Staying Well with Culinary & Baking Art Therapy
Cupcake, cake, roll…hmmm, let’s make some PIE + Skyflakes. Yes, Skyflakes buttery crust! You’re going to love it! Brazo de Mercedes is a traditional Filipino dessert made by rolling the meringue with rich custard filling. Today, I’ll share my Brazo de Mercedes Pie recipe using …
Get your warm rice or crispy sweet potato fries ready because your new favorite chicken dish is here! These chicken meatballs with creamy sauce recipe are so flavorful! I used beef broth instead of chicken and the result is amazing! So, keep in mind, when …
I’ve been wanting to make this black forest puff pastry recipe for quite some time now. I have envisioned it in my head in multiple occasions. So, last week I made attempts, 2 actually, I’ve tweaked and swapped ingredients to please my unsatisfied vexed palate. At long last, I figured it out on my third and final attempt. Truly, third time is a charm.
Look at that cake! This is the legendary black forest cake. A lavish dessert composed of multiple layers of soft sponge cake, whipped cream, and cherries on top. Some may say, it originated in Germany in the early 1900s, but some historians claimed that it all started in the land of cows, Switzerland. Wherever it is, it’s undeniably one of the most popular and beloved cake around the globe.
Okay, blogging this recipe has triggered childhood memories, so let me do some reminiscing here…a skinny, “kayumanggi”, black long hair with bangs girl from the Philippines would drool all over this in an instant. At a young age, she recognized that not every girl would be fortunate to have it. As this is more for people with opulent lifestyle. This little Filipina girl would continue to stare eagerly and wait for someone to say it’s time to devour it. She was shy then but she wouldn’t hesitate to just even have one bite. After all, the excitement builds up intensely, sky-high, as she only got a glimpse of this lovely cake on special occasions (i.e. New Years Eve). She is actually me, just in case I lost you there.
The ultimate secret for a delicious black forest dessert that can be made spontaneously is by using puff pastry. And yes, I cheated. I used a ready made one from the grocery store, but this is not unusual. It’s very well acceptable. Trust me, even pro-chefs would recommend it.
Just trying to convince you once more that this recipe is a keeper!
Easter 2022: Look how pretty these Easter eggs turn out. I’m really amazed how vegetables magically transform simple white egg shells into delicate light-toned Easter eggs embellished with flower and herb designs. Easter 2021: I remember spending the holiday in Hotel Bären in Wengen with …
What is a perfect chocolate soufflé for you? For me, I like mine flourless pretty tall crackless top delicious with custardy center, served warm with melty Movenpick meringue ice cream, top with Fribourgeoise meringue bits. Sounds like a dream. But, no, no, no…it’s really happening. This. …
No Flour, No Butter, No Corn, No Oil, No Gluten….just making the best cookie dessert bites that you can eat without guilt. This super easy gluten free cookie dough recipe just need 2 ingredients: Nut Flour of Choice + Maple Syrup! Yup! That’s it!! and don’t forget to add your favorite toppings!
Why no wheat? A wheat-free diet has a lot of health benefits. It changes gut microbiome that makes your body less bloated. High intake of wheat also leads to sugar spikes and light migraines. There are also studies show that wheat can cause and exacerbate inflammation. Convince enough? Well, based on my own personal experience, eliminating wheat from time to time has helped me feel good about myself a.k.a less cranky mood!! I bet you want that.
Why Go Nuts?! Part 1 and yeah, I mean it literally! Okay, but first, for full disclosure, I’m not saying don’t eat wheat at all. I’m not a full pledged anti-wheat person. I just can’t. (I love my monay (Philippine milk bread), challah (Jewish bread), and my pastries way too much!! Eliminating all of them completely from my existence will crush me into pieces!-dead serious -lol ) Anyhow, I believe everything in moderation is accept–able. We have to live life and eating delightful flaky butter croissants occasionally in the morning is not gonna hurt. I promise you. It won’t. Unless, you have a condition that strictly prohibits you from having wheat, it is perfectly fine.
Why Go Nuts?! Part 2 so here’s the straight to the point and my top 4 reasons why we have to consider eating more nuts and eat less wheat. First, it’s loaded with antioxidants which reduces body’s inflammation. Second, they’re full of essential vitamins and minerals. Third, it’s high in beneficial fiber for gut health. Fourth, it may lower bad cholesterol that keeps your heart happy. Just look at the picture of the hamster above, his eyes say let’s go nuts and make some delicious gluten free cookies!!
Bonjour! Bonjour! Bonjour! Oui, je suis là! Oooh, la la! Just channeling the “petit côte français en moi”. Please excuse my French. It’s still a working progress. You’re probably scratching your head with my uncanny introduction, but this is the most suitable for our recipe …
There are so many varieties of rice cakes in the world. Growing up in the Philippines where the sight of rice is inescapable, I’ve always maintain my love for rice desserts. I witnessed the meticulous process of making it and I would say it took forever! …
What is that one dish that you will eat everyday without getting tired or bored with it? Hmm, so many delicious options! But, let me help you make up your mind (where’s my magic wand?…oh, here it is…*waving, waving, waving…third time’s is a charm*) Voila! Exceptionally healthy and packed with wondrous flavor: The Salmon Poke Bowl with Quinoa and Papaya Balls. (what a drooly title?!)
Aloha in Switzerland. Poke (“cut into pieces”) bowls were born in Hawaii and now one of the most desirable dish around the world due to its impeccable health benefits. Just the raw fish alone, it gives you a whopping dose of omega 3 fatty acids that lowers your body’s response to inflammation and improves your heart health. So, making this highly customizable bowl in a landlocked country where fresh seafood is limited is simply not an exception. Who’s on board?
So, you decided to make one hella poke bowl in Switzerland, I recommend you buy salmon sushi grade, the Froya brand available in Coop supermarket. Raw tuna is also good but this is the safest raw fish you can buy here, in my opinion. I’ve enjoyed and never got sick making poke bowls with Froya. So, pay attention to the raw fish you are using. It’s very important. Finally, don’t skip fresh ginger and wasabi. It helps kill bacteria in raw fish.
Topping ideas are endless! Go ahead and google search poke bowls to be inspired. Must try papaya balls! Just worth mentioning though, the traditional poke bowl I had in Hawaii, four years ago, had no toppings. It was just a mound of brown rice plus the freshly marinade ahi tuna. I found the photo of my first poke bowl offering it to the famous beach of Waikiki. Clearly an unforgettable hawaiian dish pour moi.
Is it just me? I see apples all year round, but when the leaves start changing its colors and end up dancing all over the streets like nobody is watching, I get this craving more than usual for apples. I guess, it must be Autumn. We’re …
