Puff Pastry

They're so tough! Not as delicate as macarons, well at least I know whether it's a yea or a nay before I put them into the oven, but definitely a challenge in a hot country like Singapore.

I tried Anna Olson's french way, but before I could successfully roll out the butter, they became a mess of slime on the surface. So I had to wrap the butter in the dough, still very difficult to roll, ripped the dough on a few occasions and the butter oozed out. The dough's resting in the fridge now, we'll see if I can successfully roll them out later. Laborious.

I managed to salvage the dough. though the folds were not really neat, the palmiers that I tried baking turned out really crisp and yummy. Eat in moderation though, the butter content is really high.

Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins

2 of my colleagues are leaving for studies and I thought what better way to express my thanks than to bake them something. I have buttermilk and blueberries left and hence, blueberry buttermilk muffins shall be it. I added a cube of cheese in the middle to make it more special. :) Recipe taken from joyofbaking.

(Makes 12 standard size muffins)

325g plain flour

250g blueberries

150g caster sugar

12 cubes of cream cheese

2tsp baking powder

0.5 tsp baking soda

a pinch of salt 

1 egg

240ml buttermilk

120ml canola oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line the muffin tray.

2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

3. In another bowl, beat together buttermilk, oil, egg and vanilla extract.

4. Stir the blueberries gently into the flour mixture.

5. Pour the egg liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently till combined. Do not overmix.

7. Fill half of each muffin cup with the batter, press a cube of cheese into the batter and fill the muffin, covering the cheese and filling the cups.

8. Bake in preheated oven of 180 degrees for about 25 minutes, checking that the muffins are baked by inserting a skewer into the middle of the muffins. If the skewer comes out clean, the muffins are baked.

9. Leave to cool completely and enjoy.

I tried one and I thought they are yummy. It would be best to serve these warm, so the cheese center is more fluid.

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. (Isaiah 32:17 NIV)

Footprints

Looking through the photos in my phone, it's kinda sad how some people just disappeared from the photos over time. 

That's how life is, isn't it? People who didn't matter left no trace and that doesn't bother us. It's just that people who once mattered left footprints in our lives and over time, these fade too. That kinda saddens me. 

I pray that there'll be fresh footprints and these will continue to walk alongside mine for a long long time. 

I know that there'll be times where it'll be only a set of footprints, but I'm not walking alone because God will be carrying me through those times. 

I think it's the time of the month again, that's why.-.-

不要把友谊建立在猜疑和不包容的基础上。

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Meringue success!

And they didn't brown! They stayed nicely colored and crisp! I think I have mastered meringue drops. To better decorated cakes! :)

Before they were baked....

After they were baked, 

They remain the same colour! No browning at all! Just like the jeweled gems I wanted them to be! 

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. (1 Samuel 2:2 NIV)