Simply Home Baked - Ham & Cheese Roll

I've taken a baking break for over a week due to having to nurse a full-blown flu (runny-nose, cough, headache...and all the works) just a few days before I came down with the flu, I had the inclination (premonition maybe? *shrug*) that I was going to be sick because I haven't fell ill (this badly) since coming back from my holidays in December last year.

Sorry, I digressed! Before I had taken ill, this Ham & Cheese Roll was what I baked and I've been asked to share the recipe because it looks Oooooh too delicious! *smile*

It's really not difficult if you have a bread maker to roll the dough. Speaking of dough, I've recently discovered a great basic loaf recipe that makes the most perfectly soft/fluffy bread! Most of the time, the breads that I've baked in the past always turned out too dense and dry just after a day, but not this one!

Shaping breads is so therapeutic and most satisfying! You determine the shape you want your bread to be and best of all you get homemade "artisan" bread all within the kitchen of your home!

Alright enough said, here is the recipe that you've been waiting for:

Ingredients

(Basic Loaf)

320gms Bread Flour

80gms Top Flour

20gms Sugar

1 tsp Salt

2 tsp Yeast

1 egg

100ml cold water

120ml cold fresh milk

30gms butter (or margarine)

Other Ingredients

1 pack of honey baked ham (or picnic ham) sliced into halves (you probably don't need the entire pack)

1 pack cheddar cheese (shredded)

Mayonnaise

Method of preparation

Depending on your bread machine, you'd need to place the ingredients for the dough according to the instructions given in the operating manual. Breville bread maker requires all the wet ingredients to be placed first, followed by the dry ingredients.

1) Add into the bread maker, water, milk and eggs followed by the flour, salt, sugar and lastly yeast. Allow the machine to roll the dough for 5 mins before adding butter into the mixture (while the machine is still at work).

2) Once the machine has stopped kneading allow the dough to leaven till the bread maker indicates when it's done.

3) Once the dough is ready, divide the dough into small balls weighing 40gms each.

4) With a rolling pin, roll each of the small ball of dough into flat strips approximately 15cm(long) x 2cm(wide)

5) Place the half a slice of ham onto the strip of dough and roll it up as you'd a swiss roll, set it aside.

6) Then place 3 rolls of the dough with ham in a triangular shape on the baking tray; do likewise for the rest of the dough with ham rolls.

7) Brush some egg wash (beaten egg with milk) on surface. Squeeze in some mayonnaise in the middle of each of the roll and sprinkle some cheese above.

8) Preheat the oven at 200C; bake for 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Boys Just Want to Have Fun!

Little Man's in "trouble" again! Well, nothing new to a mom who has been receiving complaints made by his teachers since he started school last year (Y2010). Seriously, it's become a norm these days that I would be surprise if he didn't get into trouble at all!

As I flip through his communications book (between the teachers and us), I have already seen more than 5 pages written, in which 80% were complaints. Little Missy comparatively only has 2 pages filled in her comms book and the messages were merely to inform me that she's hurt herself due to falling or some mishap somewhere that's almost negligible.

In fact, Little Man has been complained about so often that I've lost count because besides those that were written on his comms book, there were countless verbal complaints made by his current TIC! Some valid, some *shrug* oh well... I just have to roll my eyes and wonder how in the world did my little fellow get into so much trouble at his age!!!

To cite a few of the complaints... he's been breaking his classmates erasers, he's been putting pencils into his mouth, he's been disobedient in class, he's been roaming about in the K2's class and destroying their equipment and materials for science experiments... The latest complaint? He's been hitting his friend with a shoe because his classmate bit him!!!

Very often, I'd feel exasperated and question what didn't I do right or have I done something that was so wrong that my child turned out to be a serial trouble maker? Why can't he just be a docile, obedient and compliant child that every teacher and parent would be proud of? One who would conform to the norm, one who would just do everything as he's been told!?!?!

Hubs reminded me that it takes patience. Some children just needed to be reminded more often. Especially, Little Man. We know that our boy is different (though we do not want to slap a label on him), we just have to acknowledge that he is unique and wired differently from most children.

For all the many complaints we've received, we've deduced that he's a highly curious and generally inquisitive child who MUST touch/meddle/break things to find out how it works. He is advance in his reading skills amongst his classmates and therefore appeared to be bored in class most of the time and when he's bored that's when trouble begins. He's weak in his Chinese and therefore is not as cooperative during chinese lessons. He's by nature playful!

While we continue to guide and teach him what is the correct way to behave, we need also to accept and be grateful of his uniqueness. Fortunately, he's still teachable though it has to be repeated more often than not.

Lesson Learned?

I have been pondering, reflecting and thinking a bit about what I was asked during the "Hands of Love" program; which I felt that I didn't give an answer that truly reflects how I feel about motherhood.

The host, Mark Lee, threw me a question unexpectedly (rather I wasn't thinking fast enough on my feet) about what I've learned thus far from my children.

I'd say, the most precious lesson I've learned from my children would be simplicity is the key to happiness!

Three years ago when I decided to stay home as a full-time mom, I didn't think that I'd appreciate the simplest thing would have made my day and am honestly happy about it!

Simple activities such as eating ice cream with my kids, watching them play together, over hearing their childish yet comical conversation, enjoying a garden walk with them, observing the clouds, watching TV programs, chatting with them and doing nothing together would be so fun and enjoyable.
We are not well-to-do, but we are definitely rich in love and laughter at home which I believe, being rich monetarily might not be able to bring us such wealth of joy and happiness!
The kids are growing every minute and what better time to savour all these treasured moments than it is now! It is the now that we live in and of course a better future that we hope for. If I'm ever asked what I've learned as a mom from my kids, it'll definitely be Simplicity is the key to happiness!

So what lesson have you learned from your children thus far?

Obsession!

Not sure when i've developed this obsession... I LOVE to have all the books I've bought wrapped up in plastic.

I'd say 80% of the books in our house (home learning resource or literature) are wrapped up; with the exception of hard cover books.

I guess the obsession came about when I saw dog-ears on the books and it irked me. Besides, the kids don't really handle the books very kindly so wrapping the books up would be a safer bet for me.

So now, all new books that I've purchased are nicely wrapped up! *lovez*

Simply Home Baked - Am Baking Again

I've been baking enthusiastically in my kitchen the past week or so and have been finding joy in this hobby all over again. Since my live-in helper left over a year ago, I've not been baking much as I often feel lazy having to clean up after each baking session.

A sudden craving for quiche made me started my baking expedition once again. The result of the quiche helped me kick the inertia off! I've been looking through all the recipe books ferociously making a mental note of which recipe I want to try for my next bake!
Decided that I should "resurrect" my bread maker that has been left dormant for over a year since I last made some kaya jam. This is definitely a WONDER machine as I've always liken it to be!

Many of my friends asked me which bread maker am I using, well, mine's a Breville. It's an Aussie brand bread maker and it has served me very well for the past 6 years! It's still in good working condition though I believe this model that I have must have been made obsolete already. If you want to know more about Breville bread maker check out this link.

I have not used any other brands of bread maker before but I'd say, I love my Breville!
My first attempt on baking an Apple Cinnamon Bread at the request of the hubs. Fortunately, it turned out well and it was all devoured within a day! *beaming*
This Apple Cinnamon Bread makes a very good snack for the afternoon tea. Pair this snack with a cup of Earl Grey... Ooooh... simply delightful. You'll find the recipe at the bottom of this post :)

I've been baking simple loaves the past 2 days and I'd say it's really a joy to have freshly baked breads daily. You decide what to put into your bread and best of all you are quite sure that there are no undesirable chemicals being added into your bread!

Contrary to the "Cook A Pot of Curry" event, I made this curry simply because of my personal craving for curry that coincidentally falls within the same week that the event will be held!

Recipe for the Apple Cinnamon Bread

Ingredients:

(bread dough)

400gms high protein flour

100gms top flour (super fine flour)

10gms (2tsp) instant yeast

5 gms (1tsp) salt

100gms sugar

20gms milk powder

2 eggs

200ml water

80gms butter

(cinnamon spread)

10gms Cinnamon powder

60gms brown sugar

50gms raisins

50gms chocolate chips (I used Hershey's mini chocolate chips)

1 apple (diced)

30gms crushed almonds

Method of preparation:

Depending on your bread machine, you'd need to place the ingredients for the dough according to the instructions given in the operating manual. Breville bread maker requires all the wet ingredients to be placed first, followed by the dry ingredients.

1) Add into the bread maker, water and eggs followed by the flour, milk powder, salt, sugar and lastly yeast. Allow the machine to roll the dough for 5 mins before adding butter into the mixture (while the machine is still at work).

2) Once the machine has stopped kneading allow the dough to leaven till the bread maker indicates when it's done.

3) Divide the dough into 3 portions, and roll them into balls and proof for 10 mins.

4) Roll out the bread dough (with a rolling pin) to dimensions of approximately 10x12 inches. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar, raisins, diced apple, crushed almonds and chocolate chips evenly.

5) Roll up the dough (like you would a swiss roll) and cut it into 6 parts. Placed the rolls into a 7-inch greased cake mould, leave it to proof for another 10 mins.

6) Brush egg wash onto the cinnamon bread and place it into a pre-heated oven. Bake at 190C for 25 - 30 mins.

Have fun!!!

Excuse Me, Are You a SAHM?

Was it a difficult decision? How did you decide to be one? What kind of preparations did you have to make before taking the plunge? etc etc etc... These were some of the multiple questions I was asked in my course as a SAHM.

My answer to that? It was a calling! Nothing to agonize over, nothing to analyze till paralyze about... since it's a calling, my Heavenly Father, will equip me! I have been a SAHM since January 14th, 2008, it's been a good 3.5 years thus far. While there are ups and downs being a full-time mom, nothing beats having the luxury of time to be with the children chatting, playing, learning and laughing together.

The stigma of being a SAHM remains especially so when I've not been in the market place and in the jungle of the survival of the fittest. However, I relish on my time of being away from all the gnashing, back biting, playing the political game to scale the corporate ladder. All these are exhausting and meaningless (to me, of course). So, I wouldn't trade my time as a SAHM for the world not even with the lure of a million dollars!

I'd agree that it's equally exhausting being a SAHM, it's all for a good purpose, and life is so much more fulfilling. Even though I have been home, I'm grateful that I have not lost touch with what's been happening in the world, all thanks to the advancement of technology - internet connection! If I were to be a SAHM in my mom's time, I might be out of the house everyday (just like what my mom did previously *smile*). Being connected with other moms who are in the same phase of life as I am is important to me. The friendship, the struggles we share, the encouragement we offer to each other, the hobbies we are into are part and parcel of making this journey of motherhood bearable.

Recently, I've been privileged to be connected to a video production house who was producing a family related program. I was elated to be given the opportunity to share my journey as a SAHM with more people through this program. Hopefully, it'd impact someone positively along the way :)
Being involved in the production of the program opened my eyes to loads more on what went on behind the scenes. It has really been a great learning experience!

“大手牵小手" is an 8-episode program. It will debut this coming Monday, August 15th 2011, 9pm on Channel U. Be sure to catch the program for it's packed with great content that you wouldn't want to miss! I am on episode 3 by the way. :)

Simply One Pot - Fish in Tomato Sauce

I am a busy and lazy mom, if I could make one pot meals daily, believe me, I WOULD! Yet, I need to consciously prepare meals that are nutritious and interesting to the Big kid and small kids.

Mamabliss' kitchen is usually closed on weekends and we'd always end up dining out and most times we consume food loaded with too much oil, salt, MSG and meat!!! So I try my utmost best to regulate our food intake during the weekdays with more vegetables and fish.

I had a hectic Monday (this week), yet I do not want to do takeaway so I grabbed some Cream Snapper Fillet at the supermart, a bottle of pasta sauce, some tomatoes, a capsicum and some large onions, one carrot and whipped up this one pot meal for us!

Here's how you can prepare this one-pot dish. Chop up all the ingredients besides the fish. Stir fry the onions, capsicum, carrot till tender add in the pasta sauce followed by the tomatoes. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 15-20mins. If you wish to have the sauce thinner, you may add 1/2 cup of chicken broth (I used 1tbsp of the maggi concentrated chicken broth and mixed it in 1/2 cup of water).

Meanwhile, rub a small amount of salt & pepper on the fish fillet and pan fry it for 2 mins (medium high heat) on both sides. If you are using a thicker fish fillet, you might have to pan fry it a little longer on low heat.

Prepare steam rice and place the fish fillet onto the plate and dish the sauce over the fish... ENJOY! :)

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I have a natural affinity to mushrooms, not sure why. Cream of mushroom has always been my favourite! I am grateful that I was able to find a very simple method of preparing this soup from Youtube. Oh how I love Youtube, I can literally find anything and everything I want! :)

This is the umpteenth time that I've made this cream of mushroom as it's back by popular demand! *wink* The kids and the hubs LOVE it too!~

If you have time, try preparing it too! :)

My Missy

As I was in the mood of reminiscing, I went through my old blog posts of Year 2007 in particular and I can't help but feel really blessed to have come thus far in my journey as a mother. Am so glad I've made records of our daily moments, it might be mundane to others but it's certainly an archive of fond memories to me (hopefully it'll be records that the kids would appreciate I've taken time & effort to put down).

On 2nd August 2007, we were blessed with a little girl, our Missy, and on 2nd August 2011, we celebrated Missy's 4th birthday... time just slipped past us... too swiftly!

Once again, we've celebrated her birthday in school where she is the star of the day!
It seemed like yesterday when Missy was just 1-yr-old and now she's all grown up and paving into a new milestone as she continues in her journey of growing up.
And what are grown up girls into? Why, girly things of course... tutu dresses, princess tiaras, handbags and manicure... just to name a few of Missy's interest... girls are definitely made of all things nice! ;) *bliss*

There's something about sewing

There's something about sewing that I cannot quite explain.

It's simply therapeutic that it lifts me to a different plane.

Stitch by stitch I put in action,

A piece of art in fruition.

The sense of achievement brings me

days of enjoyment.

~ Mamabliss

Injured Foot

Some three weeks ago, I had a really nasty sprain on my left ankle. I was asked by many concerned family and friends how did I sprained my ankle that badly that it was all bandaged up.

I was window shopping and naturally my eyes were wandering at the merchandise that the only time I realized I had a really bad sprain when I could hardly even stand up and the pain was excruciating that I couldn't even utter a sound. I was in the squatting position for a good 5 minutes before the very nice ladies of the shop noticed that I was in trouble and helped me sit by the chair just outside the shop.

You see, the shop was on a slope and the ground was not leveled. Being on high heels + the shop on a slope + my eyes were on the merchandise and not on the ground... the math just add up pretty badly for me!

With the help of hubby, I hopped my way (on my right leg) to a nearby shoe shop to get a pair of flip flops because I seriously couldn't walk in my high heels anymore. This is by far my first ever experience having a sprain on the ankle.

This episode has also made me realize how important our health is. With one ankle injured it's just so inconvenient to even walk much less to fulfill all the duties I have on my plate. To date, the ankle still hurts as I walk down any stairs. While I can walk without limping now, the nagging pain remains within the bone. Though there's no fracture, I believe the healing is going to take a long while.

Everyday, I have to take my steps gingerly fearing that I might sprain the same area again... sigh...