Marble Cake

After baking so many butter cakes, I decided to try another popular recipe. Chocolate Marble Cake. A simple recipe and an all-time favourite amongst family members. First attempt...turned out perfect!!!

Ingredients:-

• 250g butter
• 170g castor sugar
• 250g self raising flour
• 4 large eggs
• 6 tbsps milk
• 2 tsps vanilla
• 2 tbsps cocoa powder

1. Heat oven to 180C/gas 160C/gas 4. Grease a 20cm cake tin and line the bottom with a circle of greaseproof paper. If you want to make life easy, simply put all the ingredients (except the cocoa powder) into a food processor and whizz for 1-2 mins until smooth. If you prefer to mix by hand, beat the butter and sugar together, then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Fold through the flour, milk and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.


2. Divide the mixture between 2 bowls. Stir the cocoa powder into the mixture in one of the bowls. Take 2 spoons and use them to dollop the chocolate and vanilla cake mixes into the tin alternately. When all the mixture has been used up (and if young kids are doing this, you'll need to ensure the base of the tin is fairly evenly covered), tap the bottom on your work surface to ensure that there aren't any air bubbles. Take a skewer and swirl it around the mixture in the tin a few times to create a marbled effect.

3. Bake the cake for 45-55 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Turn out onto a cooling rack and leave to cool. Will keep for 3 days in an airtight container or freeze for up to 3 months.

An indeed simple recipe. You can't possibly go wrong with this................

One Skillet Pork with Rice & Herbs

Here's another new recipe. Simple and easy. Looks like I am on the roll for trying out new recipes. This is a single dish and will not need anything further unless you want to have a soup to go with it. No frying and no oil required. Just simply healthy....



Ingredients:-

• 300g of pork tenderloin cut into bite size
• A packet of sliced white or brown button mushrooms (about 125g)
• 2 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cup of uncook rice
• 1 tbsp Italian herbs
• 1 1/2 cup mixed frozen vegetables; thawed
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large skillet or saute pan with a tight fitting lid over high heat; combine pork, mushrooms, chicken stock rice and herbs.
2. Bring to a boil. reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 mins.
3. Stir in mixed vegetables and continue to cook until  liquid had been absorbed, rice is tender and pork is cooked through , about 5 mins.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Another simple and easy recipe and yummilicious. No oil whatsoever needed.

Traditional Macaroni & Cheese

A traditional recipe. There are many types of Macaroni & Cheese which have over time been adjusted to local tastes and individual preferences. Well, I thought starting off with the traditional one would be more fitting. Not those that you buy in a box and prepare but here's one of the recipes I had gotten from the internet.

Ingredients:-

• 1 2/3 cups dry, small elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsps butter or margarine
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

1.Preheat oven to 190 degrees C. Grease 2-quart casserole dish.


2.Combine cornstarch, salt, mustard and pepper in medium saucepan. Stir in evaporated milk, water, and butter. Cook over medium-heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese until melted. Add macaroni; mix well. Pour into prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and light brown.

It was simple and yet yummy!!! Cheesy and just yum. So, give it a shot!!!

Fideo (Mexican Spaghetti)

It's been too long since I've been able to try out new recipes and finally; I get to and I look forward to cooking more new dishes and sharing with you all. Came across this recipe on the internet and it looked real interesting. Not the regular type of pastas, a common dish amongst Mexicans.

Ingredients:-

• 2 tbsps of vegetable oil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves
• 1 packet (12oz) spaghetti noodles broken into half
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes (you can used those with cajun, celery, etc)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp of chilli powder (optional and you may add more for a more spicy taste)
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese (or any of your preference)

1.Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts in the oil until nicely browned on the outside. Remove from the skillet and set aside.


2.Add remaining oil to the skillet, and add the broken spaghetti. Cook, stirring constantly until spaghetti is browned. Drain off any excess oil, and add tomatoes and onion. Dice the chicken breasts, and return them to the skillet. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Pour in chicken stock, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until pasta is tender, and water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes. Check towards the end, and add more water if necessary.

3.Spoon the chicken mixture into bowls to serve, and garnish with shredded cheese.

Voila!!! An easy recipe and absolutely yummilicious. You can always have it with some garlic bread.

Till my next recipe.