Saturday, May 23, 2009

Quick asopao de pollo

I got this recipe from one of The Kid's teachers when he was just a little peanut in daycare, she was the sweetest lady and knew (even at 3) that The kid loved all kinds of food and knew I was working and going to school and doing the best to have dinner (hearty & quick) on the table every night.

This recipe is Amazingly easy, uses very few ingredients that are all readily available in the supermarket and takes about 45 minutes start to finish :)

2-3 lbs Skinless chicken thighs (I also de-bone them, just because The Kid and I prefer it that way)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbs. Oilve Oil
1 jar Sofrito
1 1/2 C. uncooked medium grain rice
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 (4 1/2 ounce) bottle alcaparrado, drained (** or 3/4 cup pitted green olives and 1/4 cup capers)
4 cups water
1 (15 3/4 ounce) can reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
1 cup frozen green pea, thawed


**alcaparrado is a mixture of whole green olives, pimentos, and capers; look for it in the Latin section of the supermarket or in Latino markets such as Goya.

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Sprinkle chicken with the oregano mixture.
3. Heat Oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the chicken; cook 8 minutes, turning once.
5. Reduce heat to medium.
6. Add Sofrito and cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
7. Add rice, wine, and alcaparrado; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
8. Add the water and chicken broth; bring to a boil.
9. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
10. Stir in the peas, and cook for 5 minutes or until the rice is tender.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Kulfi

After searching for over a week for the kind of kulfi recipe like the one I used to have and being unsuccessful through sites like Allrecipes and Recipezaar and even asking friends, looking for a mix or anything... I was starting to lose hope.

Until today when I started just googling kulfi during my downtime at work (which was a good portion of the day in my office) and I found just the recipe I needed..

Pista Kulfi


Ingredients:

4 cups milk
8 tsp. sugar or to taste
1/2 tsp. ground green cardamom seeds
1tbsp. skinned pistachios

Directions:

Pour the milk into a wide, heavy pan and bring to boil over high heat, stirring constantly.

lower the heat and cook the milk,

Stir constantly, until it has thickened and reduced to about 1 3/4 cups.

This will take about 40-45 minutes.

Stir the sides of the pan constantly to avoid scalding.

Now add the sugar, nuts and cardamom seeds, stir well, allow to cool.

Pour the mixture into Kulfi molds or small paper cups, distributing evenly.

Cover with plastic wrap or foil and freeze until set, about 6 hours. (Insert popsicle stick if desired)

To serve, remove the ice-cream from the molds by running a sharp knife around the edges of the pista kulfi.

Slip each kulfi on to a dessert plate,

Cut across into 3-4 slices, and serve.

My Kulfi is in the freezer as I'm writing this, it will chill overnight and then I will take Pics tomorrow smilie


Went overboard with the pistachios, rec. called for 1 tbs. The Kid poured the whole cup in (oops!) Good anyway!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Oscar Meyer Deli Creations Sandwiches

Being a member of the Kraft First Taste community I got a chance to try out the new Oscar Meyer Deli Creations Sandwiches. I got my coupons in the mail and yesterday when I made my supermarket run Stop & Shop had them on sale for 2 for $5 and since I had a coupon for 1 free one and $1.50 off 1, I got both sandwiches for $1 (Sweet! that's my kind of shopping!)

I picked the Monterey Turkey and The Steakhouse Cheddar. I tossed the Turkey one into my bag today for lunch and I just assembled it and popped it into the microwave and WOW!! There is a generous portion of meat along with a good sized roll, they give you 2 sauces, a southwestern ranch and a packet of Garden salsa and, the only thing I was disappointed in was the 1 slice of Monterey Jack cheese, it was a large-ish slice, but still.. Just one slice of cheese, I would have liked 2. But considering a sandwich of this caliber would have set me back $6.99 at the deli next to my office I’m not complaining because it’s absolutely Delicious! If they packaged this with a drink and a snack Lunchable style it would be awesome! It’s still awesome as just the sandwich though and there are 10 different varieties to choose from:

Five Hot Flatbreads:
Fajita beef & salsa
Buffalo-style ranch chicken
sun-dried tomato chicken
chicken & bacon ranch
Steakhouse beef with garlic Parmesan sauce

Five subs:

Oven roasted ham & cheddar
Turkey & cheddar Dijon
Honey ham & Swiss
Turkey Monterey
Steakhouse Cheddar

I’ve got the Steakhouse cheddar to try out tomorrow.. I really can’t wait because 1. the first one was so good and 2. I really need to stop buying lunch and wasting so much money. I encourage you to give this a try if you're busy at work like me and don't want to keep wasting money on take out like I do, or if you just need something to grab and go.. it's just so worth it!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Non food blog post: Product review: new Dove® Visibly Smooth anti-perspirant/deodorant

I got a full size tube of this (awesome smelling) deodorant in the mail and I was excited to give it a try since it stated it makes underarm hair look and feel less noticeable over time.

I started using it about 3 weeks ago.. And y’all know what.. This stuff really works! The product page states that within weeks you’ll notice your underarm hair soft, fine and easy to remove. I noticed this difference within the first week, and coming from someone with very dark, coarse hair this is a Huge deal. And it further says that over time you’ll stay stubble free for longer.. Awesome! Now, if only there would be a lotion with the same pitch that actually worked on the legs.. Because all the ones that I’ve tried were duds (so if any of you have recommendations, I’m game, lol)

Not only does this stuff work wonders, but the wild rose scent smells absolutely amazing!



I love trying new products.. And when they work as stated, well.. It really makes me happy.

Monday, May 11, 2009

ISO a recipe for Kulfi

Some parents would be surprised if their kids said they like Lima beans, not me.. Kids ask for all kinds of foods, chips, ice cream, soda.. not my kid, not my salad eating, veggie loving will try anything once kid. When he was 6 his favorite food was salmon, now he goes to my best friends house hoping for more baked cod and potatoes with cheese.

Out of nowhere the other day he said to me "hey mom, remember when we lived in the city and we used to get that ice cream from the guy on the street? Can we get that around here?

I instantly knew he was talking about Kulfi, which is readily available on almost every street corner in NYC Kulfi is flavored with cardamom and pistachios and is creamy and sweet, more dense than ice cream, but OMG it's so good! I made it once and it was great.. I got the recipe from my Indian neighbor when I lived in the city, but the recipe was probably lost in the move since I can't find it in any of my recipe books.

So.. since I love to do it myself insead of searching for an Indian market around here and paying God knows how much for one Kulfi, I am searching for a recipe so I can make a big batch myself to be readily available in the freezer whenever we want some :o)

Thanks!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Greek food for Mothers Day

MMmmmmm.. I love Greek food.. We ordered in for dinner tonight and I learned a valuable lesson. Ordering from point click eat.com is convenient, but ordering with a credit card can be touchy.. so have cash on hand, just in case. We ordered from a local place, Greek Corner and the food was Fantastic! The Falafel was good, it was a little dry, but it was very flavorful, it was served with a side of tahini, I think it would have been better with tatziki though. The salad was amazing! The Kid got a chicken Gyro, but gobbled it up before I got a picture, lol. I got a Gyro (mmm, Lamb!) The gyros were HUGE! I've got half of mine left for tomorrow's lunch

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Box? I don't need no Stinkin' box.. to make Chocolate pudding.

"Mom, I want something sweet.." the kid said to me from across the apartment. So I said to him, okay, I can make some chocolate pudding. He gave me this awkward look, mom, there's no pudding in the cabinet. HUH? Seriously? I don't need a BOX to make pudding! Hmmf..

and off to the kitchen I went and dug out my recipe...


5 minute chocolate pudding

Ingredients:

2 cups skim milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a medium saucepan heat milk for 2 minutes over medium heat until it's just simmering.

Meanwhile, stir together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in a mixing bowl and add to milk.

Stir constantly over medium-low heat until thickened.

Add vanilla.

Pour into 4 serving dishes and let cool in the freezer for 20 minutes or in the refrigerator for 2 hours covered with plastic wrap.