.: Will I Be The Next MasterChef Blogger? :.

Ok, so I decided to take part in Nuffnang's Malaysia’s First Ever MasterChef Blogger challange. I was actually at first quite reluctant to take part, tho I was very interested. Sure, I have whipped up a couple of dishes in my humble kitchen, fed a mob of more than half-a-dozen people multiple times (without causing much food poisoning after, mind you), but to take part in a competition where there is potentially really good cooks out there, I wasn't too sure. But then again, I thought, what the heck, no harm just trying. And so I did.

The first hurdle was to write a blogpost on why I should be crowned “Malaysia’s First Ever Blogger MasterChef” by writing about my signature dish/recipe.

So I submit my entry here of my Chocolate Molten Lava Cake, and guess what?... I was called to take part in the semi-finals challange this Saturday!

Ok, to be honest, I am a lil estatic and a lil bit nervous all in one. Because, in this semi final round, 20 bloggers will take part in 2 challanges (I have yet to know what those two challenges are! *scary*) and from there, only the top 5 will be selected. The venue will be at The Cooking House, Desa Sri Hartamas, and I wish that I can bring all of you guys to support me, but sadly, I could only invite one guest. So naturally, the man behind such *coff* great *coff* chef gets the lucky chance.

There will be another similiar semi final round next week (8th October) for the remaning 20 bloggers shortlisted and from there, another top 5 will be selected.

The 10 selected bloggers will then have a final cook-off in some shopping mall in KL on the 16th October 2011.

And the prizes at stake are:

GRAND PRIZE (Best MasterChef Blogger) : RM3,000.00 in cash + Panasonic IH Cooker (Model: KY-C227B) worth RM2, 799 + BHPetrol Cash Voucher worth RM 500.00 + Ipad1 (16GB) with WIFI + Masterchef Pendrive (4GB) + Mitten + Nestle Hamper worth RM 300.00

Runner up Prize – (2nd Best MasterChef Blogger) : RM2,000.00 in cash + Panasonic Microwave (Model: NN-GS597) worth RM999 + BHPetrol Cash Voucher worth RM 400 + Ipad1 (16GB) with WIFI + Masterchef Pendrive (4GB) + Mitten + Nestle Hamper worth RM 200.00

8 x Consolation Prize Winners : a BHPPetrol Cash Voucher worth RM 100 + Nestle Hamper worth RM 150.00

The Bonus prize and title of “The Best MasterChef ‘Buzz’ Blogger” will also be awarded to the semi-finalist (Any of the 40 Chosen Bloggers) who creates the MOST buzz, hype & awareness on their social spaces (Twitter, Facebook, blog) about MasterChef Malaysia and this contest during the second phase (between 1-15 October 2011).

Bonus Prize- the Best MasterChef Buzz Blogger: RM1,000.00 Cash + Panasonic Microwave (Model : NN-GS597) worth RM999 + BHPetrol Cash Voucher worth RM 200.00 + Ipad1 (16GB) with WIFI + Masterchef Pendrive (4GB) + Mitten + Nestle Hamper worth RM 150.00

Such great goodies to be won, but if all else fails, at least I will come home with Hong Leong Credit Card merchandise + MasterChef pendrive (4GB) + cooking mittens + T-Shirt.

Now, let's just hope & pray that I don't burn the kitchen down

give food poisoning to the judges

or something to that line.

Wish me luck!

.: Lesung Batu :.

Hand-down from my late-grandma to my mom, and now from my mom to me. ♥

Nothing more precious & meaningful than things handed down from generation to generation. ♥

.: Awesome Mustache Shop :.

What's more awesome that awesome?

An awesome mustache shop! Check them out! Cool clothes, awesome accessories, need I say more?

.: The Village Idiot :.

Just the other day, like most days, I was swamped with work and in between reading and replying emails while talking to my boss bout the next action plan for our long outstanding task which needed to meet the deadline which was yesterday (don’t you hate it when all the deadlines you have are due yesterday! ugh!), when my husband called me.

JC : Dear, I am walking to my car… and guess what?


Me : What?


“Did you strike a lottery and won like a frizzilion bucks and I don’t have to work for the rest of my life? Or did you inherit like a kabazillion dollars from some long lost uncle that you didn’t even know exist? Or did your boss told you that you were a top performer and get like a 10 years bonus and told you to take the month off so that you & I can travel round the world with your earned bonus money?” I thought, but not out loud, coz my boss was just next to me


JC : I found 10 cents on the street… and picked it up. *laughs gleefully*

Me : -.- Seriously? Bye! *slams phone*

Seriously, JC. Like seriously? Why, oh why did I marry the village idiot? :)

.: Malaysia’s First Ever Blogger MasterChef :.

Ok, so I suppose you guys have heard of (or even follow closely) MasterChef reality series. 


MasterChef is a worldwide phenomenon. A cooking reality show, that although doesn’t allow viewers to vote, has still broken viewership records in US and Australia. MasterChef is a success because not only is FOOD something we are all very passionate about (I know I am) but the show only allows amateur cooks (like you & me) to compete. Malaysians who love cooking but never had a chance to really showcase their skills and be appreciated, now get the opportunity! 


There's the USA MasterChef :

Even Junior MasterChef (aren't they so cute?):

But guess what.... Astro is bringing MasterChef closer to home this October with the debut of MasterChef Malaysia! MasterChef Malaysia will be launched on the 22 October 2011 on Astro Ria (Channel 104). MasterChef TX will be starting on 22 October every Saturday - Wednesday, 9pm while Master Class will be on every Friday, 9pm.


Well, if I were to enter the MasterChef audition to be Malaysia's Next MasterChef, I would whip up my simple, yet pleasurably enjoyable decadent Chocolate Molten Lava Cake. So easy to make with just simple basic ingrediant, yet the impact of the warm chocolate meets the cold vanila ice cream. Heavenly!

The recipe are so simple to follow with only 15 minutes of preparation time & 10 minutes of cooking time.


Ingredients (4 - 5 servings depending on ramekin size):

6 oz. Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate (or use your favorite 70% dark chocolate bar)
6 oz. Butter (diced, room temperature)
3 Eggs
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
1/3 cup Flour
Some butter for the ramekins

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (200C)
2. Melt chocolate on low flame in ala bain-marie (double boiler). When melted, take of flame.
3. Stir into melted chocolate diced butter, until it melts.
4. In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar, until it starts to whiten.
5. Stir in melted chocolate and then the flour.
6. Butter 4-5 individual ramekins generously (you don't want your cake to be stuck if you intend to remove from the ramekin before serving, of course, another alternative is to serve it in the ramekin in itself), and pour in chocolate batter, until slightly about an centimeter from the top (leave a lil space as it will souffle up slightly)
6. Cook for about 10 minutes. You will know it’s done, when it looks cake-like on the top, but as you give it a lil jiggle, it is still wobbly.
7. Tip ramekins upside down onto dessert plates and serve. Use a knife and run along side if you find it difficult to nudge it out.
8. Voilà! Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Or eat it on it's own, warm from the oven!

Interested to know more? Click below for more details:
Official Site URL – http://www.astro.com.my/MasterChef/
Facebook Page Link- http://www.facebook.com/MasterChefMalaysia
Twitter Link– http://www.blogger.com/www.twitter.com/MasterChefMY

.: Antenna's Up :.

Have you ever have those moments where you hear lil whispers in your ears, but can't really make up what is being said?

Well, I have had and am having these moments now.

And I have been trying to be still and listen to the words that He is trying to say to me.

But with so much noises, distractions and distortions, I am afraid that He can't get thru to me.

Oh Lord, let my heart not be anxious, but be still. Let my mind not be clouded, but be clear. And let me have the discernment to hear Your voice of peace as You speak Your words of wisdom to me.

.: Acquisitions :.

So the husband & I are now on, in his words, an acquisitive-mode. We are looking at properties at around PJ area for investment purposes.

I am more of a capital gain person. Buy at a low value, value appreciates in the next few years. Dispose at gain.

My husband, on the other hand, is more of a cash-flow matching person. Buy reasonable high-yielding investments. Rent. And keep forever, and ever. Ok, perhaps not forever, but you know, for a long term.

There are pros and cons to these types of properties. Like for my type, it would mean that I need to buy properties that value have not appreciated much in the area. Also, it would mean I am looking more at landed properties and newly launched or newly constructed properties. As for my husband’s type, it would mean fishing out for properties in prime developed areas, with high volume of residence. As we both are not *coff* rich *coff* we are targeting low to medium cost properties.

I am already an owner on an investment property (IP) in Sri Ara. It’s a low cost walk-up apartment that was purchased at a cost of RM130k. The current value that is put up for sale (after only 1 year holding period) is about RM180k. The deposit that I had to fork out is RM13k (i.e. 10% of the value) and the balance is financed by loan. In a nutshell, with simple calculation, the gain (albeit an unrealized one) is about RM50k for an RM13k outlay. This reads, 4 times return on investment. Rental yield from this IP is reasonably comfortable, enough to pay for the monthly loan installment as well as monthly service charges. This reads, rental income pays for the loan installment; I am getting the IP for free. Good deal no?

As for the second property I owned, it is the place that we are currently staying in. We purchased it at its all-time-low market value of RM250k, and after injecting approximately RM80k of renovations & fittings into it, the value it is now today is at RM400k. Yes, the mini house that I am staying in is actually worth that much. But since we are staying in it, the unrealized gain of about RM70k will not be crystallized anytime soon.

As we are looking at more acquisitions, we have considered Puchong and Subang/USJ area as we believe that the price here is still reasonable. Puchong is the next gold mine, in the sense that it is located near the City Centre and has much potential to develop (which is proven by the mushrooming development of residential properties in recent years). In conjuction with the proposed MRT, this has really driven the demands for Puchong properties the past year. Subang/USJ, on the other hand, have been undervalued for a very long time, and even tho prices have picked up recently in view of the proposed MRT that would make this place more accessible, we believe that there are potentially more space for value hike (of course this is our amateur opinion, who knows, we could be wrong?)

We have met with a couple of agents and have been going for unit viewing in the past days. So hopefully there are some bargain buys waiting to be picked by us in the coming days…

.: And The Winner Goes To.... :.

Thank you to all who have participated.

And now, the moment that most of you have been waiting for...

The winner for Kath's Very First Giveaway is

 - azatiesayang -

Congrats!

I have contacted you via email and would await your reply the next 36 hours.

.: You Can Say I'm A Dreamer :.

Been having some weird dreams (have it ever been normal? hmmm) two nights in a row.

The theme of these dreams are about forgiveness. Perhaps God is trying to ask me to let go of the past hurts & disappointments and start afresh with these three particular people. In my dreams, I told them I missed them and the way we used to be.

I was, at one point in time of my live, very very close to these three people. They were everything to me and I loved (perhaps I still do love) them and care for them very much.

Somehow, for person A, we just drifted apart. And when I found out that she was bad-mouthing me behind my back, I got really annoyed and choose to shut her of. Being family, I do see her a couple of times in a year, but somehow, it has become just the customary hi-bye greeting shared between us and nothing more. It pains me much that our relationship has drifted this way for she was the very person I spend most of my time with during my toddler days. If I recall correctly, she was the very person who taught me to read my first book at the age of three. In my dreams, I told her I was upset with her for the past, but want to work things out between her. I do hope that somehow, in real life, this dream would crystallize.

For person B, we drifted apart because of the fact that he has to choose side between me & another person which I was had conflicted, and naturally, he choose her side. I don't blame him, for that's what I expect him to do, it's just sad that our very close friendship had to end that way. We were really close and used to confide in everything with each other. Even a short misunderstanding that caused us to give each other the silent treatment lasted only a short while and it was all over when he sent me a text on CNY eve that says "..you're the best friend I ever had.." which brought tears to my eyes. In my dream, he was very distraught and was trying to tell me some bad news that have befallen on him, but before he did, I woke up (from the backache that I was suffering). Tho I know that it is very likely that we ever reconcile, I do wish him all the best in his future, and hopefully the dream of something bad is not premeditation of his existing situation.

For person C, it is only been of late that there were issues that happened leading me to be very disappointed and upset. It was more upsetting that in this particular dream, we drifted even further and was blatantly ignoring each other. I can also, in my dreams, sense that my late-Grandpa was not very happy with this and to cause him great disappointment in me make me even more so disappointed with myself. In real life, because of the above incident, I have tried to distant myself away for this group of people, hoping that by doing so, I will save myself for much more disappointment in the future. It's like I'm trying to stop loving this group of people (person C included) so that I can avoid getting hurt from them. But this dream made me realise that I can't. No matter how much I try to distant myself, I find myself even more concern about them. I care for them so deep in my core that I can't bear to distant myself from them. So I took a step today and started FB chat with one of them, asking him bout his Uni life and all. Perhaps a step at a time til all is reconciled.

Anyways, I just pray to God that I learn to let go all the pain & grief & disappointments I harbour inside me, and hopefully I will learn to forgive & forget. In His words, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

.: Jamie's Food Revolution :.

Launched March 2010: Jamie's Food Revolution campaign is about saving the health of America's next generation (and worldwide alike!). Kids need better food at school and better health prospects.

We need to keep cooking skills alive.

Stand up and be counted - you have the power to make a difference.

I have stood up, have you?

Sign up NOW here!

Also, Jamie's Food Revolution recipes teach basic cooking skills and inspire people to make affordable family meals from scratch at home. Among these recipes are some American classics, which have been tweaked to reduce the salt, fat and total calories, without sacrificing flavor. These recipes can be part of a healthy balanced diet with room for the occasional treat! So put on your apron, pull out your pots and pans, and let's start cooking!

.: And I Will Be Loved :.

So the past few days have been crazy for me. Three shots (no, not tequilla shots, but of the piston and needle variety). Two mercilessly at the bum and one just an inch away from my coccyx.

The first shot was on Friday over some rashes that developed on my arms and legs. No, worry not to those who have been near me, they have been declared contagious-free by the good doctor, and the only bother it has on me is that it is unsightly to my almost flawless skin and that it is crazy itchy. The good doctor has also prescribed some cream to apply in order to reduce itching (helped alot but I'm still scratching it mad).

 And the other two jabs? Well, that's for a backache which I had since Monday and is still bad today. If it doesn't get any better, I need to refer to a specialist. Golly, with the number of jabs I have had, my friend Su teased that I'm like a junkie!

 Anyways, JC has been extra affectionate and caring of late, applying cream to my arms and legs and ointment to my back. A conversation that took part just last night, while he was rubbing my back

 ME: My arms itch, my back hurts. I feel like an old woman.
 HE : We'd all grow old one day.
ME : Reassuring JC,real reassuring! -.-

 I must admit that I enjoyed the affection and attention, tho I'm a tad bit worried bout my back, being a possibility of slipdisc. Anyways, prayerfully its nothing serious.

.: Common Courtesy :.

So I was having dinner with the husband last night at a busy Western restaurant in USJ last now.

It was really packed with people and the waiter/waitresses was really doubling up to man the place.

So we sat at a corner and ordered our food. A family - a mom and her two kids, sat at the table next to us a while after. The waiter passed her and her kids the menu, and she quickly hold back the waiter and told him that she was ready to order.

That was fast, I thought to myself, she hasn't even read the menu yet. Perhaps she is a regular customer at this joint. 

So as not to eavesdrop any further, I continued my conversations with JC. It was after a while that I realise that she was reading the menu out loud. Strange, I thought. Didn't she earlier said that she was ready to order. I turned my head 45 degrees and at the corner of my eyes, I spotted her reading out loud the menu to the other person on the other line of her mobile phone, presumably her husband. Seriously? She started off with the beef, then the chicken, and then the seafood. Mine you, that was close to like 40 items of that she just read out - together with it's description.

I was just thinking, how could she be so selfish as to hold the waiter back and wasted a good 10 minutes? Can't she like excuse the waiter under she can get her husband to decide.

Selfish people I tell you! Where are your common courtesy? Just like common sense, it's not so common anymore I suppose. Ugh!

.: Recipe : Simple Strawberry Sponge Cake :.

I manage to get some fresh strawberries at a bargain from my trip up to Cameron Highlands a couple of weeks back, so I decided to make a simple strawberry cake.

The recipe as below:

For cake batter

175g butter*

175g sugar*

175g self-raising flour*

3 large eggs

1 tsp baking powder

 

Whipping cream (I used fresh whipping cream, but you may opt for the easier ready-made one, but I reckon it won't taste as good)

Fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

Strawberry jam (which I also made from scratch & JC loved it so much he have it with vanilla ice cream for the next few days til its gone!)

- Cream the cake batter together.

- Divide the batter equally into two 8" round pans

- Bake at preheated 180C oven for about 20-25 minutes.

- Allow to cool in pan then remove and let cool on a wire rack.

- Begin to assemble by spreading a generous amount of strawberry jam on one of the layer of cake.

- This is followed by a layer of fresh fresh whipped cream and then finished with a layer of fresh strawberries.

 

- Place the second layer of cake on the top, spread some more fresh whipped cream and decorate with more fresh strawberries.

 

- Voila! Enjoy with a freshly brew pot of tea! :)

 

*the magical 6 oz ratio also used in my previous cupcake recipe here. Can't really go wrong with this ratio.

Note that pics above are of the miniature version made with my ramekins as there was some leftovers from the main cake I made. No pics of the main cake tho! :)

 

 

.: Kath's Very First Giveaway! :.

[ GIVEAWAY ENDED ] 

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have participated.

I will need some time to verify each entry and hopefully to announce the winner in the next couple of weeks to come. 

xoxo

Kathlynn

So I one day woke up and decided (albeit spontaneously) to host a giveaway!

Now it’s not like I have tons to give (in fact I have a tons of ‘wants’ on my wishlist), but I have taken part in many giveaways & get the thrill when I won a handful of it. And it made me to wonder what does it feel like to be the other side of the table - the be the host of a giveaway instead. So hence, a small, humble lil giveaway to all you faithful ol’ readers & new readers of my blog alike.


I’ve decided the giveaway prize to be something that I have won from a previous giveaway (click here to read more), because it’s just soooooo pwetty! (it’s new, no worries, I haven’t wore it myself). It is a Scrabble Tile Pendant from Starmek Creation.

I love this design and all, but I am so amazed with the variety of choices that I am planning to get one of another design myself (not telling which one just yet).

Anyways, here it goes:

KATH’S VERY FIRST GIVEAWAY!

Mandatory:
1) Must be a public Google Friend Connect (GFC) follower – you have to follow publicly so that I can verify this [1 point]
2) Email address – for me to contact the winner

Optional entries:
1) Blog about this giveaway on your blog (with the above pics) & link it back to this blog [1 point]
2) Add this giveaway to your sidebar (with the above pics) & link it back to this blog [1 point]
3) Tweet bout this giveaway [1 point]
4) Post on facebook wall bout this giveaway [1 point]

Leave a comment on this post with your GFC name, link of your blogpost/twitter/facebook & not forgetting your email in ONE COMMENT only.

E.g.
GFC name :
Email add :
Blog :
Sidebar :
Twitter :
Facebook :

This giveaway is open internationally and will run until 31st August 2011 (Merdeka day!)

Winner will be selected via random.org and will be informed via email and will be given 36 hours to respond, failing which, another winner will be drawn.

Well, hope I do enjoy giving giveaways more that winning giveaways (click here if you're interested to know my list of winnings)! *wink*

.: Forgiveness - Dear Malaysian :.

I've never really found the time
To see what's on the other side of me
Never really had the time
To open my eyes to look, to see

I've never really bothered
To get close to the ground
Been in my fortress forever
By my narrow views I am bound
I've grown tired of stupid games
That tell us we're not the same, and
Today I come in all eagerness
I've grown tired of stupid games
That tell us we're not the same, and
Today I come seeking for forgiveness
There's really no point in fighting
And blaming all those around
I want to see myself within you
You're the treasure that I found

Now I am glad I took the time
To see what's on the other side of me