Wednesday 23 December 2015

GRILLED CHICKEN AND CRAISINS SALAD with GARLIC CROUTONS


This is another quick and easy salad that you can make in a jiffy.

With hot and dry summer here in Adelaide, sometimes the day temperature shooting up to 42 -44 degrees, who would want to spend time in the kitchen!
Moreover we need to save our energy for several other chores around the house. It is during these times

Thursday 24 September 2015

CRISPY SKIN GRILLED CHICKEN AND EGG SALAD


Who says salads are boring ? And if you think they are, try this deliciously "Crispy Skin Grilled Chicken and Egg Salad". Loaded with flavour, goodness and health in every bite!! I bet, you just can't resist and more so this dish is so easy to put together that you will be addicted to it just as we are, I promise ! :)

Thursday 6 August 2015

HOKKIEN NOODLES with CHICKEN MEATBALLS



A quick and easy post and to be honest a very unplanned post. Asian style Hokkien Noodles with Chicken meatballs. My munchkins are mad for noodles, especially the big sis and this is what i make for them, or sometimes a delicious noodle soup, which they devour!


If you would like to try it out, here it is how:D

INGREDIENTS:

All you need for 2 Kids size serving:

1.1 pac of shelf-fresh Hokkien Noodles, ready to use.

2.1 cup chicken mince mixed with some chopped spring onion greens, garlic ginger grated, and a few drops of kecap manis and soya sauce.

3.1 tsp grated ginger

4.2-3 spring onion greens thinly sliced

5.Shredded ham

6. 1 small cup:
  • red and green capsicum thinly sliced lengthways (julienned)
  • mushrooms sliced
  • and or any other vegetables that your little ones love to eat: you may add carrots, celery, snow peas, broccoli etc)
7.1-2 tablespoons of kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soya sauce) or any other that you have.

8.1 tablespoons of light soya sauce

9. seasoning of salt and pepper

10. some coriander leaves to garnish, and a squeeze of lemon.

11. Olive oil, canola oil or vegetable oil for cooking

Equipment needed:

a chinese wok or a frying pan, kitchen tong

METHOD:

1.Take your noodles in a bowl, and soak them in hot water or follow packet instruction

2.Make bite size balls from your chicken mince mixture and set aside.

3.Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a pan, add the meat balls, saute/toss/keep moving them while you fry on high heat until golden brown. Add the ham. Toss.

4.Add all the veggies, starting with ginger then spring onions, quickly toss or saute on high, the veggies should retain their crunch.

5.Add the noodles. Add all the sauce, season and toss the noodles or move it with a tong to coat with the sauce. Let it sizzle for 1-2 mins.

6.The meat balls should be cooked by now.Turn off heat, finish off with some lemon juice, garnish with coriander leaves and spring onion.


Once it's the right temperature serve it with a big smile, and let them hog! For more chicken meat ball recipe you see here.


ENJOY!!

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Thursday 9 July 2015

SCONES (Egg Free)



Scones are a single serving quick cakes that make a classic accompaniment to your cup of tea. Lightly sweetened these cakes are best served with jam and some whipped cream if you fancy.


 
This recipe is a basic scone recipes where we have used flour, butter, sugar and milk and is dead simple to make. All you need is a feather light touch for a perfect scone every time. Recipe adaptation and inspiration "Donna Hay Cook Book"



INGREDIENTS:

You will need:

3 Cups (450 grams) Self Raising Flour
1/2 Cup (110 grams) caster sugar
75 grams of cold butter (using very cold butter, will ensure deliciously flaky texture)
1 cup milk plus extra to brush on.

To SERVE:

Raspberry Jam


METHOD:

Step 1: Preheat Oven to 180 degrees Celsius

STEP 2: Sift flour using  a flour sifter or a wire strainer in a bowl. Add sugar.


STEP 3 Chop cold butter and add to the flour



STEP 4:Use both hands and your finger tips, rub the butter into the flour and sugar mixture, to fully breakdown and until the flour, sugar and butter mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.(see pic below). 

At this stage be patient as this will take a bit if a time. Do not knead or overwork the dough or else your scones will turn very hard.


STEP 5: Now make a well in the centre and pour in the milk.(see pictures below) 

 

 

STEP 6: Use a butter knife to gradually mix the milk into the flour mixture until just combined. (see pic below)
Using a butter knife to mix the dough and using your hands to gently bring it together, you actually avoid overworking the gluten.


Transfer the mixture from the bowl to a lightly floured surface, and gently bring the dough together. Remember "gently".




Step 7:Roll out your dough (gently) to 2cm thick and use a 6 cm round cookie cutter to cut into 12 portions. If you do not have a cookie cutter, do not panic. You can use the rim of a round shaped bowl, or a measuring cup, just as I did. See pictures below.
After having cut a few roundels from the dough, you will have to bring the dough together (do not knead, just gently bring it together), in order to re-roll the dough and then cut out roundels from the it. Keep repeating this step until you have used the entire dough. Remember to handle the dough "gently"
Remember the scones doesn't need to be in perfect shape. It is okay for them to look a little rustic and hand finished. At least I like mine that way!






Step 8:Now place the cut out portions on a baking sheet lined baking tray and brush with extra milk.




  
Step 9: Bake in the oven for 18-20 mins or until cooked and golden on top. You may test with a skewer inserted in the middle, if it comes out clean they are ready.

So after about 20 mins, Voila!!



This is my second attempt in making scones that I have shared here . My first attempt, I had somehow managed to over work the dough (even though I followed the recipe step by step) and ended up with more biscuit like texture, wasn't that bad though as they were still edible, but my second attempt was so much better and I am sure to make it the best, the third time. So, remember your first attempt is always a special one you will cherish for your life, there is always something positive to learn from it, and practice is what will make you perfect.  

Wonder where my cookie cutters go missing? undoubtedly they are put to some fun stuff, as you can see Lol;



 I have included tips wherever necessary, remember to work the dough gently as you go.. and that's the golden rule and you will have the perfect scone everytime, nice and fluffy!


I like  this recipe because it uses simplest of ingredients, it's egg free, , and suitable for my vegetarian friends and those who have egg allergies.
  

So, next time you host a tea party, do give these ago.You can make them couple of days in advance and they stay good for atleast 2 days in room temperature in colder months, if it is too humid or hot it is better to refrigerate or bake them fresh and serve. However, I always prefer freshly baked scones, serve them with some raspberry jam and chantilly cream, and enjoy!



Hope you enjoy making these little goodies, see you soon again with another mouth watering recipe. Till then, keep well!

Happy Weekend!


If you like this post  take a moment to leave a constructive feedback. It means a lot! Don't forget to share it on your favourite social network.
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Tuesday 30 June 2015

TRADITIONAL BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING


Baking always needs to be simpler, for me at least. I like to use simple ingredients, easily available in my pantry. These days

Friday 29 May 2015

CRE'ME DE CHANTILLY/ SWEETENED WHIPPED CREAM


Chantilly Cream or Crème De Chantilly as in French is whipped cream that is whisked until light and fluffy and then slightly sweetened with icing sugar and flavoured with vanilla essence.

Monday 11 May 2015

RASPBERRY ICECREAM FLOAT

  
Make Kid's parties fun with this lusciously red fruity drink. With the goodness of raspberries and creamy vanilla ice cream these refreshing drinks

Thursday 30 April 2015

PIRI PIRI CHICKEN

 

Piri Piri Chicken. Yet another mouth watering, blazing and droolius post truly inspired by our  test buds, cravings, temptation and all things crazy.

Tuesday 14 April 2015

FROG IN THE POND - JELLY

 
Jellies are such fun, and to be honest there is no age bar to enjoy jellies. More so,

Tuesday 31 March 2015

DEVILED EGGS


Easter is just around the corner.
Here is something special that you can try during the holidays.. Deviled eggs, a real quick fix.

Thursday 26 March 2015

CHICKPEA RISSOLES (Vegetarian)

 
 
Chickpea Rissoles or Chickpea patties are pure vegetarian's delight. Deliciously nutritious these patties make a great snack at any time,

Wednesday 25 March 2015

THAI CHICKEN BURGERS



Burgers are so much better when they are home made. I mean it and you will also agree once you give these deliciously succulent meat patties a-go. Especially with kids around

Friday 6 March 2015

RICOTTA & PARMESAN GNOCCHI with garlic and herbed butter

 



Gnocchi's are small Italian dumplings that  are traditionally made  from flour,

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Sunday 11 January 2015

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER (ROASTED RED CAPSICUM) D.I.Y

 
 
There is nothing more heavenly than  slow roasted  sweet, smoky and luscious red capsicum fresh and fragrant out of the oven. This versatile ingredient is one of my favourite and is so easy to do. Why tax your pocket for those expensive store bought stuff when you can make your own in the convenience of your own kitchen whenever you want.

Thursday 8 January 2015

SPANISH (RED) ONION MARMALADE



Spanish Onion or Red Onion marmalade is made from thinly sliced and slow cooked red onions which is caramelized in  butter, olive oil, garlic and good quality red wine.

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