lululu at home

Osso Buco

2010-03-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

I intended to make osso buco long time ago because I love to eat veal, and we don't eat veal that much. So, when I decided to make this dish last weekend, I went to my favorite Italian butcher hoping to buy some very good quality veal shanks.

What surprised me was they offered two types of shank - regular and osso buco. You might think of course I would go for osso buco veal shank. But no, I DID NOT! Because I'm a mom now, means I have every right to be price conscious. My instinct was to buy the regular one which looked as tender and meaty and most importantly it was HALF CHEAPER!

After over 2-hour cooking, the osso buco tasted delicious and flavorful. Meat was tender and smooth. When we were scoping out the succulent veal marrow in the center of the bone, it's like we were eating a lusciously pricey ice cream.

But, now I understand the regular veal shank is not superb enough for such strong flavored sauce. Sorry, young cute butcher, I know I shouldn't have ignored your friendly advice.

(serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 pieces of veal shank (about 3-4 lb)

5 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp unsalted butter

1 onion, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

2 carrots, diced

zest strips from a lemon

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 bay leaves

1 bottle red wine

1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, roughly mashed

Directions:

Put the flour in a large shallow platter and season it with a fair amount of salt and pepper.

Dredge the veal shanks in the seasoned flour and then tap off the excess.

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until butter melts.

Sear the veal shanks, turning carefully with tongs, until both sides are in rich brown caramel color.

Set aside the browned meat to a plate.

Preheat oven to 375F.

Using the same skillet, saute the onion, celery, carrots, lemon zest, garlic, bay leaves, and parsley over medium heat for 5 mins. Season with salt and pepper.

Put the veal shanks back in the skillet. Pour in the wine and let it simmer for 10 mins.

Add the tomatoes and stir everything together.

Cover the skillet and put it in the oven, and braise for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the lid and cook another 30 mins until the sauce is thick and the veal is tender and almost falling off the bone.

Serve it with spaghetti or steamed rice.

To Ethan (Your parents)

2010-03-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

Because both your father and I usually wear track pants, jeans and tee to easily maneouver ourselves with you around, we don't really get dressed up for anything.

A couple weeks ago, we went to the wedding party of your father's sister, Karin. And for the first time since I don't even remember when we got all showered, shaved and attired. We had this moment documented in case it never happens again.

Love,
Mommy

Blackberry Cake

2010-02-28T20:41:00.000-08:00

Now, we have the most gold. We won the hockey game. I believe. I believe the Stanley Cup is coming.

(makes a 6" cake or 1 loaf)

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups fresh blackberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 6" cake pan or a loaf pan.

Using a stand mixer, beat together butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 mins. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Beat until fully incorporated.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

With the mixer on low speed, mix in flour mixture.

Transfer batter to the greased pan.

Arrange berries on top. Sprinkle remaining 2 tbsp sugar over berries.

Bake cake for 10 mins. Reduce oven temperature to 325F. Bake until cake is golden brown and firm to the touch, about 50 mins.

Cool in the pan for 5 mins. Remove to wire rack and cool completely.

To Ethan (16 Months)

2010-02-24T22:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

You turned 16 months old 2 days ago. I seriously hope it was your worst month in your life.

Let me tell you something. In modern days, people do not use cell phones to make contact, instead they text, MSN, Facebook or Tweet. Email is considered the most humane channel. People in our generation simply refuse to talk over the phone. If you receive a call from someone who does actually push the buttons on the phone trying to talk to you with their lips, there must be something life or death. In the context of your father and me, it's something important about you.

Over the past 2 weeks, I received 2 calls from your father while I was at work.

The first one came on the day your father was driving you to your wonderland, aka, your grand parents' house.
"I had my car CRASHED!"

"Was Ethan in the car?"

"Yes. But he's fine."

"How can you be sure?"
"I called the ambulance, and they examined him thoroughly, made sure he's not shaken at all."
"What happened?"

"I braked urgently when the green light turned yellow, and the car was hit from behind. The bumper was damaged. I got a neck strain from the pressure of the seat belt. Ethan did yaup a little bit, but I had him checked."

Having been awarded the freaking "Road Star" for his over 10 freaking years of freaking safe driving, your father is that kind of driver who always reminds me to prepare to stop 400 blocks before the stop sign. And he knows EXACTLY WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNS COLORS!

"You got your freaking unsafe tiny Mini hit from behind. You got yourself hurt as the driver sitting at the front, and you are telling me Ethan is fine though he was put at the back where the first contact point of the hitting was? Let me talk to one of those paramedics!"
"I drove Ethan to grandma's already. He's all normal and smiley."
"You do know your son acts ecstatic when he sees strangers, don't you? Not to mention a whole bunch of uniformed dudes rushed out from a siren sounding ambulance. Party was on for him!"
"HE IS FINE. TRUST ME! I'm the one who was injured."
"Now, you know which wife of yours is more reliable."

A week later, I called your father after I realized I had missed SEVEN of his calls when I was in a conference meeting one afternoon. He told me to stay calm first before telling me YOU BROKE YOUR ARM! I tried to collect my disconnected and shattered ear and disassociate with millions of worst scenarios that came to my mind within that second, "You didn't mean he actually broke his arm?" But, yes, you fell from the side of the couch on the hardwood floor and had your left lower arm fractured when your stupid father, left you unattended in the living room, was fixing your breakfast in the kitchen believing to fill up your stomach is more important than protecting your from killing yourself with your countless attempts. AND HE DID NOT REALIZE YOUR INJURY UNTIL NOON though you were groaning the whole morning!!!!!!

Now, don't tell me to prepare to stop 400 blocks before the stop sign, and I don't care when the traffic light turns colors. I rushed to my car and drove to the hospital as if I knew how to drive with tearing and blurred eye vision.

There in the hospital, you lay in the arms of your father with your little arm wrapped with stiff foam. You looked so tiny, fragile and helpless. I held you gingerly worrying that I might hurt your arm. You snuggled close to my chest, your body so still. That was the moment the mama bear inside of me protecting her little cub from being bullied by other animals. Then I heard a voice telling me we were transferring to another hospital as you needed a surgery, THEY NEED TO CUT YOUR ARM OPEN AND PLACE A CHIP IN TO JOIN BACK THE BROKEN BONES. There were barely words to describe the feeling I had at that news. It felt like a thunderstorm shooting through my heart, and had it razed open. I have never had any surgery in my whole life, and you are just over 1 year old, how could I possibly let anybody put my little baby on the cold operation table treating you like a piece of meat. I held you tighter figuring how I could put you back into my belly and escape from the hospital.

On the way to another hospital, you were so calm, so quiet even though you had not been eating since that morning for the sedative. But I were not. Not the mama bear! I've seen on TV about children with various kinds of disease in wheelchairs or with tubes in their ears and noses. Still, nothing can really keep my heart from destroying further to only picture how they point a sharp knife to my own child's arm. I completely broke down refusing to speak a word to your father whom I thought I would divorce very soon.

After we checked you in, we waited to have you examined by an orthopedist. And I have to tell you about that 4-HOUR WAIT.

During the first hour, you were a little grumpy as it hit your nap time. Both me and your father were holding and rocking you to sleep alternately. Though my arms were soar and numb, I wasn't willing to let go of you to any family member cause I knew what you would be going through was way more painful. And I wanted to share and feel it with you. Then a nurse approached us like an angel trying to mend a little bit of my heart, telling us it might not be necessary for you to have the surgery though it'd all depend on the orthopedist examination. But I took it. I completely trusted her advice as she definitely knows more than I do.

The good new woke you up too. And you became extremely cranky as you were almost 10 hours without eating. We spent our utmost afford distracting you from the fact that you were hungry, and we did that by letting you tear off your father's ear, bite off my finger, or singing you the Texas Chainsaw Massacre theme song over and over again. By the time another two nurses were ready to give you IV which was AFTER ANOTHER 2 HOURS, I was about to split your father's head off from his neck to show you what a human nerve system looks like.

And those two nurses! As if they still remember they were trained to take care of babies IN A GENTLE WAY, not torturing them! They asked us to hold you tight on bed so they could put a needle into a vein in your hand. Right after you were away from my arms, you started to cry. When the nurses put pressure on your hand and put the needle in, you struggled and screamed with tears puddled underneath your head on the white cloth lining the bed. Ethan, I have not seen you so upset before, upset because you were let go of my arms and put under the hands of those completely dumb strangers who were jabbing a humongous needle into your tiny hand. I hugged your arm and held your head in my hands as I let go of my own emotion and cried in rhythm with your tears. Deep down in my heart, I felt like they were picking on you and I wanted to punch them in the nose. After a full sweaty 5-minute attempt, those two dummy dumbs took out the needle from your hand sighing IT DIDN'T WORK ON YOUR HAND AND THEY NEED TO TRY YOUR FOOT. I almost lost my breakfast and lunch on the floor, and that's the moment mama bear roared and wanted to claw out their eyeballs. You continued screaming for another 3 minutes until the IV was successful injected.

After ANOTHER 45 MINUTES, an Olympian-looking lady with her biking gear came into our room. The long awaited orthopedist arrived. And the first question she asked was if Team Canada has won! Listen, bike lady, I have my baby here with broken bones in his arm, not eating for 10 hours, done being tortured by two moronic witches, waiting for you for almost 4 hours, and now what you care is the freaking Olympic hockey game? Someone please give me a gun, I would gun her down after she treats you. Then, she explained to us that she viewed your x-ray. And she's going to put you to sleep and kind of push back your bones into the right position. NO SURGERY IS NEEDED!!!!!! NO GUN IS NEEDED.

When it came time for the sedative to take effect, I cuddled you as you went under. You didn't cry, you just made that adorable siren sound until you became very limp and very DRUNK, drunk as a 13-year-old secretly sips your father's brandy on an empty stomach with your eyes half open denying how drunk you are.

Then they took you from my arm, and asked us to stay out of the room. And I couldn't argue with them at that point, I had to leave you for them to BRUTALLY HUSTLE YOUR ARM. And I've never felt so helpless. Every of your gagging sound that I heard from outside just drove my tear pouring more severely. After 15 minutes, it's done, it's over. We stormed in the room and saw you, our little drunk baby, still giggling and bobbing your head, and having your arm wrapped in a heavy cast, lying on bed peacefully. I simply could not believe all along the operation you stayed in head-bobbing state, seemed like you were enjoying a massage. You didn't completely pass out until you had your final x-ray.

Before you got discharged, the LOVELY BIKING LADY came and let us know the x-ray looked good, and urged us to keep a close look on your arm in case the cast was too tight cause it's going to be on for FOUR FREAKING WEEKS. Now, biking lady, after that 4 weeks, if my son completely forgets the fact that he does have a left arm or he's developed to use his feet to play with his Blackberry, I WILL GUN YOU DOWN!

Now, you are home. Though it's heartbreaking for me to see you not able to use your arm as you used to, most of time you are in great mood. The discomfort doesn't seem to bother you. And you probably has no recollection of being tortured by those two brainless dumbs. However, I will always remember those few hours, and the days of worry leading up to those few hours, and the years and years leading up to those days when I didn't know what it was like to have my soul wrapped inside your tiny palm.

Love,

Mommy

Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Cinnamon and Sugar

2010-02-14T22:45:00.000-08:00

We Are More (by Shane Koyczan)

When defining Canada

you might list some statistics

you might mention our tallest building

or biggest lake

you might shake a tree in the fall

and call a red leaf Canada

you might rattle off some celebrities

might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie

might even mention the fact that we've got a few

Barenaked Ladies

or that we made these crazy things

like zippers

electric cars

and washing machines

when defining Canada

it seems the world's anthem has been

" been there done that"

and maybe that's where we used to be at

it's true

we've done and we've been

we've seen

all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine

and turned into theme parks

but when defining Canada

don't forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories

about the one that got away

we do more than sit around and say "eh?"

and yes

we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One

who inspired little number nines

and little number ninety-nines

but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines

off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

and some say what defines us

is something as simple as please and thank you

and as for you're welcome

well we say that too

but we are more

than genteel or civilized

we are an idea in the process

of being realized

we are young

we are cultures strung together

then woven into a tapestry

and the design

is what makes us more

than the sum total of our history

we are an experiment going right for a change

with influences that range from a to zed

and yes we say zed instead of zee

we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy

we dream so big that there are those

who would call our ambition an industry

because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow

we do more than grow wheat and brew beer

we are vineyards of good year after good year

we reforest what we clear

because we believe in generations beyond our own

knowing now that so many of us

have grown past what used to be

we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have

when they say things like "someday"

someday we'll be great

someday we'll be this

or that

someday we'll be at a point

when someday was yesterday

and all of our aspirations will pay the way

for those who on that day

look towards tomorrow

and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set

and we will get interest on our inspiration

because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks

more than backpacks and hiking trails

we are hammers and nails building bridges

towards those who are willing to walk across

we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss

we are not the see-through gloss or glamour

of those who clamour for the failings of others

we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers

uncles and nephews aunts and nieces

we are cousins

we are found missing puzzle pieces

we are families with room at the table for newcomers

we are more than summers and winters

more than on and off seasons

we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay

because we are more than what we say or do

we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are

we are students

students who study the studiousness of studying

so we know what as well as why

we don't have all the answers

but we try

and the effort is what makes us more

we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for

so keep exploring

go far and wide

or go inside but go deep

go deep

as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss

and suddenly there was this location scout

trying to figure some way out

to get inside you

because you've been through hell and high water

and you went deep

keep exploring

because we are more

than a laundry list of things to do and places to see

we are more than hills to ski

or countryside ponds to skate

we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait

we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes

a country that is all the ways you choose to live

a land that can give you variety

because we are choices

we are millions upon millions of voices shouting

" keep exploring... we are more"

we are the surprise the world has in store for you

it's true

Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"

so don't say "been there done that"

unless you've sat on the sidewalk

while chalk artists draw still lifes

on the concrete of a kid in the street

beatboxing to Neil Young for fun

don't say you've been there done that

unless you've been here doing it

let this country be your first-aid kit

for all the times you get sick of the same old same old

let us be the story told to your friends

and when that story ends

leave chapters for the next time you'll come back

next time pack for all the things

you didn't pack for the first time

but don't let your luggage define your travels

each life unravels differently

and experiences are what make up

the colours of our tapestry

we are the true north

strong and free

and what's more

is that we didn't just say it

we made it be.

GO! CANADA! GO!

(makes 2 loaves)

Ingredients:

Cake

2 sticks butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 2 loaf pans.

Cream butter, sugar and eggs in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy.

Combine sour cream and vanilla. Add to butter mixture.

In another bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gradually, add flour mixture to sour cream mixture, stirring until just combined.

Combine all topping ingredients in a small bowl. Pull half of the cake batter into 2 loaf pans. Sprinkle half of topping over. Pull remaining batter over toppings. Finish with remaining topping.

Bake at 350F until toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 45 mins.

To Ethan (Sponge Stage)

2010-02-14T00:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

Your ability to repeat everything and act too sensitively has proven the function of processing sensory data in your brain is developing fine.

One hockey night, when our consistently inconsistent Canucks gave up an ugly goal, an exasperated "FXXK" rushed out from my mouth. And you, who had been busy wandering around the house like a lost baby penguin looking for your igloo, suddenly stopped, stared at me with your 2 loonie eyes and said "FOK" to my face. Then, when we were cheering and screaming for their first goal, you got all excited HOLLERING AT US AND LIFTING UP YOUR TOY TRAIN SET like an extremely stoned heavy metal star trying to smash his Gibson.

There, I knew it's too late for me to behave like a parent.

This week, your father bought you to watch Olympic torch relay when it passed through our neighborhood. When everybody in the crowd was overwhelmed emotionally, YOU FELT COMPLETELY BORED that you didn't even bother to scream to stop all screams which you usually do......until the honking police cruiser ran by where you considered the party was officially started. I think you've come a lot closer to get the whole family in jail after your last attempt.

Love,

Mommy

Brown Sugar Walnut Shortbread

2010-02-09T06:34:00.000-08:00

It was Karin's wedding last weekend. Karin is Matthew's elder sister.

Karin is an extremely high maintenance person. And it kind of intimates the low maintenance of me who has no problem staying at home doing nothing and not speaking to anyone for a whole day. Not happening to Karin's life at all. Not one single day. Being energetic, passionate, funny, resourceful, friendly and socialized, Karin is a core piece of the family puzzle. And I believe those characters have made her a very successful business woman.

It's Karin's second marriage. The beautiful wedding aside, there were also moments where I witnessed how a mother shared the joy of this life event with her daughter. It sucks when the first marriage doesn't work. But that's exactly what Karin would do - mend your broken heart, get yourself ready to move on with your life. Be brave to embrace what comes next.

Love you, Karin and Brian.

(makes round 32 squares)

Ingredients:

4 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs, room temperature

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp kosher salt

1 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325F. Grease and line two 8"x8" square cake pan with parchment paper.

Cream butter, brown sugar and white sugar in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla until combined, then mix in dry ingredients. Combine completely.

Divide dough evenly into prepared pans, spreading smooth and level. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and bake until golden brown, about 35 to 45 minutes.

Let cool completely before using a sharp knife to cut into squares.

To Ethan (It won't rock after 10 years)

2010-02-05T23:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

Simply tell me is it the fate of all men to grow facial hair? No. Not on the young. CREEPY! Mustaches are for fathers, Sherlock Holmes, and maybe very ugly porn stars.

So, please let the mustaches be a welcome mat to your gooey nose fluid JUST FOR NOW.

Love,
Mommy

Apple Almond Coffee Cake

2010-01-31T21:28:00.000-08:00

We were shopping at a mall yesterday where we came across a petite old man wandering around alone. With tubes inserted into his nose, he's hauling a ventilator which helps him breathe, I believe.

Yes, it was that kind of machine you see attached to a very sick patient in the hospital. Why that old man was carrying it while he's shopping? I don't know. Probably he needs it or he's trying to show off, cause when I looked down to that machine, a hanging note said, " You could have this prize for smoking."

It's been almost 5 years since I decided to quit my 10-year smoking life. I don't think it's even necessary for me to stress how bad smoking is. Just ask yourself, my friends and family, if you want to have that non-returnable prize for the rest of your life.

(makes one 9" cake)

Ingredients:

2 Granny Smith apples
Juice from 1 lemon

1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup almond slices

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9" round cake pan.

Peel and dice the apples into 1/4" cubes, then squeeze a little lemon juice over the diced apples to prevent browning. Toss the apples with 2 tbsp flour. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and allspice then set aside.

In a stand mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 mins. Add sour cream, butter, almond extract and vanillle extract. Whisk to combine.

With the mixer on low speed, add half of the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Once combined, add the remaining flour mixture to combine.

Add chopped almond and the diced apples to the mixture and stir with a spatula until they are integrated.

Pour the cake mixture into the prepared cake pan, sprinkle the top of the cake with the almond slices. Bake for 50 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven, let cool for 30 mins before serving.

Rosemary Lemon Cookie

2010-01-24T18:04:00.000-08:00

No doubt, rosemary is one of my favorite herbs. Last summer, we started to seriously grow it in our backyard, and it came with great success. It's been featured in savory dish and sweet treat. Then, I've realized that, unlike most of other herbs, rosemary does not die during winter. How can you not love this character?!

(makes around 24 cookies)

Ingredients:

2 sticks butter, room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

2 tsp grated lemon zest

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

Beat butter and sugar together in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mix until well blended.

Add rosemary, lemon zest, salt and flour. Mix well.

Divide the dough in half and shape them into logs. Place on a piece of parchment paper. Roll the logs about 1 1/2" in diameter. Chill in the freezer for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 375F. Take the logs out of the freezer. Cut the logs into 1/4" slices and place on a parchment covered baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 mins until the edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

To Ethan (15 months)

2010-01-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

Two days ago, you turned 15 months old.

Before you finally realize how annoying your mom can be, I have to mention over and over again that YOU'VE STARTED WALKING!!!!!! And I'm going to sell you on this to the whole universe like I'm trying to pawn off a used car. Cause all along I thought it would take at least 20 years for you to figure it out, but no, only 15 months, you are walking now. Tell me we don't have a genius on our hands, TELL ME!

Ethan, though I've been looking forward to seeing you taking your first step, I had never imagined the emotion it could possibly bring to me. That night when you made it happen in front of my eyes, I was completely frozen! My adrenaline was pumping through my veins, rushing all the way from toes to head on the high speed, tears were welling up in my eyes. Having missed that moment over Cameron Diaz on TV, your father simply rolled his eyes wondering if he has married a crazy woman. The next day, when he witnessed you did that himself, he literally cried out to another continent to me, "Oh my god, HE HAS WALKED 7 STEPS!!!" Now, you know what kind of psychiatric facility you have joined for the rest of your life.

So, one goal achieved. Next: date Megan Fox.

You've developed a keen sense of curiosity about the inside or underneath of cabinets. You love to hang around the kitchen when I cook. Before I can figure out whether a sharp knife or a hot stove is more kid-friendly, usually you've already settled yourself by the cabinet door, open it and reach your arms inside the mystery world of dangerous substances sitting behind it. And now, it goes back how effective the "NO" thing is. When you hear me saying "No, Ethan. Close it." You will look at me with a mischievous face, open the door further babbling like, "Mom, be proud of me. I've gone through bottles of erosive cleanser, a couple blenders and BBQ sets with all my limbs and beautiful face intact." Fair enough. But Ethan, FYI, in case things go another way and you eventually land yourself in a foster home, SUE YOUR FATHER who is still having difficulty understanding the correlation between a hazard-loving child and a hazard-proof home.

No doubt, you love animals. And I believe most of them love you too. And it comes to the big mystery of the relationship, if there is one, between you and Koby. I'm not sure what you did to him in your previous live, but Koby simply refuses to get close to you. Whenever you try to engage him in play, he hobbles around wildly looking for a place he can jump over and disappear right away. The only explanation that I could think of is your aunt Karin has probably made it very clear to Koby before he met you that if he ever thinks about touching you the wrong way, he will be wearing your bib for the rest of his life. So Koby chooses not to touch you at all. Now, Sunday has become Koby's less favorite day because that's the day our family gathers together to enjoy one of the best freaky shows featuring you and Koby.

Over the past Christmas and New Year's holidays, aka Koby's Day of Crucifixion, the family needed something seriously festive and entertaining. And so, you were taught how to feed Koby his treats. There were times when you were holding food in your hand, Koby's eyes darting to it and then back to Karin BEGGING her to make you stop, and asked WHY DID YOU BRING HIM INTO OUR HOME? At the beginning, you kept throwing away the treat on the floor without the slightest trace of remorse, and Koby would make a bolt for it. Then, he started to inch closer to your palm, and licked away the treat. And that's the moment the whole family would look at each other and see who is going to cry first.

Now, just a heads up. If you ever consider asking me for a dog, NO! Cause as far as I'm prepared to be a crazy woman in her pajamas shouting out to you at the porch, I'm not ready to do it for a dog.

Everyday when I get back home from work, you will search for me when you hear the keys clinging sound. Then you see me, you grin bashfully pleading to be picked up. I can't be more thankful to your grandpa about taking care of you when we are at work. And I do love him. But sometimes when you bend your fingers saying bye to grandpa, like "mom is here now, you can leave". I secretly want to high-five you.

Love,
Mommy

To Ethan (Fast Forward)

2010-01-19T22:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

Seriously I did not expect it would happen before you are 20 years old. Now you are telling me what happened the other night was not a dream.

Love,

Mommy

Nutty Palmier

2010-01-19T06:58:00.000-08:00

If you are into puff pastry and nuts, also if you are just like me, when you crave for some after-meal dessert, you simply want it right away, make these sweet butterflies. It only takes 20 minutes.

(makes a dozen)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp honey maple syrup
2 tsp lemon juice

2 cups of chopped nuts of your choice (I used 1 cup each of pecan and walnut)

2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted
2 tbsp granulated sugar for dusting

Directions:

In a small sauce pan, heat the water, sugar, male syrup and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then simmer under low heat for 10 mins. Set aside and let cool.

In a bowl combine the chopped nuts, pour the cooled syrup over the nuts. Stir gently to create a paste. Reserve some of the syrup to brush over the pastry sheets.

Place the first puff pastry sheet on a floured surface. Pour half of the nut paste mixture down the center of the puff pastry sheet. Use a spatula to spread evenly. Generously brush the bare parts of the pastry sheet with some of the reserved syrup.

Starting from the long side, roll the sheet towards the center. Do the same with the opposite side so they meet in the center. Brush with additional syrup to seal. Repeat process for the second sheet.

Sprinkle rolls with additional sugar, wrap in plastic, and place in the freezer for a few hours allowing it to firm up.

Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut each piece of frozen dough crosswise into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place each slice 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.

Bake for 7 mins then switch and rotate baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 mins.

Remove from oven, and let cool completely on wire racks.

To Ethan (The Moment)

2010-01-18T22:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

We were watching Golden Globe yesterday, and I believe I was literally one of the winners who had a moment in disbelief.

Though you are walking a lot now, you still have to glue your body or hands onto something while you walk. And you love to drunk walk with your body rolling along the crouch, ottoman, wall......Last night, when you walked over in front of the TV trying to slam Leonardo DiCaprio, I grabbed you back and put you stand against the ottoman. You probably thought DiCarprio could handle a fight over "who's the hottest guy after 20 years". You took a step towards the TV, stood there without holding onto anything for exactly 8 seconds, then WALKED ANOTHER ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR MILLIONS STEPS to the TV screen and slammed DiCarprio again.

This time I couldn't care about DiCarprio anymore cause I was completely frozen. With my hands over my mouth, I could feel of blood rushing to my head and a tear drop slipping down my face. There, Ethan, you've given me a chance to experience a phenomenal moment that I had never ever thought of.

Now, I'm telling your aunt Keturah who left our house a couple hours before this event happened, "You've missed the most extraordinary moment in your life over a Shanghai meal."

Love,

Mommy

Coconut Bread with Walnut

2010-01-10T16:50:00.000-08:00

I left a comment to Kenny from "Chic Eat" the other day saying I really wanted to have one of the lovely Dorayakis that he posted the pictures on Facebook. And he replied, " Okie, hehe......"

I did not have the Dorayaki eventually, but surprisingly Ethan got a lovely knitted hat instead from Kenny.

I met Kenny via blogging. We share the same passion towards food, same mother tongue, and one of the common friends, Fred, who has recently come to visit me and brought this adorable gift to Ethan.

Aren't you amazed by the beauty of blogosphere where completely strangers become friends? All those years when I've been away from my hometown, his blog is one of the corners where I wander around to gather my memories.

Thank you, Kenny. Big kisses and hugs from Ethan and me. Will definitely let you know how it goes when the model is ready to put it on! You know he's been pretty against putting clothes on lately.

This is what both me and Fred made today to tribute you. :P

(makes 2 loaves)

Ingredients:

6 eggs

3 cups sugar

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup melted unsalted butter

1 tbsp vanilla

1 tbsp coconut extract

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup coconut milk

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Combine the first 6 ingredients into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat ingredients on medium speed for 2 mins.

In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Add in flour mixture in two additions, alernately with coconut milk, mixing each addition just until incorportated.

Fold in coconut and walnut.

Pour into two greased loaf pans. Sprinkle coconut on top. Bake at 350F for 50 mins.

Remove from oven and place on rack to cool.

To Ethan (Forever My Baby)

2010-01-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

Canada was beaten by USA in the World Juniors Hockey Championship. Those Canadian kids, most of them below 20, literally lost in the Stanley Cup final. They are experiencing one of the most disappointing times in their lives.

Ethan, I can't stress enough how much I want you to be a professional hockey player. My worry though is your last name does not make the announcement of "Score, Tam!" sound very cool. But you will get over it if you learn about other weird names in the league, like "Tootoo", "Eager", "Sharp", "Cheechoo"......

I saw a bunch of kids go nuts for a goal, they wept sitting on the blue-line hearing another anthem. I felt for them. And I imagined you as one of them, heart broken and devastated, you would lock yourself in your room listening to some heavy metal music for days. There's nothing I could do to make your feel better. But I would be very proud of you because you would become stronger and more competitive. You would understand victory does not come easily.

But whenever I look at this picture even after 20 or 30 years, I believe you are still my baby, too fragile that I won't let you go onto the rink. Just stay in my arms.

Love,

Mommy

Monkey Bread

2010-01-02T00:53:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010, my friends!

Though this cake was made a while ago, I do think this is one interesting bread to start your morning on this new year holiday. Get up a couple hours early if you want to have it fresh.

By the way, if you have any idea why it's called monkey bread, please let me know. Cause besides that it reminds me of monkey's brain, I can't think of other explanations.

(makes 10" cake)

Ingredients:
Dough
2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk, lukewarm
1/3 cup water, lukewarm
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for work surface
2 tsp salt

Brown Sugar Coating
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

Grease tube pan or bundt pan with 2 tbsp softened butter. Set aside.

In a large measuring cup, mix together milk, water, melted butter, sugar, and yeast. Mix flour and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook. Turn machine to low and slowly add milk mixture. After dough comes together, increase speed to medium and mix until dough is shiny and smooth, 6 to 7 mins. Turn dough onto lightly floured counter and knead briefly to form smooth, round ball. Place dough in a bowl greased with oil and coat surface of dough with oil. Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm area until dough doubles in size, 50 to 60 mins.

While dough is rising, prepare brown sugar coating. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in bowl. Place melted butter in second bowl. Set aside.

Gently remove dough from bowl, and pat into rough 8" square. Using a knife, cute dough into 50-60 pieces.

Roll each dough piece into ball. Working one at a time, dip balls in melted butter, then roll in brown sugar mixture. Layer balls in tube pan, staggering seams where dough balls meet as you build layers.

Cover pan tightly with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm area until dough balls are puffy and have risen 1 to 2 inches from top of pan , 50 to 70 mins.

Heat oven to 350F. Uncover pan and bake until top is deep brown and caramel begins to bubble around edges, 30 to 35 mins. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then turn out on platter and allow to cool slightly, about 10 mins. Serve warm. (Do not let the bread cool in the pan for more than 5 mins or it will stick to the pan and come out in pieces)

To Ethan (Blackberry's Youngest Customer)

2010-01-02T00:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

Eventually you were given a Blackberry for your own use before you make either one of ours inoperable.

We have to seriously talk about your obsession for Blackberry. Look, it's Blackberry! Not other classic cellphone. iPhone? Hm......marginally fine for you. Cause I think your career goal is to be a professional button pusher. iPhone is not going to help at all. You can practically locate any gadget with buttons in the house. And having your geeky father as one of the house owners, you have tons to select from.

One of your favorites is the TV remote. It connects with the HDTV, DVD player, amplifier, PC output, probably also the sewage system of our resident complex that for a couple years now, I'm still limited to use just a few buttons to operate basic functions, like turning on/off the TV, flipping channels, tuning volume......For the remaining 700 buttons, I completely gave in long time ago as only the thought of it already gives me headache. However I have no idea how you figured it out, last time when I returned to you after you were left with a remote for a while, you were in fact a button away to order a porn movie. Well, not that I'm against porn, just the idea of watching porn with my child in the afternoon does not really serve my purpose of watching porn. So, I took over the remote immediately, and spent 20 minutes to try to go back to the main menu.

So, about Blackberry. Whenever you spot one, you try your utmost afford to grab it and mash the buttons so hard that they almost never pop back up. And when the screen lights up, it simply lights up your sky too. Your face will become impossibly uptight and serious that none of any corporation CEO could compare with.

Last week, when your father tried to get you off his computer keyboard so he could have his work done, he gave you his Blackberry. Before he realized the quiet time that he was enjoying was abnormally long, his phone rang.

Caller: "This is RCMP. Did you just call 911?"

Your father: "Uh......No. Oh, my son was playing with my phone. I'm so sorry."

Caller: "Are you sure there is no emergency?"

Your father: "No. We are fine. I'm sorry."

When your father told me what happened. I said, "Well, be glad that your passing on the freaky geeky gene of technology to your son didn't put the whole family in jail."

Love,
Mommy

Dark Chocoalte Truffle

2009-12-25T22:44:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

P.S. Thank you, Joy, for the inspiration!

(makes 60 - 64 pcs)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 heavy cream

700 dark chocolate, chopped (I used Ikea dark chocolate) Try it if you haven't, it's cheap (CAD$0.99 per 100 gram) yet with decent quality

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp Kahlua

1 cup cocoa powder

1 cup icing sugar

1 cup semi-sweet shredded coconut, lightly toasted

1 cup chopped walnut

Directions:

In a small saucepan heat the heavy cream in medium heat until it simmers.

Put the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. When the cream is hot, pour it over the chocolate. Add the vanilla and Kahlua. Let the cream melt the chocolate for 5mins and then stir until silky smooth.

Cool the chocolate in the fridge for at least 2 hours. After the chocolate has cooled, roll the chocolate into small balls. If the chocolate is too cold, let it sit on the counter until you can roll it into small balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. When all of the chocolate truffles are rolled into balls, put them back in the fridge overnight.

Prepare the toppings you wish to use and roll the truffles in the toppings. I used cocoa powder, icing sugar, shredded coconut and walnut. Serve or keep in the fridge until ready to eat.

To Ethan (14 months)

2009-12-25T22:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

You turned 14 months old 3 days ago. Why this letter came in late? Look, you don't ask this kind of question until the day you wipe my butt. Now, I will answer you with "Well......", and you will take it.

For quite some time, I've noticed that you are not fond of wearing clothes, especially on a changing mat. What is a changing mat? This is something that used to be a changing mat but has recently become a red-hot iron board filled with cactus needles that whenever you are put onto it, your body would burst into flame, and you howl as the needles force into your skin. Whenever I try to pull a sweater over your head or put a coat on your body, your attack baby demon would come out and attack me by pulling my hair and punting my belly. And SHOES! Ethan, why do you have two feet to double my pain? After every sweaty attempt to put shoes on your feet, I will have to make sure your legs are not fractured, cause the energy I spend on restraining your legs from moving around and twisting your feet back to a right position is equivalent to how much I would spend on dismembering a hockey player alive. It's seriously freezing out there now. Sometimes only the thought of putting a whole set of winter gear on you is enough for me to reconsider staying home.

I don't even remember since when your unwillingness to eat normally has become our routine. At least 3 times a day, either me or your father has to act like some kind of circus folks, be it jumping over a fire hula hoop to turn ourselves into a fire ball or swallowing a sharp sword so a bleed fountain would emerge from our mouths. We have to completely distract you so we can put food into your mouth without your knowledge. Otherwise, you will act like I'm assaulting you when I try to feed you, gluing tight your lips, thrusting away my hand like I'm holding some poison, refusing to play with any of tons of toys scattered on your table and floor. And you know what you do to the food that I put into your mouth? You hold it in your mouth munching it into paste. When I tell you to swallow it, you will spit it out with your head shaking. So the food paste will messily shatter all over your overflowing bib pocket, clothes, high chair and floor. Same situation happens in any public place. And that made us to start seriously looking for a portable mob that we can carry along to clean the restaurant floor after your visit just to avoid being blacklisted.

The first time you figured out which button to activate your toy saxophone to play music, and you dance along shaking your head and bouncing your body, we thought the world couldn't be any cuter. In fact, we thought the first time you did anything were cute, but then when you continued to do these things, we quickly realized that what may seem cute the first time will usually become pretty annoying the second time or the 900th for that matter.

About that saxophone music, once it's started, you CANNOT TURN IT OFF until the whole song is played, then it ends with a ghastly uproar which sounds very much like a chainsaw, only I swear, it seems louder. If there's any competition for the most hideous and creepy music a toy could create, this saxophone would definitely be the winner. And you would be one proud owner who magnifies its influence. Here is what you are addicted to do with it: you hold the saxophone in your hand when you hit the button and this horrible music roared into the room. Before the music has even started for 5 seconds, you hit another button to initiate a new song, after 3 seconds, you hit another button to start over the song, hit a button, start over, hit a button, start over......And you know when it's going to run out of battery, the music will be completely distorted. And this is how you watch "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" without the image but only the sound.

I cannot stress enough how desperately I've been wanting to see you walking on your own. You can walk a relatively long distance now with us holding your hands, though you still prefer crawling and demand to be carried. Now, you know which door in the house we go through when we need to go out. Sometimes you crawl over and point at that door trying to let us know that you want to go out. And this actually gives me a mix of feelings. I always thought that you'd be this little reptile that I'd be carrying around in my arms. And yet, you've started to have the desire to reach the outside world. Very soon, you will be able to walk across this door on your own without even letting me know, getting into the socialized network called "Friends", a circle filled with happiness but also heartaches, which I'm still not ready to send you into. I know once you start walking, you will not stop. And this makes me feel gratifying but sad which you will never understand until you have your own child.

Love,

Mommy

Chocolate Cupcake filled with Strawberry Buttercream

2009-12-20T10:41:00.000-08:00

All along, I waited for that day to come just because I wanted to apply for a Canadian passport, so I could go to the States whenever I want without worrying my temporary visa was expired or not.

I thought everyone had the same mindset, until I attended the Canadian Citizenship Oath Ceremony on December 17, 2009.

"......Finland, Russia, Turkey, Philippines, Israel, Ecuador, Vietnam......people from around the world have chosen to leave their families, friends, careers, birth places to come to Canada, a nation with the tradition for the protection of its people all over the world......" said the Citizenship judge.

My four years stay in Canada as an immigrant qualifies myself for Canadian citizenship! That alone is generous enough to show the giving ways of the nation of Canada. Over those year, I have realized the great ways of Canada is that Canada cares and is never hesitant to go the extra mile to defend people and humanity.

Having seen the joy of all those new Canadians at that ceremony, I felt the realization of a dream. I was actually unexpectedly emotional. I feel liberty to be a Canadian now.

(makes 12 cupcakes)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, soften
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup strawberry buttercream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease muffin tin or line with muffin liners.

In a medium bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in vanilla.

With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream and beginning and ending with flour.

Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 mins.

Cool in pan 5 mins, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Fill a pastry bag with strawberry buttercream. Push tip through bottom to fill each cupcake.

Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Spice Cookie

2009-12-16T23:51:00.000-08:00

Too many home-made cookies for Christmas out there. If I don't start making some, my blog would probably be classified as "OUT-DATED".

(makes 20 cookies)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cups whole oats

1 1/2 cups dried cranberries

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ground ginger.

In a separate bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine well.

Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Then add oats, cranberries, and chocolate.

Use an ice cream scoop to scoop around 1/4 cup cookie batter onto a cookie sheet. Leave 2" apart between cookies.

Bake for 12 - 15 mins until the edge is slightly brown. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

To Ethan (Transformation)

2009-12-16T23:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Ethan,

You know what, your neighbor buddy who's few months younger than you, is way over walking now. He is TRYING TO RUN!!!!!! And it brought to my attention that your persistence of being on your four has started to get the whole family super itchy.

You do stand up and take a few steps sometimes as long as you hold onto something. But when you travel from one place to another without anything besides oxygen, you will go down on the floor and start crawling. We've been trying to convince you that neither the house will collapse nor earthquake will happen when you let your hands go free. But you've been pretty stubborn until one afternoon a couple days ago. You were standing up in front of the TV cabinet and hand-banging the screen of our 52" HD TV. That TV is the last thing in this house that you are allowed to destroy or else I will have to watch those crazy shaky puppets with you on my laptop for the rest of my life. So I said "No, Ethan!", and you LET GO OF BOTH OF YOUR HANDS FROM THE CABINET and turned your head to look at me. There you were standing with your body surrounded by pure air for FIVE SECONDS which I thought was 5 million years!!!!!! Then I yelled out to your father, "Hey, all along we thought our child was born a reptile, I think he is starting to transform now!"

Love,

Mommy

Mini Strawberry Cupcake with Strawberry Frosting

2009-12-13T01:19:00.000-08:00

So, the "Kill Strawberry Mission" continues......

(makes 12 mini muffins)
Ingredients:
For Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup fresh strawberry puree
1 stick unsalted butter, soften
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs

For Frosting:

3 tbsp fresh strawberry puree
1 stick unsalted butter, soften
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat over to 350F. Grease muffin tin or line with muffin liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla and strawberry puree. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add eggs until just blended.

With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.

Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, around 25 mins. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely.

To prepare frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners sugar, beat until well combined. Add vanilla and strawberry puree, mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.

Grease the inside of a 1 1/2" circle cookie cutter, and cut out mini cupcakes. Frost the cupcakes before serve.

Cinnamon Muffin Filled with Home Made Strawberry Jam

2009-12-08T23:09:00.000-08:00

When you plan on moving your house, there are things that you might want to get rid of by giving them away to friends or family, just because you find them too much trouble to pack and move around. Most importantly, these are the things that you realize you can actually live without. Like stacks of outdated magazines that you've been collecting for your whole life......I still can't believe how much I spent on moving 10 boxes of them all the way from Hong Kong to Vancouver!

Why I brought this up? Because recently one of our family members is moving house, and one of her unwanted stuff that she gave to her grandma, who is also Ethan's grandma, whose house is an asylum for anyone's unwanted stuff, was an OVERFLOWING ZIPLOC BOX OF FROZEN STRAWBERRY PUREE! So, grandma found it too sour to eat it plain, so she MADE ME HAVE IT, cause she thought I baked too much that an OVERFLOWING ZIPLOC BOX OF FROZEN STRAWBERRY PUREE might come in handy.

If you don't think it's too hard to use up an OVERFLOWING ZIPLOC BOX OF FROZEN STRAWBERRY PUREE in one go (you just don't want to re-freeze it after it's defrosted), I'm telling you this - after tons of strawberry-themed baked good were made, I still had HALF BOX left which I turned it into strawberry jam.

(makes 12 muffins)

Ingredients:

For Strawberry Jam:

2 cups strawberry puree

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice

For Muffins:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tbsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp salt

2/3 cup sour cream

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

3 tbsp milk

1 large egg, lightly beaten

For Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Prepare strawberry jam. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, mix together strawberry, sugar and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high, and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil, stirring often, until the mixture volume reduces by half.

Reserve 1/2 cup, and transfer the remaining jam to a hot sterile jar. Seal and refrigerate.

Preheat over to 375F. Grease muffin tin or line with muffin liners.

In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 tbsp cinnamon, ginger and salt. Mix well.

In another bowl, combine the sour cream, melted butter, milk, and egg, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.

Spoon 1 tbsp of batter into each prepared muffin liner. Top each with 1 tsp jam. Top evenly with another tbsp batter.

Combine the 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon to make cinnamon sugar. Sprinkle over the batter.

Bake for 15-20 mins or until a tester comes out clean and the muffin tops are golden. Cool lightly and serve warm.