How to choose a Maldives Resort - For first time visitor (Full resort list, almost)

We traveled to Maldives on our honeymoon back in year 2011, and if you could see, the price increases every year by almost 10% (the bed tax, T-GST, and worse now - our currency making it more than 10% with the currency exchange of USD to MYR higher than 4!!!), so if you would like to go to Maldives, do consider going there as soon as you can to avoid paying more and more after years. Since MAS has suspended flights from Kuala Lumpur to Malé, the other cheaper option now will be flying with AirAsia as it has resumed the route to Malé.

My post-wedding portraiture in Maldives

When I look back on our photos taken in Maldives during honeymoon, I am REALLY looking forward to do another trip with my 2 princesses soon! This round we are not going to stay at water villa (kids below 12 years old are not allowed, and some islands totally do not allow kids to stay in) but we are going to stay at garden or beach villa. Frankly speaking, after we experienced staying at the water villa, we think it's actually a better choice to stay at a beach villa (more spacious, some with open concept bathroom/jacuzzi, shorter distance to the restaurants, and easier access to the beach and sandbank). Furthermore, a lot of resorts have really nice beach villas with privacy and even private beach in front, overall a real bargain during low season!

The concrete jungle - Malé

Why travelling in Maldives makes so much difference from travelling other places?

1. There is no mountain - Expect the blue shades bluer than your Monday blues

2. One island one resort concept - Once you get into the resort, normally you will spend all your stay at the same resort because of super expensive transfers (especially seaplane or domestic flight) which can easily burn a hole in your pocket. Every transfer from one resort to another will be charged separately and you need to always go back to the terminals at airport first before boarding another seaplane/domestic flight to the second resort.

3. The water is as clear as your drinking water!

4. Alcohol and pork are restricted in Maldives, but available at the resorts.

5. Swimsuit and bikini is restricted and against the law in their local islands - meaning no booze and swimsuit at the guest houses and in Malé. So if you're staying at the local islands like Maafushi, forget about sunbathing in your bikini.

It's all about the money$$$$

Before arriving in the Maldives, we had done quite some information collection and then worked out the budget. It was such a big headache as every resort has different room type, meal plan and transfer mode!! In short, if you want to avoid running out of money when you're there, it's advisable to go for Full Board or All Inclusive meal plan package (only certain resorts). You can still use credit cards to pay, but it will incur charges of 4% of the amount. So bring your cash - USD. In the restaurants, on the local ferries and in the local shops, everything has to pay in Maldivian Rufiyaa.

And not all booking website or agent provide a full option of meal plans available plus the return transfer, so be wise to do your homework upfront and engage your agent to arrange for you. Then you can just pack luggage and enjoy your holiday there~

Expected rates for transfer:
Speedboat - USD $50 onwards for a return trip per person
Seaplane - USD $250 onwards for a return trip per person
Domestic Flight - USD $250 onwards for a return trip per person
*Seaplane and domestic flight fare are more expensive than air fare from Kuala Lumpur to Malé!!


How to define the seasons in Maldives?

Low season - May to July (early May is good to go, the wettest months should be June/July) 
*Cheapest throughout the year, and some luxury resorts offer free nights and free meal upgrade.

Shoulder season - September to October (shower/storm in some days but a good time to save money)
*Second cheapest room rate, the final 2 weeks of October are popular sold out period for resorts.

High season - November to April (the most beautiful weather)
*Room rates are back to 'expensive' and usually no offer except some resorts still provide early bird discount if you book few months earlier. Check with your booking agent.

Peak season - normally from 23rd December to 8th January
*Most expensive throughout the year but still fully booked. Resorts will enforce X-mas Eve Gala Dinner surcharge and New Year Eve Gala Dinner surcharge.

Each island has its own climate and the weather is hard to predict, so if it’s raining on one island, it might be sunny on another island that’s 20km away.

So, when to go to Maldives solely depends on the 2 factors: budget or weather
If you do not have budget constraint, then you can go around November/March/April.
If you have budget constraint, then you can go around May-July to enjoy the cheapest room rates.
FYI, we went in October 2011 for our honeymoon, out of the 5 days, it only rained 1 day during daytime, and 3 nights were short thunderstorms.

There are so many resorts to choose from!!!!

Here's a compact list of resorts/hotels that I've compiled for reference. I came up with this list as I did not want my own reference gone missing or I have to Google all over again when people ask for information. (Now only I completed the list with photos after so long... phew...)

You can see the meal plans available, transfer mode to the resort, and the room types available for each of the resorts.
*Beach categories = Beach bungalow/villa, Garden bungalow/villa, Standard/Superior/Deluxe rooms, etc..
*Water categories = Water bungalow/villa (with/without jacuzzi), Ocean bungalow/villa, Lagoon suits, etc..
*Bed & Breakfast = Only room and breakfast, normally without beverages
*Half Board = Only room + breakfast + dinner, normally without beverages
*Full Board = Only room + breakfast + lunch + dinner, normally without beverages
*All Inclusive/Platinum Plan = Room + breakfast + lunch + dinner, include beverages/alcohol, some resorts also include excursions and activities

CLICK on the resort names and it will link you to their official page for the complete information on everything else. Hope this list will help you to shortlist and decide which resort to go for.
*Photos are courtesy of the original photographers/websites/resorts (too many to mention, the photos are linked directly to their original page).

Pick a resort and enjoy your holiday in Maldives!

ADAARAN CLUB RANNALHI - All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

ADAARAN PRESTIGE VADOO - All Inclusive, Speedboat (Water categories)

ADAARAN PRESTIGE WATER VILLAS - All Inclusive, Seaplane (Water categories)

ADAARAN SELECT HUDHURAN FUSHI - All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

ADAARAN SELECT MEEDHUPARU - All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach categories)

AMILLA FUSHI - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane/Domestic Flight (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

ANANTARA DHIGU RESORT & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

ANANTARA KIHAVAH VILLAS - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

ANANTARA VELI RESORT & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Water categories)

ANGAGA ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane/Domestic Flight (Beach + Water categories)

ANGSANA RESORTS & SPA IHURU - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach categories)

ANGSANA RESORTS & SPA VELAVARU - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

ATMOSPHERE KANIFUSHI - Platinum Plan, Seaplane (Beach categories)

AYADA MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

BANDOS ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

BANYAN TREE VABINFARU - Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach categories)

BAROS MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

BIYADHOO ISLAND RESORT MALDIVES - Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach categories) *Budget*

CENTARA GRAND ISLAND RESORT & SPA - All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

CENTARA RAS FUSHI RESORT & SPA - All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

CHAAYA ISLAND DHONVELI - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

CHAAYA LAGOON HAKURAA HURAA - All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

CHAAYA REEF ELLAIDHOO - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat/Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

CHEVAL BLANC RANDHELI - Bed & Breakfast, Seaplane (Water Categories) *Luxury*

CLUB MED KANI - All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach +Water Categories)

COCO PALM BODU HITHI - Bed & Breakfast, Speedboat (Water Categories) *Luxury*

COCO PALM DHUNI KOLHU - Bed & Breakfast, Seaplane/Domestic Flight (Beach + Water Categories)

COCOA ISLAND BY COMO - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Water Categories) *Luxury*

CONRAD MALDIVES RANGALI ISLAND - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board, Seaplane/Domestic Flight (Beach + Water Categories) *Luxury*

CONSTANCE HALAVELI - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Cristal Ultimate, Seaplane (Beach + Water Categories) *Luxury*

CONSTANCE MOOFUSHI - All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water Categories) *Luxury*

DUSIT THANI - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/Pure Indulgence, Seaplane/Domestic Flight (Beach + Water Categories)

EMBUDU VILLAGE - Full board, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

ERIYADU ISLAND RESORT - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach categories) *Budget*

FILITHEYO ISLAND RESORT - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

FOUR SEASON RESORT MALDIVES AT KUDA HURAA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

FOUR SEASONS LANDAA GIRAVAARU - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

FUN ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Full Board, Speedboat (Beach categories) *Budget*

GANGEHI ISLAND RESORT - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

GILI LANKANFUSHI - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Water categories) *Luxury*

HERATHERA ISLAND RESORT - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Domestic Flight (Beach categories) *Budget*

HIDEAWAY BEACH RESORT & SPA -  Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

HOLIDAY INN KANDOOMA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

HOLIDAY ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Domestic Flight (Beach categories) *Budget*

HUVAFEN FUSHI - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

J RESORT ALIDHOO - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Domestic Flight (Beach + Water categories)

J RESORT KUDA RAH - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane/Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

JA MANAFARU - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water Categories) *Luxury*

JUMEIRAH DHEVANAFUSHI - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board, Domestic Flight (Beach + Water Categories) *Luxury*

JUMEIRAH VITTAVELI - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Beach + Water Categories) *Luxury*

KANDOLHU ISLAND - Bed & Breakfast/A la carte dining/AI, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

KOMANDOO ISLAND RESORT - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

KURAMATHI ISLAND RESORT - Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water Categories)

KUREDU RESORT - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water Categories) *Budget*

KURUMBA MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach categories) *Budget*

LILY BEACH RESORT & SPA - Platinum Plan, Seaplane/Domestic Flight (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

LUX MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane/Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

MAAFUSHIVARU MALDIVES - Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

MAKUNUDHU ISLAND - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach categories) *Budget*

MEDHUFUSHI ISLAND RESORT - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

MEERU ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

MIRIHI ISLAND RESORT - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane/Domestic Flight (Beach + Water categories)

NALADHU MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Beach categories) *Luxury*

NIKA ISLAND RESORT - Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

NIYAMA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

ONE AND ONLY REETHI RAH, MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

OUTRIGGER KONOTTA MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/All Inclusive, Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

PALM BEACH RESORT & SPA - All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach categories) *Budget*

PARADISE ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

PARK HYATT MALDIVES HADAHAA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

REETHI BEACH RESORT - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane/Domestic Flight (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

ROBINSON CLUB MALDIVES - Full Board, Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

ROYAL ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Domestic Flight (Beach categories)

SAFARI ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

SHANGRI-LAS VILINGILI RESORT & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

SHERATON MALDIVES FULL MOON RESORT & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

SIX SENSES LAAMU - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

SONEVA FUSHI - Room Only/Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane/Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach categories) *Luxury*

SUN ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Domestic Flight (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

TAJ EXOTICA RESORT & SPA MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

THE RESIDENCE MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

THE SUN SIYAM IRUFUSHI - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane/Domestic Flight + Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

THULHAGIRI ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

VAKARUFALHI ISLAND RESORT - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

VELAA PRIVATE ISLAND - Bed & Breakfast, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

VELASSARU MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories)

VELIDHU ISLAND RESORT - Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Budget*

VELIGANDU ISLAND RESORT - Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

VICEROY MALDIVES - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

VILAMENDHOO ISLAND RESORT & SPA - Full board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

VILU REEF BEACH & SPA RESORTS - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board/All Inclusive, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

VIVANTA BY TAJ - CORAL REEF - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Speedboat (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

W RETREAT & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories) *Luxury*

ZITAHLI RESORTS & SPA - Bed & Breakfast/Half Board/Full Board, Seaplane (Beach + Water categories)

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Mommydiary 24Aug2015: Allison is 2 months old!

Today Allison turns 2 months old and I did something meaningful for her.
I love the power of sharing through a nice platform like TBAN~
Very happy that by sharing Allison's case on gastro-oesophageal reflux would be able to help so many other babies going through the same issue.
My post has crazily being 'liked' over 2000 times up to now. *amazing*
I love being a mommy!!

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Panna Cotta

Panna cotta (Italian 'cooked cream') is an Italian dessert of sweetened cream thickened with gelatin and molded. The cream may be aromatized with rum, coffee, vanilla, or other flavorings.

Lately I found that many of the breastfeeding mothers are crazy over panna cotta as many found it a great milk booster. So I decided to try out before I resume my breastfeeding journey real soon (probably in another 2 weeks' time). My little bump always craves for desserts, so this is a good chance to satisfy her sweet tooth as well.

I made some minor changes from the recipe I found online, and this is it.
Taste was really rich and creamy, and basically whoever tried it liked it. :)

Ingredients (Original recipe makes 6 servings):

•  1/3 cup skim milk (I use buttermilk)
•  1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
•  2 1/2 cups heavy cream (I use 500ml of heavy cream)
•  1/2 cup white sugar
•  1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method (adapted from Allrecipes.com):

1. Pour milk into a small bowl, and stir in the gelatin powder. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan, stir together the heavy cream and sugar, and set over medium heat. Bring to a full boil, watching carefully, as the cream will quickly rise to the top of the pan. Pour the gelatin and milk into the cream, stirring until completely dissolved. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and pour into six individual ramekin dishes.
3. Cool the ramekins uncovered at room temperature. When cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before serving.

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Dark Chocolate Almond Shortcake

Normally people bake Strawberry Shortcakes. Due to my fridge has run out of strawberries, I modified the frosting and it became dark chocolate almond shortcake.

This is a birthday cake for my late mother...

Dark Chocolate Almond Shortcake
*makes a 6” x 2.5” round removable bottom cake pan

Shortcake is a sweet cake or biscuit (in the American sense: that is, a crumbly bread that has been leavened with baking powder or baking soda).
Shortcake is typically made with flour, sugar, baking powder or soda, salt, butter, milk or cream, and sometimes eggs. The dry ingredients are blended, and then the butter is cut in until the mixture resembles cornmeal. The liquid ingredients are then mixed in just until moistened, resulting in a shortened dough. The dough is then dropped in spoonfuls onto a baking sheet, rolled and cut like baking powder biscuits, or poured into a cake pan, depending on how wet the dough is and the baker's preferences. Then it is baked at a relatively high temperature until set.

Ingredients:
Sponge cake
2 large eggs
60g caster sugar
60g low protein flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
20g melted unsalted butter

Syrup
10ml hot water
1/2 tbsp caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream
150g whipping cream
1 tbsp caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Garnish
Dark chocolate powder (for decorating on top)
1/2 cup of chopped almond (half sprinkled in the whipped cream, half for decorating on top)

Method:
Sponge Cake

1. Add eggs in a mixing bowl, use a hand whisk, lightly mix well the eggs. 
2. Then add in caster sugar, and continue to lightly mix well with the eggs.
3. Continue to stir until caster sugar dissolved.
4. Use an electric mixer to continue whisking the mixture until turn pale to white. 
5. Sift in flour, separate into 3 stages, cut through the mixture with a wire whisk after each addition.
6. Pour the melted butter (cooled) over the batter and fold in using a spatula. 
7. Pour the cake batter into the cake pan, towards the end, pour batter to one side of the pan (to minimize forming a dome but mine still formed a slight dome...).
8. Lift the tin and drop it gently a few times onto the table to eliminate air bubbles.
9. Original recipe called for baking the cake at pre-heated oven at 170degC for 25 mins to 30 mins (place at middle rack). I use Philips AirFryer and baked at 170degC for 15 mins.

Syrup

1. Dissolved caster sugar with hot water, add vanilla extract and mix well. 
2. Set aside to cool down.

Cream

1. Add sugar, whipping cream and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. 
2. Place the bowl over another bowl that is filled with ice water, whisk the whipping cream till soft peak. 
3. Store in the fridge before decorating.

Decorating

1. Once cake is done, cool it upside down on a wire rack. 
2. After cooled, slice it into half.
3. Brush some sugar syrup on the first layer, then spread a layer cream on top, sprinkle chopped almonds.
4. Brush another layer with sugar syrup, then place it on top of the first layer, spread the remaining cream, then sift the dark chocolate powder on top.
5. Sprinkle chopped almonds on top of the dark chocolate powder.
6. Chill the cake in fridge for hours before serve.

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Matcha Mille Crêpes with Hazelnut Cream 抹茶榛子奶油千层蛋糕

Matcha Mille Crêpes with Hazelnut Cream

It's always expensive to buy Mille Crêpes so I decided to experiment on my own. Coincidentally I found the link shared by others and so here's my version. This was my first try but it was successful!! *hurray*
I added hazelnut flavor (hazelnut meal) to the whipping cream. You may even do a plain vanilla flavor crêpes to replace the Matcha flavor crêpes if you're not a fan of it.

Recipe serves 8
Ingredients:
For the crêpes:
240g cup low protein flour
4 large eggs
650ml milk
50g unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons Matcha powder (10g)
90g caster sugar
A pinch of salt
Vegetable oil (for

For the cream:
600ml heavy cream, whipped
80g caster sugar
5 tablespoons Hazelnut meal (optional)
Few drops of vanilla essence

To garnish:
Matcha powder (to sieve onto the surface)


Method (For the crêpes):
1. Combine the low protein flour, caster sugar and salt until well mixed.
2. Add in the eggs, blend into the mixture.
3. While whisking the eggs into the mixture, add in the milk, 1/3 of the amount each time.
4. Melt the butter and add into the batter. Stir gently until smooth.
5. Filter again the batter with a sieve. Then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
6. Place a nonstick or crepe pan over medium heat. Using a silicone brush, coat the pan with a little butter. I use my Happy Call Pan to ease the flipping over of the crepe.
7. Pour in some batter into the pan using a ladle. Lift, tilt and rotate the pan so that the batter forms an even, very thin layer.
8. Cook about 20 seconds, then turn the crêpe over and cook for another 8-10 seconds. Remove the crêpe to cool down.
9. Continue cooking the rest of the crêpes until batter finished. If you use a 26cm diameter pan, you may yield approximately 21 pcs of crêpes. Align and stack up the crêpes while they're warm, and cover with a piece of clean cloth and wait for them to cool down.

Method (For the cream):

1. Prepare the whipping cream. Add in caster sugar and vanilla essence.
2. Whisk until it thickens and almost stiff.
3. Add in the hazelnut meal, then stir until complete incorporated. (optional)
4. Cool and refrigerate.

Method (To assemble the crêpes):
*As I'm using the Happy Call Pan, the batter yielded about 18 pcs of crêpes.
1. Separate the crêpes one by one after completely cool down. Stack and align them, then trim the stack per your desired size.
2. Lay a piece of crêpes on a cake plate. Using an icing spatula, completely cover with a thin layer of the cream. Cover with another piece of crêpe and repeat to complete the stack. Mine is 18 layers in total.
3. Chill for at least 3 hours. Sieve the Matcha powder onto the surface, cut and serve cold.

Original recipe from Amandatastes.com 文字版菜谱（取自曼食曼语）
*You may find the link to her tutorial in Youtube for better guidance*

抹茶可丽饼：低筋面粉240g，鸡蛋4个，牛奶650g，黄油50g，抹茶粉2大勺（10g），细砂糖90g，盐一小撮，植物油适量

打发奶油：鲜奶油600ml，细砂糖80g，香草精数滴

装饰：抹茶粉适量

做法：
1. 把低筋面粉，抹茶粉，细砂糖和盐混合均匀
2. 打入鸡蛋，用蛋抽把鸡蛋打散，同时和面粉混合
3. 一边搅拌一边分3次倒入牛奶拌匀
4. 把黄油融化后倒入，轻轻搅拌面糊至基本顺滑
5. 将面糊过筛，盖上保鲜膜放入冰箱冷藏至少一小时
6. 找一口平底不粘锅，开小火预热一会儿，准备一小碟油和一个刷子，在锅底薄薄地刷上一层油
7. 倒入适量面糊，并立即摇晃锅子使面糊摊成均匀的圆形薄饼
8. 小火煎约20秒，待面糊表面凝固后用手翻面，再煎8-10秒即可出锅
9. 一直重复直至面糊用完，用口径26cm的锅子，煎出21张可丽饼。煎好的饼趁热平铺整齐地叠放好，盖上一块干净的布，放凉待用
10. 往鲜奶油中倒入细砂糖和香草精，隔冰块打发，至奶油表面呈现纹路，但还有一点流动性时停止
11. 将冷却的可丽饼一张张分开，再取几张叠在一起，扣一个小盘子作为参照，切掉不整齐的边
12. 取一张饼，铺上打发奶油，用刮刀抹平，再叠上下一张，依次进行直至完成千层蛋糕
13. 放入冰箱冷藏至少3小时，取出筛上抹茶粉，用锋利的刀切块即可

Tips：
1. 可丽饼基础面糊有个大概的体积配比，面粉：牛奶：鸡蛋：黄油约为2:3:1:0.5。记住液体是面粉的两倍多一点就行了，具体牛奶，鸡蛋，黄油的比例可以略有变化
2. 面糊冷藏后再煎会让煎饼更柔软，如有少许疙瘩也会在冷藏后消失
3. 前两张煎饼不会那么完美，注意保持小火，每次下锅面糊的量尽量一致
4. 注意翻面的时机，要等到表面完全干掉才不会翻破
5. 打发奶油时注意不要打过头，太稀可以用刮刀多抹一会儿，若不小心打过头可以混入适量未打发的奶油补救
6. 组装好的蛋糕要冷藏定型后才会切得整齐

**I removed the layer of Match powder before serving to my girl

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Japanese Cheesecake with Philips AirFryer

This round I tried experimenting the Philips AirFryer with another of my favorite cheesecake. I followed exactly the ingredients and instructions in Christine's Recipe, except the baking temperature and baking time due to different oven used. They turned out to be fluffy and creamy as expected!!!

Before the first batch cooled down, 4 cupcakes already gone missing... I chilled and refrigerated all and today they taste even better!


Recipe makes around 28 mini cupcakes.
(I made 24 mini cupcakes + 1 small baking pan size block)

Ingredients:
250 ml milk
250 gm cream cheese, cubed and softened at room temperature
60 gm butter, softened at room temperature
6 egg yolks
55 gm cake flour
20 gm corn flour
1 lemon zest
6 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
130 gm caster sugar

Tips: Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start.

Method:

**Preheat the Philips AirFryer to 150deg C for about 5 minutes.

1. Use a large bowl, pour in milk. Place the bowl over simmering water. Don’t let the bottom of the bowl touch the water. Add cream cheese, stir occasionally, until completely dissolved and the mixture turns smooth (double boil method).

2. Stir in butter, till dissolved. Remove from heat. 

3. Let cool down a bit, then add the egg yolks and combine well. (Note: Make sure the mixture is not too hot to avoid cooking the egg yolks at this stage.)

4. Combine cake flour and corn flour. Sift in the flours into the cream cheese mixture, a small amount at a time. Mix well between every addition, and make sure there aren’t any flour lumps. Stir in freshly grated zest. Set aside.

5. Place egg whites in a large clean bowl. (Note: Make sure there’s no oil or water in the bowl at all.) Use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites for 3 minutes, then add cream of tartar and blend again. Pour sugar in the egg whites and blend until very stiff peaks form. Use highest speed.

6. Fold-in the egg whites into the cream cheese mixture gently with a rubber spatula.

7. For a better result, fold in egg whites with a small amount at a time, at least for 3 times.

8. Fold-in just until all ingredients are incorporated. Do not stir or beat.  

Bake with pan

Pour the mixture into a small baking pan. I use a baking pan which can fit into the Philips AirFryer. I add hot water in the lower tray up to the level near the mesh metal basket (water-bath method). Bake for 15-20 minutes. Test with a needle or skewer that comes out clean. Slide out the basket and leave it 5 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan. Let it cool completely on a wire rack, then chill in the fridge for hours. I chilled overnight.

Baking into cupcakes

For the remaining mixture, I baked into small cupcakes. Test with a needle or skewer that comes out clean. Slide out the basket and leave it 5 minutes for each batch (one batch yields about 7 cupcakes). Cool completely on a wire rack, then chill in the fridge.

Side note:

Some of the cakes shrink a little due to rapid cooling for certain batch.. But overall the surface didn't crack. :)

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Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcakes with Philips AirFryer

*Scheduled post*

Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcakes 北海道戚风杯蛋糕

Obviously I've been missing in action from blogospheres for months due to my second pregnancy... And surprisingly my second girl in the tummy started triggering mommy to go back into kitchen for foodie experiments after the first trimester. She even 'urged' me to add some new tools and did I get this Philips HD9220/56 AirFryer with Rapid Air Technology during the special staff sales weeks ago at only RM699 (cheap right? =D)

So far I've experimented with chips, wedges and even dinner rolls (all succeeded but I was lazy to post). This round I am so eager to try baking the Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcakes. And I guess I'm the first one to do it with an airfryer, so it's solely trial and error haha~ I did a bit of adjustment on the temperature and baking time, basically lowering the temperature and also shortened the baking time (you can see from the pictures below to see the difference).

There are so many recipes available and shared around the blogospheres and on FB. You may Google it on your own as I didn't really follow exactly any one of them because I used Philips AirFryer instead of the conventional oven. Seriously I've never baked a cake using an oven before... but then at least I succeeded this first time baking mini chiffon cakes which can be considered soft and fluffy enough.

I didn't make the custard cream filling as well but just use some ready custard powder. No ready whipping cream available in my fridge so I just make use of whatever I can find in the kitchen. Indeed the taste was good after I chilled the cake overnight!


Recipe makes 12 mini cupcakes.

Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
3 eggs, separated
50g caster sugar (separate into 2 portions of 25g each)
35g vegetable oil - I used canola oil
60g milk
70g cake flour, sifted

For the filling:
2 tablespoon of custard powder + 2 tablespoon of milk (mixed)
1 cup of milk
25g caster sugar

For finishing:
Fresh fruits (I use plum)
Icing sugar to dust

Tips: Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start.

Method (For the cupcakes):
1. Use hand whisk to whisk the egg yolks and sugar till pale in color. Whisk in canola oil and milk, mix well. Add sifted cake flour and whisk till the egg yolk mixture is smooth and well combined.
* I heated up the canola oil and milk before adding in to the mixture. Got the tips from Awayofmind Bakery House.

2. Instead of using the electronic mixer, I use hand whisk to whisk the egg whites and the sugar (I just come to realize that I lent my electronic mixer and yet to get it back.. ouch my hand!!). Whisk the egg whites until stiff peak.

3. Take 1/3 of the egg white mixture and add it to the egg yolk mixture. Mix until combined. 

4. Fold in the remaining egg white mixture to the egg yolk mixture. I did it in 3 rounds.

Method (For baking):
1. Preheat the Philips AirFryer at 170degC for 5 mins.
2. Fill up 3/4 of the cupcake linear. Bake in preheat oven at 170degC for 20 mins (I see some of the original recipe bake in 170degC for 20 mins, so I just tried if it works but it turned out to be overbaked...taste like normal cupcake which is harder in texture.)
3. The second batch I switched the setting to 150degC for 15 mins.
4. At 10 mins I started to monitor the cupcakes by sliding out the basket and check the appearance. I poked a chopstick into the middle to check. It seemed to be almost done at 12 mins! Somehow I lowered the temperature to 120degC and left them baking for another 3 mins until the timer is up.
5. Leave cake to cool down completely before piping in the filling.

Method (For the filling):
1. I used ready custard powder and follow the instructions to make the mixture.
2. Heat 1 cup of milk and add 25g of caster sugar. Bring to boil.

3. Lower the heat to medium, then add in the custard mixture and stir till it thickens.

4. Set aside and let it cool down before fill up to the pipe.

Finally....

Make a hole on the cupcake (I already poked a hole when checking them out in the oven) and pipe in the custard filling. Last but not least, dust them with icing sugar and garnish with fruit (I used plum).

Chill in the fridge (I chilled overnight) and ready to serve!!

Tadaaa~ My first attempt of chiffon cakes. Although I know that they're not the softest nor fluffiest but still they taste great!!

Chilled Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcakes ready to serve~

Happy trying if you have a Philips AirFryer too!

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Boiling Steamboat & Dim Sum 滚一滚 (Penang Island Branch)

*Delayed post...Abigail is already 27 months old now*

Once in a while we would dine at places where it's not convenient to bring along our 20 months old little lady. So we can only do it after work before going home.

It was just by chance when we came to this new branch of Boiling Steamboat & Dim Sum restaurant located at Bayan Baru (Elite Height). Their concept is kanban belt steamboat, each a pot, and you get to choose either ala carte or buffet prior to start eating. After looking at the menu, we decided to choose buffet, which cost RM35.90 per pax.

The interior, seating around the kanban belt

Seating with friends or small groups

The staff will first serve you with a set platter for buffet. You may refill the ingredients afterwards, either through the order chit (which I think is redundant) or get them directly from the kanban belt. Meat slices for shabu-shabu you need to continue top up using the order chit.

Set platter for buffet

Kanban belt

Soup base that we tried: tomyam (东炎汤) and pepper pig stomach (胡椒豬肚汤). Personally I still prefer the pepper pig stomach soup as the tomyam soup is basically mixing the paste provided into the clear soup.

My Rank: 3/5
(Taste just average. Sometimes slow response on the repeated order using order chits.)

Address:
1-1-33, Jalan Mayang Pasir 3, Bayan Baru, Penang, Malaysia

Tel: 04-6119357, 016 4268070

Business Hour:

Lunch: 11:00am - 2:30pm

Dinenr: 5:30pm - 11:00pm

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