Macaroni Cheese

Ingredients:
Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 pound elbow pasta

4 tablespoons butter

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

4 cups milk

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

1-1/4 cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese (5 ounces)

1-1/4 cups shredded white cheddar cheese (5 ounces)

8 ounces ham, diced into 1/2-inch pieces

2 slices white sandwich bread

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente; drain and reserve. Meanwhile, in a 5-quart heavy pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in flour to coat onion. In a slow steady stream, whisk in milk until there are no lumps.
2. Cook, whisking often, until mixture is thick and bubbly and coats the back of a wooden spoon, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in cayenne, if using and 1 cup each yellow and white cheddar cheese. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
3. Toss pasta with cheese mixture; fold in ham. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or individual dishes. Set aside.
4. In a food processor, pulse bread until large crumbs form. Toss together with remaining 1/4 cup each white and yellow cheddar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Top pasta with breadcrumb mixture. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes.

Note: This recipe makes enough to fill eight 12-to-16-ounce baking dishes. Divide the macaroni and cheese evenly, sprinkle with topping, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden

Deep Fried Sweet & Sour Fish

Ingredients:
1 large garoupa fish (any kind will do)
½ green & red bell pepper ~ cut cubes
2 stalks scallions ~ white part cut 2" lengthwise
1 canned pineapple cubes
1 tbsp garlic ~ chopped
Oil for deep frying

Marinate Fish (15-20 mins):
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp corn flour
1 tsp rice wine

Batter:
½ cup water or pineapple juice
6 tbsp plain flour
3 tbsp corn starch
½ tsp baking soda
1 egg
1 tsp cooking oil
½ tsp salt

Sweet & Sour Sauce:
1½ tbsp tomato ketchup
1½ tbsp sweet chili sauce
1 tsp plum sauce
1/8 tsp Chinese rice vinegar (Transparent)
½ tsp Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp oyster sauce
1 tsp corn starch
1 tsp sugar + 2 tbsp water

Directions:

1. Prepare the batter, sweet & sour sauce ingredients well & set aside.
2. Transfer the marinate fish into the batter & make sure well coated.   In a deep skillet, add in the cooking oil enough for deep-frying until turn godlen brown, dish out & drain on paper towel.
3. Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil, saute chopped garlic till light brown, follw by bell peppers & pineapple cubes.   Stir firy till smell the peppery aroma & add in the sweet & sour sauce.   As soon as the sauces thicken, remove from heat.  Pour the sauces over the deep fried fish & serve hot with steamed white rice.

Tajine Chicken ~ Chef Wan

Source: Chef Wan

August 15, 2009, I attended Demo by Chef Wan @ Courts Mega Tampines.  He shared & demo 4 dishes.  Sampled his dishes & oh my it's heaven....so yummy that I can't wait to do this dish by myself & share with my relatives & friends.....

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (cut 8 pieces)

1 tbsp paprika powder

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp white pepper powder

2 tsp cumin powder

60ml olive oil

1 large onion ~ cut cubes

2 cloves garlic ~ chopped finely

2" ginger ~ chopped finely

1 cup water (or less)

1 tbsp coriander leaves ~ chopped

10 pcs olive fruits

2 medium potatoes ~ sliced

1 tbsp parsley leaves ~ chopped

2 medium tomatoes ~ chopped

Directions:

1. In a bowl, marinated the chicken together with paprika, turmeric, white pepper & cumin seed for a minutes.
2. Heat olive oil on a wok, saute sliced onion, garlic & ginger till fragrant.
3. Add the marinated chicken & cook for about 5 minutes.
4. Pour a cup of water, add olive fruits, coriander leaves, parsley leaves, potatoes & tomatoes.  Turn the heat on slow, covered wok & cook for 30 minutes so as the chicken cooked.

Bake Black Sweet Chicken aka Ayam Hitam Manis ~ Chef Wan

Source: Chef Wan

Ingredients:
4 chicken pieces (discard the fat)
10 pcs shitaka mushroom ~ tear pieces
2 medium potatoes ~ boiled together w/skin, cut halves
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp sweet soy sauce
1 tbsp shallot ~ chopped finely
1 tbsp garlic ~ chopped finely
1 tbsp ginger ~ chopped finely
1 large onion ~ sliced
2 tbsp black soy
couple of spices (star anise, cloves, cardamon & cinnamon stick)
1 cup water

Directions:

1. In a big baking dish, put the chicken & all the ingredients & mix well.
2. Preheat the oven at 180 deg & bake for about 1/2 hr
3. Serve with hot rice.

Cornflakes Snaps Cookies

Ingredients:
200g QBB Ghee (I used butter)

180g caster sugar

1 tsp grated rind of lemon

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 egg yolks

250g cornflakes ~ crushed lightly

260g self-raising flour

20g corn flour

some cherries glaced ~ chopped

Directions:

1. Cream the QBB/butter, sugar & vanilla essence until the mixture becomes fluffy.
2. Beat in egg yolk & grated lemon rind.   Fold in sifted flour & mix well.
3. Put mixture into the refrigerator to chill for half an hour until it turns slightly firm so that you can handle easily.
4. Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture onto the crushed cornflakes.   Shape into balls & place on baking trays lined with non-stick paper.
5. Press a cut cherry in the centre of each dough.
6. Bake in preheated oven at 180 deg C for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden in color
7. Cool on wire racks before storing in airtight containers.

Lemon Yogurt Cake

Ingredients:
200g self-raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

250ml natural yogurt

180g caster sugar

3 large eggs (180g)

Zest of 2 lemons

1 tsp vanilla extract

125ml melted QBB Ghee

3 tbsp marmalade

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180 deg C.  Line a loaf tine with non-stick paper.
2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into mixing bowl.
3. Combine yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest & vanilla extract in a large bowl & whisk until well blended.
4. Gradually whisk in dry ingredients.  Using spatula, fold in melted QBB Ghee.
5. Transfer batter to prepared pan & place in a preheated oven.   Baked for 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into centre comes out clean.
6. Cool cake in pan for 5 minutes & then turn cake on rack to cool.  Brush marmalade over top of cake.  Cool cake thoroughly before cutting.

Prwan Noodle aka Hay Mee ~ Chef Wan

Source: Chef Wan

After watching Asia Food Channel, hosted by Chef Wan, shown us his aunty in Singapore cooked prawn noodle soup.  This is my favorite dish.  Each time I'm out for a meal, I would order prawn noodle soup.  So, y'day my families had homemade prawn noodle soup for dinner since it was my very first time to cook my own prawn noodle, I wasn’t so sure whether it can taste like one. But after I took the first sip of the broth, oh boy, this is so Real, as good as the prawn noodle I had at hawker center's stall....

Ingredients:
½ kg big prawns (wash clean)

6 cloves garlic ~ minced

2 tbsp white pepper

1” roasted shrimp paste

5g rock sugar

2 cubes of fish knor (u can use fish stock boullini)

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

Salt / Ajinomoto

Garnish ~ Blanch

1 packet water spinach

¼ g bean sprout

500g yellow noodle (called Hokkien noodle)

2 fish cakes ~ thinly sliced

Fried shallot

Directions:

1. Boil 15 cups of water in a big pot on medium heat, add the big prawn, together with the head & shell, and cook till the prawn turn pink.   Removed the prawn & peel the head & shell.  Set aside.  (Note: the water from the prawn, do not throw as needed to make a broth for the noodle)
2. Heat 2 tbsp of oil on a pan, sauté the garlic, roasted shrimp paste & white pepper for about 2 minutes.   Add the prawn head & shell & cook for another 5 minutes.  Pour the cook shells into the prawn broth & simmer for about 30 minutes or more.
3. Add rock sugar, fish cubes, dark soy sauce & salt/Ajinomoto.  Simmer till the rock sugar dissolve.
4. Sieve the soup & set aside.
5. To serve in a bowl, add the blanch water spinach on the bottom, noodle, bean sprout & garnished with prawns & sliced fish cakes.  Ladle the hot prawn broth & fried shallots.

Barbie / Princess Doll Cake With Marshmallow

This is my 3rd baking of Princess cake for my daughter, Ally.  She has been pastering me since the day I baked for her sister, Ashley's b'day.  So, I decided to bake her a Princess cake & this time, I'm using marshmallow for the princess' skirt as a deco.

When I bought this Princess cake to her school, all the kids & even the teachers keep asking me where do I bought this cake.  I told them that I baked myself, they were surprised.  Couple of the teachers asked me the recipe for the icing, so here I am to share the buttercream icing with you....give a try & you wouldn't regret!

Ingredients:
3 Boxes Betty Crockers (Yellow/Chocolate)

3 Packets Marshmallow (Deco for the skirts)

Some Sugar Flowers (Deco for the top skirts) ~ You can purchased at the bakery store.

Buttercream Frosting:

2 cups confectioners sugar (icing/powdered sugar), sifted

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 tbsp milk or light cream

Assorted food colors (if desired)

Directions:

1. In an electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter until smooth and well blended.
2. Add the vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3. Add the milk and beat on high speed until frosting is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add a little more milk or sugar, if needed. Tint the frosting with desired food color.

Cheesecake Bars

Crust:

200g digestive cookies

2 tbsp granulated sugar

113g unsalted butter

Filling:

454g cream cheese (2-8 ounce) ~ softened

100g granulated sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 160 deg C.  Have a 23cm square pan that has been lined with aluminum foil across the bottom & set aside.
2. In a small bowl combine the digestive cookies crumbs, sugar & melted butter.  Press mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan.  Bake for 10 mins & set aside to cool.  Increase the oven to 180 deg C.
3. In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth.  Add sugar, lemon juice & vanilla extract & beat until smooth.   Add the eggs one at a time, beat until incorporated.   Scrape down the sides of the bowl, as needed.   Pour the cheesecake filling over the digestive cookies base & bake for abt 20 mins or until the cheesecake batter is just set.
4. Remove from oven & place on a wire rack to cool.   Place in the refrigerator for a few hours to make the squares easier to cut.   Cut into 2” squares & garnish with fresh berries, if desired.

Yellow Butter Cake

Remember couple of days ago, I had baked Angel Food Cake...lots of egg yolk leftover?  Well, not only you can used egg yolk to make Caramel Custard/Leche Flan, you also can used egg yolks for YELLOW BUTTER CAKE. 

Let me tell you this butter cake is very SINFULLY rich, moist & deliciously fragrant.  Can you imagine 10 egg yolks and 375g of butter in one puny 8″ cake?? And I think the addition of melted butter made the cake even more moist. When I pressed down a little on a slice, I could almost see the butter oozing from the crumb. *immediate coronary* But it tasted divine and the texture was perfect. Although I won’t be making it too often, because of health concerns (I don’t usually bother about calories but this IS a little overboard), this is the recipe I’d go to for a special occassion

Ingredients:
375g butter

10 egg yolks

1 cup sugar

1 ½ cups plain flour

½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in the microwave or over gentle heat on the stove. Leave to cool.
2. Lightly grease and line the bottom of an 8″ round cake pan. Preheat oven to 165 degree C.
3. Cream yolks and sugar until creamy and pale yellow. Remember to scrape down the sides and bottom periodically.
4. Add in the cooled melted butter and vanilla.
5. Sift the flour and baking powder (and a pinch of salt if using) and fold carefully into the creamed mixture.
6. Scrape into pan and level surface. Bake for 45 mins until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Angel Food Cake

This is another version of Chiffon Cake but it's more cloudy, fluffy & SWEET

Ingredients:
1¾ cups castor sugar

¼ tsp salt

1 cup cake flour, shifted

12 egg whites

1 tsp orange extracts or extract of your choice

½ tsp vanilla

1½ tsp cream of tartar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180 C.   Sift half of the sugar with the salt & cake flour together & set aside.
2. In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, warm water and orange extract until frothy.   Add cream of tartar & whisk on high speed.  Add the remaining sugar slowly into the egg whites & continue to whisk at medium speed to medium peaks
3. Using a spatula fold in gently into the foam.  Continue until all the flour mixture is incorporated.
4. Pour into a 22cm ungreased or line tube pan.   Bake for 40-45 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer.
5. Remove from oven, invert & leave to cool completely before removing cake from the tin.

Chili Hotdog

It's 4th July, I decided to have American Chili Hotdog for my family.  It's been quite sometimes we had not eaten Chili Hotdog.

Ingredients:
350g pound ground beef

2 large onions ~ chopped

2 can (8oz) tomato sauce

½ tsp Worcestershire sauce

¼ tsp hot pepper sauce

½ tbsp cumin powder

1 tsp chili powder ~ or more

1 tbsp brown sugar

Salt & pepper to taste

8 hotdogs ~ cooked according to package directions

8 hotdog buns

Cheddar cheese shredded

Directions:

1. In a medium skillet, brown beef & onions, and break up the beef into small pieces over medium heat.  Drain fat from skillet & reduce heat to low.
2. Stir in tomato, Worcestershire, hot pepper sauce, cumin powder, chili powder, brown sugar, salt & pepper.   Simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Place cooked hot dogs into buns, ladle ¼ cup chili sauce over each hot dog & top with cheese.   Serve together with chips.

Caramel Custard / Leche Flan

Last night, I baked an Angel Cake which consist 12 egg whites.  So, leftover egg yolks & I'm not sure what to do with these egg yolks.  Till my helper came over to clean my house once a week and I told her that I had so many egg yolks left.  She told me to do Philippine's Leche Flan and give me her recipe.  Tell you the truth, I never heard Leche Flan till I make it then I realized there's another word called "Caramel Custard".....Give a try as it so easy & taste heavenly..mmmm....

Custard:

12 egg yolks

1 can condensed milk

1 can evaporated milk

1 tsp vanilla essence

Caramel:

¾ cups sugar

¼ cup water

Directions:

1. In a sauce pan, dissolve sugar & water over medium heat, do not stir, just swirl the pan gently, caramelize in low heat if you don't want it burnt. Pale brown means sweeter and too dark means bitter. When you have achieved the desired color, pour the syrup in the mould and make sure to coat all the parts of the pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine all the egg yolk, condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla.  Use a whisk to mix thoroughly but gently to prevent bubbles from forming.
3. Use a sieve & pour the mixture in a mould & cover it with an aluminum foil, so that the moisture from the steam won’t get into the pan as it will become watery.
4. Steam cook for 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.   Let the custard cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours before serving.   Carefully invert unto a serving dish, let the caramelized sugar flow over the custard.

Sweet & Sour Chicken / Pork

I'm sure everyone knows how to cook sweet & sour dishes, either chicken, prawn or fish but still I want share this recipe.  The secret ingredient I use in this dish is oyster sauce + Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce + Plum sauce....

Ingredients:
500g boneless chicken (cut into bite size or strips)

½ green & red bell pepper ~ cut into cubes

2 stalks scallions ~ white part cut into 2” length

1 canned pineapple cubes

1 tbsp chopped garlic

Oil for frying

Marinate: (15-20mins):

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp corn flour

1 tsp rice wine

Batter:

½ cup water or pineapple juice

6 tbsp plain flour

3 tbsp corn starch

½ tsp baking soda

1 egg

1 tsp cooking oil

½ tsp salt

Sauce:

1½ tbsp tomato ketchup

1 tsp plum sauce

1/8 tsp Chinese rice vinegar (Transparent color)

½ tsp Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp oyster sauce

1 tsp corn starch

1 tsp sugar

2 tbsp water

Directions:

1. Prepare the batter, sweet & sour sauce ingredients well, set aside.
2. Transfer the chicken pieces into the batter & make sure well coated.  In a deep skillet, add in the cooking oil enough for deep-frying until turn golden brown dish out & drain on paper towel.
3. Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil, sauté chopped garlic till light brown, follow by bell peppers & pineapple cubes.  Stir fry till smell the peppery aroma & add in the sweet & sour sauce.  As soon as the sauces thicken, add the chicken & scallions.  Stir well, dish out & serve hot with steamed white rice.

Basic Chiffon Cake

Lately I've been trying to bake Pandan Chiffon Cake for couple of days & it fails 3 times.  Each time I baked, I tried to figure where do I go wrong.  It's so simple yet I failed.  So, I decided to do some research on how to bake Chiffon Cake.  Everybody can bake this simple cake but there's a catch to it. 

I searched on youtube & none mentioned about the method of baking chiffon cake.  Then one fine day, luck on my side, I found a site on youtube called "I-Hate-Cooking-Recipes.com" by Chef Todd Mohr explaining ways & method.  I sat all day to watched & I found it very useful.  For those who wonder why the chiffon cake doesn't rise, check this website for self educate....

Finally, my chiffon cake turns out good.....My hubby request me to bake him an "Angel Food Cake" similiar to Chiffon Cake & I'm going to bake him one tomorrow.

Ingredient A

5 egg yolks

150g self-raising flour

75g castor sugar

5 tbsp canola/corn oil

5 tbsp water

Ingredient B

5 egg whites

½ tsp cream of tartar

75g castor sugar

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients A into a mixing bowl & use a whisk to stir in one direction until smooth & well-combined.  Set aside
2. Put egg whites into another mixing bowl & use an electric mixer & whisk until frothy.   Add cream of tartar & whisk on high speed.  Add in sugar slowly into the egg whites & continue to whisk until stiff but not dry (egg whites can form into soft peak).
3. Pour the mixture A into egg white mixture.   Use a spatula & fold the mixture until smooth & well-combined.
4. Pour into a 22cm chiffon cake tin (does not grease or line).   Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 deg C for about 30 minutes until lightly brown or cooked.
5. Remove from oven, invert & leave to cool completely before removing cake from the tin.

Using flavors:

(A) Orange Chiffon Cake:

     - 5 tbsp orange juice plus 1 tsp grated orange rind

(B) Pandan Chiffon Cake:

     - 5 tbsp pandan juice plus 5 tbsp coconut milk (to replace canola/corn oil)

(C) Mocha Chiffon Cake:

     - 2 tbsp instant coffee dissolved with 5 tbsp boiling water (leave to cool)

Koleh-Koleh aka Green Bean Cake

This is a very traditional cake but now you can find green bean flour at the supermarket.  I find this cake needs only 3-4 ingredients but the time is very consumming....it takes me almost 2-1/2 hours to do this traditional kuih.

Ingredients:
500g green bean flour (Tepung Kacang Hijau)

250g plum sugar (gula melaka)

100g sugar

1kg coconut milk (in a packet form) ~ for the topping

500ml coconut milk (in a box form)

1000ml water (about 5 cups)

Directions:

1. In a pot, add 400ml water with plum sugar & white sugar to a boiling point.  Shift the plum sugar & put aside to cool.
2. In a big pot, add coconut milk, water, 1/2 tsp salt & the flour.  Stir the mixture together.
3. On a medium heat, keep stir the mixture & add the plum sugar.  Continuously stirring to prevent from lumpy.  Once the mixture is thicken, pour it on round pan & let it cool aside.
4. Heat a medium fire on a non-stick pan, add the 1kg coconut milk.  Stir once a while till the coconut becomes a tiny lump.  It should turn into dark brown & off the fire.  Shift the oil & spread the fried coconut on top of the green bean as a topping.
5. Let it really cool, then cut & serve.

Butter Cake

A friend of mine give me a butter cake recipe but I've modify a little.

Ingredients:
250g butter, softened

250g plain flour (I used 150g AP flour + 100g cake flour)

1 tbsp baking powder

200g castor/fine sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla essence

3/4 cup evapourate milk

Directions:

1. Cream butter & sugar together till light & fluffy.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla essence.
3. Sift dry ingredients and add alternatively with milk, mixing well.
4. Grease and line 2 layer cake tins or a large square tin. Place the cake batter into the tins. Tap the pan lightly to break large air bubbles.
5. Bake at 160ºC for 55-60 minutes. Turn onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Banana Loaf Cake

Ingredients:
3 large bananas

2 large eggs

50g pecans / walnut ~ roughly chopped

50g raisins

150ml buttermilk / plain yogurt

100g unsalted butter ~ softened

140g light brown sugar

280g all-purpose flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 160C.  Butter a 20x13cm loaf tin & line the base with greaseproof paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together butter & sugar with an electric whisk until creamy.  Add eggs one at a time.   Stir in the mashed bananas puree, pecans, raisins & buttermilk / plain yogurt.
3. Sift the flour & bicarbonate soda on top of the banana mixture; fold in until evenly mixed.  Do not over mix.
4. Pour the bananas batter into the loaf tin.  Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes until a skewer pushed in the centre comes out almost, but not quite dry.   Remove from the oven & leave for about 10 minutes.   Turn it out of the loaf tin onto a cooling rack to cool.

American Apple Pie

Crust:

2½ cup of all purpose flour

¼ cup cake flour

¾ cup fine sugar

½ stick butter

1 tsp baking powder

2 eggs ~ lightly beaten

Apple Filling

6-8 apples ~ Peel, core & cut into ¼” thick slices.

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon powder

2 tbsp butter

Directions:

1. Blend the 1st five dry ingredients in the food processor.   Pour in a medium bowl, make a well in the middle & add the eggs.  Mix well into a dough.
2. Press half of the dough in a 9” pie-pan & cover with a plastic & refrigerate for about 30 mins.  The other half wrap in the plastic & refrigerate for about 30 mins.
3. In a medium bowl combine the apples, with the brown & white sugar.  Add flour, cinnamon & continue mixing until they are well coated
4. Remove dough-lined pie pan from refrigerator.  Fill with apple mixture, gently packing apples & mounding slightly in center; dot with butter.
5. Remove remaining circle of dough from refrigerator.  Lie over apples; press along the rim to seal.  Brush the egg wash (1 egg yolk + 2 tbsp water) all over the top of the dough.
6. With a floured paring knife, cut 5-6 slits on top of pie, radiating from center; place pie plate on a rimmed baking sheet. 
7. Pre-heat the oven 180 deg C & bake for 40-50 minutes or until crust is golden & juices are bubbling.

Stained Glass Butter Cookies

Ingredients:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

250g butter ~ softened

¾ cup granulate sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tin Fox’s Fruit Sweet

Directions:

1. Using an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar & vanilla until pale & creamy.  Occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. 
2. Add egg & vanilla, beat until well mixed.
3. Reduce speed to low, gradually beat in sift flour mixture just until blended, occasionally scraping bowl.
4. Mix well & divide the dough into half, press each half into a disc then wrap in cling wrap & refrigerate for about 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 160 C & line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
6. Roll each disc out between 2 sheets of baking paper to about 3mm thick.   Using cookie cutter cut out the desire shapes & place onto the trays.   Repeat the process until the dough finish.
7. Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes until light golden.   Remove from oven & add 1 candy per cookies in the centre & return to over for an extra 5 minutes to melt.
8. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before removing from the tray & store in an air-tight container.

Seaweed Crackers

Today I went to Giant for my groceries,  I'm so craving for crackers then I saw this Nori on sale & I decided to buy & thought I would eat it while watching TV tonight.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen cuz I remember I had a recipe for Nori.   This recipe was given by my Japanese neigbour.  It's so sample & would like to share this recipe to my friends but I've to warn you that this is very addictive as you'll keep munching will frying them....so, enjoy & have a great day!

Ingredients:
1 packet of Nori Seaweed

1 packet of spring rolls

Some sesame oil

A tiny sprinkle of salt & pepper ~ per piece of seaweed

1 egg white

Directions:

1. Spring roll skins peel them apart nicely.  Don’t separate them all at once as they tend to dry out.
2. With a brush, spread egg whites on one piece of spring roll skin.   Lay seaweed on top.   Rub some sesame oil, salt & pepper on seaweed.   Brush another piece of spring roll skin with egg white & lay it on top of the seaweed, preferably covering the entire piece of seaweed.   Repeat for all ingredients.
3. Cut into any shape or roll like a Swiss roll.   Heat up oil & deep fry till golden brown &crispy in batches.    Separate the pieces which stick to one another.    Cool till the batches feel lukewarm before storing in an air-tight container.

Homemade Pattie Sausages aka McDonald Sausage

Couple of days ago, my eldest daughter asking me to take her to MacDonald for breakfast.   Each time we had breakfast, she'll asked me to order for her "Sausage McMuffin with Egg".  Even it costs only S$2.00 plus, (not to mentioned about our MRT fares, back & fro) I still find it expensive.  Especially family of 6.....So, I asked my dear hubby to get recipe from his family!
This morning, I decided to try how to make breakfast sausage for my family & some for my neighbours for breakfast.   Everyone loves it and I would like to share this recipe with you, my friends.....give yourself a try!

Ingredients:
16 ounces (450g) ground beef / turkey / pork (look for lots of fat in the meat)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp dried parsley
¼ tsp rubbed sage
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
¼ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp coriander powder
¼ tsp MSG (Ajinamoto)

Directions:

1. Mix the entire ingredient in a large bowl & well blended.
2. Roll into a ball & pat into patties.
3. Fry the patties in a skillet on each side until golden brown on both sides & done in the middle.
4. Drain on paper towels.   Serve immediately with your favorite egg, sliced cheese & English muffin.

Spring Roll Crackers

After making the "Seaweed Crackers", I've couple of spring rolls left & I decided to make something instead of keeping them in the freeze.   Do you know that we can make many dish with spring rolls beside, mini popiah, veg spring roll, steam spring roll etc....
I was introduced these crackers by my aunt in Malacca.   She gaves me a bottle of these crackers.   I started nibbling on these while watching TV at home and in no time, they were gone!   They were so addictive that I called my aunt in Malacca to share with me this recipe.  Surprisingly it was really easy!  This is what you will need to make this delicious little snack.

Ingredients:
1 packet of spring rolls (square or rectangle)

1 egg white or 1 tsp cornflour ~ for sealing

Oil for frying

Sugar for coating

Directions:

1. Roll a spring roll like Swiss style with the help of a chopstick.
2. Seal the edge with some egg white or cornflour.
3. Cut up into desired size & deep fry till golden brown (Note: Best result, let it dry for couple of hours then fried them to get the crispiness)
4. Drained on the absorbent paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
5. Toss them into a bowl of sugar so that they are all coated with sugar.   Store them in an air-tight container when cooled.

Ngo Hiang ~ Spicy Chicken/Shrimp Roll

Make 15 Rolls

Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil

5 shallots ~ sliced

500g minced chicken

300g shrimps ~ chopped coarsely

8 water chestnuts ~ peeled & chopped

1 egg

1 large dried bean sheet ~ cut into 15 equal rectangles

1 tbsp corn flour ~ for paste

Seasoning:

½ tsp five-spice powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp black soy sauce

Pepper to taste

1 tbsp corn flour

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a work & fry shallots until golden.   Set aside.
2. Mix chicken, shrimps, water chestnuts & egg in a large bowl.
3. Add the seasoning & blend in corn flour.   Finally add the fried shallots & shallot oil.  Mix well to combine.
4. Soak the dried bean sheet for about 1-2 minutes.   Wipe both sides of the dried bean sheet with a damp cloth to rid it of excess salt.
5. Place a small amount of meat mixture in the middle of the sheet & roll like a spring roll.   Use corn flour paste to seal.
6. Place rolls on a heatproof plate & steam for 10 minutes or so in covered wok.   Cool.   Serve with chili sauce.

Barbie Doll Cake

It's my first time to bake this Barbie Doll Cake for my daughter, Ashley, whom celebrated her 5th b'day on March 21, 2009 (Saturday).  I bought myself a Wilton doll cake set & I used my daughter's Barbie doll instead.

The Wilton doll cake pan is not tall enough for the whole Barbie Doll, so I needed to bake 2 set of deep round cakes for the bottom dress.  Else my doll cake might look funny as the doll & dress are not proportionate.

I baked this Barbie Doll Cake on the day itself early morning.   As my fridge is not big enough to put the whole Barbie Doll cake in it.  Give yourself a try!

Ingredients:
3 Boxes Premix Cake (Yellow cake) – Read Instruction for baking

Butter Icing

3 Blocks of butter ~ softened

1 tbsp vanilla essence

3-4 tbsp milk (your preference)

3 ¼ cups confectioners sugar

Directions:

1. Baked 3 premix cake as per the box’s instruction.  1 cake for the skirts (Wilton mould) & 2 deep round cake for the bottom skirts.
2. Invert the cake to completely cool & chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.  Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to make level; brush off crumbs.
3. Make the butter icing:  Cream together butter, vanilla & milk.  Slowly beat in confectioners’ sugar, adding more if need to make a nice fluffy.
4. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate.  Place the first thin layer on the cake plate & spread top with ¾ cup of icing.  Place the second layer on top, bottom side up & spread with icing; repeat process with the third layer which is the skirt.   Spread thin layer entire cake with icing & chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
5. Once the icing is hard, insert the Barbie doll in the middle of the cake.   Spread entire cake with remaining icing & decorate to your own desire.

Note:
Before spread icing, insert the Barbie to be sure that the Barbie is fix right in the cake, if not you can cut the middle of the cake to fix the Barbie doll in.

Lap Khai ~ Spicy Thai Chicken Salad

I'm craving for thai dish today & I'm not sure what should I cook as my hubby is on diet!  No rice!  Mmmm....ok, there's cabbage...some healthy dish then.

Ingredients:
500g ground chicken

2-3 shallots ~ thinly sliced

2 kaffir limes leave ~ julienne

3-4 sprigs fresh spearmint ~ chopped

3 tbsp roasted rice powder (roasted the rice & blend)

1 tbsp chili flakes

3 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp palm / brown sugar

Garnish:

Cabbage

Green Beans
Parley
Coriander Leaves

Directions:

1. Bring a pot of water & add 1 tbsp lemon juice to a boil.   Cook the ground chicken for approx 5 mins.  Strained the ground chicken & put in a large bowl
2. Add all the ingredients into the ground chicken & mix well.   Serve with fresh vegetables & warm freshly-steamed rice.

Steamed Sponge Cake

Ingredients:
1 cup shift cake flour (Note: not 1 cup cake flour, shifted)

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

5 eggs

½ tsp cream of tartar

¾ cup fine sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp lemon extract

Directions:

1. Line an 8x8 inch cake pan with parchment paper.  Prepare a wok for steaming.
2. Place the flour in a medium bowl.   Sift in the baking powder & salt & set aside.
3. Separate the egg yolks & whites.   In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy.  Add the cream of tartar & beat briefly.   Add ¼ cup of sugar & beat for another minutes (don’t let the egg whites stiffen).
4. Add the egg yolks & the remaining ½ cup of sugar.  Add in the almond & vanilla extracts & beat for about 2 more minutes.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the egg mixture.  Stir thoroughly, do not beat.  Pour the batter into the cake pan.
6. Bring the water in the wok to a high boil, then turn down to medium.   Steam the cake, covered for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Remove the cake pan from the wok (take care when removing the wok lid to keep condensation from dripping onto the cake).   Cool the cake on a rack.   Invert onto a plate & remove the parchment paper.   Re-invert onto another plate so that the cake is right side up.

Buttercream Cupcake

Ingredients:
3 eggs

1 cup butter ~ softened

1 cup caster sugar

½ cup milk

1 ½ cups self-raising flour ~ sifted

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

1 cup icing sugar

1 tsp strawberry essence

1 cup butter ~ room temperature

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 160 deg.  Line a 12-cupcake pan with cupcake papers.  In a medium-sized bowl, lightly beat the eggs, add butter & sugar, and then mix until light & fluffy.
2. Add milk, flour & vanilla & stir to combine.  Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes, until light & creamy.
3. Divide the mixture evenly between the cake papers.  Bake for 18-20 minutes until risen & firm to touch.   Allow to cool for a few minutes & then transfer to a wire rack.   Allow to cool fully before icing.

Topping:

1. Meanwhile, combine half the topping ingredients except candied, mix with a wooden spoon, add remaining ingredients & beat with a whisk until light & fluffy.
2. Apply the topping with the back of a teaspoon or a small spatula.   Place the candied on top.

Mini Fruit Tart & Lemon Curd

Make 50-60 pcs

Lemon Curd:
250ml Lemon Juice
2 tbsp Lemon zest
4 eggs
320g caster sugar
220g butter
1 tbsp cornflour

Tart Crust:
125g butter ~ chilled
60g icing sugar
½ eggs white
1 egg yolk
200g plain flour
½ tsp vanilla

Glaze:
3 tbsp Gelatin
90g sugar
250ml water

Fruits:
Strawberry
Kiwi
Peaches

Method for LEMON CURD

1. Bring some water to a simmer in the saucepan.   Place a stainless steel mixing bowl onto the saucepan.
2. Add all the ingredients except butter.  Whisk the ingredients together.
3. Finally add the butter, whisk occasionally & once the mixture thickens, remove it from the heat.

Method for TART CRUST:

1. Beat butter & icing together till well mixed.
2. Add egg white & yolk into the batter & mix well & add vanilla.
3. Add flour into the batter.
4. Press the sweet pastry into the tart moulds.   Trim off the excess pastry.  Bake at 180 deg C till they turn golden brown.
5. Mix filling ingredients together, put the custard mixture into a piping bag & pipe onto baked tart shells
6. Arrange sliced fruits on top & pour the boiled glaze mixture over.