The adventure of my cooking diary

Black and white pound cake
Recipe from the ultimate book of baking.

4 1-ounce squares semisweet chocolate
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups (4 sticks) butter, at room temperature
31/3 cups sugar ( I used 3 cups sugar)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
10 eggs, at room temperature
confectioners sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line the bottom of a 10-inch tube pan with wax paper and grease. Dust with flour and spread evenly with a brush.

Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler, or in heatproof bowl set over a pan of hot water. Stir occasionally. Set aside.

In a bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. In another bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 2 at a time, then gradually in corporate the flour mixture on low speed.

Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan.

Stir the chocolate into the remaining butter, then spoon into the pan. With a metal spatula, swirl the two batters to create a marble effect.

Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30-45 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes, then unmold and transfer to a cooling rack. To serve, dust with confectioners sugar.

Hope you enjoy this great spring as much as I do!

HERE IS WHERE YOU PLACE THE HIDDEN TEXT.

That day was a beautiful day so I was feeling very happy. The sun finally came out and the temperature was getting warmer even though it was still quite breezy. My lil N and I went out to clean up the yard. Left over leaves from last year which we didn't have a chance to get all cleaned up, as the winter came so early last year.

My son was pretty helpful boy not much he could do but just to see him enjoy the outdoor fun it brought me joy. At least that day we weren't stuck at home. Nathaniel saw the nice leaf piles I had made and couldn't resist but to jump in them and make a huge mess AGAIN!

Yellow Fried Rice
1 ½ cups medium grain rice
2 eggs
salt and pepper
tomatoes
frozen veggies (green beans, carrots, corns)
shrimps
3 garlic clove, crushed
2 shallot, crushed
green onion, chopped
turmeric
½ tsp chinese five-spice powder

Cook the rice in boiling water or cook it on rice cooker.

Beat each egg separately with 2 teaspoons of cold water and salt and pepper. Fry separately like scrambled eggs.

Heat the oil in a preheated wok or large skillet. Add the garlic, shallot, chinese five-spices and turmeric. Stir-fry for 30 seconds.

And vegetables and shrimps. Stir-fry ingredients in the wok for 2 minutes.

Stir rice and scramble eggs into the mixture in the wok for one more minute. And transfer to serving dishes.

Yes it is officially spring here, and I am hoping we will have more and more nice day. So I can play outside with my dear son.

Happy Spring!

I am longing for spring, raining and foggy most of the time lately. The temperature is still cold but I thankful it hasn't been snowing for awhile now. Rain fell pretty hard last week end. We were trapped in the house just relaxing. The sound of rain drops somehow turned my mood toward baking again, as well as my hubby and son were asking me about something good for dessert. While they were playing I spent time in the kitchen alone making brownies. Chocolate is always become our family favorite. That explain huh why my diet doesn't work.

M&M double-chocolate brownies
Adapted from family circle magazine

¾ cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
4 ounces (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanila extract
1 cup chopped pecans
1 bag (12 ounces) chocolate chips (2 cups)
M&M candy

Heat oven to 350F. Line 13x9x2-inch baking pan with nonstick foil.

In large glass bowl, heat butter and chocolate in microwave on high for 2 minutes; stir until smooth. Let stand 5 minutes to cool slightly. Whisk in sugar, eggs, flour and vanila. Stir in pecans and half of the chocolate chips (1 cup). Transfer batter to prepared pan. Sprinkle with remining 1 cupa chocolate chips and M&M

Bake at 350F for 35 minutes, until top is dry to the touch. Let cool completely in pan on wire rack. Lift brownie from pan with foil. Cut into squares and serve.

Maybe you notice that America right now is dealing with a recession. Many people have lost their jobs, homes and the number of people who claimed bankruptcy is higher. I saw some people around me dealt with it and impacted their married life which unfortunately ended up in divorce court. It is very a sad ending.

What about me? My life is just okay. I am trying to hang on and deal with everyday matter and put difficult situation in HIS hand. Only HIM who hold tomorrow.... and counting my blessing, that the fact I have a hubby that loves me very much and a healthy handsome son who is the greatest thing in my life.

I remember, during Christmas time last year....
I was sitting in front of my computer, my son came to me and said “mommy I have a present for you”, Oh really?? what is it?
Then he ran to the other room and stayed quiet for a minute. Then gradually he came out and said “here I come”....

I saw a big green box moving toward me slowly, then it stopped right in front of me. “Wow, a walking present” ,me, saying with a funny sound. Then I heard him was giggling inside the box while his hand trying to break the top of the box.

A little head came out then I saw his face with his sour, funny and spoil mimic. “Me, mommy!!” That was the greatest present ever!

Somehow, I don't need any flowers, chocolate or a nice diamond on Valentine as our togetherness, laugh, giggle and kisses are better than any of those things.

Macaroni Cheese Casserole
Ingredient
1 pound of ground beef
1 box (6 oz) chicken stuffing mix
1 box 6 oz macaroni and cheese

1 can of spaghetti sauce
1 onion (chopped)
celery (chopped)
mix frozen vegetables
salt
pepper
Shredded cheese

Direction

Cook macaroni and cheese as the direction on the box. Do the same to the chicken stuffing. Put it aside.

In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until cooked.

In a baking dish, layered cooked macaroni, cheese, ground beef, frozen vegetables, onion, celery and stuffing. Pour one can of spaghetti sauce over then sprinkle shredded cheese on the top.

Bake, uncovered, at 375F for about 25-30 minutes or until cooked.

Spending my Christmas time with my beloved friend in New Jersey, Hilda. I had a lovely and fun time together with her, her hubby and the boys. At the same time I was meeting other two families which I was longing to meet. They are Claudia and Martha's family.

New York City is the famous city in the world perhaps. It was my first time visit. Tall buildings are everywhere and not much of space in between. This city is never sleep, always crowded and busy during the day and night.

At night, lights and Christmas decoration were struck me in awe even more. Street vendor were busy selling snacks such as pretzel, nuts and candy. Every stores either small and big they have their own holiday decorations. Surely, it was eye catching!

Fifth avenue what I have heard is the place where starts live. I was kinda looking forward to see Patrick Demsey my favorite movie start. Who know it will becoming my Christmas present. Ah ha... Love this guy so much. Not only handsome guy, but his personality according to my view that he is down to earth and devoted husband and father.

Those are my little stories of hope in the new year and our enjoyable vacation time.