From the Mailbox: the humble crumb topping

Of the email enquiries I’ve received, this one, courtesy of T, stumped me for a moment: “If there was one recipe you feel everyone should know by heart, what would it be?”

When I first read it, it seemed almost impossible for me to narrow it down to just one recipe. This coming from the person who has already told the mister that while I may not have a family [cooking] recipe to pass down to my children, I’ll let them in on my fail-proof butter cake recipe to last them for life. And then there is pavlova, an amazingly simple dessert that never fails to bring glamour to the dessert table with its versatile toppings to suit any occasion. Or the pate brisee recipe which holds the key to endless delectable galettes, tarts and pies.

But having said all that, I know that if there is just one thing that would tide me over any day, it would simply be the trinity of butter, flour and brown sugar.

treading the line between doughnut and muffin

I’ve seen this popping up on various food blogs and sites for the longest time ever, and have always wondered what they would taste like. I remember once I was planning to bake them, and got distracted by a lengthy conversation triggered off when someone said, “Doughnut muffin? Why don’t you just bake a muffin, OR a doughnut?”.

Because let’s face it, we all have our favourite desserts, but there is always something excitingly intriguing about pushing the envelope and treading the line between two favourites. If one can have the best of two worlds, why ever not, I say.

a birthday party for a 3 year old

Do you remember how it was like to be all of 3 years of age? I for one have no recollection of how my birthday celebration went, who were present, and what I received. But being there at my second niece’s birthday party last Sunday made me realise that even if my memory fails me today, I’m sure I shared the same unspoken overwhelming joy as that which I saw through her eyes that day.

To be surrounded by her doting parents and cheeky lil sister, loving Atok and Nenek (grandparents), her elder cousin (otherwise known as her BFF;– “C’mon Sha, let’s hold hands!”), and a whole bunch of aunts and uncles showering her with her favourite Doras, Strawberry Shortcakes, and whathaveyous.

And having cupcakes adorned with her favourite television characters definitely doesn’t hurt the party one bit.