Bubur Sumsum (Indonesian Rice Flour Warm Pudding)

Bubur Sumsum is made from rice flour, cooked in coconut milk, and served with palm sugar syrup. My mom and some of our Indonesian friends believe that consuming Bubur Sumsum will sooth the sore coming from a tiring body. It is supposed to be energizing, and it gives strength when needed. Not sure if it indeed works that way, but I like this comfort food very much.

ingredients
serves 4

100 gr rice flour
700 ml water
200 ml canned coconut milk
1 tsp salt
2 pandan leaves, knotted

for the palm sugar syrup
200 gr palm sugar, cut into small pieces
1 tbs sugar
400 ml water

method

Make the palm sugar syrup first.
Place all ingredients for the syrup in a sauce pan. Put it on the stove over medium heat. Stir it occasionally until it is boiled. Set aside, let it cool.

For the Bubur Sumsum:
1. In a pan, mix the rice flour, salt, water, and the coconut milk. Whisk it until it is all incorporated.
2. Put the pan on a stove on medium heat. Add the knotted pandan leaves. Keep on stirring to avoid lumps.
3. When it boils, and bubbles come out from it. The Bubur Sumsum is ready.
4. Serve with the palm sugar syrup. Spoon the Bubur Sumsum into a bowl, top with the syrup.

(Failed) Banana Cake

This is the third time I failed in baking Banana Cake. The first two times were long time ago. It was two epic fails that did not make it to this blog (but then again, I was in hiatus too :)) Anyway, I tried baking a batch again today, and it was another failure, bummer!

I don't understand what goes wrong, it tastes okay, but it seems to be doughy, it isn't risen. Well, I need to concoct another recipe then. Until then I just have to eat this stupid looking failed banana cake. 

For this cake I use the following ingredients:

200 gr/7 oz margarine

200 gr/7 oz sugar

225 gr/8 oz self-raising flour

3 very ripe bananas, mashed

3 eggs

2 tbs orange juice

a pinch of cinnamon powder

method

1. Mix margarine and sugar with an electric mixer until they're all incorporated.

2. Add eggs, mix on high speed for a few minutes until the batter has risen. Lower the speed of the electric mixer. Add the self-raising flour, bit by bit, keep the mixer on. Add the orange juice, cinnamon powder, and mix it again on the lowest speed for about one to two minutes until the mixture is all incorporated.

3. Spoon the batter into a tulband cake mould that has been greased and dusted with flour. Bake in a preheated oven, 180°C/356°F for 50 minutes.