Inspired by an old favorite – I’m going to do something similar for my kid’s teachers and class this Christmas – wish me luck!  oh i have to clarify – no I’m not doing cake – I’m doing like a candy jar – and some cookies in them.  Pretty easy – but to find the time to do it.  These days – I seems to have a lot on hand.

]]> http://www.locombia.org/2011/10/cookie-in-a-jar/feed/ 0 http://www.locombia.org/2011/09/precious-find/ http://www.locombia.org/2011/09/precious-find/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:04:51 +0000 Chilli Padi http://www.locombia.org/?p=1247

I never thought I would see coffee art in Nova Scotia but I was wrong – this cafe in Dartmouth sure was surprising and lived up to its name for being the best cafe in Halifax.  I read about the cafe in the Coast and had meant to visit many a times.  I was finally up in the city and went to try out their coffee – although not as good as the ones I had in Paris – it was still excellent.  The next time I’m trying the chocolate croissant with it.   Two If By Sea is going to be one of my favorite place to be when I am in Halifax.

Yes! in New Orleans and yes ! i’ve tasted it – at the French Quarters – who can missed such heavenly beignets and coffee – yer tell me.   The beignets are so famous – people come from all over the world to get a taste of them at Cafe Du Monde – Original French Market Stand in New Orleans.   The cafe is always pack it seems whenever we visited – but no worries because it’s open 24/7 – so you can go any days you want during the week.   The one at the French market is open 24 hrs a day – so for those who wants to eat it more than once a day – you can go there for a night snack before bed.  Fried fritter don’t come any better than this.

It has only been a couple of years since I started watching what I eat and going as organic and natural as possible.  I have also started on eating both flax seed and nuts  – lots of them instead of eating junk food.  Well, I still do eat the junk food every now and then – but I also try my hardest to balance them with the good stuff.  Everyone asked me about the benefits of flax seed whenever I go shopping with my girlfriends and the benefits are enormous.   Flax seed is known to improve your skin,  lower your cholesterol and is said to guard against heart disease but these are only a few benefits – because I also hear that it helps with aiding of losing weight and every woman out there is always looking for something to help them lose that extra stubborn pounds right?  So am I – I do need to take a few off  – so that was when I started looking at an organic and natural weight.  And flax seed actually don’t taste bad at all – so check it out yourself because when I’m in front of the tv and feel that I need something to munch on – the flax seed comes first.

I have been craving for junk food and desserts of late – if I didn’t have my menopause already – I would have thought that I was pregnant again – hahah!!  but yes – I have been craving for junk food and durian and anything sticky – like glutinous rice.   time to get some supplements for weight loss else, I am going to be a fat lady soon and we can’t have that right.

I do love food – don’t get me wrong – but i really have been eating way too much – but how can one help it when the spouse brought back so many goodies during his recent trip in the States.  I would love to exercise more and eat differently but I do need some motivation and will power.

For those who are not aware of who or what Side Street Inn is all about – let me share a secret with you.  This is the place where you can get the most delicious snack – beef chips!!!   Yup! you heard me right ! right in Honolulu – Hopaka St.  and since the best friend is in Hawaii – I had asked for some for Christmas.

Chyler’s beef chip is derived from the maker’s daughter – their inspiration – how touching eh? While I am writing this – I’m munching away – and I tell yer – they are addictive!

Craving for Portuguese tarts – the spouse took a special trip when he was in Hong Kong to Macau.  Of course, he had to entertain some clients – go look for the casinos there and eat some tarts.  The Portuguese tarts are different from the chinese tarts or the custard ones that you can find in Hong Kong – this one is caramelized  – the sweet layer of sugar on top makes the Portuguese tart unique and the pastry cup is a little thicker than the normal tarts found in the main island.  They are cheap too – at about $1 a piece in Macau.

A slightly healthier version of snacks, only 90 calories for one serving.  As it is the wife already thinks i eat too much munchies, so she suggested this for me instead.  BBQ flavored, pretty good but the bites are so small and they are so airy for me.  But nevertheless, at $2.49 a pack – it’s not bad if you want to stay healthier.

Don’t think it is healthy but it was cheap and at 50% off – can’t refuse an offer like these here.

What do you do when you see this huge crate of sweet potatoes..??  In our family, we make sweet potatoes tempura !!  the kid loves it, the wife thinks it is healthy and me  – it’s easy enough to peel them off  and cut them up and dump them into the deep fryer or better yet put them in the oven and baked them.   We watch tv and munched them down.  The kid thinks I’m  a hero and the wife thinks I am a good father.

LARGE  Sweet Potatoes
Vegetable Oil
Tempura Batter for Vegetables, Meat & Fish

Preheat the deep fat fryer to 365 degrees.
Wash the sweet potatoes.
Parboil for about 10 minutes.
Pare the sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2? wide x 1/2? thick strips.
Dip the sweet potato strips into the tempura batter.
Place in skimmer and gently lower into the deep fat fryer.
Remove the sweet potato strips from the hot fat with the skimmer when they
float to the surface and have turned golden brown.
Serve hot.