Lemon Vanilla Yogurt Muffins

Self cooking photograph

Super moist and light!
all purpose flour	2 cup
sugar	1 cup
salt	1/4 tsp
baking soda	1/2 tsp
butter	1/2 cup
eggs	2
vanilla essence	1 tsp
lemon zest	1 lemon
yogurt	1 cup
Method:
Preheat oven on 180 degrees C.
Line a muffin tray with liners.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl whisk together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in lemon zest, vanilla essence and yogurt; mix well.
Now stir in the dry flour mixture and mix until well combined.
Note: Do not over mix.
Pour the batter evenly about 3/4 full into the lined muffin cups.
Bake for  20 minutes or until a thin skewer inserted in the center comes out dry.
Let the muffins cool completely before serving.
Makes 12 to 14.

Round Buttermilk Scones

Self cooking photo

all purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1/4 cup baking powder 1tsp baking soda           1/2tsp salt 1/4tsp butter 1/2 cup - cold vanilla essence 1tsp buttermilk 2/3 cup Method: Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and rub in the flour with hands. Keep rubbing with hands till it resembles breadcrumbs. Now stir in the cranberries without crushing. Add the buttermilk and vanilla essence stir until just combined. Avoid over mixing. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead the dough for half a minute. Now roll the dough into a 7 inches circle and about 1-1/2 inches thick. Use a biscuit cutter to cut into small circles. Transfer to a prepared baking sheet and brush the top with a little milk. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 C for 15 to 20 minutes or until a thin skewer inserted in the center comes out dry. Remove from oven and let it cool completely. Enjoy with jam or sour cream on the side. Serves 10.

Potato Tortilla

Self cooking photograph

large potatoes	5, cut into round slices
large onion	2, chopped
eggs	6
capsicum	1, cut into strips
salt	to taste
garlic	5 cloves
black pepper	1/2 tsp
oil	3/4 cup
Method:
Heat oil in a frying pan and fry onions for a few minutes until light pink.
Now add potatoes and cook them covered on a very low heat for 10 to 15 minutes until tender.
Stir occasionally.
In a separate bowl whisk eggs, season and pour over potatoes.
Sprinkle capsicum strips on top.
Cook uncovered on low heat until the sides start to cook and firm.
Flip the tortilla and let the other side cook for a few minutes until it gets firmed.
Turned off the heat and serve hot.
Serves 6.

Choco Fudge Brownies

Self cooking photograph

all purpose flour	50g
baking powder	1 tsp
soft brown sugar	225g
coco powder	3 tbsp
ground walnuts	25g
butter	100g (softened)
egg	2, lightly beaten
lemon juice	1 tsp
orange rind	1, grated
For Icing
plain chocolate	100g
butter	25g
walnuts	50g (chopped)
Method:
Preheat oven on 160 degrees C.
Sieve the floor, baking powder and coco powder into a bowl.
Add the ground walnuts, sugar and orange rind together; mix well.
Beat the butter and eggs into the dry ingredients until smooth.
Spread evenly into a lined and greased shallow tin.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a thin skewer inserted in the center comes out dry.
Allow to cool in the tin.
Icing:
Melt the chocolate with the butter.
Then stir in the chopped walnuts.
Spread evenly over the brownies.
Finally cut into small squares when half set.
Serves 4 to 6.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Self cooking photograph

Happy Birthday to Me :)
For Topping:
brown sugar	3/4 cup
butter	55g
pineapple can	500g (slices)
any berries (optional)
Note: Most people prefer cherries to decorate but I used pomegranate seeds ;)
For Cake:
all purpose flour	1-1/2 cup
white sugar	1 cup
eggs	2, separated
baking powder	2tsp
salt	1/4tsp
milk	1/2 cup
butter	115g - softened
vanilla extract	1tsp
pineapple juice	1tbsp
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 C, grease 9 or 10 inches cake pan.
For Topping:
In a small pan melt the butter and add sugar until dissolved.
Now remove from heat and pour evenly into your prepared cake pan.
Arrange the slices of pineapple on top of the sugar mixture and keep it aside.
For Cake:
Whisk the flour, add baking powder and salt; mix well.
In another bowl, cream butter with sugar until well combined.
Add in vanilla extract and egg yolks; beat well.
Now add in half of the flour and beat until combined; add quarter cup of the milk; mix again.
Add in the remaining flour, beat well and then rest of the milk, mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites with pineapple juice until the whites hold a firm peak.
Now gently fold the egg whites into the cake batter.
Pour this batter into the cake pan over pineapples and spread it evenly.
Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan before inverting the cake onto the plate.
Decorate it with pomegranate seeds like I did or with cherries.
Makes 1 large cake.

Banana Chocolate Muffins

Self cooking photograph

Super moist and light!
all purpose flour	1 cup
sugar	3/4 cup
salt	1/4 tsp
baking soda	3/4 tsp
baking powder	3/4 tsp
coco powder	1/3 cup
egg	1
vanilla extract	3/4 tsp
milk	60 ml
oil	60 ml
warm water	1/2 cup
ripe banana	1 medium size, mashed
Method:
Preheat oven on 180 degrees C.
Line a cupcake or muffin tray with liners.
Combine all the dry ingredients; flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, coco powder and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl whisk together egg, vanilla extract, milk, oil, water and mashed banana.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with spatula until well combined.
Note: Batter should be thin.
Pour the batter evenly about 3/4 full into the lined muffin cups.
Bake for  20 minutes or until a thin skewer inserted in the center comes out dry.
Let the muffins cool completely before serving.
Makes 12 to 14.

Banana Bread

Self cooking photograph

butter	100g
caster sugar	100g
all purpose flour	3/4 cup
eggs	2
baking powder	3/4tsp
bananas	2 mashed
walnuts	50g, chopped
lemon juice	1/2tsp
Method:
Cream the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy.
Add egg one at a time, adding a little flour with the second egg.
Add lemon juice and mix well.
Fold in the remaining flour with the mashed bananas and walnuts.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 C for 45 minutes or until a thin skewer inserted in the center comes out dry.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Makes 1 loaf cake.

Strawberry Jelly Poke Cake - Christmas Special

Self cooking photograph

Self cooking photograph

vanilla cake mix	1 box (super moist)
strawberry jelly	1 box (85g)
hot water	1 cup
lemon juice	2tbsp
red food color	1/2 tsp (optional)
whipping cream	250ml
sugar	1tbsp
Method:
Bake the cake as directed on the cake mix box.
Let it cool completely.
(detach the sides of the springform pan once it cools or leave as is in the baking dish to poke)
Poke the cake all around with a fork.
Separately, stir jelly powder into a boiling hot water and add red food color; mix till the powder is completely dissolved.
Take one tablespoon of jelly liquid and keep aside.
Now add lemon juice to the remaining jelly liquid and mix well.
Pour this jelly liquid over the cake evenly.
Now make frosting.
Beat the whipping cream and sugar together until soft peaks.
Spread the frosting on the cake evenly using a butter knife.
Now take that 1tbsp of jelly liquid and drizzle on top of the cake frosting.
(You can heat this liquid before pouring on top of the cake)
Take a butter knife and swirl around to make a design.
Garnish with strawberries if you like.
Serves 6 to 8.
Merry Christmas!

Vo-lau Vents with Mushrooms & Hollandaise Sauce

Self cooking photograph

Note: Mushrooms can replace diced chicken/ meat.
vo-lau vent cases	6 to 8
onion small	1, chopped
mushrooms	50g, diced
flour	1tsp
salt n pepper	as per taste
butter	1tsp
milk	30 ml
cream	30 ml
coriander or parsley	for garnishing
egg	1 for washing
Hollandaise Sauce:
butter	1 cup, clarified
egg yolk	3
lemon juice	3tbsp
salt	as per taste
black pepper	as per taste
water	1tbsp
Method:
Preheat oven at 180 C.
Egg wash the vol-au vent cases and bake for 13 - 15 minutes.
Heat butter in a pan, add onions and saute.
Now add diced mushrooms and flour; saute.
Stir in milk and cream, cook till the mixture is thick.
Add seasoning and set aside.
When vo-lau vent cases are baked, cut the top cap with a knife.
Now spoon the filling in to the cases.
Serve hot with hollandaise sauce on the top of each case and garnish with coriander or parsley.
Hollandaise Sauce:
Fill the double boiler pan part way with water and bring to a simmer.
In the top of double boiler, whisk the egg yolks.
Add in the lemon juice, salt, black pepper and water.
Add the clarified butter to egg yolk mixture 1 tbsp at a time while whisking constantly.
Now remove this mixture from heat when it reaches a ribbon consistency.
Note: If sauce gets too thick, add 1tbsp of hot water.
Serve hot. Self cooking photograph