Durian Cake - first attempt

I don't really eat durian because I was told it's fattening, plus, there's this "myth" about durian and pimple outbreak... so, I've not really been keen. Having said that... I'm not against the king of fruits.

There has been this request, erm... since last year actually, but the request was not being followed up and there were many other stuff to offer this requester in question. Hence, only now that I finally take up the "challenge". The result - quite bad.

Made a plain sponge cake for the durian cake. But the first attempt in sponge cake (never baked sponge cake for about 10 years, not joking, don't really like baking sponge cake) was quite a disaster. I've used a slightly too big baking tray, as a result, the sponge cake was very thin. Therefore, only managed to assemble the "cakes" into what looked like cream puff...

The cake was too thin, hence this look

So since my "apprentice" was here this weekend, I've entrusted her with the task of completing assembling all the "durian cream puffs", while I bake another sponge cake which might look more like a cake.

At the end, the cake turn out quite ok. The durian cream, however, were a bit too soft. It's very difficult to assemble as the cake threatened to collapse. The cakes were drizzled with some durian custard (which mum said smelled like "jagung" humphhhhh).

I wonder if durian goes well with butter cakes? It would be easier assembling a durian cake with a butter cake base instead of sponge cake. Or perhaps pipe the durian cream into a cupcake? Easier to assemble too. The next challenge is a durian cream tart.

I like experiments, it's how new items can come on to the permanent list. But I hate it most of the time because the chances of over producing certain ingredient is always there - I have so much durian cream and durian custard left. Can't be throwing them away and not sure how long it will last before I attempt the tarts which allow me to use the extra creams.

Told sms-buddy that I hope he had expected for my first attempt to be, well, like a first attempt. Though it's not so nice, but I really need him to help me with finishing them.

Any other guinea pigs? Opsss... I mean food tasters?

Weekend

I was in search for mango during the last two days... Went to Giant at LM Friday night, they only had a few and those were not ripe. Asked mum to get me some at the wet market on Saturday morning, but she said there were none... humph... Do I need to change to different cake? Told Hobbes when I went to his class at LM and he said change to durian... were you serious? Not everyone likes durian right? Well, I was baking durian cake, but it was an experiment (and thankgawd that didn't mean to be the cake, otherwise it's going to be so embarrasing to offer such cake for a birthday).

Woah... the Saturday pump was real tough, and Hobbes said it was tougher the week before? Can that be possible? I used all my usual weights, plus, I've gone crazy with shoulder track. Even though, knowing that my shoulder is the weakest after biceps, I used the 7lb dumbell instead of the 2.5kg plates. I know that is not like a lot different, but my shoulder was screaming even before half the track. The chest track was really tough till I had to give up a few pushes... The rest, I can't remember, only remember that I was all the time hoping for the tracks to end sooner... But you were right Hobbes, no matter how much we hate the torture (and you? no lah, how can we ever hate you?) we felt great after the class!

After class, continue to search for the mangoes... went to a fruit stall near where I planned to have my hair cut, but none. Stopped by at the supermarket down the street, and yay, they do have mangoes, but.... not so ripe, and by the look of it, not going to be sweet... but I guess I just have to make do.


Waited one hour for my turn at the hair dresser's despite me making an appointment!

Although running late after my hair cut, I still went to Great Eastern Mall, need to get supplies for my baby piggy. So, I might as well stop by Cold Storage... and WOAH!!! Loads of dark orange colour mangoes! All ripe! Looking Sweet! (and they were sweet, really sweet)

Phew...


xxxxxxxxx

THE SCIENCE BEHIND DISH WASHING


I meant create an entry for last weekend activities, but only till now I could find time...

I was in for a volunteer at a dharma event. My aunty was in charge of a section and she told us she didn't have enough manpower because not many volunteers seemed to be interested or willing to be involve in her section... mum and I thought, it's supposed to be a volunteer work for good deed, for self cultivation, and more so, we should really help out with the task least disire by others. So there I was for the whole of last weekend.


I arrive at the "scene" on Saturday morning, and realized this funny scenario: 2 filled mineral water bottle tied to the water rubber hose...? Later I found out, the "science" behind it:

To keep the water hose down

And later this:

Containers to go through the "flour water" first to get rid of oil, then into the soapy water, next, rinse, and another final rinse. The containers will then be sent to a section where it will be wipe dry.

The "Crime Scene"

"end product" - clean containers ready for use

We were suppose to wash up the plastic containers for re-using. Meals were always provided during dharma event, and for event where Venerable Master Chin Kung is giving his lecture, the number of audience was always very very high. So, the organizer bought 25,000 pieces of plastic containters for the use of packing meals - lunch and dinner. Beakfast were bread which didn't require plastic container. Since it was a 5 day event, there were at least 10 meals being served, therefore, recycling of plastic container will definately help with preserving the environment and reducing wastage.

So, at one time we were washing like 8 thousand containers - box and lid. My cousin who was there to help out her mother said she had not wash so much containers in a year, well, I told her, make it a million years! Seriously...

One of the lunch boxes

Some of the cooked dishes.

30 over rice cookers in order to cater the number and size of meals

Assembling meal packs

The result of 2 days of washing was very painful butt because we were sitting on hard low stools. It was very tiring for the arms and fingers too. However, like any other volunteer tasks, once completed with full effort, we will be filled with full contentment too. :)

Lack of energy...

I've been taking this supplement for energy, our company's star product. Yesterday I was so busy that I forgot to take, and also I thought, I've limited supply, so what if I don't take it for a day or two? Then, I suffer the consequences...

Before end of the day, I was already dragging my legs and felt so extremely sleepy; yesterday was the company weekly outdoor activity - trekking, and we got orders from big boss that we were to cover additional distance (of all days!). I was sooo hungry at the end of the walk, boss treated me tau fu fah, that's the only available source of "energy" then.

Went to "Dee See's" (which sounded to me like Daisy) pump and my mind just drifted away, far far away, couldn't stay alert, and was extremely lack of energy, at one point till the DeeSee (that's how his name is pronounced right?) asked if I was ok... as a result of my low energy situation, I decided to slash all my weights, besides, the instructor in question didn't know my normal weights, so I don't foresee him making any comments, neither did I expect him to "force" me to increase my weights.

This was the result...

Warm up 5kg -> same
- felt like I've done 3 tracks already

Squat track 11kg -> 10kg
- did mostly baby squats and my bottom halves looked like top halves

Chest track 6kg -> 5kg
- wah, only 1kg and it's so different, managed to do all full movements and didn't need to scream at all, but still, I get muscle ache now

Back track 7.5kg -> 6kg
- Haha... I know! Should have only cut down to 7kg, but since I didn't plan to do this and the weights station was rather far so I just made do with the available donut lo

Tricep 5kg -> 3.5kg
- Oppss... too easy and I even did the dips at the end without difficulties and no need to "moan". Ok, mustn't do this again.

Biceps 3.5kg -> same
Was tempted to slash down to 2.5kg but since I allowed myself an easy tricep track, I better not lah.

Lunges, shoulder, abs - did my normal routine - I normally use silly light weights so impossible to cut down the weights. (or perhaps I should have used the 3lb dumbbell for shoulder? too much izit?)

Now I really have to max out in tomorrow's pump class (and remember to take my supplement!); To achieve this, what's better than attending one of the "torture master", Hobbes' class? I'm quite sure I'll not be able to get away with reducing weight in his class...

fgdwehknolkpjk

No, that was not a code up there, neither does it read anything... I saw that kind of title last few days in another blog, and I thought, that's a good idea when you don't know what subject title to put. If I do a tabulation, the amount of time I spent on blog title will most probably total up more than the content proper.

Got an sms from my boss after showering at gym, so here I am laptop switched on, internet connected, waiting for him to go through the document he wanted me to send him, to see if there's anything else he wants to discuss... yes, it's 1130 at night. So might as well blog. (really want to put in story for last weekend, but lazy to upload the pix tonight... tomorrow perhaps)

xxx

Went to Chang Tung and Bake with Yen during lunch time today, my 2 regular bakery supplies shops since I've moved to this new company. I'm always very pressured shopping there with such limited time, but they close at 6pm, so there's no other way but to do a quick one during lunch. I bought Mascarpone cheese for the upcoming birthday cake - it's cheaper here at Bake w Yen, RM26 for 500gm tub as oppose to almost RM19 for a 250gm tub at Cold Storage - and no, you can't get Mascarpone cheese at Giant, nor Jusco and not all Cold Storage sells that. Replenish my disposable piping bags - the ones from Chang Tung is better though about 60 cents more expensive for a pack of 10, cuz they don't tear as easily as the ones from BwY. I also bought whipping cream - to use as double cream as well for my durian cream and some new tart mould - all these because of...

sms history:

last few weeks from sms-buddy
"mayb you shud try bakin durian cake. but need to wait till durian season."

my reply
"if u dun mind being the guinea pig! never baked durian cake b4"

Besides, I don't eat durian...

Last few days from the baker:
"i got the durian de. Will be in town nxt week n ll b able to send the cake t u."

SB's: bake de? how? nice?

baker: not yet, if bake 2 early cake not fresh wen reach u.

SB: ok, can u put extra durian icin pls?

baker: u can only make tis kind of request wen u hav a "personal baker" u know? Oh, i also hav recipe for durian cream tart, u might like tat 2 since you like pies. nxt round of experiment


SB: then make it a double request! cake and tart ;) to fulfil my durian cravin.

... hence the reason why I bought the tart mould... also, my big boss suggested fruit tartlets the other day, so the mould will be in used quite a lot I foresee.

xxx

Was at MML for combat today because...

Text to Tall Gal (can I call you this in my blog? if you have objection, please provide me with your more "glamorous" nickname pls. tq) at 5pm ish.

"any gym plan tdy?"

"going 2 MML"

Need a buddy if I do plan to do the Tuesday combat at MML, because the studio has limited space, not to mention the class is always packed (which of Combat Master's class is not?) and it's an earlier than usual class, so need someone to "stand big space" so I can slot myself in if I'm late. However, I was on time today, left office early since there was no urgent tasks and boss was not in either.

Walked pass registration list at reception, saw my name under Tall Gal's, which means she's already there. We took place at the back of the class where Tall Gal always prefer, and I got influenced to do the same. I was originally standing beside this guy, erm... what shall I call him here? Anyways, told TG I prefer standing to her right which was away from the middle and she didn't mind changing with me saying that she would be so inspired by this guy (shall be temporary called this name in this blog). I find myself enjoy this Tuesday combat more than the Monday one at Curve now a days, while I was happily kicking away enjoying the company and my ideal spot, I got kicked on my elbow... ouch! So, got kicked by This Guy even though I've distance myself... humph... he of course apologized profusely. He apologized again after class and said people will normally sue for such unforgivable incident, well... I've engaged TG that very instance to be my lawyer.

The class was lacking the usual noise level, it could not be achieved because, I suspect, the main contributor to the usual kiahs, Farid, was not there. I tried to contribute but thought that my low-key kiahs were all drown by the music, but I really tried. I also really wanted to scream my lungs out after a few tracks because I was extremely drained of energy due to "sweating > water intake". Why were we not allowed to drink leisurely every now and then ah? Is this a new endurance training or what? Some more restart the track after one whole minute?

As usual, during muay thai, I was again very amazed by This Guy (can't do short form, same with Tall Gal) shooting up to the ceiling. Also got distracted by this rather uncoordinated guy standing right between my view of the Combat Master, basically blocking since he's taller than the master.

Was an entertaining class, especially with the Combat Master's "dad" contributing to a few witty remarks, love the "get on with it!!" before the start of the conditioning track.

Last Friday

I always plan for my blog content while going through interesting events everyday, mentally composing the sentences, just that I am most of the time not able to cope with the amount of stories, simply no time to blog during certain days. Take last Friday for instance, it was a day full of stories and I planned to get home early to blog. However, due to unexpected arrangements, I reached home only midnight. Since I foresee a long and tiring weekend, I opt to go to bed instead of staying up pass midnight.

My gym schedule was a bit unusual last Friday, went to The Curve for pump, sort of in replacement for the pump I missed on Thursday. Plus, Carebear said she is replacing, what better than a perfect time slot and a perfect instructor?

I thought it was a good decision to join class at Curve that day, we got to do the upcoming release! The pump class was jointly conducted by Carebear and Cindy, I haven't done Cindy's class before and I think she wasn't really taking a lot of classes during her pregnancy (that was about the time I joint FF). True enough, she told the class that the mentioned class meant a lot to her because that was her first class back after delivering her baby. You know what? I can't even trace an inch on her that indicates that she's a mother. Cindy was great, coupled with Carebear gave great synergistic effect.

Besides the track surprises, I was also surprised to spot Partner in Crime with Diha working their souls out in body attack. So with PiC in class with me later, my session of pump became so lively, just like the old days at Maxis. PiC is just the best buddy to gym with, I remember there was one of those days when we actually took leave (not purposely but it was during clearing annual leave season, so we had planned "wisely") just to go to gym. Did something like 4 classes with FI at LM. The finale for the day of gym, as I remember vividly, was body attack during which we were so worked-out that we gone almost insane, ending the class with hysterical laughs. Madness but syiok!

The new release - simply awesome! Really torturing! I screamed my heart out during chest track, missed a few moves during back track and can't feel my arms after biceps. New moves for abs was very effective (i.e. more torturing) and quite refreshing.

Continued with combat... too bad Farid was not there. Renee's class was quite explosive as well and I actually told her it was a great class. I guess it will be so when we change from our regular regime to a different class/ instructor. There were a few new tracks, not all, just a few from the next release. I love the recovery track - which Renee said is NOT a recovery track. Throw that out the window, put it behind. She's right, the double back kick (fast mode) cannot be considered recovery move at all. My energy was drained before the end of the class, I know there would be more surprises but couldn't drag myself to go on, so skipped the conditioning track. Diha told me later that it's tough but really great.

Got a text from PiC (who didn't join combat) that she's still around having dinner, and I was really tempted with her invitation to chill out before heading home. I really needed to go back early actually, it was already 10pm plus, but I didn't want to just go off, so we went for a "short" chat at Coffee Bean, had the blueberry mousse cheesecake (MB: I finally tried this, it's great! very light and it felt less fattening. But I don't really like the form of the blueberries they use though). By the time I sent PiC home and got home myself, it was already midnight, hence only the story telling for last Friday now - "illegally" because it's still office hour! I will put in some hours tonight at home to work...

So tired!

This weekend was an extremely exhausting but a really content one! Now I feel as though I've gone for 3 back to back pump classes, no, actually it feels like I've done 24 hours of gym non-stop. No kidding, I've got a rather painful bump as well, back muscle ache, tired neck and am desperately wishing for a good stretch like the ones after a painful session of PT... plus the massage will be perfect!

I really planned to tell you why, that's why I came on line, but... gosh... can't manage, I need to go to bed now. Ouch!

Me and RPM Challenge

Have been trying to confirm meeting up with a very spicy babe a few days ago. Finally, we've confirmed Thursday at The Curve. Me after my trekking with office-mates and her after her classes at gym. I got a message the night before from her telling me she needs to stay back for a discussion after the class and therefore warning me that I might need to wait before we go dinner. Meanwhile, she suggested/ offered me to join the class. I have been doing pump after my trekking for the pass few weeks, so I really wouldn't mind joining her class, but what class was it ah?

The answer: "RPM Challenge"

Ermm... I've perhaps joint like 3 RPM classes since I join the gym. RPM has not been my favorite class because it is sort of very stationery not much variation in terms of movements. The "torturing" part if it is great, but you get a really painful bump after the class, not so great.

Nevertheless, my answer: "yes, definitely tempted, will join if I can make it on time".

Weeeeellllll.... I was not on time. Haha... I told my Maxis Buddy yesterday about my bizarre plan and I bet she didn't believe even 1 percent of what I've told her. No MB, I didn't get to join. I shall make my so called "come back" for RPM with you RPM Queens i.e. MB, Partner in Crime, Fiz and Esther, one day.

Anyways... babe said later that she can't make it for dinner. I went into gym, passed the reception area and obviously the challenge has already begun so "no chance" for me to join :p. I later on passed by the main studio upstairs, You KH was doing body jam, I thought then perhaps I can quickly join the class... but at the end decided to go straight to the shower.

After that, waited at the juice bar area so I can pass the cupcakes to Lynnx before I leave, during which You KH passed by and gave me his usual friendly hello... but before he left, he actually said "didn't do class today ah?"... Oh oppsss... so obvious izit??

Lynnx greeted me later with her "contented"-after-3-hardcore-classes-look and showed me her very cool gadget, erm... actually, I don't know what it's called, it measures heart rate, calories burnt, fat %, number of workout hours etc... Really cool, if only I can afford it! We also managed to discuss about "the plan" and we shall touch base again on this topic next week. Finger cross that "the plan" can be executed smoothly.

Since dinner was off, I've therefore converted my evening's activities to shopping. Went to G2000, which I recall entering numerous times with Farid but ended up empty handed. Finally last night, I got a work shirt, on sale, and now I just need to wait for my cuff links to arrive from UK before I wear it (ahem, someone should be getting the hint here). Wanted to get a pair of suit or at least a pair of pants but they were already closing, though they didn't chase me out, I did feel very pressured fitting under that kind of condition. So, another time perhaps, since sale is till end of August.

So, the closest I've got to RPM Challenge was the spicy challenge executor.

ps. Lynnx thanks for food-tasting the cupcakes, will definitely experiment with the variations of what we've discussed i.e. "fluff" up the cake more.