Gordon Ramsay's Scrambled Eggs

My mama often told me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. On working days, I would had a mug of hot chocolate with cookies or bread spread with thick peanut butter, in front of the laptop and screening through the never ending emails. 

Now that I'm into my second month of my break, one thing I'd like to do is to ditch the excuse: I never learned how to cook. "I never have the time" used to be my best excuse.

My gorgeous friend, Pauline, nominated me for a 5-day mug/cup challenge where one has to post what's in his/her mug/cup and name a nomination for the next 5 days. I thought it is a good opportunity to cook my own breakfast. 

I'm totally in the mood for good scrambled eggs today!First, I prepped and cooked the portobello mushrooms and and fresh vine tomatoes first and let it to cool. 

Using the same pan, I pan fried the sausage. I started on the eggs using a clean saucepan, and when they are almost done, I used the other pan to toast the English muffin. 

I plated everything by placing the sauteed mushrooms and scrambled eggs onto the English muffins, and pairing it with the sausage and some vine tomatoes. With a few simple ingredients, you can easily whip up home cooked brunch in less than 30 minutes. 

So what's in my cup today? Earl grey lavender tea. 

A thoroughly pleasant brunch at the comfort of home. 

GORDON RAMSAY'S SCRAMBLED EGGS

(serves one)

2 large eggs

1/2 tbsp of butter

1 tbsp whipping cream (or milk)

salt and pepper

Break the eggs into small, heavy-based saucepan and add the butter and salt. 

Place over a medium-high heat, and stir the eggs together with a wooden spoon. 

Once mixed, leave the eggs on the heat for a few seconds, and then stir again. Repeat the process over the heat and remove from heat motion until they begin to set, till they are just at the stage where they are not quite as cooked as you like them as they will continue to cook slightly afterwards. 

Remove pan from the heat, stir in the whipping cream and serve immediately.

You can watch Gordon Ramsay's video if you haven't already. Yay to my first attempt on scrambled eggs. I love LOVE scrambled eggs. 

Chili Lime Shrimps in Wonton Cups

In a group chat where I invited my fellow mountain climbers and a professional salsa dancer over to my place ....

Dalyn: Stay for dinner? I can order pizza, haha

Pauline: ok can also, but pizza? LOL

Dalyn: What else huh? 

I thought to myself, "Didn't Pauline served us pizza she bought from supermarket and warmed it in the oven?!?!" Nevertheless, my pretty friend offered her help with simple dishes using oven. Pauline, an experienced hostess, gave me fantastic ideas on wonton cups and cheese platter. And so I searched 'wonton cups' in Pinterest and chanced upon chili lime shrimps in wonton cups. This has to be it! My favourite seafood - shrimps. 

I decided to have a go at the wonton cups before the Party. Just when I wanted to use the oven, I realised that the racks were still sealed in the box for months! Well, as I typed this, I recall that I have another appliance silently calling out for me in its box for weeks. 

Photo credit to Adrienne

Alright, let's go back to the chili lime shrimps in wonton cups. This is what the post is really about. Wonton cups are easy to prepare. They get snapped up fast. That one-bite madness, and these little appetizers made it to my to-prepare dish for guests. Chili lime shrimps in wonton cups, yet another thumbs-up dish by my guests. 

For past two weeks, I had prepared countless wonton cups - mushroom and cheese, crabmeat rangoon and cheesy sausages. 

Trust me, you'll love these!

Chili Lime Shrimp in Wonton Cups

(Adapted from Joanne from Inspired Taste)

Yield: 24 shrimp cups

24 wonton wrappers

2 tablespoons olive oil

24 medium shrimps, peeled and deveined

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp crushed red pepper

2 limes

1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts

3 tbsp sour cream

1. Heat oven to 170 degrees C.

2. Prepare wonton shells. Lightly brush wonton wrappers and then arrange them in 24 mini muffin/cupcake cups. Bake until golden brown and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. 

3. Prepare the shrimps. Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, 2 teaspoons of lime zest and crushed red pepper. Bake shrimp until opaque throughout, 5 to 8 minutes. 

4. Assemble shrimp cups. Fill each wonton cup with a few alfalfa sprouts, a small dollop of sour cream, one shrimp then top with a spritz of lime juice. 

Jamie Oliver's The Best Hummus Recipe

I always dream to create a beautiful space to hangout, host friends, cook meals, drink tea, read books. And be pretty hostess. 

It didn't take me long to tackle this challenging task from the fail-proof steamboat where everyone gets to enjoy the food, which has been briefly cooked in hot broth to appetizers & cheese platter to whole day challenge resulting in my first sausages platter and cranking out chilli lime prawns in wonton cups for friends since. 

Jamie Oliver's basic hummus recipe receives everyone's LIKES! That creamy dip that hails from the Middle East, has a reputation as a clean, healthy food. It deserves it. All the main ingredients are super food in their own right. It's got chickpeas, taihini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil in most traditional versions. 

Hummus isn't just for dipping. It makes a great sandwich spread, too. Seeing a 10 year-old Zi Han spreading thick layers on his baguette and kept praising the hummus. (Confidence booster for moi!) Try it instead of mayonnaise. You'll get more protein and fiber for half the calories you would get from mayo. Hummus adds 1 gram of flat to your lunch box, compared to 5 grams for regular mayo.

Photo credit to Adrienne

Why I love this recipe. When I first figured out how to make my own hummus, I was pleasantly pleased at how easy and fast it is. With just 6 ingredients, you can really make creamy smooth hummus at home and yes, I really think it's better than store-bought. 

Two things: First, I use canned chickpeas, which is much quicker than using dried. Adrienne and Florence swear by buying chickpeas from Little India, soaking and steaming dried chickpeas but I'm just not that patient and I love canned chickpeas means I can enjoy hummus in 10 minutes. Second, the recipe calls for tahini, a creamy paste made from sesame seeds. You can easily find tahini in larger supermarkets.

Basic Hummus recipe

(Adapted from Jamie Oliver)

I use half of Jamie's recipe and is good for 7 pax as a started and paired with baguette. 

1 x 400g can of chickpeas (reserve the liquid and a few chickpeas for decoration)

2 tsp tahini

1 garlic cloves, crushed

1/2 tsp crushed sea salt

3 tbsp quality extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)

1-3/4 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

paprika (optional)

coriander or parsley leaves (optional)

Rinse the chickpeas in cold water and tip into the food processor. Add the tahini, crushed garlic, salt, lemon juice, and three and one half tablespoons of the reserved liquid from the can. Turn on the food processor and slowly pour in the oil while it runs. 

When the mixture is fully combined and smooth, tip it into a serving dish. Drizzle with some extra virgin oil and decorate with a few whole chickpeas. Sprinkle with paprika and finely chopped or parsley leaves, for colour. 

Store hummus in airtight container, up to 7 days in fridge. 

Triple Chocolate Kahlua Cheesecake

You may have noticed that I have been quiet in my blog and Facebook Page in the past few months. In reality, last couple of months have been exciting and crazy, following getting my own space, moving and travelling to Central & Eastern Europe. 

I'm grateful that my home is transformed from a near naked place to a beautiful home! (Alright, I'm biased!) I'm proud to present my humble kitchenette. The initial kitchenette is no more than a miserable pantry. I built a full height cabinet with my first ever built-in oven. Oh, did I mention that the gorgeous flamenco apron is a gift from my friend who bought in Spain? 

Now that I am settled into my new place, I can start cranking out baking again. I miss the feel of the flour, the sound of the mixer, and of course, the smell of the delectable final product. 

Let's talk about this cake. This chocolate cheesecake is a real showstopper. It has three chocolate layers, starting with a sandy textured chocolate crust made with crushed Oreo cookies. The chocolate cheesecake filling folds dark chocolate into a delicious mixture of cream cheese, sugar, eggs, coffee powder and Kahlua (coffee liquor). It's sinfully rich and chocolately. Since this cheesecake is all about chocolates, I covered it with a layer of chocolate ganache and topped with ferraro rocher chocolates. 

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE KAHLUA CHEESECAKE
(adapted from here, makes one 8" cake)

Crust
285g Oreo cookies
25g sugar
5g cocoa
pinch of salt
85g unsalted butter, melted

Prepare the crust

1. Prepare the 8" springform so that no water leaks into it while baking. Place a large 18-inch by 18-inch square of aluminum foil on a flat surface. Place the springform pan in the middle of the foil. Gently fold up the sides of the foil around the pan. Make sure to do this gently so that you don't create any holes in the foil. If there are any holes, water will get into the pan and ruin the crust. Press the foil around the edges of the pan. Place a second large square of foil underneath the pan and repeat, gently folding up the sides of the foil around the pan and pressing the foil against the pan. Gently crimp the top of the foil sheets around the top edge of the pan.

2. Preheat oven to 175°C (or 155°C for a fan-forced oven), with rack in lower third of oven. Pulse the above ingredients (except for the butter) in a food processor or blender until finely ground. Add the melted butter, pullse a few more seconds to combine. 

*Tip: If you don't have a food processor or blender, you can throw the cookies into a large food storage bag and give it a good whack with a rolling pin or a heavy duty pot. You'll get out a lot of anger and stress that way. 

3. Put all the crumbs in the sides and bottom of the springform pan. Gently press down on the crumbs using spatula, until the crumbs are a nice even layer at the bottom of the pan, with a rise along the sides of the pan. Be careful, as you do this, as not to tear the aluminum foil. Place in the own for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool. 


Filling
200g dark chocolate, chopped (I used 70% cocoa)
1 tsp coffee powder
680g cream cheese, room temperature
160g sugar
23g cocoa
3 large egges
1/2 tsp vanilla paste
3 tbsp kahlua (or other liquor of your choice)

Make the fillings

4. Combine chocolate and coffee powder in a bowl. Place over double boiler over low heat, stirring once in a while, till the chocolate is smooth and melted. Set aside. 

5. Cut the cream cheese into chunks and place in the bowl of an electric mixer, with the paddle attachment. Add the sugar and cocoa powder and beat till well combined. Remember to scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl, and scrape up any thicker bits of cream cheese that have stuck to the bottom of the mixer that the paddle attachment has failed to incorporate. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for one minute after each addition. Add the vanilla and kahlua, beat for another minute or so till combined. Add the melted chocolate, beat for another few minutes till mixture is homogeneous. 

Cook the cheesecake

6. Place the foil-wrapped springform in a large, high-sided pan. Prepare 2 quarts of boiling water. Pour the cream cheese filling into the springform pan, over the cooled  crust. Smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Place the roasting plan with springform pan in it, in the oven, on the lower rack. Carefully pour the hot water into the roasting pan (without touching the hot oven), to create a water bath for the cheesecake. Pour until the water reaches halfway up the side of the springform pan, about 1 1/4 inches. (Alternatively you can add the boiling water before putting the pan in the oven, whichever is easier for you.) Bake at 175°C (or 155°C for fan-forced oven) for 1 hour.

Water bath for Cheesecake

Pour hot water till halfway up the side of springform pan

7. Turn off the heat of the oven and let the cake cool in the oven for 15 minutes. 

8. Crack open the oven door, 1-inch and continue to let the cake cool in the oven for another hour. This gentle cooling will proven the cheesecake surface from cracking. 

9. Remove the springform pan from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack completely. 

10. Cover the cooled cheesecake with foil, so that it doesn't actually touch the cheesecake. Chill in the refrigerator for a minimum 4-hours. 

Topping
65ml (1/3 cup minus 1 tbsp) whipping cream
15ml (1tbsp) low fat milk
80g dark chocolate, finely chopped

11. Combine cream and milk in a small saucepan, bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Add dark chocolate, remove from heat, stir until smooth. Spread over chilled cheesecake and topped with Ferraro Rocher chocolates. Refrigerate until just set (45 minutes to an hour). 

Serving
12. Cut into wedges with a hot knife and serve immediately. 

Mango Pudding Buns

"Peace begins with a smile."

Mother Teresa

I absolutely agree! It is said that a smile can light up a room. If each day, someone does something kind for someone, it will create a ripple effect. If someone apologises to someone else, and the other party does the same, world peace! Many people know this, but only few understand and apply this principle.

To me, peace means sharing mutual trust and respect for people around me. 

A little story about these mango pudding buns. I baked these buns just for my friend Cara. I often heard her 'can-see-but-cannot-eat' laments over my baking related posts in Facebook. I woke up early on a Saturday morning to bake these smiley buns. That afternoon, we ended up in Harry's bar in Holland Village. With Sheena. Paired these buns with beer. Chatting and laughing. Walking down the streets in Holland Village before we head to Jpot for dinner. More chatting and laughing.  

I'll share this smiley mango pudding bun recipe by conveying everyone to keep smiling. 

This smiley bread is adapted from a Taiwanese drama series “醉後決定愛上你”。林晓如为宋杰修制作的温馨芒果布丁小餐包面包.

Soft breakfast rolls recipe
Makes 12 buns

Water roux starter
25g bread flour
125g water (remaining amount after cooking: around 140g. Do not overcook.)

Dough
75g fresh milk, chilled
40g egg
310g bread flour
50g caster sugar
1 packet instant yeast (about 12g)
1/2 tsp salt

30g butter, softened
1 tbsp bread flour

10g egg for making egg wash

Mix

1. Cook 25g bread flour and 125g water in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk constantly. When the mixture thickens, remove the saucepan from the heat. To tell if the mixture is thick enough, draw a line through it with a spoon or a whisk - the line should remain visible. 

2. Stir the cold milk into the warm roux starter to cool it down. When the mixture is completely cooled, stir in the egg.

3. In the mixing bowl, using the dough attachment, mix bread flour, caster sugar, instant yeast and salt together on high speed until evenly distributed. 

4. Add in liquid mixture (from step 2). Mix for 3 minutes. 

5. Add in butter and mix for another 3 minutes. The dough should be sticky and elastic. 

6. Add 1 tbsp bread flour and mix for few seconds so that the dough can be easily removed from the bowl. 

Shape

7. Dust the work surface with a very small amount of flour (approximately 1 tsp). Shape the dough into a smooth ball. 

Proof

8. Place the dough in a dusted bowl and cover it with cling wrap. Proof for 20 minutes in a box or a warm enclosed space. You can put a small bowl of hot water in the box next to the bowl to create a warm environment.)

9. Return the dough to the mixing bowl and knead for 1 minute on high speed.

10. Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Shape into smooth round balls. Proof for another 40 minutes in a warm enclosed space. 

11. Brush the buns with egg wash. 

Bake

12. Bake in a preheated oven at 180C to 200C for 10 to 13 minutes. If you wish to have a glossy surface, brush the buns with butter immediately after baking.

Decorate

13. Use a knife to cut a semi-circle in each bun. Fill in mango pudding in each smile. You can draw the eyes expressions using melted chocolate. 

This post is linked to the event Little Thumbs Up (June 2014 Event: Butter) organised by Zoe (Bake for Happy Kids) and Miu Miu (My Little Favourite DIY) and hosted by Jozelyn Ng (Spice Up My Kitchen).

Chicken salad served in oranges

For the week leading to Easter, I had toothache. The mild discomfort started when I had warm food or drink. I thought nothing of it. I must say I have a pretty high pain tolerance. Maybe I found a new way to numb my toothache, that is, to immerse myself to work. 

The last time I had severe throbbing pain in my tooth one night, I pestered my long time dentist, Dr Lee, for an immediate appointment. She pronounced the death of one of the teeth. She alleviated the pain and referred me to another specialist, Dr Ian. 

Both of them have a confident and reassuring demeanor, which is able to assuage some of my fears and make me feel and comfortable in the dentist chair. 

They have a set of good interpersonal skills. They not comfort and distract me while they are working, but also explain the oral problems that I may be experiencing, what procedures he/she is performing to correct the problems, and what techniques I can use to avoid the problems in the future. 

I find that a good dentist should also possess a good sense of coordination and manual dexterity. This is definitely one of the most important qualities because a dentist is constantly required to make incredibly precise movements to remove and/or correct the detected issues; a single slip may cause permanent damage to the patient's mouth or teeth. 

Ever since Dr Ian's migration to Australia, I have been dentist hopping for my regular dental care. Thankful to Sheena's recommendation to a dentist who possesses the above qualities. 

The chicken salad served in orange cups is actually a really perfect salad for a toothache season. I will be making this a lot when the evenings become too hot to cook. It's cool, sweet and refreshing. And best of all, it comes together quick!

Chicken Salad Served in Orange Cups

(Adapted from monstart)

2 cups chicken breast meat

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup fresh celery, diced

1/4 fresh onion, diced

1/2 cup chopped green apples

1/2 cup halved red seedless grapes

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup cranberries

salt and pepper to taste

Four oranges cut on half and fruit removed

Mix together ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until read to serve. 

This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs Up April 2014 Event: Orange organised by Bake For Happy Kids and My Little Favourite DIY, hosted by Ann of Anncoo Journal. 

 

Donna Hay's Garlic Prawn Pasta

Warm, delicious homecooked foods are often served on our dining table by our terrific mum. She would read cookbooks like novels and watch cooking shows. Then came along my sister-in-law who would indulge us in authentic northern Thai cuisine. A blessing and a curse for me. My cooking skills is nowhere near as good as them. 

On weekends, I would try to cook a dish. Pasta. I was told it is pretty easy to cook pasta. I  love it when I succeeded at this dish on my second attempt. Even though I'll curse myself for hours when I fail, I still love it. 

Garlic Prawn Pasta
(Adapted from Donna Hay)
Serves 2

200 grams angel hair pasta. If you are using spaghetti or other pasta, adjust cooking time accordingly.
45 grams butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced
2 teaspoons dried chilli flakes
1 tablespoon shredded lemon zest
12 (raw) prawns (shrimp), peeled, and halved lengthways
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly torn
sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes or until al dente. 

Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and oil and cook until the butter has melted. Add the garlic, chilli and zest and cook for about 2 minutes.

Add the prawns and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until the prawns are tender. Turn off heat. Drain and add the pasta, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper to the pan and toss to combine. Serve warm.

I'm submitting this to Cook Like a Star ALL Stars Anniversary organised by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids, Joyce of bakingflavours and Mich of Piece of Cake.