December 6, 2024

Vietnamese Balloon Fried Bananas


Ingredients:
1 bunch of SABA bananas
75g plain flour
50g rice flour
15g tapioca flour
10g cornflour
25g sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tbsp baking powder
250ml water (iced cold)
15g butter ~ melted
1 tbsp white sesame seeds
1 tbsp black sesame seeds
Oil for frying

Directions:
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients, except bananas and vegetable oil, until smooth.  Let the batter rest for 10 mins.
  2. Peel the bananas, place them in plastic wrap, and slightly flatten them.
  3. Dip the flattened banana into the mixture batter and deep-fry until it's lightly golden.
  4. Remove from the hot oil, double coat into the batter, and re-fry until it's puffy and golden.
  5. Transfer to a lined paper towel and enjoy!

December 4, 2024

Mango Crepes


Ingredients:
310g AP flour
100g sugar
625ml whole milk
4 eggs
30g butter ~ melted & cooled

Coulis
2 mangoes
1/4 cup water
100g sugar

Filling/Topping
355ml heavy/whipped cream
125g powdered sugar
100g mango coulis ~ room temp/chilled

Directions:
  1. Slice the mango flesh off the seed and add it to a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth, then return the pureed mango to the empty pot. Place the pot over medium-low heat, add the sugar, and cook for 10-15 mins or until thickened. Stir constantly to keep the mango from bubbling. Off the heat, transfer the mango coulis to a clean bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature.
  2. Prepare the crepes; add the flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and melted butter to a bowl or a blender and mix or blend until smooth.  Place a small non-stick pan over medium heat, grease with butter or non-stick spray, and add about 1/3 cup of batter to the pan.  Quickly swirl the pan to get an even layer of batter and cook for about 50-60 seconds or until the crepe begins to set, then flip with a spatula and cook for another 10-15 seconds.  Transfer the cooked crepe to a clean dish and repeat the process till the batter finish.
  3. Use a hand mixer for the filling/top and beat until combined and fluffy.  Then add the cooled-down mango coulis and beat until combined.
  4. Before assembling the cake, I cut all the crepes to the same size using a 7" or 8" ring cake. Then, I placed the first crepe inside the adjustable ring cake on a serving dish and added a dollop of mango whipped cream. I spread it into an even layer, top it with another crepe, and repeat until all the crepes have been used.
  5. Lastly, top the prepared crepe cake with whipped cream, the remaining mango coulis, and chopped mango.  Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for at least 3-4 hours or overnight before serving.

December 3, 2024

Banana Bread


Ingredients
3 medium ripe bananas
75 butter ~ melted
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
150g sugar/brown sugar
1 large egg ~ beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
205g AP flour

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 160 deg C.  
  2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until completely smooth.  Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
  3. Mix in the baking soda and salt.  Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.  Mix in the flour.
  4. Pour the batter into a loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 mins at 175 deg C or until a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

August 7, 2024

Thai Fried Bananas


Ingredients:
8 pcs Saba banana (Pisang Kepok)
1/3 cup shredded coconut
3/4 cup rice flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 tbsp white sesame seeds ~ roasted
1/3 cup water
Oil ~ frying

Directions:
  1. Peel the bananas, cut them lengthwise into 3 equal sections, and set aside.
  2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Add water and stir until well combined.
  3. Add about 1-1/2 inches of oil to a pot and heat to about 160 deg C.  Dip the sliced bananas into the mixture batter and fry for about 5 mins until they are a deep brown color.  Drain on a paper towel.
  4. Let bananas cool for several minutes before serving, and the coating will crisp up once cooled.

August 3, 2024

Nasi Daging Utara Air Asam


Ingredients:
3 cup basmati rice
2 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 yellow onion ~ sliced
3 garlic ~ sliced
1" ginger ~ matchstick
2 screwpine leaves ~ knot
2 tbsp rempah kurma
1 tbsp rempah briyani
1 cup full cream milk
3-1/2 cup beef broth
Salt & seasoning
Coriander leaves
Cooked beef cube

Spices
1 cumin stick
2 Anise-star
3 cardamon
4 cloves

Beef Stew
500g beef ~ cube
1/2 yellow onion ~ sliced
3-4 garlic ~ smashed
2 tbsp rempah kurma
2 tbsp rempah briyani
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 litre water

Air Asam
1 onion ~ sliced
2 tomato ~ cut cube
3 red chili ~ sliced
1" roasted belacan
1/2 cup air asam jawa
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp kerisik
Some key lime

Instructions:
  1. Prepare the beef: Add water to the big pot and add all the ingredients to the beef stew. Cook until the beef is tender. Remove the meat and set aside.
  2. Heat ghee and vegetable oil in a saucepan and add the spices, onion and garlic.  Saute till fragrant for about 2 mins.  Then add the rempah kurma and biryani; continue to saute another 2 mins until fragrant.  Add the rice and continue to mix well.  Transfer the coated rice to the rice cooker.
  3. Add the cooked beef cube, broth, whole cream milk, and salt to taste. Mix well, then add the coriander leaves.  Stir a little to mix and cover.  Let the rice cooker cook as usual.
  4. While the rice is cooked, let's prepare the air asam. Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together. Set aside for later.

July 27, 2024

Korean Chicken on Skewers


Ingredients:
3 pcs boneless chicken thighs ~ remove skin
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 tsp minced garlic
3 tbsp light soy sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp Gochujang
Chopped green onion (Optional for garnish)

Directions:
  1. Cut the chicken into 1-1/2 inch cubes and toss in a bowl. Whisk together the remaining ingredients (except chopped green onion) in another small bowl to make the marinade.
  2. Mix half of the marinade over the chicken to thoroughly coat it.  Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Cover the remaining sauce and place it in the fridge to bast the chicken later.
  4. Place the cubed chicken on skewers and line the chicken skewers on the baking tray with a rack.
  5. Preheat the grill to medium heat; place the skewers on a lightly oiled grill once hot. Turn the skewers every 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked, about 20-30 minutes. During the last few turns, baste with the remaining sauce.
  6. Remove skewers from the grill and serve with chopped green onions (optional) and your favorite side dish.

May 24, 2024

Putri Salat/Seri Muka


Ingredients:
3 cups glutinous rice
2 cups coconut milk
1/2 tsp salt

Custard
1 cup All-purpose flour
2 cups coconut milk
1-1/2 cups sugar
100ml pandan juice
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
  1. Soak the rice for at least 4 hours or overnight in water.
  2. Drain the water, and place the sticky rice in a tray.  Pour in the coconut milk and salt; stir to mix.  Place the tray of sticky rice mixture in a steamer and steam on high heat for about 25-30 mins.
  3. Take an 8x8-inch square tray and brush it with oil on the bottom and all sides. Cut parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan. This will make it easier to remove the rice cake from the pan.  Transfer the sticky rice to the tray, cover it with a piece of parchment paper, and use your palms to pack the rice down tightly to prevent it from falling apart when cut.
  4. To prepare the custard, add all the custard ingredients and blend them into the fine mixture.  Add the cornstarch and blend again to thicken the batter.
  5. Strain the custard mixture into a large saucepan.  Cook on low heat and stir until the mixture coats the back of the spoon for about 15-20 mins.  (Note:  If the custard happens to be lumpy, blend to smooth it)
  6. Pour the custard mixture gently, using the ladle, over the pressed rice cake. Then, place two chopsticks on each side of the steamer pot.
  7. Place the lid (wrapped with cloth) on top of the chopsticks to create some gap to allow some steam to escape so the surface can be smooth.
  8. Steam on medium heat for 30-45 mins or until the top layer is no longer "jiggly." The custard may take longer to set because the crack on the lid opens during steaming.
  9. Let it cool completely before cutting, about 4 hours or more. Loosen the edge with an oiled knife or plastic knife, then gently transfer the rice cake out from the pan and cut to the desired size.

April 9, 2024

Brownie Cookies (Raya)


Ingredients (A):
100g butter/margarine
350g dark chocolate compound

(B)
3 eggs (Grade A)
1 tsp vanilla essence
200g icing sugar

(C)
100g All Purpose flour
15g cocoa powder.


Directions:
  1. In a large bowl, add the eggs and vanilla essence.  Mix well to combine.  Then, sieve in the icing sugar.  Continue to mix well till the icing sugar dissolves/combines.
  2. Double-boil the ingredients (A) till all melted.  Pour the hot melted chocolate immediately into the egg mixture.  Be sure the melted chocolate is scorching to have wrinkles on the surface of the cookies.  Continue to mix to combine.
  3. Next, sieve the ingredients (C) into the batter and mix well to combine.
  4. Transfer the brownie batter to piping bags, trim the edge of the piping bag, and pipe it into the macaron baking tray.
  5. Bake in the oven at 155-160 degrees C for 25 mins.

April 8, 2024

Chocolate Brownie Cookies


Cookie Crust
115g butter/margarine
40g fine sugar
140g brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
200g AP flour
1/2 tsp baking soda

Brownie
75g dark chocolate (Compound)
45g butter
1 egg
75g icing sugar
50g AP flour
17g cocoa powder

Directions:
  1. Cookie Crust: Place the butter in a small saucepan and set it over medium-low heat.  Use a silicone spatula to stir and scrape the butter from the bottom and sides of the pan every 10-15 seconds.  Continue to cook the butter, occasionally stir and scrap until the butter begins to take on color, about 10-15 mins.  Once the butter is golden brown, remove it from the heat.
  2. Brownie: Pour the brown butter into the sugar in a medium mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and stir to combine. Sieve in the dry ingredients and mix well. 
  3. Put the cookie dough in the refrigerator to chill while filling the brownie.
  4. Brownie: In a large bowl, add the eggs and vanilla essence.  Mix well to combine.  Then, sieve in the icing sugar.  Continue to mix well till the icing sugar dissolves/combines.
  5. Double-boil the dark chocolate and butter till all melted.  Pour the melted chocolate immediately into the egg mixture to combine.
  6. Next, sieve the ingredients into the batter and mix well to combine
  7. Assembly: Evenly divide the cookie dough (22g each). Press the cookie dough in the middle of the dough to create a thin tart shell.
  8. Divide the brownie batter evenly between the tart shells and sprinkle with chocolate chips on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 175 degrees C for 15-18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the tarts cool in the muffin pan.

April 6, 2024

Snowball Cookies


Ingredients:
375g All Purpose Flour
125g icing sugar
200g Ghee

Coating
30g icing sugar
30g milk powder

Directions:
  1. In a large bowl, mix the ghee and icing sugar to combine. Then, sieve in the flour and mix it into a soft dough. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
  2. Use 1 teaspoon metric spoon to scoop the dough and roll it into a ball.  Arrange on the baking tray.
  3. Bake the cookies in the preheat oven at 160 deg C for 15-20 mins.  Remove and let it cool completely.
  4. Mix the coating ingredients in another bowl and coat the baked cookies with the coating.  Place the cookies in a mini paper cup and store them in the air-tight.