Oven Thermometer

I picked this oven thermometer from Pantry Magic, the day when I was there to attend an ice cream demo.

I had read from the bakery books the inportance to have a calibrated oven so that we know we are baking our stuff at an appropriate temperature. Mine is the Brandt oven so I never doubt its ability to churn up the right amount heat. Given the mindset, this thermometer was more of a novelty to me then a necessity. It's time to affirm my trusty oven, I thought.

When I chucked it in my oven for play-play last week, I came to realised that the temperature of my oven was actually lower than it actually is. The knob says 180C but the reading on the little round face says 165C... surprise surprised.

How I managed to get away in the past is anyone's guess.

Apart from the lower actual temp of oven, I also get to the exact amount of time taken for the oven to reached the designated temperature. Now I no longer need to tikam-tikam when come to heat matter.

Cool agh!

3D Bear Cake Pan

All pix seen here are taken from Williams Sonoma.

I just saw this new cake pan on Williams Sonoma . Lovely huh?

I thought this interesting cake pan will more than make up for my lack in decorating department! *blush*

At the moment, WS only ships within USA, so I can only bring into Singapore via vPost. After checking the shipping... *sigh* the price is enough to make a gold-plated cake pan!

If you know of any local store carrying this pan, pls tell me. I will gladly bake you a bear!

New Bundt Tin

I like variation. So the whole week baking the same recipe bores me. And since i can't run away from it, might as well make the most of it by using different equipment:

I just got this 2 days ago from Pantry Magic, cost $8.10 each. It is a mini bundt tin. I like the small size , and bright colour:

Unfortunately, i think the mold looks better than the cake!

No-Bake Week!

Work is taking me to KL this week... so I have to take a hiatus from baking this week.

I am putting up Grand Millenium, formerly known as The Regent. A grand but boring hotel... cos there's no interesting baking supplies in the nearby area. I browsed the web and found a list of shops (http://jodelibakery.netfirms.com/resources.htm) but they are not really nearby, you know. And I am not quite ready to brave the chaotic traffic to the other end of the city... I mean not that I have the time anyway! Sigh, I was hoping to have a chance to buy some new baking supplies.

I do not know if it's the shopaholism in me or the baker's instinct; I am constantly looking for reasons to buy something new... all the small cute things like silicon baking cups, cake boxes, mini icing flower or just sprinkles. In fact, my times I find reasons to bake after a long hard day's work just so that I can use my precious gems ;-)

Anyway, I have managed to sneak to Bake-It-Yourself just hours before leaving Singapore to load up some some stuff - the sparkle candles (mum's birthday in August), silver foil cupcake liner (classier than the paper ones), ABC-123 quins (this is soooo unique), Xmas sanding sugar (at 50% off, I can well afford to keep them for xmas), add-a-message fun pix (what a way to personalise my cupcakes!) . Last but not least, a stackable Bear cookie cutter (brand new product from Wilton, so cute... die die must buy lah!).

They are all still in the bag. *GRIN* When I am back, I will unpack them and take a pix for oh-god-sake!

PS (Jun 24): Here's the pix as promised... it's taken with my mobile phone cos my camera has just ka-put!

All-in-One Microwave

An old friend asked me today if I know of "a magic equipment that can steam, microwave, bake, and even toast".

At the first thought, I laugh and was thinking if there's ever such an invention, it must have been a big hit by now...

But on 2nd thought, I realised there's really such a thing. I just hard to think harder.

Looook, this convection microwave oven is indeed the magic equipment:

http://panasonic.com.sg/web/pid/1136

It features:

• Powerful Steam Function & 300°C Convection
• 27L Oven Capacity
• 1000W Microwave Power

Now... Can someone help me find an excuse to replace my trusted microwave, toaster, steamer and oven :-)