COOLEST TIP EVER!!!

I found this little gem of a video yesterday and it was instantly one of those moments where you close your eyes and think to yourself...DUH!! Why didn't I know about this 20 years ago!!!If you EVER use frosting bags and tips, you HAVE to watch this video from Karen's Cookies. It will make your day, I promise!!CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VI...

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BEST CARROT CAKE IN THE WORLD

Carrot Cake recipes are a dime a dozen, everyone has one. I have been making the same old recipe (not this one) for as long as I can remember, but today's post is replacing that old recipe card for sure. This recipe is SO good ...full of carrots, pineapple, coconut, pecans and raisins; it is beyond delicious.DESSERT IDEA - NOT JUST A CUPCAKE While still warm,  slice...

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CROCKPOT CHICKEN CHILI

This is a new recipe for us and I must tell you it was delightful. It is one of those rare recipes that is not only good for you, but it's very tasty, very hearty and it rings all the familiar bells of comfort food.This recipe is also a breeze to make because you put most of the ingredients in the crockpot the night BEFORE you want to serve it (no need to pre-soak...

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PISTACHIO PUDDING with a twist

Today's post is more of an idea, rather than a real recipe. Picky-picky husband loves the old Watergate Salad. I never thought of it as a salad, but that's what they called it: instant pistachio pudding, Cool Whip and crushed pineapple...talk about shades of childhood!!I re-discovered the old recipe recently and remembered that I haven't made it in years because Cool Whip now gives hubby indigestion,...

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Sizzling Tofu Sisig Recipe

Finding out that I was co-hosting with Thea of Words and Nosh for the start of this wonderful year was such a pleasure, just in time when I got back to blogging again. As Thea celebrates her big 3-0 this month -- Happy Birthday Thea!!! --, we were more than excited to challenge the Kulinarya Cooking Club members to cook up their favorite birthday treat, but at a healthier note to start of the...

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Making Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky is really easy to make if you have a smoker or food dehydrator. I have been recently experimenting with it lately and have been pretty pleased with the results. Top Round Beef Jerky5 lbs - thinly sliced top round1/2 cup worcestershire sauce1/2 cup light soy sauce1 tablespoon liquid smoke2 teaspoons fine ground black pepper1 tablespoon granulated onion or onion powder2 teaspoons granulated or powdered garlic1 teaspoon red pepper flakes1 level teaspoon pink salt1 tablespoon honey or brown...

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QUICK STEAK and GRAVY

This great week night dinner is fast and satisfying for sure.  It is  made with cubed beef steak and is versatile enough to feed two or twenty.  It's rich brown gravy is flawless and the whole thing is table ready in about 35  minutes (depending on the thickness of your cube steak).The ingredients listed here are for one pound of cubed beef steak (it makes about 2 cups of gravy)....

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Lunch in Kangaroo Jack - SM North EDSA

It's been a busy couple of weeks, and so far this year turns out to be more of a challenge than I thought. I couldn't find time to cook or bake anything, and with both Alex and I being busy in our own separate ways, we decided to just eat out every now and then. After watching Coriolanus in SM North we decided to head on to Kangaroo Jack for a late lunch. A warm plate of ribs seemed fitting...

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PEANUT BUTTER KRISPIE TREATS

This recipe has been around forever; it is one of those classic sweet treats from our childhood.  Picky-picky husband is a big fan of the old fashioned Rice Krispie treats made with melted marshmallows, so he initially resisted this peanut butter version (he resists change).  However, this evening, I noticed that the pan of treats, on the kitchen counter, had been seriously noshed upon.This...

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APPLE and HERB PORK CHOPS

It has been very cold and snowy here, even for Alaska (-16 last night), so we have been "hunkering down" close to home lately. This type of weather inspires me in the kitchen for some strange reason and the result of that "hunkering" is today's Apple and Herb Pork Chops, they are "fall apart tender" and a nice change from traditional fried pork chops.(4) ¾” thick pork chops (pork sirloins...

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BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING

Butterscotch is one of picky-picky husbands favorite flavors, so I have tried a LOT of butterscotch pudding recipes, looking for the best one.  This recipe, is definitely the best one so far!! It is, easy, rich, sweet and VERY butterscotch-y. We like this served as a pudding, but the consistency would make a great pie as well.1½ cups packed brown sugar (I use dark)4 tablespoons cornstarch3...

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Juan Carlo The Caterer: The Choice For Weddings and Debuts 2012

The rate at which time flies makes my head spin uncontrollably. I can't believe that in a few days, February will knock on our doors and before you know it, everyone's falling in love and getting married just in time for Valentines Day. But just in case you're not tying the knot nor celebrating your debut next month, then maybe it's only fitting to get ideas and inspiration from the upcoming...

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BIG SNOW and SPAGHETTI

On snowy winter days, when it is good to stay close to home, I enjoy making dinner in the slow cooker. One of our favorite's is spaghetti; our kids were raised on this recipe and it is one of picky-picky husbands favorites.The thick and hearty sauce and tender meatballs really need a solid six hours or more in the slow cooker, so don't be tempted to rush this recipe. I love the way my kitchen smells...

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CHOCOLATE SILK PIE

Have you ever had a cream pie dessert that, was (not only) outrageously delicious, but the "mouth feel" was absolutely sublime? That perfectly describes this chocolate silk pie; it is the smoothest, creamiest chocolate filling we have ever eaten !!Sorry about not having a photo of the final decorated pie.CRUST   (see note below)1¼ cups flour1/2 cup finely chopped...

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CHERRY PIE BITES

My picky-picky husband LOVES cherry pie, but for some reason, he gets overwhelmed with a whole pie, go figure!!  I think it is the whole "get out a plate and fork" thing, haha!!  So, I decided to take a cue from Shelby, over at Life and Loves of Grumpys Honeybunch . She recently posted some little blueberry tarts (which I made at Christmas and they were fantastic), so I decided to do them...

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Kid At Heart With Iced Gems Biscuits

I remember munching on those pretty colorful little round biscuits topped with a mound of icing. My mom used to buy those for us when we were still kids, and my sister and I can devour a huge bag in seconds. A few days ago while passing by outside Robinsons Ermita, Alex and I chanced upon a vendor selling these treats. While I practically would not buy from street vendors selling huge bags...

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ALMOND TOFFEE GRAHAMS

If you like Almond Roca candy, you will love this recipe !!The first time I ate Almond Toffee Grahams was at a cookie exchange about 20+ years ago. With tons of cookies to choose from, I noticed people kept going back to the Almond Toffee Graham plate; one taste and I was "hooked".  When I found out how simple and fast they were to make, I was shocked (they taste complicated). I made them for some friends this Christmas and they were a huge hit !!What do they taste like? Well, the cooked caramel...

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The Best Hangtown Fry

The Hangtown Fry originated in the gold fields of California back in the 1850's. Legend has it that a miner struck it rich and went into a restaurant in Placerville, Ca and asked for the most expensive meal that they could make. The combination of fried oysters, eggs, bacon and cream was what they were able to come up with. Our version isn't the original but I think you are going to like it a lot better even though you have to go through a couple of extra steps to assemble what is basically a frittata....

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Langostino's in Taso Cream Sauce over Fried Polenta

We recently have had access to some nicely priced large bags of cooked and frozen Langostino's at our local Costco. Langostino's are tasty little slipper lobsters that are excellent in stews, soups, and pasta dishes. If you don't have access to langostino's just substitute some shrimp or scallops.This is a great dish that has multiple levels of flavors and texture that is really easy to make. If you serve this at a dinner party people are going to really freak out because this is really good and...

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Cioppino

Cioppino originated in San Francisco's traditionally Italian North Beach neighborhood.Local legend suggests that the name of the seafood stew originated from the custom of "chipping in" ingredients into a boiling pot after a day out on the bay fishing to create a communal meal.Cioppino is a real simple dish that anyone can make. The freshness of the seafood and the layering of the flavors in the broth...

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