Tất cả là tại Nigella, cô đầu bếp béo ú người Anh với một phong cách nấu bếp rất thông thả,  gợi cảm, những món ăn và công thức đồ ngọt, tráng miệng của Nigella rất hấp dẫn và dễ làm. Cho nên mình quyết định thử! Dịp Noel và cuối năm là mùa ‘làm quà tặng’ cho bạn bè người thân, đồng nghiệp, người ‘dưng’ có vẻ hay hơn là phải chen lấn đi mua quà Giáng Sinh ở các cửa hiệu. Và nếu tự tay mình làm sẽ được người ta ưa hơn và được nhiều ‘điểm tốt’

So here is the recipe, actually it’s Nigella but I would say from my experience making a few patches I would more than happy to share some tips.

Đây là công thức của Nigella nhưng kinh nghiệm mình làm 2, 3 phần có một số bí quyết và lưu ý sau:

Tip no 1: Make sure you use a large shallow pot to do this. The bottom of the pot should be as wide as possible. Like the pot below, similar type. This is because if you use too much chocolate and the bottom is not wide enough, the chocolate will burn since it has no room to ‘breath’. Trust me, I almost burn some!

Bí quyết 1: Sữ dụng nồi thủy tinh có đáy rộng rãi, không cần cao nhưng phải rộng rãi đủ để hộn hợp chocolate ‘thở’ được nếu không sẽ bị cháy, mình mém làm bị cháy rồi.

Tip no 2: All ingredients should be ready first as once you start melting the chocolate things can get a bit hand on as you need to stir the chocolate and watch over its melting process.

Bí quyết 2: Nên chuẩn bị các phụ liệu đầy đủ, tránh tình trạng vừa đang làm tan chocolate vừa phải lột vỏ hạt dẻ hoặc cắt bơ!

Tip no 3: Low the heat and I really mean it! And watch the heat!

Bí quyết 3:  Lửa nhỏ và phải coi chừng lửa thật kỹ!

Ingredients you will need to buy:

1. Chocolate  button, dark chocolate 500 gram (advice to buy at Annam Gourmet), dont get the little chips get the button ones

Chocolate nút, bán tại An Nam Gourmet mua loại đắng mua khoảng nửa ký một túi

2. x1 Bag of pistachio nuts, buy any where, crack and get the nuts inside, put them in a plastic bag and use the rolling pin to lightly crush it. Dont crush it too much since then it will be too small, you want the texture in the fudge so dont be too brutal

Hạt dẻ, bẻ vỏ bỏ vào túi nilon và dùng chày đập nhưng không đậm nhuyễn chỉ vừa, vẫn còn giữ nguyên hình dạng.

3. 350gram of condense milk, any brand will do.

Sữa đặc có đường mua một hộp hiệu nào cũng được

4. 350 gram of butter, unsalted. Buy a standard size and chop it up into cubes.

Bơ loại không có muối và cắt thành từng mảng vuông.

5. Container : choose the foil version flat not too high. With the above ingredients you wont need a big foil tray but in Ham Nghi they dont sell small one so you will need to buy big one and then you have to make sure when you spread the chocolate you’re only using half of the container. Also buy ribbons and clear wrapping papers. Or you can be creative and buy the different shapes one, star, heart metal frames at the store.

Mua khuôn làm bằng giấy bạc, mua ở bên Hàm Nghi thì họ chỉ có cỡ lớn như vậy khi đổ ra khuôn chỉ đổ và sử  dụng phân nữa khuôn. Mua thêm giấy gói quà trắng trong, nơ ru băng hoặc cửa hàng có bán các loại khuôn có nhiều hình dạng khác nhau.

Optional: buy additional good quality standard chocolate bar to add in the mix, choose non dark type, something rich and smooth. Cut the bar into small pieces. (Lưu ý nên mua thêm một thanh chocolate loại xịn, hiệu tốt, nhưng là chocolate bình thường, không đắng)

Methods:

Put the pot/pan on low heat put the chocolate button, chopped chocolate into the pan for melting, watch the heat! When chocolate is completely melt into a liquid form, pure in the milk, mixed well using a flat plastic cooking spoon. Ensure the mixture is smooth heat is low and stir often. Then put in chopped butter to add shine. Once butter is melted pour in the nuts. Stir and now ready to put into the frame. Remember you frame if not fit will be bigger so shape it well and use spoon to push the mixture into shape. Smooth the surface then let it cool. After cooling now ready to be in the fridge. It will set about 5 – 6 hours so you can do this over night. After that you start to cut into desired size, arrange the portions into each parcel tie with ribbon and dont forget some love notes

You can put the ready made ones in the freezer, no need to defrost it. Fudge texture should not be hard like chocolate but a bit soft to bite.

Enjoy!

Các bước thực hiện: Bắt nồi lửa nhỏ bỏ chocolate vào đợi tan  đều chảy lỏng thì cho sữa, quậy đều và canh chừng không để lửa to, và sau đó cho bơ vào. Lưu ý dùng thìa nhựa và liên tục đảo cho tan đều. Khi bơ đã tan, cho hạt dẻ vào quậy trộn và đổ vào khuôn. Khuôn nếu to thì chỉ đổ một phần của khuôn và dùng thìa để làm gọn hình dạng lại. Để cho hỗn hợp nguội rồi cho vào tủ lạnh,  khoảng 5 – 6 tiếng hoặc có thể làm buổi tối trước đó, khi đã cứng lại có thể đem ra cắt thành miếng vừa ăn, gói vào giấy gói thắt nơ. Những gói vừa làm xong có thể để tủ đông hoặc tủ lạnh bình thường không cần xả đá nếu cho vào ngăn đá. Fudge sẽ không cứng như  chocolate bình thường và có độ dẻo.

Chúc ngon miệng và nhận được nhiều nụ hôn!

Credit: fcuk.com

Before getting all silly and all in with many impulse purchases, I made myself some tips:

1. Get some of the must have, ‘bling bling’ glitter for many parties one must go to, I also try to grab all the black basic, strong quality pieces that will last way past the sale and winter season. Having a wishlist throughout the year help even if you end up not buying them then, who knows it might be on the SALE rack. Sale is a good time to get all the basics as well such as black pants, stable heels and even a bit serious handbag.

So I made a sort of checklist with all the item, this would help to stay on track when shopping in case I sway away from seeing other tempting items.

The list has all the items for 50% or more off. Brands range from Mango to Jimmy Choo each item below 100$USD and not over 200$USD. I’ll save a bunch and will have items that last for a while, and dont look like a fool at parties.

2. Thinking ahead and almost be a true fashionista by a bit of research. Spring/Summer 2012 is actually out, all the runway have stopped and the big fashion names are already starting to produce the next season collection. Look at the trend of 2012, go to Elle, Vogue and identify some similar items in the sale. This winter safari is huge and some of that still reflect into the next season, strong graphic and vibrant colours. Wont go wrong. So here is my springboard before heading out to the shop and fighting for your outfit. Again.

All the above products are 70% on sales. Not much for spring but some useable pieces. Hello credit card and instant noodles for the entire month beginning 2012

Notice on the guy who wears glasses and in the singlet, skinny, he’s powerful. He directs all the models and ordering them around. Super friendly at the same time and works his ass off. Kudos!

This girl has an odd look. And her designer, after all Malaysia is still a pretty conservative nation and there’s women in veil. Made beautifully though.

Models looking pretty in strong colours. And here, blur is the local designers. Her collection is pretty ‘in trend’ colour blocking. :-0

Below is a fellow designer, very young from Thailand.

Activities backstage: unwrapping heels, ironing the clothes, fixing up the models, listening to music, many more….

MC is getting ready.

While things are hectic, designer and friend also look a bit….confused.

Er…someone please give me a fan, it’s too hot here hellooooo

There’s always a relaxed and calm look and vibe around Minh. This collection winter/autumn collection showcase at MIFW by MIFA and sponsored by YODA is a mixed of his latest creation and collaboration with Elle Vietnam.

Clothes on rack, ready to rock back stage and front!

Knitted jumper with cute wool decorated circles, detailed ethnic neck piece. First piece out of the collection. For this to wear, you might need to have a broader shoulder to pull this off nicely. In contrast this below piece is very good to wear, super cute even on a person like meself. The necklace is also great.

Below: wool skirt wont be boring with those details esp when you pair and tone down the balance of a thick surface with a soft feminine shirt and cute buttons. Good for Saigon weather right now.

And here is my favourite winnter item from Nhat Minh a must have for me. I have of course already reserved it for myself. I would personally take of the belt and the length plus those adorable cute circle wool fit well with the colour and the spirit.  This is great fun to wear if you dare to walk the street in December in them. Or simply turn your office aircon right down low to get the feel of cold. Boots will be great with them.

And that was the kinda of stop of those thick pieces Nhat Minh put out and move into something very feminine and soft but also very warm, the colour of reddish for winter. The skirt pattern and material is of famous style we called tho cam in Vietnam, inspired by the ethnic communities in the northern mountain. To bring that look into the urban, team with the vibrant coloured top. Notice that again, Minh played with the button concept and the material of the top fit well, actually hug the upper half of the body rather tight. I also love the necklace.

A few further look that got the same style, long length see-through skirt that just flow well.

I wish I could walk out of the run way with this below look. The dress is super slim, tight fitted and gives the glam look and that strong neck piece. The red lip also work. Can totally see this as a red carpet outfit. Bravo Minh.

Some items are available at store Designer Forum.

Caption: This is Dieu Anh before the show. Backstage where we just finished our ironing process and trying to line up all the clothes to which models and decide which outfits are going first and last.

I remember when were at the airport, NTK Dieu Anh was opening her suitcase to ‘stuff’ more shoes in for NTK Nhat Minh, revealed a sneak of her collection, the vibrant colour of red and velvet texture with the graphic underline, I was intrigued. Velvet is a tough fabric to sell in Vietnam according to Dieu Anh, plus Saigon hardly have winter. But she went for it anyway, after all the theme of where we were invited to YODA MIFA fashion show was autumn.

Caption: Pants and separates.

This combo is quite interesting. The top has a very gentle flow about it and a bit twisted, probably would need a basic camisole underneath if you are not brave enough. When walking the inner lining and fabric will show I love that idea. The pants are very signature of Dieu Anh.

Caption: 3 pieces

Actually the top inside has a tie at neck a bit like halter and what I like about the short-sleeve jacket is that we dont have to close it and can be wear open, suitable for Saigon weather actually.

Caption: Fall and festive season is of course also about dresses. While red is one of the popular colour, combine with the velvet texture make this dress a very easy but chic piece.

Caption: another option for a dressy dress, a bit more serious with long sleeve. Personally not my favourite but the detailing is great with the different colour and the cute pair of gloves, let not forget the accessories for winter!

Caption: Skirt, top and scarf. This reminds me or kinda let me image a weekend walk about town, coffee with the girl. I think the combination of the salmon colour balanced but the skirt.

Caption: strong colour combo. Hahaha the hat looks cute. The skirt is a typical shape among her other usual line, reflected here.  The top is quite versatile, I can pair it with jeans, even jean shorts & legging, high waist skirt/pants but it might be a bit much since the top is long, maybe stick with something short on the bottom!

Thanh must have really working his camera to capture this.  Also the pants you can find in different fabric when you visit Designers Forum store on Le Thanh Ton, come with black colour in cotton.

Caption: My wish list dress of the season. I love this. This dress to me speaks a lot of personality and style and yet so seasonal. Red but the back is low cut with the V neck and you can see the inner fabric again. Not so much detailing but gold goes really well. I have this made a bit bigger at the bottom for my round butt! But it looks classy but effortless. Pair with boots or heels. I remember trying it on before the model shooting the previous day in the room and jumping up and down for this. Boots will be good if people dont have skinny leg like the model here.

For 4 days, a trip, 1 full show and a collection. By the way I’ve learn one of the pieces was sold. The collection is now available in store, not all but some. Good luck to Dieu Anh and I cant wait to more creation. Love you girl!

So here is the goodies for the kitchen.

So here is what for dinner:

Ingredients: x2 pieces of chicken breast, boneless and skinless, if organic even better; grilled Italian mixed spices I bought from overseas kinda consist of fried sundried chillies, garlic flakes, dried herbs so I used those to rub onto the chicken for marinate; season with salt and pepper with a touch of olive oil and make sure the chicken have some time to take on the marinate; x1 head of broccoli, x1 yellow zucchini carrots; butter, salt & pepper; pancetta ham; small baby potatoes.

(Iphone photo)

Method:

Marinate the chicken and set aside. Start on a wok actually and put chopped veg into the little boiling water, just enough to ensure the pan dont dry out. When cooking the veg this way, the veg wont become too cooked and still retain the texture and colour. Since carrot is thicker they go in first then slowly put in broccoli. When it starts to be a bit cook, drop in the chopped zucchini. Put a bit water in if the pan dry out and sprinkle in veg stock cube for flavour. Put a knob of butter on top and set aside.

Potatoes are also thrown in for boiling in a separate pot.

Now comes the chicken. First I get the pan really hot. I love this big pan it has a lot of room for the kind of one pot cooking style. First through in the pacetta without oil and it must sizzle. Fry the ham a bit to bring out the flavour until they are a big golden. Then put in the butter then layer in the chicken with some oil. This way the flavour from the ham will also be cooking in the chicken. Leave it alone to cook for one side and turn around once the chicken is caramelized. Ensure both side have a bit of colour and slowly pour in water to prevent dryness and keeping the chicken breast moist. I then put the ham out aside and continue to cook the chicken breast making sure it cooks all the way through while keep serving it water.

(Iphone photo)

When the chicken nearly done, put back the pancetta and make room for the previously steamed veg. Being naughty, cut knobs of butter to put on the chicken and veg, take the pan out to serve with potatoes.

Chicken breast cooked just right and not dry! Very important!

(Iphone photo)

Launching my new facebook food page WhatToEatToday, replacing the Resto Arrest soon, available also on GooglePlus. Check it out

On the left is Founder of YODA, Baizura, she was kind enough to invite us and me. I had my Ao Dai on for the judging part, of course trying to look Vietnamese

10 designers each with 4 outfit and we had to score them out of 10. The was like the more we went down the list the more it gets better. Seeing the collection from the students I asked myself when will we, Vietnam have these? yes we have the Vietnam Fashion Week but not in this scale and not this professional level and passion. The family and guests really appreciate the show and came with a supportive mindset, eager to see their friends collection and not like the kind of showing off back in Saigon.

For students, some of the pieces are quite nice, although when you do look close it’s not perfectly done of course but exciting to see the effort.

Design school like Raffles also sent students to the show. Each made x1 piece, less ready to wear and more conceptualised. It was fun to watch. Such a country with not so much as being at the heart of fashion in Asia and they have 5 fashion schools.

I love those golden shoes

And this closed a portion of the day gone. The rest is hectic and fun.

Here are some of the shoots I stole from the set, meaning they kinda set it up and I just borrowed their lights. I love the colour mixture on the collection and already ‘booked’ 2 pieces for my own.

The collection comprises of dresses, separates that you can mix and play with. The inner fabric kinda cool where you can sort of see the inner lining but still have the velvet texture.

One of the girls is from Brazil, actually the above are both from Brazil. They’re lovely to work with, thanks to the team at YODA, who put up with a lot of poses, change of clothes. Each designer has 10 pieces to showcase and we all worked super hard on the shoot.

I sure will be glad to wear this dress for this festive season. The hat is also cute on me too. Better than the model

And our friend designer from Cebu Philippines Edwin Ao collection was also great, very structured look filled with wool long length. Here is a cool set.

We closed our day with a preview of the MIFA location at Zebra Square a brand new place still under construction when we got there but they managed to score an area for the show. Backstage filled with hot Russian models, 3 guys models that were all drooled over, he was so calm, blade shades on, white singlet and jeans with his Ipod on. Typical but steaming hot. So were the girls.

And here is the ‘face’ of MIFA this year, this girl is anywhere on the ads for the fashion week.

4 full days packed with activities, for us our journey started with the photoshoot of the new collection. When being asked to join we had a ‘subject’ to follow a theme, Autumn in KL.

Day 1 – Photoshoot

So here are some of the behind the scene shots from Nhat Minh design:

Shot at The Maple Suite, the weather was not kind to us, so all the shots are in-door. We had an interesting mix of models.

Using a nylon like material mixed with the fall usual knit, handmade, with little details of the knit making it both chunky but special with the top ethnic material around the neck. Super cute with shorts and of course stocking.

Here are the mix of similar tone, very in this winter the purple and green. Shirt with cute buttons as decorative and the almost see through skirt, very adorable. Nhat Minh collection this time really made me feel like winter and fall cant be dull.

And this no is just great. I love the necklace. Nhat Minh is keen on accessorizing and giving his fashion buyers a view of a total look. Actually this dress can be worn alone or should you be brave to walk on the street of Saigon in this combo.

Nhat Minh collection is available at Designer Forum on Le Thanh Ton.

(Photo: Elle Vietnam Facebook Fanpage)

Held in Intercontinental Ballroom, the interior of the show theme Wonder created a feel of ‘forest’ and winter-like with rather comfort seating arrangement. In conjunction, Elle Vietnam also celebrated its first 1 year anniversary since setting foot in Vietnam, brought by the Publishing House Ringier. I still remember from the very first few occasion and involvement with the early development of the magazine. Looking back it was fun and a lot of ups and downs from what I observed. Now, the magazine, despite having the Bazaar competition (to be honest its more like a Phong Cach makeover), is standing strong as THE publication for Fashion in Vietnam. Bravo to Elle Vietnam!

The night was pleasant, no drama of the ‘show’ element, it was fashion straight forward, some are in trend but I would like to see a bit more variety in terms of style and collections.

Tom K Nguyen is a Viet Kieu and his collection, I would buy every piece. Unfortunately you cant coz it’s not available in Vietnam. The fabric was interesting and esp the silhouettes. The colour is also strong and vibrant, in tune with the international trends for this year winner/autumn.

(Photo: Elle Vietnam Facebook Fanpage)

I love this outfit esp this skirt.

(Photo: Elle Vietnam Facebook Fanpage)

Do Manh Cuong collection was a full on fur and animal prints with a large collection of outerwear coats and all. The coats look good actually, quite well done in terms of detail and workmanship but the feel of the collection remind of much of M.Kors. Perhaps Ha Noi customers will be able to enjoy the clothes more. Again, his collection had more pieces and more prominent models and supermodels than others. Once again, I would need to address this: when will it be fair play?

Le Ha collection packs with fur and violet/cobalt colours, soft and smooth, feminine with a touch of silk. The trend coat style suits the collection and it’s very wearable. Lux feel and almost cozy, great to have those pieces in the fall somewhere in Europe.

(Photo: Elle Vietnam Facebook Fanpage)

Lastly I would say Phuong My, the weakest collection. There’s no pieces I would wear or thinking of wearing. The satin like material didn’t work very well and no structure of the outfits. Some of it like walking straight from your bedroom onto the street of autumn weather. Maybe that was the intention?

See more visual at http://www.facebook.com/ellevn

Much debate over Dep Show versus Elle Show over its simplicity, artistic or fashion elements, there were mixed review.

It was a fun night, esp getting ready for it. I pulled out my Leopard Escada Dress I bought for years, lucky still fit and got a ‘scrutiny’ of a DMC supporter since his collection was largely safari style.

Me, Dieu Anh designer, Nhat Minh designer – who made a dress theme Sea Goddess, Quoc Binh designer, Kan Nguyen Art Director and a fashionista Thuc Quyen were all getting ready for the night.

Here are some of the shots at Nhat Minh crib before the crew heading out. Check on Cityscape Before Big Fashion Night Out