Vegan Pulled Pork Asian Bao

The sauce that coats the jackfruit will make you forget you are not eating meat.  It absorbs the sweet and salty sauce perfectly.  The hoisin sauce with the rest of the ingredients for me tops other sauces I have used before with jackfruit. The bun made from refrigerated biscuits complements the Asian flavor.  Yes I cheated using refrigerated biscuits. Why not!  I want my siopao or Asian bao right away.

The bao expands upon steaming so do not overcrowd the steamer tray.  I suggest also to use 1 tbsp. filling and not overstuff  the biscuit because it is hard to pinch the edges together and seal them well. They tend to open up if not sealed well.. I wrote 1-2 cans of jumbo (16 oz can) in the ingredients since there are left over fillings.

This is perfect to freeze in case any are left.  Just microwave for a minute with a wet paper towel on top.  This is a convenient lunch or snack on the go.

This is good.  My husband my picky taster gave it two thumbs up.

Vegan Pulled Pork Asian Bao

Adapted the filling from this site  and use of refrigerated dough from this site

• 1- 20 oz net weight can of green / young jackfruit, drained and rinsed 
• 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth
• 2 stalk green onions, sliced
• 4 tsp grated ginger
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3-4 tsp tamari or soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 2 tsp brown sugar 
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 star anise (optional)
• 1-2 (16 oz) any jumbo can Refrigerated Biscuits (Grands! Southern Homestyle Original Biscuits are vegan)

Chop the jackfruit into shreds and set aside.

Heat the vegetable broth or water in a skillet and add to it the green onions, ginger and garlic.  Saute the aromatics in the broth till soften.  

Add to the aromatics the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil and star anise if using.  Mix and heat through.  Add the jackfruit till coated with the sauce.

Separate the refrigerator into 8 biscuits.  Press each biscuit to form 1 4-inch round.  For each bao, add 1 tablespoon of the jackfruit mixture onto the center of each dough round. Bring the edge of the biscuit towards the center and pinch them together.  

Place each of the bao on a piece of wax or parchment square paper.

In a 5-quart Dutch oven  or a rice cooker/slow cooker, add 1 inch water and bring it to simmer.  Place the bao one inch apart on the colander or steamer basket or tray and place in the Dutch oven or rice cooker/slow cooker. Steam for 10 minutes counting from the time the water starts steaming.  Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining bao.

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No Tuna Salad

I have been waking up to this these past mornings.  It is addictive especially on toasted mini naan bread and topped with tomato.

The texture and looks are just like tuna salad without the fishy taste. It is very satisfying.  I like to add more onions and celery than called for cuz I like it crunchy.

No Tuna Salad

Adapted from The Minimalist Baker

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained, coarsely mashed in small blender
2-3 tablespoons tahini
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon maple syrup
¼ cup diced onion
¼ cup diced celery
¼ cup diced pickle
sea salt and black pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

Air Fryer Paprika Garlic Potato Fries

This is so good.  A crowd pleaser.  I was looking for leftovers from yesterday's lunch but they were all gone.

The recipe comes from the free recipe booklet that came with the NuWave air fryer. It is easy to prepare.  Ingredients are straight from the pantry.  The texture of the fries is perfect and the taste is delicious.

Air Fryer Paprika Garlic Potato Fries

6 medium russet potatoes (I have also used red potatoes unpeeled)

2 tbsp. oil

1/2 tbsp. garlic powder

1 1/2 tsps. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Cut the potatoes in quarters or wedges and soak them in cold water for 20 minutes. Then pat dry.

Place the oil, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, salt in a bowl and mix.  Toss the potato quarters or wedges in the oil mixture.

Press "PreHeat" setting in the air fryer; set the temperature at 360 degrees Fahrenheit and the cooking time to 20 minutes.  Press Start.

Once the air fryer is ready, place the potato wedges in the Air Fryer basket.  Do not overcrowd if possible.

Cook the wedges until golden brown.

Air Fried Mary Anna's Salmon Cakes

I adapted this air fried version from my friend Mary Anna's skillet fried salmon recipe, called Salmon Burger.  She submitted it to our Associate Group's cookbook, Recipes and Spiritual Reflections of The Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph Baden, Pennsylvania.  She found this delicious recipe very convenient to prepare for her big family which included three of four sons who became priests.

The only things I changed was adding garlic powder and dredging the patties in panko crumbs plus air frying the salmon cakes instead of pan frying them in the skillet like Mary Anna did.  The result are little moist cakes with crispy coating.  Using the bottled horseradish completes the satisfaction of eating this delightful dish.  My husband devoured these for lunch today.  Thanks Mary Anna.

Air Fried Mary Anna's Salmon Cakes

1-15 oz can salmon, drained, remove skin and bone
1/4 cup uncooked oatmeal
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes or crumbled bread
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1-2 eggs
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. bottled horseradish
1 tsp garlic powder
panko crumbs for coating
extra bottled horseradish as sauce

Flake the salmon and mix with all the ingredients except the panko crumbs and extra bottled horseradish.

Score the mixture into 8 equal parts and form into patties.  Dredge each patty in panko crumbs.

Spray the air fryer with nonstick spray.

Place the patties in the air fryer and spray top with nonstick spray.  Air fry for 9 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Flip and then spray the top of each patty with nonstick spray and bake for 3 more minutes.

Serve with horseradish sauce.

Do you believe?

He’ll free us out, trapped 
in our tomb , wrapped in darkness.
Because He loves us.

In the Face of Fear and Uncertainties

Where is God we ask
We found Him among us as
we help each other.

Vita Mix Five Ingredient Black Bean Soup

Though I have lots of time in my hands because of the lockdown due to Covid-19. I still resort to dump-in-one-cooking-vessel recipes. I hate doing dishes. Vita Mix is one of my go to cooking gadget to cater to my sometimes lazy cooking style.

Vita Mix that is capable of heating up is perfect for making soups and I used it when I adapted my friend, Linda Jomes’ black bean soup she demonstrated to the members of the  Plant Based Pittsburgh group. It took only less than 8 minutes to heat up the ingredients.

The recipe utilizes just five ingredients you usually have in your pantry or fridge. The use of salsa is brilliant and gives the soup acidity and spice. You do not need to chop numerous spices.   This is simple and yet delicious and as comforting as a hug which we need these days.

Vita Mix Five Ingredient Black Bean Soup

Adapted from Linda Jones’ recipe

• 1-15 oz can black beans, undrained 
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 tsp cumin 
• 1/4 tsp chili powder

Add all the ingredients in the Vita Mix and blend at highest setting or speed till the contents are hot. 

Serve with tomato, green onions and/or chips. 

Lorraine’s Banana Bread

This is the best banana bread recipe I have used. It is based on the recipe submitted by my friend and co associate, Lorraine called Banana Chocolate Loaf for our cookbook Recipes and Reflections of the Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph Baden, Pennsylvania. My husband does not eat chocolate later in the day since it can disturb his sleep at night, so I skipped the chocolate chips in the original recipe.  Still the bread is moist and delicious. The best.

Lorraine’s Banana Bread

• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature 
• 1 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed 
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda

Spray 2 loaf pans with non stick vegetable spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl or electric mixer until well blended and creamy. 

Add milk, bananas, eggs and vanilla and mix till blended. 

In separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda, and stir to combine all dry ingredients and add to butter mixture, mix until just blended. 

Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 55 to 60 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Makes 20 to 24 slices. 

Note:

If using four small loaf pans bake for 45 minutes. 

If using muffin pans filled 3/4 full bake for 25 minutes. 

Instant Pot Pork Afritada

Being homebound due to the Covid-19 calls for comfort food that is easy.  I resorted to cooking in my Instant Pot one of the Filipinos' go to comfort food we refer to as afritada. It is chicken or pork cooked in tomatoes.  I used pork this time and since I like my carrots, celery and green pepper not mushy I pressure cooked them for one minute after I pressure cooked the meat.  I am happy with the result.  Nice eat while bingeing on Law and Order marathon tv reruns.

Instant Pot Pork Afritada

Inspired by this recipe and this in this blog

• 3 lb pork country ribs or any other type, cut into one or one half inch cubes
• 1 onion, chopped or 2 tsp minced dry onions
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or 2 tsp dry garlic flakes
• 4 potatoes, cut into 1-cubes 
• 1-14 oz can diced tomatoes 
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 to 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp whole peppercorn
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 green pepper, sliced 
• 4 carrots, sliced into 1 inch pieces
• 3 stalks celery, sliced 

Place all the ingredients except the carrots, celery and green pepper in the Instant Pot.

Cook at high pressure for 20 minutes. Quick release. Then add the carrots, celery and green pepper. Cook at high pressure for 1 minute.  Serve with rice.

My Friend Merly

I was in disbelief to read in her sister's Lily's Facebook post that my friend Merly died yesterday afternoon .  I felt very sad and flashes of our times together in Washington DC swept through my memory. Her sweet face graced every scene as well as her calm pragmatic demeanor. 

Merly and her sister lived in the apartment below mine at 2124 I Street Washington DC.  I stayed in that apartment building during most of my years at Washington DC finishing my MS in Chemistry degree at the George Washington University. I was a frequent visitor at their place and what immediately appeared in my mind is her sweeping the floor with a tambo, a type of broom from the Philippines in one of my visits.  I remember her saying to me as she followed me around with the tambo that she would not mind spending her life following me around tidying after me.  I did not mind the comment or care what it meant or its connotation.  I trusted her that she did not mean anything I should be insulted about. I felt a certain fondness for me in her voice.

I am writing this as I woke up after reading the post to make sense of how short life is. I was overwhelmed by the loss and the memories of that time in my life where Merly and  her sister Lily were parts of.  Nostalgia gripped me.  Remembering the memories was tinged with sadness and a sinking feeling in the heart and stomach.  At the same time a sense of gratefulness engulfed me realizing how lucky I was to have Merly and Lily for making those times spent at 2124 I Street beautiful and filled with happy fun times, Thank you Merly and rest in peace.  I do not think you need to sweep or tidy up after anybody up there in heaven.

Instant Pot Chinese Sticky Rice

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• I found another use for my arborio rice with an Asian flair. I substituted it for the sticky rice in the Chinese Sticky Rice recipe. I prefer not to have too many stuff in my pantry and did not buy sticky rice at the Asian store and thought of using my arborio rice that came in a big jar instead. This is close to what I was craving for when I woke up one morning.  It was so good I ate the whole thing in one day. 
• I used my Instant Pot for a one step preparation. The dried shiitake mushrooms were soft and the combination of spices spot on.

• Instant Pot Chinese Sticky Rice

• 1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons Hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 pieces Star anise
• 1/8 tsp schichuan pepper, optional
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• Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes then quick release. Cut the shiitake mushrooms into small pieces before serving.

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Instant Pot Haluski

Fish fry during lenten season evokes memories of haluski as a side dish and that means cravings for this comfort food.  I decided to make it in the Instant Pot to satisfy this yearning. 

Most haluskis are swimming in butter but I skipped that and I was still happy. The cabbage is a bit soft but I actually did not mind it.  It was indeed comforting since my friend Margaret who is recuperating from surgery loved it.  She was delighted and excited when I told her about it during my visit. She emailed me later she just had to have it when I left.

Complete your fish dinner with this easy and delicious comfort food.

Instant Pot Haluski

1 lb egg noodles
1/2 head Cabbage, cored and quartered
1 onion, chopped
4 cups water
1 tsp salt

Place all the ingredients in the Instant Pot.  It is all right if not all noodles are covered with water.

Put vent in sealing position and cook mixture at high pressure for 1 minute. Naturally release pressure for 5 minutes then quick release.

Season haluski with salt and pepper to your taste.

Instant Pot Hominy Sweet Potato with Brown Rice

This is a pot in pot dish. The vegetable mixture is cooked at the bottom of the instant pot while the brown rice is cooked in another container above it using a trivet. The hominy held its form and texture and compatible with the long cooking time of the brown rice. The sweet potato  thickened the flavorful sauce.  Comforting and easy dish.

Instant Pot Hominy Sweet Potato with Brown Rice

Vegetable Spice Mixture 

1 large tomato
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ginger
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/8 tsp turmeric
1 tsp sweetener
Salt to taste
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 can hominy, drained
2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup vegetable broth

Rice

1 cup brown rice
1  1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp salt

Place all the ingredients of the vegetable and spice mixture at the bottom of the Instant Pot and mix. 

Put a trivet on top of the mixture.  Place an oven safe six or seven inch dish above it.  Add the brown rice, water and salt to the dish.

Place the vent in sealing position. Cook at higb pressure for 30 minutes.  Naturally release the pressure for ten minutes. Then quick release the pressure by putting the vent in venting position.

You are a big boy now

Dear Luca,

You will be four this Friday.  Many things have happened this past year.  Little things I call Lucaisms. Stuff you say for example that I want written in stone because they are too cute to forget.

When we were talking about what you and Maddie want when you grow up, I noticed Maddie is interested in what your mama does namely be a doctor.  When it was your turn you said you want to be an All Aboard person which I had to figure out what it meant.  It turns out you want to be an engineer like your dad,  You have been watching the show Dinosaur Train where the train engineer says All Aboard during the episodes.

However you got tired of me asking you what you want to do when you grow up and one day when asked you were so annoyed you said emphatically, NOTHING. That was what I get for being annoying.

You love repeating expressions you hear from me.  Of course the OMG word is number one.  But there are words I just realize I must be saying a lot upon hearing them from you.  One day as you were getting to leave, you stopped and said "Actually" like you were thinking of what to say next.  I do say that word a lot.  Another is the phrase, "I could not believe it".  Lately your mama said you went home repeatedly saying "blood pressure", "blood pressure".  You must have heard me say that when I was concerned about it at one point.

You and Maddie are very different.  Whereas Maddie loves me to put on so called Jesus songs or Summer Bible songs upon setting foot in my car, you instead request for no music to be played. Actually you prefer making the music yourself by singing about anything you see around you or things that had happened the day before. I really find it entertaining since you get kind of poetic at times describing the weather and sceneries we pass by.

You still like to ask why incessantly and I have been asking you to figure out the reason yourself at times and I am impressed with your logic. Sometimes you come up with the reason to my own whys.

You sort of enjoy storytelling when we go to the library.  But one time you turned to me and honestly said, "I do not like craft", which is usually how the session ends.  I noticed that to be polite you would do it but so hurriedly.  You are always dying to play with the trains, magnetic squares, legos, the kitchen stuff at the library playroom.

Your parents could not believe how I catered to your obsession with monsters and zombies by borrowing every week, close to Halloween, books on those creatures.  You just kept on requesting for more books that were displayed to take home.

You have learned to push the button to open the automatic doors in the library which you follow with the Open Sesame proclamation.  You love going up the new elevator in the library and push the button to go up.  You feel so grown up.  While there, we visit the art gallery and one time you corrected the identity of the animal in a painting which I  said was a chicken.  You were right, it was an eagle.

You still love cars and trains and also street signs.  The latter is a must when playing with the different bins of toys available in the library.  You find so much joy trying to read the meanings of the signs.

As far as food is concerned, you switched to pb and j or peanut butter and jelly from chicken nuggets. You love the orange juice you get at my house which you don't get at yours since your dad loves to finish jugs of them which your mama does not like to happen.

Finally you started being toilet trained this December and you were moved to the three year olds in day care.  A little late which we thought will never come.  Not quite there yet but lately you have been pretty good.  You were so proud one day you called Maddie over to look at your poop in the toilet.  And just a few weeks ago, you were promoted to the four year olds and now you are bringing home homework.  Yes you are a big boy now.  I am so proud of you.  Happy birthday!

Love,

Lola.

Did I Say That?

For interviews, you are advised to have memorized answers for some questions like how do you see yourself in the next five years or why did you leave your last job.  But I have been caught unprepared for some simple ones.

One such question was asked by the Vice President of Academic Affairs of a small college who ended the interview by asking me what book have I read lately.  What I usually do when I was not prepared what to give for an answer was to go through what transpired in the past week or so in my head. For this question that was what I did and my answer was "I read a cookbook".  I was into cooking and that was the last one I read.  I research recipes of what I like to cook and I go through cookbooks for the best way to prepare them.  I remember her saying, cookbook with a surprise with a bit of a sarcastic tone.  She did not like my answer and I do not think I liked the question then either.

In another interview, I was asked "what are your hobbies?".  Again I went through my past week or two and I answered, "I attend the activities of my children like their soccer and basketball games and programs my husband sings in".  The interviewer was not impressed with my answer and rephrased the question into "what do you do for fun".  For me, my priority in life then and even now is my family and being there at their games or programs meant a lot to me and that filled my time and made me happy. Isn't that what hobbies are for?  To heck with sophisticated answers like I love playing the piano which one of the principal investigators in a research place I used to work at said is a good answer. It will make you look like a people oriented person since such instrument bring people around you.

I have given answers which in retrospect make me appear like I have not much grey matter in my brain or an airhead. Or could it be I reached a point of exhaustion from answering questions from a panel of 6 interviewers.  One such occasion was an interview held in the Philippines for the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship that will afford me a chance to come to the United States to study.  One member of the panel of interviewers asked me what I  would say if somebody asked me to describe the Philippines to somebody who has not been there.  I said it was a beautiful place with plenty of coconut trees and beaches with a beautiful sunset or something close to this.  Oh my.  Thinking back after the interview, that was I get for watching too many beauty pageants.

By the way I did not get any job offers from those interviews but I  have had also job offers from other successful ones but I do not remember what the questions were asked and any answers that are worth remembering or cringing about now.

Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken and Chicken Adobo (Pot in Pot)

      

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Chicken Adobo

Most chicken packages you buy in the grocery come in family sizes or 8 pieces.  When you are down to two in your household, our tendency is to cook a big batch of a certain chicken dish then freeze what we do not finish.  However there have been times when I have not been organized and forget or too lazy to freeze the leftovers or promise to eat the rest but do  not and I end up getting tired of eating the same thing. The result one plastic container of forgotten dish I am sometimes afraid to eat after being in the fridge for two weeks getting ditched.  Instant Pot to the rescue!   I decided to use the pot in pot method and cook one dish, sweet and sour chicken, at the bottom of the pot and the other dish, chicken adobo,  in another container positioned on a trivet above it. 

Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken and Chicken Adobo (Pot in Pot)

Sweet Sour Chicken Ingredients

4-6 pcs chicken thighs
1 cup catsup
1 cup water
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup sugar or sweetener
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion flakes
1/2 tsp ginger powder
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
1 tbsp. cornstarch


Chicken Adobo Ingredients

4-6 pieces chicken thighs
6 tbsp soy sauce
6 tbsp white vinegar
6 cloves whole garlic
2 bay leaves


Directions

1.  Place all the ingredients of the sweet sour chicken EXCEPT the crushed pineapple and cornstarch at the bottom of the instant pot. Place a trivet on top.

2.  Place all the ingredients of the chicken adobo in an oven safe container and position it at the top of a trivet.

3.  Set the valve to the sealing position.  Press Manual/Pressure and cook both dishes at the same time at high pressure for 15 minutes.   Then allow the instant pot to sit for 10 minutes for the pressure to release naturally.  Set the valve in the venting position to quick release the rest of the pressure.

4. Remove the container with the adobo and the trivet.  Add the crushed pineapple and cornstarch to the sweet sour chicken at the bottom of the pot and press the saute button and stir the mixture till the sauce thickens.

Instant Pot Black Beans and Brown Rice (Pot in Pot)

Cooking black beans and rice using the pot in pot method in the instant pot is perfect since they have the same cooking time.  The result is black beans that have body and not mushy texture.  The spices used give the bean dish an addictive flavor.  The beans are definitely several notches above the canned ones.   The brown rice is also well cooked.  Why cook it separately when you can save electricity and time doing it this way.

You can buy a taller trivet but I decided to be resourceful and use a small custard cup to add height to the trivet that comes with your instant pot.  To easily remove the bowl or cake pan with the rice, I used an aluminum sling I made with a 20 inch long piece of foil I folded three times.

Instant Pot Black Beans and Brown Rice (Pot in Pot)

Black Beans

• 1 lb dry black beans
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp dry oregano leaves
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp chili powder
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp. miso paste

Brown Rice

• 1 cup brown basmati rice
• 1 1/2 cup water

1.  Rinse and drain the dry black beans, discarding stones and dried up beans. 

2.  Add and mix all the bean ingredients except the miso paste in the instant pot.

3.  Place on top of  the bean mixture, an empty small custard cup to add extra height to the trivet. Position the trivet on top of the custard cup.  Center the aluminum sling on the trivet and center on the sling an oven proof six or seven inch bowl or cake pan.  Add the rice and the water to the bowl or pan.

 4.  Position the valve in the sealing position.   Press Manual or Pressure  and cook the beans and the rice at high pressure for 35 minutes.

5.  At the end of the cycle, let the pot sit in order for the pressure to be released naturally for 10 minutes.

6.  Then position the valve in the venting position to quick release the rest of the pressure.

7.  Using the aluminum sling, remove the pan with the rice.

8.  Remove the trivet and the custard cup.

9.  Add the miso paste to the cooked beans.  

10.Serve the beans over rice topped with cilantro or green onions or avocado slices.

Unknow

i am tired of trying to understand
to know the answers to questions in my mind
i am tired of figuring out
if what i just did was right or not
i just want my mind to rest
to decompress in His warm caress
assured He loves me no matter what
as i am. not this. not that.

Instant Pot Vegan Bread Pudding

This is an easy and delicious dessert to prepare in the Instant Pot.  I just used ordinary whole wheat bread and mostly ingredients I already have in the pantry. To make the original recipe from this site vegan, I used flax seed meal instead of eggs and almond milk instead of the cream. I also skipped the butter. I was pleasantly surprised the end vegan version turned out moist but not mushy at all .

My family especially my husband love this. I for one could not stop eating it.

Instant Pot Vegan Bread Pudding

Adapted from this site

• 8 cups whole wheat bread, cubed
• 2 tbsp flax seed meal 
• 6 tbsp brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk
• 1//2 cup raisins 
• 1 1/2 cups water for Instant Pot

Optional

• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tbsp rum

1. Cut or tear the bread into cubes.

2. Mix the flax seed, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and almond milk in a large bowl.

3. Add to the milk mixture, the bread and raisns. Mix.

4. Transfer the bread mixture in a 6 or 7 inch bowl. Cover with aluminum foil.  Center the container on the aluminum sling.

5. Place 1 1/2 cup water in the pot.  Place the trivet on top. With the help of the sling, lower the container of bread mixture on top of the trivet.

6. Place the valve of the Instant Pot in the sealing position. Cook on manual/high pressure for 30 minutes.

7. At the end of the cooking cycle, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. After that time, place the valve in the venting position using glove for quick release of pressure.

8. Using pair of gloves, lift the container with help of the sling.

9. If you like,  mix maple syrup and rum and pour on top of bread pudding.

My impossible wish for maddie

That you will always find the thrill in finding your elf in its hiding place. That missing a morning to find it is not an option, more important than staying overnight with Lolo and Lola, grandpa and grandma in Tagalog respectively..

Oh how you shed cupious tears when your Dada insisted that you stay overnight with us. He did not want me to take another trip to your house the next day to babysit you on your day off from school.  I just quietly stayed out of the way of your power struggle with your Dada. You did sleep at our house.  Dada won.

Finding your elf in its hiding place is not something I did with your mama though I had several toy elves I have could have used.  Your Lolo's mother never taught me that custom at all.  I finally understood why you cried when we finally got to your house past lunch time.  That morning, you sort of forgot about the elf since we had a great time at the Oakmont library and then lunch at Panera like we used to before you started kindergarten,  I will not forget that excitement in your steps as you entered your house to look for the elf.  The seriousness in your quest for finding the elf was intense.  You went through every possible nooks and crannies, high and low in your house. The joy in your squeal when you finally found it on the shelf among several plates and cups in the curio cabinet was heartwarming.   I do not know how you found it but you did.

I know there will come a time when this obsession of finding the hidden elf will pass but I hope you will discover another challenge in  your life to seek and find not necessarily an object.  Maybe a quest for happiness or maybe peace or some goal you want fulfilled. I hope you will always find joy when you do reach that aha moment. 

Instant Pot Vegan Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower

Shepherd's Pie and Mashed Cauliflower in one Instant Pot?  Yes, Ma'm.  Instant Pot comes with a trivet and this recipe employs its use to the hilt to accomplish the stacking approach.  The shepherd's pie is cooked right in the pot, trivet is positioned above it and the cauliflower is placed in a seven inch container to hold the cauliflower florets.

The recipe and idea of using the stacking method to cook both the pie and cauliflower was adapted from the book The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook by Megan Gilmore. I tweaked the original recipe by using tomato paste, miso paste, nutritional yeast and bay leaves to enhance the depth of flavor of the filling. I also added green peas to the vegetable medley at the end.

Instant Pot Vegan Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower

Adapted from the book The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook by Megan Gilmore.

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 carrots, cut in half inch pieces
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, roughly cut
• 1/2 cup lentils
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dry rosemary
• 1 tbsp tamari soy sauce or more to taste
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 1 head cauliflower cut into small pieces
• 1 tbsp miso paste or more to taste
• 8 ounces frozen green peas

1. Add all the ingredients EXCEPT the cauliflower, miso paste and green peas in the Instant Pot and mix them. 

2. Place the trivet on top of the vegetables and put a seven inch oven safe bowl on top. Place the cauliflower florets and 1/2 cup water in the bowl. 

3.  Securely place the lid and be sure the steam release valve is in the Sealing position.

4  Select Manual/Pressure Cook to cook at high pressure for 5 minutes. 

5. When the cooking cycle is done, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes.   At the end of ten minutes, move the steam release valve to Venting position to allow the remaing pressure to escape.  

6. When all the pressure is released the floating valve will drop, and you can now open the lid. Using an oven mitt remove the trivet and the bowl out of the pot. 

7,  Remove the bay leaves from the vegetable filling and add the miso paste with stirring and adjust the other seasonings. Add the frozen green peas and stir.  

8. Mash the cauliflower with nondairy milk, salt and pepper in the bowl with a fork or transfer in a blender.

9. Serve the vegetable filling in a large bowl or individual bowls 

topped with mashed cauliflower.

Paula’s Prayer Meeting 1/8/2020

My notes:

We were asked to find epiphanies that we have experienced in our lives.

God uses everything for the good. We just need to pay attention.

Jesus was born during winter and resurrected during spring.

Seek me with all your heart and you will find me. Jeremiah 29.

We are called to be saints. Collosians 3

We all seek transcendence. The spiritual yearns not to be constricted by our body.

We need community and connectedness.

Happy New Year. Hope you can join us.

eternity in life stories

Am I witnessing eternity as I visit the past?
As I write about my life story.
As I reminisce about my childhood with my Nanang, my Lola Sefa,
My mother, my father.
My aunts and uncles.
My days playing with my Ate, Anton, Benjie, Chot, and Menchie.
Countless cousins, playmates.
Friends in high school, college, grad school.
Memorable neighbors, friends, colleagues.
Strangers along the way.

Is that why I am both exhausted and exhilarated as I hit the keys as I write.
What I  knock off from my memory bank.
Pieces and fragments. Emotions, happy, sad.

Am I poking at an incomprehensible huge matrix.  Of interwoven lives and events.
Is this after all eternity? When the past is brought in the now.
And the future being painted with the brushes of awe inspiring recall.



Note:  This musing was inspired by the interview of the Poet Laureate of 2019, Joy Harjo,  in Oprah Winfrey's Super Soul Sunday Show.   Below are some of the notes I made of her profound thoughts.

Nobody dies
Ancestors in every poem, story
One connected matrix

In the eye of children,  nature
We are always in conversation with history

Train sets, I don't get it

What is this about
train sets? Mesmerizing whirr,
symphonic movements.

Unearthed from boxes
Set up with blood, sweat, elbow grease
Countless google search for parts
But why?

Memories of childhood past
Thrill to build
Creative juices satisfied
I still don't get it.