Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins by The Sneaky Chef

I have raved about The Sneaky Chef for quite some time now. Missy Chase Lapine (the auther) is really awesome giving ideas on how to hide veggies in everyday food. I absolutely loved her book. Yes she even hides them in desserts too!! I have recently made this Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins and I wanted to share this with you.

1 c Flour Blend(1/3 cup whole grain flour, 1/3 cup white flour, 1/3 cup wheat germ)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c canola oil
3/4 c orange puree (or use baby food! I use this sometimes: 1/2 cup carrots and 1/4 cup sweet potatoes)
3/4 c smooth peanut butter
8 heaping tsp favorite Jam (not jelly)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line muffin tin with paper liners.
2) In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Flour Blend, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside.
3) In another large bowl, whish together the eggs and sugar until well combined, then whisk in oil, orange puree, and peanut butter.
4) Fold the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until flour is just moistened (don't over mix).
5) Scoop about two tbsp of batter into the large muffin cups until half full.
6) Place a heaping tsp of jam in the center of each muffin, then cover the jame with another 2 tbsp of batter, filling the cups just over the top. (scale back if using mini-muffin cups)
7) Bake for 25-30 min until the tops are golden brown.

















I had two while it was warm and it was delish! Please feel free to check out the website for more free recipes!

Don't forget that you could get your very own, brand new copy of The Sneaky Chef on my GIVEAWAY that is happening right now til the end of the month!! You are qualified if you have contributed to the Tsunami Relief Support for Japan. Go here for the Giveaway details!

I have been taking alot of bentos pictures but have yet to post. I made Chinese Chicken Salad for me and my sister and I brought it to her work (and I got to see my baby nephew)! Here is a pic of that. I used leftover Rotisserie Chicken from Costco.

I also deboned the rest of the chicken, then I threw the carcass in a pot of water and let it simmer until the meat falls off the bone, remove the bones, then added rice and dry scallops in the pot and made myself a bowl of jook too! That's 2 ways for leftover chicken! And don't forget the chicken quesadillas, that's 3 ways with one chicken from Costco!

Here is my lunch for tomorrow, since it's "What's for Lunch Wednesday"!!

This bento consist of Steak (with steak seasoning, olive oil, and mirin), Gen Ji Mai rice, sautee veggies (mushrooms, carrots, asparagus), and grapes. The yellow container is microwavable, so I'm going to microwave the medium rare steak and it would be perfectly cooked for lunch! Looking forward to my lunch!!

Brown Rice & Quinoa and Aloha For Japan Bento

For dinner tonight, we had sloppy joes. I am packing some for work tomorrow, but with a twist. I eliminated the bun, added some frozen peas and carrots into the sloppy joes, and I'm eating it with my brown rice & quinoa. Typically I would place the sloppy joes on top, but because I wanted to do a special bento, I placed them on the bottom so I could put the "Aloha for Japan" logo on top. Did I mention that I am doing a giveaway? Well, go and hop over to HERE to find out more about this giveaway! The only requirement I am asking is to support the Japan Relief Efforts, ANY amount is appreciated! Giveaway ends on April 30th, 2011.

The above bento I used Fit N Fresh 2 cup containers, one container contains sloppy joes with brown rice & quinoa, one contains applies, oranges, and grapes, and the last one contains green salad. Adding this to "What's for Lunch Wednesday".

Umeke Market has excellent hot meals and they're very good for you. I've been there several times just to pick up the Turkey Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms over Brown Rice & Quinoa and a side of fresh greens. YUM!

Although I have not attempted to make the stuffed portabello mushrooms (oh I definitely will some day), I have attempted to make brown Rice and Quinoa myself. My first try was a disaster but my second try, isn't too bad. So here it is:

1 cup of brown rice

1/4 cup of Quinoa

Water

Dash of Sea Salt

1) Soak quinoa in water for about 15-20 minutes. I have heard if you don't wash first it will cause indigestion...I didn't soak it on my first attempt but nothing happened to me.

2) While soaking quinoa, pour brown rice in rice cooker with 2 cups of water and leave it for 15-20 minutes. This will allow the brown rice to soak up some water which should speed up the cooking process.

3) Drain quinoa and pour in the rice cooker, then add 1/2 cup of water.

4) Mix brown rice and quinoa in the rice cooker so they're mixed well.

5) Sprinkle sea salt into the rice cooker, then let it cook until done.

100th Post Giveaway, Support Japan's Tsunami Relief, Spring Rolls Recipe

Thanks everyone who's been following me on my blog! This is my 100th post since Sept 2009 with over 8,000 views! Woohoo!!! And as promised, I will be doing a giveaway!!

My requirment for this giveaway is to support/donate to the Japan's Tsunami/Earthquake relief efforts. There are a number of ways to support the relief efforts. You can donate to the American Red Cross, you can purchase some bento goodies from Bento4Japan as mentioned in previous post, you can purchase the "Aloha" Shirt at various vendors (all proceeds will be donated to Aloha For Japan), or you can support at your local fundraiser for the cause (for those who live in Hawaii, please visit Aloha For Japan for other ways to help.) Once you have participated in the relief efforts, simply leave a comment here on this post and tell me that you have done so. (ex: "I donated to the Amerian Red Cross", "I purchased the "Aloha" shirt!", "I attended a benefit concert", etc.)

You can also earn extra entries if you mention this giveaway on your blog (1 entry) and if you become a follower (1 entry) then leave a comment on this post that you have done either one, or both. Maximum 3 entries per person but 1st entry MUST support the Japan Relief Efforts.

This giveaway will end on April 30, 2011. Winner will be randomly selected and will be announced on or around May 2, 2011. Winner has 48 hours to contact me thereafter and MUST provide proof of your donation (so please keep your receipt, ticket stub, etc), otherwise a new winner will be picked. Unfortunately, I am only able to open this giveaway to US Residence Only.

Here are some of the things in the prize pack:

*1 The Sneaky Chef Book by Missy Chase Lapine
*15 Veggie Patch "one free product" Coupons
*1 two-tier bento box
*1 small two-tier bento box
*1 pack of silicon cups
*1 pack of bento dividers
*1 Oil Spray Bottle

Added items!!!
*1 Bottle of Furikake (for all my Furikake recipes!)
*1 reusable insulated bag
*1 packet of Okonomiyaki Mix

I will be shopping for a few more goodies to place in the prize pack and I will add them to the list as I get them on hand. So come back and check the list!

Thanks in advance for your generous donations (of any amount) to support Japan's Tsunami/Earthquake relief efforts! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!!

My 100th post MUST come with a recipe! Today, I will be sharing one of my favorite dishes I get when I eat pho (vietnamese soup noodles)--Spring Rolls. I adapted this recipe from my friend (it's her mom's recipe) and ironically, my friend is the one who got me started this very blog. What a perfect way to celebrate my 100th post!

Spring Rolls

1.5 lb ground pork

1 lb carrots (julienne)

1 small onion (diced finely)

1/2 bunch of dry long rice, or Cellophane Noodles/bean threads/glass noodles (cut in strips, DO NOT SOAK)

1 dry shiitake mushrooms (soaked and diced)

1 tbs sugar

2 tsp salt

1 tbs cornstarch

2 tsp black pepper

Spring Roll wrappers (I used the All Purpose Menlo wrappers)

1 egg, beaten

oil for frying

1) Mix all ingredients together. (A disposable gloves is very useful)

2) Take a small teaspoon of the meat and cook it in the microwave to taste the flavors and adjust the raw mixture accordingly.

3) Cut the square wrapper in half so it's a triangle.

4) Place raw meat mixture on the base of the triangle, roll once, then fold the sides in, and continue to roll to the end.

5) Brush the top corner with beaten egg to seal.

6) Deep fry until golden brown, drain, and serve!

**If you want the spring rolls to be crunchy, don't overstuff the rolls with too much meat.

Oreo Chocolate Fudge

Lil P finally recovered after 5 days but he has been sleeping ALOT. I actually haven't seen him sleep this much in years! It is either he is trying to get the rest he's missed all these years or he is on a growing spurt. So we measured him on Sunday and will check on it in a month...

I had to bring snacks for baseball game this past Sunday, and we did a chili hot dog / nachos theme and I brought chicken nachos, chips, fruits, and dessert. I made white chocolate chip cookies with macadamia nuts. It was ok only. I wanted it to be thick and chewy but it's thin and chewy...only 50% of my goal. boo. But the Oreo Fudge was a HUGE hit!

45 Oreo cookes
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
1/4 tsp salt
1 can condense milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 squares of Baker's semi sweet chocolate
3 packets Nestle's pre-melted unsweeten chocolate
3/4 c semi sweet chocolate chips

1) Finely crush (or put in food processor) 36 oreo cookies, place in a bowl.
2) Melt butter and pour into cookie crumbs, mix well.
3) Press butter crumb mixture into a 9x11 pan with foil that extents further on the side (this will help pull up the content to cut)
4) Place chocolate squares in a microwave safe bowl. Melt chocolate squares in microwave 40% with 30 seconds intervals until melted (mix it with a spatual each 30 seconds)
5) Pour in pre-melted chocolate and condense milk into the melted chocolate. Stir and mix well.
6) Pour chocolate/condense milk mixture on top of the butter crumb mixture, carefully spread them evenly. Recommend to pour them into 8 separate areas and spread them using a butter sprayed spatula. (otherwise the crumbs will pull up and make it hard to spread)
7) Coarsely crush the rest of the oreo cookies and sprinkle the crushed cookies and the chocolate chips on top of the chocolate/condense milk mixture.
8) Bake for 20 minutes in the oven at 325 degrees.
9) Let cool, then place in fridge for one hour.
10) pull out fudge with foil, slice them into squares or bars with a pizza roller.


Here is a pic of the Chicken Nachos I was able to snap before I packed it up. I have mentioned this recipe here.


















I haven't posted bentos lately, but I want to let you all know that you can help the traumatic Tsunami in Japan by getting involved. Show some Aloha, please visit American Red Cross to support their disaster relief efforts, or purchase a bento product from Bento4Japan on ebay! Especially if you are thinking about starting a bento collection or adding more items to your bento collection!

Tan Tan Pork Udon

No bentos this week. Spring break for Lil P. We had the entire week planned, starting with Whale Watching, Lil P's baseball practice, and camping at a cabin on Monday, then Tuesday would be beach, Lil P's baseball game, and go to watch a basketball game. But everything went sour that afternoon, Lil P wasn't feeling well and end up with a low fever that night. He maintained 99-100 degrees the next day, only today he's back to normal temperature but still not feeling himself. The week is almost over. What a way to spend spring break huh?

Because I was busy taking care of him, and trying to study at the same time. I didn't have much time to post anything. This is what I made last week for me and Mr. P.

Tan Tan Pork

Lemon Caper Mahi Mahi

Ack! I've been slacking off on this! I have been cooking and snapping pictures, just didn't have time to download the pictures or blog about it. Work had me traveling to neighbor islands, I've been tired, and I've been studying for a certification and planned to take the exam end of June. I also haven't exercised in 3 weeks. I planned on working out tonight (i've been saying it for a week now), and I know I'll be sore tomorrow...

Anyway, a friend of mine went out to sea and caught a huge Mahi, came to drop off some filets to us! So i was able to attempt this Mahi Mahi with lemon and caper.

Pan-Roasted Pork Chops and Star Wars Party with Stormtrooper Cake

Thank you for those who had voted for my Easy Peanut Butter Sandwich Surprise! I didn't win...but I was in 4th place out of 9! It was an awesome experience so Thank you Veggie Patch and The Sneaky Chef!!

I have been rather busy this past couple of weeks because I had to get ready for Lil P's 10th Birthday party which I will share with you after this recipe. I have made this dish a few weeks back actually but didn't have to time to post so here it is!