Blueberry Zucchini Bread

I tried making chocolate bread last week using bread maker machine and it did not turn out well.

Then, I did it again...Another dumb thing. I accidentally threw away my bread maker pin (the pin that mix the dough).. :~(

Well.. though that's the end for my bread maker machine, but not my bread making journey. I can still continue baking bread using my trusty oven. Just that i would need to buy some more loaf tins.

Here's a very unique and tasty bread i baked this weekend, the blueberry zucchini bread. It turns out to be super moist and was not too sweet. Just nice for all those health conscious foodies. Best thing is my food taster, JS (my hub), loves it too! 

yay! :)

Blueberry Zucchini Bread
Makes 2 bread loaves

Ingredients:

3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
3 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups white sugar
2  cups shredded zucchini
3 cups plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp cinnamon powder
2 boxes fresh blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Lightly grease loaf pans.

2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini. Beat in the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gently fold in the blueberries. Transfer to the prepared loaf pans.

3. Bake 55 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Thai Basil Pork Rice

Thai food always reminds me of my poly days when I was working as part-time in a fusion restaurant which serves Thai and Japanese cuisine. 

It was the time when I was exposed to different types of Thai dishes other than just tom yum soup. Thai basil pork/chicken rice is one of my favorite dishes followed by glass noodle salad, beef noodle soup, phat thai and the list goes on.. 

It was fun working at the restaurant. I made many good friends and it was a memory that I treasure dearly. 

Till today, my friends and I are still talking about our favorite Thai dishes. Let's just hope that I can master cooking all of them so that I can invite them over for a gathering soon. 

Thai Basil Pork Rice

Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 lb ground pork (can also use ground chicken)
1 bunch Thai Basil
1 red bell pepper
5 minced garlic cloves
1 minced shallot
1 chili padi

sauce -
1 tsp brown sugar
1-1/2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp Kecap Manis

1. Combine the brown sugar, fish sauce, and Kecap Manis into a bowl. Mix well and set aside. 

2. De-seed and slice thinly the red bell pepper and set aside. 

3. Heat the wok on high setting with some oil. Once the oil is smoking hot, add the garlic and shallots and cook until it starts to brown and the aromas are strong (2-3 minutes). 

4. Then add the ground chicken and break it into small chunks. 

5. When the meat is half cooked add the sauce, stir it well before adding the chili padi and sliced bell pepper. Mix it well for a couple minutes. 

6. Then add the Thai Basil, give it a quick toss, and serve with rice. 

Zha Jiang Mian

I was first introduced to zha jiang mian by my cousin and his wife (who are both Germans) when we had dinner at Paradise Dynasty. 

It was highly recommended by my cousin's wife and she like it so much that she hoped to replicate this dish so that she can try making it when they are back in Germany. 

Therefore, this inspired me to research and to try various zha jiang mian recipe so that i can have a simple recipe which is usable even if you stay overseas.

Surprisingly, this is not that difficult to make and delicious! 

It's so fast and easy that you can try making it for a week day dinner. :)

In case you are curious what is sweet bean sauce, this is how it looks like:

Can also add spicy bean paste as shown below and chill oil, if you want some 'kick':

Ingredients

(Serves 4)

500g  ground pork
1 teaspoon soya sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon oil, plus 1

tablespoon
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
3 slices ginger, minced finely
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 fresh shiitake mushrooms, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sweet bean sauce
3 tablespoons ground bean paste (taucheo)
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce

1 cup water

4 portion of handmade noodles (you-mian)
1 cup julienned carrots
1 cup julienned Japanese cucumbers
1/2 cup julienned green onions

1.      Marinate the pork with the following for 15 minutes: 1 teaspoon soya sauce, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon oil, 1/8 teaspoon white pepper.

2.      Heat a tablespoon oil in your wok over medium heat. Add the marinated ground pork to the wok. Cook for a minute to brown it, and then add the ginger and garlic. Let
everything caramelize together.

3.      Add the chopped mushrooms. Stir fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes.

4.      Add the sweet bean sauce, bean paste, dark soy sauce, and water, stirring everything together well. Lower the heat and cover the wok. Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes,
stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

5.      While the meat sauce is simmering, cook the noodles according to the package directions.

6.      Drain the noodles and place it in the serving bowl.

7.      Add the meat sauce and the julienned carrots, cucumbers, and green onions.

8.      Serve the noodles

Fuss-Free Weekend Bake: Banana Bread

When you have super ripe bananas lying on the table, this means that it is time for you to make banana cake!


Minimum cookware used.

Easily available ingredients.

Most importantly, fast to make!


And this conclude my fuss-free banana cake!

You don't need to be a expert in baking to do this. This recipe is suitable for anyone to do it. Hope everyone can try this. :)

Banana Cake


Ingredients:


2 ½ cups (300 g) of flour

½ cup (100g) of sugar

1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt

2 teaspoons (10 ml) baking soda

4 overly ripe, mashed bananas

3 eggs

3/4 cup (180 ml) of canola oil

¼ cup (60 ml) of water

1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla

½ cup (75 g) of semi-sweet chocolate chip

½ cup (75 g) of Walnuts 



Method:

Preheat oven to 176C degrees. 

Grease a loaf pan.

In a medium bowl mix dry ingredients and set aside. 

In a large bowl mix wet ingredients until combined. Combine the dry into the wet, 1/3 at a time, being careful not to over mix! (Or you will have tough bread!)

Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake for 55 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean. If bread starts to brown too much on the top, cover with foil and continue to bake until cooked through.


Slice into thick slices and serve. Enjoy!