where I live but I am happy to travel just so I can bake!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">oven + well stocked baking ingredients + growing baking utensils and pans + my beloved mixer = baking galore! ♥</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZmTwPyMpHk/TsyHKbY6ErI/AAAAAAAAA8o/6bf6SuOMhzA/s320/Chocolate+Chocolate+Cake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Chocolate Chocolate Cake from Sugar Bowl</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZmTwPyMpHk/TsyHKbY6ErI/AAAAAAAAA8o/6bf6SuOMhzA/s1600/Chocolate+Chocolate+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">While I was idle with baking and blogging, my mind was wandering and dreaming. Then came this idea - an online shop. It was, after all, part of my ambition to have my own pastry shop one day, so why not start small with an online shop, right? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">So for the past week and a half I was working like a horse, getting my online shop ready for my scheduled launch date: November 20. Did I meet my deadline? Yes I did! I was editing my site to the last minute, but I did it!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLwyxCgnGPI/TsyGwGwj9II/AAAAAAAAA8A/ca-ISFDi1rE/s1600/Raspberry+Lemon+Cake+Bonbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLwyxCgnGPI/TsyGwGwj9II/AAAAAAAAA8A/ca-ISFDi1rE/s320/Raspberry+Lemon+Cake+Bonbon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Raspberry Lemon Cake Bonbon from Sugar Bowl</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I named my online shop Sugar Bowl. You can check it out at</span> <a href="http://sugar-bowl.weebly.com/">http://sugar-bowl.weebly.com/</a> <span style="color: #783f04;">although the shop only caters to residents in Shenzhen, China. Maybe in the future I'll go global! haha I have narrowed down my product list to serving cake bonbons, cakes, bars, cookies and pies. I also decided to cater to customized orders as well! I don't know how the residents of Shenzhen would respond to my shop; all I know is I'm making my first step towards making one dream into reality. For the shop to succeed, only time will tell. I have my fingers crossed!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORnyzd-lsRg/TsyG2hcbrFI/AAAAAAAAA8I/2KBSp5ns62I/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORnyzd-lsRg/TsyG2hcbrFI/AAAAAAAAA8I/2KBSp5ns62I/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">On a positive note, two days before my launch, I received an invite to join a cookie & muffin contest that would be held the same day as my online shop launch. I decided to attend the event even though I was so drained already; I wanted to grab the opportunity to meet people that share the same love for baking as I do. The event was fantastic; people were nice and friendly. I felt welcomed even though I was a complete outsider (most of the people who attended know each other already), I even managed to grab 2nd place in both cookie and muffin category! That was definitely unexpected!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpL6UNM35XY/TsyHGeIUDMI/AAAAAAAAA8g/IB9PpCNo_44/s1600/melting+moments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpL6UNM35XY/TsyHGeIUDMI/AAAAAAAAA8g/IB9PpCNo_44/s320/melting+moments.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Melting Moments with Raspberry and Peanut Butter Buttercream</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIxQcmJoihY/TsyHEJwCcrI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Ijt3TSZQIg0/s1600/cake+bonbons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIxQcmJoihY/TsyHEJwCcrI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Ijt3TSZQIg0/s320/cake+bonbons.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Cake Bonbons (they were allowed to compete for the muffin category)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">So here it is, my first blog after a long halt! My new oven was put into test by baking 4 cakes, a pie, brownies and cookies within its first week in my kitchen... I think I chose the right oven! 'Til my next post!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com5Shenzhen, Guangdong, China22.543099 114.0578679999999822.317328 113.75643049999998 22.768870000000003 114.35930549999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-32947831034154068872011-09-16T10:36:00.001+02:002011-09-16T16:21:35.611+02:00China on a Shoe-String Food Budget and Mid-Autumn Festival<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">We have been in China for three weeks now, and H and I are just about settling in. First week here was crazy! We had to find an apartment, buy the bare necessities (cutleries, plates, pots, pans, linens, toiletries, etc.), subscribe for internet, open bank accounts, get ourselves Chinese sim cards and do a full medical check-up as part of the process for our alien resident permit. Most of the time, we were assisted by a representative from my H's workplace; even so, it was not easy to have everything you want to know or ask about be translated by a middleman. After many miscommunications and lost in translations, we finally feel more at home now. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Moving to a new home is certainly not cheap or easy, let alone moving country! H and I are currently living on a tight budget since we spent a lot for deposits and fees for this and that. Good thing with China, food, especially vegetables, are cheap - a kilo of tomatoes, potatoes and carrots for just a dollar or even less! So if you know how to cook smart, a budget of $3 - $4 to feed two people a delicious meaty and healthy meal should be sufficient. Here are some of my budget home-cooked meals.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RMR7AAAUZw/TnL7bR02wCI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/66Lx9iqWuq4/s1600/DSC02761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RMR7AAAUZw/TnL7bR02wCI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/66Lx9iqWuq4/s320/DSC02761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Chinese Sausage Fried Rice topped with Shrimp</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8dMxISl2wM/TnL8ThaDTlI/AAAAAAAAA74/JF37Bd8a2oo/s1600/DSC02823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8dMxISl2wM/TnL8ThaDTlI/AAAAAAAAA74/JF37Bd8a2oo/s320/DSC02823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Duck a l'orange served with Mashed Potatoes, Hyacinth Peas and Carrots</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIVRlw4aUbY/TnL7rnG_crI/AAAAAAAAA7U/5Ha5218t_2g/s1600/DSC02770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIVRlw4aUbY/TnL7rnG_crI/AAAAAAAAA7U/5Ha5218t_2g/s320/DSC02770.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Lazy One-Pan Dish of Rice, Fish Fillets, Bok Choy and Tomatoes Topped with Spring Onions</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IgmdeAQe7Aw/TnL7spTZs7I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/FjoZZhcGyu0/s1600/DSC02773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IgmdeAQe7Aw/TnL7spTZs7I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/FjoZZhcGyu0/s320/DSC02773.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Chilli Garlic Chicken Drumsticks with Carrots Served with Steamed Rice </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbULPpg3ehw/TnL78N4XJpI/AAAAAAAAA7g/bLIDn2YpFC0/s1600/DSC02765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbULPpg3ehw/TnL78N4XJpI/AAAAAAAAA7g/bLIDn2YpFC0/s320/DSC02765.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Pork Strips Cooked in Tomato Served with Bok Choy and Steamed Rice</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0G3LeUsK_vs/TnL7_HiOWzI/AAAAAAAAA7k/4RA4ujKaJkA/s1600/DSC02779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0G3LeUsK_vs/TnL7_HiOWzI/AAAAAAAAA7k/4RA4ujKaJkA/s320/DSC02779.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Chilli Pork and Onion Sausages Served with Potatoes and Carrots</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9Bj4wvtf4A/TnL8IbXEfZI/AAAAAAAAA70/I3hp8Bs90c4/s1600/DSC02816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9Bj4wvtf4A/TnL8IbXEfZI/AAAAAAAAA70/I3hp8Bs90c4/s320/DSC02816.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Pan-Fried Chicken Breast Served with Diced Green Bell Pepper, Eggplant, Tomatoes and Onions on a Bed of Steamed Rice</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Eating out is not exactly expensive either. If you look for small, almost stall-like restaurants you will be spending similar to what you would be spending when you cook at home. Down side to eating in these small cafes: they don't have English menus; you can always just point at pictures on the menu that looks appetizing for you or if you feel adventurous, you can point at a random menu item and hope for the best! So far, I have never been disappointed with my choices.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eq9LjHDrEtA/TnL6w6xPiII/AAAAAAAAA68/u64h80J9-8Q/s1600/DSC02743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eq9LjHDrEtA/TnL6w6xPiII/AAAAAAAAA68/u64h80J9-8Q/s320/DSC02743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Make-Your-Own Noodles</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvolj3YUbhA/TnL62i_wLII/AAAAAAAAA7A/_0ycJrNE5zA/s1600/DSC02744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvolj3YUbhA/TnL62i_wLII/AAAAAAAAA7A/_0ycJrNE5zA/s320/DSC02744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Noodles with Liver</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUeimfyoe_xI6qihagx1rNrOvMfCOMynvz3UtbiMztpWUTErsylziUtYr1a7T4mtyFdjCw8O0Y6rBnj74Ih2Wq98JFFXHrA_u0RJlUMlkTxfckgZMBHSzHzN_v7zBHP3AycnCAHCVegVD/s1600/DSC02747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUeimfyoe_xI6qihagx1rNrOvMfCOMynvz3UtbiMztpWUTErsylziUtYr1a7T4mtyFdjCw8O0Y6rBnj74Ih2Wq98JFFXHrA_u0RJlUMlkTxfckgZMBHSzHzN_v7zBHP3AycnCAHCVegVD/s320/DSC02747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Zha Jiang Mian</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM9kesiI_8pNkdH5tRS_LdAS76XGIUuFzMGLrV8lq57_OzVJTBYy-zQk-VGsjouD8ce4yA_YrCz8am55wtiXN3GEvr85OJwsRcsGOB5VWcQ2XXV11rr8iEnSc9BJzhIWfO4bWeEWVS1U8/s1600/DSC02746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM9kesiI_8pNkdH5tRS_LdAS76XGIUuFzMGLrV8lq57_OzVJTBYy-zQk-VGsjouD8ce4yA_YrCz8am55wtiXN3GEvr85OJwsRcsGOB5VWcQ2XXV11rr8iEnSc9BJzhIWfO4bWeEWVS1U8/s320/DSC02746.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Beef Stir-Fry served on a Bed of Steamed Rice</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJ6LniYQ3Nk/TnL7KsrEYXI/AAAAAAAAA7M/fEG7OCyjpKw/s1600/DSC02750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJ6LniYQ3Nk/TnL7KsrEYXI/AAAAAAAAA7M/fEG7OCyjpKw/s320/DSC02750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Duck served with Cabbage and Steamed Rice</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LTl8wWs7F4/TnL72WtDo5I/AAAAAAAAA7c/eMefAq_w9mk/s1600/DSC02751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LTl8wWs7F4/TnL72WtDo5I/AAAAAAAAA7c/eMefAq_w9mk/s320/DSC02751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Braised Pork Belly and Rice</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">If it were up to H, we would be eating out everyday, but I oppose to that. Don't get me wrong, I love eating out, but I also like to know what goes into my food. So to make it fair for both of us, we balance our meals by sometimes dining out and sometimes having a home-cooked meal by yours truly!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">On a different note, we were lucky to be here in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival. I wanted to experience how locals would normally celebrate this occasion, so I did some research. Apparently, a lot of families would go to the park and appreciate the moon while eating mooncakes and fruits. So that's what we did. It was definitely a nice cultural experience going to the park for the festival. We opted to go to the less crowded Central Park, and witness families spending quality time with their kids. There were also many kids playing with their lanterns. We really enjoyed the whole moon-gazing event, but for next time, we would prepare a bountiful picnic basket that is not limited with mooncakes and fruits! Most families brought picnic baskets wafting with scrumptious aromas of yummy food that made H and I so hungry; H ended up running to the nearest convenience store to buy some food to compensate for our lack of preparation.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDFEilBekpo/TnL6jfmQ5jI/AAAAAAAAA60/sfXeoyETY-g/s1600/DSC00285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDFEilBekpo/TnL6jfmQ5jI/AAAAAAAAA60/sfXeoyETY-g/s320/DSC00285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"></span> <span style="color: #783f04;">Riddles on pieces of papers were posted all over our apartment lobby. If you solve a riddle you get a fruit or mooncake as a prize.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuKBFLZb-XymKP0MwQCSKm_ryXM-RFoiiG4jzEsCsASw66oj7i1YK2IEofa90Uqamis_1BV3EC8KiEyff3zWt7huQycdkeCVfKPbC5Gth1r7PtpUy5wwvg47AVN5k1b8Vxe1NFD-KRveT/s1600/DSC02798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuKBFLZb-XymKP0MwQCSKm_ryXM-RFoiiG4jzEsCsASw66oj7i1YK2IEofa90Uqamis_1BV3EC8KiEyff3zWt7huQycdkeCVfKPbC5Gth1r7PtpUy5wwvg47AVN5k1b8Vxe1NFD-KRveT/s320/DSC02798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">We were early birds at Central Park with our fruits and mooncakes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7NM7YQ0fT4/TnL6o_2TG9I/AAAAAAAAA64/8ajclHlmzHM/s1600/DSC00310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7NM7YQ0fT4/TnL6o_2TG9I/AAAAAAAAA64/8ajclHlmzHM/s320/DSC00310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Families dotted around the park enjoying their picnic while appreciating the full-moon.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B6HBkxYKZg/TnL8DQDe4JI/AAAAAAAAA7s/jNjzPz1A54Q/s1600/DSC02801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B6HBkxYKZg/TnL8DQDe4JI/AAAAAAAAA7s/jNjzPz1A54Q/s320/DSC02801.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Full-moon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">P.S. As for my baking affair, it would have to wait for a while. There are still things (more practical things) that H and I have to invest on while we are on this budget crunch. So just be patient with me, I will be baking soon!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>
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<img height="72" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eq9LjHDrEtA/TnL6w6xPiII/AAAAAAAAA68/u64h80J9-8Q/s320/DSC02743.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 422px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 3203px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <img height="72" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJ6LniYQ3Nk/TnL7KsrEYXI/AAAAAAAAA7M/fEG7OCyjpKw/s320/DSC02750.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 342px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 3327px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0Shenzhen, Guangdong, China22.543099 114.0578679999999822.317328 113.75643049999998 22.768870000000003 114.35930549999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-23469286975433686402011-09-05T16:35:00.001+02:002011-09-05T16:36:43.335+02:00Travel Food Blog: England<span style="color: #783f04;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;">After days of no access to blogger, twitter and facebook, I am finally back! Before I came to settle in China about a week ago, I was in England to visit my in-laws. As you may know, I have been baking scrumptious treats while I was there, but aside from baking, I was also enjoying good old British food.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">So what is British food? More specifically, what does the English cuisine have to offer to the food industry? Well, I went for the clich<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-PH; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-PH;"><span style="color: #783f04;">é</span></span>... Chips, pies and everything fried!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D1koU_thxpA/TmTDy5C3hVI/AAAAAAAAA3U/o-RjzZ1bhls/s1600/DSC02459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D1koU_thxpA/TmTDy5C3hVI/AAAAAAAAA3U/o-RjzZ1bhls/s320/DSC02459.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Fishcakes with Chips and a Tub of Gravy</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H1Q94FGqrhk/TmTEBjuQb3I/AAAAAAAAA38/XTaS_FpIlKU/s1600/DSC02546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H1Q94FGqrhk/TmTEBjuQb3I/AAAAAAAAA38/XTaS_FpIlKU/s320/DSC02546.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Doner Burger and Chips</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IIC8lFJ5N9s/TmTEHCXa5xI/AAAAAAAAA4A/wo4c2-yr4No/s1600/DSC02547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IIC8lFJ5N9s/TmTEHCXa5xI/AAAAAAAAA4A/wo4c2-yr4No/s320/DSC02547.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Classic Fish and Chips</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Steak Pie and Chips with Sausage and Curry Sauce</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bx0mMZyRLNE/TmTD_wMSEKI/AAAAAAAAA34/6JamrzWovuE/s1600/DSC02545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bx0mMZyRLNE/TmTD_wMSEKI/AAAAAAAAA34/6JamrzWovuE/s320/DSC02545.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">All food from the above photos were take-aways from the good old CHIPPY!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukEDWfUwhKNUAimjUwDN47mcu0qBG4cC-ntjEakw78bJHLRJVrfXVELBiTGO_YtqI3l1B07OItuol06PjFP3BCEs_RVbI0JZOcxSPjnDd2O_ycxUDA0akxAVqfDGpk-iyG02tQ-2y5kjQ/s1600/DSC02496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukEDWfUwhKNUAimjUwDN47mcu0qBG4cC-ntjEakw78bJHLRJVrfXVELBiTGO_YtqI3l1B07OItuol06PjFP3BCEs_RVbI0JZOcxSPjnDd2O_ycxUDA0akxAVqfDGpk-iyG02tQ-2y5kjQ/s320/DSC02496.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Steak Pie... yum!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R3VnspCM2-A/TmTEKRlp0qI/AAAAAAAAA4E/dlH4xE-BSSY/s1600/DSC02550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R3VnspCM2-A/TmTEKRlp0qI/AAAAAAAAA4E/dlH4xE-BSSY/s320/DSC02550.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">More pies...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrpUUynsDcM/TmTEaIU4sXI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/zHLuKvXov4k/s1600/DSC02652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrpUUynsDcM/TmTEaIU4sXI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/zHLuKvXov4k/s320/DSC02652.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Steak and Kidney Pie</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-377xFSV9HkY/TmTEdByK74I/AAAAAAAAA4c/zPoLDqycvek/s1600/DSC02653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-377xFSV9HkY/TmTEdByK74I/AAAAAAAAA4c/zPoLDqycvek/s320/DSC02653.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Shepherd's Pie</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFssjUBjH6I/TmTEivUSejI/AAAAAAAAA4k/GnUszWWQtpg/s1600/DSC02654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFssjUBjH6I/TmTEivUSejI/AAAAAAAAA4k/GnUszWWQtpg/s320/DSC02654.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Cornish Pasty</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HD69o3XhO4/TmTD6l_UmWI/AAAAAAAAA3s/uAWfrmcEUWI/s1600/DSC02525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HD69o3XhO4/TmTD6l_UmWI/AAAAAAAAA3s/uAWfrmcEUWI/s320/DSC02525.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Sausage Rolls and Pasties</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RCsBsQj7o3Y/TmTD8ftz7tI/AAAAAAAAA3w/DhuSrH48t4w/s1600/DSC02527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RCsBsQj7o3Y/TmTD8ftz7tI/AAAAAAAAA3w/DhuSrH48t4w/s320/DSC02527.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Sausage Roll</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QINn78deSXU/TmTEMHQMWqI/AAAAAAAAA4I/2edGF9fwGqI/s1600/DSC02558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QINn78deSXU/TmTEMHQMWqI/AAAAAAAAA4I/2edGF9fwGqI/s320/DSC02558.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">One of my favourite processed food - Fish Fingers!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuqP6WFGnelQYz47XWfwu9kCeZ6y91FutSf6YVwSqfXyM8yjv5NnrNOsHl6FjTa92MtaiKf2BncEljcYdB2fx7LGqDDak_cgWsxC_IgjBjrUZqHSazz6PSCrJmiudXho1_A0yKszKfYg9/s1600/DSC02466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuqP6WFGnelQYz47XWfwu9kCeZ6y91FutSf6YVwSqfXyM8yjv5NnrNOsHl6FjTa92MtaiKf2BncEljcYdB2fx7LGqDDak_cgWsxC_IgjBjrUZqHSazz6PSCrJmiudXho1_A0yKszKfYg9/s320/DSC02466.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Semi-full English Breakfast aka Fry-up (when eaten during dinner time)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">It was really difficult for me to stay healthy while I was in England. I did pretty well the first three days, but the junky goodness widely available eventually took over the best in me!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">So to compensate my full-fat diet...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0yskOnZuqaw/TmTD1ogZ-EI/AAAAAAAAA3c/APq2qo7Oyyo/s1600/DSC02490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0yskOnZuqaw/TmTD1ogZ-EI/AAAAAAAAA3c/APq2qo7Oyyo/s320/DSC02490.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Crumpets with Fresh Blackberries</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIps9wze3sE/TmTDwR_1HzI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/FCadQ4J9Wjg/s1600/DSC02452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIps9wze3sE/TmTDwR_1HzI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/FCadQ4J9Wjg/s320/DSC02452.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Sunday Roast - Roasted Lamb's Heart served with Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Parsnips, Mashed Carrots and Swede, Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy (not in photo)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mk5JxFwAV3w/TmTD-ewtIkI/AAAAAAAAA30/McR_w2p6BRc/s1600/DSC02533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mk5JxFwAV3w/TmTD-ewtIkI/AAAAAAAAA30/McR_w2p6BRc/s320/DSC02533.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">A popular Liverpool stew - Scouse</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a454LmnhDQY/TmTEPNmFHiI/AAAAAAAAA4M/z0FaDpcGW8M/s1600/DSC02613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a454LmnhDQY/TmTEPNmFHiI/AAAAAAAAA4M/z0FaDpcGW8M/s320/DSC02613.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Fennel, which I turned into a simple orange and fennel salad</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8M7CsoJ4uM/TmTEXXe_wPI/AAAAAAAAA4U/1JzDyMKTqpA/s1600/DSC02648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8M7CsoJ4uM/TmTEXXe_wPI/AAAAAAAAA4U/1JzDyMKTqpA/s320/DSC02648.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Venison with Gravy, Pickled Onions and Beetroots</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2F16CPlNB5c/TmTEjQDcZBI/AAAAAAAAA4o/2X4uHR6pSF4/s1600/DSC02688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2F16CPlNB5c/TmTEjQDcZBI/AAAAAAAAA4o/2X4uHR6pSF4/s320/DSC02688.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Radish</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oW49LZDwojY/TmTEmix1ufI/AAAAAAAAA4s/ji_q3kK7RQw/s1600/DSC02715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oW49LZDwojY/TmTEmix1ufI/AAAAAAAAA4s/ji_q3kK7RQw/s320/DSC02715.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Passion Fruit</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9SW6msO7p4/TmTD5Zv6tII/AAAAAAAAA3o/xM1tH15xgkA/s1600/DSC02524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9SW6msO7p4/TmTD5Zv6tII/AAAAAAAAA3o/xM1tH15xgkA/s320/DSC02524.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">For some sweet treats - Fudge</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEMgJt9G0rY/TmTETgqCmrI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/DqoYqcypoHE/s1600/DSC02634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEMgJt9G0rY/TmTETgqCmrI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/DqoYqcypoHE/s320/DSC02634.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Last but not the least, I wouldn't have left England without a nice Champagne afternoon tea. My cake stand was a scrumptious spread of ham and cheese sandwich, chocolate eclair, chocolate cake, vanilla slice and a scone served with strawberry jam and clotted cream.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">That's all for my great British feast!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>
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Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com1Shenzhen, Guangdong, China22.543099 114.05786822.308455000000002 113.742011 22.777743 114.373725tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-65278402667102275822011-08-20T21:55:00.000+02:002011-08-20T21:55:58.775+02:00Chocolate Pavlova<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #783f04;">A quick post about my last baking in England before I leave for China. I made this pavlova for my in-law's around three years ago and they absolutely loved it! So since I'm back for a visit, they've asked me a couple of times to make it again. Honestly, I have absolutely no objections making this pavlova recipe; it's a no-fail crowd pleaser. It has an absolutely light, crunchy, at the same time, almost marshmallow-like soft meringue base that's topped with luscious whipped cream and strawberries. This marvellous chocolate pavlova is Nigella Lawson's recipe. The original recipe actually uses raspberries, but my in-laws prefer strawberries. Again, no-fail, meaning my in-laws ecstatically devoured this scrumptious pavlova.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHHMaQjL1ZM/TlALGXXfkQI/AAAAAAAAA24/e_o4JTFekxk/s1600/DSC02705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHHMaQjL1ZM/TlALGXXfkQI/AAAAAAAAA24/e_o4JTFekxk/s320/DSC02705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Pavlova is a classic dessert made in honor of a Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova. This dessert is made with a meringue base (which the creator thought resembled the ballerina's tutu) that is then topped with whipped cream and any fruits you desire. There is still an ongoing argument as to whether this lovely dessert was made in Australia or New Zealand. Regardless of where this dessert was born, it definitely is a classic because of the simplicity yet overwhelming goodness.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo7fNg1OtffuCe-si1UMPqvdGsikzki3OsfLcbY4O_13rVH22RkQEI8vYBRzao7uv4qVUBMgLpizxZghz0LsQ_SBgi9GGSc_YZCPtjRx-m5lVgsQFhggVhTmy9-i9uL-KCLhDxCZG9i5p/s1600/DSC02709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo7fNg1OtffuCe-si1UMPqvdGsikzki3OsfLcbY4O_13rVH22RkQEI8vYBRzao7uv4qVUBMgLpizxZghz0LsQ_SBgi9GGSc_YZCPtjRx-m5lVgsQFhggVhTmy9-i9uL-KCLhDxCZG9i5p/s320/DSC02709.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/chocolate-raspberry-pavlova-200"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Click Here For Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Raspberry Pavlova Recipe</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IrI8ktjXXdE/TlALDXrrkbI/AAAAAAAAA20/3BossQbWWY8/s1600/DSC02700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IrI8ktjXXdE/TlALDXrrkbI/AAAAAAAAA20/3BossQbWWY8/s320/DSC02700.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Anyway, I shall end this post as I have to finish packing for China. Another country for new adventures! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">P.S. Since I'll be moving to China, I would have limited access to certain websites, Blogger being one of them. So if I am a bit slow or delayed with my blog posts, you know why, but do stick around because I will find ways to keep on blogging.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0Liverpool, UK53.4107766 -2.977838300000030453.3557881 -3.0712023000000306 53.4657651 -2.88447430000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-9096108216292085232011-08-19T15:58:00.001+02:002011-08-19T17:05:37.142+02:00Banoffee Pie<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">It has been a busy day for me so far, doing last minute errands since we're leaving England this Sunday. Thank goodness I still managed to squeeze in some time to bake for my H's friend, K, despite running around like a headless chicken. I had a tub of leftover toffee that I made for my mum-in-law's birthday cake, so to make use of it, I decided to make banoffee pie. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RES0rsVHa4c/Tk5jnQghaXI/AAAAAAAAA2k/Iqn_4kxKMI0/s1600/DSC02685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RES0rsVHa4c/Tk5jnQghaXI/AAAAAAAAA2k/Iqn_4kxKMI0/s320/DSC02685.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span><span style="color: #783f04;">Banoffee is a portmanteau word (combination of two words) from banana and toffee. Banoffee pie is an English dessert created around 1972. This lovable dessert is typically made out of banana, toffee and cream with a biscuit or pastry base. Some versions of this pudding may contain the addition of chocolate or coffee. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5AIUVLtR2g/Tk5jqtVsiNI/AAAAAAAAA2o/p_Oy4RcyoTs/s1600/assemble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5AIUVLtR2g/Tk5jqtVsiNI/AAAAAAAAA2o/p_Oy4RcyoTs/s320/assemble.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of how I assembled my version of banoffee pie</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">My version of banoffee pie consists of a plain biscuit and crushed hazelnut base that was then covered with a thin layer of dark chocolate ganache then topped off with bananas then with toffee then lastly with whipped cream - yummy! I wish I made extra for self-indulgence.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Components used for this dessert treat:</span></strong></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2011/08/biscuit-base.html">Biscuit and Hazelnut Base</a></div>
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<a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2010/05/ganache.html">Dark Chocolate Ganache</a></div>
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Bananas</div>
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<a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2011/08/toffee.html">Soft Toffee </a></div>
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Whipped Cream</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0Liverpool, UK53.4107766 -2.977838300000030453.3557881 -3.0712023000000306 53.4657651 -2.88447430000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-64550510886284375762011-08-19T00:27:00.000+02:002011-08-19T00:27:54.303+02:00Fondant Cake - Vanilla Cake with Toffee Buttercream and Roasted Hazelnuts<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xs2GywsyiZk/Tk2NrDtGmsI/AAAAAAAAA2c/H67KUn2G87c/s1600/DSC02608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xs2GywsyiZk/Tk2NrDtGmsI/AAAAAAAAA2c/H67KUn2G87c/s320/DSC02608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">It was my mum-in-law's 60th birthday recently, and obviously, I wanted to make her a special birthday cake. It didn't take me a long time to think of a fitting cake design; she absolutely loves reading so my design naturally led towards a book themed cake.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3Ggr40urdA/Tk2NlTrJlUI/AAAAAAAAA2U/wTQivMXCdxE/s1600/DSC02585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3Ggr40urdA/Tk2NlTrJlUI/AAAAAAAAA2U/wTQivMXCdxE/s320/DSC02585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I did have a little trouble while I was making this cake. The fondant book cover part of the cake kept on sagging down. Good thing my idea of putting a piece of paper while the fondant hardened kept the book covers sturdy. The bookworm on an apple came as an afterthought. What happened was, I had a little cake batter left in my bowl, so I decided to bake them into cupcakes. I really didn't plan to use the cupcakes, but for some odd reason a light bulb just lit with the idea of turning them into an apple; the nerdy worm was just crying to be created once I had my apple covered in luscious red.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B3AFG5VNM0g/Tk2NVYa5JqI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/taMc4HFxEo8/s1600/DSC02584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B3AFG5VNM0g/Tk2NVYa5JqI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/taMc4HFxEo8/s320/DSC02584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5X4stlXYU0/Tk2NoCzJQnI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/Ang-MQOaXmU/s1600/DSC02588+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5X4stlXYU0/Tk2NoCzJQnI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/Ang-MQOaXmU/s320/DSC02588+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">The whole family, especially my mum-in-law really loved the whole cake design. I was so pleased and proud of it as well, if I may say so myself. I actually have two favorite parts from the cake - the page details on the books and the apple with the nerdy worm. As for the actual cake, I made three tiers of vanilla cake that was sandwiched with toffee buttercream and roasted hazelnuts. I don't really impose myself onto people to give me feedbacks on what I bake, so just by the look of things, I would say I think most of the family liked the cake.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ai-zRwPUSD4/Tk2N6rRlc6I/AAAAAAAAA2g/VdxydO-O9t8/s1600/DSC02611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ai-zRwPUSD4/Tk2N6rRlc6I/AAAAAAAAA2g/VdxydO-O9t8/s320/DSC02611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Components used for this dessert treat:</span></strong></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2010/07/lemon-cake.html">Vanilla Cake</a></li>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2011/07/italian-buttercream.html">Toffee Buttercream</a></li>
<li>Roasted Hazelnuts</li>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2010/07/marshmallow-fondant.html">Fondant Icing</a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com5Liverpool, UK53.4107766 -2.977838300000030453.3557881 -3.0712023000000306 53.4657651 -2.88447430000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-26288601063497927842011-08-08T20:40:00.001+02:002011-08-08T20:43:52.871+02:00Fondant Cake - Chocolate Cake/Cupcakes and Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream Filling<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTlIO0iSAKA/TkADlM10foI/AAAAAAAAA2M/YEu-nrpCuX8/s1600/DSC02514_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTlIO0iSAKA/TkADlM10foI/AAAAAAAAA2M/YEu-nrpCuX8/s320/DSC02514_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cake and cupcakes all set-up for the party (name smeared)</td></tr>
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Our friend L's mom had her 60th birthday bash yesterday. Timely enough, H and I are here in England for it. Knowing that we will be here for the partly, L asked me if I could make his mom's 60th birthday cake, and I happily obliged. L also told me he would cover the cost for the cake, thus making this cake my first ever cake sale! I know I didn't exactly gain any profit from this cake, but the bottom line is I got a free baking session, so I'm happy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AiKR-h1GCqo/TkADez9vOOI/AAAAAAAAA2A/dALslE8OMtM/s1600/DSC02501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AiKR-h1GCqo/TkADez9vOOI/AAAAAAAAA2A/dALslE8OMtM/s320/DSC02501.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dozen of chocolate cupcakes and a dozen of lemon cupcakes - all filled with raspberry buttercream and decorated with fondant roses and royal icing '60' scribbles</td></tr>
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Working on this cake wasn't exactly smooth sailing. There were a few factors that made this cake a challenge for me. First, I was baking and creating this cake in a new environment, meaning kitchen's not mine. Second, I didn't have my baking equipments and utensils with me, so I had to improvise a lot. Third, I didn't really know where to get the best deal for ingredients and where to buy the exact ingredients and baking utensils I wanted, so I had to settle and cobble together what is available in the stores I know. Last, the thought of baking the cake for someone's milestone birthday, and having people that are not family or friends eat my cake was definitely nerve wrecking. Despite all these, everything came together in the end. Most important of all, L's mom was happy with her cake. Many guests on the party also enjoyed the cake, and were giving me positive reviews. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKaxHNs3DL8/TkADhcVtPLI/AAAAAAAAA2E/OEvyrBZ15Zg/s1600/DSC02507_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKaxHNs3DL8/TkADhcVtPLI/AAAAAAAAA2E/OEvyrBZ15Zg/s320/DSC02507_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cake and cupcakes ready for delivery</td></tr>
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For L's mom's 60th birthday cake, I decided to make a six-inch square chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream filling, a dozen of chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream filling and a dozen of lemon cake with raspberry buttercream filling. At first I was thinking of just making all the cakes chocolate, but I figured some people would not really be partial to chocolate cake so I decided to make a lemon cake variety to hopefully accommodate everyone's palate. As for the design, I wanted something the celebrant would adore. I browsed through some of her photos on facebook, and I noticed she likes wearing purple and is not afraid of floral prints on her dresses. After that little research, I finally came up with a design concept that L's mom really appreciated.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1C3_jpDGP0Y/TkADjWQlYJI/AAAAAAAAA2I/jqUrQR0q9lg/s1600/DSC02509_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1C3_jpDGP0Y/TkADjWQlYJI/AAAAAAAAA2I/jqUrQR0q9lg/s320/DSC02509_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not only did I enjoy making the cake, I'm absolutely delighted that I was part of someone's milestone birthday. It was really a pleasure and an honor.</div>
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<b>Components used for this dessert treat:</b></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2010/07/lemon-cake.html">Chocolate Cake / Lemon Cake</a></li>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2011/07/italian-buttercream.html">Raspberry Buttercream</a></li>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2010/07/marshmallow-fondant.html">Fondant Icing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2011/06/royal-icing.html">Royal Icing</a></li>
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Bisou bisou,</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com2Liverpool, UK53.4107766 -2.977838300000030453.3557881 -3.0712023000000306 53.4657651 -2.88447430000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-3857458342033594962011-08-03T18:22:00.001+02:002011-08-03T18:32:48.898+02:00Lemon Cake with Blackberries and Cream Surprise<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K3HMwv_L9r8/TjlwHhvbJ3I/AAAAAAAAA14/OxuR0mjRZbc/s1600/DSC02478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K3HMwv_L9r8/TjlwHhvbJ3I/AAAAAAAAA14/OxuR0mjRZbc/s320/DSC02478.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">My H's friend, M, invited us for dinner last night. She cooked chorizo pasta, which was absolutely delicious, and I volunteered to bring afters (Bristish slang for dessert). I made lemon cake, but it was not just a cake; it had blackberries and cream in the center. I got this idea from a picture on a magazine I was reading the other day. I got so amused by the cake because of the illusion of a simple cake, but it had more to it once you slice a piece.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mL6tn1jnl7Q/TjlwDD8HwWI/AAAAAAAAA10/DH6N-Xa9bLg/s1600/assemble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mL6tn1jnl7Q/TjlwDD8HwWI/AAAAAAAAA10/DH6N-Xa9bLg/s320/assemble.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Secrets behind the deceptive plain-Jane lemon cake</span><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nBG5pnv0Hh8/TjlwJyjokWI/AAAAAAAAA18/JhTydCGV9u0/s1600/DSC02486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nBG5pnv0Hh8/TjlwJyjokWI/AAAAAAAAA18/JhTydCGV9u0/s320/DSC02486.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">We all enjoyed the cake. It was a perfect light finish to a gorgeous meal. The trio combination of lemon, blackberries and cream worked harmoniously well together.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Components used for this dessert treat:</span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2010/07/lemon-cake.html">Lemon Cake</a></div>
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Freshly Whipped Cream</div>
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Fresh Blackberries</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com2Liverpool, UK53.4107766 -2.977838300000030453.3557881 -3.0712023000000306 53.4657651 -2.88447430000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-91556595209629316292011-08-03T16:42:00.001+02:002011-08-14T14:33:13.085+02:00Travel Food Blog: Dubai<div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;">
H and I are now in England to visit his family, but before coming here, we had an almost twenty-four hour stopover at Dubai. We took advantage of the opportunity, and looked around the city and joined a desert safari tour as well.<br />
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Two of my friends from university, E and M, are both living in Dubai, and they showed us around Dubai from morning until the afternoon; it was really lovely and generous of them. I don't think we would have enjoyed exploring the city as much if it weren't for them. They took us to see Burj Al Arab, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, the gold souk, a mosque, and even took us for a boat ride along Dubai creek. It was so much fun!<br />
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We had our lunch at a Lebanese restaurant at the food court in Dubai Mall. I was completely salivating because I've been looking forward to taste authentic Middle Eastern food for the longest time!</div>
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Here are some of the salads that the restaurant offered. It looked so green and enticing.</div>
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I ordered a tub of moutabbal, which is made out of pureed eggplants. It tastes very similar to baba ganoush. The addition of pomegranate seeds to the mashed eggplants definitely gave this dip an extra yummy goodness!</div>
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For my main meal, I had lamb kofta served with parsley salad, parsley pizza and chips. Although, I'm not sure how authentic this combination of a meal is to Middle Eastern cuisine as it had chips, but it sure was tasty.</div>
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My H had lamb shawarma.<br />
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E, M, H and I really enjoyed the Lebanese feast with buckets full of interesting and fun conversation. Unfortunately, all had to end as H and I had to go to the hotel where we will meet our desert safari tour group.</div>
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While we were waiting for our tour guide, I indulged with an ashtalieh overmoze. It's a milk-based dessert with almost similar texture to a panna cotta. I'm not sure how this would traditionally taste like or how it would traditionally be served with, but this version I had was absolutely divine! The pot of milk had a nice hint of orange blossom; the honey, bananas and ground nuts gave a nice texture and flavor to this treat. </div>
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The desert safari tour was extraordinary! H and I had so much fun, and really enjoyed the whole experience. We had an hour ride of dune bashing; after which, we were taken to a campsite in the middle of the desert where we were able to enjoy different Middle Eastern culture like camel riding, henna tattoos and shisha. We were also greeted by yummy vegetable fritters, chicken shawarma, tea and coffee.</div>
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This is a picture of the campsite. We had our buffet dinner here while being entertained by belly dancers and tanoura dancers.</div>
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The buffet dinner in the middle of the desert was something I would do again. The buffet spread included salads and hummus for starters.</div>
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Rice, three kinds of curries and an array of grilled meat were also part of our dinner feast.</div>
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We definitely enjoyed our day trip in Dubai. It was just a day, but we were overwhelmed with so much cultural experience. Dubai is definitely a place I would want to visit again!</div>
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Bisou bisou,</div>
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Charlotte</div>
Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com7Liverpool, UK53.4107766 -2.977838300000030453.3557881 -3.0712023000000306 53.4657651 -2.88447430000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-46362613812449311452011-07-29T19:05:00.000+02:002011-07-29T19:05:51.073+02:00Travel Food Blog: Korea<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">I say travel food blog, but I can't really say travel can I? I mean I lived in Korea for two years. Something I will really miss in Korea is definitely their food! Omg, I love Korean food! When I first went there, my knowledge of Korean cuisine was close to none. All I know was that they eat loads of kimchi (김치), and food are going to be crazy spicy; I was right. I do love spicy food, but Korean spicy is another level that my palate thankfully adapted to quite quickly; when we went there my H can't tolerate any spice at all, but now he's a pro! Don't get me wrong though; there are also a number of non-spicy Korean dishes that are equally as delicious as the spicy ones that any non-spicy food lover could enjoy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Korean cuisine is largely based on rice, noodles, tteok (Korean rice cake), vegetables and meat. They are usually served in the form of stews, soups, stir-fries or barbecues. Fermented red pepper paste, red pepper flakes, red pepper oil and other chilli products are very common condiments/ingredients used to make most Korean dishes. There are also non-spicy condiments/ingredients used in Korean dishes like fermented bean paste, soy sauce and sesame oil.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">In a nutshell, I think Korean cuisine is not only very scrumptious, but also very healthy. It was so easy for me to incorporate my vegetable intake into my meals without them being just a side dish. Anyway, without further ado, let me present my compilation of random Korean food that I had been devouring over the last two years. Let the food parade begin!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">The all famous kimchi (김치)... I didn't like eating kimchi the first few weeks I was in Korea, but now I love them. Give me a bowl of rice and kimchi, and I'm good to go.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-ng_xmfqIk/Th2KpVHuooI/AAAAAAAAA0I/MR9qzvaH-zg/s1600/DSC01894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-ng_xmfqIk/Th2KpVHuooI/AAAAAAAAA0I/MR9qzvaH-zg/s320/DSC01894.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Mulkimchi (물김치)/water kimchi also got the sour kick of kimchi without the spicy twist. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> A plate of banchan (반찬)/side dishes served on the local cafeteria my H and I frequent. This plate consists of anchovies, odeng (오뎅) and kimchi (김치). Odeng is a processed fish-cake made with fish and flour, and it has a firm almost al dente like texture.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Kimbap (김밥) is the Korean version of sushi rolls except it has less variety than its Japanese counterpart. This particular kimbap is called chamchi kimbap (참치김밥)/tuna kimbap. It is my favorite kimbap because I love the flavor combination of the tuna and perilla leaves that's in it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Gyeran-jjim (계란찜)/steamed egg</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Kimchijeon (김치전)/kimchi pancakes, I absolutely love this!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oU35nMVEr0Q/Th2J1WzYsxI/AAAAAAAAAyI/ZZdWg_9xp-Q/s1600/101_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oU35nMVEr0Q/Th2J1WzYsxI/AAAAAAAAAyI/ZZdWg_9xp-Q/s320/101_0604.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Haemulpajeon (해물파전)/seafood and spring onions pancake</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span lang="ko-Hang" xml:lang="ko-Hang">Makgeori (막걸리)</span> is a Korean alcoholic beverage made from rice. It has a sweet milky taste to it, and I actually prefer this more than the famous soju (소주). You can also get cocktail versions of this drink. My favorite would be the pineapple makgeori because it tastes very similar to a piña colada.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> A typical Korean barbecue which includes banchan/side dishes and grilled meat, and of course enjoyed with a bottle of soju (소주)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bf75oY2pQoY/Th2KHVl8c_I/AAAAAAAAAyk/8C_jbRv7HqU/s1600/DSC00191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bf75oY2pQoY/Th2KHVl8c_I/AAAAAAAAAyk/8C_jbRv7HqU/s320/DSC00191.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Korean barbecue. What's on the grill? Makchang (<span style="font-size: 115%;"><span lang="ko-Hang" xml:lang="ko-Hang"><span style="font-size: x-small;">막창</span></span></span>) pork large intestines, tteok (떡)/rice cake and galbi (갈비)/beef short ribs.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORCLbNKONCM/Th2Jy2X-P5I/AAAAAAAAAx8/e9xwCMejRQI/s1600/101_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORCLbNKONCM/Th2Jy2X-P5I/AAAAAAAAAx8/e9xwCMejRQI/s320/101_0589.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> When having a Korean barbecue, you are always given a basket of either lettuce or perilla leaves to be used as wrappers for the grilled meat. Yummy!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T_ZwlnK5LY/Th2KLFAsJYI/AAAAAAAAAys/NGaa5hRFhuM/s1600/DSC00893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T_ZwlnK5LY/Th2KLFAsJYI/AAAAAAAAAys/NGaa5hRFhuM/s320/DSC00893.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Korea also has their own high quality range of beef called hanu (한우).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Bulgogi (<span style="font-size: 115%;"><span lang="ko-Hang" xml:lang="ko-Hang"><span style="font-size: x-small;">불고기)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzyBCy3G8Oo/Th2J8bBBBhI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Eao3JMJ10DQ/s1600/DSC00163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzyBCy3G8Oo/Th2J8bBBBhI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Eao3JMJ10DQ/s320/DSC00163.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bibimbap (비빔밥) literally means mixed rice. Basically, it is a dish with rice and different toppings on top. Before you start eating the dish, you have to mix everything together first. There are many kinds of bibimbap you can try in Korea. In this case, it's the salmon bibimbap</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> This is a beef and mushroom bibimbap. Bibimbap served in a hot stone bowl is called dolsot bibimbap (돌솥 비빔밥).</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEeGgbxh3Tc/Th2KBj2spoI/AAAAAAAAAyc/SdcJuRvP5o8/s1600/DSC00173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEeGgbxh3Tc/Th2KBj2spoI/AAAAAAAAAyc/SdcJuRvP5o8/s320/DSC00173.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7U1yAQ63sw/Th2KQlXloeI/AAAAAAAAAy4/_4TQW61oy6k/s1600/DSC01786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7U1yAQ63sw/Th2KQlXloeI/AAAAAAAAAy4/_4TQW61oy6k/s320/DSC01786.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Another bibimbap picture</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzN4qJVMjfA/Th2Kk_rTuZI/AAAAAAAAAz0/El_QMoMg56o/s1600/IMG_3650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzN4qJVMjfA/Th2Kk_rTuZI/AAAAAAAAAz0/El_QMoMg56o/s320/IMG_3650.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Tuna bibimbap</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgkmTo1JtBY/Th2KMX2MtII/AAAAAAAAAyw/9ZjPcINEdHQ/s1600/DSC01775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgkmTo1JtBY/Th2KMX2MtII/AAAAAAAAAyw/9ZjPcINEdHQ/s320/DSC01775.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Cheyuk topbap (제육덮밥)/pork rice topping. The topping is stir-fried pork with leeks, onions, carrots and red pepper paste. Ooo, I'm craving for this at this very moment!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj8pGxvbXZU/Th2KiKeOOpI/AAAAAAAAAzo/V_7Rvy53P6I/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj8pGxvbXZU/Th2KiKeOOpI/AAAAAAAAAzo/V_7Rvy53P6I/s320/IMG_2778.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Donkas (<span lang="kr" xml:lang="kr">돈가스) is the Korean counterpart for the Japanese tonkatsu. The one shown in the picture is a cheese donkas.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnLX_Mgt5Ew/Th2KT839luI/AAAAAAAAAzA/YghJ2FwVMFE/s1600/DSC01796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnLX_Mgt5Ew/Th2KT839luI/AAAAAAAAAzA/YghJ2FwVMFE/s320/DSC01796.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Jjigae (찌개)/spicy stew. There are varieties of jjigae from tuna to kimchi jjigae. This one is a tofu jjigae.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8D6zEVkiUOQ/Th2Ki--fK1I/AAAAAAAAAzs/pnuQwkivwpc/s1600/IMG_2809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8D6zEVkiUOQ/Th2Ki--fK1I/AAAAAAAAAzs/pnuQwkivwpc/s320/IMG_2809.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Haejangguk (해장국) is a popular Korean stew known for its hangover cure. I don't know about the hangover cure, but it is a comforting stew to slurp on regardless if drunk or not! It is a spicy stew that contains napa cabbage, bean sprouts and beef short ribs. Love eating this during winter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qNB0U7cKqRKMM91dpJWfAFYLDI5eM-3hOMR7LmG1X0xRdDA9WbFuokPvXTKym8nko65kmXQnYaGJgd1eS62Pjdc4XhAUNhibar27kh4uHl09-tz0ZzX3XjeNZRwbUCGPGZeXsfTlqGLi/s1600/101_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qNB0U7cKqRKMM91dpJWfAFYLDI5eM-3hOMR7LmG1X0xRdDA9WbFuokPvXTKym8nko65kmXQnYaGJgd1eS62Pjdc4XhAUNhibar27kh4uHl09-tz0ZzX3XjeNZRwbUCGPGZeXsfTlqGLi/s320/101_0502.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Boshintang (보신탕)/dog meat soup is a Korean delicacy. It is consumed by some Koreans with the belief that it gives strength to the body.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFSo-sCjELc/Th2J3E7WouI/AAAAAAAAAyM/GbxZuH0b2GI/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFSo-sCjELc/Th2J3E7WouI/AAAAAAAAAyM/GbxZuH0b2GI/s320/DSC00140.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Blowfish eaten in shabu-shabu style</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8AS-SWZQWU/Th2Kj-vp2WI/AAAAAAAAAzw/yP6EDTRA-9A/s1600/IMG_3648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8AS-SWZQWU/Th2Kj-vp2WI/AAAAAAAAAzw/yP6EDTRA-9A/s320/IMG_3648.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Odengtang (오뎅탕)/fish cake soup</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gn_5uI6hNYY/Th2Krr9ewNI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9YNDuFHc-aQ/s1600/DSC01897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gn_5uI6hNYY/Th2Krr9ewNI/AAAAAAAAA0M/9YNDuFHc-aQ/s320/DSC01897.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Jjimtak (찜닭) is a stew-like chicken dish that contains varieties of vegetables. The taste is a mixture of salty, sweet and spicy.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WD-cwVVv03g/TjLdQrnMGTI/AAAAAAAAA1E/OfLiQGNSHvM/s1600/DSC01996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WD-cwVVv03g/TjLdQrnMGTI/AAAAAAAAA1E/OfLiQGNSHvM/s320/DSC01996.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Galbijjim (갈비찜)/beef short ribs stew-like dish - very delicious! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjac537KDO4PlliwsRkkrBv69MzQIid3tHXw0QyTfDQ76Kz0VVO28fxRmJ6G6m_0DB2Gc6l3yqXzjuAL4F9leuwYPnumGpVYVrk4x5lDaixITBafMe9odJkRkReNu47fnYbOZ74TgUJAF9V/s1600/DSC01917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjac537KDO4PlliwsRkkrBv69MzQIid3tHXw0QyTfDQ76Kz0VVO28fxRmJ6G6m_0DB2Gc6l3yqXzjuAL4F9leuwYPnumGpVYVrk4x5lDaixITBafMe9odJkRkReNu47fnYbOZ74TgUJAF9V/s320/DSC01917.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Korean street food</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjomkyG-KE8/Th2KYh_PPMI/AAAAAAAAAzM/Bobhb4eEkaU/s1600/DSC01918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjomkyG-KE8/Th2KYh_PPMI/AAAAAAAAAzM/Bobhb4eEkaU/s320/DSC01918.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Stuffed peppers</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWq-3nycQG5GlnPgaqvZgSK30HlBs0hHp99yR0eRehfz8-lhhHjC2rGUfZwMkjr6xPD6xqmHbOPIHR74CtW3zTzAvT0ozvqdtUSafUir17uNEhIMyWd2OKGL33UEA7fPaRsyhgUZG4tEl-/s1600/DSC01920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWq-3nycQG5GlnPgaqvZgSK30HlBs0hHp99yR0eRehfz8-lhhHjC2rGUfZwMkjr6xPD6xqmHbOPIHR74CtW3zTzAvT0ozvqdtUSafUir17uNEhIMyWd2OKGL33UEA7fPaRsyhgUZG4tEl-/s320/DSC01920.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Tteokbokki (떡볶이)/rice cakes</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ONdTGr9kKQ/Th2Kb2w_jWI/AAAAAAAAAzU/wqlFkLSxwU4/s1600/DSC01921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ONdTGr9kKQ/Th2Kb2w_jWI/AAAAAAAAAzU/wqlFkLSxwU4/s320/DSC01921.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Fried chicken</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvWwY77PM0k/Th2KdecQKsI/AAAAAAAAAzY/p-p-rqDzedo/s1600/DSC01922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvWwY77PM0k/Th2KdecQKsI/AAAAAAAAAzY/p-p-rqDzedo/s320/DSC01922.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Varieties of skewers</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwcp3OySENs/Th2KhDEMoxI/AAAAAAAAAzk/4nuorbnysrU/s1600/IMG_2769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwcp3OySENs/Th2KhDEMoxI/AAAAAAAAAzk/4nuorbnysrU/s320/IMG_2769.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Tteokbokki with fried chicken</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7bAuFtuMKVA/Th2Klnpb53I/AAAAAAAAAz4/pKS21XD1O20/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7bAuFtuMKVA/Th2Klnpb53I/AAAAAAAAAz4/pKS21XD1O20/s320/IMG_3656.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Japchae (잡채) </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sx--6WsIxR8/TjLdI58jfJI/AAAAAAAAA1A/Vg9_dyUcaMo/s1600/IMG_3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sx--6WsIxR8/TjLdI58jfJI/AAAAAAAAA1A/Vg9_dyUcaMo/s320/IMG_3075.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Jajangmyeon (<span><span lang="ko-Hang" xml:lang="ko-Hang">자장면) is derived from a Chinese noodle dish; its sauce is made out of black soy bean paste.</span></span> </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5Can4IavJ0/Th2KmhKy7SI/AAAAAAAAAz8/SHf2t7Za-4U/s1600/IMG_4398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5Can4IavJ0/Th2KmhKy7SI/AAAAAAAAAz8/SHf2t7Za-4U/s320/IMG_4398.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Smoked duck with loads of side dishes/banchan</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7AlW4WPBDw/Th2KsWBveuI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/tQS4hXtQvd4/s1600/IMG_4890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7AlW4WPBDw/Th2KsWBveuI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/tQS4hXtQvd4/s320/IMG_4890.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Side dishes/banchan</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqTMS8stVtuh7LoSuk8yrlwcWxYhlvsvxm_8Mi9m14TNCU-qTAA3yVPuyGOr_igV1GYMowxBwa4qDoX8TFpfi7PYPV4a31c6r5ll1PlDzQuOzU5WytsyC1ZaboXKqWatzpPUIFyZOVdW5/s1600/IMG_4902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqTMS8stVtuh7LoSuk8yrlwcWxYhlvsvxm_8Mi9m14TNCU-qTAA3yVPuyGOr_igV1GYMowxBwa4qDoX8TFpfi7PYPV4a31c6r5ll1PlDzQuOzU5WytsyC1ZaboXKqWatzpPUIFyZOVdW5/s320/IMG_4902.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Hwe (회)/Raw fish </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yevN7SVsBlc/Th2KnYNRDsI/AAAAAAAAA0A/5UTkVdzcCP8/s1600/Photo100117_018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yevN7SVsBlc/Th2KnYNRDsI/AAAAAAAAA0A/5UTkVdzcCP8/s320/Photo100117_018.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Korean wedding buffet reception</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eh1HZPjXxk/Th2Kn1Fw5cI/AAAAAAAAA0E/FxxRCKwzm0o/s1600/Photo100117_020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7eh1HZPjXxk/Th2Kn1Fw5cI/AAAAAAAAA0E/FxxRCKwzm0o/s320/Photo100117_020.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Korean wedding buffet reception</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSMf5xn1Aa0/TikbONWkwCI/AAAAAAAAA0c/NljmFxZaw3E/s1600/DSC01948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSMf5xn1Aa0/TikbONWkwCI/AAAAAAAAA0c/NljmFxZaw3E/s320/DSC01948.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> One of my favorite instant noddles, cheese bokki (치즈볶이). It's like their version of mac n cheese except it uses noodles instead of macaroni.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CYCFp8-NJU/TikbP7DAwjI/AAAAAAAAA0k/YhRVmqLyq_0/s1600/DSC02019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CYCFp8-NJU/TikbP7DAwjI/AAAAAAAAA0k/YhRVmqLyq_0/s320/DSC02019.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> My favorite ramyon (라면), kimchi ramyon.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CTUbSUgaN_E/Th2KgKpduKI/AAAAAAAAAzg/j_pB9GzuDQg/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CTUbSUgaN_E/Th2KgKpduKI/AAAAAAAAAzg/j_pB9GzuDQg/s320/IMG_2764.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Koreans do make good sandwiches.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1JhoSCQJM8/TikbNX9lg1I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/VLRNfRjlDug/s1600/DSC01912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1JhoSCQJM8/TikbNX9lg1I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/VLRNfRjlDug/s320/DSC01912.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Not exactly Korean, but it's a Korean flavored pizza. Bulgogi pizza and the other is a bulgogi bake.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RB6hilYTTFU/Th2KfDewlAI/AAAAAAAAAzc/cYA-_rRa9Y4/s1600/DSC01939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RB6hilYTTFU/Th2KfDewlAI/AAAAAAAAAzc/cYA-_rRa9Y4/s320/DSC01939.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Rice burger!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKCROScdgdZ-GYnqnjqwxsyjIjOoMsuCe5kQ5SbGo2ddjQnwxrcXrXDi5_CU0qALLYxj4AGUyefF9pmphDvT8Nzbaa5-H6iRPvaxDddTc3Ll1FRN62I9goMj9feOCm8DekjR3XYxmyWpt/s1600/DSC02034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKCROScdgdZ-GYnqnjqwxsyjIjOoMsuCe5kQ5SbGo2ddjQnwxrcXrXDi5_CU0qALLYxj4AGUyefF9pmphDvT8Nzbaa5-H6iRPvaxDddTc3Ll1FRN62I9goMj9feOCm8DekjR3XYxmyWpt/s320/DSC02034.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Korean fried chicken - they make the best fried chicken... 100% crispy-licious!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eSZy5_F-Ces/TikbPDb1onI/AAAAAAAAA0g/Q7SKwBkBvvE/s1600/DSC01954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eSZy5_F-Ces/TikbPDb1onI/AAAAAAAAA0g/Q7SKwBkBvvE/s320/DSC01954.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Batbingsu (받빙수) is shaved ice served with varieties of toppings like fruits, rice cakes, cereals, ice cream and red beans.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5aIWQqIJBCY/Th2JvT1eR8I/AAAAAAAAAxw/FeSB63bmCcU/s1600/101_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5aIWQqIJBCY/Th2JvT1eR8I/AAAAAAAAAxw/FeSB63bmCcU/s320/101_0463.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> Hotteok (호떡) is a Korean filled pancake; the filling is usually a mixture of cinnamon, sugar and peanuts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Drt_JX7S6Ek/TikbR_1PGEI/AAAAAAAAA0s/6sCTc1z4in4/s1600/DSC02081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Drt_JX7S6Ek/TikbR_1PGEI/AAAAAAAAA0s/6sCTc1z4in4/s320/DSC02081.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Songpyeon (송편) are sweet stuffed rice cakes traditionally eaten during chuseok (추석)/autumn harvest festival. They are usually filled with either sesame seeds with honey, red bean paste, peanuts or chestnuts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">It has just been five days since I left Korea, but I'm missing their food already! Good thing I have found a couple of reliable Korean cooking websites that could teach me how to cook the dishes I will be craving in the very near future!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com1Liverpool, UK53.4107766 -2.977838300000030453.3557881 -3.0712023000000306 53.4657651 -2.88447430000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-19226566788020548472011-07-12T16:13:00.000+02:002011-07-12T16:13:32.979+02:00Panic Farewell Baking: Vanilla Cake with Orange Blossom Buttercream Plus Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">As you know, I'm leaving Korea soon, and I have been looking for a new home for my baking things. I was starting to feel hopeless in finding a new place for my stuffs, but just as I was researching for a second hand shop, heaven sent a potential buyer. After a couple of negotiations, my baking things were sold; the new owner was scheduled to pick-up my baking stuffs the following day.</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">"Tomorrow?!?!" My heart dropped. I was obviously aware of the reality that I will be saying goodbye to my things at some point, but the reality just hit me when an official new home has finally been arranged. There is nothing better for me to do, but to bake one last time. It was night time already, so the baking shop I frequent was already closed. Good thing my cupboards were stocked with ingredients that could create a couple of treats. I decided to bake two things: cookies and cakes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Qfuwvg-NDo/ThxVH9IxFOI/AAAAAAAAAxc/hpohdi8UIXc/s1600/DSC01854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Qfuwvg-NDo/ThxVH9IxFOI/AAAAAAAAAxc/hpohdi8UIXc/s320/DSC01854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I made a classic chocolate chip walnut cookie as well as a vanilla cake iced and filled with orange blossom buttercream and walnuts. Both treats were such comfort treats. I shared them with a couple of friends of course. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh_ucXNgVgg/ThxVTIBYdTI/AAAAAAAAAxo/VHJbUL-BiSw/s1600/DSC01878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh_ucXNgVgg/ThxVTIBYdTI/AAAAAAAAAxo/VHJbUL-BiSw/s320/DSC01878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I am really going to miss baking in my tiny kitchen here in Korea. Baking has always been a hobby since I was a teen, but it was here in Korea where I really got into it. It was also here where ambitiousbubble was born; hence, Korea would always be a big part of my baking and blogging journey. It was certainly a nice way to end my baking session, Korean edition, with a totally scrumptious cake and cookies!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eMpP0p7xQAg/ThxVNq75ekI/AAAAAAAAAxk/8jzZzOlGBR4/s1600/DSC01862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eMpP0p7xQAg/ThxVNq75ekI/AAAAAAAAAxk/8jzZzOlGBR4/s320/DSC01862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: orange;">Components used for these dessert treats:</span></strong><br />
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2011/07/chocolate-chip-walnut-cookies.html">Chcolate Chip Walnut Cookies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2010/07/lemon-cake.html">Vanilla Cake</a></li>
<li><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2011/07/italian-buttercream.html">Orange Blossom Buttercream</a></li>
<li>Walnuts</li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0Daegu, South Korea35.8714354 128.60144535.7868854 128.510445 35.9559854 128.69244500000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-88453722648675165042011-07-08T10:47:00.000+02:002011-07-08T10:47:42.045+02:00Phyllo Pastry Money Bag Filled with Orange Blossom Pastry Cream<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">Phyllo dough. The word phyllo is the Greek word for leaf or sheet; this explains why this particular dough is called phyllo dough. Phyllo dough is a very thin sheet of dough usually used by piling a few sheets of dough with melted butter brushed in-between the layers of sheets. The alternate layers of butter and phyllo dough is what makes the baked pastry its distinctive thin flaky layers. Phyllo pastry is a popular pastry used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lExlRVk67o/Tha_ccIzGnI/AAAAAAAAAxI/dPu8iJPdWsw/s1600/DSC01838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lExlRVk67o/Tha_ccIzGnI/AAAAAAAAAxI/dPu8iJPdWsw/s320/DSC01838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Making phyllo dough from scratch is quite intimidating for most people. In fact, most home cooks and bakers, even food establishments use store-bought phyllo dough. There is nothing wrong with that because to tell you frankly, rolling phyllo dough as thin as possible is an art that involves technique and plenty of time which makes store-bought phyllo dough a very convenient commodity.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A_lRUSbZBuQ/Tha_Ybh2lgI/AAAAAAAAAxA/hWHkvST5KZQ/s1600/DSC01815+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A_lRUSbZBuQ/Tha_Ybh2lgI/AAAAAAAAAxA/hWHkvST5KZQ/s320/DSC01815+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I have, for a number of times, contemplated on making phyllo dough from scratch, but time and time again, I have pushed that idea aside. Too scared perhaps... Last month's Daring Bakers' Challenge was to make phyllo dough from scratch and utilize it to make the Greek and Turkish classic, baklava. When I read the challenge last month, I was so enthused to join, but for varies of reasons I wasn't able to participate. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFuo7HBw3qo/Tha_hDV-xnI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/mqyt6WkNHrs/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFuo7HBw3qo/Tha_hDV-xnI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/mqyt6WkNHrs/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shots of how I made my phyllo pastry money bag</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Fortunately, I managed to find time in the kitchen again, so my baking cap was on for phyllo dough project. I scrapped the idea of making baklava with my phyllo dough because I am not really a fan of baklava, too sweet for my liking. So instead I decided to use my phyllo dough to make parcels or what I would like to call money bags! What's in the money bag? I thought long and hard for my filling of choice, and ended up with a simple pastry cream because I think the phyllo dough is yummy enough already that it doesn't need a complex filling to be devoured. Although to give my pastry cream a taste of Greece, I infused the pastry cream with a nice fragrance of orange blossom water.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsyItygmQrA/Tha_fasHl0I/AAAAAAAAAxM/ADXGRCHuIXo/s1600/DSC01839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsyItygmQrA/Tha_fasHl0I/AAAAAAAAAxM/ADXGRCHuIXo/s320/DSC01839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">My experience with the phyllo dough was pleasant. It was a bit tricky when I rolled out my first phyllo dough, but managed to get the hang of it. I'm not too sure though if I rolled it out thin enough because the end result didn't look like the phyllo pastry you would get if you used store-bought phyllo dough. The taste however is more superior to store-bought phyllo dough. So will I start making phyllo dough from scratch after this phyllo dough project? 50/50. Making the phyllo dough is time consuming, so using store-bought phyllo dough is really convenient. Maybe if I have a lot of time to spare, then I'll make it from scratch.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTMNo_Rrxyg/Tha_aBt6TxI/AAAAAAAAAxE/roYF-7Hy8Vo/s1600/DSC01831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTMNo_Rrxyg/Tha_aBt6TxI/AAAAAAAAAxE/roYF-7Hy8Vo/s320/DSC01831.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I shared my orange blossom filled phyllo pastry money bags with a couple of friends, and they absolutely loved it! I loved it too!</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><strong>Components used for this dessert treat:</strong></span></div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="http://thedaringkitchen.com/recipe/phyllo-baklava">Phyllo Dough</a></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/2010/05/pastry-cream.html">Pastry Cream Infused with Orange Blossom Water</a></span></div>
</li>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com2Daegu, South Korea35.8714354 128.60144535.7868854 128.510445 35.9559854 128.69244500000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-25259681360167712102011-07-02T14:57:00.002+02:002011-07-02T15:04:51.300+02:00What's New / What's Changed?<div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;">
I have been working hard lately trying to update and organize the recipes I have used for my blog. Hopefully you would have a more delightful experience reading through my blog. </div>
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<b>What's New / What's Changed?</b></div>
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<li>More recipes added on my recipe compilation blog<b> </b><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/</span></b></a></li>
<li>All recipes found at<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">RecipePieces</a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></b>are now labelled according to categories for ease of browsing (hopefully^^).</li>
<li>The "<b><a href="http://ambitiousbubble.blogspot.com/p/recipe-for-grabs.html" style="color: #38761d;">Recipes for Grabs</a></b>" page of this blog is also now sorted out by categories; again for ease of browsing.</li>
<li>A search bar is now at place at both my blogs,<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">RecipePieces</a></b> and <b><a href="http://ambitiousbubble.blogspot.com/">AmbitiousBubble</a></b>, to hopefully help find the post you are looking for.</li>
<li>I have updated most of the posts here at <b><a href="http://ambitiousbubble.blogspot.com/">AmbitiousBubble</a></b> by adding "<b style="color: #0b5394;">Components used for this dessert treat:</b>" at the end of most posts to enchain the association of both my blogs, <b><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">RecipePieces </a></b>and <b><a href="http://ambitiousbubble.blogspot.com/">AmbitiousBubble</a></b>. It basically contains a list of links of dessert elements utilized on the specific post you are reading which is linked to the corresponding recipe at<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://recipepieces.blogspot.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">RecipePieces</a></b>.</li>
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I hope these changes would make my blogs be more reader/user friendly... If you have any suggestions or comments to help improve my blogs, feel free to leave a comment. I would be glad to hear of what you think. :)</div>
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Bisou bisou,</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835513210879862780.post-50607650058894119462011-06-28T13:42:00.000+02:002011-06-28T13:42:53.734+02:00Letting Go... Moving Forward...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #783f04;">H and I are leaving Korea pretty soon, so I have been busy this past couple of weeks doing a little bit here and there in preparation for our big move. One of the things I have to do is find my baking soldiers a new home. It is certainly not easy to let go of the things you are used to working with, but life goes on. I will miss the baking things that I have invested here, but at the same time, I will be looking forward to start building a new army of baking utensils in my new kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Saying goodbye is not easy; people react differently towards farewells. Some people would make the most out of the time that's left and enjoy every minute, while some people would act tough and give a cold shoulder to what's about to come. I have had a fair share of goodbye experiences, and I can say I am one that would act tough, to the point that I look like I don't care. In a way, I try to hide away from reality, and let what's about to happen fade away with less fuss as possible. With that being said, I do have many desserts I want to bake, but because I know I'm going to leave soon and let go of my baking things, I don't feel like using my baking stuffs anymore. It's like I feel distant and disengaged from them. Procrastination has been my defense mechanism towards spending quality time with my baking things.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's been a pleasure baking with you</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">I have yet to find new owners for my beloved baking soldiers, but hopefully I would find one soon that would have as much fun as I did with them. I feel like I'm in a Toy Story 3-esque movie with this drama... No joke though, I already went through all my baking things, and chosen which ones I would be bringing with me and which ones I'll be giving away. It was a difficult and emotional moment.. haha!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">With goodbyes there are hellos; I will be visiting UK this coming July, and one thing I am really excited for is my Kitchen Aid mixer. I miss my Kitchen Aid so much, two years of not seeing and using it is extremely strenuous. There are tons of occasions where I reminisce about my mixer in the middle of whipping up something; most of the time is when I am making an Italian meringue wherein using a stand mixer would be a lot more convenient than a hand-held mixer. Mmm, can't wait to see my mixer!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Bisou bisou,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;">Charlotte</span></div>Charlottehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831775164368756573noreply@blogger.com0Daegu, South Korea35.8714354 128.60144535.7868854 128.510445 35.9559854 128.69244500000002