Steamed Puto... in a jiffy!

Again, someone posted in FB some native Filipino delicacies last night and I suddenly had craving for steamed puto at 10:30 pm. Traditionally, steamed puto is made from rice but that is quite tedious to make so I'll settle for a quick one. Yup, it took me less than an hour to make 10 medium size puto. Enough for our entire household. This recipe is flour based. Ingredients are pretty staple. Great for breakfast or eaten with pancit palabok or pancit guisado...our local noodle dishes.

The success of this puto lies in your baking powder and ensure water is boiling when you steam the puto as the volume or height will depend on those. Check expiry date of your baking powder or better yet, use self raising flour.


Here's the recipe...

Ingredients:

1 c self-raising flour *
1/2 c sugar
2/3 c coconut milk or fresh milk
2 eggs
2 Tbsp.melted salted butter*
1/2  tsp. vanilla essence or any flavouring such as pandan* or ube

1. Prepare steamer before mixing the ingredients by boiling the water.
2. For the batter, mix all liquid ingredients except melted butter and flavouring  in a bowl by using a wire whisk.

3. Add flour and blend until smooth and lump free.
4. Lastly add flavouring followed by melted butter. Mix.
5. Pour batter 2/3 full  in  a plastic or sillicone molds and steam for 10 to
15 minutes depending on size. Make sure water is boiling.

Sillicone molds (left) ; plastic molds (right)

6. Wait to slightly cool down for few minutes and unmold.

*Important Notes:
▪ self raising flour can be substituted with 1 c flour + 2 tsps. baking powder
▪ if using unsalted butter , a pinch of salt can be added to the flour
▪ liquid can be substituted with the flavour you desired, if it's pandan for example then, boil water and pandan leaves, once it cools down it can be substituted with milk

DIY Cake Stand

I love having friends for afternoon tea at home. For me, the menu is easier to plan compared to a dinner or lunch menu. If I had lots of storage space I would love to collect tea cups and cake stands. I only have a handful enough to entertain few friends. Besides, cake stands are freakin' expensive here in Sydney. Oh well, I find it expensive. Price is relative , isn't it?

Anyway, I googled some DIY cake stand videos. I, unfortunately, don't have an electric drill so I can't have those with fancy handles. I settled with one that is easy and of course, cheap.  I used two white plates which I got on special from Ikea as well as the vase. Of course, we will need an amazing glue, which I got through ebay as it is made from USA. Here's my finished product.

Snack Attack

Last Friday, I went to Coles Supermarket during lunch break to buy some snacks for my girls.  I bought these new snacks as I don't want my children to suffer snack fatigue. Some signs that they are getting tired...it's a permanent fixture in the cupboard and their lunch kits and worst...you'll find it in the bin. Hope these won't suffer that fate ha.ha.

Loving Kiss...Part2 #MagnumMini

Three down, two to go and I have tried all the five flavours. Last week, it went on special...yup, 50% off, hooray! The creme brulee was creamy and I love the shards of caramel folded in. Sadly, I didn't feel the sponge pieces in  the Tiramisu as indicated in the box. They've captured the mascarpone flavour perfectly and it had chocolate bits. Maybe, next time I should have more than one piece.  My husband, who's a savoury person loved the Tiramisu though. Looking forward for the remaining variants.

Revisiting Blue Mountains

We first visited Blue Mountains in 2008. It was the year we first arrived here in Australia. Since it was the Easter long weekend and the weather was nice we decided to revisit some areas in Blue Mountains which we haven't been to like Leura. Oh! One day is not enough.  Anyway, we managed to have morning tea and lunch at Leura and enjoy the garden at Everglades.

It isn't difficult to go and visit this area as one can take a two hour train ride and either get off at Katoomba or Leura. We got into the hop on hop off bus for AUD25 to conveniently see other tourist spots. I find the place nice and quiet. I fell in love with Leura that I don't mind relocating in that area when I grow old.  Enjoy some of the photos!

Katoomba

The museum is under renovation but you can still enjoy their Devonshire Tea.

The scones are ordinary but what makes it special is the novelty of the place.

Everglades Garden. We lack time as it closes at 4PM and our hike was cut short when I got scared of the small snake.

The Candy Store at the Leura Mall.

(Left photo) Some interesting vintage stuff from this store. (Right photo) Homemade Fudge.

This shop also serves scones and tea.

The Big Hotel (Singapore) for my Small Budget

I can't help but share this relatively new hip hotel I've discovered when I went for a short hiatus in February this year. When I travel alone, I always go for affordable, clean and safe accommodation. Singapore hotels are generally expensive and small, except of course, if you stay in Marina Bay Sands or other high end hotels. I'm so grateful that I stumbled upon this hotel in Agoda website. I was a little bit apprehensive as the place seems dodgy but I took the risk of staying there. My only consolation at the time of booking was its good location, Bugis area. If all else fail, I know, I'm safe as I have been there a couple of times.

It was a late check in as my flight from Sydney arrived at 7pm. I was greeted with a friendly staff and the hotel smells good. As soon as I entered my room, I was impressed as the layout is not the usual and I always check the bed, pillows and  underneath the bed area as I had horrible experience with bedbugs. 

The bed is comfortable and the sheets and pillows are superb. The cab waiting area is cute, check out the photo below. Also, it came with free breakfast, it wasn't that great though but the value I paid for was worth more than what I got. You may want to try this place next time you stay in SG.

P.S. I wasn't paid to write this. I'm just so happy with the place, staff warm reception and  the service was good. And I forgot, there's free wi-fi and they have a big digital weighing scale for our luggages ha.ha.

Wine Bar & Bistro

Cab Waiting Area

Loving Kiss...New Magnum Flavour

At last, we got hold one of Magnum 5 Kisses Limited , Meringue Et Fruits Rouges. I love the union of meringue bits and the tartness of raspberries plus the dark chocolate coating.  Can't help but fall in love with it. Will try the four other flavours soon.