Dessert place: Fraser's

New York style Baked Cheesecake. Yum at Fraser's, in Mt Eden, Auckland. I have no idea if it's NY-style for real or not. I'll let you know after I get there, which may be in a while while, but I can tell you that it was so delish.

Sis and I walked all the way to Mt Eden from town, which is a good 50 - 60 min walk. Not because we were so keen to get to Fraser's, but more because we love walking so much. It's good exercise, and I guess, yes, there was a reward at the half way point.

The late afternoon walk was lovely, at least for me. I love when it's nice outside and I get to enjoy it, even for a bit. The lectures have finished so lots of revising to be done at the moment. The first exam starts in a week's time, eek!! But then there's a trip down to my parents' that awaits me soon afterwards... :)

Baking: oeuf en cocotte in teacups

A nice dollop of creme fraiche
Season with nutmeg/paprika/chilli powder.. your choice
Salt and pepper
Crack the egg in
Dill or another herb on top
Another spoonful of creme fraiche.

In the oven, in a baking tray, bathe the cups to half way.
180 degrees C, for about 15 minutes.

Salmon eggs for presentation - or ham or mushrooms...

Serve with baguette :)

Another of Rachel Khoo's recipes.

Under the tree

I wish it was still warm outside so I can sit under a tree to enjoy the fresh air. Actually, I never seem to want to go outside much these days. Last week of the semester, only a few more days to go!

Sunday night

Drinking the red wine my lovely sister gave me as a birthday present, while listening to cool music and trying to start on the last assignments of the semester...

Thanks sis and here's to another good (better) week! Cheers!

Baking: Croque Madame muffins

1T butter and 1T flour whisk in a pan
Add 250g milk
Also nutmeg, (dijon mustard,) to season.
This is your Beaujolais?! sauce.

6 slices of white bread, crusts off
Flatten, coat bread with butter
Place into muffin try
In goes: (ham), egg, 1T sauce, grated cheese - gruyere or compte
Brush with butter

Bake at 180 degrees C for 15 minutes.

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I have a new favourite cooking 'celebrity'. Her name is Rachel Khoo, and she lives in Paris. A Brit, younger than Jamie Oliver and as retro but in a tinier kitchen than Nigella, she has just recently done her first season with BBC. I have been watching it regularly online for a while, scribbling down her recipes to be tried later.

After pushing open all my windows and doors to the deck area for fresh air to enter, some old French music on to block out the neighbours who are going at it again...

Beautiful lunch!

I'm also glad I got to try out my new rolling pin and egg timer my lovely friends gave me for my birthday just past. :) Yay!

I didn't get called into work today so I have a lot of time on hand. Going to force myself to go for a walk outside. Being cooped up inside just because it's cold is not the best option, really!

Otherwise, I hope you all a bon week-end !

Coffee place: Albert park cafe

I always felt bad for passing this neighbour cafe without dropping by here for a proper meal. So today I did. I was in a zombie state this morning in dire need of caffeine (so bad, I know!). There was nothing to eat at home any more. Too busy to go grocery shopping :( So in we popped, C and I, to get some studying done as well as enjoy the hustle bustle of a live cafe setting. Going to cafes to study is a habit of mine when I really need some studies done. That sounds weird but the cafes keep me awake. Probably the caffeine and food helps, too. I also like flipping through magazines during 'study breaks', as well, haha.

Student strike on Budget cut

Education is a right and the students ran a protest at uni today. Thank you to everyone that took part!