Stuffed Apple and Cranberry Pork for Mother’s Day

You filled my days with rainbow lights,

Fairy tales and sweet dream nights,

A kiss to wipe away my tears,

Gingerbread to ease my fears.

You gave the gift of life to me

And then in love, you set me free.

I thank you for your tender care,

For deep warm hugs and being there.

I hope that when you think of me

A part of you, you'll always see. 

 

Hey pals, how was your Mother’s day? Mine was really a special one. Hope you enjoyed the Strawberry Layered Crunchy Cake on Sunday. I and my sister gifted mom tiny but an elegant pair of diamond earrings and a red color silk scarf on this auspicious occasion. What did you gift your mother? Both gifts were adored by her. To make the day even more special, I prepared her favorite recipe, Stuffed Apple and Cranberry Pork. The dinner table really looked sumptuous with tangy Pork, mushy Cake, seasoned Garlic bread and blood Red Wine. Here it goes..

Stuffed Apple and Cranberry Pork

For the Pork Loin

Salt to taste,

4 lbs Pork Loin,

Pepper to taste,

1 tablespoon Olive Oil,

2 minced Garlic Cloves,

Sliced bacon as required,

1 tablespoon chopped Thyme,

1 tablespoon chopped Rosemary.

For the Sauce:-

1 cup Vinegar,

1/4 teaspoon salt,

3 diced red onions,

olive oil as required,

1/2 bottle Lager Beer,

1 1/2 cup Brown sugar,

1 teaspoon Cinnamon,

1/2 cup chopped ginger,

2/3 cup dried cranberries,

1 teaspoon Mustard Seed,

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves,

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper,

3 lbs peeled and chopped Granny Smith Apples.

Preparation Method

1. Cut a pocket through one end of the tenderloin. Place the centrist downwards. Don’t slice through the other end. Season in and out properly with salt and pepper.
2. Mix rosemary, thyme, garlic and oil in a bowl. Spread the mixture over pork. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. For the sauce, heat olive oil in saucepan, add onion and cook until brown. Add ginger and apples. Cook for 2 minutes. Combine remaining ingredients and lower heat.
4. Allow to cook. Reduce until thickened. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Stuff sauce into tenderloin. Wrap with bacon.
5. Using a roasting rack and baking sheet, put pork into 350 D. F oven. Remove from oven. Don’t remove foil till 10 minutes. Slice and serve with red wine.
   
   
   

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day Special and Crunchy Strawberry Cake

Here is Cake, for a special day,

Just for you on Mother’s Day.

I must have been born beneath a lucky star,

To have a mother as nice as you are!

He wanted to be an artist but was rejected by the prestigious Art Schools in Vienna. His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. He came back from Vienna for her. In his book “Mein Kampf” he says that he honored his father but ‘Loved’ his Mother. Yes, yes..you know who I am talking about - Adolf Hitler. The reason I brought this incident up is, that no matter what you are for the world, there is one person who reminds you of how tiny you are when it comes to her and where you come from - Her Womb. Pardon me for being dramatic. I have developed this penchant for drama, thanks to what I am watching these days - Game of Thrones. Sometimes it’s really difficult to understand Mother, but as we grow up, she becomes the only person we understand most. She’ll make fun of you, thrash you at times too which is followed by a flood of love and kisses. That’s what makes every mother a bit Weird- which is cute. She’ll scold you for a mistake, but if someone else scolds you- let it be anyone- that person will have a really bad time from your mother. That’s how mothers are. 

 

At times they prove their capability of doing things which will either straighten you up or will put in that path, like Toya Graham. She thrashed her kid in front of the national media as she saw him with a stone in his hand, at the Baltimore riots this April. Well, it’s not the sky which is limit for her, may be it’s the outer space or something beyond. My mother was upset with me as I didn’t tell her about my first boyfriend in high school. She didn’t scold me, but this saddened her a bit. Writing of this incident takes me back to that time where I can feel the aroma of Strawberry Cake. I tried this cake recipe for her, to see that wavy smile on her face. I was a bit clumsy back then, she said the cake was fine - mothers are always fine when someone else cooks for them - but could have been better. Today let’s try Strawberry Cake and bring a smile on every mother’s face.

Strawberry Layered Crunchy Cake

Ingredients

For the Vanilla Cake

6 Eggs,

1/2 cup Milk,

1 cup Sugar,

2 cups All Purpose Flour,

2 tablespoons Vanilla essence.

For the Corn Crumbs

1/2 teaspoon Salt,

3/4 oz. Cornstarch,

4 teaspoons Sugar,

11 tablespoons Butter,

6 cups Crunch Cereal

For Presentation

1/2 cup White Chocolate,

1/2 cup Strawberry Reserve,

2 cups sliced fresh Strawberries.

Preparation Method:-

1. Prepare a classic vanilla cake. Take a bowl. Assemble all the ingredients given under cake. Bake at 350 D. F for 20 minutes. Cut into three layers as shown.
2. Prepare corn crumbs. Take a food processor. Grind cereal completely. Combine cereal, cornstarch, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add melted butter. Toss well. Squeeze the crumbs with your hands. Make small clumps.
3. Bake until the crumbs turn golden brown for 15 minutes. Cool completely. Once the crumbs cool, melt the white chocolate.
4. For assembling, take the top most layer and uniformly spread Strawberry reserve on it as shown. Stuff in between the layers, the corn crumbs, melted white chocolate and sliced fresh strawberries. Serve!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Traditional Almond Cookies

Chinese New Year is here! There is gonna be lots of firework in China, symbolizing the festive spirit. It is believed that Buddha invited all the forest animals to invite him on a particular day. Twelve of them appeared and Buddha named a year after each one of them. New year calls for a huge get together and Chinese food is my all time favorite. People pay a visit to each other's house, share meals, gifts and of course happiness. 

In Chinese culture, red color is considered sacred. It symbolizes fire, which means bad luck is driven away. People wear red color garments, children write short poems on red paper. Children are given luck money in red envelopes. In ancient times, the tribals lit up bamboo stalks. They believed this would drive away the evil spirits and that they can lead a peaceful life. So lets pay a visit to our friend's place with a box of traditional almond cookies.

Ingredients:-

1 pinch salt,

100 ml corn oil,

1 beaten egg yolk,

150 gm plain flour,

100 gm caster sugar,

100 gm ground almonds,

100 gm blanched almonds,

3/4 teaspoon baking soda,

3/4 teaspoon baking powder.

Preparation Method:-

1. Sieve the flour, caster sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Add the ground almonds to the flour and sugar mixture.

2. Slowly trickle in the corn oil to this bowl. Blend until a cohesive dough forms. Heat the oven to 180 D.C. Roll the dough into small balls, place almonds above them and press a bit as shown.

3. Place on a baking tray. Make cookies until all the dough is used up. Lightly glaze the top of the cookie balls with the beaten egg yolk.

4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cookies become slightly golden. Leave to cool. Enjoy the homemade cookies.

Happy New Year!

Gift Strawberry Macaroons on Valentine’s Day

It’s well said, “Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.” I completely agree with this saying. Do you? You can do anything to see your baby smile. Gift your valentine, something that's original, homemade and your creativity. Isn't that a great idea? I'm sure it's gonna win the heart. Nothing would be better than gifting soft, lite pink strawberry macaroons made with your whole heart and soul. The best part is that you can add in any cream filling, keeping in mind the choice of your partner. Hope you liked my crazy Valentine’s Day ideas. For now let’s start with this sweet affair.

Ingredients:-

4 large egg whites,

1/3 cup caster sugar,

1 1/2 cups icing sugar,

4 teaspoons almond meal,

Food coloring as per choice.

Preparation Method:-

1. Preheat the oven to 150 D.C. Place egg whites and caster sugar in a bowl. Beat with blender until stiff enough to turn the bowl upside down without it falling out. Continue to whip for 2 more minutes.

2. Add gel or powdered food coloring and continue to mix for a further 30 seconds. Sift the almond meal and icing sugar and salt twice, discarding almond lumps.

3. Add the egg white mixture. Pipe onto trays lined with baking paper. Prefer heart shape if you are gifting.

4. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Check if one comes off the tray clean, if not bake for a little longer.

5. When cool, taking two, add in the cream of your choice. I prefer strawberry cream. Enjoy!

Happy Valentine’s Day!