Friday, November 7, 2008

Adjusting to a new lifestyle.......


A few of my closer chat buddies and forum members who are also my students might be aware by now that I have recently quit my full time job. Although I will still be conducting classes on part time basis, life without a full time job will be different. I will be able to spend more time with Jeriel, which seemed to be a luxury before this. I will also be able to spend all the time I wish in my small little kitchen to stir up more scrumptious meals for my family and also not forgeting all the wonderful baking sessions I could have. Perfect it may sound, if only these ideal cases will always apply......... How about being drawn crazy by my own kid, start mumbling too much to hubby and son, and begin to be picky on small little things and draw the maid mad? Let's see.

Too lazy to make something complicated (just my usual self), I made this simple Marble Butter Cake for our today's breakfast. Please make sure you will only use good quality 100% pure cocoa powder for the marbelised batter. It makes a huge difference.


Marble Butter Cake
Makes 1 loaf of approx. 12 x 22 cm

Ingredients:

175g butter
160g castor sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
150g cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
100ml milk
25g cocoa powder, sifted
½ tsp chocolate emulco, optional


Method:

1. Preheat oven at 180 degC. Line a loaf cake tin with greaseproof paper
2. Sift flour and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Set aside.
3. Combine butter and castor sugar in a mixing bowl. Using paddle of your mixer, cream until light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl periodically for well mixing.
4. Add eggs gradually, beating well after each addition.
5. Pour in milk. Mix well. Fold in flour mixture in (2) and mix until batter is smooth.
6. Divide the mixture into 2. Add cocoa powder and chocolate emulco to one of the portions. (Note 4)
7. Drop large spoonfuls of each of the mixtures alternately into the prepared cake tin. Drag a skewer through the mixture to create a marbled efect.
8. Bake at 180 degC for 40 minutes or until skewer inserted into the centre of cake comes out clean.


Notes:
1. Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature.
2. Scrape bowl periodically to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
3. To prevent curdling, mixer must be at low speed when eggs are added.
4. Add 2 tbsp of milk to batter with cocoa powder if batter is dry and difficult to incorporate cocoa powder.


Love,

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jo, surprise to hear this but then again my msn is down so haven't been able to chat. Hope things are well with u. ^_K

Anonymous said...

Hi Jo,

I'm surprise to hear this as well...anyway, nothing more important than family. Don't worry, God will provide..I never knew the greatness of God until I actually quit my job and be SAHM. You'll be bless! Join the club!

Little Corner of Mine said...

Congrats on being a SAHM again! Think about it this way, without the work stress, you will look younger and live longer too! ;)

Cookie said...

Hi Jo,

I am at the career junction, and for all I know, I may also end up quitting my full time and become SAHM. I guess I just can't let go if the financial comfort of being employed!

Unlike you, I do not fantastic baking skills like yours to fall back on! *tsk*

Regards
Cookie

Anonymous said...

Hi Jo,

Didn't know you quit but happy that you are doing something that pleases you. Your son will definitely drive up the wall - all children does that with SAHMs but it would be a wall full of beautiful murals and surprise journey into yours sons life. As for the maid...hmmm.. I am sure she 'loves' having you around all the time.. hehehehehhe

The Thonged Contessa,
Inamohde

Unknown said...

jo,

Do not say that you do not have a full time job, being a sahm is more than full time, double time etc.

Edith said...

Welcome to the club of no annual leave, no sick leave, no bonus. LOLz. But in return, you get to see your little precious growing up. You will be the one witnessing all their "first" steps.

It will take a little adjustment but once you get into the routine, you will consider yourself very lucky. Have fun and lily is right, it is a truly FULL TIME job.

Family First said...

So now you will only teach part time at Wiltons?

Jo said...

Hi K, sherreen,
Thanks for calling. Appreciate that very much :)


Ching,
You were quite right in that sense huh, hahahaha..... I am sure I will enjoy being at home as much as seeing how you enjoy being with your girls all the time.


Hi cookie,
Thanks for droping by. I like the financial comfort too but it has come to a point when I need to let go either job or family quality time. Good luck in your decision making k?

Zarina,
You are you humorous as always. Thanks for being so supportive. Hope to see you in MCDC get-together.

Lily, edith,
Everybody told me SAHM is a 24 hour job. It's tough. Commmitment is not confined to 9-6. Thanks again.

familyfirst,
Yeah, I will teach part time at Wilton :)

Anonymous said...

yes i heard about it from adila, but u will still be teaching and i can always ask anything from u here or in the forum rite. Well jo u have a great skill and also fantastic and easy recipe to follow, why dont u compile all and make a book, it will be easier for ur fan (especially me) to keep all ur precious. Looking forward for it ya. Take care n see u soon

jadepearl said...

Hi Jo!
I finally found your blog...:)
Congrats on being a SAHM again! Me also a SAHM. Can I invite you to my blog? Need your e-mail though.
Thanks!

Cookie said...

Hi Jo, you have been tagged by me. Have fun!

Cheers,
cookie

Jo said...

Hi jadepearl,
Thanks for the invitation. My email address is joannefam@gmail.com Thanks!

Cookie,
Thanks. Will participate soon.

Margaret said...

Hi Jo,

After working for 35 donkey years, I finally got to retire 3 years ago.

Let me tell you, LIFE BEGINS AFTER RETIREMENT - go and have a blast!

Margaret

Reese Darragh said...

Thanks for posting the recipe. I made it for my family and they love it! It does remind me of the marble cake served at the old Hainanese Kopitiam in Malaysia when I was a kid. It is nice for me to know that I can replicate the cake here in the States. It does bring back a lot of sweet chidhood memories!