NEW YEAR'S SUPERSTITIONS:MYTH or FACT

In due time, Year 2013 will be a closed book. Year 2014 promises a fresh start, new hopes and something to look forward. I’m a believer of my faith, but for some instance I do follow some rituals for New Year to invite luck and positivity. I need not to hire Feng Shui but of traditions passed on to me by elders that I find practical and logical.

• Before New Year, your house needs a general cleaning! Get rid of chipped off glass wares, dispose defective appliances, repainting if budget permits, and beddings must be newly washed.                                       
  
• Kitchen must be spotless clean, organized and well lit – Kitchen is the production where elements of water, fire and earth meets,  this is crucial for attracting wealth and fortune
• A need for hardware visit – Busted lights are big NO, while, flickering lights is no exemption. Lights symbolize health and wealth – We all want a bright future right?
• Trip to grocery requires purchase of rice grain enough to fill-up dispensers – for overflowing blessing and no starvation to experience                       
  
• Also fill-up water containers – water is life!
• Include 12 different kinds of fruits in your budget. No necessarily rounds but pineapples is a must on your table, while, watermelon is forbidden with its blacks seeds.                                                                         
  
• You might want to skip chicken and ice cream on menu list. Chicken (isang tuka), while, ice cream melts that might reflect on your finances. Be carnivorous!                                                                                  
  
• A must on dinner table – Fish for prosperity, noodles that symbolizes long life and vegetables for greener pasture                                          
   
  
• New red underwear on New Year is a charmer!
• Please do bathe to cleanse away negative vibes
• Celebrate with a Bang! Make noise; be merry and happy to cast away negativity. There are other innovative ways to make noise other than fire crackers. Be safe!                                                                  
  
•  Celebrate with family and love ones.                                                    
  
• Be Positive. Law of Attraction!
• Spread love, give love and be loved!                                                     
  
• PRAY and be THANKFUL is the most important thing!                              
  

Following such traditions could never be bad, keep in mind that we still decides for our future. Believing, prayers and keeping faith in God is guaranteed formula for well blessed life.

Happy New Year!!!!

God Bless Us All – Brokebackpacker

GOAT CHEESE SALAD w/ STRAWBERRY DRESSING

The holidays had introduced me to exciting menus created by friends and I chance upon this wonderful salad – Goat Cheese Salad with Strawberry Dressing by Chef Roland. It’s a lively salad that captures the essence of early summer with combination of ripe strawberries, tomatoes and cucumber on bed of fresh lettuce; adding twist is the strawberry dressing that best compliments with coated goat cheese thblends sweetness and salt-herb taste.

I met Chef Roland from my previous job, he creates wonderful menu while I document for him. He is the person I ran to for special occasions; like during mother’s day he made for me zesty smoked salmon pasta and Hungarian herbed oil based pasta that made the occasion special for my mom. I’m excited to share Chef Roland’s salad perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients:  For the greens – Romaine lettuce 250g, Lollo Rosa 250g, 150g strawberry cut into quarters, 150g tomatoes cut into quarter, and 100g cucumber sliced into rounds.

Procedure: Wash fresh greens and fruits, drain and cut into specification. Arrange in salad bowl.

Goat Cheese – 250g quesong puti cut into 1” x 1” cubes, 2g McCormick Rosemary, 2g McCormick Basil, 1g Oregano Powder, 100g flour (for breading), 2 pcs fresh eggs beaten (for breading), 200g Japanese bread crumbs, and 500g vegetable oil (for deep frying).

Procedure: Place quesong puti cubes in a bowl, season with rosemary, basil and oregano powder; gently mix until all quesong puti are well coated. Let it stand for 30 minutes in chiller. Coat each herbed quesong puti with flour, dip in beaten eggs and coat with Japanese bread crumbs. Deep fry in pre-heated vegetable oil until golden brown; allow oil to drip using paper towel. Let it cool and serve in a separate serving dish.  

Strawberry Dressing – 200g Clara Ole Strawberry Jam, 250g Nestle Yogurt (plain), 10g Apple Cider Vinegar, 100g Olive oil, 3g iodized salt, 1g McCormick white pepper

Procedure: combine strawberry jam, yogurt, apple cider vinegar and olive oil in a bowl; blend well. Season with salt and white pepper; liquefy mixture using food blender until emulsified. Set aside in chiller. Serve separately. 

Mc DONALD'S FRENCH FRIES

After Christmas countdown, parties and dinner had finally on halt. Though Christmas left over are at frozen state in fridge, with bulges on hold of all ingested carbohydrates still for burning; I just really can’t contain myself and have to deal with my addiction! Yes, I’m an addict and no such institution for rehabilitation for Mc Donald’s French Fries Addiction.

Right after Christmas dinner I find ways to grab a large fries, I was not hungry but on craving for Mc Donald’s French Fries – hot freshly fried potatoes, salt and grease! It’s sinful but philosophically potatoes are my vegetables, dip it in tomato ketchup and I have my doze of vitamin C, antioxidant and enzymes. I guess the hassle and tussle of Christmas preparation and notion of Holiday break is over had crawled up my spine that I finally decided a shot and doze of French Fries.

Comfort food for me is Mc Donald’s French Fries, every bite brings out smile in me that I can engulf carbohydrates and fats but doesn’t matter for I’m happy! On stressful days, I just grab and settle with a large fries and my world turns euphoric. Exaggerating you might say, but admit it to you Mc Donald’s French Fries is tempting and best consumed with friends to share.

Trivia: I happened to have a job interview with Mc Donald’s QA director and she bragged that if you notice that their fries has shorter holding time, that it wilts (does not retain crispness) easily because they don’t use starch as compared to its competitor. Their Fries is simply the best using imported materials. Well the interview went well as she imposed her bragging rights about her house and lot, past employments and anything worth praise of her...Oopps its another story to tell. xoxo