It’s certainly been a while since I have been back in
this space! And how I’ve missed it so. But December being December, there have just
been too many things pulling me in all sorts of directions, that I have once
again neglected the cozy little haven I’ve cobbled for myself over here.
this space! And how I’ve missed it so. But December being December, there have just
been too many things pulling me in all sorts of directions, that I have once
again neglected the cozy little haven I’ve cobbled for myself over here.
Work is the main culprit…as I’ve mentioned before,
December being one of, in not the most, busiest times of the year for me
work-wise. So that has left me on a
hamster wheel of double shifts and late nights.
December being one of, in not the most, busiest times of the year for me
work-wise. So that has left me on a
hamster wheel of double shifts and late nights.
December is also little C’s birthday…so we were busy with
preparations for that too. Neither I,
nor my budget, have ever been one for big parties (plus I have, since
childhood, a healthy fear of mascots and clowns). Little C, from what I have seen of her in
children’s parties, doesn’t seem to be too fond of clowns, magicians, games, or
loud party hosts either. She is more a
physical child who enjoys running around and getting sweaty than sitting and (woe
is me!) following directions. So I put
myself in her 3-year-old shoes and thought, “what would I want to do if I was
her?”. I went with my gut and booked her
favorite play gym for her party and was so glad I did. Little C, and the few other kids who
attended, seemed to have had a grand time!
preparations for that too. Neither I,
nor my budget, have ever been one for big parties (plus I have, since
childhood, a healthy fear of mascots and clowns). Little C, from what I have seen of her in
children’s parties, doesn’t seem to be too fond of clowns, magicians, games, or
loud party hosts either. She is more a
physical child who enjoys running around and getting sweaty than sitting and (woe
is me!) following directions. So I put
myself in her 3-year-old shoes and thought, “what would I want to do if I was
her?”. I went with my gut and booked her
favorite play gym for her party and was so glad I did. Little C, and the few other kids who
attended, seemed to have had a grand time!
Between all this, I have had less time for Christmas
present shopping and general Christmassy things. I am, however, happy to report that I did
manage to put together some homemade gifts again this year. Yes, part of it is a repeat from this year
(although I have added a few new blends to the lot). But it’s the thought and effort that count
right?
present shopping and general Christmassy things. I am, however, happy to report that I did
manage to put together some homemade gifts again this year. Yes, part of it is a repeat from this year
(although I have added a few new blends to the lot). But it’s the thought and effort that count
right?
Spice mixes make great presents in my opinion because they are
not easily perishable, are a cinch to make, and encourage the recipient
(hopefully) into the kitchen and affords them some freedom and creativity to do
with them what they will. I used this rub from Jen of Use Real Butter, which I’ve already gifted to friends three
years ago, the Christmas that Little C came into our lives. The other mix is what I have quite
broadly dubbed as Mexican seasoning, which in fact is the Taco seasoning that I
featured in my column in Yummy Magazine March this year. The third is Sichuan chili salt which I have
based on a recipe from Donna Hay Magazine (coincidentally enough from her
holiday issue in 2007 – yes, I am a mad fan and have almost all her magazines).
not easily perishable, are a cinch to make, and encourage the recipient
(hopefully) into the kitchen and affords them some freedom and creativity to do
with them what they will. I used this rub from Jen of Use Real Butter, which I’ve already gifted to friends three
years ago, the Christmas that Little C came into our lives. The other mix is what I have quite
broadly dubbed as Mexican seasoning, which in fact is the Taco seasoning that I
featured in my column in Yummy Magazine March this year. The third is Sichuan chili salt which I have
based on a recipe from Donna Hay Magazine (coincidentally enough from her
holiday issue in 2007 – yes, I am a mad fan and have almost all her magazines).
Sichuan Chili Salt
(slightly adapted from Sichuan Chili Salt Prawns, but
without the prawns, in Donna Hay Magazine issue #36)
without the prawns, in Donna Hay Magazine issue #36)
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, more or less to suit your taste
– In a dry pan over high heat, toast the salt, Sichuan
peppercorns, and chili flakes for a minute or two, tossing the whole time,
until fragrant.
peppercorns, and chili flakes for a minute or two, tossing the whole time,
until fragrant.
– Immediately transfer to a plate to cool. Once cool, place in the bowl of a small food
processor, or spice grinder, and process until just combined. A couple of very short whizzes should do it.
processor, or spice grinder, and process until just combined. A couple of very short whizzes should do it.
– Transfer to a bottle and store in a cool dry
place. Just increase the recipe if you
need more.
place. Just increase the recipe if you
need more.
To get you started, here are some ideas for using the 3 spice mixes I’ve put
together:
together:
BBQ Seasoning – Rub generously on chicken leg quarters with a
little olive oil and grill or roast. Add
to cooked white beans, along with sautéed onions and bacon, and pop in the oven
until bubbling for quick barbecued baked beans.
Rub on fish fillets and sauté, serve with a tomato salad.
little olive oil and grill or roast. Add
to cooked white beans, along with sautéed onions and bacon, and pop in the oven
until bubbling for quick barbecued baked beans.
Rub on fish fillets and sauté, serve with a tomato salad.
Mexican Seasoning – Add to sautéing ground beef for
instant taco filling. Rub on chicken
thigh fillets and pan fry, slice into strips and pile onto soft tortillas with
salsa and sour cream. Sauté onions,
garlic, and chorizo squeezed out of its casing, add cooked kidney beans and
some water, add Mexican seasoning to taste…a cheat’s chili con carne!
instant taco filling. Rub on chicken
thigh fillets and pan fry, slice into strips and pile onto soft tortillas with
salsa and sour cream. Sauté onions,
garlic, and chorizo squeezed out of its casing, add cooked kidney beans and
some water, add Mexican seasoning to taste…a cheat’s chili con carne!
Sichuan Chili Salt – Dust some peeled shrimp, chunks of
fish fillet, or crab with rice flour and pan fry, when cooked toss with the Sichuan
chili salt and serve immediately. Grill
or pan-fry slices of unseasoned pork belly (or firm tofu) and serve with the Sichuan
chili salt on the side. Add some to a
vegetable stir-fry.
fish fillet, or crab with rice flour and pan fry, when cooked toss with the Sichuan
chili salt and serve immediately. Grill
or pan-fry slices of unseasoned pork belly (or firm tofu) and serve with the Sichuan
chili salt on the side. Add some to a
vegetable stir-fry.
I doubt that anyone out there is as disorganized as I am,
this far into December, but just in case you are still stumped for Christmas
present ideas…the ingredients for the perfect present may already be in your
own kitchen!
We will be in the thick of holiday celebrations this
weekend, and then we are off to spend the New Years in Macau (suggestions for
things to see and places to eat are welcome!) with our whole family, so this is
most likely my last post for 2012. I did
not want this year to close however without wishing you all a very happy
holidays! Hopefully with the people you
love most in the world, and a lot of great food and fun times thrown in. YOU are a big part of the inspiration that
keeps this blog going…so thank you!! I look forward to seeing more of you in 2013!
weekend, and then we are off to spend the New Years in Macau (suggestions for
things to see and places to eat are welcome!) with our whole family, so this is
most likely my last post for 2012. I did
not want this year to close however without wishing you all a very happy
holidays! Hopefully with the people you
love most in the world, and a lot of great food and fun times thrown in. YOU are a big part of the inspiration that
keeps this blog going…so thank you!! I look forward to seeing more of you in 2013!
Divine!
Happy Holidays!
Cheees,
Rosa
They look awesome, and I'm sure they taste equally so. Merry Christmas!
I love the notion of giving spices and flavorings as gifts; it's like bringing a bit of your personal culinary magic into someone else's kitchen. 🙂
A Merry Christmas to your and your family, Joey. Have fun!
This is such a great idea, Jo! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Happy holidays Rosa!
Hi Jo! Thanks! And a very merry Christmas to you!
Hi Midge! I love the way you put it! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
Hi Mieke! Happy holidays! Hope you are all doing fantastic!
Joey,
Blesses Christmas to you and the family, and may you all have a fabulous 2013. Thanks for the great recipe for the sichuan chilli salt!
Ling
I love the chili salt and could see myself sprinkling it on everything…happy holidays!
Great ideas for any occasion.May I know where you buy good quality but not too expensive salt? The ones for the wet market won't do for these rubs. Also, where do you buy those nice bottles? Thank you for another year of sharing your recipes. Looking forward to another year. Happy new year to you and your family!
Happy New Year, Joey 🙂 These are awesome gift ideas! I am definitely going to try this next Christmas!
Wow! These mixes are amazing. I hope you enjoyed your holiday Joey! I remember giving my friends homemade Mexican hot chocolate mix in 2011. I didn't follow it up in 2012 though. Oh well, this year presents a new opportunity. Cheers!
Hi Ling! Hope you had a wonderful holiday season and wishing you all the best for 2013!!
Hi Squishy Monster! Thanks for stopping by! I really like it too 🙂
Hi Corrine! I get my salt at Ritual, a charming little store at the Collective along Maluggay st. in Makati. Great locally sourced salt! I buy by the kilo 🙂 The bottles I get from Synergos — their number is 654-0202 or 348-6945. A very happy 2013 to you as well!
Hi Jen! Thanks! I enjoyed making them and giving them away 🙂
Hi Gio! Thanks 🙂 I really like giving, and getting, homemade gifts 🙂 All the best for 2013!
I like the idea for the chili salt! I will have to look for the peppercorns to make it. Happy Birthday to Little C. Glad she had a fun time at her party! And Happy New Year 2013! Best wishes!
nice! umm the question is- where can i find sichuan chili locally? 😮
Hi Paz! Best wishes for the New Year to you as well! If you have a Chinese or Asian grocery nearby you may be able to find them there 🙂
Hi Anon! I got mine in Spices and Flavours in Market! Market! 🙂
Happy New Year!:)
ooooh, the salt and seasonings look great! 😀
<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
Happy New Year to you too Shalum!
Thanks Mimi! 🙂