The culinary corner

Potato , Carrot & Bean Salad(Quick & Easy Meals) Ingredients 2 large potatoes-Steamed 2 Carrots steamed Green beans 2 onions sliced 150g Bacon 4 boiled eggs 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tblsp vinegar Salt & peeper Parsley chopped Method Fry bacon in a pan without adding any oil. When the bacon is crispy add onions and cook until tender.Leave to cool slightly. Add potatoes in to a bowl and add all the other ingredients except eggs and mix well. Cut eggs and serve on top.

Coconut Cake (Simple Baking) Ingredients 11/2 cups Self raising Flour 50g Desiccated coconut 1/4 Cup milk 1 cup Of Sugar 125g Butter A drop of coconut essence or coconut extract 2 Eggs 350 ml Sour Cream Method Cream butter and sugar about 2 minutes. Add eggs one by one and beat well. Add coconut, milk, flour and sour cream and mix well.Add a drop of coconut essence and mix well. Transfer the mix in to a 8x8 inch baking tray & bake on 180c about 45-50 min. After transfer on to wire racks & leave to cool.  

Ingredients: 2 packs of regular Marie biscuits or a value pack 100g butter or margarine Vanilla essence 1 tbsp of cocoa powder 1/2 cup of icing sugar 2-3 tbps of full cream milk or condensed milk 3 tps of expresso or instant coffee 1 cup of hot water Method: Firstly Glad wrap (cling film) a tray or a rectangular baking dish. Then add the hot water to the coffee and mix it well to make sure there aren't any granules left in the jug. Leave it aside to cool. Add the butter, icing sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla into a mixing bowl and beat it at a medium speed until light and fluffy. While the mixer is on, take the Marie biscuits and dip each one into the coffee liquid. Layer the biscuits at the bottom. Add the milk or the condensed milk into the icing mixture while it's beating.  Add cocoa powder into the mixture and continue adding milk as to soften the it.  Take the prepared mix and add a layer of the mix on top of the biscuits and add a layer of biscuits a...

Red Velvet Cake with a Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients For the Cake 125g Butter 1/2 Tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of Soda 3 Eggs A pinch of Salt 11/2 cups of plain flour 2 Tblsp Cocoa powder 1/2 tsp to 1 Tblsp Red food colouring 120ml Butter milk 11/2 cups Sugar 1/2 Tblsp Vinegar For the cream cheese frosting 125g Softened butter 200g White chocolate 250g Cream Cheese Method Prepare a 22cm round cake pan. Preheat the oven to 180c. Add butter and sugar in to a mixing bowl and mix well until creamy. While beating add eggs one by one and beat well. After add cocoa powder, bicarb and flour  and mix well. Add red food colouring and milk little by little  and mix well. Transfer the mix to the tray and bake on 180 about 30-40 min. After baking transfer it on to a wire rack and cool completely. Cut the cake  in to two halve or three if you like. Melt the chocolate over simmering water of in the microwave. Beat butt...

Pesto & Sausage pasta Ingredients 1 finely chopped chorizo sausage 1 bunch fresh basil leaves 250g Boiled Spagetti Mixed nuts -Pistachio, cashew and almonds Salt 1 onion 1tblsp Chilli flakes 1Tblsp Olive oil Garlic Method Fry onion, garlic and chilli pieces & sausages in a pan. To make the pesto add basil ,nuts, garlic,onion,oil salt & pepper and process in to a smooth paste. Add pasta in to the pot with sausage mix. After add the basil pesto. and a bit of water. Mix well Serve hot.. 

Chocolate & Hazelnut Truffles (Quick& Easy Sweets) Ingredients For the Base 90g Plain flour 90g butter 90g Caster Sugar 11/2 tblsp Cocoa powder For the Filling 250g Dark Chocolate 2 Tblsp Brandy or Apple juice 1/2 cup Thickened cream 100g Roasted Hazelnuts Method Add the sugar & butter and mix until light and fluffy. Next add flour & cocoa powder and mix well. Next add the mix in to a 4x8 inch loaf pan or a tray. Bake 180 c about 15 min. & Cool completely. Add chocolate in to a pan and add cream. Melt on a low heat. Next add brandy and chopped hazelnuts and pour  it on to the cooled chocolate base and put it in the fridge over night or several hours. Cut in to smaller squares.

Potato & Tuna Bake ( Quick & Easy Meals) Ingredients 750g Potatoes 2 Large onions 1 large capsicum 1 packet french onion soup 150g tuna 50g margarine melted Salt & pepper 1/2 can Evaporated milk Method Add potatoes, tuna, margarine , capsicum, salt& pepper in to a mixing bowl and mix well. Put that on to a baking tray add evaporated milk and bake on 180 about 45 min to 1 hour. ( If you like to cook quickly steam the potatoes before using.)

Sri Lankan Style Pork Fry Ingredients 11/2 Kg Pork (Boiled or not) 1Tsp Cumin Seeds 1 Tsp Fennel Seeds 1 Tblsp Coriander Seeds 1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder 2 Tsp of Pepper 1-2 Tblsp Chilli powder 1 Tblsp Coconut oil or any other oil. 50ml Vinegar Several inches Cinnamon Several cloves Several Cardamons Green chillies as much as you like GInger 6 Cloves garlic 2 large shallots Salt Method Cook the pork first in salt and vinegar. If you don't mind eating extra oil cook pork cubes directly with out boiling. Fry the Spices until golden brown. Don't grind. But Crush the spices. Add oil in to a pan and fry onion, ginger, garlic and green chillies. Add the crushed spices in to the oil and fry 1 minute. Next add salt and the other spices. cook 30 seconds. next add cooked pork and vinegar. Cook on low heat about 15-20 min. This can be kept in fridge about 7 days in fridge or 3-4 days out.

Coconut Short Bread Ingredients 2 Cups Plain Flour 1 Cup Desiccated coconut 2 Eggs  1/2 Tsp Vanilla 150g Sugar 160g Softened Butter Method Add butter and sugar in to a mixing bowl and mix well. Add coconut vanilla and mix well. Add eggs one by one. Add flour and mix well. If the mix a bit wet add more coconut to get the consistency to roll on the bench top. Next put that on to the bench top and press into 1/2 inch thickness. Bake 180c about 15-20 min. Cool on wire racks & store in air tight containers.

Chocolate Mousse (Simple Desserts) Ingredients 250g Cooking Chocolate (Sorry a mistake in video as 125g) A pinch of cream of tartar 2 Tblsp Sugar 2 Eggs 3 Tblsp Cream Method Add chocolate and cream in to a bowl and leave on a pot of simmering water to melt. Mix egg whites with a pinch of cream of tartar. When the bubbles start forming rain the sugar. Beat that to the soft peak. take the chocolate out and add the egg yolks one by one. Mix well and leave to cool down. After add the chocolate in to the egg whites and then start folding. Put that in to a piping bag and put directly in to the serving dishes. Chill overnight or several hours. Serve with whipped cream and ice cream.

Chicken & Vegetable Stew(Quick & Easy Meals) Ingredients 4 Chicken Breasts 1 Leek Sliced Some Green Beans 1 can Chick peas 1 Can Tomato 1 Large Onion Fresh Tomato (optional) Some Carrots 1 Stock Cube 1/4 cup White wine (Optional) Chilli Flakes Pepper Salt 1 large potato Garlic Olive oil Method Add oil in to a pan & add chicken and seal the chicken. Next add onion, garlic, salt,pepper & Chillies. Next add tomato carrot, , stock cube wine  cook several min. Next add leeks & chickpeas with beans. Cook several min and  switch off the stove. Serve hot.

Chocolate & Hazelnut Truffles (Quick & Easy Sweets) Ingredients For the Base 90g Butter 90g Caster Sugar 90g Plain Flour 11/2 Tblsp Cocoa Powder For the Filling 250g Chocolate Melts 1/2 Cup Cream 2 Tblsp brandy 100g Roasted Hazelnuts / Cashew or Blanched Almonds Method Mix all the ingredients for the Base and spread it on a tray (4x8 inch) Bake 180c about 20 min. Leave to cool. Melt cream and chocolate leave to cool slightly and add brandy, Crush the nuts and put in to the chocolate mix. Mix and spread on the base. Leave to cool in the fridge several hours or over night. Cut in to tiny squares and serve.

Prawn & Vegetable Couscous (Quick & Easy Meals) Ingredients 250g Prawns 1/2 Cup green olives 1 Cup frozen peas 1 Capsicum diced 1Tblsp coriander and cumin powder 1 Tsp Chilli flakes 1/2 tsp Pepper Salt 1 Onion Crushed garlic 1 Tblsp Vinegar Couscous Boiling water Method To Every cup of water add a cup of couscous. Cover and stir after a minute. Add oil or margarine add prawns, Garlic and vinegar Cook several min. Next add spices, mix and switch off. In another pan cook onions and capsicum. Add peas, salt and add olives. Add prawns and add couscous  and cook another min. Serve hot.

Curried Potato Buns (Simple Baking) Ingredients 510g Bread flour 8g Instant dry yeast 1 Egg 25g Sugar 60g Butter 200-300ml Water 1/2 Tsp Salt For the filling 500g Boiled diced Potatoes Curry Leaves Green Chillies Onions Salt & Pepper 1 Cup Green peas 1 tsp Curry powder 1 Tsp Chilli powder Pinch of Turmeric Powder 1-2 Tblsp Cream or coconut milk Method Add yeast, Sugar and half of the warm water to a mixing bowl. Leave to prove. Add flour, Salt & Egg to the mixing bowl and mix well & keep on kneading 15 min. While kneading add water little by little until it makes a smooth dough. Next Grease a bowl and leave to prove in a warm place. Add oil in to a pan and fry onions, chilli curry leaves salt & pepper. Next add spices and the potatoes and cream and cook several min . Leave to cool down. Sprinkle flour on to the bench top and put the dough and cut in to 12 portions. Roll the dough to a triangular shape (Watch Video) Next add...

Leek & Mackerel English Muffins Ingredients English Muffins 5 Eggs 1 Can Mackerel 1 Leek finely sliced 1 green chilli Salt & pepper 1 Stock cube 1/2 cup cheese 1/2 Cup plain flour 2-3 Tblsp Cream Method Add All the ingredients except flour in to a mixing bowl. Mix well. Add flour little by little and mix well too. Top the muffins. If you like to add more cheese add some on top. Bake 180 about 20-30 min.

Breudher is a Dutch influenced buttery cake. This is was very popular when I was a kid. It was available during christmas and new year season. But it faded away and was not available in shops after. But I have my childhood memories which takes me almost 30-35 years back. I loved the taste and the texture of that cake. This cake gives the same taste and texture and I am still loving it. Try this recipe for christmas or new year and let me know the results. :) Breudher (Dutch Influenced Sri Lankan Buttery yeast Cake) Ingredients yeast Dough 2 Cups Flour 2/3 cup of Warm Milk 8g yeast 1 Tsp Sugar Salt To Mix Later 2 Eggs 110g Sugar ( Add more sugar if like more sweeter) 110g Butter 1/2 cup of Sultana or mixed fruit Method Add half of the warm milk, yeast & sugar in to a mixing bowl. Leave 5 min. Add flour,& salt and start kneading adding milk little by little.Keep on kneading about 10-15 min. After put that in to a greased bowl and leave u...

Honey Mustard, brown Sugar, Maple Syrup Glazed Leg Ham Ingredients 1 Quality smoked leg ham 1 cup brown sugar 2 Tblsp honey 2-3 Tblsp Maple syrup 2 -3 Tblsp mustard Method Take the ham out from packaging and remove the outer skin as shown in the video. Next cut diamond shapes with out cutting deeper Stud cloves if you like. Next Bake 170 about 11/2 hours. Brush the ham every 10 min with the prepared glaze Serve hot or cold.

I got this recipe from a very good friend of mine. Every time I go there I like to have her pickled pork. Its really yummy. Leaving to mature the flavours make it a wonderful dish to accompany  rice or  with a glass of beer. :) Sri Lankan Style pickled Pork Ingredients Boiled and Sliced Pork Mustard Sauce (Available in Sri Lankan Shops) Asian Shallots or onion Several cloves of Garlic Several green chillies sliced (Optional) Vinegar 1 -2 Tblsp oil Method Boil the pork in Salt & Vinegar about 1-1.30 hours or until it is soft. ( Add 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 tblsp salt to the water) Take the pork out and leave to rest 1/2 an hour. Then slice in to very thin pieces. Lay the pork on a platter with out overlapping each other. Fry onion and garlic and add the mustard sauce. Pour the hot sauce over the meat and leave to cool. After leave in fridge at least overnight to mature before serving. (Can keep in fridge up to a week)

These brownies are very dark as I have used dark cocoa powder & there is a bit bitterness.. If you like a bit lighter and sweeter add 100g cocoa instead of 150g. Or can use light cocoa powder for a sweeter taste.   Chocolate Fudge Brownies Ingredients 300g butter 500g Sugar 150g Cocoa Powder (Add less if you don't like too dark) 1/2 tsp Salt 4 Eggs 1 Tsp vanilla 170g  Cup Plain Flour Method Add butter, Sugar, Cocoa powder to a large bowl. Leave on simmering water  and mix every 2 min. Prepare the tray as described in the video. In to the melted butter mix add flour, eggs , Salt & vanilla. Mix well. Pour the mix on the tray. Bake 150 about 30 min. Leave to cool before cutting.

I have already uploaded a video before and I thought of sharing a better recipe with you all. This is  a very soft and moist bun that you can bake the next day or even you can keep several days in fridge after baking too. Simply heat before you eat. :) Sri Lankan Fish Buns ( Maalu Paan) (Updated Recipe) Ingredients For the dough 500g Bread Flour 300ml Warm Water 3 Eggs (1 for brushing the tops) 8g Yeast 60g Butter or Margarine 25g  Sugar For the Filling 1 Can Mackerel/tuna Onion finely chopped Several cloves of garlic chopped 250g mashed potatoes Curry leaves finely chopped Pepper Chilli powder Curry powder Salt Margarine or any oil Green chillies Turmeric Powder Method Add half of the warm water in to the mixing bowl and add sugar and yeast and leave to activate 5 min. Next add flour egg, salt and start kneading adding the rest of the water little by little to make a smooth dough about 5 min. Next add butter and continue kneading 10 more...

Peppermint Candies Ingredients 125g Icing Sugar 55g Cream Cheese Drop of peppermint extract Food colouring Method Add icing sugar, peppermint extract and cream cheese in to a mixing bowl. Mix until it becomes a smooth dough adding more icing sugar if necessary. Divide and add colours. Roll on the bench and cut desired shapes or roll and press with a fork, Leave to air dry. Wrap in cellophane to give away or use air tight jars to store.

Layered Jelly Squares Ingredients 2 different flavours of jelly 1 can condensed milk 2 tsp gelatine powder Method Add 1 cup boiling water and dissolve gelatine and next add condensed milk. Dissolve other jellies in other jugs separately. Do each jug to 500ml. So add 1 cup in to the bottom of a greased tray and leave in fridge to set. After repeat layers with different flavours. Leave in fridge over night to set. Cut in to squares or bars or even to shapes and serve with cream and ice-cream.

Chicken & Vegetable Fried Rice Ingredients 21/2 chicken breast 1 leek sliced 1 stock cube 1 grated carrot 3 Eggs 4 Cups Cooked rice 1/4 cup corn Salt & pepper 1-2 Sliced Shallots or Onions Garlic Ginger Chinese cooking wine Soy Sauce Method Add oil in to a pan and add chicken and brown it. Add Salt, pepper and the stock cube.. Cook well. Add shallots, Gallic, and ginger and cook 2 more min. Add corn and carrot, Chinese cooking wine and cook 3 min. Next add the eggs and add the eggs to the middle and cook several min before stirring. After add the leeks and cook 30 seconds. Add rice and add soy sauce on to the rice. Cook 1 min. Serve hot

No Bake Cashew Nut Fudge Ingredients 250g Roasted cashew nuts 250g Marie Biscuits 1 can (397g) condensed Milk 2 Tblsp Sugar Method Grind cashews in a food processor and add biscuits.  Next add sugar and condensed milk. Process until separate from the wall of the food processor. Next line a tray with plastic wrapping. Put the mix and press. Leave several hours to rest or overnight. Cut in to squares.

Home Made Milk Bread Rolls (Soft & Moist) Ingredients 510g Bread flour 30g  Sugar 210 ml Warm Milk 140 ml Thickened or Whipping cream 20g butter 10 g yeast Salt Method Add warm milk, sugar & yeast in to the mixing bowl and leave to activate. When the yeast start activating add flour, salt, egg and start kneading about 2 min. While kneading add cream and butter. Keep on kneading about 15 min. Leave the dough in a greased bowl in a warm place until double in size. Take the dough and put flour on to the bench . Punch the dough. Always flour your hans rolling pin and the bench as this dough is a bit sticky. Cut the dough in to equal size portions. Next make balls and roll to a rectangular shape. After roll to a log. Place in baking trays or loaf pans. Leave in the tray until doubles. Brush the tops with eggs or milk and bake on 180 about 20 -30 min or until when taps gives a hollow sound.

Christmas Wreath Cookies ingredients 125g Butter 1/2tsp Vanilla 1/3 cup of icing sugar 1/4 cup Custard Powder 3/4 cup plain flour For the icing 1tblsp lemon juice 1/2 cup icing sugar Sprinkles to decorate Method Cream butter with icing sugar. Add vanilla and continue mixing. Next add flour and custard powder. And mix several min. Put the mix in to piping bag and pipe circles as shown in video. Bake 160c about 10-15 min. Next leave them cool and make the icing. Pipe the icing sugar and sprinkle the 100s and 1000s.

Spicy Chicken Curry Ingredients 600g Chopped chicken thighs with the bone 4 tomatoes Several shallots or one Onion Several cloves of garlic 1 Inch ginger 2 green chillies 1 tblsp chilli powder 11/2 tsp Curry powder Pinch of turmeric powder Cardamon cinnamon Pandan leaves Curry leaves Cloves 1 Cup coconut milk. Method Add oil in to a pan and fry pandan leaves, cinnamon, cardamon and cloves. Mean while grind the rest of the spices. Add the spice mix in to the oil too After add the powdered spices. Next add chicken and cook several min. Add coconut milk and cook on simmer about 40 min or until the chicken comes off from the bone.

Vegetable Pasta Bake (Quick & Easy Meals) Ingredients 300g Boiled Pasta 1 Cup Cheese 1/2 carrots 1/2 cup Beans 4 Eggs 11/2 cups leeks 1 cup capsicum Salt & Pepper Method Cook Onion & garlic Then add the other vegetables and cook until just tender, Take out and leave to cool down. Next add pasta in to a bowl and then add veggies and the eggs. Mix well. Put that in to a tray and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake 20-30 min. Leave 5-10 min to rest. Cut the pasta as you wish.

Peanut Butter Bread Rolls Ingredients 225g Bread flour 35g plain flour 4 g Yeast 1 Egg 20g Sugar 120 ml Water or milk 20g  Butter Peanut butter Method Add flour, yeast, sugar, plain flour, Salt & egg And mix well. Add Water little by little & knead until it becomes a smooth dough. Leave in a warm place to double in size. After punch it down on a floured bench top and cut it in to equal size portions. Next roll one to a rectangular shape and put a spoon full peanut butter in to the middle. Fold in to half (Watch Video) Cut the unopened side as shown in the video. Twist and put them in patty pans and leave to double in size again. After brush the tops with eggs and bake on 180c about 15-20 min.

Rolled Omelette with Vegetables Ingredients 8 Eggs 1/2 cup Cream 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup Roasted capsicum finely diced. Salt & pepper 1 Cup of cheese 1/4 cup plain flour 1 cup spinach Method Beat the eggs , milk & cream, salt & pepper and mix well. Next add flour and mix well. Spray a tray and pour the mix in to the dish. Bake 5 min. Then take out and sprinkle the vegetable. Bake another 5 min and take out and sprinkle the cheese. Bake another 2-3 min. Roll  the omelette and cut according to the size you wish. Serve hot

Ice cream Cake Ingredients 2 or 3 different flavours of ice cream 1 Packet Marie biscuits Method Leave the ice cream out or in fridge until it becomes soft Crush the biscuits to a spring form tray Add a layer of ice cream and leave in fridge to set. Next add another layer of ice-cream. Continue to the top layer.  Put in the freezer 4-5 hours. Decorate as you wish.

Christmas Pudding Ingredients 90 g Raisins 210g Sultana 75g mixed peel 50g Cherries 150g Figs 3 Eggs 100g Self Raising flower 100g fresh bread crumbs 40g Almond meal 1/3 cup Brandy 150g brown Sugar 100g Butter 1 Orange (Zest & Juice) 1 Apple Finely grated Method Mix all the fruits with brandy, orange juice and leave over night. Next day mix all the other ingredients and put that to a pudding bowl. Cook about 4-5 hours on simmer until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cool on rack and leave covered in a cool dark place. On the day serving steam one hour and serve hot with brandy custard.

Apple & Rhubarb Nut Crumble Ingredients 2 Granny Smith Apples cut in to chunks 1 Bunch Rhubarb 2 Cups Crushed Nuts (Pistachio, Almond, & Cashews) 1/2 Cup Desiccated Coconut 1/4 Cup Self Raising or Plain Flour 1/2 cup Oats 1/2 cup to 1 cup sugar Vanilla 1 Tblsp butter Method Mix dry ingredients with butter Arrange apples and rhubarb in a tray. Put the nut mix on top. Bake 180 about 30-40 min. Serve with custard, cream or ice cream.

Parmesan & Herb Crusted Chicken (Quick & Easy Meals) Ingredients 4 Chicken breasts 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise. Chopped Herbs like rosemary, thyme,oregano & parsley Salt & Pepper 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese Olive oil. Method Butterfly chicken & lay on a baking tray Mix herbs and olive oil to bread crumbs Mix mayo, parmesan salt & pepper. Spread mayo mix on chicken breasts. Next sprinkle bread crumbs on top. Bake on 180 about 20-30 min. Serve with steamed vegetables.

Mushroom Eggs (Kids Party Food) Ingredients Several boiled Eggs Mayonnaise Some tomatoes. Shredded lettuce Method Boil the eggs about 20 min.  Peel & cut the end to be flat. Shred the lettuce and stand the eggs on  a plate. Next Cut tomatoes in to half or even 3/4. Scoop the flesh out. Put the half tomato on top of the egg.  Pipe mayo as dots on top of the tomato.

Bacon & Vegetable Noodles ( Quick & Easy Meals) Ingredients 500g boiled Noodles 2 spring onions chopped 1 Cup grated carrot 1/2 cup Capsicum  (I am using Roasted) 1 Tblsp garlic 1 Cup Cabbage 1 onion diced 3 rashers of bacon 2-3 tblsp Chinese cooking wine. or wine or soy sauce Salt & pepper. Method Add bacon in to a wok and cook until crispy. Next add onion & garlic. cook several minutes. Add carrot, salt & pepper ,& cabbage, cook several minutes. Add Chinese cooking wine & cook another minute. Next add spring onions, Stir well and add noodles. Serve hot with a condiment.

Eggs in Bread Cups (Simple Baking) Ingredients 200g Bread flour 4g Instant dry yeast 1/2 tsp Salt 1 egg for the dough and 4 eggs for the filling 100 ml Milk 20g Butter 1 Tsp Sugar Method Add flour, sugar, yeast,egg in to a mixing bowl and start mixing. Next add butter & salt. Start adding milk little by little until forms a smooth dough.  Keep on kneading 10-15 min. Leave the kneaded dough in a greased bowl to prove. When its double in size cut in to equal parts and make balls. Then roll to a circle and put that in to ramekins or baking cups.  (watch video) Brush with butter and break in to the cups. Sprinkle salt & pepper. Leave to prove . Bake on 180c about 20- 35 min or until golden brown.

Vegetable Pancakes (Simple & Quick Meals) Ingredients 1-2 Cups of Leeks 1 Carrot grated 1/4 cup Capsicum 1/2 cup Sweet corn 6 Eggs Enough flour to make a batter Salt & pepper 1-3 tblsp Cream Margarine Enough water to make the batter (Or Milk) Method Add eggs flour, salt & pepper and mix well. Add vegetables and mix. Add more flour and water and mix to the right consistency. Add a spoon margarine or butter on to the pan. Pour a spoon full of batter and spread with the back of the spoon. Cook on low heat. Turn when it starts setting. Cook until golden brown.  Serve with chutney or sauce.

Lamingtons (A traditional  Australian Cake) Ingredients For the sponge cake 3 Eggs 75g Caster Sugar 25g corn Flour 25g self raising flour 35g Plain flour For the Chocolate dipping 1/2 cup Milk 15g Melted butter 1/4 Cocoa Powder 2 cups Icing Sugar For Covering      1 cup Desiccated coconut Method Add eggs in to a mixing bowl & beat 8 minutes until its creamy and fluffy. Rain sugar in to the bowl while mixing. Add flours and mix well. Transfer to a greased tray and bake 30-40 min until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Next Cover the wire rack with baking paper and transfer the cake on to the wire rack and cover with another baking paper and leave to cool down. Make the chocolate dipping by mixing all the ingredients and leave on apot of simmering water and stir to dissolve everything together. Cut the cake to the desired size. (you can sandwich them with jam or cream if you like.) Dipped the cakes in ch...

When ever we go out my daughter orders sushi if available. One sushi cost above 2 dollars depending on the filling. But make them at home is very simple. Good for parties as you do it earlier and leave in the fridge. I do it as a big batch and leave in a box for them to snack when ever they are hungry. :)  Home Made Sushi Rolls (Party / Finger Food) Ingredients For the Rice 3 Cups Sushi /Arborio/ medium grain Rice 1/2 Cup Rice vinegar 1 Tblsp Sugar 1 Tsp Salt Filling Several slices of smoked slamon Avocado Carrot Roasted Capsicums Wasabi Paste Method Wash the rice several times and add water to 1 to 1.5 ratio. Cook on high until boils and then reduce to simmer. When cooked add mixed vinegar, sugar and salt and mix well. Leave the rice to rest 30 min. If in a hurry use a fan to cool the rice. Put the bamboo mat on the bench top and arrange a yakinori sheet on it. Spread the rice and the filling on to the corner. Next Roll (Watch video) Cut i...

These buns are my daughters favourite. If she gets a chance to visit Chinese style bakery she grabs these with some other filled buns ( I will post the recipes of them too). It cost a lot of money for a single bun. If you make them at home its only couple of dollars and can freeze and leave in freezer up to 3 months. Chinese pork Floss  (Rousong) Buns Ingredients 500 g bread flour 20g Milk Powder (Optional) 2 Eggs 1/2 tsp Salt 30g Butter 7g yeast pork floss or any shredded meat 200ml Water 30g Yeast Method Add eggs,sugar, yeast, flour,salt and knead 2 minutes. When kneading add water little by little by little and keep on kneading about 10-15 min. After five minutes of kneading add butter and continue kneading. Grease a bowl and transfer the dough and leave in a warm place until double in size. Flour the bench top and transfer the dough on to the bench when doubles and press down and cut in to 8 equal parts. Nest take one piece and roll to t...

Savoury Leek & Bacon Muffins Ingredients Cooked 150g bacon & 1 white part if the leek. 280g Self Raising flour 300Ml Thickened cream 2 Eggs 1/2 tsp Baking soda (Bi carb) 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese 55g Melted butter Method. Cook the leek and bacon and leave to cool. Add eggs, butter, flour , thickened cream with butter and mix well. Add cooked bacon mix and fill muffin holes and bake 180 about 20-30 min.

Chicken & Cashew With Vegetables (One pot meal) Ingredients Chicken thigh Chops 1 cup Cashews (Soaked) 1 potato Several Garlics 1 Onion Diced 1 Stock cube Celery Olive oil Tomato Paste Several snow peas Salt & peper 1/2 Cup White wine 2 Zucchini 1 White part of a leek Handful of Spinach Method. Add oil to a pan and cook onion, Garlic and celery. Next add white wine and leave a minute to evaporate the alcohol. Next add the chicken thighs. After add salt & pepper, with the stock cube. Next add cashew carrots & potatoes. Add tomato paste dissolved in two cups of water and cook 20 min . Next add Zucchini and leeks and after add the spinach . Serve hot as it is or with crusty bread.

Aloo Bonda / Ala Bola (Finger Food) Ingredients 2-3 Potatoes Mashed  Diced Chillies 1 Onion diced 1 Cup Peas Salt & Pepper Turmeric powder Flour for dipping Oil for frying For the batter 1 Cup Chick pea flour 1/2 cup Rice flour Salt 1/2 tsp Baking powder Enough water to make the batter Method Mix the batter ingredients together and leave aside. Cook onion, peas and potatoes adding spices. Make balls out from the cooked ingredients. Dip the prep balls in flour and then in the batter. Fry until golden brown. Serve with a chutney or tomato sauce.

Every recipe make this bread very complicated. There is nothing to worry when making Focaccia. The recipe I have given works very well and very simple for you all to enjoy baking. Home Made Focaccia bread from Scratch Ingredients 410g Bread flour 1/4 cup Semolina or corn meal (Polenta) 7g Yeast 1 Cup warm water 6 Tblsp olive oil Fresh rosemary leaves cut in to small pieces. Salt Method Add warm water, 2 tblsp olive oil, yeast ,sugar in to a mixing bowl and use a whisk to mix. After add flour, semolina or polenta and knead 10 min adding rosemary while kneading. Make sure you do not add the flour at once. There will be some left over flour. Next put that on to the bench top and knead several min. Put in to a bowl to double in size covering with olive oil. When double in size put that to a greased tray and press down as directed in the video and leave to rest 10 min. Next poke the bread & sprinkle salt , olive oil and bake 200c about 20 -30 min until the br...

Adukku Roti (Layered Pancakes with Chicken & Pastry) Ingredients 500g Chicken cooked as a dry curry 360 g Plain flour 1 egg 1 tsp sugar 1 Tsp Baking Powder 1/2 cup margarine For the pancakes 1 cup plain flour 1 Egg Salt Enough water to make the batter Method Cook the chicken to a dry curry as you wish. Leave to Cool. Make the pastry as instructed in the video. Leave in fridge several min and take out to work and make a very thin round one. Next mix the pancake ingredients and make pancakes. Put one on the pastry fill chicken and then put another pancake and fill until you finish last layer with a pan cake. Cover with the remaining hanging pastry and bake 180 about 30-40 min or until golden brown.

Spanish Style Chicken & Vegetable Rice (One pot meal) Ingredients 21/2 cups long grain rice Bay leaves 1 Cup Asparagus 1 cup Beans 2 Tomatoes cut in to chunks 6 Cloves of garlic Onion 1/2 cup red wine or stock water 1 Tblsp Cumin powder 1 Tblsp Coriander powder 1 Tsp chilli powder Salt & pepper 1/2 cup parsley 300g diced chicken thighs Method Add oil in to a pan and cook garlic,parsley, bay leaves, onion and chicken . Brown the chicken and add all the ingredients  Add water and cook in the oven for 35-45 min. Check the water levels and put more water to cook rice.

T his Bread comes out soft like a feather if you follow the kneading process with the right roux. Sweet tea buns with Sultana Ingredients 18g Plain flour 75 ml of cold water 280g Bread flour 45 -50 g 0r 100g if you like vey sweet 1 Egg 25g Margarine 30g Milk Powder 30 ml Water or Milk 6g Yeast Salt Sultana soaked in hot water Method Cook the first two ingredients in the microwave or on the stove until it becomes a smooth paste. Next add flour , yeast, margarine, prepared roux , sugar , salt and egg. Knead well about 10 min adding water little by little. This dough will be a bit sticky , so add to a greased bowl and leave in a warm place to double in size. After use flour on bench top and for hands too. Cut the dough to 6 parts. Roll as described in the video. Put some sultana and make to round shape. Next Put them on baking trays and bake on 180 about 15-20 min.

Spicy Noodle Soup (One Pot Meals) Ingredients Rice Noodles Soaked in hot water 4 Spring onions cut in to pieces 1 boiled Egg 250g Prawns Fried Tofu For the Spice Mix... Red chillies (Dried) soaked in hot water 1 salad onions / Asian shallots 1 tsp Salt 2 stalks Lemon grass 1tsp Sugar 1 Tblsp Shrimp paste 2 Tblsp Oil Mix together.... ! Lemon 2 Tblsp Soy Sauce 1 Litre water 1 can (400ml ) Coconut cream 80 ml Tamarind paste Method  Soak rice noodles Make the spice mix. Mix the third lot together. In a pan stir fry prawns and leave aside and fry the spice (ground) in the same oil. Add the mixed coconut and water mix and cook until boils. Next add prawns and spring onions. Place noodles in a bowl. Add the prawn and coconut broth. Next put chives, eggs, and the tofu and serve hot.

Rice Pie Crust With Prawns & Spring Onions Ingredients 4 Cups Leftover rice 5 Spring Onions 6 Eggs 250g Prawns Salt & Pepper 2 Stock Cubes 2 Green chillies or a large capsicum diced 1 Onion diced 3/4 cup Thickened cream or coconut cream Method Add eggs, Salt ,Pepper,Stock cube in to rice. Grease a 9x9 inch baking dish. Mix egg with cream and salt pepper mix well. Spread the rice and press throughly on to the dish. Bake 180 about 15 min. Cook prawns and spring onions with other remaining ingredients. Spoon the cooked prawn mix on to the pie crust. Next pour the egg mix over the prawn mix. bake 180 about 20-30min.

Dark Chocolate Mud Cake (With a Ganache or with out) Ingredients 250 g Softened butter 2 Cups caster Sugar 1/2 cup of Milk 1/4 cup strong black coffee 25g Cocoa Powder 2 Eggs 200g Dark Chocolate 1 Tsp Vanilla 1/2 cup sherry/ whisky, or brandy or Apple juice 11/2 cup Plain flour 1/4 cup self raising flour For the chocolate ganache 1/2 cup of cream 200g milk chocolate Method Grease a 9 x9 inch pan Preheat oven to 180c. Beat butter &sugar until creamy. Next add eggs and mix Add dark chocolate in to milk and put in the microwave or on the stove to melt. Next add coffee cocoa powder and flour with the alcohol. Mix well. Then add melted chocolate and milk. Mix and pour in to the tray. Bake 180 c about 1 hour to 11/2 hours. (Until a skewer inserted comes out clean.) Cool on wire racks. To do the ganache mix chocolate with cream  in a pot and heat until the chocolate melted. Leave aside for 15-20 min until it is thick enough to spread. Then s...