Recipe: Mini lime syrup sponges (Nigella Lawson)

Need inspiration for Mother's Day?

Mother's Day is fast approaching (it's this coming Sunday, guys!), but if you haven't gotten her anything this year, I have a recipe especially for you.  These delicious Mini Lime Syrup Sponges will surely put a smile on your mother's face.... it certainly did for me, when BabySumoKids made these for me for teatime one day.

This beautiful recipe yields a soft, tender sponge soaked in lime syrup. Loved the lovely aroma from the lime zest too! The original recipe call for self-raising cake flour, however I've provided a substitution which you can use (with the more commonly found all-purpose flour in our kitchens).

This is an easy recipe, which kids can do all by themselves with minor supervision. They turned out absolutely divine and certainly went down a treat, perfect with a cuppa tea!

Mini Lime Syrup Sponges
Recipe by Baby Sumo, adapted from Nigella Lawson
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Makes 8

Ingredients
113g butter, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp caster sugar
2 large eggs
Zest of 1 lime
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
4 tbsp milk

For the syrup:
4 tbsp lime juice (from 2-4 limes, depending on size)
5-6 tbsp icing sugar


1. Preheat oven to 180°C (no fan). Grease the inside of the 8-cup mini loaf pan using melted butter or oil.

2. Sift the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Mix well.

3. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until pale, light and creamy, about 5-6 minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, and beat well, repeat until all eggs are used. Mixture should be light and fluffy. Add the lime zest.

4. Fold in sifted flour in 3 batches, until well combined. Add the milk and mix well. Your batter should be of a dropping consistency at this point.

5. Spoon batter into prepared mini-loaf pan and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes.

6. While the cakes are cooking, make the syrup. Place lime juice and icing sugar in a small saucepan and gently heat and stir until sugar dissolves. See Note 1. 

7. As soon as the mini sponges are ready, take them out of the oven and prick all over using a cake tester or skewer. Then, spoon over lime syrup. Allow cake to cool for at least 1 hour before removing from tin. Grate lime zest over the cakes and serve.

Note:

1. Original recipe calls for 1/2 cup icing sugar for the syrup. However, I recommend you start with 1/4 cup (which is equivalent to 4 tbsp) and then gradually add 1 tbsp at a time to get the taste that you like. We used 5 tbsp in total.
2. If you do not have a mini loaf pan, you may also do this in 9 x 4 inch loaf pan, lined with baking paper. For the loaf pan, you will need to bake the cake for 45 minutes. You can get 16 slices from this loaf.

The same recipe, made in a loaf pan.Please see Note 2 above for baking instructions.

Lime syrup sponge cake recipe

Mini Lime Syrup Sponges Mini Lime Syrup Sponges Mini Lime Syrup Sponges Mini Lime Syrup Sponges Mini Lime Syrup Sponges Mini Lime Syrup Sponges Mini Lime Syrup Sponges
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Prego Bubbalicious Brunch, The Westin Kuala Lumpur

Bubbly brunches are aplenty these days, however, standing the test of time is the famed Bubbalicious Sunday Brunch at Prego, The Westin Kuala Lumpur. A stalwart of KL's bubbly brunch scene, standards are kept high and service is top notch, which explains why it still remains popular to this day with KL-ites.

Happening every Sunday from 11.30am to 2.30pm, the Bubbalicious Brunch features rustic home-style Italian favourites, including antipasti, gourmet wood fired pizza, homemade pasta and grilled meats in a relaxed and casual setting.

There are 3 types of packages to choose from:

• Food & Champagne Package RM375nett per person : Includes free flow of Moët and Chandon champagne, red and white wine, draught beer, soft drinks, chilled juices
• Food & Beverage Package RM275nett per person : Includes free flow of Sparkling wine, red and white wine, draught beer, soft drinks and chilled juices
• Food Only Package RM175nett per person

It was Moet all the way for us at Prego's Bubbalicious last weekend, as we chatted and laughed the afternoon away while enjoying the delicious spread of food. We helped ourselves to the freshly shucked oysters, whole salmon, cold seafood such as scallops, prawns, mussels and crab as well as the impressive antipasti selection.

Highlights for me include the Black Angus Beef Carpaccio, Sicilian Vegetable Caponata on Crostini, and the Caprese Salad with buffalo mozzarella, vine ripened tomato and basil essence.

Cured salmon

Black Angus beef carpaccio

Caprese salad

Calamari and Prawn Salad with Mediterranean Lemon Dressing

Polpettine in Agrodolce (Grandmother's style meatballs)

Green asparagus, eggs, black and red caviar

Sicilian Vegetable Caponata on Crostini

Roasted beets carpaccio with hazelnuts and goat cheese

The chefs did a great a job replenishing the food on the buffet spread and they also came around regularly with the pass-around hot food such as freshly made pizza, from the wood-fire oven, pasta and risotto. Furthermore, our champagne glasses were constantly topped up, excellent service for sure!

Free flow Moet & Chandon champagne :)

 

Don't forget to head outside to the grill section, and order the sirloin (medium rare, please). The sirloin is cooked a la minute on the hot charcoal grill, sliced and served with salt or sauce of your choice. Perfectly grilled, we loved it so much that we had 3 servings! :)

There will also be spit roasted chicken, wood-fired roasted lamb, chicken cacciatore and more.

A beautiful spread of desserts awaits, such as pastries, cakes, lemon meringue tart, Sicilian cannoli as well as a selection of cheese and ice-cream (we recommend the Praline, with a touch of sea salt).

A special Passion Fruit Chiffon Sliced Cake for the mothers :)

Opening times: Mon-Sat 12 pm - 2.30pm, Sun 11.30am - 2.30pm; Dinner 6.30pm to 10.30pm daily.



Location: Prego, The Westin Kuala Lumpur, 199 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: 03- 2773 8338

GPS Coordinates: 3.14779, 101.714569


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Celebrating Moms on Mother's Day at The Westin Kuala Lumpur

We love our moms, and we want to pamper her with the love and happiness she deserves, especially so on Mother’s Day.

On this special day, bring your mom for an exclusive feast at The Westin Kuala Lumpur and treat her to a day of pure relaxation with fine food, ranging from an exclusive Italian brunch, hearty International hi-tea or an authentic dim sum brunch.

CELEBRATIVE TREATS FOR ALL MOMS

As an appreciation to all the amazing mothers, the hotel has planned a series of complimentary treats just for them. From specialty cakes to dining for free, they want to ensure moms are celebrated like a queen! Dine in on Mother’s Day and enjoy the following:

Specialty Passion Fruit Chiffon Sliced Cake
All moms receive a piece of complimentary sweet creation by award-winning Pastry Chef Hanafiah Ahmad. Sitting on top of the super fruit list, Passion Fruit is incorporated into the sweet treat to ensure a guilt-free sweet indulgence to end a meal.

Moms Dine For FREE
Book a table at Prego on Mother’s Day and let them take care of Mom’s meal! When accompanied by 3 full paying adults, moms dine for free* over the lively Bubbalicious Brunch.



MOTHER’S DAY CULINARY SPECIALS AT THE WESTIN KUALA LUMPUR

Prego | Sunday Bubbalicious Brunch

Featuring unlimited servings of Moët & Chandon champagne, a memorable day filled with joy and laughter is guaranteed. Explore this all-you-can-eat-and-drink extravaganza with more than 100 items on the buffet spread, showcasing a fine selection of authentic Italian staples including Antipasto, fresh seafood on ice, specialty pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, charcoal grilled meat and delicate heart-warming desserts.

To make the occasion even bubblier, moms DINE for free!* on Mother’s Day at Prego! With 3 accompanying full paying adult diners, mom’s meal will be on the house. 

*Applicable for one (01) mom per table for food package only, with a minimum of 3 paying adults.

Food & Champagne package
RM375 nett per person
Includes free flow of Moët and Chandon Champagne, red and white wine, draught beer, soft drinks and chilled juices.

Food & Beverage package
RM275 nett per person
Includes free flow of sparkling wine, red and white wine, draught beer, soft drinks and chilled juices.

Food only package
RM175 nett per person

Time: 11.30am to 2.30pm 

The Living Room | Mother’s Day Hi-Tea

Immerse in a heart-warming atmosphere with a spread of exquisite hi-tea buffet selections. Indulge in an array of fresh, wholesome foods and mouth-watering cuisines,hand-picked specially for all the moms.

Price: RM130 nett per person

Time: 12.30pm to 3.00pm



Five Sen5es | Mother’s Day Dim Sum Buffet Brunch
Savor authentic Cantonese dishes in the lively and stylishly elegant atmosphere of Five Sen5es. Time for moms to sit back, relax and satiate in the all-you-can-eat freshly made dim sum.

Price: RM125 nett per person

Time: 12.30pm to 2.30pm


DISCOUNTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS
· 1 mother per table dines for free (food only) when dining in with group of minimum 3 paying adults at Prego’s Mother’s Day Bubbalicious Brunch

· SPG, Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards members are entitled to special discounts on the above restaurant promotions for food only for up to 8 persons

· Beyond Dining and Club Marriott members are entitled to 20% discount on the above restaurant promotions for food only for up to 10 persons

· Children 4 years and below dine for free

· Children aged 5 to 12 years receive 50% off

For dining reservations, please contact Westin Dining at 603.2773.8338 or log on to www.westindining.com.my for more information.




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Happy Mother's Day, from Baby Sumo

To all mummies, Happy Mother's Day to you! Hope you get showered with love and affection on this special day.

For recipe of the above butter cake, please visit this link.

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Cooking Made Easy, with Prego

Pasta is definitely a staple ingredient in our home. Mention pasta for dinner, and you will see our kids eyes light up in happiness. All the better for mummy, as pasta is one of the easiest things to cook in the kitchen.

With pasta sauces easily available these days, making pasta at home is made even easier and more convenient. Prego sauces are one of our favorites as they are deliciously thick and rich, perfectly balanced in taste, and can be prepared in 3-easy steps (as easy as 1.2.3).

A couple of weekends ago, with a little bit of teamwork from Hubby and BabySumoKids, we prepared two pasta dishes for our whole family in under 20 minutes. Hubby and Baby C made a macaroni dish using the Prego Cheese and Herb sauce, while Baby D and I formed another team to make a pasta dish using the new Cheesy Alfredo Sauce.

Prego sauces are Halal certified by Jakim and usually come in cans or jars (small 350g or large 680g). Each can or jar of sauce comes with a cooking suggestion at the back of the can which I found to be very helpful - ie it tells you which type of pasta as well as meat / seafood / vegetable goes best with the sauce. The kids helped measure out the pasta and with some supervision, they can also help stir the sauces ... yes, pasta preparation can be a great bonding activity with your kids and time well-spent learning and having fun together as a family.

The new pasta sauces from Prego - Cheesy Alredo, Chicken Mushroom and Black Pepper

BabySumoKids love helping out in the kitchen

Hubby had no problems at all with his macaroni preparation and it came together beautifully. To cook, simply saute the chicken chunks, until they are cooked through, then pour the sauce over the chicken, loosening slightly with some water, and then simmering for 5 minutes. Then, add the macaroni to it and voila! As you can see, cooking pasta with Prego sauce is very easy indeed! If Hubby can do it, you can do it too.

Similarly, the Cheesy Alfredo Pasta was easy and quick to put together. I first sauteed the king prawns in some olive oil and once they are cooked, take them off the heat and set aside. Using the same pan, saute the minced garlic and add the Cheesy Alfredo Sauce, some water and simmer for 5 minutes. The recipe suggests adding extra lime juice to the sauce, however I found the sauce to be flavourful and tangy enough, so I omitted this step. Toss the spaghetti in the cooked sauce and top with freshly chopped basil and cooked prawns. Not only did it look great, it tasted fantastic too.

Thank you Hubby and kids for helping cook this delicious pasta meal for both mummy and Grandma :) (and the rest of the family)

We also tried out two more of Prego's new sauces, launched in March this year - the Chicken Mushroom and Black Pepper. Again, we followed the simple instructions at the back of the can and prepared these two delicious pasta dishes for dinner.

Our kids especially enjoyed the fusilli with creamy Chicken Mushroom sauce. To cook, simply saute the chicken chunks, set aside once cooked. Then, saute the sliced white button mushrooms, add the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, then finally add in the cooked fusilli. So easy!

Fettucine with black pepper sauce

We really love the creaminess of Prego sauces, which is why we have used them in the past and will continue using them in the future. :)

CONTEST!

For Mother's Day this year, Prego will be running a Mother's Day Contest in conjunction with the celebration. Husbands and kids over 16 years old can join in this contest and win a special gift for their beloved mom/wife.

All you need to do is to Whatsapp to Prego (at 017-811 6477) a short video (less than 60s) of yourself telling your mother how much you LOVE and APPRECIATE her by 13/5/17 10am. Make a pledge that you will cook a Prego Pasta meal for her on Mother's Day.

You'd be able to treat your mum to a homecooked pasta meal as well as be in the running to win prizes worth up to RM1,000.  Contest ends 15/5/17 at 2pm, so hurry and join now!

For more information on the contest, please visit Prego Malaysia Facebook Page.

(Note: Contest date has been extended... please visit Prego Malaysia FB page for more details)

*This is a sponsored post. 




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