"Trick or Treat..."

"Smell my Feet...
Please give me something
Sweet to Eat... "

Well, here's one treat I'm sure S and her classmates would find hard to resist:

A freshly baked 24-inch (pizza-sized) Mrs. Fields cookie!
(Yep, today is the dentists' favorite day. Get the drills ready!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Mrs. Field's Site:
http://www.mrsfields.com/

Side Dish: Corn Casserole

This recipe was taken from Paula Deen's "Southern Sides" Episode
(Food Network Channel)

Ingredients:

1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn/niblets, drained
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.

Hint... Hint...

Every year, my hubby would always ask me what I wanted for my birthday and for Christmas. And every single time, I'd answer that I'll take whatever he gives me. He himself has no qualms in telling me what he wants. His reason was that at least he knows he'll be getting something he really likes.
Well, that particular question is one of my pet peeves.
For me, the best part of receiving a gift is not knowing what's in the box.

Surprise me!!

Now of course, some guys out there should know that there are a few things you shouldn't be giving your wife or girlfriend for her special day unless she specifically asks for these:

#1. Gym membership
#2. Diet books
#3. Sign her up for Zone meal deliveries
#4. Cooking/Kitchen utensils/gadgets (again, not unless she loves cooking)
#5. Exercise machines
#6. Cleaning Appliances

Back to P. - when he finally told me that he intended to get me some new duds for my birthday, I politely declined. Sorry, but straight men simply do not have a clue on how to shop for women. It's not like buying their own clothes where they could just walk in a store, grab a random black L shirt and a pair of 36/33 boot-cut washed pants and then waltz out the door in 10 minutes. With women, its not only about picking the correct size and right color - but the cleavage, the bodice, the lenght, the "tummy-control" factor, and the style has to be perfect as well!
Details. Details. Details.

So anyway, I wanted to end his dilemma (and get him off my back) so I told him to go through my stuff in the bathroom cabinet and get me some beauty products that I had almost used up or looked like they needed to be replaced.
New make-up and maybe a couple of my fave nailpolish would be great.

Instead, I got a whole box of Anti-Wrinkle products.

Deep Collagen Cream, Intensive Recovery Serum, Eye Cream, Purifying Mineral Mask, the whole shebang...
I'm like: Are you trying to tell me something??

Yup, that should be #7 on the list.

Poor P. I guess he could never win.

I did like the 2nd gift better. DK's Gold vaguely reminded me of L'Eau D'Issey by Issey Miyake, one of my fave perfume.
You just can't go wrong smelling like a bouquet of Casablanca Lilies, Jasmine, Acacia (minus the prickly "dangaw-dangaw" caterpillars) and a hint of Patchouli.

Wait a minute...  With the 3rd gift, I guess my hubby did knew me well.
He saved the best one for last!

Well, I should say - he had totally redeemed himself...
So, bring on the anti-wrinkling creams!!
I'll obligingly Slather. Slather. Slather.

Sangria

This recipe makes about 5-6 pitchers of uber-delicious Sangria.
For best results, make this a day before the party:


* 3 bottles Red Spanish Wine (Rioja)
* 1 bottle dark Spiced Rum (Captain Morgan)
* 1/2 bottle Peach Liquor or Peach Schnapps
* thinly sliced oranges and lemons
* chopped apples
* sliced plums, peaches and apricots
* 3-4 cinnamon sticks
* 4 tablespoons of sugar

Mix everything together in a huge (or several medium-sized) bowl. Cover and leave in fridge overnight.

Make Sangria ice cubes by mixing cranberry juice and orange liquor together and freezing them a couple of days in advance. Store in the freezer in a large ziploc bag until ready to use.
Otherwise, plain ice cubes will do.

Have fun!!
Err... Is the room turning, or is it me?

Starters

I finally woke up from my 3-day "nap".
The party we had last weekend was a lot of fun - although it was also a looot of work.

We were expecting guests to arrive at 7:30 PM but I got so caught up with making my dips (for Chicken Satay and Crab Cakes) that I still had my shower robe on at 7:15!

As what the "Iron Chef" would say: "The pressure is on".

I had a couple of minutes to jump into my dress before the doorman buzzed to announce the arrival of our first guest.
No time for make-up. No time to style my hair.
I grabbed the first hair claw I could find and hastily twisted my hair into a passable bun.

We did one last quick once-over before the doorbell rang:
Light shell candles - check.

Fresh flowers on vase - check.
Wine on rack - check.

Beer in cooler and freezer - check.
Extra cases available - check.
Shot glasses and lemons/limes on hand - check.
Soda - check.
Ice bucket filled with ice - check.

Crudites/Appetizers ready to be served - check.

From top to bottom:
Edamame, Shrimp Cocktail, and platter with cheese sticks, celery sticks, carrot sticks, and pita bread with tsatziki and hummus dips.

Okay, now where's everyone???

Succotash

Chow time!

(From top: Chicken Lo Mein, Swordfish Steaks in Dill and Butter Sauce, Rotissierie Chicken, Seafood Paella, German Spiesbraten, Potato Pancakes with Applesauce on side, Korean BBQ Ribs and Succotash with Pearl Onions.

Not Shown: Shrimp Rolls, Cold Noodle Salad, Steamed Jasmine Rice, Crab Cakes & Chicken Satay)

SUCCOTASH - is a Native American staple. The Indians gave this traditional side dish its name which is derived from the word "msickquatash", Nanganset for "boiled kernels of corn". It consists primarily of lima beans and corn. Some cook it with meat (ham hocks or bits of bacon) while others add milk to make this dish creamier. This is typically served during Thanksgiving dinner in many Pennsylvania Dutch homes.

This is my version of this easy-to-make dish (no meat/no milk):
Heat butter and olive oil, saute half an onion (minced) for about 2 minutes or until wilted. Drop in a package of frozen Lima Beans (I used the bigger variety: Butter Beans) and a package of frozen Corn Kernels or Niblets (if you can't get fresh cobs). After about 5 minutes, add a chopped medium-sized Chayote, chopped green and yellow Squash (about 2 of each), chopped large green Bell Pepper, and then some coarsely chopped fresh Okra (5-10 small okras). Mix everything together and cook in high heat, about 5 minutes. Season with Salt and Pepper. Drop in some fresh Pearl Onions about 2 minutes before turning off the heat.

Most guests happily mugged for the camera...

...a few - I had to catch by surprise.

As the music got louder and the drinks flowed, one friend decided to give a short, witty speech. As soon as he finished, another one (who looked like he already had one too many) ambled over and stood on his place.
As everyone cheered and waited for him to speak, he suddenly began waving his plate sheepishly :

"Oh, no... Man, sorry.  I  just stood up to get some more food."

Somehow, we all thought that was even funnier than hearing him give an actual speech.

The chocolate-buttercream Libran cake I asked my friend to make for P and myself was super scrumptious.
And the indestructible edible design doubled up as a "tribal" Halloween mask!

Quick Update

Okay, I admit I'm slacking off. I have a couple of side dishes to post but I just couldn't find the time to sit and wallow in front of our computer. P and I are busy preparing for a small dinner party on Saturday, and he's intent in cooking for the guests. This means we have to "fight" over oven time by Friday.

I don't even want to think of how we can squeeze 20+ people in our small apartment.
I believe we only have half as much chairs!

Hopefully - by the 4th glass of homemade Sangria or by the 5th shot of Kamikaze, no one would mind perching on the window ledge a bit.

Fish Escovich (Jamaican-style)

This is basically plain fried fish - Jamaican style.
The fish most commonly used is medium-sized Red Snapper, Butter Fish (below), Porgy or Croaker.

After the fish is cleaned, marinate it in a salt/vinegar/water brine for about an hour.
Season with ground black pepper and salt.
(I'm a "Paprika Person" so I added a dash of ground paprika as well).
Fry till golden-brown and crunchy.
Place cooked fish on paper towels to remove excess oil.

In a small saucepan, bring half a cup of vinegar to a rolling boil.
Drop in some sliced onions, carrot shavings, and slices of small hot pepper.
(I didn't want it too spicy so I mixed in some sliced Jalapenos).
Bring it back to a boil then turn off the heat.
Cover the saucepan and let rest for about 10 minutes.

Just before serving, garnish the fish with the veggies and pour a bit of the spicy vinegar on it.
Served with Cassava Dumpling and Sweet Fried Plantains.

6th B-day Lunch

I guess a child can never have enough birthday parties, so here we go again. A month after S' birthday, she's ready to blow her candles for the 3rd time.
This time, she celebrated her day with a classroom lunch with her classmates.

BTW, check out S' bangs. That's the result of her aspirations of being a professional hairstylist - plus having an easy access to a pair of blunt scissors.
At least she didn't do what I did when I was six - cut off the hairs on my right eyebrow.

The first graders mugged for the camera while the table was being set up. It was a gas to see how they couldn't wait to eat the sugar flowers and letters on the birthday cake, instead of looking forward to eating the actual cake!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, S !!!

Pigs In A Blanket

This version takes less than an hour to make and is delicious as a quick pick-me-up snack, school lunch staple, breakfast, or as in this case - great for a kids party. I made about 3 dozens for S' class "Birthday" lunch yesterday and it was an instant hit with her classmates.

To make 2 Dozen Piglets, I needed:
* 1 box Puff Pastry sheets (I used Pepperidge Farm)
* 2 dozen wieners (Peanut Franks)
* cheddar cheese sticks
* Butter spray

Take puff pastry out from the freezer to thaw at least 30 minutes before using them. Pre-heat oven to 375'. Coat franks lightly with butter spray. Unfold pastry on lightly floured surface. Cut pastry into 1-inch strips. Wrap franks and a piece of cheese with the pastry, making sure the cheese is completely covered with dough. Place 2" apart on baking sheet.

Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown. Best when served warm.

Our Future Neighbor, Goofy

P just got back from a weekend business-trip in Orlando, and he finally announced what I was dreading to hear. He's on the brink of cinching a lucrative job offer and wanted to relocate to Florida for good.
By Summer next year.
...so, what do I say?

"Aaargggh!! NO!!!!".

Ok. So I didn't scream that out loud.
I just didn't have the heart to dampen his puppy-dog enthusiasm
- for now.

"What about the insect bites? You're allergic to stings!"
I played on his phobia: "There's a lot of big spiders there. Tons of them!"
"What about the weather? You can't stand it when it gets too hot."
"What about my work? I don't want to lose my seniority."
I stopped short of flopping myself unceremoniously on the floor and wailing.
"BUT I LOVE NEW YORK!! This is my home! I'm happy here!"

"We'll have a garden". he countered.
(Darn! He knows I love plants.)
"And a pool".
(Hrrrmp! 'Cant swim anyway.)
"There's a golf course nearby."
(Hrrmp! Not interested.)
"Discounted tickets to Disney World".
(Hrrrmp! Been there, did that. 5 times.)
"Great restaurants".
(Patttoey! Likewise, here.)
"Lower cost of living".
(Pffftt! Two words - LESS SALARY!)
"We could get a dog. Or two".
(Bleeah! More poop to scoop.)
"There's a lot of work possibilities there for you. I checked already".
(Excuse Me?!!)

Then he hit my weak-spot.
"There's so many Asian grocery stores there. Specialty food shops. And cheaper prices! Fresh veggies. Fresh seafood. You can cook whatever and whenever you want."
"And I saw a lot of Filipinos walking all over the place, too!"
He added for good measure.
Oh, Maaaaaaan. Why do I get the feeling that this is going to be a losing battle for me?

"Besides, were getting old now, Schatzilien. We need to move on and settle down somewhere."
Ouch. I know our _0th bday (yes, were both Librans) is fast approaching but I have never really thought of myself as "Old".
(But they still check my ID in the clubs! I mentally protested).
Who am I kidding?
Maybe I should have taken that lone white hair I found sticking up on my head like a sore thumb as a sign.

Then S chimed in: "I wanna go! I wanna go!"
"Hey, who's side are you on anyway, kiddo?"
I gave her a twisted, evil eye look which sent her shrieking with glee.

He said his Florida-based "business-partner-to-be" had also expressed a desire to get acquainted with the whole family.
"He's a family man with 3 young kids. He understands that I can't make this decision alone, so he really wants to meet you guys."
Hmmm... A plus-point for this guy who seemed so keen on uprooting us from our messy, but comfortable cocoon.

Whatever.
Grudgingly, I agreed to fly over with the whole family after the Holidays to check out the place - airfare and hotel accomodations compliments of "Mr. Tropicana".

In the meantime, I have more pressing matters to attend to:
a couple of small parties to plan, menus to create, a package to mail, groceries to buy,
and a hot oven to turn off...