Sunday, September 30, 2012

Lemon Grass and Longanisa

In the region where I was born and grew up in the Philippines, we uses coconut milk and lemon grass a lot in our cooking.  I crave for the  dishes that my father used to cook so I buy  some in the Oriental store sometimes when we go to Pittsburgh.
My husband love longanisa, the Filipino sausages.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Wrapping Lumpia

Ms. Burrito is my big help when it comes to preparing things in the kitchen.  The photos below were taken when we made some  Lumpia or spring rolls for my FIL's birthday party. 
I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Kiwi

I have never tried Kiwi till I met my husband. He introduced me to this fruit and I love it since.  My son doesn't like it  but the little Miss likes it so much!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Banh Tieu Mix


 We bought this Banh Tieu Mix at the Asian store in Pittsburgh.    I never   tried making this  but it turned out okay.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Jalapeño and Jamaican Hot Yellow Scotch Bonnet Pepper

My NIL,  Jen,  gave us some jalapeño and Jamaican Hot Yellow Scotch Bonnet Peppers a couple of weeks ago.
This is my first time  seeing  Jamaican Hot Yellow Scotch Bonnet Peppers  and I did not know how to  treat them so I stuffed them with tuna meat with chopped  cherry tomatoes, chopped onions, black pepper, and some  lemon juice.
I topped it with mozzarella cheese, baked it for 20 minutes in the oven  and they were delicious.

A Spice A  Day # 287-297
 - My quest to update this  blog daily -
September 18, 2012:

It was raining hard this morning so hubby had to drive the kids to school so we don't have to walk, thanks so much Hon! I am glad too coz I got to start doing laundry early. So far, I accomplished the following:

  •  I did my run/walk in the treadmill for 30 minutes. I burned 310 calories at 1.7 miles distance with an inclined position of the machine. The song "Rumor Has It" by Adele made me dance a little while doing my work out lol. 
  • Did 16 squats while I was showering. I was going to do some sit ups after shower but my body is still sweating even though I showered already so I'll pass the sit ups this time. 
  • I have 4 loads of laundry to do, one is in the dryer already, one in the washer and two more to go. 
  •  I still have some things in my to-do list. 1. Make some turon for dessert later. 2. Kids and hubby requested some chicken wingettes for dinner so that is what I am going to prepare later on. 3. Vacuum the floor when I get done with my online task. 4. Pick up the kids and that is all I have for today. 

    I consider  Motherhood as a career, it doesn't have any financial gains but the love you get from your family is more than enough. Not to mention, I also make $ome while at home. Life is really good. 
    Have a great day everyone.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Sumptuous Birthday

Below are some of the foods that we had during Dad's 90th birthday party last Saturday.  Everyone who came brought a dish or two so we had plenty.
My SIL Chris  made the cake.
A Spice A  Day # 277-286
 - My quest to update this  blog daily -
September 16, 2012:

  • We went to church today, it's been a while since we last attended a holy mass and  glad we went today.
  • We ate  lunch at Eat n' Park.
September 17, 2012:
  • Did my 40 minute walk/jog after I dropped off the kids to school.
  • Made some  beef steak and broccoli for  dinner.
  • We visited Dad after we went to the store.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Puto Cake

Last Monday was a dear friend, Nanay Ruth's birthday. The kids made some puto cupcakes for their Lola.
Puto is a Filipino version of cupcakes.
I added some  purple yam to the mixture to make it more  plump and yummy.
Here's my pastry chef showcasing her new look with one tooth  out lol. She was happy to once again got something from the tooth fairy.

A Spice A  Day # 271-276
 - My quest to update this  blog daily -
September 14, 2012:
  • Happy birthday to my dearest FIL, he is now 90 years old.  We will have a celebration for him tomorrow.
  • I couldn't jog today but I did my  walking exercise.
  • Started  the laundry when I came back home  and still doing it.
  • Will be starting to make  the lumpia when I get done with the laundry.
September 15, 2012

  • We had a blast during Dad's 90th birthday.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Ice Shaver

My sister in law gave this  ice shaver t Ms. Burrito as a  birthday gift.    My daughter love using it during summer time for their favorite snow cone.  They used this  a lot this year and  kinda fell apart but I fixed it.    We might buy them a new one because  it's not working as good as before anymore.  I was looking at the selection of   Hawaiian Shaved Ice Machines at HawaiianShavedIce.com and found different kinds.  I like the summer sale that they have going on now at the website and it's tempting me to buy a set for my Burritos.  I might just get this and  put it away so I could wrap it up and   make it as one of the gifts this Christmas   Their snow cone machines are affordable compared to the ones that I looked at in other store.  I already bookmarked this one and  plan to show this to the kids to see if they want a new one.  Summer time is  always fun for the kids because they get to enjoy the outdoor.  It's just sad that it is almost  at its end again and soon the cold  weather will be here again.  I am not looking forward to   freezing cold, the snow, and all that  chilly wind  during winter.  Oh boy, if I could just hold on to summer, I would hahaha.  Don't blame, I grew up in the tropics and coming  here was a big adjustment for especially during cold season.  I love summer  because I can do a lot of things that I love to do like gardening,  exercising  outdoors and its an over whole fun time for me and  the family.  How about you, what  season of the year do you love the most? Why do you  like it?

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Chicken Gizzard

I have never tried cooking chicken gizzard before but it was on sale so I grabbed a pack. Hubby said if it turn out good we will eat it but if not, the dogs will enjoy it. I cooked it with butter, salt , and pepper and it tasted really good. I just don't like that it's a little tough. We ate half of it and the rest was enjoyed by the dogs lol.

A Spice A  Day # 270
 - My quest to update this  blog daily -
September 12, 2012:

  • I helped serving lunch at school today.  It's nice to  get out of my comfort zone  sometimes especially if the turn out of event is great.  I get to met other moms who are also volunteers.
  • I doubled my  brisk walking time today.  It made me sore but  I like it.
September 13, 2012
  • I jog this time and I was totally exhausted.
  • I felt so bad when my son walked out the door of the school because he was crying.  He  had to pee real bad but he did not ask the teacher because it was the  "rule" that you can't go to the restroom if it isn't the bathroom break.  I think that is not a good idea  for the school to impose that especially for the little kids.  

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Cheese Italian Sausage and Pasta

 I made the  cheese Italian sausage  and pasta recipe that I found at sargento website  with my  personal twist to it.  I followed their  procedure but used   different kinds of pasta and cheese.  I also used my home made sauce.  We ate it with  store-bought  garlic bread.  It was yummy.  
Cheese Italian Sausage & Pasta

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. mild or hot Italian sausage
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 each large red and green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes or Italian-style tomatoes, undrained
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
8 oz. ziti or mostaccioli pasta, cooked and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 cups (8 oz.) Sargento® Chef Blends™ Shredded 6 Cheese Italian, divided

DIRECTIONS
1
Cut sausage into 1/2-inch pieces; discard casings. Cook sausage in large skillet over medium heat 5 minutes or until browned on all sides. Pour off drippings. Add onion, garlic and bell peppers; cook 5 minutes or until sausage is cooked through and vegetables are crisp-tender.
2
Add tomatoes and tomato paste; mix well. Stir in pasta, basil and 1 cup cheese. Transfer to 13x9-inch baking dish. Cover and bake in preheated 375°F oven 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Continue to bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

A Spice A  Day # 268-269
 - My quest to update this  blog daily -
September 11, 2012:

  • Did my 20 minute brisk walk around the neighborhood after I dropped off the Burritos in school.  I plan to do it everyday till I lose the extra five pound that has been hanging around my belly lol.
  • Did laundry after my exercise.
  • Made  pork menudo for dinner.
  • Our family includes  everyone who died  tragically during the 911 tragedy.

Mums and Tulips



The mums in my garden are now in full bloom and I also planted the tulip bulbs that I bought.  This is my first time  planting tulip bulbs but according to the article I read online and based from the instruction on the box, September is the perfect   month to  plant these bulbs .  I hope that these   grows up in the Spring.   What I like about mum plants is that it is  very easy to maintain.  I started planting  two or three of them in my yard and now I have plenty.  I am planning to transplant some of them in our front yard this fall t add some colors in our front lawn.  I'd have to buy another Miracle Gro soil  for this project and  incorporate the plant food that I have in it before I plant the  mums.


Anyhow, I found some  tips on how to successfully grow  Spring bulbs planting at Scotts website.  Before planting, you have to know your hardiness zone map in order to determine what month  is the perfect time to put them in the ground because with spring bulb planting, timing is everything.


If you want to find beauty in the Fall in your garden, you can get some ideas about Fall gardening at the Scott's Miracle Gro, a company that is  dedicated to a beautiful world by  providing  great ideas and products that you can use in your garden.  

The weather at our end  is getting cooler  which means that I have to put my  indoor plants back inside the house again.  I am so glad that I still have the Miracle Gro that I  bought which my plants  surely need to survive inside the house.  If you want fresh ideas about gardening, you should like Miracle-Gro Facebook page to get updated  about their   stuff.  I would be thinning out my  mums  and so glad that there are tips available at their  Facebook page and at the same time at the website.  

Monday, September 10, 2012

Dinner with Pap

We cooked dinner at Dad's yesterday and spent most of the day with him to honor him on Grandparent's Day.   We had green beans, mashed potatoes,  egg noodles, and  Baby Back Ribs BBQ.  Below is my super industrious helper, Ms. Burrito.

A Spice A  Day # 262-267
 - My quest to update this  blog daily -
September 8, 2012:

  • Visited Dad after doing laundry.
September 9, 2012:
  • Hubby cleaned the car and mowed the grass.  I cleaned inside the house.
  • The kids made  greetings card for their Lolo and Lola and for Pap too for Grandparent's day.
  • We had a great time bonding with Dad yesterday.
September 10, 2012:
  • We made some   puto (rice cupcakes) today.  The kids brought  some to their LOla.  Happy birthday Nanay!
  • We went to Kwik King and ordered the  chicken that we need for our get together  this Saturday.  My FIL is turning 90 years old and  we will have a  family outing.

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Bon Appetit!

This blog does not focus on food only but also include different kinds of spices that affects our lives. So hang in here and explore the world of fun with us. Please bear in mind that little bit of this and a little dash of that makes a Sumptuous Life!