How To Make Crouton

A crouton is a piece of a sauteed or rebaked bread often cubed and seasoned, that is used to add texture and flavor to salads notably the Caesar salad, as an accompaniment to soups or as a snack food.

Roasted Garlic Herb Potatoes Recipe – Crispy Outside, Soft Inside

Ang Roasted Garlic Herb Potatoes ay isang simpleng ngunit napakasarap na side dish na may crispy na balat at malambot na loob. Ang kombinasyon ng bawang, herbs, at olive oil ay nagbibigay ng mabango at malasang patatas na bagay ipares sa iba't ibang pagkain o kainin bilang meryenda.

Sa recipe na ito, matututunan mong gumawa ng Roasted Garlic Herb Potatoes na may golden brown na labas at creamy na loob. Madali itong ihanda at perpekto para sa family meals, potluck, o espesyal na okasyon.

Stuffed Potato ( Relyenong patatas)

Affordable, easy and yummy. Try it.

Carrot Cake

Really yummy! Thanks be to God for baking this for us. Another delicious treat from the best baker in town :-). Mr. Gab.

Butter Cake

A delicious cake baked by the best baker in town :) This is a contribution from my friend Gab.

Black Forest Cake

It's been a long time that I want a recipe of this cake and I am lucky that my Austrian friend (Gabriel) baked this and shared to us the recipe.

Ingredients:
CHERRIES

24 ounce (700 ml) jar  Cherries in syrup
1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

Chocolate Cake/Genoise:

3 tablespoons (42 grams) hot melted unsalted butter
1/2 cup (60 grams) cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
 1/3 cup (30 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
 4 large eggs
2/3 cup (135 grams) granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Whipped Cream Frosting

2 1/2 cups (600 ml) heavy whipping cream (double cream)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 tablespoons (35 grams) granulated white sugar

Procedure:
Cherries: Drain the cherries, reserving the liquid. Place the cherries in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside. Place 1 cup (240 ml) of the reserved cherry syrup in a small saucepan, along with the sugar, and heat until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

Chocolate Cake/Genoise:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter, or spray with a non stick spray, a 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pan and line the bottom of pan with parchment or wax paper.

In a bowl, sift the flour, salt and cocoa powder. In a heatproof bowl whisk the eggs with the sugar. Place over a saucepan of simmering water, and whisking constantly, heat until lukewarm (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and transfer to the bowl of your electric mixer. Beat on high speed until the mixture is thick (about 5 minutes) (the batter will fall back into the bowl in a ribbon-like pattern). Beat in the vanilla extract. Then sift about one-third of the flour mixture over the egg mixture and gently fold in using a rubber spatula or whisk. Sift and fold in another third, and then fold in the rest. Take 1 cup of the batter and fold it into the melted butter (to lighten it). Then gently fold it into the egg batter. Pour into your pan, smoothing the top. Bake for about 20 - 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean . Cool on a wire rack before removing from pan. The cake can be stored for two days or frozen for a month.

Whipped Cream Frosting: In your mixing bowl place the whipping cream, vanilla extract, and sugar and stir to combine. Cover and chill the bowl and wire whisk in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, then beat the mixture just until stiff peaks form.

Assemble Cake: 
Using a sharp knife, cut the genoise, horizontally, into two layers. Turn over the top layer of the cake (top of cake becomes bottom) and place on your serving plate. Brush the cake layer with 1/4 cup (60 ml) cherry syrup. Take 1 cup of whipped cream and spread on the moistened genoise. Place the cherries evenly over the cream. Brush the cut-side of second genoise layer with 1/4 cup (60 ml) syrup. Place cut-side down on top of the cherries, gently pressing to compact. Reserve one cup (240 ml) of whipped cream and spread the remaining cream over top and sides of cake. Place reserved cream in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe rosettes on top of cake( Optional- you can decorate any how you want}. Cover and refrigerate the cake for several hours (or overnight) before serving. Decorate with fresh cherries and shaved chocolate.

Contributed by: Gabriel Eli Ndegwa

Gabriel

Fish Pie

This fish pie is an excellent center table piece during special gatherings or just a special treat for your loved ones, it's always good anytime of the day.

Ingredients for Fish Filling
1 shallot
4 stems dill
4 stems taragon
olive oil
200 grams halibut (or any white fish)
dash of nutmeg
dash of mustard powder
salt
freshly ground pepper
200 g cream
1 egg white
salmon fillet about 350 g
1 egg

Dough
500 g flour
200 ml milk
7 g instant dry yeast
60 g butter
1 egg
dash of nutmeg
salt

Dill Sauce
salt
1 egg yolk
1 t mustard
1 t vinegar
freshly ground pepper
500 ml oil (sunflower or any veg oil)
small bundle of dill
lemon

Other necessary things:
1 pattern for fish
brush
cutter
extra flour

Precedure:

for fish filling:
Peel the shallot. Finely chop the dille and taragon. Heat oil in a pan and saute the shallot. Slice the halibot and coat with spices, onion and herbs and season with salt and pepper. Marinate the fish for about 30 min in the refrigerator. Beat the cream until frothy. Grind the halibot and the egg white in the machine and mix with the beaten cream. Save in the refrigerator until ready for use.

for Dough
Put the flour on the table and make a well at the center. Heat the milk until lukewarm and pour into the well. Put the yeast, butter, egg, nutmeg and salt.  Mix little by little until all the flour has be incorporated. Knead until silky. Keep the dough in the refrigerator for about 15 min. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C. Roll the dough as thin as possible so it can make 2 fish. Cut the mold. Beat the egg. Put one fish on a lined baking sheet and brush the top with egg. Spread half of the cream halibot over the dough but leave the edge free. Place the salmon in the middle. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and divide the rest of cream over the salmon. Put the second fish on top and press the edges firmly. Brush the top of the fish with egg. Press with a round plug near eye from the head of the fish to make an outlet for the steam and make the remaining dough into fins.  Use scissors to cut the fish scales. Set the temperature to 200C and bake the fish in about 20 more minutes until golden brown.

Dill Sauce
Mix salt, egg yolk, mustard, vinegar and pepper then whisk together the oil drop by drop through. Chop the dill and stir in together with the lemon.

Serve the fish pie with dill sauce and lemon slices. Good for 8 persons

Ham and Cheese Pizza Bread

Treat your loved ones with this easy to prepare delicious snack.

Ingredients:
5 slices  of bread ( sliced  into halves)
1/2  cup tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3 slices sweet ham
some onion rings
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese or any melting cheese

Procedure:
1. Set the oven at 180C to preheat it.
2. Mix the tomato sauce and sugar then spread some to each slice of bread, then put the, onion rings, ham and cheese.

3. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
4. Serve and enjoy!

Bread Cup Pizza

A simple treat that taste great.

Ingredients:
10 bread slices
5 hot dog ( sliced  slantingly)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 onion ( sliced into rings)
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 teaspoon sugar

Procedure:
1. Remove the sides of the bread, then press it unto muffin cups and bake in a pre-heated oven for 3 minutes at 180C. This is to harden the bread and have a crusty texture.

2. Mix the tomato sauce and sugar, then spread it over the baked bread, put the sliced hot dog, onion and sprinkle with cheese.

3. Put back in the oven and bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve it with a smile.

Sardines Bread Pizza

I prepared this for some friends and they loved it so much. I added liquid cheese for extra flavor.

Ingredients for 5 servings:
10 slices bread
2 cans sardines in tomato sauce ( drained)
1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 onion minced
2 tablespoons Nestle Cream
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated cheese

Procedure:
1.Preheat the oven at 180C. Then bake the bread slices for 3 minutes, then take out from the oven and set aside
2. Saute the onion then add the drained sardines, simmer for a minute.
3. Add the tomato sauce, sugar, salt and pepper then simmer for 2 minutes, add the Nestle cream, stir and turn off the heat.
4. On the baked bread, spread the sauce evenly, sprinkle with cheese then bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

5. Serve with love :-).

You can top it with melted cheese for extra flavor.

Hopiang Baboy

It's been a long time that I am looking forward to post a hopia recipe in my blog, because I have lots of friends who asked me a recipe for this, I do not know how to make it, so I talked to my friend who is an expert in hopia making, he has his own style of making it and it is consisted of 2 types of dough, the first part he called it PABALAT, the second part  he called it PALABO,  and here is his recipe.

Ingredients for Pabalat:
2 ¾ cups Bread flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup oil
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup butter

Procedure for pabalat: Combine all the ingredients and knead until a good dough is formed. Set aside

Ingredients for Palabo:
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup corn starch
1/3 cup 3rd class flour

Procedure for Palabo: Combine all the ingredients and mix well. Set aside.

Ingredients for the Filling:

1 big onion
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp vinegar
2 cups pork fat diced
2 cups kundol (cut into small dice)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup third class flour

Procedure:
1.Marinate pork fat in sugar. Heat the vegetable oil then saute the onion then add the marinated fat, vinegar and kundol then simmer over slow fire until thick.Add flour when the filling is almost cooked. Mix well until fully combined and dry. Let cool.

To make Hopia
1. Flatten the PABALAT and put PALABO at the center. Roll and form into a ball.
2. Form the dough into cylindrical shape. Cut into 10-g portions.
3. Flatten each cut and place the prepared filling at the center then form into a ball. Press to flatten the dough.
4. Place the prepared hopia on a greased cookie sheet and brush with egg yolk.
5. Bake at 200C for at least 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Contributed by: Mr. Alex Adora

Pan De Leche

A soft and sweet bun that goes well with any sandwich spread  and any drinks that you want to pair it with. Aside from Pan De sal, this is also my favorite bread.
Thanks to my friend who shared this for my blog.

Ingredients:
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 sachet of dry yeast or 3 teaspoons
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons margarine
1/2 teaspoon salt
 400 ml of warm fresh milk

Procedure:
1. Divide the flour then set aside the other 3 cups.
2. Combine all the ingredients, then mix very well, after mixing everything knead the mixture, get the 3 cups flour that we reserved, then add gradually to the mixture, knead until the texture of the dough is firmer and dryer but still soft  and won't stick on the hand. Knead very well. Cover with cloth and allow to raise for 60 minutes or until double in size.

3. After procedure #2  knead for few minutes then get a portion and form into balls and arrange in a greased baking pan, then let rise until double in size. ( a good dough rise in 45 minutes)

 4.  Bake  for 20 minutes or until done in a pre-heated oven at 180C.
5. Allow to cool then serve.
    

Contributed by: S.M.

 S.M is a bakery owner and he don't want me to reveal his identity, so I am not allowed to post his picture.

Chocolate Crinkles

A young and enthusiastic lady who loves baking and graphic designing shared her delicious crinkles for all of us, by the way she is my niece :-).

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 pieces raw eggs
1 tbsp vanilla essence
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted)
2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup confectioners sugar

 Procedure:
1.Cream the butter in a mixing bowl, then whisk the sugar and continue mixing for 2 minute, then add the cocoa powder and melted chocolate and continue mixing for a minute.

2.Add the eggs and vanilla essence then continue to mix until the texture becomes fluffy then add the flour, salt, and baking powder and continue to mix until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. After this process cover the mixing bowl with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

 3. After 3 hours remove the cover and spoon a portion of the mixture then roll it with your hands until spherical in shape and roll over confectioners sugar until fully covered.
4. Arrange on a baking tray make sure it's 2-3 inches apart.

5.Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 10 to 12 minutes
6.Remove from the oven and allow to cool down then serve.

Contributed by Miss Arianne Maravilla

Miss Arianne

Eggless Cashew Brownies

This is very easy to make, I am just experimenting with the ingredients and I am happy with the result, you can try it.

Ingredients for 12 servings:
2 1/4 cups flour
3 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup Ovaltine or Milo
1/4 cup cashew nuts

Procedure:
1. Sift the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder then put in a blender together with the Milo then blend to mix well.

2. Add the water and oil then blend well until smooth.
3. Preheat the oven at 180 C and grease a baking pan and pour in the batter then top the cashew nuts and bake for 40 minutes or until done.

4. Allow to cool before slicing and serve with a smile :-).

Eggless Brownies

 This is a must try recipe! My type of brownies, chewy and not dry, really yummy and you can not believe that it's eggless because it taste the same with the usual brownies (with egg). Superb!

The Perfect Pan De Sal

I already made pan de sal before but I told myself I wanna do it again, and I want a perfect one, now I can say that this try is a success! Yes! I am proud to say, thanks be to God. Here is my recipe for this. Let me know if you will try this recipe either successful or not, so that I can share my experience and maybe I can help you in one way or the other. Thanks.


Ingredients:
4 cups all purpose flour
2 egg yolks ( beaten)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted butter
4 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoon yeast ( about 10 grams) Take note YEAST not baking powder.
1 cup warm water with 1 tablespoon sugar

Procedure:
1. Combine the flour, sugar and salt, set aside.
2. Combine the warm water with sugar  and yeast ( let it stand for 8 minutes allowing the yeast to be dissolved and grow) This is very important: use only WARM water, because if you will use HOT it will kill the yeast and your bread will not rise, it will be as hard as a rock (failed).  If the yeast does not grow, discard it and repeat the process until you get the correct one. It should at least grow from the normal mixture.

Mixture of warm water with sugar  and yeast

Successful mixing of yeast and warm water with sugar

3. Combine procedure 1 & 2 then add the egg and butter  then  mix well and knead it  until you form a firm dough. A good kneading is very important for best result.

After kneading

 4. Let the dough rise for 40 minutes by putting it in a big deep bowl and cover it with a damp cloth.

After 40 minutes , it doubles in size from the original dough

5. After procedure #4 knead the dough thoroughly over a floured surface to avoid it from sticking in your hands, after kneading, divide into 2 or 3  parts for easier rolling, because we need to make it into cylindrical roll like in the picture below. Then slice it diagonally about an inch size each slice.

6. Sprinkle each slice with bread crumbs then let it stand for 40 minutes allowing it to rise again, then bake at 150C for 15 minutes or until done. ( Preheat the oven for 10 minutes before baking)

7. Serve it hot and with a smile :-)

Note: Raising the dough in a cold place won't work so make sure you leave the dough in a room temperature area.

Mashed Potato with Garlic and Butter Recipe – Creamy, Fluffy, and Easy Side Dish

Ang Mashed Potato with Garlic and Butter ay isa sa pinakapopular na side dishes sa buong mundo. Kilala ito sa creamy na texture, mayamang buttery flavor, at banayad na lasa ng bawang. Madali itong ihanda at perpektong ipares sa iba't ibang ulam tulad ng grilled chicken, steak, roasted vegetables, o fried fish.

Sa recipe na ito, matututunan mong gumawa ng homemade mashed potato na malambot, creamy, at puno ng lasa. Gamit lamang ang ilang simpleng sangkap, makakagawa ka ng restaurant-quality mashed potatoes na siguradong magugustuhan ng buong pamilya.

Ham and Cheese Pull Apart Bread

An easy to make recipe that you can do with your kids. You can make different stuffs for this, I used ham and cheese and it is very delicious. Try it.

Ingredients for 4 servings:
1 big unsliced bread
150 grams muzarella cheese
4 slices sweet ham

Procedure:
1. Preheat the oven at 300 degrees celcius
2.Cut the bread lengthwise and widthwise without cutting through the bottom crust.

3. Put the cheese and ham between cuts, push with your fingers to make sure that the bottom is stuffed.

4. Baked for 15 minutes at 200 degrees celcius.
5. Serve hot. ( You can sprinkle it with oregano flakes)