Tasty Exploration

Hyzyd and his “paint brush” microphone

genefaith — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:16:03 +0000

We enjoyed my version of orange-grapes-veggie salad. What makes it more enjoyable is that my 3-year-old Hyzyd entertains us with his dancing and singing!

Watching my son enjoying his moments, I resolved to get him a good microphone, one of those heil sound microphones, perhaps . It’s the least I can do to show my support on his love for music.

If given a chance, I will try a Music Class for Hyzyd. There are so many classes available and some of them are surprisingly affordable. I get to pick one that offers a good variety of activities such as music making with different instruments, music play and movement, and music listening appropriate to his age.

Compost Pails

genefaith — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:39:29 +0000

New find for the day- compost pails!

This small Stainless Steel Compost Pail is only $24.99 at cleanairgardening.com

This stainless compost pail is perfect for homemakers and for anyone who’s spending time cooking in the kitchen. You can keep it next to you while preparing meals. Simply throw vegetable waste like potato or carrot skins,onions peels and all those bits and pieces directly into this compost pail . It’s perfect for storing compostable materials inside the home until you are ready to transfer them to the compost bin. Compost pails can be used to recycle kitchen waste. Composting helps you to get rid of and recycle organic waste from your kitchen.

Tofu Stir-Fry

genefaith — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:17:32 +0000

Good for 6-8 persons

3/4 kilo tofu, cubed
6 ounces sitsaro, trimmed
1/2 cup cashew nuts , toasted (optional)
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1 onion, sliced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup Kikoman stir-fry sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or skillet.
2. Add ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds or until fragrance comes out .
3. Add onion and salt then stir for 1 minute.
4. Add Kikoman sauce, tomatoes and tofu. Gently stir to coat mixture with sauce.
5. Reduce heat and cook until tomatoes are done and tofu cubes are heated through.
5. Sprinkle with cashew or almond nuts.

Serve hot.

Surprise Her with sharp Knives and Kitchen LED Lighting on Valentine’s Day

genefaith — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:37:07 +0000

Attention to the Men of the House, if you really love your wives, sharpen their knives and illuminate their cooking areas with high power LED lighting.

You see , the wives spent most of their time in the kitchen. If you want us to cook faster and efficiently, sharpen our knives! It’s so frustrating to have a knife that can’t even slip through the skin of an tomato. A sharp knife contributes to the aesthetic beauty and better tasting of the food/ dishes being prepared.There are enough frustrations in the kitchen. Don’t compound them by letting us use dull knives.

As for the lighting, there must be enough light over the vicinity of the burners to make certain that the meals is cooked successfully and does not get burnt. Right lighting will ensure that the cook is really able to become aware of the color of the food genuinely processed and even make sure that it is neither unprocessed nor overcooked.

So, why not sharpen your wives’ knives and install proper lighting to your kitchen on Valentine’s Day. I’m sure your wives will much appreciate it than flowers and chocolates. No, I’m just kidding…give her flowers and chocolates, hugs and kisses after the knives and lighting.

The Importance of Customized Cakes

genefaith — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:35:34 +0000

What’s usually prepared for weddings, birthdays , anniversaries and other celebrations? Cakes, right? Cakes are associated with fun, happiness, enjoyment, and celebrations. For each occasion, there is always a particular design of cake.There are cakes for every occasion and festivities. Some of the most popular ones are Gourmet cup cakes, Baby Shower cakes, Picture or character cakes, cup cake bouquets or whimsical cakes, and many more. Weddings are the prime occasion when people do not mind to spend huge amount behind the them. After all, it is their once in a lifetime moment.

edible purse cake from http://www.justcakes.com

Others will take an effort and spend extra for a customized cake- a purse cake for an artsy sister, a football field cake for your sporty hubby, goggles-shaped cake for your diver friend or a 3D Ballerina cake for your daughter. It’s worthwhile for the recollections it will create after the last mouthful of cake is actually eaten.

The next time someone special celebrates birthday, try to surprise them with customized cakes that say something special in them, who they actually are and what they like.

football-field cake from http://www.cake2thailand.com

Baby Corn-Broccoli with Cashew Nuts

genefaith — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:55:49 +0000

good for 6-8 persons

Ingredients:
3 cups broccoli florets
4 cups small whole baby corn
1 cup cashew nuts
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
salt to taste

Procedure:
1. Steam broccoli and baby corn until half done.
2. Season with salt , and arrange on a platter.
3. Heat vegetable oil in heavy skillet over medium fire.
4. Stir-fry cashew nuts and garlic for 3 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Scatter on top of baby corn-broccoli mixture before serving.
6. Serve hot.

How to find your fave restaurants in Thailand

genefaith — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:46:36 +0000

There are countless good restaurants here in Hatyai City that could satisfy your food cravings. You could choose the ambiance too – open door, private, high-class or homey . I prefer restaurants that looks like a home. In Sugar Rock, we really feel at home. Its setting is what we have in our own houses- large dining tables, living room, and kid’s PlayStation. If you don’t have your own means of transportation , make sure to know the address. You could ask the waiters to write down the address in Thai . For me, I took a photo of the address signs for house or restaurants which are written in Thai. I just show it to the tuktuk driver and he’ll take us there.

We’re going to make Cha-Yen (Thai tea)

genefaith — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:27:01 +0000

Now that we finally buy Thai tea (bought this one for about $3 at Big C Extra), we’re going to make Thai Iced Tea or “cha-yen” . It’s our fave drinks and it’s a drink made from strongly-brewed black tea. Good luck to us…he..he…

Benefits of listening to music while eating

genefaith — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:42:31 +0000

If man can say that their lives is in chaos, how would you describe the life of a woman? It’s more than chaotic basing on her full daily schedule- from laundry, cooking, cleaning, working, and caring for the children, the husband, doing the grocery shopping and on and on. It is a life that is filled with stress but I’m not complaining. Thanks to my supportive family and music in my life. When I had so many things in my mind and don’t know where to start, I shut my eyes and listen to music- gospel songs and Christian music. These songs have a calming, contemplative, uplifting quality that’s great for stress reduction. When I’m stress, I turn on my ipod and listen to songs beautifully played on the piano or keyboards with orchestral backup, no vocals. So many times, I can use the music to add some soothing color to my drive to work.

Studies show that listening to classical music while eating causes people to eat less, savor their food more, digest more easily and attain other health benefits. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is one of my very favorites to savor over dinner. What’s yours?

You love me? Then sharpen my knife.

genefaith — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:20:03 +0000

When you’re the one doing the cooking in the house, it’s a must to have sharp knives . If you could find a kitchen knife that is sharp as diamond blades that could cut almost anything, then buy one! There is no greater hindrance to the person in the house who does the cooking than dull knives.

If you want to make cooking easier and safer, use very sharp knives. Aren’t you frustrated when your knife can’t even slip through the skin of an tomato? I am! A dull knife will smash through the onion cell walls rather than slice through them, losing more juices, so it’s arguable that a sharp knife actually results in better tasting food.

There are enough frustrations in the kitchen. Don’t compound them by using a dull knife. If you want to enjoy cooking more, get your knives sharpened. More important: if the person you love is doing the cooking, sharpen their knives!