Oatmeal Pancake Muffins

Lil P used to LOVE when i make him oatmeal in the morning using those Quaker Instant Oatmeal packets, especially when I add syrup, cinnamon, raisins, and chocolate chips. But earlier this year he has told me he doesn't want to eat it anymore, that he doesn't like it. I only make it once a week! I used to fight with him and tell him "Eat it, or else". I was tired of fighting with him, and didn't want to put these packets to waste. So I got creative by adding Coach's Oats Multigrain Pancake Mix...

1 packet of Quaker Instant Oatmeal
2 tbs beaten egg (probably about half an egg)
2 tbs Coach's Oats Multigrain Pancake Mix
4 tbs water
raisins
chocolate chips

1) Mix all ingredients together
2) Divide them in two silicon muffin cups
3) Place in toaster oven (because it's only 2 muffins, but if you make more, you can use the oven) at 375 degrees and bake for 10-15 minutes.

When Lil P first saw the muffins he immediately said he won't eat it. But after he tried it, he said "this taste nothing like oatmeal!" and devoured both of them. Now I don't have to fight with him eating his oatmeal!

ps. the muffins came out really dense, but Lil P actually likes it like this. I didn't want to change my recipe because that. But if you know how to make my muffin less dense, please share!!

Slowcook Oxtail Soup

I'm BACK!!!

It's been two months since the last I blogged. I had to concentrate on studying for a certification exam during these two months. It was really tough to come home from work, cook dinner, and go straight into my room and hit the books. When exam came near, I even gave up cooking and cleaning all together. In addition to giving up my cooking time and my free time to studying during these two months, I also got the luck of getting my car broken into. The thieves took my laptop AND my Canon 7D camera. I was sad, heart broken, and...lonely. I love my camera to death and I wish and hoped that my camera and I can reunite once again....but alas, I'll have to accept it.

With all the bad news, comes the good news, I got my certification, and I am finally back with spending time with my family! That is the part I miss the most. You don't know how much your family means to you until it's taken away. This past weekend we got to spend the weekend out camping. It was such a great way to celebrate having a family life again!

And...back to cooking, and blogging!! My first time making oxtail soup was for Memorial Day weekend, when I invited family over for a get together. I only had a small bowl before everyone devoured it!! Here is my recipe, a modification from a friend's:

4 lbs oxtail (about 16 oxtails)
2 cups beef broth
2 cups chicken stock
5 star anise
4 silvers of gingers
1 cup shelled raw peanuts
2 tbs Hawaiian salt (or sea salt)
Chinese parsely
minced ginger
shoyu

1) Parboil oxtails in a big pot, rinse, then trim fat
2) Place oxtails in a crockpot, add the beef and chicken stock, star anise, and ginger
3) Turn crockpot on low for 8 hours.
4) Add peanuts, and turn on high for another 2 hours.
5) Add Hawaiian salt, add more to taste.
6) Serve hot with parsley on top
7) Dip oxtail in minced ginger with shoyu