Dreams Do Come True :)

As all of you might know, I love everything K-related; be it K-food, K-culture, K-pop, K-drama and even the Korean language. I have always wanted to experience living in Seoul and I always thought to myself "how nice would it be?" though it has always seem like a very far-fetched dream. But the moment I let my guards down and started chasing after this dream... It seems like as if the universe really did hear me, and has responded by granting me my wish!

YES, I AM GOING TO KOREA!! ✈

Yep, you read that right! To my favourite country! *big grin* Honestly though, I still can't believe it. Even though my air ticket's booked and I'm flying off in a few days, it still feels really surreal. In a good way of course!

I'll be working and attending a Korean language course, both part time, right in the heart of Gangnam. I am needless to say super duper excited!! It is like a dream come true for me.

This is an opportunity of a lifetime that I am so utterly grateful for. I am very, very excited and cannot wait to begin this new adventure! I mean... It's Seoul!!! :D

I won't lie though, taking a big step into the unknown is really nerve-wrecking. I mean, I am moving to foreign country that's entirely new to me, I don't know anyone there, I have got no friends or relatives in Seoul, and I can only speak the very basic Korean. I am terrified, but at the same time really excited to see what the future holds for me. Things really do work out, somehow or rather, don't they?

However as I will be staying in a guesthouse with a small, shared kitchen, I am undeniably a little upset I won't be able to experiment much in the kitchen anymore. 😔  I cannot imagine 6 months with no baking, but I sure am looking forward to exploring the Korean culture and K-food!!

Naturally, my blog and Instagram account will also take a new direction, focusing on my new journey in Seoul. I hope you'll all still enjoy following my feed as I embark on this next chapter of my life. 😊

Matcha Chia Pudding

Hello everyone! Sorry it's been a while since I last blogged. I've been really busy packing, unpacking and moving. I finally have some spare time on hand today and was looking back on my photos when I realised I haven't yet shared this recipe which I adore. And no surprises here, of course, it has to be matcha-related again! :P

Here I've got in my beautiful Maxwell & Williams Mansion glassware a mix of textures and colours paired with fresh summer flavours.

It's a base of matcha chia pudding, topped with matcha granola (gifted by the very lovely Lianne), pan-roasted organic coconut chips, fresh strawberries and mango.

Here's the recipe for my matcha chia pudding:

Matcha Chia Pudding
Recipe by The Bakeanista

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 tbsp matcha powder (I used Zen Wonder's Shizen)
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• fresh fruits for garnishing

Method

1. Combine and mix well all ingredients in a bowl, or like I did in my Maxwell & William stemless glasses. 
2. Let it soak overnight in the refrigerator. I cling wrap the glasses for hygiene purposes.
3. Give it a good stir the following morning, and garnish with any topping you like. Enjoy! :)

Garnishing with flowers instantly make everything look that extra bit pretty, don't ya think? Here's an aerial view where you can get a good glimpse of all the toppings.

I invited a good friend over for brekkie and served this. She was going all ohh-and-ahh, saying my matcha chia pudding can be passed off as "cafe quality" both in taste and presentation. Hehe that made me so so happy!

As much as I love eating out and exploring new cafes, brekkie or brunch at home can be just as fun, yummy and pretty too! I had so much fun "plating" this up. This recipe in particular is also really easy to prepare and so delicious too!

As I used a really high quality matcha powder (Zen Wonder's Shizen), the matcha flavour really stood out. The matcha granola with dried blueberries also went really well with this chia pudding as I love the contrasting textures. So I highly recommend you make some the granola ahead of time to go with your chia pudding. :)

I hope you'll enjoy this healthy brekkie as much as I did!

Matcha Pancakes

There are days when I love going out for brunch, but there are also days when I love having brekkie or brunch at the comfort of my own home and on days like that, I often opt to make something simple.

I love it when I have on hand some delicious Brasserie Bread (my fav being the Single Origin Sourdough) so I could put together a quick luxurious brekkie.

Very simply just a sunny side up and stir fried shrooms with thyme on toast or bacon and scrambled eggs with a small dollop of chilli jam on toast. Both easy to whip up and so delicious!

But on other days when I have got no bread sitting around in my pantry, I like having pancakes because they're equally as easy to whip up. And seeing as I am on a roll with matcha, of course I had to make green tea pancakes!

I used Zen Wonder's new culinary grade matcha known as the Nakashi. Although the Nakashi isn't as fragrant as my ultimate fav Shizen in matcha latte's, the Nakashi is good enough for me to use in baking/cooking. It is also more affordable than the Shizen.

Soft & Fluffy Matcha Pancakes
Recipe by The Bakeanista; yields 12 thick pancakes

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs, separated 
• 230g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp matcha powder 
• 200ml milk 
• Pinch of sugar (about 1 tbsp)

Method:

1. First separate the eggs, putting the whites into one bowl and the yolks into another.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, and matcha powder into to the yolks, add milk then mix to a smooth thick batter.
3. Whisk the whites with the sugar until they form stiff peaks. Fold into the egg yolk batter – it is now ready to use.
4. Heat a good non-stick pan on medium heat. Pour some of your batter into the pan and fry for a couple of minutes until it starts to look golden and firm. When you start to notice bubbles, loosen pancake with a spatula and flip it over. Continue frying until both sides are golden.
5. Stack the pancakes up, then top or layer with whatever tickles your fancy before digging in. 

I highly recommend serving them pancakes with a good drizzle of pure maple syrup and pan-fried crispy bacon! Sweet and savoury combo are the best! ;)