Me and my boy

These are my latest photos with Brenzie. He is now 15 months old and so charming. He is wearing is daily "SSS" outfit- Sando, Shorts, Slippers :)

Ma-po Tofu

Description:
My version of Ma-po Tofu is sweet and mild spicy, which is very Brenzie-friendly.

Ingredients:
3 cloves garlic, minced
Half onion, minced
1/8 tsp. chili flakes (Add more if you want it hot.)
150 g lean ground pork
1 can Gulong Minced meat in Bean Paste
1/2 cup tomato sauce
4 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce (I used UFC)
1 cup firm tofu, cubed

Directions:
Saute onions and garlic until tender. Add the chili flakes. Add ground pork and cook until it changes color. Add Gulong. Using the empty can, add a little water. Add the tomato sauce and sweet chili sauce. Cook until boiling. Lastly, add the tofu and make a quick stir. Serve with rice.

Spinach and Seafood Soup

Description:
This is a popular soup in Chinese restaurants and it's a liberating feeling to finally be able to do it at home. I got pointers on how to make this soup from my baker friend Johanna. This is very comforting and really healthy.

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
3 cloves garlic, minced
250 g suahe, shelled and chopped finely
2.5 cups chicken stock, heated
1 cup firm tofu, cubed (Trix did this for me.)
2 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed in 4 Tbsp. cold water (cornstarch slurry)
2 eggs, beaten (Courtesy of Trix again)
Salt and pepper to taste



Directions:
In a pot with boiling water, blanch the spinach leaves until wilted. Strain out the spinach and place in blender. Add a little water from the pot and puree the spinach. Set aside.
In another soup pot, saute the garlic until aromatic. Add minced shrimps and cook until pink. Pour in hot chicken stock. Add the pureed spinach and tofu. Cook until boiling.
Add cornstarch slurry and combine until of semi-thick consistency. Lastly, add beaten eggs while stirring. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off heat and serve.

Maple Bacon Muffins

Description:
These muffins smelled heavenly while baking and they're so soft and flavorful, warm or not. I just couldn't get enough of it. I got the recipe from tasteofhome.com and next time, I will tweak the recipe to make more variations of this wonderful muffin.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
(I used 5 strips Applegate Farms Turkey Bacon)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup maple syrup

Directions:
Combine the flour, bacon, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, milk, oil and maple syrup.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour in the liquid ingredients. Mix to moisten; do not overmix.
Using a scooper, fill paper-lined standard muffin pans, about 3/4 full.
Bake at 400F for about 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Our own belen

I've always wanted to have a "belen" to remind us the reason for the season so now that we officially have our own place, I am so glad to have this, finally!  Trixie noticed it the day after I set it up, and of course, it did not escape her curiosity.  Her first question was, "What are the names of the three kings?"  And then this, "Mama, are they saying 'Surprise!!!'?"

Favorite Song

Yesterday, Trixie came up to me and asked, "Mama, what's your favorite song?"  It took a while for me to answer, but then I thought of a song she is familiar with, so I said A Thankful Heart in the Vegie Tales show.  She then told me, "Why you don't sing it everyday?  Di ba if it's your favorite song you sing it everyday?"

Now what else can I say about that? :)

Black Bottom Cupcakes

These are sinfully amazing. Every bite is a pleasure. I got the recipe from the ever reliable America's Test Kitchen.