Fruit Muffin

Who doesn't love muffin? Small, cute bite sizes cakes. Simple to prepare, easy to bake and deliciously satisfying. From my Baking: A Commonsense Guide, I would like to share a basic muffin recipe which can be very versatile and usable in all situations. In this instance, I've added mixed fruits (those you would use for fruit cakes) in this muffin recipe. You may also wish to add coffee mixture or mashed bananas for different flavour combinations which you can enjoy for breakfast, snack or lunch.

310g self raising flour

125g caster sugar

375ml milk

2 lightly beaten eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

150g melted and cooled unsalted butter

70g mixed fruits

Preheat oven to 200deg C.

Sift flour into bowl and add sugar. Stir through the flour.

In a jug, mix well the milk, eggs and vanilla extract. Pour the liquid into the flour mixture and mix well.

Add butter. Stir thoroughly.

Add in mixed fruits and mix well.

Pour batter into 12 muffin cups. Bake for 20-25 min.

A glass of milk to meet yor daily calcuim needs :) (Meiji low fat milk was used in the baking of muffins)

Corn and Cheese Muffin

Fancy some home made Kenny Roger Corn Muffin? Made with some cheddar for that extra flavour :) hope you'll like it.

Food Paradise @ Malacca

What comes to mind when you hear Malacca?

FOOD!!

Be prepared for a gastronomical feast when visiting Malacca.

Malacca's rich Peranakan culture has given birth to a variety of delicious food that is spicy and sweet, referred to as 'Nyonya' food. The Nyonya style of cooking is the result of a fusion between Chinese and Malay ingredients and recipes, the result of Chinese traders in the past settling in Malacca and adopting the Malay way of living.

A group of us had a lovely short weekend getaway, taking advantage of the Good Friday holiday. We departed Singapore at 7.30am and were caught in a massive jam at the custom. We only managed to reach Malacca Hotel Equatorial at approximately 1pm! We were tired and hungry and it poured when we reached. We settled for a mediocre lunch that was'nt very impressive at all for a Malaysia food paradise standard. After lunch, we took a stroll to Jonker Walk where the famous Chicken Rice Ball stalls thrive. Tender chicken pieces with garlic and soy sauce are eaten along with glutinous rice, rolled in balls. Each person takes about 8 balls (equivalent to about one normal serving of rice) and boy they look like fishballs!

If you have the chance, try the Nyonya pineapple tarts. They are freshly baked and sweet tasting. 2 versions are available - butter or margarine made. Try the LW brand as they promise better pineapple tarts with better fragrance and taste!

Not to be missed are other yummy food like Assam Laksa (I took the Nyonya Laksa) and Chendol! Assam Laksa is sourish in nature, unlike our Singapore version of laksa. My Nyonya laksa is somewhat like our laksa, but it has a slightly different concoction of ingredients. Wasn't too bad. The laksa only cost us RM 3.50 each bowl.

Top: Nyonya Laksa

Bottom: Assam Laksa

Gula Melaka (palm sugar) originated from Malacca and Malacca is famous for their gula melaka desserts - dessert with sweet brown syrup. It only cost RM 1.70 for a normal serving of chendol and RM 2.70 for durian chendol. You can never get enough of this brown sweet syrup. We finshed every drop of our chendol and it was so delicious that we ate 3 bowls of chendols in our 1.5 day stay in Malacca. Mind your cholesterol level!

Our first stop - chendol at San Shu Gong - very commercialised and overpriced. Not recommended.



Chendol @ Jonker Dessert stall - it was always crowded when we visited on Fri and Sat despite the huge shop area

We walked along the Jonker Street again at night as it became more bustling and crowded. The roads were closed for shoppers and stall holders. More savoury items can be sampled along the crowded street. We couldn't resist the temptation and we got ourselves a grilled stingray, muah chee and Min Jiang Kueh, all after our hearty meal of laksa and chendols.

Crispy min jiang kueh with fillings like sweet corn, red bean or peanut

Now I know what I can do with my packets of Gula Melaka stocked up in the kitchen......