Banoffee Pie

I asked my sister what she wanted to me bake.  Being the dessert-addict-who-is-so-skinny, I almost regretted I asked.  She requested: a banoffee pie.

There are three parts in making this dessert.  The shortbread crust, the dulce de leche and the whipped cream.  

I liked the texture of the crust that I baked.  The dulce de leche took time to cook and needs to be watched.  Since I don't have the whisk attachment on my mixer and Denden, my "whisk-man" was lazy at the time, we bought the spray-on whipped cream.  We enjoyed putting it all together, adding extra-extra bananas. 

The photo above might not look so good.  But it was yummy!  Mission accomplished. 

Chocolate cupcake

My first chocolate cupcake made from scratch and not from the "mix in a box."

I am even more fulfilled that I made the frosting and actually decorated it.  Of course my piping wasn't the same for the cupcakes.  But I was happy.

Euen's Eighth Month

Since the twelfth fell on a Friday, we decided to celebrate Euen's eighth month with Angkong and Ahma. And so, we packed the high chair and brought it with us.  I made strawberry cheesecake.

She just gained 0.2 lbs. this month.  The pediatrician said it's nothing to worry about.  I could just increase the her solids. So aside from her lunch and dinner meals, I've given her snacks in the mornings and afternoons.  She's drinking an average of 4 ounces of water a day.  Of course, I'm still breastfeeding 7-8 times a day.

It has just been a month but the baby had many milestones. She has tEEth now. Yes, two on the lower front. Though unable to crawl, she can stand up from sitting position holding on the the rails of her crib. And she's making tiny little assisted steps.  And recently, she's learned how to close and open her hand.

Unfortunately, Ahma had to be some place so we missed her.  But Lola auntie, Lolo uncle, Uncle Jeng-jeng and Tita Desy were there to sing her a birthday song.  Happy eight months little darling Euen!

Cheesecake Experiment

My sister's birthday gift for me is a hand mixer.  For the further exploration of my baking adventures.  And cheesecake is the first on my list.  This was a no-bake cheesecake.  And it's more of a cheesecake in a pie/tart pan.  

I followed the recipe but it was too late when I realized that my pan is bigger.  Thus, the crust was a little thin and there wasn't enough for the sides.  I used frozen strawberries as topping but this could be varied depending on who'll eat.

We had it frozen and we loved the taste when we ate it. Yey! 

Baking Trial

We did't have a space for a stove with oven in our kitchen. I thought it was okay because I do not know how to bake anyway. But during my pregnancy, I thought it would be fun to bake pastries and deserts when we have children already. Thus the number one excuse to get an oven. But where to put it is the question.

Our conventional microwave oven is placed on the left corner of our countertop. I was always puzzled as to why ALL microwave ovens open from the right. This complicates opening our microwave oven.

One day, a salesman gave me a positive answer, there is a microwave oven that do not open from the right. It opens downwards. But it is not just a microwave oven, it is a microwave, grill and convection oven in one, the Whirlpool Jet Chef. I got excited but I held off buying because it is pricey.

BUT, our microwave broke a few weeks ago. Instead of buying a normal microwave oven, it gave me the second, third and fourth excuse to get an Jet Chef oven. Yey!

For my first try in baking, I got the help of Betty Crocker with the Chocolate Chip Cookies. Not bad for a first timer. Denden and Mamacherub liked it.

Frutti Froyo

Mama Cherub's birthday gift to Ikoy, yogurt with all the toppings that he wants. Where else but Frutti Froyo, our favorite. This is the best yogurt place for us, because of the concept of make-your-own-yogurt. They have a lot of choices for the flavored yogurts, aside from the plain. Also, a wide variety of toppings: from cereals, nuts, chocolates, candies to fruits. With a number of flavored syrups to add to the final taste. We also love the colorful decorations and creative chairs and tables on the store.

Ikoy was free to choose which topping he wanted, he was so excited to put his cup on top of the sweet toppings and chocolates.

One thing to describe his creation: sugary. But he finished it in no time. It looked like a party for a the birthday boy because of the hats. We promise to make up to him when he's seven, when Shashing is back in Manila.