THE BEST CHOCOLATE BANANA MUFFIN

Thanks to thedomesticgoddesswannabe

for this super moist muffin

The Best Chocolate Banana Muffin

1) 187g plain flour sifted together with

               30g cocoa powder

               1 tsp baking powder

               1/4 tsp baking soda

                & mix in 100g chocolate chips

          

2) 450g mashed bananas mix with

       80g vegetable oil 

       1 egg

       100g sugar

3) fold in dry ingredients to mashed banana mixture

4) DO not overmix

5) scoop into 12 muffin cups 

6) bake in preheated oven 175'C for 20-25min

7) cool in pan for 15min before removing 

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIFFON CAKE

I like light cakes

like Chiffon and Sponge

but 

not my hubby

he prefers heavy butter cakes to these

I adapted the recipe from here

Double Chocolate Chiffon Cake

1) 95g cake flour sifted together with

          15g cocoa powder

         1/2 tsp baking powder

         1/2 tsp baking soda
          pinch of salt

2) 70g dark cooking chocolate, double boil to melt

3) 5 AA egg yolks beat with
           50g sugar, then mix in

           75g oil 

          100g fresh milk & melted chocolate

           fold in dry ingredients, leave aside

4) 5 AA egg white whisk with

           1/2 tsp cream of tartar

           80g sugar

5) mix 1/3 of egg white to egg yolk mixture, mix until well combined

6) fold in carefully, egg yolk mixture to remaining egg white

7) pour into unlined 10" cake pan

8) drop cake pan onto table top to remove air bubbles

9) bake in preheated oven 160-170'C for 60-70min

10) overturn tin on wire rack to cool before turn back

Ganache: (adapted from Enne's)
if frosting the cake
1) melt 200g semi sweet cooking chocolate 
    with 100ml whipping cream
2) when chocolate has fully melted, stir in 20g butter
       

          

FUZHOU GROUNDNUT SOUP

Groundnut Soup
or
Hua Leng Toong in Fuzhou dialect
is Sweet Peanut Soup

Foochow people love peanuts

Peanuts are cooked in soups
wrapped in dumplings
as fillings for paus like
Jin Nau Pau or pillow pau and 
Ching Aik Koh, another typical layered Foochow pau 

I can remember when I was a child

this was a most welcomed dessert in my grandmother's house

You can buy it from the market too

just like red bean soup, green pea soup or bo-bo-cha.

Simple it may be 

it takes a lot of patients to boil it

you need at least 2 hours 

I used Pressure cooker to save time 

150g groundnuts 

3 pandan leaves

1000ml water

sugar to taste

1) rinse groundnuts and boil in a pot together with pandan leaves

2) you may need more water to boil down 

3) when groundnuts are soft, remove pandan leaves

4) add sugar to taste

CREAM PUFFS SHELL

.

I love the texture of Cream Puffs

soft interior and a bit of crunch outside

I can never resist the aroma of freshly baked cream puffs 

There are various types of filling

Fresh Cream if you don't mind a bit of fat

Custard if you choose to go for traditional ones

How about with durian cream?

I love them all

Cream Puff Shell

A) 250g water

   50g butter

B) 150g plain flour, sifted

   2 tsp castor sugar

   3 AA eggs, lightly beaten

   pinch of salt

Method:

1) combine flour,castor sugar & salt and leave aside 

2) boil together water & butter to a rolling boil, off heat

3) pour flour ALL AT ONCE into the hot water/oil

4) beat rapidly with wooden spoon to combine to form paste

5) leave to cool 5 min 

6) beat in eggs, one at a time, using electric mixer

7) beat until paste becomes smooth & glossy

8) spoon by the Tbsp onto a lined baking tray

9) bake in preheated oven 190'C for 20min

10)off heat, but let puffs cool in oven for 10min

WALNUT BUTTER CAKE

After reading Sonia's 

Walnut Butter Cake recipe

and found 60g walnut in my pantry

I decided to 

bake this!

I did not have enough walnut for toppings

so

I left it plain

Walnut Butter Cake

A) 110g cake flour sifted with

      1 tsp baking powder

      60g walnut, process till fine

B) 125g butter

      80g castor sugar

      2 AA eggs

      1 tsp vanilla extract

      2 Tbsp fresh milk

c) 30g walnut for topping

Method:

1) combine A & line bottom of a 6" cake pan

2) cream butter and sugar until pale & fluffy

3) add vanilla extract and eggs, 1 at a time

4) mix well after each addition

5) fold in dry ingredients 

6) adjust consistency with milk, combine well

7) bake in preheated oven 175'C for 40 min

SWEET POTATO BUN

Sweet potatoes 

are so colorful 

some are yellow, others are orange

and yet another is purple

Whatever colour you like

you can boil it, mashed it & added to your bread dough

for colour and spongy texture

140g milk or water used to boil potatoes

50g butter

1 & 1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg

100g mashed potato

120g bread flour

270g plain flour

45g brown sugar

1/2 Tbsp instant yeast

1) all ingredients into bread machine, knead only

2) let rise one hour or until double in bulk

3) divide dough into 8 portions, roll into balls

4) let rise until double in bulk, about 1 hour

5) bake in preheated oven 175'C for 25min

6) cool on wire rack

THE FATHER'S HEART

Pastor Benny Ho once said, "We are like L-plate drivers navigating through life with a driving instructor by our side. He will let us navigate & drive, but when there is danger, he has another brake pad that he can use to override whatever we are doing.  That is why we have security in the sovereignity of God" 

He is no tyrany.  He will not force his way through.  He give us a choice at many points in life.  Yet, he still watch over us for the choice we made, if necessary He will give us a turning point if we are willing to take it.

This is our God, a gentleman in His ways.  We break His hearts when we disobey Him but He does not hate us for that. His love for us is still the same. He hates sins but He loves the sinners. If not, He will not die for us on the cross to redeem us from the penalty of sin, death!

Come to God as you are. He has no favourites. He loves every one of us.  You just need to call on Him and He will be there for you. 

Do not worry about your previous sins because He knows you well.  Nothing can escape His knowledge. So, just come, repent and surrender your worry, your burden to Him and let Him settle everything for you. Remember, He is waiting for you with open arms. He will wipe away your tears. He promise to wash away your sins and remember them no more. He is ever so forgiving. 

The Heavens will rejoice even when one person repent and come back to Him. Do you want to be that person?

MY FATHER'S LOVE LETTER

http://fathersloveletter.com.text.html

The first time I read this letter

I was  really touched

How can this God, so Great and Mighty

is my Father
and He even calls me His offspring

I am so small

like a sand particle on the unending sea-shore

and yet He knows so much about me

He cares for me

He loves me even before I know Him

I was already in His mind before I was conceived
I was definitely not a mistake
but well planned ahead

Thank you 
Father God
I never know I am so much loved and treasured

Sorry to learn that
 you have been patiently waiting for me with open arms 
while I purposely went on a detour
refused to heed to your beckoning 

How can I be so naive
full of self-indulgence until my eyes were veiled from you

It is a choice given to me
to accept Jesus as my Lord and savior
so that 
I can claim the inheritance reserved for me as a child of God

How about you?
Read on 
and you will find your destination..

   Father's Love Letter
An Intimate Message From God To You.

My Child, You may not know me, but I know everything about you.  Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up.  Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways.  Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.  Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image.  Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring.  Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived.  Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation.  Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.  Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.  Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb.  Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born.  Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.  1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.  1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.  1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.  Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect father.  Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.  James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.  Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.  Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love.  Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you.  Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession.  Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.  Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things.  Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.  Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires.  Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.  Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.  Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.  Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.  Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.  John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being.  Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.  Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.  2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.  1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.  Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.  1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is… Will you be my child?  John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you.  Luke 15:11-32 Love, Your Dad Almighty God

SPARE RIBS/PIG'S TROTTER IN HOMEMADE WINE

This dish is loved by many Foo Chow people

especially the older generation

My mom is one of them

not to mention my uncles

1/2 kg pork ribs

1 radish

1 pc ginger, punched

homemade red wine & residue

Method:

1) heat oil in kuali and fry ginger until fragrant

2) add pork ribs & fry until firm

3) add wine residue, give a quick frying

4) add water & radish pieces

5) boil until tender, add wine to taste

6) season with salt, pepper & some sugar

7) serve hot

You can replace the spare ribs with Pig's Trotter

like this

COPYCAT OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE BUSHMAN LOAF

When I tried this bread for the first time

at Outbreak Steakhouse

I made up my mind I have to try baking this bread

I like the colour and the taste

especially when you eat it hot, cutting from the cutting board

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Bushman Loaf

156g water

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp butter

135g bread flour

120g whole wheat flour

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 & 1/8 tsp instant yeast

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

1/8 cup honey, dark 

1 Tbsp molasses

oats for topping

1) all ingredients except oats, into bread machine, bread dough cycle

2) leave to rise until double

3) form into 3 loafs of 2" X 6"

4) let rise 1 hour before baking in preheated oven 175'C for 25min

2014 School Holidays

Kung Kung: " Ethan, your school so good. 
                        No holidays!"
Ethan:          " Deh!" crossing his 2 index fingers...... 
                     " Wrong! Holiday is good.
                        My school has no holidays, so no good!"


Ethan: " Mama, who is a writer?"
Mama: " You mean writer of a book? He is the author."
Ethan: " Then, who is the illustrator?"
Mama: " The person who draws the pictures in that story book.
               So, is he a drawer?"
Ethan:    Looking at the 2 drawers below the TV console,
                 ???????
                
                        

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

I received a big jar of organic, hand made peanut butter from

one of my nephews

who brought it all the way from New Zealand

It has no preservative and colouring 

and it tastes really good

so

I cannot help but try this recipe
from bakingtaitai

This newphew of mine has gone on a cruise

so cannot taste the cookies I just made
If time permits
I will bake another batch
just for him

His thoughts are well received with special thanks

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie

1) 130g organic unbleached flour sifted with

      1/4 tsp cream of tartar

      1/4 tsp baking soda

      

      and combine with

      80g chocolate chips

      1/4 tsp salt

2) 55g butter creamed with

     100g castor sugar

     40g corn oil

     then, beat in

     1 egg

     40g peanut butter

     1 tsp vanilla extract

3) fold in dry ingredients to butter mixture

4) make small balls and place on lined baking tray

5) lightly press to flatten before baking in preheated oven 

6) of 160'C for 15min

7) let cookies rest in baking tray for 5min before removing

8) store in air-tight container