TWD: Coffee-Break Muffins
Coffee, an indispensable drink in my endless list of consumables. Provocative yet affable at the same time, this darling keeps me on a tight leash. Recently, I have heard that if a coffee addict were to abstain from coffee for 6 days at least before having his first cup; the effects - pleasure derived would come ten fold! As much as I would like to execute this plan, resistance has been futile and the lure of coffee remains my greatest enemy.
For this week's edition of Tuesday's with Dorie, the tribe has spoken and the torch for Coffee-Break Muffins has been lit. An ode to coffee, these muffins are moistened by the addition of black coffee instead of the usual milk. With the addition of espresso powder to the batter as well, these tiny babies pack quite a punch; much to my delight of course.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius. Butter/spray the 6 moulds in a regular size muffin pan. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugars, espresso powder, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together. In a large measuring glass, whisk the coffee, melted butter,egg and vanilla together until combined. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and with a whisk, stir to blend quickly. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake for 20mins, or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a pan to rack and cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing from its mould.
A blast from the past
National Museum of Singapore & Novus Cafe
Escaping into the shadow of coolness of the museum and away from the blistering heat of the afternoon. I was awarded with an even more pleasurable find within the white ominous building that had always caught my eye on car journeys down orchard road. The National Museum of Spore, as spectacular and masculine a building as it looked from the outside, was a rioting spectacle on the inside as well.
With white washed walls and broody shadows casts over the towering double decks of the main foyer, it certainly was a photographer's haven. My judgement only bolstered by the numerous amounts of people I spotted with DSLR bags slung on their shoulders whilst cautiously bending over the posts to capture a good shot of the domed ceilings and the beautiful stained glass panels.
The empty walkways with doors alongside to the numerous galleries and exhibition halls were void of any decoration, yet they speak volumes thru its intricate designs and architecture. All this space.. my thoughts start drifting to a wedding along the aisles. *shut*
The exhibition galleries, all excellently planned and thoughtfully laid out was fun to navigate. Special respects going out to all the project managers and planners involved. If you haven't made a visit down to the museum yet, its prime time to consider doing so now. f.y.i; all NUS students get in for free, otherwise, the fees will be $5 and $10 for students and Adults respectively. Of all the galleries, the one that stood out to me the most was the History Gallery. Being provided with a listening companion each; an automated device that stores information on the artifacts as well as videos and listening aids; the journey through the immense gallery showcasing the history of Singapore from its founding days to the present was made much more interactive. But be prepared to spend a whole afternoon here if you're patient enough to listen to every detail of course.
Thirsty? Tired? The presence of the Novus Cafe within the compounds of the National Museum provides for the needs of the tired individual or hungry little ones. With a menu boosting of healthy classics like roast beef sandwich, muffins, pizzas, and your usual poisons such as milkshakes and coffee/tea; this a one stop cafe for both the sophisticated adult and tweenies alike.
I quickly developed a strange liking for this place. Not sure if it was the high ceilings, or perhaps it was the textured muted browns all along the walls interupted by rays of sunshine poking thru the tall windows and arched elongated doors. High tables and comfy lounge chairs lined the sides of the table with cushioned bean bag like sofas sprawled over the middle section for families, usually in tow of a pram. My ears twitch at the sound of the clitter clattering of the porcelain plates behind the counter followed by the trickling sound of cold hard ice cubes tumbling into a tall oldfashioned glass. I was enthralled by the mini-orchestra movement.
Our refreshments were quick to arrive. A warm toasty Blueberry Muffin, his Vanilla Milkshake and my skinny cappuccino.
And as we nibbled and slurped our way thru certain nirvana. Enjoying the cool wisps of air flowing thru the bottom of our feet. We watched as the lady opposite the room calmy lifts her pencil to sketch the scene in the room.
TWD: Pumpkin Muffins
so with the offset of the glorious autumm season, I can only sit at home and dream of the orange, red and yellow carpets of fallen leaves and the bare naked tree branches shivering in the early winter winds.
Perhaps it's just my silent yearning. It's always been a dream of mine, to be able to take in the seasonal weather phenomenons such as the auroras or northern lights, the blissful showers of sakuras in Japan and most of all the colorful shards of fall colors that pile up high every autumm. Scenes like that to change your life. Holding so much peace, so much composure in each and every angle. It just puts you at ease with life and the entiriety of the higher power.
This week, dearest Kelly of Sounding my Barbaric Gulp chose for all of us to do the Pumpkin Muffins. When i close my eyes and resonate the word pumpkin in my head, i imgaine an unadulterated world of warmth, comfort and joy of companionship and family. It's no wonder, with all that spices thrown in, I could perhaps get a little piece of the warmth involved...
After making the pumpkin puree from scratch ( had been on the hunt for the canned pumpkin puree for ages, then decided to do my own instead), which involved a simple slow baking for 1 hour to reduce the pumpkin to a soft mush and then putting it in the food processor. I added everything as per se in the recipe. Reason being, i was a little too lazy for modification. So i did add sliced almonds instead of pumpkin seeds over the top; a change which i loved since i absolutely adore the crispy bits sticking out of the rocky beds. Other than that, the recipe was a pleaser. THe muffins could use a spreading of marmalade too...
Looking forward to the chocolate-chocolate cupcakes next week!
i just noticed it's my 500th post! *beams*
