My KitCHEn Experiments

... It's been a while since I made a layer cake primarily because with my small oven, I have to bake 2 to 3 batches of cake base and I just get lazy sometimes that I just end up making cupcakes. I was thinking of making cupcakes for our Christmas party but decided to make a layer cake so I'd have more 'canvas' for decoration. I was thinking of trying to make a full fondant layer cake but with no days off from work I was pressed for time so I retorted to whipped cream frosting and decorated with white chocolate snowflakes.  3 layer cake with fruit and cream filling 

I am always for the look out for simple recipes that I can make whenever a baking mood strikes. I love those kind that does not require you to make a trip to the grocery; does not need you to bring out the mixer or a couple of bowls and pans (easy clean-up); and can be whipped up and into the oven in 10 minutes or less. This is such one recipe - easy and simple but oh so yummy! Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake   Ingredients: - 1/3 cup white sugar - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup white sugar - 1 egg, beaten - 1 cup milk - 1/3 cup vegetable oil - 1 medium apple diced   how to: - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a bundt pan in a small bowl mix apple, cinammon and 1/3 cup sugar. - In large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and 1 cup sugar. Add egg, milk, and oil to flour mixture. Stir until just moistened. - Pour half of the batter into

The culinary gods must have been on my side when I went grocery shopping the other day. All the ingredients that I need to try making a version of Blooming Garlic Bread was on sale. The round crusty bread, mozarella cheese and bacon were all on special sale so I happy filled my basket with all the ingredients for spaghetti night.   Blooming Bacon and Mozarella Bread ingredients: - crusty bread of your choice - mozarella cheese - fried bacon bits - salt, pepper - italian seasonings   how to: - slice the bread a third of the way thru in a criss cross pattern - stuff the bread cracks with cheese, bacon and more cheese - sprinkle salt, pepper and italian seasoning on top - loosely cover in foil and bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted - remove top foil and broil for a few minutes more lightly toast the top - serve and enjoy!       eating it is fun! pulling it apart with stringy melted cheese! next time I'm going to drizzle it wi

A few weeks ago I was walking under a light snow fall in Vienna. We were only there for a day tour, luckily our tour guide and driver were kind enough to squeeze showing us the main points of interest and for a finale, led us to Figlmueller   for an authentic taste of the iconic and legendary Viennese Schnitzel.   It took almost an hour for 6 orders of schnitzel and potato salad to come to our table - we were thinking how difficult can frying some meat be? well now with this video I now know why, and in all fairness it was the best schnitzel I have ever had to (including the one's Ive had during my first trip to Austria in Tyrol a few years ago)  and the potato salad that we ordered with it is THE perfect accompaniment to it.    

I have just recently visited the lovely city of Prague and with only a few days to spend there what better way to get a taste of Czech culture than to eat. During my travels I make it my top agenda to research traditional must-try dishes and bravely take a spoonful if not a plateful of the stuff. In Prague I tried the pork knee and fruit dumplings.   I am kind of missing Prague at the moment so I decided to reasearch for a recipe for Ovocne Knedliky, good thing the ingredients are not so complicated and the steps simple enough that I was able to recreate (somewhat) those fluffy fruit dumplings! Ovocne Knedliky (Fruit Dumplings) ingredients: - 2 cups flour - 1/4 cup milk - 1 egg - 2 tbsp butter - 1/4 tsp salt - fuit of your choice, traditional Czech's use plums but I only have canned peaches so that's what I used - cinammon sugar - melted butter - dollops of whipped cream how to: - mix flour and salt in a bowl - make a well in the center - mix the milk, bu

When I went for vacation in the Philippines a few months back, there are all sorts of new food trends and one of them is mochi ice cream balls. I decided to try them out one day but was surprised by the crazy expensive price tag so I decided to forego it and bought my self a real ice cream treat instead.   A couple of weeks ago I came across a mochi ice cream ball recipe and could not believe how simple the ingredients are and how easy it seems to make. All I needed was glutinous rice powder, water, sugar, food coloring and ice cream - all of which I have on hand so its experiment time!!! Mochi Ice Cream Balls ingredients: - 1 cup glutinous rice powder - 1/2 cup or more water - 2 tbsp sugar - a few drops of food color you want - ice cream of your choice how to: - scoop the ice cream into small balls and re-freeze until hard - mix the glutinous rice powder, sugar and food color in a bowl - gradually add water until mixture resembles thick batter - microwave for 2 min

I admit - I am one of those people guilty of taking condiment packets from restaurants everytime we eat out. I guess a lot of people have developed this habit that they are now charging extra for every packet of ketchup, garlic butter, mayo etc etc... The last time we were at Papa John's I got to take home an extra garlic butter dipping sauce, it lay hidden under the pile of ketchup packets until last thursday when I found a recipe for parmesan baked potatoes. The recipe originally called for butter and minced garlic but having that extra garlic butter tub that I had cut the process short giving me more time to browse the net tee hee! Garlic Parmesan Baked Potato ingredients: - 5 small potatoes (I choose small, long 'flat' potatoes) - 4 cloves of garlic minced - 3-4 tbsp melted butter - 2-3 tbsp parmesan cheese - salt and pepper to taste how to: - boil the potatoes until tender - cut in half lengthwise - pour 3 tbsp of  melted butter in a baking pan and s

A popular Filipino Restaurant chain has made its way here in my (current) side of the world. While most of my fellow kabayans (countrymen) have flocked in to get a taste of its finger lickin' sarap to the bones fried chicken, I myself have not. I think I feel quite overwhelmed at hearing my friends and colleagues say that with the influx of diners, the staff can't keep up, thus the long wait for an available table, for someone to take your order and for it to finally come. Knowing it could be quite while before I can join the flock, I was happy to have found a copy cat recipe for the chain's famous no breading, juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside chicken. Max's Style Fried Chicken ingredients: - 1 whole chicken halved - salt and pepper how to: - wash the chicken halves and pat dry wiht paper towels - season with salt and pepper - steam the chicken halves for 30 minutes - let rest, preferably overnight in the fridge - after leting the chicken re

My friend requested that I make cupcakes for her daugther's cristening, I have posted a Serah project plan board a few days ago but some of my plans didn't quite come out successfully. The supposedly pink starberry flavored cupcakes did not stay pink after baking and I didn't have enough time to make the rainbow cookies. I have decided also, to go stawberry on stawberry and chocolate on mocha, that way the flavors won't be confusing to kids who will be at the party. My mixer also gave out the day I had frosting duties that I have to go out and buy a replacement in a rush, giving me just anough time go get everything together whew!        strawberry cupcakes with stawberry frosting decorated with pink sugar crystals fondant topped chocolate cupcakes      wrapped up the cupcakes to go!      chocolate cupcakes with mocha frosting with sprinkles mallow pops

I was asked to make cupcakes for a dear friend's baby's christening, I have a few ideas and here is wishing I would pull it off and have enough time to bake everything to perfection!  

I have always dreamed of hosting an intimate dinner party or get-together of sorts just so I can serve chocolate fondue for dessert. I bet dunking morsels of cake and fruit into creamy chocolate would be decadently fun. I haven't gotten to hosting that party - heck I haven't even got a fondue set but who's to say I can't have a chocolate dipping party for one???! Chocolate Fondue : ingredients: - package or can of cream - 1/2 tbsp butter - 2 tbsp of cocoa - 1 cup of powdered sugar - 1/4 cup hot water how to: - in a small bowl mix the cocoa and sugar into the hot water until dissolved. set aside - heat the butter and cream in a heavy saucepan on low fire - add the cocoa mixture. mix until cocoa is incorporated. - continue stirring for five minutes on low, not allowing the chocolate mixture to boil - transfer into a bowl and serve with sliced fruits, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, pound cake etc dip, dip and dip away!!!

my brother celebrated his birthday a few days back, he didn't want a big party but a birthday is not a birthday without a cake so I made one! I used the same recipe for Rainbow Cupcakes but baked them in a bundt pan and frosted it with chocolate ganache. happy birthday bro!!!!

I love to eat - I love to eat sweets and baked goods more specifically and if only all those calories don't go straight to my thighs, hips and tummy I would be eating them all day. It unfortunately isn't so thus I am always on the lookout for better recipes that call for less butter and sugar. I found this 'healthier' version of an oatmeal cookie that uses banana to cut the fat - it still requires a cup of sugar though so until I find a better healthier sugar substitute (honey maybe?!) am sticking to this one. Banana Oatmeal Cookies ingredients: - 1 cup all purpose flour - 1/2 tsp baking powder - 1/2 tsp baking soda - 1/4 tsp salt - 2 tbsp butter, very soft - 1/2 cup sugar - 1/2 cup brown sugar - 1/4 cup mashed banana (1 small/medium) - 1 egg - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 1 1/2 cups oats - 1 cup chocolate chips how to: - Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking po

What do you do with leftovers from your steak dinner? make a steak sandwich of course! all I had to do was slice the meat into strips and pan fry them with some sliced onion and some of gravy. Fill a crusty bun with it, top it with some mozarella and pop them in the open until the bread is a bit toasty and the cheese melted. Instant gourmet sandwich! all I need is some cola and chips!

I really do love having days off from work! it give me time to experiment in the kitchen and today I made a version of Outback Steakhouse's Blomming Onion. I found the recipe on Pinterest and decided it would be a great side from my sweet and spicy fried chicken and potato salad dinner, yep thursday night's dinner is a fry fest. It was a bit tricky to separate the 'petals' but I did the best I could without ruining the onion. The photos don't give much justice but I was thrilled with the result - it looked so pretty and it was yummy and chrunchy too! beats having to fry one onion ring at a time! Bloomin' Onion ingredients: - 4 medium white or brown onions Batter: - 1/3 C. Cornstarch - 1 1/2 C. Flour - 2 tsp. Garlic -- minced (I used garlic powder) - 2 tsp. Paprika - 1 tsp. Salt - 1 tsp. Pepper - 24 oz. Beer (I didn't have beer so I just used water) Seasoned Flour: - 2 C. Flour - 4 tsp. Paprika - 2 tsp. Garlic powder - 1/2 tsp.

when I cook steak, I season it only by salt and pepper and and quickly pan fry it on both sides for a few minutes with a knob of butter, but I have recently discovered a steak marinate that gives more flavor and makes the meat more juicy.  The original recipe called for a few more ingredients that I didn't have like Dijon mustard so I just made do with what I have on hand. Balsamic Steak Marinade: ingredients: - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar - 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar - 1/4 olive oil - 1/4 cup water - 1 tbsp minced garlic - salt and pepper how to: - mix everything in a bowl - marinate steaks overnight and cook as you normally would with a side of corn kernels and cheesey broccoli and am all set!!

when the mood to make something sweet and fast for a visit with friends strikes, Tiramisu is my go to recipe. It's fast, easy and no baking required!  Tiramisu ingredients: - 1 pack Italian Lady Fingers ( I used a 200 gram pack which was approx 24 pcs) - 2 packets dream whip and enough milk required to make 2 cups of whipped cream - 1/2 cup powdered cocoa - cup strong black coffee - 2 cups shaved chocolate or chocolate chips how to: - pour coffee in shallow bowl, dip each lady finger and arrange it in a single layer on an 8x8 pan - pour half of whipped cream on top and sprinkle with shaved chocolate or chips - lay down another layer of coffee dipped lady fingers - pour the remaining cup of whipped cream and top with remaining chocolate - with a small sieve, dust cocoa powder all over the cake - refrigerate until ready to serve  forgive me for using all instant! sorry no mascarpone cheese in this recipe just good ol whipped cream!   chocolate fairy p

It has been my habit to make goodies for friends, office mates and family for no special reason other than I wanted to try some new recipe or cooking idea. It's a win win situation you see - I get to satisfy my cooking curiosity and they can feast on the results - that is if it is edible enough!!! I had been seeing poke cake recipes on Pinterest made with vanilla pudding and though it didn't interest me at first, it kept on appearing on boards so I decided to give it a try with the results of which I will share with co workers from a branch of our office where I had been reporting to for the last two months. Poke Cakes were invented in 1969 primarily as a way to increase Jello sales,  jello poke cakes became popular thanks to its festive looks and easy of assembly - all youe need to do is holes in th cake and pour  jello (or pudding) on top which seeps into the holes thus you get colorful lines of flavor. I made a basic chocolate cake thinking of making it into a

Eversince I saw that episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S wherein Ross smashed that piece of scone in his fury over his ex-wife Emily, I was intrigued. As I have written before I like having tea and what better way to enjoy an afternoon cuppa tea than with dainty baked British pastry to go with it. I love Harry Potter, I love their accent and though it is on a completely unrelated level, sometimes I just like to pretend I am having afternoon tea under the sun in a frilly girly dress, sipping tea from a dainty fine cup with my pinky sticking up. Chocolate Chip Scones ingredients: -2 cups white all purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup sugar - 4 tablespoons cold butter, sliced - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 3/4 cup milk  - 1/2 cup chocolate chips or morsels how to : - Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar - cut the butter into the flour mixture with a fork or pastry cu