Ube Halaya

Finally, I found purple yam or purple sweet potato (not actually sweet) in grocery store.  As far as I know, there are only few who sells purple yam in Singapore, as one of the locals have told me that only few people in Singapore buy purple yam.  Been longing for this dessert, my old time favorite.  I love the ube jam from Baguio.  So here’s my version of Ube Halaya. 




You need:

• 1 kg purple sweet potato / purple yum
  
• 14 oz / 1 can condensed milk
  
• 1/2 cup butter

Procedure:

1. Boil purple yam until cooked. Drain from water.
   
2. Peel and mashed with fork.
   
3. In low heat, melt butter in non stick cooking pot.  Add condensed milk and stir to combine.
   
4. Add the mashed purple yam then continue stirring until the mixture becomes very thick for about 10 minutes or so.
   
5. Transfer mixture into a mold or container and let cool.
   
6. Refrigerate for at least an hour, then serve.

Result: To be honest, the texture was quite dry.  But the taste was yummy, even the sweetness was fine.  Next time, should I cut down the purple yum a bit? Hmm if I cut down, for sure it will be more sweet and I don't like that to happen.  Any suggestion?  Ha, I will google for other recipe.  Well, will keep you posted when I make another one :)
  
14 Sep 2010 Update:  Pls visit My Improved Ube Halaya recipe :) 

Churros

My hubby and I were watching The Legend is Born - IP Man movie the other day.  There’s a scene when the actress was frying a bread stick and suddenly I thought of Churros.  So I searched for the recipe and found two versions of ingredients.  Others had it with eggs and butter.  Well, I chose the simple ingredient and procedure by All Recipes.  For this recipe, I used a biscuit pump like this one…



I tried it today for our snack.  Here’s my version. . .

Ingredients:  1 cup water; 2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons cooking oil; 1 cup flour; cooking oil for deep fry; 3 tablespoons white sugar; and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon (adjust according to preference).

Procedure:

1. In a small plate, combine sugar and ground cinnamon.  Set aside.
2. In a non stick sauce pan over medium heat, mix water, sugar, salt and cooking oil.  Bring to boil and turn off heat.
3. Add the flour into the boiling water mixture and stir until it forms a ball.
4. Heat oil in a deep frying pan, make it very hot.
5. While waiting for the oil, I put the mixture inside the biscuit pump.  Pipe the mixture using biscuit pump (desired length). Instead of directly piping it into the hot oil, place it on the plate with glad paper.  Then fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
6. Roll the churros in the sugar and cinnamon mixture. 

Result: It was crunchy and very good! The fried bread itself without sugar and cinnamon mixture tasted good already.   The recipe will satisfy 2 to 3 persons.  Serve with coffee or  hot chocolate drink.  Best with chocolate dip.  Serve For breakfast or snacks.  Try it and enjoy!!:)

Here’s a video for your guidance.  Warning: not English :D

Spinner, Genting Outdoor Theme Park

One of the Thrill Rides at Genting Outdoor Theme Park, the Spinner.  My daughter was so braved to try this ride without us.  She loves it! She had her second too.  But on the third attempt, we didn't allow her anymore cos she might feel dizzy :P

Rodeo Rider, Genting Outdoor Theme Park

One of my daughter's favorite rides, the rodeo rider. This video was her first ride, afterward she keeps on coming back :D

Beryl's Chocolate Wonderland

Located at the Genting Outdoor Theme Park 

Genting Outdoor Theme Park

Photo collage from Genting Outdoor Theme Park

 images from Dinosaurland

First World Indoor Theme Park

Here are few photos of First World Indoor Theme Park . . .

Genting Theme Park Ride Pass

as of 20 August 2010 

On our first day, we purchased  child all park unlimited ride pass.  And on our second day, we bought the all park 1 day unlimited ride pass family package (2 adults and 2 children).  It was a blast! :)

First World Hotel

We stayed at First World Hotel while we were having fun at the peak!

images inside the hotel

views outside the hotel

 

book online

Couch to Genting Highlands

Two-way couch from Singapore to Genting Highlands

Our ordered 2-way couch (double deck, 26 seater)  courtesy of Konsortium Express and Tours via Easibook Online Booking Network.  We arrived 0600A, 30 minutes early (as instructed) at pick-up point in Sun Plaza Sembawang MRT.  Arrived Final/main pick-up point at Boon Lay around 0715A.  Finally, arrived at Genting around 0230P.  Simple amenities like individual reclining seat, foot rest, and armrest; mini TV with game (refer to photo); and provided a small drinking bottle per passenger on our way to Genting.  During trip, we had few stops for snacks, toilet, Singapore and Malaysia Immigration.  In going home, departure time in Genting at 0230P with few stops and arrived late at Beach Road Singapore early 0900P (with traffic).   No problem encountered from online booking, schedule and travel.  Good service and clean bus. 

Buttermilk Biscuits

My first hands-on in making buttermilk biscuits was when I was working in McDonalds during my college days.  That time, they were still serving buttermilk biscuits during breakfast.  Trying to recall, the dry and cold ingredients were already been mixed together in a sealed plastic (maybe the frozen butter had already been incorporated) and all I have to do was to add the liquid ingredient and worked on the mixture, folding, and cutting the dough to round biscuits.  Then once done, I brush with butter.  I  hope I’m recalling it right.

Anyways, I tried it few days ago with the help of Chef John (thank you) :).  I made a mistake by pouring all the buttermilk substitute I prepared into the batter, tsk tsk.  So I added more flour so the batter won't get sticky (I panicked and was really nervous).  For sure, I worked more than the required in mixing the batter though I followed his folding instruction.  My biscuit did not rise well and it might not look good but the taste? It was edible :p and nice (thank God) hi hi.  It was good for starter :D



Chef John’s video:

How to make a Buttermilk substitute

If your recipe requires buttermilk but don't want to buy too much than the recipe requires or no available in your area, this video is for you.  There are 3 options of how to do it. 

How to Make a Buttermilk Substitute. - The funniest home videos are here

How to fold egg whites

Better video so far (that I can add here) on how to fold egg whites into other ingredients. The first video that I found that's really interesting but I can't re-post, so I'll just share here the link courtesy of About.com: Gourmet Food with Chef John.  Please visit the link cos aside from demo on folding, there's an added demo on how to separate egg, how to make lemon pancakes with ingredients and most importantly - it was done by Chef John :)

Sans Rival

I baked a mini sans rival this afternoon.  I followed my meringue ingredients and just added chopped cashew nuts.  And made a very simple butter cream recipe and it turned out okay.  My son loves the meringue with chopped cashew nuts without the butter cream :P

Dancing Chef: Yellow Curry Paste

If you want a curry that is not spicy, try this Yellow Curry Paste pack from Dancing Chef.  Per label at the back, it says “…Yellow Curry is a mild, yet full-flavored and intensely aromatic curry that can be enjoyed by the young and old alike.”  Sure enough, my whole family enjoyed the taste.  They more like the non-spicy compare to Thai Green Chicken Curry.  So I’m the only spicy person in our family :p  For the record, it was the first time that my kids tasted curry, glad they ate it.  And as a family, we never tried curry in resto/ outside, so when I see others eating I’m actually drooling.  I can’t order cos I can't eat it all by myself.  So I tried cooking it at home, our second curry meal.  The recipe for this is the same as the Thai Green Chicken Curry. 

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Tau Kwa in Oyster Sauce

A very easy and healthy side dish.  Fried tau kwa or tofu with asparagus and oyster sauce.  You can change the other veggie of your choice, or tofu alone is fine.  I cut my tofu (2 large) in half then fry on both sides, then cut in cubes.  In separate pan, saute minced garlic and sliced onion in cooking oil or butter.  Add the asparagus, stir for a few minutes.  Season with pepper.  Add the fried tofu and about 1/4 cup of oyster sauce, mix.  No need to add salt as the oyster sauce is salty enough.  Serve with your other dish.  Enjoy!

Pandesal

Due to insistent family demand, I made a pandesal for our breakfast today.  

I woke up early and had no help at that moment.  I was kind of hoping that somebody would take photos of  me for each step particularly when I was kneading the dough (my first time), cos this was my moment.  A challenge for me cos it was a difficult part, like it took me more than 10 minutes to knead.  So during the waiting time (at least an hour) for the dough to rise, I was worried if it will really rise (thinking if I knead it well).  After an hour of waiting, I saw the risen dough yay!!   Sorry for me, I forgot to take photo of the risen dough.

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Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour; 2 cups bread flour; 1/2 cup white sugar; 5 tablespoons butter, melted; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 1/4 fresh milk, warm; 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup bread crumbs, 1 piece egg; and  1 tablespoon cooking oil.

For the procedure, please refer to Panlasang Pinoy.

Well, many many thanks to Panlasang Pinoy.  He is so amazing!  His cooking video was really a big help! :)

Based on the photo, his pandesal and mine are not the same.  I don't know what happened to the bread crumbs.  My hubby said, I should have grind the bread crumbs in food processor.  Well, will do it next time.  In fairness, my pandesal was really good ha!! Masarap! Winner!! :)

Update: you can use semolina instead of bread crumb and can use plastic wrap  instead of damp cloth to cover the dough to rise.