BUTTERMILK OAT MUFFIN

Muffin is a part of our regular breakfast and teatime snack we really enjoy. Not only it is fast to prepare but at the same time you can never fell bored to have it again and again each time with different and endless flavorings.

This time I had used buttermilk and oat which is nutritious and good for the heart too. If buttermilk isn't available at your place, you can make your own by mixing a cup of milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice/vinegar, stir and let sit for 15 minutes or until the milk is curdled, stir briskly, it is now ready to use.

So pleased with the result,  Buttermilk Oat Muffin  was  moist and fluffy with right sweetness. I would highly recommend this if you have buttermilk to use up or just looking for an easy and flavorful muffin.

TOFU PIZZA

The Tofu Pizza  is inspired by my son's love of bird's eye chili. It is now a staple in our household. We are now shifting to using them almost in all our our dishes.

This is especially made to his liking that includes bird's eye chili and tofu as its topping. Addition of chili really enhance the taste of this healthy pizza but this is entirely up to your preference.

If you are not a fan of bird's  eye chili replace it with paprika or black pepper.

You can also include other veggies such as thinly sliced broccoli florets , shredded carrot or mushroom. Despite its simplicity Tofu Pizza turns out fabulous and very tasty. They are now become my family favorite pizza.

CHICKEN DOPIAZA

Chicken Dopiaza is a famous Indian dish orginated during Moghul empire using heavy dose of onion, simmered in a mixture of spices and yogurt. Half of the onion is fried until golden brown,  later added to the gravy lightly crushed and the balance of the onion is blended.

For milder curry, you can reduce the chili powder used.  This gravy can be cooked with lamb, king prawn or even vegetarian style. It is best taken with  flavored rice or flat bread...

FRESH FRUIT MUFFIN

Fresh fruit muffin is a healthy breakfast, healthy snack for your kid or as an afternoon snack with your favorite drink. You can add almost any fruit in your muffin but most popular choice are banana and  blueberry.

This muffin is great anytime of the year, much healthier than the store bought ones since you can control the amount of sugar and fat to use. Make sure you cut the fruit into tiny bits and line your tins with muffin cup liners to avoid sticking.

FRESH FRUIT MUFFIN
Yield    :      12 muffin

1 1/2 C all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 C brown sugar
1 C fresh fruit chopped (I use apple and plum)
5  TB  melted butter
3/4  C  milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
extra sugar to sprinkle on top (optional)

METHOD

Preheat oven @ 190 C. Sift flour, salt and baking powder. Line muffin pan with muffin paper cases

Place flour, sugar in a mixing bowl.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter and milk, stir well.

Pour milk mixture into flour, mix until just combined.

Add in fruit and vanilla extract. stir until just moistened.

Spoon 3/4 full into paper lined muffin pan, sprinkle sugar on top (optional). Bake for 20-25 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Cool on pan 5 minutes, transfer onto rack to cool.

STIR FRIED PASTA WITH VEGGIES

My children love spicy pasta whether they are penne, linguine, macaroni or spaghetti. This meal is delicious and ready in matter of minutes. You can add whatever veggies you have and omit the chili powder for non-spicy version. Feel free to add chicken, meat or seafood if your prefer.

STIR FRIED PASTA WITH VEGGIES
 Yield     :      3-4 servings

200g uncooked pasta
1 Onion chopped
2 carrot julienned
3 C mixed veggie (babycorn, mushroom, french bean, brocolli, bell pepper)
2 TB olive oil
2 cloves garlic crushed
3 medium tomato chopped
2 tsp chili powder/black pepper
salt  and sugar  to taste

METHOD

Bring a large pot of water to boil with salt and  a tsp of oil, cook pasta until aldente according to the package, drain.

Heat the oil, fry garlic until fragrant, add onion , fry for a minute.

Add in tomato and salt, cook until tomato turns soft,  add the chili powder/black pepper and a tablespoon of water, stir for a minute.

Pour in carrot,   the rest of the vegetables, cook until soft about 3-5 minutes..

Add in cooked pasta, sugar and more salt if required. Stir until pasta is coated with spices.

Serve hot.

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SWEET KOLACHE

Kolache is a pastry of Czech and Slovak,  made of  semi sweet yeast dough top with sweet or savory filling. Most commonly used are apricot, cream cheese, prune,  poppyseed., nuts or even sausages.

This is my eggless version of kolache but nevertheless it is so addictive, everyone who tried them asking for seconds. Be careful  not  to stuff too much jam/preserve if not it will create a  mess when baking. The size is up to you, it can be bigger piece of 4 x 4 in square.

These are also great for party or picnic, more fun if you thread them on skewer to be served  to your guest.

SWEET KOLACHE

2 C all purpose flour
2 TB  sugar
5 TB  melted butter
1 tsp rapid rise yeast
3/4 tsp salt
1/2  C  plus 2 TB  warm milk
1/4 C fruit preserve/jam
extra butter for brushing

METHOD

Place milk, sugar and yeast in a mixing bowl. Stir well. mix in flour, salt and melted butter by cupful, forms into soft dough. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if it is too dry. Knead by hand for 5 minutes, place dough into oiled and covered bowl. Let rise for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Roll out dough about 1/8 in thickness, cut into 2 x 2 in square. Place a teaspoon of  jam/ preserve,  bring the corners  to the center.  Lightly press so it sticks well. Let rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat oven @ 190 C. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown. Brush with butter. Cool on rack. You can also thread on skewer if you want. Enjoy!

Linking to Yeastspotting 4-22-11
                Food on skewer

Linking  to  Recipe Contest

DATE SQUARES

A healthier change from your regular bar or slice bought from the store. Despite using only  4 ingredients, Date Squares are so easy and quick to whip up but you'll amaze how this tasty treat turned out. Addictive and satisfying!

Date Squares are filling and tasty snack for parties, camping or meal on the go even you could serve them during festive events.

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SWEET YEAST ROLLS

Have you ever tried baking yeast bread using ice water? This is what my experiment  is all about for making these Sweet Yeast Rolls. Using ice water instead of warm water normally called for.

The method is the same but it takes slightly longer time to rise but this method produces much softer and fluffier bread. You can shape them according to your imagination.

Sweet Yeast Rolls are  a keeper, my son quickly grabs the roll fresh from the oven without hesitation. That's the power of homemade rolls, simply irresistible!

ORANGE BLACK SESAME CAKE

This is almost a fat free and low calorie cake. It  is best served for those looking to watch  their waistlines. These are so amazing and easy to make.

So far I never tried the combination of orange marmalade, banana and black sesame seed in a single cake but surprisingly they work well together,  fantastic yet so light. Give it a try then you know what I mean...

ORANGE BLACK SESAME CAKE
Yield    7 in loaf

1 1/2  C  all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2  TB  orange marmalade
1/4  C caster sugar
1/4  C  milk
2 TB melted butter
1/4  tsp salt
3 medium banana mashed
2  TB  toasted black sesame

METHOD

*   Preheat oven @ 180 C and grease 7 in pan.

*   Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Combine flour, sugar and 1 tablespoon sesame seed in a mixing bowl.

*  Whisk together banana, milk and marmalade in a small bowl.

*   Combine dry and wet ingredients, stir until just incorporated.

*   Pour into greased pan, sprinkle with remaining black sesame seed  and cook for  25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

*   Let sit 5 minutes in the pan, transfer onto rack to cool.

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KOLEH KOLEH / GREEN BEAN PUDDING

It is a traditional dessert of Malaysia and Singapore, made of green bean flour, coconut milk and palm sugar. If  palm sugar unavailable, you can use dark brown  sugar instead.

This can be prepared by steaming or stirring over stove top until thicken. I use 2nd method. Traditionally they are garnished with coconut crumbs but I omit this, just sprinkle with toasted sesame seed for garnish.

My mum used to prepare them but at that time, you can't get the green bean flour so you've to do it from scratch. It's tedious process but it tasted fabulous  and so fragrant. Now I tried to re-create them using Zarinah Anwar's recipe from the book called The MPH Cookbook.

DINNER ROLLS IN ONE HOUR

Dinner Rolls in One Hour are fantastic rolls and a tasty companion to many a meal.  I made a trial batch, they disappeared in no time.

Another tip is, instead of using more flour, grease your hand with butter that makes shaping such a breeze. Dinner Rolls in One Hour are perfect if you need fresh home made rolls in a snap.Yummy!

MINI QUICHE

In French cuisine, a quiche is an oven baked dish made with milk or cream and egg in a pastry crust. The . pastry shell is filled with cooked vegetables or  precooked  meat and cheese are often added to the egg mixture before it is baked.  It is normally served during lunch, dinner or breakfast according to your personal preference.

This is my first attempt baking a quiche. For a healthier choice, I had cut down the butter used but overall they are excellent and a big hit with my family.  Precooked fresh vegetables if you're using them but now I'd added canned corn kernel and green peas  for this recipe..


MINI QUICHE
Yield  9 portion

PASTRY
1 1/2 C self raising flour
1/2  C milk
5  TB butter
1 TB sugar
1/4  tsp salt

METHOD

*  Heat together in a pot, butter, milk, sugar and salt until butter is melted.

*  Remove from heat, quickly add the flour, forms into a dough..

FILLING
3/4  C  milk
1  onion chopped
5  TB  corn kernel
5  TB  green peas
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp oil
1/2  tsp fresh/ dried  basil
3/4  TB  corn flour
1/2  C  grated cheese
1  tomato cut for decoration

METHOD

*   Heat oil, fry onion until light brown, add corn and green peas.  Fry for a minute, sprinkle with pepper  and salt. Remove from heat.

*   Combine together milk and corn flour, make sure no lumps. Keep aside.

TO ASSEMBLE

*  Grease your muffin pan. Roll out dough, cut out into round using 2 in cookies cutter, Press dough into side and base of muffin pan. Prick bottom with fork. Preheat oven @ 180 C.

*  Place  1 1/2 tablespoons of filling, pour the milk mixture up to 3/4 full. Sprinkle grated cheese and basil, dot with small piece of tomato.

*  Bake  @ 180 C for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and filling is set.

*  Cool in pan 5 minutes, remove and cool on rack.

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FRUITY AGAR AGAR

We're experiencing hot weather recently and the this is the best time to enjoy cold dessert. My son volunteered to cook this simple agar agar since this is also his favorite dessert.

This Fruity Agar Agar is the most basic and easiest way to prepare. Mix up everything and bring to boil, That's it. Pour into rinsed mold and let them set. My son uses clear agar agar but added fresh fruit to them. You can add any flavoring of your choice. The possibilities are endless as to the shape and color, just use your imagination and creativity to create.