Cinnabon-style Cinnamon Rolls - Mummy's First Anniversary

I have always wanted to make these rolls. I have been missing Cinnabon's rolls since moving from Dubai, UAE. Most times I miss Cinnabon's Cinnamon rolls during a rainy day :) And would you believe it actually rained today (the first rain) and quite heavily may I add!

It has been a year since I first joined Bread Bakers. I still remember how a few days after joining Bread Bakers and the first event I was to participate in, I had heard of the sudden and untimely demise of my dear Mum. Today marks the first year since Mum left for Heavenly Abode. Mummy has always been my inspiration to bake and cook. She was a fabulous cook and her presence is truly missed in my life. I am grateful to our Good Lord for letting Mum continue to advise and be my guide especially in difficult moments and even when in the kitchen. The difference between how it was earlier when Mum was just a phone call away and now is that I listen to her advice to the 'T' with no questions asked. So yes I am thankful she still guides me. I still miss her like crazy though. Today I am quite spent from the difficult night I had mulling about Mum and our good ol' times.I miss Mum's jokes, laughter and smiles the most. Love you Mum and miss you loads.

I will be trying this recipe again. My biggest critic is my part time maid Betty. Since she loved the flavour of these rolls and my hubby and I felt it lack some more of the fluffiness to make it like Cinnabon's layers, I will definitely be going at this again. These reason for the slight flatness of these rolls is when I placed the tray into the oven to bake at 200°C, our apartment building's gas supply was over and they had changed it to the new supply during the bake. So for 5 of the 15 minutes of the bake the temperature was automatically changed to much higher than it was meant to be. Of course I figured this out at the last few minutes of the bake.

Unfortunately this recipe was meant to go into today's Bread Bakers' event of theme : Rolls. I had to go to church and when I came there was the first downpour of rains this year. I still tried to make it but looks like I messed up on the time conversion this time. I just heard its owing to the Daylight savings time which is an hour forward.

To make these super simple and luscious rolls, 

You need:

For the dough:

• 1/2 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 
• 1/4 cup white sugar 
• 1 1/4 tsp dry active yeast 
• 1 egg, room temperature 
• 1/6 cup or 40 gms of melted butter
• 21/4 cup plain flour 
• 1/2 tsp salt

For the spread and sprinkle:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 
• 11/4 tbsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/6 cup or 40 gms butter, softened 

For the topping:

• 40 gms cream cheese, softened 
• 30 gms butter, softened
• 25 gms castor sugar or icing sugar 
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 
• Pinch of salt 

The Make:

Preparation time: 10 minutes | Resting time: 10 minutes | Baking Time: 15 minutes | Makes 9 rolls

1. In a small bowl, mix the yeast with the lukewarm milk and sugar. Allow to activate. If it does not froth, you need to try with a fresh batch of yeast.

2. In a large bowl, place all the dough ingredients and the prepared yeast and mix well.

3. Turn the dough out to a floured surface. Cover and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes. You will find the dough has doubled in size.

4. Preheat the oven to 200°C and lightly grease a baking 9X13 inch baking tray.

4. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon powder.

5. Roll the dough into a 9X13 inch rectangle. Spread the dough with the 40 gms of butter. Sprinkle the dough evenly with the sugar-cinnamon mixture.

6. Carefully roll up the dough to a log. You can also use a baking mat to do this if unsure. Cut out 9 rolls and place them on the prepared baking tray.

7. Bake the rolls in the preheated oven until golden brown up to 15 minutes.

8. While the rolls are baking, beat the cream cheese, butter, icing sugar, vanilla essence or extract and salt.

9. Once baked, spread the frosting on the warm rolls just before serving.

Bon Appetit! Hope you enjoy this bake.

Malaysian Red Snapper with Lime Leaves #FishFridayFoodies

I have always been a lover of seafood and just loved that Wendy Klik of A Day in the Life on the Farm started this new group of Fish Friday Foodies of Fish food lovers.

Red Snapper is a low-calorie, lean source of protein rich in selenium, Vitamin A, potassium and Omega-3 fatty acids. Besides this is quite a flavoursome fish as well.

I grew a small potted lime plant in my balcony at my last place of residence. After a few months of seeing some produce from the plant, sadly I had to let go of it as it became diseased. Hopefully if ever I move into a home with a better garden area, I will attempt at growing the lime tree :)

Now while I had a chance to use the produce off my young lime plant, I made this Red Snapper with Lime leaves. The fragrance throughout my home that day was amazingly uplifting and fabulous.

You need:

• 1 kg Red Snapper, cleaned and cut into medium sized pieces
• 2 large shallots, quartered
• 1/2 tbsp Peppercorns
• 3-4 Star Anise
• 4-5  Lime Leaves + 2-3 for garnish
• 3-4 garlic cloves, crushed and quartered
• 2 tsp Freshly Ground Coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 red chilies quartered
• 250ml of coconut milk
• Zest of 1 small lime
• Salt to taste
• Drinking water, heated

The Make:
Preparation Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes | Serves 4-6 adults

1. Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a clay pot or a wok and toss in the star anise, fennel seeds, red chilies, cinnamon sticks and set aside after a minute.

2. In the same pot, add the remaining oil and toss in the shallots and saute till translucent on medium heat.

3. Next add the garlic, coriander, turmeric, salt and peppercorns and saute for another minute or until the spices leave the sides of the pot and is cooked. 

4. Lower the heat and pour half the quantity of coconut milk, sugar and pour in a cup of heated water.

5. Add in the the sauteed spices earlier set aside and turn to medium heat again for a minute or until heated but not to a  rolling boil.

6. Lower the heat and then add the Red Snapper fish pieces, lime zest and lime leaves. Cover and cook for 30 minutes and then check if cooked well. If not increase by 5 minutes and check. Once cooked add the remaining coconut milk and allow to heat not boil else it will split.

7. Serve hot aside piping hot bowl of steamed rice of your choice. Garnish with lime leaves.

Bon Appetit!

Would you like to join Fish Friday Foodies?  We post and share new seafood/fish recipes on the third Friday of the month.  To join our group please email Wendy at wendyklik1517@gmail.com.

Visit our Facebook page and Pinterest page for more wonderful fish and seafood recipe ideas.

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Mediterranean style Roasted Chicken with Garlic basted Roasted veggies

For a new twist to your traditional Christmas home roast, why not try a Mediterranean one.

Living and working in the Middle East esp. the cosmopolitan Dubai, you get to meet a whole lot of people from all over the world.

I have a fair share of friends from all over the Middle East. Learning their cultural cuisines was one of my favourite learning. So I did get a lot of recipes and tips from them.

This one is for the adventurous YOU who just doesn't want a traditional Christmas roast but exploring each year and wow-ing your guests and loved ones each time.

What you need:

For the Marinade

• 1 lemon
• 1 cup of Tomato paste or puree 
• 1/2 tbsp paprika
• 1/2 tbsp coriander powder (freshly powdered from coriander seeds)
• A mix of herbs such as Marjoram,Oregano,Sumac,Thyme and Rosemary
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder (freshly powdered from cumin seeds)
• 1 tbsp Salt

Other ingredients:

• Whole spices such as Bayleaf, Cinnamon, cloves
• 5-6 Garlic cloves - crushed
• 4-5 medium sized potatoes (skin-on), cleaned well
• 1200 gms chicken (skin-on)
• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 2-3 tomatoes, chopped
• Shallots/Onions, chopped

The Make:

Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Roasting Time: 1-1 hr and 20 minutes

1.Boil the potatoes with a few stabs in between (no need to cut them now) until half boiled. You can added carrots or other veggies too if you like.

2.Slit the chicken on all sides esp. legs taking care not to cut too much into the meat. On a non-stick roasting pan, add 2 tbsp EVOO, and brown the chicken on all sides, esp the legs as they take longer to cook.

3.Then wait for the chicken to cool down a bit and then add the whole spices in the roasting pan around the chicken. Also place the shallots around in the pan. Rub the marinade well on the chicken and in the cavity and into the slits made earlier.

4. Boil a lemon whole for 5-10 minutes. The larger lemons (not available here) need 10 minutes. Next stab in a couple of times around the lemon and stuff it into the cavity of the chook.

5. Toss in the boiled potatoes cut in quarters.

6. Roast chicken on wire rack (optionally) with the same roasting pan below at 150°C for an hour and then up to 20 minutes on 180°C breast side facing down until the skin is nicely crisp.

7. Meanwhile, to prep the roasted potatoes crush 5-6 cloves of garlic using a mortar and pestle (you can also use an electric grinder) add a little EVOO and further crush to a creamy garlic paste.

8. Add a dash of salt and marinade chopped tomatoes with the creamy paste. When the chook is ready, place the potatoes on a serving dish, pour the garlic paste with tomatoes and some of the juices from the roasting pan.

9. Add some lemon juice from the lemon from the chook's cavity and toss well.

Serve the roasted potatoes on the side of the chicken with some hummus and white rice if you need.

Bon Appetit! Hope you liked our Mediterranean style Christmas Chicken roast!

Try G'Gina's Kitchenette's Hummus recipe here

Jamie Oliver's Best Eggnog in the World - The Ultimate Eggnog

Aha you must think that I am a die hard fan of Jamie Oliver. Well kinda. I dig his recipes for sure and especially his simple recipes to make awesome, delicious dishes which you can make in a matter of minutes and still look like you have slaved away in the kitchen.

So here goes the eggnog recipe from Jamie's Food team which is claimed and now I confirm to be the best eggnog in the world. I made two versions a virgin one for my little one and the full version. This I did last Christmas 2014. So for those of you who have been following G'Gina's Kitchenette's Facebook page or our Twitter page, the chapter must slowly be unfolding as to what I meant last Christmas by saying this :
"It gets tough to cook Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Breakfast and Lunch!! This year got special with Jamie Oliver taking over the kitchen! Thanks Jamie! You Rock! Merry Christmas all from G'Gina's Kitchenette!"

The author from Jamie's Food team who wrote this recipe, Meredith Steele did teach me something new about eggnog. She mentioned how the name 'eggnog' was acquired from a 14th century English drink called posset. Posset was a drink of curdled hot milk with ale and over sometime eggs were added to the concoction.

This preparation of this creamy, sweet drink starts with infusing cream with milk and cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla beans. It is the warm infused milk which slowly streams into the beaten eggs and sugar. Then your rum or bourbon is what lifts its spirits. It is then refrigerated before the fluffy egg whites join the party of the eggnog for that face uplift. I however separated a portion of the eggnog from the main jug to serve to my princess later. I refrigerated hers separately and then added a portion of the fluffy egg whites to her serving.

Thankfully my parents rear poultry so my chicken eggs were fresh from their home farm.

This was my first try at making eggnog. Mummy used to serve a mean fruit punch/ cocktail punch. Never tasted her eggnog though.

You need:

• 3 cups or 700 ml of whole milk
• 1 cup or 240 ml of heavy or double cream (I used refrigerated Amul cream)
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean pod, split and seeds removed
• 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (set aside some additional for garnish - about a tsp)
• 5 eggs, separated (I used our farm eggs)
• 2/3 cup of granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup of bourbon or Dark rum

The Make:
 Serves 8 | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Resting Time: overnight-3days

1. In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, cinnamon, vanilla bean, vanilla seeds and nutmeg. Bring it to a boil on medium heat.

2. Once it reaches a boil, remove from the heat and allow it to steep.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until combined and thick strands are formed when the whisk is lifted.
4. Next whisk in the milk and continue to mix until smooth and well combined.
5. Add the bourbon or rum and mix. Refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days.
6. Before serving, whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until soft peaks are formed. Then gently fold into the eggnog until combined.
7. Garnish with nutmeg and serve cold.

Happy Holidays all! Seasons Greetings from G'Gina's Kitchenette!

Papaya Pudding

Most of my recipes have either come from mom, inspired by mom, learning inspired from some of my favourite chefs from around the world or my loved ones/friends. But like I have mentioned time and again from the inception of this blog, although my recipe creations have been 'inspired' by some of my heroes/heroins, a lot have been experimented and re experimented.

This is one such simple recipe. It was meant to be a papaya juice/milkshake but ended up being a pudding and a very good one at that. What is comforting to know, is that Our Good Lord already blessed us with some naturally sweetened produce, so I did not use even an ounce of sugar in this pudding. For a 5 year old to say "its superb mama" with zero sugar in it, is commendable, not on my part but on our Lord's part for creating such naturally sweet and lovely produce for us.

Although the Fall season is in, Papaya bears fruit almost all throughout the year. It is either spherical in shape or pear shaped and has a world of health and nutritional benefits.

(This wasn't the exact Papaya I made the pudding with as I had forgotten to snap a picture before attempting this make. The skin has to be less of to no greens and more of yellow.)

Dad and Mum have a spectacular collection of homegrown fruits, veggies, herbs, flowers, etc. Some trees have been there for many, many decades since grandma used to live in the same home while we were overseas.

Dad and Mum have been living next door to Dad's cousin and I just learnt that Geeappapa (Geemon) and Pushpa aunty's papaya tree just fell owing to the heavy rains and it was full of lovely papayas. When I was at home a week ago Dad gave me two varieties of papaya, one was planted by my dear mum and has borne such lovely papaya fruit and really big sized ones as well. Dad sent a couple of papayas to my sisters overseas as well. We all wanted to have mum's first crop of papaya produce. We miss her very dearly.
It is still very green and raw, but I wait on with bated breath for it to ripen so I can create something special in mum's honour. I almost have an idea what it is going to help me create in the weeks to come.

The other papaya is a longish, less broad. The pulp when the fruit is fully ripened has a very sweet and somewhat nutty taste when over-ripened. So while I waited for this papaya to ripen, it actually over-ripened overnight although it did take quite long to reach that state. I am not sure why it does that. I feel this variety of papaya actually taste better in a mashed form than when chopped up into slices.

Cinnamon has a unique quality of taking the place of sugar and beats the artificial sweeteners any day. You may want to try cinnamon as a healthy substitute even in your every day coffee or milk. It has so many nutritional/health benefits as well.

When I mentioned a few thoughts ago that this recipe is a simple one, you cannot imagine just how simple it is! Let me tell you now how simple it is,

You need:

• A medium sized papaya (preferable the longish variety as shown in the picture above), chopped
• 2-3 tbsp of milk powder of your choice
• 2 tsp of cinnamon powder (I like my a little less than finely powdered)
• 1 cup of cold water
• Finely chopped almonds or cashew nuts (optional)

The Make

Serves 3 adults | Preparation time: 5 mins | Resting time: 3-4 hours minimum

1. Pulse the papaya pieces,1 tsp cinnamon, milk powder and water in your standing grinder or juicer for  20 counts on high and 10 counts on low. Rest and repeat twice.

2. Stir in the optional almonds or cashew nuts into the mixture at this stage if using (I did not use it this time).

3. Transfer to a large serving bowl or individual serving cups. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.

4. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon on top of the serving bowl or in each serving cup.

Serve cold. Bon appetit. (Trust me if a 5 year old who does not really fancy papaya much loved this so would your loved ones/kids)

Papaya and Cinnamon Honey Cooler

“When all is said and done, the weather and love are the two elements about which one can never be sure.” 

― Alice Hoffman, Here on Earth

As a child I loved summers, especially as I was born in the summer of August _ _ _ _!

Now being in this sultry, sultry place, I am beginning to hate it! Well more so the humidity rather than then heat itself. So I was pleasantly surprised to hear that two years ago Chennai did not have much of a summer as it practically rained that whole summer! Ah bliss! So like Alice Hoffman mentioned in the quote above, I pray that the weather this Summer is uncertain and bordering on a cooler, less sultry (non-existent would be perfect) weather!

Until then, I need to keep both my family and me, cool as a cucumber with some perfect summer drinks/coolers. Incidentally this recipe can also be made with a blend of cucumber :) Next time, perhaps!

Papaya is actually a healing fruit!Rich in antioxidants, it is known to heal both intestinal and cardiovascular diseases. It helps in healing internal inflammations.Ideally unripened (green) papaya is best juiced as its healing benefits are found in its green state!

Did you know that honey and cinnamon has weight losing properties as well? It is not to say that those who do not want to lose weight cannot consume this combination. It has a weight balancing features and other benefits as well.

You need:

• 2 cups of water (chilled)
• 2 tbsp honey (you may want to drizzle on more depending on how sweet you prefer it)
• 2 tsps cinnamon powder
• 4-5 ice cubes, crushed
• 2 cups of papaya pieces (chilled)

The Make

Serves 2 | Preparation Time: 10 minutes

1. Blend the papaya, water and honey.

2. Next add in the cinnamon and give it a whirl.

3. Add the crushed ice cubes in each serving glass and pour in the blended drink. Then top with cinnamon powder. 

Note: 

i. In case you are serving this to kids, you may want to blend the cinnamon powder in step 1. with the papaya as kids don't usually like seeing little bits on top of their drink.

ii. Also you may want to skimp on the ice cubes or avoid it in case your kid does not drink chilled drinks as yet!

Fried Rice - Mummy's recipe

As I mentioned in the Duck roast post, this Fried Rice would be an excellent accompaniment to the Duck Roast. Not only is this a simple to make accompaniment, it is also goes well with the Duck Roast Gravy! I used to always resign myself to the fact that rice was something I was never good at making esp. Fried Rice, Biriyani, etc. Well not until I followed mum's instructions to the 'T' and also had a televised encounter with Jamie Oliver :) So all it takes is good listening (and might I add obeying) skills to get it right (after a few tries).

This one is mum's recipe so it turned out pretty fab (Thank God as I had guests to feed).

To make this simple Fried rice,

You need:

• 3 coffee mugs (about 600 gms) basmati (long grained) rice 
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 large onion, diced finely
• 1" ginger, diced finely or ground
• 1" cinnamon stick
• Veggies of your choice - carrots, green peas, beans, etc., diced finely
• 6-7 cups of drinking water
• 1-2 tbsp of cooking oil
• 1 tbsp of ghee or clarified butter (optional)
• Drizzle of oil (optional)

Method:

Serves 7 adults | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Preparation Time: 15 minutes (to 1 hour)

1. Clean the rice and then soak for at least for at least 15 minutes to 1 hour. The reason for this is that the more you soak it, the lesser water would be required to be added during the cooking process which means lesser possibilities of turning up with a less than fluffed rice.
2. Boil 6 cups of water with salt and cardamom powder and a drizzle of oil (optional) to avoid the rice from sticking (I did not add any oil at this stage and it turned out fine) in a non-stick pot.
3. When the water comes to a rolling boil, lower the heat and take out a palm full of the soaked rice bit by bit, add it to the boiled water and discard the soaked water. Cover and cook until the rice comes to a boil. Turn off the flame and leave covered.
4. Heat the oil in a wok/non-stick pot and toss in the onions.
5. Saute the onions with a pinch or less of salt until translucent and then add the ginger and saute for a minute.
6. Toss in the cinnamon stick and saute for another minute.
7. Next add in the veggies and saute for a few minutes (with ghee - optional) until translucent.
8. Transfer the sauteed veggies to the half cooked rice and add another cup of water if required. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes on medium flame*.
9. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. Serve hot with your favourite dish or Duck Roast.

*Tip: Medium flame as it would get too stodgy and take more time on low flame.

These pictures are again from a time before my blogging adventure began. I will replace them once I make this dish again. Just had to share the recipe as its only 4 days to go to Christmas :) 
Merry Christmas all!

Banana Milkshake

Summer time is kicking in and its time to bring out that blender with the seasonal fruits for those delicious and cool juices and shakes!

I feel almost stupid to write this recipe as it is so simple.. but I just want to give a cool welcome to this warm weather.

I have tried this one two ways, one for my toddler and another way for me:)



You need:

• 2 ripe bananas, roughly chopped
• 1/2 a beer mug of ice cubes
• 3-4 tbsp of sweetened cocoa or 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract or essence
• 2 cup of milk of your choice
• 1 tbsp of honey or brown sugar - if you are using cinnamon instead of the sweetened cocoa

The Make
Serves 2 | Preparation Time: 2 mins | Cooking Time: 0 mins

1. In a blender, toss in all the ingredients and blend once on high and once on medium and low.

2. Pour in the ingredients into individual serving glasses or pre-chilled beer mugs.

3. Serve cold with a funny straw or top with a mint leaf or two if you are opting for cinnamon.

Banana French Toast with Cinnamon

I had requested my readers on G'Gina's Kitchenette's Facebook page to suggest what recipes they would like to view this week. By popular demand through FB messages, inbox message and others they have chosen Breakfast recipes. Thank you my valuable readers. I agree, as possibly the most challenging meal of the day would be the 'King of the Day' which is Breakfast. As you may know for health reasons and to be fit, Breakfast is normally treated as the King meal, Lunch the Prince and Dinner that of a Pauper. Also as you wake up from bed, it becomes so difficult to think of /create a King meal, simply because you are so busy running around getting ready for work or getting the family ready for work or school/college. I dedicate this week of Breakfast recipes to those hard working moms and dads responsible for plating up the most important meal of the day. To get to the next voting cycle, I would suggest you visit my facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/gginaflavorspalatte?ref=hl and hit 'Like' so you do not miss on the next choice of recipes.

Banana French Toast with Cinnamon is a recipe I came up with during this Lenten season when we follow a strictly vegetarian diet. Yes that means no eggs, no meat or fish until Easter. I was inspired this year to make a sacrifice for a very meaningful purpose for my family (including my extended families) and me. Here's hoping to greater months and years to come. The recipe I followed requires no eggs, however if you would like to include more protein in your diet, I would suggest you could add eggs whites to your recipe. I will make suggestions below in the ingredients list.

Banana French Toast with Cinnamon

You need:

• 10 slices of wholewheat or multigrains bread
• 1/2 cup milk of your choice
• 6-8 plantains or 3-4 bananas mashed
• 4 egg whites (*Optional - if you are using egg whites, then you could use 4-6 plantains or 2-3 bananas)
• 2-3 tbsp honey or 1-2 tbsp sugar(powdered or granulated)
• 1" stick of cinnamon powdered
• 1 tbsp butter or 1-2 tbsp of cooking oil
• 2-3 plantains or 1-2 bananas for topping (*Optional. You can also top with any other fruit of your choice)
• Maple Syrup, Honey or Cream for topping (*Optional)

The make:
Serves 3 adults | Preparation Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes (depends on your pan size or type)

1. Heat a non-stick pan and in the meantime add the mashed plantains, milk, honey, powdered cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk on high.

Whisked Ingredients

2. Add the butter/oil on the pan and allow the butter/oil to just melt or heat and not brown or over heat. Spread to butter/oil cover the pan on all sides.

3. Dip the bread slices on-by-one into the batter and place on the pan on medium-low heat. Cover the pan if required.
Tip: Remember not to overcrowd the pan as you need to flip it on the other side as well. Also do not over dip the bread slice in the batter as it may break in the batter or pan.

4. Allow to cook for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat until all the bread slices are used.

5. Top with fruit of your choice and maple syrup, honey or cream if required.

Additional Tip: For fitness freaks or those who simply do not want to use any butter or oil base, you can also bake the bread slices on butter paper for 4-5 minutes on each side in the oven.

Topped wiith fruit of your choice

Bon Appetit! Wish all of you who are celebrating Easter, a peaceful, meaningful and blessed Lenten season.

Mummy's Ginger Wine - A Christmas Special

What better to include in the Christmas celebrations than Ginger Wine. I decided to make Mum's perfect Ginger Wine as our Christmas beverage. The last Christmas I was back home and had a taste of her delicious Ginger Wine. With your eyes closed, it tasted so much like a high-end branded sparkling wine. No exaggerations!

I must say that I truly did not expect this batch of wine to turn out as good as it did. I started it out in October as it takes a good 21 days to  ferment after the initial prep and then another 21 days resting time after straining. Home made wine tends to be sweet and if not made well in advance tastes like a non-alcoholic, albeit festive flavoured beverage. When the wine ages over time, it gives you that extra feel good spirit and serves well with your elaborate Christmas lunch or dinner! You can also add Cinnamon sticks in the first 21 days for extra colour and flavour which compliments the ginger well.

Ginger Wine served

I have seen mum making many a homemade wine to know that you need a ceramic jar (bharani) to store the wine. Storing ingredients to make wine in steel or plastic jars is not advisable. The other reason to use a ceramic jar is that the wine ages well in a cool, dark place and glass jars do not serve this purpose either. If the wine for some reason gets spoiled due to exposure to light or contamination by using unsterilised utensils, then the only option you will have is to toss it out!

Ceramic Jar with wooden pestle

You need:

Utensils: sterilised and dry

• Ceramic Jar
• Clean Cloth for additional sealing of the jar
• A cloth string or ribbon to affix the cloth in place
• a Wooden Pestle or grinder
• A large spoon
• Deep bottomed vessel for the sieving process
• Deep bottomed skillet for boiling process and later for the burnt sugar process
• Large clean sieve (remember to buy a new one as sieves can be hard to clean/sterilise perfectly once used for any other food ingredient)
• Funnel to fill bottles after resting time
• 2 glass bottles / empty alcohol bottles

Ingredients

• 1 kg ginger, skinned and washed well
• 1 kg refined sugar, castor sugar or dermerera or brown sugar
• Water just enough to cover the ginger in the boiling process (4-6 cups)
• 1 tsp of yeast (optional)
• 1" cinnamon sticks (2 nos) - optional
• 1 cup of sugar for browning, 1 cup of water - optional

The make:

Preparation time: 40 minutes | Fermenting time: 21 days | Resting Time: 21 days

1. Wash the ginger well and crush in the grinder (without water) or using the wooden pestle. It does not have to ground to a paste, just crushed well to allow the juices to be extracted once left for fermenting.

2. Boil the ginger well with water enough to just cover the ginger.

3. Add the sugar and stir lightly. Set aside and allow to cool.

4. Once lukewarm, you can add the yeast if desired and lightly stir. You can also add the cinnamon sticks.  Transfer the ginger and liquids in the ceramic jar. Seal the jar with its original lid and top with a clean cloth and seal with a cloth string or ribbon. This is to avoid any contamination or exposure to light.

5. This is important - Store in a cool, dark place to avoid any exposure to light for 21 days.

6. On the 22nd day, strain the contents of the jar to a large deep bottomed vessel. Transfer the strained ginger juice to the ceramic jar, discarding the strained ginger.

7.  This is an optional step. For added colour, you can take the 1 cup of sugar and place it in the deep bottomed skillet. Heat the skillet on high and stir in circular motion. The sugar browns and melts to a sticky residue. Reduce the heat to the lowest. Add the 1 cup of boiling water and stir once the sizzling reduces. Turn off the flame and add it to the ceramic jar when lukewarm. Lightly stir. Cover the jar back as before and allow it to rest another 21 days.

Burnt Sugar

8. You can strain the contents of the jar once more in the deep bottomed vessel. If you find some burnt sugar at the bottom of the jar, then just pour some of the strained wine back in to the jar and stir out the contents back into vessel. Bottle the strained wine using the funnel.

Your wine is ready to be served on the 43rd day onwards.

All thanks goes to my Mum for all the tips and tricks in making this exquisite wine and her original recipe. Cheers Mum, you are simply the best! Merry Christmas all!

Ginger Wine' all bottled up for Christmas!

Banana Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding is well known in the English cuisine. Not so much "Banana" Bread Pudding but the concept is pretty much English! Traditionally Bread Pudding is accompanied with sour cream or toffee sauce. It goes well with honey, maple syrup or even ice cream.

Banana Bread Pudding

This is how I made mine. Inspiration to any banana bread pudding - browning bananas and stale bread. I am so lucky.. I had both the company of both this weekend :) Jokes apart, I guess Banana Bread may have emerged from the idea of avoiding food wastage and it is pretty excellent despite the deteriorating health of its prime two ingredients. This makes for a good breakfast meal or tea snack and would go well with a nice hot cup of tea.

There is a sense of satisfaction, in making this dish when you have slightly stale prime ingredients that almost always has no takers. This is what the wise mean by "Old is Gold". Caution: I think the Banana Bread Pudding can tickle your funny bone a lot in 4-6 hours after consumption :)

To make this delightful dessert/meal,

You need:

• 8 slices of a day old bread
• 3 large bananas (or in my case 2 large bananas and 3 plantains) Tip: use what you have available at home
• 1/4 cup cane sugar or 1/2 cup of honey (you can use regular sugar as well - in fact you can use half the quantity of sugar and half the quantity of honey as honey tastes good with bananas)
• 1 cup milk (of your choice)
• 2 tsp of powdered nutmeg
• 2 tsp of powdered cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I used cashewnuts)
• 1/2 cup of raisins
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or essence
• 1 tbsp rum (optional)
• Condiments (optional) - honey or maple syrup or sour cream or toffee sauce or ice cream, etc

Banana Bread Pudding just out of the oven

The make:

Cooking time: 30-35 minutes | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Serves 4 adults

1. Soak the bread in the milk and set aside for at least an hour. You can also leave it overnight.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar and/or honey and vanilla essence.
3. Top the bread mixture with the whisked egg mixture and add the powdered nutmeg and cinnamon and  mix well.
4. Next mash the bananas well and add it to the bread  mixture.
5. Add the chopped nuts and raisins.
6. Preheat the oven to 250◦C for at least 10 minutes. Grease a baking loaf tray or a pudding tray and carefully add the pudding mixture. Place an aluminium foil over the top to ensure even heat distribution (no need to tuck the foil at the sides of the tray)
7. Lower the heat to 200◦C and place the pudding tray in the center of the oven ensuring even heat. 
8. Allow to cook for at least 30 minutes. Use a skewer to check if the pudding is cooked well. 
9. Turn off the flame once cooked and allow the pudding tray to cool on the rack. 
10. Serve hot with your choice of condiments or as it is or with a hot cup of tea.

This makes for a nice dish on cold winter days. Enjoy! Bon Appetit!

 View from the side

Served up