Chinese Sponge Cake

My Aunty Kit has always been the sponge cake expert in the family.  She has been making this cake since we were young and I'm addicted to the spongy texture and the sweet taste without any icing.  Here's a recipe that I used for this go around and of course, I picked it for its simplicity.  I didn't use superfine sugar and it turned out fine. I always used to think that it was a pain to have to beat the egg yolks and whites separately, but it's not so bad and it goes pretty quickly.

Bran Muffins

Bran muffins make it easy to have a fast and healthy breakfast.  I replaced the oil with 1/2 cup of applesauce and halved the sugar amount of this receipe, so Joe can have as many of these as he wants to.  I've substituted the raisins for chopped dried apricots and cranberries.  I've also added 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts and they've turned out great.  Again, these are classified as "healthy" muffins, so unfortunately, they are not as enjoyable as say, a blueberry muffin.  But you can eat these without the guilt!

Btw, to make buttermilk with the milk you have in the fridge, just add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to one cup of the milk.

Sai Mai Lo

 

The funny thing is that I'm so used to the diluted version that Chinese restaurants usually serve as a free dessert, that when this recipe was done, I felt like there was too much tapioca and not enough coconut milk, so I only use half of the suggested tapioca.  This recipe (like all recipes) is just a starting point - adjust to your desired taste! 

sai mai lo
½ cup tapioca
⅔ cup evaporated mlik
3 cups water
¼ cup sugar
6 T coconut milk
¼ cup mango nectar or juice (optional)
½ cup chopped mangoes (optional)

bring water to a boil, add sago, and simmer for 15 min

stir in sugar, mango juice, evaporated milk and coconut milk
simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring to prevent from burning
simmer until liquid has almost evaporated
while still hot, stir in mangoes, and serve.

Mulled Wine

One of my favorite ways to celebrate fall is to simmer something with a cinnamon aroma to let it permeate the kitchen.  I was hunting for a mulled wine recipe that would be simple and require the least ingredients.  This recipe turned out well, as it has been well received by friends, and I'm happy to drink it on my own if there are no takers (when I can.)  It's makes for a pretty site while it is simmering in the pot or slowcooker.  

2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp whole cloves
1 tsp whole allspice or fresh ginger
1 750 ml bottle of dry red wine
2/3 cup honey or sugar
1 orange, sliced
1/4 cup brandy (optional)

tie up cinnamon, cloves, and allspice or ginger in cheesecloth or place in large tea infuser.  pour wine and honey into slow cooker, stir until all dissolved.  cover.  cook for low for two hours or until steaming.  remove the spice sack before serving.  serves 4-6

Link to recipe

For a great mulled apple cider, this recipe works quite nice.  I also love to use good quality apple juice, instead of the cider, as I'm not a big fan of the pulp.

Mulled Apple Cider

apple juice can be substituted.

• 4 cups of apple cider
• 6 whole cloves
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
• 1/2 orange, sliced
• 1-inch peeled, fresh ginger, cut into 6 slices            

Combine the ingredients in a medium saucepan and simmer over a low flame for 20 minutes. Strain and serve.

"chocolate pudding"

Husband approved, this chocolate pudding recipe is healthy and easy to make.  I was reluctant to make this but it really tastes decent, considering it's tofu based. (just make sure you haven't eaten the real thing in a while :) The tofu taste gets hidden well by the cocoa powder.  This pudding stands up well for 1-2 days, so I usually half the recipe.

link to the recipe:

2 pkgs Silken Tofu-firm (light or regular)
3/4 cup Honey
3 tsp Vanilla
1/2 cup Cocoa Powder

In a food processor whip tofu until smooth. Heat honey 90 seconds in microwave on medium high. Pour honey over cocoa powder-stir until smooth. Add vanilla. Add chocolate mixture to tofu and continue blending for one minute. Pour into pre-made pie shell or custard cups and chill for 1 to 2 hours. Garnish with banana slices if desired.

Coconut Macaroons

Easy recipe alert!!  I cannot bake to save my life, so I love recipes where I can pretend like I can bake.  The recipe says to bake for 20 minutes, but I had to bake it for 22-25 minutes to get it golden brown.  Let it cool and dip in melted chocolate to make it extra yummy!

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/coconut-macaroons

Chocolate Lava Cake

This is a fave dessert that I love ordering with my girlfriends at Cutters or Daniel's Broiler, and I came across this recipe recently and it looked simple enough.  Served hot with vanilla ice cream, this is heaven in a bowl!  The best part about it is you can make it ahead of time and cook it later.  Here are all the ingredients you need.

And here's the melting of the chocolate over the stove, and then adding the butter in.

Ingredients (4 people):

6 oz. Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate (or use your favorite 70% dark chocolate bar)
6 oz. Butter (diced, room temperature)
3 Eggs
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
1/3 cup Flour
Butter for Ramekins

How to Make It:

Preheat oven to 350°F
1. Melt chocolate on low flame in a bain-marie (double boiler). When melted, take of flame, and…
2. Stir in diced butter, until it melts.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar, until it starts to whiten.
4. Stir in melted chocolate and then the flour.
5. Butter 4 individual ramekins, and pour in chocolate batter.
6. Cook for about 10 minutes.
7. Tip ramekins upside down onto dessert plates and serve.

http://www.famousfrenchdesserts.com/chocolate-lava-cake-recipe.html

Strawberry Shortcake

The best part about family is when you discover similarities.  My cousin had researched this strawberry shortcut recipe endlessly, to recreate a cake that she had at her favorite bakery.  I was so proud of her efforts and so excited to enjoy this cake.  The recipe requires quite a bit of eggs and it turned out to be a family project.  Everyone got into the fun!

Here's the link to the recipe.  Mascarpone cheese was hard to find at Safeways, best bet is Central Market.  http://hecooksshebakes.blogspot.com/2009/11/strawberry-shortcake.html