The untold stories behind each Delectable TREAT.

I've always got so much to say about each and every Delectable item on our shelves.
It is of course because I created their flavour components. But another less obvious reason is because I relate to each of them on a personal level. Like how?
Well...
I thought it would be a good idea to convey some of those stories here.
It'll be pretty funny if you start to think about these treats the way I do. Haha I believe Dessert should be about how it's tastes affect the way you feel; how they trigger pleasant memories or thoughts. I'll tell you my secrets on why they make me smile :)

Trifle Treat RM10

There used to be a constant ringing in my head, "BOO! Make trifle!" That would be my sister.
It's what they call me at home "Boo" haha. Sis doesn't make food; but she knows how to make her cravings heard. I'm the little sister who makes the food *LOL*
When we were little; mom would make trifle in huge 'lock-n-lock' containers and we would wipe them clean with 2 spoons and an hour session of Cartoon Network.
Mom and her siblings were educated in the UK; and I suppose making trifle as dessert was a thing they picked up from living in London for so many years. There's nothing like buttery and rich cake hidden in yummy berry jello filled with fruit and topped with creamy vanilla custard! Sigh* the whole combination is genius! Dad really likes trifle too; mom and dad met while studying in the UK..... .. but that's another story all together! hehe

Tim Tam truffles RM4

These little gems on sticks shot me from baking for fun to baking for business while I was in Australia. Back then; making them into little bouquets felt like a fun thing to do for my blog. I've even got a video of me making the truffles! hahaha it's so funny when I watch it now!





I was walking down the street to uni with a bouquet of truffles in my hand and a lady sitting al fresco at the cafe outside of my home became very intrigued with what I had with me. I explained that they were something I had made for my friends at Uni and I offered her one. The next day; she had the cafe owners track me down for my contact number and before you know it; I began selling these on a weekly basis to people who would place bookings for my truffles!
They are really fun to eat cause it tastes almost like a chocolate cheesecake + timtam cookies crushed together! Not too sweet; a tiny bit indulgent and just a little tangy from the cheese. If you love timtams; you gotta try this one!

Moist Chocolate loaf RM30

This recipe was my solution to all unhappiness at home when I was at UNSW with my dearest housemates. Out of the string of girls I've lived with and grown very much attached to down under; I don't remember a single one of them who wasn't happy to see this chocolate cake on the kitchen table. Exam time, boyfriend trouble time, paying up rent time.. .. or whatever the trouble may be.. each time there was someone who needed cheering up; I would pull this out and there will be laughter and giggles all over the kitchen island bench top instantly. I really loved baking this because it reminds me of the amazing time we spent together and the friendships we've created to last forever. It doesn't matter how different our paths may be in the future; I'll always be their 'mommy' who makes chocolate cake each time they whine for something yummy in the oven.

Meringue Candies RM8

Just 3 years ago; I was certain I was destined to never be able to make meringues. At the time; eggwhites were the enemy... and I tried over and over again to bake them till we became best friends. That never happened. Not until I went to pastry school and realized the mistake was in my arm, and not so much the recipe. *sigh*
I sell tiny little piped meringue candies in the store cause they remind me of Jo. I would either get him a bag of mini meringues or a toffee apple each time we went grocery shopping together. Jo has a sweet tooth and it helped keep him enthusiastic about the shopping and carrying of bags after. ;) I loved watching him tear open the bags the minute we got home to dig out his treat/reward with a big big smile.
I wanted very much to make meringues successfully because I knew he loved pavlova more than anything. Everytime he caught me sitting in front of the oven with a pout close to tears... I remember how Jo always was full of encouraging words. He would pat my head and say "Awww... poor baby; it doesn't matter, we've got a little more, you can try again; or we can just get meringues from the supermarket" hehe Jo was a gem.
Well; I can finally make meringues now!~ and they're just as yummy as the ones I used to buy for him at the supermarket ;) My Delectable candies even have coffee flavour to them too! Eggwhites and I are no longer enemies! yay!

Over-Cooked Eggs

I really hate it when my pastry baking flops from improperly baked eggs. My yolks were supposed to be runny! and they would have been if I watched the oven like I should have!
I like em gooey and deliciously flavourful. Full .. of yummy cholesterol goodness *giggle*

Salmon Egg-y puff pies

6 4'x4' Frozen Puff pastry squares
3 slices smoked salmon
3 eggs
3 tbsp of grated mozzarella
Fresh oregano (roughly torn)
a dash of flake sea salt
cracked black pepper

Preheat oven to 180degrees celcius
Slice 3 pastry squares into 4 strips each. Place the other 3 squares onto a baking tray.
Use strips to form a square tartlet on the 3 base squares (refer to photograph). Press down a little to stop leakage on the corner seams.
Divide cheese, smoked salmon and herbs into the 3 prepared tart cases. Gently break an egg into the center of the tart, being very careful not to pierce the yolk.
Immediately place in the oven and cover loosely with a sheet of foil over the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes until eggs begin to cook slightly but still remains runny; pastry should be puffed at this point. Remove foil; Sprinkle with pepper and herbs; bake uncovered for another 5 minutes until golden and crisp on the corners and eggs are a little jiggly.
Serve immediately! some put ketchup on this. I would have mustard instead.

I filled these with the best smoked salmon, expensive cheese and freshly bought herbs. They were supposed to come out SUPER. Well.. they didn't cause I was careless. I feel pretty bad when I see good yolks go to waste. Got bored? complacent? didn't watch the timing and the oven temperature..
Yea; I am beating myself up about it... and yes; I'm also talking in code.
This post isn't about the my eggs; or their yolks; or my inability to make puff pies. It probably is about the person I made them for, how he loves eggs runny and how we've 'over-cooked' our fun times together.... It's only a probability. *shrug* ;) hahaha
I'm just tired of having bad overdone eggy-pies now... dwelling comes to a halt. moving along! I need GOOD eggs; not bad ones! LOL
Will have an obsession about strawberries instead tomorrow. *wink*

Try the egg-ypie recipe! They taste AWESOME! reallly! If you don't like salmon; fill it with roast chicken or peas even! Filling combo's probabilities are endless!

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She's like sunshine

"Creative genius packaged in an adorable bubble of joy"

That would be me describing Xin Lim at first thought.

She's super super talented and is such fun to work with. People ask me about my branding and the yellow stripes at Delectable a lot. Well today... I want you to meet the person who came up with them for us!From the very first day we sat down to talk about starting up www.delectable.com.my; to having her design our namecards and corporate logos; I had fallen in love with Xin and all her brilliant ideas. Not only did she understand what I had in mind for Delectable completely; she added value to the many concepts I only had for our store. Needless to say; I wanted very much for her to be a part of delectabletreats.com.my as well. She always picks the perfect colours; a master of simplicity and clean lines, pedantic with finishing details, is always on time and shows up in the prettiest dresses topped with a perfect smile; seriously.. what's not to love?!

Xin is special to me. Getting emails from her, opening the attachments and having her come by the store for visits are thrilling and always extremely pleasant. She inspires me more than she can imagine and I respect her as one of Malaysia's best talents. Working with her and her creativity is truly motivating and humbling. Having her offer hugs and a helping hand to me at my lowest times is an honor. She's one of the few who can smile and say "It's gonna be okay" to me; and make me actually believe it. Haha
Happy Birthday precious Xin! I know you're going to do SO GREAT in anything you choose! Despite my stubborn self and lack of patience for anything she's managed to put on a cheery disposition through it all. *giggle* I guess we can be friends for a long time to come huh?

You had me at "...Su ..... No, listen to me first."
LOL

Thinking Big

I'm a preacher of all 'little things'. Guilty.
That's what everyone tells you and constantly reminds you "Don't forget the little things"... okay.. it probably is because the big things seem obvious as a focal subject.
For all those just like me, who love to dwell in the beauty + satisfaction of finding joy from the little things... i've got 3 words for you; WHERE'S THE BIG? You're losing the whole POINT of how all these little things came about. haha

It's the same way I look at large wedding cakes I make. I focus so much on ideas; little details and colours, contrasts... but when it comes down to stacking and shaping; I go... "oh; wait, let me work out how exactly I'm going to make this come together"
The joy I get from being a part of such beautifully crafted weddings are indescribable. Being the 'cake' and the centerpiece; is so much pressure; it always feels overwhelmingly heartwarming.








On a personal level; I've been making it a habit to never lose the big picture. It says in blinking neon lights on a 10foot billboard; DELECTABLE by Su *laughs* Well.. not literally; I want so much to bring my new found aspirations for Delectable to life; It's been a little more than a year now; before I know it; it's going to be 2 years! I've brokendown; torn myself up and now created a brand new me to continue this journey of mine. It's time to GO GO GO! Like a never ending race; and an infinite finish line.... might make a pit stop occasionally for a pedicure or pint of draught in the evening. *shrug* I sincerely believe ill tire out eventually; Jo thinks I never will have enough... he's had enough of me though; been flying solo for more than a month now. Didn't think I'd compose myself so well this time around. I suppose Fool me once; shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me.

Love and kisses peeps!
Will publish the many unfinished blog posts soon.