Monthly Archives: August 2012

Chulet – the Open Water Diver

29 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Diving

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,

I wanted to get my Open Water Divers License since 2004. Every year after that, it took up one line in my 10 Resolutions of the Year. But, year after year, it is still there. Not crossed off from my list. (aih aih aih…)

I was about to totally give up when suddenly, opportunity came. I steeled myself and went thru with it. So, finally after 8 long years (!!!), I am finally pushing myself to actually go get my PADI license ! (better late than never, right?)

The best part? I manage to drag hubby (who much rather enjoy the sea on land), to be my buddy. Yay!!!.

I did my pool session in Diver’s Den. That was my first time breathing under water. The feeling was complicated. I can’t say it was an amazing experience and yet it was intriguing. Breathing with your mouth which seems like something that is so easy to do, is not so easy when you are under the water. Many times, instinct dictates that I revert back to my nose, only to find myself chocking and rushing to surface (warning : NOT something you do if you are in the sea).

Thankfully, I survived the first pool session. Manage to equalize at 2 meters. Practice a few things under the pool. i.e. clearing mask, breathing without mask, learning about our equipment, and etc.

Next stop, Perhentian Island…

 

Breakfast @ Red Bean Bag, Publika – Solaris Dutamas

28 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Gastronomy, Local Restaurants

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Hub and I decided to head over to RBB after hearing so much good things about it. Another of our friend join us there. The first thing I love about this place is the airy open concept layout. I love SPACE. The smell of coffee brewing helps too. Hehehe…

I love the juice variety they have. Please note that the juice is served in glasses which are really small (Teacup size). Personally, I would prefer to pay slightly more and it served on a bigger glass.

Hub and I shared the baked egg and French toast. Baked egg was a little disappointing. I had such high hopes. Le sigh…The tomato base sauce with lamb sausage was a little too overpowering in my opinion. I hardly taste the egg at all. It was like the egg took a backseat in this dish. Overall, it was not a bad dish had it not been named Baked Egg. I would have renamed it as baked lamb sausage with egg…or something along that line.

The French toast was not bad. Hub was not a fan of the crispy almond. I thought it was a little too much crunch too. I like the thick slice the offered. It would be even better if the bread was soaked a little longer in the egg mixture before pan frying. Love the slightly caramelized banana and strawberry on the side. It was yummy…

SJ ordered the Eggs Atlantic (Seafood version of eggs benedict). I didn’t try this. So, no comment. But, it does look delicious.

We patiently waited until lunch time to order the Fowl Luck (Roast chicken). Chicken was juicy and tender. Creamy mushroom sauce taste great with the hint of olives. Love it.

Will definitely head back to RBB to try out their other lunch menu.

Earl Grey Tea Cake

27 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by in Baking, Gastronomy

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

I love earl grey tea.

So, I decided to experiment around for an earl grey tea cake. The result was surprisingly really good… I love the soothing hint of earl grey taste with every bite. The cake was really moist too. Yummz… And it’s so easy to make with really simple ingredients.

(BTW, most of my baking are adapted from my mom’s own recipes. She used to teach cooking and baking… So, if you do plan to use the recipes below, would appreciate if you could link it back to me. Thanks !!!)

Ingredients you need :

  • 200gm             Self Raising Flour
  • 250gm             Butter (Soft at room temperature)
  • 200gm             Brown Sugar (healthier and colour)
  • 4 nos               Eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp                Vanilla Essence
  • 4 nos               Earl Grey Tea bags
  • 3 tbsp              Hot Water (Use to brew the tea)

*** Tear open the tea bags and allow the leaves to brew in the hot water for at least 10-15 mins to get the tea concentration. IF you like it to be really strong, you can add one more tea bags. The 4 tea bags gave me about 1 tbsp of tea powder)

Preheat your oven to 175 degree Celsius.

Cream the butter and sugar with a mixer until content is fluffy.

Add the egg one at a time. Once you finish adding the egg, add the tea concentration and vanilla essence. Make sure everything is well mix. The color of the batter gets slightly darker over time.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and sieve the self raising flour into the bowl. Gently fold the flour with the wet ingredients.

Grease an 8 inch round baking tin. Pour the cake batter into the tin and spread evenly. IF you don’t like the little dome shape on your cake, just push the batter to the side (creating a like valley in the centre of the cake). This will give you a flatter cake. Personally, I love the little dome shape. (hehehe… looks more authentically home baked).After 45 mins in the oven, here you have it. Beautifully moist earl grey tea cake. Yum yum… I forgot to take a picture of the cake after i cut it open. But, the color was amazing.