I think I have good taste.. and expensive ones too. I have an irrational weakness for beautiful things. The only thing that keeps me in check is the limited space I have in my apartment for them. I have to be very careful not to over clutter my space otherwise, all beauty would just become part of a garage dump. Sometimes, when I still have not lost all ability to rationalise, I would pep talk myself : there are so many beautiful things in the world, do you really think you can buy and own all of them?
Rational, I was not when I saw the collection of Astier de Villatte ceramics at the uber cool Strangelets. Blame it on my business appointment at Telok Ayer Street, which led me to the discovery of this lovely shop. They have a covetable selection of curio collectables for home styling- all gorgeous and almost all expensive...sigh. I knew I was in trouble when my eyes fell on the Ceramics. A Parisian brand ,their hand made white glazed terracotta tableware has a strong cult following. I like the way the simple white glaze lends a rustic romantic balance to the what could otherwise be a fussy and opulent baroque design. I left the shop with a side plate and a little coffee cup. I fear, I fear that I will go back again and again for more...
Eager to show off my new tableware, I decided to bake the Banana cupcake from Joycelyn's class last weekend. Possibly the best Banana cake I have ever tasted - richly soft , explosively fragrant with the sweet aroma of very ripe bananas - you have to be around when it is baking in the oven. I guarantee you will have your neighbour sniffing their way to your kitchen.
It will not be right for me to publish the recipe here - but I can share that there is a load of bananas in this recipe. When you have more (and I mean a lot more) bananas than flour and butter, you can imagine how soft and sweet the cake would turn out to be. And what better way to dress up the humble banana cup cake than little bundt molds - so old world and so compatible with my new prized acquisition.
I will have no problem baking this over and over again - just need to watch my waistline and those treacherous things known as cellulite!
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26 comments:
Your banana cupcakes are so lovely! I love your bundt pan as well :)
Wow...I am impressed. The tea set is super nice and the banana cupcake is veri tempting too.
: )
One of your mini bundts is smiling..Must be the new aquisitions:) I too favor that style..romantic..
Your minis are mega beautiful:)
Shirley, I'm just like that too! If I get some cool cutlery or china I just have to bake something to put on them :P They look fantastic and congratulations on your beautiful set!
You just MUST share with me where Strangelet is located. I'll go gaga for sure! Btw, have left an award for you. Don't have to mention it whatsoever if you don't wish to. Just sharing it around that's all.
I honestly think it's not so much expensive taste as it is being very classy. I think you have exquisite taste and I am glad you can share these wonderful items with us, at least through the pictures. The banana cake does look amazing!
I share the same irrational weakness of yours, for beautiful things....well....what can you do when you're born with it ;)
pretty banana cakes!
Hi Petit Nyonya, Strangelet is actually located at 87 Amoy St. in Singapore. You can try to google them :)
I like the tea set, look really classic!!
I love these mini banana buntcakes! I am very sure they taste as good as they look!
Dear Shirley,
your banana cakes look lovely. Oo..are the bundt pans bought from Shermay too?
=) christine
Thanks, Christine. I didn't buy the pans from Shermay. I think I bought them some years back in US. The bundt pans at Shermay's are too expensive. It would be cheaper to order online and shipped over using vpost. I just placed order online for 3 pans. Including shipping, it saved me close to $70.
Hey shirley the cakes look gorgeous! And if the recipe is from Joycelyn I'm sure it's fab. You are so good you actually get to work on stuff you learn from her right away! I must say I've left a couple of her classes fairly awestruck but too daunted to actually try making the stuff I've watched her make! haha
And the pandan coconut panna cotta looks amazing too.
your little banana cakes are really scrumptious congratulations !! Pierre
Ooh I shld try vpost then. I love nordicware but they're really too expensive.
Will you be going for Jocelyn's next class? :) I'm still wondering if I shld sign up for it, provided there's still space.
Anyway my lemon bars frm her previous class turned out a little sticky. Do you have the same problem?
:) christine
Hi Christine. Yes, please do check out on-line shopping options. Just make sure there is an actual weight and volume weight charged by vpost. You want to keep your package as compact as possible to avoid spending money on shipping air. I most probably won't attend her next class. Good for you! YOu've already tried her lemon bar which I really like too. I haven't tried it though. Will try it out soon and let you know.
Dear Shirley,
many thanks for your tip. Actually I've tried all the recipes she demonstrated and the blueberry streusel cake is the one I like the most. You should give it a try too.
Your Astier de Vilatte tableware looks so lovely. Are they very expensive i.e. 100 and above for a tray? Hee...
=) christine
Christine, I wish the Astier tableware are more affordable - let's just say, it is more expensive than what you are expecting now :) Check them out at Amoy St if you have time.
Haha ok I get the idea. I was checking out how to order the bundt pans online. Do you just order them directly from the nordicware website and get vpost to deliver?
=) christine
Christine, don't go to Nordicware. Try Amazon or Cookware.com - both usually have better prices and also free shipping for some models. Generally, if you are only getting the muffin pans type, box size should be small. Once you get to the whole cake bundt pans, the packages get bulky and you will start paying for shipping air. Usually it is more worthwhile if you get more items together. Check the shipping cost at VPost first before placing order.
Hi Shirley
Are u using Portland for your vpost?
I heard it is a tax free state. Some merchants deliver free to Portland.
Didn't know that other web sells cheaper than Nordic Ware Web.
: )
Hi Christine, yes. I use the Portland facility. Feel free to email me if you need help.
Upside-down cupcake! and the tableware looks exceptionally gorgeous.
Gosh,you do quite a lot of online shopping do you? ;p
That is why I never do shopping back in Singapore! LOL! Some things are just TOO EXPENSIVE.
Shirley, you have exquisite taste. That's why your blog is beautiful. :) I am dying to get a peek into those mini banana bundts ... how moist and rich they must be!
A fabulous treat! Great photos!
I have been in love with Astier de
Villate since I first started reading about it in 2000,or before. I look at it every time I'm in Paris, but just haven't been able to spring for a piece (I think the problem is, I want more than one piece!).
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