Chickpea Sandwich Filling/Spread/Dip

Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling Recipe

Healthy Chickpea Spread! Goes great with crackers and Whole Wheat/Multigrain Pita bread. 

The  dip is very tasty and flavorful due to the flavors that come from the dill and lemon. The ingredients used made the spread taste very light and fresh.  In a way this reminded me of an Egg Salad Sandwich spread, minus the egg (cholestorol???).

Instead of using Canned Beans, I decided to use Dried Garbanzo beans.  Some canned beans usually have a higher sodium content, which is why I'd go for the dried beans instead.   Dried beans are much more cheaper to buy than canned beans.  So I am very pro dried beans.  The only problem is that  dried beans are more time consuming to prepare, but overall it's probably worth it.  I used organic beans too.  

-Fueled By Food Blog

Chickpea Sandwich Filling/Spread/Dip

Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling Recipe

Healthy Chickpea Spread! Goes great with crackers and Whole Wheat/Multigrain Pita bread. 

The  dip is very tasty and flavorful due to the flavors that come from the dill and lemon. The ingredients used made the spread taste very light and fresh.  In a way this reminded me of an Egg Salad Sandwich spread, minus the egg (cholestorol???).

Instead of using Canned Beans, I decided to use Dried Garbanzo beans.  Some canned beans usually have a higher sodium content, which is why I'd go for the dried beans instead.   Dried beans are much more cheaper to buy than canned beans.  So I am very pro dried beans.  The only problem is that  dried beans are more time consuming to prepare, but overall it's probably worth it.  I used organic beans too.  

-Fueled By Food Blog

Trader Joe's Chicken Tamale ... Trader José

So this post is going to be a review of something I ate from the frozen foods section of Trader Joes.

I just love shopping at Trader Joes, they have fresh affordable vegetables, healthier foods, and an awesome frozen food's section filled with delicious meals, snacks and desserts.

Chicken Tamale, with shredded chicken, cheese, spices, wrapped with corn husk.  

Hot Tamale! -  I ate the tamale with some salsa, it was delicious!

Trader Joe's is one of my many favorite supermarkets, along with Whole Foods, and my local produce shop. I'm the type of person that could spend hours at a supermarket.  I don't have a reason why, it could be that I find food both fascinating and delicious!

Trader Joe's Chicken Tamale ... Trader José

So this post is going to be a review of something I ate from the frozen foods section of Trader Joes.

I just love shopping at Trader Joes, they have fresh affordable vegetables, healthier foods, and an awesome frozen food's section filled with delicious meals, snacks and desserts.

Chicken Tamale, with shredded chicken, cheese, spices, wrapped with corn husk.  

Hot Tamale! -  I ate the tamale with some salsa, it was delicious!

Trader Joe's is one of my many favorite supermarkets, along with Whole Foods, and my local produce shop. I'm the type of person that could spend hours at a supermarket.  I don't have a reason why, it could be that I find food both fascinating and delicious!

Green Chili Polenta with Beans and Rice

The first time I had polenta, I thought, "This is the Mexican corn-bread." Well, it is. Polenta is made from corn meal and has a mushy consistency before you cook it. I found mine at Trader Joe's. They have an organic polenta that comes in a tube like breakfast sausage. For my vegetarian friendly cooking habits, it's a great find.

This polenta is not your momma's polenta--probably because your momma never made polenta. But it's still delicious and easy! That's the best combination, or shall I say combinacion?

Ingredients
2 packages of polenta (I got mine from Trader Joe's, but you can probably find it in your local grocery in the Hippie food section)
1/2 cup of frozen corn
1/2 cup of frozen spinach
1 12-14 oz can of green chili enchilada sauce
1 small can of diced green chiles
1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup of shredded Mexican cheese
1/4 cup diced green onion (you could use white or red onion if you want)
1 Tablespoon of olive oil
And rice and beans of your choice. I prefer black beans (drained and rinsed) and classic Spanish rice.

Directions
1. Start the rice. It is usually easy, but takes the longest, so you want to get that going first.
2. In a medium size pot, add spinach, corn, diced green chilies, Mexican cheese, onion, and enchilada sauce.
3. Bring the pot to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes on low. Stir regularly.
4. Slice the polenta into 1/4-1/2 inch slices.
5. Coat a frying pan with the olive oil. Fry the polenta until brown and crusty (3-5 minutes on each side)
6. Meanwhile, warm the beans in microwave safe dish.
7. Continue to stir green chili sauce.
8. Serve by placing the polenta on the plate with rice and beans. Smother the polenta with the green enchilada sauce mixture and top with Greek yogurt.


Enjoy! This dish has all of the flavors of a great Mexican dish! It's delicious, quick, and inexpensive.

Brunch at Twisted Fork

So I previously wrote a post on Twisted Fork, but I love this place that I decided to write another post.  This post will be different.  It will feature Breakfast at Twisted Fork!

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benny:  Toasted Brioche, with Smoked Salmon, Poached Egg, Hollandaise Sauce, with Sautéed Spinach, Rosti and Baked Beans

One of the most delicious satisfying breakfasts I've had.  The Egg Benny dish is full of different flavors, from the backed beans, the smoked salmon, hollandaise sauce, and potatoes.  I found this dish to be very tasty, and filling.... This was the perfect start to my Relaxing Saturday.

I highly recommend brunch at Twisted Fork.

Brunch at Twisted Fork

So I previously wrote a post on Twisted Fork, but I love this place that I decided to write another post.  This post will be different.  It will feature Breakfast at Twisted Fork!

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benny:  Toasted Brioche, with Smoked Salmon, Poached Egg, Hollandaise Sauce, with Sautéed Spinach, Rosti and Baked Beans

One of the most delicious satisfying breakfasts I've had.  The Egg Benny dish is full of different flavors, from the backed beans, the smoked salmon, hollandaise sauce, and potatoes.  I found this dish to be very tasty, and filling.... This was the perfect start to my Relaxing Saturday.

I highly recommend brunch at Twisted Fork.

Crock-Pot Lasagne--Yeah! You heard it right!

Hi everyone. I have to admit that this one sounds crazy. I was not a believer at first either. But it turns out that you can actually make a delicious lasagna in your crock-pot. It's also relatively easy compared to the standard lasagna.

I can't take credit for this one completely. We got this from a magazine called Real Simple and thought it sounded too interesting to pass up. I do, however, take credit for being brave enough to try it! It was well worth the 10 minute prep and 3 1/2 hour wait time!

Here is how it is done:





Ingredients
2 10 oz packages of frozen spinach (chopped)
1 cup of ricotta cheese
3/4 cups of grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups of grated mozzarella cheese
6-7 regular lasagna noodles
1 jar of your favorite Marinara sauce

Directions
1. Thaw and drain excess water from spinach
2. In a bowl, mix together the spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese
3. In a second bowl, mix together the marinara and 1/2 cup of water
4. Spread 3/4 cup of the marinara mixture on the bottom of your crock-pot.
5. Top with two noodles (you have to break them to fit), 3/4 cup of the remaining marinara mixture, half of the spinach mixture, and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella.
6. Repeat step 5.
7. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
8. Cover and cook on low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours until noodles are cooked.

Enjoy! This is so easy and very delicious. I dare you to try it!

Happy Pyon Pyon Year

That's how the Japanese describe rabbit to little children. Pyon pyon... while saying that, I remembered imitating the rabbit jump.

My sister is a pyon pyon, a mommy pyon now. The last time I saw her, she was having a tummy with a 5-month Tung Tung inside. This is already Tung Tung 2nd year celebrating Chinese New Year, and I've never met her in real life yet. One thing for sure, she looks so much like the 50% daddy and 50% mommy.

I received a surprising Ang Pow from my boss. So nice to be still receiving Ang Pow though my status is now shifted to the one that should give out Ang Pows.

Called mom and dad on the 2nd day of CNY. I didn't get to talk to as many friends as previous years. Not even my pyon pyon sis. Now I am wondering should I still call and say CNY to those unscratched names on my list.

Six more days, and the rabbit celebration will be over. But I think the rabbit year has been very nice to me. Except that it is making me sick and putting on weight. I'm not complaining though.

Happy Chinese New Year.

I know this is not sounding like a CNY post at all. Maybe I am just feeling a bit sentimental now.

It was a beautiful date yesterday, 02.11.2011

I should have written a post then.

XOXO, Fish Fish

Chinese New Year!

As I get older I really worry about losing my Chinese-ness. I grew up both as Chinese and Canadian here in Vancouver, BC... my parents were also born here, as were 3/4 of my grandparents... but as the older generations get older and the newer generations get more lofan, I sometimes wonder if my own grandchildren will be at all Chinesey whatsoever. I need to hang on to the bit of culture that I still retain... and one of the ways I can do that is through the food and memories...

Lee Kum Kee oyster sauce, the only and the best.

Gin duey split two ways (ha)

Doing Chinesey stuff was always just a part of who I was when I was a kid. Red envelopes stamped with gold symbols with a crisp, flat folded bill tucked inside. Back in the 1980s, we would have to hold up our laycee to a light. One dollar? Two dollars? FIVE dollars? Ooooh our grandparents always spoiled us with fives, and then a little later those purple tinted ten dollar bills... what a thrill for a little kid. "Opening it is bad luck" we were told. We didn't know why... so we stashed them away and opened them later when no one was looking. Spent the money on Archie comics and sour coke bottle candies.

A little boy with his lucky money and monkey tee!

egg foo young, with bits of shredded charsiu pork, dripping in salty buttery-flavoured gravy

paddlin' away to thick brown molasses-y oyster flavoured sauce heaven

duck salad from Foo's Ho Ho, lovingly rearranged from takeout container to plate by ME!

For the Lunar New Year, we always ate wedges of Chinese grapefruit, and only my Gonge gonge could peel them properly. It was sort of his job, to cut into the pocked pomello and extract the thin-skin covered boats of not-quite-orange, not-quite grapefruit flavoured fruit. Flat large seeds were picked out and the grapefruit eaten, along with gin duey, a.k.a. greaseballs (sesame sweet rice flour balls with a dark red bean filling) and shrimp chips, crisp and thinly sliced and styrofoam-like in texture, "shrimp fishy" in flavour and pale coloured: light green, pink and white. My Poh poh would drop the shrinkie-dink like shriveled and dried shrimp chips in to hot oil and they would sizzle, puff up and expand, floating, scooped up and laid onto a paper towel to drain. The same delightful chips would be served with a platter of crispy skin chicken at a restaurant, tucked in around different pieces of chicken.

massive amounts of vegetarian chow mein for my tall white lo-fan husband!

8 treasures buddha's feast, made by my Auntie Lorraine. Fungi galore!

Dumplings and duck salad

Sang choy bao (lettuce wrap filling made by my mom)

A mini dumpling and my dad, Go-go (short for Gonge-gonge, grandfather on mother's side)

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CNY at my mom's this year was a hybrid of homemade dishes made by my mom and auntie, mixed with old favourites from spots around town: Foo's Ho Ho (duck salad), Kent's Kitchen (veggie chow mein), Newtown Bakery (gin duey a.k.a. sesame balls a.k.a. greaseballs). My mom made lettuce wrap (sang choy bao), her filling smokey from the oysters and crunchy from water chestnut. Spoon this mixture into a crisp piece of iceberg lettuce, blob a good dollop of dark sweet hoisin sauce on there and roll up your Chinese burrito!

I always wondered if the duck salad was a Chinese Canadian hybrid dish. You don't see it on any super Chinesey menus, but places where there's sweet and sour pork and lemon chicken (such as Foo's) tends to have it.


CNY ended this year with my mom's "almond float": pale green, sweet almond flavoured gelatin squares bobbing around with canned lychee and canned peach slices in a generations-old serving bowl, and a mountain of gin duey and fresh New Town apple tarts with its layered pastry, waxy-on-the-tongue finish and not-too-sweet apple filling.

Sweet Chinese New Year dreams...

Guest Post- What happens when I'm not home to cook

Hello, everyone! This is Trisha. I'm the wife of the author of This Delicious Dish. Tonight, I'm going to show you how I eat when my hubby isn't home to cook. I present to you, my dinner:

Clockwise from the bottom of the plate:
First, we have the main dish: Trader Joe's Polenta Provencale. (Bag is pictured, top left) To make, pick up from the freezer section of Trader Joe's, dump in skillet on high for 7 minutes, stir occasionally. This is actually really good.

Second, we have Green Olives Stuffed with Feta. I have a serious addiction to green olives! These are easy-- just open the jar, pop on your plate, and bon appetite.

Third, Chocolate Chip Cookies. I made these from scratch over the weekend, using the recipe on the back of the Nestle Chocolate Chip bag. What, you don't eat cookies as a side dish?

And last, but not least, a glass of Wine. And yes, that is a straw you see in my wine glass! What, is that a problem?!? :)

Ok, so it's not gourmet, like my hubby usually makes. But at least I won't starve!



p.s. If you're interested, I have a lifestyle blog at: http://madebytrisha.blogspot.com/

Egg Pie

My grandfather loves anything that's custard or flan base like Portuguese egg tart, leche flan and creme caramel. So for this year's Chinese New Year, I made an egg pie for him. This egg pie is a favourite Filipino dessert/snack. The filling is made with eggs, condensed milk and evaporated milk, which makes a very rich and creamy pie. It's so easy to make, yet so delicious.

My grandfather was very happy when I told him I made one for him. He gave me two thumbs up without even tasting it. He was even happier after having a slice. Homemade is definitely better than store-bought.

Bisou bisou,

Charlotte

Rose Cupcakes with Light Raspberry Cream and Raspberry Jam Filling

 I've been longing to bake rose flavoured desserts for the longest time, but I couldn't find anyplace in Korea that sells rosewater. So when I was in Australia, a bottle of rosewater was at the top of my to buy list. It was around 2005 when I started to hear about baking with rose flavour. I was really hesitant in trying or tasting it at first because the thought of flowery food doesn't appeal to me at all. I eventually had my first glimpse of how beautiful rose flavour tasted like around 2006; it was during a buffet dinner with my family, and part of their dessert spread was a rose flavoured ice cream. I really contemplated long and hard if I would have a taste or not. Alas I did, and I was surprised on how good rose actually tasted like. So that was that.

2009 was when I officially had my love affair with rose. It was my sister J who was behind it all; she was raving about Laduree's Ispahan so much that she even bought me one as a surprise for me to indulge. My oh my, she was right! It completely blew me away. Pierre Herme's such a genius for creating a perfect harmony between rose, raspberry and lychee.

"So why rose cupcakes as the first rose dessert project?", you might wonder. Well it's simple. When I was in Australia, my Aunt R's neighbour J lent me her Planet Cake Cupcakes book by Paris Cutler, and that book inspired me enormously. There was a design in the book that I absolutely adore; it was the babies in animal suits design. I was so amused by the design that I swiftly decided to make them as soon as I got the chance. So I hit two birds with one stone... Bake with rosewater: done! Make the cute babies in animal suits: done!

Babies in Animal Suits from Planet Cake Cupcakes by Paris Cutler

It took me a day and a half to finish this project. Why? Number one, because I had to alternately do household duties and baking. Number two, I only have primary coloured food colouring. It was hard work mixing colours and getting to the right shade. Good thing my sister J was there to help me with the colour development stage! I also decided to cover the entire cupcake with fondant instead of just covering the top, which wasn't a good idea. It was too much of a fondant for a cup-sized cake. Note to self: follow what the book says! Everyone at home found the babies too cute to eat, so I got a knife and sliced each baby in half. I know it sounds brutal, but there's a lovely blush of cake that's waiting to be admired too!

I also decided to make my own design for the rose cupcakes. I wanted something that is more 'rose related'. With much thinking, I ended up going for bugs theme. It's not as adorable as the babies, but it's my own design, so I'm absolutely delighted by them too.

This project required a lot of manual labour, but was all well worth it. It made everyone at home giddy by just looking at the cuteness that was all over the cupcakes. At the same time, everyone merrily tucked in into the scrumptious rose cupcakes.

Bisou bisou,

Charlotte

Orange Poppy Seed Pound Cake

I needed to bring something for a small family event, but I just had a short notice for it. Plus, I had some errands to accomplish. So I wanted a treat that was quick and simple to make. There was a bountiful supply of oranges at our home, and that brought me back to memory lane where I used to sell orange pound cakes ancient Christmases ago... So I decided, orange pound cake it is! I also bought some poppy seeds from my trip in Australia, so I decided to incorporate those tiny dots into my pound cake.

I wish I discovered how poppy seeds can add magic to a simple cake earlier. Not only did the poppy seeds add prettiness to the cake, it definitely infused a very fragrant taste into the orange pound cake. I loved the light crunch it contributed to the cake as well.

My family definitely indulged in this simple treat. It's a lovely feeling baking for them; I almost forgot what it's like. I love that I have more people to share my baking with, and I like that I got my family to give me straightforward feedbacks (compliments/criticisms). So while I'm here in Manila, my family will be my food critics!

Bisou bisou,

Charlotte