September 11, 2020

Crispy Fish Fillet with Lemon Butter Sauce


Sauce:
60g unsalted butter
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Salt & finely ground pepper

Crispy Pan-Fried Fish:
2 white fish fillets (120-150g each)
Salt & pepper
2 tbsp white flour or cornflour
2 tbsp oil

Other:
Lemon wedges
Finely chopped parsley ~ optional

Direction/Instruction:
  1. Place the butter in a light-colored saucepan or small skillet over medium heat.
  2. Melt butter then leaves on the stove, whisking/stirring now & then.  When the butter turns golden brown & it smells nutty about 3 mins, remove from stove immediately & pour into a small bowl.
  3. Add lemon juice & a pinch of salt & pepper.  Stir then taste when it has cooled slightly.  Adjust lemon/salt to taste.  Set aside; it will stay pourable for 20-30 mins.
  4. Pat fish dry using paper towels.  Sprinkle with salt & pepper then flour.  Use fingers to spread flour.  Turn & repeat.  Shake excess flour off well, slapping between hands if necessary.
  5. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over high heat.  When the oil is shimmering & there are faint wisps of smoke, add fish.  Cook for 1-1/2 mins until golden & crispy on the edges then turn & cook the other side for 1-1/2 mins. (Cook longer if you have thicker fillets)
  6. Remove immediately onto serving plates.  Drizzle each with about 1 tbsp of sauce (avoid dark specks settle at the bottom of the bowl), garnish with parsley & serve with lemon on the side. 

September 8, 2020

Cinnamon Cruller / Cinnamon Churro Donut


Ingredients:
75ml milk
75ml water
240g butter
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon powder
280g AP Flour
5 large eggs

Cinnamon sugar

Direction/Instruction:
  1. Bring the milk, water, butter, sugar & salt up to a full simmer over medium-high heat.  Reduce the heat to low & stir in the flour with a wooden spoon, stirring vigorously until the dough "cleans" the sides of the pot (no longer sticks).  Scrape the mixture into a large bowl & use electric beaters or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment & beat on medium speed for 1-2 min to cool it a little.
  2. Break the egg into a small dish & whisk them just to blend a little.  Add these to the flour mixture while still on medium speed & mix until blended.  Add the remaining one at a time & mixing well after each addition.
  3. Fill a pot with oil so that it is about 2-inches deep.  Heat to 170 deg C.
  4. Fill the choux paste in a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.  Pipe circles on a small piece of lightly greased parchment paper & gently slide them into the oil; remove the paper.
  5.  Cook the crullers for about 5 mins; turning them halfway through cooking.  Lift the crullers out with a slotted spoon or straining spoon & place them on a paper towel-lined plate to cool.  Dust with cinnamon sugar & serve immediately.



September 5, 2020

Homemade Pizza Dough


Ingredients:
250ml water
1 tbsp Live oil
450g Bread flour
1-1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp instant yeast

Directions/Instructions:
  1. Remove the bread pan from the bread maker and fit the kneader.
  2. Pour the water and olive oil into the bread pan.  Add the flour, salt, and sugar.
  3. Make a well in the center of the flour, but not down as far as the liquid, and add the instant yeast.
  4. Insert the lock the bread pan into the bread maker.  Select programmer "Pizza Dough" from the menu.  Press start.  Lightly oil a pizza pan or baking sheet
  5. At the end of the cycle, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Gently knock back the dough.  Roll out into a 30cm round and place it in the prepared pan or on the baking sheet.
  6. Preheat the oven to 220 deg C and bake for 18-20 mins or until golden and serve immediately.

Pretzel Stuffed Crust Pizza


Ingredients
1-1/3 cups warm water
1 tbsp. active dry yeast
2 tbsp. honey
3-1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp fine salt
1/3 cup baking soda
1 tbsp. melted butter
Coarse Sea Salt
1 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni slices or other desired toppings
String Cheese

Method
  1. Combine warm water, honey and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer & mix with the dough hook until combined.  Allow resting for 5 mins.
  2. Add flour & salt to yeast mixture.  Mix on low speed until combined.  Increase the speed to medium & continue to mix or 7 mins until the dough is smooth & tacky but not too sticky.
  3. Remove the dough & put it on the oiled bowl; cover with a plastic wrap & place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size ~ about 1 hour or more.
  4. Fill a stockpot (largest pot at least 10" wide) with about 2-3" of water.  Bring to a boil.  Add baking soda (careful it will bubble & rise) & reduce water to a simmer.
  5. Gently drop one dough disc into the simmering water.  Allow boiling for 30-40 seconds.  Use slotted spoons to carefully lift the dough from the pot & transfer to a paper-towel-lined cooling rack.  Repeat with remaining dough discs.
  6. Transfer dough discs to a greased baking pizza pan.  Lift the edge of the dough up to create a lip around the edges.  Arrange string cheese around the edges of the crust, leaving a 3/4" space.  Fold the edges of the dough over the string cheese, pinched down to seal.  Brush with melted butter around the edges & sprinkle with coarse sea salt.  Then top with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese & pepperoni.
  7. Bake at 475F (246 deg.C) preheated over for 14-16 mins or until the crust is lightly browned & the cheese is melting.  Serve immediately.



September 4, 2020

Gougeres aka French Cheese Puff

Ingredients:
185ml water
70g butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
140g plain flour
4 eggs
3/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp parsley ~ minced
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instruction
  1. Preheat the oven to 200 deg C.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium saucepan, bring the water, butter, salt & ground black pepper to a boil.  Add the flour & stir until it forms a dough.  Cook another 2 mins to dry out the dough.
  3. Transfer the dough to a bowl & let it cool slightly.  Slowly add the eggs, one at a time & stir until well combined.
  4. Add the mozzarella cheese & minced parsley, mix well.  Using 2 tablespoons to round each ball of dough & drop it onto the prepared parchment paper.  Set them 1.5"-2" apart.  Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top.
  5. Bake for 22 mins until golden brown.  Serve warm.

September 3, 2020

Durian Snowskin Mooncake


Snowskin
75g Kao Fen Flour
100g caster sugar
60g milk
60g warm water
20g Olive oil

Durian Filling:
200-300g durian puree
50g caster sugar
15g custard powder
15g Hoon Kueh powder
100g milk
20g butter

Direction/Instruction:
  1. Mix all the above ingredients together & knead to form a smooth dough.  Cover & set aside to rest for about 10 mins.  Then divide the dough into 8 portions.
  2. In the food processor, mix in the durian filling except for butter & blend to form a smooth puree.
  3. Pour the durian puree & butter into a saucepan.  Stir the mixture on low-medium heat until the mixture has thickened.
  4. Remove from the heat, let it cool completely before chill.   Then shape the chill durian paste into a ball (35g each)

September 2, 2020

Hotdog Croquttes


Ingredients:
5-6 hotdog ~ cut into 4-5 small pcs
700g potatoes ~ peeled
1 tbsp salt
Water
135g parmesan cheese
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
Oil for frying

Directions:
  1. A large pot adds potatoes, salt & water until potatoes are just covered.  Then bring to boil & cook until potatoes are fork-tender.
  2. Remove potatoes to a colander & run under cold water to cool.  Pour out onto a dish towel & dry potatoes thoroughly.
  3. Use a cheese grater, shred the potatoes into a large bowl.  Add parmesan, flour & oregano & mix together.
  4. Form the mixture around hotdog pcs to form tots.  Freeze formed tots for 30 mins before frying.
  5. In a large saucepan, heat oil to 170 deg. C, fry the tots in batches until golden browned on all sides.  Remove to a paper towel & sprinkle with additional salt.

September 1, 2020

Homemade Salted Caramel

 
Ingredients:
200g granulated sugar
90g salted butter ~ room temp, cut 6 pcs
120ml heavy cream
1 tsp salt

Direction/Instruction
  1. Heat granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a high heat resistant rubber spatula or wooden spoon.  Sugar will form clumps & eventually melt into a thick brown, amber-colored liquid as continue to stir.  Be careful not to burn.
  2. Once sugar is completely melted, immediately add the butter.  Be careful in this step because the caramel will bubble rapidly when the butter is added.
  3. Stir the butter into the caramel until it is completely melted for about 2 mins.  If the butter separating or the sugar clumped up, remove from heat & vigorously whisk to combine it again.  (If nervous for splatter, wear kitchen gloves.  Keep whisking until it comes back together, even it takes 3-4 mins.  It will eventually; just keep whisking.  Return to heat when it's combined again.)
  4. Very slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup of heavy cream while stirring.  Since the heavy cream is colder than the caramel, the mixture will rapidly bubble when added.  Allow the mixture to boil for 1 min.  It will rise in the pan as it boils.
  5. Remove from heat & stir in 1 tsp of salt.  Allow to slightly cool down before using it.  Caramel thickens as it cools.
  6. Cover tightly & store for up to 1 month in the refrigerator.  Caramel solidifies in the refrigerator.  Reheat in the microwave or on the stove to desired consistency.

Caramel Apple Pie Egg Rolls

 
Ingredients:
4-6 green apples ~ peeled, cored & chopped
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
Egg roll wrappers
Vegetable oil ~ frying
1/3 cup cinnamon sugar
1/2 cup caramel + more for dipping

Direction/Instruction
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.  Stir in apples, sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon & salt.  Cook & stir often until apples have softened & mixture is jammy about 10 mins.  Let cool slightly about 10-15 mins.
  2. Place an egg roll wrapper on a clean surface in a diamond shape & spread a layer of caramel in the center then spoon approximately 2 tablespoon apple mixture into a line on top of the caramel.  Fold up bottom half & tightly fold in sides.  Gently roll, then seal fold with a couple drops of water.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1" of oil until a drop of water bubbles when added to the oil.  Add egg rolls & fry until golden (1 min per side).  Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate & sprinkle immediately with cinnamon sugar.
  4. Serve hot with caramel sauce for dipping.

August 27, 2020

Pasta/Pizza Sauce

 
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic ~ minced
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
1-1/2 cups water
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper ~ to taste
Pinch of sugar

Direction/Instruction:
  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan.  Add the minced garlic & cook until just softened about 1-2 mins.
  2. Add the tomato paste, water, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper & sugar to the pan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  3. Reduce heat, cover & simmer for 10 mins.  Taste & adjust seasoning as desired.

Creamy Chicken Soup with Macaroni


Ingredients:
1-2 chicken breast ~ sliced thinly
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 tsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion ~ chopped
2 carrots ~ diced
2 stalk celery ~ diced
2 cloves garlic ~ minced
350g shredded milk cheddar cheese
250g cream cheese ~ softened
1/2 heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 cup uncooked macaroni

Marinate
Sliced chicken breast
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tbsp salt

Direction/Instruction
  1. Cook macaroni in salted & oil boiling water.  Drain & set aside.  Marinate the sliced chicken breast for about 30 mins.  Then put the marinated chicken in the boiling water till the chicken turn white.  Drain & set aside.
  2. In a large pot, heat the oil & add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic & saute until tender & fragrant for about 5 mins.  Add cooked chicken & continue cooking for 3 mins, stirring regularly.
  3. Add the broth, heavy cream & cream cheese.  Cover & bring to a boil for 15 mins.
  4. Lower the heat, then add cheddar.  Add the spinach to the chicken soup toward the end & stir until wilted.
  5. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt & pepper.  Serve the creamy chicken soup into the bowls of macaroni & top with extra parmesan cheese if desired.


August 26, 2020

Crispy Cornflakes/Doritos Chicken

 
Ingredients:
500g boneless chicken thighs (you can cut into strips if you want)
2 cups Cornflakes/Doritos ~ crushed (or more)
1 cup buttermilk
100g flour
2 egg whites ~ whisked
Salt & pepper to taste
Oil for frying

Direction/Instruction:
  1. Marinate the chicken with buttermilk and season with salt & pepper for 30 mins or more.
  2. Prepare the ingredients fro the crispy coating ~ arrange the crushed Cornflakes/Doritos on a shallow plate, whisked eggs white in another & finally the flour in a separate plate.
  3. Drain the buttermilk chicken; dusting the chicken thighs/strips in the flour first, then dip them in the egg whites & finally coat them in the crushed Cornflakes/Doritos.
  4. Arrange the coated chicken on a tray.  Heat a pot with oil between 160-170 deg C & deep frying the chicken for about 3 mins on each side.  Don't overcrowd the pot & make sure the heat is not too high.
  5. Place the cooked chicken on a plate with kitchen roll to soak the excess oil.  Serve warm with your favorite dip of your choice.


August 20, 2020

Disney Park Churro Bites

 
Ingredients:
1 cup of water
113g butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
170g AP flour
3 eggs
375ml vegetable or canola oil

Cinnamon Sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon
100g sugar

Direction/Instruction
  1. Combine water, butter, salt & cinnamon in 1-1/2 quart saucepan over medium heat.  Bring the pot to a rolling boil.
  2. Reduce heat to low, add flour & stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball.  Remove from heat & let rest for 5-7 mins.
  3. Add eggs, one at a time, & stir until combined.  Set aside.
  4. Using caution, heat oil in a medium skillet for 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat or until temperature reaches 350
  5. Transfer dough into a piping bag fitted with large star tip.  Pipe 1-inch strip of dough over a saucepan, cut with the knife & drop into the hot oil.  Repeat until churro bites fill saucepan with room to fry.
  6. Fry churro bites until golden brown.  Remove with a slotted spoon or mesh spider strainer.  Drain churro bites on paper towels.
  7. Mix sugar & 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a medium bowl.  Toss in churro bites until coated.  Place on serving plate & serve with favorite dipping sauce.

August 19, 2020

Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins

 
Ingredients:
135g granulated sugar
120g vegetable or canola oil
2 large eggs
2/3 cup mashed banana (2 small bananas)
1 tsp vanilla extract
210g AP flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Topping
3 tbsp butter ~ melted
50g granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Direction/Instruction
  1. Heat oven to 180 deg C.  Spray bottoms only of 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray or use liners.
  2. In a medium bowl combine the sugar, oil, eggs & stir with a wire whisk.  Add in mashed bananas & vanilla, whisk until combined.
  3. Add in flour, baking soda, salt & cinnamon; stir together until just combined.
  4. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.  Each muffin cup will be almost to the top about 3/4 full.
  5. Bake 17-21 mins or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean & muffins are high & rounded on top.  the tops of the muffins should not look wet (that means they're not fully cooked).
  6. Remove muffins from pan to a cooling rack.
  7. For the top, combine the sugar & cinnamon in a small bowl.  Put melted butter in a separate small bowl.  Dip muffin tops into melted butter & then coated with cinnamon-sugar.  Serve warm or let cool completely.

August 18, 2020

Chick-Fil-A Crispy Chicken Sandwich

 
Ingredients:
4 hamburger buns
4 chicken breast ~ cut diagonal halves
1/2 cup pickle juice
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
Oil for frying

Breading:
1 cup AP Flour
3 tbsp sugar powdered
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder

Sauce
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
3 tsp Yellow Mustard
2 tsp BBQ Sauce
2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp lemon juice

Others
Pickles
Lettuce
Tomato
Cheese slices

Direction/Instruction
  1. Combine the pickle juice & water in a ziplock bag.  Add the chicken breast halves & marinate for 30 minutes
  2. Make the sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a bowl.   Mix well & set aside
  3. In a large bowl, mix the breading ingredients together & in another bowl mix the milk & egg together.  Set aside
  4. Add 2-3 cups of oil to a large saucepan & heat oil to about 180 deg C or 350 deg F.
  5. Dip the marinated chicken into the egg mixture & then coat in the flour breading mixture.  Double-dip by repeating this step & dipping that same chicken tender back into the egg mixture & then back into the flour mixture again.
  6. Place the chicken in hot oil & fry for 3-4 mins each side.  Remove to a paper towel to dry.
  7. Toast the sandwich buns, grab the Chick-fil-A sauce & smooth it on both sides of the bun.  top with lettuce, cheese & crispy chicken.  Enjoy!

August 17, 2020

Butter Rice

 
Ingredients:
3 cup basmati rice ~ wash, soaked for 30 min
125g butter
1 lemongrass ~ bruised
1 cup evaporated milk / fresh milk
3 cup water
Coriander leaves ~ chopped
Fried shallot

Spices
1 cinnamon stick
2 anise star
3 cardamon
5 cloves

Blended
1 large red onion
5 clove garlic
2-3" ginger

Direction/Instruction:
  1. Heat the butter in the wok, saute the spices & bruised lemongrass till fragrance.
  2. Then add the blended/grind ingredients; continue to saute till fragrance.
  3. Add the rice & mix the mixture to well coated with the rice.  Then add the evaporated/fresh milk.  Keep stir for about 1-2 mins.
  4. Transfer the rice mixture to the rice cooker.  Then add the water & salt; let it cook as per the rice cooker.
  5. Once the rice is cooked, stir lightly & sprinkle the chopped coriander & fried shallot.  Serve with your favourite dish.

Portuguese Milk Tarts

 

Ingredients:
400g fine sugar
140g AP flour
4 eggs ~ beaten
113g butter ~ melted
3-1/2 cup milk

1 tbsp cinnamon powder
2 tbsp sugar

Direction/Instruction:
  1. Preheat the oven to 180 deg C.  Spray non-stick onto the muffin tin & set aside.
  2. In a large bowl combine sugar & flour.  Whisk in beaten eggs, then add melted butter; continuing to whisk & then add in milk.
  3. Pour mixture into a greased muffin tin, fill each cup to a 3/4 full.  Bake on the center rack for 30 mins or until the sides & top are golden.
  4. Remove the tarts from muffin tin while hot by running a knife around the sides & lifting them out.  Sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar. 

August 14, 2020

Egg White Swiss Roll Cake


Ingredients:
3 tbsp vegetable oil
60g fresh milk
20g caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or 1/4 tsp vanilla powder
40g plain flour
10g rice flour or cornflour

Meringue
4 egg whites or 140g egg whites
35g caster sugar

Filling
150g whipping cream
2 tbsp icing powder
8 fresh whole strawberries

Direction/Instruction:
  1. Preheat oven to 160 deg C.  Line & brushes an 11"x11" cake tray with a little oil.
  2. Combine oil, milk, sugar & vanilla extract together in a bowl, blend well.  Sieve in plain flour & cornflour; mix well with a hand whisk.
  3. Whisk egg whites to foamy & add sugar in batches & beat until peak form.
  4. Add one-third of meringue to the batter & fold in lightly with a rubber spatula, then add remaining meringue & fold through until just incorporated.  Pour the batter into prepare cake pan & spread evenly with a palette knife.
  5. Bake for about 12-15 mins until cake springy to touch.  When the cake is done, unmould from the pan, remove parchment paper & leave to cool.
  6. Whip fresh cream to peak form & spread evenly onto white sponge cake & place whole strawberries on top.
  7. Gently roll up sponge cake from the edge & refrigerate for few hours until firm.  Trim the sides of the cake roll & dust with some icing sugar on top.  Decorate it as desired before serving.

August 12, 2020

Japanese Souffle Pancake


Ingredients
2 egg yolk
10g sugar
2 tbsp milk
40g cake flour
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Meringue
2 egg white
40g sugar

Direction/Instruction:
  1. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolk, sugar, milk, vanilla extract & cake flour together till everything is incorporated.
  2. Next whip the egg whites, adding in the sugar in a bit at a time until the whites are whipped into a glossy thick meringue that holds a peak.  Do not over whip.
  3. Take 1/3 of the whipped egg whites & whisk it into the bowl with the yolks batter until completely incorporated.  Add half of the remaining whites batter & whisk into the yolk batter, careful not to deflate.  Transfer the egg yolk mixture to the remaining egg whites, whisk & then use a spatula to fold together.
  4. Heat up large non-stick frying (with a lid) pan over low heat.  Very lightly brush with oil & use a paper towel to rub it around ~ want a very light film.
  5. Place the parchment molds onto the pan & fill about 80% of the way.  Cover & cook for 6-8 mins. (If have a crepe maker or griddle with a lid that will cover the entire thing without touching the pancakes) use that on the lowest setting.
  6. Lift the lid & use a spatula to gently peek under the pancake.  the pancake should release easily - don't force it.  Flip, cover & cook for 5-6 mins.  Once the pancakes are golden & cooked through, gently remove & peel off the parchment.  Serve on a plate with powdered sugar, butter, whipped cream & maple syrup.

Note:
Make the parchment paper molds.  Cut out strips of parchment about 2" high.  shape into a roundabout 4" & staple with a stapleless stapler.

August 11, 2020

Blueberry Cookies


Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
113g unsalted butter
150g sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
80g white chocolate chips
75g blueberries

Filling
70g cream cheese ~ softened
1 tbsp powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
3-4 tbsp blueberry jam

Direction/Instruction
  1. In a small bowl whisk together dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, salt & baking powder - set aside.
  2. Cream butter & sugar on high speed for about 2 mins until light & creamy.  Add egg & vanilla & mix to combine.  Add in the mixed dry ingredients to mix.  Fold in white chocolate chips.
  3. Finally, fold in blueberries with a rubber spatula; gently try not to break the berries.  The dough will be thick & sticky.  Cover & refrigerate for 2 hours.
  4. To make the filling ~ mix cream cheese, vanilla & powdered sugar just to combine & place in the fridge.
  5. Preheat the oven to 350 F & line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. Scoop one heaping of dough & fill with 1 tsp of cream cheese mixture & 3/4 tsp of blueberry jam.  Top with 1/2 tbsp of cookie dough & seal any opening.  Roll gently to make a ball.  Press a few white chocolate chips on the top & sides of each cookie.
  7. Before baking freeze cookie balls for 10 mins.  Arrange cookie balls onto the baking sheet leaving 3-inches apart & bake 16-18 mins.  Cool on baking sheet for 10 mins then transfer on a rack to cool completely.