2016年12月26日 星期一

25/12, 26/12聖誕晚餐

也許是出國讀書前最後一次與家人度過聖誕,所以邀請了親戚過來一同慶祝。度過了無比美滿的兩天。這一次親自下廚,看見大家滿意的樣子,才會覺得下廚的人,有時祈求的,也不過是一些很簡單的事情。一個笑容,一句好吃,就已經讓一個下午的努力都值得了。

原來,人生的路上,我們可能會追求很多的東西。
但到頭來,還不如你在乎的人的一個笑容。

25/12 (26/12) Menu
Cheese Platter (Brie, Camembert, Parmesan)
Fruit Salad, Vegetable Salad
Turkey
Crusted Lamb Rack
Braised Pork Knuckle (Pork Belly Roll)
Glutinous Rice Stuffed Chicken wings
Cabbage Roll (Baked Chicken)
Broccoli (Stir fry vegx2)
Lasagna (White Rice)
Creme Brulee (Mascarpone Frosting choco cake)
Assorted Cookies, Roasted Nuts

 

 

 

 

 

2016年12月24日 星期六

聖誕曲奇【杏仁瓦片】Almond Tuile

忙碌中,彷彿永遠也不會看到快樂。
但聖誕的到來,讓人感受到忙碌中的喜悅,吵鬧中的溫暖。
只要一想到人客的笑容,每一個人拿著餅乾吃得正滋味的樣子,心理洋溢的,是一種不能言喻的快樂。
然後,在細想,才會料到那種在繁忙中得到的快樂名叫;分享。

【杏仁瓦片】Almond Tuile

Ingredients: (yields 1 50*50cm large piece)
2 egg white
40g white sugar (original recipe calls for 60g)
40g sieved cake flour
25g melted butter,
40-60g almond flake (depend on liking)

Procedures:
1. Mix white with sugar, then the butter lastly the flour.
2. Pour the batter onto baking sheet and spread it out with the back of a spoon.
3. Sprinkle over almond flakes according to your liking.
4. Bake 170C 12min (For it to brown) and then at 150C for 8-10min (until the whole piece has dried out)

*This was how I handled my extra egg whites after making creme brulee.

2016年12月22日 星期四

聖誕甜品 【蘋果金寶】Apple Crumble

忙過節,忙著裝飾家裡,忙著買材料。同時,也忙著讀書,忙著將近的考試。但,就算再忙,還是不忘在廚房裡流連。那怕是做一道再簡單的菜,也可以讓心情難得的放鬆。

一到聖誕,除了林林總總的曲奇,一大盤的小吃,甜品也是必不可少。對於派對甜品,大概都是圍繞著提拉米蘇,麵包布丁。今年的冬天不太冷,就弄一道可以配上雲尼拿雪糕的甜品。

【蘋果金寶】Apple Crumble
Paul 的容器又被我拿出來用了 XD

Ingredients:
Crumble: 
300g flour, 170g brown sugar, 180g softened butter
Filling:
3-4 apple diced, 50g white sugar, 1 tbsp flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Procedures:
1. Use a food processor to blend all the crumble ingredients together until crumb like.
2. Mix the diced apple with the rest of the filling ingredients.
3. Pour filling into container and scatter crumble on top.
4. Bake at 200C for 15-20 min for a golden top, and continue to bake at 180C fro 30min more.

(For mine, I layered the extra crumble at the side to add extra crunch at the sides)
(Serve with vanilla custard sauce or ice cream)

2016年12月19日 星期一

【玉桂麵包】Cinnamon Bun

第一次做麵包,手揉果然累死人啦。雖然沒有外面買的鬆軟,但裡面的成分少了添加劑,吃下去也就更讓人放心啦。

【玉桂麵包】Cinnamon Bun

Recipe adapted from sortedfood
Ingredients: (yield one pan)
Bread dough:
250g bread flour,
125g warm milk
1 tsp instant yeast
35g brown sugar
35g melted butter
1 egg
orange zest (opt for extra flavor)

Filling:
margarine
brown sugar
cinnamon powder
nutmeg

Procedure:
1. Mix the dough and knead. Cover it with a wet towel and let it prove till double. (took me 1.5hr)
2. Roll out the dough. Brush on the margarine and sprinkle on the filling.
3. Roll up the dough like a long sausage and slice the up.
4. Layer them into the pan and allow for second proving.
5. Eggwash them and sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar before baking. 
6. Bake at 190C for 20-25min.
7. Drizzle with icing or condensed milk and serve.

Notes:
First time making bread, not only was the kneading time consuming, also had some difficulty proving the bread. It took longer time than expected... Perhaps it was due to the weather?

不是人人都喜歡【抱子甘藍】Brussel Sprouts with bacon

其實在香港的超市也很少看見這種蔬菜,偶然的一次,讓我忍不住好奇, 這奇怪的蔬菜何以引來差天共地的評價。很多中國人都說,這是外國人才喜歡的菜,菜裡的苦澀不是人人都受得了。As the saying goes: You either hate it, or you love it.


【抱子甘藍】Brussel Sprouts with bacon
Ingredients:
Brussel Sprouts (halved)
Bacon
Salt

Procedures:
1. Par-boil the sprouts in salted water.
2. Pan-fry the bacon.
3. Drain the sprouts and add into the bacon.
4. Pan fry till the sprouts are coated in bacon fat, season and serve.

送給好友的禮物 【布朗尼】Chocolate Brownie

雖然布朗尼看似普通,但對於它,網絡上還是會有千萬種花樣的食譜。一年多前,做了蛋糕口感的布朗尼,這一次,就做一個比較實,更有口感的。

【布朗尼】Chocolate Brownie



Ingredients: (9 large servings, 8 inch square pan)
115g melted butter
228g melted dark chocolate
150g white sugar
50g brown sugar
80g plain flour
3 eggs
180g chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Procedures:
1. As usual, wet ingredients >dry ingredients
2. Bake at 180C for 25min

Notes: Favorite chocolate brownie recipe, super fudgy but still slightly too sweet.

2016年12月17日 星期六

還是不滿意的食譜【巧克力釘曲奇】Derek Friday's cookie


【巧克力釘曲奇】Derek Friday's cookie



Recipe adapted from Derek Friday (website how to cake it)
Ingredients: serves 12 pc
283g butter (1 1/4c)
1 1/4c brown sugar
3/4c white sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4c flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2c chocolate chips

Procedures:
1. Combine all the wet then the dry ingredients.
2. Bake at 175C for 8-12min.

Notes:
Still not satisfied about the texture, still too cakey...
How can I make the cookies fudgey and chewy...

2016年12月10日 星期六

第一道正餐 【芝士通心粉】Mac & Cheese

每一個女孩第一道菜總是甜品;而第一道正式的正餐,也總是離不開芝士和白汁。
當然,我也未能脫俗。

認識芝士通心粉是在小學的時候,學校的午餐每過一段時間,總會有它的存在。簡單的變奏,一時放煙肉,一時是蝦仁,已經能讓人難以割愛,吃得停不下來。

簡單,是它的代名詞,也是它的特點。時時在想,如果生活就像芝士通心粉...
小學時候,單純的快樂,就只是建基於午餐是否美味,回家是否有卡通片看。快樂得簡單,就如同它一樣,不需要做作,不需要花俏。簡單,便是它滋味的來源。

【芝士通心粉】One-pot Mac & Cheese
很久以前的照片,請相信,我的圖很醜,但我真的很好吃。
Ingredients: (serves 3-4)
Roux: (white sauce)
40g butter
3-4 tbsp plain flour
Milk/ Cream (amount depends on consistency wanted)
Stock ( To substitute part of the mlik)
Variety of cheese (4-5 pieces of sandwich cheese/ freshly grated cheese added to your liking)
(I usually use both shredded Cheddar and grate in some Parmesan)

Ingredients:
Macaroni/ Penne (any kind of short pasta)
Smoked bacon (diced)
Broccoli (florets cut into chunks)
Frozen prawn

Topping:
Breadcrumbs
Extra grated cheese
1 or 2 egg

Procedures:
1. Melt the butter in a large pot. Add in the flour and stir until all the flour are gone. It will form a paste.
2. Gradually add in milk and continue to stir. A dash at a time for the paste to absorb. This can avoid lumps. Add milk until the paste disappears and a brownish-white thick sauce comes into place. 
3. You may continue to add milk or replace milk with stock and continue to add and stir into the mixture until it is the right consistency. 
4. Add in the pasta and other ingredients. For smoked bacon, you may choose to pan fry it first to remove some of the fat before adding into the pot.
5. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. For al dente, -1 min of cooking. The pasta will tend to stick, so stir every minute or so.
6. For extra texture, lay the pasta with its sauce into a baking tin. Layer it with toppings and make a well to crack in 2 eggs. Bake at 180C for 10-15 min until the surface crisps up and the egg is half-way cooked. When you serve, the egg yolk should still be runny.

Note: As this is a one-pot pasta, make sure the sauce is looser and there is more than enough liquid as the pasta itself will absorb some of the liquid, at the same time, release some starch that thickens the sauce.


2016年11月17日 星期四

閑來無事 【布朗尼】Chocolate Brownie w/ frosting

前一陣子眾多的測驗,功課,剛好找了一個機會,歇一歇,輕鬆一下。只能化悲憤為食量,超甜超肥正合我心儀!

【布朗尼】Chocolate Brownie

Ingredients (9-inch square)
227g melted butter
100g sugar (Original recipe calls for 400g, 太多了吧 orz)
4 eggs
250g all-purpose flour
40g cocoa
chocolate chips
2 tsp vanilla essence

Frosting: (adjust base on your own liking)
55g butter (xdid not add)
20ml milk (originally 60g)
100g icing sugar (originally 360g)
25g cocoa

Procedures:
1. Butter+ Sugar
2. Add in dry ingredients
3. Add in eggs.
4. Bake at 180C 25-30min
5. Stand for at least 15min before applying frosting

Note: 生氣之下做的布朗尼,實在不太喜歡,口感太乾太硬了。
偏向fudgy 多於蛋糕般。

2016年10月10日 星期一

周末晚餐 【漢堡包】Ultimate burger

周末想做一些花樣,變出另類的菜式。這一次晚餐的主題是;美國之夜。
絕對不能少的當然是漢堡,另外還做了番薯條,烤雞和煎牛排。
自家製的漢堡大獲好評呢!

【漢堡包】Ultimate burger

Ingredients (yields 4 pieces)
For the patty:
500g minced beef (or minced beef and pork mix at the ratio of 7:3)
1 garlic diced
Seasoning: mustard, worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, ketchup, thyme, oregano, pepper, salt

For the pickled onion:
1 red onion sliced
1 tbsp lemon jucie
White Vinegar (enough to cover the onion)
1 tbsp sugar

Others:
A few peices of Lettuce
1 Tomato sliced
4 Hamburger bun toasted
4 sliced cheese

Procedures:
1. Prepare the pickled onion. Shake the mason jar for a few times before refrigerating it.
2. Mix the burger meat with seasonings and divide to 4 portions. Refrigerate to firm up.
3. Fry the patty for 6 min on each side. Place a cheese on top, pour a little water into the pan, and put on the lid.
4. Once the cheese melts put the patty onto the toasted bun.
5. Top up with other veg and the pickled onion and end it with the top half ot the bun.

Note:
My fries ended up terrible so I couldnt share it.
For the sauce to spread on the bun, a mixture of mayo and tabasco is heavenly. 

2016年10月9日 星期日

【海南雞飯】Hainan Chicken


【海南雞飯】Hainan Chicken

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken
1 piece of pandan leaf
1 piece of lemon grass
1 stalk of spring onion
2 piece star anise
2 piece of peppercorn (optional)
3 clove garlic
2 piece shallot quartered
2 tsp salt

Sauce:
2 piece of ginger
2 clove garlic
2 piece of shallot
1 large red chili
2 small thai chili
1 Tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp sugar
3 tsp salt
2 Tbsp chicken fat/ oil
100ml chicken stock
1/2 juice of a lime
fish sauce (optional)

Rice ingredient:
3 tsp chicken fat
3 cloves garlic minced
2 piece shallot minced
1 stick of cinnamon
1 cup of rice
200ml chicken stock

Procedures:
Making the sauce:
1. Put everything in a blender. Adjust amount of chili, salt for taste.

Rice cooker method (steaming method)
1. For the rice, fry off the garlic and shallot in a pot with oil. Add in the rice and fry until the rice is covered with the oil. Pour the rice and stock into a rice cooker. Water level should be slightly lower than instructed by rice cooker ( water will come out from the chicken)
2. Put the spices and herb into the chicken. 
3. Place the pandan leave on top of the rice, and place chicken on top. (if rice cooker is not big enough, you can place the herbs with the pandan leaf and slice up the chicken putting it on top.)
4. Press the normal rice cooking button (30-45min)

Sous Vide method
1. Put all the herbs and chicken into a heat proof bag. 
2. Pour in water (~500ml) until it covers the chicken.
3. Slow cook 2-2.5 hr at 73C
4. Drain all the stock for later use. Put the chicken into ice water to cool down and rest.
5. For the rice, fry off the garlic and shallot in a pot with the chicken fat. Add in the rice and fry until the rice is covered with the oil. Pour the rice and stock into a rice cooker to cook the rice.

Note:
Rice cooker method is undoubtedly much easier, but requires store bought chicken stock. Whereas the sous vide method is more closer to the traditional method of soak cooking 浸煮法, and can cook the rice in the chicken's own juice.

2016年9月21日 星期三

長法包的應用 Tapas

長法包最為人熟識的,就是用來做蒜蓉包。但通常放置了幾天,都還是吃不完。
其實,長法包可以配置不同的配料,作為小吃,前菜,也是非常受人歡迎的。
其中,我最喜歡的吃法是番茄洋蔥,還有黑醋煮洋蔥 (下圖),開胃酸甜,還被人搶著吃。

1. 黑醋煮洋蔥


Ingredients:
One onion sliced
1 dash balsamic vinegar
brown sugar

Procedures:
Cook everything on a low heat until the onion softens. 
Serve with toasted baguettes.

2. 番茄炒洋蔥
Ingredients:
2 tomato diced
1 onion diced
1 tbsp honey
Oregano
pepper 
salt

Procedures:
Fry off all ingredients until the juice from tomato has reduced and onion softens.
The topping should be slightly sweet, if not add a little bit more honey.
Serve with toasted bread.

2016年9月11日 星期日

【三杯雞】Chicken stiryfry


家裡種了金不換,不到一個月已經長得非常健康,可以隨時收成了。拿著新鮮的香草,當然要做一道三杯雞啦。

【三杯雞】Chicken stiryfry

Ingredients:
1 chicken sliced
1 large shallot sliced
3 slice of ginger
4 clove garlic crushed
Thai basil
3 Tbsp soy sauce
1 pc rock sugar
5 Tbsp chinese wine (shaoxing)
1 Tbsp dark soy (for color)
1 Tbsp sesame oil

Procedures:
1. Fry off the ginger, garlic and shallot in plentiful oil.
2. Add in the chiekn.
3. Once the chicken browns, add in the sauce.
4. Cover and let the chicken cook.
5. Once the chicken is cooked, add in sesame oil and basil thene serve.

The naming of three cup chicken【三杯雞】
Traditional method calls for 1 cup oil, 1 cup chinese wine and 1 cup soy. But it was actually not practical as soy is an easily overpowering condiment. In addition, for health reason, less oil are used nowadays.

2016年9月4日 星期日

【玉米班塊】Cod with sweet corn sauce


【玉米班塊】Cod with sweet corn sauce
Ingredients:
2 piece of cod sliced into bite size
Cornstarch
pepper
salt

Sauce:
1 can of cream corn
Opt: soy, honey

Procedures:
1. Season the cod and coat with cornstarch.
2. Pan fry the fish till crispy and golden.
3. Heat up the cream corn and season if necessary. 
4. Put the cod back into the sauce, mix through and serve.

2016年8月12日 星期五

【德國鹹豬手】Schweinshaxe

說到德國菜,第一樣會想到的一定是他啤酒還有香腸。接著想到的,便是他的豬手。這一次把啤酒和豬手擺在一起,變出非一般的美味。

【德國鹹豬手】Schweinshaxe


Ingredients:
1 pork knuckle
1 onion roughly chopped
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
1 can black beer
Bay leaf
pepper 
salt
(opt honey, fennel seeds)

Procedures:
method 1: (pure bake)
1. Layer the veg and half a can of beer on the tray and lay seasoned knuckle on top.
2. Bake 180C for 50min, pour in the rest of the beer and baste the pork afterwards.
3. Continue to bake for 45 min, and baste again. 
(actual baking time depends on the knuckle size, rmb to baste every 30-40min)
4. Bake at 220C for 30min for a crispy skin (brush honey if needed)

method 2: (braise and bake)
1. Put the vegetable, beer and water in a pot. (beer: water= 2:3)
2. Put in the knuckle and braise for 1 hr.
3. Remove the knuckle from the liquid and season.
4. Bake at 220C for 45min, turning every 15min.
5. Bush the knuckle with honey and bake for 5min. Serve!

Note:
Honey can easily be burnt so keep a close look on it after brushing with honey.
The liquid in the tray/  pot can be reduced to make an awesome gravy.

2016年6月18日 星期六

讓人瘋狂的Jenxy's Bakery 【唧花曲奇】Piped Cookie

前幾天在網上看到了跟某餅店超像的牛油曲奇食譜,立刻買了金桶牛油,動手做起來。
這曲奇被捧為香港的必賣手信,以前還會閒來去買來吃,現在被炒得火熱,根本不可能在她的門市買得到。只好自己做啦。

【唧花曲奇】Piped Cookie

做了好幾次,實在太受人歡迎!
Ingredients: (yields 24-26pc)
Plain Flavor
150g butter (Churned butter: 金桶牛油 can make three times this portion)
35g granulated sugar
115g cake flour
38-40g cornstarch
(Opt: 1 tsp vanilla essence, 1 pack of earl grey tea leaves)

For flavoring powder
150g butter 
35g granulated sugar
100g cake flour
38-40g cornstarch
15g flavoring powder (eg sesame powder, cocoa, matcha powder)

For flavoring liquid
150g butter
35g granulated sugar
115g cake flour
40-45g cornstarch
1 tbsp flavoring liquid (eg 1 pack of instant coffee mixed with a dash of hot water)

*The only difference between theses three are the amount of cake flour being exchanged with the flavoring powder, Or a little more cornstarch to compensate for the additional flavored liquid.

Procedures:
1. Whisk the butter and sugar until light and pale.
2. Fold in the flour and put into piping bag.
3. Bake at 180C 12-13 min (second highest rack in oven) 
4. Switch off oven and sit in the oven for 8 min.
5. Cool on the hot rack before serve.




2016年5月8日 星期日

隨便晚餐 【烤雞腿】Grilled chicken drumsticks

平日吃膩了街外充滿味精的食物,但對於花樣菜式表示很懶的時候,簡單的烤肉便成了桌上的晚餐。把雞肉調味,然後丟進烤箱裡,半個小時便可以吃><

【烤雞腿】Grilled chicken drumsticks

Ingredients:
Chicken drumsticks
Seasoning:
Pepper, Salt, Five spice powder, Barbeque Sauce
[Barbeque sauce: equal quantities of ketchup, soy and honey]

Procedures:
1. Season the drumsticks.
2. Bake at 180C for 25-30 min (depending on size)
3. Brush the drumsticks with the barbeque sauce at the last 5 min. (optional)

2016年4月30日 星期六

【自家製比薩】Pizza


【自家製比薩】Pizza

Ingredients:
Dough:
250g plain flour
180g warm water
1/2 tsp instant yeast
pinch salt
drizzle olive oil

Toppings of your choice

Procedures:
1. Mix and knead the dough. Leave in a bowl covered and prove till double.
2. Knock out the air and roll out the dough.
3. Place your topping of choice on top.
4. Bake at a piping hot oven (to allow the crispy crust to form)
Around 220C to 250C for 10-15min.

Note:
To yield a crispy crust, you may make the dough a day before and refrigerate overnight before using it.
Warm water helps activate the yeast, but make sure its only body temperature. Or else it may kill the yeast.
Deep dish pizza

2016年4月20日 星期三

【海鮮派】Seafood pie


【海鮮派】Seafood pie


Ingredients:
Selection of sea food:
Sea bass fillet diced
Frozen scallops
Prawns

1 carrot diced
1/2 onion diced
1 pc fillo or puff pastry

Own choice of sauce:
1. Bechmel sauce: flour, butter, milk and stock
2. Passata: diced tomato

Procedures:
1. Fry off the vegetables in a pan.
2. Siere off the fish (depending on thickness, this step is optional)
3. Layer the seafood and pour over the sauce.
4. Layer pastry on top and eggwash.
5. Bake at 180C for 20min until crsipy and golden top.

2016年4月12日 星期二

【玉米餅】Corn Fritters

Never get the correct ratio for whole corn n corn puree.
This so so frustrating yet at the same time, the true spirit behind cooking. Trial, error and the will for perfection ><

【玉米餅】Corn Fritters



Western style
Ingredients:
1 canned corn
60g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 onion diced
1 egg
20ml milk/ cream
pepper n salt
grated cheese

Procedures:
1. Combine all together
2. Pour batter into pan and fry like pancakes.

Indian Style
Ingredients:
4 whole corn kernel
4 cloves garlic
3 shallots
4 Tbsp self-raising flour
2 eggs
pepper n salt

Procedures:
1. Blend all ingredients in a blender
2. Pan-fry

2016年4月2日 星期六

Quiche Lorraine


Quiche Lorraine
Ingredients:
Short crust pastry: (replaceable with filo pastry)
110g butter
250g flour
4tbsp water (or 1 yolk)

Filling:
1 pack of bacon diced
3 eggs
200ml milk n cream
1 onion diced
Grated cheese
(Additional veg: broccoli or leeks)

Procedures:
1. Blind bake crust for 15min at 200C
2. Pan fry bacon n onion, add into liquid and pour into crust.
3. Bake at 180C for 45min.

【豬里肌伴蘋果醬】Porchetta with apple sauce


【豬里肌伴蘋果醬】Porchetta with apple sauce

Ingredients:
Pork Tenderloin
Bacon
Spice rub:
1/2 tsp fennel seed
3 clove garlic
1 tsp sage
2 tsp rosemary
pepper
salt 
lemon zest
olive oil

Apple sauce:
2 apple diced
cinnamon
nutmeg
2 tsp sugar

Procedures:
1. Open up the pork tenderloin, and rub the inside and outside with the spice rub.
2. Wrap the tenderloin with bacon on the outside.
3. Chill the whole roll in the refrigerator for 1 hr in order to set.
4. Bake at 230C for 25min until internal temp reaches 57C
5. Let it rest for 10min

2016年3月28日 星期一

來自英國的野餐風味 【蘇格蘭炸蛋】Scotch eggs

春天這時節,清涼的天氣正正是野餐的最佳時機。而英國人的野餐籃裡,一定會藏著這些炸蛋,讓每一次野餐錦上添花。
英國傳統的吃法是用全熟的蛋,但在家裡吃的話,還是喜歡它暖烘烘,蛋黃爆出來的味道。

【炸蛋】Scotch eggs


Ingredients:
4 eggs par-boiled (5min in boiling water)
500g minced meat (traditionally sausage meat)
Pepper
Salt
Oregano
Breadcrumbs
Flour
1 egg

Mayo: 1 yolk, olive oil, mustard, pepper

Procedures:
1. Season the minced meat.
2. Pat the eggs dry and wrap them with the minced meat.
3. Coat the eggs in flour, eggwash and finally seasoned breadcrumbs.
4. Deep fry until exterior golden crispy and inside cooked.

For the mayo:
1. Whisk the yolk with 1 tsp mustard on a bain maire.
2. Slowly whisk in olive oil until consistency of own liking.
3. Season before serve.

Note:
With the thick layer of meat outside, it is unlikely that the runny yolk will be cooked throughout the process of frying.

2016年3月24日 星期四

St Patrick's Day 【牧羊人派】Shepard's Pie

認識愛爾蘭就要從 St Patrick's Day 說起。那時候的認知,僅限於那黑色的小鍋還有很多很多的四葉草。時而至今,我的認知也僅限於此,唯一不同的,是對四葉草的認識。

四葉草在很多的小說,漫畫裡都出現過。它的存在,就像是我們所有青春時期少女們的夢想。這麼近,那麼遠。他,給了我們幻想。同時,也告訴了我,現實的殘酷。
那時候的我,曾經在學校的草地上找了一個下午,為的,只是在眾多花草中,找到一顆四葉草。三葉的,兩葉的,偏偏沒有四葉的。
四葉草的花語是幸福的愛。我想,也許她的難找,就跟她的花語有關。也許,只有那幾個幸運的人,才有幸找到四葉草,找到幸福。這個時刻,我還在找,在茫茫人海中,未曾放棄,期盼著,終有一天會找到的,屬於我的,四葉草。

以下,獻上一道英倫菜,在這個節日裡,英國或是愛爾蘭的人也會做。一家人,吃著暖烘烘的派,讓幸福,洋溢全屋。

【牧羊人派】Shepard's Pie

Ingredients:
Topping- Mashed potato
3 large boiled potato
Cheese of your own choice (I use shredded cheddar)
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp butter
pepper
salt

Filling:
1 pack minced pork (400g)
1 pack minced beef (400g)
[Traditionally use minced lamb, but its harder to get my hands on it at my place]
1 onion diced
1 carrot shredded
1 green bell pepper diced
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce (substitute with soy and pepper)

Procedures:
1. Mash the boiled tomato and mix with the rest of the topping ingredients until a smooth mash forms.
2. Fry off the garlic and minced meat.
3. Add in the vegetables and seasoning and cook on medium until all thoroughly cooked.
4. Assemble the pie: Filling first, then the topping. Use the back of a fork to make patterns on the top of the mash. 
5. Brush the top with some butter or scatter on some extra cheese.
6. Bake for 180C for 20min middle rack.

2016年2月19日 星期五

【巧克力海綿蛋糕】Chocolate Meringue Sponge Cake


【巧克力海綿蛋糕】Chocolate Meringue Sponge Cake

Recipe adapted from sorted food
Ingredients:
125g softened butter
200g sugar
70g cake flour
2 eggs (separated)
30g cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
chocolate chips

Procedures:
1. Whisk the butter and half of the sugar until airy. Then add in the yolks. Last fold in the flour.
2. Whisk the meringue with the rest of the sugar until soft peaks form.
3. Put the cake layer at the bottom and spread the meringue on top. Sprinkle on some choco chips.
4. Bake at 180C for 20min

2016年2月14日 星期日

白癡都會的 【紅酒炆牛尾】Braised ox tail

客人到訪的時候,不知道做甚麼菜,最好就是炆東西。既簡單,有看似有心機。簡直是廚師最愛。
時間,就是熬出美食的最好調味品。
時間,足以讓人熬出白髮,卻同時讓我們變得成熟,更有風韻。

【紅酒炆牛尾】Braised ox tail


Ingredients: (serves 5-6)
Ox tail (hkd120)
2 carrot chopped
2 onion chopped
3 tomato diced (1 can tomato)
2pc bay leaf
2pc star anise
500ml chicken stock
150cl red wine (more may be added for self preference)

Seasoning: pepper salt, sugar and a bundle of herbs de province (rosemary, thyme)

Procedures:
1. Brown the ox tail.
2. Fry off the vegetables, return the ox tail to the pot.
3. Deglaze the pot with the wine. 
4. Allow the wine to reduce by half then pour in stock.
5. Bring the liquid to a boil and turn down to a simmer.
6. Braise in medium fire for at least 2hr. 

Note: 
Apart from braising on stove top, you may move the pot to the oven and bake at 160C for 2 hr.
The ox tail may be exchanged with beef brisket, the braising time will be down to 1-1.5hr only.
Reduce the sauce by allowing it to boil and evaporate the liquid.
Best served with rice. The sauce can be kept for cooking pasta the day after.