Cucumber, Mint and Pineapple Agua Fresca

Cucumber, Mint and Pineapple Agua Fresca

Ingredients
Yield:4 servings

½ cup peeled and roughly chopped cucumber
½ cup roughly chopped fresh pineapple
⅓ cup lime juice (from 2 to 3 limes)
Leaves from 2 or 3 sprigs of fresh mint
1 to 4 tablespoons sugar (or other sweetener), optional
Ice, for serving


Preparation

Step 1
In a blender, purée the cucumber, pineapple, lime juice and mint with 4 cups cold water. Taste; if it’s flat or you want more sweetness, add a tablespoon of sugar at a time until you are happy with the balance.

Step 2
Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours, though it’s best within the first few hours). Stir well and serve over ice.

Stovetop Chicken Satay with Creamy Peanut Sauce

Stovetop Chicken Satay with Creamy Peanut Sauce

SHOPPING LIST:

Fish sauce
Lemongrass
Chicken breasts
Limes
Garlic

Peanut butter
Coconut milk, extra for coconut rice
Red bell pepper
Scallions

Cilantro
Broccoli
Optional: cucumber

Reference Recipes:

Peanut Sauce (NYT Cooking)

Chicken Satay (Serious Eats)

Ingredients

Chicken & Marinade (for 2 lb chicken)

4 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons fish sauce (e.g., Red Boat)
4 tablespoons palm sugar or light brown sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
2 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce)
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
4 teaspoons freshly minced garlic (about 4 medium cloves)
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons Sriracha
2 stalks lemongrass, cut into 3-inch pieces and lightly smashed with the back of a knife
Use only the bottom ~⅔ of each stalk (the tender, pale portion). Discard the tough green tops.
2 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise into ½-inch strips


Peanut Sauce (double batch)

1 cup peanut butter (any style)
4 tablespoons lime juice (from 2–4 limes)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2–4 teaspoons Sriracha, to taste
2 teaspoons brown or granulated sugar
1 teaspoon prepared minced garlic or 2 small cloves, finely grated
1 cup coconut milk
½ cup warm water (add gradually)


Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, tamari, turmeric, garlic, coriander, and Sriracha.
Add the sliced chicken and the smashed lemongrass pieces.
Toss thoroughly to coat.

Marinating method:
Transfer to a large zip-top bag or cover the bowl.

Refrigerate for 1–2 hours, or up to overnight.
The lemongrass is for flavoring only and should be removed before cooking.

2. Make the Peanut Sauce

In a medium bowl or container, whisk together:
Peanut butter
Lime juice
Soy sauce
Sriracha
Sugar
Garlic
Coconut milk
Add warm water 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking until you reach your desired consistency:
Thicker for dipping
Thinner for drizzling or noodles
Taste and adjust lime, salt, heat, or sweetness as needed.
Storage:
Keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Re-thin with warm water before using.


3. Cook the Chicken (Stovetop)

You can use a flat griddle, cast-iron skillet, or large sauté pan.
Remove and discard the lemongrass pieces from the chicken.
Heat pan or griddle over medium-high heat and add a thin layer of neutral oil.
Arrange chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
Cook 3–4 minutes on the first side, undisturbed, until well caramelized.
Flip and cook 2–3 minutes on the second side, until cooked through.

Important tips:
The sugar in the marinade browns quickly.

Lower the heat slightly if the chicken starts to darken too fast.
Aim for deep caramelization without burning.


4. Serve

Serve hot with peanut sauce on the side or drizzled over the top.
Pairs well with:
Jasmine or coconut rice
Rice noodles
Steamed or stir-fried broccoli
Cucumber salad or quick-pickled vegetables like red bell peppers

GF Ube cake

Gluten-Free Ube Birthday Cake

original recipe here

Two Thick 8-Inch Layers
(Adapted for Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 GF Flour)

Ingredients

Ube Cake Batter

• 2¼ cups Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour, spooned and leveled
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp ube extract
• ½ cup vegetable oil + 1 tbsp additional oil
• ½ cup milk, room temperature
• 8 large egg yolks, room temperature
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 3.5 oz ube jam (about ½ cup), room temperature

Meringue

• 8 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• ¾ cup granulated sugar

Ube Swiss Meringue Buttercream

• 5 large egg whites
• 1¼ cups granulated sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 3–4 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
• 1+ tsp vanilla extract
• Ube extract, to taste (usually about 3 tsp)

Instructions

Prepare the Pans
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

1. Line the bottoms of two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. Lightly grease the sides of the pans. Set aside.

Make the Cake Batter

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the GF flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the ube extract, vegetable oil, and milk. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks on medium-high speed while gradually adding the ⅓ cup sugar (about 1 tsp at a time).
4. Beat for 7–8 minutes, until pale, thick, and fluffy.
5. Add the ube jam and beat until smooth and lump-free.
6. Add gel food coloring if using and mix until evenly colored.
7. Fold in the flour and milk mixtures in this order, folding gently after each addition:
• ⅓ of the flour
• ½ of the milk
• another ⅓ of the flour
• remaining milk
• remaining flour
8. Fold just until combined each time. Do not overmix.

Make the Meringue

1. In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy.
2. Add the cream of tartar and beat until very frothy.
3. Gradually add the ¾ cup sugar, about a heaping teaspoon at a time, and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form

Combine & Bake

1. Fold 1 cup of the meringue into the cake batter to lighten it.
2. Gently fold in the remaining meringue in two additions, using slow, wide folds until fully blended and no streaks remain.
3. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
4. Bake for 25–30 minutes, checking at 25 minutes.
5. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Remove from the oven and immediately invert the pans onto a cooling rack.
7. Cool completely upside down.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream here

For best texture and clean slices, refrigerate the assembled cake for 30–60 minutes, then bring to room temperature before serving.

Gluten Free Brownies

Gluten-Free Brownies (recipe here)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup gluten-free flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Chocolate chips 

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Spray 8×8 square baking pan with gluten-free non-stick cooking spray

 
In a large bowl, add melted butter, pure vanilla extract, granulated sugar and brown sugar and mix until fully combined.

Add in eggs one at a time and mix until fully combined.

In a medium-sized bowl combine gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and whisk together.

Slowly add the gluten-free flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined and smooth.

Add chocolate chips

Pour the brownie batter to 8×8 sized baking pan.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out just barely clean.

 
Remove brownies and allow to cool completely. Enjoy!