dessert in a toast box

十月六日...对很多人来说，只是一个普通的日子。不过今天对我的老大来说却是个大日子。今天是小六会考的第一天！真相希望他在考场能够有所发挥 :)

It's the start of the PSLE today. In a week's time, the examination will be over, and it also means that my elder child would have completed his 6 years of primary school education. How time flies! While I was packing up our old photo albums, I couldn't help but laughed at how cute he looked when he was in primary one ;)

As the examination drew closer, I found myself more relaxed. I believe I have finally reached the S4 level as a 'leader' based on the Situational Leadership model (by Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersey) and my child as a 'follower' has moved to the D4 level (someone with high competence, high commitment – experienced at the job, and comfortable with their own ability to do it well, may even be more skilled than the leader.)

Two months ago, I noticed my elder child began to pick up momentum in his preparation for the exam. He demonstrated a zealous attitude in wanting to do well...he planned out his revision schedule and time tables, and even set his own targets for each subject. I didn't even have to sit down side by side with him to go through his work. He did his revision mostly by himself. Whenever I felt guilty, I would spend a few moments of my time just to check that he was doing ok on his own. When it was down to 4 weeks before the D-day, I was too preoccupied with the planning of my home renovation. I am glad that without my close supervision, he was still able to study hard, real hard, I must say, for he is still a child. Sometimes, I even joked that it was as though he was preparing for some university entrance exams...you will be amazed with the piles and stacks of files, assessment books, etc, lying all over our house. As the day drew even closer, I found myself giving him lots of hugs everyday...I am so pleased with his learning attitude. My role as a 'coach' now, is to keep encouraging and assuring him that he will be fine. Very often, he worries that he won't pass with good grades...he lacks self-confidence. So I have to tell him, with the effort he has put in, I am sure even if the end result is not as expected, he won't live with regrets. I hope he understand what I meant when I told him..."The process is more important than the results. Some other people may think otherwise, but to mama, your learning attitude is more important than anything else, and I want you to hold these values with you all the way to your adulthood." I know very well his limits and potential. I don't expect him to pass with flying colours (it will be a miracle), but I am assured that he won't do too badly either. What more can I ask for?

On a lighter note, I will like to share with you this sweet treat...Dessert in a Toast Box! I happened to chance upon a video clip when I was looking for recipes on how to make Korean mochi buns. This is something so interested that I wasted no time to try it once I managed to bake a decent homemade pullman loaf.

It is basically a bread 'box' topped with fruits and scoops of ice cream. Inside the 'box' are layers of toasted bread 'cubes' drizzled with honey. I also topped it with some homemade breakfast granola. Sounds delicious isn't it?! I have tried with both a plain white loaf and a wholemeal bread...both are equally good. I hope the instructions I have posted below is clear enough...and if you happen to try it, I am sure you will have fun both preparing and eating it!


Dessert in a Box

Cut a 11cmx11cmx20cm pullman loaf into half, you will get two bread 'cuboids'. With a serrated knife, make a cut on each of of the 4 sides of a bread cuboid, leaving a gap of around 1cm from the edges. Make a slit along the base of the box (see illustration below, refer red line at the base).  Carefully remove the bread.

Slice the bread into 3 layers. Cut into 4s for each layer to get a total of 12 small cubes. Spread all the 6 surfaces of each cube with butter. Spread the insides of the bread 'box' with butter.

Place the bread box in the oven (preheated to 180 degC) for around 10mins or until the surfaces turn golden brown. Heat up a non-stick pan. Over medium to low heat, toast the bread cubes until they turn golden brown. Note: You can also toast the cubes together with the bread box in the oven, turn the cubes around so that all the surfaces are golden browned. Leave to cool off a little.

Place the toasted cubes into the bread box, layer by layer. Drizzle with honey on each layer. Press the bread cubes down a little to provide room for the toppings.

Place cut fruits (strawberries, blueberries, peaches, banana, kiwi fruits, grapes, etc) in the box.

Top with scoops of ice cream, a sprinkle of nuts (I topped it with my homemade breakfast granola) and a drizzle of melted chocolate. Serve immediately.