tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47402814344540300792024-03-13T22:17:30.573-07:00lululu at homeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-65143585213663860532010-06-20T15:39:00.000-07:002010-06-20T15:39:19.113-07:00To Ethan (The Men in My Life)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Dear Ethan,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Your father and I had a fight few days ago over the ever unsolved issue of him yelling at you ALL THE TIME.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">There is no secret that your father has no patience for anything but golf. Ever since he's addicted to golfing, I hadn't seen him until you were born. Now, since your presence has drastically diminished his time spending on golfing, he has attached himself to Golf Channel, golf magazine, and golf session on Criagslist. Anytime you are left in the sole care of him, all I can think about is maybe you are now unplugging an electrical cord and putting it in your mouth because your father is on the couch rewinding the Golf Channel over and over again to study a specific swing position.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Not that your father is incompetent. He loves you very much. I believe he does more for his child than most of the fathers out there. Just he's a competent geek who loves golfing. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have my own system to keep the house in order in my own hands. After you came along, I had to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">involve your father simply because I couldn't do it all by myself. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At first I had a hard time adjusting as he's always too slow to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">come to feed you, or he's not vacuuming the house clean enough. It's taken me a long </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">time to accept that it's okay if he doesn't do things my ways even</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> though my way is always the right way.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">However, I can't really let go of his being impatience in terms of taking care of you. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Whenever he forgets the fact that you are not a 30-year-old but a toddler who would not do anything he wants you</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> to do, which happens all the time, he breaks down, loses temper and yells at you.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Then you cry, and it breaks my heart. I was worried that it would not take </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">too long for you to starting hating him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yet</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, the best part is you've never shown any sign of despising your father at all. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You often call for him when you wake up in the morning. You enjoy being tickled by him. You</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> run to the door once you hear the keys clinging sound as he comes hom</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">e.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your father and I have talked over this yelling issue, we fought over this. And I know that </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">he's been trying very hard to keep reminding himself that</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> yelling is not the only way to discipline you. And I can assure you, for</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> what has happened between you and your father - the way you look at him now,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> the way you crawl up to him and kiss him on his lips, the way you touch his ear for comfort when you are tired - that alone is magnificent enough to push your father to become a more patient person than he thought possible.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TB6X1jlIJRI/AAAAAAAABOM/LFRb1q1CuzU/s1600/06202010---The-Men-in-My-Li.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TB6X1jlIJRI/AAAAAAAABOM/LFRb1q1CuzU/s640/06202010---The-Men-in-My-Li.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On Father's Day, I want to let you know that this geeky, furious but loving guy is your father. He is your man. And you will be his.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mommy </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-84764441113528249092010-06-20T06:35:00.000-07:002010-06-20T14:17:45.472-07:00Red Bean Chili<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TB6Ekqr3qCI/AAAAAAAABN0/ClZQsZUKN9M/s1600/Red-Bean-Chili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TB6Ekqr3qCI/AAAAAAAABN0/ClZQsZUKN9M/s640/Red-Bean-Chili.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As much as I love this dish, I love this picture. It makes me consider to put chili on my regular cooking list now.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My worry of turning chili into a regular beef sauce has gone, because what makes this chili so different is I put cocoa powder, lime juice and most importantly beer. Yes, a whole bottle of good lager which I can't come up with a substitute.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(serves 4 - 6)</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tablespoons olive oil </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 1/2 pounds ground beef</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 large onion, diced</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5 garlic cloves, finely diced</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 carrots, peeled and diced</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 celery stalk, diced</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 red pepper, diced</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1-2 jalapeno, seeded, finely diced</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Salt and pepper for season</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 bottle of dark beer</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 can whole or diced tomato</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3 tablespoons chili powder</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tablespoon smoked paprika</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tablespoons ground cumin</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tablespoons cocoa powder</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 can red kidney bean</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 cup frozen corn kernel</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Juice from 2 limes</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Grated cheddar cheese, diced red onion and cubed avocado for garnish </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Directions:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Brown beef in a large skillet in 1 tablespoon olive oil until no longer pink. Set aside.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add another tablespoon olive oil to skillet and saute onion and garlic until fragrant but not browned. Add carrot, celery and red pepper, cook for 2 minutes until soft. Add jalapeno and saute for 5 minutes. Return beef to pan and heat through, season with salt and pepper.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add beer and scrape up any brown bits from bottom of the skillet.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add tomato, chili powder, paprika, cumin and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Gently mix in kidney bean, corn and lime juice. Simmer for another 30 minutes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Garnish with cheddar cheese, red onion and avocado. Serve with cornbread, tortilla chips or rice.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-39444366375193165842010-06-10T06:25:00.000-07:002010-06-10T06:25:52.868-07:00To Ethan (Elma)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dear Ethan,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The other day both me and your <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/05/to-ethan-g-for-guu.html" style="color: #b45f06;">guu guu</a> were texting about names for the new baby.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guu: What about Taylor or Cadence?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: Nah, I know a Cadence who's a bitch. And I can't stand Taylor Swift, she just keeps showing her upper teeth for no reason.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guu: Oh, I like Taylor Swift. Paige?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: I like Paige. Just your brother thinks his last name would let people make fun of her by saying, "Let's page Tam!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guu: Esme.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: Never heard of that. Acne came to my mind now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guu: What about Zoe?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me:...... Elmo's girlfriend.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guu: Good. Ethan will love it then.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: No. He will just call her Elmo or Momo.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guu: You guys love Emma, right? Let's do Elma.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TAqhLj8dZuI/AAAAAAAABNk/OZX5bj9XOog/s1600/Elma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TAqhLj8dZuI/AAAAAAAABNk/OZX5bj9XOog/s640/Elma.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had a sonogram yesterday. Though they couldn't see the penis, they were not 100% sure if this baby is a girl. I still believe my instinct - it's girl.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now we may need to seriously think about naming her Elma.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mommy</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-61308865212397118242010-06-07T07:29:00.000-07:002010-06-07T07:29:47.804-07:00Nutella Panna Cotta<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TA0CQkZCZtI/AAAAAAAABNs/ekjsEN5U06s/s1600/Nutella+Panna+Cotta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TA0CQkZCZtI/AAAAAAAABNs/ekjsEN5U06s/s640/Nutella+Panna+Cotta.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
When I figured Ethan was old enough to have food with nut, I bought a big jar of Nutella. I was all excited anticipating he would be as crazy about it as those kids on TV commercial.<br />
<br />
In fact, that's what I do. When Ethan shows interest to some specific food, I will stock it up. Like those 4000 packs of yogurt, 2000 boxes of Cheerio, 5000 packets of sliced cheese......because you have no idea when he will start his <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/05/to-ethan-raising-hippie.html" style="color: #b45f06;">hunger strike</a> again. Have to stuff his belly when he has appetite in case it never happens again.<br />
<br />
And it turns out he will have it for a day or two before he loses interest to it and wants to have our food instead. So, the chances are either I have Cheerio yogurt shake 3 meals a day for months or you come across with recipe like <a href="http://technicolorkitcheninenglish.blogspot.com/2010/06/nutella-panna-cotta.html" style="color: #b45f06;">this</a> where you put your stupid stock in good use.<br />
<br />
<b><i>(serves 8) </i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 tablespoon powdered gelatin</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3 tablespoons cold water<br />
1 cup Nutella<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1 1/2cups heavy cream<br />
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
1 cup whole milk</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1/3 cup almond slices or chocolate chips to garnish</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In a medium bowl, whisk together the gelatin and 3 tablespoons cold water.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Put the Nutella and salt in another medium bowl and set aside.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
In a saucepan, bring the cream and vanilla to a boil. Pour 1/3 of the hot cream mixture over the gelatin and whisk it well. Then pour the gelatin mixture back into the remaining cream.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Pour about 1/3 of the cream mixture over the Nutella. Whisk well to form a smooth paste. Add the remaining cream mixture and whisk well to combine. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Whisk in the milk.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a big measurement cup, then divide it among eight ramekins, glasses or cups. Refrigerate until set, about 3 hours.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Garnish with almond slices or chocolate chips. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-42783268292770985402010-06-05T12:01:00.000-07:002010-06-05T12:02:57.983-07:00To Ethan (Superstar)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Dear Ethan,<br />
<br />
I had a rough day at work few days ago. When I got home, it was a very special parcel laid on my desk that had my dull mind lightened back up.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This was from <a href="http://louistong.blogspot.com/" style="color: #b45f06;">Josephine</a>. In fact, we were not very close though we were working together at the radio station back in Hong Kong for quite some time. The only explanation is your mother was not a very friendly person, too much attitude, too thorny to get close to. You think it's cool to act like that when you are young. But when you look back as you get old, you will come to realize how many wonderful persons out there you have turned away for your stupid attitude.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Josephine wrote me a postcard too. By the time you read this, you may want to ask me what is a postcard. And I completely anticipate this question from you. Cause even nowadays, people don't write at all. They blog, email, tweet...... Only ancient people like us still pick up a pen to write with hands, and enjoy the warmth of it. She also reminded me we've known each other for over 10 years. And I completely feel bad about it. Over those years when we were within the same building, seeing each other, we barely talked.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Funny things happened after I have you and put you on internet. People stop by, read about you and leave me notes. I believe they are all confused why such a mean person like me would ever deserve to have you. It includes some of them whom I know personally, but not close. They initiate talks, ask me about you, share their lives with me, send you gifts.....and suddenly we've become friends again. Like Josephine.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The whole situation made me come to a conclusion: you don't have to be a nice person to make friends. But you have to give birth to a superstar.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TAqdunJV6oI/AAAAAAAABNc/g7Un0U2O_3w/s1600/06052010+-+Superstar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TAqdunJV6oI/AAAAAAAABNc/g7Un0U2O_3w/s640/06052010+-+Superstar.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Josephine mailed you this chic little back pack (and tons of kitchen gadgets for me to make you food) of which I adore at first sight. I didn't realize how girly it was until I put it on you. And I completely understand cause apparently she, just like me, is still<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/05/to-ethan-now-you-are-kidding-me.html" style="color: #b45f06;">having difficulty figuring out if you are really a boy</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Love,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Mommy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-36799434258508961992010-06-01T04:47:00.000-07:002010-06-01T06:57:22.545-07:00To Ethan (My Daily Medication)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Dear Ethan,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The first time you said MOMMY, though I wasn't sure if you actually referred to me or your potty, it felt like you had healed all the years of my life.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Now you are saying it with your eyes locking to mine......I have no idea how long I can live with my completely melted heart.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz8RG8pejBYWhcM2XBe_qcBU1FA7O6et_HkhFurzoQBrs90vEXpDrANdP4WGY70beYMZVjtNYNcDZdO5EUO' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Love,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Mommy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-51045575732530618682010-05-30T12:28:00.000-07:002010-05-30T12:28:57.057-07:00Macaroni, Mushroom and Cheese Bake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TAKqwHAgmaI/AAAAAAAABNM/OskqPKafnLU/s1600/Macaroni+and+Cheese+Bake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TAKqwHAgmaI/AAAAAAAABNM/OskqPKafnLU/s640/Macaroni+and+Cheese+Bake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I would say this macaroni and cheese recipe from Jamie Oliver is one of the swear-to-god-ly easy recipe ever invented. No bechamel sauce is needed. Look at the short and clean ingredients list, you only need that few things to come up with a gigantic, delicious and comforting dish.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">My previous mac-n-cheese attempts were always dry, not cheesy and most importantly the leftovers did not reheat well.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The cheese and cream melt-together sauce in this recipe completely solves this problem. I didn't 100% follow the original recipe, I omitted the cauliflower, added mushroom and I used gouda cheese instead of parmesan, and it didn't taste half-bad.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><i>(serves 4 - 6) </i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 tbsp olive oil</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2 cups sliced mushroom </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 tsp dried herb (thyme, basil or oregano)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 lb macaroni</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> 1 cup grated cheddar cheese</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1/2 cup grated gouda cheese</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 cup cream</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">salt and pepper to taste</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1/4 cup breadcrumb </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Heat pan with olive oil. Add mushroom and dried herb. Stir until mushroom is cooked. Set aside.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Cook macaronia until al dente, not fully cooked. Drain in a colander. Reserve the pasta water.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In a sauce pan, gently melt the cheese with cream. Season with salt and pepper. Stir evenly until smooth.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Preheat over to 400F. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Transfer macaroni to a greased baking dish, pour in the melted cheese, mushroom and 1/4 cup pasta water. Stir to a silky consistency.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Sprinkle breadcrumb on top.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Grill macaroni on top shelf until golden and bubbling, about 10 minutes.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-22174345492292393242010-05-24T01:48:00.000-07:002010-05-24T01:49:41.480-07:00Chinese Style Borscht Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_oqKvPYezI/AAAAAAAABMs/vaNmu5cxlJ0/s1600/Chinese+Style+Borsch+Soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_oqKvPYezI/AAAAAAAABMs/vaNmu5cxlJ0/s640/Chinese+Style+Borsch+Soup.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Apparently, being pregnant with <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/05/sticky-lemon-thyme-and-honey-chicken.html" style="color: #b45f06;">this kind of sickness</a>, plus being traumatized by <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/05/to-ethan-raising-hippie.html" style="color: #b45f06;">Ethan's hunger strike</a> are not tough enough to knock me down. Cause we've just bought a house......means God is going to manipulate my empty soul so I could start packing and moving. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i><b>(serves 6-8)</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 lb beef shin, cut into large pieces </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">6 carrots, peeled and cut into large pieces </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">4 tomatoes, cut into wedges</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2 onion, cut into slices</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2 cups diced celery</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1/2 cabbage, thickly sliced</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">5 cups beef broth</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">5 cups water (or more to cover the vegetables when cooking)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1/2 cup tomato paste</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2 bay leaves</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 tbsp dried basil</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 tsp paprika</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2 tbsp freshly ground pepper</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3 tbsp brown sugar</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2 tbsp white wine vinegar</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">salt to taste</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Boil the beef shin for 10 mins. Rinse it under cold water and drain it well. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In a large pot, put in beef and all remaining ingredients, except potatoes, brown sugar, white wine vinegar and salt. Boil for 20 mins. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, until beef is tender. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Add potatoes, and cook until tender, around 15 mins.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Stir in brown sugar and vinegar. Taste to adjust the sweet and sour balance. Season with salt before serving.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-56505600655359715462010-05-24T01:47:00.000-07:002010-05-24T01:47:13.414-07:00To Ethan (Raising a Hippie)<div class="content" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dear Ethan,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We have been having hard time convincing you that your food is not going to burn your stomach. It's been 3 days, each time I brought food to your mouth, you whip your head around or block it with your lips sealed like I am going to force a pair of scissors in to cut your tongue off.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your father believes it's because you are teething. AGAIN! Like you have 900 teeth to be grown for the rest of your life that the sole purpose of having teeth does not apply to you. By the time your 900 teeth are done growing, you die.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_o85ntfk3I/AAAAAAAABM0/JHC4raAl_yw/s1600/05242010+-+Raising+a+Hippie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_o85ntfk3I/AAAAAAAABM0/JHC4raAl_yw/s640/05242010+-+Raising+a+Hippie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the rare occasion that you do eat your father and I become very still and silent, afraid that if we ever breathe, the direction of air in the room might be altered, and it will completely change your mind and turn away the fork from your mouth. However, we cannot control everything. And you always change your mind. The situation has become so maddening that sometimes I just let it go and leave food there in front of you before I bang my head into the brick wall. And all you want to do with the food is to create art on your face, hair and the hardwood floor - a hippie protesting with body art on a hunger strike.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Usually both your father and I run out of words to describe our pain. We simply read each other's mind - if I decide to throw you out with a plate hanging on you saying "Super Cute Baby FREE", your father will stop doing anything and go warm the car.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mommy</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-58511545305387774432010-05-21T06:33:00.000-07:002010-05-31T06:26:29.663-07:00To Ethan (19 months)<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dear Ethan,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You turn 19 months old tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_DGfw47VqI/AAAAAAAABL8/I3BS1Cgq66w/s1600/IMG_6253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_DGfw47VqI/AAAAAAAABL8/I3BS1Cgq66w/s640/IMG_6253.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
Although you are improving a lot adapting to the new daycare environment - you cry less when you father kisses you goodbye and you don't nag that much during the day, you are still referred by the teachers as STUBBORN since you are not acting as happily as other kids are. The other day your father told me your teacher's comment followed by "He's so having your gene." I confronted him, "Tell me who is the one in this house who insists to have THREE computers to work with altogether all the time even for a simple weather check?!"<br />
<br />
When I was thinking if we have sent you to a wrong daycare for their strange <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/04/to-ethan-for-preparing-your-first-day.html" style="color: #b45f06;">"No Bare Foot" policy</a> and now ridiculous comment on a kid, we found that you have picked up a new habit. You used to just drop whatever you had in your hands on floor before you moved on to take another toy or got prepared to go out. Yes, leaving the house and staying outside all day without coming back is your favorite activity now. You will go all crazy and get your socks, shoes and jacket when you sense a bit that we may be going out. Now, we have to hide all keys and shoes from you, so you will not just grab it, treat it like some magic key, go direct to the door, bang the door knob with it, and yell to get out. Now you don't just let go of what you have in your hands when you don't need it. Instead, you put it back to where it locates. If this is what the daycare taught you, you are definitely staying. I've never been the daughter my mom wants, I ran away from home before college. Why? Remember you don't ask me questions like that before you wipe my butt? I've never expected to raise a disciplined child of my own. The first time I saw you putting back your toys, I looked around the house wondering if someone was joking with me. The other day, I asked you to put the clock back to my bed table after you were done playing with it. Initially, you placed it facing down before you looked back and realized it's not right. You took countless attempts to put it upright even though I told you that you've done a great job and it's OK to go. YOU WERE STILL NOT GIVING UP, NO WAY! When I had to take you away after I came back from peeing, I know I'm ready to accept the fact that you ARE stubborn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_DGrzy_QsI/AAAAAAAABME/6ypkmUFN0a4/s1600/IMG_6510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_DGrzy_QsI/AAAAAAAABME/6ypkmUFN0a4/s640/IMG_6510.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
Turn out that you've started to recognize some numbers and alphabets. One afternoon we were in the middle of the living room floor playing blocks together. I randomly picked up a block with a "6" on, and told you it's SIX. You looked at that block and said out loud NINE! Yesterday, I showed you a promotional pamphlet with a "Give the Gift" slogan on. I pointed and read you letter by letter G-I-V-E-T-H-E-G-I-F-T. When I tried to repeat starting with the first G in GIVE, you pointed at another G in GIFT! After showing you off to your father, we concluded that one of the explanations for this is that you pay close attention to "Sesame Street", that you thrive to learn despite your lazy parents. But we also agreed that we would take full credit anyway by telling people it's because of our superior genes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_DG49zXzZI/AAAAAAAABMM/N5zoFYy09Bc/s1600/IMG_6423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_DG49zXzZI/AAAAAAAABMM/N5zoFYy09Bc/s640/IMG_6423.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
Over the past few weeks, you've been absorbing the news that come October, life as you know it is going to be over. You will no longer be the most spoiled kid on the planet that all you do is complain, be it for not given the TV remote, or not taken out to park. By the time the new baby comes, you'd be assigned to do diapers. You've been shown how for 19 months already now, aren't you experienced? Yes, got to put you to work early!<br />
<br />
We brought you to my last sonogram appointment. When the doctor found the wiggly baby in my belly, you shouted, "Baby! Baby!" While everybody in the room was amazed, I felt so relieved that you were not able to ask me where did I get that baby from, because I was not prepared at all to talk to you about your father's penis.<br />
<br />
But most importantly, I'm glad that you are not up to the thought that you might be neglected as the new baby comes. Ethan, this is NOT going to happen. We love you. We adore you. You will always be our first born, our special child who first changed our hearts, and nothing could ever take that away. Very soon, you will be the big brother of this baby. Surely, there will be moments when you both will try to kill each other emotionally or physically. Also I do think you will need each other to call to complain about the fact that your parents are nuts. But I know that at some point this baby will look up to you one day and be proud that she has the coolest brother in the world.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_DHcxsX6wI/AAAAAAAABMU/nB8OtSD_gw8/s1600/IMG_6228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_DHcxsX6wI/AAAAAAAABMU/nB8OtSD_gw8/s640/IMG_6228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I can never figure out the magic behind siblings relationship. But I do know the bond is still here even though I screwed mine. And over these years since I've joint your father's family and witnessed the relationship between your father and his sisters, I do hope this is the relationship you will have with this baby - a bond so strong that it doesn't matter if they have nothing but parents in common. They are lifelines, people who were there witnessing everything that made their kids who they are. Is their relationship perfect? No. But I'm sure they would sacrifice anything for each other, and one of the many reasons we decided to have another child was to give you the possibility of that friendship.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Love,<br />
Mommy</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-24205058260629360242010-05-19T22:13:00.000-07:002010-05-19T22:16:56.260-07:00Braided Bread with Strawberry and Cream Cheese Filling<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_RuGs-0zfI/AAAAAAAABMc/VNF6-uGp-cc/s1600/Braided+Bread+with+Strawberry+and+Cream+Cheese+Filling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_RuGs-0zfI/AAAAAAAABMc/VNF6-uGp-cc/s640/Braided+Bread+with+Strawberry+and+Cream+Cheese+Filling.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know......I know......I've been baking too much with strawberry, like this <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/05/strawberry-and-cream-cake.html" style="color: #b45f06;">cake</a>, these <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2009/12/chocolate-cupcake-filled-with.html" style="color: #b45f06;">cupcakes</a>, those <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/search?q=strawberry+muffin" style="color: #b45f06;">muffins</a>, oh, and these <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2008/08/thumbprint-cookies.html" style="color: #b45f06;">cookies</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BUT, this one is special. This is a bread. A braided one. Beautifully made. When I came across with this <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/05/braided-lemon-bread/" style="color: #b45f06;">recipe</a>, I couldn't care if I should be done with strawberry. It's summer......well......very soon. And the only thing I could think of was that jar of <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2009/12/cinnamon-muffin-filled-with-home-made.html" style="color: #b45f06;">home-made strawberry jam</a> sitting in the fridge. Go ahead if you would like to stick with the original recipe and use lemon curd. I do think you could fill your bread with anything - Nutella, fresh berries, chocolate chips, apple sauce......</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(makes 1 big loaf)</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bread </span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6 tbsp warm water</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 cup + 1 tsp sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 1/2 tsp instant yeast</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 1/2 cups + 1/4 cup all-purpose flour</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6 tbsp sour cream or plain yogurt</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 large eggs, 1 beaten for dough, 1 beaten with 1 tsp water for brushing bread</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp salt</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbsp sesame</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Filling</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/3 cup cream cheese, softened</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tbsp sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tbsp sour cream</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp fresh lemon juice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tbsp all-purpose flour</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 cup <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2009/12/cinnamon-muffin-filled-with-home-made.html" style="color: #b45f06;">home-made strawberry jam</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Directions:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In a small bowl, combine water, 1 tsp sugar, yeast and 1/4 cup flour. Stir well to combine. Cover with tea towel, and set aside to proof for 15 mins.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Combine the yeast mixture with the remaining bread ingredients (except sesame) in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add 2 1/2 cup flour and mix with the paddle attachment until the dough is a rough, shaggy mass.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Switch to the dough hook and knead on until a soft and smooth dough forms, about 5 to 6 mins. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with tea towel, and allow to rise for 90 mins, until the dough almost doubles in size.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While the dough is rising, combine all the filling ingredients (except the jam) in a small bowl, mixing until smooth and lump-free. Reserve until ready to fill the bread.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Gently deflate the dough and roll it out on a very well floured counter to a 10" x 15" rectangle. Transfer rectangle to a large piece of parchment paper. Lightly dividing it into three equal column with the side of your hand. Spread cream cheese filling on the center section, leaving the top and bottom 2" free of filling. Spread the strawberry jam over the cream cheese filling.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To form the mock braid, cut crosswise strips 1" apart down the length of the outer columns of your dough (the parts without filling). Make sure you have an equal amount of 1" strips down the right and left sides. Be careful not to cut your parchment paper. Remove the four corner segments. To braid, begin by folding top flap down and bottom flap up over the filling. Lift the top dough strip and gently bring it diagonally across the filling. Repeat on the right side, and continue down the entire braid, alternation strips until you are out.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Carefully transfer the dough and the parchment paper to a baking sheet. Cover loosely with tea towel and set it aside to rise for 50 mins, until quite puffy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 375F. Brush the loaf with egg wash, and sprinkle with sesame. Bake for 25 to 30 mins, until the loaf is golden brown. Remove from over and coof for 15 mins before serving.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-36662627997524178442010-05-16T16:11:00.000-07:002010-05-27T06:50:53.709-07:00Spiced Pear Mini Muffin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_B7bQ5apbI/AAAAAAAABLs/lL0VtyVaLHQ/s1600/Spiced+Pear+Mini+Muffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_B7bQ5apbI/AAAAAAAABLs/lL0VtyVaLHQ/s640/Spiced+Pear+Mini+Muffin.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"I’ve never walked up to someone and asked 'Are you lululu?' before!" Christie emailed me after the <a href="http://usapears.org/Recipes%20And%20Lifestyle/Culinary%20Corner/Culinary_Student_Competitions/Canadian_Culinary_Students.aspx" style="color: #b45f06;">2010 Pear Excellence Culinary Student Competition</a> that she invited me to attend last week.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I did laugh out loud when I read this first line she wrote me as I felt a little embarrassed. At the same time, I'm also grateful that she made me part of this wonderful event by tasting each recipe and vote for the winner! Thank you, Christie!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">By looking at the names of <a href="http://usapears.org/Recipes%20And%20Lifestyle/Culinary%20Corner/Culinary_Student_Competitions/Canada_Winning_Recipes.aspx" style="color: #b45f06;">these 5 finalist recipes</a>, tell me if you would pick the pancake? No, I did not. But surprisingly, it's this most down-to-earth dish that stole my heart. It's tasty, flavorful, and most importantly, I could really taste the pear. Yes, this is the winning recipe that I voted for!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_CaeYjvaNI/AAAAAAAABL0/9MRAwDLc69s/s1600/StephanieDuongMakesWinningP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S_CaeYjvaNI/AAAAAAAABL0/9MRAwDLc69s/s400/StephanieDuongMakesWinningP.JPG" width="266" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I was super tempted to make these wonderful pancakes. However, I don't have buckwheat at home which I highly recommend you to stick with. It was my first time tasting food with buckwheat, I believe it's the unique and rustic flavor that goes perfectly with the pear caramel sauce. So, I have to save this recipe for later. And I made these babies instead.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i><b>(makes 36 mini muffins)</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3 tsp baking powder</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1/2 tsp salt </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 tsp ground ginger</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1/2 tsp ground nutmeg</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3/4 cup whole oats </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3/4 cup brown sugar</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2 eggs</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 cup sour cream</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1/2 cup canola oil</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">1 pear, peeled and diced</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350F. Grease mini muffin tin or line with muffin liners.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Add oats, brown sugar and stir together.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In another bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream and oil.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture, gently stir with a spatula to combine. Fold in the pear. Spoon into the muffin tin.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake for 12 to 15 mins until golden brown on top.</span><br />
<a href="http://usapears.org/Recipes%20And%20Lifestyle/Culinary%20Corner/Culinary_Student_Competitions/Canadian_Culinary_Students.aspx" style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-69703152625219550142010-05-14T11:52:00.000-07:002010-05-17T22:19:08.900-07:00No Knead Bread Roll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-v98qZsP2I/AAAAAAAABLk/hNxO7g5yt0w/s1600/No+Knead+Bread+Roll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-v98qZsP2I/AAAAAAAABLk/hNxO7g5yt0w/s640/No+Knead+Bread+Roll.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Super buttery, super soft, super easy......Isn't it good enough for you to start making these!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(makes 8- 10 rolls)</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="value" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">tbsp</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> insant dry yeast</span><br />
<span class="value" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 3/4</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">cup</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> lukewarm water</span><br />
<span class="value" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">tsp</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> sugar</span><br />
<span class="value" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">large</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> eggs, room temperature</span><br />
<span class="value" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 1/2</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">cups</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span class="value" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 1/2</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">tsp salt</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="value" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 1/4</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">cup</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> unsalted butter, room temperature</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Directions:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle. Add sugar and egg, then blend to combine.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add flour and salt, mix until flour is combined. Increase speed and blend until dough is stretchy and elastic, about 4 mins. Add butter, one teaspoon at a time, and blend until incorporated.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Set dough in an oiled bowl, covered with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 mins.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Divide dough into greased muffin pan, filling halfway full. Let rest uncovered until doubled in size, about 30 mins.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350F. Bake bread for about 15 mins, until golden brown. Unmold bread rolls while warm then cool completely.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Serve with lots of butter.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-26621101357661275582010-05-12T22:17:00.000-07:002010-05-12T22:20:15.147-07:00To Ethan (Now you are kidding me)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Dear Ethan,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Because of your looney eyes, long lashes and rosey cheeks, I can see myself stumbled with questions asking if you are a boy or girl until you are at least 20.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-uKoCeBYiI/AAAAAAAABLc/g0tcLJsio_g/s1600/05122010+-+Now+you+are+kidding+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-uKoCeBYiI/AAAAAAAABLc/g0tcLJsio_g/s640/05122010+-+Now+you+are+kidding+me.jpg" width="592" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm asking your father the same question all the time too.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mommy</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-34229743773298427962010-05-10T06:16:00.000-07:002010-05-10T06:16:09.569-07:00Strawberry and Cream Cake<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-epjQXSl2I/AAAAAAAABLU/fkmuUPiiInM/s1600/Strawberry-and-Cream-Cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-epjQXSl2I/AAAAAAAABLU/fkmuUPiiInM/s640/Strawberry-and-Cream-Cake.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">I spent my Mother's Day not doing what other moms do - be with my child, as my in-laws took Ethan. HOW COOL IS THAT!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">So, I got a chance to come up with this cake to celebrate.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">(makes a 6" cake)<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients:<br />
</span>2 cups all purpose flour<br />
1 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">1/2 tsp salt<br />
2 stick unsalted butter, softened<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
4 eggs, room temperature</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>1 1/2 cups double cream<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh strawberries<br />
1/4 cup icing sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">few fresh strawberries for garnish<br />
</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Directions:</span><br />
Preheat oven to 375F.<br />
<br />
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Cream butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar and beat for another 3 mins. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Fold in flour mixture.<br />
<br />
Pour mixture into a greased 6" springform cake pan lined with parchment paper. Bake 45 mins until top of cake bounces back when pressed. Cool cake in pan for 10 mins. Release cake ring, let cake cool completely before halving the cake in 2 layers.<br />
<br />
To prepare filling, whip double cream with sugar until the mixture holds soft peaks. Place into the fridge to chill.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Line parchment paper along the inside of the cake ring. Place the bottom cake layer in. Scatter the strawberry pieces on, then top with cream mixture and smooth the top with a palette knife. Place the other cake on top. Dust heavily with icing sugar. <br />
<br />
Carefully remove the cake ring. Peel off the parchment paper. Garnish with whole or halved strawberries.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-78348564922401582392010-05-08T22:32:00.001-07:002010-05-08T22:32:36.719-07:00Zebra Cake<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-ZH68KaFLI/AAAAAAAABKc/lZnH4Bgnsk0/s1600/Zebra+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-ZH68KaFLI/AAAAAAAABKc/lZnH4Bgnsk0/s640/Zebra+Cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I redeemed a free tub of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!" soft spread from the product package that I received earlier.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm not a very health-conscious person except I encourage home-cooking. I use full fat products as I love my food tasteful. Usually those products like this one highlighting "No trans fat, less saturated fat, cholesterol free" doesn't really ring a bell to me as I've always had a perception that they make food tasteless.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">However, I have to say I love this product for its taste. It's buttery and smooth. I really can't believe it's not butter! My husband loves to spread it on toast. I use it for baking. This zebra cake is my first trial. Compared with regular butter, it makes my baked goods moist and soft without using sour cream or yogurt. I actually used it right straight from the refrigerator without getting it to room temperature. It's THAT soft. You could also melt it before use<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh, one more important fact! I may not care if this product is healthful, but it really is affordable!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br />
</span></span><i style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">(makes 9" cake)<br />
</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients:</span><br />
2 cups all purpose flour</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
1 tablespoon baking powder<br />
</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Pinch of salt</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4 large eggs, at room temp</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 cup white sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 cup whole milk, at room temp</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
1 cup "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" soft spread</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 tbsp cocoa powder</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
Directions:</span><br />
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter a 9" round cake pan. Line with a parchment circle and butter the parchment.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine eggs and sugar. On medium speed, beat until the mixture is light and creamy. Add milk, soft spread, and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
On low speed, add the flour mixture and mix until the flour is just incorporated. </span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
Divide batter into 2 equal portions. Keep one portion plain. Add cocoa powder into another and mix well.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Scoop 1/4 cup of plain batter into the middle of the cake pan. Then scoop 1/4 cup of cocoa batter and pour it in the center (right on top) of the plain batter. Continue to alternate between the plain and cocoa batters (always pouring it in the center right on top of the previous batter) until you use up the batters.</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
Bake at 350F until golden or until a cake tested comes out clean, about 40 minutes.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cool for 15 minutes in pan and then remove cake from pan to cool on a wire rack.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-79533178315461859592010-05-08T00:31:00.000-07:002010-05-31T06:30:00.567-07:00To Ethan (G for Guu......)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dear Ethan,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Aunt Keturah, your father's youngest sister (you call her guu guu) came to see you yesterday. Before your were born, she didn't come over that much. Apparently both your father and I are too boring for her. The food that I made was the only reason to drive her to our house. It still is now, but YOU are the primary reason.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Her obsession with you has grown so huge that your image appears on her everything: Blackberry</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> screen (In fact, your face is on every family</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> member's cellphone, even your grandparents. So in case anyone's phone gets</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> lost, it will be returned to this blog), Facebook page, notebook screen,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> desk, room......she might also have a LV bag with your face collage. And so</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> she got bumped with questions like, "Oh, your baby is so cute. How old is</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> he now?", "Have seen your son's pictures on Facebook, he's growing up so</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> fast."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> She and I share the same birthday. We hate same kind of persons. We talk</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> about you non-stop. We are close.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-USMM8mO2I/AAAAAAAABKU/HotLxb1sC74/s640/05082010+-+G+for+Guu.......jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yesterday, she spent an afternoon playing with you in the park. You got all</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> tired and wanted a nap. I showed her how I read to you to get you fall</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> asleep. She did a perfect job. She read you to sleep. You snored her to</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> sleep.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mommy</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-30207982559595571732010-05-05T14:50:00.000-07:002010-05-05T14:50:28.012-07:00Mixed Berry Brown Sugar Muffin with Hazelnut Meal<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-HnfMZudaI/AAAAAAAABKM/OCCuVh9HldA/s1600/Mixed+Berry+Muffin+with+Hazelnut+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S-HnfMZudaI/AAAAAAAABKM/OCCuVh9HldA/s640/Mixed+Berry+Muffin+with+Hazelnut+Meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">Summer, Vancouver is waiting for you badly. One nauseous woman is throwing up too much that only summery fruit can help get the appetite back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">Use as many varieties of berry as you can if you decide to make these lovely babies, cause you want them look pretty, don't you?!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">(makes 12 regular-sized muffins)</span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wet Ingredients:</span><br />
</span>1/2 cup sour cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">1/2 cup milk<br />
2/3 canola oil<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dry Ingredients:</span><br />
2 cup flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">1/2 cup ground hazelnut<br />
1 cup brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">1 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Others:</span><br />
2 cup fresh or frozen berries of your choice</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Directions:</span><br />
Preheat oven to 375F.<br />
<br />
Mix both wet and dry ingredients separately. Stir together until just blended. Do not overmix. Gently fold in mixed berries.<br />
<br />
Scoop each muffin cup with 3/4 full of batter, and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 mins. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 mins.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-68892272316929988912010-05-02T14:09:00.000-07:002010-05-02T14:09:56.174-07:00To Ethan (First Art)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dear Ethan, </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm posting this not because this is cute as an infant's random doodling.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S9mO-6udjVI/AAAAAAAABJ0/1NSxSPrKMqY/s1600/First-Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S9mO-6udjVI/AAAAAAAABJ0/1NSxSPrKMqY/s640/First-Art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm posting this because I want to let you know that I am amazed about your power to perfectly understand <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/05/sticky-lemon-thyme-and-honey-chicken.html" style="color: #b45f06;">my urge to puke all the time</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love,</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mommy</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-66040519458126409612010-05-02T13:56:00.000-07:002010-06-05T15:52:41.433-07:00Sticky Lemon, Thyme and Honey Chicken Drumsticks<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div style="color: #b45f06;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TAkAtig_naI/AAAAAAAABNU/iSZkDBllryM/s1600/Sticky+Lemon,+Thyme+and+Honey+Chicken+Drumsticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/TAkAtig_naI/AAAAAAAABNU/iSZkDBllryM/s640/Sticky+Lemon,+Thyme+and+Honey+Chicken+Drumsticks.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br />
</div><a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/04/dark-chocolate-swirled-banana-bread.html" style="color: #b45f06;">This pregnancy</a> is like a roller-coaster trip in food tastes. It was not like this with Ethan, I could eat anything, I could even drain down 2 bowls of fishy fish soup even though I am not a fish person. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">But this time, over these first few months, ANY SECOND I'm either throwing up or wanting to throw up, the only exception is when I'm asleep. Once I wake up, I want to puke. Anything I eat has some annoying smell and strange taste. Even that glass of water I sip is the most distasteful liquid in the universe.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When my craving hits me, I feel like my savior has arrived, I want an enormous portion. And I just eat and eat, that couple minutes when I gobble up that bowl of pho, I want to strip naked and jump into the bowl and swim with the noodle. After that, what I mean "after that" is around 10 minutes later, the after-taste starts to attack me, so bad that I don't want to eat for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
My best friend is lemon. 2000 packs of super lemon candy in my purse, 4000 cans of lemonade soda in my pantry, 7000 fresh lemon in my fridge. I cook with lemon ALL THE TIME......until the day my husband decides to divorce me.<br />
<br />
<b><i>(serves 2 - 4) </i></b><br />
<b>Ingredients: </b><br />
8 - 10 large chicken drumsticks<br />
salt and freshly ground pepper to season<br />
3 tbsp olive oil<br />
4-5 slices of ginger <br />
1 head of garlic, all cloves peeled and lightly crushed<br />
few thyme sprigs<br />
2 tbsp white wine<br />
2 tbsp dark soy sauce<br />
3 tbsp honey<br />
1 cup hot water or chicken stock<br />
1 lemon, finely sliced<br />
<br />
<b>Directions:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Season the drumsticks with salt and pepper.<br />
<br />
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan. Brown the chicken pieces on each side over high heat for 2-3 mins until golden brown. Remove from pan.<br />
<br />
Add ginger, garlic and thyme to the pan. Stir fry lightly.<br />
<br />
Add white wine to deglaze the pan. Drizzle over the soy sauce and honey.<br />
<br />
Pour in hot water, add the lemon slices and drumsticks. Lower heat to medium high, let the liquid bubble until it becomes thick, about 10 minutes or until the drumsticks cook through. Add spoonful water at a time if the sauce becomes dry.<br />
<br />
Transfer the chicken to a plate and serve immediately with steamed rice.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-71184680228193188712010-04-25T17:14:00.000-07:002010-05-09T23:53:20.600-07:00Dark Chocolate Swirled Banana Bread<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S9TaqWFr1qI/AAAAAAAABJs/TJX9vLGW4qU/s1600/Dark-Chocolate-Swirled-Bana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S9TaqWFr1qI/AAAAAAAABJs/TJX9vLGW4qU/s640/Dark-Chocolate-Swirled-Bana.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I had a sonogram earlier, and everything looks perfectly normal. Though we knew it would be fine just because <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2009/10/to-ethan-12-months.html" style="color: #b45f06;">the worst has happened</a>, I still can't describe the relief I felt seeing those 4 limbs moving around like performing some sort of Kung-Fu in there. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hate me if you have more than one child, and they all have very distant birthdays. Cause I'm going to arrange only one birthday party a year for both kids as Ethan's born on October 22. And the due date for my second child is October 25, 2010.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Makes 1 loaf)</span></span></b></i><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 cups all purpose flour</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 tsp salt</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 stick unsalted butter, soften</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 cup granulated sugar </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 large eggs</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span></span>1/3 cup sour cream<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips, melted</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Directions:</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Grease a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Set aside.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In a bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and salt.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span></span>In a stand mixer, beat sugar and butter at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, sour cream and vanilla, beat until blended. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">With the mixer on low speed, add flour mixture, beat until just incorporated<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spoon half of the batter into a separate bowl. Add the melted chocolate to another half of the batter and fold in.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With two spoons, place spoonfuls of the two mixtures into the prepared loaf pan alternately. Run a pairing knife through the two batters to achieve a marbled effect. (Note: Swirl rigorously or else you will have a non-swirled cake like mine!)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake for about 50 - 55 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 10 mins before removing from pan.</span></span></span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-337041416154466152010-04-21T15:38:00.000-07:002010-04-29T07:39:40.355-07:00Spiced Honey Lemon Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S86mjSb3dVI/AAAAAAAABIU/WCSw1B2odvI/s1600/Spiced+Honey+Lemon+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S86mjSb3dVI/AAAAAAAABIU/WCSw1B2odvI/s640/Spiced+Honey+Lemon+Cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Winner! Winner! Winner!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here is the winner who wins the <a href="http://www.lululuathome.com/2010/04/arroz-con-leche-spanish-rice-puddingand.html" style="color: #b45f06;">KitchenAid cast iron casserole</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Marlis - "I spoiled my first born with gourmet homecooked, organic babyfood. Her favorite was rice/chicken with spinach and seasoned with a tad rosemary, pepper and salted butter. the only problem was traveling... she refused to eat any commerically available baby food. I am proud to say that even as a 10 year old she has a very grown up taste :) Now I have to try this rice pudding of yours. It sounds divine!!!"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Marlis, please email me at <a href="mailto:lululuathome@gmail.com"><span style="color: #b45f06;">lululuathome@gmail.com</span></a> to claim your chic baby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank you all for participating.</div><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>(makes a 6" cake or 1 loaf)</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 stick unsalted butter, softened</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 cup packed light brown sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 large egg</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2/3 cup honey</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 cup sour cream</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">zest from a lemon </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 cup lemon juice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbsp baking powder</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 tbsp baking soda</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 tsp ground cloves</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 tsp ground allspice</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">small pinch of freshly grated nutmeg</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Directions:</b></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 6" cake pan or a loaf pan.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Using a stand mixer, beat together butter and brown until light and fluffy, about 3 mins. Add egg and mix until combined. Add honey, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla. Beat until fully incorporated.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">With the mixer on low speed, mix in flour mixture.<br />
<br />
Transfer batter to the greased pan.<br />
<br />
Bake until cake is golden brown and firm to the touch, about 40 mins.<br />
<br />
Cool in the pan for 5 mins. Remove to wire rack and cool completely.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-80705266063228849882010-04-21T00:25:00.000-07:002010-04-21T00:25:30.549-07:00To Ethan (18 months)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dear Ethan,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tomorrow you will turn 18 months old.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've been trying to make it through your whole life without explicitly talking about THIS. But how many times can I skip doing THIS when THIS has already become part of my life too. Before I had you, I did not realize how obsessive I could be about human feces. And how up close and personal I could be treating your stool like my closest friend! Listen, Ethan, I did more than once pry your poop out when it was hanging from your bottom. Now, you may find it unbelievably gross and embarrassed when you are reading this one day. But you should know that I did that BECAUSE I LOVE YOU. That's what mothers do.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S86cNwrFBpI/AAAAAAAABH8/7eUuCt4e7e8/s1600/IMG_6004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S86cNwrFBpI/AAAAAAAABH8/7eUuCt4e7e8/s640/IMG_6004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Everyday one and only major conversation between your father and me is your poop. Now, since your father works from home most of the time, making sure the system attached to your bottom is working fine has become a priority among all his office works. And the daily report to me, oh, that routine, that annoying routine that your father would be willing to have his pay cut to skip doing anymore. Why? Because he knows I will drill deeper and deeper until the day I successfully get him to dig into your stool to make sure what you eat the day before is completely gone from your digestive system. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: Did Ethan poop today?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your father: Yes, around 10am, after breakfast, on his diaper, not in potty though I have put him on for more than 20 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: Was it big?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your father: Yes, sort of.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: Sort of? How big? </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your father: Like a golf ball. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: That's it? Golf ball is not considered as BIG. He ate so much yesterday. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your father: (usually about to cry) I will try to sit him again later.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Am I being harsh? Imagine this: I'm either pulling out your poop or breathing your father's toxic fart gas. My brain is too deteriorated to think leniently.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Normally you poop more than twice a day. So, when you are not pooping for ONE DAY, you are considered to be severely constipated. We usually try to hide this horrifying fact from your grandma who will otherwise try to fix it with HER WAY! Now, after you know what she did to you, you may not like it for the sake of gastronomy. Me neither. But trust me, Ethan, IT WORKS PERFECTLY!!! Her classic killer app is FIG. Now, you go to her house every Sunday so your father can golf and I can breathe. Your grandma will feed you all day long with figs. I almost passed out first time I found out she gave your 2 oranges and 4 figs in a row. Since then she has not even mentioned it at all. Instead she put it in your meal without letting us know. Imagine fig in your beef porridge! Gross! I know! But I also know the fact that you would become a massive pooper afterward. And when it did finally come out, it was THHHHHHHHHHHHIS huge and looked like an atom bomb and once even clogged the toilet that we had to flush at least 20 times, I couldn't be more relieved.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S86cjgO5qzI/AAAAAAAABIE/hptXPAXj6NM/s1600/IMG_5991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S86cjgO5qzI/AAAAAAAABIE/hptXPAXj6NM/s640/IMG_5991.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You've started your 2-day-a-week daycare schedule this month. The idea came up after we'd realized that if we let your grandpa look after you any longer, we'd all be seeing each other in jail very soon. In fact I"m very impressed about your grandpa's creativity on taking care of you. How about super-under-age driving? Fun, huh?! At less than 2 years old, you've already been put on the driver's seat when the car engine was on. Your grandpa let your honk, jam the radio stereo, steer the wheel......if your legs were long enough for the pedals, you would be taken off to California on your own. It was nice and sunny last Sunday afternoon, instead of taking you to play swing in the park as what normal grandparents do, your grandpa got you to screw the traffic system of one of the busiest streets in Vancouver. Sounds adventurous, huh?! He basically let you press the pedestrian crossing button, NON STOP, FIERCELY! So the traffic light went idle, all the cars were forced to stop moving just to let you enjoy the tic-tac-tic-tac audio signals it triggered. I'm so glad that one of the drivers spotted you both and yelled the hell out of you. Cause if I were him, I would either call the police or drive up to the curb and get you both out of the way.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We knew that you would not like daycare. You hate to see your father hang your jacket in your locker before leaving you to the teachers. You hate taking nap in the same room with other kids. You hate using sippy cup as you've been using straws......But when you settle in, play toys, lock eyes and interact with other kids, you start to see something new. And we know we've made the right decision. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S86cvwSuDRI/AAAAAAAABIM/1j9YrHx1rjk/s1600/IMG_6021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S86cvwSuDRI/AAAAAAAABIM/1j9YrHx1rjk/s640/IMG_6021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had a dayoff last week. We spent the day stacking blocks, dancing along with your favorite Sesame Street music, playing at the park. When you started to get tired, we sat together with your body draping across my chest. I read you books until you fell asleep quietly without nagging at all. It actually reminded me the moment the nurse first laid you on me in the delivery room. Sometimes I wonder if my memory will go away maybe in 10 years that I won't remember what it's like to feel your body heat for the first time. But that afternoon I felt it again. And I realized that without even knowing it we will continue to pull each other back to those first few minutes together as a mother and her child. You let me understand it's not a matter of forgetting what it felt like, it's a matter of being reminded of it by living it over and over again.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mommy</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-28950612343736891282010-04-18T13:14:00.000-07:002010-04-18T13:33:14.527-07:00Beef Brisket with Turnips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S8tn2rc93WI/AAAAAAAABHs/IisB917Q3ig/s1600/Beef+Brisket+with+Turnips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S8tn2rc93WI/AAAAAAAABHs/IisB917Q3ig/s640/Beef+Brisket+with+Turnips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't usually cook Chinese. Because I suck at that. I can't even manage to cook a decent dish of Chinese vegetable. I am THAT bad!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BUT, I do have a signature dish. A super simple, not too many ingredients, very Chinese dish.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Serves 4) </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients: </span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 2-pound flat-cut beef brisket</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbsp dark soy sauce</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbsp cooking wine</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp sesame oil</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tbsp vegetable oil</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbsp chopped garlic</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbsp chopped ginger</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp sugar</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tbsp Chu Hau paste</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 star anises</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">10 cups plus 3 tbsp water </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp corn starch</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 medium sized turnip, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 cup chopped green onion </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Directions:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wash the beef brisket and scald in boiling water for 10 mins. Remove and let cool slightly. Cut into large pieces.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mix dark soy sauce, wine and sesame oil with the beef.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Heat vegetable oil over high heat , stir-fry garlic, ginger, sugar and Chu Hau paste.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add beef, star anises and 10 cups of water (or enough to cover the beef). Bring to boil and turn to medium-low heat. Simmer for 2 hours until beef becomes tender.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mix corn starch with 3 tbsp water, set aside. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add turnips to beef and cook for 15 mins until turnips cook through. Stir in corn starch mixture and cook another 2-3 mins.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Allow beef to cool in the liquid then cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove solidified excess fat at the top.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Place pan over medium heat uncovered. Cook until sauce is thick. Gently stir to keep beef from burning.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sprinkle green onion and serve.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740281434454030079.post-2776976929694275922010-04-16T14:32:00.000-07:002010-04-16T14:34:05.197-07:00Arroz Con Leche (Spanish Rice Pudding)...and a CHIC BABY GIVEWAY!<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S8jVxXXFQcI/AAAAAAAABHU/xzOyNEDalXM/s1600/Arroz+Con+Leche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S8jVxXXFQcI/AAAAAAAABHU/xzOyNEDalXM/s640/Arroz+Con+Leche.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This picture......you might be too focused on the gooey, creamy, snowy, dreamy, cozy rice pudding. Yes the more you look at it, the more likely you will fall from your <a href="http://www.allbarstools.com/" style="color: #b45f06;">barstools</a>. When I was eating it in the office, the wonderful aroma lured one of my co-workers over, then she jokingly asked me if I had taken my baby's food. Yes, I made it for Ethan who is at the stage NOT into eating pasty food anymore. Now you ask, "Isn't rice pudding a classic pasty food?" I know it is. But when I came across with <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/02/arroz-con-leche-rice-pudding/" style="color: #b45f06;">this</a> recipe. I simply couldn't help but regretted that I didn't make it sooner for him. He LOVED it! And I loved it too! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, just move your eyeballs a little to that red thing. That pretty, chic, hip KitchenAid cast iron casserole.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was my third attempt before I successfully bought it for just CAD$29.99 (Original: CAD$99.99). I have to admit though I was not working hard enough for the first two attempts. Did they have too limited quantity? Did people get too crazy that they carved out the shelf within the first 5 seconds the shop opened? Did I not pay good attention to what "special deal" was about? This time, I asked my husband to aim the closest shop, be there right after the shop opened, and we got to buy the last one on shelf.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As much as I've longed for owning one of these cookware, I have to say this casserole is HEAVY! So heavy that you might not want to put it in the overhead cabinet as you'd lose your balance taking it out. Do not put it in the lower drawer neither cause you'd get your back hurt bowing down to take it out. Just put it on your stove top and cook everything with it as the dashing design will fashion up your kitchen, and even yourself as a cook.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, you could have it delivered to your doorstep without worrying when the special deal comes again, and how early you should get your husband to go there and prepare to fight his way for it. Yes, I'm giving away one of these overweight babies. If you are from North America, and you have some wonderful NON-pasty baby food to share, let me know by April 19 noon (PST) and you get a chance to take this baby home!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S8jXOECjGyI/AAAAAAAABHk/k9h6WLqji6A/s1600/KitchenAid-Cast-Iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlB1a3fzv0Y/S8jXOECjGyI/AAAAAAAABHk/k9h6WLqji6A/s400/KitchenAid-Cast-Iron.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>(serves 4 - 6) </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 cup long-grain white rice</div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 cinnamon sticks, or 1 tbsp ground cinnamon</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 strips of orange zest</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3 whole cloves or a tiny pinch of ground cloves</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4 cups water</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 egg</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 cup whole milk</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 cups coconut milk</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 (12-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 tsp salt</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tbsp vanilla extract</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soak the rice, cinnamon sticks, orange zest and whole or powdered cloves in the water in a heavy saucepan for 1 hour.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After soaking, bring the rice mixture to a boil on high heat, uncovered. When it starts to boil (about 5 mins), lower the heat to medium and cook for 10 to 12 more mins or until water is almost evaporated.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While rice is cooking, beat the egg in a bowl. Add the whole milk and coconut milk and stir well to mix. Add the egg mixture, condensed milk, salt and vanilla extract to the rice and cook over medium-low heat, stirring carefully, until it thickens slightly or until you have the desired consistency, about 25 to 35 mins.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Remove orange zest and cinnamon sticks. Let cool slightly, serve warm or cold after chilling it in the fridge.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com30