Recipe: Maple Pecan Coffee Cake

Recipe for the "failed" attempt of Maple Pecan Coffee Cake as promised, though rather belated....


Makes 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

For the Cake Batter:
1/2 cup (1 stick/4 oz/113g) butter
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole milk

For Maple Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 cup (1 stick/4 oz/113g) butter
4 tbsp. maple syrup
1 cup coarsely chopped or whole pecans, roasted


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees oF. Lightly grease a 10 or 11-inch springform pan or a 10 or 11-inch removable bottom cake pan.

2. Sift the dry ingredients and set it aside.

3. With an electric mixer on medium high speed, blend butter with cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Blend in eggs, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, and salt.

4. Fold in the dry ingredients and the milk in 3 alternate additions. Set aside.

5. For the maple topping, combine all topping ingredients, except pecans. Cut in butter until particles are fine. Spoon the topping mixture over cake batter. Sprinkle pecans over topping.

6. Place cake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.

Bon Appetit~!

A failed attempt came with a hidden surprise....

There is nothing better than to spend a lazy Saturday "late" morning in a breezy kitchen, executing a new coffee cake recipe! But with the wrong baking pan in hand, and a cake that escaped the oven mimicking the depression of a volcano, I was pleasantly surprised that the fluffy centre of this failed attempt has selfishly abducted the identity of the supposedly crusty surface, and served as its gooey sticky toffee pudding-like interior!


Will be tasting this warm with Madagascan vanilla bean gelato....verdict and recipes will be posted next~!

The delicate bouquet of Vouvray gives magic to a simple poached pear custard tart....

I guess infusing my favourite beverages with desserts has given me inspirations! Although Earl Grey still tops the exclusive list, the complex yet delicate bouquet of Vouvray, and the high acidity from Chenin Blanc makes it the perfect complement for the luscious yet velvety Anjou pears.


Located in the Touraine district of France's Loire Valley, this Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) is dedicated almost exclusively to Chenin blanc, a variety known locally as Pineau de la Loire that is believed to have been originated interestingly in the Anjou wine region sometime in the 9th century. A wine pairing dinner featured 4 wines from Loire Valley has drawn my attention in the potential marriage with desserts, where the notes of honey, nuts, ginger, fig, apples and white flowers can be innocently exhibited.


~ Vouvray poached Anjou pears ~

1 bottle of your favourite Vouvray
4 Anjou pears - firm but with slight give, peeled and cored but leaving the stem intact.
6 tablespoons of organic cane sugar
1 pinch of salt
*avoid using vanilla bean for this recipe to preserve the bouquet of the Vouvray


1. In a deep stainless steel pot (should be large enough to stand all 4 pears, and deep enough that enough wine can be added to cover the pears completely), add wine, sugar and salt and bring it to a simmer.

2. Add the pears and ensure all parts are submerged in the wine, simmer very gently in the wine for 40 minutes, or until the flesh have been soften but not breaking.

3. Gently remove the pears onto a plate to cool.

4. Strain the poaching liquid; return the liquid to cleaned pot and reduce it on high heat to 1/4 of its original volume, or until it becomes a consistency between maple syrup and honey.

5. Serve the pears with the reduced syrup, or to top a luscious custard tart!


Bon Appetit~!

Squash for all seasons! A raw/Asian take on the golden, lucious, butternut squash....

Hearty yet refreshing seems to be an odd flavour combination, but with the humble butternut squash in its most simplistic state, Mark Bittman has successfully translated this flavour profile with zero stove/oven time!


As this golden fleshed squash made its rare entry into my kitchen, I timidly approached with a vegetable peeler. Their first tough encounter gave me doubts on the prospects of this dish, but one snap-sounding bite was enough to shatter my hesitations. The distinct flavour and strong personality of this squash was well balanced by its natural sweetness; its pillow-tender interior was smartly enclosed by a refreshing crunchy coat. I was inspired to inject an Asian twist to this not-so-Asian vegetable.



~ Fresh Butternut Squash Salad with Israeli Couscous ~

1 butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, seeded and grated (I made ribbons with a vegetable peeler)

2 tbs sesame seed oil

2 tbs pomegranate syrup (this can be replaced with balsamic vinegar)

1 lb package Israeli couscous - cooked with water or chicken stock

4 cloves garlic, smashed

2 tbs Toasted sesame seeds

2 tbs Toasted sesame seed oil

2-3 tbs Szechuan Chili Bean Paste

1 tsp Szechuan peppercorn

3-4 tbs Chinese chicken marinate sauce (this is vegan)

1 tsp sugar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Toasted pumpkin seeds and candied pecan for decoration


1. Gently toss the butternut squash ribbons in 2 tbs of toasted sesame oil and pomegranate syrup. Set it aside in a large salad bowl.


2. In a 4-6 quart pot, heat the toasted sesame seed oil in medium heat, stir in the Israeli couscous and allow it to toast for 2 minutes, turn the heat to high then add the amount of liquid as instructed on the package (water or chicken stock). Cover and allow it to come to a rapid boil.

3. Reduce heat so the mixture returns to a simmer. Stir occasionally with spoon and cook until the Israeli couscous has absorbed all the cooking liquid and has become al-dente.

4. Stir in the marinate sauce and chili bean paste and allow the couscous to absorb the sauce for about 1-2 minutes.

5. Remove from heat and stir in the toasted sesame seeds. Allow the couscous to cool completely to room temperature.

6. Lay the cooled couscous over the butternut squash ribbons, and dress with toasted pumpkin seeds and candied pecans.

Bon Appetit~!