In My Kitchen

Professional Kitchen Wares

2009-11-10T14:26:00.005-05:00

That is what I wanted to have if I ever win a kitchen makeover from some company that I put an entrée for. Hey, I may not win but dreaming is always good when done properly…lol. Having a big family is like owning a small restaurant already. It should be open from when the children wake until they go to bed. Unless the restaurant can close when the time for them to close, I can’t. And I believe I deserve the best professional cookwares out there, right honey?

I may not be a professional chefs but I can cook like one. Everyone knows that having restaurant grade equipment will sure last longer, just make sure you pick the best just like wasserstrom restaurant supplies. Where else will you find China sets for more than 12 people? You will not find it in your local department store, well not in mind. And I’m pretty sure you will find this in some specialty stores.

Are you thinking about opening you own restaurant or café? Think about Wasserstrom, you will find Chefs uniforms, Restaurant supplies, Grocers supplies and Hotels too. Don’t take my words for it, check it out yourself. Now, I’m off to enter more giveaways. This equipments don’t come cheap, you know.

Images Credit: Wasserstrom.com

Chili and Cheese Baked Potatoes

2009-11-09T06:28:00.000-05:00

A really good recipe when you have left over chili. Just bake some baking potatoes and top it with butter, chili and shredded cheese or sour cream whichever you prefer.

Have You Ever...

2009-11-05T17:58:00.004-05:00

At times I get into this craving when I only wanted to eat nothing but vegetables, fruits, sour soups, salty, pasta/grains, and meat. And I also notice that my kindergartner is the same way. Very weird because we are supposed to eat with a mixture in the food pyramid. Mostly the vegetables and salty stuff I eat on the summer months.

My son in the other hand can go with everything on the table, to nothing but cereals and crackers, then meat, and potatoes. It's like a cycle. Anyway, I thought I would share my observations. TTFN.

Thank You My Droppers

2009-11-03T05:58:00.002-05:00

Eight out of ten made a drop 31 times during the month of October. Thank you so much, "In My Kitchen" appreciate all of your visits and drops on my widget, even though I moved the widget lower or the lowest part of my blog. See you all next time!

My French Toast

2009-11-02T09:40:00.002-05:00

I kept forgetting taking food pictures every time I cook something new. And look there was only one french toast left when I remember taking a picture. So sad looking single slice of bread...lol. And nothing on it too, I will do better next time.

I have to make sour dough bread first and let it set out in the open and make french toast out of it. I will change the picture as soon as I get a new picture. I haven't made this for such a long time and DH was so happy to have them over the weekend. I usually beat eggs and add cinnamon in it and just about it. Butter the pan to prevent it for sticking. You can add anything as a topping if you like, like fresh fruits, powder sugar and ice cream. Enjoy!

Best Blog Awards

2009-10-25T13:39:00.002-04:00

This is from Money Saving Mama. Thank you so much. I don't know 15 people however, you are all welcome to grab this because I think everyone deserve such awards. Please don't be shy, display it in your blog and enjoy the week ahead.

Parent's Choice Formulas Affordability

2009-10-24T19:19:00.003-04:00

Am I the only one these days who can feel the penny pinching these days? I am so glad that we are done having children and my youngest is not 3 years old. We always wished to start young but in our case we could not find the right person when we were still young. We are happy on what we got and we make the best of it somehow. I do feel for those who are just starting and feeling the same way as we are. Everything is going up and hopefully your paycheck does the same.

Available exclusively at Walmart is the store brand Parent’s Choice Formula is currently on sale for limited time. If you have an infant I would suggest to stock up. The can of Parent’s Choice Milk Infant Formula in 15.5 oz can for $5.00 each and Parent’s Choice Gentle Infant Formula in 12.9 oz can is also on sale for $5.00. Don’t you wish you are breastfeeding with the prices of formula these days? However, if you can’t, WIC can also help you buy store brand formula for your infant. All you have to do is check your local listing for WIC. And please don’t forget to go to your local Walmart to save on Parent’s Choice Formulas.

Hot Cocoa with Mini Marshmallows

2009-10-24T18:57:00.004-04:00

A very nice to have during rainy days which we have today. We even have a flood watch because we are having rain since last night. Sometime it pours and sometime just drizzles. It makes my mini van sweats inside my none heated garage.

Anyway, I got the recipe from the Hershey's cocoa canister. The ingredients are water, cocoa, sugar, dash of salt, milk and vanilla. Very simple and much healthier than the instant ones you buy from your local grocery stores. Enjoy!

Alaska Salmon Rice Pilaf with Bacon, Peas, & Mint

2009-10-20T05:38:00.005-04:00

I got this recipe from a magazine. My family did not like it much and I had to eat all of it myself and I think the first and last time I'll be making it.

1 can (14.75 oz.) or 2 cans (7.5 oz. each) traditional pack salmon or 2 cans pouches (6 to 7.1 oz. each) skinless, boneless salmon (I use a left over salmon with this recipe)
2 tsp. olive oil
½ cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
4 slices bacon, cut into pieces
1-1/4 cup long grain rice
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground chili powder
2 chicken or vegetable stock cubes, dissolved in 3-3/4 cups hot water (I use the stock in a can)
¾ cup frozen peas
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley or mint
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. finely grated Gruyere, Parmesan, or Cheddar cheese, if desired

Drain salmon, reserving liquid. Discard skin and bones (if any). Break salmon into chunks and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan. Add onion, garlic, and bacon. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, until onion is browned. Stir in rice, cumin, and chili powder. Cook, uncover, stirring occasionally for another 3 to 3 minutes.

Pour in stock and reserved salmon liquid. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Gently stir peas and salmon into the rice (try to avoid breaking the chunks of salmon) and cook for a minute or two. Fold in parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

2009-10-14T07:50:00.004-04:00

I got these bell peppers from my local farmers market for 25¢ each. They are not in the perfect shape like the commercialize huge bell peppers but I like it better. I'm not really sure if they are organic but I'm sure they did not use anything to make big or any pesticides.

Today featured In My Kitchen is stuffed bell peppers. I stuffed them with ground beef, rice, minced garlic, chopped onion, Italian seasoning, salt & peppers, Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce. DH is not very fond of it but our kids ate mostly the stuffing from it.

Want one?

Apple Crisps/Apple Chips

2009-10-08T07:44:00.003-04:00

Here is my first batch of apple chips. They taste really good but they all stick to the pan. I think I need to move them around while cooking next time. I used the oven to dehydrate this batch. I also have a dehydrator but the ones I put in it is still not dry. Some of them started sticking too. I added some brown sugar and cinnamon on all of them. And you can see they are all in pieces because it is so hard to removed from the pan. I loosen up the two that are not broken before they harden. Now to do more batch, I got so much apples.

Calling All Canadian Residents to Join

2009-10-06T19:56:00.004-04:00

How many times did I post about my tiny kitchen and always wanted to have a makeover? I think I mentioned it too many times already. It would be nice if I win a kitchen makeover however, I am not qualified to enter this contest; this is only for Canadian residents. Maple Leaf is launching their new site and what better way to make a buzz is to have a contest.

You can enter every day until December 15, 2009 for a chance to win a $32,000 kitchen makeover. You will have a chance to win one of 12 Frigidaire fridges and as a bonus and every entrée will be eligible for a $500 rebate offer from Frigidaire. You can really make your dream kitchen come true with that $32,000. The appliances you’ll have, the features that you always wanted and all you have to do is enter with a valid email address every day.

Anyway, I have met their butler, baker and pasta maker and I think they are fabulous. You can get some tips on easy made meals, baking and pasta making in their site. And since you will be there every day, you may as well visit them too. Good luck to all of you there in Canada.

Look What We Did

2009-10-05T08:34:00.003-04:00

Our weekend turn out to be a nice weather. And this is where we spent it at...well at least the few minutes of it. Our kids had a blast and cannot stop picking apples. (Click the images to enlarge)

We end up with 57 pounds of apples and my SIL hardly took anything with her. We still have about 40 pounds after she left. I better start drying, baking and mashing to preserve all of this. Would you like some?

You can find more images in my other blog at "In This life". I will be very busy and house will smell like apples until all of these are gone...I smell bake sale...lol.

Parent's Choice

2009-10-05T06:39:00.003-04:00

I am pro breastfeeding and I admired all mothers that did and will do just that. And if you can’t breastfeed because of medical reason that is just fine too, it’s understandable. However, it irritate me to see others that are healthier than me who decided that they don’t want to give their new born baby the best in this world. It will not cost anything and it will same them plenty of money but refuse to do so it. Mother’s are lucky to have this feature, and who we are to play god with our children health, natural is the best these days. Mother’s who think that their figure will get affected when breastfeeding don’t need to have kids, in my opinion. There are plenty of women who wanted to have kids and they will do anything to have one but never had the chance. They are more deserving than the ones I mention previously.

Anyway who am I to judge, I am no body in this world of billions of people. I am however well known in my own household and I’m glad I made the right choice for my children. Please compare your baby formula with the parent’s choice calculator to see the savings or to see the savings between the well known brand and the Parent's choice brand. Some mothers’ also qualify for WIC federally funded program for the low-income women, infants and children. Check the information below.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Experts and the federal government want American mothers to save money by encouraging them to breastfeed. Mothers should breastfeed because it’s the best nutritional option and it makes the most economic sense; it’s free and can save you up to $2,000 a year on formula costs.

WIC, a federal agency that provides food, nutrition counseling, and access to health services to low-income women, infants, and children, has introduced a new food package that encourages breastfeeding. The new program, mandated for all states, reallocates funding for all currently provided foods, including infant formula, baby foods, juices, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you select the breastfeeding package, women will not receive any infant formula. Additionally, women who partially breastfeed or formula feed exclusively will receive 13 percent less formula than was afforded in previous years. This means parents who previously had most of their formula paid for by WIC may now have to purchase regular-formula on their own.

“In the United States there are no generic infant formulas. The truth is all infant formulas are subject to the same regulations governing manufacturing and ingredients as stipulated by the Infant Formula Act,” said Dr. Barbara Levine, Weill Cornell Medical College. “Store-brand infant formulas sold at major retailers are therefore a premium nutritional substitute at a value price and meet the same exacting FDA nutritional requirements as all the major brands. As a nutritionist I know the truth about infant formula: there is no nutritional reason to buy the much more expensive formulas sold by the big pharmaceutical companies. The quality and safety of the manufacturing are also inspected in same way by the FDA.”

September Top Droppers

2009-10-04T15:15:00.002-04:00

Computer Aid
EverythingHas A Reason
Cooking Japanese Style
Picture to People
In This Life of Ours
Photography by KML
Foodarrific
WinesWorld's Blog
Girls are Made of Sugar and Spice
Vegetable Garden

A Weekend Getaway

2009-10-02T18:18:00.002-04:00

That is what I need right now. My zits are coming out right after the other and it hurt so much. I am stress from everything these days, the economy, the government, my family and our children school. I can really use a two days getaway from everyone and enjoy myself for once. I always wanted to visit “The Gateway to the West” because I never been there. I saw plenty of pictures from my friends but that was the closest I got.

I heard that Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is having a cooking school weekend on 16th and 17th of October. It includes deluxe accommodations for two Friday and Saturday. There will be a welcome wine tasting, cooking demo by Chef Nathan on how to prepare an appetizer serve the prior night, a Saturday four course dinner paired with wines, and another cooking demo on Sunday teaching how to prepare the prior nights meal.

I would like to learn how to make dessert and pastry if I can. Preparing meals comes easy for me because I just follow the recipes and desserts making is a little tricky. I can’t even put a nice looking icing on a cake.

For the nights mentioned above the rates at Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel starts from $199 plus tax. Hubby and I can easily fly for the weekend using our frequent flyer miles. Does anyone willing to watch our well behave children for that weekend?

Below are the menu on display for that specific weekend:

Imported and Domestic Cheese Display with Cured Missouri Meats
Served with Crackers, Crostini, Honey Comb and Fruit Jam

Smoked Rainbow Trout with Capers, Cornichons, Hard Cooked Egg, Diced Red Onion
Served with Grilled Flatbreads and Herb Goat Cheese Dip

Brimstone Cheese Fondue
Served with Grilled Potatoes, Baby Carrots, Zucchini, Apples, Pears and Baguette

Hot Hors’douvre

Fried Butternut Squash with Aged Balsamic and Parmesan Cheese

Assorted Individual Pizzettas

Shrimp Fritters with Green Chile Salsa

Action Station

Smoked Newman Farms Pork Loin, Wild Mushroom Risotto and Dried Cherry Vanilla Demi

Desserts

Assorted Individual Dessert Display

No New Food Picture

2009-10-02T17:39:00.004-04:00

Oh wow, I am running out of things to post here...I don't have much to try new recipes these days because I'm spending most of my time with my children in school. We are planning on going to pick some apples tomorrow or Sunday. However, there is rain on the forecast and we may not go. I will probably make some of these Filipino delicacy "Puto" or Rice flour cup cakes. I have to wait and see. I will post the recipe when I make it. Happy weekend.

Fruits

2009-09-27T10:11:00.003-04:00

My DD and I went grocery shopping yesterday. I could not find a fresher Romain lettuce and I end up buying a lot of fruits instead. Most of the Romain lettuce my local grocery store have a soft leaves, I was thinking that it may turn crisp as soon as wash and leave them in the vegetables crisper but I opt not to experiment. Plus, when I buy lettuce we will not touch it until the end of the week (Thursday and Friday). I can't believe I got so much fruits. I even got an Avocado and Mango. I can feel an ulcer ready to come out of my mouth with all the sourness of Mango and Grapes. Why don't I learn that when I eat sour fruits I get ulcers in my mouth.

I Will Accept Adverts Again

2009-09-23T18:40:00.004-04:00

Please make sure you come back on 9/26/09 to place your adverts to my EC widget. The price will be 2ec credit a day and that price will be on for a week. If you have a multiple account on EC this is your chance to put all your adverts for free to a blog with PR3.

I will approve all ads on 10/4/09 to give a few people a chance to place any ads they want. I am not gaining anything from it because EC will take most of the earning from it. I am giving a lot of you a chance to place ads close to nothing. You have three days before you can place any ads, I am hoping to get enough adverts then I will turn off my widget again. I am not very fond of EC using the widget in this blog for free since I stop accepting ads.

Now, my regular droppers will get a chance to place an ads for free, well close to it. Please remember that I will approve all ads on 10/4/09 so, don't worry if you see your ad not being approved.

ETA: Ok, I just found out that the 2ec will not stay the even if I don't approve any adverts. That SUCKS big time. However, I will return all adverts price spent to place an ad to my blog next week. My apology my droppers.

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Creamy Filling

2009-09-21T08:04:00.000-04:00

I apologize for not dropping EC back yesterday. Here is a slice of cake for those who stop by and drop yesterday. We went to see my in laws, then went to our friends son's birthday party. Yes, I brought you a slice of cake. A store bought cake that taste like sugar, I may as well scoop some sugar from our jar and eat it. Our kids had fun but I end up with a very bad headache around 9 pm last night when we are driving home from Howell NJ.

Please, enjoy the cake.

Know When to Let Go

2009-09-18T17:47:00.003-04:00

Did my title catch your attention? I hope it did because, with this post I can tell how to win a LG Bliss cell phone. Yes, another contest and you can make sure you will like what you will win. Not everyone can afford to have a cell phone contract these days. Not to mention if you are one of those people who like their cell phone pay as you go, maybe because they don’t use it much or simply there is no need for it.

This contest already started but you have plenty of time to enter, this will run until November 6 this year. The grand prize is a new LG Bliss cell phone and the second prize is a $50 gift card and it can be use for anything you want. There will be five grand prize winners and fifty second prize winners. (You better re-read it because I said 5 first prize and 50 second prize.) And of course like any other contest you have to be 18 years old to enter.

Facebook users are free to submit photos or videos of your ugly things that you wanted lose or change at www.Facebook.com/LGBliss. Or follow the LG Bliss Facebook Fan Page to upload your ugly things. Furthermore, do not forget to visit the contest rules before entering. Have fun and good luck to everyone.

Homemade EggNog

2009-09-16T19:37:00.005-04:00

Most of my kids loves this. Raw milk, home grown chicken eggs (not mine), sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla. Put in the blender and blend, then pour into glass. You can add a dash of cinnamon on top. You know me, I'm not really good with presentation. I take a picture of food the way I serve them...lol. My only wish is to have my own chickens to lay eggs and cows for fresh eggnog for my children. Hopefully very soon, I can't wait.

iPod and MacBook Giveaway

2009-09-11T13:09:00.001-04:00

No, not this blog (I wish) but I am letting you know that you can win an iPod and Macbook from Netfirms contest if you do the following:

Tweet “Win a free iPod Touch or Macbook from Netfirms contest”, domain registration via Twitter http://bit.ly/yJfKK.
Register a domain via Netfirms Twitter Domain Registration service for $7.99

One re-tweet equals one entry per day and one domain registered equals one entry. I think that is plenty of ways to win, don’t you think so? You can also watch the short film to learn about SMS via Twitter. I have seen a lot of blogger who uses these services already, and this time you have a chance to win something.

I wish I have a lot of friends to pass this contest to but I have no luck with that department. I have so many things to do around the house and having a lot of it is another work for me. I do value what I have now and trying to keep them is still hard for cyber schooling mother like me.

It does not matter if we are friends; if you want to join go right ahead, it is for anyone who wants to try their luck. Winning something for free gives an individual some kind of accomplishment and feels good about thyself. I knew the feeling because I won a few things here and there since I join the blogosphere.

Additional Information

You send a Direct Message to Netfirms via Twitter asking us to register a domain name for you. If the domain name is available we will register it for you and automatically add it to your existing Netfirms Control Panel and bill to your current billing profile. The only prerequisite is that you add your Twitter username to your Netfirms Control Panel. Please visit our tutorial with full details on setting yourself up for domain registration via Twitter. The instructions should be completed once only and you’re good to go after that.

1. Log in to your Twitter account (You can use any of the available Twitter apps)
2. Send a dm to @netfirms with the following: reg mynewdomain.com
3. We will confirm by replying to you via dm at which point the domain will be added to your Netfirms Control Panel. The domain is now ready to be used.

Ground Beef Stroganoff

2009-09-11T12:56:00.003-04:00

I know not the best presentation here. I did not have time to put it in the plate and take a nicer shot. Anyway, I used ground brown beef, chop onions and garlic, fettuccine, cream of mushrooms and sour cream. ODS loves it but DH didn't even touch it. Enjoy.

In The Life of...

2009-09-09T20:48:00.005-04:00

Do you remember the very first time I came to your life? Ahh, those are the days and it lasted for about a year depending on how much we see each other. I can process all your inquiries faster than you making your morning coffees, or doing quick visits to the bathroom. Yes, you will always remember those days as soon as something goes wrong with me. Now, you will try everything in your power to make me run just like before. I wish I can send you a message to tell you what is wrong with me. Let’s start with my hard drive; have you ever run a defragged on them? My temporary files, cookies, history, recycle bin and cache our over flowing with junks. Will you please run your cleaners on them once in awhile?

I may have a 17” display, wireless card, Windows Vista Home Premium, 2.30 GHz AMD Turion 64x2 processor, 2GB memory, 230GB hard drive and DVD+-RW TS-L632H ATA DVD/CD-ROM Drives but, they are nothing if I don’t run the way I am suppose to. I’m not really sure if I resemble any HP because I was custom made by you. (My image below, I'm the one on the right.)

Furthermore, don’t get me started with your none-stop downloads and those infected sites that you always visit. I can only take so much and if you don’t take care of me and watch you are doing to me, I will not last very long. We can always start fresh if you want to reformat my hard drive. I will like that very much.

Anyway, if you don’t want to do all that, you can head to HP Home Store and use coupon code SV2132 to get $30 off orders $150 or greater. It is valid until 10/31 or supplies last. Restrictions and exclusions apply.