Monday, August 31, 2009

Noodles!


Hand shaven noodles are great! I had my first serving just a few days ago. They are thick, chewy noodles, and a great changed to the Italian Style chow mein. They are great made with barley green powder, and sauteed with spinach! I highley recomond buying them. They shiud be full bodied, chewy and thick!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Ultimate Paella


Another recipe from Food Network. Yum! I LOVE Spanish cooking!

Spice Mix for chicken, recipe follows
1 (3-pound) frying chicken, cut into 10 pieces
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Spanish chorizo sausages, thickly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Spanish onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Bunch flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, reserve some for garnish
1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and hand-crushed
4 cups short grain Spanish rice
6 cups water, warm
Generous pinch saffron threads
1 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed
1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and de-veined
2 lobster tails
1/2 cup sweet peas, frozen and thawed
Lemon wedges, for serving
Special equipment:
Large paella pan or wide shallow skillet
Directions
Rub the spice mix all over the chicken and marinate chicken for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

Heat oil in a paella pan over medium-high heat. Saute the chorizo until browned, remove and reserve. Add chicken skin-side down and brown on all sides, turning with tongs. Add salt and freshly ground pepper. Remove from pan and reserve.

In the same pan, make a sofrito by sauteing the onions, garlic, and parsley. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes on a medium heat. Then, add tomatoes and cook until the mixture caramelizes a bit and the flavors meld. Fold in the rice and stir-fry to coat the grains. Pour in water and simmer for 10 minutes, gently moving the pan around so the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the liquid. Add chicken, chorizo, and saffron. Add the clams and shrimp, tucking them into the rice. The shrimp will take about 8 minutes to cook. Give the paella a good shake and let it simmer, without stirring, until the rice is al dente, for about 15 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, when the rice is filling the pan, add the lobster tails. When the paella is cooked and the rice looks fluffy and moist, turn the heat up for 40 seconds until you can smell the rice toast at the bottom, then it's perfect.

Cook's note: The ideal paella has a toasted rice bottom called socarrat.

Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with peas, parsley and lemon wedges.

Spice Mix for chicken:

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

2 teaspoons dried oregano

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken; marinate for 1 hour, covered

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Alpha Dawg


Teddy Hilton, Perez Hilton's ah-dorable labradoodle is so cute!
Gossip wise, Teddy is as famous as Perez! He's even landed a magazine cover!
Doodles are such good dogs Being a proud owner of the fluffy Prince Dallas Carmello, I highly recomond a goldendoodle or labradoodle!
I love Teddy and Perez! And they both have a love for Hello kitty! Me too!!
Yaaay!

Crepes si'l vous plais!


Mmm... Crepes. . The thin, delicate, and crispy French "Pancakes". My personal faveorite is when they are sweet, topped with fruits,berries, whipped cream and chocolate! A perfect breakfast paired with turkey bacon, hot chocolate or coffee au lait, here is a sweet recipe from food network.

(5 servings, 18 min cooking time)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoons salt

1 cup milk (preferably whole)

2 eggs

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon melted butter, plus more for cooking crepes

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract




Serving suggestions:

Jam

Honey

Sugar

Chocolate hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)

Peanut butter

Sliced bananas




Put the flour and salt and in a large mixing bowl. Gradually whisk in the milk. Whisk in the eggs, 1 at a time, and then whisk in the sugar, melted butter, and vanilla. Cover and let rest in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.




Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Melt a small pat of butter in the pat and swirl around so that it lightly coats the surface.




Add 1/3 cup of the batter and move your wrist in a circular pattern to coat the pan with thin even layer of batter. Cook for about 1 minute or until the first side browns lightly, then flip and cook 45 seconds to 1 minute longer. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining batter.



Fill with jam, honey, sugar, chocolate hazelnut spread, peanut butter, bananas - anything sweet that you enjoy from your pantry!


Alaya's toppings/fills- Nutella,strawberry jam, whipped cream,ice cream, chocolate syrup,caramel,bannanas,strawberries.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Froyo 4 cheap!


Want to buy froyo instead of waisting gas for soft serve? Even though it's not the same experience, but bulk candy,snack packs and ice cream cases equal a money friendly yummy replacement!

Top 3

1.Trader Joe's Frozen Yogurt(vanilla)

2. Dryer's Frozen Yogurt(vanilla)

3. Freeze a Yoplait Whips!

Or just make your own!

Strawberry Sorbet


You never need to add rum, but it's a nice dash of flavor!
From my buttery fingers. (mybutteryfingers.blogspot.com/)

30ml + 3tbsp Water (measured separately)
70g Sugar
300g Strawberries, hulled and halved
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1tbsp Rum
5g Gelatine

*Amounts of sugar and lemon juice can be adjusted accordingly to suit the strawberry's sweetness or tartness

1. Place the 3tbsp water in a small, microwaveable bowl and sprinkle on the gelatine. Leave for it to bloom.
2. In a small saucepan, place the sugar and the remaining water and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
3. Place the strawberries, lemon juice, rum and the cold syrup into a blender. Whizz until the the mixture is homogeneous. Transfer into a large bowl.
4. Place the gelatine mixture into the microwave and heat it on medium for around 30 seconds (or less) until the gelatine is thoroughly dissolved. Slowly mix it into the strawberry mixture.
5. Place the bowl on top of an ice bath and cool, stirring occasionally. The mixture should thicken slightly.
6. Churn the mixture for around 20 minutes or until frozen

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Woodstock



Summer brings woodstock! Here are some spring and fall fashions that bring the flower power to life!

Flare Jeans

Hippie hair

Monday, August 17, 2009

Fierce!


To be called fierce is the highest form of fashion gawdliness. This term can be defined as-

Leather Bags

Red lipstick

Cat eyes

Marc Jacobs campaigns.

His sultry, dark hared raven Daisy Lowe has totally taken the fashion world by storm. Her big lined eyes and alluring smirk is so, so, FIERCE!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Sangri-a!


Terribly corny title. Sorry peeps!
A recipe from mexicanfood.about.com

This brightly flavored beverage is great for adults and kids. Fruity and delicious it's a great treat on a hot day or a fun fiesta.
Ingredients:
1 quart pomegranate juice
2 cups papaya or mango juice (substitute apple if necessary)
1 orange
6-8 strawberries
2 kiwis
1 mango or papaya
1/2 cup sugar
Preparation:
Mix juices and sugar until sugar dissolves. Wash orange and berries and slice into thin slices. Remove mango or papaya skin and cut fruit into chunks. Remove kiwi skin and cut into thick slices. Place all fruit into juice and let flavors meld in fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight before serving.
Serve garnished with fruit slices.


It's pomegranate! Fresh and fruity stuff! YAAAAHOUHOU!

XOXO Alaya

All about me!


2 posts today people! I repeat- 2 posts!! XD
Right now its all about me,myself and Moi!!
Yesh, me me and me!

Fave color: Royal purple
Fave type of food: Japanese with a twist.
Fave entree: Ebi sashimi with gyoza.
Fave snackie: Froyo! Or chocolate truffles.
Fave cupcake: Devils food cake with ganache filling and chocolate frosting.
Fave froyo: CeFiore original with pinapple, chocolate chips and strawberries.
Fave Fashion Designer: Marc Jacobs/ The Juicy girls.
Fave shoe line: Betseyville by Betsey Johnson.
Fave bag: A puffy Italian Leather Fendi purse.
Fave fabric: Italian Leather
Fave make up: Benefit is so fierce!
Fave flavor lip gloss: Vanilla frosting!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Chocolate eclairs! Yaay!


*From Cooks.com*

1 c. water
1/2 c. butter
1 c. flour
4 eggs

Bring to rolling boil water and butter. Take off heat. Add flour and stir with spoon until ball can be formed. Add eggs. Beat like crazy. Mix until dough is very stiff; otherwise it will run all over pan. Drop by full teaspoons onto a cookie sheet for individual serving; put in a circular ring or in a strip. Bake 45-50 minutes at 400 degrees. Cool out of draft.

FILLING:

2 pkg. instant French vanilla pudding
2 1/2 c. milk
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix pudding and milk. Mix well. Fold in Cool Whip and vanilla. Slice eclair in half and fill generously with entire amount of filling. Replace top of eclair. Drizzle top of eclair with Chocolate Sauce.

CHOCOLATE SAUCE:

6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 c. canned milk
1/2 c. butter
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Melt chocolate chips and butter together. Gradually add milk and powdered sugar. Bring to boil. Stir continuously. Boil for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Makes 3/4 quart.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Yum! Cherry pie!


Another ah-mazing recipe from Kraft Foods!


What You Need4 cups pitted fresh sour cherries 1-1/2 cups sugar 3 Tbsp. MINUTE Tapioca 1/4 tsp. almond extract 1 pkg. (15 oz.) ready-to-use refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts) 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine, cut up Make It
PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Toss cherries with sugar, tapioca and extract. Let stand 15 min.

PREPARE pie crust as directed on package for 2-crust pie, using 9-inch pie plate. Fill with cherry mixture. Dot with butter. Cover with second pie crust. Seal and flute edge. Cut several slits in top crust to permit steam to escape.

BAKE 45 to 50 min. or until juices form bubbles that burst slowly. Cool.
Kraft Kitchens TipsSubstituteSubstitute frozen sour cherries, thawed and drained, for the fresh sour cherries.How to Make Lattice-Top PiePrepare bottom crust and fill with cherry filling as directed. Cut second pie crust into 10 (1/2-inch-wide) strips with pastry wheel or sharp knife. Place five of the strips over filling. Weave lattice crust with remaining strips by folding back alternate strips as each cross-strip is added. Fold trimmed edge of lower crust over ends of strips. Seal and flute edge. Bake as directed.Jazz It UpServe topped with 1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Chocolate Sorbet Recipe


I think I have became addicted to posting recipes! I would blog more, but I find so many yummy recipes! This sorbet requires and Ice Cream Maker.

1 cup (3.25 oz) cocoa
Scant 1 cup sugar
2 tiny pinches salt
2 cups boiling water
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tbsp rum or vodka (optional)

Combine cocoa, sugar, salt in saucepan and whisk in 1/2 cup boiling water to make a thick paste. Add the remaining water. Stir over medium heat just until tiny bubbles form at the edges of the pan. Don’t cook any longer, as the heat can damage the flavor of the cocoa.

Take the mixture off the heat and add the vanilla. Refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours. Add the rum or vodka, if using. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Harden the sorbet in the freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours.

Note: The flavor is so rich that you can substitute half of the water with milk.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Pad Thai Recipe


From ThaiTable.com

Pad Thai - This Pad Thai recipe is how you actually find it in Bangkok and comes from testing hundreds of different variations from food carts all over the city. Pad Thai is the ultimate street food. While "street food" may sound bad, food cart cooks are in such a competitive situation, with such limited space, ingredients and tools they need to specialize in a dish or two just to stay in business. The best of these cooks have cooked the same dish day-after-day, year-after-year, constantly perfecting it.

Great Pad Thai is dry and light bodied, with a fresh, complex, balanced flavor. I've never actually seen the red, oily pad thai in Thailand that is common in many western Thai restaurants.

The ingredients listed below can be somewhat intimidating but many are optional. If you would like to make authentic Pad Thai, just like in Thailand, use all the ingredients.

Pad Thai is another perfect vegetarian dish, just omit shrimp and substitute soy sauce for fish sauce. Add more tofu if you like.
2-3 Servings

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/2 lime
1 egg
4 teaspoons fish sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground dried chili pepper
ground pepper
1 shallot, minced
2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon tamarind
1/2 package Thai rice noodles
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2-1/4 lb shrimp Optional
1/2 banana flower Optional
1/3 cup tofu - extra firm Optional
1-1/2 cup Chinese chives - green Optional
2 tablespoons peanuts Optional
1-1/3 cup bean sprouts Optional
1 tablespoon preserved turnip Optional
Tips and substitutions
By far, the trickiest part is the soaked noodles. Noodles should be somewhat flexible and solid, not completely expanded and soft. When in doubt, undersoak. You can always add more water in the pan, but you can't take it out.

Shrimp can be substituted or omitted.

In this recipe, pre-ground pepper, particularly pre-ground white pepper is better than fresh ground pepper. For kids, omit the gound dried chilli pepper.

Tamarind adds some flavor and acidity, but you can substitute white vinegar.

The type of extra firm tofu called for this recipe can be found at most oriental groceries in a plastic bag, not in water. Some might be brown from soy sauce, but some white ones are also available. Pick whatever you like.

If you decided to include banana flower, cut lengthwise into sections (like orange sections). Rub any open cut with lime or lemon juice to prevent it from turning dark.

The original Pad Thai recipe calls for crushed roasted peanuts. Many people in Thailand avoid eating peanuts drom it's link to cancer.

Soak the dry noodles in lukewarm water while preparing the other ingredients, for 5-10 minutes. Julienne tofu and cut into 1 inch long matchsticks. When cut, the extra firm tofu should have a mozzarella cheese consistency. Cut up Chinese chives into 1 inch long pieces. Set aside a few fresh chives for a garnish. Rinse the bean sprouts and save half for serving fresh. Mince shallot and garlic together.

Use a wok. If you do not have a wok, any big pot will do. Heat it up on high heat and pour oil in the wok. Fry the peanuts until toasted and remove them from the wok. Add shallot, garlic and tofu and stir them until they start to brown. The noodles should be flexible but not expanded at this point. Drain the noodles and add to the wok. Stir quickly to keep things from sticking. Add tamarind, sugar, fish sauce, chili pepper and preserved turnip. Stir. The heat should remain high. If your wok is not hot enough, you will see a lot of juice in the wok at this point. Turn up the heat, if it is the case. Make room for the egg by pushing all noodles to the side of the wok. Crack the egg onto the wok and scramble it until it is almost all cooked. Fold the egg into the noodles. Add shrimp and stir. Add bean sprouts, chives. Stir a few more times. The noodles should be soft and very tangled.

Pour onto the serving plate and sprinkle with peanuts. Serve hot with the banana flower slice and a wedge of lime on the side and raw Chinese chives and raw bean sprouts on top.

As always, in Thailand, condiments such as sugar, chili pepper, vinegar and fish sauce are available at your table for your personal taste. Some people add more pepper or sugar at this point.

Mini Strawberry Cheescakes


From Kraft Foods.

Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 1 hr 15 min Makes: 24 servings Make It
BEAT Neufchatel with mixer until creamy. Blend in dry pudding mix. Gradually beat in milk. Stir in COOL WHIP.

PLACE 1 wafer on bottom of each of 24 (2-inch) paper baking cups; place in muffin pan. Cover with pudding mixture.

FREEZE 1 hour. Top with berries just before serving.

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/mini-strawberry-cheesecakes-111497.aspx

Extra credit- Top with strawberry toppings used for Shortcakes.

Oh my god!



CRAP! I missed my row of perfect blog entries! I am so bad! ( '^ - ^ )
Well, I am very happy because I may get to go to Red Mango today for yogurt!!
Schweet! Lately, also, I have gotten really caught up in Anime/Manga. I like Strawberry Marshmallow, Aranzi Hour, Tokyo Mew Mew and the Animal Crossing Anime versions. My friend wants me to read a series but I am being to lazy. I also like Fruit's Basket and Peach. I'm a sucker for romance comedy movies, books and anything else I can get my hands on. Mmm.. for Valentnes Day, Baskin Robbin's has this white chocolate ice cream ith rasberry and chocolate swirls and truffles wiith rasberry cream... It is so good...
Haha!
Luv you all

~Alaya