My Secret Recipe Book

Sweet Mushroom Tartlets

Once you know how to make puff pastry, you can make so much more with it ranging from crunchy appetizers to desserts. These puff pastry makes great appetizers that adds a sophisticated touch to a dinner! If you have a hard time making puff pastry, they sell them as sheets in most supermarkets!

INGREDIENTS:

1 puff pastry dough rolled to a 8” x 9’ x 4’ sheet

1 cup sliced mushroom

1 cup diced mushroom

1 cup diced onion

1/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the puff pastry into 6 even squares. Score the squares about 1/2 inch from the sides.

2. In a shallow pan, saute the mushroom with the onions. Add in sugar and cook for 2 minutes.

3. When mushrooms are ready, spoon on top of the scored areas of the squares.

4. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and bake at 400’C for 20 -30 minutes.

5. Decorate with sliced green onions.

Baked Herbal Potato Nuggets

This is a perfect little appetizer for a side during a dinner. It’s easy to make and it’s less filling using potato nuggets. If you let the marinade sink in for longer, you can taste the herbs more!

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups potato nuggets

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup chopped cilantro

2 tsp Rosemary

2 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Savory

salt & pepper

1/3 cup lime juice

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a pot, boil the potato nuggets until they are soft.

2. Let them drain and cool.

3. Mix potato nuggets well with all ingredients.

4. Allow the marinade to soak in in a shallow bowl overnight.

5. When ready, bake at 450’C until the outsides are brown and crispy.

Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad

Mandarin oranges can be used in salads as well; this tangy and sour tasting salad is the perfect appetizer before a hearty meal!

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cup mandarin oranges

3 cups spinach

3 tbsp lemon zest

1/3 cup lemon juice

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp sugar

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1/3 cup sliced apples

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare all the fruits and vegetables and mix in large bowl

2. Add in lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil

3. Sprinkle almonds and lemon zest throughout

4. Keep cool in the fridge before serving

(No Bake) Mango Cheesecake

If you’re looking for an easy dessert to make and is too lazy to bake an actual cheesecake, you can try this recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
2 mangoes
1/2 tsp butter
62mL whipping cream
oreo cookies
1 pack mango jelly powder
50g sugar
2 tsp gelatin
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
8 oz cream cheese

DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix the mango jelly powder with hot water
2. Add in the gelatin (mix it with cold water first)
3. Crush the Oreo cookies
4. Mix the crushed cookies with butter (melt in microwave)
5. Press into the cake holder
6. Freeze the hardened crust for 30 mins
7. Cut (dice) the mangoes
8. Beat the cream cheese till soft and smooth
9. Add in sugar and beat
10. Add in whipping cream, vanilla extract, the jelly mixture and mangoes
11.  Pour the entire mixture into the pan and refrigerate overnight

Herb Marinated Cocktail Shrimp

I was craving cocktail shrimps for awhile after having some during a dinner at a family friend’s. Finally, I made some for the weekend and added a little touch to it!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups shrimps/ prawns

1/2 tsp chicken stock powder

1/3 tsp white pepper powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp Rosemary

1/3 Paprika

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tbsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix the stock powder, white pepper powder, salt, black pepper, Rosemary, Paprika  and soy sauce together in a small bowl.

2. Rub the shrimps thoroughly with the prepared marinade.

3. Heat a pan at medium heat.

4. Saute the shrimps on the pan for 1 minute.

5. Dip into cocktail sauce for a full finish!

Mini Chocolate Croissants

I’ve been craving for Croissants for a few months and knowing that puff pastry is so hard to make, have been putting it off. I finally came around making it a few days ago!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

3 tbsp butter - melted

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 egg

2 tbsp cream

1 puff pastry sheet

DIRECTIONS:

1. Flour a flat surface and roll out the puff pastry dough into a large 12 x 16 inch sheet using a roller.

2. Spread the melted butter onto the rolled out pastry sheet.

3. Sprinkle cinnamon evenly onto the pastry sheet.

4. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the pastry sheet into 8 even pieces. Then cut each piece diagonally into triangles.

5. Place some chocolate chips evenly among each of triangular section of the pastry.

6. Roll the triangular pieces from the larger end to the smaller end, making sure the chocolate don’t fall out.

7. Place onto parchment paper on a baking pan.

8. In a small bowl, mix together the egg and the cream.

9. Brush the croissants using the egg wash. Then bake at 400’C for 20-30 minutes.

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Almonds

If you crave something a little sweet for dinner, try this recipe! It’s got a light sweet touch to it and is filling and easy to make!

INGREDIENTS:

4 yams

1/2 cup nuts (pecans/almonds)

2 tbsp brown sugar

salt

1/4 cup butter

2 tbsp cream

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pot, boil the yams until they’re soft.

2. Mash the yams then add cream and salt to it.

3. Spread into a casserole dish and flatten the top.

4. In a small saucepan, melt the brown sugar and add in butter. Mix well.

5. Spread the sugar mixture onto the yam and add on nuts.

6. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes.