November 27, 2017

Atcharang Papaya



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Pickled papaya or commonly known as atchara is one of the popular side dishes or appetizer in the Philippines. It is good to be paired with a fried or a grilled dish like pork liempo and barbecue. It is even good to come with bistek.

Doing this dish requires a lot of time and patience since grated papaya is the main ingredient. But doing this is more enjoyable working in a Stained Glass Sinks.

Here is my version of Atcharang Papaya:

atchara, atcharang papaya, papaya, atcharang papaya recipe

ATCHARANG PAPAYA
Ingredients:
3-4 cups unripe papaya, grated
1 cup vinegar
1 cup raisins
1 medium-sized carrots, julienned
1 medium-sized bell pepper, julienned
1 thumb-sized ginger, julienned
1 onion, minced
6 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground pepper

Directions:
Put the grated papaya in a boiling water and simmer for about 2 minutes. Do not overcook.
Drain and squeeze until excess water is removed.
Mix vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper, and 1 cup of water in a sauce pot.
Bring to simmer over low to medium heat.
Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Transfer the mixture in a clean and sterilized jar and close tightly.
Chill before serving.

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November 16, 2017

How to Turn your Backyard into a Play Paradise


Television and digital entertainment are beginning to dominate our children’s lives. And with Southeast Asia being the world’s fastest growing gaming market, the trend is only set to continue. But it’s the great outdoors rather than indoors that offers the most development opportunities for your kids. Freedom and space for movement helps develop gross motor skills, different styles of play encourage diverse social interactions, and being in nature challenges the brain and enhances mental wellbeing.

So, how do you entice your child away from the screen and move them outside? The answer lies in your own backyard! Simply create a child-friendly outdoor space that offers a play paradise where they can explore, be inspired and let off steam. Here are a few ideas to get you started with your child-friendly garden.


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Add play equipment

The obvious place to start is to invest in play equipment, such as a slide or sand pit. But play equipment doesn’t need to be an expensive and bulky addition to your backyard. You may already have a tree that can be used for adventurous climbing. Or if your tree doesn’t lend itself to climbing, hang a tyre swing from a sturdy branch to guarantee good old-fashioned fun.

Add water

In our hot sticky climate, playing with water can be wonderfully refreshing. If you have an outdoor water tap, simply connect a hose and let the fun ensue. Or why not install a large water fountain to ensure you have an ever-present source of water play. This will also attract bathing birds - an absorbing spectacle - and provide an elegant, decorative centerpiece that you will be able to enjoy as much as your children.

Create a hideaway

Kids like nothing better than their own secret den. You can invest in a playhouse or tree house, but it might be possible to create a simple hideaway by hanging a hammock in a shady spot, placing a small garden seat beneath overhanging branches, or laying a secret path that leads to a cozy nook. Alternatively, have a portable tent to hand which can also be used for easy backyard camping expeditions.

Attract nature

Let your children discover the wonders of the natural world by attracting wildlife to your garden. If you have trees and palms, they will already be home to an array of birds and insects just waiting to be investigated. And to encourage more fauna, plant native flowering species, such as begonias and orchids, that will attract pollinating butterflies and insects. Equip your child with binoculars, a magnifying glass and identification books and they will become nature detectives!

Create a vegetable and fruit garden

Planting a vegetable and fruit garden together will open your child’s eyes to the miracle of growth and will encourage them to take ownership and tend to their plants. They will learn valuable lessons in science and be able to taste the literal fruits of their labor by harvesting and eating their produce. For a first easy step, try growing dragon fruit in pots.

Simply add a few of these elements to your backyard and watch your child reap the vast rewards of outdoor play, whether it be through physical movement, nature exploration or imaginary play. A host of opportunities await them on their doorstep.
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November 13, 2017

Garlic Bread Recipe


Garlic bread is one side dish that goes well with everything like with this creamy lasagna.

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Now, let me share this easy garlic bread recipe that you can try at home.

Ingredients:

wheat bread
garlic butter spread

Yup, just that two. I already shared an easy garlic butter spread recipe that you can prepare first.

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 F.

2. Cut the wheat bread into 3 like this.


3. Spread over garlic butter spread over the bread on both sides. Arrange the bread on a pan like this.


4. Baked the bread for 5-10 minutes until the bread is golden brown.


That easy right. You have delicious garlic paired with your favorite pasta dish.

Easy recipe, food, garlic butter spread, recipe, sandwich spread,


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November 8, 2017

Easy Homemade Garlic Butter Spread


Our little boy loves bread and sandwiches. So as much I could I make variety of sandwich spreads for his school snacks. Para iwas sawa.

I have been meaning to make garlic butter spread because I find commercial one pricey. So I searched for easy to find ingredients to make garlic butter spread.


Here's an easy homemade garlic butter spread.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup softened Butter
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Dried Parsley

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredients together until well blended. 

Now, you have this garlic butter spread to make a garlic bread.

Easy recipe, food, garlic butter spread, recipe, sandwich spread,

That easy!
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