Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Noche Buena Recipe: Morcon

Christmas in the Philippines will not be complete without the most awaited Noche Buena. This is the time where Pinoy families gather together on Christmas Eve to give thanks for the bountiful year and enjoy sumptuous dishes served at the table. If you’re still planning which dishes to serve on your Noche Buena, why not try this savory and rich meat dish called Morcon. This dish, considered to be one of Pampanga’s signature dishes is basically a meat roll (looks like an embutido) stuffed with sausage/chorizo, carrots, cheese and egg.



Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup finely chopped Spanish chorizos, skins removed
• 1 cup chopped carrots 1 cup raisins
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon liquid seasoning
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 Tablespoon paprika
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 whole onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 large can tomato sauce
• 1 can tomato paste
• 2 cups broth



Procedure:

• Mix in together the ground meats, eggs, cheese, chorizos, carrots, raisins, flour, soy sauce and seasonings in a large bowl. Make sure that you blend well all the ingredients. Shape this mixture into 3 large logs and individually in plastic wrap, then in aluminium foil and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet. Saute the onions and then add the tomato sauce, paste and broth. When the sauce boils, lower your heat to simmer.
• Unwrap the meat rolls and place it in the simmering tomato sauce broth. Cook for about an hour and a half over a very low fire.
• Once cooked, allow the morcon meat rolls to linger in the sauce till ready to serve.
• Cut the rolls in half inch slices and serve with steaming rice

This recipe makes 3 large meat rolls (serves 4 to 6 each roll)

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Origami Stars - Easy DIY Christmas Home Decor Project

The holidays are just around the corner, and we're sure you're already right smack in the middle of your holiday preparations. After all, this season entails buying presents, attending and hosting parties, and of course, making sure that your house is holiday-ready!

Why don't you add a more personal touch to your house's holiday bling this year by trying out some DIY home decor projects?

So, are you ready for some craft-making fun? Check out our step-by-step guide to make the TOILET PAPER ROLL ORNAMENTS

ORIGAMI STARS

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You’ll need:

Origami paper (available at bookstores or Japanese discount stores)

Follow the step-by-step photos below to make this particular kind of origami stars.

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Friday, December 12, 2014

Toilet Paper Roll Ornaments - Easy DIY Christmas Home Decor Project

The holidays are just around the corner, and we're sure you're already right smack in the middle of your holiday preparations. After all, this season entails buying presents, attending and hosting parties, and of course, making sure that your house is holiday-ready!

Why don't you add a more personal touch to your house's holiday bling this year by trying out some DIY home decor projects?

So, are you ready for some craft-making fun? Check out our step-by-step guide to make the TOILET PAPER ROLL ORNAMENTS

TOILET PAPER ROLL ORNAMENTS

You’ll need:

• Toilet paper cores
• Scissors
• Glue gun
• Decorating supplies (glitter, buttons, scrapbooking materials, paint, etc.)

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1. Flatten a toilet paper roll and cut into segments, about 1/2-inch wide.

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2. Use glue gun to stick four segments at the center, fanning them out to create the shape of an asterisk.

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3. Decorate as desired. Should you wish to turn it into an ornament, loop twine under the edge of one segment, knot, and hang.

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Friday, December 5, 2014

Scrap Paper Christmas Ball - Easy DIY Christmas Home Decor Project

The holidays are just around the corner, and we're sure you're already right smack in the middle of your holiday preparations. After all, this season entails buying presents, attending and hosting parties, and of course, making sure that your house is holiday-ready!

Why don't you add a more personal touch to your house's holiday bling this year by trying out some DIY home decor projects?

So, are you ready for some craft-making fun? Check out our step-by-step guide to make the Scrap Paper Christmas Ball

SCRAP PAPER CHRISTMAS BALL

You’ll need:

• Scrap paper/excess Christmas wrapping paper
• Styrofoam ball
• Pins
• Scissors
• Twine
• Ribbon

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1. Cut scrap paper/wrapping paper into circles. Size would depend on the size of the Styrofoam ball.

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2. Stick circles onto the Styrofoam ball by sticking a pin at the center of each circle. Make sure they’re evenly spaced. To add interest, stick a different color at random places.

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3. Pin a ribbon on top of the ball.

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4. Knot a piece of twine at the ends, then pin over the ribbon.

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Saturday, November 29, 2014

Embutido Recipe - Panlasang Pinoy

Another way of making the popular Spanish dish Embutido.

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Ingredients

• 1 ¼ kilos ground pork 9 medium semi-ripe saba (cooking bananas)
• 6 pcs eggs - boiled and grated • 6 medium onions
• ½ kilo carrots - chopped
• 3 medium red bell pepper - chopped
• ¾ cup sweet pickle relish - chopped
• 1 pouch (250 g.) Tomato Sauce
• 9 slices bread, diced to make three cups

Method

• Combine ground pork, banana, eggs, onions, carrot, red bell pepper,pickle relish, tomato Sauce, Bread, 1 Tbsp. iodized salt(or 3 TBSP. of rock salt), 6 Tbsp. soy sauce and 1 ½ tsp. pepper.
• Mix thoroughly.
• Place every 1 (½ cups of mixture) on aluminum or colorless cellophane.
• Roll and tie (for cellophane) both ends with thread.
• Steam for I hour.
• Let cool and chill overnight.
• Sliced diagonally just before serving.

Makes 25 servings.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Sunny Vegetable Salad

A delicious vegetable salad.

Another favorite recipe of my wife.



Ingredients

• 5 cups broccoli florets
• 5 cups cauliflower florets
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounce pkg)
• 2/3 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (optional)

Directions

• In a large bowl, toss broccoli, cauliflower, cheese and onion.
• In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar.
• Pour over salad; toss to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Sprinkle with the bacon and sunflower seeds, if desired.

VARIATION: Add 2 cups spiral macaroni may be added if you want a pasta salad.

PREP Time:20 mins
READY IN; 20 mins
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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Luncheon Meat: Beans Aloha

A perfect dish for whenever surprise guests arrive at your place. Also, a quick and easy-to-prepare menu for the amateur cook. Whenever my wife is out of town for a week and I and my son are left to take care of our meal, here is on of several easy-to-prepare dishes that I can handle at ease. Hope you like it.



Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 small onion , sliced
• 1 can (165 g.) luncheon meat, cut into large cubes
• 1 can (439 g.) Fresh Cut sliced Pineapple, drained and quartered, • (reserved ¼ cup syrup)
• 3 cans (390 g, each) Pork and Beans

Preparation

Sauté garlic, onion and luncheon meat. Add pork and beans, Freshly cut pineapple and pineapple syrup. Season with 1 tsp. iodized salt (or ¼ tbsp. rock salt), soy sauce and ¼ tsp. pepper. Simmer for 3-5 minutes.

Makes 14 serving.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Pocket Gardens, Pint-Size Patios and Urban Backyards

A compact outdoor space can be a beautiful garden room with the right mix of plantings, furniture and creativity.

Whether you have a sliver of a side yard, a petite patio or a compact urban lot, limited size does not have to mean missing out on lush plantings or cool features — as these 15 creative spaces attest. Creating an outdoor space you love takes careful planning, but it starts with the spark of inspiration. See which of these outdoor spaces captures your imagination, and start planning your garden makeover now.



1. Modern and mirrored.

Horizontal wood panels can camouflage a neighbor’s siding mishmash while bringing a warm, modern look to the patio. A large mirror hung along one wall enhances the light and creates the impression that the garden continues into the distance.



2. Urban jungle.

Deep, wide planters of bamboo placed along the back wall have transformed this formerly bland urban backyard into a lush oasis. Layering plants with appealing foliage behind the seating area, as was done here, will make it feel like you’re sitting in a jungle.



3. Pint-size party patio.

This sliver of a yard in San Francisco’s Mission District could easily have been a forgotten space sandwiched between two tall buildings. But with the addition of a few well-placed climbing plants, a picnic table and string lights overhead, it is now a vibrant place to gather with friends.



4. Mini destinations.

As part of a flower show installation, this garden designer created a space with several small, connected seating areas. Built-in benches flow into a short staircase to a raised dining platform. Planting beds tucked between and behind the seating areas help the compact garden feel surprisingly roomy.



5. City balcony.

Every square foot has been put to good use on this New York balcony, with built-in planters and benches wrapping around the tight corner. A restrained palette of weathered wood and green is simple and elegant.



6. A bit of green.

Long to stretch out on the grass with a good book, but have only a tiny square of yard to call your own? Take a cue from this innovative space and build in a mini terrace with room for a cafe table and soft green grass.



7. Eclectic chill zone.

Embrace the shade beneath a mature tree with a platform deck where you can lounge away the afternoon. Mirrors and platters hung on the wall, and birdcages and lanterns suspended from tree branches create a whimsical, creative mood here.



8. Cook’s backyard.

This patio is packed with details an avid cook would love, from the wood-fired pizza oven and pocket-size kitchen garden to the overhead rack made to hold pots and pans. Ornamental flowers and flowering herbs mixed with the edibles make the garden as beautiful as it is useful.



9. Personal cafe.

A gravel-covered floor, rustic log seats and a simple cafe table make a charming spot to have a morning coffee or an afternoon croissant. Even if there is no ground to plant in, you can use a few large planters to bring in much-needed green.



10. Narrow garden room.

A long, skinny yard in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, got a redesign that emphasizes livability. At the foot of the stairs, a planter brings a spot of lush greenery to the ipe decking. The decking extends to a point surrounded by green grass — just right for an alfresco dining area.



11. Shaded lounge.

A courtyard garden with just a hint of grass makes for a relaxed and inviting space for chatting, reading or napping beneath the shade of a mature tree. The low wall doubles as a backrest for the built-in bench and ties the courtyard in with the design of the house.



12. Brick courtyard garden.

Even on a larger property, there is sometimes a small space that begs for a special treatment. Case in point: this gracious home and garden in Atherton, California. Away from the sprawling lawns, a path between formal hedges leads to a secluded garden bench beneath a wall of climbing roses.



13. Serene path.

Rather than being a purely utilitarian pass-through space, this side yard is an invitation to slow down and breathe a bit more deeply. Rich green ferns and other shade plants line the gravel path, while unique round “stepping stones” are ringed with Mexican black pebbles and filled with low-growing plants in shades of green from chartreuse to moss.



14. Side yard with a stop.

Whether your side yard is the only outdoor space you have, or you just want to carve out a more intimate spot as an addition to a larger backyard, adding a seating area can make the space feel more purposeful. Here, a gently curved path of concrete pavers widens just enough in the center to allow for two chairs. The tree on the street side helps provide privacy — and offers a lovely view.



15. Rooftop hideaway.

Between the built-in planters and benches, climbing plants and rich exterior wall color, this rooftop feels more like a fancy hotel bar than a makeshift city garden. Including a few large planters — big enough to hold something substantial — is key to making a bare rooftop feel like a destination.

source: houzz Tell us: Do you have a small outdoor space? Share a photo in the Comments!

Thursday, October 2, 2014

10 Reasons to Use Sky Blue

This versatile color can look fresh or timeless, beachy or polished. Check out ways to use sky blue indoors and out.

It hints at the seaside, picnics under a clear sky and springtime gardens — what’s not to love about sky blue? From a home’s exterior to ceilings, bedrooms, kitchens and more, sky blue can bring a light touch to any room in the house. Here are 10 reasons to try fresh, versatile sky blue in your next decorating project.

1. Sky blue works all year long.

In the spring, sky blue looks fresh alongside pale green and citron. In summer, crisp white and vibrant turquoise are natural partners for this versatile hue. In the cooler months, warm it up with rich, fall-inspired orange, chocolate or gold.



2. Sky blue is a crowd pleaser.

Looking for a color that everyone in the household can get behind? Sky blue is bright and fun enough for color lovers, subdued enough for classicists and loved by men and women alike.



3. Sky blue is timeless.

When choosing colors for big-ticket items in your home — cabinetry, tilework, a new sofa — it pays to go with a classic hue that will not look dated or tired after a season or two. Sky blue is classic, versatile and easy to live with.



4. Sky blue cools down warm hues.

Using colors from both the warm and cool end of the color spectrum in the same space makes for a dynamic look. Try pairing sky blue with cherry-red accents for a fresh, summery look.



5. Sky blue is clean looking.

Want a fresh, clean look to go with that spring cleaning? Sky blue, a color that calls to mind clear waters and summery skies, is a great choice for enhancing a neat-as-a-pin look — which makes it a good choice for home staging, too.



6. Sky blue is polished.

Paired with creamy and sandy hues, sky blue is simple, understated and elegant. It’s a classic choice for a living room color scheme that works year-round — just add rich chocolate-brown pillows and a caramel-colored throw in the fall.



7. Sky blue is cheerful.

Whether it calls to mind childhood memories of watching clouds in a blue sky or laid-back days at the beach, sky blue is bound to bring up some positive associations. Adding a few small touches of blue, like the vintage bucket used to hold flowers here, is an easy (and budget-friendly) way to update your home with the season.



8. Sky blue is beachy.

It doesn’t get much more coastal than a simple blue and white color scheme. For a twist, try using sky blue in a less-expected place — like beneath the kitchen island, as shown here, or on the ceiling. For a budget-friendly beach makeover, collect mismatched wood chairs at yard sales and give them all a coat of white paint; once they’re dry, paint just halfway up the chair legs sky blue.



9. Sky blue brings the outdoors in.

Painting a wall (or ceiling) sky blue is like putting in an extra window. Pair it with beadboard and a farmhouse sink in the kitchen, or brush it on the ceiling of a porch furnished with white rocking chairs — however you use it, you’d be hard-pressed to find another color with as much potential for charm as sky blue.



10. Sky blue works on exteriors, too.

The wrong green can look peaked, a too-bright yellow can be garish — not all hues are easy to get right on exteriors. But the sky-like nature of this light to midtone blue makes it an easy-to-work-with choice for exteriors as well as interior rooms.



Tell us: Are you a fan of sky blue? source article: houzz