Bread Pudding

This bread pudding recipe was adapted from the Caramel Bread Pudding posted at All Recipes. It turned out well considering that this is my first attempt and I'm amazed at how easy it is to make one.

The original recipe:
6 slices of overnight bread
235ml hot water
220g brown sugar
4 eggs lightly beaten
475 ml warm milk
100 sugar
3ml vanilla extract
1g ground cinnamon
0.8g salt

[1] Cut the bread into cubes and spread them inside the baking dish.
[2] Melt brown sugar with hot water and pour over the bread. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
[3] Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour over the bread. Press down the bread.
[4] Bake at 180 degrees for 50 minutes.

Changes I have made:
[1] Added 10% more bread
[2] Reduced the sugar by 50%
[3] Double the cinnamon
[4] Topped with dried fruits consisting cranberries, wolfberries, light and dark raisins.

Can't wait to make my second pudding, this time to top with fresh fruits!

Banana Cake

My most successful Banana Cake bake was a recipe from my economic class back in Secondary School. I have misplaced that recipe and since then I was not able to recreate that unforgettable fragrance, texture and taste again. This cake recipe comes from Healthy Eating and it is still not what I'm looking for. Nevertheless, it is indeed a healthy version. The ingredients....

75g butter, softened
110g fine sugar (I reduced to 80g)
1 egg
225g plain flour
2 level tsp baking powder
4 ripe bananas, mashed
50g walnuts, crushed
Rind of one lemon/orange (optional)

[1] Whisk butter, sugar and egg.
[2] Whisk in the rest of the ingredients.
[3] Bake as a loaf at 180 degree for 50 minutes, OR in muffin tin for 15 - 20 minutes

Simple Fried Rice

I stirred up a simple fried rice for lunch this afternoon....I start by browning some chopped onions with a dash of sugar. Once the onion turned fragrant, I pour in half a cup of frozen vegetables together with some ham squares. Then I add some light soy and stir in a few tablespoons of water and let it simmer till the vegetables are softened. Next, I pour in the loosened cooked rice and add a little dark soy for colour. When all the ingredients are well-mixed, I stir in a few drops of sesame oil. As a finishing touch, I garnish it with some dried seaweeds. Preparation and cooking time: less than 30 minutes.

Chinese Steamed Buns

Before steaming...



After 10 minutes of steaming.

Another attempt at making mantou. I used plain flour which works as well as bread flour... coming from Recipes For Keeps.

I reproduce the recipe here:

500g plain flour (or pau flour)
1 tbsp of cocoa powder (for the chocolate swirl)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp instant yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp vegatable oil
250 lukewarm water

[1] Mix all dry ingredients, oil and water to form dough.
[2] Divide dough into two (add cocoa powder into one) and knead till smooth.
[3] Rest the dough till double in size.
[4] Punch out the air, roll out the two dough and roll them like a swiss roll.
[5] Cut place place the buns on a small paper and let them rest for 30 minutes.
[7] Steam at high heat for 10 minutes.