Sunday 8 December 2013

Banana Kaya Muffins


I went clothes shopping again. Not that I am a clothes horse but because I have to. I am one of those women who do not enjoy shopping. Joyce left a comment on my previous post saying that she does not enjoy shopping for clothes and only does it when she needs to. Are we a rare species?



I went up to the women's department at Aeon and browsed for long pants. I found a section of pants. They looked quite nice and I scanned for one to try. And there it was, a gem in my eyes - XXL. Ah, I found another one in a different color. Might as well resign to the fact that I am no longer an M and no point picking up an L only to be insulted in the fitting room. I was in luck as there was a fitting room free right in front of me. Time for some tugging, pulling and heaving. No wonder I don't enjoy clothes shopping. As I pulled up the pants, I realized that the waistband was way too big. At least 2 inches bigger and there was some room around my thighs. Tis the season to be jolly! At least Aeon has the good sense to cater to aunties like me with ever expanding girths.



I went back out to get L and too bad there was only one in the color that I liked. Well, well, it fitted with about 1/2 inch extra room around my waist. I also grabbed another pair of pants know as Jeggings. I am a bit out of touch with fashion and the like and I can only guess that Jeggings is a hybrid of Jeans and Leggings. I tried it on but ughh!!! It clings to the body and made me look like a wrapped up "nangka" (jackfruit). That will not do! 



Just to sidetrack a bit, I was at another outlet earlier looking for long johns. I had bought a pair (size M) about four weeks ago and decided to get another one. The sales girl told me that they were all out of M and my only options were S or L. This was what she said to me verbatim "Ms ah, I think you take S because you are skinny". What? What? Say again? Skinny? I almost gave her a hug. Tis the season to be jolly indeed! No lah, I am far from skinny. My baggy T-shirt fools them all the time. Either that or what the sweet young thing meant to say was that I am not that big. So I settled for the L.



And this morning, I baked Banana Kaya Muffins. Which is not helping me in any way to get back to my pre-XXL heydays. But who cares. The muffins were delicious as bananas go very well with kaya (coconut jam). I used the original flavor kaya as I find that pandan kaya does not taste as good with bananas. But that's just me, you might like it. As with my previous muffin, I left out sugar as the overripe bananas are very sweet and so is the kaya.










Banana Kaya Muffins
Recipe source : Phong Hong

Ingredients :
- 230 grams self-raising flour
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 113g butter, melted
- 1 tub plain yogurt (135ml)
- 200g bananas, mashed
- extra sliced bananas for topping (optional)
Note : Sugar left out intentionally as bananas and kaya are sweet enough.

For filling :
- 12 teaspoons kaya (cold from fridge so that it is firm and easier to handle)

Method :
1. Preheat oven to 160C.
2. Line muffin pan with paper liners.
3. Sift flour into a mixing bowl. Set aside.
4. In another mixing bowl, add yogurt, butter, eggs and mashed bananas. Mix well.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour.
6. Using a spatula, gently mix the batter until just combined.
7. Half fill all the muffin liners.
8. Add a teaspoon of kaya into the middle of the batter.
9. Fill up the muffin liners with the remaining batter to cover kaya.
10. Top with sliced bananas (if using).
11. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the muffin comes out clean.
12. Let the muffins cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

52 comments:

  1. Auntie Cheh Cheh.....dont go Aeon la....go Parkson :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why, Parkson got bigger size kah? Hee..hee..

      Delete
  2. Hi Phong Hong, it's Sunday today and I have nothing for tea!!!! Looking at your banana kaya muffins, my stomach already crying to be refilled!!!!! Look so tempting and yummylicious. May I come over now? Have a great Sunday and take care :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ivy! Hah! Hah! Too late liao! Muffins are very easy to prepare, just kacau-kacau and bake. Try it some time :)

      Delete
  3. Kaya and muffins do look like a great combination for muffins. I think I would love these very much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mich, you will like it. Hope that you can try it with your homemade kaya.

      Delete
  4. Hi Phong Hong, I also hate shopping for clothes because every time I went clothes shopping my size would get bigger, from XS to ???? (not dare to tell) haha....
    Arrrgggh....Food blogger what should I do ????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther, you XS??? I jealous already lah :D Food blogging doesn't help us to slim down. Always want to try new recipes and the tasting leads to a lot of trouble hee..hee...

      Delete
  5. Phong Hong, hahahaha.... like to read your story in the changing room. It applied to me. But you are better than me, size L can't fit me. I need size XL. I am not joking.
    I've just bought a bunch of bananas. thought of making your muffins too. But I don have kaya, can i replace with jam?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Veronica! Ah, a kindred soul who understands my challenges in the fitting room :) Yes, can replace with jam and I recommend marmalade as it goes quite nicely with bananas.

      Delete
  6. I loved the shopping story so much:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ola! I wonder if you love shopping :)

      Delete
  7. Phong Hong your muffin looks so very yummy l love to eat this type of muffin l can eat 4 at one go with coffee yum!! I love to go shopping for clothes in 1U .One day 2 or 3 years ago I went to 1U to jalan then I went into this shop the pencil or tight skirt whatever you call caught my eyes l have been eyeing for this it's snake skin pattern for quite smone time I took the largest it looks big I went into the fitting room try on it fits I was so happy.I breathe in when I zip it it fits but when I breathe out the zip burst ah lah mak what to do so I quietly put it back somewhere in the middle of the rack and quickly walk out I told your mum she laughed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hah! Hah! EE, lucky didn't get caught. Cannot go back to that shop for at least 6 months hee..hee...

      Delete
  8. like your shopping story and your banana kaya muffin as well :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Aunty Young! I will come visit you soon :)

      Delete
  9. Never mind what size, eat, drink and be merry! I really should try baking...but I'm sooooo lazy! Just wait for somebody to do it so I can eat. Hehehehehe!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arthur, get Melissa to do it hee..hee...

      Delete
  10. Hahaha, I have a gf who also doesn't like shopping for clothes but I'm a shopping queen myself. Bad habit, bad habit. I'm not a big fan of kaya, can I have a plain banana muffin instead?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessie, I only love shopping for books (esp cookbooks) and baking items. For clothes, shoes and handbags, I very sian one. You don't like kaya, adoi! Sure you can have a nice plain banana muffin because it is also very good.

      Delete
  11. Your shopping story made me chuckle... tis the season to be jolly for sure! My husband has been baking a lot of nice things for me lately and I have to be careful not to overeat! Argh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yen, how lucky of you to have a husband who bakes! But sharing it out among the four of you should be ok, small helpings per person :)

      Delete
  12. Hi Phong Hong,

    Yes!!! I agree that Joyce and you are the rare species who doesn't like shopping... Do you really don't like shopping??? How about kitchen wares or home wares? Yes!!!... that I love love love shopping. Not just clothes but everything... ha ha ha! I'm the impulsive shopping auntie... everything is good and must buy :p

    No worries at all with banana kaya muffins. Eat more muffins, then eat less dinner! :p

    Zoe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Zoe! I know, I know, lots of ladies love shopping like you. I do love shopping for books and baking stuff. But other things I dread hah! hah!

      Delete
  13. How I wish I could fit in M or L....it has been a long long time ago that I have to send all my M & L clothes away....sobssss....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jozelyn, you are not alone.....I have to start a new collection of XL or XXL (depend on cutting) already...haiyah what to do....love food too much :)

      Delete
  14. Hahaha! PH, love your shopping experience! Why don't you let me take you go on a shopping spree this Christmas? Come & Win JollyChic $100 Shopping Spree At Luxury Haven! Giveaway is Open to All Worldwide! You may be the lucky one to go shopping with me online!

    Ok, shopping aside! Love those muffins, dear! It's interesting to see you putting kaya & banana together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shirley! Hmm...your shopping spree extravaganza may be wasted on me hah! hah! Thanks for the invite, I will let my shopping crazy sisters try their luck!

      Delete
  15. You are very funny la.. I kept laughing when I was reading your post.. You are talking about your shopping and trying clothes and all, but when I scroll down, wah, all muffin pictures.. wakakaka..

    Yummz, banana and kaya.. It reminds me of Domino's.. Because they have this banana kaya dessert also which I love..

    Oh, what happens if I omit the yogurt?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Louiz! I should have take photo of the label for my XXL clothes hah! hah! If you omit yogurt, please replace with milk or else your batter will be too dry. But seriously, yogurt or buttermilk will make your muffins fluffier.

      Delete
  16. me same, hate to shopping for clothes nowadays, only look so size L and above, Xian lar..hahaha..
    oh, you very creative ler, banana, kaya and muffin, sound very good wor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonia, shake hands! I also very xian lah, most sizes now are for young thin girls....

      Delete
  17. Looks great, I didn't know kaya goes well with banana, next time would have to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi PH, me another don't really like shopping for clothes. I usually go for better quality materials and my clothes last a long time. Lucky me, my size hasn't change for years. My mum says, I'm 'lau ia' always wearing the same clothes. Another lovely muffins from our Muffin Queen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hah! Hah! Kimmy, I am also "lau ia" because I tend to wear my favorite clothes often and not very keen to buy new ones. I only buy when the clothes "koyak" or can't fit me anymore. I like to bake muffins because they are not complicated, perfect for lazy days :) You are lucky to stay at the same size.

      Delete
  19. your story sounds very similar to mine! Have a good Christmas and I hope both of us don't gain too much weight from festive eating ;p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janine! Hah! Hah! I must control myself but I always give in when the food is right in front of me!

      Delete
  20. Hi Phong Hong,
    You are so funny with your shopping story :D I love shopping be it or clothing or kitchen wares or bakeware ... But not always though... Hehe
    My kids love banana muffins. Yours with kaya they will super love it :p
    mui

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mui mui, I only enjoy shopping for books and baking stuff. But I don't mind following others when they are shopping. I just look see and "kaypo" help them find size :)

      Delete
  21. Hi Phong Hong, I loved reading your shopping for clothes post. I must be a rare kind of species as well because, I don't like to shop for clothes. I hate undressing and trying things on...going back out there on the floor to get more things, getting all aggravated, but I do have to go once in a while for special things; and I do love the 'sales' items when its 20, 30, 40% off...I'm such a 'thrift shopper' with everything!

    Your muffins with the banana and the kaya are so droolworthy yummy, I would love to grab some through the screen monitor...sigh!
    I love coming to your blog and reading your fun posts, and of course your amazing recipes and 'true to life' pretty photos of them! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elisabeth! I laughed reading your comment on shopping and getting "aggravated". It's great to have someone who has a similar experience to truly understand each others problems hah! hah! I do look out for thrifts too and try to do my shopping when the sales is on. Glad you like my muffins, wish I could share some with you!

      Delete
  22. Your story so amusing. Sometimes I wanted to try L for the sake of it and then end up buying XL. Love your muffin, sure my family will love to eat it. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy, you too? Hee..hee..welcome to the club!

      Delete
  23. Hi Phong Hong,
    Kakaka! You made me laugh, again! I think everyone must think we are a pair of weirdos! My visiting sis and my nieces went shopping today, without me! But I have to go shopping sooner or later, as CNY is round the corner!
    My sis asked me just yesterday, why I dislike shopping for clothes, told her I would yawn as soon as I stepped into a clothes boutique!! It's true!!
    The only place I love to shop is at the bookstore!
    Did you go to the BBW booksale? I went there three times already!
    Your banana kaya muffins looks delicious! I have never tried using kaya as the filling for muffins before! Must be very good with a cup of hot black coffee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joyce, me too love shopping at the bookstore! I wish I could go to the BBW sales. I probably won't mind camping there hah! hah! But I don't have the time. Another place I can go shopping crazy us at the baking supply shop.

      Delete
  24. well, we used to called kaya as srikaya custard jam here in Indonesia.....
    never even thought to made a muffun out of it, what a great invention sweet tooth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sweet stuff, not quite dentist approved hee..hee...

      Delete
  25. i wouldnt say that i dislike shopping but i find myself spending more time in the grocery department than in the clothes shops. Not long ago, i bought 3 bags in one day and then later, few pairs of shoes in one day again...but then i think i got mood one la...hehe..

    i have to say banana and kaya sounds like a very unique kind of muffin...delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lena, I also have moods. To buy clothes, I have to wait for the right moment or else I end up not buying anything at all.

      Delete
  26. I don't like to shop for clothes too. I only like to 'shop' at bookstores, baking supply stores and supermarkets ;)

    ReplyDelete