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Q: What's almond and yummy all over?

2009-02-14T14:34:27Z

I was asked to bring dessert for my family's Chinese New Year celebration dinner. More specifically, my oldest sister requested I make an almond dessert - to go with the 'chinesey" theme. As actual Chinese desserts choices are very limited, only almond cookies and almond jelly (jello) came to mind. Since I've always considered cookies as treats more than a dessert, I settled on making almond jello. Although I think its tasty, I've never cared for the almost rubbery consistency of almond jello (at least the kind we get at our local dim-sum place). My sister suggested I try making an almond panna cotta. ]]> Almond Breeze)**, divided 2/3 cup half-and-half 1/3 cup sugar 1 (6-inch) piece vanilla bean, split lengthwise and divided 1/2 tablespoon almond extract Sprinkle gelatin over 1/3 cup almond milk in a small bowl; let stand 4 minutes. Combine 1 1/3 cups of almond milk, half-and-half, sugar, and half of the vanilla bean in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat (do not boil). Remove from heat. Add gelatin mixture, stirring until the gelatin dissolves. Remove vanilla bean. Pour mixture evenly into 6 (6-ounce) custard cups coated with cooking spray. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight. Loosen edges of custards with a knife or rubber spatula. Place a dessert plate, upside down, on top of each cup; invert onto plates. Garnish as desired (I used mandarin organge segments from a jar and a little bit of the syrup). ** Almond Breeze (original flavor) can be found in the organic food section of your grocery store. If you can't find it, use whole milk.

February '09.... What's New

2009-02-12T07:11:53Z

Wow...I've let a long time pass between entries. I'll try to be more consistent this year. Here are a couple of items from this past Christmas to add to the "swear by" list: 1. Poloroid PoGo printer- This printer is compact enough to fit in your purse or pocket. Just attach to your camera and it instantly prints the cutest business card sized pictures. Even better, the back of the pictures are peel and stick! I took it to several holiday parties and it was fun to share instant memories! 2. Blurb.com - A publishing site for home authors and photographers. I created the most beautiful "coffee table" book from pictures of our Mediterranean cruise last fall. It was incredibly easy and the result was so amazing - some people actually thought it was from Barnes & Noble or something. I highly recommend this site!

Dang Tarts!

2008-05-23T05:57:53Z

What's your favorite dim sum dish? Ask any self respecting dim-summer and 9 times out of 10 they'll tell you daan taats. Darn what? You ask. Daan taats - those yummy, sunny yellow, egg custardy concoctions with the flaky crust, pure bliss I tell you! They're usually served alongside other sweets and pastries on the dessert cart during dim sum, but I don't know anybody that saves them for dessert. I thought I'd give a try at baking these at home. The custard part tastes close to the real thing, unfortch I can't seem to get the pastry crust right. Twice, I've made these in mini muffin pans and although the crust isn't flaky, these little pastries still go fast: For these daan taats I used the simplest recipe I could find online ]]> Egg Custard Tarts From "Dim Sum" by Rhoda Yee Ingredients Tart Pastry: 1/4 c Butter 1/4 c Lard (Note: I substituted with Crisco shortening... maybe reason why crust isnt turning out flaky) 1 Egg 6 tb Sugar 2 c Sifted all purpose flour. Egg Custard Filling: 2 Whole extra large eggs 3 Extra large egg yolks 1 c Whole milk 1/2 c Half and half 1 c Sugar Instructions For pastry tart shell: Cream the butter with lard. Add egg and sugar. Beat well. Add flour, 1 cup at a time. The dough will be mealy. Work quickly with your hands to gather dough into a ball. Knead lightly so the mixture adheres. You may chill it at this point while making the filling. For Egg Custard Filling: Be sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. Beat whole eggs at low speed with egg yolks well. Do not over beat, add sugar, then milk, then half and half. Let mixture rest 10 - 15 minutes. Skim foam from mixture. Separate dough into 24 ball. Press each into 2 1/2 inch tart shell to an even layer across the bottom and all the way up the side. Fill shell with filling almost to the top. Preheat oven to 300. Place tarts on cooky sheet and bake for 45 minutes. Cool for 10 - 15 minutes. Loosen slightly by inserting a toothpick along the sides. Tart shell should unmold easily. Rhoda Yees comments: It is important that the ingredients for the filling be at room temperature and beaten over a bowl of warm water. Cold ingredients will cause filling to separate during baking. By skimming off the foam, the custard will have a golden, creamy appearance with a velvety smooth texture which is a most unique and delightful gastronomic treat! Do not bake at high heat, this will cause the custard to bubble up like a balloon and burst.

A Cat Named Bunny

2008-04-24T01:16:29Z

In Loving Memory of the sweetest, cutest, most loving, most wonderful kitty. Ever. Bunny. 1992-2008

February '08.... What's New

2008-02-29T05:39:33Z

Wow! Wasn't New Years (Gregorian, not Chinese lunar) just the other day? Yet another month has passed us by. Here are a couple of new items to add to my "Swear By" list: 1. Buxom Lips by Bare Ecsentuals in "Trixie". This ain't your average lip gloss - this is more, they call it LIP POLISH. Goes on silky, smells heavenly, and it leaves this wonderful tingly feeling that makes your lips feel like they really are bee stung (minus the pain, of course). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this product! 2. Hershey's Really Nuts! Chocolate Cocoa Peanuts - It doesn't get any better than this. Chocolate covered peanuts, dusted in cocoa. Covers all groups - sweet, salty, powdery, silky, crunchy. Leaves your hands messy, but oh-so-worth-it! 3. Poket Sudoku by Technosource. I know, they say Sudoku is sooo 2 years ago, but I'm addicted. My sister #3 gave me an Illuminated Pocket Sudoku a couple of Christmases ago. I shoved it in a desk drawer and forgot all about it. I've recently found it again while shoving away this past Christmas' gifts and trinkets. I've been playing it every day for the past two months. I promise myself I'll stop after 2 or 3 games, and then realize I can't put it down. I'm jonesing to play as I type.

He "ADMIRES" Me?!?!?!

2008-02-19T03:55:05Z

My Sweety knows when it comes to flowers I'm partial to pinks and purples - pastels, lavender, hot pink, you name it. For Valentines day, I received this pretty arrangement: So I'm sitting there, relishing in my flower arrangement and thinking to myself, if pink and purple flowers can be so beautiful, then why are RED roses synonymous with Valentines? Well it turns out there's a meaning behind every color.... RED Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance, and a time-honored way to say "I love you." The red rose has long symbolized beauty and perfection. A bouquet of red roses is the perfect way to express your deep feelings for someone special. PINK As a symbol of grace and elegance, the pink rose is often given as an expression of admiration. Pink roses can also convey appreciation as well as joyfulness. Pink rose bouquets often impart a gentler meaning than their red counterparts. ]]> YELLOW The bright, sunny color of yellow roses evokes a feeling of warmth and happiness. The warm feelings associated with the yellow rose are often akin to those shared with a true friend. As such, the yellow rose is an ideal symbol for joy and friendship. WHITE White roses represent innocence and purity and are traditionally associated with marriages and new beginnings. The white rose is also a symbol of honor and reverence, and white rose arrangements are often used as an expression of remembrance. ORANGE With their blazing energy, orange roses are the embodiment of desire and enthusiasm. Orange roses often symbolize passion and excitement and are an expression of fervent romance. A bouquet of orange roses will send a meaningful message. LAVENDER The unique beauty of the lavender rose has captured many hearts and imaginations. With their fantastical appearance, lavender roses are a perfect symbol of enchantment. The lavender rose is also traditionally used to express feelings of love at first sight. What a shame, he sends me such pretty flowers - and the only thing he's conveying to me is he ADMIRES and APPRECIATES me, and his feelings for me are probably not as deep as they would be if he had sent me red roses. Oh well... at least he didn't send me yellow roses. :-)

Crying Over Petfood

2008-02-14T03:31:25Z

a Pedigree dogfood commercial that is. In what has got to be the most effective advertisement campaign EVER promoting pet adoption - I cry everytime I see this stupid commercial. How could anybody possibly pass up this cute little pup? If this commercial doesn't move you... then you have no soul. (Sort of GOOD NEWS: a couple of sites, mostly forums, are claiming that Echo was adopted in November of 2007... but I can't seem to find confirmation from a credible source).

I Wanna Hold Your Hand...

2008-02-10T22:37:24Z

I've spent the morning shopping for music on itunes and came across this little gem from Across the Universe. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" performed by T.V. Carpio, who plays Prudence in the movie (I haven't seen it, but it's out on DVD). The movie's characters and music are based on popular Beatles tunes and this version of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" is so haunting - I've been running down the batteries on my nano replaying this song. And yes, the song is intended to be sung by a guy - "please let me be your man".... but in the movie, Prudence has a crush on her female friend.

Aw Rats...

2008-02-07T02:49:31Z

Kung Hee Fat Choy!!!!!! Tomorrow marks the lunar new year - Year of the Rat: I have no affinity for rodents, but here's to hoping Chinese lunar year 4705 is the most prosperous year yet! Now where's my freakin' lucky money? A Ratty Year Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in rat years tend to be leaders, pioneers, and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, William Shakespeare, and Mozart were all born in the year of the rat.

January '08 ... What's New

2008-01-31T02:25:51Z

Four new things to add to my "Swear By" category... 1) LATEST TUNES: The Trumpet Child by Over The Rhine ... been playing it non-stop since I got it. "Trouble" is my favorite track, but the entire album is excellent. 2) CURRENT READ: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Catherine and Mr. Tilney have NOTHING on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but to quote the heroine, Catherine, in Chapter 14, "...but it is a nice book, and why should not I call it so?" Wasn't aware this novel even existed until the Complete Jane Austen series started on PBS this month. 3) CURRENT SCENT: Vera Wang Princess One of the three things a girl should never buy for herself (jewelry, chocolates, and perfume)... this was a favorite Christmas gift from my Sweety. Here's the product description: Created for the playful, unpredictable, independent woman who treats every day like an event and adventure. This is a woman who likes to make her own magic, this sheer, flirty blend of water lily, lady apple, mandarin meringue, and golden apricot skin are melded with sheer floral notes, accented with dark chocolate, and finished with a pink frosting accord, amber, warm woods, musk, and vanilla - a whimsical treat. Notes: Water Lily, Lady Apple, Mandarin Meringue, Golden Apricot Skin, Ripe Pink Guava, Tahitian Flower, Wild Tuberose, Dark Chocolate, Pink Frosting Accord, Precious Amber, Forbidden Woods, Royal Musk Captive, Chiffon Vanilla. Style: Sheer. Tropical. Delectable. 4: BETTER THAN CRACK: Jasmine Tea Balls from Caribou Coffee Goodbye Diet Coke! Finally, an addiction that's actually good for me.

That's no bunny...

2007-12-29T07:47:24Z

One of my favorite gifts this Christmas! Aside from the fact they're two sizes too big for my feet (even though it says size 7 on the bottom), these slippers are oh-so-comfy and they make me smile every time I look down.... perfect for shlumping around the house.

Perfeter...profitiri....uhh... Cream Puff.

2007-12-24T07:27:22Z

I've mastered another favorite dessert! Have you heard of profiteroles - those yummy little puff pastry concoctions you get at french restaurants, filled with ice cream and topped with fudge sauce? Well I know how to make them now! I served these for Thanksgiving.... And who knew it would be so easy to prepare?!?!? Profiteroles: Basic Cream Puff pastry (Pate a Choux) recipe Vanilla Ice Cream (recommend Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean) Hot fudge sauce recipe Bake pastry puffs, cut in center (don't go all the way through) and fill with ice cream. Top with hot fudge sauce. Enjoy. These are to die for.... Trust!

Reaping and "Pliage"ing

2007-10-27T04:07:57Z

Yeah it sucks to be the youngest of so many sisters... a lifetime of hand-me-down sucks. However - every now and then - it also pays off. Case in point, my Sister #5. Just in time for the fall season, she was scoping out the sales rack at Bloomies in Boston and came across this: Longchamp's Le Pliage Large Tote: Lightweight nylon signature large tote. Leather double shoulder straps and flap with snap. Top zip closure. Folds up for travel. Interior pocket. 13"W x 13"H x 7 1/2"D; 10" drop from shoulder So here''s the scenario: My sister had long had a blue Pliage bag that I've been eyeing and almost stole from her the last time she visited to take for my trip to Paris this past spring...so one Saturday afternoon in September I received a call from her and it went something like this: Me: Hello? #5: Hey Stupid... Me: WTF do you want? #5: I'm at Bloomingdales and that bag of mine you like is on sale. What color do you want? Black or red? Me: Black, it goes with everything #5: Ok, whatever, bye. [Can you sense the sisterly love?] A week later I receive this in the mail... ...of course it isn't black, but it still goes with everything.

C.C.C.

2007-09-11T06:22:32Z

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake... 'nuff said. Promised a coworker I'd bake him a batch of my mini-cheesecakes. I've grown tired of the fruit topped variety I've been making all summer, so I thought I'd try something new. Hit the grocery store for supplies and inspiration and then I saw it... what better addition to my mini-cheesecakes than mini chocolate chips! Nestle's Tollhouse Mini Morsels, to be exact. Oh so cute! So using my Superr Easy Cheesecake recipe (linked above), I substituted chocolate grahams for regular, and omitted the lemon zest and juice and added a 1/4 cup of mini chips. Furthermore, before adding the mini chips, I tossed them in a little bit of flour to prevent the chips from falling to the bottom when baking - a tip I picked up from the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Gartner (love, love her!). Of course, I may have royally ruined the recipe with the addition of the flour, but it looks good, non?

Don't Drink the Soap...

2007-09-04T04:26:01Z

Adding this to my "Swear By" category. One of my sisters recently gave me a bottle of lemongrass and mandarin. Exotic tea blend you're thinking? Nope. Thai cooking sauce? Nope. New vodka flavor? Nope. It was a bottle of Bath & Body Works' Energizing Hand Soap in Lemongrass and Mandarin. I swear, if my fantasy dream of vacationing in Tahiti had a smell, this is what it would smell like. Just heavenly. Not only does it leave a tingly feeling, it smells so good, you can almost taste it - citrusy, minty, gingery and peppery (ok, so I'm not the most versed person around). Next time you're wondering what to get me for a gift, I'll gladly accept a bottle of this...or two.