Homemade Salmon Fish Cake

Friday 15 June 2012

Napansin ko lang na ang dalas kong magpost ng food dito ah! We've been trying to steer clear of take away restos at the mo kaya eto kaylangang magsipag sa pagluto, hehe.

At since hindi ako kasing sipag ni Papa E sa pagluluto, I always go for quick and easy recipe. We used to buy these fishcakes in the frozen section but we found this easy peasy recipe that I know I'll never buy those frozen ones again. I paired it with Egg and prawn soup, yummy!

Salmon Fish Cake Recipe

1 Tbsp dried dill

Thumb size ginger

2 Salmon fillet

2 Spring onion

Chop spring onion finely and add to a bowl

Grate ginger into the bowl with the spring onion

Cut the salmon fillets into mince sized pieces and add to the bowl

Add the dill and mix all the ingredients together trying to make sure that they are evenly distributed.

Separate the mixture to 4, squeeze into a ball in your hands and then shape into a fishcake.

Cook in a non-stick pan or spray the fishcakes with oil spray and cook for 3 minutes on each side. 

The recipes that I usually find for fish cakes have mashed potatoes inside and is breaded on the outside. But I find that this recipe is much simpler to make. 

When we ate out before and ordered Salmon fishcake, the restaurant gave us a similar looking (a bit flatter than the usual) fishcakes. We were going to complain but when we tasted it, it tasted better. You can taste the fish and the spices and that's it. There's non of the mash that masks the taste of that wonderful salmon. Yummy indeed! 

Sandwich Wrap

Sunday 20 May 2012

It was a lazy Sunday in our household. We were even in no mood to cook for lunch. Hence why I volunteered to dish up some wrap for us. So while Papa E and Poj Skype chat with lola I stayed in the kitchen.

I used ground beef this time (you can use grilled chicken too). I simply sauteed garlic, onion and tomato and the beef, seasoned it with salt and pepper until the beef is cooked. Whilst this is cooking I prepared my vegetables, I used what's in the fridge, we had lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes & mangoes (I know!). I used what we call Apple-mango in the Philippines. 

To prepare, I warmed the wrap for 10 seconds in the microwave then spread a thin amount of mayo or garlic mayo if available. I then put the lettuce, cucumber, tomato and mango slices (you can also add a thin slice of cheese for that added salty taste) and then the cooked meat. To wrap, I simply fold the bottom and wrap. Quick and simple lunch. 

What I like about this is that you can simply use what is available in the kitchen. You are welcome to use any sauce you like and any filling that you wish. And it's easy to make it as healthy and as filling as you want. A great alternative to the heavy burger!

Easter Cake

Sunday 8 April 2012

I know that Simnel Cake is the traditional cake served on Easter Sunday, but since we are not a big fan of fruit cakes, I decided to go for the safe option - Chocolate cake decorated with Easter eggs.

Here's the recipe for this ultra easy Chocolate cake. I used Cadbury fingers as picket fences. The chicken are not edible but the chocolate eggs are. 

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

2 cups Sugar
1¾ cups all purpose flour
¾ cup Hershey's cocoa
1½ teaspoon baking powder
1½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
Chocolate frosting

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350℉. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together all the dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla& beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. stir in boiling water ( batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake for 30-35minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool completely, remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

Hershey Chocolate Frosting
½ cup butter
⅔ cup Hershey's cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
⅓ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter
Stir in cocoa
Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. 
Stir in vanilla.

Cream Tea

Thursday 1 March 2012

Today is our second "day date" =) We don't often have time for just the two us, thank goodness we have 3 days off this week!  That's one of the downside of living away from relatives,  we don't have anyone who could look after Poj if we go out at night.  I know that the last time we went out for a proper date was when Poj was 1 year old - that was when we went home to the Philippines.

It was a beautiful day, it was sunny and not too cold.  We decided to head to the New Forest. We had a relaxing day, we did a lot of walking and people watching. And just before we went back to Southampton, we stopped at a tea house and enjoyed a Cream Tea (tea taken with scones, clotted cream & strawberry jam.  The tea was lovely and the scones were warm & massive! It was beautifully baked but was much too big.

A scone is a small British quick bread. And here's a recipe for the Classic Scones if anyone wants to give it a go.

Ingredients

350g self raising flour, plus more for dusting

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

85g butter, cut into cubes

3 tbsp caster sugar

175ml milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

squeezed lemon juice

beaten egg, to glaze

jam and clotted cream to serve

Method

1. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Tip the flour into a large bowl with the salt and baking powder, then mix. Add the butter, then rub in with your fingers until the mix looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar.
2. Put the milk into a jug and heat in the microwave for about 30 secs until warm, but not hot. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, then set aside for a moment. Put a baking sheet in the oven.
3. Make a well in the dry mix, then add the liquid and combine it quickly with a cutlery knife - it will seem pretty wet at first. Scatter some flour onto the work surface and tip the dough out. Dredge the dough and your hands with a little more flour, then fold the dough over 2-3 times until it's a little smoother. Pat into a round about 4cm deep.
4. Take a 5cm cutter (smooth-edged cutters tend to cut more cleanly, giving a better rise) and dip it into some flour. Plunge into the dough, then repeat until you have four scones. By this point you'll probably need to press what's left of the dough back into a round to cut out another four. Brush the tops with beaten egg, then carefully place onto the hot baking tray.
5. Bake for 10 mins until risen and golden on the top. Eat just warm or cold on the day of baking, generously topped with jam and clotted cream. If freezing, freeze once cool. Defrost, then put in a low oven (about 160C/fan140C/gas 3) for a few mins to refresh.

Recipe from BBC GoodFood

Baked Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe

Friday 24 February 2012

This is my first go at making a baked cheesecake. The ingredients are easy to find if not already available in the cupboard. And the best part?  It is simple to make but tastes much more complicated than it is - a great way to impress!

And since this was a success, I plan to make another one soon and bring it to the work. Almost everyone on our team bakes so the standard is high. I just hope they like it =)

Kayo? Have you tried a baked cheesecake? If not, you may want to give this a try...

Ingredients

8 Digestive biscuits

50g melted butter

600g cream cheese

2 tbsp plain flour

175g caster sugar

vanilla extract

2 eggs, plus 1 yolk

142ml pot soured cream

300g raspberries (you can also use strawberries)

icing sugar

Method

Heat the oven to 180℃. Crush 8 digestive biscuits in a food processor (or put in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin). Mix with 50g melted butter. Press into a 20cm springform tin and bake for 5 minutes, then cool.

Beat 600g cream cheese with 2 tbsp flour, 175g caster sugar, a few drops of vanilla extract, 2 eggs, 1 yolk, and 142ml pot of soured cream until light and fluffy. Stir in 150g raspberries and pour into the tin. Bake for 40 minutes and then check, it should be set but slightly wobbly in the centre. Leave in the tin to cool.

Using the remaining 150g raspberries, keep a few for the top and put the rest in a pan with 1 tbsp icing sugar. Heat until juicy and then squash with a fork. Push through a sieve. Serve the cheesecake with the raspberry sauce and raspberries. 

Recipe from BBC GoodFood

Pancake Day

Pancake with banana, ice cream & chocolate sauce

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Happy Pancake Day everyone! 

It's pancake overload in our household today. We had pancakes for breakfast and had the left over as dessert. The last pancake was massive so I only made one and Poj & I shared it. 

Here's the recipe for those who want to give it a go:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoon of melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a large bowl. Then make a well in the centre and pour in the milk, egg, butter and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Heat a griddle or a lightly oiled pan stick over medium heat. Scoop 1/4 batter onto the pan. Brown on both sides and serve and enjoy =)

Click here for the pancake day story and ideas.

Improvised Cupcake

Sunday 5 February 2012

A friend (the same one who gave me my new Cath apron) gave me a silicon piping set last Christmas. I've not used it yet coz I don't make cupcakes very often.

But I wanted to try the new piping set - coz if it's successful, I would bring them some on our next get together. So after making the cake which was very tasty, bias? lol. (Click here for the recipe). That was enough to encourage me to make the icing. And just as I twisted one end to ensure there's no air - i tore a whole on one side with my thumb! Grrr. I don't know what I did, but hey ho, the bag is now useless so it went straight to the bin. 

I had to improvise in the end coz I don't want the icing to go to waste. It came out alright, not how I imagined it - but my boys said it's ok. I used coloured sprinkles and smarties chocolates as decorations. Still not convince & would try again when I get my new piping bag. What do you think?

Done in 12 Minutes

Saturday 21 January 2012

Kristeta cooked dinner? That's breaking news indeed, lol =)

Papa E and I have been together for donkey's years that we just know each others tasks in the house. We don't have a housekeeper so we have to share the chores. He cooks most of our meals but I understand that sometimes he wants to take a break from the kitchen (this is very rare). 

He asked me to prepare tonight's dinner, which I don't mind at all coz it gave him the chance to play with Poj. I can cook but I prefer to bake. But if I'm asked, I would always go with the simplest recipe. 

And tonight is no exception. This 12-minute carbonara is one of the recipes I cook when I'm in a rush or too lazy to labour in the kitchen.  It was so quick and easy that it gave me time to sort out the laundry & still dish out our meal on time. 

carbonara recipe


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