Ultimate Scones

This English scone doesn't have a leavening agent to help it rise..but the recipe calls for self-raising flour which I guess it would do the job! Anyway, mine didn't rise (or got high)that much ( maybe I patted the dough out too thin!!) but the texture looks good..as for the taste, hmmm..since I don't have a clotted cream in hand..so I reckon it could be better with clotted cream and jam!

Pistachio Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Once I saw the original recipe from Bakingbites , I knew for sure that I must give it a try... but to be honest, I would have had a second thought if the recipe used something else rather than pistachio !!

Anyway, I used dried cranberry instead of cherry because I couldn't find it in time... but the result still came out good. I,therefore, thank Nicole for her excellent idea and recipe!!

Mini biscuit

Once I saw the photos of this homemade biscuit made by Homesick Texan the other day..I was so determined to give it a try..just had to wait until weekend so that the whole family can enjoy it together ! And I made it this morning....the biscuits are sooo delicious and everybody fancy it!


Anyway, it's not perfect .. there were few things that I didn't follow the recipe ..not delibarately though ! Firstly, I don't have any proper cutter ,so I ended up using a plastic one I got from somewhere long time ago..and the size is smaller than a standard cutter which made me get about 25 biscuits instead of 10-12..

Secondly, my oven failed to reach the set temperature when the biscuits were ready to be baked..so it took 20 minutes to get the job done and by that time ,the bases seem too dark and crispy ( but the top were just right!)


I will make sure to get these two things right for the next time..and hopefully, I would get a better result...just to make my family enjoy eating more !

Sausage & leek hash

I had got some leek waiting to be gotten rid of in the fridge for a week..needed to use it up before they would be gone to a rubbish bin ! And something easy to make is always my choice..that is why it's here to be presented!!

The recipe is from bbcgoodfood ,one of my favorite sites...

Sopapillas

I was so determined to give it a try once I saw the recipe from this website where I think I could rely on !!


I'm not sure if mine is the same as the original..but what I can tell is that I'm pleased with the outcome I've got! .. Apart from that, it seems delicious which is proved by my daughter who never tells me a lie!

Gougères

Honestly speaking, I had absolutely no idea what gougères is and was never aware of its existence until this morning! I was reading new posts from bakingbites and double-clicked on the links, I ,then, somehow spotted the name and didn't wait a second to find out what it is..

Well...after having a look through all ingredients used for the recipe , I knew immediately what I was baking for today!!

To me, the only weak point is that I don't really like the taste and smell of gruyere when baked ( but I love it when eating pure ).. Apart from that, I think it's an ideal fingerfood/snack for any occasion..and it seems best to be eaten warmed !

Shrimp and Artichoke Pasta

I came accross this great recipe from here where I'd like to be and look for some good recipes..so far it hasn't let me down !

The original recipe used linguine but I chose fettuccine cuz I found it fits my taste more than any kinds of pasta..Anyway, it came out good (even it didn't look as good as the original) and I'm sure the next time I cook this dish won't be that long...

Lumberjack Cake

Honestly speaking , I have absolutely no idea what this cake is ...so let alone its taste !

Only one reason that made me give this one a try is a curiosity!!


Ingredients:

2 granny smith apples, peeled, grated coarsely
1 cup (200g) finely chopped dates ( I used dried one)
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 cup (250ml) water
125g softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 cup (220g) caster sugar ( I used 180g)
1 egg
1cup plain flour, sifted
1/2cup self-raising flour, sifted

Topping:

60g butter
½ cup brown sugar ( I used 30g)
80ml (1/3cup) milk
1 cup (75g) shredded coconut ( I used sweet one)


Method

1. Heat oven to 180 degrees C.
5(350 degrees F). Put the dates with the water in a saucepan, bring to boil and mix in bicarb soda. Remove from the heat and leave to warm .

2. Grease a 20cm springform cake tin, line with paper. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla essence in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and creamy. Add egg and vanilla ,beat until combined. Stir in the apple and the date mixture and then fold in the flours. Pour into prepared pan and bake in a moderate oven for 40 minutes. Pour topping over the top of cake. Return to oven and cook for a further 20-30 minutes. Topping should be golden brown and caramelised. Allow to cool in the tin before slicing .


Topping

Combine butter, sugar, cream and most of the coconut in a pot. stir over a low heat until butter is melted and ingrediants combined.

One-pot chicken rice

I cooked this dish on Good Friday and don't you get it wrong.. it's nothing to do with Easter's !...just because I didn't have any choice but cooked for my husband !..so my choice had to be something quick and easy...yet able to gain a compliment from your loving one.. !


Ingredients (Serves 4)

1 tbsp olive oil 4 chicken thighs , skin removed and trimmed of fat
2 large leeks, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves , crushed
400g can chickpeas in water, drained and rinsed
grated zest of 1 lemon
200g easy-cook brown rice ( I used plain jasmine rice)
450ml chicken stock
1 head broccoli , broken into florets

Method:

1. Heat a large, lidded frying pan or fl ameproof casserole and add the oil. Fry the chicken thighs for 2 mins, turning halfway through cooking, until lightly coloured, then lift onto a plate. Add the leeks to the pan and stir-fry for 3 mins, then add the garlic and tip in the chickpeas, most of the lemon zest and rice. Stir together until well mixed.

2. Nestle the chicken in the rice mix. Pour over the stock and season lightly. Cover and cook on a low heat for 20 mins until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the rice has absorbed nearly all the liquid. Sit the broccoli on top of the rice, cover and continue to cook until the rice and broccoli are tender and the chicken cooked. Sprinkle with the remaining lemon zest to serve.

Chocolate babka

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