Garden Updates

A collage of what is happening to my mini-garden.  Things are looking good! =)

Tomatoes, Bell Peppers and Chili Peppers =)

Looking forward to the day we could harvest them. =)

A must-try recipe

Nutella Lava Cake

This is my take on the recipe that I found in Pinterest.  I repinned it to my board so that I could easily go back to it when I finally have the time to make it.  Good thing, I had the time this afternoon as Kid 1 did not have any homework.  Also, I was sort of not feeling good so I was looking for a pick-me-up thing and chocolates always does the trick for me.   This is the original link for the recipe.

I did not change anything from it and followed everything except for the cooking time.  Since Kid 1 asked for a cake, I added an additional 20 seconds to the cooking time stated.  It did come out as a cake with bits of the melted chocolate chips.  But if I was only the one eating it, I'd stick to lesser cooking time to make it more fudgy.  Well, of course, it still depends on the power of your microwave oven.  I can say that this recipe is the best among the microwave cake recipes that I have tried.  Will definitely do this again.


Nutella Lava Mug Cake

Ingredients
Serves 2-3 depending on size of mugs used
Prep 2 min, cooking 2 min

4 tablespoons self rising flour, sifted*
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted 
(I used Hershey’s)
4 tablespoons caster sugar

1 medium egg

3 tablespoons Nutella

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons olive, or vegetable oil (I used vegetable oil)
2-3 teaspoon chocolate chips (I used 60% dark chocolate Felchlin chocolate drops, chopped)

Directions

Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in a bowl. Beat well with a whisk until smooth and blended. Divide the batter between 3 small microwave safe mugs, or two medium mugs. Important thing is to fill mugs up to just ¾ full(or even 1/2 full), if not the cake will overflow when it rises. Then tip in 1 teaspoon chocolate chips into each cup and push it into the batter until completely covered.

Microwave on high power for anywhere between 30 seconds to 3 minutes.  I cooked mine for about 1 minute and 50 seconds and it came out like a moist chocolate cake.   Please note that cooking time will depend on microwave wattage.  Keep an eye on the bowls while cooking so that you do not overbake it.   The key for the perfect lava cake is not to overcook it. The cake should rise a bit, ideally with a moist, fluffy, gooey texture, and glossy, fudgy top. The longer time you cook it, the drier the cake becomes.  It is best to slightly undercook it to make it all gooey and fudgy.

* If you do not have self-rising flour in your kitchen, just combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. 

If you are looking for an instant chocolate fix to pick you up, this is definitely the one.   :)

Bed Weather

It's been rainy/cloudy in the city these past few days. Time to bring out those jackets and wind-breakers.  Hopefully no one in the family gets sick again.  It's really hard when the kids get sick because it means sleepless nights for me too. 

According to PAG-ASA, the cold weather is brought about by the active low pressure area somewhere east of southern Mindanao. According to their latest weather report(as of 11:00am Feb 15, 2011), this will last up until the weekend.  Hopefully the ALPA does not develop into a storm as this will aggravate the current situation in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Also, more rains means there is that threat again of the flood coming into the house again just like what happened the last time Balusong River overflowed resulting in a flash flood that caught the citizens of Davao City by surprise.  

from: http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/images/stories/weather/satpic.jpg

Hopefully that does not happen again.