Veteran's Day Cake

A dear friend of ours from a school always gives Veterans a cake during Veteran's Day, my husband included. This special lady is the nicest I know in my children's school. She's the one who make me feel that I am no different, that I belong (if you know what I mean). She's from a rich family, married to a doctor but she is so down to earth which makes her so amazing. Our two kids are in the same age, hence, they're classmates both our eldest and youngest.  

Anyway, here is the cake that she gave us this year.  She gave it a little early because  the kids are off  on Monday, which is the Veteran's day.

My husband  being a sweet tooth, is  so delighted not just with the  sweet treat but  the special thought of thanking him for his service.  That is something that he seldom get.

I just wish that he is off on Veteran's Day though but unfortunately, he has to work.  Oh well, that is life.

Ms. Burrito's Breakfast Menu

Here's one of those menu that Ms. Burrito prepares  for weekend breakfast.  Vegetable hash with sausage, rice, and apple fritters for dessert.  I  always love the apples.  She also makes delicious crepes which y husband really love.  I will post the crepes later  if I find the photo lol.

Arroz Caldo or Congee

Arroz Caldo or  Congee is type of rice porridge which is very popular in Asian countries, Philippines in particular.  There are different ways on how to cook this dish, I  make mine in a different manner as well.

What you need:

• 1 cup of Sticky or Sweet Rice
• 1 chicken breast
• scallions
• shredded carrots
• chicharon
• salt and pepper
• fish sauce or patis 
• Peeled boiled eggs

Preparation:

• Boil a medium pot of water and  put the chicken breast to cook and add  salt (I don't measure salt, I just taste it as  I cook). The  flavor from the chicken will serve as your flavoring to the porridge.
• Removed the chicken when it is cooked, picked them to pieces and set aside.
• Put the rice to the  broth where you cooked the chicken and   make it boil until  your desired texture of the rice.
• Add the chicken, fish sauce, boiled eggs,  and black pepper.
• When  it's done, serve it in a bowl with chicharon and scallion toppings.  

I always makes this  during Winter especially when my kids are sick.  How about you, how do you make your arroz caldo

Footlong Sandwiches from Subway

Sometimes Subway would  offer their  footlong sandwiches for $5 ion a selected month.  I like their sandwiches because it is filled with real meat and veggies,  hence their slogan "Eat Fresh".

I can't eat the whole thing so when hubby buys one, we split it in half.  He can eat a whole sandwich though but he always split it.   Do you buy sandwiches from Subway?

Beef + Tofu + Yummy

Tofu dishes reminds me of Korea.  We used to eat at a Korean restaurant and they always served us with fermented tofu or kimcheed tofu.  Although I like  it, I have never tried cooking  a dish with tofu so I  got excited when I receive the EZ Tofu Press to try and  review because it gave  me an opportunity to explore my culinary  skill lol.

EZ Tofu Press is a brilliant invention for easy tofu preparation.  As you all may know, Tofu is a great s healthy protein source but preparing it is quite tricky.  This kitchen  gadget allows the   excess water to be removed  out of the tofu by pressing it.  Once you have it pressed, the tofu will have a  chance to absorb flavor.

Here are the  features that you can expect from this  useful gadget.

1.  $26.99 cost (at Amazon)
2.  EZ Tofu Press can press virtually all sizes of firm and extra firm tofu. 
3. Pressing can be achieved in 15 minutes or less. Prep food and marinade while turning the knobs every 2 minutes over a 10-15 minute time frame
4. Presses substantially faster than spring based tofu presses. 
5. Easy to clean- small, compact, dishwasher safe, and fewer parts to break.
6. Saves on paper or cloth towels!7
7. EZ Tofu Press comes in a retail box, with instructions and handy measuring tool.

I bought this tofu plus at the store  yesterday and we  cooked it last night for dinner.  Whenever I have a new gadget  in the kitchen my Burritos are always willing to help me.  They were the ones who pressed the tofu and remove the water  by using the EZ Tofu Press. 

My six year old son even  volunteered to cook the tofu.

Preparation.  PLease note that this is my first time cooking tofu and I couldn't find a recipe that  I like so I just made my own.

1. Place the tofu in the center of the EZ Tofu Press
2. Tighten the  EZ Tofu Press by turning the knobs clockwise.  It is very  easy to use, even kids can do it.
3. When pressing is done, I  sliced  the tofu into 1/4" thick
4. I sprinkled each slices with steak seasoning and fry it in a pan.
5. My son fried it till it is golden brown then I sliced them into small pieces.
6. I sliced one piece of   beef steak into small pieces.
7. Sliced a piece of jalapeño and  sliced one scallion.
8. I sauteed the beef, sprinkled steak seasoning on it  and when it is cooked, I added the  tofu and scallion and added soy sauce.
9. I scooped 1/2 of the dish for the kids and hubby.
10. I  added the  jalapeño on the remaining half for me.

Here is the yummy beef with tofu!  I came up with this formula, Beef + Tofu = Yummy! Lol.

My daughter did not eat tofu which I could understand because it is probably her  intuition that saying not to eat it because she was once got  allergic to soy milk.  I was surprised that my son love the tofu!  My husband said it's okay and if I would rate the dish that I made, I would give it a 7 out of 10.  It wasn't great but it wasn't bad considering it was my first time cooking a tofu!