20111129 Miso Pumpkin

I abhor a dull routine.
I can't imagine having to cook even with just a meal a day.
Lacking an ingredient or two even with a refrigerator full of stuff is a good enough excuse to skip cooking.
My mind would go blank most times
which would mean two to three days of 
eating from the lunch boxes.

20111126 Chow Mien

Everything is obvious
except for the onions
and the few slices of ginger.

I cannot thank the Lord enough
for His provision
and the joy it is giving me
in creating
this simple meal
that my family enjoyed.

Easy Toast

 What would you do when you are craving for french toast while chatting with a friend?
Saved my hands for typing and my feet from standing in wait for the thing to cook in a skillet.
I poured everything into the baking dish, got it into the oven and this was what I got.
It might look perfect, but it was not.
I paid the cost for not paying attention.
It was not sweet.

I have came up with variations ever since.
Added some peanut butter to the milk and egg mixture.
Let me know how you did yours.

20111029 The Perfect Duo

This crunchy, crispy bread
made me crave for soup.

Added some traditionally made tofu
and frozen meatballs to the
perfect duo -
Radish & Asian Celery.

Nothing is simpler than this soup
but a big glass of plain water.
So water it is that goes with every meal.

Yet, this bread is such a steal.
Soup with it, makes me squeal!

Colors

How would you like your stir fried noodles?
I usually cook them plainly
as you see on the top photo,
with more emphasis on taste.
Do not be deceived by the look.
It is as tasty as it is plain,
having absorbed quite an amount of
garlic,olive oil and chicken stock.

Until I got this from the organic store across the street:

My son is all praises for the combination.
(Hubby is a rice enthusiast)
Not at the colors red and light blue
which turned greenish
but at
the scallop and the American cucumber
that went so well with the chewy texture
of the noodles.

You can let it linger
as you savor
and chew on them longer.

The little time it takes to cook
them in boiling water
earns it its permanent space in my cupboard.

Oh wow
Now I have to worry about matching colors.
What color shall I use next meal?

20110810 Combination for Recreation

Dried radish and bamboo shoots
born to some pursuit.
An acceptable combination
said one,
who cooks for recreation.

20110723 Gee! Come Ah..

Jicama in lieu of potatoes

Jicama contains a high amount of vitamin C,
low in sodium and has no fat.
Its crisp,sweet and nutty taste
AND its color
is a nice complement
to this broccoli stew.


You can see it all,
broccoli, jicama,
cream, milk, bacon and Parmesan cheese.

20110723 Something Crispy,Something Salty

Fried the rice in salmon oil that I fried the dried fish in.

20110722 More Shreds

In need of yuba  sheets,
lunch today was this exposed filling of a supposedly
braised yuba wrap.

Sauteed fresh mushrooms, wood ear and
bean curd separately with lots of garlic
in olive oil.
Separately means each to their own corner
in the pan.
Mixed them all together
and set them on half of the pan
while shredded bamboo shoots
occupied the other half,
topped with celery.
Cover and let simmer
till steam comes off the lid.
Add yaki soba sauce
and soy sauce.
Toss and serve.
I topped this with baked Taiwanese garlic sausage.
Yum!

20110617 No Clamming Up Cooking Spaghetti Sauce

A presto lunch of pesto
Click here
for simple procedure to
no cream, no cheese,
no-sodden,soppy spaghetti sauce.

20110613 Rest is When Colors Exist

Seldom do I see the color purple in a dish.
If you can only imagine the excitement when I opened
the lid and found the conspicuous green, light green and purple
among the browns!

20110612 Rest is Having Fun Together as a Family

Fried the frozen leftover rice in "tuyo in oil" and lots of minced garlic.

"Tuyo" is the Filipino term for dried fish, brought to us by

Christine during her visit.

Son helped out with the frying; 

browning it further to enhance its flavor.

Everyone has had a mouthful or two of the fried rice

when I remembered the packet of nori seaweed 

that has been lying in the drawer 

for two months now.

Great combination!

Should have wrapped it nicely

in a triangle 

for great presentation,

but then again,

this is another thing that came out 

on impulse, 

so...

20110611 Rest Is When One Surrenders To A Higher,Wiser Authority

The green may be overcooked.
Shouldn't have covered the bowl with
plastic wrap while steaming.

Garnished the top with shrimps
and crispy chicken skin
to add color.

Have to post this because for sure,
the next one will be another unique
creation.
As it always is
when I surrender to His leading.

20110611 Rest Is When There Are No Ought Tos

Shredded chicken legs.

 The best way to use up a whole chicken

when there are 3 in the family.

An easy task that could take forever for someone like me.

I am thankful to the Lord when my hubby agreed that I do not stay with my in-laws.

I cannot live with the pressure of having to cook 3 meals a day,

 and they

are spared the agony of having to put up with what I would have concocted on impulse.

I know they would because they have never demanded anything.

20110611 Rest Means Not Having to Plan

Impulsive Cook:  "You're home." I said, as hubby got in the door.  "I just got back from the market."


Hubby:  "Take your time."  


Impulsive Cook:  "The rice needs 45 minutes to cook.  The whole chicken is in the pressure cooker.  Son called, he would like to have lunch with his friends.."


Hubby:  "I can buy piantong from the Hakka shop.  It's been a while."


The clock said 1 p.m.


Impulsive Cook:  "Okay, this will be served on time for dinner."

Who's Afraid of E.Coli?

This is a bowl of Chinese Salad.
A variation from what is traditionally served for the
Lunar New Year Feast.
I omitted the sauce that goes with it,
opting for dried apricots, mulberry and raisins.

Here's How:

A. Heat Olive oil in a skillet,
     Brown chicken pieces on both sides,
     Saute garlic and mushrooms and mix well with shredded tokwa (tofu)
     and cooked bamboo shoots.
     Set aside.


B.  In another skillet,
     Heat olive oil with lots of garlic.
     Saute shredded carrots and celery and bamboo shoots.


Layered them all in a bowl, shredded the chicken pieces..

Toss

Can be served with sauce:
sesame oil, soy sauce, mirin sauce and worcestershire sauce.


Would surely love to read your comments!