Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Kuih Kemboja / Kuih Bakar

This famous Malaysian delicacy is usually found in most Pasar Malams (Night Markets). It is usually made in a flower shaped mold (Photo on the right belongs to http://kampungboycitygal.blogspot.com), hence the name Kuih Kemboja (Kemboja is a type of fragrant flower)
Well, since I do not have that flower-shaped mold, I used muffin pans instead.
I found the recipe from My Kitchen Snippets and modified it a little bit.

Ingredients :
1 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups coconut milk
4 large eggs
2 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp pandan paste + 1 cup of water (mixed together)
sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 325 F and grease the muffin pans lightly.
Beat eggs and sugar until sugar dissolves, but not fluffy.
Mix pandan paste, water into coconut milk. Stir.
Add in the flour and coconut milk mixture alternately into the egg and sugar mixture.
Combine it well.
Pour batter into muffin pan (3/4 full)
Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.
Bake for about 30 minutes until the edges are lightly brown and skewer comes out clean.
It should be very easy to remove from the muffin pan.
I also tried this similar recipe from Auntie Lily :
3 large eggs
1 can (400ml) coconut cream
50 ml water
1/2 tsp pandan paste
4 ozs all-purpose flour
4 ozs fine granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
sesame seeds
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 f. and put in cast-iron pan for heating.
Beat eggs and sugar till sugar dissolves and not fluffy.
Mix pandan paste and water to coconut cream.
Add in flour and coconut cream mixture alternately to the egg and sugar mixture.
Microwave batter until it thickens slightly.
Brush heated pan with a little oil and pour batter , sprinkle with sesame seeds and put to bake for 45 - 55 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool before serving.

Both recipes turned out well.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Royal Icing for Sugar Cookies

Royal Icing is a pure white icing that dries to a smooth, hard, matte finish.3 egg whites (or meringue powder)
1 lb confectioners' sugar

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1/2 tsp almond extract or vanilla extract


Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat on medium high for a full 10 minutes.
Icing will become thick and glossy. Keep covered with a damp cloth while using, removing small portions to a separate bowl as needed. Tint if desired. Can be thinned by adding few drops of water.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup softened butter
3 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk (reserve the white)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, extracts and egg yolk.
Blend well.
Stir in flour until well blended
Chill dough for 2 hours
Pre-heat oven to 376 F

Dust rolling surface with flour. Roll out dough, one third at a time to about 1/8 inch thick.
Cut into desired shape with cookie cutter.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Brush with egg white (if desired) and sprinkle with colored sugar(optional)
Bake 7-10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Can be decorated with royal icing (See recipe here)

Picture below shows a variety of cookies made using the same sugar cookie dough.
1) Added with chocolate chips
2) Placed an almond on top
3) Dusted with powdered sugar (added a little bit of green coloring into the dough)
4) Added some crushed graham cracker crust and oats

Creme de Menthe Chocolate Chip cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter (softened)
2 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons mint liqueur (I replaced it with mint extract)
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups mint chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 F
In a large bowl, mix together the butter and both sugars until smooth.
Beat in eggs, stir in the mint extract.
Combine flour, baking soda, salt. Stir into the egg mixture.
Mix in the chocolate chips.
Drop dough by heaping teaspoonsfuls into ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
Allow to cool (5 minutes), transfer to a wire rack.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Potato chips (in the microwave)

Here's a slightly healthier way to make potato chips without having to deep-fry them.
Slice potatoes really thin, dry them using a paper towel and place them on a microwavable plate.
Spray the potatoes lightly with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt.
Microwave them for 3 minutes on high. Check. And microwave for another 2-3 minutes. It should be lightly crisp.
(Careful, plate will be hot)