Easy Mini Chocolate Treat

I promised Z that I will do this with them during the school holiday. Recipe is from his school. It is easy to do and yummy!

Ingredients:
- Cornflakes
- Raisins
- Chocolates

Mix cornflakes & raisins and place a spoonful into the mini paper cupcake holder.
Pour melted chocolates over it and leave in fridge.

I melt the chocolates for them and they did the rest. LZ missed those baking sessions that we used to do and I missed it too. I hope to be able to bake more often with them once ZJ is older.

Pumpkin Rice Recipe

Some of you were asking for the Pumpkin Rice (Bento #117) recipe which I just learned to cook from the TV programme. I can't exactly remember the amt needed for each ingredient but here is the recipe:

Ingredients:
- dried prawns (soaked)
- minced garlic
- sliced pork
- sliced mushroom
- diced pumpkin (I used Japanese pumpkin which I find it nicer)

Methods:
- wash and get ready rice with water in rice cooker
- fried garlic & dried prawns
- add pork & mushroom
- add seasoning
- pour over rice (in rice cooker) and on the switch.

Once it is ready, mix and serve.

*I added light soya sauce and pepper while frying the pork. You can also marinate the pork before frying. It is up to you what seasoning you want to add to suit your liking coz I forgot what was the seasonings. Hehehe.... I used only light soya and taste alright and I also adjust the taste as I was frying it. The next time, I'm gonna try using chicken.

This is a very easy one dish meal and hope you will like it as much as LZfamily.

Bento #53 & #54 - Daddy & Daughter's Bento

L's Bento

In the box: biscuits, grapes & bread from bakery store.

Today's bento for L was a last minute decision. The school had Sport Carnival and they were told to bring a small bag to school. LZdaddy told me not to pack for her as she probably be moving around the school compound to play games.

After some thought this morning, I decided to pack some snacks for her instead. I was thinking by recess time, she would be tired to queue up to buy food. I packed in bread that I bought from the bakery store yesterday as well. I packed food stuffs that will not be messy since she will be moving around with the bag.

LZdaddy's Bento

Left box: sliced oranges & grapes. Right bento box from left: brussel sprouts (top), stir fry beef with capsicum & onion (bottom), rice with seaweed sprinklers.

My man should be happy, I cooked specially for him this morning. I will be mad if he doesn't eat it.

For the brussel sprouts, I blanch it first and stir fry it with garlic and salt. For the beef, I used oyster sauce, light soya sauce and miso paste. To show my love for him, I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to sprinkle the seaweed. Hehehe....

It actually didn't take long for me to cook everything this morning. I cut the onion and capsicum last night and no need to marinade the meat at all.

Oreo Cheesecake

Thanks to Pauline for sharing the website with a wonderful Oreo Cheesecake recipe. When I saw that Janice make it too and she said it was yummy, I told myself I must find time to make it too. I love oreos!

I baked it with Z's help yesterday when L was taking a nap. He was so eager to eat it but it wasn't ready till after he went to bed :p The next day, LZ tried it but they didn't like it :( They never like cheesecake so I wasn't surprised at all. I was hoping that with oreos in it, they will like it. My nephew and niece who came over to our house this afternoon tried it and they love it. Are you guys telling the truth? :) Personally, I like it too! LZdaddy yet to try it but he promised me he would do that later :)

I gave almost half of it to Michelle and her 3 little ones. Michelle's princesses are my tasters :) I received good review from them ;) When I smsed Michelle to remind her to put in the fridge hours later (how forgetful!), she told me that her little ones finished it as soon as they got home! Gagaga...

If you like oreos, then you must try this! I posted the recipe here for my own reference.

(makes one 18cm cake)

Ingredients (base) :
- 110g digestive biscuits, chopped into fine crumbs
- 40g melted butter

(Filling) :
-250g cream cheese, room temperature
-45ml milk
-50g icing sugar
-1 tbsp vanilla essence or rum I used vanilla essence
-8 oreo cookies (coarsely chopped)
-4 oreo cookies (finely chopped)
-250ml whipping cream
-1tbsp gelatin powder
-10ml lemon juice
-3 tbsp boiling water

Method :
1. mix biscuit crumbs & melted butter together and press firmly onto the base of cake tin. chill for 30 minutes.
2. beat whipping cream with electric beaters until 70% stiff or until mousse-like.
3. double-boil gelatin, lemon juice & boiling water until totally dissolved. keep warm.
4. beat cream cheese, icing sugar, milk and vanilla essence until smooth & creamy. blend in gelatin solution.
5. blend in whipping cream.
6. pour 1/2 the cheese mixture onto the base. chill for another 15 minutes.
7. stir in finely chopped cookies into the other 1/2 of the mixture. mix well.
8. sprinkle coarsely chopped cookies on top of the first half of cheese mixture.
9. pour in the other half of the cheese mixture.
10. chill for 3 to 4 hours before serving. decorate as desired. I put a layer of finely chopped oreo crumbs over the top as decoration

Cookie Recipe

I had tried a number of recipes and finally found one that I like and I made a slight change to it :) I can't remember where/how I got this recipe though.. I remembered some of you were asking for it, so here it is!

Ingredients

100g butter, softened

80g icing sugar

1 egg yolk

180g cake flour, sifted

20g corn flour, sifted

Method

Mix sifted flour together. Line baking tray. Preheat oven at 175C.

Cream butter and add sugar in 2 or 3 additions till mixture turns pale & fluffy.

Add in egg yolk and mix well

Add sifted flour in 2 or 3 additions, stir with spatula to form a dough

Place dough in platic bag and flatten it

Refrigerate for abt 1/2 hour

Remove dough from fridge and roll out on slightly floured work surface. Cut out shapes with cutters.

Bake for 15 to 20 mins

Let cool and store in airtight container.

Have fun baking!

Bento #9

Instead of waking up early to cook & prepare for her bento today, I baked pandan chiffon cupcake using Elaine's recipe last night. Thank you for sharing Elaine :)

L loves it! She asked for more when she got home :) Daddy thinks it was not soft enough... Wondering what's wrong... Z didn't want it for breakfast but in the afternoon, he ate 2 of it!

Z's Bento

Most of time when L has her swimming lesson, I will have to pack Z's dinner along. This is one of the dishes that I love preparing and Z loves it too :) I will usually pack a drink and some fruit too.

Ingredients used in this bacon pasta (I got the recipe from a magazine years ago):

• macaroni
• garlic
• back bacon
• parsley
• capers
• cherry tomatoes
• capsicum

Methods :

• fry bacon first
• use the same frying pan to fry the garlic
• add in tomatoes and capsicum
• add bacon
• add macaroni
• add salt (optional as bacon is salty)
• add in parsley & capers
• mix well and serve

Where's The Feet?

Jean was asking me abt the little 'feet', so I posted another pic pointing to it :) Idy asked for the recipe and here is the link. The blogger posted a very detailed post on the step-by-step and with pics too.

Sorry Ladies to keep you waiting and hope you have fun doing it :)

Baked Doughnuts Recipe

This was the recipe I used for making the doughnuts. I got the recipe from Baking Mum. She has many recipes and I love visiting her blog.

I posting the recipe here for my own reference too :)

Ingredients

-1 cup plain/top/cake flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 150g plain yogurt
- 1 tbs canola oil
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp confectioner's sugar, divided

Methods

- in a small bowl, combine dry ingredients
- combine egg, yogurt, oil, lemon juice, and vanilla & mix well
- stir in dry ingredients just until moistened
- coat the tube pans with non stick cooking spray and dust with 1 tsp confectioners' sugar (I don't have the spray so I used a brush to coat it)
- spoon mixture into pan
- Baked at 200C for 1o-12 mins or until out clean toothpick inserted near center comes (I baked for 15 mins)
- Coo for 5 ins before removing from pans to wire rack
- Dust with remaining sugar

Happy Baking!

M&M's cookies

Yes :) Another baking session! LZ have been asking for their M&M's cookies for quite some time.... Since daddy will be working today, we will be home till evening and they have finished their works, we baked their favourite!

We baked this instead of the chocolate ones. The recipe is slightly different....

Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used less)
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar (I used less)
- 1 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 340g M&M's
- 3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Methods
- preheat oven 350F/180C
- Cream sugars & butter till light and fluffy
- beat in egg and vanilla
- in a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt. Then blend into cream mixture
- stir in M&M's
- drop a tbs apart onto ungreased cookie sheets
- bake 10 - 13 mins or until edge brown & center still soft
- cool 1 min on cookie sheet, then cool on wire rack.

M&M's Chocolate Cookie

I bought 1 packets of the M&M's yesterday and Z asked if we can make cookies today. Without thinking, I said OK.... Since morning, LZ has been asking when we are going to bake and so we started baking in the afternoon...

Recipe from M&M's

Ingredients:

- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar *I used slightly less*
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 cup M&M
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Methods:

- preheat oven to 180C/350F
- lightly grease cookie sheet
- cream butter & sugars till light and fluffy
- combine flour, cocoa powder, salt & baking soda, mix well
- Add it to cream mixture
- Stir in M&M and nuts
- place abt tbs each onto tray, then bake in oven for 12-14mins for chewy cookies or 14-16mins for crispy cookies
- cool 1 min on tray then cool on wire rack

We tried both the chewy and crispy ones and we find that the chewy ones taste better.

We started munching on it as soon as it was out of the oven! If you have time, do try it out with your kids :) Not only my LZ love it, my friend's kids (I gave some to them) love it too!

Easy Breakfast

A easy breakfast that I prepared for LZ. I called it All-IN-ONE :) I got the recipe from a TV programme...

Z doesn't like egg yolk, so I used a fork to mix it after cracking the egg onto the bread (bread on the right).

Ingredients (for 1 person):
- 1 slice bread
- Mayonnaise
- 1 egg
- bacon, diced or shredded (I used back bacon)
- parsley flakes

Method:
- preheat oven
- squeeze mayo around the top of the bread (to create a 'wall')
- crack egg within the mayo 'wall', egg will not flow out.
- put some parsley flakes
- put bacon
- bake in oven for 20 mins (depend on your oven)

Note:
~ Do make sure that the egg is fully cooked before serving.
~ Do not let the egg overflow
~ You can use ham instead of bacon

When it is ready, you will have a toasted bread with egg and bacon.

Alone

Í spent time alone yesterday... DH went overseas (he left on Wednesday night) and LZ were at my Mum's place...

I cleaned the house and baked cookies on L's request. She asked if I can bake some for her teachers from the church. That was so sweet of her :) How can I say no to her?

After making 1 batch of the cookies, I decided to make another batch. Ya.... I washed the things twice! Silly me! I should have make 2 batches at 1 go!

Today, LZ happily gave out the cookies to all the teachers/helpers at the church. Actually, Z gave out only 1 pack, which was for his teacher and he ran off to exchange gifts with the coupons. L gave out the rest. I have prepared 20 packs and all was given out. It was a hit! If you have time, do try out the cookies :) Recipe from here.

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

-3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-1 egg
-2 tsp vanilla extract
-2 cups all purpose flour
-1 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp salt
-200g bittersweet chocolate, cut into chunks


Directions:

-Set your oven temperature to 180 degree celcius.
-Cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.
-Mix the rest of the dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chunks.
-Drop cookie dough onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutella Cupcakes

While LZ were at their doughnut making class, I decided to make some nutella cupcakes. I made the mini ones instead..... I think some of it I put too much nutella (I was greedy, hehehe....) and I can't swirl it well.

Nevertheless, it taste good! That's what my girl said :p

Recipe from HERE


Nutella Frosted Cupcakes

-10 tbsp(140 grams) butter, softened
-3/4 cup white sugar
-3 eggs
-1/2 tsp vanilla
-1 3/4 cups (200 grams) sifted ap flour
-1/4 tsp salt
-2 tsp baking powder
-Nutella, approx. 1/3 cup

-Preheat oven to 325F.
-Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners.
-Cream together butter and sugar until light, 2 minutes.
-Add in eggs one at a time, until fully incorporated. Don't worry if the batter doesn't look smooth. -Add vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and baking powder until batter is uniform and no flour remains.
-Using an ice cream scoop, fill each muffin liner with batter.
-They should be 3/4 full, if you're not using a scoop.
-Top each cake with 1 1/2 tsp Nutella.
-Swirl Nutella in with a toothpick, making sure to fold a bit of batter up over the nutella.
-Bake for 20 minutes.
-Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
-Makes 12.

Easy Brownies

I have sudden craving for chocolate! I decided to bake easy brownies, recipe from my dear cousin. I have baked it many times and it never fails to satisfy me :)

I omitted the nuts as LZ and me like it plain... Daddy seldom have it, unlike my all time supporters, LZ!

Pizza Time

Cooking time for LZ! Last night I asked them what would they like to have for lunch today and both said "PIZZA!" . It has been some time since we had home-made pizza....

I don't prepare home-made pizza base, why bother to make when I can get ready made ones? OK... I admit I am lazy :D I usually use this one as we like thin crust.. There are 2 pizza baze in a pack and LZ took one each.

What we have on our pizzas:

• tomato paste


• sausages (sliced)


• ham (cut into square pieces)


• button mushroom (sliced)


• capsicum (diced)


• cheddar & mozzarella cheese

After that, just put into oven and bake it! Simple right? It was a quick & easy meal. I don't think I need to write down the method :) We have fun preparing lunch and hope you will too!

Horlicks Doggie Cookies

We did yummy Holicks Doggie Cookies in the afternoon. Too bad daddy was working this afternoon, otherwise it will be more fun..... This recipe doesn't use egg and sugar. L & Z love it! They were munching the koko crunch while doing it.

We put more than 3 choc chips into each dough (we like it sweeter).

When they woke from their nap, they watched tv and munched their cookies...

Ingredients:(makes about 48 cookies)

180g butter, soften at room temperature
80g Horlicks
200g top flour or cake flour
25g corn flour
25g milk powder
100g chocolate chips
some chocolate rice
some Koko Krunch

Method:

-Pre-heat oven to 140deg C. Line baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
-Sieve top flour, corn flour and milk powder.
-Cream butter and Horlicks for about three minutes at low speed. Do not overbeat.
-Put in top flour, cornflour and milk powder and beat for about one minute to form
dough.
-Divide dough into 10g each. Put three chocolate chips into each piece of dough and roll into balls. -Insert two pieces of Koko Krunch to form the 'ears', chocolate rice for the "eyes", and a chocolate chip in the centre for the 'nose'.
-Bake at 140 deg C for about 25 minutes. Depending on your oven, it may take another 5 to 10 minutes more for the cookies to be ready.
-Leave to cool on wire rack before storing in an airtight container.