My BEST Brownies

Brownies. True comfort food for me.  Over the past month, my daytimes have been  filled with meetings, even during lunchbreaks!  I get to check and respond to emails, make presentations and all that stuff, only in the evenings.

Feeling stressed,  and guilty as well (the kids just started summer holiday and I've been working mostly),  I decided to bake brownies. It could lighten my guilty conscience. 

Maybe the feelings of love and good intentions that were poured into it helped make those brownies truly terrific – moist, fudgy  and super chocolatey. Not far from the brownies I buy in Voelker or L'uisine (and friendlier to my wallet!).

My kids tell me they're "awesome" and "yummy".  Their actions speak louder than words - they've been devouring it.

What I used and did :
Berry Crocker’s Ready Mix Brownies - Dark Chocolate

-  mixed per pack directions (with ½ cup melted butter, ¼ cup water and 2 eggs)

Plus 3 tbsp of Van Houten unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 egg (for more fudgy, cake-like brownies)

I made 3 trays 

      1st tray - plain

      2nd tray - I added chopped Lindt dark-chocolate-mint

      3rd tray - I topped with chopped toasted cashew nuts

I baked the brownies at 170 degrees Centigrade. After 20 minutes, I turned off the oven.  (I actually forgot to take them out as I was checking emails. Felt so relieved the brownies still turned out great.)

The kids and I have been playing a game (similar to taboo) this morning,  munching on them continuously,  especially the younger boys.  Guilty conscience now officially relieved.

Better Than Sleep?

Last night, I went to bed earlier.  I've had migraine for the past two days which wouldn't not go away with my usual medication.  Lack of sleep most likely - the past week, I was catching up on work till late at night, shutting down usually around 2am... But a good sleep was not to be had.

Around 1:30 am,  my 8-year old son woke me up saying he got severe pain on his right ear and could not sleep.   I let him slid in beside me, asked a few "diagnostic questions" - when did he start having the pain, did he poke his ear with something pointed or sharp, etc.  While gently rubbing the painful ear,  I quickly checked the internet for info on ear pains among kids.  Most probably, ear infection,  nothing serious I hope... he was able to sleep soon after taking paracetamol.  I could not.

This morning,  J remained matamlay, and still had fever.  He wanted me near him always.  I still felt light-headed, but there was a warm feeling inside - I felt special and needed.  It's a feeling much greater than having enough sleep.

Easy Beef Stroganoff

When the kids don't finish their packed lunch, I worry they don't get enough nutrition. I want them to have good food, something easy to gobble up during lunch break, while chatting with their friends. (They play & chat more than eat!)

I found a crockpot beef stroganoff recipe at Cooks.com. It was nutritious, easy-to-prepare, and easy-to-eat. The ingredients are quite simple too!  (I get intimidated with recipes with a long list of ingredients.)

Here's my version :

    1/2 k beef strips (sirloin)
    1 small onion, chopped
    1clove garlic, chopped
    3 tbsp liquid seasoning (I use Knorr or Maggi)
    1 small can Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, 1/4 cup water
    1 small can sliced button mushrooms

Marinade the beef strips in liquid seasoning and pepper for 30 minutes.  Put all ingredients except the mushroom in the crock pot;  rinse the soup can with some water and mix it in to help dilute the sauce. Cook in high for 2 hours, stir every 30 minutes. Add the sliced mushroom and cook in low for another hour.  Serve hot.

The meat's really tender, and the sauce flavorful.  Great with steamed rice or sliced baguette.

Here's the original recipe; sour cream is added before serving.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1727,157187-234204,00.html

Bickering Boys

My son D, a tween, always gets into an argument with his little brother C.  Those who have boys  know that it's a rare scenario for one party to give in. In our language, we say walang nagpapatalo. 

At times, I allow them to sort it out themselves.  Sometimes, I have to step in with a "Guys, stop it!" and/or  "I will ground both of you!".  But that won't really help in the long-run, would it?

A few days back, while preparing breakfast, the bickering started like this.

C :  "Mommy, Kuya stepped on my hand on the sofa."

D :   "I did not! I was just reading!"

C :   "Yes, you did!"
D :   "I did not!"

It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday and my mood was still quite pleasant. I found myself saying :

"D, I know you would not do something like that. But sometimes, we do things that hurt somebody, without intending to. Do you think you could have stepped on C's hand while you were shifting your seating position.?"  (I can't believe how patient I was! I didn't sound like me at all!)  He nodded.

I continued, "You are the kuya (older brother), you have to take the action to end the argument. If you don't, what do you think will happen?"

D : "We'll just continue arguing till both of us get really mad."

Me again :  "Exactly!  If you think you are at fault, simply apologize, and say you did not mean it."

He did. C hugged his kuya and softly said "Ok".

This afternoon, I heard them again arguing. Surprise, surprise! I heard D say he is sorry, and C accepted the apologies. End of argument.

I don't kid myself into thinking they'd live together peacefully and happily ever after. For a day or two, at least, there's peace. Maybe Israel and Palestine can try this :)