Baked Salmon With Lime ~ 香烤鲑鱼

Everyone in our family loves fish especially Cod and Salmon, so eventually these two choices are always in my purchase list. Today I would like to share a quick and easy “Baked Salmon with Lime” dish that are ready to be served in less than 30 minutes. This will be a great weekday healthy dish for working mothers whom need to prepare dinner after a hectic day at work.

You can choose any parts of the salmon from cutlet to fillet depending on your preference or what you can snap from the supermarket. As for the Lime, try to get those huge one from supermarket rather than those common small type that used our juice or garnishing.

Ingredients:
1 Salmon Cutlet, about 350g
1 Stalk of Spring Onion, cut into sections
5g Of Shredded Ginger
1 Chili, deseed and cut into strips (optional)

Seasoning:
1 Teaspoon of Cooking Wine
Rind of 1 Lime
1 Tablespoon of Lime Juice
1/2 Teaspoon Black Peppercorns, lightly crashed
5g of Butter, cubes

Method:
1. Clean, remove all the scales and pad dry the cutlet with paper towel and place it on baking tray or foil.
2. Season the fish all around with cooking wine, lime rind and lime juice then top it evenly with crashed peppercorns, shredded ginger, chili, spring onion and butter cubes.
3. You can either baked it in a pre-heated oven at 200 degree for 12 minutes or you can toast it in the oven toaster for 15 - 18 minutes depend on the thickness and how well you want it to be cooked.

Note:

~ You can omit the chili if it is too spicy for the kids.

~ You can prepared all the ingredients ahead and store in the fridge, just assemble them and bake when you reach home.

~ If you prefer something light for mid-week, perhaps you can consider this dish with some blanched broccoli or mashed potato instead of rice.

This will definitely be a refreshing dish due to the use of fresh Lime rind and juice together with freshly crashed black peppercorns to give that extra hint of aroma when baked. If you don’t like salmon, you can always replaced it with any firm fish fillet that are suitable for baking such as Dory Fillet, Cream Snapper, Barramundi fillet and etc. (you can also refer to this LINK for my past recipes on Salmon)

Lemon Butter Muffins

Recently my mum has such a great craving for Lemon Butter Cake that she kept reminding me for a suitable recipe where she can try making some to share with her friends. So from her requirements, I managed to come out with some Lemon Butter Muffins which are full of lemon fragrant, taste and sponge cake like texture.

These are some of the photos of the ingredients and steps on how to prepare the batter.

Ingredients: (makes 6 muffins)
110g Butter, soften
100g Caster Sugar
2 Medium Eggs
130g Plain Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Lemon Rind
50ml Lemon Juice
30g Dried Cranberries, roughly chopped
Extra Lemon Peel for Garnish

Method:
1. Sift the flour and baking power and set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar with electric beater till light and fluffy(about 3 - 5 minutes on medium speed depending on your beater).
3. Add in egg one at a time and beat till the mixture is well combine without any egg trace.
4. Add lemon rind and 3/4 of the chopped cranberries into the butter mixture and give it a quick whisk.
5. Lower the mixer speed, add flour mixture and lemon juice alternately and beat it till smooth batter.
6. Scoop the mixture into prepared muffin cups to 3/4 full.
7. Top the muffin batter with some extra chopped cranberries and lemon strips.
8. Bake them in preheated 180 degree oven for about 20 - 25 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in the center and comes out clean.


From the photo you can notice that this is those light and fluffy cake texture compare to the usual butter pound cake which is heavier and dense. The adding of fresh lemon juice gives this muffin a fragrant and refreshing citric scent that makes you crave for more. If you are a fan of lemon curd, lemon bar or even lemon pound cake, you should not give this a missed.

Angel Food Blackberry Trifle for Michaelmas

As Abigail mentioned in the post below, blackberries are traditional for celebrating the feast of St. Michael. In A Book of Feasts & Seasons, Joanna Bogle, says that "It is a tradition that blackberries are no good to eat after September 29th because 'the Devil spat on them when he was cast out of Heaven into Hell on Michaelmas'!" But what do you do if your family doesn't like blackberries? Here is a trifle recipe that my family enjoys that is great with or without real blackberries. Blackberry jam substitutes for the real berries and is a lovely compliment to the sweet lemon cream and light angel food cake which reminds of the other archangels we celebrate today.

Angel Food Trifle

1 angel food cake (store bought or homemade), chopped up into bite sized pieces
2 (8 oz.) tubs Cool Whip or equivalent whipped cream
2 lemons
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
fresh/frozen blackberries or blackberry jam or preserves


First, zest lemons to measure 1 tablespoon of zest. Next, juice lemons to measure 1/4 cup. In a bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest, & juice. Fold in 1 1/2 C. of Cool Whip. Set lemon cream aside.


To assemble the trifle:
Put 1/3 of the cake bits in the bottom of a tall glass container. Spoon 1/3 of the lemon cream on top along with scoops of plain cream. Add blackberries, sprinkling a few here and there or enough to make a solid layer depending on your family's fondness of blackberries. If you are using the jam instead, drop spoonfuls of it on top of the cake before the cream layer. Repeat twice to make 3 layers finishing with a layer of Cool Whip. Top with more blackberries. (If you are making this ahead, you might want to wait and add the blackberries on top just before serving so they don't weep all over your whipped cream.)

In the event your family doesn't like blackberries, I thought I'd let you know we decided to use some Haribo Gummi Raspberries to decorate the top. Symbolic and tasty!

Poor Man's Caviar

Photo: Michael Piazza

To celebrate today's Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of the poor (novus ordo calendar) I am going to make this delicious Poor Man's Caviar.

Poor Man's Caviar

Ingredients:

• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained
• 1 bunch chopped, fresh cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together onion, green bell pepper, green onions, jalapeno peppers, garlic, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, black beans, black-eyed peas and salt and pepper. Cover and chill in the refrigerator approximately 2 hours. Toss with desired amount of fresh cilantro to serve.

Apple Cake for Michaelmas

The following recipe was submitted by Abigail Burke, from Elk Grove, CA, for publication here at Catholic Cuisine. Thank you Abigail!

Michaelmas (September 29th, now known as the Feast of the Archangels) is often associated with the end of the harvest, so you can make a lot of wonderful autumnal dishes for this feast. Although apple and blackberry pie is the traditional dessert for Michaelmas (see Joanna Bogle's Feasts and Seasons), here is another option using harvest apples:

Apple Cake with Carmel Glaze

For Cake:

1 cup cooking oil
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
3-5 cups peeled and chopped fresh apples

Combine the oil and sugar. Add well beaten eggs and vanilla. Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda, then add dry ingredients to sugar mixture. Stir in chopped walnuts and apples. Pour into bunt pan and bake at 325 until done, about 65 minutes.

For Glaze:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup cream

Place butter and sugar in a double boiler and allow to melt, blending well. Add cream and bring to a boil. Cool, then add vanilla. Pour over cooled cake.

Hope you enjoy!

Seven Sorrows Of Mary Cookies

Remembering the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

throughout the month of September...

I thought I'd share this idea since I found these tasty heart-shaped treats at our local Trader Joe's market.

I know that I appreciate a "quick tip" for the days that we fall short with our time to bake or cook something for a liturgical celebration.

Being heart-shaped, I can think of a few occasions to use these!

I also found these to be a bit lighter on the calorie and sugar content!

I like the idea of using cocktail swords for the seven sorrows but I didn't have those on hand.  Toothpicks served as a nice alternate visual learning tool.

In honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, let us offer an extra Hail Mary for those who need the intercession of Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted.

Steam Cod Fish ~ 破布子蒸鳕鱼

Steaming is a method of cooking using steam which is also considered as a healthy cooking technique that is capable of cooking almost all kinds of food. Steaming works by boiling water continuously, causing it to vaporise into steam which carries heat to the food and cooks the food. This method also preserves the freshness of the food and cause non-greasy texture compared to fry or deep-fried stuffs.

To master a good steaming technique, you must learn how to control the heat and timing so that you can easily cook up some delicious dishes without over cooking them. Steaming method is often consider as one of the most pouplar choices among working mother that needs to prepare some quick and delicious dinner within short time after a long day at work.

Today's I am going to share with you a new ingredient that is not commonly found or used in Singapore. Cordia (破布子/荫树子) fruit which can be eaten raw. But the common method of eating this fruit is to wash and add brine to boil, stirring constantly for about more than an hour to let the peel rupture. After the boiling, cordia fruits will be either use together with other other seasonings, frozen or pickled. And the end products can be used in stir-fry, make soup, steam with other ingredients or as a seasoning in sauce. Cordia is normally found in most Taiwan or China cuisine where they are often use to steam seafood such as fish and clam.

Note:

~ I bought this Cordia Fruits(破布子/荫树子)from one of those floating stall in the wet market that is specialist in selling Taiwan food products.

~ Alternatively you might want to check with those food stores at Chinatown area that sell Taiwan or China food stuffs.

Ingredients: (Serves 2)
1 Piece of Cod Fillet, 200g
2 Clove of Garlic, cut into slices
1 Stalk of Spring Onion, cut into sections
1/2 Stalk of Chili, cut into slices

Seasonings:
1.5 Tablespoons of Cordia Fruits(破布子/荫树子)
2 Tablespoons Glutinous Rice Wine
1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Sesame Oil
Dash of Pepper

Method:
1. Rinse and pat dry the cod fillet with kitchen paper towel, set aside on the plate.
2. Mixed all the seasoning in a small bowl and drizzle it on top of the cod fillet.
3. Place the garlic slices, chilli and spring onion on top of the fish, cover with clearwrap leaving a little whole or grap.
4. When the water in the steamer comes to boil, lower the heat, place the plate of fish on the steaming rack and steam over medium heat for about 8 - 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. (when the time is up, you can test the fish by using a chopstick to check whether the meat is cooked)
5. Remove and serve hot with steam rice.


As you can see, this dish is so easy to prepare and you can even pre-mixed the seasoning or assembly the fish on plate a day before or early in the morning before you goes to work. So when you reached home after work, everything is ready for you to get the wok for steaming. This dish taste refreshing with that hint of chilli and the sweet and sour mixture from the Cordia fruits.

Happy Birthday, Dear Blessed Mother!

Happy Birthday to Our Lady!

Here are some fun ways to use cupcakes to celebrate Marian Feast Days....

The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary is coming up!

~I just used white frosting, blue sparkle gel, and blue sprinkles~

O Queen of heaven and earth, Most Holy Virgin, we venerate thee.

Thou art the beloved Daughter of the Most High God,

the chosen Mother of the Incarnate Word, 

the Immaculate Spouse of the Holy Spirit,

the Sacred Vessel of the Most Holy Trinity.

~Please Pray For Us~

Mary's Birthday Party Mix

The following recipe was submitted by Nicole, from Saints in Progress, for publication here at Catholic Cuisine. Thank you Nicole!

I put together this snack mix a few months ago and it was totally addicting. I just bought the stuff to make more, and it occurred to me that this could be a good little addition to a Marian feast: the berries symbolize her fruitfulness, the white chips her sinlessness, the honey roasted peanuts--well, honey has many connotations for the Christian faith, including the virginity of Mary, virtue and the sweetness of God's love. So now I call it Mary's Birthday Mix.

I have never actually quantified the ingredients; I just mixed it up in a little canister by eyeing the layers and shaking it up. Here's an estimate: you might want to play with it a little.

5 oz (about 1 c) dried mixed berries
3 oz (about 1/2 c) dried blueberries
1 1/2 c honey roasted peanuts
1 c white chocolate chips

Mix and enjoy!

Banana & Oreo Muffin

Muffin is common American term of bread that is baked in small portions. Somehow or rather it looks like cake or cupcake in shape but usually it is not as sweet as cupcakes and generally without any frosting.

To me whipping some muffins is always an enjoyment time for my kid and I. Since it does not required much procedures I can always safely let him handle most of the task, which in a way helps to build up some of his self-confident too. And more ever I love to peep on that facial expression of him waiting patiently near the oven area for the muffins to be ready.

Today I am going to share with you on how to make some yummy “Banana & Oreo Muffin” that consists of two of my boy’s favourite ingredients. From the photo you can see that the texture of the muffin is rather soft and moist that resemble cake like texture. And this can be easily served as a snack for either breakfast or teatime too.

These are some of the photos of the ingredients and steps on how to prepare the batter.

Ingredients: (make 6 medium-size muffins)
110g Of Butter, soften
100g (1/2 Cup) Sugar
110g (1 Cup) Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
2 Egg
2 Tablespoons Condensed Milk
2 Medium Banana, mashed with fork
6 - 8 pieces of Oreo Cookies
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence
1/4 Teaspoon Banana Essence, optional

Method:
1. Sift the flour, baking power and baking soda together and set aside.
2. Remove the cream from the cookies, place the cookies in a ziplock bag, use a rolling pin, crashed the cookie into fine crumbs.
3. Cream butter and sugar with electric beater till light and fluffy(about 3 minutes on medium speed).
4. Add in egg one at a time and beat till the mixture is well combine without any egg trace.
5. Add mashed banana, vanilla essence and condensed milk into the butter mixture and give it a quick whisk.
6. Lower the mixer speed, add flour mixture and blend the mixture till smooth.
7. Stir in the oreo cookies crumbs till combined, scoop the mixture into prepared muffin cups to 3/4 full.
8. Top the muffin batter with some extra banana slices and oreo cookies, bake them in preheated 180 degree oven for about 20 - 25 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in the center and comes out clean.

Note:

~ You can have some extra banana slices and oreo cookies for topping to make it look more presentable if this is to be giveaway as gift.
~ You can get these beautiful muffin/cupcake cups at any baking store or even at Daiso too.

So from this recipe you can see that actually without much difficult procedures, you can enjoy your very own homemade muffins with your choice of ingredients in less than an hour including all the preparations and baking time. And most importantly you know what is best for to choose for your love ones.



Banana & Oreo Muffin

Recipes for September ~ Month Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. Due to her feast day on September 15, the month of September has traditionally been set aside to honor Our Lady of Sorrows. All the sorrows of Mary (the prophecy of Simeon, the three days' loss, etc.) are merged in the supreme suffering at the Passion. In the Passion, Mary suffered a martyrdom of the heart because of Our Lord's torments and the greatness of her love for Him. "She it was," says Pope Pius XII, "who immune from all sin, personal or inherited, and ever more closely united with her Son, offered Him on Golgotha to the Eternal Father together with the holocaust of her maternal rights and motherly love. As a new Eve, she made this offering for all the children of Adam contaminated through his unhappy fall. Thus she, who was the mother of our Head according to the flesh, became by a new title of sorrow and glory the spiritual mother of all His members." ~ Catholic Culture


September 3, Feast of St. Gregory the Great (New.):

• Enjoying Chant with St. Gregory the Great

• St. Gregory's Cherries (Crisp)

September 4, Feast of St. Rosalia and St. Rose of Viterbo (Trad.):
(The following posts would work nicely!)

• Rosy Treats for the Feasts of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Chocolate Roses for St. Thérèse
• Rose Cake and Punch for St. Therese
• Rose Cupcakes

September 5, Feast of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta :

• Feast Day Plans
• Happy 100th Birthday Mother Teresa! 

• Mother Teresa Tea

September 8, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (New, Trad.):

• Blueberry Cheesecake for Our Lady

• A Birthday Cake for Our Lady! (Lemon Blueberry Cake)

• A Blueberry "Waffle Cake" for Mary's Birthday!

September 12, Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary (New, Trad.):

• Holy Name of Mary Cookies
  

• Holy Name of Mary, "Ave Maria"
  

• Mary Blue Jell-O Cake

• Feast of the Holy Name of Mary 

September 13, Feast of St. John Chrysostom (New):

• The Golden-mouthed Saint
  

September 14, Feast of the Triumph of the Cross (New, Trad.):

• Looking for ideas for the Triumph of the Cross?
  
• From Thy Bounty Fair - Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
• Monkey Bread Cross

• An Easy Pesto Recipe...

• Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad

• Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

Autumnal Ember Days ~ Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following the 3rd Sunday of September (after the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross) :

• Ember Days
• Ember Days and Autumnal Fasting
• Interesting Ember Day Food

September 15, Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (New) or The 7 Sorrows of Our Lady (Trad.):

• Tears of Our Lady
  
• September Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows
• Our Lady of Sorrows

September 19, Feast of St. Januarius (Gennaro) (New, Trad.):

• San Gennaro or St. Januarius
  
• The Blood of St. Januarius

September 20, Feast of Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Pr., Paul Chong Hasang, Catechist & Companions (New):

• In Honor of the Korean Martyrs

September 23, Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) (New):

• Cappuccino Mousse for St. Pio
  

• Feast of Padre Pio - Italian Sausage and Pasta
  

• Cappuccino Mousse Trifle
  

September 28, Feast of St. Wenceslaus (New, Trad.):

• Eagle Cake
  

September 29, Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels (New) Michaelmas Day (Trad.):

• Upcoming From Thy Bounty Fair: Angels (With ideas and suggestions!)
• Michaelmas Feasting from Wales
  
• Apple Chicken
  

• Instant Gnocchi for Michaelmas
• St. Michael's Waffles
• From Thy Bounty Fair - Feasting with the Angels!

September 30, Feast of St. Jerome (New, Trad.):

• Memorial of St. Jerome, September 30
  

O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.

~ Saint Bonaventure