Rainbow Muffins

so...there's this 'rainbow' craze going on now apparently...rainbow cakes...rainbow biscuits...rainbow muffins etc....i never thought that i would jump on the bandwagon since 1. i dunt like to use food colouring 2. i never tot they were pretty....*dont shoot me*..but u know..since it's like a craze...i wanted to be able to tick the box and move on....i succumbed to it ...except mine came out to be more of a 'multi colour' muffin since the layers werent perfect

the thing about making the muffins or cupcakes (watever)....you have to make sure that the colours are really shockingly vibrant.....the brighter and bolder the colour of the batter is before baking, the better....as you can see in my pics.... the colours that are not as vibrant came out abit dull....

i used my chocolate and green tea muffins recipe (without the matcha and cocoa powder of course) but there are lots of other recipes out there using alot less ingredients....once u got the batter ready, just divide the batter up, add colouring and then layer the batter one colour at a time in muffin cups the bake it....i started off using muffin cups..then got lazy and just did it in the muffin maker directly...they came out pretty as well...as you can see in the pic....

this is the natural food colouring i used

Batter before baking

Muti-coloured muffins!!

so...did J and T liked them? unfortunately not....the muffins werent the problem..the problem was the colours....it actually grossed them out....hahhahaaaaa....but it's a good thing isnt it?? means i dunt ever have to make them again....although....with some fresh whipped cream or icing on top..they mite look pretty good for a party......

Jayden and Ethan - 2

1. Jayden loves anything with wheels...keeps him happy
2. Ethan loves being moved around...keeps him happy

Most importantly...

3. Keeps me happy since there's peace...hee heee

Jayden and Costume

Kids by Day...Superheros by Night...or so they wish...sorrie uncle kit...u had to be in the post...tat was the best pic of the kids...

B1 and B2 have graduated from Banana Parties to Spiderboys

Transformation taking place

Need to hit the gym..those muscles dont come easy

Sweet Potato Balls with Azuki Bean Paste

had some azuki bean paste leftover from my dorayaki adventure....so decided to put them in the sweet potato balls....wow...seriously...will only make the balls this way next time...the azuki bean paste brought the little golden nuggets to a whole different level...wow...

you can make ur own azuki bean paste(too troublesome) or just buy the canned ones from asian grocery....

Link to the original recipe:
http://rasamalaysia.com/malaysian-recipe-sweet-potato-balls/2/

Ingredients (my version):
450g of sweet potato
12 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons of sugar
4 tablespoons of azuki bean paste
Water
Oil for frying

Method:

1. Steam the sweet potato with the sugar until soft. Mash
2. Add the flour and mix well. At this stage, the dough should be sticky. DO NOT ADD MORE FLOUR
3. Add just enough water to form a dough that is soft but not sticky
4. Flatten a pieces of dough and add azuki bean paste in the middle. Roll the dough to form a ball. Wetting hands with water makes the dough easier to handle
5. Shallow/Deep-fry the sweet potato balls over medium low heat until they turn golden brown. Dish and drain well. Serve warm

So so good with the filling...bursts in mouth

Dorayaki

I found this at the local asian grocery. Love "kits" that includes(almost) everything. All I have to do is add 1 egg and 70ml of water. It even comes with azuki bean paste...heee..made some with the paste and for J..nutella of course....makes around 4-5 daddy-size dorayaki...

Method:

1. Add 1 egg and 70ml of water to the powder mix
2. Stir to form a smooth batter
3. Heat pan
4. Add a little oil/butter to the pan
5. Pour in batter like you would a pancake and cook over medium low heat
6. When it starts to bubble, flip it over
7. Remove and spread with bean paste(or watever)
8. Cover it with another "pancake". Press the edges to seal the sides

Dad size, Mum size and Jaydee size

Could have added more filling since I had almost half a pack left

Ethan and Spotted Nose

okay...so it was only 1 spot..but it's looks HUGE on his nose...(click on pic for a larger view of the spot)

Croissant Breakfast Casserole

This recipe is amazing and so so so yum...you can basically add anything you like and as much or as little as you like..just make sure that stuff like bacon is precooked...mushrooms as well..since they "produce" loads of liquid...

Points to note:
1. This recipe is better left overnight in the fridge for the flavors to come together nicely before baking
2. Do cover the ramekin with foil else croissant will brown too much
3. I did not grease my ramekin and a little got stuck. I would recommend greasing it LIGHTLY

Link to original recipe:
http://www.food.com/recipe/croissant-breakfast-casserole-71017


Ingredients(my style):
1 plain croissant
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
mushroom(precook so there's not too much liquid)
diced ham
cheese (i used mozzarella and parmesan)
pepper to taste

Method:

1. Split croissant in half and place bottom cut side up in one layer in a ramekin
2. Beat together egg and milk
3. Pour half over croissant, layer mushroom, ham and cheeses on top, then pour over remaining liquid
4. Position croissant tops over the bottoms, cut side down
5. Let stand over night in the refrigerator
6. Bake at 175 degree Celsius for 25 to 30 minutes or until set

Ethan and "ma-ma"

not that he knows what it really means...i think it's just a new sound he found out that he could make...

Ethan and Scrunchie Faced Smile

i think he got bored with his smile and thus decided to re-invent it...

Ethan and Name

am so glad he likes his name...heee

Chocolate and Green Tea Muffins

The original recipe is for a cake...but i find mini muffins so much easier to eat.....i also amended the recipe a little so it becomes a marbled muffin thingy...since green muffins dunt really look too appetizing to J.....these muffins were really nice and moist....love the light taste of matcha in the muffins...couldnt comment on the frosting since i couldnt be bothered to make it...seriously...like i needed the extra calories...heee

link to original recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/green-tea-layer-cake/

Ingredients (my version):
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons matcha powder
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
3/4 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 cup plain yogurt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method:

1. Sift together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking soda, salt; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the yogurt, mixing just until incorporated. 
3. Scope 1/3 of the batter out and add cocoa powder to it. Add the matcha powder to the remaining 2/3 batter. Mix well. 
4. Pour green batter into muffin maker and then top with a dollop of brown batter (to get the marbled effect). 10 mins in the maker or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.