12 oz plain chocolate, broken into pieces

8 oz margarine

2 teaspoons instant coffee

2 tablespoons hot water

3 size 2 eggs

8 oz caster sugar

1 t vanilla essence

3 oz self-raising flour

6 oz walnut pieces, chopped

8 oz plain chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 190 deg C.  Grease and base line a 12″x9″ roasting tin with greased greaseproof paper.

Melt the chocolate slowly in a bowl with the margarine over a pan of hot water, stirring occasionally.  Allow to cool.  disssolve the coffee in the hot water.

In another bowl, mix together the coffee, eggs, sugar and vanilla essence.  Gradually beat in the chocolate mixture.  Fold in the flour, walnuts and chocolate chips, and then pur the mixture into the prepared tin.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until firm to the touch anda dull crust has formed.  Leave to cool in the tin.  When the cake is completely cold cut into squares.

note:  hope this is the one you’re looking for.  never tried it myself, tho.  if you’re looking for another, the one is always use, look for suku’s banana brownies on this blog.

merry x’mas and a happy new year to you.  hope this does not come too late!

just love the taste of this particular carrot cake.  love the addition of banana (or babana as my children sometimes will remember we called it) and what it does to this already moist cake.  enjoy!  and thanks to mary berry …. from way out here in malaysia!!!

CARROT CAKE

makes 1 x 8″ cake

INGREDIENTS

8 oz self-raising flour

2 t baking powder

5 oz light muscovado sugar

2 oz walnuts, chopped

4 oz carrot, grated

2 ripe bananas, mashed

2 eggs

5 fl oz sunflower oil

FOR THE TOPPING

6 oz low-fat soft cheese

2 oz soft margarine (i just use butter)

4 oz icing sugar, sifted

a few drops of vanilla essence

walnut halves to decorate

METHOD

preheat oven to 180 deg C/350 deg F. grease and base line an 8 ” deep round/sq cake tin (or 2-3 loaf tins) with greased grease-proof paper

Mesure all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well until thoroughly blended and smooth. turn into the prepared tin, and level the surface.

bake in the pre-heated oven for about 50-60 min (less if using smaller loaf tins – test after about 35 min?) until the cake is well-risen and shrinking away from the sides of the tin. allow to cool in the tin for a few ninutes before turning out and leaving to cool completely on a wire rack.

for the topping, measure all the ingredients, except the walnuts, into a bolw, or into a food processor, and mix well until smooth. spread over the top of the cake, swirling the top with spatula for a decorative effect. decorate the top with the walnut halves. chill a little before serving, and store in the fridge as the topping is soft.

note to bel… i would use loaf tins lined with greaseproof paper. you can buy aluminium ones, comes in packages of 3 or 4. you can eat some then freeze or give away the rest. foil tins can be reused if you line them first and then try not to mis-shape them when washing.

good luck, let me know how it turns out when you try it out. may add raisins, esp if your brother is around

this recipe comes from the book ‘company’s coming for dinner’ by jean pare’

awaykid requested the recipe, so here it is, darling dottie!

RIPE OLIVE CANAPES

make the olive mixture the day before. or spread on toasted bread slices and freeze. broil when thawed

chopped ripe olives 14 oz

grated medium cheddar cheese 1 cup

salad dressing (or mayonnaise) 1/4 cup

onion powder 1/4 t

curry powder 1/4t

sandwich bread slices, crusts removed 8

(or sliced baguette)

mix first 5 ingredients in a small bowl

arrange bread slices on ungreased baking sheet. toast 1 side under broiler. spread olive mixture on untoasted side. broil for about 2 or 3 minutes until bubbly. cut each slice into 4 squares or 4 triangles. makes 32 appetizers

sift:` 16 oz superfine fl

2 t sodium bicarb

4 t cream of tartar

1 t salt

into a mixing bowl

rub in: 4 oz butter till breadcrumb stage

Blend in: 4 T sugar (with 2 oz raisins if desired)

Bind with 5 oz sour milk (5 0z milk minus 1 T, then add 1 T lemon juice or vinegar)

into a dough

rest for 15 min

roll to 3/4 ” thickness

cut into desired circles

glaze with beaten egg (glaze top only)

Bake at 200 deg C for about 20 min, or to required doneness

Nb: For savoury scones, minus sugar & add :

2 t mixed herbs, 1/2 t paprika,wifted together with the flour

Add 2 oz grated cheese before binding with milk

8 oz plain flour (superfine)

2 t baking powder

4 oz sugar

mix the above thoroughly in medium sized bowl, make a well

add: 4 oz salted butter, melted

2 egg yolks, keep the whites

10 oz milk

proof in refrigerator for 2 hours minimum or overnight

before use:

whip: 2 egg whites with

2 T sugar till stiff and fold into batter

Fry pancake in any non-stick flat pan (greased with corn oil?)

Serve with honey, maple syrup, homemade marmalade or any desired jam

the following conversation took place tuesday nov 28th

this was on skype chat

bel’s on one end

and cheryl’s on the other

[1:32:45 PM] cristabeltan says: oi
[1:33:11 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: hi
[1:33:18 PM] cristabeltan says: so how?
[1:33:28 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: back from hols huh?
[1:33:51 PM] cristabeltan says: heh yeah
[1:33:53 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: donno how lah…..add maths exams on right now/////
[1:33:54 PM] cristabeltan says: PR was pretty awesome
[1:34:01 PM] cristabeltan says: arent you taking them???
[1:34:09 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: actually paper 2 in about 17 min
[1:34:16 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: no lah….gave up on exams
[1:34:43 PM] cristabeltan says: …
[1:34:52 PM] cristabeltan says: what,really?
[1:35:03 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: is that all you can type? ………………?
[1:35:11 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: yah lah
[1:35:12 PM] cristabeltan says: are you serious?
[1:35:14 PM] cristabeltan says: what????
[1:35:19 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: fed up lah
[1:35:18 PM] cristabeltan says: WHAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
[1:35:23 PM] cristabeltan says: add maths???
[1:35:27 PM] cristabeltan says: parents are alright with this?
[1:35:32 PM] cristabeltan says: sieu ber it’s honestly only one more week.
[1:35:35 PM] cristabeltan says: just do it. really.
[1:35:42 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: parents donno know lah
[1:35:49 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: they think i’m at school
[1:35:58 PM] cristabeltan says: WHAT?!?!??!?!??!?!
[1:35:59 PM] cristabeltan says: omg
[1:36:02 PM] cristabeltan says: please go
[1:36:03 PM] cristabeltan says: is nat there???
[1:36:12 PM] cristabeltan says: leave now
[1:36:14 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: i actually went for paper one…..it was soooooooooooooobad
[1:36:19 PM] cristabeltan says: go late also is ok
[1:36:23 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: nat not in
[1:36:26 PM] cristabeltan says: trust me sieu ber, with the curve, it’s going to be ok
[1:36:28 PM] cristabeltan says: you can drive yoursself
[1:36:33 PM] cristabeltan says: how did you get back!?/!?!?!?!
[1:36:34 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: what curve
[1:36:39 PM] cristabeltan says: grades
[1:36:39 PM] cristabeltan says: rely
[1:36:41 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: i drove lah]
[1:36:42 PM] cristabeltan says: really
[1:36:44 PM] cristabeltan says: go drive back
[1:36:47 PM] cristabeltan says: cheryl
[1:36:51 PM] cristabeltan says: just go
[1:36:52 PM] cristabeltan says: really.
[1:36:56 PM] cristabeltan says: just stick it out
[1:37:03 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: you donno how awful it was
[1:37:07 PM] cristabeltan says: i can imagine
[1:37:13 PM] cristabeltan says: but running away from it is not going to help
[1:37:15 PM] cristabeltan says: just do it
[1:37:19 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: its also raining
[1:37:20 PM] cristabeltan says: so what if it’s bad
[1:37:24 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: shy lah
[1:37:27 PM] cristabeltan says: it’s called an umbrella
[1:37:27 PM] cristabeltan says: cheryl,
[1:37:29 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: you all did so well
[1:37:29 PM] cristabeltan says: seriously.
[1:37:31 PM] cristabeltan says: just go
[1:37:34 PM] cristabeltan says: it’s alright
[1:37:36 PM] cristabeltan says: really!!!!
[1:37:40 PM] cristabeltan says: and you will do better tahn you think
[1:37:42 PM] cristabeltan says: REALLY
[1:37:44 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: i donno
[1:37:47 PM] cristabeltan says: cheryl, just go
[1:37:58 PM] cristabeltan says: if not this will haunt you forever
[1:38:17 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: the other day i was asking mom some vocab for bm2 days b4 exams and she said i gave her heart attack

[1:38:34 PM] cristabeltan says: cheyrl,this will ACTUALLY give her a heart attack
[1:38:36 PM] cristabeltan says: seirously
[1:38:37 PM] cristabeltan says: just go
[1:38:49 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: you really really think i should?
[1:38:50 PM] cristabeltan says: you can’t not go for the add maths exam
[1:38:53 PM] cristabeltan says: yes i do
[1:38:57 PM] cristabeltan says: if you do badly, it’s alright
[1:38:59 PM] cristabeltan says: at least you tried
[1:39:01 PM] cristabeltan says: and didn’t give up
[1:39:05 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: if i do badly nat will kill me
[1:39:08 PM] cristabeltan says: just go cheryl
[1:39:14 PM] cristabeltan says: he will kill you worse if you dont go
[1:39:14 PM] cristabeltan says: honestly.
[1:39:23 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: and mom…..donno what she will do
[1:39:34 PM] cristabeltan says: she will also kill you worse for not trying
[1:39:35 PM] cristabeltan says: cheryl
[1:39:44 PM] cristabeltan says: at least if you go there’s a possibility of doing well
[1:39:49 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: how to kill worse?
[1:39:50 PM] cristabeltan says: if you don,t, there’s no possibility
[1:40:12 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: haiya…ok lah. i do badly your fault ar
[1:40:17 PM] cristabeltan says: okokok
[1:40:21 PM] cristabeltan says: good luck sieu ber
[1:40:23 PM] cristabeltan says: love you
[1:40:37 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: thanks…feels like i need more than that
[1:40:43 PM] cristabeltan says: pray and bring your rosary
[1:40:46 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: you better pray for me
[1:40:48 PM] cristabeltan says: always helps me
[1:40:49 PM] cristabeltan says: i will
[1:40:55 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: love you
[1:40:57 PM] cristabeltan says:
[1:41:12 PM] cristabeltan says: now fly away young padawan!
[1:41:28 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: (sweat)
[1:41:33 PM] cristabeltan says: you will be fine
[1:41:38 PM] cristabeltan says: just go and try.
[1:41:44 PM] Cheryl Tan Yin Yi says: ok /// bye
[1:41:48 PM] cristabeltan says: bye!
[1:43:54 PM] cristabeltan says: drive safe..

a little confession

it wasnt cheryl at this end

cheryl WAS at school

it was mummy

am so proud of awaykid

she really really cared for little sister and tried so hard to save her from making a huge mistake

she’s so sweet……

a little gullible perhaps

but so endearingly so

i

actually expected her to guess by the 2nd or third line

that it was not cheryl online

so i had a little fun at her expense

sorry bel

love you muchly!!!!!!

yesterday was an eventful day. i played golf at klg, cheryl was sent to school for her add maths paper 1 in the morning – by auntie joy- and daddy had to go pick up her stuff….testimonials etc for her college application to carnegie melon so that he could go send it by courier and hope it arrives in time. i came back in the afternoon and had this wonderful conversation with wonderful darling daughter bel, which i will attempt to post sometime, about cheryl and her add maths paper 2 in the afternoon. the great excitement was that cheryl’s SAT results were due out.

she checked them out in the night and let out a loud yell…..she was elated. she did it, wonderful kid…….got into the 98th percentile for one paper and the 99th for the other two. we are all so, so proud and thrilled for her. it was great to see how totally pleased she was. she thoroughly enjoyed the taste of success. now she says she wants to study some more!!!! indeed!!!

750, 780. 780 for a total of 2310!!! an achievement indeed. well done, darling dottie!!!! we are so so proud of you…we are so proud of all threee of you……..even warrants the three e’s.

God love and bless you all. thank you for all the special moments

banana brownies – one of those things i make all the time becos they are so so easy to make, and always popular. the following recipe makes a 14″x14″ tray, so divide the recipe accordingly for those who want less.

BANANA BROWNIES

heat oven to 350 deg F or 180 deg celsius

lightly grease a 14×14 inch tray

melt 4/3 (1 & 1/3) cup butter (ab 330 g)

with 3/2 (1 & 1/2) cup cocoa

add in 8/3 (2 & 2/3) cup sugar

5 eggs, one at a time

3 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

stirring just enough to mix the ingredients after each addition. do NOT overbeat.

add in 6-10 ripe bananas, lightly mashed

pour mixture onto lightly greased tray and bake in oven for about 20 min.

remove from oven, cool slightly before cutting into squares

many of you know i got mugged some months back….which left me with 12 stitches on my left arm and on crutches for a few weeks…..thanks, God, that it was only that long. one day in hospital, a number of intrusive treatments into the swollen-till-bigger-than-coconut knee, ct? scan into the knee, many, many trips to the hospital for physio, lots of golfless days, and hardly any tennis till now………

and for what? maybe a few hundred ringgit, my mobile phone, and other very-mahfan-to-replace documents!! and subsequent paranoia about leaving the house, walking around anywhere outside between car and destination and this nagging feeling that i am actually less afraid of walking the streets of NY than those of TTDI…….or SS2,.. or anywhere around KL. and it is so sad. this was the land we were so proud of, so secure in…..this is now the land where if i walk around, i feel exposed, unprotected

and everyday the newspapers reinforce my discomfort and my fears

and i keep worrying about the safetyof my kids, of my friends, of all the youths who come monday nights to ccc meetings, especially the girls.

unfortunately, my fears are still not unfounded.

last sunday, my maid marlyn had her day off. we all went to watch Pluck at Actor’s Studio, without Nat. after we came home and i went to the kitchen, Marlyn looked a little strange…found out that she had been robbed at knife-point, had her handbag taken, then returned after she begged for the return of her documents….but her money and phone were taken from her pockets, and her chain pulled off at knifepoint.

it’s as if another one bites the dust, but life goes on. the thiefs still triumph and continue in their reign of terror on women, AND men……guys who work their butts off, manual labourers, lorry drivers, etc, who get slashed and severely injured after they collect their wages on payday

and countless other victims get reported in the papers daily, sans arms, sans legs sometimes. bandages and patches all over

and the thiefs? the snatchers, they go scott-free

or some do get caught and their punishments seem very minimal

hey powers that be……when can we start to feel safe again????what are you guys doing about the safety of people like us….AND people like you…….and your wives, daughters, your mothers, friends, neighbours, ….even your enemies

come on, guys…..DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!

bel, and many of my friends, have been asking for this recipe for spinach dip. it’s in great demand whenever served so i thought i might as well have it on the blog both for bel and friends and for my future reference. it’s great with crackers of all kinds orwith vegetables, tho that does not necessarily make it any healthier.

here comes the recipe-

spinach dip

salad dressing 1/2 cup

cream cheese softened 2 x 8 oz

grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup

frozen thawed spinach, thawed,squeezed dry 10 oz

chopped fried bacon, 6 slices 1 cup

(or vegetarian artificial bacon)

finely chopped onion 1/4 cup

dill weed 2 t

minced garlic 1 clove

method:

beat salad dressing and cream cheese together in small bowl until smooth. stir in next 6 ingredients. makes 3 cups dip

enjoy!!!