lessons in life

"people are eager to come to the defense of those who they feel are worthy of it..but if you are a jerk, don't expect any help"

Obituary for Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of "Common Sense"...Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium.

No one really knows how old Common Sense was since his birth records were long lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospital, homes, factories, and offices: helping folks get jobs done without fanfare or foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as, (1) to know when to come  in out of the rain (2) the early bird gets the worm and (3) life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids). But his health declined when he became infected with the "if it only helps one person, it's worth it" virus.

Pansit Bihon (Stir-fried veggies over Rice noodles)

1 lbs pork, cut into strips
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 med. onion, chopped
1 1/2 c shrimp, peeled (blanched in boiling soup stock)
3 c soup stock
1 tsp salt
1/2 pepper
1/2 c soy sauce
green beans, cut into strips
snow peas
carrots, julienne cut
cabbage, sliced thinly
1 pack of bihon (rice noodles)

CHEF's note: I did not put any measurement on the vegetables, use how much veggies you want(",)
                    ....soak the noodles into the hot water for 15 mins, don't forget to strain it before putting into the                       simmering soup stock

In a pan, place pork, add a little water, and simmer until the fat is rendered. Add oil in the pan, fry the pork.

Saute garlic and onion. Add soy sauce, soup stock, salt and pepper.

Bring the soup to a boil and blanch the vegetables one at a time. Set aside. Blanch the shrimp. Set aside.

Add the strained bihon (rice noodles) and cook until tender over medium heat (keep on stirring the noodles until there is no more stock left on the pan).

Add half of the vegetables and half of the shrimp into the noodles and mix thoroughly.

Place on a platter and garnish with the remaining veggies and shrimp.

Serve with lime slices and toasted bread.

don't mess with a filipina

In a New York ouside cafe', a Filipina is enjoying a hearty breakfast, Coffee, croissants, toast, butter, jam, etc.

While an American, chewing a gum, sat next to her and started an unwanted conversation. ..

American: You Philipinese eat the whole bread?

Filipina: Of course!

American: (Blowing bubbles with his gum) we don't. We, Americans only Eat what's inside. The crust we collect in a container, recycle, make these into croissants and sell these to the Philippines.

American: Do you eat jam with bread?

Filipina: Of course!

American: (Chuckling and crackling his gum between his teeth) we don't. Americans eat fruits at breakfast, put all the peels, seeds and Leftovers into containers, turn these into jam and sell it to the Philippines 

Filipina: Do you have sex in America?

American: Of course, we do!

Filipina: What do you do with the condoms?

American: We throw them, of course!

Filipina: We don't. In the Philippines, we put them into containers, Recycle them, turn them into chewing gums and sell it to America. LOL...

Why go to Church

You might as well ask me why I got to the table and eat as to ask my why I go to church. I go to feed my soul. There is a void in my soul that none but God can fill; and since the emptiness of the human heart was made for fullness of God I know of no better place to go to partake of his fullness than to church.


I go to church to worship God. If I can worship God just as well elsewhere as at church, then I can't understand why Christ attended church and said, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together." I feel that the spiritual atmospheres created by the singing, the music, the reading of the Bible, the prayers, and the sermon is conductive to a more acceptable worship than an atmosphere void of these things. 


I go to church out of appreciation of what she has done for me and is doing for others. When we are sick, what institution prays for us? The church. When we are in sorrow, what institution comes out to our aid? The church. When the crape hangs on the door, what institution showers its love and comfort about us? The church. When sin was hovering over our souls and we were groping in darkness seeking light, what institution stood ready to point us unto Jesus Christ, the light of the world? The church. I appreciate an institution like that, I want to give of my time, money and service to her cause. 


I go to church to support her because she has the only message that can save the world. Wherever you find the Gospel of Christ unknown you will find a land of heathens. The message of the church is responsible for our civilization. Regardless of whether or not you are a Christian in our land, you owe your civilization to the Church; for without the church in our land, you would have been born the son of heathen parents, and therefore would have been a heathen yourself. When I stop to think that I would be living today as a heathen in an uncivilized land if it had not been for the church, then I can't bring myself to the place where I ca be so grateful as to ignore the church and keep my best from her. How any thinking man can be indifferent to the church is beyond my apprehension.


There are many reasons why I go to church, I will say in conclusion that the main reason I go to church s because I love Jesus Christ. Christ loved the church. He gave himself for the church. Then out of love for him, I love his bride- the church. I like her jewels-the members of the church. I like her message-"Ye must be born again."


by: REV. Vaughn Fults, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Mini Black-bottom Cheesecakes

nonstick spray
24 plain chocolate wafer cookies
3 tbsp butter (melted)
8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1/4 c sugar
2/3 fromage blanc (6 ounces) (at room temperature)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
1/4 (s)  raspberry preserves (warmed)

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a standard 12-c muffin pan with foil baking cups and spray with nonstick spray. In a food processor, crush the wafer cookies. Add the butter and process until fine crumbs form. Spoon the chocolate cookie crumbs into the prepared baking cups and press with the bottom of a glass to compact. Bake for 5 mins, or until almost set. Leave the oven on.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar at medium speed until smooth. Beat in the fromage blanc, then add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.

Bake the cheesecakes for 15 mins. Remove from the oven and spread 1 tsp of raspberry preserves on top of each cheesecake, (you can topped it with cherry if you like, just like I did). Transfer the muffin tin to the freezer and chill the cheesecakes for about 15 mins.

Remove the cheesecakes from the pan and peel off the foil baking cups. Transfer the cheesecakes to a pltter and serve.

CHEF's note: cheesecake can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
                      instead of fromage blanc > creme fraiche, goat cheese, lebneh or quark

Mini Banana Cupcake

Ingredients
1/2 c shortening
2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c mashed bananas (3 bananas)
1/4 c buttermilk
2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

FROSTING
1/2 c butter, softened
2 c confectioners' sugar
3 tbsp milk

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, bananas and buttermilk. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to banana mixture. Fill 18 paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full

Bake at 350F for 15-20 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Place the muffins to wire racks to cool completely. In a small mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar and enough milk to achieve desired spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes.

CHEF's note: you can also use piping bags to design your cupcake, if you don't have piping bag, you can snip a little bit of hole on a sandwich bag.

Inipit (sandwich cake)

I made this as one of my Christmas give aways at my son's school, 2 years ago. The taste and the texture is good. 

Ingredients

1 c cake flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

6 eggs (separated)

1 c sugar

4 tsp water

1/4 c sugar

Preheat oven at 325F (160C). Grease two 13x9 rectangular pans and line with parchment paper. Set aside.

CHEF's note: you can also use wax paper, wipe it with shortening.

In a bowl, beat egg yolks. Add water and sugar and continue beating until mixture thickens. Sift flour and baking powder. Add in to the egg mixture and blend well. set aside.

In a mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Slowly add in sugar and beat until peaks form. add in beaten egg yolks and flour and mix well. pour batter equally into the 2 baking pans. bake in oven for 20 to 25 mins, set aside.

Prepare filling.

filling

3 pcs banana (mashed)

3 egg yolks beaten

3/4 c sugar

3/4 c milk

1/4 c margarine

1 tsp lemon zest

In a saucepan, mix all ingredients except egg yolks. cook until mixture thickens while stirring continuously. Add in egg yolks and cook for a few more minutes. Set aside.

spread custard filling evenly on each baked chiffon layers and lightly press the two slabs together to form one large sandwich. Brush melted margarine on the top layer and lightly sprinkle with sugar. Slice the sandwich in rectangles. Refrigerate or serve immediately.

Pandesal (Philippines' version of rolls)

1/2 c water

1/4 c evap milk

1/2 c fresh milk

1 egg (in room temp. TIP: I set the egg out overnight)

1/2 c sugar

5 tbsp softened butter

2 tbsp oil

4 c flour

3 tsp active dry yeast

bread crumbs

Direction

Combine water, evap milk and fresh milk then heat in microwave for 35 sec. (TIP: the mixture should be lukewarm not hot).  In a bowl, pour lukewarm liquid mixture and add all ingredients according to list of  order. Mix well with a dough mixer (if you dont have one, pwede n un wooden spoon! then mix it manually). 

Mix it for 20 mins.

Sprinkle a little bit of flour on your working surface. Turn the dough out. Knead the dough w/ your hands by folding it when pushing it with the base of your palm. Knead for 15 mins. Dust w/ flour if needed. Remember the dough needs to be a little bit sticky, so do not add to much flour when kneading.

Put the dough back in the bowl. Cover loosely w/ a damp, clean cloth or plastic wrap sprayed w/ nonstick cooking spray. Set the dough in a warm, draft free place. Keep the dough covered until it doubles in size.

Preheat oven to 375F ( 190C )

Spray 2 baking sheets w/ non stick cooking spray.  When the dough is ready, scoop a small amount (about the size of an egg), shape it by putting your palm together. Place on baking sheet, 1 1/2 inch apart. Sprinkle w/ bread crumbs. Cover and leave in warm corner until doubled. Bake for 15 mins or until golden brown. 

Ensaymada

Ingredients:
5 cups bread flour (separate 1 + 1 + 3)
1/2 cup sugar
2 envelopes Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast (1 envelope is 0.25 oz = 2-1/4 tsp)
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
2/3 cup shortening 
1 cup mashed potato
2 eggs
3 egg yolks
2-oz grated sharp cheddar cheese, added to the 3-cup flour above
melted butter (approximately 1 stick)
softened butter (approximately 1 stick to 1-1/2)(for rolled method)


Directions
Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt. Heat milk, water and shortening until very warm (120º to130ºF). Gradually add to dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in mashed potato, eggs and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Detach dough hook and cover dough plus hook loosely with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours. Remove from fridge and add the 3 egg yolks, stir setting on the mixer. Remove hook from the dough this time and cover loosely again with plastic then refrigerate for another 1-22 hours.

The next stage will make use of a method depending on how hardworking you are or how time pressed you are.

Coiled: If you got lots of time, do the old-fashioned way of coiling like katol by pinching off pieces from the chilled dough about the size of a small pandesal. Get only a few at a time and chill the rest of the dough again because it becomes harder to handle when warmer; it becomes too sticky. Sprinkling flour on work surface helps lessen the stickiness. Shape the dough into a long rope about a foot long and coil as previously illustrated in older posts. Place on greased baking pan and brush with melted butter. See this post for step-by-step slideshow on how to shape into coils.

Rolled (para sa tinatamad): Get a chunk of dough about the same as one that you have for 2-lb recipes of bread (or about the size of a grapefruit or suha). Flatten to disk, fold over the four edges like that of an envelope, and roll to make a rectangle about 8 x 10 inches. Place a generous layer of softened butter except near the edges. Roll tightly from the long end. Cut in 1 to 1-1/2 inch intervals. Dip one end of cut side in melted butter then place on baking pan. Brush the rest of the surfaces with melted butter.

Fried Ice Cream

1 quart vanilla ice cream

3 cups crushed corn flakes cereal

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 egg whites

oil for frying

Scoop ice cream into 1/2 cup sized ball. Place on baking sheet and freeze until firm for about 1 hour. In a shallow dish, combine cornflakes and cinnamon. In another dish, beat egg whites until foamy.

STEP 1 Roll the ice cream balls in egg whites then in cornflakes, covering ice cream completely.  Freeze again until firm for 2 hours.

STEP 2 Repeat Step 1 and freeze again for another 3 hours or overnight.

In deep fryer or large, heavy saucepan, heat oil to 375F (190C)

Using a slotted spoon, fry ice cream balls 1 or 2 at a time, for 15 seconds, until golden.

Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.

NOTES:

You can substitute cornflakes with vanilla wafers. I used peanut oil instead of regular cooking oil bec you can fry the ice cream quicker. Some have used pancake batter for coating but I haven't tried it yet.

Coconut Meringue Pie

Ingredients

·         1 blind-baked 9-inch pastry shell

·         2 1/4 cups whole milk

·         3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup for the egg whites

·         3 eggs, separated

·         1/4 cup cornstarch

·         1 teaspoon vanilla

·         1 3/4 cups toasted coconut

·         1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a saucepan, whisk the 2 cups of the milk and 3/4 cup sugar together. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the liquid up to a simmer. Whisk the egg yolks together. Temper the hot milk into the egg yolks. Whisk the egg mixture into the hot milk mixture. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining milk, making a slurry. Whisk the slurryinto the hot milk mixture. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the filling is thick, about 4 to 6 minutes. Fold in the vanilla, coconut, and butter. Mix well. Pour the filling into the prepared pan and cool the pie completely. Using an electric mixer with a whip attachment, whip the egg white to soft peaks. Add the remaining sugar and whip the egg white to stiff peaks. Spread the egg whites over the top of the pie. Place the pie in the oven for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until themeringue is golden brown.

Importance of a pen

Lost your pen = no pen
No pen = no notes
No notes = no study
No study = Fail
Fail = no diploma
No diploma = no work
No work = no money
No money = no food
No food = skinny
Skinny = ugly
Ugly = no love
No love = no marriage
No marriage = no children
No children = alone
Alone = depression
Depression = sickness
Sickness = death

Lesson: Don't lose your pen, you will die

Mango Cake

BASE 1

cake flour - 2cups

white sugar - 1/2cup

vegetable oil  - 1/3cup

baking powder - 1tsp.

salt - 1 1/2tsp.

egg yolks - 8pcs. (save egg whites for base 2)

water  - 1/2cup

Procedure

1. Preheat oven at 350'F for 30 minutes

2. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and blend well using a wire whisk. Set aside.

BASE 2

egg whites - 8pcs.

white sugar - 3/4cup

cream of tartar - 1tsp.

Bacon Mac and Cheese

This is my 9 yr old son. Since he likes macaroni and cheese, I asked him to cook it, with my supervision, of course! This picture was taken last year. He was told that if he wants mac and cheese for supper, he has to cook it. There's 4 people in the household, everybody has a week turn for cooking, except him! My 9 yr old son cooks on Fridays, providing he wants Mac & Cheese. It's really nice to have your kids be involve in cooking at a young age. (",)

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

5 bacon strips (slice in 1/4 inch)

2 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons flour

1 cup evaporated milk

salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups, about 6 ounces, shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

medium onion, chopped (optional)

Cook macaroni in boiling salted water as package directs. I added 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in the boiling water (the noodles won't stick to each other when you drain it). Drain the cooking liquid into a 2 cup measure. If necessary, add more water to make 2 cups. Fry bacon; remove to paper towels to drain. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat; add 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in flour. Slowly stir in evaporated milk and 2 cups water. Stirring constantly, bring mixture to the boiling point; season with salt, pepper. Add cheese and continue to heat over low heat until cheese is melted. Add cooked macaroni; mix well. Serve with crumbled bacon on top or mix into the macaroni mixture. Serve with fish sticks.

A most remarkable Puzzle

Let's start this March blog with a puzzle. I got this from my sister's Sunday School Assignment given by Mrs. Bettie Rose. I saw my sister working with something after the bible study but I didn't bother to ask. I know that it's an assignment from their bible study. Until yesterday, she was sitting by the dining table looking at her paper. My husband looked on it and sat with her. Out of curiosity (remember not being nosy (",) ) I looked on it too, and found out that they are trying to solve the puzzle. The puzzle of finding 30 books of the Bible in a story. Try it! You can print this and share it with your friends and family, then solve it together...Have fun(",) 

This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an  airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much; he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving; she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some People however will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that the puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts is, "The books are all right there in plain view, hidden form sight. "Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also keep in mind that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.