Saturday, September 26, 2009

Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake (non-bake)
Serves: 6

What You Need:
250g cream cheese
150ml thickening/whipping cream
2 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp of cocoa powder

15g unflavored gelatin
3 tbsp. hot water
1 Ready-made graham biscuit base.

Decor:
1 handful of glazed cherries

Preparation:

Beat cream cheese, and sugar until smooth.
Gradually beat in whipping cream and cocoa powder, portion by portion making sure the cream and powder are well mixed in.
Dissolve the gelatin into the 3 tbsp. hot water over a simmering pan of water and stir into the cream cheese mixture.
Spoon half the filling into the crust, add cherries, fill up with remainder filling and top with cherries
Chill cheesecake in refrigerator until set.

Labels: Chocolate, Desserts and Beverages

Garlic Herb Butter
Serves: -

Homemade garlic butter is better as you can add whatever ingredients you fancy. This is good on toast or you can slice some on steak or steamed vegetables.

What You Need:
1 block of unsalted butter
5 cloves of garlic (grated)
1/2 tsp mix dry herbs (See Note)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Optional: A dash of Paprika or Cayenne pepper

Preparation:
Leave the butter in a bowl at room temp to soften. Mix well with the rest of the ingredients and wrap it into a log as shown. You can use the paper packaging that the butter comes in, or cling wrap.

Note: Any mix of herbs can be used. Dill, Oregano, Coriander, Basil, Italian mix etc are good.

Labels: Breakfast and Brunch, Condiments

Friday, September 25, 2009

Cold Fruity Salad
Serves: 10

A quick yet refreshing salad that I made many years ago for a New Year's Day dinner for my friends. I like that you can taste the sweetness from the fresh fruits and prawns.

What You Need:
1/2 Honey Dew (cubes)
1/2 Rock Melon (cubes)
10 Seedless Grapes
20 Fresh Prawns (boiled, de-shelled leaving tails, chill)

Dressing:
4 tbsp Greek Yogurt

Preparation:
Gently toss honey dew, rock melon and yogurt. Spoon 2 tbsp of the mixture into a glass and top with a grape and 2 prawns on the rim of the glass.

Serve chill.

Labels: Finger Food and Appetisers, Fish and Seafood, Fruits

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Instant Mocha
Serves: 1 (220ml - 250ml)

A simple homemade mocha with ingredients that we can find at home. Good served with cakes.

What You Need:
1 tbsp instant coffee powder (go for the good strong ones)
1 1/2 tbsp chocolate powder (or Milo)
1 tsp diary creamer
1 tsp sugar
Hot water to top

Super Instant version:
1 sachet 3-in-1 strong coffee mix
1 1/2 tbsp chocolate powder (or Milo)
Hot water

Preparation:
Add all ingredients into cup, stir with half cup of water till well dissolved.
Top up with more hot water or hot milk if you prefer.

Labels: Chocolate, Coffee, Desserts and Beverages