We were lucky enough to get a chance to make a cake last weekend, a rice cake at that. The nice teacher called us up if we were interested which we were of course. I thought it was just a one time thing but it turns out to be three sessions, once every month.
It is an interesting thing for my son coz he was as excited as I am. We've baked together in the our kitchen in the Philippines when he was younger but since he is older now and more capable of doing things himself, I let him have his way this time. I did have to do the 'lil bit of chopping and most of the cleaning.
As I have guessed, the cake is a rice cake. The teacher showed us the ingredients, and demonstrated how the cake was made. There were dried dates, pine nuts, sprinklers as cake toppings. We even learned how to make a flower topping made from rice flour as well. It was just amazing how a little bit of art goes into culinary. Funny thing is we never got the chance to get a copy of the recipe.
So I may have to write it down here or what I remember most, that is.
Ing.
3 C *pre-mixed white rice flour
2 C *pre-mixed yellow rice flour (squash)
*(this already has the sugar, salt and I don't know the rest)
Toppings:
pine nuts, sprinklers, cried dates (seeded, rolled and chopped thinly), blueberries, and a Mr. Santa cake topper
How:
1. Best to strain the flours (which we forgot to do.)
2. Pour them on the mold lined with paper foil. You can alternate the colors for a layered look or marble style. Whatever you prefer.
3. Set aside a clump of flour to steam outside the mold to use for the flower toppings.
mix in some juice to color the whites, like a food color.
4. Steam these for 15 mins. for the toppings, and 18 mins. for the main cake.
5. Take out the clumps and start flattening them out to cut out three circles using a cookie cutter or something round. Then , put the three round on half-on-top- of each other and roll it. Cut in half and tweak the "petals" a bit and voila, you have your flower toppings now!
6. When the time is up, take a chosticks/toothpick test to check if it's all well steamed. Then, turn off the fire, leave it for a minute or two before taking it out.
7. Then, start designing the cake.
Here is how the rest of the cake from everyone in the class turned out. We got to take them home in cake boxes too!
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| Before |
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| P's designed cake. Not too polished-looking but edible anyway. He can't wait to try it! |
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| After |
It isn't the typical western cake that is all too sweet. It was just almost tasteless, with only a hint of sweetness to it. However, we all like liked it as it is. Well, maybe with a little bit of the sweet toppings. Not bad for a healthier cake I'd say.
This got me thinking to try steaming something one of these days. I can probably try bread or buns next time. If only our kitchen will be warmer soon. :D
1. bap - Mixed Rice (Rice is a staple but it can vary everyday with other grains that they mix it with. I doubt if I'll ever see a plain rice as it is.)