Arugula Corn Pasta Salad with Lemon Dressing

When we do one of our jaunts down to Singapore, pizza at Peperoni Pizzeria is always a must-have.  The pizzas there are the thin-crust type which I prefer, and they even have a humongous 21 inch "family size".  Big Dog's fond wish is to one day be able to order the family size.  *glutton*.  One of our favourite pizza toppings is prosciutto topped with a simple arugula salad.  It always felt healthier especially when we usually over-indulge whilst on holidays.  Haha.  Healthy pizza is oxy-moronic, don't you think so?

Merdeka Day and Teh Tarik

31 Aug 1957

Happy Merdeka Day to all Malaysians here and abroad.  Today marks our 55th year of independence from British colonial rule.  My feelings about Merdeka Day and its associations run the gamut, from apathy to optimism.  As a child, Merdeka Day meant 'yay-it's a holiday-no school-so yippeeyay'.  As a student abroad, Merdeka Day was just another day in the calendar marked in the Overseas Students' Union (if we bothered to look).  Now back in Malaysia after living abroad for some years, it reminds me that I live in a wonderful country.  Wonderful, yes.  Perfect, no. 

Orange Swirl Bread

This week's bread project works off from the layered bread theme a few weeks ago.  Instead of layers, how about swirls?  Beautiful large loopy swirls spiralling around a sweet loaf.  Swirl breads are a somewhat indulgent treat at breakfast because it's made with a sweet bread dough.  Throw in some citrus zest and we have ourselves an orange swirl bread. 

Simply Nutty over Banana Nut Muffins

It's been a pretty crazy week at work.  Missed deadlines, last minute requests and late nights conspired to drive me barmy and I'm shattered.   Fortunately, the weekend brings some respite from the madhouse aka The Office.  So, I thought it would be apt that this week's bake out choice landed at bananas and nuts.  A banana nut muffin.  Going bananas and driving me nuts, get it?  Haha. 

Brandied Cherry and Nut Chocolate Cupcake

As a child, happiness was biting into a bar of Cadbury's.   Peeling back the purple wrapper and foil to sink your teeth into the luscious dreamy chocolate squares.  Mmm....My favourite Cadbury chocolate is the Fruit and Nut - the one with the raisins and almonds, and remains that until today.  I still buy huge slabs from London holidays to give away (after keeping some for my personal stash, but of course).  There's something about biting into the contrasting flavours and textures of the milky chocolate, plump juicy raisins and crunchy almonds that goes so well together.

Nuts about Almond Nut Butter

User discretion required : highly addictive.

Yesterday, I made almond nut butter.  Yup, from almonds.  From scratch.  Homemade.  And, guess what?  It's easy!  It's delicious too!

Chocolate layered bread - mad about layers

I like layers - layered cakes like kek lapis, layered jellies, mille feulle etc  The visual contrast between the layers can be stunning.  But making layered cakes is a very tedious affair, heck making anything with layers is tedious.  Long hours slaving over the oven waiting for each layer to bake out or set before doing the next one.