Chocolate Gateau Terrin recipe

Ingredients: Serves 10-12
230 g/ 8 oz/ 1 cup butter, softened
few drops of vanillas essence
230 g/ 8 oz/ 1 cup caster sugar
4 size 3 eggs
230 g/ 8 oz/ 2 cup self-raising flour, sifted
100 ml/ 4 fl oz/ half cup milk

For the dark chocolate filling:
115 g/ 4 oz/ 4 squares plain chocolate, chopped
115 g/ 4 oz/ 1/2 cup butter
2 size 3 eggs
2 tbsp caster sugar
225 ml/ 8 fl oz/ 1 cup double cream, lightly whipped
50 g/ 2 oz/ 1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 tbsp gelatine powder dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water

1) preheat the oven to 180°C/ 350°F. Grease a 900 g/ 2 lb loaf tin, line the base and sides with greaseproof paper and grease the paper.

2) To make the cake, place the butter, vanilla essence and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift the flour again and fold it and the milk into the cake mixture.

3) Transfer the cake mixture to the prepared tin and bake in the centre of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Leave the cake in the tin for about 5 minutes, then turn out on to a wire rack, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool completely.

4) To make the dark chocolate filling, place the chocolate and butter in a small saucepan and heat very gently, stirring frequently, until melted. Set aside to cool. Place the eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until think and frothy. Fold in the cream, cocoa, and dissolved gelatine until evenly blended.

5) Using a long serrated knife, cut the cake horizontally into half. Make it as even as possible on both sides.

6) Spread the dark chocolate filling on both of the cut cake piece and let it chill for about 10 minutes.

Delicious not so delicious?

My mom and I ate at Delicious for lunch today. To my astonishment, the salad and sandwich was extremely disappointing.

Roasted duck salad: Very few ducks, filled with a vaguely sour pa melon

Grilled Balsamic Mushroom Sandwich: Was very sour! Though the bread was crispy and nice.

TGIF:

We celebrated Xiao Ying's birthday at TGIF. damn the portion is as bis as in New York Deli! (I can't describe every dish because I didn't eat every of it)

Fried Mac and cheese:

A warm crispy backed flour filled with macaroni and cheese

The inside of mac and cheese

mash potato. It's extraordinary delicious without the sauce

chicken wing

beef Burger: The bun was crispy with butter on it. However, the beef tasted salty and it goes the same with the fries.

bacon burger: Huey Jen, a friend of mine, said it was a bit hard to chew. She had difficulty cutting it.

I think this was beef as well

A salad with chicken

I may look like soup but it isn't, it is actually sauce for the salad

Fettuccine carbonara: Filled with chicken breast and tomato. The sauce was just right, it doesn't make one sick of eating it. Be warned though, it may look small but it's actually a big portion.



Following dishes were taking in La viva, Singapore

Mock tail: A mixture of fruits which depressingly, I forgot.

Two pieces of Lamb Rib: Suitable for alcohol lovers. The well made ribs were served with red wine sauce and vegetables. Red wine sauce isn't strong and blended well with the ribs.

Chicken coated with mushroom sauce and mushroom: A well cooked chicken with splendid combination of mushroom sauce. Be warned, sauce may be very addictive.

The custard dessert: A fine custard, the top was kept warm while the bottom was chilled. A perfect combination and for those whom doesn't have a sweet tooth.

One of the set in La Viva contain the following dishes:

Combination of salad with cheese, dates and onions.

Prawns with tomato sauce.

Mushroom

It may look like a cake but it's actually omelet. Egg cooked with potato and onions. To me, it taste like mash potato.

beef: well cooked with onions on it

Pork with mushroom sauce: The pork was rather dried even thought it was soaked with sauce.

Salmon fish: A bit raw but it was still scrumptious especially when added with lemon.