Ever since Joe and I got married in May, the "name change" topic has always been a mystery for Joe's family. They have never asked if I would be changing my name. Somehow along the line, they think I would have changed my name by now, and that it is a natural thing to do.
The reality is that I do not see a need to change my name just to show my hubby how much I love him. Besides, I spent the last ten years shaping my career path, and throughout time, I have built my reputation in the industry and changing my name will simply create un-necessary confusion. Joe and I discussed about this before we got married, and Joe is pretty cool with it. :-)
Since late November, wedding invitations and christmas cards have slowly made their way to our mailbox. Every card we received, it reads " Louisa & Joe Vautour"... the first time I saw it, I felt weird seeing my name and Joe's last name being put together. Throughout time, I begin to feel that I have lost my identity. I feel that I have become part of Joe's possessions and being a feminist, this bothers me a great deal.
I am who I am. I am proud of what I have achieved career-wise in the last 10 years. I spent numerous winter nights staying late at work to meet the deadlines of various projects. I spent countless weekends, in my sweatpants, working to implement a "next-to-impossible" project. I chose working over dating on the weekends back in my single-gal life. Though I still put in long hours at work, I am happy to see that I have gone a long way to get to where I am today. I embrace future work challenges with an open arm. I love my husband, I love our life together, I do not see the need of a name change, I love being a Pang... I am who I am... and hello... my name is Louisa Pang!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Diary of a Cooking Challenged Part X
Just for the Salmon*
* This dish I made last night was adapted from Crazy Plates' Just for the Halibut. Due to the snowy condition, I did not go to the grocery store to pick up halibut and zucchini, so I had to make do with salmon and red bell pepper. |
| From Drop Box |
Ingredients:
1 tsp EVOO
1 cup diced zucchini* (I had no zucchini so I used red bell pepper instead)
1/2 cup minced onions
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups diced tomatoes
2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
4 halibut steaks* (I had no halibut steaks, so I used salmon fillets instead)
1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Heat EVOO in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add red pepper, onions and garlic. Saute for 6 mins until onions turned brown. Remove from heat and add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper.
Rinse salmon fillet and pat dry with paper towels. Spray a medium baking pan with PAM and place fish in pan. Spoon 1/4 tomato-pepper mixture over each fillet. Top with feta cheese.
Bake at 450F for 12-15 mins (I baked for 20 mins, and the salmon fillets came out nicely done!)
One Snowy Day...
I was worried when I went to bed last night, knowing that this morning would be a complete chaos driving to work. I like the snow, but I hate driving in the snow. On the other hand, Joe loves the snow and he does not mind driving in the snow. When I told him my concern last night, he was like, " Relax! It is just snow, can't be that bad!"
This morning, Joe and I, as usual, got up at 5:30am. When I looked out of the window, it was all chalky white. I said to myself, "Ok! It is not too bad! It's just snow". Joe walked the dog while I was still in the shower. I was drying my hair when he came into the bathroom and said, " Your wish has come true. It is better that we stay in today." I spent most of my morning looking out of the window. I saw a car trying to get out of the driveway, but the wheels were spinning and the car was going nowhere. I also saw a car parked in the middle of our street, it seems like the driver got frustrated and decided to abandon his car and then walked to work?
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| From Drop Box |
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Diary of a Cooking Challenged Part IX
Although I spent most of the day baking away... I managed to put together a hearty yet healthy dinner together.
Salad (from Costco) Artisan Salad Mix with cranberry, walnuts, permesan chesse, white balsmic vinegar (I put in extra dried cranberries and some feta cheese)
Wok this Way (from Eat, Shrink and be Merry)
1 lb sirloin steak (I bought a package of stir-fry beef at Independent, about $4.50)
3 tbsp Asian fish sauce
3 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tbsp canola oil
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips (I used yellow bell pepper instead)
1 medium red onions, sliced
lots of fresh basil leaves (I have a basil plant in the kitchen... it comes in handy all the time)
Place steak slices in a shallow bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, gingerroot, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes. Pour over steak. Marinate steak at room temperature for 30 mins. (Being a certified food safe manager, I do not believe in leaving out raw meat at the "temperature danger zone", so I marinated the beef strips in the fridge, for 4 hours.
Heat oil in a large non stick wok over medium heat. Remove steak from marinade and shake off excess. Reserve marinade. Cook steak in hot oil just until cooked through, stirring constantly. Cook steak from wok and set aside. Add yellow bell pepper and onion to work. Cook and stir for about 5 mins, until vegetables are tender. Return beef to work and add basil and reserved marinade. Cook 1 more minute, until basil leaves are wilted and beef is hot.
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
Salad (from Costco) Artisan Salad Mix with cranberry, walnuts, permesan chesse, white balsmic vinegar (I put in extra dried cranberries and some feta cheese)
Wok this Way (from Eat, Shrink and be Merry)
1 lb sirloin steak (I bought a package of stir-fry beef at Independent, about $4.50)
3 tbsp Asian fish sauce
3 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tbsp canola oil
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips (I used yellow bell pepper instead)
1 medium red onions, sliced
lots of fresh basil leaves (I have a basil plant in the kitchen... it comes in handy all the time)
Place steak slices in a shallow bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, gingerroot, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes. Pour over steak. Marinate steak at room temperature for 30 mins. (Being a certified food safe manager, I do not believe in leaving out raw meat at the "temperature danger zone", so I marinated the beef strips in the fridge, for 4 hours.
Heat oil in a large non stick wok over medium heat. Remove steak from marinade and shake off excess. Reserve marinade. Cook steak in hot oil just until cooked through, stirring constantly. Cook steak from wok and set aside. Add yellow bell pepper and onion to work. Cook and stir for about 5 mins, until vegetables are tender. Return beef to work and add basil and reserved marinade. Cook 1 more minute, until basil leaves are wilted and beef is hot.
Christmas Baking
Saturday morning when I woke up, before I had my very first cup of Starbucks, I said to myself, "Today I can't allow myself to get lost in the world of mortals, werewolves and vampires... I seriously NEED NEED to get the Christmas baking done." Seriously... there were TONS of baking to be done!
After two days of continuous baking, I have made batches of everything:
1. Chocolate Lollipops for Joe's nieces and nephews (this is by far the easiest thing to make, though it is time-consuming)
Melt chocolate wafers, pour the chocolate into the moulds, freeze for 20 mins.
2. Mrs. Fields' Chocolate Cookies
1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 12-oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. preheat oven to 350F
2. in a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract
3. in another bowl, mix together all dry ingredients
4. combine wet and dry ingredients
5. stir in chocolate chips
6. place golf-ball sized dough portions, 2 inches apart on an ungreased cooking sheet.
7. bake for 9-10 mins
3. Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies
1 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
2 cups flour
1 tbsp poppy seed
1 tsp of finely grated lemon zest
Preheat Oven to 325F
Cream butter and add brown sugar. Beat together for 5 mins
Bet in egg yolk, sift in flour, poppy seed and lemon zest. When combined, roll into teaspoon-sized balls, flatten with a fork on the cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 mins or until brown. Remove from oven and cool.
4.Lemon Bars (I made this because Joe loves lemon bars!)
Base:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
Filling:
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
Blend base ingredients and press into a square pan 8" x 8:. Bake at 325F for 20 mins
Mix filling ingredients and pour over base. Bake for 25 mins until nearly set.
Remove from oven. When cool, divide into squares.
*** Joe had a small square, and he said, "This is different than what I had when I was a kid, but it IS way better!!!!" See it is not hard to make a guy happy... the way to a man's heart is through his stomach! :-) My mom is right! HAHAHA
5. Banana Oatmeal Cookies -- Joe loves this the most! :-)
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter (very soft)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup mashed banana (1 medium banana)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper
In a small bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in egg and banana, then vanilla extract.
On low speed, add in flour mixture
Stir in oats and chocolate chips
Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepare baking sheet.
Bake for 11-14 mins at 350F.
Let cookies cool for 5 mins on the pan before transferring them to a cooling rack
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
After two days of continuous baking, I have made batches of everything:
1. Chocolate Lollipops for Joe's nieces and nephews (this is by far the easiest thing to make, though it is time-consuming)
Melt chocolate wafers, pour the chocolate into the moulds, freeze for 20 mins.
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| From Drop Box |
2. Mrs. Fields' Chocolate Cookies
1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 12-oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. preheat oven to 350F
2. in a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract
3. in another bowl, mix together all dry ingredients
4. combine wet and dry ingredients
5. stir in chocolate chips
6. place golf-ball sized dough portions, 2 inches apart on an ungreased cooking sheet.
7. bake for 9-10 mins
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| From Drop Box |
3. Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies
1 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
2 cups flour
1 tbsp poppy seed
1 tsp of finely grated lemon zest
Preheat Oven to 325F
Cream butter and add brown sugar. Beat together for 5 mins
Bet in egg yolk, sift in flour, poppy seed and lemon zest. When combined, roll into teaspoon-sized balls, flatten with a fork on the cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 mins or until brown. Remove from oven and cool.
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| From Drop Box |
4.Lemon Bars (I made this because Joe loves lemon bars!)
Base:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
Filling:
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
Blend base ingredients and press into a square pan 8" x 8:. Bake at 325F for 20 mins
Mix filling ingredients and pour over base. Bake for 25 mins until nearly set.
Remove from oven. When cool, divide into squares.
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| From Drop Box |
*** Joe had a small square, and he said, "This is different than what I had when I was a kid, but it IS way better!!!!" See it is not hard to make a guy happy... the way to a man's heart is through his stomach! :-) My mom is right! HAHAHA
5. Banana Oatmeal Cookies -- Joe loves this the most! :-)
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| From Drop Box |
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter (very soft)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup mashed banana (1 medium banana)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper
In a small bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in egg and banana, then vanilla extract.
On low speed, add in flour mixture
Stir in oats and chocolate chips
Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepare baking sheet.
Bake for 11-14 mins at 350F.
Let cookies cool for 5 mins on the pan before transferring them to a cooling rack
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Jigg's Dinner
Every time when Joe and I go grocery at Sorbeys, he would bug me about making salt beef. Two fridays ago, we went grocery shopping after dinner. He was nagging and at the end, I finally gave in.
Saturday morning, I looked at the big tub of navel beef... and I was like, "what was I thinking last night?"
Joe found this recipe of salt beef on the internet:
2lbs salt beef
1cup yellow split peas
6-8 med potatoes
6 carrots
1 med turnip, peeled and cut in chunks
1 med cabbages, cut into wedges
2 tbsp butter
salt and pepper
soak meat in cold water for 6-8 hrs. Drain meat in large pot. Tie peas in cloth bag, leaving room for expansion, and put bag in pot with beef.
cover beef and peas with water. heat to boiling, cover and simmer for 2 hours
prepare vegetables
after meat and peas have cooked for 2 hrs, add vegetables and cook until tender. add cabbage last.
remove peas from bag, place in bowl and mash with butter and pepper to form peas pudding.
remove meat and cut into serving size pieces.
arrange meat and vegetables on platter
serve the peas pudding in a separate bowl
Saturday morning, I looked at the big tub of navel beef... and I was like, "what was I thinking last night?"
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| From Drop Box |
Joe found this recipe of salt beef on the internet:
2lbs salt beef
1cup yellow split peas
6-8 med potatoes
6 carrots
1 med turnip, peeled and cut in chunks
1 med cabbages, cut into wedges
2 tbsp butter
salt and pepper
soak meat in cold water for 6-8 hrs. Drain meat in large pot. Tie peas in cloth bag, leaving room for expansion, and put bag in pot with beef.
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| From Drop Box |
cover beef and peas with water. heat to boiling, cover and simmer for 2 hours
prepare vegetables
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| From Drop Box |
after meat and peas have cooked for 2 hrs, add vegetables and cook until tender. add cabbage last.
remove peas from bag, place in bowl and mash with butter and pepper to form peas pudding.
remove meat and cut into serving size pieces.
arrange meat and vegetables on platter
serve the peas pudding in a separate bowl
Diary of a Cooking Challenged Part VIII
Greek Style Stuffed Peppers (I made it last weekend and hubby loved it! Though it involved a bit of chopping here and there... time spent was well-worth!)
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 2 cups)
1 small onion, minced (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup bulghur
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 red bell peppers, halved lengthwise, cores and ribs removed
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans low-sodium stewed tomatoes, finely chopped
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl combine the beef, spinach, zucchini, onion, bulghur, egg, oregano, salt and a few grinds of pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined.
Arrange the pepper halves cut side up in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish and fill each pepper half with the meat mixture. Pour the tomatoes over the peppers and sprinkle with the feta cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the meat mixture is completely cooked and the peppers are tender, about 25 minutes longer.
I made wide mushroom risotto to go with the stuffed red pepper... it was a yummy meal!
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 2 cups)
1 small onion, minced (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup bulghur
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 red bell peppers, halved lengthwise, cores and ribs removed
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans low-sodium stewed tomatoes, finely chopped
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl combine the beef, spinach, zucchini, onion, bulghur, egg, oregano, salt and a few grinds of pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined.
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| From Drop Box |
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Arrange the pepper halves cut side up in a 9 by 13-inch baking dish and fill each pepper half with the meat mixture. Pour the tomatoes over the peppers and sprinkle with the feta cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the meat mixture is completely cooked and the peppers are tender, about 25 minutes longer.
I made wide mushroom risotto to go with the stuffed red pepper... it was a yummy meal!
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| From Drop Box |
Diary of a Cooking Challenged Part VII
On Golden Prawns (shamelessly adapted from Crazy Plates, but I did make modifications...)
1 tsp canola oil
1/2 cup minced onions and minced red bell pepper (I used yellow bell pepper)
1 clove garlic, minced (I love love garlic... so I put two cloves)
1 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp ground coriander (I did not have ground coriander, so I used the whole... big mistake!)
1/2 tsp curry powder (I love curry... so I used 1 tbsp)
1 cup light coconut milk
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1 pound uncooked jumbo shrimp, peeled
* I added 1 pound giant scallops, chopped into bite sizes (as hubby loves scallops, while I love shrimps)
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (I did not have this, so I skipped this)
4 cups hot cooked brown rice (I used whole wheat fusili)
* 2 tbsp sour cream (I put too much curry powder, so I used sour cream to tone down the curry flavour a bit so hubby would not complain.)
heat oil in a large, no stick saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, yellow pepper and garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables begin to soften, about 3 mins
Add cumin, coriander, and curry powder. Cook for 1 more minute. Add coconut milk, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 2 mins.
Stir in shrimps and scallops. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook and stir until shrimp is cooked through. *Since I put in scallops so I cooked for 6 mins here (recipe calls for 4 mins only)
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch with 1 tbsp water. Add to shrimp mixture. Cook until sauce begins to thicken and bubbly. I also added sour cream as well. cook for 1 min.
Pour over pasta.
Hubby loves this pasta dish! :-)
Confession...
I have a confession to make. Between christmas baking and indulging myself in the world of mortals, werewolves and vampires... I hardly have time writing the blog these days.
It started off by picking up a copy of Twilight at Costco three weeks ago. It then turned into frantically driving from the west end to the east end just to pick up a copy of Eclipse at another Costco location, just because the one next to my office had completely sold out Eclipse. I spend most of the evenings and weekends reading, reading and more reading. Joe thinks I am nuts. The last time I "acted" weirdly was when the Harry Potter books first came out.
It started off by picking up a copy of Twilight at Costco three weeks ago. It then turned into frantically driving from the west end to the east end just to pick up a copy of Eclipse at another Costco location, just because the one next to my office had completely sold out Eclipse. I spend most of the evenings and weekends reading, reading and more reading. Joe thinks I am nuts. The last time I "acted" weirdly was when the Harry Potter books first came out.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
I now pronouce you husband and wife...
Six months ago today (May 17,2008), Joe and I were married! On a day with lots of sun and tulips blooming everywhere, we got married at Blessed Sacrament Church. With Father Joe's blessings, we became husband and wife!
The last six months had gone by fast. We went through two surgeries, deaths of a dear friend (Joe's side) and a family member (my side). On the positive side, Joe had a well-deserved promotion at work, and my bond with my mother-in-law, Sandy has strengthened throughout time.
We are often asked by friends if married life is any different. Yes, it is different. Joe and I have learned more about each other. Everyday is an opportunity for us to learn something new about each other. Now that the wedding planning was behind us, we finally have time, once again to do fun stuff. We went to Merrickville for a day in October, and spent a day in Perth a few weeks ago. Joe has become a Venturer Advisor and a Recorder with the Knights of Columbus. For me, I have picked up knitting once again and will be joining the church choir in the new year.
Last night, I went through all the wedding cards and wishes we received from friends and families on our wedding day. The one I like the most is from my parents. My parents worte,
" A Special Blessing for both of you with wishes that you will stay happy and as much in love as on your wedding day!"
I thank my husband, Joe, for making me laugh all the time, for loving my dog Bee Bee as much as I do, for taking good care of me when I had the surgery in July, and for putting up with my meticulous house-cleaning habits.
I thank my parents for making a fairy-tale wedding come true, for accepting Joe and loving him as a son, for providing guidance, support and love to both of us, for rendering their patience when I need to speak Cantonese for hours, and for just being there when I need the mother-daughter bond or father-daughter bond!
I thank my in-laws, Carl and Sandy for welcoming and accepting me into their family with open arms. I thank them for their words of encouragement and comfort when my grandmother passed away in August.
Will you be my friend?
About 10 days ago, I got a friend's request on Facebook. I clicked on the friend's request link, and waited patiently, wondered which of my long lost friends had finally found me. Then a name and the picture of this person appeared on my screen. I was surprised and bewildered. My bewilderment soon turned into anger.
For the longest time in my life, I have this un-shakable resentment toward this person. Every time, when her name gets mentioned in any sort of conversation, my heart twitches, I pull back and become awfully silent. All sorts of bad memories buried deep down once again, resurface. Often time, I feel horrible and mortified. It takes a few days to ease away the invisible dent in my heart. In the beginning, Joe tried to talk me through the incident and make me understand I need closure. Throughout time, Joe understands he is in a catch-22 position and whichever side he picks, he will regret one day. I feel bad for my husband, and I have no intention to put him in that position.
So, why would she add me as a friend on Facebook? I wonder if it is a sign of peace-offering. When I was in kindergarden, a boy pulled my hair. I cried and the teacher put this boy in "time-out". The next day, he brought me a piece of candy and we were friends again. This piece of candy, for sure, is a sign of peace-offering. I guess in modern days, by adding a person you wronged badly in the past on Facebook, it is a sign of peace-offering, which translates into, "I am truly, terribly sorry of what I had said and done. I know I had crossed the line. Can you please forgive me and be my friend again?"
Today, 21 months later. The thought of her makes me angry and sad. I am angry at her. I am angry at what she had said. I am angry at her skillful manipulation. I am angry at the way how she does not need to be responsible for her own actions. Most important of all, I am angry at myself. I am angry at myself, for falling into her trap. I am angry at myself, for letting her ruining my faith in others.
As I logged myself out of Facebook, I clicked "ignore" on the friend's request. I can't help but wonder, will I ever forgive her and bring closure for my own well being?
For the longest time in my life, I have this un-shakable resentment toward this person. Every time, when her name gets mentioned in any sort of conversation, my heart twitches, I pull back and become awfully silent. All sorts of bad memories buried deep down once again, resurface. Often time, I feel horrible and mortified. It takes a few days to ease away the invisible dent in my heart. In the beginning, Joe tried to talk me through the incident and make me understand I need closure. Throughout time, Joe understands he is in a catch-22 position and whichever side he picks, he will regret one day. I feel bad for my husband, and I have no intention to put him in that position.
So, why would she add me as a friend on Facebook? I wonder if it is a sign of peace-offering. When I was in kindergarden, a boy pulled my hair. I cried and the teacher put this boy in "time-out". The next day, he brought me a piece of candy and we were friends again. This piece of candy, for sure, is a sign of peace-offering. I guess in modern days, by adding a person you wronged badly in the past on Facebook, it is a sign of peace-offering, which translates into, "I am truly, terribly sorry of what I had said and done. I know I had crossed the line. Can you please forgive me and be my friend again?"
Today, 21 months later. The thought of her makes me angry and sad. I am angry at her. I am angry at what she had said. I am angry at her skillful manipulation. I am angry at the way how she does not need to be responsible for her own actions. Most important of all, I am angry at myself. I am angry at myself, for falling into her trap. I am angry at myself, for letting her ruining my faith in others.
As I logged myself out of Facebook, I clicked "ignore" on the friend's request. I can't help but wonder, will I ever forgive her and bring closure for my own well being?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Diary of a Cooking Challenged... Part VI
Beef Stroganoff is a comfort food for Joe when he was growing up. I came across a recipe of Beef Stroganoff on the weekend. Confession... I bought two brand new cookbooks on saturday. I have tons of cookbooks at home, some are mine, and some are Joe. My favourite are: Crazy Plates, LoonySpoons and Eat Shrink and Be Merry. Last saturday, I picked up BHG's Anyone Can Cook, and BHG's Celebrating the Promise. Needless to say, I spent the entire saturday afternoon exploring the world of culinary.
Beef and Broccoli Stroganoff (adapted from BHG's Anyone Can Cook)
3 cups dried wide egg noodles
2 cups broccoli
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsp horseradish
1/2 tsp fresh dill (I used 1 tbsp as I love dill)
1lb top sirloin steak (I used stewing beef)
1 small onion, cut into thin slices
1 clove garlic (I used 3 cloves as I love love love garlic)
4 tsp all purpose flour
1 14-ounce can beef broth (I used 1 cup low fat chicken broth)
3 tbsp tomato paste (I ran out of tomato paste, so I used pasta sauce)
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
* 1/4 cup dried white wine (Half a bottle of white wine had been sitting in the fridge for I do not know how long... time to get rid of it :-)... I had a glass and poured the rest in the frying pan with the beef)
1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Add broccoli the last 5 mins of cooking. Drain, keep warm.
2. Stir together source cream, horseradish and dill, cover and chill.
3. Cut stewing beef into bite size. Saute onions and garlic in a skillet with 1 tbsp EVOO, add beef and cook until beef is slight pink in the center. Pour in white wine. Add flour, 1/2 tsp black pepper over meat, stir to coat.
4. Stir in broth, pasta sauce, worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for one more min. Divide noodle-broccoli mixture among 4 serving bowls. Spoon beef mixture over noodles. Top with sour cream mixture. Make 4 servings.
.... Joe was not too crazy about it as the "beef stroganoff" he had when he was a kid was Hamburger Helper's Beef Stroganoff! Seriously???? Hamburger Helper???? Even now, when I thought about it...I still do not know how I should react to his comment. Who would prefer Hamburger Helper's Beef Stroganoff over home-made Beef Stroganoff, made from scratch, from the heart with love?
Beef and Broccoli Stroganoff (adapted from BHG's Anyone Can Cook)
3 cups dried wide egg noodles
2 cups broccoli
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsp horseradish
1/2 tsp fresh dill (I used 1 tbsp as I love dill)
1lb top sirloin steak (I used stewing beef)
1 small onion, cut into thin slices
1 clove garlic (I used 3 cloves as I love love love garlic)
4 tsp all purpose flour
1 14-ounce can beef broth (I used 1 cup low fat chicken broth)
3 tbsp tomato paste (I ran out of tomato paste, so I used pasta sauce)
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
* 1/4 cup dried white wine (Half a bottle of white wine had been sitting in the fridge for I do not know how long... time to get rid of it :-)... I had a glass and poured the rest in the frying pan with the beef)
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| From Food Diary |
1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Add broccoli the last 5 mins of cooking. Drain, keep warm.
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| From Food Diary |
2. Stir together source cream, horseradish and dill, cover and chill.
3. Cut stewing beef into bite size. Saute onions and garlic in a skillet with 1 tbsp EVOO, add beef and cook until beef is slight pink in the center. Pour in white wine. Add flour, 1/2 tsp black pepper over meat, stir to coat.
4. Stir in broth, pasta sauce, worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for one more min. Divide noodle-broccoli mixture among 4 serving bowls. Spoon beef mixture over noodles. Top with sour cream mixture. Make 4 servings.
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| From Food Diary |
Diary of a Cooking Challenged... Part V
This past sunday... after church and grocery shopping, as I was putting stuff away in the pantry and fridge, I noticed a pack of almost forgotten wonton wrappers. I went through my recipes database and decided to make Wonton Appetizers...
Wonton Appetizers
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1/2 cup dill ranch dressing
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
1. Preheat oven to 350F, spray 24 muffin cups with PAM, place one wonton wrapper in each cup, bake for 5 min.
2. mix all ingredients together, fill wonton cups evenly with cheese mixture
3. back for 6-8 min until cheese is melted
It makes 24 wontons
It is a quick, easy and yummy appetizer which I think it will be a crowd pleaser.
Wonton Appetizers
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1/2 cup dill ranch dressing
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
1. Preheat oven to 350F, spray 24 muffin cups with PAM, place one wonton wrapper in each cup, bake for 5 min.
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| From Food Diary |
2. mix all ingredients together, fill wonton cups evenly with cheese mixture
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| From Food Diary |
3. back for 6-8 min until cheese is melted
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| From Food Diary |
It makes 24 wontons
It is a quick, easy and yummy appetizer which I think it will be a crowd pleaser.
God's Catalogue
God’s Catalogue
John 17:20-26
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. —John 13:35
Tis the season to receive catalogs in the mail. Every trip to the mailbox ends with an armload of slick holiday catalogs. Each one claims to offer me something I need—immediately. “Don’t wait!” “Limited offer!” “Order now!”
The lure works. I open the pages to discover what I didn’t know I needed. Sure enough, I see things that suddenly seem essential, even though a few minutes earlier I didn’t know they existed. Manufacturers use catalog illustrations to create desire for their products.
In a way, Christians are God’s catalogs. We are His illustration to the world of what He has to offer. His work in our lives makes us a picture of qualities that people may not know they need or want until they see them at work in us.
Jesus prayed that His followers would be unified so the world would know that God sent Him and loved them as God loved Him (John 17:23). When Christ is alive in us, we become examples of God’s love. We can’t manufacture love. God is the manufacturer, and we are His workmanship.
As you browse holiday catalogs, consider what the “catalog” of your life says about God. Do people see qualities in you that make them long for God? — Julie Ackerman Link
What does the world see in us
That they can’t live without?
Do they see winsome qualities
And love that reaches out? —Sper
As a Christian, you are “God’s advertisement.” Do people want what they see in you?
John 17:20-26
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. —John 13:35
Tis the season to receive catalogs in the mail. Every trip to the mailbox ends with an armload of slick holiday catalogs. Each one claims to offer me something I need—immediately. “Don’t wait!” “Limited offer!” “Order now!”
The lure works. I open the pages to discover what I didn’t know I needed. Sure enough, I see things that suddenly seem essential, even though a few minutes earlier I didn’t know they existed. Manufacturers use catalog illustrations to create desire for their products.
In a way, Christians are God’s catalogs. We are His illustration to the world of what He has to offer. His work in our lives makes us a picture of qualities that people may not know they need or want until they see them at work in us.
Jesus prayed that His followers would be unified so the world would know that God sent Him and loved them as God loved Him (John 17:23). When Christ is alive in us, we become examples of God’s love. We can’t manufacture love. God is the manufacturer, and we are His workmanship.
As you browse holiday catalogs, consider what the “catalog” of your life says about God. Do people see qualities in you that make them long for God? — Julie Ackerman Link
What does the world see in us
That they can’t live without?
Do they see winsome qualities
And love that reaches out? —Sper
As a Christian, you are “God’s advertisement.” Do people want what they see in you?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
My Birthday
Friends who know me well enough know that I am not a big fan of birthday celebrations. People come up with all sorts of birthday celebrations. Honestly and seriously, I think some of those celebrations are just too over-rated. Imagine this... an extravagant birthday party with invitations, DJ, catering, dance floor, centerpiece for each table... It sounds more like a wedding reception to me! Funny enough, I know a person got seriously upset just because she did not get a birthday card which she "assumed" she would be getting in the mail.
I think that people nowadays do not really understand the true meanings of birthdays. To them, birthdays mean "It is all ME and ME and ME!" They expect the world to be revolved around them.
I look at birthdays from a different perspective. Every year on my birthday, I thank my parents. I thank them for bringing me to this world. I thank them for raising me in a safe and harmonious environment. I thank them for staying up late, teaching me math when I was struggling at elementary school. I thank them for bringing me to church where I have created a close relationship with God. I thank them for giving me my very first puppy when I was 10. I thank them for giving me my second puppy when I was 20. I thank them for giving me two lovely and supportive sisters. I thank them for providing me with an education. I thank them for teaching me to distinguish right from wrong. I thank them for passing me all the family values which make me become a responsible citizen. I thank them for their understanding and support when I decided to move to Ottawa in 2001. I thank them for their endless patience when I fell for the wrong guy whom at that time, I thought he was the one. I thank them for lending me their strong arms and shoulders to cry on when the guy broke my heart in my mid 20's. I thank them for telling me the truth, even the truth sometimes hurts. I thank them for their contiunous support, daily guidance and unconditional love. Most important of all, I thank them for accepting Joe and loving Joe as their son!
Baba and Mama... I can't thank you enough for what you have sacraficed and done for me all these years to make me become who I am today. It is my hope that one day when I become a mom, I will be able to follow your footsteps and provide nothing but the best for my child.
I think that people nowadays do not really understand the true meanings of birthdays. To them, birthdays mean "It is all ME and ME and ME!" They expect the world to be revolved around them.
I look at birthdays from a different perspective. Every year on my birthday, I thank my parents. I thank them for bringing me to this world. I thank them for raising me in a safe and harmonious environment. I thank them for staying up late, teaching me math when I was struggling at elementary school. I thank them for bringing me to church where I have created a close relationship with God. I thank them for giving me my very first puppy when I was 10. I thank them for giving me my second puppy when I was 20. I thank them for giving me two lovely and supportive sisters. I thank them for providing me with an education. I thank them for teaching me to distinguish right from wrong. I thank them for passing me all the family values which make me become a responsible citizen. I thank them for their understanding and support when I decided to move to Ottawa in 2001. I thank them for their endless patience when I fell for the wrong guy whom at that time, I thought he was the one. I thank them for lending me their strong arms and shoulders to cry on when the guy broke my heart in my mid 20's. I thank them for telling me the truth, even the truth sometimes hurts. I thank them for their contiunous support, daily guidance and unconditional love. Most important of all, I thank them for accepting Joe and loving Joe as their son!
Baba and Mama... I can't thank you enough for what you have sacraficed and done for me all these years to make me become who I am today. It is my hope that one day when I become a mom, I will be able to follow your footsteps and provide nothing but the best for my child.
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| From Baby pics |
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| From Dow's Lake Pics |
Diary of a Cooking Challenged... Part IV
One of the challenges when it comes to meal planning is Joe's meetings tuesday and thursday nights. We usually get home around 5:30pm and he is usually out the door, on his way to the meetings around 6:45pm. It does not really give me time to let the creativity juice flow.
Tonight his monthly scouts' meeting started at 7pm, and my challenge was to put together something quick but not "so-boring" in less than an hour.
Chicken-Fajita Fettuccine
recipe from Chatelaine... but I made a few modifications :-)
1/2 pkg fettuccine
1 large onion, cut into thin slices
4 bnls skls chicken thighs
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
1 portobello mushroom, cut into thin strips
a handful of baby carrots, cut into thin strips
2 tsp each chili powder and cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup salsa
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tbsp lime juice
1 cup chopped cilantro
grated cheese
1. bring a large saucepan of water to boil. Cooking pasta according to instructions on the package
2. Coat a large wide frying pan with oil on medium heat, add chicken, cook for about 3 mins. Add onions and saute until it begins to soften.
3. add red pepper, carrots, portobello mushrooms into the pan, sprinkle with seasonings. Stir fry until chicken is cooked through.
4. drain pasta but leave in pan. Add chicken mixture along with remaining ingredients, except cheese. Toss to mix. Sprinkle with cheese
Tonight his monthly scouts' meeting started at 7pm, and my challenge was to put together something quick but not "so-boring" in less than an hour.
Chicken-Fajita Fettuccine
recipe from Chatelaine... but I made a few modifications :-)
1/2 pkg fettuccine
1 large onion, cut into thin slices
4 bnls skls chicken thighs
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
1 portobello mushroom, cut into thin strips
a handful of baby carrots, cut into thin strips
2 tsp each chili powder and cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup salsa
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tbsp lime juice
1 cup chopped cilantro
grated cheese
1. bring a large saucepan of water to boil. Cooking pasta according to instructions on the package
2. Coat a large wide frying pan with oil on medium heat, add chicken, cook for about 3 mins. Add onions and saute until it begins to soften.
3. add red pepper, carrots, portobello mushrooms into the pan, sprinkle with seasonings. Stir fry until chicken is cooked through.
4. drain pasta but leave in pan. Add chicken mixture along with remaining ingredients, except cheese. Toss to mix. Sprinkle with cheese
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| From Drop Box |
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Diary of a Cooking Challenged... Part III
I usually do my meal planning for the week on sundays... usually morning, over a pot of steamy Starbucks Coffee. After the hike at Gatineau Park, Joe and I went to LOEB and picked up a few ingredients, and we are set for this week's dinners.
For some reason, I do not really feel like cooking tonight. I then decided to do a bit of "fridge cleaning" and hence, tonight's dinner.
Ginger Teriyaki Fried Rice (adapted from Inelastic Kitchen Collisions)
2 tbsp oil
1 cup pork tenderloin, chopped
1 thumb size ginger, finely minced
1 clove garlic, finely minced
3 eggs
3 cups cooked jasmine rice
3 cups veggies (water chestnuts, carrots, snow peas, napa cabbage)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1 tbsp chinese chili sauce (I used Maggi's Chili Garlic Sauce)
1 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro (I wonder what is the difference between cilantro and coriander...)
1. Heat oil in pan, cook meat, season with sesame oil, salt and pepper. Cook until meat is no longer pink, set aside.
2. whisk eggs in a small bowl with salt and pepper, green onions
3. heat 1 tbsp oil, add eggs, wait for eggs to set. Once set, break into pieces and set aside.
4. add veggies into the pan, saute for 2 - 3 mins. set aside.
5. pour in soy sauce, chili sauce and teriyaki sauce, bring to boil over medium heat
6. add rice, mix with veggies and cooked eggs and cilantro
For some reason, I do not really feel like cooking tonight. I then decided to do a bit of "fridge cleaning" and hence, tonight's dinner.
Ginger Teriyaki Fried Rice (adapted from Inelastic Kitchen Collisions)
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
1 cup pork tenderloin, chopped
1 thumb size ginger, finely minced
1 clove garlic, finely minced
3 eggs
3 cups cooked jasmine rice
3 cups veggies (water chestnuts, carrots, snow peas, napa cabbage)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1 tbsp chinese chili sauce (I used Maggi's Chili Garlic Sauce)
1 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro (I wonder what is the difference between cilantro and coriander...)
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
2. whisk eggs in a small bowl with salt and pepper, green onions
3. heat 1 tbsp oil, add eggs, wait for eggs to set. Once set, break into pieces and set aside.
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
5. pour in soy sauce, chili sauce and teriyaki sauce, bring to boil over medium heat
6. add rice, mix with veggies and cooked eggs and cilantro
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
Gatineau Park
With the extra hour we gained today, Joe and I went to Gatineau Park this morning, hoping to grasp the last bit of the vibrant color of the fall leaves. When we drove to the vistor center's parking, we noticed that the road going uphill was closed. We parked at the parking lot, and began to hike up. We were at least three weeks late and we missed the magnificient fall leaves. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees.
We hiked for about an hour and a half, and did not even make it to Lac Pink. We then turned around and headed to Chinatown for dim sum.
Though we did not see the vibrant color of the fall leaves, we were surrounded by the nature. It was quiet, peaceful and tranquil. The air was fresh, and it definitely brings forth the signs of winter.
It makes me wonder.... am I ready for the winter?
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| From Gatineau Park Nov 2 2008 |
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Diary of a Cooking Challenged... Part II
When I woke up this morning... I knew today is a good day to try out a new recipe.
Vegetarian Calzone (LooneySpoons' Luciano's Panzerotti)
1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup warm sugar
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tbsp EVOO
1 clover garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup sliced portobello mushrooms
1 cup sliced cucumber
1 cup chopped red pepper
1 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp curry powder
2 1/2 cups low fat pasta sauce
1 cup shredded part skim mozzaerlla
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp sugar in warm water. Let stand 10 mins.
In a small bowl, combine flours, 2 tsp of sugar and salt. Set aside.
Stir olive oil in yeast mixture. Add 1 3/4 cups of flour mixture and stir until a soft ball forms. Turn dough out onto a slight floured surface and knead for 3-4 mins. Add some of the remaining flour mixture if dough is too sticky.
Spray a large bowl with non-stick spray and place dough inside. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.
Just before dough has finished rising, prepare filling. Spray a large skillet with non-stick spray. Add garlic, mushrooms, cucumber, red and green peppers, onions, oregano and curry powder. Cook and stir over medium heat until veggies are tender, about 6-7 mins. Remove from heat and set aside.
Punch down dough, form a ball, and place on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece to a 6-inch diameter circle. Work one at a time, place crust on a large non-stick baking sheet. Spread 2 tbsp pasta sauce over one half of crust, top with 1/4 veggies mixture and 1/4 cheese. Fold opposite half over toppings and pinch seam closed. Repeat with remaining crusts.
Bake at 425 for 15 mins, until dough is golden brown. Meanwhile, heat remaining pasta sauce over medium heat. Remove calzone from oven and transfer to serving plates. Pour 1/2 cup pasta sauce over each and serve immediately.
Vegetarian Calzone (LooneySpoons' Luciano's Panzerotti)
1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup warm sugar
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tbsp EVOO
1 clover garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup sliced portobello mushrooms
1 cup sliced cucumber
1 cup chopped red pepper
1 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp curry powder
2 1/2 cups low fat pasta sauce
1 cup shredded part skim mozzaerlla
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp sugar in warm water. Let stand 10 mins.
In a small bowl, combine flours, 2 tsp of sugar and salt. Set aside.
Stir olive oil in yeast mixture. Add 1 3/4 cups of flour mixture and stir until a soft ball forms. Turn dough out onto a slight floured surface and knead for 3-4 mins. Add some of the remaining flour mixture if dough is too sticky.
Spray a large bowl with non-stick spray and place dough inside. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.
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| From Drop Box |
Just before dough has finished rising, prepare filling. Spray a large skillet with non-stick spray. Add garlic, mushrooms, cucumber, red and green peppers, onions, oregano and curry powder. Cook and stir over medium heat until veggies are tender, about 6-7 mins. Remove from heat and set aside.
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| From Drop Box |
Punch down dough, form a ball, and place on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece to a 6-inch diameter circle. Work one at a time, place crust on a large non-stick baking sheet. Spread 2 tbsp pasta sauce over one half of crust, top with 1/4 veggies mixture and 1/4 cheese. Fold opposite half over toppings and pinch seam closed. Repeat with remaining crusts.
Bake at 425 for 15 mins, until dough is golden brown. Meanwhile, heat remaining pasta sauce over medium heat. Remove calzone from oven and transfer to serving plates. Pour 1/2 cup pasta sauce over each and serve immediately.
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| From Drop Box |
House Cleaning
Today, two days before my birthday... I decided to do a major house-cleaning. By major, I mean "serious" house cleaning. I dusted, scrubbed, mopped and vaccumed the entire house. Ok, it might sound a bit weird, but I enjoy cleaning. My mom always says, "A clean house is a happy house." I am very meticulous when it comes to cleaning, and this drives Joe nuts. On the other hand, Joe's idea of cleaning is "surface cleaning" which also drives me nuts. When we moved into our new home last year, Joe and I made an agreement that cleaning and cooking is my department(s), while laundry, ironing, lawning mowing and snow shovelling is his department(s).
This afternoon, I was standing on top of the kitchen counter, attempting to wipe down the top of the kitchen cabinets. Joe walked into the kitchen and he saw me, he said," What are you doing? If you are doing all these, why do we still need a house cleaning lady?" While I was still standing on top of the kitchen counter, I thought about the question. Seriously, why do I need someone to clean my house when I am doing it myself?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Day Off...
Lately, I find that booking time off at work is getting harder and pretty much, next to impossible. My boss has been off work for almost two months due to extensive surgeries. I have been holding down the fort in my department. Honestly it is tough as I have been doing two people's work at the same time, on the other hand, I enjoy the added responsibilities and challenges which in turn, bring forth tons of adrenaline. I have been trying to book a day off since the beginning of September, and every time I submit my form, my boss's boss said to me, "Do you really need a day off? We need you here. Can you push back your vacation a bit?" SERIOUSLY!!!!!! Since when do I need to justify to anyone that I need a day off? SERIOUSLY!!!! (Gosh! I begin to sound like Meridith Grey in Grey's Anatomy...)
After three unsuccessful attempts, I was finally "granted" a day off today! I got up the same time as usual (I do not do very well with sleeping in as my little pooch will try every possible ways she can think of to get me out of the bed. One time, she brought me half of her toys in her toy basket. She transported one by one from the main floor to our bedroom and then strategically placed them one by one, around me, and then waited patiently for me to wake up.) and I drove Joe to work. I then came home, fed Bee Bee and then drove all the way out to Orleans (yup... I know that sounds crazy and it was exactly an hour drive according to the GPS from our home) for my haircut appointment. For the past 15 months, because of the wedding, my hairstylist held off on her creativity when cutting my hair. When this restriction was finally over, and I was just about to explore new hairstyles, Hanna, my talented and gifted hairstylist, had a baby girl and is currently on maternity leave for at least a year. I was like, "SERIOUSLY!!!!" I am a fussy person, and this drives Joe nuts. It took me the longest time to find a hairstylist in Ottawa, and before I met Hanna, I only had haircut twice a year, when I went home to Vancouver to visit my parents. The hairstylist I went to see this morning, came highly recommended from my bride-friends and I decided to drive out to Orleans. I must say that she was worth the drive.
Later on this morning, I decided to surprise Joe with a nice dinner. Joe loves cabbage rolls. Not sure why. Probably it is a comfort food for him. I googled cabbage rolls recipes on the weekends and ended up finding over at least 30 different recipes. I learned that cabbage rolls is actually Hungarian Food! After my haircut appointment, I went grocery shopping and got all the ingredients needed for the cabbage rolls. Funny thing is that I think I am culinary challenged but I LOVE to cook, especially after I got myself a copy of Eat, Shrink and be Merry! I think I can cook, and perhaps one day, I can cook like a chef!
After three unsuccessful attempts, I was finally "granted" a day off today! I got up the same time as usual (I do not do very well with sleeping in as my little pooch will try every possible ways she can think of to get me out of the bed. One time, she brought me half of her toys in her toy basket. She transported one by one from the main floor to our bedroom and then strategically placed them one by one, around me, and then waited patiently for me to wake up.) and I drove Joe to work. I then came home, fed Bee Bee and then drove all the way out to Orleans (yup... I know that sounds crazy and it was exactly an hour drive according to the GPS from our home) for my haircut appointment. For the past 15 months, because of the wedding, my hairstylist held off on her creativity when cutting my hair. When this restriction was finally over, and I was just about to explore new hairstyles, Hanna, my talented and gifted hairstylist, had a baby girl and is currently on maternity leave for at least a year. I was like, "SERIOUSLY!!!!" I am a fussy person, and this drives Joe nuts. It took me the longest time to find a hairstylist in Ottawa, and before I met Hanna, I only had haircut twice a year, when I went home to Vancouver to visit my parents. The hairstylist I went to see this morning, came highly recommended from my bride-friends and I decided to drive out to Orleans. I must say that she was worth the drive.
Later on this morning, I decided to surprise Joe with a nice dinner. Joe loves cabbage rolls. Not sure why. Probably it is a comfort food for him. I googled cabbage rolls recipes on the weekends and ended up finding over at least 30 different recipes. I learned that cabbage rolls is actually Hungarian Food! After my haircut appointment, I went grocery shopping and got all the ingredients needed for the cabbage rolls. Funny thing is that I think I am culinary challenged but I LOVE to cook, especially after I got myself a copy of Eat, Shrink and be Merry! I think I can cook, and perhaps one day, I can cook like a chef!
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| From Food Diary |
Autumn
Autumn is my favourite season in the year. It marks the transition from summer to winter. I especially enjoy walking in the park around this time of the year. It is cold enough that you need to put on a vest, but not chilly enough that you can't feel the tip of your nose or your toes. It's just perfect. Joe and I spent a day in Perth yesterday. We walked around Camp Opemikon (Scouts Canada's Campground). The site is huge, quiet and peaceful. I was so amazed by the Fall leaf colors, the colors are so vibrant. Who says Gatineau Park is the only place to see the color turning of the leaves?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A Weekend without my hubby Part II
Ok! For this weekend, while Joe was away in a Scouts' Camp... I had relived my single-gal's life.
Friday night, I did not do much and decided to chill out at home. I lit up every single candle in the house, took a super long bath, watched Sex & the City movie and sipped a glass of Pelee Island's Pinot Noir. I stayed up late till 12am (something I have not done for a long time... back in the days when I was a single gal, I often stayed up past midnight, going out for drinks and dancing with girlfriends. However, once I hit the big 30, I then realized that I need my beauty sleep at night in order to look good during the day!).
Saturday, I did grocery shopping in the morning while the house cleaner was lending me a generous helping hand with house cleaning. When she left, I did two full loads of laundry. Laundry is Joe's department but since he was away, I guess it was time for me to step up to the plate. While the laundry was in the washer, I made myself a big pot of Starbucks' coffee and finished the saturday's newspaper from the front page to back page. By the time I finished the newspaper, I felt that I had become more knowledgeable.
The only highlight of the day was that I took my pooch, Bee, to the day-spa. For the longest time, I have been on the quest of finding my little pooch the perfect day spa. I requested for a standard shih zhu cut every time, strangely enough, Bee looked more like a rat than a dog after the grooming session every time. It comes to a point that I actually feel sorry for her. So, I was talking to a friend at the beginning of the week about my quest for the perfect groomer, and she had referred me to her dog's groomer. I took Bee to her new groomer, Samantha, and I must say that I was so amazed when I picked up Bee as she looks like a Shih Zhu for the first time in her life! :-)
Saturday night... I did not feel like cooking. Back in my single gal's days.... I hated cooking just for one. What's the point of cooking just for one when there is no one to compliment or criticize your culinary skills? I had a samosa and a cup of camoille tea with honey (I had a bit of a scratchy throat... let's keep the fingers crossed that it is not yet another cold....) and watched the first season of Private Practice while the whole house was being lit up by Partylite Candles!!!! :-) I stayed up till 11:30pm and decided to call it a night.
Sunday... I woke up at 9am and was really excited that Joe was coming home today YAY! I went to LOEB and grabbed a few stuff and started cooking up a storm in the kitchen. First, I made lemon pound cake using my new toy, Kitchen Aid Professional Standmixer. When it comes to baking, I am really fuzzy, and I like to make everything from scratch. That's why I bought the KitchenAid Stand Mixer.
The second recipe I attempted was Turkey Dumpling with Cranberry Soy Sauce. I got the recipe from The Daily Struggles of the Domestic Un-Goddess. It is not a complicated recipe but it is time consuming.
The third recipe I tried was "It's Only Brocc 'n Bowl" from LooneySpoons.
By the time the soup was done, Joe was home! He had the chicken dumpling as snack and he liked it! I guess home-made food is much better than camp food.
As for dinner, I made Spanish rice and a beef stir fry "The Way We Stir" from LooneySpoons.
I did cook up a storm this afternoon and I kept going, and by the time eveything was done, I realized I had cook way too much for two people. Well, good thing is I won't need to cook for monday night!
Friday night, I did not do much and decided to chill out at home. I lit up every single candle in the house, took a super long bath, watched Sex & the City movie and sipped a glass of Pelee Island's Pinot Noir. I stayed up late till 12am (something I have not done for a long time... back in the days when I was a single gal, I often stayed up past midnight, going out for drinks and dancing with girlfriends. However, once I hit the big 30, I then realized that I need my beauty sleep at night in order to look good during the day!).
Saturday, I did grocery shopping in the morning while the house cleaner was lending me a generous helping hand with house cleaning. When she left, I did two full loads of laundry. Laundry is Joe's department but since he was away, I guess it was time for me to step up to the plate. While the laundry was in the washer, I made myself a big pot of Starbucks' coffee and finished the saturday's newspaper from the front page to back page. By the time I finished the newspaper, I felt that I had become more knowledgeable.
The only highlight of the day was that I took my pooch, Bee, to the day-spa. For the longest time, I have been on the quest of finding my little pooch the perfect day spa. I requested for a standard shih zhu cut every time, strangely enough, Bee looked more like a rat than a dog after the grooming session every time. It comes to a point that I actually feel sorry for her. So, I was talking to a friend at the beginning of the week about my quest for the perfect groomer, and she had referred me to her dog's groomer. I took Bee to her new groomer, Samantha, and I must say that I was so amazed when I picked up Bee as she looks like a Shih Zhu for the first time in her life! :-)
Saturday night... I did not feel like cooking. Back in my single gal's days.... I hated cooking just for one. What's the point of cooking just for one when there is no one to compliment or criticize your culinary skills? I had a samosa and a cup of camoille tea with honey (I had a bit of a scratchy throat... let's keep the fingers crossed that it is not yet another cold....) and watched the first season of Private Practice while the whole house was being lit up by Partylite Candles!!!! :-) I stayed up till 11:30pm and decided to call it a night.
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| From My Pictures |
Sunday... I woke up at 9am and was really excited that Joe was coming home today YAY! I went to LOEB and grabbed a few stuff and started cooking up a storm in the kitchen. First, I made lemon pound cake using my new toy, Kitchen Aid Professional Standmixer. When it comes to baking, I am really fuzzy, and I like to make everything from scratch. That's why I bought the KitchenAid Stand Mixer.
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
The second recipe I attempted was Turkey Dumpling with Cranberry Soy Sauce. I got the recipe from The Daily Struggles of the Domestic Un-Goddess. It is not a complicated recipe but it is time consuming.
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
The third recipe I tried was "It's Only Brocc 'n Bowl" from LooneySpoons.
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
By the time the soup was done, Joe was home! He had the chicken dumpling as snack and he liked it! I guess home-made food is much better than camp food.
As for dinner, I made Spanish rice and a beef stir fry "The Way We Stir" from LooneySpoons.
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| From Food Oct 19,08 |
I did cook up a storm this afternoon and I kept going, and by the time eveything was done, I realized I had cook way too much for two people. Well, good thing is I won't need to cook for monday night!
Friday, October 17, 2008
A Weekend without my hubby...
Joe is off for his Scouts' camp for this weekend. First time since Joe and I got married, Bee and I will be holding down the fort. I wonder how I will be spending this weekend...
For starter... I will go get myself a super long bath (with no one popping into the bathroom and ask,"Hon, are you ok there?") and then lit up the house with candles everywhere....
What's next? Sex and the City's movie and a glass of Pinot Noir! :-)
For starter... I will go get myself a super long bath (with no one popping into the bathroom and ask,"Hon, are you ok there?") and then lit up the house with candles everywhere....
What's next? Sex and the City's movie and a glass of Pinot Noir! :-)
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| From My Pictures |
Monday, October 13, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
When it comes to food, I'm not a big fan of the traditional. Just because you have been eating the same thing for the last 20 years doesn't necessarily mean that it is a great idea.
This Thanksgiving is the first Thanksgiving for Joe and me as a married couple, so I decided to add a twist to the original turkey dinner.
I spent a few days earlier last week, google-ing new turkey, cranberry and stuffing recipes... and managed to find a few that I think are workable.
I took the turkey (about 15 lbs... yes it is a bit too big for two people, but Costco's Turkeys you can't expect anything less than 15 lbs!) out of the chest freezer last Thursday and had it sit in the cold storage room for a few days to thaw.
Sunday Oct 12. I got up at 9am and started preparing the turkey dinner.
Roasted Turkey -- I did not stuff the turkey this year, so that turkey took less time to cook. However, I did put parsley, carrot, rosemary, onions and celery in the turkey cavity to give the bird some flavour while baking. I cooked the turkey breast-side down and by doing that the turkey came out very tender and moist.
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| From Thanksgiving Dinner Oct 2008 |
Stuffing -- Last year, my coworker gave me a home-made recipe of stuffing which requires tons of potatoes. I am not a big fan of potatoes and so I decided to make something without potatoes. Joe loves stovetop stuffing. To Joe, stovetop stuffing is the "it" stuffing. As I am not a traditional person, this year, I decided to widen Joe's horizon on stuffing.
Turkey Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
* 1 loaf of day old French bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 10-12 cups)
* 1 cup walnuts
* 2 cups each, chopped onion and celery
* 6 Tbsp butter
* 1 green apple, peeled, cored, chopped
* 3/4 cup of currants or raisins
* Several (5 to 10) chopped green olives (martini olives, the ones with the pimento)
* Stock from the turkey giblets (1 cup to 2 cups) (can substitute chicken stock)
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or ground sage (to taste)
* Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
Method
1 If you haven't already made the stock, take the turkey giblets - heart and gizzard - and neck if you want, and put them in a small saucepan, cover with water and add a little salt. Bring to a simmer; simmer for about an hour, uncovered. Strain the stock into a container for use with the stuffing. Alternatively, you can use chicken stock or just plain water with this recipe.
2 Toast the walnuts by heating them in a frying pan on medium high heat for a few minutes, stirring until they are slightly browned (not burned) OR put them in the microwave on high until you can smell the aroma of them toasting, about a minute or two. Let them cool while you are toasting the bread, then roughly chop them.
3 Heat a large sauté pan on medium heat. Melt 3 Tbsp butter in the pan, add the bread cubes, and stir to coat the bread pieces with the melted butter. Then let them toast; only turn them when they have become a little browned on a side. Note, if you aren't working with somewhat dried-out day-old bread, lay the cubes of bread in a baking pan and put them in a hot oven for 10 minutes to dry them out first, before toasting them in butter on the stove top. The bread should be a little dry to begin with, or you'll end up with mushy stuffing.
4 In a large Dutch oven, sauté chopped onions and celery on medium high heat with the remaining 3 Tbsp butter until cooked through, about 5-10 minutes. Add the bread. Add cooked chopped walnuts. Add chopped green apple, currants, raisins, olives, parsley. Add one cup of the stock from cooking the turkey giblets or chicken stock (enough to keep the stuffing moist while you are cooking it). Add sage, poultry seasoning, salt & pepper.
5 Cover. Turn heat to low. Cook for an hour or until the apples are cooked through. Check every ten minutes or so and add water or stock as needed while cooking to keep the stuffing moist and keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
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| From Thanksgiving Dinner Oct 2008 |
Cranberry Sauce -- I hate the Oceanspray's Cranberry Sauce. Seriously I HATE it! So I decided to make my own cranberry sauce:
Spicy Cranberry Sauce with Pinot Noir
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (about 8 ounces)
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 cups Pinot Noir or other dry red wine
(we went to Merrickville on Saturday and we picked up a bottle of Pelee Island's 2007 Baco Noir)
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
Large pinch of Chinese five-spice powder*
Method
1 Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cranberries and fresh ginger; stir until cranberries begin to burst, 3-5 minutes.
2 Add wine and sugar; boil until mixture is reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes.
3 Add crystallized ginger, curry powder and five-spice powder.
Serve sauce cold or warm. Makes 2 1/2 cup
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| From Thanksgiving Dinner Oct 2008 |
Mashed Potatoes -- last year I simply boiled potatoes and I found them too plain. So I made mashed potatoes instead. Of all the recipes I did yesterday, this one, by far, was the easiest.
Ingredients:
5 lbs. potatoes or 9 large 2.5kg
8 oz. low-fat cream cheese 250g
1 cup fat-free sour cream 250ml
2 tsp. onion salt 10ml
1 tsp. salt 5ml
pinch of pepper
2 Tbsp. butter 30ml
Instructions:
Cook and mash potatoes. Add all ingredients, except butter, and combine. Put into large greased casserole. Dot with butter. Bake, covered, at 350F (180C) for 30 minutes.If making ahead, cover and refrigerate or freeze. Thaw before baking. Serves 10-12
** I modified the recipes by cutting into halves so I did not end up having tons of leftover.
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| From Thanksgiving Dinner Oct 2008 |
After spending close to 9 hours in the kitchen, thanksgiving dinner was served at 6pm. When Joe first saw the stuffing, he said, "No Stovetop Stuffing?" I almost wanted to smack him in his head. Then he tried a bit and said, "Wow! This stuff is good!" He looked a bit skeptical on the cranberry sauce and after a spoonful taste, he said," wow this IS good! How much wine did you put in there?"
Although it was a hard day of work for me, it was worth it as Joe and I both really enjoyed the dinner and Joe even said it was THE best turkey dinner he ever had.
Well... who says we need to have traditional thanksgiving dinner?
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| From Thanksgiving Dinner Oct 2008 |
For more pictures of our thanksgiving dinner.. here is the link!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Louisa, Joe and Bee
(Hopefully there will be a Couscous in our family soon!)
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