Tamale

 

 

So I have this love for Mexican food.  I would pick Mexican over any other food, especially tamales.  One of my friends in college’s mom made the best tamales.  It has been a while since I had really good tamales so when I figured out how to make arepas, my next goal was tamales.  My cousin has this great recipe pulled beef recipe (I actually thought it was pork).  Every time I had it, I wanted to have it with a corn tortilla or in a tamale.  I decided to try the recipe out.  As soon as I get the OK from my Ate, I’ll share her recipe but here is the recipe I used for the masa.

 

Masa/Tamale assembly

* I mainly go by ration so it is one to one. 

1 Cup of Instant Masa

1 Cup of Water

1/2 Cup of Cooked Corn

* I also put 3 Tbls of sugar but The Husbands says I shouldn’t. 

Directions

1. Take the corn husks and let it sit in water for at least 15 minutes to soften.
2. While the corn husks are soaking, mix together all the ingredients except for the water.
3. Slowly add the water until it starts to create a paste.  Do not put too much water or it will not keep its form.
4. Take the corn husk and lay it flat.
5. Put a thin layer of the masa mixture (The first couple ones I made, I made it too thick)
6. Place a small amount of the filling of your choice.
7. Start rolling up the corn husk to great a tube. 
8. Once all the tamales assembled,
9. I steamed mine in my steamer for about 20 minutes. 
10. Serve

 

When we had it, it was good but it was missing something.  Any suggestions, I’m totally open to it.  BTW I’m currently prepping for The Daughter’s Birthday (I procrastinate – and I have to make my house into a haunted house :D) and a party I’m catering the day before so I may be MIA for a little while.  Hopefully :D  I may make this for The Daughter’s b-day, I’m still debating. 

The WHINNER is…

I apologize now for my title, I watch way too TV.  I have been trying to post this all day but instead I was watching TV, playing video games with The Brother and my cousins, and of course eating.  As I sit here watching The Brother and my cousin play a little Dr. Mario with my cousin, I kinda wish I wasn’t going home tomorrow.  I’m glad I am because I have so much to do for The Daughters 2nd birthday but I just miss my family.  Here are some pictures from my lovely weekend with my family.  BTW I actually didn’t have to cook other than some espasol for my dad. 

The Daughter Eating just the meat of the sandwich
 
A good Ole family Photo
 
Hmmm Empanada
 

We celebrated The Daughter’s Birthday Too
 

 

And I almost forgot.  The winner of my first giveaway is…………

 

Chef Dennis said...

Hi Joy
I thought I was already following you...sorry. I am now!! My favorite flavor would be chocolate with cheese cake filling...a black and white!
Dennis

OMG, I almost forgot – My Giveaway

I am currently flying over our beautiful country on the way to visit The Parents in California for The Father’s Birthday.  Happy Birthday DAD!  I realized I completely forgot to post my giveaway before I left town.  The good people at CSN provided me the opportunity to give away to one of my wonderful readers a $55 gift card to the CSN store.  I wanted to give a gift to a lucky reader. 

I was just browsing their website in hopes that The Husband would even consider getting us a new table.  I'm in need of a new buffet table and a coffee table.  Unfortunately, the effort was short lived since The Husband just said no.  Maybe you will be able to get someone from there. 

To participate, leave a comment with your favorite flavor combination.  Sweet preferred but I’m open to any type.  I’m still trying to get out of my funk and I hope to get inspired by your ideas. 
Additional Entries
1. Become a Follower on my blog.
2. Like my page on Facebook: Pastries by Joy
Just leave a comments of your other entries.

I will pick the winner by random on Monday, October 25th….Good Luck

I must go back to entertaining The Daughter without disturbing the other passenger.  Thank goodness we got the last seats on the Plane. 

A very weird Mood

 

 

Do you ever get in the mood where you feel like eating nothing really?  Or else nothing is appealing?  When I’m in those moods, I’m bad and resort to a lot of fast food.  McD’s and Culvers are my best friends :D.  I don’t know why.  These are the signs I’m still on a creative block.  Maybe seeing my parents will get me out of it.  So about after a week of junk foods, I figured I had to eat something somewhat healthy.  I figured I’ll make some of my mom’s lettuce wraps.  I like this quite a bit but The Husband complains when I make it too much.  It actually hit the spot.  I can’t wait until I get out of this funk.  My weight can’t handle all the burgers (Yes, I’m that bad).

 

Lettuce Wraps

1 lb of Ground Turkey (my mom uses Chicken)

3-4 Tbs of Grated Ginger

Salt and Pepper to taste

Lemon Juice

Cilantro

Directions

1. Take a large sauce pot or stock pot and fill it 2/3 way of water.
2. Add the grated ginger.
3. Bring the water the a boil
4. Drop the ground turkey and once it starts to float, it is cooked.
5. Drain the meat of any water and season with the salt, pepper, lemon juice, and cilantro.
6. Serve with lettuce and condiments like Hoisin sauce (my favorite) or Chili Sauce like Tuong Ot Toi.

My 1st Blogoversary!

 

 

I don’t believe it has been a year since I first started blogging.  I admired so many blogs but I didn’t think I had it in me to blog myself.  I surprised myself that I actually had stuff to talk about.  My year in Misadventures:

168 - Total Post

9  - Misadventures

Many Many Criticism  - from The Husband

Countless times - The Daughter sneaking food or just taking the whole dish and running away

Many – grammar corrections My Friend would point out.

10 – Lbs Gained from all the Cooking

It was all worth it and I’m looking forward to the many years to come. 

I’m trying to get The Husband to treat me to a table I found on this website that sells console tables for The Daughter’s Birthday but we will see how that goes :D.  Maybe if I leave some websites like open on his computer like this one, he would get the hint. 

I doubt it so I treated to myself to a whole selection of petit fours from Whole Foods.  They were ok but I did get inspired from the different flavors they put together.

In celebration of my blogoversary, STAY TUNE for a Giveaway!  I will be announcing in the next day or two :D 

 

Mini Fuji Apple Crostata

 

If you have no noticed, lately, everything I have been making is with apples.  There is a good reason for it.  I went apple picking with The Daughter, The Husband, and my friend Anna.  We found out we got there on the last day of apple picking.  Unfortunately the whether in Chicago has been quite strange and very hot.  The poor apples so it took us about 3 hours just to find apples and fill out little bags.  I mainly got Granny Smiths and Fuji apples.   I was trying to think what to do with all the apples and than I remembered Jen from My Kitchen Addiction is hosting Kitchen Boot camp and this month’s theme is Pastry Dough and Batters.  I thought great, I will make mini apple crostata.  I used my pie dough I used from the pie competition.  

Mini Fuji Apple Crostata

5 Fuji Apples Sliced thinly

Lemon Juice

1/2 Cup of Sugar

3 Tbs of Cinnamon

Pie Dough

Egg Wash

Raw Sugar for decoration

Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
2. Take the apple slices and cover them with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Add the sugar and cinnamon and completely coat the apples.
4. Roll out the pie dough to a 1/3 inch thickness. 
5. Punch out large circles and place on a cookie sheet.
6. Arrange the apple slices in the center of the circle while leaving a 1/2 an inch space from the edge.
7. Bring up the edges.
8. Bake for about 30-40 minutes. 
9. 20 minutes into the baking time brush the top with the egg wash and sprinkle a little raw sugar for a good crunch. 

*With this dough, make sure the bottom is cooked, depending on your pan, it may take a longer cook time.

 

12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies – Apple Crisp Cookies

 

I have always had a Love-Hate relationship with cookies.  This one is frustration.  I don’t know why but every time I make drop cookies, it becomes very flat and it spreads way too much.  I can’t get what I did wrong!  I even put it in the refrigerator for almost an hour.  It still came out flat!  The taste is exactly what I was trying and it came out nice and soft :D. 

 

Apple Crisp Cookies

(By ME)

1 Cup of Soften Butter

1 Cup of Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup of Sugar

2 Eggs

3 Cups of Flour

1 Tsp of Baking Soda

1 Tsp of Cinnamon

1 Tsp of Nutmeg

1 Large Granny Smith Apple – Diced

Crumble (See below)

Directions

1. Cream the butter and both sugars until it is fully incorporated. 
2. Add the the eggs.  The texture should be slightly soupy.
3. Add the baking soda and than the flour slowly.  You may need to add more flour if it still really wet.
4. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple slices. 
5. Place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set.
6. Scope out 1/2 inch balls and place on a prepared cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
7. Sprinkle the crumble mixture on top.
8. Bake at 350F for about 15-20 minutes. 
9. Let it cool and serve.

Crumble Topping

1 Cup of Flour

1 Cup of Oatmeal

1/2 Cup of Sugar

1/4 Cup of Soften Butter

Directions

1. First mix together all the dry ingredients.
2. Add the butter and mix together until it creates clumps.  I used my hand.
3. Set aside.

 

Any suggestions that to make non-flat cookies? 

A Happy Happy Birthday

As some of you know, it was The Husbands birthday yesterday.  The funny is that the morning of his birthday, I actually just thought…hmmmm I should make dinner for him shouldn’t I?  I was on the fence about making a huge dinner just because he had school.  But I figured I should attempt to cook :D.  I have been using this great website called Food on The Table for my meal planning for the last couple of weeks.   For The Husband’s Birthday, I figured I would make a stir fry dish.  It was really good and it only took me an hour to prepare and cook.  For dessert, I finally tackled a Genoise Cake.  I had high hopes for this cake, it is good but you need someone more to dress it up.  I would make it again but I would top it with some fresh fruit and whipped cream :D. 

Pork with Honey Gravy
(Adapted from Food on The Table)
2 Pounds of Pork Shoulder – In 1 Inch Cubes
3 Tbs of Brown Gravy Mix
3/4 Cup of Water
1/4 Cup of Honey
3 Tbs of Soy Sauce
2 Tbs of Red Wine Vinegar (I thought I had some but I had to use regular White Vinegar
1 Tsp of Grated Ginger
1/2 Tsp of Garlic Salt
4 Carrots – Sliced thin
1 Med Onions in Large Chunks
1 Green Pepper – Diced
Rice
Olive Oil
Directions

1. Sautee the pork in a little olive oil and let it brown a little.
2. While that is cooking, mix together the gravy mix, soy sauce, water, vinegar, honey, ginger, and salt to create the gravy. 
3. When the meat is brown, add the sauce and reduce to a simmer and let the meat continue to cook in the sauce - covered. 
4. Stir occasionally to make sure the sauce doesn’t burn.  When the sauce starts to reduce, add the carrots.
5. When the carrots starts to soften, add the onions and green peppers.
6. Let to cook for only 5-10 minutes.
7. Serve over rice.

For the Genoise cake, I adapted it from Nick Malgieri’s The Modern Baker.  I had the book for months but I had yet to try one of the recipes.  I love the taste of the cake.  I topped it with an apple compote. 
I am planning on going through the whole book to try each recipe.  It is a great book and he gives ways to save time in the kitchen.  I’m always a fan of anything that will save me time in the kitchen.

I'm just Ranting

I'm just ranting and raving today.  I was hanging out watching tv a little Top Chef: Just Desserts with The Daughter.  I was never into Top Chef until this last season and when they started Just Desserts, I had to watch it.  Let me say this, I totally admire all the contestants.  They are so talented but the drama is insane.  For those that didn't watch it last night, I'm sorry but I'm about to spoil what happens.  One of the contestants in my opinion is a drama queen.  I completely understand they are artist and they are very emotional about their craft but OMG, some people should not be in this field if they can not handle the pressure.  I apologize now if I offend anybody but my goodness.  I hope this contestant is a great actor or he really needs to find a new career.  He is really talented though.  Too bad. 

Ok I'm done.

On other Topics.  I wanted to Wish The Husband a very happy birthday. 

Happy Birthday Honey!

12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies – Week 1

 

I don’t believe Christmas is so close.  I swear it was just the beginning of summer!  April at Abby’s Sweets is hosting this wonderful challenge called 12 Weeks of Christmas cookies.  Instead of 12 days, we are counting the weeks before Christmas. Check out the other recipes here. 

Basic Peanut Butter Cookie

(Adapted from Simple Recipes)

1/2 Cup of Sugar

1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup of Butter – Room Temp

1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter

1 Egg

1 1/4 Cup of Flour

3/4 Tsp of Baking Soda

1/2 Tsp of Baking Powder

1/4 tsp of Salt

*my Add – 2 Cups of Semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F
2. Whip the sugars and butter together until it becomes cream.
3. Add the peanut butter and egg until it is completely incorporated.
4. While that is mixing, shift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Slowly add it to the wet ingredients.
6. When that is fully mixed, slowly fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Place the bowl in the fridge for at least and hour to chill.
8. Once it is chilled, scoop out 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for about 15 minutes.

Plain Cheesecake

 

 

I have a very strong sweet tooth.  If I had the choice, I would pick dessert over having a regular meal.  But there is one dish, I’m just not a fan of.  Probably because all the cheesecakes I had was a little too thick for me.  I like a light, fluffy cake.  I figured I would try it again but I found a technique of separating the eggs instead of putting whole eggs into the batter.  It made the cake softer and lighter.  This is now my go-to recipe. 

Plain Cheesecake

Crust

2 Cups of Crushed Graham Crackers

1/4 – 1/2 Cup of Melted Butter

4 Tsp of Sugar

* If desired – add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg

Filling

24 oz of Cream Cheese

1 Cup of Sugar

6 Eggs Separated

2 Cups of Sour Cream

1 Tbs of Vanilla

3-4 Tb of Flour

Direction

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
2. First make the crust by placing the graham crackers, sugar, and if you would any additives into a food process.  Pulsate the mix until it is well incorporated. 
3. Slowly add the butter until it becomes moist and you are able to pinch the crumbs together and it sticks.  Don’t make it too sticky.
4. Take this mixture and press it into a prepared spring form pan.  I actually made bars instead so I used a deep baking pan. 
5. Bake the crust for about 15-20 minutes until it becomes stiff.
6. While it is baking, start mixing the filling. 
7. Mix together the sugar and egg yolks until becomes fluffy using a medium speed.  slowly add the cream cheese.
8. Once that is fully incorporated, add the sour cream and vanilla.  Set aside.
9. Place the egg whites into another bowl, start whipping until it has reached soft peaks.
10. Slowly fold in the egg whites and flour into the egg-cream cheese mixture.
11. Once it is fully incorporated, pour into the cooked graham cracker crust and bake for 40-50 minutes until it is set.
12. Let it cool than Serve. 

*Fruit would go really well with this. 

No Mayo Potato Salad!?!?!

 

This is a pretty short post, I’m kinda still in the mental block so I’m reaching into some older recipes I have been meaning to post.  For those who knows me, I love mayo.  This dish was requested by The Brother to make a non-mayo potato salad.  I actually think it is wrong to have no mayo but it worked.  It was actually creamy.  I may make this again for my allergic relatives.

I adapted this recipe from Wicked Good Dinner.

 

No-Mayo Creamy Potato Salad

(Adapted from Wicked Good Dinner)

6 Large Waxy potatoes (I used to gold kind) – chopped in 1/2 Inches

1/2 Cup of Sour cream

1 Clove of garlic – Finely minced

1 Tbs of Shallot – Minced

1 Tbs of Fresh Chive – Minced

2 Tbs of Chopped Parsley

Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions

1. Place the potatoes in a large pot of cold salted water.
2. Bring to a boil and let it cook until it is tender. 
3. While that cooks, mix the rest of the ingredients except for the chives and parsley and place in the refrigerator to set. 
4. Once the potatoes are cooked, remove from the water and allow it to cool.
5. Once it is cool, completely coat the potatoes with the sour cream mixture.
6. Slowly fold in the chives and parsley.
7. Serve