Strawberry Sponge Cake with Vanilla Custard

We have less than a week until daylight saving to officially end summer. Although Madame Summer had made a detour from Auckland this year as she didn't feel like drenching us with her glorious sunshine and humid sticky nights. See you around next time!

Usually our household of 2 will have bottomless supply of strawberries in summer but that was cut short due to the rainy season and strawberries were much forgotten together with her friend the watermelon.

Anyway, I made a gorgeous strawberry cake before all the strawberries vanished and thought it may be great to share the recipe here. The sponge recipe is just a small tweak on the wonderful Annabel Langbein's lemon cake recipe I've posted before and I halved the ingredients to fit a smaller 20cm cake tin. I halved the cake and spread a layer of custard.

If you are like me who doesn't like it too sweet, reduce the sugar. My hubs likes it that way but I do find it a little too sweet because the recipe was originally for a lemon cake and omitting the lemon juice makes the cake sweeter.

Recipe:

For cake:

2 eggs

375 ml unflavoured yogurt 

1 cup sugar ( you can add an extra 1/2 cup

2 cups self rising flour

1 cup neutral oil ( I used rice bran oil)

a pinch of salt

For vanilla custard

1 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 whole vanilla pod or 1/2 tsp ground vanilla
6 free-range egg yolks
a pinch of salt

For strawberry topping (mix and refrigerate)
1 punnet (approx 250gm) strawberries
Juice from 1 lemon
2 tbsp caster sugar

1.To make custard,use a saucepan to heat milk in medium heat until it bubbles slightly and then add in 1 vanillar pod/ 1 tsp ground vanilla. Remove from heat and let the vanilla pod steep in a for while.

2.In a saucepan, stir remaining ingredients for vanilla custard and gradually add in warm milk. Simmer over low heat and stir with a wooden spoon to prevent from sticking. You can also use a whisk to prevent lumps. Remove from heat and let it cool.

3. For the cake, mix all the cake ingredients beginning with the liquids in a food processor or a large mixing bowl before adding the flour. Give it a gentle stir and don't overdo it, just enough that the ingredients are well mixed together.

4. Line a 20cm cake tin with baking paper and pour in the cake mix.

5. Bake at 160c for 90 minutes. I used Fan Bake on my oven because it's not very hot and losing heat through the broken seals.

6. Once finished, remove from oven and let it cool. Do not attempt to get it out of the tin or the cake will crack (advice to amateurs like myself).

9. Wash and cut strawberries and mix with lemon juice and sugar. Refrigerate until you need it.

8. You may want to halve the cake to create an extra layer but if you don't, it's fine. Just spread the cooled vanilla custard with a spatula on the cake and decorate with strawberries or any other summer berries.

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Sunday Long Run High & Lululemon treat

I was doing a lot of reading up on Saturday night and one article on Runner's World stresses on the importance of Base Training in order to increase general cardio fitness and on-the-feet endurance for most beginners/ slow runner (yes I am slow). And once you are able to crack the 1:45 for a half marathon speedwork will be beneficial for your improvement but limit it to no more than 3 continuous weeks so that your body is not stressed out from all the speedwork. So, with that in mind I was all excited on Sunday morning to go out and run.Plus it was a fabulous day after non-stop raining on Saturday, the air was clean and there was virtually no cars on the road. Freaking fantastic !

This is part of my 12km run and just looking at it makes me want to run now while I am sitting behind my desk.

The sight of sheep is not uncommon even if do not live on a farm but I find this sign on the gate of Cornwall Park quite hilarious, maybe it's just me.

Like all good runners (yeah right!) I obediently ice my shins after the run. Sorry for the ugly feet with bulging veins. To be different, I used a bag of frozen mozarella cheese instead of the usual peas to ice my shins. Also because I ran out of green peas so mozarella it it.

Before I went out for my run I promised myself that I can only go and buy myself something nice from Lululemon if I went out for a run. Great motivation huh? Like a carrot for the rabbit. When I finished I was happy as a clam because I enjoyed my run so much and felt like I had loads of energy and I can treat myself to something nice from Lulu.

I should have hidden the tags but this just looks more 'authentic' haha.

I never thought I would want to run in a skirt but slowly I am getting my head around it because I saw some really cute running skirts on other people like msfitrunner. I went to the store and tried on size 4 and was suprised how loose and long it looked on me. I am size 4 and the occasional 6 if I want to breathe.Also tried convincing myself into accepting a bright tank  it's just not my colour. So no skirt and bright orange tank for me. There's an urban myth that hardly anyone leaves Lulu without a purchase (I made that one up). I bought a bright blue tank and a sports bra which I will post later when I collect my tank from the store after it's been hemmed. I love the complimentary hemming service they provide, who does that ? I just hope I don't end up at Lulu each weekend because I will have to eat dust bunnies if I do. Next week it will be something like a burger and fries combo at Burger Fuel because it's much cheaper than buying gym clothes.

What is your running plan for the week?

Do you treat yourself for sticking to your running plan?

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Brick by Brick Cafe Onehunga

One of my favourite cafe has got to be Brick by Brick Cafe in Onehunga. They serve brilliant Allpress coffee and lots of honest good food. This place is always packed on Saturday afternoons and it's easy to see why. The food is good, prices are very reasonable and very friendly staff.

Corn Fritters with Bacan and Salsa $14 The salsa was so good that I've asked for more.

It always feel very cosy here and they have stacks of reading materials for customers that you can easily spend an afternoon here reading glossy imported magazines. I love that this is one of the lesser known cafes in Auckland that serves good honest food plus their flat whites are strong and smooth. I usually like my coffees on the strong side and have often requested for double shots.

Our favourite Cinnamon Brioche with large cup of flat white.

Toasted Muesli with Berry Compote $10

If you are in the area and wants a good feed this would be a good place to go to.

Brick by Brick
359 Onehunga Mall,
Auckland

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Poussin Wrapped in Sage Butter and Pancetta

I bought some gorgeous pancetta (yes,cured pork belly is very attractive to me) from Parnell french market and can't wait to use it for roasting poultry. Usually I'd go for chicken but when you watch too many celebrity chefs programs you want to try something new. So I went for a poussin, also known as Cornish hen. The pancetta is from Salas and I have always bought their salamis as they taste really good; smokey and flavourful and perfect for stews.

First I cleaned two poussins, I have tiny hands and they are the size of my hands. Cute huh?  Towel dry them before seasoning with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper.

 Heat olive oil in pan and pan fry the poussins with garlic and rosemary and turn it around to get both side of skin crispy. About 2 minutes on each side. Take them out of the pan and put on a roasting pan. Spread sage butter on the skin and wrap with pancetta and roast at 180c for 35degrees minutes and take it out just to check on crispiness.

Garnish with pea puree, balsamic glaze and micro greens.


Ingredients:

2 poussins/cornish chicken
100gm good quality pancetta/ prosciutto
1 small sprig of rosemary
4-5 cloves of garlic
salt
pepper

for Pea Puree:
1 cup frozen peas
2 tbsp cream
salt
pepper

for Sage Butter
50gm unsalted butter
8-12 small sage leaves.

Boil frozen peas for about 10 minutes, drain and put into a food processor or hand whisk.
Add cream and blizz until smooth and velvety.

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New running motivations

I have been reading lots of running blogs recently and it has been a real motivation for setting my goals and hopefully achieving them this year. Of course, buying some new running gears has always worked for me. Over the weekend, I bought a pair of Saucony Fastwitch 5. I have been eyeing them for a while and wasn't too sure if they were for me. Anyway, I found out last week this is a recommended shoe for me and of course I bought them.

They are shiny and you can probably spot them from some distance away. I must have a thing for blue and lime green. Went for a run with them last night and they felt so light on my feet ! Can't wait to go for a longer run in them again. I also love the writing on the heels. Not that anyone can read them while I run but it's a funny touch.

One of my current favourite running blog is HungryRunnerGirl. Janae is hilarious and updates her blog twice a day and it's been really fun to read about her training.


I have also become a pinterest addict before Christmas and here are a few of my favorites for running pins. If you'd like to share your pinboards you can find me here.

I keep reminding myself this quote when I can't get out of bed to go for a run on the weekends.

Happy Running Everyone  !!

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Olaf's Artisan Bakery & Cafe Mt. Eden

I finally got around using my voucher from Grabone. The morning was miserable as it was raining and cloudy. I bought a $22 for 2 breakfasts voucher a while ago and decided to go to Olaf because they have my favourite Supreme coffee.

Olaf's has been voted as one of Metro's top 50 cafes in Auckland and is located in a cluster of great cafes in Mt. Eden village. Walking into the cafe, you will see the wide array of artisan bread and other goodies on displayed and the kitchen is churning out freshly baked bread. The owner, Olaf is from Germany and has brought his bread making expertise to Auckland. Great news for those of you who adores hearty European bread.

Olaf's display cabinet was decked out with delightful treats and makes decision making harder.

My Eggs Benedict with Citrus Cured Salmon. 

S ordered Eggs Benedict with Citurs Cured Salmon and mine was with Bacon. It came with a chunky slice of sour dough bread instead of the usual english muffins and topped with a zesty hollandaise sauce. I really like the sauce. The value of the meals were good for the fact that it was only $22 but I am not sure I'd be as thrilled to pay $18.50 for the what's presented on my plate. It was an overall good experience, I would definitely be back for the coffee and good looking salads on display but not very sure if I would come back for the Eggs Benedict. It's really not bad but it's not unforgettable either.

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Lululemon wishlist

This is post is going to be a little different than my usual postings about food.

Lately I have been bitten by the Lululemon bug. I love their products and I can't seem to get
enough. I start categorising my wishlist as a 'need' now. But given the high price, I usually
wait around for reduced prices. For the record, I don't work or benefit from Lululemon other
than going there for their free yoga classes.

I bought these Turbo Run Shorts in 'Ink Blot' color a week ago and love them! The liner is super comfy plus it doesn't look like running shorts too much so I can wear them to the beach or around town for lunch.

And here is my list:

1. Jodhpur pants in denim: would be great for daily wear and walking around town.

2. Speed shorts- like I really need another pair of shorts ?? 

3. Push your limit tank. So cute.

I have a few other items that I would love to have including the new arm warmers but I can't find the photos yet. Now I just need to avoid going anywhere near a Lululemon store.

Have a happy weekend everyone !

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