ABC Muffins (Apple, Banana and Carrot)

1 large egg
1/4 cup melted butter (I used salted - if not using salted, add a pinch of salt)
1/3 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1.5 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup grated carrot
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup ground almonds
1 cup + 2 tablespoons wholemeal flour

Optional:
Cream cheese frosting (recipe below)
Chopped walnuts

1. Melt the butter in the microwave and preheat the oven to 190 Degrees Celsius.

2. Whisk the egg, bananas, applesauce, baking soda, sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, milk and vanilla extract. Add in the cooled melted butter.

3. Mix in the grated carrot, oats and almonds.

4. Sift in the flour and mix. Do not over mix.

5. Divide into a greased muffin tray (6 jumbo or 12 normal sized).

For the frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
3/4 cup cream cheese at room temperature
2 cups icing sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Cream the butter and cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.

2. Add half of the sifted icing sugar, mix, then add the other half.

3. Add the vanilla extract and mix again.

4. I stuffed my muffins with the frosting using a piping nozzle but you can omit, or cut a bit out from the middle and spoon in the frosting.

5. Spread it on top of the muffin and garnish with chopped walnuts.

Spicy cheesy pork scone balls

Makes about 25-30 balls

320g minced pork

1/2 teaspoon Lawry's salt free 17 seasoning

1/4 teaspoon Chili powder (or more depending on how spicy you like it)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

A few pinches of salt

Dash of finely ground white pepper

1/4 cup finely sliced spring onions

1.5 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 cup self rising flour

2 tablespoons milk (plus more if your mixture is too dry)

1. Mix the Lawry's seasoning, chili powder, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper with the mince pork. 

2. Add the spring onions, cheese, flour and milk. If your mixture is too dry and there's still flour left, add a bit more milk till it comes together. 

3. Chill in the fridge for about an hour. 

4. Preheat oven to 230 degrees Celsius.

5. Roll the pork mixture into 1.5 - 2 inch balls. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until it turns brown. 

6. Serve with garlic mayonnaise. 

This recipe was adapted from foodwishes.com

Breakfast pancakes

Makes 10 -12

I used to make these American pancakes using Nigella Lawson's recipe for a really long time, until I found another recipe on Everyday Food. I tested this out on an American and he preferred the latter!

So I'm switching up my pancake recipe to this one, but I've altered the Everyday Food recipe a little. Only because you can't always find buttermilk in Singapore.

Also, having the eggs, milk and everything at room temperature makes a difference! In Singapore we keep our eggs in the fridge because of the heat and humidity so you do need to take them out of beforehand.

The Everyday Food recipe called for extra 3 beaten egg whites. Forget it!! It's extra time whisking that you don't need. When you want pancakes, you want them NOW!

1 1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla e
1 tablespoon melted butter, cooled
2 tablespoon oil (use a very neutral one, like canola)
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup of plain flour
1 tablespoon double acting baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 tablespoon sugar

1. Take the eggs and milk out of the fridge first to get them to room temperature.

2. Melt the butter and set aside to cool.

3. In a bowl or measuring cup, add the lemon juice to the milk and stir slightly. Leave aside to curdle.

4. In a big mixing bowl, place your flour, double acting baking powder, salt and sugar. Use a whisk and whisk it up, give it a good mix.

5. Add the vanilla, cooled melted butter, oil and eggs to the milk and lemon juice. Mix using a whisk.

6. Pour the milk mixture over the dry ingredients - don't whisk too hard! Just slowly combine.

7. Add a bit of butter and oil to a non-stick pan, and pour in one ladle full. You can usually fit in 3 at a time.

8. When bubbles or craters start to appear, it's time to flip.

9. Serve with butter and maple syrup. For us there's no other way!