inside our little pigpen

Mixed Nuts Biscotti

2011-11-16T15:49:00.000-05:00

My Ninang Vangie is the one who inspired me to pursue baking (not as a profession, but as a hobby). Except for her last trip, she always brings us some of her yummy nutty biscotti and I just absolutely love it. Well, today I gave it a try using a recipe that I got off www.joyofbaking.com website. Next week, I will try the recipe that she has and compare the difference.

For the biscotti –

50 grams roasted almonds
25 grams roasted macadamia nuts
75 grams pistassio nuts
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

To make the biscotti –

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Toast almonds and macadamia for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool and then chop coarsely. Set aside.
Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl lightly beat the eggs and extracts together. Set aside.
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer) combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat until blended (about 30 seconds). Gradually add the egg mixture and beat until a dough forms, adding the nuts about halfway through.
On a lightly floured surface roll dough into a log about 14 inches (35 cm) long and 3 – 4 inches (8 – 10 cm) wide. Transfer log to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until firm to the touch (log will spread during baking). Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
Transfer log to a cutting board and, using a serrated knife, cut log into slices 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick on the diagonal. Arrange evenly on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, turn slices over, and bake another 10 minutes or until firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container.

Take Note –
You can substitute pecans or walnuts for the other nuts. If desired, add 1 tablespoon (5 grams) of orange or lemon zest to the egg mixture.
You can put a chocolate glaze on the biscotti. Melt 3 ounces (85 grams) of semi-sweet or white chocolate and 1 teaspoon (5 grams) vegetable shortening in a small metal bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth. When melted, place chocolate into a parchment triangle or small plastic bag with one edge cut. Pipe onto the biscotti in a decorative pattern. Alternatively, you can dip or spread with a small metal spatula one side of the biscotti with chocolate and let dry on a clean baking sheet.
Yield - Makes about 28 biscotti.

Biscotti in the Making -

Here is the dough for the biscotti (without the nuts)

I used almonds, macadamia an pistacio nuts

Dough is mixed with the nuts

Rolled into a log and ready to be baked

Cut into slices

Chinese Chicken Salad

2011-10-28T15:51:00.000-04:00

I was looking for salad variations in lieu of my mission to lose some of this weight so I decided to try this Chinese salad recipe. I like it and it's healthy too and very easy to make. You will love it!

Creamy Pesto Pasta

2011-10-24T10:25:00.000-04:00

One of my ultimate favorite pasta is the creamy pesto pasta. I love the freshness of the aroma of the basil leaves sipping through the creaminess of the sauce. I have learned to master how to cook it. Hope you enjoy this too!

my weekend bargain [10-22-2011]

2011-10-23T03:29:00.002-04:00

Today I didn't really plan on looking for something but you know me, I window shop ALOT and if I see a good deal on something that I know we would use/need, then I'd get it. This afternoon, on the way back from my brother-in-law's from Loudon, we stopped by this huge yard sale which funnily, they set up at a car lot with storage buildings and it looks like they have a lot of crap in there. We decided to stop because I still want to get more frames to re-purpose for my gallery wall. Well I went in there and did not get a single frame ( i should have) but got a lot of good finds. I have not really been going to yard sales this year because I've got Apollo and I think this is like the 2nd time that I actually stopped to check out one in a long time.

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my weekend bargain [10-16-2011]

2011-10-16T22:46:00.002-04:00

Hi! I have always been a bargain shopper since I can remember. Probably because I grew up in a middle class family and my mom is really great with budgeting and finding great buys at a discount. I learned growing up that you can have the pretty things you want to buy that is within your budget if you would just take time to look for great deals out there.

Hot Cross Buns

2011-10-16T08:03:00.001-04:00

I had my first attempt of making some bread and I’d say I have new found respect for bread bakers out there. Seriously! Kneading dough is not a joke! And I only have to do it for 15 minutes, what more if you have it as an 8-hour job? I tried baking raisin soda bread before but it does not involve the use of yeast and does not require kneading. This one is a real bread.

Remembering Joaquin

2011-10-15T07:20:00.001-04:00

A few days ago, I was remembering our baby angel Joaquin as it has been 20 months since he went on a lifetime vacation to heaven on February 2010. Oh yes, did I mention that Apollo is not our first baby? Yeah 2 years ago I used to have a different blogsite about my pregnancy with our little angel and called it the Hammination. It was back in 2009 and it was a very special 5 months because during that time, even as short as it is, i get to be a mom for the first time. We are to name our baby Joaquin, and today he is our little angel and Apollo's personal angel (as I want to believe!).

Yesterday I dug through my old journal and read through some of the memories we had while we are carrying Joaquin. Joaquin will always be in our hearts. In fact, when we started conceptualizing our dream business of setting up our own trading firm, we named it after him. That's how the Joaquin FX Trading came about last April 2010.

We miss you Joaquin!

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake

2011-10-15T01:16:00.002-04:00

Love cheesecake. I have only tried making refrigerated cheesecake before and have always wanted to try baking it. Now is the time. I baked this for my mom’s 58th birthday last year. This is for you Mom! I miss you & I love you!

Strawberry Streusel Cake

2011-10-13T23:45:00.001-04:00

It’s been almost 2 weeks since I last went inside my bakery (that is my kitchen haha) so today, despite my attempts to stay clear off sweets, I decided to bake and just feed my family haha. I went for something easy today – Strawberry Streusel Cake. Also I have leftover strawberries that i do not want to put to waste so here goes…

My netbook broke :(

2011-10-11T01:03:00.001-04:00

My purple netbook's LCD screen broke! waaaaaaaa! I am so mad and disappointed because that was a christmas gift from my hubby last 2009. There are so many things I love about that netbook because even though it is just a 10" screen, I watched more than hundreds of TV programs and movies on that little TV. Whenever I am stuck in the airport waiting for a flight, it keeps me company. During my first year here in the US, believe it or not, I get to see and talk to my family almost everyday. And most of all, my precious netbook is the perfect color of purple which goes well with my purple Blackberry curve. ahuhuhuhu

ACER Aspire D250 netbook

Blacks & Blondies

2011-10-11T00:54:00.001-04:00

I like brownies but I am not the greatest fan of it. I do however love butterscotch so I decided to combine both into one pastry. I call is Blacks & Blondies. The recipe below are in two parts – making of the brownie (the blacks) and the butterscotch (the blondies).

I hope you like it!

Spicy Coconut Chicken Curry

2011-10-03T22:36:00.000-04:00

My parents, my husband and I love Spicy curry so I thought I might try to cook the Filipino style curry – using coconut milk! It’s really yummy! I probably have to start using coconut milk in a can in the US when I cook this for my husband and the family.

Broccoli & Cheese Soup

2011-09-30T19:06:00.002-04:00

My husband is a sucker for cheese so anything that I fix for him, he puts cheese on it. One of his favorite soups is the Broccoli and Cheese soup. I found this really easy recipe a few months back and you can pretty much use any kind of cheese you want. I like using Swiss or Grier cheese coz of the texture and they melt really good with cream.
Best served with grilled cheese sandwhich. I still have leftovers from yesterday so I might help me with a bowl.

Ingredients -

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 cups chicken stock
3 cups whole milk (I used 2 cups whole milk & 1 cup heavy cream)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper (you can add more to your serving if you like yours peppery)
2 cups fresh broccoli florettes
1/2 pound processed cheese (I like Swiss or Grier)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese

How to make the soup –

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, and mix in the flour. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Mix in the chicken stock and milk, and season with salt and white pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer about 10 minutes.
Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place the broccoli in the boiling water, and cook 2 minutes, or until just tender. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.
Gradually mix the processed cheese and Cheddar cheese into the large pot until melted. Mix in the broccoli. Continue cooking about 5 minutes.

Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread

2011-09-28T05:06:00.001-04:00

For the last few months, I have been searching for the best recipe of the banana nut bread just because it is mine and my husband’s favorite. During the course of my research, I found out that alot of cooks and bakers recommend the Starbucks recipe of the bread which, apparently, they handed out a few years back. Tried it several times already and I love this recipe. Hope you like it too!

P.S. I love eating this with honey butter!

3:30 AM

2011-09-27T03:57:00.001-04:00

It is exactly 3:30 AM as I started writing and I cannot sleep! My husband went to St. Augustine, FL for work and will be back tomorrow night (he just arrived half an hour ago and I already talked to him after he checked in the hotel) and I am here in the house with Apollo. Usually when Ryan is at work and Apollo and I are going to sleep, I put him to bed with me because 1) i know he loves sleeping in our bed and 2) i love him sleeping beside me too. Apollo is already fast asleep but I cannot sleep. I miss my pudding.

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Thai Chicken Wrap with Spicy Peanut Sauce

2011-09-26T15:49:00.002-04:00

I got this recipe from Rachel Ray’s 30-minute meals. Ryan loved it and had it two nights in a row already haha. I am Asian and would never give up cooking and eating Asian food. The recipe is very easy and you can customize it anyway that you like. You can use turkey as a healthier alternative or add and/or remove any veggies that you want in your salad.

Crispy Shredded Sichuan Beef Recipe

2011-09-22T02:14:00.004-04:00

Ever since I ate at Peking Garden at Greenbelt 5, Makati (Philippines), I cannot stop thinking about how to make that super crispy and delicious shredded beef that they serve in their own crunchy bread. I finally figured out how to make it with the help of may parents a few months ago. I have to tweak a few ingredients since I cannot get a whole lot here in the US but it taste really good! Ryan and I had this for our New Year dinner with some vegetable tempura. I recommend this recipe because you can eat it with either rice or crunchy bread or even soft taco wrap. It’s really yummy!

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

2011-09-17T02:11:00.003-04:00

This is a regular dish in our home in Paranaque. My dad and mom loves cooking this and I grew up loving this dish. So I figured I’d share the recipe with you. First time I made this for Ryan, he immediately loved it. You can pretty much use any kind of beef part but I like using the flanks.

Cast Iron Skillet Corn Bread

2011-09-11T21:09:00.002-04:00

You see I am married to a man from the South. Ryan and his family hailed from Tennessee. Even though Ryan loves Filipino food, his comfort food will always be the soulful cooking from the south. So over the last year, I have been trying out all the good cooking from the south (because I am also a big fan!) and have been successful so far! Ryan loves corn bread (if rice is a staple food in the asian dish, corn bread and potatoes is to the South), so I figured I would attempt to make one, the true Souther way – using a cast iron skillet! I tell you what – I am a proud southern wife because it taste good!

Apollo's first studio photo shoot

2011-09-10T20:02:00.002-04:00

We went to Sears Portrait Studio to get Apollo's first studio shots (for free because I have the coupon, score!!). It was so much fun! It's so hard to get him to smile just because he is looking around the room all curious and wiggly. Nevertheless, I think we got some good first shots! the photographer said that usually when they get to about 4- 6 months, that's when it will be easier to get them to smile and focus on the camera. Nevertheless, we got some great shots! We won't get the photos until 23rd of Sept but here are some previews of the shots taken. :)

DIY - denim wreath

2011-09-09T21:13:00.003-04:00

I finally finished the wreath that I wanted to make for our bland white door. I drew inspiration from the denim wreath made by another blogger and it looks awesome (The Anxious Blogger) ! It looks great and hip and young so I decided to give it a stab because I have around 2-3 denim jeans that are unfortunately about 3 sizes smaller on my now haha.

PEZ project

2011-09-07T21:25:00.002-04:00

There is a reason why I bought these PEZ candies with dispenser the other day. I'm gonna do something with it! DIY! watch out! :) I am so excited!!!

Authentic Spanish Churros

2011-09-06T19:30:00.002-04:00

Love this spanish snack because it’s so easy to make and it’s very cheap to make! It’s so expensive when you order it in Spanish restaurants when in fact it only cost less than $5 to make these. I grew up with my mom making me these. I made it for the first time for my husband and he loved it. Hope you do too!

apollo's first meal

2011-09-04T21:28:00.003-04:00

My husband and I have been arguing about feeding Apollo solid food. From what I was taught by my mom and from what I have read from textbooks and online, babies should start eating at around 4 to 6 months of age.

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DIY - white tables & chairs

2011-09-04T17:01:00.002-04:00

On top of taking care of my little cherubin, I have also been busy re purposing some of our old furniture by giving them a fresh coat of white paint. Everyone seems to be doing these modern traditional take on black and white furniture so I thought why not join the bandwagon! I've been looking at several different inspiration and i am drawn to the distressed white look. It looks antique without being scrappy. I love it!

Some of my inspiration: