Chocolate Gateau

I have not been baking for a year!  Time really flies.

In fact, I find that time flies even faster during this Covid period.   The cake was done for the last gathering just before the HA phrase 2.

Wanted to bake something quickly and contemplating which recipe I should try.  In the end, I go with this Chocolate Gateau as I know for sure, it will be acceptable to my friends.

Can you believe that I actually made a blunder while baking this easy cake.   I can only blame it on lack of practice.

Luckily, the cake was saved and the guests like it.

What you need:

yield 2 X 6"

170g dark chocolate, chopped roughly

130g unsalted butter, room temperature

50g cocoa powder (I used Varlhorna)

4g cake flour

2 egg yolks

30g castor sugar

2 egg whites

50g castor sugar

Method:

Preheat oven to 160 deg.  Lined and greased the pans/

Sift cocoa powder and cake flour.  Set aside.

Combine butter and chocolate and microwave at 30 sec interval until chocolate and butter melted.  Stir after each 30 sec.  The chocolate and butter should combined well to a velvety texture.

Add in the cocoa mixture and mix well.

In a clean bowl, whisk egg white until foamy.  Slowly drizzle in the sugar and whisk till stiff peak.

In another bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale.

Fold 1/3 of the meringue into the yolk batter and continue with the remaining meringue until well combined.

Pour into the pans equally.

Bake for 35 - 40 mins or until skewer inserted came out slightly damp.

Cool slightly in pan.  Remove and continue to cool completely.

Note: it is normal for the cake to crack after cool, the interior is moist and fudgy texture.  Great on its own or pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Serve in room temperature, slightly warmed or cold, either way, it is still delicious.

 

Enjoy!

Cheese Mochi

This covid is really long-lasting.  Waves after waves it hits our shore.  We just need to find ways to stay strong and positive.

For me, instead of channeling my energy into baking and blogging, I took up a healthy hobby after I got sick and couldn't walk properly at the beginning of the covid.  

I started cycling and realized that it helps with the pain that I was suffering and slowly it got better and better after each ride.   I also managed to shed off 4 kgs that for years I was trying to lose.

Anyway, I was invited to a small birthday party just before the HA phrase 2 alert as we feel more comfortable in a safe environment.  The numbers reflected daily is really worrisome.  My heart goes out to the medical team for working so relentlessly for nearly 2 years.

So here is my Cheese Mochi and am glad that the guests like it.

Source: inspired by Catherine (can't link as I cannot find back the post)

What you need:

Makes 12 pcs

200g glutinous rice flour

150g boiling water (adjust according)

2 tsp sugar

Cheddar cheese

Method:

In a bowl with the glutinous rice flour, using a chopstick, slowly blend in the boiling water bit by bit.  

When it is not too hot, knead to form a dough.  Add more water and knead until it is soft and smooth.

Place in a bowl and cover.  Let it rest for 30 mins.

Divide into 12 portions.

Roll into a ball and flatten.  Add 1/2 tbsp cheese and seal well.

Heat up a nonstick wok with a little oil.

Place the mochi ball into the pan on low heat.   Flatten the balls a little.

Add a little water and cover.  Let it cook until golden.

Flip over and drizzle a little oil again, repeat the process until it turns golden.

Serve hot with a generous drizzle of honey.

Enjoy!