Basic Bread Pudding

The basic of bread pudding are breads, milk, eggs, sugar and the courage to be bold, which is up to each chef or baker. The sweet bread is my choice, but other breads can be used. The bread pudding can be prepared at night and baked in the morning to make a fantastic breakfast.

Ingredients:
3 slices of day-old bread, cut into cubes
1 cup skim milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin spices
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
2 tbs butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Use 1 tbs of butter to grease the baking pan.
In a bowl, whisk well the eggs, skim milk, sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin spices. Mix in cubed bread,

nuts, and raisins.

 

Pour into the prepared baking pan. Dot the top with 1 tablespoon of butter.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.

Crockpot Asian Chicken Soup

I like this recipe when my kitchen has some leftover vegetables. It is so easy for a one-pot meal, and the Crockpot® is a friendly kitchen gadget. This recipe mirrors Thai curry soup. However, add more or fewer vegetables to suit one's taste. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 chicken thighs skinless and cut up
1 cup carrots, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, chopped
1 celery stalk, cut into strips
1 red bell pepper, cut as strips
4 small red potatoes, left whole
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tbs coconut oil
Seasoning ingredients:
2 tbs fish sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
Other ingredients:
2 cups coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1 tbs cornstarch
 
Garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro

Directions:
Use one tablespoon coconut oil to grease the insides of a Crockpot.
In a skillet, add the other coconut oil and brown chicken for 5 minutes.

Remove and place in the Crockpot with all the vegetables.
In the same skillet, add onions, ginger, and garlic. Stir and cook until fragrant. Stir in curry powder and turmeric. Cook for 2 minutes.

Add chicken broth and bring to boil. Pour the mixture into the Crockpot. Season with salt, fish sauce, and sugar.

Cover Crockpot and turn the dial to cook from 3 hours or longer depending on your dining schedule.
In the last hour, assuming you come home from work, add coconut milk, cover Crockpot again, and let mixture warm through.

 

Combine the water with cornstarch and add to the Crockpot (if you like thicker soup). Adjust the seasoning and serve in individual bowls or a large bowl as family style.

Grilled T-bone Steak

I do not have many recipes for beef due to my diet, but this easy spice rub recipe for steak is my favorite. The balance of different spices makes cooking steak is an equal taste as the restaurant meal
.  I only prepare beef for myself within a few days prior to donating blood to improve my blood’s iron count. The most critical point in preparing a great steak isn't when one starts to cook but when one stops.  I am not a steak expert, but this recipe turns out great when served with a baked potato or mashed potatoes. Enjoy.

Ingredients:
One T-bone steak (1 lb.)
1 tbs butter and oil
Spice rub ingredients:
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp clove powder
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp sugar

Directions:
Combine the spice rub ingredients and then the rub spice mixture into the meat well on both sides.

Add 1 tbs oil with beef.  Refrigerate until ready to grill.
Allow the steak to reach room temperature for 2 hours.
Heat the grilling pan and add butter and oil. Heat until butter and oil starts to smoke.

 Add steak and grill for 3 minutes on each side. Do not touch the meat until ready to turn.
Preheat oven to 450°.

Place the grilling pan with steak in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes to cook a steak medium  rare and 10 minutes for well done (adjust the grilling time to suit your personal taste).

 

Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms

Marsala wine has a smoky rich flavor, and it is used to cook the classic Sicilian dish. The Marsala is an inexpensive wine to create an amazing meal without breaking the budget. After many requests from my single friends and family members, I will now start cooking for one or two more often. I hope this Sicilian dish will satisfy everyone who loves to enjoy the restaurant taste without going out.

Ingredients:
1 boneless chicken breast or chicken thighs
1 tsp butter*
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbs all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove minced
1 cup sliced button mushrooms
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tbs Marsala wine
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp chili flakes

Directions:
Dry the chicken breast oruse two sheets of wax paper and place the meat in between them. Pound chicken breast or thighs into 1/4 inch thick pieces.

In a mixing bowl, combine the salt, pepper and flour. Mix well.. Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture and shake off the excess flour.

In a medium skillet, heat oil and butter. Add chicken and cook 3 minutes on each side or until meat is tender. Remove and keep warm.

In the same skillet, add onion and garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and stir. Cook for 5 minutes or until lightly brown.

Return chicken to the skillet.

 Pour the broth and Marsala over chicken. Cook until the stock is reduced to 1/3 volume. Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Serve over noodles, bread, or rice.

 

*Another tsp of butter can be added at the end of this dish; I like to keep my meal a little healthier.

Choose

Just because we chose to become honest people does not mean we are weak, but because we understand that honesty is the primal nature of man, "the index, the innate goodness." Good people cannot choose the path of becoming wicked or evil because it will be all retributive. If we choose to compromise, that does not mean we regressed, but because we understand that trying to be patient just a little will calm the sea waves and save us from big arguments. We choose to forgive not because we are spineless, but because we understand that forgiveness is one of the best qualities in the world and is never wrong. We choose to forgive another reason, not because we do not stand up, but because we understand that things are not such a big deal as to make. We choose "foolishness" not because we are really naive, but because we understand that, when faced with misunderstanding or receive so, to unjust or unfair treatment, comparisons should not be calculated in response but simply return a quiet smile that looks forward. Sometimes appearing to be dumb is not stupid, but we merely want to give the opponents a chance again. We chose to be honest and frank to show that we understand that the lies are contrary to good conscience only to deal with the correct situation. While the truly honest and sincere will comprehensively solve the immediate site problems and will not leave the pain for later. We appreciate showing loyalty is not because we are kowtowing, but because we are disposed to having nice intervals during the course of our friendships. In life itself, there are many things both good and bad. Like it or not they still exist. But when faced with life, the nature of who we are is the most important thing.

Translate from the Internet

Apple Coffee Cake

This apple coffee cake is my lazy morning breakfast. I know that it is not a healthy breakfast. However, the coconut oil, apple sauce, and fresh apple are healthy choices. I like to prepare this coffee cake when guests are staying in my house. The smell of cinnamon will wake them up in a good mood, and they will think they are in heaven.

Ingredients:
Dry ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Other ingredients:
1/4 cup chopped pecan
1/4 cup raisin
1 cup chopped fresh apple
Wet ingredients:
1 egg
1/2 cup apple sauce
1/4 cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
1/3 cup to 1/2 cup sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Grease and flour an 8 inch cake pan.

Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, and whisk well. Make a well in the center.

Combine the wet ingredients in a Vitamix® container. Turn the machine on and blend for 20 seconds.
Pour the wet mixture in the center of the dry ingredients.

Whisk for 50 times to combine.

Stir in the raisins, chopped apple, and chopped nuts.

 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Easy Stir-Fried Fish with Green Beans

This easy recipe is for a healthy meal. The fish can be any fish that your taste desires.  I like to prepare meals using a recipe such as this because it is simple and uses healthy ingredients. The size of the meal is also cutting back for each individual served since I have many requests from my youngest family members. Here it is.

Ingredients:
One 8 oz. salmon or tuna fillet
1 cup green beans
1/2 cup red onions
2 garlic cloves minced
1 small tomato 
2 tsp oil
Stir-fry sauce ingredients:
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tbs soy sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 tsp blackstrap molasses
1 tsp honey

 Garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro

Directions:
Combine the stir-fry sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
Cut salmon into 1 inch cubes. Use 1 tbs of stir-fry sauce mixture to marinate the fish.

Cut tomato into wedges.
Bring a pot of water to boil and blanch the green beans for 2 minutes. Drain under cold running water.

In a medium sauté pan, add 1 tsp of peanut oil.  Remove fish from the marinade and place into the hot pan. Sear the fish on all sides. Remove from pan.

 

In the same pan, add another teaspoon of oil and add red onions and garlic. Stir and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

Add the green beans,tomato and stir-fry sauce.

 Cook for 5 minutes and add the fish back into the pan. Stir to combine the fish and the green beans together.

 Sprinkle with the green onions and cilantro. Serve over steamed rice.