Congrats - U've twins !!!

Maybe U have seen them before….but this is certainly my 1st encounter.

Question: If U crack open an egg wz double yolks, do U still eat them?

Just a thought: ‘These ‘twin-ese’ will be great during Mid-Autumn for
双 黄 月 饼！’

Nigella's

More often than not, most of my impulsive purchases of cook books & mags are due to those captivating & to die for food photography.
At least, if the recipes are crap; I have those lovely pix to drool after as a consolation.
But books from famous celebrity chefs require no hesitation, where parting with my hard earn moola are concerned. I will buy books after books, especially those that are highly recommended.

My latest acquisition is Nigella Express.
I would rave more about this book when compared with her earlier publications. Reason being, almost every recipe in this hardcover is accompanied with a pix.
No more visualizing what the end result will look like. *Yeah !!!*
And I managed to read the book from front to back in one sitting.

This croissant thingy is the 1st recipe I tried making from the book.
It’s like a caramel version of bread & butter pudding without the yeasty taste. Buttery croissant gets very crispy & gloriously golden after 20 mins in the oven. Not forgetting the wonderful aroma the bake releases while baking.

Nigella claimed that she came up with this pudding cuz she wanted to get rid of her stale croissants.
I, on the other hand, went out to Delifrance & bought fresh ones plus a bottle of thicken cream.
The recipe stated both milk & cream for the liquid ingredient but I used all cream instead, resulting a creamier & more luscious pudding.
I omitted the liqueur cuz elf’s eating.

Overall, I am pleased with the result. Just a word of caution, this is definitely not hip friendly.
But it’s really yummy, so I’m gonna post the recipe here for U to try.

Caramel Croissant Pudding
(Adapted from Nigella Express) (N: Nigella’s words)

What U need:

• 2 Stale croissants
• 100g Caster Sugar
• 2 x 15ml tbsp Water
• 125ml Double cream
• 125ml Full-fat milk
• 2 x 15ml tbsp Bourbon
• 2 eggs - beaten

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Tear the croissants into pieces and put in a small gratin dish.
   (N: I use a cast iron oval one with a capacity of about 500ml for this)
3. Put the caster sugar and water into a saucepan, and swirl around to help dissolve the sugar before putting the saucepan on the hob over a medium to high heat.
4. Caramelize the sugar and water mixture by letting it bubble away, without stirring, until it all turns a deep amber colour; this will take 3 to 5 minutes.
   (N: Keep looking but don’t be too timid).
5. Turn the heat down to low and add the cream – ignoring all spluttering – and, whisking away, the milk and bourbon. Any solid toffee that forms in the pan will dissolve easily if you keep whisking over a low heat. Take off the heat and, still whisking, add the beaten eggs. Pour the caramel bourbon custard over the croissants and leave to steep for 10 minutes if the croissants are very stale.
6. Place in the oven for 20 minutes and prepare to swoon.

Banana & Peanut Butter Muffins

We all adore these muffins at home; and I never failed to receive compliments when I bring them along to gatherings with family & friends or as edible gifts when I go a visiting.

To me, banana & peanut butter are a match made in heaven and if U use crunchy peanut butter in this recipe, it adds that extra oomph. Moreover with oats incorporated here, U'll get a chewy bite, making it more delightful to eat.

And if are in the mood to indulge, spread a thick layer of gorgeous peanut butter & devour away.

*Warning to peanut butter lovers out there...these paper cup breads can get pretty addictive.*

Banana & Peanut Butter Muffins
(Makes 12)

What U need:

• 270g Flour
• 100g Oats
• 1tbsp Baking powder
• 2 Eggs
• 150g Brown sugar
• 200g Banana – mashed
• 150g Peanut butter
• 50g Butter - melted
• 250ml Milk

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C & prepare your muffins cups.
2. Mix flour, oats and baking powder in a bowl & set aside.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs and add brown sugar, bananas, peanut butter & butter, mix well.
4. Then add the milk & stir to combine.
5. Add the dry ingredients and fold in gently, DO NOT OVER MIX.
6. Next, spoon the batter on to muffin cups & bake for 25-30 mins or until the top spring back when gently touched.
7. Cool well before serving.

Baked Shrimp Paste Chicken

This is the 3rd time I cooked this dish in the month of May.

Love it for its simplicity & also for the richly intense flavor.

Really fast to cook & good to eat.

Cranberry Bread & Butter Pudding

Bread pudding is always a hit wz elf & also an excellent way to get rid of stale bread.
Tucking into this custardy mixture for breakkie is a splendid way to start the day.

I can make this pudding at the back of my hand.
But am gonna jot down the recipe here, incase, I get struck by Alzheimer some day.
*Heh! Heh! chuckles wz fear*

Any type of bread can be used and today, I made the pudding with home-baked cranberry bread.



Cranberry Bread & Butter Pudding

What U need:

• 6 slices Bread
• Butter for spreading on bread
• Handful of dried cranberries or any other dried fruit of choice
• 4 Eggs
• 100g Sugar
• 2 cups Milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence
• Dashes of cinnamon

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180C.
2. Trim the crusts off the bread & spread butter evenly on one side.
3. Break bread into small pieces onto an oiled 8 inch baking pan.
4. Sprinkle with cranberries.
5. Whisk eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla & cinnamon until well mixed.
6. Pour mixture over bread, ensuring all the bread are soaked with the mixture.
7. Let it stand for 15mins.
8. Bake for 45 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly tapped & browned.
9. Serve warm.

*

Waking this sedated blog with a slice of Oooo-so-Crumbly
Crumble…accompanied by a dollop of Pistachio ice-cream.

A Birthday Cake for Ms C.

I am putting up this pix cuz I kinda like the way it glowed in the dark.
It’s a birthday cake for Ms C.
I only got to know about her birthday a day before.
So, I thought it’s nice to surprise her wz a cake.
Did not have time to go buy fresh fruit to decorate the pavlova, hence, a can of fruit cocktail came in handy.