Thank you!

There is no recipe posting today. This post is all about "THANK YOU" for the following awards and gifts that I have received from my blogger friends! And also a big "THANK YOU" to everyone (YOU!!). It is great knowing all of you through blogosphere and I really appreciate your valuable time, precious comments and constant visits! 

THE GIFTS :

From Louise of Months of Edible Celebrations
During the month of October, Louise has organized a Cookbook Party and I was glad to participate in the party. Did you know that October is a month full of delicious celebration? Well, to add icing to the deliciousness, Louise has some prizes in store! I was one of the winners and received these wonderful cookbooks from Louise! Thank you, Louise! Do stop by and visit Louise over at her blog Months of Edible Celebrations, you will find lots of interesting information on "months of celebrations". EVERYONE knows that February is all about Valentine, but did you know that February is also the month for "Potato Lover's Month, Chocolate Month", and lots more! Do check this out over at Louise's!
Thank you, Louise!! (meant to post about this months ago!!)

****************

From Parsley Sage of The Deep Dish

In the months of December 2011 and January 2012, Parsley Sage of The Deep Dish has done a series of "Taste of Cayman", featuring restaurant reviews and all about food, delicious, mouthwatering food, right from the beautiful Cayman Islands! If you are not familiar with The Deep Dish, then it is time to pay Parsley Sage a visit! The Cayman Islands will be on your next vacation destination! It is already on my list! (hope hubby will read this!! )

"Taste of Cayman" series comes with prizes for some lucky winners, and I was one of them! I won this wonderful Caribbean Rum Cake, which I received just a couple of days ago. IT WAS DELICIOUS! The best rum cake I have ever eaten! The cake is soft, buttery and moist with the wonderful aroma and delicious taste of the rum, distinctly over the top of the cake!! My mission now, is to find out whether this cake is sold locally over here in Malaysia. Hehe!! 

Thank you, Parsley Sage!!

*****************************************

The Awards :

Winner Award

From Rebecka of At Home With Rebecka
Rebecka has organized a Fish and Chips Challenge. And  Rebecka has been wonderfully sweet to forward the Winner Award both to me and Shirley's Luxury Haven. Rebecka is one multi-talented lady, she's an opera singer and has performed in many professional productions. And Rebecka is very creative in creating new delicious dishes, she has some videos showcasing her creations. Rebecka was chosen as the first dessert winner in the Real Women of Philadelphia Cookbook Competition! Her winning entry will be featured in the next edition of Real Women of Philadelphia Cookbook! How cool!
Thank you, Rebecka!

*****************************************

Liebster Blog Award

From :

Jen from What's Baking

Chris from Yummy Bakes
This lovely award has been forwarded to me by two lovely ladies, Jen from What's Baking and Chris from Yummy Bakes. Be sure to stop by these lovely ladies blogs to see their delicious bakes and mouth-watering dishes!!
Thank you, Jen and Chris !!

The Versatile Blogger Award

From : 

Jasline from Food Is My Life
Kajal from Purple Chronicle

This lovely award has been forwarded to me by Jasline from Food Is My Life and Kajal from Purple Chronicle. I am honored that both Jasline and Kajal has forwarded this award to me. Both ladies have beautiful sites with lovely recipes and musings, be sure to stop by and say hello.
Thank you, Jasline and Kajal !!

In accepting both these awards, I'm forwarding both the Liebster Blog Award and The Versatile Blogger Award to the following wonderful blogs, each is unique in their own special way. Please do accept these two awards and forward them to 10 other  blogger friends of your choice.

Abbygail from Abbygail's Kitchen
Jeannie from Baking Diary
 Emily from Emily's Cooking (Makan2) Foray
Elpiniki
Yummy Chunklet
Hamareerasoi
Edith from Precious Moments
Radhika from Tickling Palates
Alice from I Love. I Cook. I Bake
Eva from Kitchen Inspirations

Thank you, everyone!!

A Tag and An Award

The 7-link tag game has been circling round the bloggerland and this time I have been tagged by Julie from Tasty Treat and Food Glorious Food from My Personal Food Journal to carry on the game.

The blogger who is tagged in this game must select the most appropriate posts from her blog for the categories below.

1. The most beautiful post

2. The most popular post

3. The most controversial post

4. The most helpful post

5. The post that was surprisingly successful

6. The post that did not get the attention it deserved

7. The post I am most proud of

Here goes :

1.
The most beautiful post : Pineapple-Rosemary Sorbet .  The pineapple gave a gorgeous and beautiful colour to the sorbet and it makes a really delicious, flavourful and refreshing sorbet. Looking at the delightful sorbet make me want to dig right in!

2
2.
The most popular post : Kenny Rogers' Corn Muffins. I have never expected this muffin to be the most popular post!

3.
The most controversial post : I could not find any that fits this!


4.

The most helpful post : Butterscotch and Hazelnut Pudding. The most helpful tip that I've learnt while making this Pudding, is to never pour water in a baking pan that has joint corners, as the water can seep out from the joints! I have learnt my lesson, something that I would not forget easily! 

5.

The post that was surprisingly successful : Chocolate-Caramel-Banana Upside-Down Cake.  Surprisingly, this post has the most comments. And I have baked this three more times as a gift to friends and family.

6.

The post that did not get the attention it deserved. Pumpkin Cake. This is a difficult one to choose, as there are more than one! But I'll just settle for one! This is a really delicious, moist cake, with full flavours from the pumpkin. At the time when I posted this, my blog do not have that many followers or readers, so I guess that's the reason it did not get the attention it deserved.  Pumpkin lovers would love this cake!

7.

The post I am most proud of : Choo-Choo Train Birthday Cake. Made this for my son's birthday. This may not be the most beautiful but certainly the one I am most proud of as this is the first time I've ever attempted a cake like this! There are lots of room for improvement, but my son thinks this is super! :)

To follow the rules of the tag game, I'm supposed to name 5 more blogs to continue on with this game. So, here they are :

1. Sonia from Nasi Lemak Lover
2. Yummy Chunklet
3. Chris from Yummy Bakes
4. Deepa from Hamaree Rasoi
5. Duxa from Cozinhadaduxa

Have fun!

*********************************************

I would like to thank Jay from Tasty Appetite who has graciously extended the following two awards to me. If you have not visited Tasty Appetite, its time you do! Jay has a fantastic blog with lots of delicious recipes. Stop by Tasty Appetite, you'll be amazed by the many fabulous varieties of Indian cuisines that Jay has shared!  Thank you so much, Jay!

*****

Fried Chicken Drummettes with Mayonnaise Chives Dip And Awards

A wonderful finger snack, enjoy!

Fried Chicken Drummettes with Mayonnaise Chives Dip
For The Chicken :
10 chicken drummettes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs
oil for frying

For the Dip :
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp chives, chopped
salt and black pepper to taste

1. To prepare mayonnaise dip : Combine all ingredients for the dip and keep covered in refrigerator until needed.
2. For the chicken, combine flour, 1/4 tsp paprika, salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in large resealable food storage bag. Beat eggs in large shallow bowl. Combine bread crumbs and remaining  1/4 teaspoon paprika on large plate.
3. Add chicken to flour mixture, shake well to coat. Dip chicken in eggs, then roll in bread crumbs.
4. Heat oil in large pan over medium-high heat.  Add chicken and fry about 3-4 minutes each side or until browned. Turn over again and continue to fry over medium-low heat for a futher 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until chicken is cooked.
5. Dish out and place on kitchen paper towel to absorb excess oil. 
6. Serve with mayonnaise dip.

******************************************

Awards !

 I would like to thank the following foodie pals for these lovely  awards which they have forwarded to me.

From Marguerite of Cajun Delights and

Food Glorious Food of My Personal Food Journal

Marguerite of Cajun Delights, the name of her blog says it all, look no further for delicious, and I mean, really totally delicious Cajun food, step right into her site and see her mouthwatering yummies, and you would definitely not want to miss on the boogieing and dancing the Cajun way! They have so much fun and you might find yourself dancing along! Thank you, Marguerite!

Food Glorious Food of My Personal Food Journal, she may be very new at blogging, but she already has a collection of delicious homecooked yummies. You would not believe that her lovely blog is barely two months old! She's already a pro at blogging! Thank you, Food Glorious Food!

From Parsely Sage of The Deep Dish

Parsley Sage of The Deep Dish, is another lovely foodie pal. She has amazing recipes and delightful posts that are always a pleasure to read, with a touch of humour! Drop by and say hello, and you will soon stop by  again!

Thank you, Parsley Sage!

Thank you, everyone!

Fluffy Pancakes and Awards

Soft, fluffy and good! Extremely easy to make. Made this for breakfast and the kids enjoyed these with some warm blueberry sauce. I will be making this again,  yummy with some strawberry sauce  or honey and would be fantastic with chocolate sauce! I got this delicious recipe from Allrecipes.com , a great site to look for home recipes.

Fluffy Pancakes
(source from Allrecipes.com)
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoon white vinegar
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (use half if using salted butter)
1 egg
2 tablespoon butter, melted
cooking spray

Method :

1. Combine milk with vinegar in a medium bowl and set aside for 5 minutes to "sour".
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk egg and pour into "soured milk". Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and whisk until the lumps are gone.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and coat with cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the skillet, and cook until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip with a spatula, and cooked until browned on the other side.

************************

A W A R D S

These lovely awards are from two wonderful foodie friends, Jay of Tasty Appetite and Love2Cook.

Thank you ladies, for forwarding these awards to me, I'm honoured! Some of you may already know these two wonderful blogs, if you do not, then do stop by their wonderful sites. They have wonderful delicious yummies both in their cooking pot and in their baking pans! Once you pop over to their site, you will surely be back again visiting! Thank you again, Jay and Love2Cook.

A

Seven things about myself :

1. I'm addicted to cookbooks! But then, who doesn't??
2. I love watching "The Power Puff Girls" and "Tom and Jerry".. are you laughing?? 
3. I try not to watch sad story on TV, they make me cry..
4. I love coffee AND tea!
5. Stayed near the beach until I was fifteen, but never knew how to swim!!!!
6. The first book that make me cry when I was eight, "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen.
7. I read my first "Mills & Boons" when I was eleven, WOW! and never look back! 

I would like to pass on those lovely awards to the following fantastic blogs :

1. At Home With Rebecka
2. Angie's Recipes
3. Brenda's Canadian Kitchen
4. Cajun Delights
5. Canela Kitchen Recipes
6. Cucina di Barbara
7. les reves d'une boulangere
8. Miz Helen's Country Cottage
9. Mom's Sunday Cafe
10. scrambled hen fruit

Do visit these fantastic blogs, they are all truly wonderful! 

Thank you!

Rocky Road Brownie And Award

These brownies are really good. It is  first baked, with the topping scattered over the top during the last 5 minutes of baking. What's not to love about brownies, especially when chocolates and marshmallows comes together, heavenly!

I doubled up the recipe using the recommended 9" baking pan. The brownie bakes beautifully, it is only about 1-1/2 inches high. Except for the sugar, I only use half the sugar called for, and it is just perfect. The ingredients for the topping remains the same amount, as I used the 9" square baking pan as advised, though I did add a little more marshmallows and walnuts. 

I baked this doubled recipe for 30 minutes and a further 6-7 minutes after the marshmallow, chocolate chips and nuts topping are scattered over the top.

Once baked, let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes or so, then by all means, indulge, you don't have to wait for them to cool down completely! These taste really good when it is still warm with the marshmallows soft and gooey and the chocolate soft and melting!

Rocky Road Brownies
(adapted from "Cookies &' Treats" Favourite Brand Names)
Makes 1-1/2 dozen brownies
1 cup miniature marshmallows 
1-1/4 cups Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine 
1 cup sugar (for double recipe, remain as 1 cup sugar)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Hershey's Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 350F. Grease 9-inch square baking pan.
2. Stir together marshmallows, chocolate chips and nuts; set aside. Place butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100% power) 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until melted. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla, beating with spoon until well blended. Add flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt, blend well. Spread batter in prepared pan.
3. Bake 22 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips mixture over top. Continue baking 5 minutes or until marshmallows have softened and puffed slightly. Cool completely. With wet knife, cut into squares.

**************************************************

Awards!

I would like to thank Sonali of Only Fish Recipes  and Jay from Tasty Appetite for passing on the award to me. 

Sonali of Only Fish Recipes has a wonderful blog with delicious curries of fish that makes you want to go right into the kitchen to get that curry going. If you are looking for delicious fish recipes, give her blog a visit and you will keep going back for fish dishes inspirations. 

Jay from Tasty Appetite, has a wonderful blog with mouth-watering yummies. Her varieties on Indian food and desserts are really fantastic! A sneak into her site will bring you back again, definitely.

Rules:
1.Accept the award. Post it in your blog with the name of the blogger who has given u this award with a link to his/her blog.
2.Pass it on to 15 other blogger friends…. to keep the ball rolling.
3.Let the nominated blogger know about their award [leave a comment in their most recent post].

I would like to pass on the above award to the following fabulous blogs, at random order :

1. Ann from Apples and Twinkies
2. Ah Tze from Away Of Mind
3. Duxa from Cozinhadaduxa
4. Rosita from Barato y Rico
5. K from Cooking With K
6. Parsley Sage from The Deep Dish
7. Amy from uTry. it
8. Catherine from Living the Gourmet
9. Mary from Keep Learning Keep Smiling
10. Alessandra from Alessandra Zecchini
11. Cooking Gallery
12. Juliana from Simple Recipes
13. Michelle from Sweet Luvin' In The Kitchen
14. Gwen from Simply Healthy Family
15. Lena from Lemon n Spice

Please do pay a visit to these fabulous blogs. You'll make some new foodie pals and you will be glad you did!

Thank you !

Stylish Blogger Award & Happy Chinese New Year Wishes

This special award has been forwarded to kitchen flavours by the lovely Melynda of Mom's Sunday Cafe.

In accepting this award, the following applies:

1. Post linking back to the person that gave you the award.
2. Share 7 random things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered bloggers
4. Drop them a note, and tell them about it!

Here goes :

Thank you, Melynda of Mom's Sunday Cafe, for this lovely award and your sweet words. Some of you may know Melynda, and some maybe not, if you have not been to Mom's Sunday Cafe, then drop by her lovely site, you will be glad you did. Melynda has a way with words, she has a style of writing that will leave a smile or two, and sometimes it will linger in your mind even long after you're read it!  Her stories and anecdotes about her family and those around her are a joy to read. And of course, she has a tremendous talent in the kitchen! Drop by her blog and see all the delicious food and treats that her family enjoys. Thank you, Melynda. 

Seven things about myself !

1. I have a habit of reducing sugar in most dessert or cakes recipes which I think that some of you may noticed! I do not like stuffs that are overly sweet!
2. I always wished that cheeses are more affordable here! 
3. I try to restraint myself from buying more cookbooks! But sometimes, when I'm at the bookstore, I can't help it! Perhaps I should attend a "Cookbookshopoholic Anonymous"! He! He! I'm not that bad actually! But then, "Baking With Julia...by Dorie Greenspan" is on sale now, at a very low price... hmmm.... !!!!
4. I'm still waiting for Book 4 on the Eragon series, though, by the time when they do publish it, I've got to start all over from Book 1! Memory is not as good as it used to be! Signs of getting old? Nah.......!
5. Love to visit all your fantastic sites! There are many recipes that I have bookmarked, goodness knows when I'll be able to make these. Time and ingredients are mostly the main "obstacles"! 
6. Love spicy food, the spicier the yummier! I eat chili almost everyday, either in a spicy dish or as an accompaniment! 
7. I failed miserably at growing my own chili plants! They never survived after the first flowers! Perhaps they saw a 'hungry chili eater' who is always "staring" at them, and that gave them a scare! But I'm still trying!

The 15 recently discovered bloggers are as follow, most of them are recent, some not, they are all lovely blogs: 

Zoe - Bake For Happy Kids

Gloria - Canela Kitchen Recipes

Barbara - Cucina di Barbara

Lena -her frozen wings

Magda

Victor - Random Cuisine

Love2Cook

Kitchen Boffin 

Marta - Minhas Receitas dia a dia

Alisha - The Ardent Epicure

Rhondi - Big Mama's Home Kitchen

Karen - Tasty Trials

Lena - Lemon n Spice

garlutti - Sabores & Olores

Michele - Sweet Luvin' InThe Kitchen

Please drop by and say hello to these lovely blogs. Each of them have something different and special to offer,  with mouth-watering delicious yummies and beautiful photos.  Thank you!

******************************************************

I would like to wish all my Chinese foodie friends, family and readers,  

GONG XI FA CAI

May this year of the RABBIT brings you good health, great happiness,  wonderful love, joyful laughter,  sweet contentment, lots, lots, lots of prosperity, and all the good things that life can offer! 

Will be away for a week, see you when I get back!

**********************

Awards

Thank you !!




Jessie from Cooking Moments





Jasline from Food Is My Life

Jen from What's Baking

Chris from Yummy Bakes
Ah Tze from Away of Mind
Rathai from Rathai's Recipes

Marguerite from Cajun Delights

Food Glorious Food

Jay from Tasty Appetite

Jay from Tasty Appetite

Love2Cook

Jay from Tasty Appetite

Love2Cook

Love2Cook

Love2Cook

Rebecca from At Home With Rebecka

Love2Cook

Sonali from Only Fish Recipes

Jay from Tasty Appetite

Rebecca from At Home With Rebecka

Love2Cook

Sonali from Only Fish Recipes

Jay from Tasty Appetite

Miz Helen from Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Melynda from Mom's Sunday Cafe

Minhas Receitas dia a dia

Jay from Tasty Appetite

The Deep Dish

Awards

These two awards have been graciously extended to me by these two lovely ladies.  I would like to say thank you for your sweet gestures and would like to combine and forward these two awards to the following fabulous blogs that are truly an inspiration for their dedication and love for food. 

One Lovely Blog Award

This Award has been forwarded to me by the lovely and cheeky love2cook. Peek into her blog and you will know why I say "cheeky"! Thank you love2cook, for this lovely award.

Happy 101 Blog Award

Rules of Accepting This Blog Award :

1. Post who passed on this Award to you.

2. List 10 things that you like.

3. Name 10 Blogs who have inspired you.

This Award has been passed to me by the lovely and charming Miz Helen of Miz Helen's Country Cottage. Visit Miz Helen's blog and you can see how charming and welcoming her blog is.

List of 10 things that I like. 

I have posted them here before.

I would like to combine and pass on these two awards to these 10 lovely blogs

Here they are in random order :

1. Lisa - Sweet As Sugar Cookies

2. Sue - Couscous & Consciousness

3. Elsa- Elsa's Cooking Diary

4. Melynda - Mom's Sunday Cafe

5. Gloria - Canela Kitchen

6. Kate - A Spoonful Of Thyme

7. AloyCia EJoan - Simply Delicious Easy Cooking

8. Marguerite - Cajun Delights

9. Ker Yng - Life Is Full
10. Velva - Tomatoes On The Vine

You may forward these two awards separately or combine them both, it's entirely up to you. Congratulations, friends!

***********************

The entry to the "Culinary Smackdown Lets's Get Tangy With Citrus November 2010" is now closed. I would like to thank the participants for their fabulous entries.  The winner will be announced on 1st December 2010. Stay tuned!