Deathcab for Daddy

Today's post unfortunately doesn't talk about food. But, it does attempt to explain why this blog has been extremely inactive in the past year. The year 2020 began and already has been dramatic and epic. The year started with my father taking a vacation to his hometown. Before he was scheduled to fly back home, he didn't feel well and was admitted into the intensive care unit of the local hospital in Naga City.  His wife informs me everyday of his status and it was clear to me that I had to drop things at work and fly to him.  I arrive in Naga City. Held my father's hand tightly, not knowing exactly of whether he'll get out of this. He was a 77 year old on dialysis. 

A week passes and so does he on February 8, 2020. Waves of emotions crash within me. He expires in a foreign country. I was just getting to know him, his genuine self. Where does my family stand with regards to legalities. No matter how he is buried, I made the stubborn decision to make sure he was buried at home in Guam.  It was a rough ride. You begin to hear and question family loyalties. You become frustrated with the people who are so-called helping you bury your father. To add to this the COVID-19 pandemic was building steam near me. Will I be able to fly him or even myself home? Will my family members be able to fly to Guam and attend the funeral?  They all reside in different parts of the United States.

Despite the considerations, a month later from the time of his death, my family and I held the funeral. We celebrated his new life on March 10, 2020. It was small, with only people who were close to him. I made an effort to make sure that the post funeral arrangement didn't involve strangers. My family and I were lucky. I think we were among the last groups to be together and have a proper funeral before the Social Isolationism created by COVID-19. 

Having said that, we'll see what lies ahead for the next coming days as we stay in, in an effort to suppress COVID-19's infections. 

Until then, see you next time.

 Rest in peace Plutarco Portugal Avila. Goodbye Papa.

Cakebox for Cancerians

This month is full of people born under the star sign Cancer, including yours truly.  It came to the point where in one week, I was thinking of a birthday and yesterday's birthday belonged to my great friend Taco.  So, for those wondering why the Mexican food for a name...he basically worked at Taco Bell for many years.  Taco became more recognizable compared to his birth name Christopher.  It just stuck with friends.  As for the blog title.  I was about to name it Cakebox for Cancer.  But, I didn't want to get mixed up with Cancer NPOs associated with the disease.  Taco and I had known each for more that 20 years. And despite the ups and downs of what this world threw at us, it's been a saving grace knowing there's that person who without knowing or actually doing it picks you up when you've been kicked down.  So, yesterday was his birthday.  The day before, was my birthday and he went ahead and did a mini celebration with me over steak and I just wanted to return the courtesy, even though he may had disagreed to it.  Luckily without me being patronizing, he agreed to hangout in celebration of his day with some stories, drinks and cake.

Now, since the move from Unit#3, back to my old street the means of being creative in the kitchen was very limiting.  Back then, I had a full functioning range with with an oven.  I had counter and shelf space.  I also went wild with the baking tools.  Coming back to my old house, it is completely the opposite.  Shelf and counter space... nope.  Baking tools came down to a six piece muffin tin instead of the twelve. Instead of a range, I had a toaster oven.  The standing mixer morphed into a handheld mixer.  Nevertheless, it got the job done.  So, instead of being creative in the kitchen, creativity was between timing and ingredients. Since there were only three guests, it wasn't much of a daunting task. There was still a great deal of leftovers.  In the end, nothing ever beats great company. The night's spread was just cake.  It was 8:30pm, so it was easy to assume everyone had dinner.  If they didn't have dinner, they didn't say anything or suggested in getting any.  It wasn't payday, so I couldn't just buy a cake.  The cakes they did sell were also meant for a large amount of guests, so I was left with just a cake box and stuff at the grocery store.  I've been looking into my FB wall and there were tons of posts on cake box cookies.  I've always wanted to try making them.  I also wanted to see if I can accomplish baking confidently with a toaster oven. 

 The little toaster oven was on preheat for 350 degrees. I followed the directions on the box, the only difference was the absence of water.  The choco chips were an addition and wasn't included in the yellow cake mix box.  I was rather generous with the choco chips.  Instead of taking an ice scream scoop I picked and balled them out, spread them on the toaster oven baking sheet.  Having them baked for 12 minutes 350 degrees they turned out the way I had expected them.  Now, due to the size of the oven, I didn't commit the entire cake mix.  While I baked the cookies, I decided to add water to make cupcakes.  Silly me.  For some reason I didn't consider the added choco chips and threw in hot water.  Naturally the choco chips melted and instead of yellow cake mix, it had a golden graham look.

As for the birthday cake.  Separate from all that, I did a Sarah Lee and went grocery shopping.  I did however add frosting.  I did want to own up some effort.  I did a basic cream cheese frosting.  Spread it onto the carrot cake.  Interestingly, there were some sprinkles included with the food coloring.  So after I did my initial spread I added the sprinkles before coloring the rest of the frosting blue.

Overall it was great night.  We had just come out of a Tropical Storm, so it was cool for a summer night and the mosquitoes didn't bother us.  Stories were told and added experiences were made.  Cheers and Happy Birthday dear Cancer! 

Oxymoronic, but oh so delicious.

Oxymoron...According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word is a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings.  What does this have to do with food?  It doesn't deal with a lot but, one can certainly joke about the moronic undertone food can play off.  Take for example, the grilled cheese sandwich.  Many of us grew up with the comforting feeling of receiving a grilled cheese sandwich after a long day after school.  All of one's cares simply fade after the salty taste of cheese and butter are married together in white bread.  Flavors are enhanced when one decides to use sweet Hawaiian bread over simple white bread.  At one point your life changes and you are informed that you can't have too many grilled cheese sandwiches anymore.  You're getting fat, you're blood pressure is high, not enough fiber in your diet, etc...etc.  One of the suggestions instead of eating white bread is to eat whole grain bread.  Instead of Kraft American cheese, eat some low fat content white cheese and let's not even think of butter anymore.  And then, a friend comes over and offers you a whole grain grilled reduced fat mozzarella cheese sandwich.  You're eyes squint over the realization of loopholes that occurred.

Despite, I'd like to introduce you to the All-American cheese burger.  Here you have your typical all beef patty with lettuce, tomato, American cheese, topped with a sesame seed bun and fries, but not french fries (or freedom fries at one point)... sweet potato fries.

Nutritionists hail over the benefits of sweet potatoes over regular spuds.  The color is an indication, rich in beta carotene (good for the eyes) and the obvious texture compared to regular spuds indicate high in fiber.  But, who cares about all that mumbo-jumbo when all you can think about is sinking you're teeth into all this juicy, greasy deliciousness. To top it off, you seasoned your fries with cinnamon-sugar mix.  In the end however, I should give credit to the integrity of the ingredients, even if they're paired with unhealthy excess.  Although we see here, obvious heart stopping grease, it's nice to see the vegetables aiding in an effort to metabolize one's indulgences in taste and the need for energy.  In that I'm content with the happy balance and happy gastronomic experience, not to mention all this being home-made.

Happy munchies and have a great day, y'all.

Things Weighing on My Mind

As far back as I can remember, the most rooted memories of my life are the ones where I had the most intense feelings.  I'm an early 80's baby, but I can remember a time when I was in pre-school with such clarity because of how I was feeling that day.  I'll never forget the moment I saw my mother wrap up an exchange gift that I wanted so bad that I claimed it, without realizing the gift was meant to be given away.  I look back and begin to feel sympathetic of the fire fighter who played Santa and how frustrated he must feel as he dealt with me, the fussy child as he gave away what I felt was mine.  Then of course there would be the string of lovers (a short one I promise), when I got employed, nights out with friends, the music I cherish, etc,etc.

The one memory that would and will never leave and lays heavily on me til this day was when I became aware of my weight.  I've never made a big deal of it when I was a kid until I was 10 years old.  At my school, the cafeteria contained a stage for when the school had special presentations.   I was with my classmates in the lunch line when I saw another classmate of mine stand alone by the stage looking hesitant.  I got my lunch, ate, and when I went to put away my tray, I saw that she was still there by the stage.  Here I was thinking she was waiting for a friend so that they'd both enter the lunch line and eat together.  But after I had put away my tray and feeling puzzled as to why she didn't eat, I approached her and asked.  In the end, she told me that her mother told her to watch what she ate because if she didn't she'd get fat.  All of the red flags, warning bells, kept sounding off, erecting in my head.  Oh gosh, will I get fat, if I don't watch what I eat?  I took her statement to be somewhat karmic because I had often teased my neighbor how fat he was and how his grandma fed him too much rice.  From that day when my classmate told me of how she's watching what she ate, came a slew of starving days, many forms of exercise and what I thought I needed to do to achieve a certain body type.  It didn't help that after compulsory education I no longer had physical education to keep my body in a balanced state of weight.  After my formal education, the stresses of personal and professional life threw my knowledge of a healthy life way off-balance. 

Up until the present I've struggled with this.  Sadly, the inevitable had hit me.  Last year, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.  Sometimes I wonder, had my classmate not say that to me would my destiny be much different.  Would I end up this way, regardless?   The news struck me hard because I remembered the death of my mother.  My mother had type 2 diabetes and hypertension.  All of which, led to renal failure.  My mother underwent dialysis for 8 years.  Watching my mother go through that I suppose was like people watching loved ones die of AIDS or Cancer.  You see the drastic changes.  All the treatments are meant to give only enough time for one to be ready for death.  But, no one ever really is ready for it are they? 

Either way, it was time for a lifestyle change.  One of the things I've drastically changed was my diet.  Here I've prepared a kind of crust-less Spinach Frittata.

- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 of a large chopped onion                                        
- 16~20 oz (1 bag) frozen spinach
- 4 scrambled eggs
- 2 teaspoons of sea salt for taste
- Cut up Mozzarella cheese

In a large pan, heat up the oil.  When you start to experience a strong smell from the olive oil as it's heated, drop in the garlic and onion.  Lower the heat to a medium high.  Watch that sizzle a bit and begin throwing in the spinach after you see that the onions are translucent.  The spinach need not be defrosted.  While all three are cooking, I use that time to scramble the eggs.  When I see that the spinach has been defrosted and much of it's water had evaporated from the frying, I put in the scrambled eggs.  Keep tossing all of them ingredients, continuing the stir fry.  Then prepare a 6x8 baking dish or something close to that size, and pack in the cooked spinach.  Slice some mozzarella cheese and lay top.  Throw the baking dish into the microwave for 2 minutes and melt the cheese.
Eat it for breakfast.  Lately, I've been eating this with Salsa.  But in the beginning, I wouldn't.  Perhaps it was just because I didn't have salsa with me or that I was too lazy to make salsa. 

With an hour's worth of exercise, and this for breakfast everyday, I had lost 20 pounds.  My lunch and dinner also had the same nature as my breakfast.  If you keep at it, the results show.  So, be careful and keep disciplined.  If not, naturally it will show in the results of your blood tests if you're diabetic.  Quite frankly, working hard on your health removes you from a social life.  If you're committed to it though, it obviously is life changing.  There will always be things I'll struggle with, but in the end it's all about the choices we make on how we want to live life. 

"C" is for Cookie...is good enough for me! Nom Nom Nom

Hello again, and Merry Christmas folks!  The holidays are here and I'm filled with the joy it brings.  Last Christmas (I gave you my heart...kidding) I was overwhelmed with the job of earning money for my trip to Washington DC.  This school year, after receiving some information regarding Close Up Organization I took the liberty of being a bit more relaxed.  However, inasmuch as I no longer needed to worry about a $4,500 bill I still wondered where my money went.  I know all too well where my money is going, but that still leaves me the question of how am I going to pay for all the things that help me celebrate Christmas?  (gifts, raffle tickets, concerts, party dress, *sigh*)  Oh heck! Like that ever stopped anyone from celebrating the holidays.

One night my friends and I had a get together to celebrate Friends-giving.  Because Thanksgiving had already passed and we missed each other a great deal, all of us concluded we ought to have a Friends-giving by combining Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the accouterments of the holidays in November and December over food and drink.  During our Friends-giving we had a little "Secret Santa" going on and I was left with the task of either getting a book, a service or some doggy treats.  I decided to get the book since I was in a shopping area closest to it.  Upon the book purchase the book store threw in a free holiday cookie magazine.  I was excited as well as inspired to make the cookies and realized these make great Christmas gifts.  So this year, to help me save some cash, and still be jolly what other way to bring  and have joy than having a nice plate of cookies?

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup Brown Sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda                                
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 chopped walnuts
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Throw everything into the mixer in that order.  Make sure the sugar is thoroughly mixed with the shortening first before beating the eggs.  When it comes time to put in the flour always slowly gradually drop the flour into the mixer and mix on low.  (Don't want flour flying all over the place)  Once they're all in, mix like you're going out to town.

Chill the cookie dough for at least 4 hours. I like wrapping the dough in plastic wrap.  It saves space in the refrigerator by doing so, instead of putting the whole mixing bowl in.  After chilling, preheat the oven at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)  As the oven warms up, prepare a baking sheet.  I find myself preparing three 18x13 sheets.  Depending on the type of sheet (non-stick or aluminum) I would lightly grease the pan.  I don't grease if I'm using a non-stick pan.  For each pan, scoop a tablespoon full of dough and roll them into balls before landing them onto the pan.  Make sure they're an inch apart.  With the pan I use, I'm able to fit 12 pieces.  Bake the cookie dough for 10 minutes. (Total = 36 pieces)

Five minutes before the time is up, I like to open the oven and just take in that fresh baked smell as well as shape them with a spoon.  When time is up, let the cookies cool and rest on a cooling rack.  If you don't have a cooling rack, let them cool on a plate.  But, seriously consider getting one.  Putting them on a plate creates unwanted moisture.  Leaving them on the baking sheet burns the cookie bottom.  I enjoy this recipe so much because of the balanced flavors.  The walnuts balance out the throat choking sweetness of the chocolate and brown sugar combined.  I also love the size.  They're small, cute and look wonderful in gift bags or saved glass jars. Oh! And don't forget the milk.  With this many cookies, you might need to share with Santa and your friends.

It's an island thing...

What do places like Guam, Jamaica and Japan have in common?  Despite their size, all these places are islands of the world we live in.  Today’s discovery was a fusion of all three islands combined.  Guam may not take the entire credit for some of the ingredients combined, but it certainly has invoked a kind of culture surrounding the ingredient.

One night while I was with friends having a typical get together, I brought with me some ingredients in making Futomaki (Maki in short) rolls.  This roll is your common sushi roll, vinegar seasoned white rice wrapped with roasted seaweed sheets.  My typical futomaki roll consists of pickled daikon, (or daigo as we call it on Guam) Pickled ginger (Shoga) Cucumber, Spam and Egg scramble.  While waiting for the barbecue to finish off the grill, I took the opportunity to make some sushi rolls for appetizers. 

On Guam, unless instructed not to bring anything, we bring it upon ourselves a great deal of shame if we don’t bring something to the party.  Even bringing paper products or ice to cool our drinks is greatly welcomed.  Unfortunately, while making sushi I ran out of rice.  Interestingly, one of our friends decided to stop by a popular restaurant here that sold Jamaican fusion barbecue and bought a catered order of Jamaican Rice.  Feeling the need to make more appetizer, another friend of mine looked at me and insisted I try using the Jamaican Rice in my Maki roll and substitute it for the vinegar seasoned white rice typically used.  Despite the fear of creating something monstrous, the leap was well worth it.  These were some delicious appetizers that from now on, I shall never look at Jamaican rice the same way ever again. 

The taste was savory.  Flavors of soy sauce and the pickled ingredients balanced well with the cucumbers.  Thank goodness for the islands.

Here are some links that show how you can make your very own Jamaican Rice and how to roll Maki Rolls. The video chosen for Maki Rolls happens to be a special recipe from Chef.  However, ingredients for maki rolls are dependent on what the sushi maker decides.  In this picture, I am lacking other ingredients. Regardless, what you see was just as delicious.

This S*** is Bananas...uh and Carrots too.

Christmas 2014 my roommate gave me a wonderful gift.  I've been dreaming about having one, but never had the cash to buy one on my own.   Since receiving it, I had dubbed my Kitchen Aid standing mixer, the money maker.  And, money it has indeed made.

A year ago, I had decided to advise a student organization.  Close Up Organization's mission is to give students and teachers a closer look into the US Federal Government.  Students and teachers travel from their respective US states and territories to Washington DC and experience a program like no other.  Despite my enthusiasm and excitement at the thought of traveling to Washington DC from Guam, where and how am I going to come up with $4,500 to pay for this endeavor? By baking bread.  With my money maker, I had made Banana Bread, Red Velvet Cake, Carrot Cake, even Cinnamon Rolls. At first, I only thought of making Banana Bread.  But as the days went by it became monotonous.  It was then that I decided to throw in other flavors.  By January, each flavor became the flavor of the month. 

Banana Bread          
3/4 cup butter
3 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
6 mashed up bananas
2 cups sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 cup of chopped walnuts

Preheat at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C)
Cream the butter, add the sugar and beat the eggs with and into the mixer.  In a separate bowl mash the bananas, and throw in the sour cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. After thoroughly mixing what was in the separate bowl, add this mixture to what has already been mixed in the mixer.  While mixing on low, gradually put in the flour and walnuts.

As these mix on low, prepare two 8 1/2 X 4 1/2 loaf pans.  I coated these pans twice, one with cooking spray and a cinnamon-sugar coat.  After this, pour in the mixture and bake these babies for two hours.  Use the toothpick method to see if the loaves were baked well.  When baking is done, we actually have to rest these loaves out of the oven for another 30 minutes before removing them from the pan.  Sometimes, I let them rest for an hour.  You'll know you rested them adequately because you can shake the loaves off the pan without breakage. Oh! the times I did not let them rest...so wasteful. 

The loaves made sixteen 2 centimeter slices.  Each slice was sold at $2.00.  Although I was happy that my baking enterprise assisted me and my students head to Washington DC, I thought about the time it takes to prepare and bake this stuff.  It took me on average 6 hours.  That's almost full time employment.  As I thought of that, I also realized that I took on this effort not really considering how many materials, aside from the baking materials it takes to be successful. (i.e. the plastic wrap and the time it took to wrap each slice. The change fund...) Add that to my day job as a teacher, I was completely exhausted.  This effort in itself, plus teacher duties was stressful.  More stress was added when the students approached me and my club partner about their congenial concerns and the way earned money was spent, not to mention my personal bills.  I was left with the question, who has the energy to do this every year?  In the end, I took away a lifetime experience with tons of lessons learned.  Oddly, I look forward to the insanity once again, when I have been well rested and maybe a little more wiser.