Christmas Fruit Cake 2014

I like to have a slice of fruit cake once in a while. So, I thought of making one for Christmas this year. Hopefully it will taste good. It's now sitting in the fridge for the flavours to be macerated. Hmmmm....keeping my fingers crossed!

Ingredients

1 kg of mixed dried fruit - sultanas, raisins, cranberries, red cherries

90 g of orange peel 

250g of dried apricots-chopped

100g of strawberry jam

2 tbsps honey

60ml of brandy - I have used VSOP Cognac 

500g butter - softened at room temperature

400g brown / Demerara / Muscovado sugar

6 eggs

625g plain flour -sifted

1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1 tsp nutmeg (optional)

4 tsps allspice (optional) 

Round baking pan size - 25cm/10 inch pan

or

Square baking pan size - 22 cm/9 inch pan

Method

1. Mix together dried fruit, orange peel, dried apricots, strawberry jam, honey and brandy. Let the mixture macerate for about 1 week or longer if you like. This mixture was left in the fridge for 1 month.
2. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon everyday.
3. Preheat the oven to 140 degrees.
4. Lightly grease your baking tin and line the base and side. 
5. Use a hand mixer or KA, beat butter and sugar till combined.
6. Gradually, add in eggs (one at a time) and beat well, after each addition.
7. The mixture may look curdled but it's normal.
8. Use a spatula and stir in sifted flour in 2 batches. 
9. Stir in the fruit mixture and mix well. It's a little hard to move the spatula around but do make sure you have mixed them well.
10. Scoop the batter into the baking tin and level the surface. Tap the tin several times to remove any air bubbles in the mixture.
11. Wrap the baking tin with brown paper/ newspaper around the outside of the tin and tie it with a brown string. 
12. Place the baking tin on several pieces of folded newspaper/baking paper - in the middle rack and bake for about 2-3hrs.
13. Use a skewer -inserted into the centre of the tin, to check if the cake is done or not at around 2 hours and periodically after that, if it's not done. The skewer should come out clean.
14. Leave cake to cool in the tin by covering the top with a piece of non-stick baking paper and foil.

Storage: When it's cooled down, remove from the tin, wrap tightly in greaseproof paper, then plastic wrap and aluminium foil and store in the fridge for about 1 week before serving.

You can freeze it for up to a year. 

ENJOY!

I have used a smaller sized baking tin (thanks to hubby) and with the extra batter, I have used individual foiled tins and baked them at about 1 hour. The big one was baked for about 2 hours only.

* How do you line the baking tin?

Grease the pan and line with a layer of brown paper first at the side and then 2 layers of greaseproof paper on top of the brown paper. Line with greaseproof paper at the base. Line with brown paper/newspaper on the outside of the pan and secure it tightly with a string.

Recipe is adapted from thescarfer.net and my own preferences.

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

The first time I tried this was 3 years ago. Hubby bought from a lovely bakery during his work trip. I saw this in one of the local supermarket's recipe booklet last week and thought it would be nice to taste it again. Hmmmmm... thumbs up!

Ingredients

150g butter at room temperature

150g flour

3-5 tbsps sugar

1 tsp bicarbonat soda

about 5 tbsps of raspberry jam filling

Method

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees.
2. Use a stand/hand-held mixer, whisk flour, sugar, bicarbonat soda and butter together to become a dough.
3. Roll it like a log and cut into equal pieces. About 18-20.
4. Roll into a ball and place each piece in a baking liner.
5. Create a 'hole' by pressing down in the middle with your thumb.
6. Fill up each 'hole' with raspberry jam filling.
7. Bake for 15mins.

They look lovely, aren't they?

Ginger Cookies

Assorted Designs

A box of love for my munchkins

My munchkins love ginger cookies. So, mummy has to set the baking mode on. Hope they like these 'sugar-minimized' cookies. Happy 1st Advent of Sunday! <3 <3

Ingredients
150ml water
320g sugar
100 ml light syrup
300g butter
1tbsp powdered cloves
1tbsp cinnamon
1tbsp powdered ginger

700-750g flour
2tbsp bicarbonate soda (sifted)
* flour and bicarbonate soda to be whisked together

Method

1. Boil up water and sugar.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Add syrup, butter and spices. Stir till smoothly combined. 
4. Add in flour and bicarbonate soda and stir till combined.
5. Dough is a little soft but it will harden when it's cooled down.
6. Divide the dough as you wish and wrap with clingwrap and keep in the fridge for 1 day before baking. ( I have divided into 4)
7. Preheat the oven at 200 degrees. 
8. Roll out a piece of the dough till to your desired thickness. 
9. Cut out the dough with your desired shapes.
10. Lay them on a piece of baking paper and bake for about 5mins. They burn very quickly, so do check on the time. 
11. Leave them to cool and store in air-tight container for freshness.

* The dough can be kept in the fridge for a few days. You can bake them in batches. :)

Marble Butter Cake

Yummm yummm

I haven't baked this for the longest time. I love the buttery and chocolatey taste. So sinful but super delicious. Had a friend over for coffee the other day and made this for her but unfortunately, not very moist. I wonder what had gone wrong. Nevertheless, the boss of the house ate it all up. Thank you! >_<

Ingredients

8 eggs-separated

230g sugar

340g butter, softened

255g flour

1.5tsps baking powder

1.5tsps pure vanilla extract

2 tbsps cocoa powder

1/4 tsp salt

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees. Line a cake pan (8-inch or a square one will do as well) with parchment paper. 
2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
3. Use a stand/hand-held mixer and cream butter till light light and fluffy.
4. Whisk egg yolks with sugar till light.
5. Add this to the butter gradually and beat at medium speed till just combined well.
6. Whisk egg whites till stiff peaks form.
7. Use a spatula and fold in the meringue (in 3-4 batches) into the egg yolk mixture.
8. Add in the dry ingredients and combine well.
9. Ladle 1/4 of the batter into a bowl. 
10. Sieve cocoa powder into the batter and fold the mixture well.
11. Alternate between the two mixtures, pour the batters into the cake pan.
12. Start with the yellow batter and end with the cocoa mixture.
13. Tap the pan on the counter several times to eliminate air bubbles.
14. Use a long skewer and swirl around the batter to create the marble effect.
15. Bake for 40-55 minutes or till a skewer comes out clean from the cake.
16. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.

 *Recipe is taken and adapted from www.thelittleteochew.com.

A trip to Athens

A very lucky me got a 4D 3N trip to Athens, approved by Mr. Hubby. I had a great time despite all those leg-breaking walks. All worth it. Acropolis is magnificient and beautiful. These pictures will justify my words. 

Bronze Statue of Emperor Augustus

The 'Old Temple' of Athena

The Parthenon 

Acropolis - from the opposite hill

Temple of Hephaistos

Pork Souvlaki

Olympian Temple of Zeus

Grilled Cuttlefish-super yummy!

 

Pork Stew

I have a big piece of pork shoulder sitting in the freezer and didn't know what to do with it. Hmmm.. since the weather has been cold lately, I think a stew would be perfect to keep us warm and happy. This stew kept us filled for 3 days. A stew with mashed potatoes, pulled pork with taco wraps and creamy pork stew with pasta. Hubby gave thumbs up for all three. Voila!

Ingredients

1 kg of pork shoulder -cut into big chunks (about 1.5 X 1.5 cm) 

2 tbsps of shaoxing wine

1/2 tsp sage

1/2 tsp oregano

1 tbsp light soya sauce

2 tsps of salt

2 tbsps of honey

1 piece of brown sugar

1/2 tsp paprika

3 tbsps of olive oil

2 meat stock cube

few slices of bacon 

100-150 ml of water

2 medium-sized onions - sliced in quarters

2 medium-sized carrots - thinly sliced

Method

1. Blend stock cube and olive oil (like a paste) in a bowl.
2. Add in all other spices. Mix well.
3. Marinate the pork shoulder with all the spices (except water) for 2 hours or overnight.
4. Heat up a frying pan and fry the bacon till crispy. Set aside.
5. Next, brown the meat cubes.
6. Transfer all into a pot.
7. Lay bacon slices at the bottom of the pot and add meat chunks on top.
8. Add in water. Simmer at low for about 1.5 hours.
9. Prepare a baking dish and grease with some butter. 
10. Lay onions and carrots at the bottom.
11. Ladle all the meat chunks on top. 
12. Add stock till meat is half-covered.
13. Cover with aluminium foil.
14. Bake at 200 degrees for 1.5-2 hours.
15. Turn the meat around during halfway to ensure even browning.
16. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or any main dish of your choice.

Lip-smacking

Yuummmylicious!

Sambal Petai

Cheat sheet basics

A piece of brown sugar

Yummmy!

I have been craving for sambal petai for a VERY long time. Found it fresh on the shelf at the Asian store last week. Voila!! 

Ingredients
1 pack of store-bought Tean's Gourmet Sambal
2 medium-sized onions-sliced 
1 pack of petai-seeds discarded
1 small piece of brown sugar
2 tbsps of oil
25ml of water


Method

1. Heat up the oil in a frying pan. 
2. Fry the onions till soft. ( I like mine well-cooked but if you prefer them raw, then fry briefly)
3. Add in petai and fry briefly.
4. Add in sambal sauce, water and brown sugar.
5. Stir and cook for about 15mins.
6. Serve with rice. Ooooooooooo-la-la

Apple Cake

Weather has been getting quite chilly and windy lately. Brrrrr.... and the apples from our trees are scattered all over the garden. Besides offering to my mister's colleagues, (yes, he has been taking apples to his office regularly) what shall I do with them? Let's try to bake an apple cake! :) 

Ingredients
3-4 large apples - Granny Smith or alike
1-2tbsps lemon juice
195g flour
120g sugar
1.5 tsps baking powder
1tsp cinnamon powder
85g butter-melted and cooled to room temperature
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsps milk
50g raisins

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees and line a square pan-20cm in size or any other size pan.
2. Cut the apples into bite-sized and toss around with lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Combine and mix flour, sugar, cinnamon powder, salt with a stand or hand-held mixer.
4. Add in butter, eggs, vanilla extract and milk. 
5. Mix well in the mixer. 
6. Add apples and raisins and mix well to combine.
7. Pour batter into the baking pan and smooth the batter.
8. Bake for 35-45 mins or till golden brown. Check with a skewer. (if it comes out clean, then it is done)
9. Let it cool down for 10 mins.
10. Serve warm with a dollop of ice-cream or whipped cream.
11. Leftovers can be kept in the fridge and do reheat before serving.

Apples+ other ingredients

Batter is ready

Looks good!

Yummy!

Cinnamon Buns

I'm very bad at making breads or buns. Anything that comes with yeast. Somehow, the dough doesn't work. It's 'kanelbullens dag' (Cinnamon Buns Day) yesterday and hubby made these. Well, all of us get to play in the kitchen. :)

Ooooooo

Roll it flat and slather with butter

Top with cinnamon, sugar and chocolate shavings (my version)
Hubby: That's not original

Smells so good!

Ingredients
150g butter-cut into pieces and at room temperature
5dl milk
50g fresh yeast
100g sugar
1/2 tsp salt
800g flour

Filling
150g butter-room temperature
100g sugar flakes
2 tbsp cinnamon powder
Chocolate bits (optional)

Method

1. Warm milk till 37 degrees. (lukewarm)
2. Crumble yeast with your fingers till small crumbs in a big mixing bowl.
3. Pour over milk and stir till everything is melted and blended.
4. Add in butter, sugar and salt.
5. Add the flour into the mixture but save 1/2 cup for rolling the dough later.
6. Knead the dough at medium speed for about 5 minutes.
7. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise for 30 mins. 
8. Gently leave the dough up from the mixing bowl and knead gently on a floured surface.
9. Divide the dough into 4 portions.
10. Roll out each portion into an oblong shape.
11. Slather with butter and top up with sugar, cinnamon powder or chocolate bits.
12. Roll it up gently. 
13. Cut off the uneven left and right sides. Then cut the rest into pieces in your desired size. About 1 cm in width.
14. Put all on a baking pan and cover it with a cloth for about 40mins.
15. Do the same with the rest of the dough portions.
16. Egg wash the buns and sprinkle sugar flakes before putting into the oven.
17. Bake at 200 degrees for about 10 minutes or till golden brown.
18. Voila!

Recipe is taken and translated from kungsornen.se

Sushi

I love sushi. Or should I say I love rice. :D
A little time consuming but worth it to stuff our faces with. My munchkins like sushi too but only with cucumber. My sushi doesn't look as good as what we can get in restaurants but I do try my best. Haha! I make sushi quite often-maybe once a month and eat to our hearts' content. >_<

Ingredients
Sushi Rice 
Wasabi - S&B brand
Vinegar Powder -S&B brand
Mayonnaise - Kavli brand
Nori Seaweed Sheets- Blue Dragon brand
Rolling Mat-wrapped with cling wrap
Tuna Mayonnaise
Cucumber
Crab Meat
Salmon
Avocado

Method

1. Cook rice as directed in the package.
2. Sprinkle vinegar powder, mix well and leave to cool.
3. Cut all the desired ingredients.
4. Very quickly, blanch the crab meat.
5. Prepare your working area with rolling mat.
6. Place a sheet of seaweed on it. (Shiny side at the bottom)
7. Ladle sushi rice on it and flatten them.
8. Arrange your ingredients.
9. Roll it up and slice.
10. Serve with green tea and miso soup. YUMMY!

Tortilla Pizzas

Pizza 1

Pizza no. 2

Pizza no. 3

Pizza no. 4

Pizza no. 5

Party with tortilla pizzas! 
I have never been able to make my pizzas round. They have always been in weird sizes and shapes. While checking out the aisles at the local store, I stopped at the 'Mexican' aisle and examined a packet of tortillas. Hmmm..maybe I can try to do pizzas with them. I rummaged through the fridge for all the ingredients I could get and set the my working table and oven to work. 30 mins later, I have 8 perfectly round pizzas ready for dinner. Happy me! ;)

Ingredients

1 pack of medium-sized Tortilla wraps-8 pieces

All vegetables that I could find from my fridge

Paprika

Zucchini

Cherry tomatoes

Champignons

Cooked prawns

Olives

Some leftover braised minced meat

Jalapenos

Onion 

Grated cheese

Tomato sauce+tomato puree+pinches of salt as the pizza base

Method

1. Set the oven at 200 degrees. 
2. Prepare all the tortilla wraps.
3. Lay tomato mixture as the base on each tortilla.
4. Layer with your desired toppings.
5. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and bake for 15-20mins or till golden brown.
6. Serve warm. You will have thin crust and crunchy pizzas. :)