Vanilla Ice Cream

I always make this homemade vanilla ice cream available in my freezer for it is so important to serve with some dessert that we have it at home most of the time. For example lava cake, fruit crumble, soufflé, waffle, pancakes, chocolate fondue, banana boat dessert, ice blended drinks, brownies.... you name it! Not only that, having just a good scoop of this vanilla ice cream alone is so wonderful!

I had a five stars lava cake in the restaurant before but the vanilla ice cream at the side is so light and watery. I could taste the sweetness  only but without and flavour. It would be nice if the lava cake serve with a good dollop of vanilla ice cream.

I have been making different ice cream and this is the base of every ice cream. The important part is the ingredients and the best cooked custard. It produce a creamy, rich and smoorh  texture. This recipe is the best I have experienced so far and before I experiment a better one. I will stick on this recipe.  My family love it so much. Thumbs up!

Recipe modified from Cook with Jamie::

370ml whole milk

470mll cream

6 tablespoons caster sugar

2 vanilla pod, scored lengthways and seeds scraped out

6 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

1 1/2 teaspoon cointreau

Miix the milk, 3 tablespoons of caster sugar and the vanilla pod and seeds together in a saucepan. Bring just to the boil, then remove from the heat and leave for a couple of minutes to cool slightly and allow the vanilla flavour to infuse. Discard the vanilla pod. 

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the 3 remaining tablespoons of caster sugar until pale. Ladle a little of the hot milk mixture onto the eggs and whisk immediately. Continue to add the milk, a ladleful at a time, whisking each well before adding the next. Pour this mixture back into the warm saucepan and cook very gently for a few minutes, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until smooth and thicken. Strain the custard through a fine sieve and keep stirring to reduce the heat to avoid the egg cook any further. 

Once the custard slightly cool down, add the cream and vanilla bean paste and mix well. Lastly, add the cointreau if using. It is quite optional but I just like that little flavour inside the ice cream and  I also believe a bit of liqour helps the ice cream set smoothly in the freezer. Cling wrap the custard and chill in the fridge overnight before churning in the ice cream maker. Once the custard had churned,  transfer them to an ice cream container and keep in the freezer for few hours until set. Enjoy!

Ice Cream | HT | 11:48 PM No comments Read More

Lemon Gateau

I am falling in love with this lemon cake. It lightness and softness make me crave for more. The combination of soury lemon curd and a bit of fresh cream give a wonferful refreshing effect that you will not feel enough for it. I regret not to try it earlier. 

Recipe for the lemon curd: 

4 large eggs

120g caster sugar

130g lemon juice 

2-3 lemon zest

90g Butter

Combine the eggs, sugar, lemon juice and zest and cook over a double boiler until smooth and thicken.  Add butter and stir for the final shining and silky consistency. Set aside to cool while preparing for the sponge cake.

Recipe for an 8 inches sponge cake:

recipe adapted from Nasi Lemak Lover

83g butter (salted)

83g cake flour

5 egg yolks (A size)

92g milk

5 egg whites (A size)

83g caster sugar

10g corn starch

Method

1. Prepare a cake pan, don’t need to line paper.

2. Immediate separate cold eggs from fridge (easy to separate this way) into two mixing bowls. Set aside to return to room temperature.

3. Melt butter in a saucepan, once you see small bubbles, remove from heat.

4. Immediately add in flour, quickly stir to become batter (at this stage, the batter is thick. Also suggest to transfer this batter to another clean mixing bowl), then add in milk, mix well.

5. Add in egg yolk one at a time, stir well on each addition. The batter is slightly runny if compare to normal chiffon batter.

6. Mix sugar and corn starch together. Beat egg whites till foamy, gradually add in sugar and corn starch mixture (in three batches) and continue beat until approaching stiff peaks (meringue stand straight up with a little curve at the tip) or till stiff peaks (this stage is a bit difficult to fold with egg yolk mixture)

7. Take 1/3 of meringue and use a hand whisk to mix well with egg yolk batter.

8. Fold in 1/3 of meringue and use a silicone spatula, gently fold with egg yolk batter till slightly combined. Fold in the balance meringue and gently fold till well combined.

9. Pour into cake tin, bake at pre-heated oven at 140C (no fan) for 25mins at low rack, then increase to 170C (no fan) for another 25mins.

10. Once baked, turn your chiffon tin upside down and cool completely before remove from the tin.

Assemble the cake:

Cut out three equal pieces of sponge cake horizontally. Whip up 300g of whipping cream with 1 tablespoon of icing sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. 

Place a piece of sponge cake on a plate or cake board. Spread some lemon curd on the cake follow by some whipped cream. Place another piece of sponge cake on the top and spread some lemon curd and whipping cream. Cover the last piece of sponge at the top then spread the whole cake with whipped cream. Freeze the cake until the cream harden then drizzle all the lemon curd on the cake evenly. 

Chill in the fridge. It is best serve cold from the fridge. Enjoy!

Cakes Corner | HT | 11:44 PM No comments Read More

Potato Bread

During the Easter I saw everyone was making hot cross bun and I was very much inspired by their good looking buns. So my hand started itchy for making some for myself. 

I have no time to go through any new recipes so I flipped through my old recipes which can be easy to make and produce soft texture.

This recipe I had chosen was a good choice as my boy and hubby love soft bun, it even stay soft until the 3rd day. Guess what, it can bit the tesco potato bun really.

After I made the hot cross buns, I was so encouraging to make another one but in loaf version. The texture is equally soft, my boy can just eat as it is without any jam.

There are a little difference of making this recipe into buns and in loaf. For buns, it can be simply rolled into balls whereas loaf version need to be rolled up in different shape and place in a bread tin to rise up before bake. I cover the bread tin with a lid to produce a square shape of bread toast. Another reason I cover it with lid is to get a compact texture result, just like massimo bread or even better because no bread improver or softener added. The potatoes help the dough produce soft fluffy texture.  To be frank, the dough is not easy to handle, it is quite sticky though. As for me, I oiled my hand to roll up in ball shape but for loaf version,  it would be better to floured your hand in shaping the dough.

Although this is a repeated recipe in my blog but I still like to share again as it is so good to share and also like to jot down here as my diary for reminding myself this good recipe can be used again and again no matter make them into any version either savory or sweet buns or big loaf of bread.



Recipe (makes 16 buns or one loaf):

(A)

220g bread flour

80g plain flour

30g caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

140g cold water

4g yeast (1 teaspoon)

60g mashed potato

2 egg yolk



(B)

30g butter



(C)

40g butter (soften)

25g sugar powder

15g Plain flour



Mix ingredients (A) with a dough hook mixer at low speed follow by the mashed potato. Turn to medium speed continue kneading until it become a smooth dough. Add in the (B) unsalted butter and knead with low speed until the butter combine with the dough. Turn to medium speed continue the kneading process until it become a smooth and elastic dough. (the dough will slightly wet, I oiled my hand then...) place the dough into a lightly grease bowl and cover with cling wrap to proof for 80 minutes. For bread machine, I suggest to give extra 10 minutes in the kneading process.



To produce a loaf of bread:



Oil the hand a little, divide the dough into 3 equal pieces and roll to form 'ball' shapes. Cover with cling wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes.



Flatten each dough and roll out into a longish shape with a rolling pin (you may need a floured surface and floured rolling pin and a floured pair of hand at this stage). Roll up the dough like a swiss-roll. Put vertical shape and roll it out into longish shape then roll up again. Continue with the other two dough then place in the bread tin to rise for 30 minutes. Cover with lid to produce compact texture.



Bake at 210C preheated oven for 35 - 40 minutes.



For buns:



Divide the dough into 16 portions and with oiled  hand round them into small balls. Let them rest for 10 minutes. Mix up all ingredients (C) and put in a piping bag. Let the dough rest for another 25 minutes.



Egg wash the dough and squeeze the mixtutre on top of each buns. Bake  at 190'c preheated oven for 25 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!

Bread Corner | HT | 11:45 PM No comments Read More

Mango Chocolate Mousse Cake

If I'm not mistaken, I made this cake for a little boy six years ago which I think he has no longer a little boy now but a big and tall teenager. Lately, my cell group had an April babies birthday celebrations and I would like to give this recipe a try again after so many years. 

I always very particular with mousse cake as I don't like it to be set too firm like jelly or not able to set after unmold from the cake tin. So using the right amount of gelatin is quite crucial. I want the texture to be just right soft that melt in the mouth naturally but set nicely. Choosing the right gelatin also very particular for me too as gelatin powder and gelatin leaves is different. I always go for gelatin leaves as it is adour free and I feel the mousse texture is nicer. Unfortunately,  during half way of the mousse making process, I found out I had not enough gelatin leaf. So I had no choice to add some gelatin powder that was after a quick browse from the Internet to get a right conversion of gelatin leaves to powder. I really cannot afford to fail this attempt as it is a birthday cake that going to serve many people. With that little guts of me by using two types of gelatins,  I pray that the cake will set nicely. 

Finally, I got the feed back for the mousse that set really nicely like no gelatin was added. It's melted in the mouth naturally unlike jelly. Oh! My heart feel settled after hearing that and  quickly had a mouthful of the cake. I'm very pleased with the result. As for me, I always reduce gelatin from any recipes that I follow to feed my taste bud but really need some guts to do it.

Recipe for a 9 inches spring form cake tin lined with transparent dessert paper around inside of the cake tin. 

Prepare an 8 inches cocoa sponge cake and divide into three pieces. You will need two pieces only. 

Follow the recipe of 8 inches.Cocoa Sponge Cake

Recipe for the chocolate mousse: 30g egg yolks / 45g sugar / 120ml melted butter / 225g dark chocolate (melted) / 375ml whipped cream

Whisk the egg yolk and sugar on a double boiler until pale in color and thicken. Mix in the melted butter.

Add the melted dark chocolate to the egg yolk mixture, mix until well combine.

Fold in the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.

Place one piece of cake at the bottom of a cake mould. I brush some coointeau on the cake but you can ignore this, then fill in the chocolate mousse. Place in the fridge to set while preparing the mango mousse.

Recipe for the mango mousse: 300ml mango puree / 100g sugar / 30ml lemon juice / 4 1/2 pieces gelatin leaves/ 450ml whipped cream

Put the gelatines into a bowl of cold water. Wait until it soften.

In another sauce pan, warm the mango puree and sugar until the sugar dissolved. Mix in the lemon juice.

Drain the gelatins and add into the warm mango puree.

Wait until the mango puree cool down, fold in the whipped cream.

Add another layer of chocolate sponge on top of the mousse then add the mango mousse.

Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or best overnight. 

For the topping, warm 120g mango puree with 1 tablespoon caster sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. 

Dissolve 1/2 teasppon corn flour with 1 teaspoon water then add into the warm mango puree. 

Layer on top of the cake once the mixture completely cool down. Garnish with some mango cubes and mint leaves. Unmold the spring form cake tin and take off the transparent dessert paper.

Slice the cake with a hot knife and mission complete. Enjoy!

Cakes Corner | HT | 12:40 AM No comments Read More

Fun with fondue pot

I have just realised this little pot is actually  a really fun thing to play with especially for the weekend where everyone is relaxing at home or friends coming over for chit chat. It was such a waste I have been keeping few of them in my storeroom for  years until lately my son remind me he loves to blow candles. With this particular reason I have a reason for him to sit down and finish his meal with me and then he  is allowed to blow the fondue candle. It works! 

The first fondue I made is dessert fondue which serve along with my son's favorites fruits. Then the second is savoury cheese fondue serve with some vegetables. I personally like to dip the green apple with cheese, somehow I find the taste goes very well together. Nowadays,  playing with the fondue pot is something very special for my son, my hubby and me too! We are looking forward to have it every weekend, crazy us! Someone even request for curry fondue, isn't it crazy?

I discovered two quite nice and simple to made recipes for chocolate fondue and cheese fondue. Before I discover a better one, I will stick on this two recipes.

Chocolate Fondue:

I used half of the following ingredients for a small family like us.



3/4 cup heavy cream

8 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

3 to 4 tablespoons liqueur, such as chocolate (Godiva), hazelnut (Frangelico), almond (amaretto), orange (Grand Marnier), or coffee (Kahlúa)

Some favorites choices of fruits such as banana,  strawberry,  raspberry,  grapes, breadsticks etc.

Place the cream in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, add the chocolate, and whisk until smooth.

Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter until smooth. Whisk in the liqueur until incorporated and smooth.

Transfer to a fondue pot and serve with desired dippers.

Cheddar cheese fondue:

The following ingredients for serving 4 to 6 person. I used half of the ingredients for a small family like us.

2 cups milk

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 teaspoons ground dry mustard

1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

6 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

some favorite choices of vegetables, garlic bread, tortilla chips etc.



Place a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together milk, soy sauce, crusted garlic and mustard. In another bowl coat the  cheddar cheese with flour. Then add into the warm mixture. Cook stirring frequently, until melted, about 10 minutes.

Season with salt and black pepper. Continue cooking until all ingredients are well blended, about 10 minutes.

Transfer mixture to a double boiler or fondue pot to keep warm while serving.

Craving Corner | HT | 12:40 AM No comments Read More

Orange Chiffon

I have no idea how many decades that I have not bake chiffon. Looking at many baking buddies are busy with their chiffon baking that make my hand very itchy to have mine as well.  I really miss the light and flufiines of the chiffon  so this morning I quickily come out with this orange chiffon provided with the ingredients that are available in my kitchen. 

I am very satisfy with the result. It tasted very fragrant and the texture no doubt is soft and fluffy. I believe the orange zest play an important role in this recipe as well as the big amount of orange juice that had added in. 

It does not looks beaitiful but something very simple and refreshing cake. It was chilled before serve, what could I say, sometimes, simplicity is kind of satisfaction in life.

Recipe for 17cm chiffon pan:

110g egg whites

55g caster sugar

5g corn flour

40g egg yolks

36g orange juice

36g vegetable oil

2 orange zest

55g plain flour

2 tablespoon water

• Combine the egg yolk, orange juice, vegetable oil, orange zest, water and flour until well mixed.

• In another clean bowl, beat the egg white until soft peak then gradually add in the sugar and continue beating. Lastly add in the corn flour. Beat until nearly stiff peak and stop.

• Fold in the egg white into egg yolk batter in three batches untill well combine.

• Pour the batter into the chiffon pan and bake at 180C preheated oven for 30 minutes.

• Take out from the oven and place the cake upside down until completely cool down. Place in the fridge for an hour then unmold and serve.

Chiffon Corner | HT | 2:45 AM No comments Read More

Durian Log Cake

I would like to use this Christmas log cake to make a closing for this year food posting. Here is my first white Christmas log cake and I thought of why not use the durian flesh to make the dressing as everyone of my  guests is a durian lover. The feedback is good and very well accepted. This log cake is absolutely  for the love of durian!

Recipe for the cake 孟老师的美味蛋糕卷

2 peices of plain sponge (size 36cm x 26cm)

Unsalted butter 40g

Egg yolk 100g

Caster sugar 20g

Egg white 160g

Caster Sugar 75g

Plain flour 55g

Prepare a baking tray lined with baking paper. Melt the butter than set a side to cool.

Whisk the egg yolks with sugar in a double boiler until thicken and pale in color. In another bowl whisk the egg whites with caster sugar until peak foam.

Fold the egg yolks into the egg whites then gently fold in the shifted flour.

Pour some egg mixture into a clean bowl then mix in the melted butter until well combine.  Pour back into the egg mixture and mix gently until everything well combine.

Pour the batter into prepared baking tray and spread evenly. Bake at 190C for 12 minutes. Remove the cake from the baking tray immediate when it out from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Tear out the side of the baking paper and let it completely cool down and ready to use.

For the durian cream:

450g durian flesh (pureed)

400ml whipping cream (whipped)

300g custard (refer durian cake recipe)

Mix the custard with durian puree then fold in the whipped cream.

Cut the sponge cake into 10cm inch pieces (total 6 pieces)

Spread the durian cream on the cake and roll it up.  Keep in fridge until set. Serve immediately while it is cold from the fridge.

Cakes Corner | HT | 11:55 PM No comments Read More