Day Off.

Today is just a lazy day. Nothing planned ahead. I guess just gym at the end of the day as usual. The previous week was pretty good. Finding my feet in the kitchen. Before I went off from work yesterday, My Boss shouted... "Who made the lemon tarts today?" my co-chefs answered-- Elaine. He looked at me then congratulated me and said. "Elaine, it was perfect!". :) Hmmmm... That was a nice way to end the week :) The lemon tart, as simple as it is, is a bit tricky to do and one of the items on the dessert menu that gets picked on by the chefs in the resto most of the time. The crust should never be soggy. Nicely browned and crisp. It should not have any traces of custard leaking anywhere or you will end up with burnt scramble eggs on the sides. Of course, the top should be smooth, bubble-free and mind you, no cracks nor puffing on the edges. It should be firm and set all the way through, but not curdling whatsoever. It should have the right sweetness and just the right tang to it. Lemon zest gives it that wonderful citrusy scent. It should be strained off before baking though. Just so you have a smooth melt in your mouth custard filling.

Woke up to a nice cool breeze in the morning. Had my breakfast of sourdough bread with my St. Agur and Australian parmesan coupled with a few slices of fresh peach and roasted nuts. Australian parmesan has a milkier taste than the more popular Italian reggiano. At first taste, I thought, hmmmm.... quite different from the Italian ones, liked the original better. After a few munches of the cheese, it grows on you and soon, I found myself sprinkling it on salad, pastas and just munching slices of the cheese after work. Hmmmm.... think I'm kinda starting to like it.

Took a nice warm shower. A loooooong shower. :) One of the simple activites I enjoy doing during my free time. I got a soap from lush. They call it "snowcake" it says-- "smells like christmas cookies". Hahahaha. That would be cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and a little bit of clove. Its just lightly scented, good thing I didn't smell like a gingerbread man after shower. The bathroom smelled nicely after though. I rubbed on intensive lotion (it is a must here. very low humidity plus the cold harsh wind, it will definitely give me cracked dry skin without it) Then I used Burt's Bees almond milk for my hands.



Have been looking for an intensive hand lotion for my over worked hands. This is quite okey. I like it better than its counterpart from Body Shop which is the Almond Hand and Nail Cream .



Body Shop's is nicely scented though not that intensive. I guess for normal people that would work, but for me, it just doesn't. I also tried using Neutrogena Hand and Nail Cream Norweigean Formula. Its a pretty generic hand cream. Does work, yes, but it feels like putting on petroleum jelly. Very neutral scent as well. Its okey but not something that I would really rave about. Burt's Bees is made from 99% natural almond oil and beeswax. It feels like butter at the start though the skin does quickly absorb it. I love how it smells so that's definitely a plus. I have not used it long enough to be able to rate it fairly, but so far, so good, kinda liking it.

Will be searing the steak and mushrooms in a while for lunch. Then off to shop I guess. We'll see. :)