Cathy's Joy

Chocolate Cake

2012-02-13T14:42:00.002+08:00

Chocolate Cake
(Recipe adapted & modify from Anncoo Journal )

Ingredients

100g salted butter, softened
160g Sugar

2 Eggs
1.5 cup milk

1 tsp Baking soda

2 Tbsp Kahlua
190g Flour

1/4 tsp Salt

3 tsp Baking powder

40g Cocoa powder

Method

1. Sift flour, salt, baking powder & cocoa powder in bowl. Dissolve baking soda in milk.

2. Cream butter & sugar until light. Add in eggs & continue beating.

3. Add in the rest of the ingredients (alternate dry & wet ingredients) & beat till smooth.

4. Pour batter into two 7" pan.

5. Bake in a preheated oven at 160C for 20mins.

Happy Valentine's Day

Lemon Rosemary Poppy Seeds Cookies

2012-02-10T08:00:00.005+08:00

Lemon Rosemary Poppy Seeds Cookies
(Recipe adapted & modify from Martha Stewart )

Ingredients
(A)

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 stick butter

(B)

2 cups plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

(C)

1 stick butter

3/4 cups sugar

1 egg

(D)

2 tsp lemon zest

2 tsp Grand Marnier

2 tsp chopped Rosemary

1 Tbsp poppy seeds, plus more for sprinkling

(E)

1/2 cup sugar

1.5 tsp lemon zest

Method:

1. Bring lemon juice to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook until reduced by half. Add 1 stick butter; stir until melted.

2. Whisk ingredients (B) together. Cream ingredients(C) on medium speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix in egg & lemon butter from (1). Mix until pale. Mix in Grand Marnier & zest. Mix in flour mixture & poppy seeds.

3. Stir ingredients (E) together. Roll spoonfuls of dough & roll them in sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Press each with the flat end of a glass dipped in sugar mixture until 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.

4. Bake in preheated oven @ 190C for 15mins.

P/S:

* This dough is a lot wetter than most cookie dough.

* Adjust the baking time accordingly (I bake longer as I like mine to be more crispy).

朋友，我好想你

2012-02-08T12:24:00.000+08:00

在医疗界为人群服务了十三年的我，总以为对于死亡早已麻目。事时上，并非如此。

当我或知你突然离去的消息时，我整个人都愣住了。是我听错吗？还是在开玩笑？毕竟同名的人也不少。

证实后，我好难过，不知到哭了好几回。我真的难以接受这个残酷的事实。为何是你?！

回想起我在美国那两个月，我门不是每天都在FB和whatsapp聊天？我还记得最后一次你在FB说你在诊所看医生等拿药，之后连续两天想找你却没有回应。我以为你在忙，最后才知道原来你当晚就出事了。。。

是上帝的安排吗？让两个热爱烘焙的人相视？只不过是短短的几个月，但感觉上却好象是认识以久的深交。我门不是有着共同的梦想吗？为何如今只剩下我独自作战？我好恨，好讨厌这种感觉。

我好难过当时我人在美国，不能出席你的葬礼，送你最后一程。现在我回来了，好想第一时间去见你，但是却获知你的墓碑还没好。

朋友，我好想念你。对你说的一字一句，你是否听得见或感受得到？你现在过的好吗？是否在另一个世界有着属于自己的天空？

我答应回来后和你一起分享罂粟子。如今，我做了迷迭香柃檬罂粟子蛋糕，希望你会喜欢。

朋友，你安息吧。谢谢你的友宜，我会永远记住你那灿烂的笑容。

我也深信你会得到上帝的眷顾。。。。

Award

2012-02-07T18:31:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Jane from 'Passionate About Baking' for passing this award to me. I am so honoured to receive this award from her.

I would love to pass this award to the following bloggers, do drop by their fabulous blog *^_^*

Min's Blog

鲸鱼蓝蓝小窝居

袅袅烘焙香

星厨房

Yeasted Scones

2012-02-05T10:56:00.001+08:00

Yeasted Scones
(Recipe adapted & modify from The Second Book of Baking for Beginners)

Ingredients
(A)
100g milk
30g sugar
1 tsp instant yeast
1 egg, lightly beaten

(B)
250g plain flour
50g cold cubed salted butter

60g Reese's peanut butter chips

Method:

1. Simmer the milk about to boil & stir in sugar. Add in yeast & leave aside for 5mins. Add in the egg. Set aside.

2. Sieve plain flour into mixing bowl. Add in the butter & rub until it resembles bread crumbs.

3. Pour (1) into (2) & mix with spatula then by hand. Mix quickly to form a dough.

4. Add in the peanut butter chips & proof for 1 hour.

5. Place the dough on a lightly dusted working surface. Roll out into rectangle shape. Fold 1/3 to the center. Top up with the other 1/3 portion. Repeat this process for another 2 times.

6. Cut into triangle shapes. Place on lined baking sheet. Proof for 1hr.

7. Brush the surface of the scones with some milk. Bake in preheated oven 170C for 15mins.

Liebster Blog Award

2012-02-03T17:59:00.001+08:00

Thanks to Doris from 'Tested & Tasted' for passing this award to me

Here are the rules

• Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.

• Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you.

• Copy and paste the blog award on your blog.

• Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed. (Some say just 3 or more blogs of less than 200 followers each).

• Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment at their blog.

Here I would like to pass and present the Liebster Blog Award to the three blogs:

* Simply Hanushi

* Frozen Wings

* Fong's Kitchen Journal

Double Cinnamon Pretzels

2012-02-01T19:40:00.000+08:00

Hey folks, I am finally back from US on Sunday! Well, I am having serious jet lag, got tons of housework to do & worst of all, I am sick again :( I wonder why am I always a victim of fever & sore throat? I really hate the idea of popping Panadol strictly. Arrgghhh... :(

Anyway, my Cat's 'paws' are itchy today so I made some pretzels! Speaking of pretzels, I wondered why Americans love them so much? I saw many carts selling pretzels on the roadsides & long queue for Auntie Anne's Pretzels in most shopping malls. Guess what? My hubby is also a fan of Auntie Anne's Pretzels. Alright, so I gotta try making some for him & see what he got to say about Cathy's Pretzels. Hehehe.. ;)

Double Cinnamon Pretzels
(Recipe adapted & modify from The Second Book of Baking for Beginners & The Purple Foodie)

Ingredients
300g bread flour
20g sugar
1 tsp instant yeast
1/4 tsp salt
30g olive oil
200mls warm water

2 cups water + 2 Tbsp baking soda (for boiling pretzels)
Mini Cinnamon Chips
Melted butter
1 tsp Cinnamon powder + 3 Tbsp sugar (mixed together)

Method
1. Mix flour, sugar, salt, instant yeast, water & oil together in a mixer until dough is smooth & elastic.
2. Proof for 1 hr.
3. Punch out air in dough & divide into 7 portions.
4. Roll the dough into 20cm ropes. Press the ropes of dough flat. Add in some mini cinnamon chips & roll the dough lengthwise, pinching it tightly shut to prevent filling from leaking out while shaping & baking.
5. Shaping: Form a U-shape with the stuffed rope of dough. Hold the ends of rope, and cross them over each other. Pull ends around and down to the bottom of the U, pressing dough together.
6. Add baking soda to water & bring it to a boil in a large saucepan. Drop pretzels into water one at a time for 30secs. Remove & drain dry slightly with kitchen towels.
7. Bake in a preheated oven of 220 degree for 8-10mins.
8. Brush with melted butter once pretzels are out from oven & coat sugar cinnamon on both sides.

Liberty Mountain

2012-01-15T23:08:00.001+08:00

Time flies, this is our last weekend in Virginia before we fly off to Orlando next Thursday. We went to Liberty Mountain which is about 2hrs drive from our apartment. Well, we were not really into skiing but rather love to experience the cold weather & play with the snow ;P

It was fun to watch how the little ones learn to ski (behind me)

Freezing! It was -9degrees!

A 'pig' instructor teaching a kid how to ski~ cute!

Cornmeal Scones

2012-01-06T22:53:00.000+08:00

Cornmeal Scones
(Recipe adapted & modify from here)

Ingredients
1/3 cup cornmeal
2 cups flour

1 packet of instant oatmeal (cinnamon & spice)

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 egg

3/4 cup chocolate milk

Peanut butter to spread on scones

Method
1. Whisk flour, cornmeal, oatmeal, sugar & baking powder in a big bowl.
2. Whisk egg & milk together in a small bowl.
3. Add (2) into (1) until the dough comes together. Transfer to a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently a few times & roll dough into about 2cm thick. Use a cookie cutter (I use a wine glass instead) to cut out the dough.
5. Brush the top of scones with milk.
6. Bake in a preheated oven of 4000F for 15mins.

This is the packet of oatmeal I used. The cinnamon & spice add flavors to the scones =)

Healthy breakfast to start the day

Snowing @ Buffalo

2012-01-05T19:31:00.000+08:00

Yeah! We finally reached the Niagara falls on 2nd Jan. We did not go over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls as one of my hubby colleagues did not bring along his passport. There were no cruise tour during the winter, so we just walked around the area & admired the spectacular view.

The wind is super strong!

Due to the heavy snow & bad road conditions, our car skidded on our way home! It got stuck in the snow & was unable to move totally! Thanks to these two locals who stopped their cars & lent us a helping hand.

It was freezing outside & snowing heavily. Opps, our car was in trouble again! All of us get down & tried to push the car. It was not easy to push the car as the path was very slippery.

It was a long drive from buffalo back to our apartment. We were all relieved when we managed to reach home at 11.30pm that night. What a scary experience for all of us...

Snow Tubing

2012-01-05T03:15:00.000+08:00

Holiday Valley Ski Resort

Our 'combined efforts' snowman

This is my first time playing snow tubing. Look at the tracks from the top. I was scared of the heights initially but was enjoying myself so much after a few rounds of snow tubing.

Being pulled up by a pulley to the top before sliding down

snow tubing is fun!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T08:00:00.003+08:00

Happy Birthday!

2011-12-28T23:18:00.002+08:00

Yo! Let's sing along with these kittens, shall we? Ready.... one, two, three.

"Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to CATHY,

Happy Birthday to you "

For a change I baked muffins for my birthday this year *^_^*

Corn & Bacon Muffins
(Recipe adapted & modify from 'The complete magnolia bakery cookbook')

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups corn meal

1 1/4 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 sticks melted butter
1 cup frozen butter corn
6 strips bacon (fried until crispy)

Method
1. Mix eggs, milk & butter together in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, corn meal, sugar & baking powder together.
3. Add (1) into (2) & mix until combined.
4. Stir in corn & bacon.
5. Bake in a preheated oven of 350F for 20mins.

Freezing Xmas in New York

2011-12-28T11:55:00.001+08:00

I'm back from New York! New York is so crowded with people, 'human jam' everywhere~ not to mention the fact that we even had to queue to enter certain shops! Wow!

Oh yes, we had a bad experience with the bus company which we booked our tickets to New York. The bus was scheduled to leave at 8.30am from Vienna station to New York on Xmas eve. But guess what? The bus only arrived at 12pm! A total of 25 people (including my hubby's colleagues) were all waiting in the freezing weather (4-5degrees) for about 4hrs! Someone actually called the bus company & their reply was they had forgotten about the scheduled trip at 8.30am & had to find a driver last minute to replace, thus the delay. My hubby was the one who booked all the tickets called up their company yesterday & demanded some form of 'compensation'. After much 'arguing' over the phone, the verdict was that the company will give 13 free one-way trip tickets to New York as compensation. Well, I guess this is not a very satisfactory compensation since we will not go NY again. So, the tickets will be given to other colleagues who are coming to US to work in future & wants to visit NY.

I love F.A.O SCHWARZ! It is really a fun toy shop. We had no complaints even though we had to queue in the cold to enter the shop.

'The Big Piano' inside F.A.O SCHWARZ ~ very fun isn't it?

Statue of Liberty

NY Chinatown

You really got to try their dumplings if you ever go to Chinatown. They were awesome! The shop is very crowded with only a few seats. We stood outside their shop & eat ;)

Can you believe this? 5 fried meat chives dumplings for only USD$1. Cheap & yummy!

Hot spicy soup~ I wanted to drink something hot in such a cold weather. Not too bad, lots of ingredients even though I found it not spicy enough

Parmesan Yorkshire Pudding

2011-12-23T02:26:00.000+08:00

Parmesan Yorkshire Pudding
(Recipe adapted & modify from here, Video here )

Ingredients
2 Eggs

1.5 cups milk

1 cup flour
3 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese powder
Butter

Method
1. Whisk flour, eggs & milk in a medium bowl. Add in cheese powder. Let stand for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 400F. Placed a 1cm cube of butter into each muffin tins, then place in oven for 1min. Carefully pour batter into cups, filling each 1/3 full.
3. Bake until puffed & golden brown, about 30mins.

Bread Pudding

2011-12-21T20:42:00.000+08:00

Bread Pudding
(Recipe adapted & modify from here)

Ingredients
6 pieces of bread

1 cup brown sugar

4 Eggs

2 cups milk

1 big banana- sliced

Sauce

1 stick butter
1/4 cup brown sugar

Method
1. Mix together sugar, eggs & milk in a bowl. Pour over cubed bread & let sit for 10mins.
2. Pour bread mixture into prepared 11x7inch pan. Add sliced bananas on top of the mixture.
3. Sauce: mix together the sugar & butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir together until the sugar is melted. Pour over bread pudding.
4. Bake @ 350F for 50mins.

Alexandria

2011-12-19T21:29:00.000+08:00

Visitor centre @ Alexandria

Farmer's market on a freezing Saturday morning & they were there from 5am-11am!

Flowers, anyone?

Big loaves of bread for sale

Hop onto the free bus to tour around Alexandria

Pumpkin Poppy Seeds Muffins

2011-12-17T00:16:00.000+08:00

Pumpkin Poppy Seeds Muffins
(Recipe adapted & modify from here)

Ingredients
3 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 cups brown sugar

4 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 can Libby's Pure Pumpkin
1/2 cup corn Oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup poppy seeds

Method
1. Mix eggs, orange juice & oil & pumpkin puree together in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt & baking powder together.
3. Add (1) into (2) & mix until combined. Stir in poppy seeds.
4. Bake in a preheated oven of 350F for 20mins.

Corn Muffins

2011-12-14T00:26:00.001+08:00

Corn Muffins
(Recipe adapted from flour package)

Ingredients

1 cup Corn Meal

1 cup Flour

1/2 cup sugar

3 tsp Baking Powder

2 Eggs

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup Corn Oil
1 cup frozen butter corn (optional)

Method
1. Mix egg, milk & oil together in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, corn meal, sugar & baking powder together.
3. Add (1) into (2) & mix until combined. Bake in a preheated oven of 350F for 15mins.

Annapolis

2011-12-12T11:14:00.011+08:00

We drove 1.5hrs to Annapolis & visited the US Naval Academy

I love this! Isn't it cute? We saw this while browsing at the gift store in the Academy

Our tour around the Academy begins

Church inside the Academy

Students' Hostel

US Naval Academy Museum

After the tour, we had a very full lunch & walked around the harbour & along the streets.

We came across these yummy but yet super sweet & sinful dessert ;)

Colourful apples ;)

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

2011-12-07T21:07:00.000+08:00

Peanut Butter Cupcakes
(Recipe adapted from 1001 cupcakes, cookies & other tempting treats)

Ingredients

2 cup Flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

pinch of salt

2 Eggs

3/4 cup milk

6 Tbsp Oil
3/4 cup peanut butter

Method
1. Mix egg, milk, peanut butter & oil together in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt & baking powder together.
3. Add (1) into (2) & mix until combined.
4. Spoon batter into muffin pan & top with a slice of banana.
5. Bake in a preheated oven of 400F for 20mins.

Potomac Mills

2011-12-06T21:01:00.000+08:00

Another great place for shopping.

I love this shop simply because it sells hospital scrubs. Sad to say that we do not have such shops in Singapore & my scrubs were all sewn by my mum.

Look at the variety of scrubs sold here!

Betty Boop xmas scrub! Cool ;)

Cute reindeer scrub. This is still big for me even though it is XS.

I bought this in the end~love the penguins. :)

Need some alteration when I head back home

Sick

2011-12-05T23:40:00.000+08:00

I am having a fever, sore throat & multiple mouth ulcers since last Friday, but that does not stop me from going out over the weekends ;P We went to DC again, took some photos before heading down to Georgetown.

Parking in Georgetown is really expensive. Thus, to make it worthwhile, we got to fully utilize the time spent there :P

Canal in Georgetown

I am sure you must be familiar with this 'The Cupcake Diaries'. We passed by this shop in Georgetown! The shop is actually quite small but the queue is mad! The queue were even longer later at night.

Look at the crowd inside the shop. Got to queue to enter :(

Xmas tree lightnings

Our dinner~ Sweet potato fries

Baby Ribs with salad

Steak with mashed potato & salad

Corn Bread

2011-12-01T07:07:00.000+08:00

Corn Bread
(Recipe adapted from flour package)

Ingredients

1 cup Corn Meal

1 cup Flour

1/4 cup sugar

3 tsp Baking Powder

1 Egg

1 cup milk

1/4 cup Corn Oil

Method
1. Mix egg, milk & oil together in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, corn mean, sugar & baking powder together.
3. Add (1) into (2) & mix until combined. Bake in a preheated oven of 425F for 30mins.

Baltimore

2011-11-29T23:39:00.001+08:00

Went to Baltimore with my hubby & his colleagues on a Sunday morning

Yummy Lunch @ Philips Seafood

*From clockwise -

1) Complimentary bread & butter

2) Crab salad

3) Crab, Artichoke & Spinach dip

4) Mussels

*From clockwise -

1) Grilled Salmon

2) Philips famous crab cakes

3) Oysters

4) Shrimp Scampi

*Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse*

Constructed in 1856, marking the entrance to the Patapsco river & Baltimore harbour

Performance @ Harborplace

Shop till you drop!

2011-11-29T00:26:00.000+08:00

Who can resist shopping??? Not me!
We were there with my hubby's colleagues from 10am till 7pm.

A shopping paradise with lotsa good bargains! No wonder everybody turned crazy!

*Ahem* excuse me, don't be mistaken, I did not buy this. Juz for photo taking purposes only ;P

I am not impulsive when it comes to buying things. I love this Coach jacket very much & it fits me perfectly, but I guess the chances of wearing it is low when I go back to Singapore.

Saw this at one of the kitchenware stores. Cheap but is unnecessary huh? I guess it is easier to bake in a big pan & cut out the brownies, don't you think so?

Cheap Bread machine!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-25T05:49:00.001+08:00

Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 can (15 oz) LIBBY'S 100% pure pumpkin
1 can (12 fl oz) CARNATION evaporated milk
1 unbaked 9 inch deep dish pie shell

Method
1. Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger & cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl.
2. Stir in pumpkin & sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
3. Pour into pie shell & bake in a preheated oven of 425F for 15mins. Reduced temperature to 350F & bake 40mins.

Enjoy!

Trip to DC

2011-11-24T06:05:00.000+08:00

We drove down to DC on Sunday & visited some museums. I must say that their museums are really good! Do hop over to my FB for more photos =)

History Museum

National Air & Space Museum

Postal Museum

Union Station

Squirrels taking a rest ;)

FBI building

I love this statue outside the court house

Opps, some riots going now

Lovely!

Tired of walking around DC? Rent these instead! Looks cool....

Dinner @ Old Ebbitt Grill

Cannelloni di Casa~ Pasta stuffed with spinach, mortadella ham & three cheeses baked in a cream sauce
Grilled Filet Mignon~ truffled potato croquettes, spinach-mushroom saute & a red wine-shallot compound butter

Skyline Drive

2011-11-22T02:42:00.000+08:00

Gotta 'feed' the car breakfast before we go for our skyline drive.

Its a long long journey ahead....

Magnificent view

Visitor center

Extremely cold weather, I needed some warmth

Our lunch ~ Grilled steak & cheese

Continued with our journey again.

Gonna drove through the tunnel, look at the ice formed over the rocks

Up close & personal with deer

Waterfall

Time to head home finally! Those drivers/passengers in front were all my hubby's colleagues.

Wow, 9hrs spend on this skyline drive in total. No wonder we were all dead tired!

Our yummy dinner

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

2011-11-17T02:14:00.001+08:00

I simply heart US supermarkets! They are really huge & fun to shop. I guess I can spend half a day there browsing through the different brands & items being sold there.

Bought some groceries from Target. Ben & Jerry's ice cream is really cheap there selling at only $3+ a pint! It's really a steal!

Came across this cute little turkey cake at the bakery section

Lazy to do your own frosting? Why not buy a pint of these ready frosting which can be used directly on cakes! Awesome huh?

Another awesome supermarket. Let's see what they have in store ;)

Can you believe this???? 5lb flour only selling at USD$0.99??? OMG, its super duper cheap! I got this urge to bring them back... :P

Unbelievable deal! The trays are selling at only USD$2.99! I almost bought them back but sad to say that they don't fit my oven measurements :(

Finally settled

2011-11-14T20:02:00.002+08:00

After almost 24hrs of flight (transit at Narita & internal flight from Chicago), we finally reached DC on 12/11/11 @ 8pm! OMG, it was really a torture to be stuck in my seat for such long hrs with minimal legs stretching space. I was like a child who can't sit still & kept fidgeting & adjusting to different sleeping positions. Well, this is most probably my first & last trip to US unless I get to fly on business class (my hubby asks me to 'wait long long')! ;P

We collected our rented car & made our way slowly to the apartment with the help of GPS. The car is spacious but it is a little challenging for us to get used to driving in US (driver seat is on the left side instead)! Check out my luxury apartment,

'The Marque at Heritage Hunt'

Living Rm

View from balcony

Kitchen

Store Rm

Master Bedrm

MBR- walk in wardrobe

MBR shoe cabinet

MBR toilet

2nd Rm

2nd toilet

Internet rm

Washing machine & dryer

勿忘我。。。。

2011-11-01T08:00:00.051+08:00

在八月中的时后，hubby 告诉我他要到美国工干几个月，并且希望我随他一起去时，我心里有一股末名的焦虑。一向习惯新加坡'安居乐夜'生活的我，是否能够适应新的环景? 要我放下这里的工作与我热爱的烘焙（目前我也在某个地方做兼职教烘焙），我心里更是有千百个不愿意，难以取舍。

‘嫁鸡随鸡，嫁狗随狗’。。。。最终，我还是得‘牺牲’！原本应该九月就远赴美国，但hubby的公司却一直更改行程。左盼右盼，我终于会在十一月十二日奔向美国的怀抱！目前，我以经把家中的烘焙材料都用完了，冰箱也只是个空壳 ;P

接下来的两个月或许没有机会烘焙，在此就献上我的最后一个'佳作‘。大家可别忘了我哟。。。

Have an early Merry Xmas *^_^*

Roti Boy again....

2011-10-30T18:36:00.001+08:00

Butter fillings

Roti Boy
(Recipe adapted & modify from Lucky Inn 幸福小站)

Boomerang Kopi Buns ;)

Rosemary Bacon & Cheese Bread

2011-10-22T08:00:00.003+08:00

Baking together

2011-10-18T19:33:00.003+08:00

Hanushi (from Simply hanushi) & I had a great time baking together at my place this afternoon! We were cracking our brains last week thinking of what to bake. Hanushi suggested baking 'Roti Boy' & green tea buns (she is a green tea lover!) while I suggested to do Ang Ku Kueh since 'kueh' is the theme for Aspiring Bakers this month.

Black Glutinous Ang Ku Kueh
(Recipe adapted & modify from Happy Flour)

Ingredients
Dough:
130g glutinous rice flour
20g black glutinous rice flour
50g sweet potato (steamed & mashed)
125g water
1/2 tbsp oil

*Any fillings of your choice (we use yam paste from PH)

Method
1. Mix all the dough ingredients together & knead to form a soft dough.
2. Wrap the dough up & rest it in the fridge for 10mins.
3. Weigh 28g of dough for skin & wrap 14g of filling into the dough & seal opening.
4. Place the kueh into a greased mould & press it to set the shape.
5. Knock out the kueh & place it on a piece of baking paper.
6. Steam for 10mins & brush some cooking oil on the surface of the kuehs.

** We are submitting this post to Aspiring Bakers #12: Traditional Kueh (October 2011) hosted by Small Small Baker.

Roti Boy / Green tea buns
(Recipe adapted & modify from Lucky Inn 幸福小站)

Both of us heart these Roti Boy. The crust is thin & crunchy while the bun is so soft inside.

Green tea buns for our breakfast tomorrow ;)

I'm a barbie gal...

2011-10-16T18:33:00.006+08:00

Times really flies! Year 2010 is coming to an end in 2 months time! I will be away for a long holiday & be back next year 2012, thus I decided to bake a birthday cake to pre celebrate my niece's birthday (she's turning 2 yrs old in Dec).

Last year, I did a Teddy Bear cake for her. This time, I wanted to try something different. I bet it will be interesting to have a barbie doll birthday cake?! This is my 1st attempt in barbie doll cake & I must say the assembling part of the cake layers are not as difficult as I thought. I am pretty satisfied with the end product ;)

I am so excited & wanted to bring this cake over to my mum's house to celebrate this occasion together but Oops.. wait a minute! This little barbie doll cake is slightly 'too tall' to be placed in the fridge (my mum's fridge do not have adjustable compartments). Transportation of this cake seemed a bit tricky as well. This is a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. But, my family don't really eat cream cakes (they will scrape away the cream), so it may be a bit wasteful if they throw my cream cheese frosting ;P

Well.. I shall keep the cake for myself then. Wahahaha.... take it as a pre celebration for both my hubby (Nov baby) & my birthday (Dec baby) this yr. Guess what? I had emailed my sister this barbie doll picture & she mentioned to me that when my niece saw it she said she like it very much! Aww.. such a darling isn't she? She really makes my day *^_^*

Rosemary Garlic Focaccia

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000+08:00

Did you notice that I have been doing lots of bread lately?
Yup, I gotta confess... I guess, I am truly, madly & deeply in love with bread making.
My parents & hubby are all bread lovers, so this motivates me to make more bread for their consumption!

Do hop over to Alan's (travellingfoodies) & John's (PapaCheong's 拿手好菜) blog for their fantastic Focaccia recipes

Rosemary Baguette

2011-10-11T11:20:00.000+08:00

Both my hubby & I simply heart this little crispy slices of baguette with garlic rosemary spread. What about you?

Butter Cake

2011-10-10T08:00:00.005+08:00

Butter Cake
(recipe adapted & modify from j3ss kitch3n)

Ingredients
350g butter, softened
195g sugar
5 eggs
1 tsp grand marnier
1/2 vanilla pod
250g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder

Method
1. Sift together plain flour & baking powder, set aside.
2. Scrap the beans from the vanilla pod. Cream together with butter & sugar until light & fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time until well mixed.
4. Fold in grand marnier & mix well, fold in flour until well combined.
5. Pour batter into pan and bake in a preheated oven of 170C for 25mins or until golden brown.

* The batter is enough to make 9 small bundt cakes & a 6" hello kitty cake

Salmon Mushroom Thin Crust Pizza

2011-10-08T10:50:00.001+08:00

Bacon Mushroom Thin Crust Pizza

2011-10-07T07:52:00.001+08:00

Garlic & Rosemary Baguette

2011-10-06T08:00:00.000+08:00

Garlic & Rosemary Baguette
(recipe adapted & modify from the batter baker)

Ingredients
(A)

280g bread flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp instant yeast
180ml warm water

Rosemary

(B)

2 cloves Garlic

50g butter

Rosemary (for sprinkle on top of bread)

Method
1) Mix ingredients (A) in a mixer for 3mins.

2) Shape dough into a ball & proof for 1 hour.

3) Turn the dough out onto a silpat mat & roll it out to a rectangle. Starting from one of the short ends, roll the dough like a swiss roll. Pinch all edges to seal the dough then place it seam-side down.

4) Proof the dough for 45mins till it doubles in size.

5) With a sharp knife, slash across the top of the dough.

6) Mix ingredients (B) together & pipe on top of bread. Sprinkle more rosemary on surface.

6) Bake at 200°C for 25mins till the crust is golden brown.

Corn Fudge Cake

2011-10-04T20:03:00.000+08:00

Corn Fudge Cake
(recipe adapted & modify from Lily's Wai Sek Hong)

* Add in a packet of Del Monte cream corn
* Omit green coloring, Pandan paste & dessicated coconut

Verdict: A creamy & soft cake. I simply love the bits of corn in the cake.

You must give this a try if you are corn lovers! ;)

Focaccia with Mushroom soup

2011-10-03T06:30:00.001+08:00

Mushroom Soup
(recipe adapted & modify from Julia Child)

Ingredients
400g mushroom (finely chopped)
1 onion
28g butter
1.5 tbsp plain flour
450 ml milk
Salt & black pepper to taste

Method
1. Mince onion, cook in butter until tender.

2. Add flour & stir for 1min.

3. Add milk, salt & pepper & simmer for few mins

4. Add mushrooms & simmer for 25mins.

5. Blend soup for smoother consistency.

*Add more water or milk if prefer to have a thinner consistency

Verdict: Creamy mushroom soup! Both my hubby & I love it ;) I guess I will stop buying canned mushroom soup from supermarkets from now on. I made some Garlic Focaccia to go along with the soup. Simple meal, isn't it? ;)

Chocolate Brownie

2011-10-01T08:00:00.002+08:00

Chocolate Brownie
(recipe adapted & modify from here)

Ingredients
1/2 cup salted butter melted
1/2 cup melted chocolate
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 eggs
1/2 cup plain flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder

Method

1. Stir together butter, chocolate, sugar & vanilla in bowl. Add eggs & beat well with a balloon whisk. Stir together flour, cocoa & baking powder. Gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended.

2. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

3 Bake at preheated oven @ 180°C for 25mins.

Butter Cookies

2011-09-28T11:19:00.000+08:00

I made these cookies specially for my niece as we are both Doraemon fans! whahaha *^_^*

Butter Cookies (recipe here)

Mushroom Pot Pie

2011-09-23T08:00:00.000+08:00

Bread recipe here

French Baguette

2011-09-22T08:00:00.012+08:00

French Baguette
(recipe adapted & modify from the batter baker)

Ingredients
280g plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp instant yeast
180ml warm water

Method
1) Mix everything in a mixer for 3mins.

2) Shape dough into a ball & proof for 1 hour.

3) Turn the dough out onto a silpat mat & roll it out to a rectangle. Starting from one of the short ends, roll the dough like a swiss roll. Pinch all edges to seal the dough then place it seam-side down.

4) Proof the dough for 45mins till it doubles in size.

5) With a sharp knife, slash across the top of the dough.

6) Bake at 220°C for 25mins till the crust is golden brown.

Curry vegetables cooked by my mum to eat along with the baguette *^_^*

Spaghetti in pumpkin carrot sauce

2011-09-20T08:00:00.002+08:00

Basic pasta Dough recipe here

Pumpkin carrot sauce

Ingredients

100g pumpkin

2 small carrot

1/2 small onion

100ml water

50ml milk

10g butter

Seasoning

1/2 tsp salt

black pepper

Method

1. Remove pumpkin skin & cut into 1cm cubes.

2. Peel & cut carrots & onions into cubes.

3. Melt butter in a big saucepan.

4. Add in onions & fry over low heat for 5mins.

5. Add in carrots & pumpkin & fry another 3 mins.

6. Pour water into the saucepan & cover with lid to let it cook until the vegetables are soft.

7. Lastly add in milk & seasoning.

8. Blend the soup after it had cooled down.

I simply love the combination of sweet pumpkin carrot sauce with the slightly salty cheesy beef sausages. Purr..fect meal *^_^*

Chocolate Cuppies

2011-09-19T10:55:00.002+08:00

Chocolate Cuppies
(recipe adapted & modify from My Baking Milestone)

Ingredients
20g cocoa powder
120ml boiling hot water
90 g flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
55 g butter
80g sugar
1 egg

Method:
1. In a small bowl, stir cocoa powder with hot water until smooth. Leave to cool.

2. In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder & baking soda.

3. In another mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Add in egg & whisk thoroughly.

4. Add in flour mixture & stir until just incorporated.

5. Add in cooled cocoa mixture & stir until smooth.

6. Fill cups until 2/3 full & bake in a preheated oven @ 160°c for 20mins

Lemon & Vanilla Pound Cake

2011-09-15T06:59:00.000+08:00

Lemon & Vanilla Pound Cake
(Recipe adapted & modify from dailydelicious)

Ingredients
100g butter
90g icing sugar
2 eggs
100g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
20g milk
1 tsp lemon juice
1 vanilla pod
1/2 lemon zest

Method

1. Scrap the beans from the vanilla pod & put them into the sifted icing sugar.

2. Sift together flour with baking powder & set aside.

3. Beat together butter & the icing sugar in a bowl until pale & fluffy. Add lemon zest & eggs. Add half of the flour mixture then add milk & lemon juice. Add the rest of the flour mixture, fold to combine.

4. Pour batter into silicon mould & bake @ 180° about 20mins.

Matcha Pound Cake

2011-09-13T10:41:00.000+08:00

Matcha Pound Cake (Recipe adapted from Cotton & Cloud)

Ingredients
3 eggs
100g sugar
140g oil
40g full cream milk
180g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp matcha powder
Chopped nuts

Method
1. Using a mixer, whisk eggs & sugar together until white & fluffy.
2. In a small bowl, mix the oil & milk together.
3. Drizzle the oil & milk mixture to the batter (1). If possible keep on whisking.
4. Sift flour & matcha powder into the batter. Carefully mix using a scraper not to burst any air bubbles.
5. Pour the batter into the cake tin & sprinkle chopped nuts.
6. Bake at 160C for 30mins.

Pumpkin Cake

2011-09-10T16:35:00.000+08:00

Pumpkin Cake
(recipe adapted & modify from My Kitchen)

Ingredients
250g salted butter

180g sugar

3 eggs

150g steamed pumpkin, mashed

300g plain flour

3 tsp baking powder

20g corn flour

1 tsp cinnamon powder

70g milk

150g pumpkin, peeled & diced

Method

1. Cream butter together with sugar until light & fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time & cream until light & smooth.

2. Stir in mashed pumpkin & mix until well blended.

3. Sift together flours & cinnamon powder, fold into the mixture alternate with milk. Mix until well combined then stir in diced pumpkin.

4. Bake in a preheated oven @ 160ºC for 60mins.

Cocodrillo Ciabatta

2011-09-08T07:31:00.000+08:00

Cocodrillo Ciabatta (Recipe adapted from Sotong Cooks)

Ingredients
500g bread flour
450g water
2 tsp instant yeast
15g salt

Method

1. Mix all ingredients roughly till combine & let it rest for 10mins.

2. After the resting period, turn on mixer & beat for 10mins until the dough pulls away from the sides & bottom of the bowl.

3. Place into a well oiled container & let it triple in size.

4. After triple in size, 'pour' out the dough onto a heavily floured surface. Separate the dough into 2 pieces. Dust with flour & proof the dough for another 45mins.

5. Pick up one piece of the dough & flip them upside down onto a silpat mat. Repeat with the other piece of dough.

6. Bake in a preheated oven @ 240°C for 25mins.

Awards & Carrot Tom Yum 'Ban Mian'

2011-09-06T08:00:00.067+08:00

I would like to express thanks to Amelia from Amelia's De-ssert who had given me these lovely awards. I'm so honored & happy to receive these awards from her!

I'm passing these awards to the following friends:

Min @ Min's blog
Alan @ travellingfoodies
茄子@ 袅袅烘焙香
hsling @ 星厨房
鲸鱼 @ 鲸鱼蓝蓝蓝

Carrot Pasta Dough

(recipe adapted & modify from the batter baker )

Ingredients:
1 cup plain flour
1 egg
1 tsp salt
drizzle of olive oil
fresh carrot juice as required

Method:
1. Make a well in the middle of your bowl of flour.

2. Crack an egg into the well. Add salt & olive oil. Then slowly stir in the flour till a dough is formed. If it feels too dry, add carrot juice till you get a firm but smooth dough. Knead till it comes together.
Rest the dough for about 30 mins.

3. Flatten or roll out the dough into a disc, then feed it through the rollers at the widest setting. Slowly work your way through the narrower settings till you get the thickness you desire, flouring the dough as required so it doesn't stick to the machine.

4. Finally, feed it through fettuccine cutters, and you get beautiful fresh 'Ban Mian' !

Lemon Butter Cake

2011-09-04T08:00:00.033+08:00

Lemon Butter cake (Recipe adapted & modify from Nasi lemak Lover)

Ingredients
125g butter
90g sugar
1 lemon, finely grate the rind
2 large eggs
175g plain flour
1.5tsp baking powder
4tbsp lemon juice

Lemon glaze
3 tbsp sugar
1 lemon, extract juice
1 lemon, finely grate the rind

Method
1. Beat the butter with the sugar until fluffy.
2. Add in the eggs one by one, then add in lemon rind, mixing well.
3. Fold in the flour & lemon juice, combine well.
4. Pour the mixture into a tin.
5. Bake in pre-heated oven at 160C for 30mins.
6. Mix sugar & lemon juice & cook over low heat till sugar dissolved, add in lemon rind, set aside.
7. When cake done, remove cake from the oven & prick all over with a skewer.
8. Pour over the lemon glaze over the hot cake.

I've got extra batter for 4 cuppies & pipe meringue on top. Enjoy =)

Blueberry Chiffon cake

2011-09-02T08:00:00.002+08:00

Blueberry Chiffon Cake
(Recipe adapted & modify from Passionate About Baking)

Ingredients:
80g Plain flour

125g mashed blueberries

5 egg yolks

30g caster sugar

2 Tbsp milk

40g corn oil

Meringue

70g caster sugar

5 egg whites

Method:
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks & sugar together. Add in oil, milk & mashed blueberries. Add in sifted flour.

2. In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer on low speed until mixture becomes frothy & foamy. Turn to high speed & gradually beat in the sugar until soft peaks forms.

3. With a spatula, gently fold in 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the yolk mixture until just blended. Repeat with 1/2 of the remaining egg white. Finally, pour the resulting batter to the remaining egg white. Fold in to combine.

4. Pour batter into a tube pan. Tap the pan lightly on a table top to get rid of any trapped air bubbles in the batter.

5. Bake in pre-heated oven at 160 degrees for 35mins or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

6. Invert the pan immediately & let cool completely before unmould.

Earl Grey Pound Cake

2011-09-01T06:59:00.000+08:00

Earl Grey Pound Cake
(Recipe adapted & modify from The Little Teochew )

Ingredients
170g butter
180g caster sugar
3 eggs
165g plain flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 Earl Grey Tea bags

Method
1. Preheat oven to 175 degree C.

2. With a mixer, cream butter. Add sugar, a little at a time. Add vanilla essence & eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl & add to mixer alternately with milk, starting with the flour & ending with the flour.

3. Add in the tea leaves & then pour into a greased & floured pan.

4. Bake for about 40mins, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Lemon Meringue Tart

2011-08-30T18:39:00.001+08:00

Lemon Meringue Tart (Recipe adapted & modify from HHB)

Pastry Crust:

100g plain flour
30g caster sugar
40g butter
15g lightly beaten egg

Lemon Curd fillings (Recipe adapted & modify from Quay Po Cooks)

4 egg yolks

90g castor sugar
90ml lemon juice

1 grated lemon zest
60g cup cold butter

Method:

1. Whisk egg yolks & sugar in a metal bowl placed on top of a saucepan over simmering water. Add in lemon juice & zest until combined & smooth.

2. Stir the mixture constantly with a spatula until it thickens. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter slowly.

Meringue

3 egg whites

70g sugar

Method
1. In a clean mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar & continue to whip at the same time until stiff peaks form.

2. With a spatula, pile the tart surface with meringue. Shape the meringue into a tall dome & gently press down on the meringue to get rid of any air pockets. Make sure the edges are all covered with the meringue, leaving no filling exposed. Bake the tart in a pre-heated oven at 220degC for 5mins or until the meringue is lightly browned. Remove from oven & let cool.

I'm submitting this post to Aspiring Bakers#10-Easy as Pie hosted by Not the Kitchen Sink

Matcha Loaf

2011-08-24T10:54:00.001+08:00

Matcha Loaf

Ingredients:
180g Bread flour
70g plain flour
50g caster sugar
10g milk powder
8g instant yeast
125ml milk
1 Tbsp matcha powder
30g salted butter

Method:
1. Combine all ingredients together (except butter) in a mixer & beat until a dough is formed.
2. Add in butter & beat again until the dough is smooth. Proof for 1hr.
3. Beat dough again in mixer for 1min.
4. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle with the shorter end to be the same length as the length of the loaf pan. Starting with the shorter end, roll up the dough swiss roll style & place it into the loaf pan to proof for 1hr.
5. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180°C for 30mins.

Potato Pie

2011-08-22T13:10:00.001+08:00

Potato Pie
(Recipe adapted & modify from Anncoo Journal)

Short crust pastry recipe

Mushroom Chicken Filling
1 Tbsp cooking oil
1/2 big Onion (finely diced)
1/2 Carrot (diced)
1/2 can button mushrooms (sliced)
200g minced meat
salt
black pepper

* Fry onion until fragrant then add carrot & minced meat till cooked. Add in button mushrooms & seasoning

Potato Filling

400g potato
30g butter
salt to taste
black pepper

Boil potatoes till cooked. Mashed potato & add in other ingredients.

I'm submitting this post to Aspiring Bakers#10-Easy as Pie hosted by Not the Kitchen Sink

Earl Grey Bread

2011-08-20T21:57:00.001+08:00

Bread recipe here

After proofing

Out from Oven

Walnut Oat Cookies

2011-08-18T13:22:00.005+08:00

Walnut Oat Cookies
(Recipe adapted & modify from Cook With No Books)

100g butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla essence

3/4 cup plain flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cup oats, uncooked

1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Method :

1.Whisk butter & sugar till light & fluffy. Add in egg & vanilla essence.

2. Fold (B) into 1.

3. Stir in (C) with a spatula. till well mixed.

4. On a lined baking tray, arrange cookie batter, 1 Tsp / heap each, 2 inches apart.

5. Chill the cookie batter for 10mins.

6. Bake at 180C for 20mins.

Pig Out Party (POP)

2011-08-14T23:15:00.000+08:00

We had a bloggers' gathering at Jo's cozy place on Saturday! Look at the spread of food we had!

my contribution ~ Mini Red Velvet cakes

with cream cheese white chocolate frosting

Jess' ~ Madeleines & Chocolate Friands

Eelin's ~ Bread Pudding

Edith's Chwee Kueh

Jo's Fried Fritters

Esther's ~ Tau Suan

Bee Bee's Hawaiian Pizza

Doris' ~ Green Tea Almond Blondies & Chocolate cake

Jane's ~ Portuguese Egg Tarts & Durian puffs

Zhuoyuan's ~ Devil's cake & Salsa with Taco Chips

Grace's ~ Potato Tuna & Bailey's ice cream

It's really nice to meet up with bloggers once again. Thanks to Eelin & Jane for initiating this gathering =)

Pork Floss Buns

2011-08-13T17:53:00.000+08:00

Bread recipe here

Breadsticks

Spinach & Salmon Quiche

2011-08-10T08:00:00.065+08:00

Spinach & Salmon Quiche
(Recipe adapted & modify from Anncoo Journal)

Short Crust Pastry

100g Plain flour

50g Cold cubed butter

3-4 Tbsp Ice water

* Mix all together until a dough is formed. Roll out the dough & pressed into a tart pan. Bake in preheated oven @ 180C for 15mins

Fillings
1 packet of Spinach (wash & drain well, chopped)
1 Large egg
130ml Full cream milk

1/8 tsp salt

dash of black pepper

Butter

Method:

1.With little butter, fry salmon & spinach till cooked. Add black pepper & salt.

2. Mix milk & egg together. Beat lightly until well mix.

3. Spread spinach & salmon over the bottom of the tart pan, then gently pour egg mixture over it.

4. Bake at 180C for 20mins.

I prefer my quiche to have more spinach than salmon (opposite of my hubby ;P)

I'm submitting this post to Aspiring Bakers#10-Easy as Pie hosted by Not the Kitchen Sink

Spinach Pork Floss Bread

2011-08-08T19:38:00.001+08:00

Bread recipe here

Cute 'Mushroom Head Spinach Bread'

Mini Red Velvet Cakes

2011-08-06T14:42:00.001+08:00

Mini Red Velvet Cakes

(Recipe adapted & modify from Noms I Must)

Ingredients

60g salted butter, softened
100g caster sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp red food colouring
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
120ml milk
150g plain flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Whisk the butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Add in egg & beat until everything is well incorporated.

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, red food colouring & vanilla essence to make a thick, dark paste. Add to the butter mixture & mix thoroughly until evenly combined. Slowly pour in half the milk. Beat until well mixed, then add half the flour & beat until everything is well incorporated. Repeat this process until all the milk & flour have been added. Add bicarbonate of soda & lemon juice. Beat until well mixed.

4. Spoon the mixture into silicon moulds until two-thirds full & bake for 20–25 mins, or until the sponge bounces back when touched.

5. When cupcakes are cold, spoon cream cheese frosting on top.

Mini Buns

2011-08-04T18:40:00.001+08:00

Mini Buns ~ Curry Chicken Potato fillings
(Water Roux recipe adapted & modify from Kokken69)

Water Roux

Bread Flour 50g
Boiling water 75g

Bread Dough
Instant yeast 7g
Bread Flour 200g

Sugar 50g
Salt 1/2tsp
Milk 50g

Egg 1
Butter 30g

Chicken Curry Potato fillings

Method:
1. Mix water roux ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside to cool down.
2. Combine all ingredients together (except butter) in a mixer. Beat until a dough is formed. Proof for 1hr.
3. Beat dough again in mixer for 1min.

4. Divide the dough into smaller dough about 50g each.

5. Wrap curry chicken potato fillings inside & proof for 1hr.

6. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180°C for 10mins.

A day to celebrate....

2011-08-01T05:59:00.000+08:00

" Nursing is not for everyone. It takes a very strong, intelligent, and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well-being of the planet. No wonder we're exhausted at the end of the day! "

~Donna Wilk Cardillo

Happy Nurses' Day to all my dear friends, colleagues, students & nurses all over the world.

Matcha Macarons
(Recipe adapted & modified from Bake for a Queen)

Ingredients

3/4 cup ground almonds

1 cup icing sugar

2 egg whites

1/4 caster sugar

1 Tbsp matcha powder

Filling

125g red bean paste

25g butter, soften to room temperature

1 Tbsp milk

*Mix all together until smooth

Method

1. Sift ground almonds & icing sugar in a bowl.

2. Whisk egg whites with mixer until bubbly. Gradually beat in caster sugar & whisk to make glossy & firm meringue.

3. Using a spatula, fold almond mixture into the meringue 1/3 at a time. When all the dry ingredients are thoroughly incorporated, continue to cut & fold the mixture until it forms a thick batter.

4. Pipe onto silpat mat. Tap the baking pan firmly on work surface & let it stand at room temperature until shells are dry.

5. Preheat oven to 150C & bake for 20 minutes depending on the size.

My New Toy

2011-07-28T19:29:00.001+08:00

Basic pasta Dough
(recipe adapted from the batter baker )

Ingredients:
1 cup plain flour
1 egg
1 tsp salt
drizzle of olive oil
water, as required

Method:
1. Make a well in the middle of your bowl of flour.

2. Crack an egg into the well. Add salt & olive oil. Then slowly stir in the flour till a dough is formed. If it feels too dry, add water till you get a firm but smooth dough. Knead till it comes together.
Rest the dough for about 30 mins.

3. Flatten or roll out the dough into a disc, then feed it through the rollers at the widest setting. Slowly work your way through the narrower settings till you get the thickness you desire, flouring the dough as required so it doesn't stick to the machine.

4. Finally, feed it through fettuccine cutters, and you get beautiful fresh pasta.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

披着草莓的芋

2011-07-26T19:47:00.000+08:00

On first look, you may think that it is a strawberry cake? But.... it's actually a yam cake in disguise~ hehehe *^_^*

Those strawberry candies & my pink frosting make this cake looks so girly & sweet ;)

Yam Fudge Cake
(recipe adapted from Baking Library )

Fruity Custard Cake

2011-07-25T20:10:00.000+08:00

Fruity Custard Cake
(recipe adapted & modify from Cherry's kitchen)

Sponge Fingers Recipe from here

2 pieces of sponge cakes (recipe here)

Biscuit Base:

200g Digestive biscuits

50g Butter

*Mix & bake in oven 180°C for 15mins

Custard Filling:

100g Sugar

300g Milk

350g Water

4 Egg yolk
90g Custard powder
* Mix all ingredients together & slowly cook custard over low heat. Stir constantly until it thickens.

核桃蛋糕卷

2011-07-24T09:43:00.000+08:00

核桃蛋糕卷 ~ Walnut Swiss Roll
(Sponge fingers recipe adapted from 孟老师的美味蛋糕卷)

Ingredients:
60g egg yolks
120g egg whites
80g sugar
80g plain flour

Method:
1. Beat eggs whites until soft peaks. Add sugar slowly & continue beating until egg whites are nearly stiff.

2. Add in egg yolks & whisk until combined. Add in sifted flour & mix until well combined.

3. Pipe them into a tray lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle chopped walnuts & sift icing sugar slightly.

4. Bake @ 180 deg C for 15mins.

Fillings:
40g whipping cream
Chopped walnuts

I am submitting this entry to Aspiring Bakers #9 - Swiss Rolling Good Times (July 2011) hosted by Obsessedly Involved with Food

Cherry Muffins

2011-07-23T16:45:00.000+08:00

Cherry Muffins
(recipe adapted & modify from Noob Cook)

Ingredients:
190g plain flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 Tbsp baking powder
190g caster sugar
150g cherries
125ml milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
70g melted butter

Method:
1. Sift flour, baking powder & sugar together.
2. Add in milk, vanilla essence, eggs & butter & stir until just blended. Be careful not to over mix as it will result in a tough texture.
3. Fold in the cherries into the mixture. Spoon the mixture into the cases till almost full.
4. Bake @ 180°C for 25mins.

Cherry Cream Cheese Mousse cake

2011-07-21T16:53:00.002+08:00

Sponge Fingers Recipe from here

2 pieces of chocolate sponge cakes (recipe here)

Filling:

100g cream cheese

100g whipped cream

80g cherry puree

1 Tbsp gelatin dissolved in 2 Tbsp water (use microwave to heat up for 15s)

Extra cherries

Method:

1. Add dissolved gelatin mixture into cherry puree & mix well.

2. Stir (1) into whipped cream & cream cheese & sandwich the 2 layers of chocolate sponge cake together. Add in extra cherries in between the layers.

Beet Root Loaf

2011-07-18T19:34:00.000+08:00

甜菜根吐司 ~ Beet Root Loaf
(Water Roux recipe adapted & modify from Kokken69)

Water Roux
Bread Flour 50g
Boiling water 75g

Bread Dough
Instant yeast 7g
Bread Flour 200g

Sugar 50g
Salt 1/2tsp
Beet root juice 50g
Egg 1
Butter 30g

Method:
1. Mix water roux ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside to cool down.
2. Combine all ingredients together (except butter) in a mixer & beat until a dough is formed. Proof for 1hr.
3. Beat dough again in mixer for 1min. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle with the shorter end to be the same length as the length of the loaf pan. Starting with the shorter end, roll up the dough swiss roll style & place it into the loaf pan to proof for 1hr

4. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180°C for 30mins.

甜菜根蛋糕卷

2011-07-16T16:21:00.000+08:00

甜菜根蛋糕卷 ~ Beet Root Swiss Roll

Swiss roll:
Ingredients:
(A)
80g egg yolks
20g castor sugar
40g vegetable oil
40g beet root juice (blend beetroot with a bit of water)
80g plain flour

(B)
170g egg whites
80g castor sugar

Method:
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, castor sugar, vegetable oil & beet root juice until combined. Sift in flour & mix until smooth & well combined.

2. In another bowl, beat eggs whites until soft peaks. Add sugar slowly & continue beating until egg whites are nearly stiff.

3. Fold 1/3 of egg whites mixture into egg yolk mixture. Add the rest of the egg whites & fold gently to obtain a smooth batter.

4. Pour batter into a tray lined with parchment paper & bake @ 180 deg C for 15mins.

I am submitting this entry to Aspiring Bakers #9 - Swiss Rolling Good Times (July 2011) hosted by Obsessedly Involved with Food

彩虹蛋糕卷

2011-07-15T06:02:00.000+08:00

彩虹蛋糕卷 ~ Rainbow Swiss Roll
(Recipe adapted & modify from 孟老师的美味蛋糕卷)

Ingredients:
60g egg yolks
120g egg whites
80g sugar
80g plain flour

Method:
1. Beat eggs whites until soft peaks. Add sugar slowly & continue beating until egg whites are nearly stiff.

2. Add in egg yolks & whisk until combined. Add in sifted flour & mix until well combined.

3. Divide batter into 5 equal portions & add colours. Pipe them into a tray lined with parchment paper.

4. Bake @ 180 deg C for 15mins.

Fillings:
80g butter, softened
20g icing sugar
40g whipping cream

Method:
1. Whisk butter & sugar together till combined. Add in whipping cream slowly & whisk until smooth.

I am submitting this entry to Aspiring Bakers #9 - Swiss Rolling Good Times (July 2011) hosted by Obsessedly Involved with Food

Cathy's Joy

Chocolate Cake

Lemon Rosemary Poppy Seeds Cookies

朋 友，我好想你

Award

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星厨房

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Snow Tubing

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Freezing Xmas in New York

Parmesan Yorkshire Pudding

Bread Pudding

Alexandria

Pumpkin Poppy Seeds Muffins

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Annapolis

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Potomac Mills

Sick

Corn Bread

Baltimore

Shop till you drop!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Trip to DC

Skyline Drive

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

Finally settled

勿忘我。。。。

Roti Boy again....

Rosemary Bacon & Cheese Bread

Baking together

I'm a barbie gal...

Rosemary Garlic Focaccia

Rosemary Baguette

Butter Cake

Salmon Mushroom Thin Crust Pizza

Bacon Mushroom Thin Crust Pizza

Garlic & Rosemary Baguette

Corn Fudge Cake

Focaccia with Mushroom soup

Method1. Mince onion, cook in butter until tender.

2. Add flour & stir for 1min.

3. Add milk, salt & pepper & simmer for few mins

4. Add mushrooms & simmer for 25mins.

5. Blend soup for smoother consistency.

*Add more water or milk if prefer to have a thinner consistency

Chocolate Brownie

Method

1. Stir together butter, chocolate, sugar & vanilla in bowl. Add eggs & beat well with a balloon whisk. Stir together flour, cocoa & baking powder. Gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended.

2. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

3 Bake at preheated oven @ 180°C for 25mins.

Butter Cookies

Mushroom Pot Pie

French Baguette

Spaghetti in pumpkin carrot sauce

Chocolate Cuppies

Lemon & Vanilla Pound Cake

Matcha Pound Cake

Pumpkin Cake

Cocodrillo Ciabatta

Awards & Carrot Tom Yum 'Ban Mian'

Lemon Butter Cake

Blueberry Chiffon cake

Earl Grey Pound Cake

Lemon Meringue Tart

Matcha Loaf

Potato Pie

Earl Grey Bread

Walnut Oat Cookies

Pig Out Party (POP)

Pork Floss Buns

Spinach & Salmon Quiche

朋友，我好想你

Method
1. Mince onion, cook in butter until tender.