My KitCHEn Experiments

In this time where there can be shortage of food supplies, we can not afford for anything to go to waste - which is the norm in our household in any case. Today while checking out our ref I found 2 left over buns from last week's lunch. They were stale and hard but do not have any molds - I did not want to throw them out so I rummaged through the pantry for any other leftover stuff I could use to make bread pudding. I found a couple of merengue - I did not know of any recipe for bread pudding using merengue but what the heck, I will just throw it in there too instead of throwing it out... There was also a bit of pink sugar left from a previous baking project... I have some milk, eggs, a packet of raisin and nuts... PERFECT! lets make bread pudding shall we? Bread Pudding Ingredients: - about 2 cups left over bread - 1 cup milk - 1 egg - sugar to taste - toppings of choice (nuts, dried fruits, chocolate etc.) How to: - cut the bread into small pieces- in a ...

I am one with a big appetite. I love to eat … and though I try to be physically active with sports and exercise, part of taking care of oneself is watching what we eat. I try to make healthy food choices and tweak recipes to satisfy my cravings with a little less guilt. I have recently tried using whole wheat flour in baking and while I am yet to perfect breadmaking here's a healthier version of the beloved Filipino steamed cake we call PUTO! Whole wheat flour has more fiber and vitamin content than white flour. Whole-wheat flour contains several vitamins, including folate, riboflavin and vitamins B-1, B-3 and B-5. Substituting whole wheat flour for refined flour helps us get the nutritional benefits with out sacrificing the foods you love, so give it a go! Whole Wheat Puto Ingredients: - 1 cup wheat flour - 1 cup milk - 4 tbsp sugar - 1 tbsp butter - 1egg - a pinch of salt - your choice of flavorings (pandan, vanilla, ube) - your choice of toppings (salted egg, cheese) Ho...

Jumping into the Dalgona coffee craze! it looks so rich and decadent that I had to try making it too! It's simplicity - all you need are equal parts coffee, sugar and hot water plus arm muscles if you are whipping it manually, makes is the perfect instant fancy coffee fix. The process was quite similar to what our office boy did to make cappuccino. Instead of putting coffee, sugar and creamer or milk into a cup of hot water, they would whisk it with a teaspoon until thick and creamy then slowly pure the hot water making the foam rise to the top. Oh how I miss afternoon coffee breaks at the office! Dalgona Coffee Ingredients: - equal parts instant coffee, sugar and hot water - milk and ice for serving - optional chocolate shavings, chocolate sauce or cocoa powder for topping (if you don't have any just use instant coffee too!) how to: - combine coffee, sugar and water in s small bowl and whisk away until thick and creamy! -  two thirds of a glass with milk, add...

Simple ingredients does not mean boring sandwiches! Japanese Egg Sandwich Ingredients: - 3 soft boiled eggs, peeled - 1 1/2 tbsp. mayonnaise - 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard - 2 sliced sandwich bread - 1 cup shredded cabbage (wilted with a pinch of salt) *** optional - salt and pepper to taste how to: - chop 1 egg and combine with mayo, mustard, salt and pepper in a bowl - spread over a bread slice, top with the remaining 2 whole egg - top with wilted cabbage - cover with remaining bread slice pressing slightly to hold the shape. - slice and serve

I have always been a sucker for dessert, I would eat it all day if calories and sugar were of no question and it was at a dessert buffet station that I discovered this sweet and crunchy treat! This finger licking treat is so addicting that I went back for seconds... thirds... fourths... and countless times over - gushing how it is the perfect combination of sweet, fruity and crunchy. It is super easy to make too!!! Dessert Nachos Ingredients: - small tortillas - melted butter - cinnamon sugar - diced strawberry, kiwi, apples - flavored youghurt - chocolate sauce how to: - brush tortillas with melted butter on both sides, cut into triangles - toss in cinnamon sugar - line in baking tray in single layer and bake for 5 mins, flipping halfway through - pile chips on serving plate and top with dices fruits, drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with youghurt

make mornings extra special with French toast! I am up for anything that gives me an excuse to have something akin to dessert for every meal of the day, and French toast is one of my go to breakfast treats! You can fill it with cream cheese and blueberries; peanut butter and jam; chocolate - the options are endless! Ingredients: - 1 egg - 1 cup milk - 1 tsp vanilla - 1/2 tsp cinnamon - bread slices how to: - beat egg, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in a shallow dish - dip bread slices in egg mixture until coated on both sides - melt butter in a skillet and cook bread slices until browned on both sides. - serve and enjoy!

I've never met a cookie I didn't like, and yes I love even the 'healthy ones', and while a plate of freshly baked cookies brings comfort like a warm hug kicking your cookie up a notch is like a warm hug and a kiss on top of the head! Cookie Dome Cake Ingredients: - cookies - milk - chopped chocolate - 1 small pack all all purpose cream - nuts, sprinkles etc for topping how to: - heat cream in a small saucepan - pour over chocolate, let sit for a few minutes and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. set aside - line bowl with cling wrap - dip cookies in milk and arrange in single layer in the bottom and along sides of the bowl - top with chocolate cream and your choice of toppings - alternate layers - chill for a few hours - invert unto a bowl and cover with remaining chocolate cream and toppings. yummeeehh!!!!

you'd never guess the secret ingredient to this healthy cookies! - well maybe you would, in anycase I'm telling!!!! it's chickpeas! - not the first thing that come to mind right??!! I really really do have a sweet tooth and am always on the lookout for healthier versions of cookie, cupcake and brownie recipes to satisfy my cravings without (much) guilt. This is one of my newest fave.

I am always for the look out for simple recipes that I can make whenever a baking mood strikes. I love those kind that does not require you to make a trip to the grocery; does not need you to bring out the mixer or a couple of bowls and pans (easy clean-up); and can be whipped up and into the oven in 10 minutes or less. This is such one recipe - easy and simple but oh so yummy! Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake   Ingredients: - 1/3 cup white sugar - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup white sugar - 1 egg, beaten - 1 cup milk - 1/3 cup vegetable oil - 1 medium apple diced   how to: - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a bundt pan in a small bowl mix apple, cinammon and 1/3 cup sugar. - In large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and 1 cup sugar. Add egg, milk, and oil to flour mixture. Stir until just moistened. - Pour half ...

The culinary gods must have been on my side when I went grocery shopping the other day. All the ingredients that I need to try making a version of Blooming Garlic Bread was on sale. The round crusty bread, mozarella cheese and bacon were all on special sale so I happy filled my basket with all the ingredients for spaghetti night.   Blooming Bacon and Mozarella Bread ingredients: - crusty bread of your choice - mozarella cheese - fried bacon bits - salt, pepper - italian seasonings   how to: - slice the bread a third of the way thru in a criss cross pattern - stuff the bread cracks with cheese, bacon and more cheese - sprinkle salt, pepper and italian seasoning on top - loosely cover in foil and bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted - remove top foil and broil for a few minutes more lightly toast the top - serve and enjoy!       eating it is fun! pulling it apart with stringy melted cheese! next time I...

I have just recently visited the lovely city of Prague and with only a few days to spend there what better way to get a taste of Czech culture than to eat. During my travels I make it my top agenda to research traditional must-try dishes and bravely take a spoonful if not a plateful of the stuff. In Prague I tried the pork knee and fruit dumplings.   I am kind of missing Prague at the moment so I decided to reasearch for a recipe for Ovocne Knedliky, good thing the ingredients are not so complicated and the steps simple enough that I was able to recreate (somewhat) those fluffy fruit dumplings! Ovocne Knedliky (Fruit Dumplings) ingredients: - 2 cups flour - 1/4 cup milk - 1 egg - 2 tbsp butter - 1/4 tsp salt - fuit of your choice, traditional Czech's use plums but I only have canned peaches so that's what I used - cinammon sugar - melted butter - dollops of whipped cream how to: - mix flour and salt in a bowl - make a well in the center - mix the mi...

I admit - I am one of those people guilty of taking condiment packets from restaurants everytime we eat out. I guess a lot of people have developed this habit that they are now charging extra for every packet of ketchup, garlic butter, mayo etc etc... The last time we were at Papa John's I got to take home an extra garlic butter dipping sauce, it lay hidden under the pile of ketchup packets until last thursday when I found a recipe for parmesan baked potatoes. The recipe originally called for butter and minced garlic but having that extra garlic butter tub that I had cut the process short giving me more time to browse the net tee hee! Garlic Parmesan Baked Potato ingredients: - 5 small potatoes (I choose small, long 'flat' potatoes) - 4 cloves of garlic minced - 3-4 tbsp melted butter - 2-3 tbsp parmesan cheese - salt and pepper to taste how to: - boil the potatoes until tender - cut in half lengthwise - pour 3 tbsp of  melted butter in a baki...

I have always dreamed of hosting an intimate dinner party or get-together of sorts just so I can serve chocolate fondue for dessert. I bet dunking morsels of cake and fruit into creamy chocolate would be decadently fun. I haven't gotten to hosting that party - heck I haven't even got a fondue set but who's to say I can't have a chocolate dipping party for one???! Chocolate Fondue : ingredients: - package or can of cream - 1/2 tbsp butter - 2 tbsp of cocoa - 1 cup of powdered sugar - 1/4 cup hot water how to: - in a small bowl mix the cocoa and sugar into the hot water until dissolved. set aside - heat the butter and cream in a heavy saucepan on low fire - add the cocoa mixture. mix until cocoa is incorporated. - continue stirring for five minutes on low, not allowing the chocolate mixture to boil - transfer into a bowl and serve with sliced fruits, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, pound cake etc dip, dip and dip away!!!

What do you do with leftovers from your steak dinner? make a steak sandwich of course! all I had to do was slice the meat into strips and pan fry them with some sliced onion and some of gravy. Fill a crusty bun with it, top it with some mozarella and pop them in the open until the bread is a bit toasty and the cheese melted. Instant gourmet sandwich! all I need is some cola and chips!

when the mood to make something sweet and fast for a visit with friends strikes, Tiramisu is my go to recipe. It's fast, easy and no baking required!  Tiramisu ingredients: - 1 pack Italian Lady Fingers ( I used a 200 gram pack which was approx 24 pcs) - 2 packets dream whip and enough milk required to make 2 cups of whipped cream - 1/2 cup powdered cocoa - cup strong black coffee - 2 cups shaved chocolate or chocolate chips how to: - pour coffee in shallow bowl, dip each lady finger and arrange it in a single layer on an 8x8 pan - pour half of whipped cream on top and sprinkle with shaved chocolate or chips - lay down another layer of coffee dipped lady fingers - pour the remaining cup of whipped cream and top with remaining chocolate - with a small sieve, dust cocoa powder all over the cake - refrigerate until ready to serve  forgive me for using all instant! sorry no mascarpone cheese in this recipe just good ol whipped cr...

Last year for christmas I made caramel apples - I know, I know its for Halloween treats, but I had just experimented making them a few days before the holidays and liked them so much I thought I'd share the sweetness with everyone. During ordinary days when I crave for some sweet, tart treats I make caramel apples but slice them up and pop them in the fridge to cool - ready for snacking after I finished my chores. Caramel Apples Slices ingredients : - 2 green apples - lemon juice - 2 to 3 tbsp milk - 6 to 8 caramels - chopped nuts - chocolate morsels how to: - slice the apples and toss in lemon juice to prevent discoloration and arrange in a serving plate, set aside - melt the milk and caramel in a bowl on top of a double boiler, add more milk or caramel depending on the consistency you want - drizzle on top of sliced apples, top with chopped nuts and chocolate morsels. Chill until ready to serve  tart, sweet, crunchy and cho...

whenever I don't feel like slaving too much in the kitchen and want something fast and cheap, my go to option is to get a whole Roasted Chicken. Yep, we love our chicken, but you got to admit sometimes store bough roast can be a tad bland and dry. In cases like this I dress it up a bit and throw in some veggies and a sauce to give it more flavor and liven it up. Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry ingredients: - half a roasted chicken deboned and the meat cut into strips - 1 cup broccoli florets and stems - 1 medium carrot sliced - 1/2 cup broth or water - 1/2 cup of sweet chili sauce (or more according to your taste) how to: - just toss everything in a work cooking until veggies are crisp tender - best served with hot steamed rice  no more bland and dry chicken! this one is saucy, sweet and spicy like chinese take out

Whenever I get a day off work (like today yay!) I make myself some fancy breakfast. Well when I say fancy I meant something my brother does not normally eat - something sweet for breakfast like pancakes and french toast. Today I made myself some banana chocolate pancakes. Pancakes I think is one of the most versatile breakfast items ever. You can make it sweet or savory, healthy or sinful, decadent or skinny from a box or from scratch. I made them from a box, sweet and a bit sinful. I had some left over banana from a previous baking experiment that I wanted to use. I normally just slice the bananas and put them on top of the pancake but since they are a bit over ripe I roughly mashed them (I wanted some chunks) into the batter and omitted the egg instead. I added some chocolate chips of course but opted to sprinkle them on top - sandwiching them in  between pancakes instead of throwing then into the batter. I did not want the chocolate melting an...

Bread making is one of the things I would love to master. I love the smell of freshly baked bread and it is such a wonder to me that a simple base of flour, yeast and water can be flavored into many different things from savory to sweet. The very first time I made something 'bread like' was pizza crust - I don't know if it can be considered a type of bread but lets just say it is haha! I had just been given a handheld mixer from my aunt who got it as a wedding gift but had never used it. It had various attachements including a dough hook and so I searched for a basic pizza crust recipe and experimented in the kitchen with my dad. The crust (as I remember) was very good considering it was our first time making it. I guess the mixer and the added muscle power from my dad in the kneading process made the dough just right. I was in the mood of making pizza again from scratch and had found a new way to present it via Pinterest. Instead or making a round pizza, it suggeste...

Probably the thing I love most about traveling is the culinary adventures - the hunt for that ever famous restaurant and finding out what the fuss is all about or just stumbling upon some hidden gem of a food joint with the tastiest most authentic dishes gives me more thrills than finding a bargain at the malls.  A year ago I am fortunate enough to travel to Bangkok Thailand with my family and boy did we eat! me and my dad were even brave enough to snack on fried crickets! yes crickets! I thought it would be icky but when you get pass the fact that they are once moving bugs you get know that they taste like crispy fried shrimps, kind of sweet and crunchy, it was good enough for me! I was kinda missing Thai food and so stumbling upon an instant Pad Thai pack at the grocers I had a quick idea of making a Thai themed Thursday dinner. I decided on making the Pad Thai and some chicken satay - I had once tried to make the peanut dipping sauce from internet recipes but it w...