Puligi 1/2 size

I often crave the puligi but it makes so much that I get put off so I finally halved the recipe so It's just as easy as making a cake. I also made it in loaf pans so that they bake faster...Enjoy!

Butter and flour your pans of preference, I used 2 bread loaf pans but you can use 2x8"or 9"round pans or a bundt pan what ever you have on hand.

PULIGI

Burnt Sugar mixture:
1 cup sugar
1 cup hot water or coconut cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
In a non stick  pan, melt sugar on medium hi heat stirring with a wooden spoon until desolved, reduce heat to low stirring constantly with a wire whisk, add hot water and vanilla until sugar and water are well combined turn heat off, set aside until batter is ready.  

In a bowl combine:
3-1/2 cup flour
2-1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup raisins , blend together with wire whisk, set aside

Wet ingredients, in another bowl beat together
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter softened 
2 eggs
1 can evaporated milk (or 1-1/2 cups whole milk)
1/2 cup water
Combine with flour mixture to make a batter beat about 3 minutes add burnt sugar mixture combine well

and Pour into prepared baking pans, cover tightly with heavy or doubled foil and bake on 350f/180c oven temperature, for 40 to 50 minutes, insert a toothpick in the middle of the pan if it comes out clean puligi is done.

Notes
*Raisins
Ok I love raisins in my puligi but not everyone does but by all means please do add them if you like
I actually forgot to put them in a couple of times so I made stewed raisins so anyone can add then if they like.

Pound Cake …yum

This is my favorite pound cake recipe I've used for ages from an old Betty Crocker cook book my mother had for years. I love it topped with Strawberries and whip cream...hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Preheat oven to 350f/175c

Ingredients:
Whisk together in a bowl (set aside)
3 cups flour
1 tsp. Baking powder

Beat together:
1 cup butter softened  ( 1/2 lb., 2 sticks)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-1/2 cup sugar
5 large eggs

1 cup evaporated milk or just plain whole milk

Mix together into the butter mixture alternately 1/3 of the flour mixture and 1/3 of the milk until all is
Incorporated together beat on medium speed for 4 minutes.

Butter and flour a tube pan or 2 loaf pans por mixture into pans of your choice, bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

Life in Australia

Hi all,
Well I am retired now and have moved to Australia to be closer to some of my children and grandchildren. It's great being with my Grandbabies and watching them grow.  Australia is a beautiful place to live, but  there have been a few adjustments especially in my cooking, it's like getting back to basics again and I love it! Like the scratch Ranch dressing I posted here, they don't have the packet Ranch here so I break it down to basic ingredients and try to get as close to the flavors I like. So that's where my life is now and I know I am so very blessed.

Homemade Ranch Dressing

1 cup mayonaise
1 cup buttermilk  

1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder or

2 sprig fresh spring onion, chopped small
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1tsp. parsley flakes
mix all ingredients together in a bowl until blended , refrigerate 1 hour,  pour over fresh salad or use as a dip for onions rings or fries.
store in a container in the fridge...Enjoy!



*there are many ways to make this, if you would like a stronger taste you can increase any ingredient.

**Buttermilk substitute 1 cup milk to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice or 2 tablespoons white vinegar stir to combine, let rest 30 minutes until milk starts to curdle.

Easiest Homemade Spinach Dip

Spinach Dip
1 pkt. Frozen Spinach, squeezed & drained
2/3 cup - mayo

2/3 cup - sour cream
1/4 cup - Parmesan cheese, 
grated1 glove garlic, Chopped

2 spring onions, chopped 
1/4 tsp. - Pepper

2 teaspoon powdered Vegetable stock, low sodium 
2 tablespoon- slivered almonds, chopped

1 red roasted pepper, diced

Put all ingredients in a bowl and blend together thoroughly, chill at least an hour before serving.

Serve with ritz crackers, toasted bread slices or carrot & celery sticks

*Make sure to drain the spinach good or it will be too watery and the flavors won't come out as tasty.

Chocolate Haupia Pie (my version)

 

Chocolate Haupia Pie (my version) 

My crust recipe cooled (its on this site)

Filling:

1 can coconut cream 14oz.

1 cup milk

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 cup water

3 tablespoon Cocoa powder or (7 oz. Dark chocolate)

3 tablespoon butter

In a saucepan heat coconut cream, milk and sugar until steaming (don't boil) blend cornstarch with water and pour slowly into heated milk mixture, whisking until mixture starts to bubble.

In a microwave safe bowl heat butter and cocoa together about 10 - 20 seconds blend together to make a paste (don't over heat). 

Pour half of the coconut mixture into the cocoa paste and whisk until blended thoroughly, pour into the pie shell and smooth out, smooth out the rest of coconut mixture on top . Refrigerate until cool,

and top with whipped cream.

Topping:

2 cups Whipped cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Whip all ingredients together until thick.

Enjoy!

My Best Roast Chicken

 This is my Roast Chicken, I prefer to make in an electric frying pan because the skin comes out nice and flavorful while the chicken stays moist....I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Ingredients:
4lb/2kg Whole CHICKEN, washed and patted dry
1 large ONION, sliced in 8ths
3 gloves GARLIC, peeled
4 large POTATOES, cut in quarters
1-1/2 teaspoon rock/course SALT
1/2 teaspoon PEPPER
1/2 teaspoon PAPRIKA (optional)
1 stick (1/4 lb.) butter
2 tablespoons OIL
This is my Electric frying pan technique you can also roast it in a 350/175 preheated oven for one to one and a half hour until chicken and potatoes are fully cooked.

Pat thawed Chicken with paper towels until completely dry

Blend together Salt, Pepper & Paprika in a bowl

Sprinkle 3/4 of the salt mixture on both sides, reserve 1/4 salt mixture for the potatoes.

Heat Electric frying pan to Med hi heat add Garlic and the Chicken (placed on it's back) in the frying pan.
Cook for 15 minutes.

add potatoes to the pan and add half the onions, sprinkle the salt mixture over them and Cook for another 30 minutes on medium Hi.

when time is up, turn Chicken over and add the rest of the onions, slather the butter over Chicken and potatoes. Cook on Medium heat for another 30 minutes.

after 30 minutes, check if Chicken is fully cooked, if it is still pink cook for another 15 minutes and check again. When it's cooked, take out of frying pan and place into a serving dish cover with foil and let it rest.

Check the potatoes if all are not cooked leave in pan to cook until fork tender another 15 to 20 minutes.