dapur nora

Banana Crumb Muffins

2009-04-15T08:29:00.018+08:00

I saw some bananas in a basket waiting to be eaten by someone but no one was eating them as the bananas had turned brown.

I searched for a nice banana muffins recipe & I found this recipe from allrecipes.

Banana Crumb Muffins

Source : Lisa Kreft of allrecipes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

Method

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

3. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

4. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter.

5. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened.

6. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

7. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon.

8. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.

9. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

10. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Wedding Cake For My Niece

2009-02-12T21:22:00.007+08:00

During the weekend before Chinese New Year, I was busy preparing the wedding cake for my niece (my husband's side). I was really stressed up as all the prices of goods have shot up tremendously.

I was so shocked when I went to my neighbourhood florist to buy the roses for my table decor. It's S$2.00 per stalk. My my my... talking about festive season.

Well, what to do, I still have to buy them for the table decor. Saw my money flew so high.

Back to my cake. This was the first time I made a two-tier cake as requested by the bride. Alhamdulillah, I made it. Everybody who saw it during the wedding was oohing.. & aahing... Hmmm... I never felt so proud of myself. Even my husband congratulated me on my wedding cake.

Easy Chocolate Chips Cookies

2009-01-07T13:56:00.022+08:00

I was searching for an easy way to make chocolate chips cookies when I stumbled upon this recipe by Stefanie of Kitchen Capers. A lot of good reviews for this recipe & hence, I decided to baked them myself. I baked these cookies for the Hari Raya Qurban. It was a hit.

Easy Chocolate Chips Cookies

Source: Stefanie of Kitchen Capers

Ingredients

125g softened butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp brown sugar

½ cup condensed milk

½ cup chopped almonds, toasted OR 1/2 cup rolled oats, toasted

1 heaped tbsp cocoa powder

A pinch of salt

200g chocolate chips

1½ cup self-raising flour

1 to 2 tbsp milk

Method

1. Beat butter with sugar and extract till combined, with a wooden spoon.

2. Sift in cocoa powder and salt, beat to combine.

3. Pour in condensed milk, beat well to mix.

4. Alternatively, use a whisk from step one.

5. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.

6. Preheat oven to 170C.

7. Sift in flour and fold to combine, add a little milk to moisten if dough seems too dry.

8. Roll out teaspoon-fuls of dough into rounds, flatten slightly and bake for 9 to 10 minutes.

Last Minute Birthday Cake

2009-01-07T13:37:00.004+08:00

A conversation between a mother and her daughter the night before her daughter's birthday.

Daughter: Ibu, for my birthday tomorrow, can I have a cake to celebrate with my tuition classmates?

Mother: I thought you promised no cake? Anyway, where can we find a cake this late? I just came back from work.

Daughter: I know, I've made a promise but I never celebrated with my classmates before. So, can I have a cake?

Mother: Ok, but can I make for you cupcakes instead? It's easier to bake.

Daughter: But I want to cut a cake in front of my classmates, please?

Mother: I'm tired & I've no plans to bake anything at all tonight, darling...

Daughter: Please, Ibu... (Pleading. Reminded me of Puss In Boots in the Shrek movies)

Mother: Oh... Ok.

Then, the mother rushed to check the larder whether she has enough ingredients to bake the cake.

The mother was me & I've to stay late to bake the cake. The next day, I've to wake up around 5 in the morning to decorate the cake. I've to rush coz I've to go to work after that.

The price of the look on my daughter's cake when she first saw her birthday cake... PRICELESS

Here's the Last Minute Birthday Cake.

Cross-section of the cake

The leftover

Super Yummy Breakfast Pancakes

2008-12-31T13:30:00.006+08:00

I got this recipe from Carrie Ow at Kitchen Capers. It was an easy recipe & tasted like McDonald's.

Super Yummy Breakfast Pancakes
Source: Carrie Ow of Kitchen Capers

Ingredients

100g self-raising flour

2 tbsp caster sugar

a pinch of salt

2 eggs, seperated

75ml milk

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Method

1. Sift flour into a mixing bowl, stir in sugar and salt (Mix well).

2. Make a well in the center of flour, add egg yolks, milk, vanilla essence and oil.

3. Stir to make a smooth batter.

4. Whisk egg white in a clean, dry bowl till stiff.

5. Stir in 1/4 of the egg whites to the batter to lighten it, then FOLD in the remaining egg white carefully.

6. Heat a non-stick frying pan and brush it lightly with a little oil.

7. Drop tablespoon of batter onto the frying pan (Leaving 2 cm space in between).

8. When bubbles appear, flip the pancake and cook till it turn golden brown.

9. Serve while it is hot.

Welcome The New Hijrah Year 1430

2008-12-27T18:02:00.012+08:00

Don't forget to say your doa for the end of hijrah year 1429 and your doa for beginning of hijrah year 1430.

Taken from Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS)

Doa For End of Hijrah Year

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praises be to Allah, Lord of all Universe. Praises be to Prophet Muhammad saw, his family and his companions.

Oh Allah, a year has passed in our life. You have bestowed on us the Greatness of Your nikmah in which we could never imagine and You have protected us from harm when we cannot detach ourselves from it. We have done deeds in which only You have knowledge of its good or bad.

Oh Allah, if the deed that we have done is in accordance to Your Teachings, please accept those deeds as meaningful deeds in your eyes. However, if those deeds have been accompanied with boastfulness and envy or we have done ourselves wrong, or its intention had been tainted, we seek Your Forgiveness and we implore that You hide all these wrongdoings. Please bless us with goodness and Your bountiful provisions.

Oh Allah, the New Year has crawled in and the current year will leave us shortly. However, we do not know what is in store for us in the coming year. We are ignorant as to where our life will head to. It is our hope that You allow us to begin this New Year with the door of Forgiveness so that we do not end this life in loss. Oh Allah, we plead that you shower Taufiq to us in this year for us to continue to do good deeds that receive Your pleasure and a harmonious life that you bless.

Oh Allah, we seek your Might to safeguard our physical self so that we continue to worship you. Safe keep us so that our hearts are filled with love. Please open our hearts so that we seek you always just like how you open the hearts of those who are righteous. Please place us amongst those who keep to their promises and able to fulfill our responsibilities. Please make our life a witness to all deeds that you have enjoined us to do, Oh Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Giving.

Doa For Beginning of Hijrah Year

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praises be to Allah, Lord of all Universe. Praises be to Prophet Muhammad saw, his family and his companions.

Oh Allah, we raise our hands to You during the day and night and we seek the generosity of Your Bountiful wealth through your beautiful names and at this time when we are deep in love for You and all love that projects Your Greatness.

Oh Allah. The New Year is near as you how you had planned it be as qada and qadar in Loh Mahfuz. As your creation who constantly seeks your blessings. The coming of the New Year has given us yet another opportunity to raise our hands in prayer asking for Your Mercy. We seek only from You. We seek your continued guidance and knowledge just like how you have guided us throughout our life time. You have perfected our life and livelihood with your bountiful provisions. Please make us, our hearts as well as our physique strong just like how you have given strength to those whom you have chosen. Through this strength, we hope it be guard us against ill doings be it physically or spiritually. Oh Allah Al Mighty, we implore to your to grant us intellectual strength, peace, strength in our confidence, steadfastness in upholding our religion and goodness for ourselves and those amongst us.

Oh Allah, please protect us from anything that troubles us, thoughts that confuses us, experience that saddens us and narrows our hearts. Please safeguard us from all ill doings, harm and confusion. Oh Allah, we seek your Bounty to give what we have sought for, Oh Allah, Lord of those who gives assistance, please help us. Oh Protector of all harm, please protect us from harm and turmoil. Most Gracious, Most Merciful, please open this New Year with success, peace for us and all Muslim brothers who are working in your Cause. Please make the coming years with beautiful experience so that we can taste the nikmat in living. Let us be the happiest people with You. Oh Allah, please forgive us for all our wrongdoings and please accept our good deeds. Please bless our our actions and how we spend our time.

Oh Allah, please protect our country from harm. Please eradicate any source that may disrupt our peacefulness. Please help us to maintain our country’s peace and progress in your blessings, Lord of all Mighty.

Peace and blessings to Prophet Muhammad saw.

New Year, New Plans, New Self

2008-12-27T17:43:00.007+08:00

10 TIPS FOR SELF-REVIVAL

Taken from Islamicity

1. Take the initiative. Change is a verb. You have to first change to see the change

"And that human can have nothing but what he does (good or bad), and that his deeds will be seen." (An-Najm 53:39-40)"Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves." (Ar-Ra'ad 13:11)

2. Don't procrastinate. Start from this moment

The companion Abdullah Ibn Omar (Allah be pleased with him) used to say, "When the evening comes, do not wait for the morning; and when the morning comes, do not wait for the evening." - Collected by Al-Bukhari

3. Start with baby steps and achievable goals

The Prophet pbuh said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Quran in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Apostle?" Allah's Apostle replied, "'Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112 verse one to the end) is equal to one third of the Quran." - Collected by Al-Bukhari

The Prophet pbuh said, "Is one amongst you powerless to get one thousand virtues every day." Amongst those who had been sitting there, one asked, "How one amongst us can get one thousand virtues every day?" He said, "Recite sub-hana Allah " one hundred times for (by reciting them) one thousand virtues are recorded (to your credit) and one thousand vices are removed." - Collected by Muslim

4. Be consistent. A small step a day, but for everyday

A'isha reported Allah's Messenger as saying, "The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small." And when A'isha did any act she did it continuously." - Collected by Muslim

5. Make sure you are changing towards the right direction

6. Have a support group for your change

7. Be patient

The above three tips are mentioned in Surah Al-A'sr 103.

"By (the Token of) Time (through the Ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy." (A'sr 103)

8. Never give up. If you trip, start again

"Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they to whom Allah will forgive and Allah is Ever AllÆKnower, AllÆWise." (An-Nisa 4:17)

The Prophet pbuh said, "All children of Adam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent." - Collected by Al-Termithi

9. Keep your eyes on the prize - achievement, triumphant, and satisfaction

"Verily this is the supreme achievement! For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive." (As-Saffat 37:60-61)

10. Always ask Allah for help

Allah's Prophet pbuh used to say, "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and geriatric old age, and I seek refuge with You from the afflictions of life and death, and I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave." - Collected by Al-Bukhari

Coconut Pandan Cake

2008-11-14T13:58:00.024+08:00

One of my baking kakis from Baking Project, Wiz, recommended this recipe as she mentioned in her blog, ...in a whiz, it was an easy cake to bake.

Taking her words for it, I quickly baked this cake to give to my brother, who's having a "kenduri". It was a hit!

Thanks Wiz for the recipe.

Coconut Pandan Cake

Ingredients

1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cup castor sugar

4 medium large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 teaspoon pandan essence

1/2 teaspoon green food colouring

1 box santan (equivalent to 1 cup of thick santan)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Source : My mak's old family resepi book

Method

1. Beat eggs and sugar on high speed untill frothy and creamy.

2. Add in the essences and the food colouring and mix well.

3. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into the egg mixture and beat on medium speed.

4. Pour in half of the santan content into the mixture and blend well.

5. Alternate this step with the dry and wet ingredients, finishing off with the dry ingredients.

6. Beat till smooth.

7. Lastly, fold in the vegetable oil in the batter.

8. Pour the batter into loaf tins or you can use an eight inch cake tin.

9. Bake in 180 degrees celcius for 40 minutes or untill the skewer comes out clean.

10. Serve hot with a cup of steaming kopi kampung.

~ To vary, you may add a cup of chocolate chips or raisins.~

Selamat Pengantin Baru

2008-11-11T08:19:00.010+08:00

"Selamat Pengantin Baru" to my nephew & his lovely wife. They had their akad nikah last Friday night.

Semoga jodoh kamu berdua berkekalan hingga ke syurga. Amin.

I contributed a fruit tart for the hantaran.

Sweet Short-crust Pastry

By Donna Hay's Modern Classics 2

Ingredients (serves 8)

2 cups plain flour

3 tbsp caster (superfine) sugar

150g cold butter, diced

2-3 tbsp iced water

1 beaten egg for glazing

Method

1. Place flour, butter and sugar in a bowl and rub in until mixture resembles bread crumbs.

2. Add in iced water to form a smooth dough and knead until just combined.

3. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

4. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface until 3mm thick.

5. Place in 22cm (9 inch) tart or flan tin and prick base using fork.

6. Line with non-stick baking paper and fill with baking beans or weight.

7. Bake in a preheated oven of 180 deg c for 10 mins.

8. Remove beans and paper and glaze with beaten egg.

9. Bake for a further 10 mins until crust is golden brown.

Creme Patissiere

Ingredients

2 cups (480ml) milk

1 tsp vanilla extract/essence

4 egg yolks

1/3 cup caster (superfine) sugar

1/3 cup cornstarch (I used custard powder)

Method

1. Place milk and vanilla extract/essence in a saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a boil.

2. Set aside.

3. Whisk together egg yolks and caster sugar in a bowl until thick and pale.

4. Add in cornstarch and whisk to combine.

5. Place a piece of non-stick baking paper or plastic wrap directly on the pastry cream and set aside to cool.

6. Spoon onto tart shells and serve with fresh fruits of your choice.

* for the glaze, you can get the apricot glazing gel from Phoon Huat. add abt 1-2 tbsp hot water to the gel and brush onto the fruits. Otherwise, combine strawberry jam + hot water. Mix well and put thru' a fine sieve to obtain glaze. *

Charity Bake Sale

2008-11-11T08:10:00.011+08:00

Last Saturday, my daughter was involved in a mini charity fair at her madrasah. I made baked donuts & strawberry cheese tartlets for her to sell. All proceeds from the sale was donated to Darul Quran.

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

2008-10-21T13:38:00.005+08:00

I saw this at Do What I Like & decided that I should also support this event.

For the pink ribbon buttons and other breast cancer graphics, check out Pink Ribbons by Carol Sutton.

HARI RAYA COOKIES

2008-10-08T13:14:00.013+08:00

Was quite busy during the month of Ramadhan to fulfill some cookies orders & also for our own consumption.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

Pineapple Tarts

Biskut Sarang Semut

Cheesy Lemon Cookies

Cornflakes Cookies

Chocolate Chips Cookies

Fancy Ice Cream Cookies

Eid Mubarak

2008-10-08T13:08:00.003+08:00

Custard Pudding With Jelly

2008-09-18T21:02:00.011+08:00

Ramadhan is the time when most people love to eat all sweet stuff & we're of no exception. Hence, during the first weekend of Ramadhan, I made these custard pudding with jelly. They're mmmm deliciously sweet & so smooth flowing down the throat.

Try it and you'll know what I mean.

I took the recipe from Koleksi Resipi Diana.

Ingredients

(For the jelly)

1 box of jelly (any flavour you like)

(For the custard pudding)

4½ cups water

½ cup sugar

1 cup custard powder

1 cup evaporated milk

½ cup cocktail juice

(For decoration)

1 tin mixed cocktail

Method

(For the jelly)

1. Prepare jelly as per the instructions on the box.

2. Pour into containers & put them aside to harden.

(For the custard pudding)

1. In a saucepan over a small fire, mix custard powder, sugar & water.

2. Stir it slowly.

3. When it starts to boil, pour evaporated milk & cocktail juice.

4. Keep on stirring until the custard mixture is thick & shiny.

5. Remove from fire.

6. Pour the custard mixture into the awaiting jelly in the containers.

7. Cool them in the fridge.

8. Serve with the mixed cocktail.

Mmmm... sedap!

Decorated Cookies

2008-09-10T07:51:00.011+08:00

Last Sunday was my daughter's Islamic birthday. We celebrated her birthday by giving decorated cookies to her madrasah classmates on Saturday and also to her mother-tongue classmates on Monday.

It was a rush job as I only did the icing after sahur. I've got not enough time to fill the cookies, just the outline.

For her madrasah teachers

For her madrasah classmates & mother-tongue classmates.

Cookies iced, waiting to be packed individually.

Cookies all packed individually & ready to go in a box!

Decorated Cookies

Origin: Sweetlilly's Kitchen

Ingredients

250g butter

50g castor sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

300g plain flour

1 tablespoon corn flour

100g ground almond

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Method

1. Cream butter & sugar till creamy.

2. Add in egg, egg yolk & vanilla essence.

3. Add in plain flour & ground almond.

4. Mix into a dough.

5. Roll out the dough with the thickness of 6mm & use a cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.

6. Lay onto a tray and bake at 150C for about 20 minutes.

7. When the cookies are cooled, you can decorate them with royal icing.

Royal Icing

Ingredients

1 egg white

200g icing sugar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Method

1. Whisk egg white till soft peak.

2. Add in castor sugar & lemon juice & whisk again till stiff peak.

3. You can start decorating the cookies.

4. After decorating the cookies, put them back into the oven for about 10 minutes.

Marshmallow

2008-09-05T07:58:00.014+08:00

I've tried both recipes but I found that the recipe from Dapur Tanpa Sempadan aka known as Mat Gebu is easier & faster to make.

MARSHMALLOWS
Origin : Mat Gebu

Ingredients

1/4 cup cornstarch*
1/3 cup icing sugar*(*combine together & sift)
21g halal gelatine
1/3 cup water
2/3 cup fine sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup/glucose syrup
a pinch of salt
1 teaspoon strawberry emulco (or whichever flavour that you prefer)

Method

1. Brush a bit of oil on the base & sides of the tin measuring 8" x 8" x 3".

2. Sprinkle the sifted cornstarch & icing sugar evenly.

3. Pour out the excess sifted cornstarch & icing sugar.

4. Put it aside for later use.

5. Combine gelatine with water.

6. Leave it aside for 5 minutes.

7. Add fine sugar & boil on a slow fire.

8. Mix it till the gelatine has dissolved completely.

9. Pour the gelatine mixture into a mixing bowl together with the corn syrup, strawberry emulco and a pinch of salt.

10. Blend using the mixer on high speed for 15 minutes.

11. Transfer to the prepared tin and spread evenly.

12. Let it harden for about 2 hours but don't put in the fridge!

13. Cut with a wet knife and cut to whatever shapes that you prefer.

14. Dust the cut marshmallow with the balance sifted cornstarch & icing sugar.

15. Keep it in a container.

EMILY'S FAMOUS MARSHMALLOWS

Origin : allrecipes.com

Ingredients

120g confectioners' sugar for dusting
400g white sugar
15ml light corn syrup
295ml water, divided
25g unflavored gelatine
2 egg whites
5 ml vanilla extract

Method

1. Dust a 9" x 9" square dish generously with confectioners' sugar.

2. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together white sugar, corn syrup and 3/4 cup water.

3. Heat to 121 to 129 degrees C or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball.

4. While syrup is heating, place remaining water in a metal bowl and sprinkle gelatine over the surface.

5. Place bowl over simmering water until gelatine has dissolved completely.

6. Keep in a warm place until syrup has come to temperature.

7. Remove syrup from heat and whisk gelatin mixture into hot syrup.

8. Set aside.

9. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites to soft peaks.

10. Continue to beat, pouring syrup mixture into egg whites in a thin stream, until the egg whites are very stiff.

11. Stir in vanilla.

12. Spread evenly in the prepared pan and let it rest for 8 hours or overnight before cutting.

Strawberry Shortcake For My Grandniece

2008-09-02T13:39:00.007+08:00

Made a promise to my sister that I'll make a birthday cake for her first granddaughter's birthday celebration.

Happy Birthday to Natasha Andrienna

My daughter helped with the sprinkles.

10 Great Goals To Set For This Ramadhan

2008-08-31T10:56:00.005+08:00

Taken from Islamicity.

10 GREAT GOALS TO SET FOR THIS RAMADHAN

1. Eat, drink and be moderate

Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep ploughing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadhan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadhan.

2. Give a dollar a day in charity... or five or ten

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadhan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.

3. Memorize 4 new Surahs

Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadhan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.

4. Go to Tarawih prayers

Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadhan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least once week.

5. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished

Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.

6. Stop swearing and/or backbiting Ð with a special box

It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadhan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.

Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.

At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.

7. Call/Email your relatives

You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."

Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadhan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadhan card and ask them how their fasting is going.

8. Go on a technology diet

Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.

9. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day... just five, not more, not less

Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.

10. Forgive everyone who has hurt you

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadhan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadhan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?

If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.

Happy Ramadhan!!!

Roti Boyan

2008-08-26T21:27:00.008+08:00

I made some roti boyan for my break fast on Nisfu Sya'aban. It was easy to make & delicious to eat.

"Boyanese" refers to a dialect group in the Malay community. They were originally from Pulau Bawean (Bawean Island) in East Java and migrated to Singapore in the early 19th century.

My mum learnt to make these rotis from my former neighbour, who's a Boyanese. She told us that she was in charge of making these rotis when she was staying in a communal house called pondok.

It was a palm-sized snack in a squarish envelope shape. It is filled with mashed potatoes and wrapped in a thick pastry. Deep-fried, it's crispy on the outside but it's soft in the inside. Accompanied with sambal ikan bilis, this is a really satisfying snack.

Anyway, I found the recipe from MamaFami's and also from Forum Resipi Diana.

Ingredients

(For the skin)

1kg flour
400ml lukewarm water
100ml vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

(For the filling)

600g potatoes, washed, boil till soft, remove the skin and mashed
4-5 eggs
100g spring onions, chopped
3 onions, diced
1 teaspoon pepper salt to taste

Method

To make the bread

1. Mix water, oil, baking powder, sugar and salt.

2. Add in flour, a little at a time into the liquid mixture and knead till a soft dough is formed.

3. Make into a few small balls (must be in even numbers) and leave to rest for a while.

To prepare the filling

1. Mix well mashed potatoes, egg, chopped spring onion, diced onion, pepper and salt.

To prepare the roti boyan

1. Roll flat one of the doughs and brush some oil on top.

2. Roll like a swiss roll and swirl it like the shape of a cinnamon bun.

3. Leave to rest while you finish doing the same thing with the rest of the doughs.

4. Roll flat the swirled dough.

5. Spread some filling on top and cover with another piece of flatten dough.

6. Secure the edge.

7. Fry with a bit of oil on low heat till golden brown.

8. Serve with sambal ikan bilis.

Baby Pandan Chiffon Cake Alias Putri Ayu

2008-08-08T13:46:00.003+08:00

This recipe was given to me by my sister, who's currently staying in Indonesia.

Ingredients

4 eggs
500g sugar
600g plain flour
2 cups water
2 tsp pandan paste
1 tbsp ovalette
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp milk powder
1 tsp vanilla essence

1 pkt fresh shredded coconut
1 tsp salt

Method

1. Beat eggs with sugar until white and fluffy.
2. Sift flour with baking powder.
3. Add milk powder, ovalette and vanilla essence to the egg & sugar mixture.
4. Add flour & water alternately.
5. Mix well.
6. Mix shredded coconut with salt.
7. Heat the steamer and brush some oil onto the moulds.
8. Place some coconut into the base of a mould and press hard on it.
9. Spoon mixture into prepared mould and steam on big fire for 15 mins.

Note: You can change the pandan paste to chocolate emulco.

Pirates Ahoy!

2008-08-03T17:23:00.007+08:00

Pirate themed cuppies for an 8 year-old chap who loves pirates.

I got this order through my online friend, Gina of Kitchen Capers.

One of the forummers from her forum asked her if she was able to take a cupcake order for her son's birthday celebration. Gina was so sweet to refer the forummer to me and the rest was history.

The forummer was quite pleased with the outcome of the cupcakes.

A Rose For A Lady

2008-07-31T20:46:00.005+08:00

This lovely cake was made specially for my hubby's aunt who celebrated her birthday in the month of July.

Handbag & Handphones For Sale

2008-07-31T20:28:00.004+08:00

Hah! Caught your attention. Recently I got an order for cupcakes to be given to primary school students. Decided to make handbags & handphones as these items are to closest to the girls' hearts. Aren't they such cuties?

Plungers For Sale

2008-07-28T13:25:00.010+08:00

One of my friends gave me the opportunity to bring in plungers to share with all the cake decorators.

Drop me an email at dapurnora@gmail.com if you like any of them!

Plunger set - Daisy

Plunger set - Daisy (Sample)

Plunger set - Rose leaf

Plunger set - Ivy leaf

My Daughter's Birthday Celebration

2008-07-24T13:54:00.004+08:00

This is a totally belated posting. In fact, it was 6 months late. We celebrated my daughter's birthday twice. One, at my hubby's aunty's house & there other we celebrated it at my home during Aidil Adha.

Barbie Doll Cake

My First Fondant Cake

Cuppies For A Teenager

2008-07-21T13:28:00.005+08:00

This is an order for a teenage girl. She was so excited over the cuppies that she couldn't stop staring at them.

Jom Buat Cookies Raya

2008-06-28T09:27:00.003+08:00

JOM BUAT COOKIES RAYA

Hari Raya Special
2008 Hari Raya Edition

Dapur Nora is pleased to present a cookie class by Mas Delight from Kuala Lumpur.

Guest Instructor

Madam Mastura of Mas Delight has many years teaching experience and well liked by the culinary community in Malaysia. She has graciously accepted our request to teach and impart some NEW & INTERESTING COOKIES RECIPES with us. Her sharing of food knowledge will always inspire students to bake scrumptious cookies. Please do not miss her delicious cookies!!!

Venue: Dapur Nora, Singapore
Date: Saturday, 26 July 2008
Time: 10am
Class Fees Per Person: S$100.00
Notes: Refreshments is provided

Deadline to book: 21 July 2008

List Of Cookies:

1. Cashewnut Chocolate Crunchy

2. Cashewnut Sugee

3. Chocolate Crunchy

4. Chocolate Kisses

5. Chocolate Oats

6. Crunchy Cornflakes

7. Green Crystal Lace

8. Japanese Chocolate Rainbow

9. Lazaros

10. Lovely Orange

11. Parmesan Cheese

12. Samarinda

13. Sandy Keju

14. Strawberry Chocolate Tarts

15. Toasted Coconut

How to register or pay?

Please email with your name and your contact number and I will send you the payment instructions. You will need to make full payment in order to register for the class.

All fees must be paid by 21 July 2008. No fees refunded for any last minute cancellations.

You may email the Organiser at dapurnora@gmail.com.