No-Frills Recipes ... cooking, baking & excerpts on travel

I had posted a Cranberry Raisin Bread using the 'gelatinized' method, quite a while ago.  But this time, instead of using custard filling, I chose to use marmalade.  I must admit that making bread is quite tedious and time consuming, as it entails proving the dough, twice.  It was no joke sweating out in the kitchen, kneading the dough but the plus point is that the dough doubled in size in a pretty short time, because of the hot weather.   Time to relax and enjoy the fruits of my labour with a cup of hot tea! Almond Flakes Raisin Loaf  ~  杏仁片葡萄干面包  Ingredients for gelatinised dough 50 gm high protein flour 35 ml boiling water Method Mix the above with a spatula to form a dough. cling  wrap and keep in the refridgerator for about 12  hours or overnight. Ingredients for bread dough 200 gm high protein flour 37.5 gm sugar 10 gm milk powder 1.1/8 tsp dried instant yeast 1/2 tsp salt 85 ml cold water 1/2...

These Matcha or Green Tea Almond Muffins are soft and moist made with vegetable oil instead of melted butter.  My preference for oil is just vegetable oil but not olive oil as I find the flavour of olive oil too over-powering.   The sliced almonds are a good match with Matcha and these muffins can be enjoyed any time or over an afternoon cuppa. Matcha Almond Muffins  ~     抹茶 杏仁玛芬                       Ingredients 140 gm plain flour 1 'L' egg 1 Tbsp green tea powder 2 tsp baking powder 70 gm caster sugar 120 ml or 1/2 cup milk 70 gm vegetable oil 14 whole almonds with skin, sliced Method Mix flour, green tea powder and baking powder, set aside. In a mixing bowl, whisk egg and sugar till creamy. Add in milk to mix, followed by oil. Sieve the flour mixture into the egg mixture, stir well to incorporate. Use an ice-cream scoop to scoop mixture into the prepa...

Have you ever tried to cook with peanut butter?  I was clearing my refridgerator and found some peanut butter which was due to expire soon and since there wasn't much left, might as well use it up. So I came up with this recipe for pork ribs to be cooked with some peanut butter and chilli sauce and surprisingly I wasn't disappointed as the dish turned out finger licking good! Braised Pork Ribs with Peanut Butter and Chilli sauce ~  花生酱 和 辣椒 炖排骨 Ingredients 600 gm pork ribs 1 tsp brown sugar 1.1/2 Tbsp chilli sauce 2 Tbsp peanut butter (mixed with 3 Tbsp gravy) 6 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp light soya sauce 1/4 tsp dark soya sauce 2 cups water salt to taste Method Blanch the pork ribs in hot water to remove any impurities.  Rinse with water, set aside. Mix the chopped garlic and chilli sauce. Place the  pork ribs in a pot, add in the chopped garlic and chilli sauce, light and dark soya sauce, brown sugar and salt. Add in water to cover ...

I used the Marble Butter Cake recipe to make these cupcakes and added in some Kahlua liqueur.  There's no distinctive colour of the Kahlua liqueur in these cupcakes but it lends added flavour to the cake while the almond paste keeps the cake moist.  The coffee taste of the liqueur does blend well with the almond paste filling. Kahlua Almond Cupcakes  ~   咖啡力娇酒杏仁蛋糕 Ingredients (A) 230 gm butter 200 gm self-raising flour 150 gm vanilla sugar 4 egg yolks 60 ml milk 3 Tsp Kahlua liqueur Almond paste for filling Pinch of salt Icing sugar to decorate (B) 4 egg whites 30 gm caster sugar Method Separate the eggs. Beat butter and sugar till light and creamy, add in the egg yolks.  Beat till incorporated. Beat till well incorporated and mix in the Kahlua. Sift in the self-raising flour and salt, alternating with milk.   In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites till foamy, then gradually add in the sugar and continue ...

Since our country, Malaysia, has been 'locked down' or imposed with the 'Movement Control Order', many mums are confined to their homes scratching their heads what to cook or serve to their families.  So why not give this recipe a shot as the ingredients should be available in most households. These Choc-Chip Peanut Butter Muffins are moist, warm, and soft with melty and chooey choc-chips.  There's nothing like a peanut butter and chocolate combination.  These can be enjoyed as a mid-morning snack with a strong cup of coffee or as an after-dinner treat! Choc-chip Peanut Butter Muffins ~   巧克力花生酱玛芬 Ingredients 210 gm plain flour 200 ml plain yoghurt 120 gm caster sugar 2 'L' eggs 80 gm choc-chips 75 ml vegetable oil 1/2 cup milk (125 ml) 4 to 5 Tbsp peanut butter, microwave to soften 3 Tsp cocoa or chocolate powder 2 tsp baking powder a pinch of salt Method Sift or whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt in a mixing ...

A Very Happy New Year to one and All  All the Very Best in 2020 This is my first attempt at baking with spelt flour and I was quite skeptical at the beginning for I do not know how the texture of the cake will turn out.  But after reading through the recipe which calls for about half spelt and half self-raising flour, I have more confidence to give it a go.  Spelt is low in gluten and perhaps that's the reason why the recipe calls for only half spelt flour.  The cake turned out swell and the texture was good, soft and moist. Carrot Walnut Cake with Spelt Flour ~   胡萝卜核桃蛋糕 Ingredients 115 gm wholemeal spelt flour 113 gm self-raising flour 140 gm soft or dark brown sugar 4 large eggs 70 gm walnuts, chopped 70 gm sultanas, chopped 300 gm (about 2 medium size) carrots, grated Zest from 1 orange 1 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon a pinch of salt Icing sugar for dusting (optional) Method Line an 8 in...

This is a simple recipe which calls for hazelnut meal, which is the star ingredient alongside eggs and sugar.  Easy to make and full of hazelnut flavour, it's an awesome cake especially for those who are allergic to wheat flour and dairy.  You can also look 'here' at another Flourless Orange Almond cake which I posted not too long ago.  Perhaps you can bake this and serve your friends and relatives, this Christmas! Gluten-free hazelnut orange cake  ~   无麸榛子香橙蛋糕 Ingredients 6 large egg yolks  200 gm hazel nut meal 140 gm caster sugar 60 ml orange juice Zest from 1 orange 6 egg whites Method Prepare a 9 inch round nonstick springform pan, line the base, grease and dust the sides with flour. Separate the egg yolks and whites. Whisk the egg yolks with sugar till creamy and the colour much lighter, until the ribbon stage. Add in orange juice. Sieve or mix the hazel nut meal into the egg yolk mixture and mix till fully inc...

A gluten free cake using only almond meal instead of flour.  Texture is moist, soft, dense but not heavy.  You can serve this with a dollop of mascarpone cheese, fresh berries or a light dusting of icing sugar.  Be patient, let the cake sit overnight and it tastes much better the next day.   A moreish treat and a keeper recipe for sure!     Flourless Orange Almond Cake/Torte  ~  没有面粉橙子杏仁蛋糕 Ingredients 450 gm orange (about 2) big ones 6 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla 220 gm caster sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 250 gm almond meal Method Grease and line the base of a 9 inch springform pan.  Grease and dust the sides with flour. Cover the oranges with cold water, bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and let simmer for 2 hours till very soft.  Drain off the water. Once the oranges are cooled,  cut into small pieces, remove seeds.  Put in a food processor to blend. Add in eggs one @ a...

This is a very refreshing and delicious soup that mothers in confinement after delivery can enjoy.  Walnuts are an excellent source of vitamins like Vitamin E and B6 and minerals like manganese and phosphorus, while red dates promotes red blood cells and boosts blood circulation.  Having a soup with meals will certainly help to keep the mother hydrated. Walnut Red Dates Chicken Soup ~  Confinement food ~  核桃 红枣 鸡汤 Ingredients 800 gm free-range chicken, chopped 60 gm walnuts 60 gm seedless red dates 2 honey dates 2.5 lt water Seasalt to taste Method Boil the water in a pot and once boiling, add in the red dates, honey dates and walnuts. Bring to the boil and then add in the chicken pieces, cover and let soup simmer under medium low heat till the chicken and walnuts are tender.  This will take about 2 to 2.5 hours. Add seasalt to taste.  Serve Yield :  4 servings

Chinese New Year is not too far away from now, in 2018, it falls on 16th February and we usher in the year of the Dog.  This is a very addictive crispy snack and it's different from my previous post of Orange Sesame Almond Crisps for I used almond walnut powder instead of almond meal.  It tastes just as good. Pumpkin almond crisps  ~  南瓜杏仁片脆饼  Ingredients 45 gm caster sugar 23 gm plain flour, sifted 16 gm almond walnut powder 100 gm almond flakes 30 gm pumpkin kernels 20 gm sesame seeds 1.1/2 eggs 2 tsp chia seeds 1 tsp vanilla Method Beat eggs and sugar till sugar has dissolved.  Add in vanilla, mix well. Stir in the sifted flour and the rest of the ingredients. Mix till well combined and let the mixture rest for about half an hour. Drop 1/2 teaspoonfull mixture onto a parchment lined baking tray and using the back of the spoon, spread out the mixture, thinly. Bake in a preheated oven @ 150 deg.C for 8 to 10 mins. ti...

A quickie noodle dish that can be whipped up in a jiffy and which can be served as a side or  main. Noodles are tossed in a creamy peanut butter sauce, topped with some pork fillet and garnished with some blanched vegetables.   These delicious noodles can be served chilled, warm or at room temperature. Noodles with peanut butter sauce ~   花生酱面条   Ingredients 100 gm pork fillet, cut into cubes 2 servings of dried noodles Romaine lettuce or any other vegetable 1 Tbsp peanut butter + 2 Tbsp hot water or more + sugar to taste Sesame oil 2 pips of garlic, chopped Seasoning for pork fillet :  1 tsp light soya sauce, , 1/4 tsp each of sugar, cornflour.  Salt & Pepper Method Saute the chopped garlic and toss in the seasoned pork fillet.  Stir-fry and cook till the meat is tender and cooked through.  Set aside. Blanch the some lettuce in boiling water, drain and set aside. Cook the noodles in boiling w...