Restaurateur!

If a food blogger is really up to his or her dream of making it big, it doesn't end up with just one's love for food. At some point, they go to that stage of cooking their favorite food at home, discovering how each dish is concocted and what the secret ingredient to a hearty meal is. With this comes also the want to make food aesthetically pleasing, a good mix of color, a lovely sprinkle of garnish and a lovely arrangement. Thus, it follows that food photography is an inevitable course. There might be ideas of attending a culinary school or a photography class. Along the way, the foodie invests in professional cookware too. Finally, after spending too much time in the kitchen and restaurant hopping, the foodie wants to open up a foodshop with herself/himself as the Chef.

Setting up a restaurant involves a handful of tasks that are time-consuming, mentally draining and physically tiring. Aside from location, licenses, budget, staff hiring/training, one must also plan and think of the smaller yet crucial matters such as consumer target, water and electricity connection, interior design restaurant equipment and foodservice supplies.

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Focusing on restaurant equipments, Wasserstrom.com is your one-stop online shop. From smallwares and tabletop items, like flatware, tableware, glassware, to smallwares and kitchen utensils, from table service to displayware, from pizza to bakery gadgets, from storage supplies to beverage equipments. Order menu boards and signages, and even furniture. Pricing and shipping is also provided in the website.

With diverse and comprehensive product lines in the foodservice industry, Wasserstrom is a big help to cut down not only on the time you alloted for preparation,their tested products are sure to last making you save on money as well...They even customize and design what your equipment specification are, wasserstrom restaurant supplies are the best that you can depend on.

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Kilns and more

Pottery is perhaps one of the oldest forms of art known to man. Whether cooking pots or designer jars or a simple art clay kiln, someone is bound to collect them sooner or later. Maybe you've heard about AMACO (American Art Clay Company), they provide pottery supplies educational kits, and craft programs for all interested. They have professional teachers, framers, potters, craft designers, and a neighborhood pottery studio where one can practice arts and crafts and eventually hone skills.

Amaco kilns have been known ever since its inception. In 1919, they made the first American modeling clay but didn't stop there. Through the years the company has provided patrons with all kinds of services realting to ceramic pottery kilns, lead free glazes and underglazes, ceramic, self-hardening and air dry clays, Brent Potter wheels and equipments, mold making and sculpture, glass products and even the first adaptable potter’s wheel for the physically challenged. With their motto "From a Colorful Past, Comes an Exciting Future," Amaco has proven that in 90 years, pottery and art never goes out of style.

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Renovation and more

When I went back home I was a little disappointed at how my mom's kitchen was so chaotic that I told her we seriously need a renovation. I immediately searched for designs and stuff.

I think it would be lovely to get one of those enclume pot rack; designed to be wall mounted, free standing or simply as a kitchen furniture. With a contemporary look, you could have one of the many on sale hanging enclume pot racks that would perfectly fit atop a kitchen Island.

Just looking at this installation, one is assured of the high-quality material used, thick carbon steel and select woods to match.

Enclume potracks, which also offers other accessories for your kitchen, include a 5 year-warranty. Check now which is the best unit to fit your kitchen that would best display your cookwares. They're on sale!

Now, I need to look which countries they ship to...

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Scrubs

Do you like the comedy series Scrubs? I do, hubby and I always have a good laugh watching it and we'd giggle more when Elliot speaks in German. Anyway, I actually want to write about the nursing scrubs the staff there are wearing.

Before scrubs are only worn by nurses and surgeons and other operating room personnel when performing surgery. Nowadays it is worn also by every hospital personnel. There are so many manufacturers of scrubs but do you know where to buy scrubs that looks so sleek and chic? It's the Scrubs and Beyond website which offers mens scrubs, nursing shoes and clogs, themed clogs and beautifully designed women's scrubs.

Take this mock-wrap scrub top for example. You can still be stylish while at work with this top available in different colors. There are also matching pants for each, browse the website and see what more they have to offer!

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Home (or Kitchen) plans

House plans, custom kitchen, interior design...all these phrases are for one's "dream home." There are lots of ideas that a homeowner have but thank architects those house plans are easier to accomplish now. Houseplansanmore.com features beach house plants to contemporary house plans to cottage house plans to luxury house plans and more. The possibilities are endless. They also have services for estimating costs which is very helpful in planning out one's dream home.

I do not have any objection about how our kitchen turned out, hubby did the planning and with the help of a furniture customized service deal we were able to come up with a neat one. If you plan to have your own customized kitchen, your living room remodelling, visit houseplansandmore for a quote.

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Pot Racks

The other day I wrote about how thankful I was for the oval fish frying pan I found at our nearby shop. However, since this pan is differently shaped, it doesn't fit well with the others.

It would be lovely to get one of those enclume pot rack; designed to be wall mounted, free standing or simply as a kitchen furniture. If you fancy the contemporary look, you could have one of the many on sale hanging potracks that would perfectly fit atop a kitchen Island.

Just looking at this installation, one is assured of the high-quality material used, thick carbon steel and select woods to match.

Enclume potracks, which also offers other accessories for your kitchen, include a 5 year-warranty. Check now which is the best unit to fit your kitchen that would best display your cookwares. They're on sale!

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Homemade Pizza

Do you take out, order delivery, buy frozen pizza or do make your own pizza?

Perhaps, we all do the first three at some point because we have always done it that way. What I do often is buy frozen pizzas, margherita to be exact and top it with the kids' favorites...ham and mushroom on one part, salami and then bacon on the other and some pineapples too.

Then there's website showing how to make pizza. That particular video is presented by award-winning chef, Ruth Gresser of Pizzeria Paradiso in Washington D.C.

I was watching one of the videos when my two older kids showed up beside me...aside from cooking and baking, watching cooking tutorials is another hobby we all share. Since the videos were neatly divided into short parts and different methods, we were clicking here and there without sequence. I really like how the chef showed methods and preparation using just her hand and then with kitchen aids and utensils. She explains in between the differences, pros of using each. See the videos for yourself and surely, you'll make pizza by yourself soon!

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Cookie and Cake Gifts

Want some mouthwatering treats like those?

I do too! :D I have many times mentioned how baking for me is not as easy as one, two, three. For the past years I have always relied on ready made cake, cookie mixes that I'd particularly ask for a friend to buy for me.

Easy is the word to describe this baking process, especially if you opt for Davidscookies' mail order cookies of ready to bake doughs...of course, they also deliver freshly baked cookies, cakes and tarts. (Same day or 1-2 days delivery service.)

Take 2 sets of this wonderful looking tart sampler and you get shipping for free! Or order any among the fruit tarts with your favorite sweet berry, mango, apple and more. Sending them as a gift is also a wonderful idea, you save time and yet be able to give a perfect present.

Davidscookies also offers birthday cake delivery, sells gift baskets and cookie jars, most of all they have specially made cakes an brownies for those who are under a diet like me! Order one now or send me one! :D

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Ruby Tuesday - Strawberry nutty cake

I bought this cake just to try it out, I was curious with how strawberries combined with nuts...this is a very small serving...by small,  can only be shared by two...in this case by me and the little boy.

Anyway, strawberry jam in between soft cake coated with nuts and whipped cream = 99% happiness! ;) Enjoy!

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Lasang Pinoy Sundays - Bread

 

Baking is really something I have to work on. If only I have half the enthusiasm of my kids, then this bread would have been perfect. I originally planned to just make the dough into shapes of pandesal but it was too sticky I decided it would be better with a muffin pan, but this is technically bread I assure you, flour and water, salt, fat and yeast with some other common ingredients: milk, egg. Sugar was supposed to be sprinkled on top.

 

I had planned to bake Krapfen (or Berliner Pfannkuchen), a doughnut like bread with marmelde filling, much like Dunkin Donuts'  boston creme or eclairs...I have once or twice mentioned that there are no dunkin donuts  or any foodshop specializing on donut in this 'hima' city save for a few coffee shops that serves the same kinds of donuts for an unbelievable price of 1,29Euros (1.63$),! There is one bakeshop that sells 'dunked donuts' which is literally  coated with oozing, heavenly chocolate...too bad I need to travel 20+ minutes to be there...

I guess this would have looked better when deep-fried than baked...oh well there's next time! Hope you enjoy the coming week!

Lasang Pinoy Sundays is a weekly GALLERY of the FILIPINO TASTE focusing on Food Photography.

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Food Friday - Salmonwrap

Sometime ago I posted about wraps around the world with one of my most favorites missing. Salmon wrap (of course, I'm the salmon freak!) is a mix of smoked salmon fillets, salad and dressing in a wrap especially made by Nordsee. I can't tell what its made of :D. When in a hurry and haven't yet eaten I grab this from the nearest Nordsee and proceed to my destination while taking bites in turns...this is very convenient and fulfilling too! Nordsee also sells tuna wraps but I am too loyal for salmon lol...

Happy Weekend!

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Gefüllte Rote Paprika

 

 

I was thrilled to see the orange paprika than the usual green in this tricolor vegetable pack. The kids prefer them raw but would pick them out when in a chopseuy dish and left uneaten.

So tonight I tried baking a paprika filled with sauteed ground beef combined with tomato, spices and mashed potatoes.

This is normally served with a sauce which I do not have a recipe of.  

 

 

 

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Food Friday - Suppe

Sopas, as we would call this chicken soup...I never really liked this as a kid maybe because we always have it so I got tired of its taste. So after about 7 years I made this for the kids, I think I'd enjoy it now....but without the milk. ;)

Happy Weekend!

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Lasang Pinoy Sundays - Wraps around the World

Though not all are to be seen here, I have compiled a few cuisines of anything wrapped.

Crepes, France; Palatschinken, Austria; Pfannkuchen, Germany

This treat has a different name depending on the region where it is eaten and on what is used as a filling. Above is Quark (curd cheese) wrapped in pancakes and served with vanilla sauce. Nutella-filled is also an all time kids' favorite! (But I just had to say I prefer our Pinas crepes...)

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Ground beef filled Canneloni, Italy

Technically, this dish is filled than wrapped. :D I cooked the canneloni tubes for four minutes on boiling water, they were not so easy to fill up as I have thought, some ripped a little in the process.

For the filling, use ground beef, garlic, onions combined with bechamel sauce, that of parmesan cheese, butter and milk (ricotta and spinach are a popular combination too). On baking dish, put some bechamel sauce and place the tubes, top again with sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes at 190°C.

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Temaki or hand rolls, Japan -

One of the easiest way to serve sushi rice, take half of a nori mat, place a spoonful of sushi rice then top with your favorite fish or veggies. Roll the nori into a cone and eat immediately so the nori would stay crisp (it tends to absorb the moisture of rice).

I only had spam and surimi and fried bangus flakes, I like this with shrimps and avocado.

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Dürüm Kebap, Turkey; Gyros, Greece; Shawarma, Arab

A foodie friend of mine once talked about her fondness for Dürüm Kebaps, I do not share the same thought but I had one for today's theme.

Dürüm (wrapper used) is like wheatflour tortilla (used for burritos). Slices of meat that are cooked via a turning roast (döner) are placed with lettuce, tomato, onions and yogurt sauce that has garlic, pepper, dill and olive oil and called Tzatziki in Greece. Also Gyros are placed on a pita bread like the usual Döner kebap of Turkey.

Shawarma, if I remember, usually has garlic sauce on it. (Please correct me if I'm wrong).

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Tortillas etc, Mexico

Thin, unleavened, flat bread made from cornflour, best with lettuce, flavored ground beef, salsa and cheese. Fajitas, Taquitos, Gorditas, Chilaquiles, Enchilada, Quesadilla and Tacos are some of the dishes that uses tortilla cornflour.

Burritos, Chimichanga, and Pitas on the other hand uses wheatflour. Roti (India and neighbouring lands), Blintz (Russia and lands upnorth), Baleadas (Honduras) are other variety of thin breads based on wheatflour

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Chun juan, China; Runbing, Taiwan; Cha gio, Vietnam; Lumpia, Philippines
Simply---Spring Rolls

Though the name spring has nothing to do with the dish, this finger food is popular not only in Asia but around the world too. There are vegetable and meat, uncooked and deep fried varieties. Other versions in different asian regions as well as Europe are enjoyed.

My favorite would be lumpiang sariwa topped with the peanut sauce my mom makes perfectly.

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Lasang Pinoy Sundays is a weekly GALLERY of the FILIPINO TASTE focusing on Food Photography.

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Food Friday - Upside Down Pineapple cake

I baked this cake the day before I made the Black Forest cake few days back. Since I had no eggs, I used an eggless recipe that substituted vinegar. (I was surprised too!)

The dough was good but nothing special, I also forgot to brush up the baking pan with a glaze of sugar syrup so the bottom didn't turn into a beautiful brown.

Win some, lose some as the cliche goes. I didn't do well on this one but succeeded with the Black Forest! ;-)

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Ruby Tuesday - Lingonberry jam/Preiselbeeren Kompott

When was the last time you visited Ikea? I think my last trip there was more or less a year! :D

When I hear Ikea, the colorful and elegant furniture comes to mind second only to their Restaurant, I am always reminded of their Köttbular/meatballs with creamsauce and lingonberry jam. This jam is a curious ingredient for me, who prefers cheese and butter on my toast. Gladly, I have found a better and enjoyable way of serving jams.

Below is one way to enjoy lingonberry jam, as sidedish for breaded camembert and some veggies. The creamsauce with jam and pommes is a delectable combination too!

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Lasang Pinoy Sundays - I ♥ FOOD!

Breaded Camembert...a hearty breakfast served with salad, veggies and lingonberry jam. Though we do not celebrate heart's day the kids find these heart-shaped treats (and chocolates) cute! They eat with much gusto finishing 2 pieces each.

Lasang Pinoy Sundays is a weekly GALLERY of the FILIPINO TASTE focusing on Food Photography.

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Food Friday - Orange-y Duck!

My kiddos love duck, feeding live ones and eating the meat itself :D well, not necessarily the ones they fed though.

When we opt for Chinese delivery on those lazy nights, I make sure duck is included in the menu but now, I can cook duck meat at home thanks to frozen, boneless duck meat sold in the market. At 8euros per pack (10.03$, good for a family of 5) we can enjoy duck dishes with less fat!

I placed the flavored (salt and pepper only) duck meat on an aluminum foil and secure the sides so the juice stays as a marinade then baked it for around 30 minutes. I removed the meat from the foil while I transferred the juice to a small pan, added some sugar then combined with juices of 2 oranges. I heated this sauce up a little then poured over meat, you'll never go wrong with this combo!

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Layer (eat) up!

(For my foodie friend Joy)

I had always wanted to try this, (German-original) Schwarz-Wälder-Kirsch Torte or Black Forest Cherry Cake. I wanted to because all those ready made I buy costs 12Euros (15$) which I find sour compared to the variation I always enjoyed at Red Ribbon. Second reason; since the theme over at LaPiS is layered, I thought this is my best chance to challenge myself in baking. Of course, cherries are red, perfect for Ruby Tuesday!

I had planned to bake last Saturday, unfortunately in between the excitement I forgot to buy eggs! Since Sunday is closed all the stores day, I waited for today and here, baked my very first successful cake! I followed the recipe here.

INGREDIENTS

* 265 g all-purpose flour
* 400 g white sugar
* 65 g unsweetened cocoa powder
* 7 g baking powder
* 3 g baking soda
* 5 g salt
* 3 eggs
* 235 ml milk
* 120 ml vegetable oil
* 15 ml vanilla extract
* 2 (20 ounce) cans pitted sour cherries
* 200 g white sugar
* 30 g cornstarch
* 5 ml vanilla extract
* 710 ml heavy whipping cream
* 40 g confectioners' sugar



Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch, round, cake pans; cover bottoms with waxed paper. (I used an 11 inch pan so I didn't divide the cake later).

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, 2 cups sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, and 1 tablespoon vanilla; beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake for 35 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool layers in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Loosen edges, and remove to racks to cool completely.

4. Drain cherries, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Combine reserved juice, cherries, 1 cup sugar and cornstarch in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cool before using.

5. Combine whipping cream and confectioner's sugar in a chilled medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.

6. With long serrated knife, split each cake layer horizontally in half (if you used 9 inch pans). Tear one split layer into crumbs; set aside. Reserve 1 1/2 cups Frosting for decorating cake; set aside. Gently brush loose crumbs off top and side of each cake layer with pasty brush or hands. To assemble, place one cake layer on cake plate.

Spread with 1 cup frosting; top with 3/4 cup cherry topping. Top with second cake layer; repeat layers of frosting and cherry topping. Top with third cake layer. Frost side of cake. Pat reserved crumbs onto frosting on side of cake. Spoon reserved frosting into pastry bag fitted with star decorator tip. Pipe around top and bottom edges of cake. Spoon remaining cherry topping onto top of cake.

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I deliberately topped half of the cake with cherries while the other has icing on it only because the bigger boy doesn't want lots of them. That's his slice on the first photo. Enjoy!

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Wine for good health

(photo courtesy of wikipedia)

There were very few occasions that I drank wine, and all those instances not even finishing a full glass. My being choosy and not so fond of wines has more to do with the smell than the taste. I find the use of wine more appropriate for cooking though. Infusing white wine with fish and red wine with meat is a good rule to live by. This is why you'd see a few bottles of both in our kitchen, comes in handy when I need them.

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Since the good book suggests that wine when taken in small amount is healthy...it "makes the heart of man rejoice" (Psalm 104:15), I should heed that. Perhaps a little Chardonnay with scallops or lobsters over a good talk with hubby...Just something I observe from mom in law and her hubby...before going to sleep, they would talk about what happened that day, laughing sometimes arguing a little until they finish a whole bottle of red wine.

If not, hubby and I could just munch on chardonnay grapes as is with some cheese and crackers too! ;-)

Another thing to consider about drinking wine are the health benefits. The good book also cited:

“Use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent cases of sickness.” (1 Timothy 5:23) True enough, studies show that the antioxidant contents of red wine helps protect one against heart disease but just like in other matters, moderation is the key.

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