Cashew Nut Cookies

A creamy nutty cookie that will go well with your favorite drinks, the chunky cashew nuts on top give every bite a delicious creamy taste. My friends who've tasted these cookies told me that it is really yummy. Try this simple cookie recipe.

 Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoon baking powder
4 tablespoons water
1 egg ( beaten)
3/4 cup cashew nuts (crushed)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter(melted)

Procedure:

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, and sugar together.
2. Combine the egg and water and butter.
3. In a big mixing bowl, combine procedure 1 & 2. then add the nuts( left some to put on top of the cookies)

4. Spoon a portion and put in a cookie sheet drop some cashews on top

5. Bake at 180 degrees celcius for 12 minutes or until done.

How To Make Oatmeal Cookies

I always buy cookies at the supermarket with oatmeal, until I thought of trying to bake it, which I tried and I didn't regret that I did. Now I can eat them with less sugar. Here is the recipe, just in case you wanna try baking them, happy weekend everyone.:-)

Ingredients:
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup butter (melted)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder

Procedure:
1. In a mixing bowl mix all the  ingredients until you form a dough.

2. Spoon a portion and arrange properly in a baking sheet, make a space 1 inch apart.
3. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celcius and bake the cookies for 10 minutes or until done.
4. Serve it with your favorite drink. :-)

How To Make Crouton

A crouton is a piece of a sauteed or rebaked bread often cubed and seasoned, that is used to add texture and flavor to salads notably the Caesar salad, as an accompaniment to soups or as a snack food.
Source: Wikipedia

Ingredients:
6 slices bread
1 tablespoons olive oil
salt to taste

Procedure:
1. Remove the sides of the bread, then slice it into cubes.

2. Put in a baking tray then sprinkle with olive oil and salt.Pre-heat the oven to 200C then bake it for 4 minutes or until done.
3. You can store it in a jar and use as salad or soup toppings or as a crispy snack anytime you want it. :-)

I love it on salad :-)

Roasted Baby Potato

Simple yet satisfying. A perfect side dish and replacement for rice, I served mine with pork adobo, sprinkled it with sesame seeds, wow it was so good.

Ingredients:
1 kilo baby potatoes ( wash very well)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil ( any oil can be used)
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Sprinkle the potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper then add the rosemary.
2. Preheat the oven at 210C then put the potatoes in a baking pan, roast for 20 minutes or until done.
3. Serve and enjoy.

Stuffed Potato ( Relyenong patatas)

Affordable, easy and yummy. Try it.

Ingredients for 3 servings:
3 pieces potato Medium size
100 grams ground beef
1 carrot ( grated)
1/2 cup chopped broccoli
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 onion (minced)
salt and pepper to taste


Procedure:
1. Boil the potatoes and remove the skin then cut into halves, remove some part in the middle to make a space for stuffing, then set aside.
2. Saute the garlic and onion then add the ground beef and simmer for 2 minutes add the carrots and broccoli, stir well then add salt and pepper to taste and simmer for a minute and turn off the heat.
3. Get the potatoes and fill each slice with the  filling, put together each pair with a toothpick, dip in a beaten egg and roll over the bread crumbs, secure with a toothpick, then bake in a pre-heated oven for 13 minutes at 200C.

4. Remove the toothpicks, slice then serve and enjoy.

The potato parts  that I removed to make a space for stuffing, I also sliced it and add to the filling. :-)

Carrot Cake

Really yummy! Thanks be to God for baking this for us. Another delicious treat from the best baker in town :-). Mr. Gab.


Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup & 1 Tbsp of All Purpose Flour
½ cup of white Sugar
¼ cup of Brown Sugar
1 tsp of Baking Soda
2 tsp of Cinnamon
½ tsp of Salt
¼ tsp of Nutmeg
¾ cup of Vegetable Oil
2 Eggs
1 Tbsp of Vanilla Extract
1 tsp of Grated Orange Zest
1 ½ cups of Shredded/ Grated Carrots
½ cup of Raisins/ Walnuts Whatever you like.

For the frosting:
3 oz of Cream Cheese, at room temperature
¼ cup of Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
2 cups of Powdered Sugar
1 tsp of Vanilla


Procedure:
1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2) Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with non stick cooking spray. Lay the bottom with parchment paper and set aside.
3) In a bowl toss together the carrots, raisins/ walnuts and the 1 Tbsp of flour until all of the carrots and raisins are coated with the flour.
4) In a large bowl mix together all of the ingredients until well combined. Add the carrots and raisins/ walnuts and mix until they are well incorporated through the batter.
5) Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for about 30 minutes or until when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6) When the cake is ready, let it cool in the pan for a few minutes but then take it out and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
7) Once the cake is completely cooled, make the frosting by simply mixing all of the ingredients together until you get a nice thick frosting. If you need to, add a little more water by the teaspoonful to get a spreadable frosting consistency.
8) Adorn the cake with the cream cheese frosting and let it set for a few minutes until the frosting begins to harden. Dig in whenever you like!

Contributed by: Gabriel Eli Ndegwa

Butter Cake

A delicious cake baked by the best baker in town :) This is a contribution from my friend Gab.
Ingredients:
3 large eggs, room temperature
3 tablespoons milk, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (150 grams) sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar
185 grams unsalted butter, room temperature

Procedure:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
2. In the bowl of your electric mixer, with the paddle attachment (or with a hand mixer), place the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar) and mix on low speed for about 30 seconds or until blended. Add the butter and half of the egg mixture. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for about one minute to circulate air and develop the cake's structure. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Gradually add the remaining egg mixture, in 2 additions, beating about 30 seconds after each addition to incorporate the egg and strengthen the cake's structure.
3. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake for about 55 to 65 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you find the cake browning too much as it bakes, cover with a piece of lightly buttered aluminum foil after about 30 minutes  at 350 Fahrenheit or 175 Celsius.

Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and cool completely on a lightly buttered wire rack.

The butter Cake can be covered and stored for several days at room temperature, for one week when refrigerated, or it can be frozen for two months.

Makes one 9 x 5 x 3 inch (23 x 13 x 8 cm) loaf tin.

If you decide to use a another baking pan, please check the time limit  It will take less time to cook so start checking at the 35 min mark and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Contributed by:Gabriel Eli Ndegwa

Black Forest Cake

It's been a long time that I want a recipe of this cake and I am lucky that my Austrian friend (Gabriel) baked this and shared to us the recipe.

Ingredients:
CHERRIES

24 ounce (700 ml) jar  Cherries in syrup
1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

Chocolate Cake/Genoise:

3 tablespoons (42 grams) hot melted unsalted butter
1/2 cup (60 grams) cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
 1/3 cup (30 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
 4 large eggs
2/3 cup (135 grams) granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Whipped Cream Frosting

2 1/2 cups (600 ml) heavy whipping cream (double cream)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 tablespoons (35 grams) granulated white sugar

Procedure:
Cherries: Drain the cherries, reserving the liquid. Place the cherries in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside. Place 1 cup (240 ml) of the reserved cherry syrup in a small saucepan, along with the sugar, and heat until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

Chocolate Cake/Genoise:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter, or spray with a non stick spray, a 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pan and line the bottom of pan with parchment or wax paper.

In a bowl, sift the flour, salt and cocoa powder. In a heatproof bowl whisk the eggs with the sugar. Place over a saucepan of simmering water, and whisking constantly, heat until lukewarm (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and transfer to the bowl of your electric mixer. Beat on high speed until the mixture is thick (about 5 minutes) (the batter will fall back into the bowl in a ribbon-like pattern). Beat in the vanilla extract. Then sift about one-third of the flour mixture over the egg mixture and gently fold in using a rubber spatula or whisk. Sift and fold in another third, and then fold in the rest. Take 1 cup of the batter and fold it into the melted butter (to lighten it). Then gently fold it into the egg batter. Pour into your pan, smoothing the top. Bake for about 20 - 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean . Cool on a wire rack before removing from pan. The cake can be stored for two days or frozen for a month.

Whipped Cream Frosting: In your mixing bowl place the whipping cream, vanilla extract, and sugar and stir to combine. Cover and chill the bowl and wire whisk in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, then beat the mixture just until stiff peaks form.

Assemble Cake: 
Using a sharp knife, cut the genoise, horizontally, into two layers. Turn over the top layer of the cake (top of cake becomes bottom) and place on your serving plate. Brush the cake layer with 1/4 cup (60 ml) cherry syrup. Take 1 cup of whipped cream and spread on the moistened genoise. Place the cherries evenly over the cream. Brush the cut-side of second genoise layer with 1/4 cup (60 ml) syrup. Place cut-side down on top of the cherries, gently pressing to compact. Reserve one cup (240 ml) of whipped cream and spread the remaining cream over top and sides of cake. Place reserved cream in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe rosettes on top of cake( Optional- you can decorate any how you want}. Cover and refrigerate the cake for several hours (or overnight) before serving. Decorate with fresh cherries and shaved chocolate.

Contributed by: Gabriel Eli Ndegwa

Gabriel

Fish Pie

This fish pie is an excellent center table piece during special gatherings or just a special treat for your loved ones, it's always good anytime of the day.

Ingredients for Fish Filling
1 shallot
4 stems dill
4 stems taragon
olive oil
200 grams halibut (or any white fish)
dash of nutmeg
dash of mustard powder
salt
freshly ground pepper
200 g cream
1 egg white
salmon fillet about 350 g
1 egg

Dough
500 g flour
200 ml milk
7 g instant dry yeast
60 g butter
1 egg
dash of nutmeg
salt

Dill Sauce
salt
1 egg yolk
1 t mustard
1 t vinegar
freshly ground pepper
500 ml oil (sunflower or any veg oil)
small bundle of dill
lemon

Other necessary things:
1 pattern for fish
brush
cutter
extra flour

Precedure:

for fish filling:
Peel the shallot. Finely chop the dille and taragon. Heat oil in a pan and saute the shallot. Slice the halibot and coat with spices, onion and herbs and season with salt and pepper. Marinate the fish for about 30 min in the refrigerator. Beat the cream until frothy. Grind the halibot and the egg white in the machine and mix with the beaten cream. Save in the refrigerator until ready for use.

for Dough
Put the flour on the table and make a well at the center. Heat the milk until lukewarm and pour into the well. Put the yeast, butter, egg, nutmeg and salt.  Mix little by little until all the flour has be incorporated. Knead until silky. Keep the dough in the refrigerator for about 15 min. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C. Roll the dough as thin as possible so it can make 2 fish. Cut the mold. Beat the egg. Put one fish on a lined baking sheet and brush the top with egg. Spread half of the cream halibot over the dough but leave the edge free. Place the salmon in the middle. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and divide the rest of cream over the salmon. Put the second fish on top and press the edges firmly. Brush the top of the fish with egg. Press with a round plug near eye from the head of the fish to make an outlet for the steam and make the remaining dough into fins.  Use scissors to cut the fish scales. Set the temperature to 200C and bake the fish in about 20 more minutes until golden brown.

Dill Sauce
Mix salt, egg yolk, mustard, vinegar and pepper then whisk together the oil drop by drop through. Chop the dill and stir in together with the lemon.

Serve the fish pie with dill sauce and lemon slices. Good for 8 persons

Ham and Cheese Pizza Bread

Treat your loved ones with this easy to prepare delicious snack.

Ingredients:
5 slices  of bread ( sliced  into halves)
1/2  cup tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3 slices sweet ham
some onion rings
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese or any melting cheese

Procedure:
1. Set the oven at 180C to preheat it.
2. Mix the tomato sauce and sugar then spread some to each slice of bread, then put the, onion rings, ham and cheese.

3. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
4. Serve and enjoy!

Bread Cup Pizza

A simple treat that taste great.

Ingredients:
10 bread slices
5 hot dog ( sliced  slantingly)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 onion ( sliced into rings)
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 teaspoon sugar

Procedure:
1. Remove the sides of the bread, then press it unto muffin cups and bake in a pre-heated oven for 3 minutes at 180C. This is to harden the bread and have a crusty texture.

2. Mix the tomato sauce and sugar, then spread it over the baked bread, put the sliced hot dog, onion and sprinkle with cheese.

3. Put back in the oven and bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve it with a smile.

Sardines Bread Pizza

I prepared this for some friends and they loved it so much. I added liquid cheese for extra flavor.

Ingredients for 5 servings:
10 slices bread
2 cans sardines in tomato sauce ( drained)
1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 onion minced
2 tablespoons Nestle Cream
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated cheese

Procedure:
1.Preheat the oven at 180C. Then bake the bread slices for 3 minutes, then take out from the oven and set aside
2. Saute the onion then add the drained sardines, simmer for a minute.
3. Add the tomato sauce, sugar, salt and pepper then simmer for 2 minutes, add the Nestle cream, stir and turn off the heat.
4. On the baked bread, spread the sauce evenly, sprinkle with cheese then bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

5. Serve with love :-).

You can top it with melted cheese for extra flavor.

Hopiang Baboy

It's been a long time that I am looking forward to post a hopia recipe in my blog, because I have lots of friends who asked me a recipe for this, I do not know how to make it, so I talked to my friend who is an expert in hopia making, he has his own style of making it and it is consisted of 2 types of dough, the first part he called it PABALAT, the second part  he called it PALABO,  and here is his recipe.

Ingredients for Pabalat:
2 ¾ cups Bread flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup oil
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup butter

Procedure for pabalat: Combine all the ingredients and knead until a good dough is formed. Set aside

Ingredients for Palabo:
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup corn starch
1/3 cup 3rd class flour

Procedure for Palabo: Combine all the ingredients and mix well. Set aside.

Ingredients for the Filling:

1 big onion
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp vinegar
2 cups pork fat diced
2 cups kundol (cut into small dice)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup third class flour

Procedure:
1.Marinate pork fat in sugar. Heat the vegetable oil then saute the onion then add the marinated fat, vinegar and kundol then simmer over slow fire until thick.Add flour when the filling is almost cooked. Mix well until fully combined and dry. Let cool.

To make Hopia
1. Flatten the PABALAT and put PALABO at the center. Roll and form into a ball.
2. Form the dough into cylindrical shape. Cut into 10-g portions.
3. Flatten each cut and place the prepared filling at the center then form into a ball. Press to flatten the dough.
4. Place the prepared hopia on a greased cookie sheet and brush with egg yolk.
5. Bake at 200C for at least 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Contributed by: Mr. Alex Adora

Paciencia Cookies

I love this cookies, crunchy and tastes like eggnog , yummy. Very easy to make.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla flavor (optional)

Procedure:
1. In a mixer, beat egg whites, then add the sugar little by little when they start to foam, continue to beat until meringue is glossy with stiff peaks.
2.Combine the flour and baking powder then fold into meringue, mix well.
3. Put the meringue batter into a plastic bag or piping bag, then pipe into round mounds on a greased pan. Make sure there is an inch space between the cookies.

4. Pre-heat the oven then bake for 10 minutes or until done at 200C. Happy baking.

Pan De Leche

A soft and sweet bun that goes well with any sandwich spread  and any drinks that you want to pair it with. Aside from Pan De sal, this is also my favorite bread.
Thanks to my friend who shared this for my blog.

Ingredients:
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 sachet of dry yeast or 3 teaspoons
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons margarine
1/2 teaspoon salt
 400 ml of warm fresh milk

Procedure:
1. Divide the flour then set aside the other 3 cups.
2. Combine all the ingredients, then mix very well, after mixing everything knead the mixture, get the 3 cups flour that we reserved, then add gradually to the mixture, knead until the texture of the dough is firmer and dryer but still soft  and won't stick on the hand. Knead very well. Cover with cloth and allow to raise for 60 minutes or until double in size.

3. After procedure #2  knead for few minutes then get a portion and form into balls and arrange in a greased baking pan, then let rise until double in size. ( a good dough rise in 45 minutes)

 4.  Bake  for 20 minutes or until done in a pre-heated oven at 180C.
5. Allow to cool then serve.
    

Contributed by: S.M.

 S.M is a bakery owner and he don't want me to reveal his identity, so I am not allowed to post his picture.