Sunday, December 30, 2012

New Year's Lasagna

Before welcoming 2013, have you already planned on how to celebrate your New Year?
Well, same as Christmas, my husband and I are celebrating it at home.
As usual, I'll be the one preparing dinner and everything, my husband requested Lasagna again. He likes my recipe and it's made of vegetables, no meat!
When we also have friends coming over for dinner, I serve Lasagna sometimes and most of their comments: it's yummy! *blush* Lol!!!
So I have decided to share my recipe and I really hope you like it. :)




Veggie Lasagna

Ingredients:
1 box oven ready Barilla Lasagna plates
1 can Tomato Sauce
4 medium Tomatoes (boiled and chopped)
1 large white Onion (chopped)
5 cloves Garlic (chopped)
2 Carrots (diced)
200 grams oyster mushroom (chopped)
Salt
Pepper
2 Tsp Paprika
2 Tsp Parsley
Olive oil

Mornay Sauce (white sauce) ingedients:
5 Tbsp Butter
3 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
2 cups Milk
2 cup Whipping Cream
1 Tsp Salt
1 Ounce Parmesan cheese
2 Ounces Grated Cheddar Cheese

Method: (Mornay/ White Sauce)
1) In a deep pan, turn heat to medium, melt butter. Then add milk and cream.
2) Carefully dash some flour into the pan, do it slowly or it will get stumpy.
3) Add Parmesan cheese and Cheddar cheese.
4) Dash some salt and simmer until its thicker.


Method: (Lasagna sauce)
1) A pan with olive oil, turn heat to medium until oil begins to bubble, saute chopped onion
    and garlic until golden brown. Add the diced carrots and mushroom.
2) When the carrots begins to soften, add chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce.
     Dash some salt and pepper. Stir for 10 minutes.
3) Add seasoning (paprika and parsley), and continue stirring, dash some salt and pepper if needed.
    Simmer for 20 minutes.
4) Taste the sauce, if it's ready, turn off heat and set aside,
    if it lacks seasoning, add some salt and pepper.

- Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees for 10 minutes.
- In an oven safe container (like pyrex), arrange ''no cook'' lasagna plates. Pour moderate amount RED
    sauce (cooked sauce) over the Lasagna plates, make sure you cover the plates.
- Pour The mornay sauce over the red sauce and place again lasagna plates over the mornay sauce.
    Repeat doing this until the sauces are finished.
- Dash some Cheddar cheese on top.
- Then put inside pre-heated oven and cook for 20 minutes.

Serve while hot! :)

Enjoy!!!
   


Saturday, December 29, 2012

Cagayan de Oro's White Water Rafting

A visit to Cagayan de Oro to try the famous White Water Rafting is such a wonderful experience, you will surely not regret every penny you spend once you try this adventurous outdoor activity.  If you are a nature-lover then this is the perfect experience for you to observe the Philippine jungle and its wild animals.

A total of 4 hours chasing rapids, paddling and swimming in the Mysterious river of Cagayan de Oro City, White Water Rafting is a fun activity for couples, family and friends.
Itinerary starts at the City Tourism Showhouse in Divisoria (downtown) where you will meet with the guide and other guests then travelling with a jeepney to a province in Bukidnon called Mambuaya, approximately 45 minutes drive to where the Rafting starts.

Book White Water Rafting Here.


Listening to the guide's instructions...


Preparing for the ride....:)


:)


Our first rapid...


So fun!!!


We survived the first rapid..


whoahhh...


Happy!!!


another rapid!


Spot the photographer.


:)


More rapids...:)


Nature...


People living in this area use this hanging bridge to cross to the other side.


or use this ''boat'' by pulling...


:)


So calm...


:)


Fresh spring water...


So beautiful!!! :)


Welcome to the jungle....:)


The Snake cliff...:)


The reason why it's called the snake cliff!!!


A poisonous snake...


Camouflage..


Spring water...


:)


nice!


One of the scariest rapid...:)


:)

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Fabulous Costume Jewelry

The other day, I went to a 2nd hand book shop to find a book/novel to read since I just finished reading the novel I bought during one of my travels. I like going to 2nd hand book shops because there is more chance to find interesting and intriguing books. I search meticulously on every aisle if there's something that will catch my attention. I went to the art section and I saw a lot of nice books about the works of Renoir and Michael Angelo, then I went to check the Recipe collection but hmm, that I can easily search on the net. But when I saw that there is an aisle on Fashion books, I went immediately to check. There was a book about the shoe drawings of Manolo Blahnik, which, is very interesting to me since I love fashion. But the book that really caught my eye is Fabulous Fake by Carole Tanembaum.





Buy Fabulous Fakes Book Here.

So happy I found this book, can't wait to read and study everything about Vintage Costume Jewelry.

Carole Tanembaum is a vintage costume jewelry collector. She has hundreds of priceless high-fashion costume jewelry collection from year 1830 to 2000 and in this book, she is showcasing her exclusive costume jewelry collection from Theodor Fahrner, Dior, Chanel, Maison Gripoix, Marcel Boucher, Miriam Haskell, Henry Schreiner, Lucy Bergamini, Christian Lacroix and a lot more.


Maison Gripoix for Chanel Byzantine-inspired necklace

Vintage unsigned Miriam Haskell jewelry 


What interests me about high quality costume jewelry is their delicate and eccentric designs. Every piece is just so extraordinary and the craftsmanship is exquisite. And I am actually starting to collect vintage pieces...

Here are some photos of Vintage Costume Jewelry:


Vintage Madame Griproix Earrings and Necklace

Vintage Chanel earrings
Vinatge Theodor Fahrner Brooch
Vintage Christian Lacroix  Earrings
Vintage DeLizza and Elster Brooch
Vintage Christian Dior Brooch and Neck piece


Shop High Quality Vinatge Costume Jewelry Here.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Christmas Chocolate Fudge

Do you want to make your own Christmas candies?

Here's the recipe for Chocolate Fudge... Try it, it's fun and yummy!!! ;)







Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients:
2 deciliter Whipping Cream
3 deciliter Granulated Sugar
50 grams Butter
1/2 deciliter Cacao
1 tbsp Vanilla Sugar
50 grams Chopped Nuts (optional)

Method:
1) Grease and make a mold with baking paper, about 20 x 30 cm or less if you want it thicker.
2) In a deep pan with high heat, stir sugar and cream together, bring to boil.
3) Reduce heat and continue to cook up to 122 degrees.
4) Once the batter will bubble up and turn to brownish color, continue stirring to make batter a little thicker.
5) Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter, cocoa and vanilla, also add some nuts if you want.
6) Stir vigorously to melt the butter.
7) Pour the batter into the mold. Allow to solidify. 
8) Once its already hard, cut into pieces. 
9) Put pieces into a jar and store in the refrigerator.


Enjoy!!! ;)

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Hunter Valley

Approximately 120 kilometers north of Sydney, known for it's wine making and coal industry, is called the Hunter Region (Hunter Valley). It contains the Hunter River and its tributaries with highland areas to the north and south. The Hunter Valley is one of the largest river valleys on the New South Wales coast.

When in NSW, a visit to the Hunter Valley is truly necessary to try the world- famous Australian wines, Australian chocolates and the smelly cheeses. When I visited Hunter Valley, I was amazed by vast fields of vineyards (as far as the eyes can see) and really spectacular views.
You can also hire a helicopter to see the aerial view of the place. Hunter Valley Helicopters
Just a perfect getaway for couples and families too.
Restaurants array at some places wherein you can dine and try authentic Australian delicacies. But the must visit are the wineries to see how these award-winning Australian wines are being produced and of course, also try the different Australian wines (White, Red, Sparkling and Rosé).

Looking for a venue for weddings and proposals???
Hunter Valley is just the perfect place for any occasion!
Check the official Hunter Valley website Wine Country to know more about Hunter Valley Tourism.