ADOBO LIFE

RED VELVET CUPCAKE

I have not spent quality time in the kitchen (and this blog) for two months now. Let's just say that I have been busy at work (and lacking inspiration lately) . Anyway, the youngest daughter will be celebrating her 16th birthday this week so we were pressured to release the invitations today. Nothing fancy, just simple dinner with her close friends (15 pax and still counting... yikes )

For someone who loves pink, we were so happy to find these cute stuff toys as part of her invitation----so adorable!

Dinner reservation is set, invites are done, gifts are hidden from her sight (we have few days to go and she'll be looking for it)

Now, let's try some cupcakes...

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter
3 eggs
2 1/3 cups of cake flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of buttermilk
1 1/2 tablespoons of red food coloring
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Beat the butter and sugar in an electric mixer for 3 minutes .Add the eggs. Set aside
• In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl whisk together the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.
• Combine all ingredients and mix well
• Place in cupcake papers
• Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Once cooled, I place a spoonful of ready made whipped topping and placed sugar sprinkles as decoration

VEGETABLE ROLL

500 calories is definitely not a good way to embrace a Sunday morning but I need the extra caffeine burst to jumpstart my day today! Why do I wake up at 6:30 am on a weekend???

There's nothing planned but our usual errands to get the Sunday newspaper so I figured that it's best to use this hour as bonding time with my youngest teen....

...who's yelling at me for tempting her to this apple fritter ! No worries..you can jog off those nasty calories later...

 

Anyway, I am planning to bring bento lunches back to life this week to help me avoid buying baked potatoes served in our break room . Veggie roll is a basic asian dish that can be served fresh or fried. There's no strict guidelines to follow, just toss  veggies together and season with salt, pepper and chicken seasoning.  I like it crunchy and dipped in vinegar - - yum!

Since I am on a roll here in my kitchen -- I baked an eggplant, coated them with egg and fried on both sides for 2 minutes  as another side dish too. Finally, I have my lunch fixes ready -- all I need tomorrow is roll up my salmon sushi! yum!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup  vegetable oil
1/2 onion diced
1 packet bean sprouts
1 cup cabbage
1/4 cup diced carrots
salt, pepper
1 tsp beef or chicken seasoning
1 packet Nasoya egg roll wrapper

HERE'S HOW:

• Saute onion and carrots in oil for 2-3 minutes
• Add bean sprouts and cabbage
• Dash with salt, pepper and seasonings
• Cook until tender. Set aside
• Lay out egg roll wrapper in flat surface
• Spoon veggie mixture and fold
• Fry until golden brown on both sides

BLUEBERRY CRUMB CAKE

G1 is driving on her own now and we finally found a used Nissan Sentra for her. Getting a loan is easy but  why pay the interest ? I want to pay for the car in cash and this means I need to sell some of my stocks this week.  This car will be my first big purchase and this is exactly the reason why I have been saving money  -- It's for the girls to use as I help them prepare  for college (wow, I will be single again soon?). I'll call the broker tomorrow as this is my first time of pulling out money from my investment account (yikes, I need to pay for insurance too --oh well)!

Anyway, I took the girls for breakfast at Panera Bread  yesterday -- I was tempted to purchase a loaf of bread ($7 each) but good thing I backed out as it's too pricey! Instead, I settled for a loaf of Asiago cheese bread (on sale at $1.80) at Walmart and since  blueberries are also on sale ($1.50), I might as well make some blueberry crumb cake. 

     INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 tbsp butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups blueberries

      Topping

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon sugar
• 5 tablespoons melted butter

    

  HERE'S HOW:

• In a mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat butter with  sugar.
• Beat in the eggs
• Beat in sour cream and vanilla.
• Place in baking pan.
• Sprinkle blueberries evenly over the batter.
• In another bowl combine, together topping ingredients
• Add the 5 tablespoons of melted butter and blend well with the fork.
• Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the blueberries.

MUSHROOM AND LETTUCE QUICHE

I'm cleaning up my refrigerator from all the leftovers this week! For the baked chicken, I converted them into CHICKEN PIE and the ham was used as crusty toppings for  MAC AND CHEESE.

I got fresh mushrooms intended for a Mario Batali veal dish but since I am traveling on business this week to Philadelphia, I made them into a quiche (and added the lettuce hanging out at the chiller).

INGREDIENTS:

6 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cups heavy cream
Salt and pepper
2 cups sliced mushroom
1 cup slice cabbage
1 shredded Swiss/ mozzarella cheese
1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crust

 HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Saute mushroom and cabbage in butter
• Meanwhile, combine the eggs, cream, cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl
• Add mushroom and cabbage
• Pour the egg mixture on top of pie crust. Top with cheese
•  Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the egg mixture is set.
• Serve

DEVIL'S FOOD POUND CAKE

Caught in the act! What do you mean it's not you?? Hmmm....while we were sleeping someone rummaged through the pile of gifts....

The bizarre thing is: From the 50++ stocking stuffers at the fireplace, he picked the gift that is intended for him and chewed through the wrapper......Yikes - -how did you know?

Anyway, I took a day off with the intention of laying in bed all day ---until a video ad of Old Navy pulled me out of bed as they are selling $5 inner shirts (originally $12) - Fine!...one more shopping....

 

Enough shirts for you little girl....

So much for shopping today....I need my coffee break! Lately, I am craving for pound cakes -- thanks to my recent visit to Starbucks where I bought stacks of gift cards for my staff and admins. Hmmm...love the Starbucks pound cake selection at the glass counter- ---but $2.75 for a slice? Holy Moly - -No way - I'll make mine instead....

As always...I skipped the chocolate glaze topping as we prefer  whipped cream on the side!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 stick butter, soft
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 package chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable oil

HERE'S HOW:

• Combine all ingredients together. Blend well
• Place in greased bundt cake pan
• Bake for 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees

IRISH SODA BREAD

I'm craving for a danish pastry with apricot filling but I'm too lazy to make one. So I decided  to tempt  the girls out for breakfast at a nearby Waffle House but they are already out jogging. Hmmmm... hungry and lazy ? This basic loaf with only 4 basic ingredients will do the trick!

I tried this Irish Soda bread when I was in New York a couple of month ago and I like the simple taste with the crumbled texture. At that time, it was served as part of the antipasto but all the time I was thinking that it's perfect for dunking with my coffee (Well -- Irish tea for the real Irish --duh).

No one wants to go out? Fine, saved me $40 today....Oh....I added a cup of dried mixed fruit to give this traditional Irish bread a flair on my end. Tastes like somewhere in between a biscuit and a scone.....yum!

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk

HERE'S HOW:

• Place flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl and stir to blend
• Add the buttermilk and stir until dough comes together
• Knead for a minute
• Place dough on a greased cookie sheet and slash an X across the top
• Bake for 50 minutes at 375 degrees

LEMON LOAF CAKE

 The thrill during the holidays is going through the process of making a list, deciding on an item and hunting for great deals - -but in as much as I would like to arm wrestle with another door buster shopper at the mall - -we just feel it's more practical to send gift cards so our family will have the  flexibility of indulging to what they want most (and saves postage too!). We still have to fall in line at the counters but  we have completed our Christmas shopping spree in less than an hour ....and gifts will be on its way tomorrow.

Today, one daughter is sick and doesn't really have an appetite for anything...I hope this lemon cake will cheer her up! Unlike a traditional pound cake, this version is fuller, yet moist! To make it even more special -- I placed a lemon glaze on top by combining 2 tbsp of confectioner's sugar, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 3 tbsp of whipping cream.

INGREDIENTS:

4 large eggs
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/8 tsp salt
Grated zest of 3 large lemons
1 3/4 cups cake flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 stick butter, melted

HERE'S HOW: 

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar and salt. Add in the zest
Place flour and baking powder over egg mixture. Mix well
Add heavy cream and butter. Blend
Bake at 350 degrees in an oiled loaf pan for 45-50 minutes

 

 

SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE

Ice Cream ... again? Not sure what's happening in your area but suddenly the craving for ice cream started the moment this cold weather kicked in. So happy that one daughter loves running to Walmart (yes ..she loves the random errands  with my credit card in tow) -- so grabbing another bucket of Chocolate Cookie Dough and Vanilla ice cream is definitely convenient nowadays.

I found this pound cake recipe from www.allrecipe.com and looks simple enough to make for tonight

INGREDIENTS:

1  1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 cup sour cream
3 eggs
1/8 tsp baking soda

HERE'S HOW:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add sour cream and eggs
• Add flour and baking soda
• Pour in greased bundt pan
• Bake at 375 degrees for 35-45 minutes

CHALLAH

I have not seen any braided bread in my side of the world lately and I felt the need to try it out to to test my unhidden skills in the baking arena. Julia Child refers Challah as a Eastern European brioche (with a texture slightly lighter).

I  borrowed a baking recipe book from the library (saves me $30) and I will be cradling it in my arms for the next 20 days  - - I never visited the cooking section and Barnes and Nobles will surely miss me now that I discovered the library...

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/3 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup milk
1 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
6 1/2 all purpose flour

I don't have a bread machine so I used the traditional method of punching the dough (good thing G3 helped). Actually I loved it as it feels that I was transformed to where I was in Montpellier France as I watched the baker cursing and yelling in his high pitched tone as he prepared the dough at the back side of his boulangerie. Of course, he doesn't speak English so as I fumbled with my french words pointing to a baguette - - he will curse even more and it took us more than 10 minutes for one transaction.  Love the aroma of fresh bread baking....

HERE'S HOW:

• Whisk the yeast into the water. Add a pinch of sugar and let rest until the yeast has dissolved and creamy
• Microwave the milk and butter for one minute until fully melted. Place mixture in a bowl and add the remaining sugar, salt and honey. Stir to dissolve.
• Add the creamy yeast to the milk  mixture. Then add eggs and stir with wooden spoon to mix
• Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time
• Place the dough in the work surface and knead with your hands until dough is elastic (8-10 minutes)
• Transfer to an oiled bowl . Cover and and let it rest for 1 hour until the size doubled
• After an hour, deflate the dough and punch for 2 minutes and let it rest again for another 45 minutes.
• When fully rested, divide the dough into 6 equal parts
• Roll each piece into a rope
• Align 3 ropes vertically and start braiding from the center down. Repeat process for the other 3 remaining dough
• Transfer in baking sheet and create an egg topping( by combining 1 egg with 1 tbsp water or cream).
• Brush egg topping on each dough . Place sesame seeds and coarse salt
• Bake at 375 degrees for 15 -20 minutes or until golden brown

 

SOUR CREAM MARBLE CAKE

We stormed the malls at  5am to wander sleepily like zombies during the Black Friday Sale. Nope..we don't need anything - -we're just curious bystanders randomly going through the racks to see the hundreds of door buster items laid out for the brave shoppers. Other than a couple of shirts, slipper socks , a big headache and an empty stomach - -we got the shopping frenzy out of our skin by 10 am.

Today is another random day as we browsed through endless Christmas decors and stocking stuffers at the library bazaar (What are we doing here..we don't have a Christmas tree?) . We need a Christmas list.....but wait..we're giving out cash to the teens ....(or maybe not, says this teen who made a list 10 months ago - - huh? a giant bear?)

 Teens will be  watching New Moon with their friends tonight -I  might as well have fun with the chocolates we got on sale at Walmart last week as they will surely be hunting for some mystery food in the pantry when they come back...

INGREDIENTS:

For Marbling:

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
4 tbsp butter
3 tbsp coca powder
2 tbsp light corn syrup
3 tbsp water
1/4 tsp baking soda

For Batter:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups sour cream
1//4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 stick of butter, melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
powdered sugar for dusting

HERE'S HOW:

Make the marbling:

• Make the marbling by combining the marbling ingredients in a bowl.
• Melt chocolate by placing on top of pot with simmering water
• Set aside

Make the batter:

• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in one bowl. Set aside
• In another bowl, combine sour cream, milk and vanilla . Set aside
• In a big bowl, beat melted butter with sugar. Add eggs one a time
• Reduce the mixer into low speed and add the dry ingredients alternately with the sour cream mixture
• Mix until well blended

Combine marbling and batter

• Place batter in 9 inch oiled bundt pan
• Spoon chocolate on three different areas
• Using a knife, spread the chocolate by rotating the pan until chocolate is distributed across the batter
• Bake for 55 - 60 minutes
• Remove cake from oven and let cool
• Dust the top with powdered sugar

WHITE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKE

Dear Mama,

Do you remember this? This was taken the day of Thanksgiving while we were preparing our  dinner when we were in Colorado. Do you remember the  turkey that Dr D.  prepared for us? 

Tomorrow,  it's thanksgiving here and I am planning to give the turkey a rest and we'll have baked salmon and DEVIL'S CHICKEN: Pollo al Diavolo  as our main entree with couscous, au gratin potato and steamed carrots on the side.

I remembered how it took Dr D the whole day to prepare the dinner as you try to watch him mess up our small kitchen then. Well, we have a huge kitchen now and that means bigger room to clean (oh no!) so I am going to have a head start by making the desserts tonight so I can save at least an hour or two on preparation.

If you will recall,  we conveniently bought our pie from Krogers and just popped it in the oven ..but since I started this blog, I am able to learn how to make PUMPKIN PIE plus a lot more !

First things first...I am taking my Christmas decors out of the closet - - Oh well ..do you recall that we have 2 Christmas trees? Since we have our new spoiled cat, I can't set it up as he will destroy it for sure in an hour ( Do you remember all those after Christmas shopping at Target? Hmm--We have more than 4 boxes of new decors that I can't use because of this cat - -waaahh).. For now, I'll only use the Christmas stockings - -and yes..the smallest sock is for that cat!

Speaking of the cat...look how he took over the sofa in the sitting room...

Anyway, I want you to go to the local bakeshop tomorrow and get yourself a cheesecake ok? Why? Cause I am baking one tonight and I want you guys to celebrate Thanksgiving dessert with us plus celebrate Jen's recent achievement in school. This cheesecake is really easy as I bought a ready made crust (OREO) and all I did was to mix up the cream cheese, eggs and vanilla and baked it in the oven...but don't worry about baking it on your end...just buy one!

That's all for now...Ask Jen to open the computer tomorrow so you can see what your crazy family in the US is up to ...ciao

INGREDIENTS:

2 package (8 oz each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1 OREO Pie crust
3 tbsp strawberry preserves

While I was baking the cheesecake, G1 made  the PUMPKIN PIE

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla with mixer.
• Add eggs and mix until blended
• Stir white chocolate
• Pour into crust
• Microwave preserves for 20 seconds and dot on top of cheesecake
• Using a knife, spread out the preserves in a circular motion to achieve a marble effect
• Bake for 40 minutes
• Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight before serving

BUTTERSCOTCH SCONES

It's the day before thanksgiving and I woke up feeling so lazy. I have two meetings today and in as much as I want to stay in bed all morning, I have to kick my fat ass off the bed and start my day.

So hungry and I only have 30 minutes to spare! So tempted to grab something at Starbucks but I think I can manage creating something so I don't have to spend $7 before 8 am in the morning.

Perfect! Scones is my easy way out ----I love butterscotch candies and the combination of brown sugar and butter totally helped me recreate the flavor I desired.

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
8 tbsp unsalted butter (1 stick)
2 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

HERE'S HOW: 

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Combine dry ingredients in a bowl set aside
• Add butter into the mixture
• Whisk eggs and cream together, add to the the bowl and mix until well blended
• Form into a ball, place in work surface and flatten to form like a pizza dough
• Cut into 8 pieces using a knife
• Arrange scones in baking sheet
• Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown

PITA BREAD

 I am torn between making a sushi or a sandwich tonight as I don't want to be stuck with leftovers in time for Thanksgiving. This afternoon, I spent quality time baking DEVIL'S FOOD CUPCAKE  and since I cranked up the oven, I might as well make some bread.

Pita is fun to make as you will see the bread puff into a balloon like shape inside the oven.

I can't believe how easy it is to make this --so I got crazy with the filling:

CHICKEN CURRY (cut into cubes)

  SIRLOIN STEAK (same preparation on the pork steak recipe in the link but I used sirloin and cut the beef into strips)

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups all purpose four
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 cup warm water
2 tbsp olive oil

HERE'S HOW:

• Stir together the flour and salt
• In a separate bowl, whisk the yeast into the water. Add olive oil
• Stir the liquid into the flour until dough is evenly moistened
• Beat dough for 10 minutes
• Form into a ball and place in an oiled bowl.
• Cover and let sit for an hour
• Place dough in work surface and beat for 3 minutes.
• Form into wedges and cut into 12 pieces
• Form into balls and cover with a towel or plastic wrap for 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 500 degrees
• While oven is heating, roll each dough into a disk using a rolling pin until it flattens
• Cover for another 15 minutes
• Place in cookie sheets and bake for 2-4 minutes or until breads are well puffed and golden brown
• Transfer pita to cooling rack until deflated

DEVIL'S FOOD CUPCAKE

I took the teens for breakfast prior to our routine Walmart run this weekend ..and except for a simple combination of eggs and toast , there's really nothing interesting on the long list of fancy omelette  selection from the restaurant.

For the last 3 months, our grocery bill averages at approximately $900++/month and I need to reevaluate some of my menu choices so I can  reduce the Walmart bill next month- -Yikes.

Anyway, I'm craving for a cupcake...and I am skipping the chocolate ganache frosting as I took the whip cream off my list earlier (saved me $3). Hmmm..house smells like chocolate now and  good call on skipping the frosting as this tastes so good as is.

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup hot water
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp salt
3 sticks of butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream

HERE'S HOW:

• Whisk together cocoa and hot water. Set aside
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside
• Melt butter and add sugar. Beat for 3 minutes. Add egg one at a time
• Add vanilla and cocoa mixture
• Add flour mixture , alternating with sour cream. Beat until fully combine
• Fill evenly on lined cups
• Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes

FRENCH BREAD

 It's 67 degrees inside our house and I'm freezing! Oh no...our utility bills will surely be high as consumption due to heater use will be rampant as winter kicks in.  This afternoon, I have not turned the heater on but let's see if the fireplace in the main hall will help heat up the ground floor....

Nobody is hungry ...so we are just having french bread, cheese and hot chocolate (wine for me) for dinner! This is my first attempt to this crusty bread we love....I don't have a bread machine so I used the traditional way of rolling and punching the dough with my bare hands - -Ouch!

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups all-purpose flour
5 tsp active dry yeast
2 tsp salt
2 cups warm water
1 tbsp cornmeal
1 egg white
1 tbsp water

HERE'S HOW:

• Whisk yeast with water and salt
• Stir in flour, one cup at a time. Mix until fully blended
• Knead for about 10 minutes. Form into a ball.
• Place dough in a greased bowl and let rise for 30-45 minutes
• After the size is doubled, punch dough and let it rest for 10 minutes
• Divide into 4 and form into 4 oblong like loaves
• Grease a baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal
• Place loaves on the baking sheets and brush with egg whites mixed with water
• Cover with a cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes
• Using a knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf.
• Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with egg white
• Bake for another 15 minutes

CHOCOLATE BABKA LOAF

Babka  is probably of Eastern Europe descent but I grew up having this loaf of bread as my afternoon  snack. I have not seen a babka in our local deli or supermarket here in the US so I am creating one for the girls to try...

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cups milk
5 tsp active dry yeast (2 envelopes)
1 stick melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
6 egg yolks
 2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour (plus more for dredging)

CHOCOLATE FILLING:

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup walnut or pecan, finely chopped

HERE'S HOW:

• Warm the milk (about 110 degrees F and place in a bowl. Add yeast and whisk. Using an electric mixer whisk in butter, sugar, salt, egg yolds and egg.
• Using a spatula, add the flour and beat until well blended
• Beat the dough for 2 minutes
• Place in a bowl and cover. Palace in refrigerator for 1 1/2 hours
• Meanwhile, prepare the filling by combining chopped chocolate, sugar and cinnamon.
• After the dough has been chilled, place dough in a work surface dusted with flour and flatten using a rolling pin
• Evenly scatter the chocolate filling and place nuts on top
• Rill gently into a log
• Place in loaf pan (sprayed with non stick spray on the side). Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place babka
• Bake for 40-45 minutes and transfer on a rack to cool
• Slice and enjoy!

Teens can burn more than $50 easily at the mall in less than 2 hours! Instead of running around spending on unnecessary things to entertain themselves on a Friday night (or who knows where they hang out), we feel that spending quality time at home with great friends and a freaky scary movie is more appropriate.

Tonight, we have  teen bakers - Chef H and our regular JD (our sous chef for the cheesecake) helped us mess up our kitchen as we taught Chef H on how to make cookies (yeah - - he created this on his own) . The result? Cake like texture, not too sweet for the figure conscious and crunchy at the bottom that you will enjoy....

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (1 large)
1 cup old fashion rolled oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Whisk together flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside
• Beat butter and both sugars with electric mixer. Add egg and vanilla.
• Place banana and add the flour mixture. Mix until combined
• Add oats and chocolate.
• Using an ice cream scoop, drop dough in a greased baking cookie sheet
• Bake for 13-15 minutes

  "Shawarma" - a Middle Eastern sandwich - like wrap is one of my favorites! A colleague of mine recently discovered a small hole in the wall family owned diner where they only serve shawarma and I can't wait to try them as I practically grew up eating those yummy sandwiches.

I am tempted to mimic the flavor as I have the basic ingredients in my freezer - -but naahh-- my friend Cat (the jet setting  Filipina who is surely shopping again in those ginormous  Middle East malls) will surely nag me at Facebook if I don't get it right. For now..I'll just make my tried and tested  open faced roast beef sandwich that we enjoy...

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups shaved roast beef (cut into strips)
1/2 onion
1/2 green bell pepper
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

HERE'S HOW:

• Cook onion in olive oil . Add green bell pepper and continue cooking for 3 minutes
• Add roast beef and soy sauce and cook for another 3 minutes
• Season with salt and pepper
• Serve on top of toast

I woke up extra early as I planned to have a warm and crumbly coffee cake that is toasty on the edges and moist inside with my  morning coffee routine. So in between running around the kitchen , taking a shower, checking my emails and chasing the cat - - Amazing how I got things done in a jiffy!

I promise ...you won't spend $3/slice at Starbucks once you've tried this...

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup sugar (This is the light version - -you may add 1/2 cup if you want a sweeter version)
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup raisins

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 375 degree. Spray 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray
• In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Melt butter and pour over flour mixture, mixing until crumbly. Set aside 1/2 cup of mixture for topping.
• Add the rest of the ingredients to the flour mixture. Stir until just moistened
• Place in baking pan, Sprinkle reserved misture over top
• Bake for 25-30 minutes

It's gloomy outside and I am stuck with my computer for the next 3 hours. I thought I'll give myself a treat by indulging into homemade cookies where the tartness of the cranberry  complements with the buttery taste of the shortcake cookie recipe.

Recipe from Martha Stewart's cookie cookbook

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup (2 sticks) of butter or margarine
3/4 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/2 cup finely chopped dried cranberries

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Combine butter, sugar, flour,vanilla, salt and cranberries. Mix well
• Form into balls and place in cookie sheets. Press a fork on top to flatten 
• Bake for 20 minutes

Lazy Sunday routine: Read email,  view foodie buddies' sites, check lotto ticket and count my cash in my wallet . Well, I only have $22 cash in my wallet but surprise surprise - - my stocks has a cumulative earning of 33.89%. Seriously - - I have NO MONEY in my wallet (no shopping for me)- - but I will survive!

For those of who just tuned in - -this is my site on how I find ways to save money and so I can plan for early retirement (it just so happen that I love to cook!).  You can read more about my self proclaimed saving rules (I'm winging it) at:

FINANCE PLAN FOR BEGINNERS:

FINANCE 101:

SAVE MONEY:

Anyway, today, I woke up early and decided to give the family a wonderful surprise with some freshly made scones

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar (reserve 1/2 tsp for toppings)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup  dried mixed berries
 1 cup buttermilk

HERE'S HOW:

• Combine all ingredients and mix well
• Place on top of counter (Place wax paper) dusted with flour. Knead and form into one ball
• Cut into triangle pieces. Sprinkle top with brown sugar. Arrange in baking pan (Be sure to spray with non stick cooking spray).
• Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees or until medium brown

I have all the colors of sweaters you can imagine but for some reason, I feel the need to add  more sweaters (costs $49 each) in my big pile. I've written some of my techniques on HOW TO AVOID SPLURGING AT THE MALL a few months ago, and today I learned new psych tactics on how I am able to prevent myself from  wasting  $100++.  It's "all in the brain" so to speak..but it worked today --Here's how:

SPEND QUALITY TIME IN THE DRESSING ROOM: The trick here is to exhaust yourself by trying multiple items to the point that you realize that all the clothes look the same in the mirror. This will give you the verification that you already have the signature look you want in your closet and an additional sweater will not make a difference.

TAKE THE ACCESSORY CHALLENGE: I don't wear chunky and fake jewelries but whenever I feel the need to shop -- I go straight to the accessory section and liberally wrap my neck with silver plated necklace thinking of an occasion  where I am able to use it. It looked good on me - -but $60 for a fake jewelry? hmmmm.. maybe next time! I'd rather save my money and get the stud earrings from the jewelry store next year.

Anyway, we did spent money at the mall - - A generous $4 mango passion drink from Orange Julius..I wanted to stop by at Starbucks for some grande moccha and a brownie - - but naaahh--I can make a cake later.

Today, we have sleepover teens and I made a European Fudge Cake from my new Hershey book.  Instead of using pecans --I used hazelnuts. It's only 7:30 pm and yikes...the cake is already gone!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
1/4 cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa
4 eggs
 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped hazelnuts
Chocolate curls

CREAMY COFFEE FILLING : Beat together
1 1/2 cup cold  whipping cream
2 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp powdered instant coffee

HERE'S HOW:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees
• Butter bottom and sides of two 9-inch round baking pans
• Melt butter and add cocoa. Stir until blended
• In a bowl, beat eggs until foamy, add salt and vanilla
• Gradually add sugar. Beat well
• Add cooled chocolate mixture
• Fold in flour
• Stir in nuts
• Pour into prepared pan
• Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool
• Apply creamy coffee filling in between layers, over tip and sides of cake
• Add chocolate curls and refrigerate

Still tired from my  NEW JERSEY TRIP ! I wanted to call in sick but I have 4 meetings today. I called my mom to check how she is -- I get worried about her health condition nowadays and I feel comforted with the sound of her voice telling me stories about her daily shopping spree - - so it's a good sign!

My first conference call will start at 8:30 CT so I have time to bake this cream cheese muffin ...

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour
3/4 cup plus 3 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 tbsp butter, cut up
1 cup  buttermilk
3 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp grated orange peel
1 egg
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into 12 cubes

STREUSEL TOPPING: Mix together
1/3 cup flour
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp butter, melted

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin cups with non stick cooking spray
• In a bowl, combine flour,3/4 cup sugar, baking powder and baking soda until mixture is crumbly
• In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, orange juice, orange peel and egg together.
• Stir in buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients
• Fill muffin cups 3/4 full
• Dip each cube of cream cheese into the remaining 3 tbsp sugar and press into batter
• Make streusel topping and spread evenly on top of muffin cups
• Bake for 15-20 minutes

Party season is here and for us it means --baking time! We always find a reason to mess up our kitchen and giving out baked goodies to close friends is  really something that we enjoy.

Having teens with an active sociable life can be really expensive this Halloween - -from the costumes, to the gadgets ..the list can go on and the price tag can go sky rocket high. Tonight they are attending a costume party and we made 2 cakes that costs us less than $12 to make!

Inspired by our cat who always hang out on the windowsill, the girls decorated the cake with our spoiled cat in mind. I wanted to create a double layer version, but the thought of  cake containers being left behind at a random place prevented me from doing so. Instead, I used a standard disposable aluminum pan and we just worked around it.

Girls are already gone and we just had a sumptuous dinner from one of my Batali recipe - T-BONE FIORENTINA WITH SAUTEED SPINACH: Bistecca alla Fiorentina.  I was enjoying my after dinner coffee when these cute kids came by at our door...Trick or Treat everyone!

HERE'S HOW:

Make a basic FRENCH VANILLA CAKE . Let it cool

Create CREAM CHEESE ICING by beating

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla

Spread cream cheese icing  evenly on top of cooled cake

Sprinkle with cake candy bits

 

Create an outline of picture  by using a prepared icing in a tube ($ 2.49 at Kroger). Fill the space with more cake decor as appropriate

Complete the picture by adding variety of colors and shapes

Okay...where are the other Treat or Trick kids...Cat is waiting at the door......(he loves the sound of the doorbell)

So peaceful at home tonight! No screaming, no squawking, phones are not ringing --just me, Dr.D,the cat and the clicking sounds of 2 keyboards. Twins went to this scary haunted house -aka- teen hang out this season  ...and the youngest went to a halloween party

Three weeks ago, they volunteered to be two of 6-8 teens who decorated the place - -so, they should literally know the ins and outs and the tricks how the event organizers will scare the kids, right? Apparently not ! As we heard one teen expressing her fear - -

Scared? Okay, not long ago, you guys kissed the gorgeous dead corpse ...

...You shared food with the psycho long haired witch with a metal face...

..you even helped the vampire guy get his suntan..and even flipped him upside down with your bare hands....

...Don't be scared - -Be FRIGHTENED!!!! Booooooooo  !!! That's the joy of being a teen...just enjoy the moment! And like facing LIFE...never be frightened, simply embrace the experience as much as you can, learn from each step..and as you move forward in life....never regret anything...and don't look back!!

So, in the still of the night.......awaits the Dutch Apple Pie for their return...

As always .......while the angry cat is trying to kill me with his devilish eyes across the kitchen....(duh - -why do you always do that?)

INGREDIENTS:

1  pie shell (store bought)

FILLING:
5 apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tbsp butter

STREUSEL
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 cup butter

HERE'S HOW: 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees
• Place pie shell in pie plate and bake for 10 minutes
• Meanwhile, make apple filling: Combine apples with  flour, white sugar,  cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well, then add to apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
• Remove pie shell from oven.
• Place apple mixture in pie shell and dot with 2 tablespoons butter or margarine.
• While filling is baking, make streusel topping: Combine 3/4 cup flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, oats, and lemon peel. Mix thoroughly, then cut in 1/2 cup butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly.
• Remove pie from oven and sprinkle streusel on top.
• Reduce heat to 375 degrees. Bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes, until streusel turns brown

As always,my tummy was rumbling while I was in the conference room (didn't eat yet)...but it must be my lucky day as the meeting where I presented my 2010 strategies served the team with a hot plate lunch! Wow - -I thought we're cutting cost - -but who cares - -the roast chicken is so inviting - waving at me - - "Eat me, Eat me"--and free lunch today? Nice..that's an instant $8 savings!!

The big problem with lunch meetings: Big group of people with different interests trying to make easy and random conversation in between gulps of food. Chewing and talking senseless crap is not my cup of tea. Call me cold, boring and a snob but I really have no common interest with these guys except work, work and work. One thing I learned from my previous boss in the pharmaceutical company I worked for was that - -" keep the business conversation in the meeting room and your personal stories outside"...and it always worked for me.  Do you hear that cat  ???

Oh well.. too bad..I really love to enjoy the chicken...but I just have to finish my plate in less than 5 minutes and --I'm soooo done! But wait....there's the lemon cake for dessert ! I took a bite and it tastes more like a pound cake!  Speaking of which -  I need to practice this pound cake as I plan to bring to  two managers - who may be one of the few adorable, funny, witty, smart and charming  (whom I asked to eat fast so we can get out of the room ) at work that I know...

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/ tsp baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon juice
2 eggs

 
     

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Spray muffin cups with non stick cooking spray
• In a small bowl, mix together flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside
• In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter until fluffy
• Beat in sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice
• Beat in eggs . Stir in dry ingredients
• Fill muffin cups 2/3 full
• Bake for 20 minutes

There are days when I have the urge to shop and and today is that day! Saving money by leaving credit cards at home works on a weekend ---but what if it's a Monday and I am at home and tempted by  the convenience offered by online shopping???? Sooooo hard!

I really don't need anything.. but I got glued to the MAC and Sephora website that  suddenly I felt my hands itching to click "Add to Cart" and  purchase some random makeup ! Agghh - -the temptation in internet is endless- -for me it's the information overload  associated to the new makeup trends and I was glued at brushes ($200++ for a complete set?) . So to stop my unnecessary cravings - - I decided to clean old makeup brushes and made them look new again (at least in my eyes)

After 20 minutes of dabbing alcohol to the bristles...wow I saved  $200++ and problem solved!

.......but not my craving for some dark chocolates - Oh no! I don't have any Ghirardelli boxed version so let's just make it from scratch  shall we? 

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cup Sugar
2/3 cup butter
1/4 cup water
2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
2 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup nuts chopped (optional)

HERE'S HOW:

• Combine  sugar, butter, and water. Bring just to a boil. Remove from heat and add semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2vanilla. Stir until chocolate melts. Transfer chocolate mixture to a large bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• In a small bowl combine flour, soda, and salt.
• Gradually add flour to chocolate batter.
• Blend in 1 cup chopped nuts if desired.
• Pour into greased  pan.
• Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.

Today, it's all about Halloween costume shopping! We have accumulated so many costumes from Obama face, Scream outfit, Jig Saw Killer to scary witches and monsters but we can never have too many costumes in this house. This is my favorite holiday as we all get the chance to be a 5 - year old kid again!

So cool..they have new scary gadgets where blood-like mixture will ooze out of the head, crawling hands, wide eyed zombies and scary mice --Hmm..so tempted to splurge on new paraphernalia but --Nope-- I am only getting a costume and I am outta here!

  

I love this flying  nun . . .I wonder if she screams too - -looks autistic to me...

 

So many new masks! Hmmmm..why are the teen costumes on my right looks "slutty"?

Anyway, we didn't  find anything for our cat but here's what we ended up with : G3 opted to Go-Bananas....

  

and twins went for Sinister Clowns...

...and I am so hungry! One daughter calls me the crazy Muffin Lady as I am experimenting on some recipes. This one is made with oatmeal and real apples - - be prepared to eat at least three as the flavor will let you keep coming back for more!

INGREDIENTS:

1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup raisins
1 chopped apple
1/2 cup oil
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup quick oats
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• In a large bowl, beat egg
• Add remaining ingredients
• Fill muffin cups 3/4 full
• Bake for 15-20 minutes

Shown in this photo: Oatmeal Apple Raisin and FROSTED PUMPKIN MUFFIN

Did I fell into a long deep sleep that suddenly my babies are now young ladies?  A year from now, they will be in college and I will be alone (oh no -- who will take me out to fun dinners and lunches now?)..Wow -I can still remember carrying G1 in my lap begging me to take her to the mall! Nothing changed -- she still begs for her mall time but now she's behind the wheel and I am the crazy mom freaking out beside her! Is Friday night the mall event for teens nowadays? A group of pretty ten teens gathered up at  Chili's for dinner (yes, we have to eat at the other side of the restaurant as they still need supervision ) then by 8pm they all rounded up their cars to go to the mall. 

Speaking of Chili's - -I hate that I can't find anything I like in their menu so I ended up drinking 3 cups of coffee alongside the skillet quezo and cheesecake. I've browsed through the menu pages more than 5 times and I can't find anything for me ---Do they have even have any pumpkin pie? I am craving for one....

Didn't find it! It's now Sunday and I am still craving for a pumpkin pie...so I tried to mimic the taste in this muffin version --using the same ingredients that I used in my original PUMPKIN PIE ......this one is so irresistible for a cold Sunday morning along with my coffee!

I grew up in Manila where evaporated milk is widely used rather than the gallons of milk we find here in the US!  I used Carnation evaporated milk as standard to my pies... as what can I say -- nothing will beat the tried and tested creaminess of Carnation! Yum! ( “Share your favorite recipe using Carnation Evaporated Milk and enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa GC http://bit.ly/1H5KkF”)

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon sugar
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
1/4 cup butter
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup Carnation evaporated milk
1/2 cup seedless raisins (optional)

HERE'S HOW:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together
Cut in butter until mixture resembles cornmeal
Combine egg with pumpkin and milk. Stir optional raisins.
Add egg mixture to dry ingredients
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full
Bake for 15-20 minutes

TO  MAKE CHEESE FROSTING: In a  bowl, beat together:
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 tbsp Carnation evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
 2 cups powdered sugar

This morning --i heard voices whispering .."buy a book, buy a book" .No...I am not hallucinating but I've read most of my business books twice and I am craving for more . But instead of going to Barnes and Nobles, we  went to the library and I am so proud  to be  a  library card holder today! (Duh -one bookworm daughter is sighing at me thinking how much of a dork I am as she literally lives at the library)

Amazing how I am able to hug the 2 new books I wanted to purchase without costing me a dime (and I can keep it for 21 days!). My concern: Are you the type of reader who destroys books when you read it?  Not "tearing the pages" kind ....but just running through various colors of highlighters, writing action items on the sides or marking the dates when you read the page?  Well - -this is the reason why I prefer to buy books rather than borrowing one. I have tons of business books that I read over and over that in my mind - -spending $30 a pop is so worth it! But with my attempt to save - -that $30 will go a long way if I keep it in my wallet!  Don't worry Ms Librarian..I won't write on these!

Anyway, I dropped off one teen at Barnes and Nobles tonight...and might as well check out the new books and add to my library hoard list in  two weeks. Let's see - -I already have this 360 book...and this Six  Sigma one, this green hard bound and this warfare thingy in my dusty drawer...hmmm..I must have spent more than $200 on this rack alone  - -Oh well --this will change...

Speaking of change - -I used a basic muffin recipe and changed some ingredients to make this cranberry maple version - - and it's worth trying!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup chopped cranberries
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
 2/3 cup buttermilk
2 tsp maple flavoring

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• In a large bowl, mix four, walnuts, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Stir in cranberries
• In a separate bowl, beat together, butter, eggs, sugar, buttermilk and maple flavoring.
• Stir into dry ingredients
• Fill muffin cups 2/3 full
• Bake for 20-25 minutes

BANANA CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Teens can burn more than $50 easily at the mall in less than 2 hours! Instead of running around spending on unnecessary things to entertain themselves on a Friday night (or who knows where they hang out), we feel that spending quality time at home with great friends and a freaky scary movie is more appropriate.

Tonight, we have  teen bakers - Chef H and our regular JD (our sous chef for the cheesecake) helped us mess up our kitchen as we taught Chef H on how to make cookies (yeah - - he created this on his own) . The result? Cake like texture, not too sweet for the figure conscious and crunchy at the bottom that you will enjoy....

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (1 large)
1 cup old fashion rolled oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Whisk together flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside
• Beat butter and both sugars with electric mixer. Add egg and vanilla.
• Place banana and add the flour mixture. Mix until combined
• Add oats and chocolate.
• Using an ice cream scoop, drop dough in a greased baking cookie sheet
• Bake for 13-15 minutes

ROAST BEEF OPEN FACED SANDWICH

  "Shawarma" - a Middle Eastern sandwich - like wrap is one of my favorites! A colleague of mine recently discovered a small hole in the wall family owned diner where they only serve shawarma and I can't wait to try them as I practically grew up eating those yummy sandwiches.

I am tempted to mimic the flavor as I have the basic ingredients in my freezer - -but naahh-- my friend Cat (the jet setting  Filipina who is surely shopping again in those ginormous  Middle East malls) will surely nag me at Facebook if I don't get it right. For now..I'll just make my tried and tested  open faced roast beef sandwich that we enjoy...

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups shaved roast beef (cut into strips)
1/2 onion
1/2 green bell pepper
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

HERE'S HOW:

• Cook onion in olive oil . Add green bell pepper and continue cooking for 3 minutes
• Add roast beef and soy sauce and cook for another 3 minutes
• Season with salt and pepper
• Serve on top of toast

COFFEE CAKE

I woke up extra early as I planned to have a warm and crumbly coffee cake that is toasty on the edges and moist inside with my  morning coffee routine. So in between running around the kitchen , taking a shower, checking my emails and chasing the cat - - Amazing how I got things done in a jiffy!

I promise ...you won't spend $3/slice at Starbucks once you've tried this...

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup sugar (This is the light version - -you may add 1/2 cup if you want a sweeter version)
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup raisins

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 375 degree. Spray 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray
• In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Melt butter and pour over flour mixture, mixing until crumbly. Set aside 1/2 cup of mixture for topping.
• Add the rest of the ingredients to the flour mixture. Stir until just moistened
• Place in baking pan, Sprinkle reserved misture over top
• Bake for 25-30 minutes

DRIED CRANBERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

It's gloomy outside and I am stuck with my computer for the next 3 hours. I thought I'll give myself a treat by indulging into homemade cookies where the tartness of the cranberry  complements with the buttery taste of the shortcake cookie recipe.

Recipe from Martha Stewart's cookie cookbook

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup (2 sticks) of butter or margarine
3/4 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/2 cup finely chopped dried cranberries

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Combine butter, sugar, flour,vanilla, salt and cranberries. Mix well
• Form into balls and place in cookie sheets. Press a fork on top to flatten 
• Bake for 20 minutes

MIXED BERRY SCONES

Lazy Sunday routine: Read email,  view foodie buddies' sites, check lotto ticket and count my cash in my wallet . Well, I only have $22 cash in my wallet but surprise surprise - - my stocks has a cumulative earning of 33.89%. Seriously - - I have NO MONEY in my wallet (no shopping for me)- - but I will survive!

For those of who just tuned in - -this is my site on how I find ways to save money and so I can plan for early retirement (it just so happen that I love to cook!).  You can read more about my self proclaimed saving rules (I'm winging it) at:

FINANCE PLAN FOR BEGINNERS:

FINANCE 101:

SAVE MONEY:

Anyway, today, I woke up early and decided to give the family a wonderful surprise with some freshly made scones

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar (reserve 1/2 tsp for toppings)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup  dried mixed berries
 1 cup buttermilk

HERE'S HOW:

• Combine all ingredients and mix well
• Place on top of counter (Place wax paper) dusted with flour. Knead and form into one ball
• Cut into triangle pieces. Sprinkle top with brown sugar. Arrange in baking pan (Be sure to spray with non stick cooking spray).
• Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees or until medium brown

EUROPEAN MOCHA FUDGE CAKE

I have all the colors of sweaters you can imagine but for some reason, I feel the need to add  more sweaters (costs $49 each) in my big pile. I've written some of my techniques on HOW TO AVOID SPLURGING AT THE MALL a few months ago, and today I learned new psych tactics on how I am able to prevent myself from  wasting  $100++.  It's "all in the brain" so to speak..but it worked today --Here's how:

SPEND QUALITY TIME IN THE DRESSING ROOM: The trick here is to exhaust yourself by trying multiple items to the point that you realize that all the clothes look the same in the mirror. This will give you the verification that you already have the signature look you want in your closet and an additional sweater will not make a difference.

TAKE THE ACCESSORY CHALLENGE: I don't wear chunky and fake jewelries but whenever I feel the need to shop -- I go straight to the accessory section and liberally wrap my neck with silver plated necklace thinking of an occasion  where I am able to use it. It looked good on me - -but $60 for a fake jewelry? hmmmm.. maybe next time! I'd rather save my money and get the stud earrings from the jewelry store next year.

Anyway, we did spent money at the mall - - A generous $4 mango passion drink from Orange Julius..I wanted to stop by at Starbucks for some grande moccha and a brownie - - but naaahh--I can make a cake later.

Today, we have sleepover teens and I made a European Fudge Cake from my new Hershey book.  Instead of using pecans --I used hazelnuts. It's only 7:30 pm and yikes...the cake is already gone!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
1/4 cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa
4 eggs
 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped hazelnuts
Chocolate curls

CREAMY COFFEE FILLING : Beat together
1 1/2 cup cold  whipping cream
2 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp powdered instant coffee

HERE'S HOW:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees
• Butter bottom and sides of two 9-inch round baking pans
• Melt butter and add cocoa. Stir until blended
• In a bowl, beat eggs until foamy, add salt and vanilla
• Gradually add sugar. Beat well
• Add cooled chocolate mixture
• Fold in flour
• Stir in nuts
• Pour into prepared pan
• Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool
• Apply creamy coffee filling in between layers, over tip and sides of cake
• Add chocolate curls and refrigerate

CREAM CHEESE MUFFIN

Still tired from my  NEW JERSEY TRIP ! I wanted to call in sick but I have 4 meetings today. I called my mom to check how she is -- I get worried about her health condition nowadays and I feel comforted with the sound of her voice telling me stories about her daily shopping spree - - so it's a good sign!

My first conference call will start at 8:30 CT so I have time to bake this cream cheese muffin ...

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour
3/4 cup plus 3 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 tbsp butter, cut up
1 cup  buttermilk
3 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp grated orange peel
1 egg
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into 12 cubes

STREUSEL TOPPING: Mix together
1/3 cup flour
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp butter, melted

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin cups with non stick cooking spray
• In a bowl, combine flour,3/4 cup sugar, baking powder and baking soda until mixture is crumbly
• In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, orange juice, orange peel and egg together.
• Stir in buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients
• Fill muffin cups 3/4 full
• Dip each cube of cream cheese into the remaining 3 tbsp sugar and press into batter
• Make streusel topping and spread evenly on top of muffin cups
• Bake for 15-20 minutes

HALLOWEEN: Cat On the Wall Cake

Party season is here and for us it means --baking time! We always find a reason to mess up our kitchen and giving out baked goodies to close friends is  really something that we enjoy.

Having teens with an active sociable life can be really expensive this Halloween - -from the costumes, to the gadgets ..the list can go on and the price tag can go sky rocket high. Tonight they are attending a costume party and we made 2 cakes that costs us less than $12 to make!

Inspired by our cat who always hang out on the windowsill, the girls decorated the cake with our spoiled cat in mind. I wanted to create a double layer version, but the thought of  cake containers being left behind at a random place prevented me from doing so. Instead, I used a standard disposable aluminum pan and we just worked around it.

Girls are already gone and we just had a sumptuous dinner from one of my Batali recipe - T-BONE FIORENTINA WITH SAUTEED SPINACH: Bistecca alla Fiorentina.  I was enjoying my after dinner coffee when these cute kids came by at our door...Trick or Treat everyone!

HERE'S HOW:

Make a basic FRENCH VANILLA CAKE . Let it cool

Create CREAM CHEESE ICING by beating

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla

Spread cream cheese icing  evenly on top of cooled cake

Sprinkle with cake candy bits

 

Create an outline of picture  by using a prepared icing in a tube ($ 2.49 at Kroger). Fill the space with more cake decor as appropriate

Complete the picture by adding variety of colors and shapes

Okay...where are the other Treat or Trick kids...Cat is waiting at the door......(he loves the sound of the doorbell)

DUTCH APPLE PIE WITH OATMEAL STREUSEL

So peaceful at home tonight! No screaming, no squawking, phones are not ringing --just me, Dr.D,the cat and the clicking sounds of 2 keyboards. Twins went to this scary haunted house -aka- teen hang out this season  ...and the youngest went to a halloween party

Three weeks ago, they volunteered to be two of 6-8 teens who decorated the place - -so, they should literally know the ins and outs and the tricks how the event organizers will scare the kids, right? Apparently not ! As we heard one teen expressing her fear - -

Scared? Okay, not long ago, you guys kissed the gorgeous dead corpse ...

...You shared food with the psycho long haired witch with a metal face...

..you even helped the vampire guy get his suntan..and even flipped him upside down with your bare hands....

...Don't be scared - -Be FRIGHTENED!!!! Booooooooo  !!! That's the joy of being a teen...just enjoy the moment! And like facing LIFE...never be frightened, simply embrace the experience as much as you can, learn from each step..and as you move forward in life....never regret anything...and don't look back!!

So, in the still of the night.......awaits the Dutch Apple Pie for their return...

As always .......while the angry cat is trying to kill me with his devilish eyes across the kitchen....(duh - -why do you always do that?)

INGREDIENTS:

1  pie shell (store bought)

FILLING:
5 apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tbsp butter

STREUSEL
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 cup butter

HERE'S HOW: 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees
• Place pie shell in pie plate and bake for 10 minutes
• Meanwhile, make apple filling: Combine apples with  flour, white sugar,  cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well, then add to apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
• Remove pie shell from oven.
• Place apple mixture in pie shell and dot with 2 tablespoons butter or margarine.
• While filling is baking, make streusel topping: Combine 3/4 cup flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, oats, and lemon peel. Mix thoroughly, then cut in 1/2 cup butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly.
• Remove pie from oven and sprinkle streusel on top.
• Reduce heat to 375 degrees. Bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes, until streusel turns brown

POUND CAKE MUFFIN

As always,my tummy was rumbling while I was in the conference room (didn't eat yet)...but it must be my lucky day as the meeting where I presented my 2010 strategies served the team with a hot plate lunch! Wow - -I thought we're cutting cost - -but who cares - -the roast chicken is so inviting - waving at me - - "Eat me, Eat me"--and free lunch today? Nice..that's an instant $8 savings!!

The big problem with lunch meetings: Big group of people with different interests trying to make easy and random conversation in between gulps of food. Chewing and talking senseless crap is not my cup of tea. Call me cold, boring and a snob but I really have no common interest with these guys except work, work and work. One thing I learned from my previous boss in the pharmaceutical company I worked for was that - -" keep the business conversation in the meeting room and your personal stories outside"...and it always worked for me.  Do you hear that cat  ???

Oh well.. too bad..I really love to enjoy the chicken...but I just have to finish my plate in less than 5 minutes and --I'm soooo done! But wait....there's the lemon cake for dessert ! I took a bite and it tastes more like a pound cake!  Speaking of which -  I need to practice this pound cake as I plan to bring to  two managers - who may be one of the few adorable, funny, witty, smart and charming  (whom I asked to eat fast so we can get out of the room ) at work that I know...

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/ tsp baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon juice
2 eggs

 
     

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Spray muffin cups with non stick cooking spray
• In a small bowl, mix together flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside
• In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter until fluffy
• Beat in sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice
• Beat in eggs . Stir in dry ingredients
• Fill muffin cups 2/3 full
• Bake for 20 minutes

DOUBLE FUDGE BROWNIES

There are days when I have the urge to shop and and today is that day! Saving money by leaving credit cards at home works on a weekend ---but what if it's a Monday and I am at home and tempted by  the convenience offered by online shopping???? Sooooo hard!

I really don't need anything.. but I got glued to the MAC and Sephora website that  suddenly I felt my hands itching to click "Add to Cart" and  purchase some random makeup ! Agghh - -the temptation in internet is endless- -for me it's the information overload  associated to the new makeup trends and I was glued at brushes ($200++ for a complete set?) . So to stop my unnecessary cravings - - I decided to clean old makeup brushes and made them look new again (at least in my eyes)

After 20 minutes of dabbing alcohol to the bristles...wow I saved  $200++ and problem solved!

.......but not my craving for some dark chocolates - Oh no! I don't have any Ghirardelli boxed version so let's just make it from scratch  shall we? 

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cup Sugar
2/3 cup butter
1/4 cup water
2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
2 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup nuts chopped (optional)

HERE'S HOW:

• Combine  sugar, butter, and water. Bring just to a boil. Remove from heat and add semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2vanilla. Stir until chocolate melts. Transfer chocolate mixture to a large bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• In a small bowl combine flour, soda, and salt.
• Gradually add flour to chocolate batter.
• Blend in 1 cup chopped nuts if desired.
• Pour into greased  pan.
• Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.

OATMEAL APPLE RAISIN MUFFIN

Today, it's all about Halloween costume shopping! We have accumulated so many costumes from Obama face, Scream outfit, Jig Saw Killer to scary witches and monsters but we can never have too many costumes in this house. This is my favorite holiday as we all get the chance to be a 5 - year old kid again!

So cool..they have new scary gadgets where blood-like mixture will ooze out of the head, crawling hands, wide eyed zombies and scary mice --Hmm..so tempted to splurge on new paraphernalia but --Nope-- I am only getting a costume and I am outta here!

  

I love this flying  nun . . .I wonder if she screams too - -looks autistic to me...

 

So many new masks! Hmmmm..why are the teen costumes on my right looks "slutty"?

Anyway, we didn't  find anything for our cat but here's what we ended up with : G3 opted to Go-Bananas....

  

and twins went for Sinister Clowns...

...and I am so hungry! One daughter calls me the crazy Muffin Lady as I am experimenting on some recipes. This one is made with oatmeal and real apples - - be prepared to eat at least three as the flavor will let you keep coming back for more!

INGREDIENTS:

1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup raisins
1 chopped apple
1/2 cup oil
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup quick oats
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• In a large bowl, beat egg
• Add remaining ingredients
• Fill muffin cups 3/4 full
• Bake for 15-20 minutes

Shown in this photo: Oatmeal Apple Raisin and FROSTED PUMPKIN MUFFIN

FROSTED PUMPKIN MUFFIN

Did I fell into a long deep sleep that suddenly my babies are now young ladies?  A year from now, they will be in college and I will be alone (oh no -- who will take me out to fun dinners and lunches now?)..Wow -I can still remember carrying G1 in my lap begging me to take her to the mall! Nothing changed -- she still begs for her mall time but now she's behind the wheel and I am the crazy mom freaking out beside her! Is Friday night the mall event for teens nowadays? A group of pretty ten teens gathered up at  Chili's for dinner (yes, we have to eat at the other side of the restaurant as they still need supervision ) then by 8pm they all rounded up their cars to go to the mall. 

Speaking of Chili's - -I hate that I can't find anything I like in their menu so I ended up drinking 3 cups of coffee alongside the skillet quezo and cheesecake. I've browsed through the menu pages more than 5 times and I can't find anything for me ---Do they have even have any pumpkin pie? I am craving for one....

Didn't find it! It's now Sunday and I am still craving for a pumpkin pie...so I tried to mimic the taste in this muffin version --using the same ingredients that I used in my original PUMPKIN PIE ......this one is so irresistible for a cold Sunday morning along with my coffee!

I grew up in Manila where evaporated milk is widely used rather than the gallons of milk we find here in the US!  I used Carnation evaporated milk as standard to my pies... as what can I say -- nothing will beat the tried and tested creaminess of Carnation! Yum! ( “Share your favorite recipe using Carnation Evaporated Milk and enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa GC http://bit.ly/1H5KkF”)

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon sugar
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
1/4 cup butter
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup Carnation evaporated milk
1/2 cup seedless raisins (optional)

HERE'S HOW:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together
Cut in butter until mixture resembles cornmeal
Combine egg with pumpkin and milk. Stir optional raisins.
Add egg mixture to dry ingredients
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full
Bake for 15-20 minutes

TO  MAKE CHEESE FROSTING: In a  bowl, beat together:
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 tbsp Carnation evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
 2 cups powdered sugar

CRANBERRY MAPLE MUFFIN

This morning --i heard voices whispering .."buy a book, buy a book" .No...I am not hallucinating but I've read most of my business books twice and I am craving for more . But instead of going to Barnes and Nobles, we  went to the library and I am so proud  to be  a  library card holder today! (Duh -one bookworm daughter is sighing at me thinking how much of a dork I am as she literally lives at the library)

Amazing how I am able to hug the 2 new books I wanted to purchase without costing me a dime (and I can keep it for 21 days!). My concern: Are you the type of reader who destroys books when you read it?  Not "tearing the pages" kind ....but just running through various colors of highlighters, writing action items on the sides or marking the dates when you read the page?  Well - -this is the reason why I prefer to buy books rather than borrowing one. I have tons of business books that I read over and over that in my mind - -spending $30 a pop is so worth it! But with my attempt to save - -that $30 will go a long way if I keep it in my wallet!  Don't worry Ms Librarian..I won't write on these!

Anyway, I dropped off one teen at Barnes and Nobles tonight...and might as well check out the new books and add to my library hoard list in  two weeks. Let's see - -I already have this 360 book...and this Six  Sigma one, this green hard bound and this warfare thingy in my dusty drawer...hmmm..I must have spent more than $200 on this rack alone  - -Oh well --this will change...

Speaking of change - -I used a basic muffin recipe and changed some ingredients to make this cranberry maple version - - and it's worth trying!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup chopped cranberries
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
 2/3 cup buttermilk
2 tsp maple flavoring

HERE'S HOW:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• In a large bowl, mix four, walnuts, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Stir in cranberries
• In a separate bowl, beat together, butter, eggs, sugar, buttermilk and maple flavoring.
• Stir into dry ingredients
• Fill muffin cups 2/3 full
• Bake for 20-25 minutes