Busy at Work

2 weeks, i had been neglecting my blog and 2 weeks i had not bake anything. So guilty.
I was so busy at work and i burn off my weekends too. Hopefully this weekend, there'll not be any outstanding issue.

Earl Grey Tea Cookies

It is my off day today. Actually i wanted to continue my poppy seed baking. This time with grapefruit and i was curious with the result. But yesterday night, i was looking at Martha Stewart website and come across Earl Grey Tea Cookie recipe. Brian complained i had not bake any of his favourites yet. Oh, well, i give up. The grapefruit recipe, i'll try over the weekend.

Earl Grey tea has always been Brian and mine favourite. The stronger the smell, the better. We all love bergamot. In Singapore, the best earl grey i can find will be the twinings brand.

The aroma smell of the tea was so strong that it fills up my whole kitchen when the cookies were in the oven. I so love the buttery taste. This is definately a keeper.



Make 2 dozen
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp Earl Grey Tea, ground finely in a small food processor or spice or coffee grinder (i use 3 tea bags)
1/4 tsp. coarse salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 tablespoon finely grated orange zest

1. Whisk together flour, tea, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
2. Put butter, sugar, and zest in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low; slowly mix in flour mixture until just combined.
3. Divide dough in half. Transfer each half to a piece of parchment paper; shape into logs. Freeze 1 hour. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Cut logs into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Space 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
4. Bake until edges turn golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.
Store in airtight container.

Poppy Seed Orange Muffin

Used the poppy seed given by my swap friend Deb. The seeds give a crunchy taste to the muffin. It got no smell and taste and i could only taste the orange flavour. A lot of people was asking me what is poppy seed. Brian ask if he could get drugged after eating this because it is the plant for opium. So i do a seach http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy_seed See it yourself. I don't want to elaborate to much. haha



Ingredients:
300 gm. Self-raising flour
40 gm. poppy seeds
90 gm. caster sugar
130 gm. unsalted butter
200 gm. marmalade jam
230 ml. milk
2 eggs.
1 Tbsp. grated orange rind

Method:
(1) Sift flour into a mixing bowl. Stir in poppy seeds and sugar.
(2) Put butter and marmalade jam into a bowl and microwave it till butter melts. Stir and mix evenly. Cool slightly.
(3) Whisk together milk, eggs and orange rind. Add in the butter mixture and mix well. Make a well in the flour and pour egg and milk mixture into the flour mixture. Fold gently with a sppon until just combined. Do not overmix - the batter should still be lumpy. Overmixing will make them tough.
(4) Spoon mixture into prepared paper cups and bake at 190C for about 20 to 25 mins. or until muffins are risen and golden.
(5) Serve warm or at room temperature.

My first Swap from Switzerland

Recently i joined GIMME YOUR STUFF and had a very wonderful swap with Deb . I was so excited when the parcel arrive at my doorsteps. The baking items Deb got for me were awesome. I can't wait to bake with poppy seed. Well, i had something in mind and let's see if i can get all the available ingredient and try it out this weekend.

New baking and cook books

Found these books at Popular and Kinokuniya. I think my hand is getting itchy. Had to wait till weekend then can try the recipes.