Veggie Calzone

No one is born a great cook; we learn by doing.

-Julia Child

My daughter, Michelle, is taking a cooking class, and she has a project about different recipes, but they're supposed to be healthy.

Her first recipe is something with whole wheat as the main ingredient. I recommended a vegetable calzone to her. I've been making this for years, and it's one of my daughter's favorites. It's like a different version of pizza. If you don't have time to make the dough, you can just buy a pre-made one in the grocery store, like Winco.

Ingredients

1 lb. whole wheat pizza dough
1/2 lb. chicken tenders chopped
1 1/2 mixed broccoli, red bell pepper, and mushrooms
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 parmesan cheese
1 packet of herb goat cheese
1 small onion chopped
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 egg

Directions

1. Rinse vegetables and drain well.

2. Put a little olive oil in the pan, and brown the chicken. Then add the onions and vegetables. Sautee it just half-cooked.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the vegetables, cheeses, chicken, and pepper.

4.  Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll out each piece into 6-inch circle. Spoon 1/4 of vegetable mixture over 1/2 of each circle, leaving 1/2-inch border. Moisten edge of dough with water; fold dough over filling to form half circle. Pinch edges well to seal. Cut several slits in top of dough; brush with egg.

5. Place on greased baking sheet and bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.

Summer Favorites

   

     It's September now, and summer is almost over. We didn't travel far, but we did many activities such as hiking, cooking, going on picnics, and working around the yard. So I wanted to share all of my favorite things from the past three months.

- Food: 

Ceramic Dish:
I bought this in the farmer's market this summer at a reasonable price. The lady said it was oven safe, and I was initially skeptical, but I found out she was right. I tried to use it a few times and it was wonderful. You can bake anything in it like baked pasta.

Paella Pan: 
We went to World Market and I saw this pan, and really wanted to cook paella. I like it because you can cook it on the stove or bake it in the oven, and it's ready to serve. It's very convenient if you're bringing food for a potluck. It can also be used for baking bread; I used it to bake my sweet bread rolls.

- Decorations:

Wall Mirror: 
We converted our formal dining room to an extension of our living room and I bought this mirror to face the china cabinet. It creates an illusion of space in the area. I didn't even know that it matched the old console table we bought a few years ago.

- Places:

Farmer's Market: 
Almost every weekend we go to this place. They sell an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. I love trying the different foods they have in the street market. You'll never know if you will find cool stuff that you can use as decoration or use in the kitchen.

- Books Read:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:
Can a man be convicted of a crime he didn't commit because of his color? Even though he was innocent, there wasn't enough evidence to support his case, and was persecuted until his last breath.

Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio:
It is possible to solve a crime eight decades later? This story is about a young reporter who was able to unlock the mystery of a disappearance of a three year old boy back in 1933. She found out that she also has a connection to the mother of the boy, and was able to find the person responsible.

I'll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark: 
This is a story of a young interior designer, whose son was kidnapped in broad daylight. Somebody was trying to destroy her and steal her identity. The person behind this crime will shock you!

Divergent by Veronica Roth: 
If you have to choose between your family and your own happiness, which would you choose? This book is about a young girl named Tris, who made a choice that will change her life forever.

Ukoy (Bean Sprout Fritters with Shrimp)

   

     Ukoy is another typical Filipino food. This can be eaten as a snack or appetizer. This is my family's favorite, since my daughters request it all the time. In the Philippines, this is another street food alongside with turon, lumpia, and bananaque. We usually eat this after school as meryenda (snack). You can serve this with spicy vinegar or sweet chili sauce. There are different variations; instead of bean sprouts, you can use julienned squash, which is rich in vitamin A.  

Ingredients: 
- 2 cups bean sprout
- 1 lb. small shrimp
- 1 cup spring onions cut into strips
- 1/2 cup julienned carrots

Batter:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 egg well beaten
- 1/4 cup anatto water
- 2/3 cup vegetable stock or water
- oil for deep frying

Directions:

1.) Sift dry ingredients in a bowl. 

2.) Blend in the remaining ingredients listed under batter except oil. Mix thoroughly to make a smooth batter.

3.) Add in the bean sprout, shrimp, and onions until combined.

4.) Scoop about 1/4 cup of the batter and lower carefully into the pan with the hot oil.

5.) Fry until crispy and golden brown on both sides.

6.) Drain in paper towels to remove excess oil.
7.) Serve with vinegar seasoned with chopped chilies, salt, and black pepper.

Enjoy!

Dried Hydrangea Floral Arrangement

     Dried floral arrangements add a lovely element to your home decor. It can be expensive if you buy them in the store, but you can do it yourself to save money. It doesn't wilt and doesn't require frequent replacement. Summer is almost ending and most of my flowers in the garden are drying out and turning brown. So, I decided to make a dried hydrangea arrangement.

     I recycled a patron tequila container to use as a vase. I put shiny stones in the bottom of the container so that it can hold and secure the stems of the flowers. I put moss to cover the stems and add a decorative effect to the arrangement. We didn't spend anything on the materials because all of it was found in the house. 

Seafood Paella

     "There is no love sincerer than the love of food"  

- George Bernard Shaw

    Paella is a typical Filipino dish, but this recipe was originated in Valencia, Spain. Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards for many years, which explains the influences when it comes to food, customs, and traditions.
    Paella is made with meat, seafood, and vegetables. It seems that with Paella, almost anything goes! It's like a pizza that you can put anything on top. The only thing that you measure is the rice and the liquids which is important in making this dish.
    Another important ingredient is saffron but I used smoked paprika instead because it helps give a smoky taste. I like that you can put everything in a pan and it's complete with all the nutrients.

Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cup rice
- 3 cups low sodium chicken stock
- 1/2 cup tomato soup
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 small bell pepper
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 10 prawns
- 1 crab
- 20 clams
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 onion chopped
- olive oil (to saute)
- salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.) Boil the chicken stock, and then put in the clams. Cook until it just opens. Drain the clams, and then set aside.
3.) Take your Paella pan, and put oil. Fry the prawns until it turns red. Then, set aside. In the same pan, saute the garlic and onions. Add the rice and smoked paprika and stir well until it's coated with oil.
4.) Now add the bell pepper, the chicken stock, and the tomato soup. Stir, then bring to a boil. Taste, and adjust the seasoning to taste. Cover the pan tightly with foil, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
5.) After 20 minutes, uncover the foil; add green peas, and fluff up the rice. Arrange the prawn, crab and clams decoratively on top. Cover the pan again with foil, and bake for 5 to 10 minutes.
6.) Serve with lemon wedges and sliced hard boiled eggs. Enjoy!

*Nutritional Bonus: 
Among other important vitamin and nutrients, this dish is rich with copper. It's essential for absorption of iron. Copper deficiency can result in symptoms similar to iron deficiency which is anemia.

Miniature Fantasy Garden

     When my daughters were little, they loved stories about fairies. They would dress up in fairy costumes, and pretend they were in a fairyland. This is the stage where kids have wild imagination.
     Since it's summer, this project is perfect for the kids to keep busy. It will help develop their interest in gardening, and allow them to be more creative. This garden is perfect as a centerpiece to a fairy themed party.

Summer Fashion: Cover-ups

     Summer is the time to go on a vacation; it's either go to a tropical island like the Caribbean, or to a pool in your backyard. This post is about cover-ups for your swimsuits. They are stylish and light, which is perfect for the summer weather. You can also pair it with sandals or flip flops.