Why do we have craving at such odd times?

It was a Sunday morning and while jogging, I had a sudden craving for a cake. Weird, huh? I should be concentrating in what I was doing, but I can't help it =(

Yet, I didn't wanna buy the standard chocolate mud cake or butter cake you get from Woolies or Coles. So, I made my own! which actually turned out quite lovely!

Had my first piece and grabbed another piece before I suddenly remembered to whip out my camera =)


Thanks to my dear cousin, this is her recipe! Enjoy and let me know how you go with it or share with me if you have a wonderful recipe too!

Delicious Carrot Cake

2 cups of plain flour
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of corn oil
1.5 tsp of baking soda
2 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of salt
2 tsp of cinnamon
4 eggs
2 cups of grated carrots
1/2 cup ground almonds
1 handful of walnuts, chopped
1/2 can (220g) of crushed pineapple, well drained

1) Preheat oven at 180 C
2) Combine everything - leave out flour, eggs and oil
3) Add oil and stir vigorously
4) Add eggs one at a time and combine well after each addition
5) Add flour in 2 batches
6) Bake for 45-50 minutes

Cream Cheese frosting

1 tsp vanilla essence
250g Philly cream cheese (room temperature)
125g butter (room temperature)
1 cup of icing sugar

1) Beat them together

I've used brown sugar (for the cake) which says low GI for a change. Not sure if that makes any difference but what I noticed is that the outcome was not sweet (which is good from my friends' point of view who are on diet, so they won't blame me from spoiling their plans!) , and I guess healthier too! The cream cheese frosting does the sweetening job which enhances the flavour of the carrot cake. What I really like about this recipe is that nice level of moisture.

I reckon grating is the most painful and time-consuming part of the job. I got little cuts here and there on both of my hands after that exercise. In my next attempt, I'll probably add more grated carrots (make it 2.5-3 cups), vanilla extract, more toasted walnuts and perhaps substitute ground almonds for hazelnuts.

Dinner @ Desert Lantern Restaurant

... is a training restaurant . Cool, hey? I've never been to one! It is always interesting to observe what people do in the hospitality sector. Oh, and in this particular restaurant, they were so many young staffs!! (Duh?!) They all look about 16 years old!

Lovely bright yellow rose on the table. Thought it was fake.

I burst out laughing when I read this! I know I shouldn't considering that I am a trainee too.

... training environment, meals and beverages may take longer to be served (oh yea, it took almost an hour each to serve the entree, main and dessert), accidents may occur (I found this hilarious! but thankfully nothing happened. I wished I could say that in my field but obviously I can't co'z people can die/sue ) and course lecturers may feel the need to correct students (witnessed how the lecturers taught them to pour wine into glasses) ...

Entree: Cheese Souffle -slightly burnt, didn't puff up but I still enjoyed it

Entree: Chicken & Cashew Rice Noodle salad .
Friend commented noodle wasn't cooked properly

Main: Pork Medallions on a Bacon & Shallot Rosti with Prunes served with braised Red cabbage & Apple

Friend commented: Not visually appealing (she's a veg person)


Main: New York cut Roast Striploin
I didn't ask for feedbacks because I was too busy with mine

Main

Main: Grilled Barramundi Fillet

Comment: Nicely executed grilled fish . More importantly, fish was fresh. Not quite sure what sauce it was - Champagne Beurre Blanc but it was alright, not quite as tasty. Loved the vegetable frittata underneath



The highlight of the night was the dessert! I had warm apple & cinnamon pudding. Simply delectable! Especially with that serve of ice-cream. Everything taste nice with it =)

Consumed with so much workload, sometimes I forget what it is like out there. Going out for a dinner was a good break.

I miss my family.

Part 2 of the AWESOME adventure!

All geared up with fly net covering my face and loads of insect repellent roll-on!

Long rocky walking trail under the scorching sun- Guess where are we?

Slightly difficult to see but does that look like a toothbrush to you?

Cool, hey? But that's not the one I'm raving about

Okay, REVEALING
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THIS, everyone is the famous ULURU (Ayers Rock).

It is a HUGE HuuuUUUGGGEEEE rock (9km around the base) and interestingly, two-third of the rock is beneath the ground. As you know, the Aboriginal people are the original inhabitants of the continent of Australia. Uluru is their sacred site with its own spiritual and cultural significance.

Do you know that it is listed in the World Heritage site by UNESCO?

It is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Although I have seen it so many times in the postcards, it is a sight to behold in real life. Pictures don't do justice- it is something you need to see with your own natural set of lenses.

Walking around the base, saw old historic painting - drawings of circle loops represent water holes


Another major attraction - Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) - equally spectacular!

Taller than Uluru.



A scar on the rock .
Our tour guides gave us a lot of insight and told many interesting stories/myths associated with certain markings around the rock. They did mention however that what they know currently is very limited based around the fact that it was considered too sacred to pass on to outsiders =(

BBQ dinner was served and we hung around to watch sunset at Uluru.


Just so you're wondering with this picture, I almost SWALLOWED a fly during my course of quenching my thirst. EeeeKkk! I know I know, previously in my nose and now the mouth, gosh...

Taking in the mesmerizing sunset scenery - see how the colour (or they call it Uluru's mood) changes?

We got back to the bus once it got darker and along the way, we saw the silhouette of Kata-Tjuta

The sight took my breath away (Photos don't capture well, at least for mine) and both of us were carried away dreaming about romantic thoughts.

So, there it is...

Kings Canyon, they say is just as beautiful. I'm making that my next odyssey, probably after my major exams. ;D

More climbing and walking, gotta increase my stamina!