The Housewife Chronicles: Holiday Baking

It's that time of the year again.. I'm turning my kitchen topsy turvy, depleting my sugary supplies and baking up a storm for my friends and loved ones. What is better than crackly topped, ooey gooey brownies, as prosaic as they are? Revel bars, the recipe I got from my sister-in-law, is in essence a giant chocolate chip oatmeal cookie made over the top.

I'm tired but satisfied knowing people dear too me will be enjoying the fruits of my baking endeavors.

The Housewife Chronicles: Food Overload

Wow, pig-out week for the family.  We had a couple of guests from out of town and the in-law's family took turns taking them out to eat.  Last night was daddy and mommy's turn and, as usual, it was a fantastic meal.  My mom-in-law is a great cook (discalimer: Ma, your cooking is delicious too!!) and I always forget my diet when she's cooking for a party.

Here are her kitchen assistants.  Yup, there was a lechon and it was delicious.  If ever you're in Tarlac City, pass by Louie's...they have tasty roast chicken and lechon.  You could also get them to roast your own pig. hehe

The Housewife Chronicles: Rose Birthday Cupcakes

I played with fondant again!  I tried my hand on making some sugar roses for my good friend Marie's birthday cupcakes and it turned out quite cute, albeit a little rustic. haha 

I baked lemon cupcakes for the base and decided on creamy, tangy, yummy, rich cream cheese frosting.  I got the chance to use the 1M Wilton tip my sister-in-law got me from Canada.  I love the rose patterned frosting it pipes out. 

Got over-enthusiastic with the frosting! hihihi

Finished product!

The Housewife Chronicles: Strawberry Cream Cake

I had a mission.  

I wanted cake.  A cake filled with strawberries and cream, cool from the refrigerator and meltingly light in the mouth. But I was tired and the baby was sick so a compromise had to be made.  I cheated and made a simple sponge cake instead of chiffon.  I had just one box of cream left and decided that the cake could do with just cream in the middle and on top. 

It was wiped out at dinner.  So I guess it's ok? :)

Strawberries for the filling.  I boiled 500 grams of frozen strawberries, some sugar, lemon juice and lemon peel to make homemade jam.  

 

Bake one 8 inch sponge cake and let cool before placing the filling.  

  

Love the afternoon sun.  I wish I could cook in the daylight more often.  (Better pictures hehe)

 

Slice the cake in half and soak thoroughly with the strawberries.  Top with whipped cream and place the other cake half on top.  Spread with cream and top generously with strawberry mixture.  The cake is best assembled a few hours before serving so the cake soaks up all the strawberry juice.  

 

I also made Korean fried chicken.  Sinful but worth the effort of deep frying! 

 

Have a happy, yummy weekend ahead! 

The Housewife Chronicles: Pizza Night!

Making dinner for two is a puzzling math problem.  You'll want enough food for some but not too much leftovers, just enough for another meal or else someone will complain that he's sick of eating the same stuff. You have to measure and portion your meat, fish or vegetable in advance so you do not have to thaw a whole kilo of chicken when it's just the two of you eating.  And sometimes, it is just too much effort to cook a separate meat and vegetable dish. But you also want to cook healthy and well balanced meals.

After two and a half years of marriage, I think I have cooking for two down to an art! One of the easy and yummy dish in my repertoire is this recipe for no-knead pizza.  It is virtually oil free.  It has lots of fiber since I use half whole wheat flour for the dough.  It is a balanced meal; you just choose your protein and vegetables to top the pizza.  And most important, it's easy and quick! haha

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is quick. 

Prepare a bowl.  Place 500 grams of flour.  I use half all-purpose and half whole wheat.

Add 2 and 1/2 teaspoons of instant yeast,

3/4 teaspoon of salt,

3/4 teaspoon of sugar,

 and 1 and 1/2 cups of room temperature water. 

Stir until combined.  If the dough seems dry and there is excess flour add a tablespoon or two of water until combined.  Leave in a warm spot for two hours until it rises.  You can also leave the dough inside the refrigerator for 2-3 days and just use it when you feel like it.  What I do is use half the dough immediately for dinner and freeze the other half for another day. 

Preheat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.  Grease a baking sheet with a tablespoon of olive oil and spread half the pizza dough with your fingers.  Don't leave it too thick, you want your pizza crunchy and just slightly doughy.  Spread with some pesto or basil oil and tomato sauce. 

Top with grated cheese.

Adding our favorite toppings: onions and mushrooms.  Protein for tonight is shrimp.

Place in the oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is slightly brown and crispy.

Eat hot for maximum satisfaction.  Enjoy!!! 

Dream Come True

I have dreamed of you for so long, and now that you're here.. I'm never gonna let you go.  

Welcome to my life.

I promise to take care of you, treasure you, never take you for granted.

We may have to work through some sticky situations.. But always know that I'll be there right next to you, guiding your way.

 

Hello, Kitchenaid K5 mixer.  I wish you came in red.  But somebody dictated that the Philippine market can only have you in white.  I really can't wait to use you.  Checking for a recipe worthy of your debut! :)

The Housewife Chronicles: Super Moist Chocolate Cake with Whipped Chocolate Frosting

Remember the chocolate cake I stashed away in the freezer?  It finally came out to fulfill it's destiny..to become my sister M's birthday cake!

Ganache has always been my choice of frosting for chocolate cake.  I wanted to try something with a lighter texture this time and made a simple whipped cream frosting.  You just need to whip up a cup of heavy cream until stiff then fold in 4 ounces of cooled melted chocolate.

 Frosting in the middle for maximum yumminess. 

More frosting.. I love frosting.  I ate leftover frosting for breakfast.  DON'T tell anyone!

It's okay if the frosting is not completely smooth.  Ok, repeat until it becomes true. 

Put some decorations to hide the "not too smooth but it's okay" frosting.  Pink flowers and a happy birthday makes everything better.

Closer shot.

 Eat!!!

How does it taste?  The frosting has a mousse like texture with the taste of chocolatey ganache.  My mom and sister still preferred traditional ganache but I do like the lightness it gives the cake...Makes it that much easier to finish your slice of cake.. or two.. hehehe

Happy Birthday M!!! We love you very much!

The Housewife Chronicles: Dreaming of Sour Cream Cupcakes

I have sour cream in the refrigerator, and when I have sour cream, I dream of moist, melt in your mouth chocolate cake.  Non-bakers would find it strange to have sour cream in their cake, but it really gives baked goods a wonderful delicious tender bite. I whipped up some cupcakes for  E's barkada's daughter and froze the rest for my sister's birthday next week.  But really, I just wanted to sneak a cupcake or two into my waiting lips.   

I have made this recipe twice before and it consistently produced beautiful looking, flat topped cakes and cupcakes. Super ideal for cupcakes with fondant toppers. The usual suspects can be seen below. 

The dry ingredients to be sifted together.

The wet ingredients: luscious sour cream with oil and water.

Leftover batter in the cupcake mold.

Pretend you don't notice the devastated cupcake there.  Somebody might have tried eating a cupcake while it was cooling down. Don't look at me like that! 

 Some of the decorated cupcakes. I love playing with sugar! 

Ok they're not perfect but it's my third time to play with fondant.. Good enough right?  Right?!

(Sorry for the bullying, I can't promise that it won't happen again.  Run away while you can.)

I can't be trusted with cupcakes in the house. I'll have to send these off later and pretend there was just 8 cupcakes to begin with.

 Ok, bye.