Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

Many people are confused by the difference between a frittata and a tortilla.  A tortilla is a traditional Spanish omelette consists of eggs, potatoes and onions. A frittata(Italian) is more like an open face omelette and is usually first cook on a stove and finish under a broiler. Tortilla is eaten cold as tapas for the Spanish and tortilla doesn't have the consistency of an omelette. It has more potatoes and onions held together by the eggs.
Mexican's tortillas are like wraps made of corn or flour and they are used as taco shells or burritos.

Frittatas are served hot as a main and can have different variety of ingredients like mushrooms, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, chicken, and salmons and even potatoes and onions.
 I hope I don't get you confused. Basically, they are about the same to me,  It's like a fat omelette to me. This is my second time making this quick dish.
After studying a few recipes, I came up with this version based on the ingredients I have on hand. A well made frittata should be crisp at bottom and top with a soft center in the middle. You can also served frittatas with a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Corn, Zucchini and Roasted Tomato Frittata

8-10 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
175g frozen corns
1 small zucchini,  thinly sliced
4 eggs
pinch of salt
freshly grind black pepper
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, plus extra for topping at the end
1 tablespoon of fresh dill, roughly chopped, plus extra dill for garnishing


Method

• Preheat oven to 200C and roast halved tomatoes, cut side facing up for 20 minutes. Remove and set aside. Switch oven to grill function.
• Heat up a 20cm base frying pan with the olive oil. Add the onion, corn and zucchini and saute over medium heat until soft. Add the roasted tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste.
• Whisk the eggs together. Pour into the pan and add in the chopped dill. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the frittata. When the sides begin to firm up, bring pan to the hot oven and grill for 2-3 minutes until firm.
• Remove from pan. Scatter the remaining cheese over the hot frittata and garnish with freshly chopped dills.
• Serve with salads.

Note: I also made sweetcorn chowder to go with the frittata and recipe will be posted soon.

A Riddle

You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?


The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:3
Those who feel they are sinful or 'morally sick' cry out to Jesus to be saved, are 'poor in spirit'. So they are the ones that enter the kingdom of God.




I am linking this post to Little Thumbs Up hosted by Esther from Copycake, This blog hop is organised by Zoe from Bake for Happy kids and Mui Mui from My little favorite DIY

A Kernel of Wheat (corn) falls

Sweet corn fritters are not very popularly sold or eaten here. Not as street food snack or as light meal in cafes and restaurants.  I have never tried them before but these fritters which I just made for the first time are surprisingly good. They are healthy, cheap, quick and easy dish to make. It can be eaten at anytime, and they're great as party food for children.
I like these fritters with salsa, giving it a sweet, tangy taste. Good as a starter for a barbecue party. My part time cleaner took three of these patties and gave her thumbs up!

Sweet Corn Fritters with Mango Avocado Salsa
4 small patties

175g corn kernels, drained, rinsed
1/4 cup plain flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
1 tablespoon finely sliced spring onions
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
ground white pepper to taste

Method

• Combine all ingredients except olive oil in a bowl.
• Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Using 1 heaped tablespoon mixture per fritter. Cook until golden brown on each side. Transfer to a serving plate.

Mango Avocado Salsa
Adapted from Martha Stewart

1 avocado, diced
1 mango, diced
1 small  red onion, chopped finely
1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cut red chili, seeded (optional)

• Gently combine all ingredients and chill in the fridge.

This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs Up hosted by Esther from Copycake Kitchen, organised by Zoe from Bake for Happy Kids and Mui Mui from my little favorite DIY

"Corn" in the Bible

Corn, an English word in the King James bible is a general term for all grains, seeds,barley and beans. The word was introduced when the translation was written in 1611. The early English settlers in America needed a word for the new grain that the native Americans ate. They called it "Indian Corn", which translated into common English, meant "Indian grain". The word "Indian" was eventually dropped and maize is now called "corn".  

Matthew 12, Mark 2 and Luke 6 in the King James version of the bible  have Jesus walking through the "cornfields",  But "corn" in modern American English does not mean what it meant in King James.

We can safely say all maize is corn, but not all corn is maize.

John 12:24 (New International Version)

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

John 12:24 (King James Version)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone:but if it die, it bringeth forth much  

I Am The Bread Of Life

This is the focaccia I made to go with the roasted sweet peppers. They don't need much kneading and I only make one kind of focaccia, rosemary and cherry tomatoes. I like this flavor combination and rosemary is also my favorite herb.  I like the woody pine- like scent of rosemary and when the scent wafts out from the chopped rosemary, I feel my kitchen smells like "little Italy".  Benvenuti nella Mia cucina!

Rosemary and Cherry Tomatoes Focaccia
Adapted from happyhomebaking
One 8 inch loaf
Ingredients

250g bread flour

3.5g instant yeast

1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, plus extra for sprinkling(1 tablespoon)

4 cherry tomatoes, halves

1/2 tablespoon sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling

137.5 ml water

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

Method

• Combine flour, yeast, rosemary and salt in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the water and oil. Mix with hand to form a soft dough.
• Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 ~ 10mins until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Shape into a ball and place in an oiled mixing bowl, cover with cling wrap and leave to rise for 1 hour or until double in bulk.
• Knock back the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to form a round. Press the dough into a 20cm (8") round pan. Cover with cling wrap and leave to rise for 1 hour.
• Using your fingers, press indentations over the dough. Cover with cling wrap and leave to rise for a final 30mins until well risen.
• Sprinkle dough with a little sea salt, drizzle with a little oil and scatter over some rosemary. (arrange tomato halves round dough)
• Bake in a preheated over at 200degC for about 25mins until risen and golden.
• Cool on a wire rack and serve warm.

John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

Bread symbolizes life. In bible times, bread was the primary nourishment that sustained life.
When the Israelites escaped Egypt and was led into wilderness, there was no food.  The Lord provided them with manna, a kind of unleavened bread to sustain and nourish them. This bread from Heaven gave life to the Israelites while they were in wilderness.

The manna fall was not just to meet their physical need. In Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses said, "He(God) humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Jesus is talking in John 6:35 about the "Life" that people need, which is a relationship with God and that he is the true Word of God, and in the same manner as the  fleeing Israelites,  bread sustains us physically but we cannot live on bread alone. Christ gave himself to become the life giving bread and anyone who believes in Him and come to Him will made righteous in the sight of God.  Jesus is the spiritual bread that brings eternal life.

Greater Love Has No One Than This

Is there a difference between tart and quiche? There seem to be no definite answer to this. Some says tart has no egg mixture, other says the definition is the ratio of ingredients. I haven't got the answer yet, if you know the difference, please share with me,
I made this Smoked Salmon Tart for a light dinner on Good Friday. This is another Delia Smith's easy and reliable recipe  I found the pastry base quite crumbly to roll and couldn't lift it with my rolling pin to transfer itto the tin. I switched to 2 small 10 cm tart tins  Delia says the secret of a great tart or quiche is a perfect pastry base - crisp, light and flaky, without a hint of sogginess - to offset the rich, creamy filling. This tart has it all!

Smoked Salmon Tart
Delia Smith 's Complete Cookery Course

ingredients

for the filling:
250g smoked salmon trimmings(160g)
2 large eggs, plus 1 extra yolk, beaten
200ml creme fraiche
freshly grated nutmeg(ground nutmeg)
pinch cayenne pepper(mild paprika)
freshly milled black pepper

For the Parmesan pastry::
110g plain flour
pinch of salt
25g lard, at room temp(omitted)
25g butter, at room temp(50g)
25g Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated

24cm Tart Tin
190C


Method

• To make the pastry, sift the flour with a pinch of salt into a large bowl, holding the sieve up high to give the flour a good airing. Then add the lard and butter (butter only) and using only your fingertips, lightly and gently rub the fat into the flour, again lifting the mixture up high all the time to give it a good airing.

• When everything is crumbly, add the Parmesan and then sprinkle in some cold water - about 1 tablespoon. Start to mix the pastry with a knife and then finish off with your hands, adding more drops of water till you have a smooth dough that will leave the bowl clean.

• Then pop it into a polythene bag and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. After that, roll the pastry out into a circle aout 12 inches (30cm) in diameter, then transfer it, rolling it over the pin, to the tin. Press lightly and firmly over the base and sides of the tin, pushing up the sides to come about 1/4 inch above the rim of the tin all round. Now prick the base all over with a fork, then brush with some of the beaten egg for the filling. (two 10 cm tart tins)
• Place the tin on the pre-heated baking sheet and bake at 190C for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden. 
• check halfway through the cooking time to make sure the pastry isn't rising up in the centre. If it is, just prick it a couple of times and press it back down with your hands. When the pastry case is cooked, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 180C

• Now arrange the smoked salmon trimmings over the base of the tart. Then, in a jug, mix the mix with the creme fraiche and season with freshly milled black pepper and a little freshly grated nutmeg(ground nutmeg) but don't put any salt in it as the smoked is already quite salty(a pinch of salt) Now put the tart back on the half-pulled-out oven shelf, then pour in the egg mixture and sprinkle with the cayenne pepper(paprika).

• Bake it for 30-35 mins until the centre is just set and the surface is puffy and a light golden brown colour, then remove it from the oven and let it settle for about 10 mins before serving. Remove it from tin by placing it in on up upturned jar, which will you to ease the sides away. Using a palette knife or a fish slice, slide it underneath and ease the tart carefully on to a plate or board, ready to serve.

Good Friday Message

 Good Friday message was all about Jesus' compassionate love for all.  Crucified on the cross, Jesus prayed to His Father in Heaven, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"

Upon  His cross, Jesus was praying for His enemies. The action behind this was continuously, even when he was betrayed, jeered, mocked and nailed.  Man's greatest need is forgiveness and the spiritually blind do not know that they have sinned. Jesus showed concern for these people and asked His Father to forgive them, 'for they know not what they do". 
Only God could love like this. Imagine what would we do in the hour of man's worst treatment of us? Would we pray for their forgiveness or would we curse them and ask God to destroy them?

In doing this, God shows us and teaches us; to never give up, to never abandon hope and to keep praying. Does it seem to you a waste of time to keep praying for something when everything seems hopeless?

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13








This post is linked to Cook like a Star, a blog hop hosted by Zoe from Bake for Happy Kids, Baby Sumo  from Eat Your Heart Out and Mich from Piece of Cake

I Am The Resurrection And The Life

These cupcakes were made for the church Family Night birthday celebration. They disappeared fast, within seconds after the birthday song.

They were designed with Easter theme, and popular Easter designs are usually bunnies, chicks, and nest of eggs. I made 2 of the cupcakes using jelly beans as eggs and candy floss as nest for the two birthday girls. For marshmallow fondant, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, please refer recipes here and here

                               Happy Easter!

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  John 11:25-26


Easter is a Christian celebration of the the Risen Christ. Easter food like lamb and hot cross buns have pagan origins, so are colored eggs, bunnies, baby chicks, butterflies and white lilies. While these may have different meanings at other times in history, now they help us to remember our new lives in Christ.


Easter White Lilies - Easter signifies rebirth and a new beginning and these flowers, with their purity and blossoms, symbolize the spirit and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Angel Gabriel is often depicted holding a sprig of lily which stands for purity and truth, came to Mary to announce that she has been picked to be the mother of the holy child.


Easter Bunnies - The German settlers were the first to introduce this to America. They believed a white hare
would leave brightly colored eggs for all good children on Easter morning. Early American children build nests of leaves and sticks in their garden for the Easter Hare to fill with colored eggs. By the 19th century , The Easter Hare had become Easter Bunny, with baskets of eggs, chocolates, jelly beans as gift for children on Easter morning.


Easter Eggs - They were originally colored to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter egg rolling contests or given as gifts. Eggs were forbidden food during lent as well as other traditional fast days.in medieval Europe and can only be consumed on Easter after Lent fasting. Eggs are also viewed as symbols of new life and fertility through the ages.


Easter Chicks - Like Eggs, Easter Chicks symbolize new life or re-birth.


Butterflies - The three stages of butterflies is the perfect symbol  of Easter cycle of life - death - resurrection. Jesus conquered death and is every Christian's hope of their new rebirth.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17


Lamb - Lamb was a traditional sacrifice during bible time. Christ was the sacrificial lamb who took away the sins of the world. He is the ;Lamb of God' born without sin and blameless, but he bore it all and was crucified on the cross . His blood cleanses us from all sin.


Hot Cross Buns - The cross pastry on the buns symbolizes and reminds people of the cross, on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Hot cross buns are eaten on Good Friday.  An edict from Queen Elizabeth 1 forbade people to eat spiced buns everyday but on Good Friday.. The ingredients in the traditional hot cross buns are made for people who are following lent to be able to eat them as they traditionally contain no eggs or other diary products.


Just like Christmas, the true meaning of Easter has been lost and forgotten. It only takes two words to ponder on.  "JESUS' DEATH" and "RESURRECTION" before you plan and start your Easter fiesta.