Monday, December 11, 2017

Pan Fried Tofu with Broccoli


Happy Friday!
It's Christmas weekend!
Who else is excited?

Still many things to do but I am  ready! :)

We tried to be so healthy this week and I think we did good.
The other day I made this dish and it was so good.
I highly recommend, let me know what you guys think!



Pan Fried Tofu with Broccoli

Ingredients 

SAUCE 

1/4 cup soy sauce 
2 Tbsp water 
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil 
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp sesame seeds 
1 Tbsp cornstarch 

STIR FRY 

14 oz block extra-firm tofu 
Pinch of salt 
2 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp neutral oil (vegetable, canola, peanut)
1/2 lb frozen broccoli floret
3-4 green onions, sliced
4 cups cooked rice $0.88 

Instructions 

1. Place a few folded paper towels or a clean, lint-free dish cloth on a large plate. Remove the tofu from the package and place it on the towels. Place more towels on top, cover with a second plate, and then weigh the top plate down with a few canned goods or a pot filled with water. Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to extract excess water (refrigerate if pressing for longer).

2. While the tofu is pressing, prepare the sauce so that the flavors have time to blend. In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame seeds, and cornstarch. Stir until the brown sugar and cornstarch are dissolved, then set the sauce aside. 

3. Cut the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes, then season with a pinch of salt. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp cornstarch over the cubes, then toss to coat. Repeat with the second tablespoon of cornstarch, or until the tofu cubes have a nice even coating of cornstarch. 

4. Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Once hot, add 2 Tbsp oil and tilt the skillet until the bottom is coated in a thick layer of oil. Add the dusted tofu cubes and let cook until golden brown on the bottom. Use a spatula to turn the cubes to an uncooked side, and cook until golden brown again. Continue this process until brown and crispy on all sides, then remove the crispy tofu to a clean plate. 

5. Add the frozen broccoli to the hot skillet and briefly stir fry until slightly browned on the edges. Don't worry if it's not thawed through yet, it will warm through after adding the sauce. Lower the heat to medium-low. 

6. Give the bowl of sauce a good stir, then pour it into the skillet with the broccoli. Stir and cook until the sauce begins to bubble and thicken (this should happen very quickly). Once thickened, turn off the heat and stir in the cooked tofu cubes. 

7. Serve the tofu and broccoli over a bed of cooked rice, topped with sliced green onions





Enjoy!
xo

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Baked Salmon with Mango Avocado Salsa


It's officially winter break.
I'm so excited for a lot of sleeping. relaxing.
We still got some few things to do to prepare for the Holiday's.
I know sometimes Holiday's are not so relaxing.
But, I'm so excited to spend more quality time with my little family.

Anyways, The goal of staying healthy has ups and downs. 
It's harder to find time to make Vegetarian dishes these days.
So many parties, Events.
But, I'm trying hard!
All we can do is try right??

Made this dish the other day.
I love seafood!
I literally can eat it everyday.
This was so easy to make too. 
Bake the Salmon. Cook the quinoa (According to package) .Mix the salsa and that's it!
Easy, Peasy :)



Baked Salmon with Mango Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
  • 4 salmon filets
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • salt and pepper
Mango Avocado Salsa
  • 1 mango peeled & cubed
  • 1 avocado cubed
  • 1/4 of a large red onion finely chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • olive oil to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions  
  1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
  2. Combine the olive oil and all of the spices in a bowl. Brush on both sides of the salmon.
  3. Bake salmon filet at 450 F for about 13 minutes, or until it starts to flake.
  4. Meanwhile, combine the salsa ingredients together in a bowl and store in the refrigerator while the fish cooks.
  5. Serve hot over cooked quinoa with the mango-avocado salsa spooned over it.



Enjoy!!
Ciao!

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Benefits...





“The body benefits from movement,
and the mind benefits from stillness.”

Friday, December 8, 2017

Eggnog Pie



The Eggnog Cookies that I made last week was so good! ( Eggnog Blossoms )
I have extra Eggnog in the fridge that needed to get used so I decided to make 
another Eggnog Dessert!




Eggnog Pie!
This was so fluffy,creamy and it was definitely the easiest Pie I've ever made.
You just bake the Pie crust for 10-15 minutes. 
 Depends on how you want your crust to be cooked.
Then just mix all of the ingredients together.
That's it!
Let me know what you guys think!



Eggnog Pie

Ingredients 
  • 1 prepared pie crust
  • 1 3.4 oz box vanilla instant pudding mix
  • 1 1/2 cups eggnog
  • 2 cups whipped topping, like Cool Whip (thawed)
  • dash nutmeg


Instructions
  1. In medium-sized bowl, combine eggnog and pudding mix, and beat with electric mixer until thick
  2. Sprinkle in some nutmeg
  3. Fold in whipped topping until mixture is fluffy and color is pale yellow
  4. Spoon mixture into pie crust, and smooth with spatula until even 
  5. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. You can also refrigerate overnight or until ready to serve




Enjoy!!!

xo

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Eggnog Blossoms



Hello Friends!
Happy Friday!

Christmas season.
Definitely an excuse to make cookies.. everyday!
I love love Christmas cookies. 
..And, Eggnog!
I mean what's not to love about it?
I decided to try to make some tonight.
I'm so happy how it turned out.
I was a bit worried it won't turn out so good.
But, It did!
I highly recommend this one friends!
So easy to make. 
Make sure you chill it before baking though.
Enjoy!




Eggnog Blossoms

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened) 
1/4 cup eggnog 
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 egg 1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder 
2 cups all purpose flour 
dash of nutmeg 

Topping:

1/3 cup granulate sugar 
32 Hershey's Kisses 


Directions:

-In a large mixing bowl cream the butter, eggnog, and sugar. 
-Add the egg and mix well.
-In a different bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, dash of nutmeg until incorporated. 
-Mix eggnog mixture with the flour mixture until well combined.
-Cover and chill at least one hour. (It's highly recommended)
-When the dough is ready roll 1 tbsp of dough into 32 balls and roll each one in granulated sugar. 
-Place 2" apart on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 9-10 minutes. 
- Place an unwrapped kiss in the center of each cookie. Allow to cool on sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely
                                                          

Enjoy!!!




Friday, December 1, 2017

Auf Wiedersehen.





Auf Wiedersehen Austria.

Austrian Food



It was such a fun day in Salzburg. (Fun day in Salzburg)
We went to the Castle and checked out the Christmas market.

Of course, like always. 
Our trip won't be complete without food.
We had to try Austrian food.



Drinks!



Hubby had the dish called "Old Austrian"
I wish we asked why it's called like that.
It kind of sound weird.
But, It was good.


I had the Weiner Schnitzel. (Pork)
The cranberry sauce was so good for this dish! 

The restaurant was so busy.
I guess it was one of the best restaurant around. 
It's called Zipfer Bierhaus.
I highly recommend!

xo




Salzburg, Austria


Happy December!
Christmas season is here.
My favorite time of the year!

One of things that is good about being in here in Europe is Christmas Markets!
Last year we only got to see the one in our town.
We decided to check out Austria.
We also did a quick tour of Austria.
Gosh, It's so beautiful in Austria!


I mean, Look at this view!



First, off coffee!
The drive to Austria was about 6 hours with stops and I thought it wasn't that bad.
We did 12 hours before and 6 hours should be okay for the boys.


When we got to the Austrian boarded.
The mountain views is just amazing.






We got to Salzburg around 10 am which was perfect because we have time to walk around and
see more of Salzburg before we check out the Christmas Market.








Of course we had to check out the Castle!
You have to take the Cable Car which was about 12 euro for adults.
Not bad! It was worth it!


The view from the top!
Amazing!





The other side of the Castle.


We walked around as much as we can.
We had the Stroller with us so going up to higher was not an option so we just stayed on the first floor.
There was little stores snack bars and even restaurant around the castle.



After walking around a little bit we left the castle and checked out the Christmas Market!


I was so excited to have some Mulled wine.
I fell in love with it when I had it at the Pumpkin Festival in Venzone so It's the first thing
I looked for.



It was of course a little crowded but not as bad as walking to the busy alley of Verona.
Lots of Christmas stuff, Wines, Beers, Food.
It was awesome.



Yes! We had to eat some Bratwurst.
The sauerkraut was so good!







We walked a little bit more then looked for a restaurant.
It was chilly so it was time to find somewhere to sit down.


After lunch it rained. :(
Bummer, but I had a great time in Salzburg.
I'm so glad we went.

I'm excited for the next Christmas Market destination we are going to!




xo 
-Jen