bistek

bistek

Originally uploaded by TulipFleurs.

1/2 kilo of beef (round, sirloin or tenderloin), sliced 1/4-inch thick
4 tbsp. of kalamansi (native lemon) juice
1/4 c. of dark soy sauce
freshly-ground pepper
1 tsp. of minced garlic
2 large onions, cut into rings
2 tbsp. of cooking oil

In a glass mixing bowl, mix kalamansi or lemon juice and soy sauce. Add beef, garlic and ground pepper. Mix well. Let sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Heat a heavy skillet. Add oil. Lightly fry the onion rings. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. Keep warm.

Reheat oil until smoking. Pan-fry the beef slices in batches, removing them as they brown. When all the beef has been cooked, pour the marinade into the skillet and boil for 1 minute. Arrange beef slices on a plate. Place the onion rings on top. Pour the sauce over the onions and beef. Serve at once.

I believe . . .

I Believe…
That just because two people argue, doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.
And just because they don’t argue, doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I Believe…
That we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe…
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe…
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe…
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe…
That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe…
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe…
That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.

I Believe…
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe…
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe…
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe…
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe…
That my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time.

I Believe…
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe…
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe…
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had, and what you’ve learned from them…..and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I Believe…
That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe…
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I Believe…
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe…
That you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I Believe…
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe…
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I Believe…
That even when you think you have no more to give, if a friend cries out to you……..you will find the strength to help.

I Believe…
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe…
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe…
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything Thank you God for all the wonderful people who help us throughout the journey of life..

Broccoli Cole Slaw

While watching Paula’s Home Cooking on the FoodNetwork, I just had to make this broccoli cole slaw salad . . and I did . . . yesterday for dinner. It was perfect for the hot weather we’ve been having for the past couple of days. Recipe Courtesy of Linda Fuller & Christine Lakhani

Note: Since Paula Deen is the “queen of butta” . . . I only used 1/2 stick of butter instead of the 3/4. I think next time I’ll even cut back on it. Also, although it says you can use any flavor of the Ramen Noodle mix, I still used the “Oriental” flavor as that is the one Paula Deen had used. Anyhoo, this recipe is definitely a keeper.

Ingredients

2 bags (3-ounce) Ramen Noodle Soup in Oriental (other flavors will work, too)
3/4 stick butter
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 bags (12-ounce) bags broccoli cole slaw (in the bagged salad section of the grocery store)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Chopped green onions, for garnish

Dressing Mix:
3/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup brown or white sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 ramen noodle seasoning packet

Put the ramen noodles in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin while melting butter in a large skillet over low/medium heat. Add the crushed noodles and slivered almonds to the skillet and saute, stirring occasionally (keep temperature at low/medium heat). Meanwhile, whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Place the shredded broccoli into bowl and toss with the noodles, almonds, and sunflower seeds. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Garnish with chopped green onions.

Maggie’s Decadent Brownies

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

Frosting:
4 ounces (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup pasteurized egg substitute (recommended: Egg Beaters)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (1-pound) box confectioners’ sugar, sifted
4 cups mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a 2-quart bowl in the microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla and mix well with a spatula. Add the flour and stir to combine. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes.

While the brownies are baking, make the frosting. Melt the chocolate and butter in a medium bowl in the microwave on high for 3 minutes stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the egg substitute, vanilla, and sugar and stir with a spoon until smooth. Stir in the marshmallows; they will soften but not melt completely. Spread the frosting over the warm brownies. The frosting will set up when the brownies are completely cooled. When cool, cut into 1 1/2-inch squares and store in the refrigerator in a plastic container with a snap-on lid.

Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen / Show:  Paula’s Home Cooking (Food Network)

******************************I

I baked these for JP’s gurlfriend’s birthday since she’s a chocoholic like me! 😉

Simple Sweet & Sour Meatball Simmer . . .

Prep: 5 minutes / Total: 15 minutes

• 12 oz. (3/4 of 16 oz.) frozen prepared meatballs
• 1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen stir-fry vegetables (sliced green, red and yellow peppers and white onions)
• 1/4 cup apricot jam
• 1/4 cup Kraft Catalina Dressing
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce

COMBINE: all ingredients in large skillet.

COOK: on medium-high heat 10 minutes or until meatballs and vegetables are heated through, stirring occasionally.

SERVE: over hot cooked rice or pasta if desired.

Makes 4 servings: 1 cup each.

Note: For the frozen meatballs, I bought the ones from Trader Joe’s (it’s seasoned nicely) and the frozen bellpepper medley (already sliced into strips). Also, I added pineapple chunks and used apricot & marmalade jam.

3 years ago today . . .

As I look back, it was 3 years ago to this day that we (the hubs, the kiddies, Nanay and I) came back from a 3 week visit to the Philippines.  Our intentions were to leave Nanay behind so that she can have someone look after her 24/7.  Since I had to work, there was no one here to take care of Nanay and we all felt that she would be well taken care of back home (Philippines).  Well, it didn’t turn out as planned because Nanay’s health had gotten worse while we were in the Philippines.  Although she would have been taken to the best facilities in Manila, there was just no way I could have left her behind in that condition.  Well, as soon as we arrived from SFO, I immediately called her doctor to explain the situation with Nanay.  She told us to immediately bring her to ER.  That one visit to the ER that afternoon of our arrival turned into a month’s stay at the hospital.  Come to think of it, we were at he hospital every single day.  The kiddies were still on vacation but I recall days where I couldn’t go into work or I came in late . . .  I think it was a week or so that we found out that Nanay had cancer and that she was at stage 4.  How could we have not known?  We just didn’t . . . . we thought she was in the clear after her lumpectomy 5 years prior.  I’d take Nanay to her doctor appointments (some of them she didn’t want to go but somehow she gave in), but never did we even think that she would have rectal cancer.  Nanay never complained of any pain so it was difficult to gauge what was really going on inside her.  So, yes, it’s been 3 years today and come September 1st, it would be Nanay’s 3rd death anniversary.  All I can think of right now is how much I miss her . . . .

Hmmm . . . I am addicted to Flickr!

I think I’m slowly getting back to my blogging.  For the past several months maybe even for the past half a year, I’ve been so preoccupied with Flickr.  If there were such a thing as Flickr Anonymous, I think I would be the first member to join . . . better yet, maybe I should start my own group.  It’ll go like this at the introductory session . . . “My name is TulipFleurs and I have been flickring every single day.  I cannot put the camera down even when my family or friends go out to eat.  I’m totally addicted to taking pictures.  I have withdrawals if I don’t take any pictures.”  Hate to admit but that’s the honest truth; however, I know I am not alone because there are so many Flickrites just like me.  Anyhoo, getting back to my blog . . . not much to write about today other than my hair dryer broke this morning so I asked the hubs if he could drive me to Costco (I didn’t feel like driving) because I know they sell them and the price is very reasonable.  We ended up getting some additional items like the guava & mango juice, some carnitas, a 24-sheet of colorful tissue paper for giftwraps (@ 3.49, that was a deal) and some cream cheese.  We had already gone to Costco over the weekend so we didn’t need much.  I”m glad tomorrow is Wednesday . . . no exciting plans for this weekend although the hubs did mention Gilroy Garlic Festival.  We’ve never gone but it sounds like the hubs would like to go.  Other than that, I’ll be doing my domestic “weekend” chores.  Till then and good night . . .

Red Velvet Cupcake (using yellow cake mix)

I wanted to bake some red velvet cupcakes from scratch but since I didn’t have enough flour, I remembered I had this recipe for the red velvet cake using a boxed cake mix. I was surprised at how delicious the cupcakes came out . . . will definitely bake this easy-peasy recipe again. The recipe below is for a cake but it works for cupcakes as well . . . (makes 24 cupcakes)

1 box yellow cake mix
5 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup low-fat milk
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring

In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix and only the ingredients listed above. (Do not add the ingredients listed on the cake box). Check the box directions to see how long you need to mix the batter and then bake according to the directions on the box for the size pans you are using.

Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes, run a dull knife around the edges, then carefully turn out onto a cake rack or plate to finish cooling.

Cream Cheese Icing
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick butter, softened
1/2 box plus 2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Using a mixer, blend all of the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. You can add one or two drops of red food coloring for a pink icing, or leave it white for the traditional one.

Another “memory” . . .

Yesterday while at the store, I was thinking of what ice-cream bars to get as we already had two of those Breyer ice-cream cartons at home.  While looking at the different frozen confections, I saw the box of the sidewalk sundae and I remembered how that was Nanay’s favorite ice-cream bars.  Whenever we were at 7/11 or those “mom & pop” stores, she’d always want a sidewalk sundae.  There are so many things that will always remind me of Nanay . . . this being one of them . . . I guess I’m getting a bit melancholy because three years ago this day we were in the Philippines.  We didn’t know whether we would leave her behind to be cared by my uncle and relatives . . . but her health got worse so we made the decision to bring her back home with us after a 3 week stay in the Philippines. . . as mentioned in my previous blog, little did we know that she would be called “home” on September 1st (2005). . . so Nanay, this sidewalk ice-cream bar is for you! 

Doggie Tuna Casserole (Home-Cooked Dog Food)

This afternoon I made this doogie tuna casserole for Toby which I found in my latest issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray.  As I was making it, JP said he wanted to try it and asked if all the ingredients were “people” food.  Of course all the ingredients are “people” food so he tried it.  I”ll have to go on-line and search for a good tuna casserole to make for the familia, but for now . . . this one is for Toby.

• 1/2 cup Half & Half or Milk
• 1 6oz. Tuna in water (drained)
• 1 cup Cooked Egg Noodles
• 1/4 cup Frozen Green Peas (thawed)
• 2 Tbsp. Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese

In a medium sauce pan, heat the Half & Half over medium heat.  Mash in the tuna.  Stir in the noodles, peas and cheese.  Let cool.

Note:  For the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese, I substituted grated Parmesan Cheese instead.  As much as I LOVE Toby, I was not about to spend $8.99 vs. $4.49 for that Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese . . . and both were the same size . . . container wise.  I think I’ll check out Trader Joe’s or Farmer Joe’s next time.