Mothers Day KLM Charity Tulip Sale is on May 12th, 2012!

I asked a few friends recently if they would buy flowers for special occasions and I was most surprised to their responses. A cynic and a total unromantic female, my idea of gifts are limited to cash or diamonds.
I have since expanded the list to include properties and return flights to exotics countries but NEVER had I appreciated FLOWERS.

Fortunately for mankind, people do still queue for flowers on special occasions such as Valentines and Mothers Day.

Last year, thousands of specially air-flown tulips were snapped up as Malaysians grabbed these unique blooms for their special ones (Im sure some were for their other halfs and not only mums).

The flowers were for a good cause as well, in support of selected charity organisations and thanks to supportive sponsors, EACH imported tulip is a mere RM5!

Yes, that further explains the queue right?

Every year, thes! e tulips , specially flown-in by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines; is sold out within hours.

Well, if I have to receive flowers, I would prefer them to be more exotic than roses and ermm.. what flowers do people normally give?
Anyhow, unique blooms are preferred right?

This seasonal flower is usually planted in October and November so that it grows intime to thrive in the cold winter and only flowers for a short time from mid April to endMay, making them a sought after and unique bloom.

The Netherlands are famous for their cultivated tulips and is one of the most dominatingcountries in export of tulips and tulip bulbs, while annually busloads of tourists visit theNetherlands to see the tulip fields in bloom.

Luckily for us, no trip to the Netherlands is necessary for now. Come and handpick your own colourful bouquet of beautiful tulips at the 14thKLM Annual Charity Tulip Sale which will take place onSaturday, 12 May 2012at theConcourse LevelofSungei Wang Plazafrom11.00 a.m. onwards.

Although different tulip colors carry distinct meanings yellow tulips symbolizing cheerful thoughts, white conveying forgiveness and purple representing royalty a Turkish legend may be responsible for the red tulips symbolism. The story goes that a prince named Farhad was love struck by a maiden named Shirin. When Farhad learned that Shirin had been killed, he was so overcome with grief that he killed himself riding his horse over the edg! e of a c liff. Its said that a scarlet tulip sprang up from each droplet of his blood, giving the red tulip the meaning perfect love.

Priced at RM5 each, there will be 3,500 stalks for sale including the double tulip and the fundraiser targets to raise RM28,000 for charity this year.

NOTES:

This years beneficiary is the Special Children Society of Ampang (SCSOA).

Pledging its support for the 4th year is Rabobank a global financial services leader specialising in food and agribusiness banking who has committed to contribute RM1 for every tulip sold, so that consumers only have to pay RM5 instead of RM6 each thus making it more affordable to the public.
In addition to making the tulips more affordable, the Dutch bank will also top up another RM2 for every tulip sold, bringing their contribution this year to RM10,500.

Disclaimer:
Pictures are from last years event thus the tulips bought in this year may differ in size, colours and species.

Now on to the good news.
Bloggers, this is for YOU!
A total of 5 x bouquet of 1 dozen (12 stalks) fresh tulips worth RM72 each (It is RM6 a stalk, but thanks to Rabobank, the public only pays RM5 each)all you have to do is blog Why mymother deserves a bouquet of fresh tulips.
1. A simple, but importantly sincere entry will do!
2. Post! your li nk onto the comment box so KLM- Royal Dutch Airlinescan judge and select the winners.
3. Remember to mention KLM- Royal Dutch Airlines on your post. You CAN use any of the pictures in this post.

Deadline:
Thursday, 10th May 2012. 2.00pm
Announcement of winners: Friday, 11th May 2012.
Winner would have to be present to choose the tulips (your prize!) on Sat, 12th May at Sg Wang.

So come on everyone! Get those elegant tulips for your mum!

Singer Andrea Bocelli launches wine in the US

NEW YORK, May 6 Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has announced that he will be taking his familys winery stateside.

Though Bocelli may be best known for his soaring singing voice, he also comes from a long line of winemakers that spans three generations and 130 years.

Bocelli Family Wines, which come from a small estate in Lajatico, Tuscany, has expanded their production to introduce Bocelli Prosecco and Bocelli Sangiovese to the US where its now available in states like New York, Texas, Illinois, Washington and Oregon.

The wines will be available throughout the US by the end of the summer and retail for $19.99 (RM60).

Bocelli joins a long line of celebrities who have entered the winemaking business, like Drew Barrymore, US rock group Train, Antonio Banderas, Francis Ford Coppola, and AC/DC. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolies home in the South of France, Chateau Miraval, also comes with a winery that produces white, red and ros wines. AFP/Relaxnews

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May 11: The Martha Stewart Show

Photo by Rob Tannenbaum/The Martha Stewart Show 2012 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. All Rights Reserved

It still feels surreal that I was there. In magical NYC, on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Standing next to Martha Stewart in her studio kitchen. Laughing. Cooking together.

Needless to say, dear readers, that this occasion was quite an experience for me!

Her staff was wonderful. Everyone was friendly and welcoming.

I loved to be there.

And cook.

Tartine with spring vegetables, smoked salmon and basil oil recipe

I knew it before, but seeing it with my own eyes confirmed that Marthas kitchen is a dream for anyone coveting delicious and pretty props of all style and color. A green cake stand? Sure, there are plenty of those. And what about pretty turquoise blue bowls? Not a problem either.

The theme of the show was French food. Two other charming ladies were part of it. Talented French Ariane Daguin, founder of DArtagnan, prepared glazed duck breast while chef Jody Williams from Buvette made a French classical mousse au chocolat (chocolate mousse).

Photo by Rob Tannenbaum/The Martha Stewart Show 2012 Martha ! Stewart Living Omnimedia. All Rights Reserved

The show will air on May 11 at 10 AM. So if you are interested in watching it, turn on your TV to Hallmark Channel (see the schedule here). I will be there. Cooking vegetables tartines and baking brown butter and pistachio financiers. They are recipes (2 out of 3) from my cookbook.

Brown butter pistachio and poppy seeds financiers recipe

The brown butter pistachio and poppy seed financiers flavored with cardamon are invariably a hit with anyone who tastes them. When Lulu turned one, I remember that I had baked mini versions of them because at one, the world of pistachios and walnuts and pecans and hazelnuts was suddenly opening up to her. And I am so glad it did because Lulu really loves nutsas well as these financiers.

As to the tartines, Martha chose one prepared with cherry tomatoes roasted slowly in the oven with tarragon, and I suggested another tartine prepared with spring greens (asparagus, peas and watercress), smoked salmon, and ricotta flavored basil oil. If you are a regular visitor to my blog, you know that these are favorites in my kitchen.

Tartine with tarragon flavored slow roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, and prosciutto recipe

Of course, I was nervous to cook with Martha. And inevitably, I felt that my head was in the clouds during that splendid day in NYC.

I hope youll enjoy. I am excited to see the show on Friday since I have not yet seen the images.

Photo by Rob Tannenbaum/The Martha Stewart Show 2012 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. All Rights Reserved

I am extremely thankful to Greta, the wonderful producer I worked with, and her entire team who made it so comfortable for me (lets say it, its pretty nice to have someone else fix your hair!)

Well my dear readers, in short, what a day it was! I am still smiling at it all.

Dragonfly @ Publika

RememberCoffee in Love? That alfresco cafe set in a Hartamas plant nursery closed recently but has been reincarnated nearby in Publika, enduring a dramatic transformation into Dragonfly.

Earlier entry on Coffee In Love:Oct. 17, 2011.

The cool concept here: this java joint doubles as a tattoo parlor, melding coffee art and body art.

A peek into the torture chamber. Dragonfly Tattoo Cafe is affiliated with the well-established Dragonfly tattoo parlors at Mid Valley and 1 Utama, so professionalism is assured.

Tattoos cost north of RM100, but come with free coffee to help ease the pain.

Cleanly etched work, looking sharp. Here's hoping it heals fast.

Only espresso and piccolo latte are available for now. Both taste pretty satisfying.

Coffee is served with old-fashioned, cracker-like biscuits ...

... and in hand-crafted cups with complimentary sunflower seeds (kuaci).

Cold fresh milk is also available, brought in weekly from a farm in Johor.

Not from Dragonfly, but we buzzed over to The Bee, also at Publika, to try The Last Polka's cur! rent pro motional OJ Law flavor, named after the Malaysian indie musician. It's excellent, very creamy when not overly frozen, featuring caramelized banana ice cream mixed with rich chocolate walnut cake.

Dragonfly's decor is a pastiche of quirky-kinky sensibilities; it's worth visiting this cafe simply to sit at the low tables and admire all the intricacies of the surroundings (even the ceilings!).

Dragonfly,
Level UG, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
Open 10am-9pm.

Pineapple Agar-Agar

Pineapple Agar-Agar

Today is Wesak Day and I would like to wish all Buddhists

a very Happy Wesak Day and I would like to share the following

posted by Zubedy as advertised in The Star newspaper yesterday.

It has a very good meaning. Happy reading.

Choose the middle path :

But don't be neutral

Many mistake the middle path as being neutral.

There is a vast difference between a middle path person and a neutral person.

The middle path points forward; the neutral position is at a standstill.

The middle path leads to action; the neutral path accomplishes nothing.

The middle path takes responsibility; the neutral shirks it.

The middle path takes asks questions; the neutral avoids them.

The middle path requires commitment; the neutral is non-committal.

The middle path sides with justice and truth; the neutral sits on the fence.

The middle path has solid foundations; the neutral is like lalang.

The middle path demands integrity; the neutral sways with the tide.

The middle path captures reality; the neutral does not want to face it.

The middle path empathises, the neutral is selfish.

The middle path thinks long term; the neutral cares only about the present.

The middle path uses intelligence; the neutral is unthink! ing.

The middle path is innovative; the neutral needs no innovation.

The middle path sees right as right and wrong as wrong no matter who does it,

the neutral hides.

The middle path cares; the neutral does not.

The middle path adds value and contributes; the neutral does not.

The middle path guides us to the right way, in the right measures and

at the right time. It is the path that will lead us to Unity.

Choose the middle path.

250g Caster Sugar (please reduce to 220g if you

are using the pineapple syrup from the can).

One can of 454g Pineapple Cubes with syrup water and

chopped into small pieces.

10g of Agar-Agar Powder.

1 liter of Water (I prefer to be 900 ml)

(Note : If you are using the pineapple syrup from the can,

please measure the pineapple syrup together with water

to make up to 1 liter and reduce the Caster Sugar)

Mix the Castor Sugar with the Agar-Agar Powder

until well combined.

Once your pineapple syrup and water (1 liter)

is boiling, pour in the Castor Sugar and Agar-Agar Powder.

Boil with medium fire.

Stir until dissolved and turn off the fire.

(Note : Don't be alarmed why the water turned into yellow colour.

The choose Agar-Agar Powder in yellow colour.)

Pour the Agar-Agar water into the pan and

then scatter with chopped pineapple and once cool,

put into the fridge for 1 hour or more.

Later, cut into your desired sizes and serve cold.

Pineapple is one of my daughter favour! ite frui t.

Once, she is back from college, sure she will go

"ga ga" over it.

Enjoy the weekend.