Lunchbots Quad Bento Lunchbox: Floral Fun

Ham sandwich flowers, baby carrots with ranch dip (in round container), blueberries,cantaloupe flowers watermelon flowers and a pineapple skewer.




Ok. Just practicing to see how long it would take to make a kind of healthy bento lunch for the kids.  Not bad.  everything was put together fast because I used the same cutter and foods were compartmentalized.  With the Lunchbox Quad it seems easier because I don't have to worry too much about variety.  The quad forces me to put in different things.

I used my metal flower cookie cutter to cut out the sandwich and fruit shapes.  That feels somewhat good because I haven't been baking much >.< and my bakeware has been sitting unused for a while.

I am thinking about making some other mini foods for the quad.  The gurlz love mini foods and I think making bento could re-invigorate my lack of passion for baking since going GF.

On my to do list:  mochi cakes, mini shortbread lavender cookies, mini scones, mini frittattas...

I'm getting excited thinking about it :)
Hope I can keep it up through crazy September!

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EBLESKIVER STUFFED WITH BANANAS

Pronounced "able-skeevers", this Danish treat is a cross between a pancake and a popover.   They are cute and fun to eat.  You can stuff them with anything.  Today I stuffed mine with ripe banana chunks and served them with a dusting of confectioners' sugar, maple syrup and whipped cream.

I used the gluten free pancake mix from Bob's Red Mills.  You need to use two skewers to turn the batter in the wells to make them round.  I used two chopsticks to turn the batter as it cooked in the ebleskiver wells.  

I found the ebleskivers more filling than they looked.  The girls could only eat one and I barely managed to stuff 3 down.  

I think that the ebleskiver pan shows good promise as a takoyaki pan.  I'll have to try it soon with something savoury!   I purchased my pan from Williams Sonoma and have only used it twice.  I now recall the previous time I made them that we overdosed on them and that's why I haven't made them in a while.  Next time, I need to make a smaller batch!

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EGGBALL (GAI DAAN JAI) WAFFLE IRON, WILLIAMS SONOMA

Eggball Waffles, a popular Hong Kong street food.  Visit the Night Market in Richmond or Vancouver’s Chinatown and you’ll find these made fresh in front of you.



Or, you can make them at home with your gorgeous new Egg Waffle iron from Williams Sonoma!

My kids absolutely LOVE eggball waffles (gai daan jai).  Every time we visit the Chinatown Night Market, it’s solely for the purpose of buying these eggy cookies.  Well, they’re more of a waffle than a cookie, but when you separate the eggs they look like cookies.


I’ve been experimenting with recipes and this is by the the best recipe I’ve tried.  I sprayed my iron with nonstick spray and poured only enough batter (about 3/4 cup) to fill the middle up to the first outer row of egg holes.  If you pour too much batter into the iron, you’ll find batter squishing out all over the place; making a mess of your stove.


This waffle iron is nice and big.  The coating is nonstick and the iron itself is pretty hefty, allowing for even heat distribution. 


I found it best to put the timer on in order to determine when to flip the iron.  You’re supposed to pour in the batter, close the iron and flip  immediately.  Then I timed it for about 2 minutes, flipped it again and timed it for another 2 minutes. 

You need to play with the flame underneath.  I had it on medium heat on my gas stove.

You need to eat these eggballs right away.  Allow them to cool on a rack…and fan them so they crisp up.  Then eat them warm. 

After a while, they will get kind of soggy and though they may taste okay, it isn’t really as yummy.  I'm really  loving this pan.  I will definitely make more for the kiddies.  The batter makes a custardy waffle.  You don't require fruit or syrup.  Just eat it out of hand.

The original recipe I used is from Christine’s Recipes, right HERE.

The Nordicware egg waffle pan from Williams Sonoma link is HERE.

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ZOKU VIETNAMESE COFFEE POPS

Vietnamese Coffee Ice Pops!

Make some good Vietnamese coffee.  I used my Espresso machine to pump out some strong coffee.  Then I mixed in some condensed milk to sweeten.

I poured it into my pre-chilled Zoku Ice Pops maker and waited the requisite 7-9 minutes. 

The pops easily popped out with the super-duper orange tool that you twist to remove the pops from the mold. 

They were refreshing and a quick treat on a hot day! Not for the kiddies!

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ZOKU ICE POPS MAKER

It's summer and berry season! 

What better way to showcase fresh local fruit than in a homemade ice pop? 

I recently purchased the Zoku Quick Pop Maker from Cookworks for $69.00 (Cdn).  I also got the Zoku Tools kit for $25.00 (Cdn) and the Quick Pops Recipe Book for inspiration for $22.99 (Cdn).

You can also purchase these at Williams Sonoma, but they're more expensive there for some reason.  I know you Americans can get these things way cheaper in the Williams Sonoma in the U.S.  Even on Amazon it looks cheaper. Oh well, c'est la vie.  Cookworks, Vancouver is located only a few blocks from Williams Sonoma (which is on Granville) on W. Broadway and  they had plenty of stock on hand.  

I'm a bit of a shut-in currently because I'm 3 days post-op from a right hemi-thyroidectomy.  So I sent Stomach to pick up the Quick Pops maker at Cookworks so I could make and eat something that is healthy, cooling and fun.  I haven't eaten in 3 days from the queasineess of general anaesthesia, so this is a welcome treat.  

This is my very first video...I have never made one before and I'm just using my iPhone4 and the Splice App to see how it goes.  It's kind of scary...using YouTube and everything.  Next time, I'll actually make a video clip with my iPhone4 instead of just using still shots with the camera.  Tell me if you like videos and I'll make more Video BrainCandy.  

Video Braincandy:  Watermelon & Peach/Pear Creamsicle Zoku Pops by Cakebrain

CAKEBRAIN'S CREAMSICLE CORE POPS

INNER CORE CREAMSICLE LAYER: (adapted from Zoku QuickPops book)

• 1  4-oz container vanilla pudding
• 1/4 cup 2% milk
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Combine all the ingredients together and whisk until smooth.
2. Refrigerate until cold.
3. Use as the core filling for the following fruit puree variations:

WATERMELON CREAMSICLE POPS

Watermelon layer:

• 1cup cubed seedless watermelon, pureed and strained
• 1 1/2 teaspoons organic agave nectar
• inner core creamsicle filling (recipe above)

optional:  1/8 thinly sliced apples, cut into little hearts and stars

1. Combine watermelon puree and agave.  Stir to combine.  Refrigerate until cold.
2. Insert any fruit slice decorations in the prepared Zoku Quick Pops mold. 
3. Insert pop sticks in mold.
4. Fill the pop molds just below the pour line with watermelon puree
5. Allow to set about 30 seconds, or until you see the outer edges harden.  
6. Using a straw, or the handy suction tool from the Tool Kit, suck out the inner juice from the core.  
7. Carefully pour in the Creamsicle Filling.  Allow to set a further few minutes until solid.  
8. Use the Super Tool to unlock the ice pop.  Serve.

PEACH & PEAR CREAMSICLE ICE POP

• 4 oz Sunrype Peach & Pear Juice (any store-bought juice will do!)
• optional:  thinly sliced fruit decorations
• inner core creamsicle filling

1. Ensure you use cold juice preferably, for quicker set-up.
2. Insert any fruit slice decorations in the prepared Zoku Quick Pops mold. 
3. Insert pop sticks in mold.
4. Fill the pop molds just below the pour line with fruit juice
5. Allow to set about 30 seconds, or until you see the outer edges harden.  
6. Using a straw, or the handy suction tool from the Tool Kit, suck out the inner juice from the core.  
7. Carefully pour in the Creamsicle Filling.  Allow to set a further few minutes until solid.  
8. Use the Super Tool to unlock the ice pop.  Serve.

HANDY ZOKU TIPS:

• DO NOT rinse your Cold Zoku with water.  It will freeze up.  Instead, make sure you fully defrost and wash and fully dry before refreezing the unit.  You will not be able to remove pops if you rinse with water.
• Zoku recommends that instead of washing after every use, you just pop the Zoku back in the freezer to be refrozen and used again.
• The Zoku unit requires at least 24 hours in the freezer to freeze the unit properly.  If there's sloshing in the unit, it is not cold enough.  Either it needs more time in the freezer or your freezer isn't cold enough.
• DO NOT touch the Cold Zoku with wet fingers.  You'll get stuck.  
• Use a pair of chopsticks or a skewer to test the tops of the pops to make sure they are set properly before using the Super Tool to unlock the pops.
• DO NOT use Splenda or low-sugar/no-sugar ingredients or the pops will not pull out easily
• DO NOT use alcohol in recipes as the pops will not set properly
• DO use natural sweeteners like honey, agave and sugar.  You only need a little and it'll make your life easier pulling out the pops from the molds.
• DO use natural fruit juices straight from the bottle, without needing any additional sweeteners
• Chopsticks or tweezers come in handy when sticking the thinly sliced fruit decorations on the sides of the molds.  Dip in acidulated water to help adhesion.

Stay tuned for more Zoku Pops recipes from Cakebrain...this is easy and fun!

Cookworks 

1548 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 5K9(604) 731-1148 ‎cookworks.ca
C

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Williams Sonoma Inc 

2903 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3J6(778) 330-2581 ‎williams-sonoma.ca

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SHOPPING SPREE AT GOURMET WAREHOUSE

It isn’t often that I find myself at the Gourmet Warehouse on Hastings Street in the East side of Vancouver.  However, since we had to head over to the Mikado Martial Arts supplies store on Hastings for some hand wraps for Bebe, I thought we ought to stop on by while we’re in the area.  It’s been over a year since I’ve visited the store.

Btw, Bebe earned her green belt in Karate recently.  She was also named “Top Student of the Term” and that’s a pretty big achievement for a 6 year old.   

Anyway, time was short and I rushed around looking at all the goodies.  I didn’t even get to see 1/4 of the stuff because I stalled at the Soda Making machines and decided to finally purchase one.  I’ve been eyeing the Penguin for a while (since a year ago) but hesitated because I heard the CO2 cartridges are hard to come by.

I drink tons of soda water and this would be hopefully a good thing for the summer too!  I can make my own soda drinks without sugar and experiment with flavours too!  


I have yet to make soda from my deliciously clean, free tap water (I filter it usually).   I’ll be trying it later on in the evening.   Vancouver’s tap water is fantastic and I don’t buy bottled still water at all. 

Sometimes I drink mineral water because I love bubbles, but for regular drinking purposes the whole family drinks tap water.  It’s such a waste to buy bottled water in our neck of the woods.    Did you know that B.C. tap water is rated as the BEST in the World?  no foolin'...check it out here!  In fact, Vancouver tap water is safer and cheaper to drink than some bottled waters.  You can see an article about this from the news here.  Now, I can put bubbles in my tap water, I don’t think I’ll be buying any club soda, Perrier or San Pellegrino anymore!

The SodaStream kit comes with 2 glass bottles for storage and they are specially designed to fit this particular machine.  You have to buy their bottles.  You can’t use just any ol’ bottle.  The CO2 cartridges can be returned to the store and exchanged for new ones or refilled ones.   The starter kit comes with the Penguin, 2 bottles and one CO2 cannister.  The cannister I was told would last 60 litres.  That should keep me for a while until they get more stock on the cartridges.  They had 3 different starter kits with 3 different prices.  The cheapest model used plastic bottles and was lighter (and not as pretty), the medium priced model was a tad better looking and the Penguin was the higher end model.  They are all made by SodaStream.  The Penguin starter kit was $299.99.

The SodaStream is touted as being environmentally friendly since you don’t waste money and resources on bottles and cans.  You save money in the long run if you drink a lot of soda water and it’s healthier if you opt to make sugarless drinks with juices.  Soda Stream Penguin Water Carbonator


Hit the jump to see the rest of the contents of my shopping bag!


I have been slowly converting my family to using stainless steel drinking straws for environmental purposes.  I already have a few of these and found them extremely useful.  We go through way too many plastic straws and my kids love using straws.  These are dishwasher safe and durable.  This pack of 4 was $$8.99

People have been asking where I get my multi-coloured dragees.  Generally, I buy different colours in the plastic tubes at Safeway or a supermarket (it’s cheaper)…and I mix them myself in a glass storage jar.  At the Gourmet Waterhouse, I found Multi Coloured dragees and they were 4mm at $8.99 a bottle.
The Silver, Lime Green and Pastel Pink  sanding sugars were $3.99 each a bottle.   I like to roll my Christmas butter cookie logs in these before I slice and bake them.  They’re so pretty.

 
Disposable mini loaf pan @ $0.59 each.  

Large loaf pans @ $0.99 each

Gourmet Warehouse had a whole section devoted to baking supplies.  Their chocolate section was pretty impressive and they carried white, bittersweet and milk chocolates for various baking purposes.  I grabbed a bag of Callebaut chips ($14.89 for 1kg) and another heat proof rubber spatula ($5.99) because these are highly used in my kitchen. 

The other day, I almost took a banana to work with me, but decided against it because I knew it would get all bruised in my briefcase.  I spotted a banana keeper on sale for $1.79 and now I can eat bananas at work!
     
Who doesn’t have one of these glass bottles for dish soap or olive oil?  It looks so pretty on the counter.
This one was $2.99. 

I’ll let you know how the Penguin Soda maker works in another post.  I’ll have to whip out the manual and read through it first.  Stay tuned for a review of the machine!

Gourmet Warehouse
1340 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C. 
(604) 253-3022
http://www.gourmetwarehouse.ca/
Gourmet Warehouse is open 7 days a week. 

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FOODIE THINGS I LOVE #1: THE GAGGIA TITANIUM

I love my Gaggia Titanium.  It makes a super espresso in seconds with the push of a button.  “From Bean to Cup”, it grinds, doses and brews a very good espresso with a nice crema.   It does everything but wash my cups (it is capable of heating them though!)

When I purchased my Titanium from Espressotec in Richmond a few months ago, I was not an avid coffee drinker.  Sure, I stopped by the Starbucks once in a while, but my drink of choice is green tea (loose leaf!) and even when I did stop by Starbucks, I often ordered green tea.  Weird.  I know.   When I do order coffee, it is often a short non-fat latte  and I don’t take sugar with it.
In Vancouver, so much of walking into a local coffee shop is a social thing, “meet you at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?”  Often it is a local watering hole—albeit caffeinated…or a convenient and non-committing place for a first date.   In fact, I frequent Starbucks for the sole purpose of socializing; meeting long-lost friends from high school and chatting with colleagues after work.  I stop by and use the hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards I receive each Christmas (great teacher gift! thanks!) from my students and buy my daughters banana bread after a pleasant day at the playground, hot chocolate after trick-or-treating, or a special cupcake or cookie if someone is having a bad day.  So keep the Starbucks gift cards coming—I won’t be giving up my visits there!   Will I be drinking their coffee though?  Hell no. Not with my new superautomatic espresso machine!

For the first couple of months, all I drank were cappuccinos.  If I had the energy, I would have made you a little video and showed you how easy it is.  Of course, you can see I’m quite lazy and like the convenience of pushing one button…so that’s not going to happen soon.  It was so convenient, that I had about 2 cappuccinos a day for a while.  I soon started to gain some weight and couldn’t figure out why.  Then I started to break out.  I realized that I was drinking way more milk than I usually do and not only does it add calories & fat, it made me break out!   Well, I still drink green tea throughout the day at work, but I now have one espresso or Americano in the morning before leaving for work and on the weekends I have another one in the afternoon.    I switched to drinking espressos, machiattos and Americanos—or in this case the setting called “large coffee” which is essentially one shot of espresso with hot water.     The machine doses the appropriate hot water so I don’t have to fiddle.  My acne ended.  My weight stopped climbing.  Isn’t that great?

It’s so easy!  You place your cup under the dispenser of the machine, press a button (in this case I wanted a single shot with hot water so I pressed “large coffee”) and wait a for a couple of minutes.   Maybe it isn’t even 2 minutes.  I haven’t timed it.  It’s fast though.



Done.  Notice the crema?  You can still see it even if you have an Americano.  The espresso beans I use are either locally roasted (Cafe Artigiano’s Private Reserve Espresso) or Illy brand medium or dark roast espresso beans.  The technician warned me not to use particularly oily beans as they may gum up the machine.  So that leaves out Starbucks espresso beans.  Starbucks beans are often burnt tasting.  I used to think Starbucks was okay.  Now, I don’t even want to drink the stuff.   I’m spoiled.  You’ll get a way better tasting coffee making it at home!
It’s a thing I love.

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