Valentine's Day Apple Roses

Ingredients:

1 Pastry Sheet 

3 Apples 

5 Tbsp Sugar

2 tsp Cinnamon

1 pinch Nutmeg

1 tsp Lemon Zest

4 cups Water

3 Tbsp  sugar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

Powdered Sugar for dusting (optional)

parchment paper

Steps :

1. Wash and core the apples. Slice in very thin slices, slightly smaller than 1/8 inch.  Place the sliced apples in a saucepan along with the 4 cups water, 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 2 minutes, or until the apple slices soften and can easily bend. 

2.Strain the apples and let cool in the colander.  Line a plate with paper towels and nicely arrange the apple slices so that they can dry and cool completely. 

3. While the apples are cooling, mix the 5 tablespoons of sugar with the cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon zest.  Prepare you work surface by lightly sprinkling it with some flour (or just use a silicone mat) and roll out the pastry sheet.  Using a pastry (or pizza) cutter, cut long strips approximately 1/2 inch wide.  Spread the cinnamon mixture over the dough and slightly press it down. 

4. By this time your apples should be cool and almost dry.  Take a few slices and place them on the first strip of pastry dough, overlapping them so they do not fall out and will create a rose-like design (petals) once completed.  Now start rolling, making sure it is fairly tightly rolled.  Place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

5. Repeat until you have create all of the Apple Roses.

6. Bake at 425˚F for 25 minutes, or until nicely golden.

Red Velvet Pancakes

It's Valentine's day! I was up early because i was so excited to make this. Few days ago I stumbled across chocolatecoveredkatie's and blogilates's blog and both of them posted about Secretly Healthy Red Velvet Cupcake and Healthy Red Velvet Cupcakes and Pancakes for Valentine's day recipe. I was inspired by both of this recipe and created my version of Red Velvet Pancakes. I shared it with my family members and everyone was pleased with the gorgeous velvet red colour and of course the taste!

In case you didn't realize today is also the valentine's day from the Chinese! It's called 'Chap Goh Mei'. It means the last day of the Chinese New Year. Awesome!

*It's a single serving recipe*

*vegan*

Ingredients :

4 Tbsp  flour

2 Tbsp cocoa powder

2 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp of vanilla extract

pinch of both cinnamon and nutmeg (optional )

1/4 cup of milk

1 steamed beetroot (small)

Steps:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

2. Blitz the steamed beet, vanilla and milk until smooth.

3. Add the beetroot mixture to the dry.

4. Mix well just until moistened. Do not over mix.

5. Heat up your skillet and cook the pancakes.

6. Flip it when it forms bubbles on top and the edges are starting to cook.

7. Top it with yogurt or cream and serve with a touch of honey or chocolate with your loved ones. 

*or eat them up all by yourself! ;D*

Good Luck!