Jack-O'-Lantern Experience

First Jack-O'-Lantern Experience

 A jack-o'-lantern is a carved pumpkin, turnip or beet, associated chiefly with the holiday of Hallowe'en, and was named after the phenomenon of strange light flickering over peat bogs, called will-o'-the-wisp or jack-o'-lantern. In a jack-o'-lantern, the top is cut off, and the inside flesh then scooped out; an image, usually a monstrous face, is carved out, and the lid replaced. It is typically seen during Halloween.

 The origin of Jack o' Lantern carving is uncertain. The carving of vegetables has been a common practice in many parts of the world, with Gourds being the earliest plant species domesticated by humans c. 10,000 years ago, primarily for their carving potential- ( source: wikipedia )

Trick-or-treating or guising is a customary practice for children on Halloween in many countries. Children in costumes travel from house to house in order to ask for treats such as candy (or, in some cultures, money) with the question "Trick or treat?". The "trick" is a (usually idle) threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given to them. ( source: wikipedia )

This is our first time to carved Pumpkin and I'm pretty excited about it, more than excited than my kiddies, I think..(wink). I made Easy Spaghetti for our dinner and my kids helped me make Iced Pumpkin Cookies for our yummy dessert. Pumpkin carving is really fun activities for the whole family, especially for kids. Awesome experience!!
Trick or treat is just around the corner with that being said, My kiddies are well prepared with their costumes. My daughter will gonna be Cinderella and my son will gonna be Power Ranger. I'm beyond exited to see them trick or treating this year, their both prepared and know what's trick or treat all about.:) I'm sure we gonna have fun on Halloween! How about you? Any plan for Halloween? Any carving ideas or tips wanna share. I'm more than happy to know.:)
Check out below our first carved pumpkins. Enjoy the rest of the week!  I'll see you in few days for more recipes.

Things you'll need:
Pumpkins
Carving tools
Trash Bag
Tea light- to light up the carved pumpkins at night
Stencil-  bhg.com- free printable pumpkin stencils

( My daughter's Pick-  BOO-tiful Kitty Cat! )

Directions:
1.) Take the bottom part of the pumpkin, use spoon to scrape the inside cavity of the pumpkin. Clean it really good make sure no seeds left.
2.) Using your stencil printed in the computer, trace it over your clean pumpkin. THAT'S IT!
Note: If carving for simple pumpkin face you don't have to use stencil. Whatever makes you feel  easy and comfortable..
3.) Follow the stencil line then start carving, start with the most difficult one like the eyes, tale, mouth and ears. Then do the rest slowly!

( My son's pick- SPOOKY Ghost )

4.) After done carving, wipe the carved pumpkins. Make sure that everything looks good. Wait for night time to come and light up the carved pumpkin using the tea light. I think its about time to grab some Iced Pumpkin Cookies.. wink:)

Kiddies super LOVED the carved Pumpkins-- Yay! that's what its all about
Making sweet unforgettable memories!
Happy Halloween Everyone! See you in few days for more exciting and fun recipes..

(xoxox- sweetcuisinera)

Beef Kaldereta Recipe

Beef  Kaldereta Recipe

Kaldereta is a popular dish in the Philippines, especially on Luzon Island.
Kaldereta is a favorite Filipino meal served during parties, festivities and other special occasions in the Philippines. It is a Spanish-influenced dish (the Spanish word "caldera" means cauldron) that became to be Filipinos' favorite and made their own versions. Originally, the main ingredients of this dish includes goat meat, tomato sauce, liver, pepper and cheese. Variations of this dish is with beef, chicken and or pork. Beef Kaldereta is a common dish in the Philippines made with stewing cuts of beef simmered until tender. ( source: wikipedia )

Hello! Guys, Anyone hungry for some beef kaldereta? Yep! that's what we gonna have this week, I'm thinking this would be perfect comfort food for this cold rainy days, Sauteed Green Beans for side dish and leave some room for Iced Pumpkin cookies, chocolate crinkles or even macaroni salad for dessert. A perfect family dinner indeed that everyone will enjoy. The aroma from beef caldereta is all over the house right now, wonder why I feel like I'm drooling while writing this post (hahahha). Kaldereta is best when the meat so tender, So, expecting that the cooking process is like 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the cut of the meat, Perhaps you could used slow cooker on this process or pressure cooker. I simmerred mine for long period of time, enough for me to finish blogging about it ( wink). This recipe is totally my version of Kaldereta, I don't have any peas on hand at the time, So, I added the Bokchoy instead but feel free to make your own twist of classic Kaldereta. The good thing about cooking, is when your having FUN.

Anyways, If you do have some awesome recipe for Kaldereta, or ingredients that I miss or anything at all. Feel free to leave a comment on my blog. I'll be more than happy to know. Check out my recipe below and see you in few days for more recipe. Have a sweet and fun week everyone.

Notes:

-This recipe serve for 4 people, adjust the ingredients depending on the number of guest you have.

-Taste according to your preference.

-Use your favorite sauce and ingredients.

 

Ingredients:

1 lbs. Beef sirloin- ( Used whatever you have in hand)

1 medium onion- chopped

2 clove garlic- thinly sliced

2 medium size potato

2 carrots

1 bokchoy- (opitonal)

Salt n Pepper- to taste

2 teaspoon oil

3 teaspoon soy sauce

3/4 cup tomato sauce

2-3 cups water or beef stock

 

Directions:

1.) Marinate the cut beef with little soy sauce. Set aside.

2.) Put oil in large pot, Add the garlic and onion. Saute until translucent.

3.) Add the marinated beef. Let it simmer for like 5-8 minutes or until brown.

4.) Add enough water or stock to level up the meat. Let it cook slow until the meat become tender. I would say 45 minutes to an hour depending on the cut of meat.

NOTE: Keep checking on it every 15 minutes. Make sure that there's enough water or beef stock on the pot to avoid burned caldereta.

5.) When the water or beef stock reduced and the meat is tender. Time to add the tomato sauce and the chopped vegetables. Salt and Pepper to taste. Let it simmer until the vegetables are cooked through.

6.) Best served when HOT! along with rice and sauteed green beans. ENJOY!

 - Grab your plate and have some Kaldereta :)

Apple Walnut Sticky Bun

  Apple Walnut Sticky Bun

inspired by:

  Sandra Lee- money saving meals recipe

  Sticky buns are a dessert or breakfast sweet roll that generally consist of rolled pieces of leavened dough — sometimes containing brown sugar or cinnamon — which are then compressed together to form a kind of flat loaf corresponding to the size of the baking pan. Before the dough is placed in the pan, the latter is lined with the "sticky" ingredients like maple syrup, honey (or both), as well as nuts and perhaps more sugar and sometimes butter. After the buns are baked, they are inverted so that the pan lining then becomes a topping ( source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky_bun )

What a best way to start your Sunday with this delectable apple walnut sticky buns, freshly bake from your very own kitchen! This is very easy to make, in less than an hour you have delicious breakfast that everyone will love. I got the recipe while watching foodnetwork- Sandra Lee last week, I was totally inspired how easy it is, perfect for a family breakfast or late night snack. I'm off work today! Yay! I'll be with my family all day long and heading to a birthday party. My bestfriend ( Michelle) son's is turning 3, its a superhero theme party and both of my kids are super excited about this event. I can't wait to see the birthday boy with his super hero outfit, Michelle and family and friends. Its gonna be FUN! I'll be making some Meatballs to bring for the party and the recipe will be shared soon here on my blog. Okay, lets go back to the sticky bun recipe... kinda lost in there for little bit ( hheheh). You can follow the recipe posted on Apple Walnut Sticky Buns- Sandra Lee or you can follow my version of sticky bun recipe or make your own twist according to your preference. This is the best time also to use my silicon cupcake cups given to me by my mother in-law. It taste good that your kids gonna keep asking for more, even though its all gone... ( wink). If you wanna try something sweet for breakfast? Try this Apple Walnut Sticky Bun recipe! It might be your Family's next Sunday favorite breakfast. Come on over grab some on the counter while there hot!I'll see you in the next few days for more recipe.. Enjoy your Sunday, Everyone!:)

Notes:

-Taste according to your preference.

- It doesn't have to be silicon pan, You can totally used whatever pans you have in hand. I just like to used what my Mother in-law gave me

- double the quantity for larger batch.

-Baking time may varies depending on the kind of oven use. Adjust the baking time when needed.

Ingredients:
Butter or cooking spray- for greasing pan

2 Granny smith apple- used whatever on hand
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar 

One 8-count tubes refrigerated cinnamon rolls
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Icing- I used store bought cream cheese icing.

Directions:

1.) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray the muffin cups with non stick cooking spray. Set aside.

2.) In a medium bowl stir together the peeled and diced apples with the walnuts, cinnamon and brown sugar.

 3.) Divide evenly the mixture into the prepared muffin cups. I used the silicon muffin/cupcakes pans.  Feel free to used whatever you pans you like.:)

4.) Put the cinnamon roll on the top of the each prepared pans. Push it little bit so that the mixture will stick.

5.) Bake into 375 preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. In cool rack flip the sticky buns upside down. Let it cool for few minutes before icing.

6.) Enjoy a hearty delectable breakfast with your family..:)

Sweet Cuisinera's Mailbox

My Sweet Mailbox

 

As you all know Me, I love to make food and hang out on my kitchen most of the time. My kids are my inspiration to do such thing. They like to help me make food especially dessert. Aside from being an aspiring cook ( hahaha), I'm also love to blog hop when my kiddies taking their afternoon naps. In this quick post, I'm taking you from my kitchen to my "MAILBOX" oh! yeah.. I look forward everyday to check my mail, knowing that there's something in store for me... It excites me every time I get free stuff.. who doesn't? Anyway, Come on let's take a look what's on my mail this past 3 weeks. I you have some good freebies find lately, please do share. Happy Wednesday, Everyone!:)

 #1 - I received- 1 year FREE subscriptions of "US Weekly" magazine.

- I don't buy magazines but it doesn't mean that I don't like reading them. US Weekly is my most favorite one, So, when it comes up on Hip2save few weeks ago. I didn't hesitate to do a survey which took me 20 minutes to finished.. I would say, 20 minute well spent indeed. The magazine copy come up the very next week. Pretty cool! I'm IN of the hottest chikka!!

  #2- I received- "Free pack of Command Strip"

- I personally love Command Strip products.We used them for hanging stuff and its very reliable. When Hip2save featured free sample for command. I was like count me IN!..(haha) I sign up pretty quick. 3 weeks later, I got my free command with a $1.00 ff coupon for next purchase..:)

 #3-I received-" Free Snicker Bites"

-Yay! for free snicker. My kids are pretty excited about this freebie. I signed up for this 3 weeks ago, So, this is not available right now. Snicker announce this freebie through Facebook page and featured on some blogs. I get mine at Hip2save site:) 

#4-  I received- "4 Holiday Cards FREE"

- I'm so excited about this freebie! I personally choose this card. This so perfect for upcoming holidays and the design is pretty impressive. I love this cards.. I signed up for it 2 weeks ago at Hip2save and finally I got it yesterday..:) Midesign@Michaels have countless custom design cards..:)

Disclosure: I  received all the products above for FREE through my personally love site hip2save.com. I don't have any connection to the site nor the company's. Just wanna say Thanks a lot! Hip2save and to all company who giveaway such great freebies. Opinion is 100 percent mine.

Suman Malagkit Recipe

 SUMAN

( Glutinous rice cake wrap with banana leaves ) 

 

Suman is a rice cake originating from the Philippines. It is made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, and often steamed wrapped in buli or buri palm (Corypha) leaves. It is usually eaten sprinkled with sugar. Suman is also known as budbod in the Visayan languages which dominate the southern half of the country.

( source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suman_%28food%29 )

Suman is usually sold during fiesta's and a MUST on OUR table every special occasion. My Grandma loved to make suman and she always put some ginger on them for flavor and removed them before wrapping the suman with banana leaves. Although, I watched my Grandma make Suman, I never get her recipe. It just always feel that there's something into it that makes me wanna eat it over and over again. I would say this is my ultimate favorite snack so far. I always find ways to make suman every once in awhile whenever my craving kicks in. Making Suman, is like taking me back to those sweet memories from my Grandma and fun memories from my friends. I'm kinda missed those days, during Fiesta, all my circle friends gonna stroll around, cheering basketball game, hanging out at video-k and Me! sitting on the side eating Suman (hehehhe). My friends always tease me about my Suman addiction and we laughed all the time. Its fun until now we still talk about it ( heheh).. 

 So, This week! I'm gonna bring you back to your fun memories with your delicious snack. Share your fun and cute story. I would love to know!! Meantime, Check out my easiest recipe for Suman. Turn up some of your favorite music. Hang out on my kitchen, and lets start cooking...wink  ..:)

Notes:

- This recipe is only good for like 12-15 decent size Suman just double the ingredients if your making it for larger batch.

- Taste according to your preference.

Ingredients:
2 cups Glutinous Rice/ Sticky Rice- washed and drained
2 cups Coconut Milk and Water- I used a 13.5 oz. can of coconut milk and added enough water to make it exactly 2 cups.
Ginger
1 teaspoon salt
Sugar

 

 Directions:

1.) Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. Taste the mixture according to your preference ,then let it boil. Reduced the heat and continue cooking until the rice cooked. (It just same process of cooking rice, just replaced the water with coconut milk)

-You can also use the rice cooker for this if you want.:) 

2.) When the rice is cooked, let it cool down before wrapping. Meanwhile, prepare the banana leaves for wrapping.

I used frozen banana leaves available at many Asian store. Defrost the banana leaves before using it, washed thoroughly using hot water to avoid from breaking. Set it aside and wipe it down.

 

 3.) Start wrapping the Suman, by adding 2-3 spoonful of cooked rice onto the banana leaves. Size of the Suman varies depending how big you want it to be. Roll the cooked rice, then fold both end of banana leaves to secure the cooked rice. 

-( I forgot to take picture on wrapping process, but I'm sure you can picture it out..wink)

4.) Put the wrapped Suman and set them in a steamer. Steam for like 15-25 minutes...:)

5.) Enjoy! best served with sugar on the side, but I like mine without sugar..:)