These pink roses were baked specially for my childhood friend Wai Ling, who celebrates her birthday today. Wai Ling and I have been friends since we were in kindergarten. We even shared the same classrooms in primary, and most of secondary school. Not many friendships make it this far. I cherish what we have.
When I was in Taipei last month, I bought a book by Pierre Herme, In it is a recipe for Cake Ispahan. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be perfect with my new Nordic Ware Sweetheart Rose Cast Aluminium Non-stick Muffin Pan.
The startling combination of raspberries and scent of rose petals make my little sponge cakes clear winners. I wonder, however, if the book was really written by Pierre Hermé himself because the Cake Isphan in the PH Paris website looks nothing like the one featured in the book!
As I was whisking egg whites at the dining room table a fairly large wasp, obviously attracted by the scent of rose essence, flew into our apartment. It hovered over my left shoulder for about 2 seconds before dancing into the living room where it was spotted by my parents. My mother went up in arms, rolling up the magazine she was reading, baton-like, to hit the poor thing with. The insect, sensing impending doom, fled through the living room window. In it's haste to get way, it didn't fly out. Rather, it accidentally slipped off the window ledge and plunged! It was extremely comical to watch.
Happy birthday, Wai Ling! May our friendship lasts a lifetime.
