The May Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Linda of make life sweeter! and Courtney of Coco Cooks. They chose Apple Strudel from the recipe book Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest and Prague by Rick Rodgers.

Preparation time

Total: 2 hours 15 minutes – 3 hours 30 minutes

15-20 min to make dough
30-90 min to let dough rest/to prepare the filling
20-30 min to roll out and stretch dough
10 min to fill and roll dough
30 min to bake
30 min to cool

Apple strudel
from “Kaffeehaus – Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest and Prague” by Rick Rodgers

2 tablespoons (30 ml) golden rum
3 tablespoons (45 ml) raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (80 g) sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter, melted, divided
1 1/2 cups (350 ml) fresh bread crumbs
strudel dough (recipe below)
1/2 cup (120 ml, about 60 g) coarsely chopped walnuts
2 pounds (900 g) tart cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into ¼ inch-thick slices (use apples that hold their shape during baking)

1. Mix the rum and raisins in a bowl. Mix the cinnamon and sugar in another bowl.

2. Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the breadcrumbs and cook whilst stirring until golden and toasted. This will take about 3 minutes. Let it cool completely.

3. Put the rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with baking paper (parchment paper). Make the strudel dough as described below. Spread about 3 tablespoons of the remaining melted butter over the dough using your hands (a bristle brush could tear the dough, you could use a special feather pastry brush instead of your hands). Sprinkle the buttered dough with the bread crumbs. Spread the walnuts about 3 inches (8 cm) from the short edge of the dough in a 6-inch-(15cm)-wide strip. Mix the apples with the raisins (including the rum), and the cinnamon sugar. Spread the mixture over the walnuts.

4. Fold the short end of the dough onto the filling. Lift the tablecloth at the short end of the dough so that the strudel rolls onto itself. Transfer the strudel to the prepared baking sheet by lifting it. Curve it into a horseshoe to fit. Tuck the ends under the strudel. Brush the top with the remaining melted butter.

5. Bake the strudel for about 30 minutes or until it is deep golden brown. Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Use a serrated knife and serve either warm or at room temperature. It is best on the day it is baked.

Strudel dough
from “Kaffeehaus – Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest and Prague” by Rick Rodgers

1 1/3 cups (200 g) unbleached flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons (105 ml) water, plus more if needed
2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil, plus additional for coating the dough
1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar

1. Combine the flour and salt in a stand-mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix the water, oil and vinegar in a measuring cup. Add the water/oil mixture to the flour with the mixer on low speed. You will get a soft dough. Make sure it is not too dry, add a little more water if necessary.
Take the dough out of the mixer. Change to the dough hook. Put the dough ball back in the mixer. Let the dough knead on medium until you get a soft dough ball with a somewhat rough surface.

2. Take the dough out of the mixer and continue kneading by hand on an unfloured work surface. Knead for about 2 minutes. Pick up the dough and throw it down hard onto your working surface occasionally.
Shape the dough into a ball and transfer it to a plate. Oil the top of the dough ball lightly. Cover the ball tightly with plastic wrap. Allow to stand for 30-90 minutes (longer is better).

3. It would be best if you have a work area that you can walk around on all sides like a 36 inch (90 cm) round table or a work surface of 23 x 38 inches (60 x 100 cm). Cover your working area with table cloth, dust it with flour and rub it into the fabric. Put your dough ball in the middle and roll it out as much as you can.
Pick the dough up by holding it by an edge. This way the weight of the dough and gravity can help stretching it as it hangs. Using the back of your hands to gently stretch and pull the dough. You can use your forearms to support it.

4. The dough will become too large to hold. Put it on your work surface. Leave the thicker edge of the dough to hang over the edge of the table. Place your hands underneath the dough and stretch and pull the dough thinner using the backs of your hands. Stretch and pull the dough until it's about 2 feet (60 cm) wide and 3 feet (90 cm) long, it will be tissue-thin by this time. Cut away the thick dough around the edges with scissors. The dough is now ready to be filled.

Tips
- Ingredients are cheap so we would recommend making a double batch of the dough, that way you can practice the pulling and stretching of the dough with the first batch and if it doesn't come out like it should you can use the second batch to give it another try;
- The tablecloth can be cotton or polyster;
- Before pulling and stretching the dough, remove your jewelry from hands and wrists, and wear short-sleeves;
- To make it easier to pull the dough, you can use your hip to secure the dough against the edge of the table;
- Few small holes in the dough is not a problem as the dough will be rolled, making (most of) the holes invisible.

I will Put up pictures of my attempt soon, It actually worked out this time ! woohoo. But I did it.

Chocolate Banana Nut Bread! Yummmmm!

Just found this recipe online, gonna make it today.

Here's the recipe 

Chocolate Banana Nut Bread

Adapted from delishfood

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c toasted pecans, coarsely chopped 
  
• 1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
  
• 1/4 c Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  
• 3/4 c granulated sugar
  
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  
• 1/2 c chocolate chips  
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed well (about 1-1/2 cups)
  
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  
• 1/4 c unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and place oven rack to middle position. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Set aside. Place the pecans on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 – 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Let cool and then chop coarsely (be sure to leave a few aside for garnishment if desired).
   
2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a medium-sized bowl, mash bananas. Add eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. With a rubber spatula lightly fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined and batter is thick and chunky. Fold in the pecans and chocolate chips. Pour batter in prepared loaf pan. Garnish with whole pecans, if desired. Bake until bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
   
3. Yields one loaf.
   

Now, unfortunately for me, My heart is set on this recipe because of the beutiful picture of the loaf, in All its chocolatey glory, but, since Hubby and I-Wanna aren't into too much choco. I've decided to re-write the recipe to suit them! So plain banana.

Here's the recipe with my changes, I will post the outcome and resulting pictures as soon as I upload everything else to the comp. hopefully later tonite.

Plain Banana Bread....maybe with nuts.

Adapted from delishfood and messed up by TheBee

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c toasted pecans, coarsely chopped 
  
• 2 c all-purpose flour
  
• 1/4 c Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  
• 3/4 c granulated sugar
  
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  
• 1/2 c chocolate chips
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed well (about 1-1/2 cups)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 c unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and place oven rack to middle position. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Set aside. Place the pecans on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 – 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Let cool and then chop coarsely (be sure to leave a few aside for garnishment if desired).
   
2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a medium-sized bowl, mash bananas. Add eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. With a rubber spatula lightly fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined and batter is thick and chunky. Fold in the pecans and chocolate chips. Pour batter in prepared loaf pan. Garnish with whole pecans, if desired. Bake until bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
   
3. Yields one loaf.

OOps!

Ok, I am completely scatterbrained as of late, and completely forgot to take pics of the naan and keema. I also should have posted the other pictures by now, but once again forgot. I was in the hospital for a non-stress test to make sure Baby2 was alright. It seemed to be ok, Guess it liked the attention at the hospital.hehe

Today I want to try my hand at this recipe,

Swirled Cake Bars

Adapted from  Bakingblonde

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
  
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  
• 3/4 tsp salt
  
• 3/4 cup shortening (or butter)(I used 1/2 cup shortening 1/4 cup butter)
  
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
  
• 2 tsp vanilla
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 1 cup nuts (I omitted because I had none)
  
• 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, melted (I used 1 oz semi-sweet and 1 oz bittersweet)
  

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
   
2. Lightly spray and flour a 9×13 pan with PAM.
   
3. In a small bowl wisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In large mixing bowl cream the shortening and sugar. Add the vanilla and eggs. Beat only to combine. Mix in the flour mixture and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
   
4. Spoon half the batter into another bowl. Fold the 1/2 cup of nuts into the vanilla batter. Gently pour batter into prepared pan.
   
5. To the remaining batter fold in the melted chocolate until incorporated. Gently drop spoonfulls of the chocolate batter over the vanilla batter in the pan. Using a greased knife, cut through the two batter to create swirl patter. Top with remaining nuts.
   
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake.
   

*Mine baked in 24 minutes.

Naan and Simple Beef Keema

I am trying a Naan recipe from AllRecipes.com, and making my usual keema, which I can stomach right now. Having horrid cramps on my side, which are making me cry they are so painful. Baby's kicking has reduced a bit, I guess it's getting a little cramped. lol.

Anywho will post the recipes and pics, soon. I have so many pictures to post. 

I have also finally got a Sugar Paste Recipe that works, and am making my own flower cutters, since the store ones cost a bit more than I'd like.

Cake Doughnuts

I just made the Cake doughnuts recipe on this site : ImagineAnnie. I wish I had thought about taking pics. but they were so good. I seperated the batch in to 4 prts. I made 1 part today, I will try and take pics, tmrw, or whenever I make the rest. They were yummy! Even though my Hubs, Lumpy, and The In-Laws aren;t into "western" sweet stuff, none are left back. I got about 8 doughnuts, and 8 doughnut holes.

Zuni Ricotta Gnocchi!

Let's just say that after about 4 failed attempts, I still don't want to give up. My gnocchi experience is Zero, Nada. I have never eaten them, so I obviously have no clue what to do with them. Nevertheless, I did attempt making them. Unfortunately for me, it is next to impossible to find Ricotta that does not contain whey in some for or another. Due to religious circumstances beyond my control, Ricotta which is made from re-curdled whey, is not allowed. Still I tried making the ricotta at home. Disaster, the milk powder I bought was not instant, so I ended up with a big puddle of goop, and no gnocchi. No matter what I did, (I separated my goop into 4 batches) straining it for 2 days, adding flour to the mix, adding dried egg white, the gnocchi just kept breaking up in the hot water. So I tried again one final time with strained cottage cheese, (hey!  milk powder instant or not, is not cheap!) it came out like gloopy gnocchi. Not firm, or holding it's shape, but oval-ish sloppy thingies. Very diarrhea-ish. So I did take some pictures, and I will post up the recipe, but gnocchi is gonna have to wait a bit for me, at least until I try some proper ones.

I am very grateful to the hosts of this Daring Bakers Cooks Challenge, La Mia Cucina, and Cream Puffs in Venice, for giving me the opportunity to try something that I am sure is Amazing. Unfortunately my skills and ingredients weren't up to the challenge, yet! But don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful experience and I am honoured to belong to such an amazing group of people.

I will upload the pics ASAP! but it's gonna take some time. I seem to be hunted down by cramps in every body part that moves. lol! This baby is working out for a marathon I think.

No tummy space for Batter coated fries

So except for the batter coated fries, I made the mango Ice cream as well as the Baked Chicken Pizza which turned out really well.
I used this pizza dough recipe at www.elise.com with my changes.
I made my own bbq marinade for my chicken. And I adapted the Blueberry Sour Cream Ice cream recipe. I don't have an ice cream maker so I followed the tips here goodeatsblog to make it from hand. I now have a new item for my wishlist, an Immersion Blender.
So here are the recipes:

Pizza Dough Recipe
Adapted from http://www.elise.com

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2  - 3 3/4  cups Water (110° F)
  
• 4 cups AP Flour + 2 cups for later
• 4 tsp Sugar
• 4 tsp Yeast
• 3-4 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 4 tsp Oil

Method:

1. Heat Water. Let cool about 5 to 10 minutes.
2. In large bowl mix together the 4 cups flour, salt, yeast, and sugar.
3. Add in the water and oil.
4. Mix well (With a metal or wooden spoon) till a soft dough forms. It will still be quite wet and sticky.
5. Knead in the balance flour half a cup at a time till the dough becomes a cohesive mass. Most if not all the extra flour should be mixed in. Depending on the humidity you may need more flour.
6. Knead the dough on a flat surface until it becomes a realtively  smooth ball. It will not be completely smooth.
7. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
8. Knead again, till smooth, very smooth this time.
9. Roll or pat dough into desired shape and let rise in a warm oven (I heat my oven to the minimum temperature and switch it off  about 1/2 an hour before I start my dough mixing. Then I shape the dough in it's final pan, cover it with cling wrap or a moist/damp tea towel, and leave it in the oven for about 1/2 an hour or until doubled.
10. Heat oven to 350° F.  Put the toppings on the pizza, and put it into bake. The pizza is done when the crust is a nice golden brown. I like it a bit darker so I let it sit a little longer.
11. Let Cool, Cut  and Enjoy.

BBQ Baked Chicken (Marinade)

Unfortunately I don't have any proper measurements for this since I eyeballed it, and used anything I had on hand.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 a big Chicken Breast, cut into 1 inch slices.
  
• 1 tsp Chilli powder
  
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
  
• 1 Tbsp Garam Masala powder
  
• 1 tsp Salt
  
• 2 Tbsp BBQ Sauce
  

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F
   
2. Mix all the spices and the sauce together. Rub it on the chicken.
   
3. Lay th chicken on some foil coated with oil.
   
4. Let bake 20 minutes or so till chicken is cooked through.
   
5. Let cool and slice diagonally/chunks, any way that works.
   

Mango Ice Cream

Adapted from http://culinarycuriosity.blogspot.com as published in Dorie Greenspan : From my Home to Yours.

Method adapted from http://www.goodeatsblog.com.

Ingredients:

• 425g tin Mango (approximately 1 cup)
  
• 1/4 cup Sugar
  
• A pinch of Salt
  
• 2 tsp Lemon Juice 
  
• Zest of 1/2 a Lemon
  
• 3/4 cup Heavy (Whipping 35%) Cream
  
• 1/2 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
  

Method:

1. Heat Mango, Sugar, Salt and Lemon Juice in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
   
2. Puree in a blender.
   
3. Add in the Cream and Condensed Milk. 
   
4. Pulse.
   
5. Put in the Freezer.
   
6. Check every 45 minutes or so. If slightly frozen around the edges, beat it well with a whisk or Immersion Blender.