Wednesday 28 January 2015

Humpday Happenings...

This is a long overdue update...

First breakfast of 2015...
enjoying some home cooking: Ina Garten's Herb-Baked Eggs Recipe...
finished off Book 3 of the Arcana Chronicles...Dead of Winter
New recipe I found that I've made 3x already...
First time making blueberry pancakes...(thinking of you Ian!)
satisfied a craving...(thanks D!) purchased from Thu Hien Restaurant

As you can see I've been mostly keeping myself busy with breakfast, lunch and dinner and I can safely say no more rookie in the kitch! Still lots to learn, but I've come a far way! Hope you've been able to add some delish recipes to your repertoire as well!

Monday 19 January 2015

Buddha's Feast...

Ingredients:
3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp dark sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1 pkg (14 ounce) water-packed extra firm tofu (drained and cut into 1inch cubes) I prefer fried tofu like you see below
5 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup peeled broccoli stems (I omitted this)
2 tbsp canola oil
1 1/2 cups carrots (1/4 inch cut diagonally sliced)
1 cup snow peas, trimmed
1 can (14 ounce) whole baby corn, drained (I omitted this)
1 can (8 ounce) sliced water chestnuts, drained (I omitted this)
1 1/2 cup sliced green onions (I chopped mine)
1 tbsp grated peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
I added baby bok choy instead of the water chestnuts and corn...

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. I've made this dish 5 times already since finding it online. Its filling enough to enjoy alone or with rice. 


Friday 16 January 2015

Banana Caramel Cupcakes...

Ingredients:
Cupcakes
4 mashed ripe bananas
1 3/4 cup + 1 tsp flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter (melted)
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla paste (I used vanilla extract)
Icing
1 1/3 cup = 1 tsp icing sugar
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
1 tbsp honey (I used maple syrup)
3 tbsp cream cheese
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla paste (I used vanilla extract)
Frosting: I over whipped mine but still tastes divine!
Fresh out of the oven...
Plated and ready to go...

My Verdict: Praiseworthy. Bananas, caramel, cupcakes, what's not to love! Thank you Peony for the recipe! Adding this one to the recipe box!

Recipe

Peony Lim

Monday 12 January 2015

Salmon Recipes...Japanese Dishes

Recently while catching up on my fave You Tube guru's I came upon Melodee's Channel and found myself glued to my iPad watching all of her videos! I immediately went out and bought ingredients to make the salmon dish she ate in the video...

Ingredients:
1 piece of salmon ( I got 100 grams)
1/2 a carrot (thinly sliced)
1 tsp of mayonnaise
salt and pepper
handful of spinach
2 tbsp of bonito sauce
1 tbsp of mirin
Ingredients:
1 piece of salmon ( I got 100 grams)
2 mushrooms (thinly sliced)
1/4 of a sweet onion (thinly sliced)
1 tsp of mayonnaise
salt and pepper
2 tbsp of bonito sauce
1 tbsp of mirin
Mirin Sauce
Bonito Sauce
I googled top brands, but these are the only ones available at T&T (local asian mart) that they carried in small sizes
Plated and ready to eat...rice and miso soup would be great sides to accompany this

Directions for both:
Preheat oven to 350 F
On a baking sheet, place enough tin foil for the slices of salmon to be fully wrapped and covered.
For the carrot and spinach:
place the slices of carrot on the tin foil
lay salmon on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then the mayonnaise
top with spinach and pour on the mirin and bonito sauce
fold the tin foil over and wrap the salmon tightly closed
Bake for 15 minutes

For the mushroom and onions:
place salmon on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then the mayonnaise
top with mushrooms and onions, then pour on the mirin and bonito sauce
fold the tin foil over and wrap the salmon tightly closed
Bake for 15 minutes

If you try these recipes send me a pic, I'd love to see! Enjoy!




Monday 5 January 2015

Upcoming book release...The Arcana Chronicles Book 3 Dead of Winter


I spent the past weekend re-reading book 2 Endless Knight. I cannot contain my excitement that book 3 is finally here! I have a feeling with the way things are going Aric will pass, Evie being the one to do it. Releasing him from his misery, and she'll be the victor in the end. I mean after all this is written in her POV.

Read the excerpt here...

Readers have you been following this book series? What's your thoughts? #TeamAric all the way for me! I love a good underdog :D

Saturday 3 January 2015

Best of 2014...Hello 2015

Hello Everyone, welcome to the first post of 2015!

But first let's recap with some of my favourite posts from 2014...

Of course the birth of Baby A...
The floral arrangement for Baby A's 100 days celebration from Garden Party Flowers...
love me a good highlighter...


Readers what were your favourite posts of 2014?

I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's, I still cannot believe another year has passed!
Happy New Years Everyone! Thank you to all those who stop by and take the time to browse, comment and support!
Wishing you much happiness, success and good health!