Definitely not blue

2 layered sponge cupcakes layers with blueberry filling and topped with whipped cream and more blueberry filling. I loved it! It was really delicious yet so simple :)

The Soup-aholic

Although I come from an Indian family, me and my family basically eat food from different cuisines everyday. Indian food is only a once a week kinda affair. As a kid, it was a different story though. My late Dad had an Indian taste-bud though. His daily meals consists of curries, dhals...etc2. Sambal was ok but plain soups were a no2. On the other hand, E little 1 in the family aka me only eat rice with soups! E funny thing was, I referred soups as "kuah itik" which literally translates as "duck's gravy" I think it just have to do with E fact tht I'd seen some ducks swimming ard and I was comparing E water to soups. I don't really remember! Anyways, at times mom was too tired and I still insist that I want my "duck gravy". She would pour some hot water, add a dash of salt in my rice and I would happily eat that with my fried chicken or fish. Back then I obviously didn't know about it! She only confessed about this a few years back!!! Come to think of it, it wasn't a confession. It started like this...

One fine day, a few years ago....

Me: Hmm wat gravy is this?
Mom: Why? Not nice?
Me: Taste weird...
Mom: So fussy!
Me: I'm not fussy but I don't like this.
Mom: It taste ok...you are fussy now. When you were small, water and salt also nice!!
Me: WATER N SALT?? EErks! I don't eat that!!
Mom: You did....whenever I was tired of cooking soups for you. I just add hot water and salt to your rice. (she said it so so casually without even a hint of guiltiness!!) :p
Me: What?!!! *Shocked mode*

You guys get E picture right? :P
I swear, I'm not gonna do this to my child. I might do it to my husband though!*Evil smile*

Anyways, I have not been making wantons for quite sometime now. I'd been wanting to make some but I can't seem to remember to buy some wanton wrappers! Finally mom got some 2 days back and I made wanton soup today. It was cozy and delicious. I think everyone should make their own wantons! Nothing beats freshly made wantons. Furthermore it's so simple!

Ingredients for Wanton

Wanton wrappers
200G prawns
150g chicken meat
1tbsp light soy sauce
pepper to taste
1/2 tsp cornflour
chopped scallion

Method

1. Mixed everything (except wanton wrappers) Make sure all are mixed thoroughly.
2. Place half a teaspoon of meat filling onto E center of each wrapper. Bring two of E corners of E wrapper together, sealing all edges with some water. I created a triangle out of each wrapper. Press E edges again a little to remove all trapped air.

Simple stock
2 chicken cubes
1L water
3 garlic crushed
pepper.

Boil the above ingredients to make stock.
Drop the wantons gently into it.
Within slightly under 5 minutes, your wanton soup is ready. Garnish with scallions, and if you like, a few drops of sesame oil.Yummy!

Easy Peasy

This is a super easy adaption of a non baked cheese cake. Making this might be a walk in the park but it is sure to impress your guests esp if it's served in pretty tall glasses! In my case, these always turn out to be a big hit among every1. :D

Basically you just base a glass/mould with some graham or muesli. I used muesli this time round. Of coz if your prefer, you can add sugar and butter to E base and keep it in the fridge for a while till base hardens. Cream 200g cream cheese, 50ml yogurt, 50ml cream and a few tbsp of icing sugar. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice. Pour creamed mixture into glasses. Top with another layer of graham/muesli and mixture. Chill for a few hours or better still, overnight. Top with your favourite fruits. In my case, Korean strawberries. Super delicious! (",)

Ps: Feel free to omit the cream if you prefer. :)

A new recipe...

Made these for my nieces and nephew when they slept over last weekend. Saw this on Martha's show. Recipe is from Candace Nelson of Sprinkles Cupcakes. E cupcakes were really soft and nice. E frosting is sweet though, despite E fact...I already reduced E sugar. Kids would love it though!
I used fresh strawberries for both E cupcakes and frosting.

Ingredients
(Makes 1 dozen)
2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 large egg whites, room temperature

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy.

Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.


Ingredients for frosting:

1/2 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed
1 cup unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
Pinch of coarse salt
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined.

Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended and frost cakes.

Elegant yet fuss free

I made Panna Cotta coz I had some cream in the fridge and I didn't want to "slog" much :P Another reason was, I wanted to use this little cuties!! Thanks to Nk for these moulds and all E "hard work" *wink2* I loveeeeeee loveeeee 'em! I promise an encore with these moulds.....specially for you!

Ingredients
1 cup (250 mL) whipping cream
7g gelatin + 1/4 cup water
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 cup fresh milk

Method:
Heat cream and milk and bring to a light boil
Whisk in maple syrup
Combine in the gelatine powder+water mixture and whisk till dissolved.
Once cool, pour into little glasses/moulds/shot-glass.
Chill for a couple of hours or overnight.
Drizzle with more maple syrup just before serving, if desired.