White Rice with Corn For Monday Dinner

Rice is something that it can't missed in my household. Where I come from it's a tradition and I'm talking everyday rice dinner, unbelievable, but it's true. I was tired of eating plain old white rice so I added some corn and I think it's a winner because everybody liked. Hope you like as much as I did.

1/2 cup of canned corn
1 1/2 cup of long grain rice, uncooked
2 1/2 cup of water
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Salt to taste


In a medium heat, heat your rice pot and heat the oil with the garlic for about 2 minutes or until garlic is translucent. Then add the corn and let it cook for 2 minutes. Add the water, when it breaks into a boil add the rice and whisk. When the water drys from the rice stirs and  put the lid on the rice pot and let cook for about 25 minutes. Serve while it's warm

TGIF - I Need A Drink - Spirited Hot Chocolate

This is one my favorite drinks for the winter time because it's hot and it contains a splash of alcohol, it doesn't get better than that. This is a winter drink that it's been around for a while from the old continent. Hope you enjoy.

3 cups of milk

1/2 cup of dark chocolate

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder

4 cloves

3 tablespoons of sugar

1/2 dark rum

Put all the ingredients in a boiling pot, except for the rum. When it breaks into a boil take it off the stove and add the rum. Serve while it's hot.

Song of The Week: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? By Ella Fitzgerald

Melon Wrapped in Prosciutto

This is great appetizer for any types of entertainment and occasions. It's also very easy to do and mostly because it doesn't take much of your time.




1 cantaloupe
1/2 pound thinly sliced Prosciutto

Cut, clean and slice melon into 1 inch slices
Wrap with one slice of prosciutto.

Book Tuesday: How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

This is a children book about someone who has a small heart. The Grinch is bitter, grouchy and live on Mount Crumpit  just north of the village call Whoville. He doesn't understand why the inhabitants, who are call Whos, are so happy about Christmas. So the Grinch makes plans to descent to Whoville to steal what makes the Whos happy, Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a children book with a lesson for everybody of all ages.

Corn Chowder with Shrimp - Slow Cooker

Corn chowder is a very traditional dish in the New England parts of the United States. It's made out of seafood, milk, cream, and serve with biscuit or saltine crackers. The corn chowder derived from clam chowder, corn substitutes the clams and makes, in some cases, this dish completely vegetarian This is a great to serve in a very cold or like today rainy day. This recipe is super easy and I make easier by making in a slow cooker. This is my version of a corn chowder, hope you enjoy.

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 16-oz. bags frozen corn
1 onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 medium sized carrots, peeled and diced
2 russet potatoes, diced
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup heavy cream, optional
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

   Combine chicken broth, corn, onion, bell pepper, carrots, potatoes, bay leaf, 1 cup water and 1 tsp. salt in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until vegetables are tender, about 6 hours. Puree 3 cups of soup in a blender and return to slow cooker. Stir in shrimp. Cover and cook until shrimp are pink and firm, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cream, if desired, and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

TGIF - I Need A Drink - Eggnog

Eggnog is synonym of Christmas and holidays. It's been around since the Colonial times and to me  means tradition and family. I got this recipe from WWW.thelatinkitchen.com, hope you like it.

8 egg yolks

2/3 cup sugar (plus 1 tablespoon)

1 quart milk

1 pint heavy cream

1 vanilla bean

1 inch piece ginger root, peeled and sliced thinly

2 teaspoons nutmeg (plus more for garnish)

2 teaspoons orange zest

1 cup rum or whiskey

8 egg whites

Place egg yolks in a medium bowl and beat with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) until yolks are creamy, pale yellow, and doubled in volume – about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

While beater is on, sprinkle 2/3 cups sugar over egg yolks and beat until combined.

Cut vanilla bean in half and scrape out seeds inside with the back of a knife.

Place vanilla seeds and beanstalks plus milk, cream, ginger, nutmeg and orange zest in a medium saucepan.

Slowly bring to a gentle boil over low heat, stirring often. Remove from heat once gentle boil has been reached.

Temper 1/4 cup of hot milk into yolk mixture one tablespoon at a time, taking care to whisk yolks while adding hot liquid.

Add tempered yolk mixture to milk mixture slowly; constantly mix milk during this process.

Return to heat over a low flame and heat until mixture reaches 160˚F on a candy thermometer or until it thickly coats the back of a wooden spoon.

Remove from heat; place in refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight to cool.

Remove from refrigerator and pour mixture through a mess sieve to strain out vanilla bean stalks, ginger and zest; discard.

Add rum or whiskey to milk, stirring well to combine.

In a large bowl, whisk room temperature egg whites with a hand mixer (or stand mixer) until they have tripled in volume and you have soft peaks.

This will take 2 to 2 1/2 minutes depending on hand mixer.

Sprinkle remaining one-tablespoon sugar over egg whites and continue to beat until they form stiff peaks.

Gently fold egg whites into milk/alcohol mixture with a spatula, making sure all lumps are mixed in.

Serve immediately with a dusting of nutmeg.

Song of the Week: Silent Night by Michael Buble

Strawberry Cake

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6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar 
 1 large egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a pie plate. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together into a medium bowl. Set aside.
Put butter and 1 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
 Gradually mix in flour mixture. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Arrange strawberry slices on top of batter. Sprinkle turbinado sugar over berries. Bake cake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake until cake is golden brown and firm to the touch, about 50-55 minutes. Let cool in pan. 

Book Tuesday: The Green Mile by Stephen King

This is the story of Paul Edgecombe an old man who used work as cell block supervisor at the Cold Mountain death row, nicknamed "The Green Mile". The story switches between 1996 and 1932 the year of the arrival of  John Coffey.

John Coffey is 6'8" very big black man. He was convicted of raping and murdering two small white girls. Paul Edgecombe recalls the events leading to the execution of John Coffey and all the peculiar things that occur at the mile while John Coffey is its resident. Amongst these events is the fact that Paul has a urinary infection and is cured by John Coffey. There is also a mouse that appears out of nowhere and there is also the last the most shocking even when one of the guard Percy Wetmore goes insane and shoots one other other residents of the mile.

The Green Mile is a story that explores the meaning of the life and death, the connection between the two.

Chicken Tenders For Dinner

I've been making this recipes for years, it's so easy and even nonfattening since I bake the tenders instead of frying them. It's so easy to make and playful because you can let you kids help you do the assembly. This is an American dish that is synonym of fast food and a lot of people had turned this winner into something healthier, that's why in my version i bake them to contribute to a society that is fighting against obesity. Here's my recipe, hope you guys like it.

• 3 big chicken breasts, clean and slice in strip
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbs Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika
• vegetable spray
• 2 tbs honey or maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. First of all, clean chicken breast and wash with lemon juices and then cut in strip. Then assemble your ingredients into deep dishes. Add cup of flour to a shallow dish and season flour with salt and pepper. Add  three eggs, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper and paprika to another bowl. Whisk together.
Finally, add cup of Italian bread crumbs.
To bread the tenders, place the tenders into the flour and coat. Shake the tenders to remove excess flour and then dip them into the egg mixture.
Finally place the egg drenched tenders into the Italian bread crumbs.
Place the tenders on a greased rack that is placed over a baking sheet.
Once all of the tenders are breaded spray them lightly with vegetable spray. Make sure to spray both sides.
Place the tray into the preheated 425 degree oven for 15-17 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the breading is nicely browned.
Remove and serve.

TGIF- I Need A Drink - Nice Frosty Pina Colada

I just got out from work and I really do need a frosty nice drink like crazy. For tonight I have a nice recipe of a Pina Colada. Enjoy

• 2 oz Barcardi Rock Coconut Rum
• 5 oz coconut water
• 2 oz pineapple juice

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a slice of pineapple or a Maraschino cherry.
Drink and enjoy!

Song of the Week: All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

Cinnamon Cake

This is a great dessert for any occasions to entertain with.  I've made it so often and my family loves it. I serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, I know it's decadent and fattening but what the hell, once a year it's not going to kill anyone. This recipe I usually make it on the holidays especially for Christmas and since we're in Christmas I decided to post the recipe in the blog. Hope you'd like and enjoy.

2-3/4 cups sugar, divided

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups sour cream

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 cup butter, softened

 In a large bowl, cream butter and 2 cups sugar until light fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add alternately with sour cream, beating just enough after each addition to keep batter smooth.Spoon a third of batter into a greased 10-in. tube pan. Combine cinnamon, nuts and remaining sugar; sprinkle a third over batter in pan. Repeat layers two more times. Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Book Tuesday: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen is a typical teenager, get an anonymous package on the mail. The package is a shoebox full of cassette recorded by Hannah Baker, one of his classmate who recently committed suicide.  The box was sent to Clay by another classmate of his. The cassette started in the hand one student who once had listen to them, would sent them to the following student on a list of thirteen, in a sort of chain letter style.

In the cassettes Hannah explains to thirteen people what role they played in her death and gives each person a reason why she took her life. Hannah also gives a second set of tapes to an unknown person and warns the listeners of the first set of tapes, that if they do not pass the tapes along the unknown person will release the second set to the public.

Each of those thirteen people who listened to the tapes did something that to them was harmless, but to Hannah, each of those acts push her a little closer to suicide. These tapes will serve them as a reminder, that those little things count to the people they least expect.

Turkey Wraps For Monday Dinner

I didn't know what to make for dinner, so I opened my fridge and cabinets and I found the perfect ingredients for a turkey wrap. This is so easy to make , in less than half hour I was able to produce a dinner for myself. I hope you'd enjoy it and please let me know you like it. Enjoy

1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese with chives
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 (8 inch)whole wheat tortillas
6 slices thinly sliced deli turkey
1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons shredded Swiss cheese
1 medium sized roasted tomatoes, diced
1/2 avocado, sliced
3 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled  

This is for a serving of 3 persons. Mix together the cream cheese and Dijon mustard until smooth. Spread each tortilla with about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture, spreading to within 1/4 inch of the edge of the tortillas.
Arrange about 1/4 cup of shredded lettuce on each tortilla, and press the lettuce down into the cream cheese mixture. Place 2 turkey slices per tortilla over the lettuce, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of shredded Swiss cheese. Top each tortilla evenly with tomato, avocado slices, and crumbled bacon.
Roll each tortilla up with tin foil.

TGIF - I Need A drink - HOT MULLED CIDER

It's winter time, the days are shorter and nights are interminable. There is nothing cozier than to sit in front of a fireplace with crackling fire and drink something warm; there is nothing better than a hot cider. This is a drink that makes you think of snowing, coziness, family, and especially of Christmas. I'm a family girl so everything I do in the kitchen I like to share it with my family. Here is the drink of the week and hope you'll like it: 

1 gallon apple cider
3/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup honey
2 apples, peeled and finely chopped
sprig of rosemary
3 cinnamon sticks, broken
4 cloves
1 star anise
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Combine the cider, wine, honey, apple, rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and lemon zest in a large saucepan and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. Strain the mulled cider and discard the solids. Serve the mulled cider warm.

Song of the Week: Fix You by Coldplay

A Little Heaven- Banana Cheesecake

ingredients
For the Crust:
1 1/2 cups Vanilla Wafer Cookies, crush
6 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Filling:
2 8-ounce packages Cream Cheese
3/4 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons fresh Lemon Juice
4 large Eggs
1 cup Sour Cream
1 teaspoon Banana Extract
1  cup mashed very Ripe Bananas

For the Crust: In a medium bowl, stir together the crumbs with the butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Press the mixture evenly over the bottom and partially up the sides of the prepared pan. Bake for about 10 minutes, until golden brown. Let the crust cool on a wire rack.
For the Filling: Combine the cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir in the sour cream, banana extract, and mashed bananas.
Pour the banana mixture into the prepared crust. Bake for 1 hour, or until the center is set and firm. Turn off the oven and open the door. Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature in the oven. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with banana slices.
I found this recipe so easy to follow. You can find more detail about this recipe from the show, The Chew. It's a recipe from David Venable's new cooking book. Hope you enjoy.

Picture Day: Tribute to Paradise Lost by John Milton

Monday Dinner - Breaded Eggplants Parmesan

I'm always trying to make simple recipes. Recipes that don't take a lot time, since we live in a very hectic world where everybody is always getting the best of their time. I like to cook and also like to eat so that is why I've created this blog. When I feel that a recipe needs a little improvement then I do the adjustments (Believe me it's almost 99% of the time). So for this week I'm bringing you my improved Breaded Eggplant Parmesan.

2 Large Eggplants, cut lenghtwise
1 cup of Parmesan
1/2 cup of Mozzarella
2 cups of Italian Breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil

1.  Mix 1/4 Mozzarella with Parmesan in a container. Put breadcrumbs  in a container as well as the eggs.
2. I start by covering eggplants slices with eggs, then cheese and lastly breadcrumbs.
3. I heat a skillet over a medium heat, when the oil is hot start frying the eggplant slices. it'll turn into  golden color then I take them out the pan and put in a baking dish. Once in a baking dish, cover the fried slices with mozzarella. Serve while it's warm.

TGIF - I Need A Drink - Punchy Pina Colada

This pina colada is excellent because it's fruity, icy, and sweet. It doesn't have much alcohol, so it's perfect if you're not interesting in the alcohol but the fruitiness of the drink. Perfect to entertain and makes you think of beaches and palms. Hope you'd like the this recipe:

 1 can of pineapple chunks in juice (8 ounces can)

 1 can of cream of coconut (8 ounces can)
 2 cup fruit punch (no specific brand necessary)

  cups ice cubes
 1/2 cup rum

Add everything in a blender and mix for about 2 minutes. Serve with mint.

Song of the Week:Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys feat. Nicki Minaj

Honey Pumpkin Spread

This is a spread recipe that I found in one of my apps, iCookbook (which i recommend). It has save me time a couple of times. Perfect to entertain, especially now for the upcoming holidays. What I like about this recipe is that it's sweet and cheesy. Here's the recipe and hope you'd like it.
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup puree of Pumpkin
2 tablespoons honey
1 pinch ground cinnamon

 Stir cream cheese, pumpkin, honey and cinnamon in medium bowl for 1 minute or until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Serve with apple slices or whole wheat crackers.