Krispy Kreme

Yes, I know donuts aren’t exactly healthy, especially for pregnant mothers like me. But, hey, you got to cut me some slack! The line at their branch in Woden was short and it’s been weeks since I have been craving for these fellows. I begged J to allow me to buy just a tiny bit to satisfy my craving. Fortunately, he gave in and let me buy those sought-after goodies.

I ordered only half a dozen — two pieces per variety. I chose their famous original glazed, chocolate iced with creme filling and blueberry flavored. Their original glazed was apparently a crowd favorite as they had to get their stock directly from the kitchen. And since it did came fresh from the oven, the donut just melted in our mouths just as soon as we bit into the piece. Ahhh… heaven!

Tomato and Macaroni Soup

You’ll Need: 
1  pc small onion, chopped
1/4 kg ground beef
1 pc large carrot, diced
100 grams Elbow Macaroni
1 pouch (200 g) Tomato Sauce
1 tbsp cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tbsp water
4 stalks green onions, chopped
 
Here’s How:
1. Sauté onion and beef in oil. Add 4 cups of water and simmer until meat is tender. Add carrot and Elbow Macaroni. Cook for 8 minutes.

2. Add Tomato Sauce, salt, pepper and sugar to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in dissolved cornstarch. Cook until thick. Top with green onions  just before serving.

This is the original recipe I got from Kitchenomics. But I changed a few things:
- Since I did not have tomato sauce at the time I was cooking, I used tomato paste (50 grams) instead.
- After seasoning and tasting the soup, I found out it did not have the ’kick’ I wanted. So apart from salt, sugar and pepper, I added 2 ladlesful of fish sauce (patis).
- Next time I cook this, I’m thinking of adding the seasoning while I’m sauteeing the beef, before putting in the water. This might add more flavor to the meat and soup.

Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Sauce

I was tired of cooking the same old meatballs (or Bola-bola as we Filipinos call it) so I decided to make a sweet and sour sauce to go along with it. Thanks to my mom who readily texted to me the recipe for the sauce in minutes.

Meatballs:
Ground pork (500 grams)
1 egg, beaten
1 onion, minced
1 tomato, minced
1 tsp cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste

Sauce:
White vinegar
Water
Ketchup
Sugar
A pinch of salt
Cornstarch

Procedure:
1. In a bowl, mix well all ingredients together for the meatballs. Leave for 30 minutes before frying. Form meat mixture into balls and fry in oil. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, mix well all ingredients for the sauce. (Sorry, I don’t have exact measurements for the ingredients. Test taste na lang and adjust accordingly).
3. Heat 1 tsp oil in a saucepan and pour in sauce mixture. For more flavor, you can saute garlic and/or onions prior to adding the sauce. Stir constantly until sauce boils. As the sauce is boiling, continue to stir but more vigorusly this time until sauce thickens.
4. Add meatballs into the sauce or pour sauce on top of meatballs. Serve hot.