What I did on my early summer vacation--Part 2

I guess I did a lot because I'm having a hard time to remember. Oh well, here it goes. Once everyone arrive, we focus our attention on two things, my garden and the birthday party.


My Garden

Waiting for plants


Both my parents and brother-in-law have great veggie gardens at home. I thought I'd take advantage of their gardening skills and handiness to get a one in place during their visiting. 

What I did on my early summer vacation--part 1 . . .

Here's a little teaser picture from my early summer vacation. 


C and Mom with artisan ice pops from Rutgers Famers Market


It was just a stay-cation that includes visiting family(5) and a birthday party (add 4 more) over a course of 12 days. It's been 3 days since the last visitors left and I'm still exhausted and trying to synced back into my everyday life. I guess it doesn't help that I got a head cold on vacation. 

If I get a chance . . .

I've been itching to test a few items for the restaurant.

• Just tested edamame falafels with cucumber salad and sweet chili sauce for an appetizers at my office. It's a thumbs up but I still would like to tweek  it a bit. Maybe adding a some cilantro and mint to the falafel. Need to fiddle with it more, kind of to soft to put in the deep fryer. Need to get it a bit firmer but not dried out. I was thinking maybe adding some grain?
• I have an idea for pan like in an pan, with caramelized apples with or without homemade an. For those who don't know what an pan is is a sweet bun with sweeten red bean in it. 
• I just saw spring roll with apples tastespotting. Thought I could make it and add some caramel sauce on top? Thais make a banana fritter that way.
• coconut syrup for the shave ice. I was thinking of combining simple syrup and reduce coconut milk
• And that leads into almond float--I tried it before and liked it but want to do it again. Instead of almond I made it with vanilla instead. Maybe I can combine it together with shave ice and the coconut syrup.
• Dango for shave ice. Need to figure out the shelf life of it. If it is too short, not worth it. 
• 2 different cupcake flavors: hummingbird and tiramisu. Both of these have beautiful presentation-a pineapple flower on the hummingbird and mascarpone frosting dusted with cocoa on the tiramisu.

Don't know when I can do this as I barely can keep up with my current  baking schedule. 


And speaking of having no time, yesterday, when I drop off my baked goods to the restaurant, WG and a friend was having lunch and talking. He springs an idea for afternoon tea at the restaurant during a slow times. 

A moment of nothing to do

I started this last night, waiting in my car for gas. I realize it was one of my only moments that didn't have anything to do. But, of course I had to pick up my phone to write something. I just couldn't let that moment of nothing.


But, I started writing this post to late into my moment of nothing, my tank was filled and stopped a couple sentences in. So I decided to finish what I started while I waited for the creme brûlée to be done. And I totally realized I should just appreciate those moments of nothing and don't stop picking up my phone. The greatest lesson learned this weekend.




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My new toys

To help my kitchen crazy, I've got three new toys to my arsenal. [Whoa! I know so many post in such short amount of time. I'm making up for all the dead air.]

My Cuisinart

I got a new food processor. The old one went to the restaurant [was not too happy about that]. The frugal me kept looking for sale and finally around Christmas I found a one day sale at Macy's and I had a coupon [I thought I hit the jackpot]. 

Winter Moisture

Did I ever share my winter moisture with you?

 

Although this winter has been mild, I'm become obsessed with my old dry skin and bought on link online a bunch of stuff to try.

So far I love all of it, but Jason's Age Renewal Vitamin E Cream is my favorite.  A little sticky but I have to say my skin is so much looking better. Now I just have to find something fix my bags under my eyes. Oh wait! I heard sleep could help that.

What I've making this past month

Wow! It's been more than 2 months since I last post. I've started a couple of post but never finished them. The restaurant has been taking up most of my time these days. Been posting to the restaurant's FB and blog mostly. Trying to keep the restaurant's readers interested.

I'm trying to keeping my hands busy with some simple knitting, bread making and jam-craziness. Weekend are to fill the dessert case. Been wanting to test a few recipes. Here's a few pictures of what I've been cooking.

Chi chi dango

One of my favorite food blog, JustJenn, just posted a recipe for chi chi dango. I was trying to make this for Girl's day but lost steam after my trip to the market to get a few supplies (they changed the aisles around). For those who haven't had this, it's a japanese rice flour sweet, chewy like mochi. So I guess I got my second wind and made a batch, tinted pink for girl's day. Only one day late, not that bad. It was delicious but it make so much gave most of it away.