Chocolate Chip Pikelets

Craving for something with choc but didn't want to bake anything...u know..something like really quick...so decided to make choc chip pikelets..hee..YUM YUM

Ingredients:
1 cup self-raising flour
1 tbsp sugar
pinch of salt
3/4 cup  milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
chocolate chips

Method:
1. Mix all wet ingredients together well.
2. Stir in the dry ingredients. Leave the batter to stand for 10 mins.
3. Cook as you would a pancake on a pan over the stove.

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......

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

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

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.

Ham and Creamed Corn muffins

J used to be really good with corn...but just this year decides that he hates it...he will just pick out all the kernels and toss them aside...so i have decided to use creamed corn in these muffins...and guess what...J doesnt even know that there's corn in them...makes me happy....

Ingredients:
1/2 cup ham
2 cups self-raising flour
2 cups grated cheese ( i used chedder and mozzarella)
1 cup milk
1 egg
60g melted butter
1 cup creamed corn (just straight from tin)

Method:
1. Mix milk, egg and butter together
2. Pour in sifted flour and mix together
3. Add the rest of the ingredients in
4. Into the mini muffin maker for 10 mins

This is one recipe i am so going to keep using and next time i shall try with bacon...so so good.

Baked Rice

My easy lazy baked rice....or fancy fried rice..hee heee...

So this was what i did...cooked up a batch of fried rice with any ingredients...spam..eggs...mix veg...etc etc....put the rice in a baking dish, spread a layer of campbell's soup on the rice(straight from can..dont have to mix in milk and all tat)...and top with loads of yummy cheese...i used mozzarella and parmesan...into the oven for 180 degress Celsius until cheese is bubbly and melted..around half an hour....YUMMMMMMMMMMMM....

Bento-style dinner

First attempt...not quite there yet...will keep trying....heee...rice topped with furukake...car-shaped egg decorated with seaweed...flaked tuna for "road"...and marinated soy beans...

Nasu Dengaku

Eggplants are one of those rare vegetables that i lurve...not that the eggplant is rare..more like it's rare that i like the eggplant..since it's a veg...and i am a meat person..but u get my drift....i really like nasu dengaku and would order it whenever i go to any jap restaurant along with chawan mushi and agedashi tofu..heee...

Here's the link to the original recipe:
http://sumokitchen.com/JapaneseRecipes/nasu-dengaku/

No revision to the actual ingredients...but i grilled/broiled the eggplants in my korean magic grill oven until soft...u can use an oven as well....brush the paste over the eggplant and then pop it back into the grill/oven/broiler until the paste starts to bubble.....YUMM-O!!

Chocolate Hedgehog

if u want something that tastes like kit kat and tim tam combine(fine..so i exaggerate a little).....this is the recipe for ya...Thomas who doesn't really like sweets declared that this is a winner....what does J thinks? no need to ask him..he is my biggest fan...esp when there is choc involved...i know...the photo looks quite depressing ..but rest ensure that the taste is brilliant....i did amend the recipe a little so that it doesn't taste like i have added a whole bag of sugar....i also omitted the chocolate icing (who needs all tat sugar)...although next time i will definitely drizzle some dark chocolate to give it the extra chocolatey kick....

http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Chocolate-Hedgehog-L661.html

Chocolate Hedgehog(reduced sugar)
Ingredients:
125g butter, melted
1tbsp cocoa powder
1 egg, beaten
1/4 sugar
1 packet of marie biscuits, crushed
1 tbsp condensed milk (essential)

Method:
1. Mix the butter, cocoa powder and sugar together until the sugar has dissolved
2. Mix in the egg, marie biscuit and condensed milk
3. Pressed mixture into well greased pan and pop it in the fridge until set. I would drizzle melted choc before popping the mixture into the fridge

Pigs in Blankets

Have been looking for a recipe like this for awhile(thank you Nigella Lawson)...one that doesnt use store bought puff pastry or crescent dough(since I cant find it here) and doesnt take me ages to make....perfect for lunchboxes too!!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/pigs-in-blankets-recipe/index.html

Since the sausages tend to be pretty salty...i omitted the salt but i did increase the amount of cheese used...

Ingredients(revised):
2 cups self-rising flour
4 tablespoons grated cheese (I used tasty since that's what i have left)
1 cup whole milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
50 pork cocktail sausages
Additional beaten egg for glazing

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees Celsius
2. Mix all the ingredients, except the sausages, together to form a dough
3. Roll dough out thinly on floured surface and cut into 50 rectangles
4. Wrap sausages diagonally across each piece of rectangle and pinch the ends close
5. Brush with egg wash
6. Into the oven for 12 - 15 mins

Verdict: Jayden had 5 at one go...Thomas had 2 AFTER dinner....'nuff said ...and i do have to add tat we didnt miss the salt at all...was really tasty even without the salt

Milo Cake (HappyCall)

OHHH...Happycall pan!!! how i lurve thee....like as if it wasnt enough that i could cook fish without the whole house smelling like the market...baking?? seriously??!!!

a really serious word of advise when using the pan to "bake"...DO NOT ...i repeat...DO NOT IGNORE THE ALARM WHEN IT RINGS JUST BECAUSE U NEED TO TELL UR MATES HOW IMPRESSED YOU ARE WITH THE PAN...the result could be disastrous....as shown in my pic...sigh...not pretty...but still yum and fluffy...

Ingredients:
2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milo dissolve in a little hot water
1 cup milk
90ml vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
Choc chips...as much or as little

Method:
1. Mix all ingredients(excluding choc chips) together
2. Stir in choc chips
3. Pour mixture evenly into happycall pan
4. "Bake" over low fire. 8 - 10 mins each side

Easy Quiche - Crustless

Again...another basic recipe, which you can modify...love recipes that are so quick and easy to put together..hee heee...i made mine with ham and cheese(1 batch) and because i ran out of ham ...i digged through my fridge and put crabstick in the second batch....hee hee..worked as well!!...

Link to recipe - http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Easy-Quiche-L3333.html

Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 1/2cups milk
3tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup self-raising flour
1 1/2 grated cheese of choice ( i used tasty)
2cups filling (or as little/as much as u like....tat's what i did..just threw in whatever i have left)

Method:
1. Whisk together eggs, milk, butter and flour
2. Fold in cheese and fillings
3. Heat mini muffin maker. Fill maker to 2/3 full and "bake" for 10 - 12 mins or until set.

Not sure how long for conventional oven since i have never done them in oven before but i am guessing 180 degree Celsius for 10 mins...similar to mini muffins..and dont forget ingredients have to be cooked before adding to recipe..meaning if you are using bacon...have to make sure that it's cooked first

Mini Leftovers Pie

I would post the recipe but it's just a recipe of leftover stuff...leftover potatoes...leftover carrots...leftover celery...leftover roast chicken breast (best way to eat chicken breast)..leftover cream(from making scones)...leftover milk...prob the only thing that is not leftover is the can of mushroom soup and the store bought puff pastry....one sheet of puff pastry makes 16 mini pies for the muffin maker...cut into squares and shove it into the maker when it's heated...put the cooked filling in(mine was cooled because i wanted to make some normal sized ones for freezing)...close the maker and set it for 15 - 20 mins....ready when pastry is puffed and golden...i reckon if the filling is still hot..it will take less time...so just keep a lookout

Just one tip....for a fussy child like Jayden who has problems with visuals and textures of veg...mash the pie filling up a little when it's cooked...

When using normal oven(180degrees bake until golden...around 30 mins), egg wash is always recommended. If making pies with "lids", dont forget to cut slits on the "lids" so that the steam can escape....when using the mini maker...forget about "lids" took me wayyyyyy too long...around 35 mins...didnt bother after one batch

Potato and Carrot Balls

This recipe is so so versatile...the basic idea is there and you can add any ingredients(corn kernels..tuna...peas...spinach...the possibilities are endless) you want to it and just adjust the quantities as you go along...i had some potatoes and carrots i had to get rid off so i made potato and carrot balls.....2 carrots i used and a cup of Parmesan cheese...it's also a really good idea for using leftover mash potato...

Ingredients for basic potato balls:
4 medium sized potatoes
1 egg
salt and pepper for seasoning
breadcrumbs to coat

Method:
1. Boil potatoes until soft. Peel and mash them.
2. Cool the mash. Better in the fridge.
3. When ready to use, add seasoning, egg and other ingredients.
4. Shape the mash into balls and coat them in breadcrumbs.
5. Deep fry or shallow fry the balls until they are golden brown.

Jap mayo is always good for dipping....

Orange Chocolate Mini Muffins

Wanted to make savory muffins this week but didnt get the chance to go get the ingredients so ended up making whatever i have in the fridge and pantry...

Few things to note when making this...mostly common sense but u know me and common sense..it always turns up AFTER i have done what i need to do...orange juice from orange will be much better than the orange and mango bottled juice i used(to clear what is left)...to give it a more "orangey" taste..add rind of orange....of course i couldnt do that because my juice came from a bottle...last but not least...if u have a kid that after digging out the choc chips declares that "I'm full", melt the choc chips and stir it in instead....choc coloured muffins always look more appealing anyway...

Ingredients:
2 1/4cups self-raising flour
1/2cup caster sugar
125g butter, melted, cooled
1/2cup milk
1/4cup of orange juice
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
as much choc chips
some rind from orange

Method:
1. Sift flour into a large bowl. Whisk butter, milk, eggs, juice, rind,sugar and vanilla essence together.
2. Mix all ingredients together including the chocolate chips.
3. Bake in mini muffin maker for 10 mins. If using conventional oven, bake as you would mini muffins.

Scones

i have never really liked scones because when eating them on it's own...they dont tend to go down the throat well...it's usually really really dry...but this scone recipe..is so so good...even when it's left overnight......i made up a batch of scone dough, split the dough into half...added ham and cheese to one half(mini scones)...and choc chips to the other(mini mini scones)...bake time was the same regardless of size...one tip when making mini mini...instead of mixing the choc chips into the dough..shape the dough to individual sizes first then add the choc chip to the individually shaped dough...much easier that way...and needless to say...J lurves the mini mini...he was sneaking into the kitchen yesterday pigging out on them...

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/16549/best+ever+scones

Ingredients for basic scone dough:
3cups of self-raising flour
a pinch of salt
1 cup cream
1 cup lemonade

Method:
1. Pre-heat oven to 220 degree Celsius.
2. Sift flour with salt.
3. Mix everything else together and roll until you get a smooth dough.
4. Shape into the size you want and place on baking sheet or lightly greased tray.
5. Bake for 10 -12 mins.

Have used this recipe to make blueberry/white choc, dates, choc chip, ham and cheese...all turned out well...

Damper

Jayden loves damper, which he was introduced to by his childcare...so I attempted to make it...not sure if it's damper..but jayden loves it...how to describe it....hmmm...if u had popeye's chicken before...it's the same thing as their biscuit...a cross between bread and biscuit and scone...this is the basic recipe...but i reckon one could just go and be adventurous with it...savory would be my choice though...

I made then into "personal" size...but bake time was the same...was wondering shouldnt the bake time be lesser since they were smaller? oh well...i am no baker...but seems rite anyway...

http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Easy-Australian-Damper-L3230.html












Easy Damper (smaller version)
Ingredients:
250g self-raising flour
1/2tsp salt
25g unsalted butter, chilled
175ml milk + extra milk for brushing

Method:
1. Pre-heat oven to 190 degree Celsius.
2. Mix flour and salt. Rub butter in until it resembles fine crumbs.
3. Stir in milk to make a soft but not sticky dough.
4. Divide into 8 portions. Roll into ball, flatten, make a cross with butter knife and brush with milk.
5. Bake for 30 mins.

Banana Choc Muffins

So....with Jayden now having to bring lunches and snacks for kinder... I have decided that i need to make his snacks...u know..reduced sugar muffins...hidden veg..etc......so i got all enthuse when i found the eurolab mini cupcake maker on sale from dealsdirect at 14 bucks ...AUD of course....maker was small...easy to use...effortless to clean....

TADA!! my first batch of mini muffins..recipe from http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Easy-Banana-Cake-L1581.html ...which  i amended since J really likes choc...tip..dont add choc chip to hot mixture because it will melt...yes...DUH...but on hindsight..not a bad idea since now the whole muffin is marbled and J can't just pick out all the choc chip to eat....

Banana Choc Mini Muffins...My revised recipe (makes 21)
Ingredients:
125g butter
1/2 cup sugar (i reckon could go lesser depending on type of choc chip)
1tsp vanilla essence
1 egg
2 ripe bananas, mashed
11/2 cup self-raising flour
1/4 cup milk
Choc chip (i used dark, as many or little as u like)

Method:
1. Melt butter, sugar and vanilla essence (let cool else egg will scramble)
2. Add everything else in and mix lightly
3. Put in mini muffin maker for 5 - 7 mins

Muffin came out surprisingly yummy ....Would lurve to put walnuts ...but kinder is nut free....

Verdict:
For keeps...J lurves the muffins...daddy too!