Monday, January 19, 2009

Chinese New Year Candies - the madness

I've decided that it is a good idea to make some more chocolates- after the holidays for relatives back home (and even more to share with friends) . Mom is going back this week, and last week I've been busy making truffles again. It took me awhile to get ingredients together, mainly because i couldn't make up my mind on what to make. And so a "few" chocolates escalated to too much chocolate.

after 3 days and 2 long nights of goofing off in the kitchen, i've made 8! kinds! of! truffles/candies! plus! granola! for! mom! and! toffee! for my soon (enough)-to-be-father-in-law. (yep, if you end up reading this dad, i think this is one of your favorite candies)

so eat up my friends~ and have a happy Chinese new Year!

Note: whoever gets my candies please: DO NOT put in fridge and eat within 10 days, i'd say within the month, OK?

You are getting/eating:

Jasmine Tea
Kona Coffee
Earl Grey Tea
Coconut, honey and Rum
Chamomile and almond praline
Force Noire
Fleur de sal Caramel
Hazelnut Gianduja

...And here is a bastardized image so you know what you are sending to your mouth...




****Please thank Jon too. He is truly awesome! ****

Until Next Time: Turnip cake (tonight) and Babka....

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

As healthy as it gets... super "healthy" muffins

I was trying to redeem myself. You see, I've been on a very long weight watcher's journey and never really was the good student. i cannot eat low fat sour cream and i bake with real butter and sugar. Recently, I ate like there is no tomorrow with back to back baking and parties- i am used to having baked things at my disposal; I got the munchies.

So here it is. I made some very wholesome muffins. And i hope you don't dismiss this as another piece of pressed particle board-baked-thing. This is really not bad. I have to say though, the muffins are filling and die hard healthy. If you are willing to take it to another level, you could substitute apple sauce/puree in place of oil/butter.

I've omitted the walnuts. I personally don't like soggy nuts, but may sprinkle some on top next time.

Blueberry-Walnut, Wheat germ Muffins.

Adapted from Delicious Living

http://deliciouslivingmag.com/food/recipes/dl_recipe_908/

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (Jeni skipped)
1 egg, well beaten
1/4 cup canola oil (or butter, or apple sauce)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup nonfat milk (lowfat in my house)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh blueberries or frozen wild blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine flours, wheat germ, baking powder, and salt. Stir in walnuts. In a medium bowl, beat together egg, oil, honey, and molasses. Beat in milk and vanilla extract. Add liquid ingredients to dry, stirring just until mixed. Gently fold in blueberries with a sturdy spatula.
2. Line muffin cups with paper liners, and divide batter among cups. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and tops are lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before turning out of muffin tin onto a cooking rack.