Happy Chinese New Year

I know I posted these kind of late but it has been an eventful week. It's been too hot this summer to have a steam boat so we made an assorted sushi platter, crispy spring rolls, Chinese BBQ pork sausages, potato salad, and a soy sauce beef and broccoli stir fry. Unfortunately we only got these pictures before the evening rolled on and guests started arriving. With busy hands we wrapped, mixed, cooked, washed, cut, and positioned ingredients and items on plates. It almost felt like a chef's kitchen as my mom yelled orders up and we followed through immediately.

I don't know how my mom does it, but she never really uses a recipe. Just improvisation, innovation and intuition. Haha...cooking is not rocket science, just years of experience and a mother's work of art. But I still prefer baking at this point in time.

Had a Break.

Since the beginning of this year I've been having so many other people's bakes that have put a big sweet smile on  my face. I haven't had access to an oven since I went to Melbourne, but now I understand why Melbourne is such a great place for venturing for something to excite your taste buds. Unfortunately I had no camera either so I can't show you, but I can tell you the sweet treats that I had were "made with love" as quoted from the chef. Okay...so I found one photo of the last dessert we had...cheesecake!

Photography by Tray (:

 I only got back last week, and I did my first bake yesterday which were some egg tarts again but they disappeared before I could take a picture of them. Anyways we also had two birthday boys two days ago, or should I say two men who were spoiled with FOUR cakes!

One of them baked this lemon cake himself which was a tangy lemon sponge cake. It was actually my uncle who baked it. Nobody would ever guess. After I took a bite of it, I felt somewhat enlightened. Fluffy, zesty, and tasty. The decorations were so cute and simple too. I shall have to ask for the recipe another day (: