Friday, August 29, 2014

Sweet Findings

HEY!


I've been under the weather since my birthday :( Been having the fever, cold, sore throat, throbbing head.. But I'm slowly recovering now. The weather in Sydney has been TERRIBLE too! Wet and cold. Can't wait for Spring time. 

Hopefully next week's weather would be so much better!!

There are some awesome sweet findings this week.

1 - Think that your kitchen is too small? Here are 8 smart storage trick ideas for you.
pic: apartmenttherapy

2 - Wouldn't it be nice to wake up with an alarm clock with fresh coffee?
pic: boredpanda

3 - Tips to Preserving Fresh Basil all year long 
pic: thekitchn

4 - These Frangipane tarts look divine! 
pic: kitchenaidblog

5 - These Frozen Watermelon popsicles is such a great idea! Can't wait to try it in the summer!
pic: community.hotplate


Have a good Friday! :)

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Father's Day BBQ Cookbooks Giveaway

Hey!

So Father's day is just around the corner! Have you gotten something yet? Or are you still thinking of what to get? 

Look no further! 

Thanks to Nicola from Harper Collins for organising this giveaway courtesy of Pavilion books. 

I have 2 AMAZING sets of cookbooks to giveaway to you lovely bunch! 

 Tex-Mex from Scratch and Texas BBQ both by Jonas Cramby.

 Tex-Mex from Scratch snippets

Texas BBQ snippets

Want to see more? Hurry, enter now into the giveaway and you can win them!

All you've got to do to win a set of these cookbooks are:

1 - You have to be living in Australia so that I can post the cookbooks to you.

2 - Like my Facebook page (if you have liked already, good on you, if you haven't, what are you waiting for?) as well as tag your friends and family in the comment section.

3 - Email me your postal address, name, contact number. Please make sure they are valid, so that I am able to contact you, otherwise I will be choosing another winner.

4 - Comment in this post below to let me know what's your best father's day memory.

Giveaway closes Monday 1st September 2014, 11.59pm Sydney time. So be quick! We have planned to make sure that you would get the prize if you're the winner in time just for Father's day!

The 2 winners will be announced on Tuesday 2nd September 2014 here!

Giveaway is now CLOSED!

Good luck! :)

Monday, August 25, 2014

Review: A taste of South America's - Alfrajores


Have you heard of Alfajores??!
I received a delicious parcel from Daniela - LatinPR. It was the delicious Argentine Alfajores by AlfaChoc! It is pronounced as (Al-fa-ho-res). It is a South American type of sandwich cookie that is filled with dulce de leche (caramel filling). YUM!
I received the AlfaChoc Dark - I like how the cookie is crumbly, the caramel filling is slightly gooey and how the dark chocolate ties everything together.
 It is nice as a gift! Who wouldn't want to receive Chocolates + Biscuits + Caramel all in one?!
These Alfajores are handmade in Sydney.
Premium ingredients like Belgian chocolate and fresh vanilla beans from Papua New Guinea are used.
There are no additives and/or preservatives.
images from Alfachoc.com
Priced at $23.40 for a gift box of 6 Alfajores. You can now buy them online, is it available Australia-wide - AlfaChoc
AlfaChoc Clasico: Cornflour cookies made with fresh lemon zest, vanilla seeds and hazelnuts liquor combined with the creaminess of dulce de leche.
AlfaChoc Dark: Flavours of rich cocoa powder, fresh vanillas and orange zest biscuits filled with dulce de leche and hand dipped in the finest Belgian 55% dark chocolate.
AlfaChoc White: Flavours of almond extracts combined with fine Belgian white chocolate, fresh vanilla seeds and dulce de leche... simply delicious!
AlfaChoc has been in the market since 2011, recognised among the top 10 biscuits in Sydney by TimeOut magazine.

Happy Monday! :)

Friday, August 22, 2014

Sweet Findings

Hey!

So what were you up to this week?

My husband and I went over to Melbourne for a short trip for our wedding anniversary and my early birthday celebration. We ate so much, one stop after the other, eating while walking, you can check out my Instagram on what we were up to.  Yes we ate so much but hey, we're on holiday!
We had so much fun though, it was a much needed break! Hope you all had a great week too!

So this week's sweet findings...

1 - Now, if you're having trouble with your cake, here are 10 different ways to fix it
pic: bbcgoodfood

2 - Did you know that there is a difference between a Jam, Jelly, Conserves, Marmalade & Fruit Spread?
pic: thekitchn

3 - Reasons why you shouldn't leave your ice in the tray.
pic: thekitchn

4 - Want to know how to make good meringues?
pic: dustyburritos

5 - Know which fruits are in season now!
pic:ripetrack

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Menulog Giveaway WINNER!!

Woohoo!

Congrats to Charlotte (SayAnything)!!

You've won yourself a $25 cash voucher from Menulog!

I will email you the details to claim your prize!

Thank you all for taking the time to enter this giveaway and for saying HELLO!

Stay tuned as there will be more giveaways in the upcoming posts!

This giveaway is sponsored by Menulog.


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Be right back


Hey!

Passionatemae will be right back..

I'm currently on holidays celebrating my anniversary with my husband.

Follow me on Instagram to see what I'm up to during this break!

Take care xx
Mae 


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

How to use Menulog & a Giveaway!!

Have you heard of Menulog? 

Menulog is an Online Takeaway in Australia. There's more than 3500+ restaurants around Australia that participates with Menulog. It is pretty easy to use. There's a mobile app for it too.

I was approached my Menulog to give their service a try. It was certainly very user-friendly.

Here, I will show you how to use Menulog to order your takeaways! Why not?? Since, by doing so, you don't have to go. And most restaurants around your area will provide you with a free delivery with a low minimum spend.

Just a few simple steps and you'll be ready to eat in no time!

1)  Head to http://www.menulog.com.au/takeaway/chatswood and type in the location of your area.

2) A list of participating restaurants will be listed, choose your restaurant of choice. 
   

3) After choosing your restaurant, now you can order what you feel like eating.
          

4) Once you choose a dish,  some dishes will require you to choose the type of meat/level of spiciness. 
       

5) You can see your order summary on the right hand side before you move on to the next step to place your order.
                                 

6) It is time to choose your delivery date and time. 
       

7) It is time for checkout! Enter your delivery and payment details.
         

Now sit back and relax while you wait comfortably in your own home for your yummy food to arrive at your door step!

Wasn't that easy? I definitely found it really easy to use. Moreover, you can order your food a few days in advance too. 

My husband and I got to enjoy this service and a free meal courtesy of Menulog. 

Wait! There's more! It's giveaway time!

Here's a free meal worth $25 on me courtesy of Menulog. All you've got to do, to be one of my lucky winner...

1) You must live in Australia.
2) You have to like my Facebook page and say hello in the comment section.
3) Leave a comment in my blog telling me which restaurant in your area you're thinking of ordering from?
4) Email me your contact details - email address and phone number. (Make sure it is valid, otherwise a new winner will be chosen if I am unable to reach you)

* Giveaway ends on the 19th August 2014 11.59pm, Sydney time.
* Winner will be announced on Wednesday 20th August 2014.
* Prize can only be used for delivery, credit card payment and 1 time use only.
*Prize is valid for a month.

GIVEAWAY entries are now CLOSED!

Good luck! :)

Friday, August 8, 2014

Sweet Findings

Hey!

Do you know that there are times where my mind just does not know what to write about? It's hard sometimes... There are just so many things running in my head...which direction should I go?

Let's just stop at that and check out this week's sweet findings.

1 - How to sneak Chocolate Chip Cookies into all of your desserts with recipes? I'll take 2, 5, 12, and 16 please!
pic:halfbakedharvest

2 - OH Boy! 35 Decadent Brownie recipes just for you. 
pic: twopeasandtheirpod

3 - Can't wait to try this Banana Pudding Tiramisu
pic: culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody

pic: topwithcinnamon

pic:cookrepublic

Happy Friday! :)

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Kitchen Essentials Part 4: Measurements Cheat Sheet

pic: loosingthefatgirl

I've been searching high and low for cheat sheets like this. If you're like me, you'll love this! All these information was compiled from various sources and some are from my own. I will update the list as we go!

Make sure that you use the right measuring method, see tips - Kitchen Essentials Part 3: Basic Baking Measuring 


Basic measurements 
1 cup = 250ml
1/2 cup = 125ml
1 tablespoon = 15ml
1/2 tablespoon = 7.5ml
1 teaspoon = 5ml
1/2 teaspoon = 2.5ml

Eggs (small) - around 50g

Oven temperature
It is always 20 degrees Celsius lower if you're using Fan-forced instead of Conventional.

The lists below are based on 1 cup measurement.

Flour
Plain, self raising - 150g
Plain, wholemeal - 160g
Bread - 160g
Buckwheat - 150g
Chickpea (besan) - 150g
Cornflour - 150g
Gluten-free (plain & self-raising) - 135g
Maize - 180g
Oatmeal - 140g
Potato - 150g
Rice - 200g
Rye - 125g
Semolina - 180g
Soya - 125g

Chocolate/Dairy
Butter - 250g
Choc (coarsely grated) - 100g
Choc bits - 190g
Choc melts - 100g
Cocoa - 100g
Sour Cream - 240g
Yoghurt - 280g

Sugar/Spread
Glucose (liquid) - 350g
Golden syrup - 350g
Honey - 360g
Jam - 320g
Marmalade - 340g
Peanut butter - 280g
White sugar - 220g
Raw sugar - 220g
Demerara sugar - 220g
Brown sugar (firmly packed) - 220g
Icing sugar - 160g
Treacle - 360g

Nuts
Almonds (flakes) - 80g
Almond (meal/ground) - 120g
Almond (slivered )- 140g
Almond (whole kernels blanched) - 160g
Brazil Nut (kernels) - 160g
Cashews (whole) - 150g
Hazelnut (whole) - 140g
Hazelnut (meal/ground) - 100g
Macadamias (whole) - 140g
Peanuts - (whole) - 140g
Pecans - (whole) - 120g
Pine nuts - 155g
Pistachios (in shell) - 175g
Pistachios (no shell) - 140g
Walnuts (whole) - 100g

Dried Fruits (coarsely chopped)
Apples - 60g
Apricots - 150g
Cranberries - 130g
Currants - 160g
Dates (seeded) - 140g
Mixed dried fruits - 160g
Mixed peel - 170g
Peaches - 150g

Misc
Berries (mixed frozen) - 150g
Cherries (glace whole) - 200g
Coconut (desiccated) - 80g
Coconut (flaked) - 50g
Coconut (shredded) - 75g
Ginger (glace whole) - 230g
Ginger (crystallised whole) - 220g
Peaches (glace chopped) - 250g
Prunes (with seeds) - 180g
Prunes (no seeds) - 170g
Raisins - 180g
Rhubarb (coarsely chopped) - 110g
Sultanas - 160g

Wheats/Grains
Cornflakes - 40g
Muesli (natural) - 110g
Muesli (toasted) - 130g
Rice bubbles - 35g
Rolled Oats - 90g

*sources from The Australian Women's Weekly Q&A Bake, Annabel Langbein, and my own.

Happy cheating! :)

Friday, August 1, 2014

Sweet Findings

Hey!!

Turn up the heat! Wrap yourself with the fluffiest blanket you can find! It's COLD...brrrrr

What are you doing this Friday night? Staying in or heading to town?! I think I may be staying in, it's really cold....and it's so much nicer to keep warm with cuddles with my hubby and my puppy Cooper.
Talk about 3 is a crowd! haha..

Anyway, can't believe that it is August now! It is my favourite month of the year! You may wonder why...or not...it's because it's double celebrations for me! It's our very first wedding anniversary and my birthday! Time flies! Seriously, so many things have happened within the year!

Let's see what I have for this week's sweet findings...

1 - Did you know it is Valentines' Day this Saturday. I just found out myself, it is the Chinese Valentines day! Make this Mini Hearts Sandwich Cookies. Bakerella comes up with the cutest sweets ever!
 pic: bakerella
2 - Staying in this weekend? Thinking of organising your spice jars, print these cute labels
pic:blogworldlabel
3 - This book Tiny Food Party by SpoonForkBacon is so adorable...everything from sweets to savoury and they are all in tiny bite sizes! Really great for entertaining. 
pic: tinyfoodparty
4 - Thinking of making something classic like a cupcake? Try my fluffy Red Velvet recipe!

5 - Keep warm with a Hot Cuppa Chocolate with Marshmallows. 
pic: joythebaker

Sweet Findings (Before)

Happy Friday! :)