Friday, October 29, 2010

springform cake tin

I made this cake several times before. But my latest attempt was futile. The Baked Marble Cheese Cake looked marbled but in a different way. I dare not upload the photo, it was a disaster. It would be easier to bake this cake in a springform cake tin. As there was none around, I used a loose bottom cake tin. Lined the base and greased all over. When baking time was over, I ran the knife round the cake to loosen it before turning the cake over....daboosh.....!

Then only that I remembered a tip from a friend! Instead of using a springform cake tin, line the sides of a round cake tin with double layers of kitchen foil....hmph...

The cake tasted great though. Wasn't 'futile' after all.. :-)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

sponge fingers

Dear Angah, this is how the sponge fingers look like. I have yet to look for this stuff in Msia. I was told it can be found in big marts. Try JJ Bandar Perda. Dah jumpa citer kat Along yek...

my Tiramisu

Something I learn here. You can actually make the dessert, Tiramisu, without the alcohol. Made this yesterday. Kids, Umi has never made this for you yet. InsyaAllah when I get back. We'll need to find the sponge fingers first!
Tiramisu
sponge fingers
instant coffee diluted in warm water
instant custard - prepare according to instructions on packet
soft cheese - beat to soften
whipping cream
cocoa powder

You can make this in a casserole dish or individual dessert bowl.

Dip the sponge fingers in the coffee and immediately arrange in the dish (a layer of sponge fingers). Pour a thin layer of custard then cheese. Repeat layering until all sponge fingers, custard and cheese are finished. Top off with a layer of whipped cream. Dust with cocoa powder.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Lasagne

The first lasagne dish I made in UK during my sabbatical. Made this dish many times later on with different ingredients thus results every time. This photo was taken while it was still in the oven. Forgot to snap one when it was already browned. Back home, my husband prefers the vegetable version with spinach and aubergine. The kids love extra cheeseeeee. Here is the original recipe by Malina.

For the tomato sauce:

1 small canned mushroom spaghetti sauce
400gm of minced beef
2-3 large onions - diced
5-6 cloves of garlic - crushed
1 can of button mushroom
lasagne sheets
good amount of mozarella cheese
pinch of salt
1-2 cups of water

Saute' the onion and garlic. Add the minced beef, mushroom and sauce. Add some water and stir until cooked. Season well.

For the white sauce:

6 tbsp butter
1/2 cup plain flour
4 cups = 1 liter milk
salt and pepper

Melt the butter in a big pan. Add the flour. Stir until well mixed. Pour milk and continuously stir until it thickens. Season to taste.

Grease a casserole dish. Put some of the tomato sauce as the base. On top of this, arrange the lasagne sheets to form a layer of the pasta. Put another batch of tomato sauce. Then a batch of the white sauce. Place a good layer of grated cheese. Repeat the layers of pasta, tomato sauce, white sauce and cheese. Make sure the last (top most) layer is a generous amount of cheese.

Bake in the oven at 160C until golden brown.