Avocado Mousse

I always go crazy whenever I see avocados on sale. It's an expensive fruit - each costing as much as $2 when there are no sales. When I saw it in a supermarket for a dollar each, I know I had to grab a basketful of them. I do try to buy the unripe ones so that I have a steady supply of avocados over the days but after awhile, there is only so much guocomole, salads and smoothies that I can tolerate and soon some will start to languish from my lack of attention and sadly perish before I can get to them. I know that avocado meat can be frozen but those who know me will know that my fridge and freezer is often bursting at the seams with just too many produce. 

In this particular case, I managed to catch the ripening avocados just in time and decided to make a breakfast dessert out of it. It is very filling - avocados have high fat content - and as a meal it can easily feed two and as a dessert - four. Play around with the sweetness, liquids and toppings. I just used whatever I had at hand. 

Avocado Mousse 

2 avocados

80ml soymilk or any other nut milk

1 tablespoon sweetener of choice - I just used raw sugar (palm sugar will be delicious as well)

1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Method

1) Pit the avocados and add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in bowls or chill before serving. 

Yes, that IS all it takes. If you are feeling fancy sprinkle some cinnamon or cocoa powder on top, add fruits or berries. Anything you like :)

Simple Baked Potato with Homemade Cheeze Sauce

I haven't blogged about food in the longest time and I sincerely apologise for the long drawn out absence. I've just been so amazingly busy this year with the magazine, classes and other tutoring work that I don't have the time to write recipes and take good photographs. My new year resolution would be to have better time management! 

This is a simple baked potato that we had for lunch today. I just scrubbed the potatoes and threw them into the oven while cleaning up the house and was deciding between a tahini lemon sauce or cheeze sauce and decided to go for the later which I believe was a wise choice! 

Baked Potato with Cheeze Sauce 

4 russet potatoes

Salt to taste

Some olive oil

Cheeze Sauce (adapted from the Uncheese Cookbook)

1/2 cup plain flour

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon miso paste

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Salt to taste

2 cups of water 

Method:

1) Preheat an oven to 200 degree celcius. Scrub the potatoes really well and cut in half lengthwise. Coat with oil and sprinkle some salt on the cut side. Bake in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the potato is soft when pierced with a fork.

2) For the cheeze sauce, mix all the ingredients together. Mix until smooth.

3) Heat gently over a small fire until the mixture thickens. Adjust the seasoning as desired. 

4) Drizzle over the baked potatoes and serve with some sriracha sauce or Tabasco sauce. 

December Class Schedules

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are having a good November and gearing up for the end of the year :) Time to reflect on 2011 and to start contemplating new year resolutions.

If one of the resolutions is to go for a vegan cooking class, I hope this will help to make that a reality! :D

Take care and all the best,

Halimah

December Home Baking Classes

Date	Time	Lesson Description	Cost
3 Dec (Sat)	10-1pm	Savoury Pie Class Shepherd’s Pie Flaky Mushroom Pie Curried Vegetable Pie	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: Learn how to make three gorgeous pies using different techniques for the crust.
3 Dec (Sat)	2.30 – 5.30pm	Going Fruity Moist Banana Cake with Caramel Cream Apple Blueberry Cake with Vanilla Cream	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: Learn how to make two different fruit based cakes that are sure to delight your family.
4 Dec (Sun)	10 – 1pm	Very Berry Desserts Apple and Blueberry Crumble Strawberry Oat Bars Red Cherry Pie	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: Love berries? Enjoy them in these three yummy desserts
10 Dec (Sat)	10 – 1pm	Christmas Party Tartlets Assorted Fruit Custard Tartlets Chocolate Mousse Tartlets Apple Berry Tartlets	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: Impress your guests with these delectable morsels of sweet treats.
10 Dec (Sat)	2.30 – 5.30pm	Christmas Finger Food Mini Crispy Mushroom Parcels Vegetable Pot Pies ‘Meatball’ Kebab with savoury tomato chutney	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: Not sure what to make for your party? Learn three types of savoury treats that will leave your guests wanting more.
11 Dec (Sun)	10 – 1 pm	Muffins On the Go Very Berry Muffin Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Healthy Carrot Wholegrain Muffin	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: Learn how to make three types of delicious and healthy muffins that make wholesome breakfast food.
11 Dec (Sun)	2.30 – 5.30pm	Tea Time Cakes Walnut Cinnamon Cake Red Berries Crumble Cake	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – learn how to make two delectable cakes to be enjoyed during tea or coffee break.
17 Dec (Sat)	2- 5 pm	Christmas Cookies Fruit and Nut Clusters Gingerbread Man Very Berry Shortbread bars	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Make your very own Christmas cookies to serve family and friends.
18 Dec (Sun)	2 – 5 pm	Vegan Cheezecake Class Mocha Cheezecake Blueberry Lemon Cashew Cheezecake Extra Recipe: Chocolate Cookie Crust recipe	$85 $80 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: A re-run of our popular cheezecake class, learn how to make dairy free vegan cheezecakes.
24 Dec (Sat)	10 -1 pm	Chinese New Year Cookies Seasame Squares Almond Cookies with Sea Salt Chocolate Brownie Cookies	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: Why buy when you can make your very own Chinese New Year cookies. Learn how to make some yummy treats for your guests.

November 2011 - Class Offerings

Hi Everyone,

The end of the year is just around the corner. Here is our special line up of classes for the month of November! Hope you'll enjoy them as much as we did putting it together :)

Date	Time	Lesson Description	Cost
5 Nov (Sat)	2.30 – 5.30pm	Classic Cakes Blackforest Cake American Carrot Cake	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Learn the secrets of how to make mouthwatering moist classic cakes
6 Nov (Sun)	10 – 1pm	Cupcakes Galore Green Tea Cupcakes Chocolate Cupcake with Caramel Drizzle Banana Split Cupcakes	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Learn how to make some of our popular cupcakes that are sure to impress!
6 Nov (Sun)	2.30 – 5.30pm	Yummy Quiches Mixed Vegetable Quiche Mushroom Spinach Quiche with Potato Crust	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Learn how to make two delicious, healthy and wholesome quiches.
12 Nov (Sat)	10 – 1pm	Brownies and Scones Vegan Chocolate Brownies Hazelnut Orange Scones Banana Date Scones	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Make fudgy brownies and mouthwatering scones for breakfast or tea.
12 Nov (Sat)	2.30 – 5.30pm	Vegan Pizza Class Basic handmade pizza crust Hawaiian Pizza Almond Spinach Pizza	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Learn the art of making crispy and fluffy pizza crusts and how to complement flavours.
13 Nov (Sun)	10 – 1 pm	Let’s Go Indonesian (Food Demo Class) Indonesian Gado Gado (Indonesian Salad with Peanut Sauce) Sambal Tempeh (Stir Fried Tempeh, Beancurd and Long Beans) Sayur Lodeh (Vegetables in Spicy Coconut Milk) Nasi Kuning (Turmeric Rice) Es Teler (Avocado Jackfruit Dessert)	$60 $55 for early bird registration (1 week in advance) Description – Learn how to make Indonesian favourites and wow your family with your culinary skills (Note: This is a food demo class).
19 Nov (Sat)	10-1pm	Classic Cakes Marble Cake Rich Mocha Cake with Espresso Cream	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Learn the secrets of how to make mouthwatering moist classic cakes
20 Nov (Sun)	10-1 pm	And that’s how the Cookie Crumbles “Oreo” Sandwich Cookies Lavender Shortbread Cranberry Macadamia Cookie	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Learn to make three different all-time favorite cookies.
20 Nov (Sun)	2.30 – 5.30pm	Middle East Delights (Food Demo Class) Hummus with Variations (Chickpea Dip) Baba Ganoush (Eggplant Dip) Pita Bread Tabouleh (Bulgar Wheat Salad) Stuffed Green Peppers and Tomatoes	$60 $55 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description: Learn the art of preparing delicious healthy and versatile middle east food – belly dancing not included! J (Note –This is a food demo class)
26 Nov (Sat)	10 -1 pm	Vegan Christmas Treats Belgian Chocolate Log Cake Spiced Fruit Cake	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Learn how to make a delectable chocolate log cake and classic fruit cake.
26Nov (Sat)	2.30 – 5.30pm	Tea Time Delights Orange Pistachio Cake Coconut Lime Cake	$80 $75 for early bird registration (1 week prior) Description – Enjoy two refreshing citrusy cakes with a twist.
27 Nov (Sun)	10 -1 pm	Scrumptious Breakfast (Food Demo ) Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes Strawberry Compote and Chocolate Sauce Homemade granola bars Vegan ‘Egg’ Scramble Vegan French Toast	60 $55 for early bird registration (1 week in advance) Description – Not sure what to feed junior now that the school holidays are here. Learn how to make wholesome breakfast food items that are sure to wow the little ones.