Archives for September 2013

Theresa September 26, 2013

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Honey Muffins

I recently discovered that zucchini can be used in sweet baked goods. Even though many have been doing that for ages, I never knew that zucchini could be used in breads, muffins, cakes or cookies! When I saw a couple of blog posts on such recipes, I did a little research and found that zucchini, when used in sweet baked goods, increases the moistness of the product while its taste remains pretty concealed. Sounds great isn’t it?

So I bought a couple of zucchini and decided to try baking something. My husband was less than thrilled at the thought of a zucchini muffin. “Zucchini muffin?! That’s so weird!!” was his reaction. Maybe yours too…. but hang on there. He changed his mind after tasting the muffin and I believe you would too.

Filed Under: Breads, Muffins and Scones, Breakfast, Desserts and Sweet Bakes, Food for Tots, Vegetables and Fruit Tagged With: chocolate chips, honey, muffins, Zucchini 2 Comments

Theresa September 24, 2013

Salmon and Corn Chowder

Are there days where you just crave a bowl of hot soup for dinner? I do so occasionally, especially on cold, rainy days. Or sometimes, it’s just me being lazy and trying to figure out a quick fix for dinner. Whatever your reason for wanting soup for dinner, this salmon and corn chowder is sure to satisfy. It is hearty, healthy (I use low fat milk instead of cream), and tasty, and goes perfectly with biscuits or soft dinner rolls. Serve this with my bacon, parmesan and scallion scones and you will definitely have very happy people at the dinner table.

My little one came into the room while I was typing this post, saw the photo and exclaimed, “Oh I remember this soup! It’s full of corn, mushrooms and fish. It’s yummy! I like it.” There you go. Even two and a half year olds like it. I am sure you would too.

Salmon and Corn Chowder

Serves: 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 stalks celery, cut into ½-inch slices
1 medium potato, cut into 1-inch cubes
¼ cup of chopped scallions
1½ cups corn kernels
4 cups chicken stock
1 cup low fat milk
Zest of 1 lemon
½ tsp dried dill
500g boneless salmon fillets, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper
cornstarch and water for thickening (optional)

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a soup pot or dutch oven over a medium flame.
Sauteed celery and potato for about five minutes.
Stir in corn, scallions and stock.
Bring to a boil, then reduce flame to low and simmer covered for 12 - 15 minutes.
Stir in milk and lemon zest.
Add salmon and simmer for 3 - 5 minutes.
Stir in lemon juice.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Thicken with cornstarch water if preferred.
Serve hot.

Notes

Adapted from Epicurious

I’m sharing this post at some of these blogs here.

Filed Under: Appetisers and Soups, Food for Tots, Meats and Seafood Tagged With: chowder, corn, Salmon, Seafood 2 Comments

Theresa September 22, 2013

Korean Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)

This week has been a week of gastric flu and common flu for the family. My little girl was down with a terrible bout of gastric flu and had been vomiting and having diarrhea since Tuesday. Then on Friday, my dear husband started complaining of sore throat. Not good at all. I was tired from the lack of sleep and did not feel really feel like cooking dinner. Then I recalled the delicious pictures of Korean Army Stew that a friend had posted on Facebook recently. And the whole discussion of Spam that followed those pictures – the stew contains Spam. (Are you a secret fan of Spam?) Dinner was decided – Korean Army Stew it shall be.

Filed Under: Appetisers and Soups, Asian Dishes, Meats and Seafood, Rice, Noodles and Pasta Tagged With: kimchi, korean, mushrooms, noodles, sausages, spicy, stew 16 Comments

Theresa September 20, 2013

Red Wine Berry Snow Skin Mooncakes

The Mid Autumn Festival was yesterday. Did you celebrate? I did not really celebrate as my little one was down with gastric flu but we had some of these yummy mooncakes at home. Earlier I posted about Walnut Mooncakes and now I’d like to introduce you to one of my personal favourites – Red Wine Berry Snow Skin Mooncakes. The filling comprises of an outer layer of red wine berry paste with a white lotus paste center.

The red wine berry paste is a winner. I first tried making this mooncake two years ago and it was instantly a hit. I have to say however, that I did not make the paste. It is available during the Mid Autumn Festival season at Kwong Cheong Thye. I buy my Kou Fen (cooked glutinous rice flour) from them too. I think they sell one of the better quality ones.

Filed Under: Cakes, Desserts and Sweet Bakes Tagged With: mooncake, snow skin 4 Comments

Theresa September 15, 2013

Bacon Parmesan and Scallion Scones

This post is dedicated to all you bacon lovers out there. Yes, this post on BACON, parmesan and scallion scones. Don’t you just hear it calling your name? Wait. A savoury scone? YES. A savoury scone. Surely scones don’t have to be served sweet, with clotted cream and jam? I think not. I would like to think that the addition of bacon to scones (or to anything) makes it perfect. For those who still like their scones sweet, I’m happy to report that I crisped the bacon with some brown sugar. Add some parmesan and scallions and there you have it – the perfect meal all in a scone. Are you convinced yet?

Filed Under: Breads, Muffins and Scones, Meats and Seafood, Savory Bakes Tagged With: bacon, cheese, scones 6 Comments

Theresa September 13, 2013

Baked Walnut Mooncakes

It’s the Mid Autumn festival again! The festive season where shopping centres start to display stalls selling a variety of mooncakes. Mooncakes used to be pretty traditional but lately, they have evolved so much that I cannot even recognise them as mooncakes anymore. Now mooncakes come in a large variety of shapes, sizes and flavours; lately, there has been some rage here over “butt-shaped” mooncakes. Yes! I’m not kidding. They are made by Hong Kong’s Goods of Desire (G.O.D) and are shaped like butts because butts look like full moons. Hmm…

For all the hype, I still prefer traditional mooncakes or snowskin ones. I’ve tried some of these exotic flavours (e.g. lychee martini, truffles, jackfruit, etc) and I have yet to find one that I really like. Except durian mooncakes. I can live with those.

Filed Under: Cakes, Desserts and Sweet Bakes Tagged With: mid-autumn, mooncakes, walnut Leave a Comment

Theresa September 9, 2013

Healthy Whole Wheat Honey Berry Muffins

I opened one of my kitchen cabinets about a week ago and found a hidden stash of honey tucked away in a corner. I didn’t even remember that I had put honey there! Or maybe someone rearranged the things inside the cabinet and… oh well, have you ever found things in the kitchen that you never knew were there? Finding honey was a good problem though. It meant that I could add honey instead of sugar to some of my baked goods, starting from these muffins.

These are healthy muffins, make no mistake about it. They are made with 100% whole wheat flour and contain no sugar and butter. They are wholesome and full of fruity goodness. Perfect for breakfast, and perhaps, an afternoon snack. Who says whole wheat baked stuff can’t taste delicious? I made these with a mix of blueberries and strawberries, and I really liked the result. They taste more complex and flavourful compared to my usual blueberry muffins; the strawberries add texture and moistness to the muffins. If you don’t like/have strawberries, you can replace the strawberries with more blueberries.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Breads, Muffins and Scones, Breakfast, Desserts and Sweet Bakes, Food for Tots, Vegetables and Fruit Tagged With: blueberry, breakfast, healthy, honey, muffins, strawberry, whole wheat 6 Comments

Archives for September 2013

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Honey Muffins

Salmon and Corn Chowder

Korean Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)

Red Wine Berry Snow Skin Mooncakes

Bacon Parmesan and Scallion Scones

Baked Walnut Mooncakes

Healthy Whole Wheat Honey Berry Muffins

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