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

My whole house was smelling so good when these muffins were baking away in the oven.  These muffins stay moist and soft the next day and whatever balance I had, I kept in the fridge and serve at room temperature the next day, but if you prefer them a bit warm, just heat up for 20 seconds in the microwave.  The nutella does blend well with the pumpkin and they were yummy with a cup of hot plain tea or coffee! Nutella Pumpkin Muffins  ~   榛子酱南瓜玛芬 Ingredients 230 gm plain flour 2 large eggs 70 gm caster sugar 70 gm brown sugar 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1.1/4 tsp cinnamon 120 ml vegetable oil (1/2 cup) 60 ml milk (1/4 cup) 1.1/4 cup mashed pumpkin (285 gm) 1 tsp vanilla a pinch of salt 40 to 50 gm Nutella Method Sieve flour, cinnamon, salt and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl.  Mix in the sugar thoroughly. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, vanilla and milk till well incorporated. Mix in the mashed pumpkin....

This moist and delicious Banana Loaf is a quick bake with loads of banana flavour. While it is baking in the oven your home will be filled with tempting banana aroma and before long you will be rewarded with a slice of your very own freshly baked banana bread.  This is also a great way to use up your overripe bananas. Banana Loaf  ~  香蕉蛋糕 Ingredients 150 gm plain flour 90 gm wholemeal flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/8 tsp salt 100 gm caster sugar 3 overripe bananas, about 300 gm (mashed) 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp vanilla 1/3 cup buttermilk (milk + 1 tsp vinegar) 2 eggs 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 to 2 bananas, cut raw sugar to sprinkle on top Method Sift plain flour, baking soda and salt into a mixing bowl.  Mix and whisk in wholemeal flour and cinnamon, set aside. In another bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and add in the mashed bananas. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Do not overmix. Scoop batter into a...

This simple yet delectable and soothing Matcha Pudding is a delicious sweet treat to round up a meal.  I adapted the recipe from  'Justonecookbook.com' ,  reduced the sugar, tweaked it but doubled the recipe. It was well received by members of the family and the pudding were finished in a jiffy! Matcha Pudding  ~  抹茶布丁  Ingredients 2 Tbsp matcha/green tea powder 10 gm gelatine powder 4 Tbsp hot water 2.1/2 cups milk 70 gm mixture of caster and raw sugar Method Sift the matcha powder into a bowl. Put the gelatine powder into a bowl and pour in the hot water to mix. Heat up a cup of water in a saucepan and place the bowl of gelatine on top.  Once the gelatine powder dissolves, remove and set aside. In another small saucepan, bring the milk to a boil (when bubbles are seen at the side of the saucepan), turn off heat. Add in the sugar mixture and whisk till dissolved. Take 6 Tbsp of milk mixture from (step 5 above) and add into...

These moist applesauce muffins have a delicious apple cinnamon flavour, fluffy and moist in texture.  Not only are they healthy and nutritiuos, they are so easy to make.  Perfect for breakfast or snacks! Applesauce Choc-Chip Wholemeal Muffins ~    苹果巧克力全麦玛芬 Ingredients 250 gm self-raising wholemeal flour 100 gm caster sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/ 2 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup lightly sweetened homemade applesauce 1/2 tsp cinnamon 100 gm choc chips 200 gm chopped apples Applesauce 4 Gala apples, peeled, cored and chopped 3/4 cup water 30 gm granulated sugar 1/4 tsp cinnamon Method for Applesauce In a saucepan, combine all the above ingredients, cover and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 mins.  till apples are soft.  Cool, mash with a fork or a potato masher. Place in a container and keep refrigerated. Yield - 1 cup of applesauce Method In a mixing bowl, whisk the wholemeal flour, sugar a...

What can be most satisfying on a Monday morning when there are warm muffins being served on the breakfast table?  They are quick and easy to whip up as only light mixing is required.  These muffins are full of lemony flavour and fragrance, a big boost for your Monday blues! Lemon Muffins  ~   柠檬玛芬 Ingredients 250 gm plain flour 150 gm caster sugar 1 'L' egg 1.1/2 Tbsp lemon zest 3 tsp baking powder a pinch of salt 3/4 cup milk 1/3 cup oil More lemon zest to sprinkle Method Sift flour, baking powder, salt into a mixing bowl, mix in the sugar and lemon zest.  Whisk till well combined. In another bowl, whisk the egg, add in the milk, followed by the oil and whisk till well incorporated. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mix till just to dampen the flour.  Do not overmix.  Batter should be lumpy. Using an icecream scoop, scoop the batter into a lined muffin pan, 2/3 full. Bake in a preheated oven @...

It's been a while since I've baked a Bundt cake.  As I need to finish up the Rum in the pantry, I surfed the internet for a Rum cake recipe without having to have a cake mix as one of the ingredients.  I managed to locate one, modified it a bit and here's the recipe which I am going to share with you today.  This cake is slightly dense but moist, full of Rum flavour and aromatic, but trust me you  won't get drunk after eating it! Rum & Raisin Bundt Cake  ~  朗姆酒和葡萄干蛋糕 (adapted from 'here' with modification) Ingredients 280 gm butter 250 gm caster sugar 4 'L' eggs 42 gm milk powder 320 gm plain flour (take out 2 Tbsp to mix with the raisins) 1 Tbsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup milk 3 Tbsp Rum 1 tsp vanilla 80 gm raisins soaked in 4 Tbsp Rum Rum Glaze 2 Tbsp water boiled with 3 Tbsp sugar till sugar is dissolved 2 Tbsp Rum, mix well Method Prepare a 10 cup Bundt pan.  Grease with butter and dus...

For a change I baked these hearty, healthy wholemeal muffins in a mini loaf pan.  I placed a slice of banana on top, added in a sprinkling of raw sugar thus resulting in a moist and slightly crunchy muffin.  These muffins are best enjoyed, warm. Banana Wholemeal Raisin Muffins  ~  香蕉葡萄干全麥玛芬 Ingredients 220 gm self-raising wholemeal flour 450 gm over-ripe bananas, smashed 50 gm raisins 80 gm caster sugar 2 'L' eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla a pinch of salt Extra bananas for topping Raw sugar to sprinkle  (optional) Method Whisk wholemeal flour with sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Set aside. In another bowl, beat eggs and vegetable oil till pale, add in vanilla, mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Add in the smashed bananas and raisins.  Mix till just moistened.  Do not overmix. Using an icecream scoop, scoop batter into the greased and lightly flour dusted m...

This is a savoury swiss roll filled with peanut butter and chicken floss.  The airy and light sponge is delicious with this combination and it can be enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack at any time of the day. Chicken Floss Swiss Roll  ~  鸡肉松蛋糕卷 Ingredients  (A)  4 'L' egg yolks        30 gm caster sugar        30 ml vegetable oil        30 ml milk        50 gm plain flour   )  sifted        20 gm rice flour     ) (B)  4 'L' egg whites        40 gm caster sugar        1 tsp lemon/lime juice or vinegar (C)  Chicken floss and peanut butter for filling Method Line a 10 x 10 inch square pan with parchment paper. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, oil and milk till well incorporated.  Fold in sifted plain and rice flour.  Mix well. In a clean bowl, whis...

These fudgy and gooey brownie squares are not only pretty to look at with swirls of peanut butter but they are delicious as well.  This is a healthy brownie recipe as I've replaced butter with avocado and used wholemeal flour instead. Avocado Chocolate Brownies  ~   鳄梨巧克力布朗尼 Ingredients 2 medium size ripe avocados, cubed 2 eggs 150 ml honey 75 gm wholemeal flour 30 gm cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla 2 Tbsp peanut butter Method In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, eggs, honey and vanilla till smooth. Whisk wholemeal flour with baking powder and cocoa powder. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a batter forms.  Pour the the batter into a parchment lined 8 x 8 inch baking pan.   Soften the peanut butter in the microwave for a few seconds, then drop dollops on the batter and swirl. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180 deg.C for 20 to 30 mins. Press the top and if it bounce...

I find that muffins baked with oil, stay soft and moist and can keep longer especially in winter.  Also it's more convenient as vegetable oil is readily available.  To enjoy a warm muffin, just heat it up in the microwave for  a few seconds and it will taste as if it's freshly baked from the oven. Choc Chip muffins  巧克力玛芬 Ingredients 300 gm self-raising flour (sifted) 65 gm cocoa powder 180 gm caster sugar 100 gm dark choc chips 30 gm white choc chips 1/2 cup oil 2/3 cup milk 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla pinch of salt Method Combine sifted flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, dark and white choc chips in a large bowl.  Whisk well and make a well in the centre. In another bowl, whisk oil, milk, vanilla and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mix till just combined Scoop the batter, 3/4 full into cupcake liners in a muffin pan. Bake in a preheated oven @ 200 deg.C for 20 to 25 mins.  Test with a skewer till it ...

I've been wanting to bake a black sesame chiffon cake and when I chanced upon the recipe posted by Christine of  Christine's Recipes and her lovely pictures, I wasted no time in trying it out.  True to her description, this chiffon cake is soft, moist and full of sesame aroma.   Just can't resist the temptation of a second or more helpings! Recipe for Black Sesame Chiffon Cake  ( adapted from 'here'  with slight modification) Ingredients (A) 6 egg whites 60 gm caster sugar 1 tsp cream of tartar (B) 80 gm superfine flour 1/8 tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 25 gm black sesame powder (C) 5 egg yolks 30 gm caster sugar 50 gm canola oil/corn oil 80 ml milk Method Sift flour with the baking powder, salt and mix well.  Stir in the black sesame powder.  Mix thoroughly. Using ball whisk, whisk the egg yolks with 30 gm sugar till sugar has dissolved.  Stir in the oil little by little till mixt...