Thursday, January 31, 2013

Negeri Sembilan MFF : Seremban Siew Pau

Okay, I will keep this post short since I am pretty tight down by other stuff. Why bother if I'm so busy? Well, I meant to bake and put up this post earlier this week, but waited till this very last day of the month!! *sucks to be so busy* Nevertheless, here it is, my version of Seremban Siew Pau, in support of this month's MFF, featuring Negeri Sembilan.
This is the 2nd time I attempted this. Frankly speaking I can't really remember how it was back when I first did it, but at least I remember the taste was not bad, lol! Anyway, here is the new version of this Siew Pau:

Ingredients (makes 12 pau)
Ingredients for Char Siew filling:300g Char siew pork, chopped finely (store bought)
6 shallots*, sliced thinly and fried till golden brown
Seasonings:
120ml water

2 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tsp dark soy sauce

2.5 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp tapioca flour

1 tbsp corn flour

1 tsp plain flour
  • In a large mixing bowl, add all the seasoning ingredients together and mix well.
  • In the saucepan with medium low heat, add the seasoning mixture and cook till it thickens.
  • Add the chopped char siew pork and fried shallots and stir till well combined.
  • Off the fire and dish up to cool till ready to use. This can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for 24 to 48 hrs. 
For making the pastry skin: (recipe adapted from Carol's "The First Book of Noodles for Beginners)
(Water Dough)
95g plain flour
15g confectioner's sugar
20g vegetable oil (I used ghee)
50ml water
  • In a large mixing bowl, add flour, confectioner's sugar, and ghee/oil then add the water to form a soft dough.
  • Knead dough until it's not sticky and smooth, about 5-6 minutes.
  • Let dough rest for 30 minutes and cover with plastic wrap.
  • Divide the dough into 15g each.
(Oil Dough)
90g cake flour
30g vegetable oil
  • Mix the shortening into the cake flour. It will feel crumbly at first, but continue to knead to form a dough that is pliable.
  • Divide the dough into 10g each.
  • Roll the water dough flat enough to encase the oil dough inside. Place oil dough inside water dough, cover and seal the edges.
  • Then press and roll out the combined dough into long flat oval. Then start rolling in from one end to make the dough like a swiss roll. Cover let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Then again repeat by taking a portion and roll it flat into a long rectangle and then roll it up from the short end into a swiss roll.
  • Using your rolling pin, roll out the dough into a roll disc at least 10cm diameter.
  • Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the filling in middle of the dough. Gathering the edges of the dough into top middle, pinching the edges together to seal up the top.
  •  
  • Preheat oven to 180°C.
  • Brush the surface of each Siew Pau with egg wash and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.
  •   
  • Bake in the oven for 20-23 minutes till golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool before serving.
I was very please with the siew pau. Although can't compare with the original Siew Pau in Seremban, but it was still tasty. ;) The filling was flavorful and the crust was crisp and flaky! As you can see, I might have over-filled the pau which causes the yummy char siew oozing out, waste! Lol!
Indeed packed full of yummy char siew~! Will reheat it in the oven (140C for 10 mins) next morning to have it for my breakfast with a cup of coffee. ;) 

I am happy to submit this post to this month's Malaysia Food Fest, Negeri Sembilan month hosted by Hody of Cook 4 you & me.

Okay, all have a great weekend ahead! Happy baking NY goodies that is, lol!


Thursday, January 24, 2013

CNY Bake : Almond Cookies

I am sure most of you have tasted almond cookies before. I would say a good recipe should be those that will slowly melts in the mouth. It should have a faint almond fragrant and sweet buttery after taste. I don't really fancy those that has almond essence nor small almond chunks in them. The essence taste artificial & those chunky almond bits get stuck in my teeth!  If I say I like almond cookies, it is an understatement...I can chow down a tub all by myself if I am not watching my waistline, lol! But hey, looking on the brighter side, almonds has so many health benefits, it's alright to indulge in it right?

It is essential you get whole blanched almonds for this. Roast them and then grind them to fine powdery texture. If you choose to use store bought fine almond flour, it should be okay if you know the store has fresh stock every time. Else those almond powder that has been shelved too long will loose its fragrant and might even have an old stale taste to it. :P

Ingredients for Almond cookies
250g whole blanched almonds
- Roasted at 200C for 10 minutes till slightly golden. Let cool completely then grind it till very fine.

100g plain flour
120g cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
95g confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp fine salt

100 - 120 ml peanut oil (add enough to make a soft dough)
50g melted unsalted butter

Egg wash for glazing (omit if you want it vegetarian version)

  • In a large mixing bowl, sift both flours & baking powder in. Then sift in the confectioner's sugar and salt. Now add in the grind almond and mix well.
  • Add in both peanut oil and melted butter. Stir the whole mixture until it comes together to form a soft pliable dough.
  • Preheat the oven to 170C. 
  • At this point you can choose to cut out or shape the dough into rounds as desired. Lay them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat till all the dough has been shaped out.
  • Glaze the cookie tops with egg wash.
  • Bake the cookies in the oven for 15-18 minutes till light golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and let cool before storing. Enjoy!

Don't ask me how many of these cookies I have eaten...I've already lost count, lol! I had to seal the tubs to stop myself from sneaking a few cookies ever so often! 
Even though I baked double the above recipe, it still seems not enough. :P Anyway, I doubt I have the leisure to bake another batch for CNY...since I still have a few more cookies to bake!

I am happy to submit this to Sonia's blog event :Chinese New Year Delights 2013 新春送礼.

Okay folks, gonna go bake more cookies...until next time, happy baking all!