Toaster-Baked Brownies (Semi-Missed)

With the sprout of cupcakes/cake bakers left and right, you don’t need a genius to say that baking is “IN” nowadays. I am always told that baking is the easiest “branch” of cooking, I’m not convinced. Maybe because, as I have said in the past, I do not follow procedure religiously (this is a must in baking). Thank goodness we do not have a decent oven in the kitchen, may best palusot ever. But 1 day, I came across this brownie mix which contains the tag line “oven toaster ready”, so why not give it a try.

1 pack White King Brownies Fudge and Crinkle Mix
1 egg, beaten
Butter, softened
Cashew (optional)

** You can follow the easy instructions written at the back of the box.
1) Mix all ingredients together. It will be a little sticky and will be hard to mix, but you’ll get there.
2.) Brushed the baking pan with butter, transfer the batter and spread evenly.

 

3) Bake in the oven toaster for 9 minutes. You may check if it’s cooked by using a toothpick, if the mixture did not stick to it, it’s done.
4) Cut into desired proportions.

 

My take: This mixture was so close to the taste of the “real” brownies, not bad for a ready mix. It almost got the same kunat factor and sweetness just like my brownies of preference. Also so easy to prepare.

Tips: I really missed big time here, which resulted to almost inedible brownies. So believe me when I say "Follow instructions and proportions religiously" - this is a must. 1) Don’t rely on the suggested baking time (this contradicts the opening statement, but you know, every oven varies with temp). It is always safe to check the brownies from time to time. 2) Once baking is done, remove it immediately from the oven. The heat inside the oven is still enough to burn the brownies (like what happened to mine). 3) Leave the toppings for later, yes after it is baked, especially if it is marshmallows, that burns easily. ;-p

The verdict: Oh well, I still want an oven, but still not for baking pastries. hehe       

Toge Guisado with Tokwa

This is yet another simple and healthy dish I mustered. We are on the run for vegi-based dishes nowadays since our baby boy is starting to eat solid foods. We tried to incorporate vegetables in our food at least every-other-two days (the needed food introduction interval for babies) for Master E. to sample. But this particular vegi-dish was not really intended for him. Lol 

Toge (bean sprout)
Pechay (Chinese cabbage)
Tokwa (tofu), cubed
Garlic and onion
Oyster sauce, salt and pepper
Cooking oil, water 

1) Season tokwa with salt. Fry and set aside.
2) In a pan, sauté garlic and onion. Put toge and add water, let simmer.
3) Add pechay, simmer until cooked.
4) Season with oyster sauce, salt and pepper.
5) Add fried tokwa. Serve.

My take: One-stop-meal. It has all the nutrients you need, protein from toge, vitamins B, C, B1, B6, K and A from toge and folate from pechay. 

Tip: You may opt not to fry tokwa to make it more nutritious. 

The verdict: So easy you can cook this with eyes closed.hehe 

Cauliflower with Kikiam

Our craving for kikiam was the reason for the invention of this dish. It is a simple side dish/viand which is healthy and economical. 

Cauliflower
Kikiam
Garlic, Onion
Cooking Oil, Salt and Pepper, Oyster Sauce
Water, Corn Starch 

1) Fry kikiam. Set aside
2) In the same pan, sauté garlic and onion.
3) Add cauliflower and water. Season with salt and pepper and oyster sauce. Simmer until cauliflower is tender.
4) Add dissolved corn starch. Add the fried kikiam and stir until you reached the desired consistency.
5) Serve hot. 

My take: It is like chop suey minus the elaborated entourage. It can be eaten as is, or as a viand but is best paired with fried meat of your choice. 

Tip: You can add or use broccoli instead. 

The verdict: Simple, healthy and delicious meal, as easy as 1 2 3.

Crab Stick in Chili-Garlic Sauce

When I was pregnant with Master E. last year, Mr. M became interested in cooking. He would watch me and asks me how to cook a certain dish and I would demonstrate it to him like we were in some cooking show. He would volunteer to cook and then slowly taking control of the kitchen. He almost had overthrown me in the kitchen if I had not read his ulterior motives (of course I secretly like to be overthrown, that means lesser chore for me. Lol). This dish is what I’m talking about here. This is his winning piece which he mustered himself, no cookbook, no coaching. 

Crab stick
Butter
Garlic
Onion
Chilis
Oyster sauce

1) Saute garlic, onion and chilis in the melted butter, about half bar.
2) Add the crab stick, mix well. Season with oyster sauce.
3) That's it.

My Take: So simple yet so delicious. We just love the oil that the butter produced. The oyster sauce gives the butter a good fight in the taste department. Of course credit also goes to the chili for giving this meal a nice kick.

Tip: If you’re a health conscious, do not attempt to even look at it. See that oil?

The verdict: The family comfort food.

 

Mais con Yelo

Summer is officially here, that’s what PAG-ASA announced last Monday. But, who needs formal announcements when your aircon is already demanding for time-out. To beat the scourging heat, I decided its but just that we dine-out (that’s to eat our merienda outside the house). I initially planned to make home-made halo-halo (as inspired by an article on yahoo news) but the ube-halaya and the leche flan I ordered didn’t reach my hand. So there, we settled for the less lucrative mais con yelo.

1 can kernel corn (supply from kapamilya abroad)
1 can evaporated milk (also from the same supplier)
Sugar
Ice cubes

1. Mix all ingredients together according to your taste (and capacity)
2. Best enjoyed under the sun.

My take: There’s no substitute for the real thing. I missed the thrill of kernelling the corn and boiling it, but as they say “the best things in life are free”, I couldn’t complain. Also, I still prefer shaved iced because the ice becomes part of the meal, but I cannot find our shaver.
Tip: Send your kid away from home so you can concentrate on looking the tools you need, in my case the ice shaver. Ms. L was lurking as if she wants to play hide-and-seek with the shaver inside.. umm, wherever its hiding.
The verdict: Mr. M thinks it's better with leche flan. Leche... flan? Choosy pa, sarap naman ah, chill to the bones, right Miss L?