Banana Bread

One day, I found the fruit basket with so much over ripe bananas. Since, I do not and never want any food wasted, I decided to make the fastest Banana Bread recipe there ever was.  I hit over my pins at Pinterest and found the perfect one. I had lots of Pecans at that time so I threw in some for that extra yumminess. 

Sharing with you the recipe I saved for so many years just because it had a lovely pin to match.

You can find it here.

This stays moist even when kept at room temperature. Perfect for that afternoon coffee or tea. 

It makes the best house warming present as well or even as pot luck dessert staple. 

At long last.

So, this is love. 

Our little boy has come along. 

Love that expands more than my heart can ever hold. Love that knows no boundaries and no limits. Love that simply grows each passing day. 

My dearest Julio, as you turn one month old today, I want to thank you for being an answered prayer when we asked God to give us a baby boy. You are the exact replica of your Daddy whom I really love.

And though you came into this world surprising early, you braced for one swift of a ride when life's greatest adventure welcomed you straight on. You are a mighty warrior and a fighter and for that, I am a proud Mama. 

And just when I thought that being a Mama of 3 girls know what love is all about, then someone like you - so tiny and precious comes along to remind me just how big love really is.

I love you more today than I did yesterday, Julio. 💙

Foccacia.

I've always been a fan of Foccacia because of its fresh and versatile taste. It can go along with any soups and appetizer down to main courses and pasta of any kind. 

A restaurant situated at the center of Serendra called, Chelsea, has always been my favorite go to place most especially when Jules would come over to visit back when I was still in Culinary School. 

I like how they decorated the place and how cozy it feels when you are actually there, from seeing their Chefs prepare your meal in their open kitchen to buying pickled vegetables and canned sardines that they concocted themselves. 

My favorite dish would always be the Duck Confit in Wild Mushroom Risotto. I wonder if they still serve it now. 

But before every meal was always a plate of Warm Foccacia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and oven roasted garlic on the side. I can almost smell it as I write this. 

Our backyard garden has always been without the presence of Fresh Basil Leaves. 

That is why, I make our own pesto and spreads from scratch.

So, today, I made a huge batch of Pesto and so I decided on a whim, to make Foccacia from what my alma matter taught me. 

Fresh is always best.

I used walnuts because I couldn't get Pine Nuts here in Ormoc. It works absolutely fine.

Foccacia di Milano

recipe from school

Ingredients

Dough

Bread or All Purpose Flour        650 grams

Yeast                             20 grams

Salt                              15 grams

Water, room temperature           425 ml

Olive Oil                         100 ml

Pesto (Fresh or Store Bought)     100 grams or depending on your liking

Thyme, Rosemary or Basil for Sprinkling

Procedure

Pre heat the oven to 390 to 410 degree F.

1. Dissolve yeast in water, mix all ingredients (except olive oil) for      5 minutes at low speed and 10 minutes on medium speed until the dough no longer sticks on the side and bottom of the bowl.

2. Add Olive Oil and pesto 5 minutes before end of kneading time.

3. Bulk fermentation; 45 minutes punch down after 20 minutes.

     (Literally punching the dough down to deflate)

4. Put the dough on an oiled baking tray, flatten it properly and let it rest for 45 minutes. 

5. Dimple the dough with your finger tips and top with your favorite topping as desired. Sprinkle with sea salt and herbs.

6. Bake approximately for 20 to 25 minutes.

Here is is. 

It may not look good with the kitchen lighting and all, but trust me, the long proofing and waiting time is worth it. 

Enjoy it while its warm. 

Perfect with soups especially when the weather calls for it.

Pandesal.

You are not entirely Filipino if you haven't tried this bread in your first few years of life. My babies used to snack on this with cheese or just plainly smothering it with lots of butter during breakfast time. 

It is the most versatile bread there is as it can be eaten as it is - plain, hot from the oven, stuffed with Corned Beef or Tuna, or simply spreading a little bit of Condensed Milk, whatever sparks joy for you. :) 

A for texture I must say.

I am truly happy with my first attempt.

Don't you love it when its baked golden brown like that?

So here is the recipe that I used that is for everyone to share. This Pandemic has taught us many things. Sharing is loving they say. 

Pandesal

(recipe from Goldilocks cookbook)

Ingredients

Instant Yeast                             2 teaspoon

Water                                     1 1/4 cups

All Purpose Flour, sifted                 2 cups

Bread Flour. sifted                       2 cups

Sugar                                     1/2 cup

Salt                                      2 teaspoon

Butter                                    1/8 cup

Dusting

Breadcrumbs

Procedure

Pre heat oven to 350 degree F

1. Dissolve yeast in 1/3 part of water. Set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl with dough hook or flat beater attachment, place the sifted all-purpose flour, bread flour, sugar and salt. Mix for 1 minute at low speed.

3. Add the remaining water and dissolved yeast. Mix at medium speed for approximately 4 minutes. 

4. Add the shortening and continue mixing at medium speed until gluten is slightly developed.

5. Transfer the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic. 

6. Let the dough rest for about 15 minutes at room temperature.

7. Punch down and roll into a cane shape or "baston" of about 1/2" diameter.

8. Cut the dough into pieces weighing 30 grams each.

9. Arrange pieces with the flat side facing up in a 12" x 16" baking pan. Make 3 rows with 8 pieces per row.

10. Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs.

11. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size. (Approximately 1 hour at room temperature).

12. Once the dough has risen to double its original volume, bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown in color. 

Note: 

Ingredients may be mixed by hand. Be sure that all ingredients are incorporated well and the gluten must be developed.

And when you can't have them, there's always an option to make them.

Teach them kindness.

There was one particular day that I decided to whip up some snacks for the front liners who are working hard at the back of the house (figuratively speaking). Just because they are situated in laboratories that doesn't mean that they don't risk their lives everyday as they come to work. 

I really don't take photos of what I do just because I don't want to seem like a show off of some sort.

But this one day, when Julia decided to help me with the corned beef and egg sandwiches, I was entirely drawn to her message. I grabbed my phone and took a photo of the last batch she was making so I can properly document it.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. 

Aesop

I teach my kids kindness amongst others but I do not dictate what they must do everyday.

I told Julia to write To OSPA Medtech's, From Julia, Isabel and Clara like I always do when I send them snacks.

Her note this time was not so short.

She made this little notes too that really swept me off my feet. 

She tells them to be kind as well. 

I smile and laugh at the thought of it. 

I tell them to be gentle and kind always, and here she is spreading kindness in her own little way.

Lockdown.

Hello WORLD.

It is precisely more than a month’s time into this new normalcy we have been already familiarized with. 

It may sound strange, but I am truly having a good time at home.

I do miss going to my Mama’s house and doing the common grocery runs, the afternoon paseo, the Sunday breakfast at Papa’s, morning strolls and the going all-the-way to another municipality to check on our new store which I very miss a lot.  

Early morning strolls.

I may have gained a few pounds, but my heart and soul has grown fonder as I write this note.

The first week was by far the hardest, the settling in the new norm was practically overplaying. But then being over reacting meant being safe and protected (I’ve realized that by now). 

After all, we simply have this life, ONE life to live. 

I have become appreciative now on what used to be long hours, days and weeks after that horrid first week.

The joy that Netflix brings is by far amazing. 

source: Google photos

I began watching Outlander and still am enamored how all came to be. 

I have a few friends who are watching now as well. I remain anticipating on the new episodes weekly. By this time, I’ve learned relatively well that patience is a virtue. 

My laundry chores have been the most relaxing one to date. I purposely hang pieces to dry by color just because it looks pretty to my eyes. It’s also a serious workout, nonetheless. 

This is me prior to hanging clothes under the sun.

This was such a great buy for P88 at DAISO almost 2 years ago.

It was particularly windy this day. and I love how the wind blew the sheets of white back and forth.

The obsessive-compulsive in me started to hang them by color.

I started baking again. There was one particular week that I did a full throttle battling with yeast and flour in the kitchen. I wanted to perfect a certain bread recipe. And so I did by week 3. 

I was seriously in search for the perfect pandesal.

Also, by week 3, I felt the need to plant my feet on the ground just because I missed the beach so much at this time of the year. What I did was water the plants in barefoot. It was grounding, humbling and it felt familiar. Sort of mimicking how the sand feels on the toes one hot summer day. 

And I discovered a new hobby, watering the plants. 

Then came gardening. Our little corner for the indoor plants looked very crowded and gloomy. And so, by week 4, there was light and a tad bit of facing in that little corner. And I had to re-pot some and trim a few too. Also, by week 4, I placed indoor plants back inside the house. The house felt homey and beautiful. And since I have so much time, I offered these houseplants a new guise by wiping the leaves with expired Avocado Oil from the kitchen to make it look polished and bursting with life (a life hack brought to you by Tita Jenet). It takes time and patience too, but, by week 4, patience is like icing on the cake already. 

 My funny Tita Jenet uses Baby oil to prettify her plants.
Because, I am her follower and there is so much time, I did the same thing, only, with a different oil.

Even my dresser is well decorated. 

By week 5, 24 hours is merely not enough to fulfill everything. I am not complaining at all. 

The entire stretch of being quarantined in your own home has felt like giving back to nature, to mother earth and to our body and soul.

We felt being anchored to the house just because we basically needed a quick charge.

It has taught us to ease our minds, to clear our thoughts, to discover new meaning and appreciate the endless possibilities of being at home. To be one with nature again, to humbly plant our feet on the ground to make us all realize that there is a higher being who is in control of our lives. Lastly, to be one with God in good times and in bad, such as this pandemic which affects everyone.

My prayer time by week 6 has remained perpetual. It has made me sleep at night better because I worry less, entrusting all to God as I bid him goodnight each time. 

Lord, we believe, we adore, we trust and love you. We pray for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust and do not love you.

By week 6, my girls have established their routine too. They also have tasks, they play and go out in the garden, they get some sun and have worksheets to fill up before the day ends. 

A little picnic by the garden.

All is well. 

I wish I could say the same thing for the whole world. But I cannot. 

The Sunset is forever an afternoon delight. 

I urge you to take time and get some sun, sing in the bathroom, relive whatever hobby you may have put aside, read a book under a tree and enjoy the beautiful things that we are blessed with - while we still can.

And lastly, I pray for all of this to end soon. Like a bad nightmare, this, too, shall pass. 

"In our brokenness, we find Jesus in our strength."
Wisdom by Father Gani Petilos from his 3rd Sunday of Easter homily.  
It is worth reflecting.

We will have better days.

Of flowers and sentiments.

I come rushing to our bedroom full of flowers, just a day after Valentine’s Day to pick up my glasses. I stop momentarily to enjoy how wonderful it smells. 

I always manage to unscramble the pretty tied bouquets to fill those vases – big and small with all the flowers the gentlemen brings.

I wish it were Valentine’s Day everyday…

A lady is eternally smiling from ear to ear with the sight of any piece of Valentine present from her partner.

There’s a certain scent that a flower brings. It smells like a little piece of heaven. It calms the soul and certainly is a feast for the eyes. It crafts a sentiment too, that only the body can muster. Oh how lovely it is to have flowers everyday!

I also got artworks from my girls.

They are so thoughtful and sweet. And I hope and pray that they would never tire in doing so. Just because.

I pray that they would grow up like me, fond of simple pleasures and the like. I wish they would master the art of drying flowers too. 

 It catches me in a corny mood thinking how many bouquets they will have to untangle to fill their vases, just like mine. The happiness they will feel when one finally gets her first bunch. 

Will there hands turn ice-cold like mine? Or will they wary away and hide all the pretty blooms like I did?

Oh… I am getting way too sentimental here.