No-Frills Recipes ... cooking, baking & excerpts on travel

The Mid-Autumn mooncake festival is fast approaching again.  And for this year, it falls on  Sunday 27th September.   I used to look forward to this festival when I was a kid and I remember that when you buy the mooncakes from the shop or restaurant, you'll be given two complimentary little Nemo moonies that come in a little red plastic 'basket'.  So why not try out this recipe and I'm sure it will be a hit amongst the kids! Do click on the pictures for other Heong Fah moonies posted in previous years. Recipe for Heong Fah Nemo Moonies ~  2015      香化公仔饼 Ingredients 100 gm superfine flour 70 gm lotus paste 30 ml golden syrup 20 ml honey 25 ml vegetable oil 1/2  tsp alkaline water Melon seeds, lightly toasted Egg glaze - 1 egg + 1 tsp water to mix and strain Red beans for eyes Method Mix golden syrup, honey and oil till no oil surface.  Let rest for 2 hours. Sift flour into the syrupy mixture, mix in the lotus past

These Cornflake squares are good for snacking and not only that, they can be addictive too.  Crispy and crunchy with a hint of fruit, just delicious to go with a good cuppa of hot tea or coffee! Recipe for Cornflake Squares  ~    四方 形 玉米片     Ingredients 90 gm cornflakes 100 gm butter, melted 60 gm brown sugar 50 gm dried cranberries 1/2 tsp vanilla Method Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper, set aside. Mix the cornflakes, butter, brown sugar, cranberries in a mixing bowl. Firmly press the mixture into the pan. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180 deg.C for 25 to 30 mins., or till golden brown and let cool in the pan before cutting.   I'm submitting this post to the Little Thumbs Up event, organised by  Zoe of   'Bake for Happy Kids'   and Doreen of 'My little favourite DIY' and hosted by  'Bakericious' Theme for  August is Brown sugar and Molasses and also to  Cook your Books #26 @

 I just had to finish up the Korean bean paste before it expires and what's more easy to make than to pair them with chicken.   For meat, the menu is either chicken or pork in my household for I hardly ever cook with beef in my kitchen.   So, here's my fuss-free Korean bean paste chicken........ Recipe for Korean Bean Paste Chicken ~  韩式酱鸡 Ingredients 3 chicken thigh, skinless, deboned and cut into 2 pieces each 1 Tbsp Sunchang Ssamjung/Korean Bean Paste 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/4 tsp dark soy sauce 2 tsp cornflour + 1 Tbsp water to thicken Lightly toasted sesame seeds (optional) Method Marinate the chicken pieces with the bean paste, brown sugar, dark soya sauce, salt and pepper for a few hours, preferably overnight.  Set aside. Place the chicken pieces onto a non-stick pan, cook on low fire, cover with lid.  Reserve the marinade.  Turn over the meat now and then. Once the chicken is cooked, push them to the side of the

If you're a chocolate lover, I'm sure you'll find that these Chocolate cupcakes will satisfy your craving.  These cuppies are soft and moist and there's a hidden gem when you bite into them.  Chocolate and peanut butter ~ a perfect pairing!    Although the Reese mini peanut buttercup candy is too tiny to be spotted but definitely it can be tasted! Recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes  ~    巧克力杯子蛋糕 (adapted from   'here'  with modification) Ingredients 30 gm cocoa powder 110 gm plain flour 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 3/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 2 large eggs 90 gm caster 90 gm light brown sugar 80 ml canola oil 1/2 cup buttermilk (milk + 1 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice to make up half cup) 2 tsp vanilla Reese mini peanut buttercup candies (optional) Method In a big mixing bowl, use a ball whisk to whisk cocoa powder, flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and salt. In another mixing bowl, use a hand whisk

These Short Ribs are juicy, tender, slightly sweetish and pair very well with white rice.  It's like a Korean dish but I've changed the main ingredients, that's the short ribs from beef to pork. Recipe for Braised Short Ribs  ~     焖排骨       (adapted from 'here' with modifications)                        Ingredients 700 gm pork ribs 1 large onion pureed 6 to 8 cloves of garlic, minced 1 China gong pear, peeled and pureed 10 gm ginger, minced 2 Tbsp light soya sauce 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp sesame oil 1 Tbsp lightly toasted sesame seeds Green peas (optional) Method Wash the pork ribs, pat dry and set aside in a pot. Blend the garlic, gong pear, ginger and onion.  Pour into the pot of ribs. Add in soy sauce, brown sugar and black pepper.  Give it a stir. Cook on low heat for about 20 mins., lower heat and simmer till semi-dry. Fine tune to taste and add in the green peas.  Stir for a while and