Vanilla Chinois

I had fun making this Chinois  “Chinese Brioche”. Although it takes about two and a half hours from start to finish, it's worth the wait because the taste is delicious! I found this recipe  at Angie's blog, and she got it from Espe Saveedra’s  blog. Both have wonderful blogs full of great recipes, I recommend you to visit them.

Ver receta de Chinois de Vainilla en español.

Chinese Brioche

Ingredients:

3 ¼ cups flour (375 g)

15 g of granulated yeast (Active Dry Yeast) - I used one envelope of 21 g = 2 ¼ teaspoons

¼ cup butter or margarine  (57g)

½ cup sugar (100 g) - original recipe calls for only 50 g

1 egg

½ cup lemon yogurt (125 ml)

1 tablespoon (45 g) of honey dissolved in 3 tablespoons milk (50 ml)

2 teaspoons of vanilla (10 ml)

1 ½ cup pastry cream
1 egg for wash
2 tablespoons of peach or apricot jam diluted

Preparation:

1. Prepare the pastry cream and cool or use store bought one.

2. Mix all ingredients. Following the appropriate instructions for the yeast you will be using.

3. Knead well until a smooth and elastic dough is formed. Let stand, covered with plastic wrap for 45 minutes.

4. When the dough has doubled in size, roll out with the help of a roller forming a rectangle. Then spread the pastry cream and roll up lengthwise like a roll . Cut into slices about ½ inch thick, and place in greased tray. Allow to rise covered for an hour.

5. Brush with 1 beaten egg and place in a preheated oven at 400ºF (200 ºC) for 40 minutes. If the top begins to brown, cover with foil. Prick with a knife to check if it is well done.

6. When done brush with 2 tablespoons of peach or apricot jam diluted with 2 tablespoons of water in the microwave for 20 secs.  Brush the chinois and serve.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Mini Meatballs

 

Today I’ll share with you this great Mini Meatballs recipe, ideal for a family dinner, party or snack. This is an easy recipe to make. 
 

Para leer en español clic aquí.

Meatballs

 yields 40 mini - meatballs


Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 egg
½ cup bread crumbs or oatmeal flakes (healthier)
Salt and pepper (for 1 lb. ¼ teaspoon of each or to taste)
2 crushed garlic cloves
½ cup onion, diced in small cubes
1 small diced green pepper diced in small cubes
1 can tomato soup 10 onz. (condensed tomato soup)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (divided)

Preparation:
1. Mix meat, egg, bread, salt, pepper, crushed garlic, 1Tablespoon of worcestershire sauce and a little of the onions and green peppers; form ½ - ¾ inch balls.
2. Place them on a tray and bake for 10 minutes at 425 F degrees or fry until golden in color.
3. Sauté onion and pepper in butter or oil for 2 minutes over high heat.
4. Add remaining ingredients and meatballs. Cover and simmer 10 minutes over medium heat.
5. Serve with white rice, pasta or potatoes.

  

Notes: 

a) You can add 2 Tablespoons of the onion and green pepper and mix it into the meat before forming into balls. You can also blend the onions and peppers with a teaspoon of lemon juice if you prefer not feel or see the vegetables.  

b) To the mixture of tomato soup and vegetables you can add ½ teaspoon ground cumin, cayenne pepper and 3 tablespoons brown sugar and ½ cup chopped pineapple for a sweet and sour sauce a little spicy sauce. It is delicious!  ooor simply improvise and ENJOY!

c) Don't want to do the salsa? Well then add the onion and pepper to ground beef mixture like I state in note a, then fry or bake and ready for eating! I recommend doubling the recipe if you're a fan of the meatballs because these are scrumptious!

“The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;”  Romans 8:6

Passion Fruit Scones

En Español

These scones make a delicious morning or afternoon snack. I love passion fruit, and when I saw this recipe in a magazine I knew I had to try it. I've been baking these scones for many years and I have also adapted it to make a passion fruit scone cake. The instructions are at the end of this post, so check it out too! I know that passion fruit lovers, like me, will love both recipes.

Passion Fruit Scones

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour + ¾ reserved for kneading
4 Tablespoons of sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
Pinch salt
5 Tablespoons of cold unsalted butter, cup into bits
2 eggs
¼ cup passion fruit pulp

Preparation: 
1. Into a bowl sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and blend the mixture until it resembles coarse meal.

2. In a bowl whisk together the eggs and passion fruit pulp. Add to the flour mixture and mix until dry ingredients are moistened. Form into a ball and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. If it sticks ¾ add remaining flour gradually, using only what is necessary. Gently knead the mixture until it forms a dough.

3. Roll the dough into a round ½ inch thick and with a pastry cutter stamp out yields 10 – 12 scones. Transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet and let rest in a cool place for 20 minutes.

4. Preheat oven to 400˚F (200 C) bake for 15 minutes or until tops are golden. Serve with the jam of your choice.

These scones could be served with:

Passion fruit Juice

Vanilla Buttercream and Passion fruit pulp

 Mango y Maracuyá Marmalade

Mari’s Passion fruit Scone Style Cake 

Since this is one of my favorite recipes I adapted it to make a scone cake mix. The dough comes out soft and has a texture that melts in your mouth! The recipe is basically the same, only a few changes have been made to the process.

Ingredients: 4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 cup sugar, 10 tablespoons butter, 3 eggs, ¾ cup passion fruit pulp.

Preparation: Cream the butter or margarine and sugar for about 3-4 minutes, add eggs and continue beating for 2 minutes. Add pulp and then the flour mixture, stir until blended. Pour into two 9 "round baking pans. Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes.  

For the Mango filling: Peel 4 mangos, remove the pulp and blend with sugar to taste. Then cook at medium heat to until it slightly thickens. If you think it necessary you can add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to make it thicker.

 

 

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer” – 2 Peter 3:12