Southwestern Eggrolls

Hi guys!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you probably noticed how much I love 

Southwestern Eggrolls.

We always order it anywhere we find it in the menu.

..And I couldn't stop but wonder if I can make it homemade!

So I did!!!

It's not 100% taste the same as they make it in Restaurants but its pretty close!

Let me know what you guys think!

Southwestern Eggrolls

• Ingredients:
• For the filling

•  2 tsp. canola, avocado or grapeseed oil
•  1 chicken breast cut into 1/4-inch cubes
•  1/3 c. frozen or fresh corn
•  2 tbsp. minced red bell pepper
•  3 tbsp. minced green onion
•  1 tsp. chili powder
•  1 tsp. garlic powder
•  3/4 tsp. salt
•  1/4 tsp. cumin
•  1/4 tsp. paprika
•  1/2 c. black beans, drained and rinsed
•  2 c. loosely packed fresh spinach, chopped into roughly 1 inch pieces
•  2 tbsp. minced cilantro
•  3/4 c. grated cheddar, colby jack, or pepper jack chees

   

• 
  
• For Frying:
• - 8 6-inch flour tortillas or Eggroll wrapper works well too.
• - canola, avocado, or grapeseed oil for frying or baking

Instructions:

 

For the Filling:  

1. In a large non-stick skillet set over medium heat, add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and corn. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to brown.
2. Add the bell pepper, onion, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and paprika. Mix until combined and continue cooking for 3 additional minutes.
3. Add beans, spinach and cilantro. Cook just until the spinach has wilted, then remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.

FOR ROLLING AND FRYING:

1. Divide the mixture evenly between the 8 tortillas. Roll up, taking care to tuck the ends snuggly in to create a nice seal and prevent the mixture from oozing out or oil from getting in.
2. For pan frying: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add about 1/2 cup of oil to the skillet, let the oil get hot. Add 4 rolls at a time (seam side down) and fry until all sides are golden brown. Remove and let rest on a paper towel lined plate before serving. Repeat with remaining rolls.
3. For oven frying: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Lightly spray (or brush) all sides of the egg rolls with oil and place seam side down on the prepared sheet. Spray (or brush) the tops of the egg rolls with an extra layer of oil. Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
4. Serve with sour cream, salsa or guacamole.

It was so so good!!!!!

xoxo

-Jen

Ube Cheese Pandesal

I'm finally back to Baking!

It's definitely been a while.

If I could, I would bake everyday, in a heartbeat!

It's just really been hard to find time with my boys and so many things to do.

But, anyways...

You guys probably heard the news. 

The virus and all of that.. 

So we have been just home and not going to do any travel plans, I don't know until when.

So, with that I decided to stay away from the social media and I will look at the news 

when I'm ready for more information.

I figured baking is the best therapy I needed.

Baking makes me feel relax. 

:)

Pandesal has such a special place in my heart.

It bring so much memories just the fresh baked smell of it.

Seeing the new trend of flavor with Ube and cheese inside I can't help but wonder if I can make it.

Too bad I didn't get to try this in the Philippines when I was there for vacation.

Oh well..

Anyways, this was the same as making the regular Pandesal just with few additional stuff.

Let me know what you guys think!

Ube Cheese Pandesal

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 cuo bread flour
• 1 tsp purple yam flavor ube
• 2 tsp dry yeast
• 1 cup fresh milk warm
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs

Instructions:

• Combine the warm milk and the dry yeast and activate for 5 minutes.
• Combine the dry ingredients (flour, bread flour, salt and white sugar) in a medium to large bowl and mix thoroughly.
• Pour the milk with the activated mix with the combined dry ingredients.
• Add in the cooking oil, vanilla essence as well as the ube or purple yam flavoring.
• Mix them thoroughly, You may use purple yam jam, powder or root crop itself.
• Knead for at lease 10 - 15 minutes or use a mixer.
• Grease the bowl and let the dough rise for 1 and a half hour.
• Cover it with a clean towel to prevent any unnecessary objects from falling on it.
• Release the air from the dough by giving it a punch.
• Cut the dough length wise and to the size of your desired pandesal or bread roll.
• Flatten the dough and add in the cheese filling, seal and mold to the desired shape.
• Line the dough in a flat tray, cover it with a clean towel and let rise for 1 hour.
• Line the dough in a flat tray, cover it with a clean towel and let rise for 1 hour.
• Bake at 180°C for 10 - 15 minutes.
• Serve and Enjoy!

It was so so good guys!!

I enjoyed every bite!

xoxo

Sparkle

"Leave 

a little 

sparkle

wherever 

you go."

Carnevale di Venezia

Ohh Venice..

I don't think I will ever get tired of your beauty.

Few weeks ago we visited Venice again and its for the Carnevale, our first time!

Carnevale is an annual festival held in Venice.

The Carnevale ends with the Christian celebration of Lent, forty days before Easter.

The Festival is a world wide famous or its elaborate mask.

I had to try one for the event!

Since we heard how bad the crowd could be we chose not to bring the kids this time and it was such a good idea.

People watching with few drinks!

You will see a lot of people wearing their costume.

It was pretty cool!

It was such a beautiful day.

It feels like Spring!

We also took advantage of having a mommy and daddy day with finally trying to ride the Gondola.

We have been to Venice so many times but we never think about doing this because we obviously can't with the kids.

Cheers!

Not expected but we actually had a mini tour from the guy that drives the Gondola.

He was pretty funny.

What fun experience!

So grateful I got to do this with hubby.

Until next time Venice.

Ciao, Ciao!

-Jen

Milano, Italia

Feels like it was just yesterday when we went to Milan for the first time.

But, for the 3rd time we went back so my mom can visit!

It's beautiful as ever!

But, first. 

We did a lunch stop!

This was the highlight of our day trip.

Jollibee!!!!

I can't believe there's one here in Europe!

The first one here in Italy!

Their menu is different than the Philippine version.

it made a lot of difference but it was still as good as the one from back home.

We are all so happy about this!

After lunch we did our walking tour of Milan.

My beautiful mama by the Duomo.

So happy she's here!

...And it was our last trip here in Italy.

So sad, but I'm really happy that we had the chance to spend time together before we do our

big move back to the US.

I am ready!

It was an amazing day with my loves.

Going to miss you Milano

Ciao,Ciao!

xoxo

-Jen

Fall in love...

"Fall in love

with the process 

of becoming the very best 

version of yourself."

Date Night (Sacile)

It's been such a long time since me and hubby had a date night.

While my mom was here we made sure we did at least once .

We picked Sacile so we don't need to drive!

It was a good idea.

Restaurants here doesn't open until 6-7 pm.

So we hang out at Weiss cafe for a drink before dinner!

They have the nicest spot. Tables by the river made it so romantic

I highly recommend!

For dinner we picked Doppio Zero.

Just at the center.

It was a little confusing trying to find it because its such a little spot!

They have few tables inside and its mostly outside.

Definitely not a kid-friendly sit down restaurant kind of place.

But, I bet they can make it work if you want to!

Started off with Aperol Spritz and beer for hubby!

We picked few appetizers to share.

It was really good!

We split their burger since we didn't want to be miserable with eating too much.

Let me just say that their burger is definitely one of the best I've ever had in Sacile!

Me and hubby are already talking about just getting a take out from there.

I highly recommend guys!

It was such a perfect date night.

xoxo

-Jen