Dulce de Leche Bars

This is an old experiment that I did. I don't know why I haven't posted this. I'm only posting about the cake because the topping was actually a failed one :D It's supposed to be a peanut butter buttercream but it didn't turn out perfectly as I've thought it would be! Boohoo.  But fret not, the cake was just awesome as it was even without the topping.

And if you think I chucked out the topping -- no, I didn't.  I recycle it by making it a topping for my tart. :)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cup dulce de leche
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• nonstick vegetable oil spray (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180° Celsius. Coat bottom and sides of and 8″ x 8″ baking pan with nonstick spray or just brush with oil and set aside.

2. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.

3. Beat the oil and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the dulce de leche. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients. Scrape into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

4. Bake until a tester comes out clean when inserted into center, approximately 35 minutes. Allow cake to cool for at least 10 minutes before un-molding.

Once cake has cooled, unmold and frost liberally. Cut and serve or store in a covered container for up to a week.

Source: Scarlettabakes.com

Chicken Souvlaki

Hankering for some mouthwatering chicken souvlaki? There’s no need to troop all the way to a Greek taverna when you can easily make your own. This recipe makes use of a classic, all-around marinade that works equally well with pork and lamb. Fire up your grill and cook away!

For the marinade:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 3 tbsp chopped red onions
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp ground oregano
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed

For the tzatziki

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup seeded and diced cucumber
• 1 (125-ml) pack plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp minced garlic
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 zucchini, sliced into 16 cubes
• 4 small onions, quartered
• 16 cherry tomatoes or 4 small tomatoes, quartered
• olive oil for basting
• grilled pita bread, to serve (optional)

1.  Combine all ingredients for the marinade; mix well. Add cubed chicken breast and marinate for 6 hours or overnight.

2.  Make the tzatziki: Sprinkle salt on diced cucumber. Place on a strainer and let stand for 30 minutes to draw out the moisture from the cucumber. Mix cucumber with the rest of the ingredients and season to taste with salt and pepper.

3.  Thread chicken on a skewer, alternating with 1 zucchini cube, 1 onion quarter, and 1 cherry tomato. Repeat to make a total of 14 to 16 skewers.

4.  Lightly brush chicken with oil. Grill on an iron griddle or over charcoal for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve with tzatziki and grilled pita bread, if desired.

Marinated the chicken overnight

Soaked the sticks in water to avoid burning them

Homemade tzatziki

Source: www.yummy.ph

BC Bloggers Meme: A Day in My Not So Boring Life

From Joelrunyon.com

It's been a while since I've joined the meme for BC Bloggers. I was a bit busy with our transfer to the new house and now that we don't have a helper, I am more swamped than ever. :D

On to the topic, I guess my day usually and is typically revolving around my little girl and manning the house as I'm a stay at home mom at the moment.

7:00 - 8:00am - Wake up, tidy up the room a bit. This would mean I will pick up the toys the little girl was playing with the previous night. Get the cups and glasses we used (we drink tea and water in the room before going to bed) Prepare breakfast and the husband's lunch (It could also be prepared the night before or leftovers from last night's dinner). Load the clothes in the washing machine. Plan what to cook for lunch.

8:00 - 8:30am - Eat breakfast with the husband and the little girl. Clean up the mess and wash the dishes. Hang the clothes. Take a bath with the little girl. Say goodbye to the husband as he leaves for the office.

9:00 am - Let the little girl drink her milk and prepare to go out. There will be delays, usually. :)

9:30 - 10:00am - If we have planned activities for the day, say, go to Ikea or buy something in the market, we go out by 10am. It usually takes us two hours to finish everything since she will be playing in between or will ask to eat or something else just comes up.

12:00noon - We're usually home by this time and are eating lunch. After eating, I will let her watch tv for a while or play with her toys while I clean up.

1:30 - 2:00pm - Tuck the toddler to bed for her afternoon nap. After she sleeps, I will try to rest or clean up some more. I normally rest for an hour or so. I send emails to my family (parents and siblings). Then I'll be up and about by 4pm to prepare dinner. I cook it ahead so we can play by the time the little tot is awake.

4:30 - 5:00pm - Usually she's up at this hour and we will be both playing. Or reading books. Then we prepare to head out to the playground.

5:30pm - 7:00pm - Playground time. Or playdate with her friends.

7:30pm - Dinner time at home. Waiting for Dad to arrive. Bathing time.

8:00pm - The little girl watches tv for 30 minutes to an hour while Mom and Dad eat dinner.

8:30pm - Cleaning up the whole house and prepare for breakfast the next day.

9:30 - 10:00pm - We all stay in the bedroom to play and read until we fall asleep.

From Ninaspetpeeves

Whew, that was long! I never thought we do a lot of things in a day. Lots of reasons to be happy and enjoy life!

 

Interested in joining BC Bloggers? Hop on to Paula's blog and find out how to join!