VEGGIEFY FOR LUNCH: Ensalada De Las Hojas De Camote

My recipe for salad or salad talbos ng kamote is so simple yet tasty.

The ingredients:

1.        4 cups potato leaves

2.        2 pcs of medium size tomatoes  cut into small cubes

3.       1 pc of onion cut into small cubes

4.       2 cloves of garlic cut into small cubes

5.       1 lemon

6.         ½ tsp of vinegar

7.       7. Pinch of salt and  ground pepper to taste

   Preparation to cooking, I sprinkle baking soda all over the potato leaves and let it sit for about 2mins before lightly scrubbing and rinsing thoroughly. Cut the leaves from the stem of potato leaf .Then soak in cold water for another 2mins.

    In a bowl, mix the cut tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Squeeze the lemon and add ½ tsp of vinegar. Set aside, this will be the dressing.

    Place water in a stock pot or a large. Add a pinch of salt and ground pepper to the water and bring it to a rolling boil. Place the potato leaves in a wire basket insert and immerse in boiling water. As soon as the water starts to a boil, carefully remove the potato leaves using a pair of tongs and place on a plate.

    Top the drained leaves with the dressing. Toss lightly to combine. Serve. 

The History of Toffee Has Six Highlights and Possible Theories

There is no evidence to find the origin of the term toffee, but according to the opinion of some people it comes from the world “tafia.”In the creole language, toffee means the combination with sugar or molasses.Other items one might find informational are that English toffee was believed to have orginated as a 19th century confection, there are currently various kinds of toffee and even that the name is supposed to refer to its characterstics.

English toffee is a buttery treat that is often made with almonds. The candy is known internationally for its sweet taste. There are soft chewy variants of Michigan toffee and there are harder versions that may be covered in chocolate and nuts. There are many heated debates about the history of English toffee but there are several theories on its origin. Food historians are able to highlight some major events throughout the food’s history.

No one is sure where the term came from or what it really means

Toffee is an old word, it’s first recorded entry in the Oxford English dictionary was in 1825. No one knows exactly when or where the word originated, but many seem to think that it was around long before it ever appeared in dictionaries. Additionally,there not much details about the origins of the term and subject to much debate.

Some believe it comes from the word tafia

According to one theory it came from the word “tafia,” which is a West Indian rum concocted from molasses or sugarcane juice. This inexpensive rum is unaged and was usually used to add flavor to the candies.

Toffee is said to mean a combination of sugar and molasses in the Creole language

One Creole translation of toffee is “a combination of sugar and molasses.”The one who said this is Harold McGee, a food writer. Unfortunately, he failed to mention which Creole language he was talking about so we have no idea.

The name itself shows the charateristics is has

The third opinion, states that, the name toffee came from tuffy or toughy, referring to the hardness of the candy treat. Some people trace the word back to a southern British dialect.

The origins of English toffee are rumored to be a confection that was around in the 19th century

In the early 1800s slave labor depressed sugar and treacle prices. As a result, the key ingredients needed to create toffee became widely available to average consumers and in large quantities. By using these ingredients, women in England were able to create an affordable candy. The present-day English toffee is somewhat similar to the treat made in those earlier days. The toffee recipe is made by mixing and boiling cream and sugar and then adding butter into the mixture.

There are now many toffee varieties

Even though it started off as something quite simple, toffee now comes in a variety of interesting flavors. Flavors like almond and vanilla are commonly used but lemon, peppermint and coffee are also quite popular in old-fashioned toffee recipes. A list of confections includes milk chocolate as well as milk, dark, and white chocolate chips. Different chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans and cashews have also become a common additions to toffee. Marshmallows and oatmeal have been used to enhance the recipe’s texture and give it a distinctive taste.

We may continue to argue the beginnings and still remain unsure, this will not however, prevent us enjoying and gifting this tasty candy.

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Sunday Off Time to Cook

Alright, it's Palm Sunday today. I have been thinking of cooking Filipino viand. What I have in mind is Adobo and Chopsuey, not a good combination huh. But anyways, I have to satisfy my cravings so I cooked these two yummylicious viands. Diet? Ya, still. Actually, I was able to control myself not to cook rice. So, I just had wheat bread for my adobo and chopsuey.

Where to Buy a Large Spoon and Fork Wall Decor

Collectors may check on the following sites for the availability of large wall decors like spoon and fork and other oversized stuff: shelleybhomeandholiday.com, amazon.com, cgi.ebay.com, kaboodle.com, etsy.com, and westerndecorworld.com.

Some people just want to have oversized wall decors to give a profound effect on their homes, just like these large spoon and fork available at the following online stores:

Shelley B Home and Holiday – shelleybhomeandholiday.com

Cast your bid to get this limited edition of oversized spoon and fork, which is made of wood. This is a great ornament for kitchen or even in dining area.

Amazon – amazon.com

A ceramic large fork and spoon wall decor with an embossed mixed fruit design is a great gift idea for fruit item collectors. The colors are so vibrant and eye-catching, a perfect decoration for the kitchen.

eBay – cgi.ebay.com

If you like a vintage large spoon and fork wall decor, you can have them at eBay for only $9.99, which is slightly used. It comes in a very colorful design, which is made of lightweight wood.

Kaboodle – kaboodle.com

Giant sized utensil set, which includes a spoon, a fork and a knife – are made of wood painted with bronze. These will add impact to your lovely kitchen or dining wall because of its striking life-sized features.

Etsy – etsy.com

Available at Etsy is a set of carved wooden spoon and fork, which is a perfect compliment for an ancient-style house. It has a slightly washed out color due to passage of time.

Wester Decor World – westerndecorworld.com

For a countryside setting, harmonize your home with this large decorative ceramic rooster spoon and fork decor. Other western decors are available to compliment the large spoon and fork such as their decorative rooster plates.

HiMFR – himfr.com

Featured here at himfr.com, is a wooden spoon and fork wall decor with a dimension of 18 inches x 5 inches. Designs can be customized according to clients taste.

Bizrate – bizrate.com

A variety of spoon and fork wall decors are here at bizrate with designs like Italian chef, Mexican Indian and Tuscany grape – all fruit inspired designs.

NexTag – nextag.com

Comes in a 3 piece ceramic decor, this Italian chef spoon and fork is a suitable decorative ornament for your wall. You can place your order at this site or through the manufacturer, the Eastland designs.

For more information about iron wall decor visit Metal Wall Art.

7 Layout and Design Ideas for Your Kitchen

Beautify your kitchen and increase its utility factor by remodeling it one of these layouts and designs: single-line or one-wall kitchen layout, galley or corridor style kitchen layout, L-shape kitchen layout, island or double-L kitchen layout, U-shape kitchen layout, modern or contemporary kitchen design, or traditional kitchen design.

The kitchen is one of the family’s favorite parts of the house. It is because this is where moms usually prepare food for the family and is where the family gets to socialize. Since the kitchen is the “core” of the house, every home owner should understand that it must look beautiful and be spacious enough for free movements. An unplanned kitchen usually results in remodeling. Hiring a kitchen remodeler is the best way to get your dream kitchen. Here are some kitchen layouts and designs that you might want to consider.

Layouts

Kitchen layouts generally refer to the arrangement of the kitchen. A well-planned layout improves kitchen work flow and lessens traffic. Below are common kitchen layouts:

Single-line or one-wall kitchen layout

This kitchen layout is best for long and narrow kitchens with very limited space, especially in apartments or small homes. This layout is very simple and inexpensive. In this layout, the sink, counters, stove, refrigerator, and the cabinets are all located along one wall of the kitchen. Though, you may have to endure walking long distances from one end to the other, it is ideal to put the sink at the middle of the arrangement and make spaces in between for the other furniture or appliances.

Galley or corridor style kitchen layout

This layout is the choice of professional cooks because it basically provides an efficient use of space and makes the area highly functional. The sink, counters, stove, and cabinets are placed along two sides of the kitchen, allowing a bigger space at the center for turning around. It is ideal to put the cooking and preparing area on one side and the washing on the other.

L-shape kitchen layout

This layout is probably the most popular and is ideal for family kitchens. You can also entertain guests with this layout because it creates adequate space for a table and some chairs. Utilizing two adjoining walls of the room, this layout is very flexible for movement, reduces traffic, and has ample room for appliances.

Island or double-L kitchen layout

This kitchen layout is also very popular and is perfect for kitchens with bigger spaces. It utilizes the L-shape kitchen layout but has an additional smaller “L” parallel to the bigger one or at the center of the kitchen. The “island” holds the stove and an extra sink.

U-shape kitchen layout

This classic layout keeps good work flow in the kitchen. It utilizes the galley or corridor kitchen layout but has a closed end on one side. This arrangement provides additional spaces for storage.

Designs

When talking about kitchen designs, you are referring to the theme of the kitchen and what makes the room attractive. Here are some ideas:

Modern or contemporary kitchen design

A modern or contemporary kitchen appears fresh, clean, spacious, updated, and looks trendy. These kitchens are painted in bright colors or two tones, like black and white or red and white. Appliances are minimal and are usually in metallic colors. All cabinets are of very simple designs.

Traditional kitchen design

Traditional kitchen designs give a warm, welcoming ambiance to any kitchen. Its style is inspired by history, and furniture or cabinets designs are crafted mostly of wood and stone. Unlike modern designs, kitchens of this designs are decorated lavishly.

Remodeling your kitchen needs careful planning. Always consider the functionality of the room first before the decorations.

3 Wonderful Homemade Gift Ideas Straight From Your Kitchen

You can give out gifts using stuff or ingredients that are readily available in the house. Some great homemade gift ideas that can be found or made in your kitchen are chocolate-dipped nuts, molded candles and muffin mix in a jar.

Gift-giving does not have to be difficult or expensive. In fact, you don’t always have to step out of the house and hit the malls to look for presents for your loved ones. You can find and make your own gifts using stuff you already have at home, particularly in your kitchen. From wrapped nut gifts to homemade cookies, the great thing about homemade gifts is that you can add a personal and unique touch to it and make the person feel that it really comes from you.

Chocolate-dipped nuts

For the friend or special someone who is a chocoholic, chocolate-dipped nut gifts will definitely satisfy their sweet tooth. For the recipe, you will need a cup of semisweet chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 egg, 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted, ½ teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup chopped peanuts, a dash of salt and flaked coconut. Over low heat, melt the chocolate and butter into a medium saucepan. After melting, allow it to cool until lukewarm. Beat in the egg until smooth and mix in the sifted sugar, salt and vanilla. Mix in half of the coconut flakes and peanuts. Let the mixture cool for an hour. After cooling, roll them into 1 inch balls into the remainder of the coconut flakes. Chill the balls for three hours. This recipe is fairly easy to make and yields about 30 chocolate-dipped nuts. You can put these sweets into a personalized jar or box. Add a ribbon and a sincere note to make it even sweeter.

Molded candles

Candles make cute presents and are functional as well as decorative. You will only need to buy the paraffin candle wax and candlewick if you don’t already have it. Or, use old, used candles. The other things you need may be readily available, like a heavy pot for melting the wax and a cupcake or jelly mold. The first thing to do is to melt the wax in the pot. Make sure it doesn’t get too hot and, when the wax is ready, prepare the wick by dipping it into the wax a few times. This will give it a ‘wax coating’. Make a small hole into the jelly or cupcake mold for the wick to be inserted in. Pull the wick through and pour the wax into the mold. Make sure it doesn’t spill or reach the brim, then allow it to cool. In a while, you will notice that the top part will “shrink”, pour a little layer of wax on it and leave it to cool. To remove the finished candle from the mold, you can run the outer part of the mold with hot water and it will easily slip out. You can make as many candles as you want. Just put them in a fancy box with a special note attached to it.

A jar of muffin mix

A jar of muffin mix is a wonderful gift idea for people who love to bake but may not have the time to do so. You will need a cup of vegetable shortening, 1/3 cup of baking powder, 2/3 cup of sugar and a tablespoon of salt. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Cut the shortening into the mixture and distribute evenly. Put the mix in an airtight container or jar. Decorate the jar with ribbons and paste fancy paper on its surface. You can write notes and the muffin recipe on a fancy paper, too.

Gifts do not have to be expensive or bought from a store. Usually, people pay more attention to the thought behind the present. Homemade gifts are a great way of expressing yourself and letting the other person now that you actually made a gift just for them.

Smiley Saturday

What did the Spanish farmer say to his chicken?
--Oh lay.

What do cows read?

--The moos-paper.--In piggy banks.

Where do cows go on vacation?
--Moo York.

What happens when a dog stays in the sun too long?
--It turns into a hot dog.

Where do cows go on vacation?

--Cow-lifornia.

When a pig burns himself, what does he put on it?
--Oink-ment.

Why was the cow afraid?
--Because he was a cow-ard.

What is a ducks favourite snack?
--Cheese and quackers.