Finale

Apologies for the diminished ending to the cooking challenge posts.
If you're wondering, yes I did complete them (despite the burst of tears from frustration at the end).

For the remaining 10 cooking, here's what I cooked.
* Kelepon (Indonesian style glutinous rice dumpling with palm sugar) - Kopi Susu 2: Cooking with Ibu Trish: Kelepon
* Teriyaki Chicken with Sunrice Chicken Rice
* Jamie Oliver's Chicken Stew (served with normal Cous Cous & Israeli Cous Cous mix and Brumby's Damper)
* Blueberry Muffin ala Exclusively Food
* Vegetarian Green Curry (with instant paste recommended by my little brother, plus a whole lot other ingredients, e.g. Fish Sauce, ginger, etc).
* Marinara Linguine (Taste.com.au)
* Cheesy Peas ala Jamie Oliver
* Turkey Sausage Rolls (YUM!) - Taste.com.au recipe
* Jamie Oliver Cauliflower Risotto (delicious!)

Last, but certainly not least (both effort wise and in product)...
"Aria Chocolate Tart"
I'm quite convinced that it's my finest work. :)

I've posted the complete cooking challenge photos in my Facebook Photo Album.
You're welcome to browse (and leave comments).

With this, I'd like to thank you all for the patron.
It's been fun sharing my stories, my thoughts and my ramblings here.
But it's time for me to move on.

I will no longer write new post for this blog.
If you miss me :), by all means, check out my photos at One Melbourne Photographer, message me on Facebook, or browse my tweets on twitter.
I will also continue to share any interesting posts that I found and enjoyed, on Google Reader.

Don't forget to have fun and live life to the fullest.
Thank you very much!

An Apartment

... It looks like it came out straight from magazine, and I love it. :)
Mmm - I'd probably fix up the bathroom a bit, but otherwise... the look, the location, the feel... totally right up my alley! :)

Reinforcement Learning

A Reinforcement Learning (more information here) Intelligent Agent would be screwed if the reward mechanism isn't coded correctly.
Say, if we were to give it 10 reward points for every time it litters and 1 reward points for each time it throws rubbish to the bin, with the goal being to reach 50 reward points (yes, a stupid example..).
It should never throw rubbish to the bin after it's first "exploration" of throwing rubbish to the bin.
Because based on its "exploit" rule, it should be exploiting its knowledge that littering is more rewarding.

Why do we expect differently from a human being?
Why would we encourage someone to do something that is not of any benefit to themselves, or others simply out of pity?
Or perhaps, simply because we think we have good manners?
Then, after all that incorrect encouragement, why would we expect them to simply realise and choose not to stop doing that thing?

I'm a bit lost.
Hmm - a lot lost maybe.

PS: Looking this brings back memory.. good ones, especially when I saw the paper on Cyber-Minder (I read that more than 10 times throughout my Hons year!).
I do miss dealing with such an interesting, mind-challenging, complex yet much less complicated problem compared to dealing with a human.

The End is Near...

Last week, to finish off week 6 of the cooking challenge, I made Nigella's Cheddar Risotto for Sunday dinner, which I myself haven't quite consumed due to temptation of dining out at Zab Thai - highly recommended!
But Shanon has had two serves of them - so I assume the verdict is good. :)

I do rather enjoy cooking risotto.
They are very relaxing to cook, as you have to stir in 1 ladle stock at a time.
If I clean while waiting for the stock to be absorbed, by the end of the risotto cooking, kitchen end up sparkling too!
Was very happy with this shot of the finished product too.. :)

Week 7! :) Twelve more cooking to do and there is still a few that I haven't done.
This week I planned on attempting New York Cheesecake, and making Jamie Oliver chicken stew again! :)
That's later in the week though!

So far, I've made "Coconut Balls"... again? Yes - it was such a hit last time at work, thought I'll feed my photo friends...
This time, I went and bought Pistachios! :)

Then, I made Chickpeas, Spinach, Tomato, Mushroom, and Feta Bonanza!
I thought it was yummy... but Shanon's choice of bread (from Da Noi) just lifted up the meal massively!
I was nearly convinced that I am now a MasterChef! LOL
Total credit to the bread. It was just "THE" bread! :)


10 more cooking to go.....

At the end of this, I'm considering to end my blogging days...
I'm finding it difficult to find my way around this world while blogging as myself.
I think it's about time for me to blog anonymously and learn to share my thoughts openly and honestly, instead of only saying the safe things out loud.

Here's something from my recent photo shoot with a friend who's getting married in January! :)

Wrapping Up Week 6

My days all feel like a blur now.
Photo, work, cooking, yoga, and social life...

I quite look forward to the end of the cooking challenge and this semester photo class.
Would love to breathe a little and relax.
Though I can't say I haven't been relax...

I have to say, I've learned quite a bit from the cooking challenge.
It has most certainly speed up my cooking pace a little bit.
Not sure if I'll continue cooking that often on a weekly basis post the cooking challenge, but most certainly will try and eat at home more than dining out.

Today's lunch is Pan Fry Chicken with Roasted Vegetable and Couscous.


I crusted the chicken breast with lemon garlic pepper dry spices (bought in packet from Coles) and a teaspoon of grated parmesan cheese.
It gives out very beautiful flavour (even if I say so myself).

The couscous came out beautifully (but I have always like couscous so I might be bias).
I cut the vegetables (pumpkin and sweet potato) too small so they came out quite mashed after 40 minutes.
I added garlic, rosemary, paprika and oregano into the mix.
I pepper-ed them a bit much too so it has that pepper after taste... =(
Will be more careful next time!

Still yummy though (yes yes - again, probably best not to take the cook's word for it. :P)

In case you're wondering about the leftover souffle, after I fridge the leftover (uncooked) for nearly 2 days, I oven-ed them today and it still risen beautifully.
I tasted a bit of them warm and then fridge the rest (want to try out the mousse texture that was commented on the page!)..
The verdict? Both warm and mousse, the chocolate taste was stronger and yummier after the 2 days!
I wasn't sure if I am going to make the chocolate souffle again when I taste it the first time I bake it.
I mean it was nice but not great... but after the second tasting, pretty sure I'll try it out again - leaving the chocolate mixture for 2 hours before I use them! :)

Taste Recipes Tonite: Bolognaise Pot Pies & Chocolate Souffle

Dinner: Bolognaise Pot Pies Recipe - Taste.com.au with minor alterations (added some rosemary, chicken salt and garlic.
Cover the pies with puff pastry too (on top of the potato mash).
Was quite yummy but the bolognaise sauce was lacking the "ommmphh" factor.
Might try Chicken And Mushroom Pot Pies Recipe - Taste.com.au next time!

Side dish: Green salad with French Onion Olive Oil dressing. Yummy!
Considered adding walnuts to this salad, which would have worked really well I think - but then forgotten... Next time! :P

Hmmmm - dinner was a bit on the light side and craving something sweet before bed time.
A bit of google-ing got me on to this recipe.
Checked that I have all the ingredients, tick!
Start setting up! :)

Only when I start pouring thickened cream on to the pan, I read the part where I needed to set the chocolate mixture for 2 hours!
2 HOURS??? I started making the mixture at 11:20 PM! :P
Thanks to "ykraith" comment about not leaving the chocolate mixture for two hours.
Made me feel a lot better and I continue on.
My ramekins were on the small side so they made about 3 ramekins worth of souffle.
But there are only two of us, so the left over sit in the fridge... not sure what it will turn out to be when I finally oven them. :P

The great thing is the two that I oven-ed tonight, came out amazing!
Puffy and risen, just the way souffle should be! :)
I should have used "better" chocolate.
The Lindt 70% didn't quite cut it. Next time will try Callebaut! :)
But it was yum nonetheless. Especially topped with the vanilla ice cream.

A perfect night cap: my first souffle!
I can now sleep in peace... ;)

Tonite's Cooking: Snacks for Work Meeting!

Made this a few times in the past - quite like it myself...
But the true test is whether my work colleagues like it! :)

Nearly there, my friend.
2.5 more weeks of cooking!

Life...

I woke up and it was Monday, I commuted and began my work day.
Before I could checked the clock, it was the end of the day.
I went home, cooked, have dinner, sat in front of my computer till midnight arrived.
Went to bed, slept, got up and it was Tuesday, commuted, began my work day and run around (physically and mentally).
Surprise surprise, 6 PM and I am running late for my photo class.
Got there, listened, learned and chatted for a few hours, then was picked up for grocery shopping before home.
Sat in front of my computer for a couple hours, and it's bedtime.
Today I got up and felt a bit of shock because it's Wednesday. Already. Again.

My days are passing by at the speed of light.

Am I doing what I want to do everyday?
If not, WHY?
If yes, why does it not feel that way?

A few personal development posts that has been nagging me..
* Two Questions to Help You Gain Perspective | Zen Habits - “How you live each day is, of course, how you live your life”
* Is Your Mind Holding You Back? - by Dumb Little Man - “One reason why people don’t achieve their goals is because they don’t know what part of them choose the goal.” ~ John Kehoe
* Five Ways to Find Time to Live Healthily - by Dumb Little Man - "Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."

StumbleUpon: Business Startup Facts

Definitely something for people who's thinking of starting up a business to read and ponder upon..
Business Start-up Facts

The Duds....

It is bound to happen but I can't believe I get two duds in a row! :P

First was "Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding".



Don't be fooled by the look - it was definitely a dud!
The chocolate taste was not there, mainly brown sugar taste and the mixture was still very powdery - which is totally weird.
My instinct told me that it was not right even before i popped it in the oven cause it is not batter, more like powder mix!
I think the recipe might be missing the "egg" part.
Anyway - definitely not making this recipe again.
Even with ice cream I can't finish it (well it is still powdery down the bottom...).
It's not THAT bad (it's hard for cocoa, sugar and butter to be bad) - but DEFINITELY not great.

That marks the completion of Week 5.

My week 6 start wasn't great...



"Thai Grilled Pepper Chicken" served with steam rice, fry egg and stir fry bean shoots.
Shanon reckon this is the worst thing I've cooked in a while. *lol*
In my defense, I didn't even prepare the Thai Barbecue Marinade myself...
A friend made them for me and all I did was marinade my chicken and cooked it (to perfection! Soft and not chewy!).
The marinade was wayyyy too salty to the point where when I get to the steam rice bit I feel such relief to be eating something that has bland taste. :P
If I could take away the salt, I reckon the marinade is quite yummy.
The stir fry bean shoot was a last minute thing inspired by another friend.
I quite like it (with some garlic, dried anchovy and dried chilli).
A bit on the salty side too (perhaps too much anchovies!).

Oh well - here's to a better tomorrow. Margeritta Pizza near PSC. Yum!

Week 5 of My Silly Cooking Challenge

This week flown by ever so quickly.

Final Liliana's photo class on Monday was good, but I was so distracted and bugged from work.
Glad that as of next week only have one photo class a week, and really looking forward to going back to 3 Bikram Yoga class weekly.

Wednesday was Laksa night. Again, I hear you say? Yes - still have leftover Hokkien Noodle, Enoki, and all the seafood fillings.
Bought cooked prawn as an additional thing - but next time will buy raw prawn cause the cooked one came out a bit chewy.
Added the Sambal to the laksa soup this time around, Shanon didn't quite like, will remember for next time.
This time we had some leftover soup, next time will try and make three bowl out of it as it was a bit too rich to be healthy.
Really enjoyed it though - will definitely be a keeper in the house! Simple, easy and delicious. :)

Thursday was supposed to be Yoga nite - but stupid Connex, mmm I mean Metro, cancelled Sandringham train and I left work too late to be running down Chapel St.
So, grocery shopping and Old El Paso Enchiladas it is.

Yummo - especially the grilled sweet corn. I'm a fan!
Shanon enjoyed the Enchiladas too which is great, as it wasn't too much hassle to make.

After we devoured the Enchiladas, I started making Jamie Oliver's Aubergine Parmigiana as I know it takes up too time to do after yoga class for dinner.
What I didn't know is that it takes up A CRAZY LOT OF TIME!
I spend the remaining 1.5 hours slicing eggplant thinly, soaking them in salted water, frying both sides, layer them in the baking dish with home made tomato sauce and shaved parmesan. Pop them in the fridge overnight.
Looks pretty convincing at the end though, but I had to wait till today to find out what it tastes like.
Took it out and oven them tonite. It was YUM - rather seriously yummy!
Especially considering that I made the tomato sauce from scratch (well - with canned tomato, garlic, herbs, onion, salt, pepper, sugar and one leftover fresh tomato).
I was worried that the tomato sauce would be bland... but it totally wasn't!
Even without the fresh oregano and the buffalo mozzarella (which I omitted even though I bought them - cause at the last minute think that it has enough cheese in it already!)

By the way - if you're trying to cook more, one tip from me- get your knife sharpen.
It makes such a difference to cooking experience. TRUST ME!
I don't think I would have gone to the trouble of slicing the eggplant otherwise.
Totally feel that $25 cost to get Shanon's "beautiful" knives (says the knife shop lady) sharpened was worth every cents when I was slicing the tomatoes!

Back to the cooking - today since I've got my dinner pretty much all set - I had time to make salad while waiting for the oven time to be over for the eggplants.
This is probably the first proper salad I've made and yum - I love it. :)
Inspired by Jamie Oliver's Watercress, Rocket, Pear, Parmesan salad; with a bit of a twist from myself.
I added half table spoon of balsamic vinegar, omitted watercress (cant be bothered sourcing it), add a bit of salt and pepper, PLUS candied walnut (it ROCKS!).


It was VERY VERY VERY yummy.
Some parts of the pear should probably be omitted but other than that - YUMMO!
The sweetness of the candied walnuts, the peppery rocket lettuce, crispy juicy sweet pear, with yum parmesan taste, along with lemon and olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
It works! :)

Last cooking before I go on my Skydiving training day (super scared of the thought of jumping off a plane and having to understand what I need to do) was banana and pecan muffin.This is yet another close repeat from my previous Banana Walnut muffin; but I try out a few different tweaks.
I change the recipe to make 2/3 of the original batch, but kept the amount of baking powder and egg (was hoping to get a fluffy muffin like the one I love).
Well to be honest, I wasn't very accurate on measurement this time around.
Didn't quite get it like that, but it still was pretty yummy.

I did have a few questions in mind during mixing the batter though.
What is it about the batter that makes the muffin that I like so much?
Definitely something worth finding answer to seeing I spend quite a bit of money on buying those. :P
(Well - not that I'm supposed to be eating them too often!)

Crispy muffin top and moist on the inside - perfect for brekky at 6 AM tomorrow.Good nite all!

Mid Way Through the Challenge...

My second attempt at baked potatoes...
Pretty happy with the potatoes itself (crispy skin, soft and fluffy inside!) - perfect with the refried beans, cheese, beetroot, avocado, sour cream, served with coleslaw and grilled corn.
It was supposed to have Salsa sauce - but found out at the VERY last minute (nearly had to throw away half of the food if it wasn't for Shanon's sharp eyes) that it has gotten moldy... =(



Peanut Butter with Chocolate Cookies.
Lovely crispy textures - whipped out my hand whisker to beat the mixture for this one! :)
Still difficult to put that in the mouth without feeling guilty - because my brain registers the amount of brown sugar, butter and peanut butter that I dumped into the mixture.
Found it quite enjoyable to roll the dough into balls and flattening them onto the cookie sheet, ended up making a big batch of this (about 24 large cookies), so will bring it in to work and photo class tomorrow.



Basil and Tomato Mac Cheese.
Probably the dish I have repeatedly cooked the most number of times.
Can't help it though - it's nice and easy, always please the guests, generating small amount of dishes to wash! :)



Second attempt at Easy Peasy Lemonade Scone for welcoming the gals to my humble home. :)
Still not easy to roll out the dough (due to its stickiness) BUT found that separating them into messy chunks and then wash my hand before rolling the doughs into better ball shapes is much easier.
It also still managed to surprise me with its fluffiness (even though I was a bit worried because I left the dough out for a couple hours after rolling them before putting them into the oven).
Served with whipped cream (packaged) and the reliable St Dalfour raspberry jam, accompanied with the Harrods Tea that Lia brought over, plus latest goss - a rather nice way to spend Sunday afternoon!


Lovely week and great weekend (made awesome with the two Jazz Festival concerts that I went to being spectacular), but I'm so not ready for Monday... x(

The Challenge Continues...

Recipes: Kitty's Bocconcino and Sausage Pasta Quick Weeknight Meals Recipe Contest 2009 | Apartment Therapy The Kitchn
This one was purely temptation through the photograph from the recipe!
Made this for Shanon's lunch on Wednesday and it was marked a keeper.
I haven't tried it myself as we went out to Caffe e Cucina Tue nite to celebrate the confirmation of Shanon's PhD Project - and then went out on Wed nite simply due to hunger pang! :)



Tonight I bought Olive and Feta Panini from Coles which I thought was quite yummy.
I oven-ed this to accompany tonight's dinner.
"Farmhouse Chicken" Masterfoods Casserole.
I added garlic, onion, broccoli, freezer rosemary, dried thyme and lotsa pepper.
Served it on a bed of Rigatoni.
I thought it was good with the warm bread and butter, but not convinced enough to cook it again...