What's for Din Din?

Bun Food

2009-12-07T00:18:00.000-08:00

My little Luca is not little! He weighs 22 lbs and eats like a little monster!

This is what we had for lunch today!

Pumpkin Udon, Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Broccoli, and Milk Pudding

I usually make a big batch and freeze it in little bear trays.

Here's rice with chicken, eggs, and spinach bears!

This was a cooking blog and it still is (plus a little bit of Luca Bun)

2009-09-03T21:37:00.000-07:00

Yes I still do cook. I just hate taking pictures...

I probably cook even more now since my Little Luca Bun started on solids. Come on...mushing up bananas do count.

I realized the other day that I can actually use my cell phone camera and take pics, so that's what I'll do from now. The quality might be bad, but at least I can post new things up.

Chicken Pesto Wraps

Chopsticks Baseball

2009-09-02T00:46:00.001-07:00

Luca's already hitting home runs...

Straight Leg!

2009-06-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

Luca Bun's bath time! Tickle is tummy and he'll give you straight legs!

Who's hand is that?

2009-06-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

Luca Bun just discovered his hands. He stares at them, talks to them, puts them in his mouth. It's too cute to see him be so entertained!

Instant smile/laugh...

2009-05-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

Foot in the face=instant smile/laugh....

Bun Man trying to talk....

2009-05-07T02:55:00.000-07:00

Our Little One is already trying to communicate!

2009-05-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

We are so in love with our little one! Bandie made a slideshow!

Please welcome Luca Cerys Lim!

2009-02-26T14:49:00.000-08:00

He's finally here! Please meet Luca Cerys Lim!

Born Feb 23rd at 4:04 pm

3040 grams and 49.5 cm

So on Sunday Feb 22nd, my water broke around 5pm. I didn't think my water had broken since it was just a trickle, but Bandie thought it had. He made me call the hospital and we ended up there around 7pm. Bandie was right as always, my water was broken and the Dr. told me I wouldn't be going home without my baby!!!!

Contractions started around 9pm. I was in excruciating pain. I threw up a few times since my body was in shock. I got no sleep and hoped that Luca would come soon. At 9am the Dr. came in to check on me and told me the bad news. I was only 3-4 cm dilated!!! They had to give me meds to help me dilate more. It took 5 more hours for me to dilate fully and finally was able to push. The pushing lasted for about 2 hours. About 30 min before Luca's arrival, the Dr. told me she could see his head and told me I could touch his head. It was such a weird feeling! I felt his hair and head with my fingertips!

Beautiful little Luca Bun finally decided to show up at 4:04 pm.

L&D was not an easy thing. It was actually much harder than I thought. But staring at perfect little Luca, I could do it again and again.

I am the most boringest person ever....

2009-02-21T19:21:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy has made me the most boringest person ever. I go to bed at 10 pm and wake up at 6:30 am. Even on Sunday (today), I couldn't sleep in. Sunday morning TV is too boring and since I was bored and am a boring person I made these cupcakes. They turned out really good and they looked so cute with mini oreos.

Got the recipe from The Good Mood Food Blog: :: Chocolate Chip Oreo Cupcakes!

Trying to stay active...

2009-02-20T15:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I started getting a lot of contractions. Every 10 min or so. They weren't painful, but really uncomfortable. So to get my mind off of these uncomfortable contractions, I made blueberry muffins. Turned out pretty good!

Got the recipe from Muffin Recipes With Pictures - Joyofbaking.com

Luca's first photo shoot...

2009-02-18T22:50:00.000-08:00

Bandie took pics of me today! Turned out really cutie! Bandie can definitely become a preggers/baby photographer!

37 weeks 5 days...Only 16 days to go....

Luca's Room!

2009-02-12T23:12:00.000-08:00

Luca's crib, cradle, and bath came today! His room really looks like a nursery now! Everything is kinda baby blue and white...it's too cutie!

Bandie and I are so so ready for Luca's arrival! I am officially full term tomorrow which means that Luca Bun can come anytime now!

In a cheesy mood...

2009-02-12T00:55:00.000-08:00

I've been craving lasagna for a while now. I finally made it last night! It takes a long time to make, but it did kill my craving!

Ingredients:

2 cans of tomato sauce

1/2 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, diced

300 g ground beef

1 egg

2 cups ricotta cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

dash of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg

fresh parsley

lasagna noodles (cooked)

1) Heat olive oil in large pan, saute onions and garlic for 2 min, add the beef and cook until brown. Add the tomato sauce, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, salt and pepper and let it simmer for 20 min.

2) Combine ricotta cheese, parsley, and a dash of nutmeg in a bowl.

3) Preheat oven to 200c. In baking pan, layer the beef sauce, noodles, ricotta sauce, mozzarella in that order. Repeat 2 more times. Top with beef sauce and mozzarella cheese.

I still cook...

2009-02-07T16:13:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted a food post in such a long time. I still cook, but been too lazy to take pics. Last night Bandie wanted to eat scallops so I made this. It turned out pretty good!

Ingredients:

1 cup rice

1.5 cups chicken broth

1/2 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/4 cup white wine

1/2 lemon (lemon juice and zest)

2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese

2 cups spinach

15-20 scallops

salt pepper

olive oil

butter

1) In a pan, heat olive oil. Saute onion and garlic for a min and then add rice. Saute until rice becomes translucent.

2) Add white wine, cook 3 min. Add chicken broth and lemon juice/zest and stir. Cover pan, low heat and cook for 15 min. Pat dry scallops and put salt/pepper on scallops while rice cooks.

3) Add spinach, cook 1 min. Stir in mascarpone cheese. Combine well. Cover and reserve.

4) In a non-stick skillet, heat butter and sear scallops for 3 min on each side.

5) Top rice with scallops.

Baby Shower

2009-02-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

I had my baby shower yesterday! Luca Bun got so many cute gifts! Thank you everyone!

The wonderful diaper cake! The disney diapers are too cute!

Thank you so much Rinkochan and Tabasco!

Red Sox fan not Yankees please!

Bandie please don't stretch it out...

Grandma's handmade swaddle blanket!

33 weeks and 3 days...

2009-01-20T03:06:00.000-08:00

Had an appointment today! I am huge and Luca Bun is too! He weighs 5.3 lbs and his head is measuring at 37 weeks! Ohhhhhh I am gonna have a hard time....

I can't stretch out anymore...(but still have 6 more weeks to go....)

Luca Buns's "private parts"

Long Weekend...

2009-01-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

Bandie and I went to Kumamoto this past weekend for my uncle's wedding!

My Bandie, my grandma and I at the wedding

My uncle and her bride cutting their 3 meter gigantic cake

Drunk Boys: My Bandie and my cousin Ma-kun

The Fam Chaotic Dinner at an Izakaya. 8 cousins, 3 aunts, 2 uncles, a priest...yea a priest, don't ask me why, he even sat next to me...my dad, my bandie and I.

Me at brekkie. I am so in love with this dress. I don't look preggers, I look normal finally.

Bandie trying to climb the wall at Kumamoto Castle

Bandie's B-day!

2009-01-06T20:27:00.001-08:00

Happy 29th B-day my Bandie Wandie!

It was my Bandie's B-day yesterday (Jan 6th)! We went to the restaurant, New York Grill at the Park Hyatt. The view was great, but hmmm the food was not so great....

First Thanksgiving...

2008-12-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

I made my first Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday. I made EVERYTHING. Turkey, two pies, veggies, sausages, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole....it was a lot of work, but glad I did it! Next year we'll have Luca Bun joining us!

Bandie Wandie carving the turkey for the first time!

Luca Bun's 3D/4D Ultrasound!

2008-12-01T23:01:00.000-08:00

We had Bun's 3D/4D ultrasound today! He was sooooo shy! He kept hiding behind his hands and feet. (He was so flexible. He had both of his feet covering his face). We couldn't really get a good pic of his face...just the side arghhhh, but he his such a cutie pie!

Luca Bun rubbing his eyes!

His profile

Luca Bun's foot and hand

Me preggers (and fat) at 26 weeks and 3 days! Just 14 more weeks to go!

21 Week Ultrasound!

2008-10-28T00:51:00.000-07:00

Our little one is getting so big! (I am getting bigger and fatter everyday as well...)

Here's little Luca at 21 weeks and 3 days! He has Bandie's nose and my chin!

One bite=100 Calories

2008-09-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Seriously this recipe is the fattiest recipe ever. Can't believe Bandie finishes the whole thing. But it's too good.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

500g beef minced

1 chicken breast, skin removed and diced

300g can kidney beans, drained, rinsed

1 teaspoon Mexican chilli powder

1 taco seasoning mix

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/4 cup water

1 package tortilla chips

1 cup grated cheese

1/2 cup tomato salsa, mashed avocado and sour cream

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook onion for 2 minutes, or until soft. Add mince and chicken. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until browned.

Add kidney beans, chilli powder, seasoning, tomato paste and water. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Arrange corn chips on a heatproof plate. Top with meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 15 minutes, or until hot. Top with salsa, avocado and sour cream.

Finally...

2008-09-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

I finally uploaded some pics! I made this cake 2 weeks ago. I actually made a bigger version today to take to my moms house. Really easy to make, no bake chocolate cake!

The recipe:

Ingredients:

1 8-inch (6 oz.) prepared chocolate crumb crust
1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Milk Chocolate Morsels
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

Microwave morsels in a medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10 to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted. Cool to room temperature.

Beat melted chocolate, cream cheese and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until light in color. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate until firm. Top with sweetened whip cream, chocolate curls and nuts.

Bun in the Oven...

2008-08-29T14:28:00.001-07:00

Our little bun in the oven has seriously taken over my oven (and my cooking.) Our little one is growing so fast!

I am the worst blogger ever...

2008-08-26T03:22:00.000-07:00

I've been too lazy to take pics and post them up. It's been too long. I don't even remember how to use this blog site...

We had some gnocchi and chicken, chanzie bear's creation tonight. Turned out pretty good.

Recipe:

Chicken:

2 chicken breasts, skin removed

salt and pepper

garlic powder

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 cup white wine

1) Pound chicken until flat.

2) Season chicken with salt and pepper, herbs, and garlic.

3) Put olive oil in pan, and cook chicken on high heat for 4 min.

4) Flip chicken over and cook for 2 min. Pour white wine and let it simmer for another 2 min.

Gnocchi:

1 package gnocchi

Broccoli (cooked)

1/2 cup cream

1 tablespoon of pesto sauce

1) Cook gnocchi as written on package.

2) Heat cream and pesto sauce in pan.

3) Add cooked gnocchi with the sauce mixture.

Why I wasn't daring enough for the Daring Bakers July Challenge?

2008-07-30T03:07:00.000-07:00

10 reasons why I wasn't daring enough to participate this month and bake a Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream. (#'s 7 and up are very very important stuff)

1) I hate pralines.

2) I hate buttercream.

3) We already made a layered, nut rich cake 2 challenges ago (Opera Cake).

4) It's so hard to find real butter these days in Tokyo. Yes, we have a butter shortage. And on top of that, prices of cake ingredients are rising.

5) I've never seen or tasted a filbert gateau, so I couldn't really bake something I knew nothing about.

6) Bandie and I have been so busy with work. I want to quit being his personal manager. (but maybe then I'll be too bored.)

7) We found out we were pregnant and I've been ignoring looking at new recipes. I only browse pregnancy websites now.

8) I have been so paranoid of miscarrying the baby. I still am now, but we saw and heard the baby's heartbeat yesterday, so I'm feeling much better. I couldn't even cook until recently because of this paranoia.

9) I am too tired to cook because I'm pregnant.

10) I just want to eat spicy things because that's all I crave now.

The day we found out we were preggers! Yay! It's positive!

Ultrasound at 8 weeks! We saw and heard the heartbeat! Yay!

Us in Hawaii! Where we conceived!

We're gonna be Papa and Mama Bear!

1) Cook 2) Take Pics 3) Post

2008-07-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

I haven't been following these steps at all...Been so preoccupied with other things...

Bandie loves ice cream cake. Especially the one from Baskin Robbins. Mine wasn't quite like theirs, but it was pretty good. It's also soooo easy to make.

Tottie Bear (Softy Bear) is Bandie's Childhood Bearzie!

The Recipe:

1 cup chocolate wafters, crushed

1/2 tablespoon butter

1/2 tablespoon melted semi sweet chocolate

1/2 tub of cookies n' cream ice cream

couple of pieces of chocolate cake (you can use brownies, muffins, cookies)

Chocolate chips

Whip cream

1) Combine the chocolate wafers, butter and melted chocolate. Put in pan.

2) Let ice cream melt a bit and put on top of chocolate wafter crust. Put in freezer for 30 min.

3) Put chocolate cake pieces on top of frozen ice cream. (Cover the ice cream layer so you can't see it). Top with some more ice cream. Put in freezer for 30 min.

4) Top with some chocolate chips and whip cream. Put in freezer for 3-4 hours.

J Dinner...

2008-06-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

The other day Bandie asked for my "perfect J dinner" which is Buri no Teriyaki (Yellowtail Teriyaki), but I didn't want to eat something too sweet so I made Buri Daikon instead. It's still a little sweet, but more brothy/soupie with veggies.

The Recipe

4 buri (yellowtail) fillets

400 g daikon radish

1 chunk fresh ginger root

4 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp sake

2 tsp sugar

3 tbsp mirin

1/2 carrot

chives or green onions for garnish

1) Pour boiled water over buri and drain.

2) Peel daikon radish and cut into medium chunks. Slice ginger root.

3) Put about 3 cups of water in a pan and simmer daikon with ginger slices. Add buri, soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin in the pan. Simmer on low heat

until soft.

For Girl's Day...

2008-06-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

On Sunday Kathy, Carlie and I got together at Kathy's house. I brought over this pie since the girls like peanut butter. I made a small one for Bandie too and he liked it. He said it was like a big reese's peanut butter cup.

The Recipe:

Makes two small pies

Crust:

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate

1/8 cup butter

1 cup chocolate wafer

1) Preheat oven to 180c

2) In a bowl, combine chocolate and butter, microwave until melted. Stir in crushed wafers.

Put in pan and bake for 10 min.

Filling:

1/2 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup cream

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate

1) In a bowl beat cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, vanilla with hand mixer.

2) In another bowl, whip the cream.

3) Fold 1/3 of whip cream into peanut butter mix. Fold in 1/3 cream again with chocolate chips. Fold in the rest. Put in fridge for 3 hours.

Topping:

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate

1/4 cup heavy cream

peanuts

1) In a bowl combine chocolate and cream. Microwave until melted. Wait until room temperature and pour over the peanut butter filling. Sprinkle nuts.

Daring Baker's June Challenge!!!

2008-06-28T01:59:00.000-07:00

When I first heard the challenge, I was a bit disappointed since I am so bad at making bread. I also couldn't decide what to use as my filling. I wanted to use apples or some kind of chocolatie filling, but Bandie was against it. He wanted me to use blueberries (although I used frozen blueberries, the real ones were too expensive!). Overall it came out pretty good and I gave some leftovers to my dad for a late father's day present!

The Recipe:

DANISH DOUGH

Makes 2-1/2 pounds dough

Ingredients

For the dough (Detrempe)

1 ounce fresh yeast or 1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1/2 cup whole milk

1/3 cup sugar

Zest of 1 orange, finely grated

3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped

2 large eggs, chilled

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

For the butter block (Beurrage)

1/2 pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

DOUGH

Combine yeast and milk in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed. Slowly add sugar, orange zest, cardamom, vanilla extract, vanilla seeds, eggs, and orange juice. Mix well. Change to the dough hook and add the salt with the flour, 1 cup at a time, increasing speed to medium as the flour is incorporated. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, or until smooth. You may need to add a little more flour if it is sticky. Transfer dough to a lightly floured baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Without a standing mixer: Combine yeast and milk in a bowl with a hand mixer on low speed or a whisk. Add sugar, orange zest, cardamom, vanilla extract, vanilla seeds, eggs, and orange juice and mix well. Sift flour and salt on your working surface and make a fountain. Make sure that the “walls” of your fountain are thick and even. Pour the liquid in the middle of the fountain. With your fingertips, mix the liquid and the flour starting from the middle of the fountain, slowly working towards the edges. When the ingredients have been incorporated start kneading the dough with the heel of your hands until it becomes smooth and easy to work with, around 5 to 7 minutes. You might need to add more flour if the dough is sticky.

BUTTER BLOCK

1. Combine butter and flour in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle and then beat for 1 minute more, or until smooth and lump free. Set aside at room temperature.

2. After the detrempe has chilled 30 minutes, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 18 x 13 inches and ¼ inch thick. The dough may be sticky, so keep dusting it lightly with flour. Spread the butter evenly over the center and right thirds of the dough. Fold the left edge of the detrempe to the right, covering half of the butter. Fold the right third of the rectangle over the center third. The first turn has now been completed. Mark the dough by poking it with your finger to keep track of your turns, or use a sticky and keep a tally. Place the dough on a baking sheet, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. Place the dough lengthwise on a floured work surface. The open ends should be to your right and left. Roll the dough into another approximately 13 x 18 inch, ¼-inch-thick rectangle. Again, fold the left third of the rectangle over the center third and the right third over the center third. No additional butter will be added as it is already in the dough. The second turn has now been completed. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.

4. Roll out, turn, and refrigerate the dough two more times, for a total of four single turns. Make sure you are keeping track of your turns. Refrigerate the dough after the final turn for at least 5 hours or overnight. The Danish dough is now ready to be used. If you will not be using the dough within 24 hours, freeze it. To do this, roll the dough out to about 1 inch in thickness, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze. Defrost the dough slowly in the refrigerator for easiest handling. Danish dough will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.

DANISH BRAID

Makes enough for 2 large braids

Ingredients

1 recipe Danish Dough (see below)

2 cups apple filling, jam, or preserves (see below)

For the egg wash: 1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll the Danish Dough into a 15 x 20-inch rectangle, ¼ inch thick. If the dough seems elastic and shrinks back when rolled, let it rest for a few minutes, then roll again. Place the dough on the baking sheet.

2. Along one long side of the pastry make parallel, 5-inch-long cuts with a knife or rolling pastry wheel, each about 1 inch apart. Repeat on the opposite side, making sure to line up the cuts with those you’ve already made.

3. Spoon the filling you’ve chosen to fill your braid down the center of the rectangle. Starting with the top and bottom “flaps”, fold the top flap down over the filling to cover. Next, fold the bottom “flap” up to cover filling. This helps keep the braid neat and helps to hold in the filling. Now begin folding the cut side strips of dough over the filling, alternating first left, then right, left, right, until finished. Trim any excess dough and tuck in the ends.

Egg Wash

Whisk together the whole egg and yolk in a bowl and with a pastry brush, lightly coat the braid.

Proofing and Baking

1. Spray cooking oil (Pam…) onto a piece of plastic wrap, and place over the braid. Proof at room temperature or, if possible, in a controlled 90 degree F environment for about 2 hours, or until doubled in volume and light to the touch.

2. Near the end of proofing, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Position a rack in the center of the oven.

3. Bake for 10 minutes, then rotate the pan so that the side of the braid previously in the back of the oven is now in the front. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, and bake about 15-20 minutes more, or until golden brown. Cool and serve the braid either still warm from the oven or at room temperature. The cooled braid can be wrapped airtight and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze for 1 month.

Blueberry Filling

2 cups blueberries
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Cream Cheese Filling

3/4 cup cream cheese
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Good for a hot summer day...

2008-06-25T01:51:00.000-07:00

Bandie loves noodles. Especially udon and soba. For a while I was making udon in hot broth, but that got really old and boring. So I made this dish, really good with a hint of peanut.

1 package dried soba noodles

3 tablespoons sesame oil

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced gingerroot

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup chicken stock

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fish sauce

1 tablespoon white wine

1 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup chopped cooked asparagus

1 poached chicken breast, cut into strips and chilled

1 fried tofu, diced

10 shrimp, cooked

2 tablespoons chopped roasted unsalted peanuts

1) Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until tender. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil, cover and refrigerate.

2) In the bowl of a food processor, combine 2 tablespoons of the green, garlic, and ginger, and process on high speed. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, the peanut butter, soy sauce, chicken stock, cilantro, fish sauce, wine, sugar, and pepper flakes.

3) Toss the sauce to taste with the noodles and add the green onions, peanuts, chicken, shrimp, tofu.

Good for a quick and easy lunch...

2008-06-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

We eat a lot of Mexican. Simply cause Bandie loves it. Quesadillas are easy to make and really good. I made this crab meat quesadilla since it's a bit different (usually we do ham). I also made this garlic soup, the taste of garlic isn't too strong so it's perfect for lunch.

Crab Quesadillas
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1 can crabmeat,
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 flour tortillas

Combine first 6 ingredients, stirring well. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese over each tortilla. Divide crab mixture evenly among tortillas. Fold in half, pressing gently to seal.

Place the filled tortillas one at a time on skillet and lightly press down until browned and cheese melts.

cream of garlic soup
1/4 cup butter
1 cup minced white onion
1 head garlic, cloves separated, peeled, and minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 potato , peeled and diced
3 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
Salt

1. In a pan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add onion and garlic and stir frequently until vegetables are very soft but not brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

2. Add diced potato and chicken broth and stir over medium-high heat until boiling; reduce heat and simmer until potato pieces are very tender when pierced, about 20 minutes. Pour mixture into food process and blend. Put back into pan and add the half-and-half and stir until hot. Add white pepper and salt to taste.

I am so behind...

2008-06-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am so behind with all of my posts. I even have things I haven't posted that I made before I left for Hawaii. So I won't be writing a lot of stuff for each post until I catch up. This cobb salad was yum. Although I didn't put blue cheese (Bandie hates blue cheese. Who hates blue cheese? Seriously, so kiddie widdie!), it was good!

1/2 lettuce

small bunch of frisée

6 slices of bacon
2 ripe avocados, seed removed, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 whole skinless boneless chicken breast, cooked, and diced
1 tomato, seeded and chopped fine
2 hard-boiled large eggs, separated, the yolk finely chopped and the white finely chopped

1 cup shredded cheese

1/3 cup red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1-2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and pepper
2/3 cup olive oil

1 In a large salad bowl, toss together well the various lettuces.

2 Cook the bacon in a skillet on medium heat until crisp on both sides. Remove from skillet and lay out on paper towels to absorb the excess fat. Allow the bacon to cool. Crumble the bacon and set aside.

3 Compose the salad. Arrange the chicken, the bacon, the tomato, cheese, eggs over the greens.

4 In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, the mustard, and salt and pepper to taste, add the oil in a slow stream and whisk. Add sugar to taste, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Whisk the dressing. Serve separately or toss in with the salad.

Daring Baker's May Challenge...

2008-06-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

So I finally got back from Hawaii and LA yesterday. It's been 2 weeks since I last posted (and cooked). I forgot to post the daring baker's May challenge before I left (or maybe I was avoiding it since my Opera cake didn't turn out so good). I'm a bit embarrassed to even post up the pic since it was my pre photoshop, lighting, positioning photo technique. Well here's a small pic.

Coconut Green Tea Opera Cake

Baking vs Cooking?

2008-05-24T03:02:00.000-07:00

For me baking (bread, cakes etc) is harder than cooking (meals). I think it's because I'm not too good with adjusting temperatures (oven), waiting around (dough rising), mixing ingredients together (I usually mix too much or too less), chosing the right ingredients (bread flour vs pastry flour for example). The list goes on and on. I've tried making bread, cakes, muffins, cookies numerous times, but I've never baked something that I could say that I really loved 100 percent. When I saw this recipe on Laura Rebecca's Blog I couldn't resist trying it. It turned out ok, not perfect, but better than usual. I give it a B+.

Click here for the recipe!

Gruyere Cheese Bread Recipe

Southwestern Style Brunchie (plus the Frenchie Bread)...

2008-05-24T02:48:00.000-07:00

After I made the Cheese Bread this morning, I made some brunch for Bandie and I. For some reason, it turned out kinda southwesternish. Maybe I should've made a quiche or onion soup to accompany my cheese bread, but it was goodie.

Black Bean Soup

1 can black beans

1 tbs butter

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 onion chopped

300 g ham, diced

1/2 cup corn

1 cup chicken stock

salt and pepper

heavy cream

cilantro green onions

1) Heat butter in pot and cook onion until transparent. Add garlic and ham cook for 4 min.

2) Add chicken stock and simmer for about 10 min on low heat.

3) Meanwhile put half of the canned beans in a food processor and blend until smooth.

4) Add blended beans and canned beans to soup. Let it simmer for 5 min. Add corn and let it simmer for another 2-3 min. Season to taste.

5) Serve with a dash of cream, cilantro and green onions.

Omelette

4 slices of bacon, cut

1 tbs of onion, chopped

2 green peppers, chopped

1/2 tomato, chopped

2 eggs

1 tbs milk

salt and pepper

shredded cheese

1) Cook onions and bacon in a skillet for 3-4 min. Add the green peppers and cook for 2 min. Add the tomatoes and cook until tender. Put in a small bowl.

2) Add eggs and milk into the onion/bacon mixture and add some salt and pepper.

3) Reheat the skillet and add some oil. Pour half the batter and let it cook until bottom is a bit brown. Put cheese on top and cook until it melts. Fold over and put on plate. I served it with pico de gallo.

All American Comfort Food...

2008-05-24T02:21:00.000-07:00

I've been in a soupie sandwichie mood lately. Dipping the sandwich into the soup is too good. Soups and sandwiches seem easy to make, but they are actually quite complex. The key is not to skip on the butter or mayo or cream. That's why I can't seem to get a really good sandwich in Japan. Not enough fatty stuff in them.

Tuna Melt

1 thinly sliced green onion,

1 Tbsp parsley

2 teaspoons dried tarragon

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

ground black pepper

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 can of solid white tuna, well drained and flaked

4 slices of your favorite bread

1 tomato sliced

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

2 Tbsp softened butter

1) Mix the green onion, parsley, tarragon, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and mayonnaise in a bowl. Add the drained tuna, mixing with a fork to break up the flakes.

2) Spread butter on one of all four slices of bread. Top 2 slices with tuna mixture, tomato slices and grated cheese. Place 2 slices on top.

3) Heat skillet and place the sandwiches, buttered side down. Press down with spatual. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until nicely browned on one side. Carefully turn them to the other side, press down with spatual. Cook for another 3 minutes or so, until the second side is browned.

Cream of Broccoli

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup cream,

1/2 onion, chopped

1 potato, peeled and chopped

Nutmeg,

4 cups chicken stock

Salt and Pepper

3 cups chopped broccoli

1) In a large pot, melt butter and cook onion until tender over medium high heat. Add potato and mix with onion and butter.

2) Add stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in broccoli and return to a simmer.

3) When potato and broccoli are tender, puree in food processor. Return to pot and add cream. Season to taste.

Bacon Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

2008-05-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

Why is bacon considered to be a breakfast food? We love bacon. Especially Bandie Wandie. We need to eat it more for lunch or dinner. That's why I made this recipe. It's really good. A great bacon/chicken combination and a great garlic sauce.

Click here for the recipe!

Simply Recipes

A bit behind...

2008-05-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit behind on my postings. I think I had this dish two nights ago? three nights ago? I don't even remember. It was really good though. Very rich and dense. But obviously, really really fatty. Just like all dishes with a butter overload. Also I topped it with roasted parmesan. You just put 2 tbs of parmesan on parchment paper and bake it in the oven until it gets that golden color!

Shrimp Stock

1 1/2 tbs vegetable oil

Shells from shrimp (RESERVE SHRIMP FOR RISOTTO RECIPE, BELOW)

2 small carrots, peeled and diced

2 small onions, peeled and diced

2 stalks celery, diced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

7 cups cold water

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper

Risotto

1 cup Arborio rice

400 g shrimp

1 can crab

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion (finely diced)

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 1/2 cups shrimp stock

2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or more)

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1/4 teaspoons saffron

To make stock :

1) In a heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp shells and vegetables; cook about 15 minutes, until the shells are deep orange.

2) Stir in the tomato paste, and mix well.

3) Add the cold water and bay leaf. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently, partially covered, for 20 minutes.

4) Strain the mixture through a sieve into a clean pot. Return the strained stock to the stove, and heat to a bare simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste.

To make risotto :

1) Cook and mix the shrimp and crab together. Set aside.

2) In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over low heat and sauté onions until translucent. Add rice, stir to coat with oil and sauté with onions to toast each grain, approx. 7 minutes.

3) Add white wine slowly, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add saffron. Once the rice has absorbed the wine, add 1 cup stock.

4) Continue adding stock as the rice absorbs the liquid and the pot becomes dry, until all the stock is absorbed This whole process should take about 20 minutes.

5) Add the shrimp and cook until done. Add some butter, Parmesan and heavy cream.

Paris me manque...seriously....

2008-05-20T05:11:00.000-07:00

When I used to live in Paris (the 2nd stay 2000-2001), Sarah, Amy and I used to go to Pizza Hut. We would suddenly get an urge to eat some American junk foodie kind of thing. Although the pizza's were a bit francais, it would seriously hit the spot. For dessert we would have a very Frenchie cake. They were the best fondant au chocolat I've ever had. I wanted Bandie to taste my favorite so I tried making them. They were pretty good.

The Recipe:

Fondant au Chocolat

110 g dark chocolate

115 g butter

2 large eggs

60 g flour

80 g sugar

Grated extra chocolate (or cut in small pieces)

1) Preheat oven 200C.

2) Melt the chocolate and butter using a double boiler.

3) Greased 6 individual molds (silicone or large muffin pan).

4) Use an electric mixer to mix together the eggs with the sugar, until your preparation has a nice light white colour.

5) Add the flour and mix well and add the melted chocolate and mix.

6) Pour in the molds and add the extra pieces of crushed chocolate in the preparation.

7) Place in the oven for about 12-13 min and take out.

We need to eat more red meat...

2008-05-20T03:18:00.000-07:00

Bandie Wandie and I rarely eat red meat. That might sound like a good thing, but we aren't vegetarians nor are we trying to be healthy. It's just that beef is a bit expensive in Japan and most of the cuts are really fatty. Bandie only likes the lean red cuts. The other night we were craving for steak so I made steak, baked potatoes, and some creamy garlic spinachie thing.

The Recipe:

Sirloin Steak

2 garlic cloves minced

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh oregano

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

boneless sirloin steak

coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

1) Combine the garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika. Pat the steak dry with paper towels; sprinkle with salt and pepper, then coat generously with the spice paste.

2) Put oil in skillet and heat on high. Place steak and cook 3-4 minutes. Turn and sear well on the other side, 3-4 minutes longer.

Baked Potato

2 large potatoes, olive oil to coat , salt

1) Heat oven to 180 degrees.

2) Wash potatoes thoroughly. Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking. 3) Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil. Sprinkle with salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven.

3) Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft.

Creamy Garlic Spinach

Water

Spinach, 1 head

3 tablespoons heavy cream

1 garlic clove, lightly smashed and peeled

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1) Boil water and cook spinach until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a sieve set over a bowl and press on spinach to remove excess liquid, then discard liquid.

2) Add cream, garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to saucepan and boil until reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 2 minutes. Add spinach to cream mixture and mix well.

Little bon bons...

2008-05-17T04:01:00.000-07:00

I always wanted to make Brazilian Docinhos (Brazilian Candy) since they are made from condensed milk. I love condensed milk and they are so cutie looking. Oh and I also made Oreo truffles since I thought Bandie Wandie wouldn't fall in love with the Brazilian sweets.

Beijinhos de Coco

1 can condensed milk

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut

1) Bring milk and butter to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat.

2) Cook until boiling. Not too thick or soft.

3) Throw in 4 tablespoons of coconut and mix. Let it cool.

4) When easy to handle, roll into balls and dip in coconut.

Brigadeiros

1 can condensed milk

1 tablespoon butter

3 tablespoons of cocoa

1) Bring milk and butter to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat.

2) Cook until boiling. Not too thick or soft.

3) Throw in 4 tablespoons of cocoa and mix. Let it cool.

4) When easy to handle, roll into balls and dip in cocoa.

Oreo Truffles

1 package oreos

150 g of cream cheese, softened

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate

1) Put oreos in food processor and crush. Put in 2 bowls: one for the filling and another for topping (1/3 cup)

2) Mix filling oreos and cream cheese together. Blend well.

3) Shape filling mixture into little balls.

4) Heat chocolate and melt. Dip oreos into the chocolate and top with crushed oreos.

Saturday Brunch

2008-05-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday morning. Bandie Wandie is watching basketball on his computer (which means that we won't be doing anything for the next two hours and I can't even use the internet since his game slows the connection so much). So the only thing I can do is to make some brunchie. Since Bandie loves bacon, I added it to the regular grilled cheese. I also made curried pumpkin soup. I actually tried copying the soup they have at Beacon. Kathy and I had it for lunch the other day and it was sooo good. Mine turned out really good as well!

Curried Pumpkin Soup

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 onion, minced

1 garlic cloved, minced

1 tbs curry powder

1/2 tsp coriander

1/2 tsp cardamon

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp nutmeg

salt and peper

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup milk

1/2 pumpkin, pureed

garnish with heavy cream and chives

1) Melt butter in pan and add onions. Cook for 3 min. Add the powders and stir.

2) Add chicken broth and milk. Let it simmer for 7-8 min.

3) Add pumpkin, let it simmer for 3-4 min. Put through food processor or blender if lumpy.

4) Garnish with heavy cream and chives.

Bacon and Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (for 2)

6 slices of bacon, cooked

8 slices of tomato

4 slices of cheese

4 slices of white bread

butter

1) Spread butter on bread (one side of each slice)

2) Put together sandwich: bread (buttered side face down), cheese, tomato, bacon, bread.

3) Heat skillet and grill. Push down on sandwich on both sides so it'll brown nicely.

Got enough folic acid?

2008-05-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

I've never heard of folic acid before. I still don't really understand what it is, but I know that it's important for women trying to conceive and during pregnancy as well. Spinach contains a lot of this vitamin thingie so I made spinach soup.

Creamy Spinach Soup

The Recipe:

2 cups milk

1 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons butter

1 small onion, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 potato

3 slices bacon, sliced

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

salt and pepper

1) Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the onion and garlic and fry gently for 5-6 minutes. Stir in the potato and continue to cook for 1 minute and add the bacon and cook for 1 min.

2) Pour in the stock and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the potato starts to cook. Pour in the milk and bring up to a simmer, then stir in half the spinach. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until the spinach has completely wilted down.

Pour the soup into a food processor, add the remaining spinach. Return to the pan and reheat. Season with salt and pepper.

Meaty meat...

2008-05-15T04:10:00.000-07:00

Ever since the doc told me I had to gain a few pounds (for kiddie widdies, yes, bandie wandie and I are trying to get pregnant.) I realized that my diet has changed over time. I used to love meat. I was the eggs and sausages breakfast type of person, now I want oatmeal or toast in the morning. And I rather eat tofu than a big slice of steak. Time to eat more well-balanced meals.

Last night I made lamb burgers. It was good and different from the usual burgers!

Lamb Burger with Yogurt Sauce (with fries and pita bread)

For meat:

400 g minced lamb

1 garlic clove minced

1/4 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp coriander

1/4 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp rosemary

salt and pepper

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 tsp paprika

1 egg

1 cup panko

1) Put all ingredients together and set aside.

2) Shape meat into 3 or 4 patties. Fry in skillet on high heat for 3 min each side and lower heat and cook for 10 min.

Sauce:

1 tomato

1 cup yogurt

cilantro

1/4 onion chopped

1 tsp lime

1/2 tsp cumin

salt and pepper

1) Put together all ingredients and blend in blender.

What's your curry style?

2008-05-14T03:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Bandie Wandie told me he wanted to eat curry. I haven't made any type of curry in a long time. I think about 3-4 months. It's cause Bandie told me a few months ago that he wasn't a big curry fan. I guess he changed his mind. I think this is my favorite curry dish now. It's even better than Japanese curry or Thai curry.

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

The Recipe:

For Curry Sauce:

2 tsp ginger, minced

2 tsp garlic, minced

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp garam masala

1 large tomato, chopped

1 tb tomato puree

150 ml water

1 onion diced

1 cup yogurt

cilantro

3-4 chicken breast, chopped

For Chicken Seasoning:

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp cinnamon

salt and pepper

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tsp ginger minced

sprinkle of garlic powder

1) Season chicken with seasoning ingredients and leave aside for at least 30min.

2) Add all of the powder ingredients to make curry sauce.

3) Put oil in large pan and brown onions, add garlic and ginger. Cook 2-3 min.

4) Add tomatoes and puree. Cook 3-4 min min and add the chicken.

5) Add water and let it simmer for 10 min.

6) Add yogurt and let it simmer for 5 min. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Donutless City...

2008-05-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I crave for donuts. Not Krispy Kreme Donuts. I don't like fluffy light donuts, I like deep fried old fashioned donuts. Last night I had one of those cravings, but I realized that in Tokyo there's no Dunkin Donuts and the Mister Donuts near my house was gone. I looked at the Mister Donuts website and saw that there wasn't a store in Shibuya-ku. Where was I gonna get my donuts? So I decided to make some. This recipe is real easy. It can be prepared in 15 min since it uses pancake mix.

Easy Old Fashioned Donuts

The Recipe:

200 g pancake mix

20 g melted butter

1 egg

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoons of sugar

1) Mix all the ingredients together to make dough.

2) Flatten dough out and cut out with donut cutters or you can just make tiny balls. Leave for 10 min.

3) Heat some oil in a deep pan. Fry until golden brown.

Can't get enough of chocolate...

2008-05-12T01:11:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for a good but easy dessert recipe. I woke up early today so I decided to give this a try. It was really rich, it's kinda like cold rich chocolate fudge. It only took about 30 min to make as well! Bandie said this was the best dessert I've made! Yay!

Double Layer Chocolate Terrine

The Recipe:

Dark Chocolate Layer:

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate

1/3 cup butter, cut into pieces

1 1/2 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons of brandy

Milk Chocolate Layer:

1 3/4 cup milk chocolate

1/3 cup butter

1) Line 9x5 in loaf pan with plastic wrap.

2) Microwave or heat in pan semi-sweet chocolates and 1/3 cup of butter. Stir until melted and stir in brandy. Cool to room temperature.

3) Whip cream in small mixer until stiff peaks and fold 2 cups of whipped cream into dark chocolate mix. Spoon onto loaf pan and put remaining cream in fridge.

4) Microwave or heat in pan milk chocolate and butter. Stir until melted and cool to room temperature.

5) Fold in the remaining cream and spread over dark chocolate layer. Cool in fridge for 2 hours.

Lazy Rainy Saturday...finally....

2008-05-09T23:25:00.001-07:00

Bandie Wandie and I finally had a lazy day...it's even cloudy and a bit rainy...Bandie's throat's been hurting so I made some soup. I had some expensive canned crab so I added it to the normal clam chowder recipe.

Crab Clam Chowder with Homemade Croutons

The Recipe:

Soup:

5 slices bacon, diced

1 cup chopped onion

3 cups diced potatoes

1 can crab meat

salt and pepper

1 can of clams (keep the juice)

Juice from clams

3 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons of butter

2 cups milk

1/4 cup white wine

1 cup frozen corn, peas, carrots

1 cube chicken bouillon

1/2 teaspoon parsely

1) Place diced bacon in large stock pot over medium-high heat. Cook until almost crisp. Add onions and crab meat, and clams cook 5 minutes. Set aside.

2) In a large pot cook potatoes in hot water. Bring to a boil, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.

3) Melt butter, add flour and mix until clumps are gone. Add wine, cook 3 min. Add milk and chicken bouillon and clam juice. Let it simmer for 10 min.

Croutons (2 servings):

3 slices of bread

2 teaspoons of butter, melted or olive oil

1/4 teaspoon garlic

salt

italian herbs

1) Preheat oven to 175 degrees C.

2) Remove crusts from stale bread slices. Brush bread on both sides with melted butter or olive oil. Cut bread slices up into small cubes. Sprinkle with garlic, salt, herbs. Arrange cubes on an ungreased cookie sheet.

3) Bake at 175 degrees C for 15 minutes or until browned.

Finally some homey food...

2008-05-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

We finally had some Chanzie Cooking. Seriously, soooo sick of eating out....

Mexican Lasagna Casserole

The Recipe:

400 g ground beef

Olive oil

1/2 tablespoon chili powder

1/2 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 tablespoon ground coriander powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Salt

1 can pinto beans, drained

1/2 cup water

Salt

1 onion

1 red bell pepper, chopped

2 garlic cloves

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon oregano

6 corn tortillas

2 cups grated cheese

1) Heat olive oil in a pan on medium high heat. Add the ground meat, breaking it up as you add it. Sprinkle with salt. Sprinkle on the chile powder, cayenne, cumin, and coriander. Cook until meat is well done. Set aside.

2) While the meat is cooking, heat oil in another frying pan on medium high. Add the rinsed, drained cooked pinto beans to the pan. Mash gently (I used a fork). Stir in water and add a bit of salt. Remove from heat and set aside.

3) In a pan heat oil in another pan. Add the onions and chopped bell peppers, cook until onions have softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cook for an additional 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes and oregano. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.

4) In a skillet,heat the tortillas one at a time, for 5 seconds on each side, so that they soften.

5) Preheat oven to 200c.

6) In baking dish arrange 2 tortillas in one layer, overlapping slightly. Spread half of bean mixture evenly over tortillas in dish and top with half of meat mixture. Sprinkle one third cheese over the meat and spread half of the sauce over the cheese.

Repeat layering of tortillas, beans, meat, cheese, and sauce and top with remaining tortillas. Sprinkle remaining cheese over tortillas. Bake casserole for 35 minutes.

Busy Busy Week...

2008-05-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

Tweety Birdie and I had a busy busy week. That's why I haven't been posting up foodie stuff. Right after Bandie got back from NYC, he had another shoot (mag from the US) and we got to take the mag people around. I also got to meet Younger finally Yay Yay!!!

Welcome Home Bandie Wandie

2008-05-02T06:32:00.001-07:00

Bandie Wandie came back from NYC today. He was only gone for 4 days, but it seemed like a loooong time. I didn't have sleeping problems while he was gone this time(I usually do. I wake up 3-4 times a night, scared that I left the door unlocked.) but our apartment seemed so big when it's actually pretty tiny. I am so so happy he's back!

To welcome him home, I made mini cream cheese apple tarts. They were really good, but they didn't really taste like cream cheese.

Mini Cream Cheese Apple Tarts

The Recipe:

1 1/4 cups flour, plus extra for rolling
8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 Tbsp ice water

1) Cut the sticks of butter into 1/2-inch cubes and placing in the freezer for at least 15 minutes so that they become thoroughly chilled.

2) In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar, pulse to mix. Add butter and pulse 6 to 8 times, until mixture resembles coarse meal, with pea size pieces of butter. Add water 1 Tablespoon at a time, pulsing until mixture just begins to clump together.

3) Remove dough from machine and place on a clean surface. Carefully shape into a circles. Do not over-knead the dough! Sprinkle the dough with a little flour on all sides. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

4) Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle some flour on top of the disk. Roll out with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to a 30 cm circle. Add a few sprinkles of flour if necessary to keep the dough from sticking. Gently fold in half. Place on to a pie plate, tart pan, or mini plates/pans. Gently unfold and press down to line the dish with the dough.

Filling

1 package cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Topping

1/4 cup granulated white sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup apples, peeled and cut

1/3 cup walnuts or almonds

1) In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg and vanilla. Pour over crust. In a bowl, combine the apple, sugar and cinnamon; arrange over filling. Sprinkle with walnuts.

2) Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 190° for 30 minutes or until apples are tender. Cool on a wire rack.

Welcome Home Bandie Wandie Dinner Main Dish

2008-05-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

As a part of the "Welcome Home Bandie Wandie Dinner," I made Chinese Noodles. It's kinda like pad thai, lo mein, and shanghai noodles.

Chinese Egg Noodles with Shrimp and Pork Chanzie Style

The Recipe:

250 g egg noodle

300 g of shrimp

200 g of pork sliced

1 cup of leeks

2 cups soybean sprout

handful of cilantro

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 teaspoon hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon chili sauce

2 teaspoon soy sauce

2 eggs

Marinade for pork and shrimp:

2 teaspoon soy sauce

2 teaspoon rice wine

1 clove of garlic minced

1) Marinate pork and shrimp and leave aside. Cook noodles and set aside.

2) Cook pork and shrimp in an oiled skillet until well done. Set aside.

3) Cook garlic, hoisin, chili sauces in an oiled skillet, quickly add pork and shrimp, and veggies (except cilantro) and mix well. Cook for about 3 min.

4) Add the 2 eggs and cook for 2 min.

5) Add the noodles and cook until everything is mixed together.

6) Add the cilantro.

After Bandie and Ry's Spring Break 2008...

2008-04-29T17:17:00.001-07:00

Finally some Chanzie Bear cooking after Spring Break...I made this cause I was worried my aji panca paste would go bad soon....

Estofado de Pollo (Peruvian Chicken Stew)

The Recipe:

500 g Chicken Thigh

2 teaspoon aji panca paste

3 garlic cloves minced

1 small onion minced

1/3 cup of dry white wine

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 teaspoon tomato paste

2 carrots diced

3 potatoes diced

chives, cilantro for garnish

1) Heat oil in skillet and brown chicken. Remove from pan.

2) Use same oil and brown onion and garlic. Add the aji panca paste.

3) Add the chicken and the wine. Let it simmer for one min.

4) Add the chicken broth, carrots, potatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 30 min.

5) Garnish with chives and cilantro.

Bandie and Ry's Spring Break 2008

2008-04-29T17:06:00.001-07:00

Ry came to visit us for a week so I didn't cook. I'm a bit sick of eating out, but I'm glad that Bandie Wandie had fun. It was definitely like Spring Break. Lots of beer and lots of "what if" jokes. I got a bit tired and a bit moody being with two boys. Now I feel guilty for being "such a girl." Sorry Ry and Bandie Wandie.

Here are some pics of us:

The Great Small Bars Street

At the Philip Lim Party

1st Daring Baker's Challenge

2008-04-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

Cheesecake Pops!!!

My first Daring Baker's challenge! Yay! It was tough making 40 pops all by myself. After making about 20 I was soooo tired. I had trouble with the water bath since my oven is a Japanese hi-tech oven called Healsio. It uses water to bake, toast and microwave. Anyone have this oven? But my pops turned out great (although they weren't so pretty looking) and everyone loved them!

Cheesecake Pops

Makes 30 – 40 Pops

5 8-oz. packages cream cheese at room temperature

2 cups sugar

¼ cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

5 large eggs

2 egg yolks

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

¼ cup heavy cream

Boiling water as needed

Thirty to forty 8-inch lollipop sticks

1 pound chocolate, finely chopped – you can use all one kind or half and half of dark, milk, or white (Alternately, you can use 1 pound of flavored coatings, also known as summer coating, confectionary coating or wafer chocolate – candy supply stores carry colors, as well as the three kinds of chocolate.)

2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

(Note: White chocolate is harder to use this way, but not impossible)

Assorted decorations such as chopped nuts, colored jimmies, crushed peppermints, mini chocolate chips, sanding sugars, dragees) - Optional

Position oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Set some water to boil.

In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, flour, and salt until smooth. If using a mixer, mix on low speed. Add the whole eggs and the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well (but still at low speed) after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and cream.

Grease a 10-inch cake pan (not a springform pan), and pour the batter into the cake pan. Place the pan in a larger roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with the boiling water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Bake until the cheesecake is firm and slightly golden on top, 35 to 45 minutes.

Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and cool to room temperature. Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap and refrigerate until very cold, at least 3 hours or up to overnight.

When the cheesecake is cold and very firm, scoop the cheesecake into 2-ounce balls and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Carefully insert a lollipop stick into each cheesecake ball. Freeze the cheesecake pops, uncovered, until very hard, at least 1 – 2 hours.

When the cheesecake pops are frozen and ready for dipping, prepare the chocolate. In the top of a double boiler, set over simmering water, or in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, heat half the chocolate and half the shortening, stirring often, until chocolate is melted and chocolate and shortening are combined. Stir until completely smooth. Do not heat the chocolate too much or your chocolate will lose it’s shine after it has dried. Save the rest of the chocolate and shortening for later dipping, or use another type of chocolate for variety.

Alternately, you can microwave the same amount of chocolate coating pieces on high at 30 second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Quickly dip a frozen cheesecake pop in the melted chocolate, swirling quickly to coat it completely. Shake off any excess into the melted chocolate. If you like, you can now roll the pops quickly in optional decorations. You can also drizzle them with a contrasting color of melted chocolate (dark chocolate drizzled over milk chocolate or white chocolate over dark chocolate, etc.) Place the pop on a clean parchment paper-lined baking sheet to set. Repeat with remaining pops, melting more chocolate and shortening (or confectionary chocolate pieces) as needed.

Refrigerate the pops for up to 24 hours, until ready to serve.

I wanna go to Panda Express...

2008-04-20T03:59:00.000-07:00

Bandie Wandie and I miss American Chinese food. I want sweet and sour soup, red barbecue pork thing, beef and broccoli...the list goes on. Bandie Wandie loves General Tso's Chicken so I made it last night. It wasn't like exactly what you get at Panda Express, but it was pretty good!

General Tso's Chicken Chanzie Style

The Recipe:

Sauce:

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon garlic minced

1 teaspoon ginger minced

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoon soy sauce

2 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1/4 cup chicken broth

Chicken Batter:

600 g chicken, diced

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 cup green onions

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 egg

broccoli

coriander

red peppers

sesame

1) Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl and put in fridge.

2) Combine chicken and soy sauce, egg, cornstarch.

3) Put oil into deep skillet and fry the chicken until brown and crispy.

4) Heat oil in wok or skillet and cook broccoli and green onions.

5) Add coriander and red peppers.

6) Add the chicken and the sauce. Mix until thick. Sprinkle sesame.

Happy Birthday Kaz!

2008-04-19T18:43:00.001-07:00

It was Kaz's B-day yesterday and we went to a restaurant in Roppongi. (I can't mention the name since Bandie Wandie is toooo embarrassed to have gone there). Hint: Rock Music.

Rino chan grew soooo much....pretty scary...it means we're getting old....

Rino chan is toooo cute....

Bandie Wandie and his beer....

Peanut Butter is a drug...

2008-04-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

So I made peanut butter bars yesterday. They're in between a bar, blondie, cookie. I can't get enough of peanut butter. There's something wrong with me or peanut butter contains some kind of weird drug.

Peanut Butter Barish Blondies

Before pouring the ganache...

The Recipe: (20cm by 20cm square pan)

For bar:

130 g butter softened

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 large egg

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup flour

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 pinch salt

For ganache topping:

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 tablespoon butter melted

1) Preheat oven to 170c and grease pan.

2) In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy, add peanut butter and beat until well mixed, add egg and edd yolk and continue beating, add the flour and mix until combined.

3) Mix in chocolate chips and spread batter into baking pan. (batter will be very thick)

4) Bake until golden on top. About 40 min. Cool on rack for about 1 hour.

5) Put chocoate chips in heatproof bowl.

6) Boil cream and pour over chocolate chips. Mix until melted and add butter. Mix well until everything is combine.

7) Spread ganache over cooled bar and let it stand of 15 min.

Peanut Butter Awakening...

2008-04-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

I hated peanut butter until yesterday. YES I really hated the thick delicious salty sweet paste. Now I love it....Bandie Wandie, it's your fault cause you asked me to make peanut butter cups. Now I'm just gonna eat cottage cheese and peanut butter....arghhh.

Peanut Butter Cups

The Ingredients...

The Recipe: (for 15 cups)

1 cup milk chocolate cut up

1 tablespoon shortening

50 g butter

50 g peanut butter

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

mini muffin cups

1) Melt chocolate and shortening in a pan for about 4 min.

2) Using a paint brush coat inside the cups and put in fridge. (Save some chocolate).

3) In a pan combine butter and peanut butter. Let it melt for 4 min.

4) Add sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Press into each cup.

5) Spoon melted chocolate on top of filling and freeze until firm.

Chanzie's Future Cafe...

2008-04-18T15:21:00.001-07:00

I made garlic chicken last night. It was the best dish I've made I think. Bandie Wandie loved it too! He even said I can serve it at a restaurant. I said $18 and he said $35. Maybe we can really think of Chanzie's Future Cafe...

Garlic Chicken

The Recipe:

700 g chicken (legs, drumsticks, you can use all parts, but dark meat works better)

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

15 garlic cloves (you can use more)

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon parsley

1 tablespoon thyme

1 tablespoon rosemary

salt and pepper

1) Season chicken with salt and pepper. Put oil and butter in skillet and add the chicken. Cook the chicken until brown.

2) Reduce heat and bur the garlic under the chicken. Cook about 10 min until the garlic turns brown.

3) Add wine, lemon juice, herbs and chicken stock. Cover and cook for about 10 min.

4) Serve chicken with garlic and a bit of pan juice.

Monoprix Bread....

2008-04-15T04:27:00.000-07:00

When Bandie Wandie and I lived in Paris last year, we loved the Monoprix bread. Monoprix's a cheap supermarket over there, kinda like Ralphs, but much smaller. YES we do know that the French are known for their bread and there's about a million bakeries in Paris. But we loved the supermarket bread because of the price (70 centimes, about $1.40) and the taste. It was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. My mini baguettes turned out just like them! Yay yay!

My Monoprix Mini Baguettes

The Recipe:

400g bread flour

225 ml water

4 g dry yeast

8 g salt

3 g sugar

1) Add all above ingredients and mix.

2) Knead dough for about 10 min.

3) Butter large bowl, place dough and cover. Leave bowl in a warm place, free of drafts and let dough rise for 2 hours.

4) On a floured surface, punch down dough and let the gas out. Leave dough on floured surface for 20 min.

5) Cut dough into two parts (if you want to make baguettes) or 4 parts (if you want to make mini baguettes). Shape each dough.

6) Let dough rise again for about 1 hour.

7) Cut slits on top of dough and bake at 220 c for about 15 min.

Comfort Food...

2008-04-15T04:13:00.000-07:00

For some reason, everyone loves spaghetti with meatballs. Probably because they had it as a little kid. That's how my Bandie Wandie is. It's nothing special, but he loves it.

Spaghetti with Meat Balls

The Recipe:

Meat Balls:

500 g ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon parsley

salt and pepper

1 cup panko or bread crumbs

1 egg

1) Mix above ingredients and make them into little balls.

2) In greased skilled, cook until brown.

Sauce:

2 cans tomato

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 onion chopped

1/2 carrot minced

1/4 cup red wine

1 teaspoon parsley

1 teaspoon oregano

salt and pepper

parmesan cheese

1) Sauteed onion, garlic, carrot in skillet for 4 min.

2) Add cans of tomato, wine and meat balls. Cook for 40 min.

3) Add parsley, oregano, wine, salt pepper, parmesan cheese. Add to cooked pasta.

Housewife Entourage

2008-04-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

I went to work with Bandie Wandie yesterday. I usually never go to his shoots, but I went as his entouragie.

People might think that his job is easy cause he just presses a button on a little machine and gets paid. And YES he does meet pretty girls and cool celebrities, but his job is harder than you think. Before and during each shoot my Bandie Wandie needs to be creative and come up with a plan! Sometimes he has to do it on the spot since he's never seen the location, met the model or even seen the clothes.

Bandie Wandie you are my herooo......

Bandie Wandie trying to concentrate while I bother him....

Spiciest Thing Ever...

2008-04-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

I made Chile con Carne the other night. Not the typical American chili with ground beef, but chile con carne with real carne. Bandie Wandie said it was the spiciest thing I've ever made, but he loved it! Yay Yay!

Chile Con Carne

Chili Paste...

The Recipe:

To make the paste:

1 tablespoon red chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 tablespoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon coriander powder

3 tablespoons of water

To make soup:

3 strips of bacon

500 grams of beef (chuck roast if available)

salt

1 onion chopped

3 garlic cloves

1 can tomato

3 cups water

1 tablespoon lim

1 teaspoon sugar

1 can kidney beans

1 tea cornstarch dissolved in 3 tablespoons of water

shredded cheese, sour cream, tortillas chips, avocado

1) Mix together dry ingredients and mix with water to for chili paste.

2) Cook bacon until crispy, crumble and set aside.

3) In bacon drippings, cook beef and set aside.

4) Cook onions, garlic and chili paste for 4 min and mix in beef.

5) In a large pan, combine together beef mixture, tomato, water, lime, sugar. Cook for 2 hours.

6) Add beans and cornstarch water mix. Stir until thick.

7) Serve with sour cream, tortillas, bacon, avocado, cheese.

Thai South American Fusion...

2008-04-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

I bought aji panca paste the other day and the first thing I thought of was making Pad Kee Mao. This is a bit weird since aji panca is Peruvian and Pad Kee Mao is Thai...but it works really well. Aji panca is just red pepper paste anyways. And Bandie Wandie loves this dish!!!

Pad Kee Mao Chanzie Style

The Recipe:

300 g minced pork or chicken (Bandie likes pork)

2 cloves minced garlic

3 chopped coriander

4 chopped basil

1 tablespoon aji panca paste

1/4 cup chicken stock

2 red peppers, cubed

2 green peppers, cubed

2 potatoes, cubed and boiled

fried egg and rice

1) In a greased pan, cook garlic, add aji panca, cook for a minute. Add ground pork and cook until well done.

2) Add chicken stock and let it simmer for 3 min. Add the peppers and potatoes. Let it simmer for 3 more min.

3) Add coriander and basil and cook until done.

Pasta Experiment

2008-04-10T04:14:00.000-07:00

Bandie Wandie is back!!! Yay!

While I was waiting today, I tried to make some ravioli.

I've been dreaming about making homemade truffle ravioli that I had on Valentine's Day at the restaurant Furutoshi in Nishi Azabu. My ravioli obviously didn't come out like the ones at furutoshi, but it was ok for my first time.

Homemade Ravioli with Meat Filling

Rolled out dough...

The meat filling....

The Recipe:

For the pasta:

1 cup semolina flour

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1) Mix together dry ingredients and make a well.

2) Drop eggs and olive oil into well.

3) Blend slowly and work dough. Knead for about 10 min until the dough is smooth.

4) Put dough in fridge for one hour.

5) Cut dough into 4 sections and roll out each section with rolling pin. (roll pretty thin, I made mine too thick).

6) Put filling on 2 of the sections and cover with other two. Cut out into squares.

7) Cook in boiling water for about 4 min. Add with your favorite pasta sauce.

For meat filling:

200 grams of ground beef

1 clove garlic

1 cup onion diced

1 teaspoon oregano, parsley, thyme

salt and pepper

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon parmesan cheese

1 egg

1) In a greased pan, cook onion and garlic until brown. Add the meat and seasoning.

2) Drain oil from the beef mixture put in bowl with egg and parmesan. Mix well.

Housewife's Not So Great Days Off

2008-04-06T05:35:00.000-07:00

Without Bandie Wandie here, I have nothing to do. It feels like I've been unemployed for 3 months, trying to find a job, feeling bored. So I thought I would make something that I can't make when he's here. He haaaates olives with a passion so I made...

Black Olives Hummus (I think Rinko chan would love this)

The Recipe:

1 can Garbazo Beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 can olives

3 tablespoons of lemon juice

3 tablespoons of tahini paste

3 tablespoons of olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon paprika

salt and pepper

1) Mix all ingredients and blend well in blender or food processor. So so easy!

Middie u Bandie Wandie...

2008-04-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

Bandie Wandie is leaving for NYC again today. Booooo.....

Come home soon Bandie...I won't be able to sleep at night arghhhhh....

Since he won't be having real foodie on the plane and at the airport, he asked for the usual manly brekkie.

The Manly American Brekkie:

Big Thick Toast, Two Fried Eggs Well Done, 4 Slices of Bacon, Hash Brown

I think the recipe's too easy so I won't write it down.

Oh but NB: For the hash browns, after you grate the potatoes, remember to squeeze out all the liquid with a potato ricer or strainer and pat dry with paper towels!

Finally a Japanese dish...

2008-04-03T05:23:00.001-07:00

Yes we do live in Japan. Yes we do eat Japanese food. (although it is the first din din post of a Japanese dish and the name of the dish sounds soooo American) It is an authentic Japanese dish that satisfies my manly man Bandie Wandie.

Teriyaki Fish with Rice　(Buri no Teriyaki)

The Recipe:
4 Filets of Yellowtail (any kind of white fish works)
Marinade for the fish: 2 tablespoons of sake, 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Teriyaki sauce: 2 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 4 tablespoons of mirin
1) Mix marinade in bowl and marinate fish for about 20 min.

2) Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl.
3) Pat dry the fish with a paper towl, oil skillet and fry the fish until browned.
Pour over the teriyaki sauce and let it simmer for about 7 min.

Recipe from Gay Old Parriiiiii

2008-04-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Bandie Wandie tried petit sale aux lentilles (traditional French pork and lentils stew dish) for the first time at a restaurant in Paris near Etienne Marcel. He loved the dish, but since it was so so so annoying to go out in Paris and to interact with the medieval-looking Parisians, I ended up making it at home. Since then, I've made many variations of this dish. This one is a quick and easy recipe (when you don't have time to slow cook the real pork stuff) that uses ham instead.

Quick and Easy Petit Sale Aux Lentilles

Sorry this pic is arghhhhhhh....Bandie Wandie, seriously, do I have to pay you to take pics?

The Recipe:

2 cans lentils

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 block of ham, cubed

1 potato, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 bouquet garni

salt and pepper

3 cups of water

1) In a large saucepan, cook the onions and garlic, add in the ham, cook for 3 min.

2) Add in water and add in bouquet garni when water boils.

3) Simmer for 20 min and add in the potato and carrot. Cook until soft.

4) Add one can of lentils (water drained) and put the other can of lentils in blender and blend.

5) Add blended lentils into pan and add salt and pepper.

The Key to Your Man's Heart

2008-04-01T02:34:00.000-07:00

You probably think that the key to your man's heart is how sweet you are or how hot your cleavage looks in that low cut shirt. You guessed wrong. Burger Making Skills will steal your man's heart away. Tonight I made a very very manly burger. Big patty, fried egg, cheese, bacon, ham, and tomato. It gave me a heart attack, but it made my Bandie Wandie smile.

The Very Very Manly Burger

The Recipe:

Burger Patty:

400 gram of ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup bread crumbs or panko

1 egg

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon rosemary

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

salt and pepper

1) Mix all of the ingredients together until well blended.

2) Shape into burger patties.

3) Fry in skillet until browned on outside (about 3 min each side)

4) Put in oven and bake for 20 min 190 c.

5) Fry egg, bacon, ham

7) Toast buns and put together burger.