Dampfnudeln (German dumpling)

    

    Locked at home (a metaphor), I opt to re-watch The Great British Bake Off series. During season 4 the bread episode, I was re-exposed to dampfnudeln. What a dampfnudeln you ask? According to wikipedia; dampfnudel is a sort of white bread roll or sweet roll eaten as a meal or as a dessert in Germany, Austria and in France. It looked to me as some sort of a bao, but without the need for me to bring out the steamer out. THAT intrigue me. The recipe that was shown in TGBBO was sweet, but as far as I know, bao is usually eaten savory, so I figure I can do that to dampfnudel too, and when I googled, it was written you can do that. So I searched about dampfnudel, don't be side-tracked, I only looked to 3-4 recipe pages.  I opt to use this recipe as reference. 

Knowing myself (I am not a good kneader); I didn't give the yeast time to bloom first before starting to knead nor do I start with a warm milk, rather I used milk in room temperature. 

    But lo and behold! I have underestimated the recipe. The pan that I used was a bit too small, thus even though the dumpling seems cooked, the dumpling was smooshed. So after the 20 that-I-was-not-supposed to open the pan, I transfer the dumpling to another bigger pan and proceed to steam it again, but maybe because the pan is a too-good-of-a heat conductor, even with the smallest heat setting on the stove, burning smell can be detected.. I turn off the stove and enjoy a somewhat smoky dumpling with chicken curry. Hehehe. 

    Im planning to try the recipe again, but to be steamed in two batches...or maybe half the dough..?

Ingredients:

Dough:

3 cup AP flour

1/4 cup of sugar

1 1/2 packet of yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

2 eggs

Poaching liquid:

1 cup milk

3 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup sugar (less or none if you are planning to enjoy the dumpling savory)

1 teaspoon salt (if you enjoying savory)

Method:

Knead the dough until the dough stick to itself better then it sticks to your hands.

Put in a big bowl, cover and left to rise for about 1 hour. 

When it has double in size, knead a bit more, the divide the dough to fist sized balls. 

Put the balls in a large frying pan and cover. Let rise for about 15-20 minutes.

Warm the poaching liquid before adding to the proved dough. 

Cover and steamed on a small heat for about 15-20 minutes. Don't open the cover or you risk the dumpling to shrink. 

Enjoy with jam and custard if you like it sweet, or you can also enjoy it with curry like I did. 

cream maceroni inspired by 5ecret recipe

 

The other day,  my sisters came back home bringing a pack labeled 5ecret recipe, being the nosy person I am, I peeked into the pack, my middle sister directly says "Share with mother". Inside was macaroni with a thin white sauce, and shrimp and melted cheese on top. There are small mushrooms pieces here and there. To be honest, it was quit bland for my taste, but the mushroom sure do help in encouraging me to take another bite. The melted cheese helped too.. I was a bit curious on how to make it, especially when I once watch a korean realty tv show where the participants made spaghetti (I think) cream pasta. Knowing that 5ecret recipe has a menu of it, I use it as reference to search in the internet. By chance my neighbor gave us a pack of grilled shrimp, searching for ways to use the shrimp, I got the idea to made this recipe. 

Ingredients:

2/3 pack of elbow pasta (boiled- a minute to reach al dente)

3 clove of garlic (mince)

shrimp stock

1 tbsp dried shrimp (soaked and blended or crushed)

1 cup of mushroom (shred)

1 tbsp chili flakes

1/2 tbsp thyme

1 1/2 cup milk

salt to taste

3 slice of cheddar sandwich slice

1/3 cup of mozzarella cheese

Method: 

1) Saute garlic and dried shrimp until fragrant.

2) Add the stock. Let it boil until nearing dry. 

3) Add the mushroom, chili flake and thyme. Cook until tender. 

4) Add the pasta and milk, mix and let cook for 2-3 minutes.

5) Add the cheddar slice and salt to taste.

6) Lower the heat, sprinkle mozzarella on top the pasta, close the pan and let it steam for 5 minute before turning off the heat. 

7) To be enjoy warm. 😊