Easy Corn

When I was still young, my family and I used to pick corn late August at a corn crop near Lancaster.  It was hard work going through the maze and getting leaf cuts on our arms, but we loved it though. Every time we'd get a whole trunk full of corn for like 5 dollars. My mom would sit on the grass and peel every ear and dispose the husks, while we ran back and forth with more. Then my dad would drive us all home, squeezed in a little car (there were six of us) and a trunk full of corn for the rest of the year. We would freeze them in the freezer until my mom wanted to make something. Throughout the year we would have sweet corn soup, corn sticky rice, boiled corn on the cob, grilled corn with salted scallions and oil (above picture). This is one of my favorite easy recipe that gets everyone licking their fingers to taste the salt.

Ingredients: (serves 1)

• 2 peeled corn
• scallions
• olive oil
• salt

Directions:

1. Boil the corn in water for 20 mins.
2. Remove and place on metal flat pan. Broil for 3 mins, remember to turn them so they're evenly broiled.
3. Place in the oven, set at broil.
4. Thinly slice the scallions. Set a small pan on stove at medium heat. 
5. Place 1 tsp of olive oil and salt into the pan with the sliced scallions.
6. Heat it for 1 mins.
7. Pour onto of the corn and enjoy!

Crepee Sunday

Every time I make crepes, I have a nostalgic moment dating back to my 10th grade French class, where I first learned how to make them. It was very easy and included ingredients every household possessed. I remember making them in substitution for actually pancakes for everyone's breakfast that morning. I topped them with  strawberries, peaches, and maple syrup. Later that summer, I went to France with my French club and had the most delicious crepe at a cafe near Vesaille Palace. The crepe was smothered in chocolate and vanilla extract hmmm. Well, today I don't have strawberries, chocolate, or maple syrup. Since it's a rainy crappy day in Philadelphia, I'm going to make it shine with my peachy crepe. =)

 Ingredients: (serves 1)

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1/3 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 peaches
• Honey
• Powdered sugar
• Butter

Directions:

1. Mix egg, flour, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
2. Heat a thin slice of butter, when melted, pour half of the batter in the pan. Spread it out thinly like making an omelet.
3. Flip when you feel like the other side is cooked.
4. Remove from pan onto a plate.
5. Peel the peaches and wedge them. Place them on half of the crepe, then fold it over.
6. Dust some powdered sugar on top and drizzle the honey to suit your sweetness desire.

Mozzarella crazy

For some reason I've been craving mozzarella cheese for the pass couple of days. A few weeks ago I went to California Pizza in King of Prussia and had the most amazing chicken, artichoke, and spinach thin crust pizza. So, today I'm trying to recreate my own vegetarian version of this pizza. Instead of using tradition pizza dough with marinara sauce, I'm slapping on a thick slice of mozzarella cheese on top of french baguettes. I'm also picking up some fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes at the reading terminal (my favorite farmers market). To start, I'm blanching the spinach and slicing the cherry tomatoes into 3rds and layering them on the mozzarella cheese, then broiling it in the oven for about 3 mins until the cheese is gooey and melted. Finally sprinkling some salt and pepper with olive oil.  Happy way to start my Friday and also payday! =)

Chicken Curry

I woke up this morning wondering what I should cook for dinner tonight, since I work late I have to prepare my meals early. So I took a look into my fridge and found all the ingredients to make chicken curry. It's more of a winter soup, but I haven't had it in awhile, eh so why not. Here it goes...

Ingredients:

• 2 Clove of garlic
• 1/4 of an onion or a couple of shallots
• Bay leaves
• 1 Big yam
• 1 Big sweet potato
• 1 Big potato
• 1 Can of coconut milk
• Curry powder
• Salt, black pepper, olive oil
• 2 Chicken thighs
• 10 Small shrimps

1. Dice the garlic and onion. Peel all the potatoes and cut into cubes. Open can of coconut milk. Cut the chicken thighs into big cubes/chunks. Peel and devein the shrimps. Set all aside.
2. Set pot over medium heat, pour olive oil and drop the garlic and onion in.
3. Once the onions are translucent, drop the chunks of chicken in the pot.
4. Add salt, black pepper, and curry powder.
5. Mix until all the chicken is covered in curry powder, cook for about 5-7 mins, then add the coconut milk.
6. Place the bay leaves in and let the pot cook for 45mins-1 hour or until the chicken is tender.
7. Add the cubes of yam, potato, and sweet potatoes. Add a cup of water to assist the cooking process. Let it sit for 30 mins.
8. Lastly, add the shrimp because they cook very fast.
9. Have a taste, if bland add some more salt.

New hobby: blogging about foods

Recently I've been looking up a lot of recipes on Google, Food Network, and Allrecipes.com. After coming across many blogs and interesting recipes, I figured it would be nice to start my own blog.  I've always complained about being bored and in need of a hobby to pass time, well I guess here's my chance. I've always enjoyed cooking food and dining out. Some like to smoke and some like to drink, but I prefer a healthier indulgence, well not exactly in terms of calories. But anyways, I've acquired an obsession over food, at least great foods. So, welcome to Almost  Chubby, a blog on my food experiences.

midday fruit snack =)

Puff pastry with strawberry jam and mixed berries topped with powdered sugar.