A day in the Kitchen...

I adore Friday's!

"Why?" you might inquire.

"Because."

I teach Monday-Thursday, so I essentially have

two Saturday's every week. Lovely! 

This certain and particular Friday, I devoted

to trying some new recipes I've had 'on the shelf' 

for a bit, thanks to pinterest. 

Here's how it turned out...

1. Baked Apple Cinnamon Chips

Delicious! Found it (via pinterest) on this blog:

http://www.delightedmomma.com/2011/09/baked-apple-chips.html

Terrific school snack! Give it a go.

2. Key Lime Pie

(via pinterest) http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Fluffy-Key-Lime-Pie 

Believe it or not, this is: 1) comparable in taste to frozen Edward's,

2) only 3 grams of fat/194 calories per piece

3) extremely easy!

Definite make-again! You could actually adapt

this recipe with any flavor gelatin/yogurt. (raspberry, strawberry,

etc.) 

3. Hot Fudge Sauce

 This stuff is am-a-zing! I used it as a topping on the 

cheesecakes below, and can't wait to try it out on some ice cream. Mmmm.

Delicious with strawberries, too. 

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,197,156166-232202,00.html

4. Mini No-bake Cheesecakes

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/philadelphia-no-bake-mini-cheesecakes-53063.aspx

These are lovely! I adapted the recipe a bit...

I split the batter in half, added powdered sugar, and 

added peanut butter to one half. 

I also used graham cracker crust instead of a 

chocolate cookie.

Mmmm. Delicious.

They aren't as lovely as the picture on the website, but

they sure taste good. Mmmm. Freezing is a good choice, to 

help them solidify a bit more. 

5. Fried Rice (see previous blog post)

Which, I might add, was absolutely amazing, as well! 

It was a profitable day in the kitchen, and what fun it was. 

Happy Day. 

The secret...to Fried Rice

In my opinion, one of the most commonly 'mis-cooked' Chinese foods is Fried Rice.          I l.o.v.e. good fried rice! When I spent a summer in Taiwan, a 'wish' came true: I learned to cook authentic Chinese/Asian food! (I don't think I've been back to a US Chinese buffet since...ick!) And, that's right: today I'm going to let you in on the secret of making authentic Chinese Fried Rice! (hooray, everyone)                                                                            The very aroma gives the essence of sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of a low table, wearing sandals (because you left yours at the door), attempting to juggle chopsticks, and surrounded by Asians happily chattering in their native tongue. Sigh.           


 Here we go...










1. Cook white rice according to directions. (I use basmati rice, and always use a rice cooker...Ahh!) 

2. At this point, you must either decide to: a) make fried rice immediately, or b) put cooked rice in fridge as soon as it is finished, and let it sit in fridge overnight.

3. Finely chop onion, green/red peppers, and thaw frozen peas (or used canned). Set aside large egg. 

4. Cover bottom of large skillet with olive oil and heat. Saute' onions, peppers, and peas until thoroughly cooked. Put on one side of skillet. On other side, scramble egg; then mix egg in with vegetables. Put egg/veggies on one side of skillet. Add cooked rice (warm or cold) to other side of skillet.

5. Thoroughly stir rice in with eggs/vegetables until rice starts to brown. Add extra oil as needed. Add seasoning packet (adjust amount to amount of rice cooked. I use about half the packet for 6-8 servings.) You can buy this at any grocery store. (Wal-mart sells it.) 

6. Thoroughly stir rice with seasoning. Rice should have a brown hue, especially compared to cooked white rice. Serve hot and enjoy! Delicious with terriaki/bourbon chicken. Re-heats very well. 

And, there you have it: the secret to perfect Fried Rice! It's a definite crowd pleaser! 

Enjoy and pass it on.                                                                                                                *Disclaimer: This blogger will not be held responsible for any business lost at local Chinese buffet's due to the amazingness of this recipe.* :)

Exciting! News

For those who have actually noticed, I have been blog-absent for a few weeks now. Well, allow me to state the obvious: "I'm back!" :) 
However, life has been very exciting the past few weeks. 


-April 10th, I had an audition/interview with professors at University North Carolina School of Music at Greensboro in application for Master's in Piano Pedagogy program. The audition went really well, and I was accepted 'on the spot' to the program, and was also offered employment, and the possibility of an assistantship/scholarship. 


And, today, April 27, I received this in the mail...

My acceptance letter to the School of Music! A beautiful piece of paper, I assure you. :)
For those curious, here are youtube links to the pieces I played on my audition. 


Norman Dello Joio's Introduction and Fantasies on a Chorale Tune

Haydn Fantasy in C Major

Beethoven Sonata in E flat Major  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwBW6Y2nfME&feature=colike 




I'm so thankful, blessed, and excited about how God has worked every detail out for me to attend UNCG, beginning this fall. I will miss my students at school, but am excited about the future. 


Life in NC isn't nearly as 'boring' as one might think...trust me! I have a few more posts coming. Stay tuned! 

God so Loved the World. The end.

"For God so loved the world..."

Some of the most powerful words ever penned in the history of the universe. 

And yet, we have the distinctive privilege and high honor to celebrate

their meaning and power this weekend. Easter. 

This verse has been running through my mind this week: 

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

(Romans 5:8) 

Note it does not read, "Because you were deserving." For if that had indeed been 

the basis for Christ's sacrifice, none would have been found as such. 

I love the fact that God: 

1) recognizes man's faults and sin 

2) forgives

3) loved us so much, in-spite of our own pride, that He chose to 

give the ultimate gift: His Son's life as a sacrifice to cover our very sins

As one hymn states, 

"Were the whole realm of nature mine, 

that were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, 

demands my life, my soul, my all."

May it ever be so, and may the Christ of Easter dwell with you.

Here are a few of my favorite Easter hymns/songs. Enjoy! 

"Worthy is the Lamb" by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

"And Can it Be" from my piano recital last year.

"God so loved the World" by King's College Choir of Cambridge

Have a blessed Easter!