Discovering the Red Velvet

I recently discovered the awesomeness of the Red Velvet Cake. I always thought it was just red colouring in a plain butter cake, topped with cream cheese. Bah~!

But the Red Velvet is actually a concoction of amazing things like buttermilk, cocoa, vinegar and cream cheese! How interesting! I was intrigued! This sparked my Red Velvet hunt, I began tasting every Red Velvet cake I came across....

The Red Velvet Rosette created by a friend of mine

Red Velvet Cupcakes at Delicious, Bangsar. The chunks of cake pieces stuck on top makes it look like an alien!

Red Velvet, among other cupcakes sold in my office. By Simply Cakes, Puchong

A slice of Red Velvet Cake from Coffee Bean

I must say, I didn't taste the sourness and tangy flavour I expected from the cake. I was most disappointed in the one sold in Coffee Bean. The coconut and white chocolate shavings on top pretty much masked the taste of everything else. I'm still not satisfied! I can't wait to try my hand in creating a rich red velvet cake!

Lorraine McKay & Alan Dunn in Malaysia!

I met Lorraine McKay & Alan Dunn yesterday! I'm so starstruck! Lol...

Who are they? They are two most amazing sugarcraft artists ever! Alan Dunn is the 'God of Flower Decorations' and Lorraine McKay makes the cutest models and dolls for cakes. The two of them are down for cake demonstrations and to teach in workshops this whole week.

Because my colleague couldn't attend the demonstration, she sent me for an 'assignment' - to check out the sugarcraft demonstrations done by the two. I was even asked to interview them! O_o

I was so excited and very nervous. Talking to people isn't one of my strong points - especially talking to famous people! I thought all I had to do was attend their class, maybe shout out a few questions to them when others are busy questioning them too. But noo... I was shoved into a room with Alan, and later was sat right opposite Lorraine like an interrogator!  Fortunately, the two of them were amazingly friendly! Lorraine was so funny and adorable. She would make jokes and laugh a lot when I was interviewing her. She was such a lovely lady - she even asked for my card and gave me a hug after I finished the interview :D Alan was very nice, soft spoken and down to earth. He  was so patient with me fumbling about with my silly questions and took the time to pose for my photographer!

Alan and Lorraine were such professionals when conducting their demonstrations. They entertained and kept the crowd interested. Lorraine made a cute little 'Malaysian Frog' on a Lilypad - and got the whole room Ooh-ing and Aah-ing when she finished. Alan showed us how to make a very real looking and remarkably detailed Parrot Lily. While he was making the tedious and repetitive petals, he kept the crowd entertained by telling us interesting stories.

Lorraine's Malaysian Frog

The two masters will be giving private workshops at the ICCA Malaysia (located at Kota Damansara) within the week. You can view Alan's amazing creations at http://www.alandunnsugarcraft.com/. In fact, Alan's newest book has just launched in Malaysia - it's all about Tropical Flowers!

Lorraine's creations can be seen at http://www.extraicing.co.uk/, and she blogs at http://www.extra-icing.blogspot.com/.

Macarons (from Dreamz Bakery)

I'm still a huge macaron fanatic - as is the rest of the world right now.... My friends appeared at my house holding a clear jar filled with pretty, colourful Macarons covered with a lacy doily :)

One of them had bought it from a cafe called Dreamz, (click to check out their adorable site... cute as ever!) located in Kota Damansara. So pretty - the packaging, the colours, and look at those feet! (those who have been reading my blog understands my feet obsession)

I totally ignored my friend because I was too entranced by the gorgeous cookies... and was busily snapping these pictures.

They were so perfect, it was like a dream (pun not intended) of mine.

However, not being a sour grape and all (well maybe a little) the macarons tasted a little 'off' to me... it was dry inside, instead of gooey. It was puffy and crumbly, instead of sticky and crispy. I think they somehow had added in baking powder in their recipe (that might explain the perfect feet). And I could barely taste the almond meal... Maybe it's just me, maybe its sour grapes... 

Christmas came EARLY this year :D

My friend surprised me with this book today~!

 Nigella Lawson's Nigella Christmas cook book! :D

To tell you the truth, I have never owned any Celebrity chef's cookbook, and I was dreaming of owning one of my favorite chef's - like Nigella or Jamie Oliver. And now I have one! Wee~! Thank you!! 

Domo loves it too!

Look at those pretty cookies! Domo iz happie!

omg! 

OMG!!

There are sooooo many awesome Christmas stuff to make! I'm very keen on trying the Pumpkin and Goat's Cheese Lasagne, and her Incredibly Easy Chocolate Fruit Cake! And the best thing is, she writes just as she speaks... I just L-O-V-E the way she describes things.... like how smooth icing wraps a cake almost like a hatbox. Or having a cake decorated with green and red rolled fondant to have an exuberantly Christmassy effect..

Its so sexy the way she talks..... :P

Kitchen Goddess!

Nigella Lawson - looks hot while her hips expands

If only I could grow sideways as elegantly as she does.....

Have you ever watched the Kitchen Goddess's shows? If you haven't I highly recommend that you do.

Just the way Nigella speaks will make you hungry. I have never heard food described so articulately! And I have never ever seen food prepared that easily either!

No doubt, she bakes and cooks like calories mean nothing.... (She deep fries chicken in melted butter!!!) She is the ultimate Kitchen Goddess!

I so wanna be like her... :O But, chances are, if I do grow sideways, I'll most probably look like this....

Overstuffed Domo!