Corn Sotanghon Soup and Cocovado Smoothie

I guess I got out of July alive.

I went to a wedding, a christening, two family reunions, two shows, the movies, a 10-day wake and a burial (my grandma died), a competition (in which I won gold for Menu Writing and Design - yay!), and a couple birthday parties.

I want to say I'm glad to be here and typing away in my laptop despite my desktop PC crashing - along with all installed software.

Exhaustion should be the least of my worries.

I'm not a big complainer but life is a bitch sometimes.

And some days, that bitch is your best friend.

Do I still have the right to continue last month's theme? I do have the last couple of breakfast recipes on my lap.

To keep up with the two-week absence, I'm putting up two recipes in one post today.

Also, I'm doing this to prove to my self and every one that I am serious about the business of posting recipes.

Maybe not so much "on time" but you know. Okay. It's because I love you all.

Kind of looks like a gumbo!

Why corn? Why vermicelli? Why soup?

I know, I know. We can all buy something like this instant. Just pour hot water and you're good.

We got fresh corn produce from the province last week and I just had to do something with it.

Also, my lovely friend Malot asked for a soup recipe a few days back. It's been raining hard lately, such perfect time to gorge in hot soup!

As for the smoothie recipe, it's an ode to my younger sister who is prone to overuse the blender.

Elle is so good at making smoothies, I had to concoct one at some point so I made my very own breakfast smoothie recipe!

It's all so easy.

Corn Sotanghon Soup

You will need:

1/2 cup Corn Kernels (boiled if from the cob or you can use the canned variety)
1/2 cup Vermicelli Noodles (drenched in water, drained, and cut)
1/2 cup Carrots, small dice
1 liter Chicken Stock (pre-made broth or with bouillon cubes)
1 piece Chinese Sausage, sliced
1 cup Chinese Lettuce, cut into thin strips
1 medium Onion, small dice
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 small Ginger, pounded
1 tablespoon Cooking Oil
1/4 cup Chicharon (Crunchy Pork Rinds), coarsely ground (this is optional)
2 tablespoons Chives or Spring Onions, chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste

- - -

1. Saute garlic, onions, carrots, ginger, and sausage in a pot for 5 minutes. Add the corn kernels.
2. Pour in chicken stock and let it boil for 8-10 minutes or until corn is well cooked.
3. Season the soup with salt and pepper.
4. Add the vermicelli noodles and Chinese lettuce.
5. Serve hot and top with chopped spring onions and Chicharon bits (optional).

YUM!

- - -

Cocovado Smoothie

You will need:

1 cup fresh Coconut, shredded and about a cup of its juice (best if it's frozen)
1 cup fresh Milk, cold
4 tablespoons dark Muscovado Sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup water

- - -

1. Mix everything in a blender.

You're welcome!


Till the next eats,

Cref Cake

It’s December and Christmas is coming up as well as the New Year! It’s been a fruitful 2009 for me and my family having moved to a new house and all. And since we’ve lived in there, I have graced the kitchen numerous times, cooking and creating whatever comes to mind.

I’ve always dreamt of a good kitchen with a bountiful pantry and that is one of my wishes for 2010 – to be blessed so I can share more of myself (and my food - if not the real thing, just the recipe *hehe*) to those who are around.

Looking at the list in this blog, it does not surprise me that I have yet to come up with one good dessert. I do not have a sweet tooth. I would even trade fries over ice cream on a hot day but there are times that call for some celebratory sugar-bombed stuff. There's no time more perfect than the Holidays! So today, I give to you the experiment that was a hit in my Culinary Lab class last year. This is a no bake crepe/pancake refrigerator layer cake which you can modify the flavors to your liking. Cref Cake = crepe ref cake gets?