Friday, July 14, 2006

Birthday cake

I also baked a cake for my husband's birthday. Again, using available ingredients in the kitchen, I was able to bake a cake called Eggless, Milkless, Butterless Cake. I modified the recipe from www.allrecipes.com (2004).

Ingredients:
1 c brown sugar
1 c waer
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c chopped cashew nuts

1. Combine sugar, water, oil, sesame seeds, cinnamon and salt in a microwavable glass bowl. Stir. Put in microwave at medium heat for 3 minutes. Take out and stir. Cool.
2. Measure flour, baking soda and baking powder, and sift together.
3. Gradually stir dry ingredients into sugar mixture. Beat well. Add the cashew nuts . Pour batter into a greased pan, preferably an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan.
4. Bake at 165 degrees C for 30 minutes (if pan is square or rectangle and bigger than 8 x 4 inch). if using the loaf pan, bake for 165 degrees C for about 1 hour.

Mocha frosting (adapted from the recipe for mocha filling):
1/4 c butter
1 c sugar
1 tbsp coffee powder mixed with 1-2 tbsp milk
1 tbsp cocoa

Cream butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar alternatively with milk and coffee mixture and cocoa. Blend well.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Birthday noodles

We always cook noodles during birthdays. So last 12 July was my hubby's 41st. I cooked noodles the night before (see recipe below) and also for dinner on the 12th. This time I used brown rice vermicelli with shrimp balls (mixed with carrots). I only had cabbage as vegetable as this was the only one available in my fridge (for noodles). Other vegetables that can be used include carrots, mushrooms, green beans, bean sprouts.

Ingredients:
Brown rice vermicelli, 100 g
Shrimp balls, 200 g, sliced into pieces
Cabbage, half medium, sliced into strips
Chopped garlic
Sliced onions
Knorr cubes
Soy sauce
Pepper

1. Prepare noodles as instructed, i.e. soak for 5 minutes or so. Then cut at sides/corners. Drain
2. Saute garlic and onions.
3. Add sliced shrimp balls and knorr cubes. Mix. Add carrots, beans and mushrooms if available. Cook for a minute.
4. Add softened noodles and mix.
5. Add some water to cook noodles.
6. Add cabbage.
7. Add soy sauce and pepper.
8. Serve.

Miswa with sardines

This recipe is an old one which we used to do at home esp. for dinner. For a long time that I have been looking for miswa noodles here in Thailand. Recently I found one so am glad to be able to cook this dish again.

Ingredients:
Miswa, 70 g
Sardines in tomato sauce, 1 small can
Chopped garlic
Sliced red onions
Choice of knorr cubes/soy sauce/fish sauce/salt to taste
Chilli powder or fresh chilli (optional)

1. Saute garlic and onions
2. Add sardines, crush fish into small pieces
3. Fill the can with water and add into the pan (2x)
4. Bring to boil
5. Add the miswa noodles
6. Bring to boil. Add water if more soup is needed.
7. Season to taste
8. Serve immediately as the noodles absorb water quickly.