MONDAY: Seafood Fried Rice

This one's fully loaded with the good stuff- veggies, eegs, and seafood. Plus, using brown rice makes it fiber- rich and much, much healthier.


Serves 6 to 8 Prep Time 10 minutes Cooking time 10 minutes


INGREDIENTS:

• 12 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 tbsp peanut or canola oil
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1/8 cup chopped onions
• 1/8 cup chopped green onions
• 1 chinese sausage, cut into very fine cubes
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/2 cup shrimp, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup clam meat
• 1/4 cup shredded dried squid flakes
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sweet chili sauce

PROCEDURE:

1. In a large wok, heat oil and add the garlic, onions, and green onions: saute until fragrant
2. Ad the Chinese sausage and beaten eggs: mix until cooked
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir fry until shrimp has turned pink and all the ingredients have been well incorporated with the rice. Serve hot.

WEEKEND ENTERTAINING

APPLE PANINI


Tart, sweet, crunchy, and soft, these paninis possess a wonderful combination of flavors and textures. Making them will require a little more time than usual, but the results are lipsmacking good and worth the extra effort.


Serves 6 Prep Time 25 minutes Cooking Time 30 miutes (excluding dulce de leche preparation)


For the dulce de leche

• 1 (14- ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

For the cooked apple filling

• 4 green apples, each cut into 8 pieces
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 3 vanilla beans, split and scraped
• 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the walnut streusel

• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 6 tbsp butter, softened

• 1/4 cup dulce de leche
• 12 slices brioche
• 1/4 cup walnut streusel
• 1/2 cup butter, softened, for spreadig
• ground cinnamon for springkling
• caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, to serve

1. Make the dulce de leche: Place the unopened can of condense milk in a small saucepan. Fill the pan with cold water until the can is fully submerged. Place the pot over low heat, bring water to a simmer, and cook for 3 1/2 hours. Remove from heat and allow the can to cool at room temperature before opening it.
2. Cook the apple filling: Saute apples with butter, sugar, and vanilla beans. Cook for a few minutes until soft, then add ground cinnamon. Remove vanilla beans and cool.
3. Make the walnut streusel: Combine all ingredients together and spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for 8 minutes, then use a fork to break it into small bits and pieces. Cool.
4. To assemble the panini, spread dulce de leche thinly on the brioche slices. Place 5 slices each of cooked apple filling on 6 brioche slices. Drizzle a little dulce de leche on top, then sprinkle streusel all over. Cover with the remaining 6 brioche slices. Spread butter and sprinkle ground cinnamon evenly on both sides.
5. Place each sandwich in a preheated panini press and cook until caramelized. serve the paninis with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. YUM!

DALANDAN ICED TEA

The weather now is so hot! I can feel the summer heat coming so try this DALANDAN ICED TEA to refresh your hot summer afternoon.


Mix together 1/4 cup fresh dalandan juice, 1 1/2 cups iced tea, and 3/4 cup ice cubes in a shaker. Pour into glass. Garnish with a dalandan slice and a pandan leaf. Serves 1