My KitCHEn Experiments

... I grew up in a country where Halloween isn't really celebrated with all the hoopla of jack-o-laterns, halloween parties and trick or treating... the highlight of my childhood halloween was a contest amongst us kids on who can make the biggest ball of wax from candle drippings and the occasional scary story... ...  6 Granny Smith apples 6 wooden sticks 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped 2 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse sea salt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

 more whole wheat goodness with these home made crackers! the best part of this is you can add any flavor topping you want - you get a whole lot of variety from preparing 1 batch of dough.... perfect with hummus and some veggie sticks for a quick healthy snack. I imagine it would be a great addition to your charcuterie board too! Add caption Whole Wheat Crackers ingredients: - 1 1/4 cups   whole wheat flour - 1/2 teaspoon  salt - 1/4 teaspoon   paprika - 1 tablespoon   honey - 4 tablespoons   unsalted butter, chilled - 1/4   to   1/2   cup ice water how to: - mix all dry ingredients in a bowl - add honey and cut in butter with a pastry cuter or a fork  - gradually add iced water and mix until a ball forms - in a floured surface, roll dough until very thin - brush with a little amount of milk, sprinkle your preferred topping and give it another go of your rolling pin for the toppings to be pressed onto the dough - cut into bite size squar...

 I have been trying to master making bread using whole wheat flour, my first attempt was a complete failure even though I followed the recipe exactly. I don't know where I went wrong but the 'bread' didn't rise even after a couple of hours. I still went n to bake it and though it was edible to texture was not fluffy as shown in the you tube video tutorial but very dry and crumbly - almost like the puto seko of my childhood...  I continued to search for recipes and finally decided on combining methods from 2 recipes - and it was a success! Whole Wheat Bread Loaf: ingredients: - 2 1/2 cup whole wheat flour - 1 cup plus 2 tbsp water - 1 tsp yeast - 2 t tbsp oil (I used olive oil) - 1/4 tsp salt how to: - bloom yeast in lukewarm water about 5-10 mins or until frothy - add half cup of flour, mix until combined and set aside for about 30 mins. The mixture will rise and be frothy - add the rest of the flour and mix just until combined, rest again for 30 mins -  turn the dough ...

In this time where there can be shortage of food supplies, we can not afford for anything to go to waste - which is the norm in our household in any case. Today while checking out our ref I found 2 left over buns from last week's lunch. They were stale and hard but do not have any molds - I did not want to throw them out so I rummaged through the pantry for any other leftover stuff I could use to make bread pudding. I found a couple of merengue - I did not know of any recipe for bread pudding using merengue but what the heck, I will just throw it in there too instead of throwing it out... There was also a bit of pink sugar left from a previous baking project... I have some milk, eggs, a packet of raisin and nuts... PERFECT! lets make bread pudding shall we? Bread Pudding Ingredients: - about 2 cups left over bread - 1 cup milk - 1 egg - sugar to taste - toppings of choice (nuts, dried fruits, chocolate etc.) How to: - cut the bread into small pieces- in a ...

Nothing goes well with a big bowl of hot and hearty beef noodle soup than soft and fluffy steamed buns!  This dish reminds me of my childhood fascination of the vibrancy of a busy marketplace. During summer vacation, before going to work, my mom would take us to the market to buy our meals for the day and the corner noodle shop was often than not our main stop. We would order a couple of servings of beef noodles and steamed buns... I would often discreetly watch the people inside the shop - fascinated by the diversity of the patrons coming and going. There are families dinning out for a treat... couples maybe on a date... lone diners and working people like my mom dressed in office uniforms. Our take away package seems to come too quick for me to enjoy my time people watching and making my self dizzy going round and round on the bar stools. With a plop the server would hand us bulging bags full of hot soup and that would be the signal ending my market adventure as my mom wo...

I am one with a big appetite. I love to eat … and though I try to be physically active with sports and exercise, part of taking care of oneself is watching what we eat. I try to make healthy food choices and tweak recipes to satisfy my cravings with a little less guilt. I have recently tried using whole wheat flour in baking and while I am yet to perfect breadmaking here's a healthier version of the beloved Filipino steamed cake we call PUTO! Whole wheat flour has more fiber and vitamin content than white flour. Whole-wheat flour contains several vitamins, including folate, riboflavin and vitamins B-1, B-3 and B-5. Substituting whole wheat flour for refined flour helps us get the nutritional benefits with out sacrificing the foods you love, so give it a go! Whole Wheat Puto Ingredients: - 1 cup wheat flour - 1 cup milk - 4 tbsp sugar - 1 tbsp butter - 1egg - a pinch of salt - your choice of flavorings (pandan, vanilla, ube) - your choice of toppings (salted egg, cheese) Ho...

Boba pearl milk tea drinks have been the trend for quite sometime now. Sweet cold drinks is always refreshing not just in summer but all year round and the sweet chewy texture of the boba pearls adds fun to every cup! Now with simple ingredients and a little patience you can make boba pearls at home! Boba Pearls Ingredients: - 1 cup tapioca starch (remove and reserve 4 tbsp for the kneading process) - 4 tbsp dark brown sugar - ¼ cup water for sugar syrup - 1/4 cup  dark brown sugar - 1/4 cup water How to: - dissolve sugar and water in a small sauce pan, add tapioca starch and mix until dissolved - heat in pan until you get thick consistency (about 3-5 mins) - turn into floured surface and knead adding the reserved flour 1 tbsp. at a time - knead until you get an elastic snappy dough - roll into 1/4 inch thickness - cut into small squares and roll into balls - place in a bowl with some tapioca flour to prevent from  sticking together - to cook, pour into boiling water and s...

I am still on a ube high! The last time I went grocery shopping, I kind of went crazy and  bought a lot of purple yam for my ube cheese pandesal project and now that I have successfully made those little cheesy babies I still have much ube left so its on to a new project! Ube Cupcakes Ingredients: 2 large eggs, room temperature ¾ cup sugar ½ cup vegetable oil 1 cup ube jam 1½ teaspoon ube flavoring 1 cup cake flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup ube jam thinned a bit with milk for frosting how to: - preheat oven to 325 F. and prepare cupcake pan with cupcake liners - in a large bowl beat eggs, sugar, oil and ube halaya - add to dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated - fill cupcake pan about 3/4 full and bake for 12 mins or until toothpick inserted comes out clean - frost with ube jam thinned a bit with milk until of spreading consistency. enjoy!

Jumping into the Dalgona coffee craze! it looks so rich and decadent that I had to try making it too! It's simplicity - all you need are equal parts coffee, sugar and hot water plus arm muscles if you are whipping it manually, makes is the perfect instant fancy coffee fix. The process was quite similar to what our office boy did to make cappuccino. Instead of putting coffee, sugar and creamer or milk into a cup of hot water, they would whisk it with a teaspoon until thick and creamy then slowly pure the hot water making the foam rise to the top. Oh how I miss afternoon coffee breaks at the office! Dalgona Coffee Ingredients: - equal parts instant coffee, sugar and hot water - milk and ice for serving - optional chocolate shavings, chocolate sauce or cocoa powder for topping (if you don't have any just use instant coffee too!) how to: - combine coffee, sugar and water in s small bowl and whisk away until thick and creamy! -  two thirds of a glass with milk, add...

Simple ingredients does not mean boring sandwiches! Japanese Egg Sandwich Ingredients: - 3 soft boiled eggs, peeled - 1 1/2 tbsp. mayonnaise - 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard - 2 sliced sandwich bread - 1 cup shredded cabbage (wilted with a pinch of salt) *** optional - salt and pepper to taste how to: - chop 1 egg and combine with mayo, mustard, salt and pepper in a bowl - spread over a bread slice, top with the remaining 2 whole egg - top with wilted cabbage - cover with remaining bread slice pressing slightly to hold the shape. - slice and serve

was lucky to have found purple yams on sale today during a quick grocery run for veggies, and was finally able to try making the trending ube cheese pandesal (purple yam and cheese buns)... was quite happy with the results but my taste tester said it could use a little more sweetness so I am making another batch when we finish this one.  Baking really does make me happy. The anticipation of waiting for the finished product to come out of the oven builds excitement, si nking your teeth into the finished product brings satisfaction of nailing the recipe and the delights of friends and family over the baked good brings warmth to the heart. I hope to master and perfect more recipes - maybe one day I will be good enough to make it a business! Ube Cheese Pandesal Ingredients: for dough - 4 cups all purpose flour - 1tbsp instant yeast - 1/4 cup melted butter - 1 cup of warm fresh milk - 2 tsp of salt - 1/2 cup sugar - 1 tbsp of edible oil - 3 tbsp ube flavored powder fo...

I have always been a sucker for dessert, I would eat it all day if calories and sugar were of no question and it was at a dessert buffet station that I discovered this sweet and crunchy treat! This finger licking treat is so addicting that I went back for seconds... thirds... fourths... and countless times over - gushing how it is the perfect combination of sweet, fruity and crunchy. It is super easy to make too!!! Dessert Nachos Ingredients: - small tortillas - melted butter - cinnamon sugar - diced strawberry, kiwi, apples - flavored youghurt - chocolate sauce how to: - brush tortillas with melted butter on both sides, cut into triangles - toss in cinnamon sugar - line in baking tray in single layer and bake for 5 mins, flipping halfway through - pile chips on serving plate and top with dices fruits, drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with youghurt

make mornings extra special with French toast! I am up for anything that gives me an excuse to have something akin to dessert for every meal of the day, and French toast is one of my go to breakfast treats! You can fill it with cream cheese and blueberries; peanut butter and jam; chocolate - the options are endless! Ingredients: - 1 egg - 1 cup milk - 1 tsp vanilla - 1/2 tsp cinnamon - bread slices how to: - beat egg, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in a shallow dish - dip bread slices in egg mixture until coated on both sides - melt butter in a skillet and cook bread slices until browned on both sides. - serve and enjoy!

I've never met a cookie I didn't like, and yes I love even the 'healthy ones', and while a plate of freshly baked cookies brings comfort like a warm hug kicking your cookie up a notch is like a warm hug and a kiss on top of the head! Cookie Dome Cake Ingredients: - cookies - milk - chopped chocolate - 1 small pack all all purpose cream - nuts, sprinkles etc for topping how to: - heat cream in a small saucepan - pour over chocolate, let sit for a few minutes and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. set aside - line bowl with cling wrap - dip cookies in milk and arrange in single layer in the bottom and along sides of the bowl - top with chocolate cream and your choice of toppings - alternate layers - chill for a few hours - invert unto a bowl and cover with remaining chocolate cream and toppings. yummeeehh!!!!

Here's another version of the healthy cokies I made before. It uses the same ingredients basically, except for the cocoa powder. I also baked it in brownie form with graham cracker lined bottom. ... Thus the chocolate chip graham craker brownie!

you'd never guess the secret ingredient to this healthy cookies! - well maybe you would, in anycase I'm telling!!!! it's chickpeas! - not the first thing that come to mind right??!! I really really do have a sweet tooth and am always on the lookout for healthier versions of cookie, cupcake and brownie recipes to satisfy my cravings without (much) guilt. This is one of my newest fave.

What do you do to salvage a sunken cake? make cake balls of course!!! I have done this even before cake balls became the rage - yeeaaaarrsss ago. I just could not bear to throw away my cake when the baking had failed and am left with a sunken center, I just had to do something and so i made cake balls and my tasters were none the wiser tee hee!! For New Year's Eve, I was tasked to make another cake. I was just planning a simple chocolate ring cake and drown it in chocolate fudge (as requested) and decorate it with colorful sprinkles and candy. So I made the batter and stuck it in the oven, but I must have lowered the oven temp to less than required - I was online and greeting friends and family over facebook and was scared I'd forget the cake and burn it, so the result was a sunken cake. I can not present it for NYE dessert so I rushed to start again and salvage the first one by making cake balls - the center was still so moist that frosting wasn't required, so yay!! ...

... 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 ...

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...