Lenten Season Choices

Its almost the end of lent once again. More than forty days past Ash Wednesday. Have you declared what you will sacrifice? I tried shunning meat for the entire Lenten season. Alas! To no avail. I miserably failed on this because I can't control to what is being served to me most days.  I told you before about my weekly Wednesday lunches with the Koziols. They make delicious lunches for me every Wednesday and I don't have the heart to tell them I won't be eating meat. So as part of being brought up properly by my parents to say thanks to all things given to you, I thanked them and ate my portion. And all was sinfully good!

Have a nice Lenten brunch out this coming weekend at Spitz. Photo by SDeluz

Part also of our weekly rendezvous is to check out hang outs in and around Bonn. We tried this restaurant at the corner of Oxfordstraße and Strntorbrücke. Just a 3 minute walking distance from Friedensplatz. They have a very nice set up with umbrellas and seat along the cobbled stones walk plus a nice view of the main street leading to Stadthaus. We ate inside the restaurant coz being Filipinos, we prefer sitting under the shade with air conditioning minus the dust from the traffic. There was only two tables occupied inside the restaurant, not because of no patronage but due to most patrons opting to eat outside. Very European. This was not the first time I tried this place. I was impressed the first time for all waiters and waitresses speaks fluent English. They also give out a menu in English if you request for it. Had only coffee and appetizers before but I liked it. I was with an American friend that time so all was not that bad. This time though, I was with a Filipino. And I think we Filipinos are very picky. 

Insalata Spitz: Gemischter salat mit Gebratenen Putenbruststreifen & Gemischter Pilzen

The ambience got a good rating but the food this time was at par. Maybe I didn't order a full meal the first time thats why I didn't notice this. Or maybe because Filipinos tend to criticize more. I'm not sure. I ordered their salad specialty: Mixed salad with fried Turkey breasts strips and mixed mushrooms. This amounted to 8.90€. My partner ordered Baked Potato in Foil with Turkey breast strips, mushroom, Parsley Joghurt and salad which cost 7.90€. It was coincidence with the food. I didn't know that we basically ordered the same thing. I was in the toilet when he ordered. Mine was under the Salad menu and his, under the potato menu. Almost the same but mine was more expensive. Hmmm. I wonder why? Too much greens? I love food and I am on a diet. The salad clicked for me. The other one didn't like his though. So I guess we won't be returning to this one. They do give out Cocktail Happy Hours. Any cocktails from 9pm to 11pm costs only 4.80€. Pizza Happy Hour also follows from same time, 9pm to 11pm, any big Pizza costs only 4.80€. They have Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday brunch. That will be from 11am to 3pm for only 11.90€. Not sure of drinks are included in the price though. 

Folienkartoffel mit Putenbruststreifen & Gemischten Pilzen

Soft Pretzels

Image via Wikipedia

There are numerous accounts on the origin of the looped pretzels, as well as the origin of the name; most agree that they have Christian backgrounds and were invented by monks. According to The History of Science and Technology, by Bryan Bunch and Alexander Hellemans, in 610 AD "...an Italian monk invents pretzels as a reward to children who learn their prayers. He calls the strips of baked dough, folded to resemble arms crossing the chest, 'pretiola' ("little rewards")".

Within the Catholic church, pretzels were regarded as having religious significance for both ingredients and shape. Pretzels made with a simple recipe using only flour and water could be eaten during Lent, when Christians were forbidden to eat eggs, lard, or dairy products such as milk and butter. As time passed, pretzels became associated with both Lent and Easter. Pretzels were hidden on Easter morning just as eggs are hidden today, and are particularly associated with Lent, fasting, and prayers before Easter.

Nowadays, back home, when we think of Pretzel, we always associate it with Auntie Anne's. That is a famous pretzel house found in any leading mall. Here in Germany, where pretzel originated, you can buy any kind of it that you like. So to relive the memory of sweet soft pretzel back home, here is a recipe that we all love!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup warm water

1 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast

4 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup bread flour

3 cups regular flour

2 cups warm water

2 tablespoons baking soda

to taste coarse salt

4 tablespoons butter (melted)

Procedure:

1. Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. 

2. Add sugar, salt and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour. 

3. While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 Tbsp baking soda. Be certain to stir often. After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope* (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. 

4. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. 

5. Allow pretzels to rise again. 

6. Bake in 450 degrees F oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. 

7. Brush with melted butter and enjoy! 

Tip: Try brushing butter right after getting it out of the oven. After you brush with butter try sprinkling with coarse salt. To remake Auntie Anne's famous Cinnamon Sugar, try melting a stick of butter in a shallow bowl (big enough to fit the entire pretzel) and in another shallow bowl make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Dip the pretzel into the butter, coating both sides generously. Then dip again into the cinnamon mixture. Enjoy! 

Tip Tip: Sweet butter, not regular butter, is recommended.

Spinach Filled Croissant

Photos by SDeluz

The cartoon character Popeye the Sailor Man is portrayed as having a strong affinity for spinach, becoming physically stronger after consuming it. A frequently circulated story claims that this portrayal was based on faulty calculations of the iron content. In the story, German scientist E. von Wolf misplaced a decimal point in an 1870 measurement of spinach's iron content, leading to an iron value 10 times higher than it should have been. This faulty measurement was not noticed until the 1930s.

Spinach, along with Brussels sprouts and other green vegetables, is often portrayed in children's shows to be undesirable. So here are some ways of incorporating spinach in your meal without your kids throwing a tantrum about it.

Ingredients:

a package of refrigerated ready-to-bake-croissant 

cream cheese (example: Milkana or Philadelphia)

package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven based on croissant packaging.

2. Drain excess water and moisture from the spinach by putting it on a colander and pressing with a spoon.

3. Mix spinach and cream cheese on a bowl.

4. Open the packaging and prepare the croissant. 

5. Get a butter knife and spread it on the croissant. Don't attempt to make a thick spread for the result will be too soggy.

6. Roll the croissant as instructed and put on a tray. Bake based on the packaging.

Ensaymada (using breadmaker)

Image via Wikipedia

The Ensaïmada is a pastry product from Majorca, Spain. It is a common cuisine eaten in most former Spanish territories in Latin Americaand the Philippines, which has been continuously made and eaten for a very long time. The first written references to the Majorcan ensaïmada date back to the 17th century. At that time, although wheat flour was mainly used for making bread, there is evidence that this typical pastry product was made for festivals and celebrations.

In the Philippines, a Spanish colony for over 300 years; the Majorcan ensaïmada (commonly spelled ensaymada in Tagalog and Cebuano ) has evolved over the centuries and is perhaps one the most common delicacies in that country, the ensaymada is a brioche made with butter instead of lard, and topped with grated cheese (usually aged Edam, known locally as "queso de bola") and sugar. Upscale versions of ensaymada are also topped with butter cream. It is extremely popular throughout the islands, especially during the Christmas season, when it is often, although not always, eaten with hot chocolate.

Ingredients:


(2-lb dough) - [This yielded 9 ensaymadas and 12 pcs spanish bread]
2/3 c milk
1/2 c water
1 egg
2 egg yolks
6 tbsp butter
1-1/2 tsp salt
4-1/2 c bread flour
1/2 c sugar
1-1/2 tsp BM yeast
Procedure:

1. Add ingredients to bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer. Set in dough cycle.


2. Once done, punch dough, lay on the table and roll with a rolling pin to make it flat. (NOTE: To keep the surface of dough from drying up, cover with plastic while you work on the ropes.)


3. Using dough cutter, make long ropes (about a foot long) about 3/4 of an inch wide, and coil.


4. Apply melted butter on coils and let rise for 10-15 minutes (or up to 30 if you want them really fluffy) in a draft-free moist enough area (I like putting them in oven with a bowl of hot water).


5. You may apply egg glaze prior to baking (if you want it darker brown upon baking).


6. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes (depending on your oven).


7. You may apply melted butter as soon as they get out of the oven. Helps keep them soft by preventing too much moisture loss. Then apply softened butter and roll in sugar when ready to consume.

I for one haven't done this recipe with a breadmaker. I do plan to invest in my own breadmaker one of these days, but not yet. I have made the dough myself and you will see the recipe in the other Ensaymada post. Based on my friend, she used this recipe and the result is much more softer version as compared to doing the dough by yourself. What I do know is that nothing beats the smell of oven fresh bread in the morning. 


Again, thank you Shirley C-R for this recipe. If you want your recipe to be featured, then share it to us. After all, we all learn new things by experimenting.

Spinach Pinwheels

     Spinach has a high nutritional value and is extremely rich in antioxidants, especially when fresh, steamed, or quickly boiled. It is a rich source of vitamin A (and especially high in lutein), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, folate, betaine, iron, vitamin B₂, calcium, potassium, vitamin B₆, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. Recently,opioid peptides called rubiscolins have also been found in spinach.

Photos by SDeluz

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 (7 ounce) package garlic herb cheese spread
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Split crescent dough in half along center perforation. Flatten one rectangle, sealing perforations. Spread with 1/4 of the cheese spread and sprinkle with spinach. Starting with long side, roll dough up, rolling back and forth several times to seal edges. Cut into 3/4 inch slices (about 15 slices per roll). Arrange the slices one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Continue making the crescent roll ups until all of the ingredients are used.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Serve immediately or keep warm on a warming tray.

     This is an easy snack to prepare when you have guests over. Just prepare the spinach - cream cheese spread and put it in a deep freezer. Defrost when needed. Keep a stock of packaged crescent rolls in the fridge. Enjoy!

Puto

     Puto is Philippine steamed rice cake prepared practically all over the country and eaten alone, with butter or butter substitute and/or grated fresh coconut or as accompaniment to a number of savory dishes for breakfast (most notably, with dinuguan).

     Properly prepared puto is fluffy, light, soft, chewy, moist, has fine uniform grain and imparts the slightly yeasty aroma of fermented rice batter overladen with a light whiff of anise seeds. It should be neither sticky nor dry and crumbly. The essential flavor should be of freshly cooked rice, sweetened a bit more if being eaten as stand-alone snack instead of as accompaniment to certain savory dishes. Since most puto as cooked in the Tagalog speaking regions of the Philippines may contain a tiny quantity of wood ash lye and from time to time may be steamed and served on sheets of banana fronds, it is not rare at all for puto aficionados to seek also the subtle flavors of these two last elements in well-made traditional puto.

Photos by SDeluz

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

2 cups white refined sugar

3 tbsp. baking powder

3 cups water

2 medium sized egg

cheese /salted eggs

Procedure:

1. Prepare steamer til water boils.

2. Combine all dry ingredients and sift three times (3x).

3. Add water and eggs. Mix on medium speed.

4. Put on mini cups for steaming. Add sliced cheese and salted egg on top.

5. Steam for 10-15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean..  

Easter Cookie Story

   

              http://www.flickr.com/photos/
  
The family that prays together, stays together. Children learn best when guided by their family. Be it regarding culture, education and even faith. To help reinforce the understanding of children as to the events leading to Jesus' resurrection, here is a simple recipe that you can do with them while explaining each ingredients' meaning.

Ingredients / Materials:

Bible
1 c whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 c granulated sugar
1 qt. or gal. size zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Place pecans in ziploc bag and let kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3. (Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.)

3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Add teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30...(Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink,Jesus said,"It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.)

4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11. (The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.")

5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sins. Read Luke 23:27 (A large number of people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him.)

6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8--(Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him)~and John 3:16--("For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.")

7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18--("Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.") And John 3:1-3 (Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.")

http://www.flickr.com/photos/

8. Fold in broken nuts.

9. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60 (As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.)

10. Place the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66 ("Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard.)

11. GO TO BED. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 ("I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, buy your grief will turn to joy.") And John 16:22 ("So with you~ Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.")

12. On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Take a bite. Notice~the cookies are hollow!

On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matthew 28:1-9 (After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him. Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them, "Greetings," He said. They came to Him, clasped his feet and worshipped Him.)

     Have a blessed Lenten Season to us all!