Classic Baked Chicken

Description:
In an attempt to veer away from fried chicken, I found this recipe at simplyrecipes.com for Classic Baked Chicken. This turned out to be a winner; no one, not even Brandon missed having fried chicken.

Ingredients:
12 drumsticks (or other chicken parts)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper (freshly ground)
1/2 cup chicken stock or white wine (I used Pacific Chicken Stock.)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400F.
Pat dry chicken pieces with paper towels.
Pour about two tablespoons olive oil in a roasting pan. Add chicken pieces one at a time and coat each with oil.
Season generously with salt and pepper.
Bake chicken for 30 minutes at 400F, then lower temperature to 350F and cook chicken for 15-30 minutes until done.
(Tip: Check chicken for doneness at this point. Chicken is done when clear juices come out when chicken is pierced with a fork. Make sure not to overcook or chicken might become tough.)
Remove chicken from roasting pan and put in serving platter. Keep warm until gravy is cooked.

To make the gravy:
Put roasting pan over the stove and heat up. Using a spoon or metal spatula, scrape the bottom of pan to remove browned bits.
Pour chicken stock or white wine and keep cooking until syrupy consistency. Taste the gravy and season as needed.
Serve with baked chicken.

Pork Tenders in Soy Honey Sauce

 

Description:
For this recipe, I wanted a little sweetness but instead of sugar, I decided to use honey. What a wonderful surprise honey brings to the dish! There's a hint of natural sweetness to the sauce; it tastes so good that you might be tempted to finish it up, leaving the meat pieces behind!

Ingredients:
About 500g pork tenderloin, sliced into big chunks
Chopped garlic and onions
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/8 cup light soy sauce
3/4 cup water
2 tsp. honey (more if you like it sweeter)
Salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
Saute onions until aromatic, add in garlic. Saute until light brown. Add the tomatoes, continue sauteing, then add the pork tenderloin.
In a separate bowl, mix light soy sauce, water and honey.
While pork is still pink, add the soy sauce mixture. Continue cooking until pork tenders are just done, being careful not to overcook or meat will be tough.
Serve with hot rice.

Trixie's Summer Recital

One of the highlights of the summer is Trixie's ballet recital. I have never seen her so eager and excited for ballet and it's a bonus too that she had two dances this time! Can't say enough that we are so proud of her.

I am not ready for school

I am not one who grew up feeling excited about going to school.  As a kid, I got depressed when summer was ending and school was about to start.  I even dreaded Sunday nights because it meant next day will be Monday--- Going-to-school Day.  Now, the feeling is back, but this time, it's not me who is going back to school but the kids.  I can't help it, but I'm having the sniffles.  It seems so silly but I am dreading the close of summer which means the kids will be away most of the day.  The thought of not having the kids at home is breaking my heart.  To think that I complain about not having enough time for myself!  At this point in parenthood, I am the one suffering from separation anxiety. 

Over the summer, I saw Trixie transform from a clingy little girl to an eager young lady.  I can clearly see that she now has a mind of her own and shaping her with discipline and wisdom is becoming more challenging.  She also has a new enthusiasm for ballet that I've never seen before.  She now doesn't mind it if I am not waiting on her while she's in class unlike a month ago when she would always check on me.  It makes me so proud to see her dance with confidence while smiling without her front tooth!  Just this morning, Trixie told me she feels that she's growing up every time she dances ballet.  She then asked me why she grows up so fast.  (I am asking the same question.)  I think she felt the change within her too.  To think that she is just six!  What more when she turns 13?!! (I am so tempted to put OMG, but I kinda won't.)

Pan-fried Salmon with Sweet Onion Teriyaki Sauce

Description:
This is a great way to serve salmon when you're in a hurry. Make sure your saute pan with oil is hot before you slide in the fish for it to have a nice crust that won't stick to the pan (I don't use non-stick pans, just stainless steel).

Ingredients:

300 g salmon fillet (or salmon steaks)

1 medium onion, sliced into rings

Teriyaki Sauce:
1/8 cup light soy sauce
1/8 cup mirin
1/4 cup water

Directions:
Season salmon with salt and pepper. When the saute pan is hot, add about 2 tablespoons of oil. Slide in the fish and cook for about 2 minutes per side, being careful not to overcook.
(Tip: Look at the color of the fish in the middle part to determine doneness. Fish should still be bright pink in the middle when you flip it.) Put on a plate and set aside.

In the same pan with the remaining oil, saute onions until soft and caramel in color. Skim off excess oil.
In a small bowl, mix together light soy sauce, mirin and water. Pour unto sauteed onions.

Serve sauce with the fish.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Loved the play so much that with a little prodding from Brandon, I lined up to have photos taken with the cast. Look at my big smile!

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" by 9works Theatrical is such a hilarious, wholesome and heartwarming play. I am a Snoopy fan so this review might be considered biased, but Brandon, who is quite clueless about Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang had such a great time too. Kudos to the cast of the play- they were EXCELLENT. I hope hope hope that this play will have a repeat.

Full of Brenzie

I thought I only have one talkative child... I was wrong.  Turns out Brenzie is so chatty that I can't keep track of all the things he says that make us smile.  Here are few "Brenzie-isms" that transpired throughout the day...

About trains:
Me:  Brenzie, you played with your trains many times this week ah.  You like trains now?
Brenzie:  I love trains eh.  Trains puff and it's so ticklish and they say, "Choo-choo!"  [Big smile]  Trains like me eh. They kiss me eh.  They say, "Choo-choo!"  

About Mom being angry:
Me:  Brenzie, please give mom a hug. [Big hug from Brenzie]
Brenzie:  Mama, why are always angry at me?
Me:  [Defensive] Am I always angry at you?
Brenzie: [Nodding]
Me:  Why do you think Mama gets angry at you?
Brenzie:  I don't know.
Me:  Do I get angry if you're a good boy?
Brenzie:  No.
Me:  Do I get angry if you don't obey?
Brenzie:  Yes.
Me:  Do I get angry if you don't want to brush your teeth?
Brenzie:  Yes.
Me:  Do I get angry if it's time for dinner and you don't eat with us?
Brenzie:  Yes.
Me:  Do I get angry if you eat by yourself?
Brenzie:  No.
Me:  Do you know why Mama gets angry at you?
Brenzie: [Smiling] No.

About having cold feet:
Me:  Brenzie, your feet are so cold!
Brenzie:  You forgot to give me socks eh.
Me:  Alright, I'll get your socks.
Brenzie: [Getting the socks from me] Thank you.  You're the best!

About a scary show:
Brenzie:  I watched a scary show when you were asleep.
Me:  What was it about?
Brenzie:  Secret!

About school:
Brandon:  What school means to you?
Brenzie:  Teacher Jeannie and Teacher Maya!  (His teachers at Kindermusik.)

About counting:
Brenzie: [Counting the stars on his socks] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, (no 15), 16...
Me:  You know how to count already?
Brenzie:  Yes!  I'm good eh!  But sometimes I need help.

Brenzie's Favorite Expressions:
1.  "Let's play!"- He says this to us ALL THE TIME!
2.  "You have surprise for me?"-  He asks me and Brandon this the minute we get home when the kids are left at home.  He never fails.
3.  "You gave me the wrong surprise!!!"-  Obviously, he says this if he doesn't like the surprise given to him.
4.  "Oh dear..."- He says this with a really sad face when he feels bad about something, i.e. when Trixie has to go to bed but he still wants to play. 
5.  "I hate you!"-  He says this to anyone he is angry at.  He got this expression from Rio.  He used to say "You're a loser!"  He got that one from Cars.