DATES LOAF

Date Loaf 

I have a habit of adding fruit or vegetables in baking simply because it is healthy and also to clear whatever in access at my pantry. This is what I'.m going to show you how to whip up a delectable dessert or snack that is moist and flavorful using dates..

Firstly remove the stone then chop the dates into larger chunks, so it is visible.(mine are too small you can't  see them at all).    Chopped nut can be added too if you want.  A nice smell  fills  the entire kitchen when baking this cake. So pleased with the result, great texture and wonderful taste.

DATES LOAF
Yield   :   One loaf

1 3/4 C all purpose flour
3/4 C sugar
1/4 C butter
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 C chopped dates
1 1/2 C boiling water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

METHOD

*   Soak dates in boiling water, add in the butter and let sit for 20 minutes. Preheat oven @ 170 C and grease 7 in pan.

*   Sift flour, soda, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

*   Add in dates mixture to the flour, add vanilla extract , stir well and pour into prepared pan.

*   Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

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

*   Slice when completely cool.

MAHARANI CHICKEN

Maharani Chicken is one of  the recipes by Asmah Laili. She is former popular DJ turned cookbook author and her recipes always seem to work not only for me but those who had tried her recipes. I have altered slightly to suit my taste and you should do so if you want a milder gravy.

Here, meat curry powder is used or you can also use your own combination of coriander powder, aniseed, cumin, chili powder and turmeric also I double up the tomato puree. Maharani Chicken It is so tasty and excellent with flavored rice, flat bread or even bread.

CORN FLOUR ROLLS

My first attempt baking bread using corn flour. Though we can use corn flour for bread making but it lacks gluten, the most important ingredient to make the yeast bread to rise.  You could use corn flour  in a yeast bread but should not exceed 20-25%, not half.

Another words, the process are the same as per normal flour.  Since I'm using rapid rise yeast I have cut down the rising time to only 30 minutes.  It can be done plain without any stuffing, shape according to your liking. Overall the bread is very good and  much softer,  mine was stuffed with red bean paste

CORN FLOUR ROLLS
Yield   14 rolls

2 1/4 C all purpose flour
3/4 C corn flour
3 T sugar
3 T soft butter
1/2  tsp salt
2 tsp instant yeast
200 ml warm milk
extra butter for glaze
sesame seeds to sprinkle

METHOD

*   Place 1 cup all purpose flour, 3/4 cup corn flour, sugar, butter, salt, yeast and milk in a mixing bowl, blend until well incorporated  using wooden spoon or stand mixer.

*  Add the remaining flour and forms into a soft dough.

*  Transfer dough onto floured board, knead for 5 minutes.

*  Divide dough into 14 balls and stuff with filling (if using). Let sit for 30 minutes. Brush top with melted butter. Towards the end of rising time, preheat oven @ 180 C.

*  Bake roll for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Brush again with butter.

*  Cool on rack.

Linking to Bread Baking Day 36
                Yeastspotting-2-4-11

PINEAPPLE CAKE

I really excited to bake this pineapple cake for the very first time. It is egg free and so simple to put up together.

My son bought a can of pineapple slices instead of crushed ones. So I chopped them into tiny pieces before adding to the batter or much easier way use your chopper but not too fine. My can is 565g so use only 400g of pineapple plus its juice.

I'm using 3/4 cup of sugar if you want it sweeter add another 1/4 cup since the juice is also sweetened. You can also brush the top with pineapple juice after it has been baked and apply any frosting of your choice.

PINEAPPLE CAKE
Yield   One 7 in round cake

2 C all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 - 1 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
400g crushed pineapple
1/4 C milk
1/4 C melted butter

METHOD

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

*  Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a mixing bowl.

*  Add in sugar, milk, butter and pineapple to the flour. Mix until well incorporated, pour into prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

*  Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer onto rack to cool.

*  Serve with cream or frosting of your choice.

KASHMIRI NAAN

We went for our family dinner few weeks ago and had a North Indian meal consisting naan with  chicken and fish dishes. Since then my son had requested me to prepare the Kashmiri Naan. This naan is similar to regular ones except dry fruit mix is added to the dough. Though we have tasted other with butter and garlic but this is our top most favorite.

I didn't bake but cook them using flat pan on stove top.  It turns out wonderful and tasted almost the same as the restaurant ones.

KASHMIRI NAAN
Yield    4 Naan

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 c plus 1 T warm water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp active dry yeast
2 T melted butter
1/4 C yogurt
1 tsp sugar
4 heaped T dry fruit /nut
extra butter to apply on top

METHOD

*  In a small bowl, combine water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.

*  Place flour, melted butter, yeast mixture, yogurt and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix well to form a soft dough.

*  Transfer dough onto floured board and knead for 10 minutes until elastic.

*  Place dough in an oiled and covered bowl for 2 hours.

*  Gently punch  the dough to release air. Transfer onto floured board. Divide dough into 4 ball.

*  Roll out dough then place 1 heaped tablespoon filling, shape dough into a ball then roll out into tear shaped bread.

*  Fry each naan without oil using heated flat pan until bubbles appear,  flip and cook the other side until brown spots appear. Remove from heat and apply butter if you like.

*  Repeat with the rest of the dough. Serve hot.

Linking to Yeastspotting 1-28-11