Two-toned Mashed Potatoes

 Two-toned Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo purple sweet potatoes peeled and cut into cubes

3 pcs potatoes peeled and cut into cube

salt and pepper

butter

milk

Procedure:

1. Boil purple sweet potatoes and add salt and pepper to the water

2. Boil potatoes in water seasoned with salt and pepper.

3. Using potato ricer mashed both of the potatoes (separately)

4. Add butter and milk and mix until smooth (separately).

5. Adjust taste by adding salt and pepper if needed.

Note: My secret in making flavourful mashed potatoes is that I seasoned the water that I use in boiling the potatoes. This way the seasoning can really be tasted.

Also, mash the potatoes while they are still hot, that would save you a lot of energy. Cooled ones are too hard to mash. 

Hong Kong Egg Tart Recipe | Easy and Simple

 Hong Kong Egg Tart Recipe | Easy and Simple

Fast, Simple, and Easy Pie/Tart Crust Recipe

 Fast, Simple, and Easy Pie/Tart Crust Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups flour (tepung trigu)

90 grams of  butter or margarine (cheaper choice) - (mantega)

1/4 cup powdered milk (susu bubuk)

4 to 6 tablespoons of cold water (air dingin)

Instructions:

1. Combine dry ingredients together and mix well.

2. Add butter or margarine.

3. Using a fork or by using your hand, mix the butter and flour until the butter is well distributed enough forming a coarse mixture.

4. Add 4 to 6 tablespoons of cold water and mix. You can add more (adjust) the amount of water depending on the dryness of the mixture just make sure that it is not too wet.

5. Mix until you can form one whole ball of dough. 

6. Wrap with plastic and rest the mixture for at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator. 

7. When ready to use. Divide the mixture into two and using a rolling pin flatten the mixture in a flour surface according to desired thinness. 

8. Cut the flattened dough according to desired shape and size or for pie you can transfer the flattened dough to your pie tins. 

Goodbye Bad Luck, Hello Prosperity: How to Celebrate the Lunar Chinese New Year in Style

 Goodbye Bad Luck, Hello Prosperity: How to Celebrate the Lunar Chinese New Year in Style

The Lunar Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and tradition, and there are many things you can do to ensure prosperity and attract good luck throughout the year. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

1. Clean your house. Before the Lunar New Year, it's traditional to give your home a thorough cleaning to sweep away any bad luck from the past year. This is also a great opportunity to declutter and organize your space, making room for the new luck and prosperity to come.

2. Decorate with red and gold. Red is a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, and gold represents wealth. Hang red lanterns, banners, and posters around your home, and use gold accents in your decor.

3. Cook traditional dishes. Chinese New Year is a time for delicious food and family gatherings. Cook traditional dishes such as dumplings, nian gao (sweet rice cake), and fish to attract good luck and prosperity.

4. Give red envelopes. During the Lunar New Year, it's traditional to give red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried adults. This is a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the recipient.

5. Light fireworks. Fireworks are believed to scare away evil spirits and attract good luck. Light fireworks on New Year's Eve to celebrate the new year and attract good luck for the coming year.

6. Dress in new clothes. Wearing new clothes on New Year's Day is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year.

7. Visit friends and family. The Lunar New Year is a time for family and friends to gather together. Visiting loved ones is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year.

By following these traditional customs and practices, you can ensure prosperity and attract good luck throughout the Lunar Chinese New Year and the coming year. Happy New Year!

The 12 Faces of Chinese Astrology: Exploring the Traits of Each Zodiac Animal

 What does your Chinese Zodiac tells you?

The Chinese zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year being represented by one of the 12 zodiac animals. These animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each animal is said to have its own unique characteristics and traits, which can be used to gain insight into one's personality and future.

The rat is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the rat are said to be intelligent, charming, and ambitious. They are known for their quick wit and ability to adapt to new situations. They are also said to be hardworking and resourceful, with the ability to make the most out of any situation.

The ox is the second animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the ox are said to be dependable, hardworking, and honest. They are known for their determination and strong sense of responsibility. They are also said to be patient and methodical, with the ability to see a task through to completion.

The tiger is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the tiger are said to be courageous, confident, and independent. They are known for their charismatic personalities and ability to inspire others. They are also said to be restless and impulsive, with the tendency to act on instinct rather than reason.

The rabbit is the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the rabbit are said to be sensitive, elegant, and well-mannered. They are known for their diplomacy and ability to resolve conflicts. They are also said to be cautious and reserved, with a tendency to avoid confrontations.

The dragon is the fifth animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the dragon are said to be charismatic, ambitious, and confident. They are known for their leadership skills and ability to inspire others. They are also said to be impulsive and stubborn, with a tendency to act on their own desires rather than reason.

The snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the snake are said to be wise, intuitive, and charming. They are known for their ability to think things through and make calculated decisions. They are also said to be secretive and suspicious, with a tendency to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves.

The horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the horse are said to be independent, energetic, and adventurous. They are known for their love of freedom and ability to adapt to new situations. They are also said to be impatient and impulsive, with a tendency to act before thinking things through.

The goat is the eighth animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the goat are said to be gentle, sensitive, and artistic. They are known for their creativity and ability to appreciate beauty. They are also said to be indecisive and easily influenced, with a tendency to follow the crowd rather than their own instincts.

The monkey is the ninth animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the monkey are said to be intelligent, curious, and resourceful. They are known for their problem-solving skills and ability to think outside the box. They are also said to be mischievous and unpredictable, with a tendency to act on impulse rather than reason.

The rooster is the tenth animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the rooster are said to be hardworking, confident and outgoing. They are known for their punctuality and attention to detail. They are also said to be outspoken and sometimes boastful, with a tendency to be a bit vain.

The dog is the eleventh animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the dog are said to be loyal, honest, and dependable. They are known for their strong sense of morality and ability to inspire trust in others. They are also said to be stubborn and sometimes critical, with a tendency to be a bit of a worrywart.

The pig is the twelfth and final animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a year of the pig are said to be peaceful, honest and sincere. They are known for their generosity and ability to empathize with others. They are also said to be a bit naive, with a tendency to be a bit too trusting.

It's worth noting that these general characteristics are not set in stone and everyone will have different personalities and different ways of expressing themselves. However, the Chinese zodiac can be a fun and interesting way to gain insight into one's own personality and to learn more about the people around you.

"Bring the Taste of China's Lunar New Year to Your Table with These Traditional Menu Options

"Bring the Taste of China's Lunar New Year to Your Table with These Traditional Menu Options"

 What should you serve on a Chinese New Year Eve?

Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in China, and it's a time for families to come together and celebrate the new year. One of the most important traditions of this holiday is the Chinese New Year Eve dinner, where families gather for a big feast and catch up on the past year. The menu for this meal is filled with traditional Chinese dishes that are believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the top 10 traditional Chinese New Year Eve menu items and explain the symbolism behind each dish.

1. Fish:

   
   
   Fish is often served as the last dish of the meal because the Chinese word for fish sounds similar to the word for surplus or abundance, which is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Fish is also often served on New Year's Eve because it is believed to symbolize a good start to the new year.

2. Dumplings:

   
   
   Dumplings are often served as they resemble ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots and are a symbol of wealth and good fortune. They can be filled with meat or vegetables, and can be steamed, boiled or pan-fried.

3. Noodles:

   
   
   Long noodles symbolize long life and longevity. They are often served in a soup, stir-fried or in a noodle dish.

4. Peking duck:

   
   
   Peking duck is a symbol of prosperity and good luck. It is a dish from Beijing and it is made by roasting a whole duck until the skin is crispy and then serving it with scallions, cucumbers, and a sweet bean sauce.

5. Chinese New Year Cake:

   
   
   A traditional Chinese New Year cake, also known as Nian Gao, is made of glutinous rice flour and sweetened with brown sugar. It symbolizes the hope for a higher income or greater success in the new year. It can be steamed or pan-fried and can be served sweet or savory.

6. Whole steamed chicken: A whole steamed chicken is often served as a symbol of unity and togetherness. It is usually steamed with ginger and scallions to give it a delicate flavor.

7. Spring Rolls:

   
   
   Spring Rolls are often served as they resemble gold bars and are a symbol of wealth and good fortune. They can be filled with meat or vegetables and are deep-fried until crispy.

8. Vegetables:
   
   
   Vegetables like Chinese broccoli and bok choy are often served as they symbolize good health and good luck. They are typically stir-fried with garlic or ginger.
9. Sweet Rice Balls: Sweet Rice Balls are often served as they symbolize unity and togetherness. They are made of glutinous rice flour and can be filled with sweet fillings such as peanut, sesame or sweet bean paste.
10. Sweet Soup:
    
    
    Sweet soup, such as tangyuan, is often served as the dessert. It symbolizes reunion and togetherness. It's made of glutinous rice flour and can be filled with sweet fillings such as peanut, sesame or sweet bean paste.

Each of these dishes is an important part of the traditional Chinese New Year Eve menu and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. It is a time for family and friends to come together, to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the new one. It is a time to forget the old and embrace the new, and these dishes are a way to do that. If you're planning on celebrating Chinese New Year this year, why not try some of these traditional dishes and see if they bring you good luck and prosperity in the new year.

It's also important to note that these dishes may vary depending on the region and the individual family's preferences. Some families may have their own special dishes that they prepare for Chinese New Year Eve dinner, while others may have variations of the traditional dishes. Regardless of the specific dishes, the important thing is that families come together to share a meal and celebrate the new year.

In addition to these traditional dishes, Chinese New Year is also a time for giving and receiving red envelopes filled with money, called "angpau" and setting off fireworks, which is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year. It's also common to clean and decorate the house before Chinese New Year, as it symbolizes a fresh start for the new year.

In conclusion, Chinese New Year is a time for celebration and tradition, and the traditional Chinese New Year Eve menu is an important part of that celebration. From fish to dumplings and sweet soup, these dishes are filled with symbolism and meaning and are a way for families to come together and celebrate the new year. So, whether you're of Chinese descent or not, give these traditional Chinese New Year dishes a try and see if they bring you good luck and prosperity in the new year.

Pancit Miki in 30 minutes : Mabilis na ulam ideas

 Pancit Miki in 30 minutes : Mabilis na ulam ideas

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo pancit mikki (mei kuning) rinsed

2 carrots sliced

1/2 head cabbage cubed

1/8 kilo shrimp chopped

1 Chinese chorizo sliced

3 cloves garlic minced

1 onion chopped

1.5 cups broth

soy sauce (according to taste)

salt and pepper

calamansi

fried garlic

Procedure:

1. Prepare ingredients.

2. Sauté garlic, onion, shrimp, chorizo, carrots, and cabbage.

3. Add broth and season to taste using soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

4. Add the Mikki and mix.

5. Simmer until almost all liquid is gone and mix occasionally to avoid sticking it to the pan.

6. Taste.

7. Serve hot with fried garlic and calamansi. 

 Note: You can also add sliced green beans if you like.

You can watch the video below if you like..... 

Pan de Sal (Filipino Bread) REcipe: Easy

 

Pan de Sal Recipe : Easy

Servings: 32 pcs

Ingredients: 

7 cups Bread Flour (including additional for kneading)

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoon salt

3 eggs (small)

1/4 cup margarine

2 cups lukewarm milk

3 teaspoon yeast

Breadcrumbs

Procedure:

1. Bloom yeast by adding it to the lukewarm milk with 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir. Set aside to bloom.

2. Combine dry ingredients together (leave 1 cup of the flour for kneading). Mix thoroughly and make a well in the middle.

3. When yeast is bloomed add the eggs. Stir. 

4. Pour milk, yeast and egg mixture to the dry ingredients.

5. Using a a wooden spoon mix the dough together until lumpy.

6. Add the margarine.

7. Using your hand mix the dough well for about 3 minutes.

8. put some flour on the surface and pour your dough.

9. Continue kneading the dough for about 10 minutes, adding the remaining 1 cup of flour little by little.

10. Put the dough back in your mixing bowl and cover it with plastic.

11. Let rest for 1 hour (first rising).

12. After an hour, punch the dough to remove the air.

13. Divide the dough into 32 equal sizes.

14. Form into a ball and roll in the breadcrumbs.

15. Arrange your pan de sal on a baking sheet brushed generously with margarine.

16. Let rise (proof) for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 190 degrees Celsius.

17. After 45 minutes of proofing, bake your pan de sal for 30 minutes or until brown.

Notes: If using All-purpose flour, for every cup of APF add 2 tablespoons more. 

HOMEMADE Avocado Ice Cream: Super Easy Recipe

 HOMEMADE Avocado Ice Cream: Super Easy Recipe

Ingredients: 

4 ripe avocado

2 ripe banana

400 ml coconut milk

8 Tablespoons maple syrup

3 sprigs of mint

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

container

Procedure:

1. Freeze the empty container.

2.. Scoop the avocado meat.

3. Combine all ingredients together.

4. Blend until smooth.

5. Taste and add sweetness according to your desire.

6. Transfer to the frozen container.

7. Freeze for 24 hours.

8. After 24 hours of freezing, blend again using a hand blender. This will ensure a smoother and creamier ice cream consistency. Return to the freezer and freeze for another 24 hours.

9. Serve as preferred.

Notes:

For a low-calorie version, you can omit the banana. 

First time international travelers: How to Avoid Getting OFFLOADED?

First-time international travelers: How to Avoid Getting OFFLOADED?

Congratulations everyone! Finally, we are back to slightly "normal" days. I say slightly normal since this is not really how we use to be before the COVID-19 breakout but at least we can now travel like before. I know many of you have been dreaming to fulfill the bucket list that you made when while doing your online meeting during quarantine days.  This is your chance to start making into reality all your dream travel. And since, surely you have made big savings during those years that we can do nothing but stay home, travel is now very possible. 

But, wait! Is this your first international travel and you're still afraid to experience being offloaded? Being "OFFLOADED" is actually a pretty common nightmare that most first-time travelers experience. What is "offload" anyway? OFFLOAD is when you are not allowed to travel by immigration. This usually happens to first-time travelers with none working visas but most commonly to young travelers of working age. Working age? Well, these are the 20-ish to 40-ish, I would say. But, note that getting offloaded does not happen only to first-time travelers, it can happen to anyone though. Reasons for being offloaded may vary from one person to another. Sometimes it is because you lack a certain document, or health reason, attitude could also sometimes becomes a reason, and crime. BUT, the most common reason is that the immigration officer is not convinced of your motives to travel. They suspect that you will be "TNT" in the country you are going to or they are trying to protect you from being a victim of human trafficking (especially if you are meeting your boyfriend or girlfriend that you met on the internet). 

What should you do to avoid being offloaded and convinced the immigration officer about your travel motives? Here are some practical tips that are really effective.

A. Tell the TRUTH- even if you are so good in lying, immigration officers are good at detecting if you are saying the truth or not. They are like walking lie detector machines. That is their profession and they face all those kinds of reasons every single day. So, make sure your motive is really just to travel and nothing else. Your eyes and body language will always speak the truth for you. 

B. Complete Documents- make sure your documents are complete. If you are working, make sure that you can show evidence of your current work, and that you have a letter of absence from your company. Anything that you can use to show that you are really working. The immigration officer usually asks this to make sure that you are really coming back to the country because you still have the commitment. Sometimes they will also ask for insurance but not all the time. Also get ready with your bank statement, at worst they would ask for it. 

C. Printed RETURN TICKET- it is a must that you have a return ticket. Even if you are going to stay long in one country, or you are going to many different countries, as long as you're a tourist traveler you should have a return ticket printed. 

D. ACCOMMODATION BOOKINGS- you should be able to provide an accommodation booking for the country that you are going. If you are staying with a friend, you can ask for a statement letter from that friend and a copy of their passport and id card bearing the address. 

E. CREDIT CARD- if you buy your plane ticket using a credit card make sure, the card is under your name or you bring that card with you. Do not ask a friend to buy your ticket using their credit card. USING CASH is always an option. This is a common mistake in buying a plane ticket and usually causes OFFLOAD.

F. CONFIDENCE- be confident when facing the immigration officer. If you're too nervous they would usually suspect that you are up to something. Keep calm even if they set you aside. 

G. Do NOT GIVE ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS IN ONE GO- When it is your turn to have your passport stamped make sure you only give the officer the documents that they need. Usually, that would be your passport, id, and boarding pass. Do not give other things. Yes, I said you should have all the other documents ready but do not give them when they are not needed, just wait for the immigration officer to ask for them if he needs to see them. 

(When you've set aside for further questioning)

H. BE CONSISTENT- usually the immigration officer will ask you the same question but in different forms (wordings). Be confident and consistent with your answer. 

I. Be Polite- sometimes we feel angry about why are we investigated even if in fact we are actually telling the truth but remember always that these people are just doing their job and part of it is to make sure that you will not be harmed in other countries in which we do not hold the law. Part of their role is to doubt the intention of everyone. It is not true that when you are being held for a long time in the immigration, the officers are waiting for the "under the table". No, they must have seen something that needs a thorough investigation. Just keep calm if you are telling the truth and you have all the documents with you, no need to worry.

J. KEEP IN MIND YOUR BOARDING TIME- make sure you know your boarding time. You can always tell the immigration officer your boarding time at this certain time so that they can accommodate you first and if there are needed documents you can get them that way you will get the in time for your boarding time.  

K. INFORM YOUR GROUND CREW- usually in the immigration office there are some airline ground crews on site. They are the ones who try to see if they have passengers being held in the immigration, you can tell them that you are at this flight number so that they know your situation, or they can also inform you when it's almost boarding, or at least they know where to find you when it is already last call. 

L. DO NOT MENTION UNCLEAR RELATIONSHIP- if you are going abroad to meet someone maybe your girl or boy you meet from the internet unless he is the one giving you the invitation to get the visa, no need to mention him or her. If you get a tourist visa and your reason to visit that country is just to tour around, do not mention any relationship or that you are going to meet a certain someone. If you do so, this will cause you another trouble and they will look for more evidence and documents. They will look for photos and all your message exchanges will be asked for. To avoid further delay better keep it secret. 

(personal tip from my experience)

M. TRY TO CHOOSE THE OFFICER in your OPPOSITE SEX- personally, as a woman I prefer men officers. So, I try to make sure I get the man officer questioning me instead of a woman. Why? Because I feel insecure when talking to a woman officer. Imagine the effect of insecurity plus nervousness. It is crazy. So, just try to see what you prefer and help you not to get too nervous and maybe have an eye for it. 

I have never experienced being OFFLOADED but I almost did. That was when I first traveled abroad. I was approved by the immigration officer just in time for my boarding.  And that was one of the most stressful times in my entire life. I am a Filipino and so far the most strict immigration is the Philippine Immigration, and they say if you pass the Philippine Immigration, the rest would be too easy. 

But there is no need to get discouraged or afraid, just be yourself, be TRUE and follow your dream travel. 

Bon Voyage everyone!