'Cos it's true....

I don't cry. I eat...Ramadan Buffet at Cafe Boleh, Pacific Sutera

CELEBRATIONS AND CAFE BOLEH

As you may have read in my Ramadan Bazaar post I've been told that fasting is NOT easy. So it is only fitting that some eateries offer special culinary delights so that those who are fasting have something special to look forward to. One of these eateries is Cafe Boleh at Pacific Sutera Harbour Resort.  

Boasting gorgeous views of the marina, Cafe Boleh is on the lobby level of the Pacific Sutera Harbour. If you're ever after an amazing view of calm waters and beautiful skies then this is one of the best spots in town. 

I was lucky enough to be one of the food bloggers around town to be invited by the Sutera Harbour group to experience the Ramadan Buffet at Cafe Boleh. I've learnt so much about living in Kota Kinabalu during the last 10 months here and I count my lucky stars for being able to take part in another cultural experience (I've come to learn that a huge part of the Sabahan culture revolves around eating- a big plus if you LOVE food).

If you didn't already know it is currently the month of Ramadan which is when the Muslim community is fasting (from sunrise to sunset) leading up to their new year. Buka puasa (meaning "breaking fast") happens everyday at a certain time and it is when many Muslim families gather and enjoy their meal together after a day of fasting. And what better way to celebrate buka puasa at a place like Cafe Boleh where there are so many dishes to select from and you can eat till your heart is content!

When I walked in I was very impressed with the vibrant colours of the cafe. I've never been to the cafe before on a normal day but the buffet choices seem to be a bit more extensive than what you'd see in a normal buffet. There was also a few extra "stations" for ikan bakar (grilled fish), satay and Ais Kacang  desserts which is a crushed iced dessert that is very popular around here.

The spread included Malay delights of Oxtail Masak Kicap, Sotong Berlado, Ikan Tengirri Masak Asam Pedas, Beef and Chicken Satay with Ketupat, curries and sambals. 

During the month of Ramadan the cafe's dessert bar offers a huge variety of Malay sweets. One of the first things that caught my eye when I walked in the cafe was the dessert and fruits section: Colour colours everywhere...and A LOT to eat! :)

I didn't know what to expect from Ramadan buffets. I actually expected that all the dishes would be Malay cuisine but the cafe boasted western dishes as well to satisfy a variety of cravings. There was a pasta station if you were craving something Italiano!

Luckily I managed to find my footing and dug into some lamb curry (If memory serves me right I could see a few lamb dishes). "Pace yourself. We have a lot to cover here."I thought to myself. A bit of meehoon, a bit of prawns, some fish, oxtail soup, satay, flat bread, curry, ikan bakar....Yup, my belly was full. And very happy I might add :) 

Our food blogger table was seated outside on the balcony overlooking the marine and I completely adored the view. I got there just after at 6pm which means I was just in time for the sunset and the beautiful lighting around the marina. Al fresco dining is perfect with a view like this!  

As we approach the last week of Ramandan in KK I can feel the buzz around the town leading up to Hari Raya (the term for the Malay new year) as people are preparing for the big celebrations. I think it is very apt that the cuisine served up at Cafe Boleh during this holy month of Ramadan is full of aromas and colours as they help create the celebratory atmosphere among the community during this time.

The Ramadan Buffet at Cafe Boleh runs for another week and ends on 18 August 2012.  It is priced from RM65.00 ++ 

(if you're not from around here the ++ means plus 6% govt tax and 10% service tax)

For bookings contact 088-303671 or email communications@suteraharbour.com.my

A big thank you to Sutera Harbour group for the thoroughly enjoyable food and experience :)

Until next post!

Daphne xoxo

I don't cry. I bake...a Penguin Cake!

Pretty Penguin Cake

Just a quickie to show you my cake of the week! Hope you're having a great weekend y'all :)

I don't cry. I eat...at the Ramadan Bazaar, Jalan Gaya and Asia City, Kota Kinabalu

FASTING, FEASTING AND FESTIVITIES

No food at all? "Nope, not even water."
When does it end? "Sunset until sunrise the next day".
But...how???

That was pretty much how the conversation went when I was being educated about Ramadan (or Puasa as we call it here). When I was growing up in Malaysia, I knew of it but I didn't know much about it. So it is quite nice for me to learn about it now since I live among the Muslim community.

Cendol - icy cold dessert drink perfect for our hot weather

Basically in the month before the new year (which is called Hari Raya) Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset. This includes no water (which is probably the hard part for any human being) and at the end of the day they have "break fast" and dine with their family.

Pickled fruits

"But I thought this post was about a food bazaar??" I hear you say. Yes, it is. And this is the fun part for everyone! Every day during fasting month these bazaars are everywhere!! Usually those who are fasting will come by these bazaars to pick up a few things to bring home to break their fast. 

I was told that these bazaars boast all things delicious from BBQ fish to icy cold desserts! And that the smell is AMAZING. I thought that this must be a MUST DO for anyone living here or lucky enough to visit Malaysia during the month. 

And readers...the bazaars are totally amazing!! Check it out:

I don't cry. I bake...Red Velvet

DIARY OF A RED VELVET

Do you keep a diary? I used to. When I stopped I used to bring them out once in a while to read. It's funny to see how much I've changed, have a laugh at how silly I was and most of the time I can't remember I wrote what I wrote. Nowadays this blog serves as a little baking diary for me and it amazes me how far I've come from my first few posts. I knew so little back then about baking and cake decorating that I feel a lil embarrassed when I see those cupcake pics of yesteryear.  Check it out:

 All I knew how to do was ice with a spatula and some sugar hearts! I guess a naive cake decorator had to start somewhere! They looked a bit sad...mainly cos I didn't really know what I was doing. Sludgy and floppy icing, not-so-red cake but nonetheless they still tasted good. Back then I had no idea what a difference it would make between putting the mixer on MAX and mixing on low. And when a recipe says sift the flour 3 times they really mean it (it's not to torture you!)

Now that I've become acquainted with the piping bag and know my tips, my decorating life has become so much more fun!

The red velvet cupcake has a special place in my heart. It was what started it all for me. Once afternoon I decided why waste anymore time not doing what I love? I love to bake but I often come up with excuses not to. It was the actioning of my thoughts that prompted this marathon year of baking, pursuing this crush for baking which led to a long term love affair with the oven. 

Piped rosettes are one of my favourite decors for cakes. Simple yet oozes with romance I love using the small rose tips to pipe cupcakes. I decided to make this super girly rosette cake for my dear friend who is a big fan of red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting. There's sometime about cream cheese frosting that makes a cake look and feel very luxurious don't you think?

Was very tempted to pipe this in my mouth!

And courtesy of my friend I got to see the layers of my cake after she cut it! Another one for my cake diary I say :)

At least I know a year from now when I look back on this post I know I'll be a little proud of it :)

And here's the receipt for the cake and cream cheese frosting. Enjoy baking!!

Recipe for cake adapted from www.bakerella.com 

Cream cheese frosting: 

225g unsalted butter

225g Philadelphia cream cheese

4 cups icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1. Cream the butter and cream cheese until fully combined

2. Add vanilla

3. While you have the machine beating on low add the icing sugar in batches until fully mixed. Scrape down the side of the bowl to ensure all the sugar is mixed with the cream cheese and butter.

4. Pipe/Frost on cake or cupcakes as you like! Or just eat the frosting :D

Till next post!
Daphne XOXO