Belize...

My birth country. A place I'd like to go someday.

Image :http://www.kaanabelize.com/gallery

Time..

Wow, two years have flown by since I last posted. So, here I am, trying to sum up everything that's happened since April 23,2009.


There have been difficulties.

There have been things to work through.

There have been moments of great Joy.

The process of making new friends.

Finding a new church family.

I could go on and on...but I will wrap this post up for now.

Swagbucks

I’ve just discovered Swagbucks in the last several months and like it so much I wanted to share. I’ve been a member for 6-8 weeks now and have already earned 33 Swagbucks, mostly by using their search engine. Just 12 more and I’ll have enough to trade in for a $5 Amazon gift card. I’ll probably be saving them up for awhile instead and getting some airline miles.

It took about a week for me to get used to searching with Swagbucks instead of Google, like I was accustomed to. Downloading the search bar was a big help. Once in awhile I still switch over to Google when Swagbucks doesn’t come up with quite what I need, but most of the time the results it comes up with are quite sufficient.

Why not give swagbucks a try? Use them for your everyday online searches and you can be redeeming your “bucks” for gift cards in no time at all!

Sun in March

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

~Charles Dickens

~*~

Chocolate Cream Pie

Ingredients:

1 prebaked 9-inch pie crust

1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus an additional 2 tablespoons, divided use
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1-1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine milk, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt; bring to a simmer, whisking frequently. Whisk the eggs together in a medium bowl, and gradually whisk in half of the hot milk mixture until combined; whisk the egg mixture back into saucepan containing remaining milk. Heat mixture, whisking frequently, until it starts to thicken up and coat the back of a spoon.

Remove pan from heat and stir in chocolate chips, tablespoon butter and vanilla. Pour filling into pie crust and cool completely in the refrigerator, about 1 hour.
To make the whipped cream, combine heavy cream and additional 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium sized mixing bowl, using a mixer on high speed, and beat until stiff peaks form - about 1-2 minutes. Spread whipped cream evenly on pie and sprinkle with chocolate shavings if desired.

Makes 8 servings

I'm Alive!

I am so sorry I have taken soooo long in updating. I have been swamped since New Years. Studying cheese making and teaching it . Trying to create a mozzarella cheese that is similar to Water Buffalo mozarella for a group of restuarants. Had a group of six chefs watching me the other day which was nerve wracking. So needless to say, I am glad to be back, and I hope you will forgive me for my long absence. :) I hope to be able to update more than let's say... once every three months!

Homemade Granola...

Ingredients

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup cashews(optional)
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds
• 1 cup wheat germ
  
• 3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup chocolate chips
  

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts,sesame seeds,wheat germ, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.Add chocolate chips when cooled down enough that they don't melt.

You can make granola with so many different ingredients. Sometimes I add cinnamon, dried apricots and other types of dried fruit.