Mmmmmm...

double apple bundt cake





I loveee apples, especially apple pies. I decided to try an Apple Bundt. This recipe was taken again from Dorie Greenspan's book. My mom found it really moist and too wet for her liking. I loved it and so did Mr. S-O and Alan.
I dont even remember when I made this.. but maybe a month ago?? Late post :)


ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 sticks butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup apple butter
2 medium apples, peeled cored and grated
1 cup pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup raisins



directions:

Preheat over to 350 F
9' Bundt pan

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, grind cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and salt

2. In large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed, scraping the bowl as needed, for 3 minutes or until the mixture is smooth, thick and pale. Add eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute after each addition - light fluffy batter

3. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the apple butter

4. On low, add the grated apples and mix to blend competely

5. Add dry ingredients, mixing only until they disappear

6. Fold in nuts and raisins

7. Pour batter into bundt pan. Bkae for 50-55 mins.

***If have time, wrap cake in plastic overnight at room temperature.

Labels: Apples, Baking, Bundt

mini bagels





I was surfing food blogs and I came across delicious days. The mini bagels on her page were just tooo cute.


ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
165ml warm water
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp dry yeast


directions:

1. Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a little depression in the middle and pour in water and olive oil. Sprinkle on dry yeast. Cover bowl with towel and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.

2. Knead dough until it becomes smooth, shiny and elastic. Add some flour if it feels too sticky. Again, cover bowl and let it rest at a warm place for 60-90 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 400 F. Punch down dough and shape into 16-20 little balls. Create a hole in the middle and make it look nice. Make holes larger than you think is necessary.

4. Heat up pot of salt water and bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer. Send bagels into the water for about a minute. They will float to the top.

5. Sprinkle with sesame, poppy seed or anything of your chice. Bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Labels: Bagels, Baking, Bread

hummus





I was craving hummus during my macro economics lecture on Monday. I went home and found Rose Reisman's Hummus recipe. On Tuesday I went to look for Tahini, but no luck. I decided to go to a Japanese grocery store today and I found packaged sesame and tahini for 20 dollars. I decided to try to make my own tahini.. but i wasn't too successful.

**recipe take fromRose Reisman


ingredients:

1 cup drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
1/4 water
1/4 tahini
2 tbsp lemon juice
5 tsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic



directions:

1. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, water, tahini, lemon juice, oil and garlic. Purée. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Labels: Cooking, Dips

gingered carrot cookies






I was flipping through my sister's Dorie Greenspan book. I was happy with the results of my carrot cake and I decided to attempt carrot cookies. I don't really like ginger as much... so I dont find it amazing, but it will do as a nice snack for school this week. :)


**recipe take from Dorie Greenspan's book - From my Home to Yours


ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground ginger
pinch of nutmeg
1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup sweetened coconuts
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans i used walnuts



directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, ginger and nutmeg then set aside

2. In a large bowl beat the butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth.

3. Add sugars and beat for 2 minutes, then add the egg and beat for another minute.

4. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in vanilla, continuing on low speed, add dry ingredients in 2 or 3 batches and beat only until they just disappear into the mix. Don't over mix.

5. Mix in carrots, coconut, raisins and pecans.

6. Spoon dough onto baking sheets and leave about an inch between them, since they don't spread much. Bake 16-18 minutes - rotate mid way. Bake until light brown and only just firm on top.

Labels: Baking, Cookies

golden regency restaurant

My favourite Eggtart and my leastttt favourite, EWWW but why do all guys love this? Well most guys..

At 11:00Am... We got there around 1030-1045


At 11:08AM...


At 11:13AM



We decided to go out for dim sum yesterday morning... actually more like I dragged the guys out to go to dimsum because they went without me last year. Only 4 of them were able to make it. We ordered 20 dishes for a table of 5. All dishes were only a $1.80 before 11:30AM. We had soooo much food.. but surprising we were able to finish it all.
Though because they went around with the carts... the choices we had were what they brought out. I'm use to having dimsum with a menu and we mark what we want to order. hehehe


Golden Regency Restaurant
Pacific Mall
4300 Steeles Avenue East
Markham, Ontario
905 948-8811

Labels: Brunch, Dim Sum, Eating Out

canyon creek

Roast Prime Rib 12oz; Cedar Plank Salmon

Jer invited me to go see the Raptors vs Suns game. We decided to head down early for an early dinner. We walked along Front street and decided to go to Canyon Creek. I never had the urge to go try this place because I assumed it was like all other steakhouse places.. ie The Keg. and I also assumed it would be way overpriced.
I wanted to try the prime rib, yet I wasn't hungry because I had a huge breakfast and an afternoon snack. Therefore, Jer decided to get the prime rib and let me try some, while I opted for the fish. Both were delicious... though I prefer my steak medium rare. The salmon was good.. and the rice was just amazing. I dont know what it was.. but it was really goood. The bread was the best out of all restaurants. I think it was multi grain and it was warm too.


Canyon Creek
various locations

Labels: Eating Out, Steak

carrot cake with cream cheese icing





NYE 2006 was held at Jovanna's place. I decided to bake a carrot cake to bring over as a snack. I made a bundt cake size and also two small rectangular ones to eat at home. I really like the cream cheese icing.


**recipe take from Rose Reisman

ingredients:

1/3 cup margarine or butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 large ripe banana, mashed
2 cups grated carrots
2/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup canned pineapple, drained and crushed
1/2 cup 2% yogurt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

ICING
1/3 cup light cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup icing sugar
1 tbsp 2% milk



directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

1. In large bowl, cream together margarine and sugar until smooth; add eggs and vanilla and beat well (mixture may look curdled).

2. Add mashed banana, carrots, raisins, pineapple and yogurt; stir until well combined.

3. In bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to the carrot mixture; stir just until combined.

4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. In bowl or food processor, beat together cream cheese, icing sugar and milk until smooth; drizzle over top of cake. Decorate with grated carrots if desired.

Labels: Baking, Cake