Sweet Potato ondeh ondeh

Tried my hands at making ondeh ondeh today,since I still have half a packet of glutinous flour left.This recipe was inspired after watching the Ch 8 drama serial.In the show,Li Naxing played a chef who excel in making soft and smooth ondeh ondeh using sweet potato and pandan leaves juice instead of green colouring which is the norm for making ondeh ondeh.In addition,this is the healthier version as sweet potato provides beta carotene which is essential for healthy skin and prevent night blindness.Furthermore,sweet potatoes does provide some fibre which is important as it lowers risk of colon cancer.By using pandan leaves instead of green colouring,it helps to cut down risk of developing allergies as some colourings can be harmful.Even though this is not conclusive,however,I still feel that green colouring is a chemical which if can be replaced by natural means,I will opt for it.Initally,I wanted to pound the leaves as screened in the programme,however being 8 months pregnant,it was no mean feat for me to squat or sit on the floor to pound.Instead,I opt for the easier way out by using food processor.For those keen in trying,below is the recipe:

Yields about 25 pieces

5 small sweet potatoes(steam/boil ,peeled and mashed finely)
300g glutinous flour
1 bunch pandan leaves
approx 360ml water
Extra water to boil ondeh ondeh(approx 800ml)
8 tbsp dessicated coconut
Filling:Gula Melaka,pounded coarsely

Methods:
1. Wash the pandan leaves,can choose to pound it,or use food processor to create a fine mash.Boil with water,and sieve to obtain juice.
2.Mix the sweet potato with glutinous flour,add in water to mix into a soft dough.Put extra water to boil in saucepan.
3.Pinch bits of dough,flatten on palm and place gula melaka in the centre,close up the filling,rolled into a ball and dropped it into boiling water.
4.When the balls float,the ondeh ondeh is ready.Dish up and roll in dessicated coconut.Enjoy

Peach N Pineapple tarts

LAO GONG'S TART

These few days had been raining cats and dogs,gosh,apart from snuggling in bed under the cosy blanket,I decided to call my neighbour,Jolene and baked fruit tarts.What an unconventional way to spend Tuesday afternoon.We used up an entire afternoon to roll the dough,sliced the fruits,cut and baked them in batches.The whole process was tedious and time-consuming,compared to baking cakes,while I felt was easier.However,I was glad for the company and chit-chatting while doing these tarts make the rainy afternoon more enjoyable.By the time,the tarts were baked and ready for a dollop of whipped cream,Jolene had to go home to prepare dinner for her dh.Meanwhile,I continued with the task on hand,adding the cream,topping up the fruits and keep in the fridge.I left the dinner preparation to my lao gong who proceed to whip up the meal without any complaints.For his efforts,I rewarded him with his very own heart-shaped tart filled with lots of cream,hehe...He wolfed the entire thing down even though the serving was rather large for him.When I asked him why he did not share the tart with his colleagues,he replied that since the heart was meant exclusively for him,he wanted to finish it by himself.Apparently,Jolene's dh also did the same to his heart-shaped tart,struggled to gobble up the whole tart,haha...Being "figure"consicous,my lao gong went jogging,kick-boxing and played soccer in an attempt to burn off the calories...Hmm...Seems like I can afford to feed him more then...haha...

Baked Cheesecake

My first attempt at baking cheesecake,fortunately,it turned
out to be a success.The end product was cottony,light and
not too sweet.I always loved cheesecake more than other cakes
or tarts.They are simply satisfying and leave a tingling rich mouthfeel
with each bite.Mmm....Even though I hardly touched my cakes apart
a nibble to make sure they are edible.this cheesecake was a lovely
exception,my lao gong and I finished 60% of it.Hehe...With this success,
next time I will try to make peach yogurt cheesecake.Yum Yum..

Savoury Soup with Tang Yuan

Yesterday was Dong Zhi-a day which marked the begining of
winter Solastic festival.A day where families will gather to make
tang yuan,glutinous balls with sweet fillings to represent unity and
harmony.Well,I made mine plain and cooked in seaweed soup with
mushrooms,prawns,meat and vegetables.This was exactly how my
granny used to make,she will always made two versions-pink balls
with gula melaka and white ones with mushroom soup.Even though
she had passed away 11 yrs ago,I still remembered the fun and laughter
we shared while making tang yuan.Thus,I shall continue making them
the way she had,and hopefully next time,my little girl can share in the
fun too!

Lemony,grilled Fish

Fish is good for heart and brains and of course for my unborn
bb,Clover Chee.Apart from the DHA supplements,I have been
consuming fish at least once a week for the past few months,which is
more fish than I had consumed in my entire lifetime!!Fish,being rich in
Omega-3,helps to lower cholesterol as well.Good for the heart and brawn ,
watcha waiting for?Eat more fish now!!

Wholesome ,heart-healthy muffins

First Blog Entry

Yipee,my first entry..Baked some muffins today using wholemeal
flour,bananas and nutella.Simply loved the smell of cakes,muffins
baking in the oven..Mmm..smells good and taste wise,well,its moist and
gritty due to wholemeal flour.As wholemeal flour turns rancid easily,
thus it ought to be kept in the refrigerator.

For those who wanna try it out:
150g plain flour
50g wholemeal flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
100g caster sugar
3 bananas
50g butter
2 eggs
2 tbsp nutella
4 tbsp milk
Methods:

1. Melt butter over medium flame,add in sugar,milk and eggs.Stir well.
2. Sift flour together with baking powder and baking soda.Add in butter
mixture.Using a fork,mix to a thick paste.Add in nutella and mashed
bananas.Mixture should be lumpy,not smooth.
3. Fill a patty tin with twelve paper cake cups and fill each one to
three-quarters full.Bake in pre-heated oven at 180 degrees for 20
minutes.
For healthier alternative,can substitute butter with corn oil.No need to
pre-heat the oil.