Salmon Crisp on a bed of lettuce salad with wasabi salad dressing

* Wasabi  dressing:
2 tbsp. sour cream
2 tbsp. mayo
1/4 tsp each of salt, pepper, garlic powder and sugar
wasabi paste as much as you want.
squirt of lemon or lime.
* Prepare all the salad ingredients like olives, tomatoes, cucumber, radish, and whatever you like, and let it rest in the fridge.
* For the lettuce salad, the trick is to drizzle a bit of dressing on it, mix it, and put this in the freezer while you fry the fish.

1. Marinate your fish with lemon, garlic, chopped parsley, salt and pepper for at least 20 mins.
2. Mix flour and garlic powder 7:1 ratio.
3. Beat an egg.
4. heat up the pan with oil good for frying.
5. Dip the fish in flour-egg-flour. Fry for at least 7 mins on each side, depending on the thickness of the fish.
6. Drain in paper towels.

* Assemble the salad. Drizzle more salad dressing and add some croutons and crispy onion bits if you have.
* Top it with the fish. Enjoy...

SansRival

Craving for this for a long time now, until Mama Bear Antunes brought a similar dish to our 'Ladies Birthday Celebrants Only' dinner. Checked a lot of different recipes, and thought I'd wing it.  :P)

 

Sans Rival

Make a Meringue:
5 egg whites
3 tbsp. caster sugar
½ tsp. cream of tartar.

Spread out flat on a greased baking paper lined oven tray. Bake in 150 degs C for 45 mins. Don't burn. Cool.

Dough: Beat in mixer (high)
5 egg yolks
4 tbsp sugar
(until fluffy)
Slowly add 60 ml veggie oil
add 1/4 to ½ cup buttermilk (or plain yougurt)
1 tsp. Vanilla flavouring
add ½ cup sifted cake flour.
Chopped almond is optional. (1/4 cup)

Put in another oven tray (same size of what was used in egg whites), lined with greased baking paper.

Bake in 185 degs C for 20 mins.
While cooling: Make the buttercream
* Beat 500 gms. room temp butter
* Add in batches : 1½ to 2 cups of icing sugar. (according to your taste)
* Alternating the icing sugar with 250 ml of warm whipping cream. (double cream)

* Add 1 tsp. Vanilla flavouring.
 Don't make this super sweet.

Layering:
1. Cut meringue and cake dough into 3, lengthwise.
2. First layer: cake dough
3. 2nd layer: thin spread of buttercream
4. 3rd layer: Meringue
5. 4th layer: thin spread of buttercream
6. 5th layer: sliced almonds (chips) You can use chopped almonds if thats whats available.
7. Reapeat the layers until all the meringue and cake dough are used.
8. Cover the sides with the rest of the buttercream.
9. Then sprinkle the rest of your almonds on the sides.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

My beautiful ladies! Thank you so much for tolerating my mischievous ways... Love you.

Turning Japanese

Choosing everyday meals for the family is turning out to be a job! Especially when you have made a couple of good meals in a row, members of the family, big and small, expects that you will top the previous meals. 

Having said that, I strongly believe that Japanese food is the simplest way of wowing anyone who would sit at your dining table. Clean flavours, uncomplicated processes, fresh and its up to you if you want to get filled or not.

So one night, I made Chicken katsu. It basically means 'cutlets'. This is an original Portuguese dish, brought to Japan, and twisted (in this case pounded) to cater to the Japanese palate.

* Chicken breasts, sliced thinly, wrapped in cling film, pounded.
* Dabbed with cornstarch (I added garlic powder in mine), dipped in whisked egg, then breaded with panko and sesame seeds mixture.
* Pan fried, no need to deep fry.

Served with heated soy sauce, mirin and teriyaki sauce mixture.

Eaten with steamed rice and a bowl of miso soup.

On another night, as I was busy working from home, I didn't really have time to cook. So I asked my lovely husband to grab fresh salmon (caught the same day) and chicken pieces.
Salmon was served as sashimi. 

* Sliced thinly, dipped in Japanese soy sauce with wasabi and a squirt of lemon. - from Wikipedia:  A reputed motivation for serving wasabi with sashimi (and also gari, pickled ginger), besides its flavor, is killing harmful bacteria and parasites that could be present in raw seafood.^[1]


Chicken pieces, marinated in yakitori soy sauce and and then fried in oil.

 

Result? A happy girl!

Christmas 2011

I guess I have been very good this year that Santa gave me this:

I'll be able to take better foody pics! yey...  Happy New Year!!!

Swim, swim in the deepest of seas... while baking on the side.: Another Cupcake craving

Swim, swim in the deepest of seas... while baking on the side.: Another Cupcake craving:

Another Cupcake craving

Since a despedida party will be held for another dear friend at my place, I thought I'd serve the cupcakes I have been craving for, for the last few days. And it ain't easy I tell yah, coz it comes with the baggages that stays on the belly!!! So I think it would be nice to share them with Paloma's (and my - ) friends. ööö)

And if I can't share these Banana Cupcakes to you,  (Nanette P.), then I'll share the recipe instead and hope that you like it.

First up, turn the oven to 175 degs C and prepare 16 to 18 cupcake liners. Depends how big the liners are, you can yield just 12 if you have the American sized papers.

In a bowl, sift together 260 gms. of cake flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 3/4 tsp. baking soda and a pinch of salt. Set this aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, weigh about 113 grams of butter at room temperature. Use medium speed of the mixer and slowly add 200 gms. of caster sugar (the most refined one), until its creamy and sugar has dissolved, about 2 mins. To this, add 2 large eggs or 3 small ones, one at a time, add 1 tsp. of very good vanilla extract. Once incorporated, add 3 large bananas that has been mashed up. (I used the bananas that has been sitting in my freezer-thawed. I usually keep the ones that are over riped in the freezer for times like this. If you see your bananas in the fruit basket with blotches of brown spots, its time to chuck them in a bag and freeze them). Mix this in high speed for about 1 min. then turn it back to medium speed and add 1/4 cup of plain youghurt.

Tablespoon by tablespoon, gradually add the flour to the mixture. Once incorporated, spoon up to 2/3 full to the cupcake liners. Bake from 15 to 20 mins. or until its springy to the touch. Or you know, when you insert that toothpick and it comes out clean?   ;P

Let it cool in a wire rack. I suggest you take the cupcakes out of the pan so it will not become soggy. Meanwhile, make your frosting.

Mix 50 grams of butter, room temp with 150 grms of icing sugar (sifted). Add 1 tsp. of vanilla extract or better yet, if you can find banana flavoring. Mc Cormick sells them in small bottles. If you think its not spreadable, you can adjust this by adding drops of hot milk or icing sugar. For more yellow effect, you can add a tinge of yellow food coloring. Enjoy!!!!

Blueberry cupcakes....

Made these today as well... Yummy. Though I used a very good blueberry jam instead, and doubled the recipe, to make a dozen.

Frosting is to die for!!!! just make sure you sieve the blueberry puree before using, so it will not get stuck to your piping bag.

Thanks to catesworldkitchen.com for this recipe! Love, love, love it!

Cupcake craving....

... SATISFIED!!!!

One day, my man left for a two-week work in Russia. So, called the masseuse,
got a massage and I baked cupcakes!!! And these bad girls were well received by my number one fan. My 7 yr old girl.

This is probably the best ever chocolate cupcakes I've baked for the last 18 years I have been baking. Yes! people.... I have been baking and cooking since I can reach the stove top.

Not to get too far from it, these cupcakes are moist and the frosting, heavenly. See recipe below:

Pre-heat the oven to 175 degs C and prepare cupcake tins for 24 pcs. of small ones or about 16 of large ones.

Boil 1 cup of milk in a small saucepan. Turn off heat, and add 50 grams of really good cocoa powder and stir until smooth. Leave to cool.

In a separate bowl, sift together 175 grams of flour (I used triple A cake flour), 2 tsp. baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

In your mixer, beat 113 grams of room temp butter until creamy. Gradually add 200 grams of caster sugar. Then add 2 large eggs, one at a time. Once fluffy cream, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Add ½ of the flour mixture, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the other ½ then slowly add the chocolate mixture.

Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter and bake for about 16 - 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. (Do not over bake or the cupcakes will be dry.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

For butter icing, melt 120 grams of unsweetened chocolate in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

In your mixer, beat 150 grams of room temp, unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Add 160 grams of confectioners sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract. Add the chocolate and beat on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until frosting is smooth and glossy (about 2 -3 minutes).

Frost those wonderful cupcakes with the delicious frosting!!! Enjoy....

Olen Suomalainen!!!

February 14th is a massive propaganda induced, money earner kind of holiday celebrated around the world. Well, at least in most country. So, I did my part to get a bit of a share from that money earning scheme using my passion for baking and one of the best tools in the world: the blog!!! ( http://partyfairiesandkamoteques.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-day-give-aways.html)

But as I woke up on that day, (after spending the whole night baking and wrapping...) it wasn't the way I expected it would be. There was no breakfast in bed, no roses, no hugs and kisses that morning. Instead, I was greeted by a grumpy husband and a "känkäränkä" (cranky) child.

As the day progressed, I was able to keep up the smiles as people compliment the goodies I baked and carefully wrapped in girly boxes. Though the harsh, cold weather didn't help (-20 degs C) at least it was quite busy at work that I didn't notice, it was time to go home. Little did I know, something big is waiting for me. Maybe this is what my horoscope said: "A big news will come your way"!!! haha. I admit, I do read those. Oh well, maybe.

The paper was from the immigration. The letter was in a government stationary. The note was in Finnish. "Must apply for a Finnish passport".

A day that ended on a definite high note! My Finnish citizenship was granted on the 10th of February, 2011. So lets see whats in store for me. :P

Pretending to be summer!!!

I really think that summer has forgotten Finland!
Although today, it was quite warm that it actually made me take my bike once again. I enjoyed it a lot. Checking out what the market square has to offer. Its not about the shopping, but the fact that everyone is out and about, havin a beer or two at the terraces, lunches with friends, or just merely enjoying the sun, reading a book by the park.

Met Toni and Ria in the center and had a Mexican dinner at Gringos locos. And what do you know??? Ria couldn't ride her bike home, seeing as she was so full and going back home, it is actually uphill.


At Gringos Locos

So, we parked by the Esplanadi park, and got her to buy ice cream by herself for the first time. She got what she wants, so thats a good sign. I know. She's almost seven, and she never really had the chance to have cash on hand and buy something for herself. We don't have "Aling Doning's sari-sari" store on every street corner here. And I think that its better she didn't learn the concept of "trading" very early on in life.

So tomorrow, I might be able to take some pics of the market square, or even just the stands that sells berries and veggies. If its not raining... gotta check the weather news now. :)

Plan B!!! This shouldn't be too hard...

Yes! I am finally sitting down and getting most of the papers and websites done, and up and running. Well, not the website part, but at least the fan page for Party Fairies and Kamote Ques. This week, Toni and I will be attending a seminar on how to create a business name, how to get the start up money and so on. Him with his wood works and me with my catering/custom-made cakes!

Am excited of course. I wanna kick start this to get everything in legal perspective.

There's something about snow!

It's snowing outside! Just minus 10 degs. The kind of big cottony snow. This is the perfect snow for me. Light and not watery at all. And like a kid, I love lying on the snow covered ground waiting for the fresh snow to drop into my open mouth. It feels freeing, innocent, calm and peaceful. There's something about snow!

When I was a kid growing up in Manila, I didn't really pay so much attention to the snowed out designs on the windows of shopping malls. Seriously! Snow? In Manila? Its just insane. And yet, we kept singing... "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...."

This is now my 8th winter in Finland. And I think, I am liking the snow. It kinda gives the Christmas feel. I dunno if its beause of the snowed out mall windows.... hahaha.... but really, snow just makes everything, everywhere beautiful! Now I see my window edges getting filled with real snow! Just like at the mall. :)

I wouldn't complain about the 3 layers of clothes I have to put on so I could go out in the snow. I wouldn't complain how the bitching cold air would freeze whats inside my nose. I wouldn't complain about the "biting cold" that really bites your face!
But all I am saying is that I am growing accustomed to the snow. That I am liking snow! I even have my prefered snow now. Because seriously, there's something about snow!

When will the "this too shall pass" begin?

Have been hibernating too long.
Emotions couldn't fit in my tiny heart with a faint beat.

What do you do when a brother hurts you?
What do you do when a sister doesn't understand you?
What do you do when a friend abandoned you?
What do you do when everything that comes your way, just keep on sticking to the hems of your pants like a splinter that pokes your ankle?
What do you do when tears at night just doesn't wanna flow?

I'm like a balloon about to burst, but just couldn't.
I need to be pricked. I need it quick.

I am strong. I really am... or so I thought...

I kept saying to myself, look forward to tomorrow. It will be better than yesterday.
I kept saying to myself, everything happens for a reason. So what is the reason? No one could explain.

LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW! Thats what I always say. But the better day is yet to come.

Where do you go?
Who do you run to?

This too shall pass...

When will the passing starts?

Im running out of options.
Im running out of places to hide the tears.
Im running out of water to wash away the pain.

Until when can this mask hold?
Until when can this smile hide whats really inside?

Tell me, when will the "this too shall pass" begin?

Another Salud!

I have been delaying writing since the beginning of this year, for so many not so good things have been happening one after the other. Though a lot of exciting positive events balanced it out. And yes, Toni and I finally tied the knot last May.

But I will say, one of the biggest blows this year is when one of my most trusted friend had to leave for Spain, yet again!!!

It probably has something to do with Spain conquering the Philippines for over three hundred years, that I find myself getting along with most Spanish peeps. You see, I have similar values with them. But even after so many years of independence from the Spanish conquistadors, they still give me heartaches!!!! :)

My business partner, my confidante, my wedding organizer, my true friend, and most of all, my soul sistah!


(taken on my wedding day with Gosia and Rocio)

Although she told me that they are planning on leaving if Jaakko finds a job in Spain, I can never be prepared for when that day comes. I didn't cry for losing my business partner! I cried for losing that one person who reads me like the back of her hand. Don't get me wrong, I am not upset that she left me. I am just sad that she had to leave. No, make that really sad! It is getting more and more difficult to find that someone whom you can rely on. Whom you know doesn't judge you. Who actually accepts you for who you are. And whom you know you feel the same way to.

I still couldn't bring myself to call her, for I know I will cry! I miss her everyday, and I miss her effectious smile! But hopefully, I can call her soon.

Salud!!!

(Taken at my pre-birthday party 2008)

Another friend I have been really close to is leaving Finland today! This is getting so tiresome. Building a good friendship is very difficult in a place where everyone speaks a foreign language. But once you have found that person who shares your values, it seems like hitting the jackpot. This one person that can sit right next to you, not say a word, and still feel close to. This one person who deeply cares and is always ready to help you no matter what. This one person you care so much about that her dreams are your dreams and her problems are yours to solve. This one person is not just a friend but a family!

As of this writing, shes probably drinking her last Finnish Coffee (for now), probably packing the last of her clothes, and just mentally preparing herself for that long road trip across 4 or more countries to get to Madrid.



(Taken at the Erotic Party Oct. 25th, 2008)

Its not going to be easy letting go. Am sure most of us have difficulties with that! But with it, comes maturity. And I could only be happy for Estela to be nearer to her real family, to be on familiar grounds, and to find herself with the help of her love ones. Salud to you my friend. And to Mikko too, for making that great move (didn't need much convincing there ö)

Till we meet again!

CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, IN MANILA!!!!

(Picture taken at Ate Barlie's lovely home in Valkeakoski. End of summer 2008)



I don't wanna pre-empt it, but Toni is now looking for flight tickets for me and Ria to spend Christmas in the Philippines!!! Getting excited. yipee. Hei, to you who are in Manila, do not expect "pasalubong" from me. I just started working and I have no money to spend for gifts. I just want to come home, relax, eat my moms home cooked meals, and maybe visit my Boss/Friend Janet in the island of Palawan. And if I have extra money, then maybe visit Boracay with Pearl. NYAHAHAHA. Di pa man, nagkukuripot na. But of course, I would like to see you all. Maybe for a gimmik or something.

And I would want to attend my alumni reunion. I think its my sister's batch thats hosting this years reunion. Well, viva St. Anthony!!!

FINLAND IN MOURNING.... AGAIN!

Once again, Finland is in mourning after a 22 year old man shot several people in a vocational school (Kauhajoki), killed 10, left some wounded and shot himself on the head this morning of September 23, 2008.

You may find news stories in English on this site:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aOyGfDoE8xBU&refer=canada

..as most of the news reel are in Finnish.

This is the second incident in Finland within a year. The first was just in November of last year (Jokela school).

...In God, I pray....

Everything happens for a reason...

A lot of things had happened recently. And I believe in the saying that everything happens for a reason.
I’ve always been a mastermind when it comes to grouping. From spearheading a lunch group in the work place to my recent Monday Girls support group. I never knew I would actually need one. Support group I mean. I have been feeling a small lump under my left breast for over a year now. But I never really thought about it much because it doesn’t hurt nor does it grow. A month ago we had to bring Ria to the doctor, and I thought, ok, since we are already here, might as well have it checked too. And I got an appointment to check if it should be taken out or not. The doctor, anyway decide to take it. So 3 weeks later, I still don’t have any idea about the biopsy. Still waiting for the results. But within the three weeks, I have felt everything from relief to fear. When you don’t know what’s going to happen, your mind goes on racing mode. And that’s where Monday Girls comes in. By being with the girls doing different activities, I get to forget my worries a few hours for that day.

But on a lighter note, one of my favorites won the American Idol. I think, David Cook is a superstar in the making. It’s true that after 7 seasons and about 100 contestants, there’s only 3 Idols, that you can say really became superstars. Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, and Carrie Underwood. But the songs that Cook has performed on the show is proving to be the most downloaded on iTunes, that people couldn’t even wait for his own album to come out.

Cheers to David Cook!!!

Itchy???

Photo taken at Pappankappaka. March 29, 2008


”Seven year itch”, that’s what they call it, after you’ve been married for 7 years to the same person. It’s a supposed phenomenon when one’s eye begins to wander outside of marriage. Or when both partners may want to have alone time from each other.

Toni and I celebrated our 7th year anniversary as a couple a few weeks ago. As known to many, we have yet to tie the knot. And yes we have talked about it, and yes I got my diamond engagement ring, and yes, we already bought the wedding bands… from Dubai!!!

So do you think we are affected by the “7 year itch”? I don’t have any idea. None at all. We still bicker the same way, we still argue the same intensity and we still want to be together as much as we can. I’d say we owe it to the fact that even though we share the same circle of friends (well his friends are all my friends first anyway J ), we have some things that we do, that doesn’t involve the other. We can have fun separately, and have much more fun together. Usually a quiet evening watching TV, or eating out, or a night in town, does the trick.

This year, Toni chose the movie to watch and the resto to eat. Funny though, he thought that the movie 10,000 BC will be a gladiator kind of movie. It turned out to be a chick flick! It was ok. I mean the movie wasn’t great, but it is definitely not bad. But not for him, it wasn’t what he expected. The resto we went to was called Hella ja Huone (Stove and Room). I had the fennel soup, veal and shared a chocolate cake with Toni. He had ox tongue for starters and duck for mains. I can’t complain about the quality of the food. It was good. But for the price, it was not at par. Come on, I have spent almost 1/3 of my life working in the restaurant business. I know what I am talking about! I think it’s too pretentious. Too expensive. The place and the food. But our server knows what he’s doing. Which is cool. He’s the one who ran the show. And in Finland, you don’t usually get that good of a service. And the wine was absolutely gorgeous.

But, I know for sure, I will never go back to that place again. Next time, I will choose the movie, and I will choose the resto.

As for the itch, the only thing itching right now is my hand itching to grab for a chocolate cake. Hmmm… J

A man, pregnant???!!!!

Yes folks. Those questions lingering in your heads are the same as whats in my slightly smaller brain.

HOW CAN A MAN BE PREGNANT??? etc, etc.

Actually this title is just to gain attention and media frenzy. I hate to break your hearts, but Thomas Beatie used to be and technically, is still a FEMALE. Though legally a MALE. So on this blog, I will refer to Thomas as "he"/"him".

He grew up in Hawaii as a female but had a surgery (breast reduction) done. He said in one article though, that his reproduction organs are still in tact. And has since taken tostesterones, gotten married and dreamt of having a baby. After finding out that his wife Nancy, could not bear children any longer (she's got two kids from prior marriage), Thomas opted to take on the responsibility of carrying the baby in his normal functioning reproductive system via artificial insemination.

This wasn't a walk in the park mind you. They were turned down by a couple of doctors before they found someone who would accomodate them. And the first pregnancy had to be aborted for it was ectopic, and could have taken his life.

One thing that's bothersome and is the question behind all these frenzy, is that he has been known to be a MAN most of his adult life, that people, friends and acquaintances of the couple doesn't even know about his past. So they think that this is just a hoax or somekind of a nasty joke, or a "miracle" (and I mean biblical miracle here).

If I put my two cents here, I wouldn't even know where to begin. Yeah sure, in some states, its acceptable for two females or two males to get married, not to mention acceptance of the alternatives. Lets get past that, Conservatives and Moralist! And once you have looked beyond the physical attributes of Thomas, the fact still remains that he is just a woman whose finally pregnant.

Thumbs-up goes to their neighbors in Oregon, who refused to comment out of respest for this couple and their kids. Although the couple already guested on Oprah and even welcomed the people into their home, they still deserve privacy, as they are afterall private people.

Transgender aside, I salute Thomas' stand on bringing a child into this world, natural way or not. Motherhood, well, in his case Mother/Fatherhood, is a gift from God.

We may have a moral obligation towards same sex marriage, but hey, who are we to condemn a woman just because of practicing her right to bear a child?




for extra read: http://advocate.com/issue_story.asp?id=52664&page=1