GRILLED EGGPLANTS

14/11/2016
MONDAY

I was wondering what to cook for dinner, when I found 2 brinjals in the fridge.  These were bought last weekend and have started to shrivelled..  So quickly recall this easy recipe from JustOneCookbook.  

Make 3 slits along the eggplants.  This will make it easier to remove the skin later. Poke  a chopstick through the center of the eggplant,  all the way from bottom to the top.  

Grill over direct heat till the skin blistered and blackened. 

Have a ready a bowl of ice-water for dipping your hands when peeling the skins (it will be very hot!)

Naked eggplants hahaha... cut into serving pieces.

Her recipe uses spring onions which I don't have, so I topped with bonita flakes instead.  Add sesame oil and soy sauce and voila.... easy delicious eggplants.  

Grilled eggplants, Stir Fry brocoli with red pepper and fried ikan tenggiri marinated with ground tumeric.

NEW CHALLENGE- MINI DOUGHNUTS

5/11/2016

SUNDAY 

She loves doughnuts and he prefers cupcakes, so we have Caramelised Bananas Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting and top with Mini Doughnuts coated cinnamon sugar .

I realised that though I have been cooking and baking these years, I have not truly make doughnuts before. Yes I baked doughnuts muffins but these tasted more cake-like than doughnuts, you know all flour plus lots of sugary coating/frosting and also that they are deep fried (I hate the idea of  wasting all those oil after frying an the price of oil have gone up...LOL).    Anyway  I was glad of this opportunity to challenge myself. 

Ingredients for the doughnuts... make sure everything is at room temperature...

Proof the dough till double in size about an hour... 

the mini doughnut cutter... and have to be very gentle to lift them otherwise ....

you won't get prefect "O"...

2nd resting time before frying... try to maintain oil temperature at 180C .. frying 4-5 pieces at a time.. 

set aside to drain off excess oil and cool 

before dredging them with mixture of cinnamon powder and caster sugar. 

These are the "not so pretty ones" which we drizzled with some of the salted caramel sauce...it was yummy..

Caramelized bananas for cupcakes.  

Recipe from JustOneCookbook. 

I decided to use the Swiss Meringue Buttercream for frosting as this buttercream can remain stable at room temperature ...... 

Cook the sugar and egg white over simmering water till sugar dissolve 

Use the mixer to whisk till stiff peak and the mixture has cooled down 

before adding the cubes of butter (at room temperature) and continue to whisk 

till thick and glossy... I added some salted caramel sauce to the buttercream.  Let cool in the fridge (not too long)  before using. 

So, are we ready for Christmas?

Cousins meet-up..little Audrey and Alexa with their daddies..

and pretty mommies too....

Looking forward to see them soon..

BRAISED PORK BELLY WITH LEMONGRASS & SHALLOTS

2/11/2016
WEDNESDAY

fragrant and yummylicious

I find the best therapy for my stress release- it is to cook and/or bake.  But not just simply cook but to immerse yourself whole-heart and with mindfulness into whatever you are doing.   The cooking of some tasty meals or trying out new recipes to bake is so satisfying and it really take away all those ugly thoughts thats clouding your mind.  Of course, the compliments that you received from people who appreciate your food is the best rewards. LOL

Since the price of cooking oil has gone up, it was impossible to buy my favourite brand of cooking oil... seems to be out of stock everywhere and with half a bottle remaining, I have to limit the use..LOL.  But it's alright with just a dash of oil in the wok as I am using a non-stick frying pan as well as pork belly does release some oil too. 

First saute the sliced onion with shallots ( I have some small shallots and I use them whole) and slice lemongrass till soft and fragrant.  Add the pork belly (marinated with light soya sauce, sugar and sesame oil and some cornflour) and pan-fry them till lightly brown.  Next add some dark soya sauce and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to caramelise.  Add water to cover the meat, bring to boil and lower heat to simmer for around 10-15 minutes or the sauce has been reduced (longer if you prefer the meat very soft, check the water).  Lastly, add some slice spring onions and season to taste and serve.  

Quick and easy to cook dinner.. one meat and one veggie. Enjoy 

MARBLED CHEESE CUPCAKE AND BAKED CHICKEN PIE

29/10/2016
SUNDAY

Marbled cheese cupcake.

It's Pink October month for breast cancer awareness and  before October end, I  had to use the cream cheese before they go pink ......yes, when you see pink colour dots on the cheese, you can throw them out.  Decided to use my favourite cheesecake recipe and this time, testing it out in  cupcake size.  

Before baking.....a bit too much of the chocolate batter ..so there are 2 chocolate ones on the left.  But I was informed that these were a bit too "sweet" as the cocoa powder overpowers the cream cheese.  

Baking my favourite Char Siew Buns ...with flaky pastry 

and using leftover char siew filling to make some Steamed Char Siew Pau....

31/10/2016

MONDAY NIGHT DINNER 

I read about the mushroom paus which are so popular now. So bought some fresh mushrooms from market but they ended up inside this chicken pie instead (as you see I made char siew buns instead).  I spotted some very tiny sprouts from the potatoes which I had bought 2 weeks ago and I know that I have to use them otherwise it will go waste again.  That's the  problem which I always seem to have at the market, "buying just in case I need them".

So boil them till very soft and mash with some butter, salt and pepper till smooth to go on top of the chicken, .... and green peas filling.   A can of green peas that has been sitting around for ages and expiring in 2017 ...just 1 and half month more...to 2017!  

Baked @ 180C till the tops are brown. 

HAPPY TRIO BIRTHDAY

30/10/2016
SUNDAY

This little lamb is a year old already and together with his 2nd and 3rd aunties and his grandpa who celebrated their respective birthday on 30th, 31st October  and 1st November, we were all invited for a buffet dinner at the Empire Hotel.  

a bow to welcome us as we stepped out of the elevator. 

Interesting LRT station design near the hotel. 

Beautiful skyline of  Subang area, there is a balcony outside too. 

A quick scouting around to see what they have to offer before the party begins......

the dessert table with the chocolate fountain.... 

Roasted leg of lamb with mint sauce and BBQ sauce and you can also have it in a mini burger. 

fresh salmon sushi rolls 

plenty of seafood for the BBQ corner and of course, the buffet line as well.. 

Salads and appetizers 

Fresh fruits platters.

these fancy ballons obviously costs a bomb! 

the kiddies eyeing the party packs...and red eggs! 

Happy birthday to the trios and family