POP IN THE BOX!

Hello to all :) I had simply no idea what to post so far so I decided to share this, also these are some of the posts coming up :)

Please comment down below for suggestions

Schedule:

Dance : RAD vs AMRICAN STYLE vs RUSSIAN vs BEIJING BALLET
LIFESTYLE:
ART: AN INTRODUCTMENT TO BATIK
FOOD: ???????????

<3 enjoy the upcoming schedule a note: food will be something random possibly

Recently this weekend I decided to make the simplest vanilla creme brulle and also mini blueberry scone tartes

Here are some pictures

Vanilla bean creme brulee : really simple : really yummy :)

Comment down below to request for this recipe


MINI BLUEBERRY TARTE SCONES ( for all of you healthbugs this is a healthy recipe :) )

WHOLE WHEAT. ORGANIC. HEALTHY. AND. EVEN. HEALTHY. FROSTING. .!.!.!.

IF YOU WANT ME TO POST THE RECIPES TO THIS JUST REQUEST AND COMMENT :) 

I hope that the schedule is ok, remember to request for recipes and it will come

:),

Ms.Spice

Anko Matcha Green Tea Popsticles

During the cold winter time ( dec-jan) or rainy season for some, Matcha has always been a calming joy to relax, Where I usually sip it up rather than hot cocoa or egg nog, I enjoy experimenting with matcha including one of my favourites which are Adzuki green tea popsticles, with ingridients straight from japan.

Yes, little cheeky me :) I got matcha from japan literally actually from japan, as well coming in with anko paste where I always like to eat it with ice cream or dorayaki ( japanese type pancake & doraemons fav treat ! :P ), so I decided why not combine it together? as I have had red bean adzuki creme popsticles before, why not add in some matcha?

oh yes deliciousness combined into one trust me, but after a snow ball fight it is a joy to have with your friends, simply get the ingredients at your local store ( for basic ingredients ) or spesific asian food / japenese food stores is where to get anko or matcha.

As myself, I collect my matcha stright from japan although there are many options online just search up " matcha green tea powder " online and a ton of results will come up, for anko I purchase it in my little japanese food shop where it is already made ready to use in a jar, of course you can make your own the youtuber RUNNYRUNNY999 showed me how to make anko and tsuban pastes.

JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, matcha green tea powder isn't the tea that is loose leaf or in a tea bag, that is not what we are looking for it is in a powder form , best in a very rich green color, this can be bought sweetened or unsweetened, I now got mine straight from japan, although there are many sold on amazon, rishi tea, teavana,etc ( tea shops ).


I guess I will start :) here it is :) ( IMAGE BY BRITTIMAGEQUEST ) ( BRITANNICA )




Ingridients

4-5 tbsp of matcha green tea powder (unsweetened)
2 tbsp coconut milk (NOT CREAM OF COCONUT)
3-5 tbsp ( depends on how sweet you like it ) of white cane sugar
50 ml milk
300 ml heavy cream
5-6 tbsp of sweet condensed milk
3-5 tbsp of pure mineral water HOT ( clean water)
1/3 to 1/2 cup of anko or tsuban ( red bean paste ) ANKO: red bean paste,sweet no skin TSUBAN: red bean paste sweet ( sometimes not as sweet as anko ) WITH SKINS

HOW TO: MAKES AROUND 8 SERVINGS ( depending on the popsticle mould size )

in a medium sized mixing bowl, sift in your matcha green tea powder, add in your water little by little to create a paste ( mix it with a balloon whisk ) afterwards, add in your white sugar and mix well until most of the sugar granules have dissolved. After the sugar has dissolved, add in your condensed sweet milk and mix well, when mixing ( with a balloon whisk PLEASE ! ) slowly add in your heavy cream, milk, and coconut milk and mix very well ( NOT until bubbling ).

Prepare some popsticle moulds, this can be bought at local craft stores, cooking supply stores and supermarkets aswell, on the bottom of the mould add in some red bean paste, push it down, after adding in the paste, pour some green tea mixture ontop of the paste 3/4 trough the mould.

Prepare a small glass with warm temperature water, add in the popsticle sticks into the water and let it soak up for about 20 minutes, in the mean time freeze the mixture ( in the mould ) for 1 to 1.5 hours in the freezer.

REmove the moulds from the freezer, before placing your sticks in if you would like add some more red bean paste at the ends to finish it off so that it is full, then slowly push in the sticks in ( NOTE : MAKE SURE THAT THE POPSTICLES ARE NOT TOO RUNNY OR FROZEN , JUST RIGHT SO THAT YOU CAN STILL PUSH IN THE STICKS ).

FREEZE IT FOR AT LEAST 5-6 HOURS FOR BEST RESULTS FREEZE OVERNIGHT.

NOTE WHEN SERVING : prepare a bowl ( that can fit the mould inside of it )WITH HOT WATER, when serving place the mould in the hot water so that you can remove the popsticles better.

ENJOY.

TO ALL THE SPICERS :) happy new year all the best for 2015

please try out this recipe because it's delicious !!

:),

Ms.Spice


LINKS TO PRODUCTS: ( HELP )

MATCHA BRANDS ONLINE :

MATCHA ON AMAZON : http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=matcha

RISHI TEA MATCHA : http://www.rishi-tea.com/category/matcha-tea-powder

REPUBLIC OF TEA MATCHA : http://www.republicoftea.com/matcha/p/V00715/

SPICE AND TEA EXCHANGE SWEET MATCHA ( HAS SUGAR IN IT ALREADY SWEET ) :https://www.spiceandtea.com/sweet-matcha-p-679.html

RED BEAN PASTE ONLINE : ( you should be able to find it in japanese or chinese asian stores located near you ) OR MAKE IT ON YOUR OWN 

RED BEAN PASTE AMAZON : http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=red+bean+paste&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ared+bean+paste

RUNNY-SAN's recipe to OHAGI WHERE HE ALSO SHOWS YOU HOW TO MAKE ANKO FROM ADZUKI BEANS !!!, RUNNYRUNNY999 AWESOME FUNNY YOUTUBE MASTERCHEFF!!!! ( well home master chef but he is good in cooking )

OHAGI ( AND RED BEAN RECIPE ) RUNNY RUNNY 999:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMHIOm149vU

Having trouble finding coconut milk ? :

Coconut milk is now avalible in your local supermarkets usually if not asian stores/markets around you )

FOR BEST RESULTS CANNED IS BEST HERE IS THE #1 CHOICES ON AMAZON CANNED IS BEST!! ( i mean i make my own coconut milk from scratch but if you are in europe or the US canned is the best quality avalible )

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dgrocery&field-keywords=coconut+milk

#2 choice in a carton, OK THIS IS NOT SO GOOD :( IT's USUALLY SWEET AND NOT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR BUT IF YOU REALLY CANNOT FIND CANNED JUST :( GO FOR IT!

SILK BRAND : http://silk.com/products/original-coconutmilk

SO DELICIOUS BRAND : http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/coconut-milk-beverages/original

HOPE IT HELPS :)

Hello..........

I am really sorry for the late delays of posts latley, I have been very busy this holiday season cooking up food,getting gifts, and doing importaint things. I have not been blogging because of the holiday season interfearence this december-january christmas season.

I think that I will be posting soon whenever I can because by the look of my schedule it is pretty full.

I came up with some ideas that may be posted later on, please check it out when it comes out.

Food: it will come out excitingly with some of my fav recipes....... i just have not decided yet !

BEAUTY & FASHION:
diy conditioning mask
products i used during the winter
natural base makeup prep
december fashion need favourites
beggining beauty: where to shop
diy lush !!! cupcake face mask !!
december favourites

Dance:
Painful.Painful and even more painful: stretching and muscle pain when dancing
pointe protection: make your feet comfy and less painful when using pointes
ARAD/RAD vs BEIJING vs USA vs RUSSIAN ballet
inside pointe shoes: what I do
NEVER GIVE UP : dance motivation
DANCE FAVS : dance brands, types,etc
dance and hair: what i use for practice

Lifestyle: ( 1-2 from this section will be posted )
Durian!!!!!!! pancakes tasting
Chili flavoured chocolate ?!!!?!?!?!
10 super snack hacks
beautiful trip to vietnam ( hanoi )
New years resolution
A LOOK BACK : my  christmas list.
DECEMBER FAVS :)

Art: ( 1-2 from this section will be posted )
Learning the " canting " way, an introduction to BATIK
pens....pencils.....and paper the pattern way of zentangling
THE LUV ( luvre ) meuseum: paris, experience and realities
Inside the worlds of art: EXPLORING GIVERN(e?)Y home of claude monet

Genius 5 types of sweet treat dips

Winter is already here and there will be Christmas parties,holiday events, or just you watching home alone at home with some food and drinks.

I decided to come up with these dips simply by looking for stuff in my cabinet in my kitchen for a nice warm snack. I came across the usual oreos,chips and granola bars. I got board of this so I decided to come up with certain constructions to make sweet dips. Sweet dips that are great to dip any sweet food in there, trust me it is delicious.

PS  ALL IMAGES BY SHUTTERSHOCK ROYALTY FREE


Simply this is great for snacking, I dipped everything from twinkies to strawberries in my dips because they are all sweet and sensational, it is a change from the usual snacks you eat it can basically be a revolution.



Today I am going to recreate accessible snacks / treats into dips which are simple, and also beautiful. Marshmallows,peppermint,oreos,chocolate. Everything wintery and snackish. This is also obviously great for parties,pot lucks,gatherings,etc as people will want more and more from this. smile because the revolution is coming.


I hope you guys enjoy this delicious melt in your mouth treat. because you will keep on wanting more and more and more.

Today I will be making a oreo cookies and creme dip, a white chocolate peppermint candy dip, a red velvet dip, a PB & J dip and lastly a chocolate spice cream dip.

Oreo / cookies and creme dip



you will need :

1 XL bag ( one case ) of  original oreos/ peppermint flavored oreos ( for Christmas )

easy : simply seperate the cream from the cookies, put the cream in one bowl ONLY THE CREME and microwave for 1 minute, then stir it should be ooey gooey goodness, for the cookies in a ziplock bag, place the cookies and crush them with a rolling pin into a fine powder, then fold it into the oreo creme and you can literally dip anything into it !!

I dipped : chocolate bars, strawberries, cookies,crackers and even twinkies ! : / ( i kno kinda gross....twinkies .......... )

White chocolate Peppermint candy DIP


You will need :

2 bars of white chocolate
a heaping 1/4 cup of cool whip ( whipped creme, already whipped)

1 large bag of peppermint candy or candy canes ( CANES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED )
2-3 tbsp of marshmallow fluff ( check  my previous recipe for this one if you do not know what it is )
a few mint leaves to garnish
1 tbsp peppermint extract
1 ts vanilla extract

HOW TO : melt the hot chocolate over a double broiler until fully melted. Prepare the SMALL box of cool whip by pouring 1/2 of the whipped cream into the serving dip bowl, carefully fold in the chocolate. BEFORE MAKING ALL OF THIS, freeze the candy/canes in the freezer. take them out and place it  into a ziplock bag and crush them into a fine powder with a mallet, then carefully fold it into the chocolate cream with all of the other ingredients, top the dip with more peppermint candy powder / crushes and some mint leaves !! enjoy !!

RED VELVET CREME DIP

YOU WILL NEED :

2-4 UNFROSTED LARGE RED VELVET CUPCAKES ( i went to georgetown cupcakes , and tell me  i died after eating the red velvet cupcakes !! ( PS eorgetown cupakes won cupcake wars and they have a show i belive called DC cupcakes ? ) )
1/2 stick of creme cheese (  en espanol es quesa crema )
1 drop of red food coloring ( en espanol es color comida roja )
1/4 container of cool whip


HOW TO : in a bowl with you hands slowly crumble the cup cakes into little crumbs, set aside. In another bowl with a mixer mix the cool whip and creme cheese ( quesa crema ) together until it it whipped and well combined, slowly remove and transfer to the serving dip bowl, lastly fold in the cupcake crumbs and the food coloring until well mixed, THEN SERVE !!

THE PB & J DIP

U WILL NID :

1/2 jar of peanut butter ( cremy or chucky don't care :P )
1/2 jar of jelly/jam ( depends where u come from ) ( I used blueberry or blackberry )
1/2 container of cool whip
3-4 heaping tbsp of powdered sugar
GARNISH :
fresh berries ( depends on your jam flavour ) I used black and blueberries
Roughly chopped peanuts ( optional )



HOW TO : In a bowl combine the creme. peanut butter,sugar and jelly and whip it all up with a mixer transfer into the serving dip bowl, garnish with berries and peanuts and EAT !!

CHOCOLATE SPICE DIP:



GET THE SPICES HERE :http://www.mccormick.com/Spices-and-Flavors

YOU WILL NEED:

1 bar of 50% dark chocolate
cinnamon POWDER
nutmeg POWDER
pumpkin pie spices mix POWDER
all spice POWDER
star anise POWDER
clove ( POWDER )
1/4 container cool whip
orange or citrus rinds ( chopped finely into small peices )

HOW TO : melt the chocolate until fully melted over a double broiler, in another bowl add the cool whip, then slowly add in the chocolate, whip it all up with a mixer till whipped and smooth, then add in a dash of each spice powder fold it in, lastly fold in the orange rinds.

ENJOY GUYS !! I hope this post inspired you trough your boundaries from food, ENJOY !!

Happy holidays,

Ms.Spice

smores attack milk shake

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It's a cold night and you are sipping your warm hot chocolate and eating smores in front of your fireplace while watching home alone this christmas. YUP! it was this crazy idea I made for this smores milkshake perfect for a sweet treat in liquid creamyness !

It may sound crazy although seriously it is just way too heavenley !! I mean enjoying this milkshake is just like going to heaven .................. because it is just so creamy and flavour blasting !!


( photo by shutter shock search s'mores )

The nice thing about this milkshake is that you do not really have to make smores to put into the blender it is much simpler and more beautiful than being tired of making smores, it just contains the ingredients of smores and seriously it is just a chocolate smore attack in your mouth when you sip it all up.


( image by amazon online store search kraft marshmallow creme )

SImple and i should not talk anymore, I mean this milkshake should be the star of this post! ENJOY!

RECIPE : SMORES MILKSHAKE

ingredients : ( makes 1-2 servings ( large servings )

A good glug of milk ( I used 1/2 chocolate 1/2 2% milk )
7-9 large graham crackers ( crushed into a fine powder form )
5 generous tablespoons of marshmallow fluff/cream
mega marshmallows ( around 4-7 microwaved for 1 minute to a sticky form )
1 small scoop of vanilla ice cream
1 small scoop of chocolate ice cram
1 pump of chocolate syrup
1 ts of java chocolate chips

1 ) simply make a milkshake base by combining the kilk and both types of icecreams.
2 ) after everything is blended up together, add in the syrup,chips,and marshmallow ingredients, blend till well combined, creamy and smooth
3 ) add in the crush graham crackers blend for about 10 seconds, unplug the blender and serve !!
4 ) drink it all up, garnish with whipped cream,chocolate sauce, more crushed graham crackers and mini marshmallows !! enjoy !!

I hope this just made your day better :)

happy holidays ;),

Ms.Spice

Dulce de leche apple cinnamon quesadillas

This is such a simple treat that I always enjoy on a crisp winter day for breakfast, as I can speak spanish too, I purchased dulce de leche and had it with cookies dusted with powdered sugar, it just gave me to love to fall in love with dulce de leche, because it was too delicious.


( image by caloriecounter.about.com ) ( this is my usual brand that I use )

I usually like to used the canned or jarred dulce de leche because it is convenient and easy to purchase usually in your local supermarket or latino store close by, although I also like to make it myself at home where i will give you a simple recipe.

I decided to come up with dulce de leche apple cinnamon quesadillas because I just love latino food..... it's super delicious with the tortillas and dulce de leche from the latino culture and apple and cinnamon from the winter/fall twist, it is just great to enjoy all year round and it is delicious.

If you do not know what dulce d eleche is it is the best caramel in the world, latino style and it is my love ( me gusta dulce de leche mucho !! ) ( i might have got my spanish wrong ) ! it is condensed milk caramelized to deliciousness !

I hope you enjoy this latino winter twist idea !! enjoy !!

( image by shuttershock search apple and cinnamon )

Recipe : APPLE CINNAMON DULCE DE LECHE QUESADILLAS

For the homemade dulce de leche ( easy and kinda authentic ) ( can method )

 ingredients : one can of thick sweetened condensed milk ( I used the eagle ( bordens ) or carnation brand )

steps

1 ) remove any labels from the can of condensed milk.
2 ) fill a boiling pot with some room temperature water
3 ) add the can into the center of the water filled pan ( the water should cover the can in the whole process )
4 ) bring it to a boil on medium heat
5) let it simmer for at least 4 hours, add more water if it has evaporated just enough to cover the can
6) remove the can from the water ( turn off the heat obviously....) remove with kitchen thongs
7) let it cool on a stove wire rack until it is completely cooled
8 ) open the can with a can opener when it is 100% cooled ( cooling can take up to 1 hour )
9 ) there is your dulce de leche enjoy!

made easy and simple.... trust me the long process it totally worth it !!!!

For the quesadillas you will need ( makes 2-3 quesadillas )

10 tbs of dulce de leche
 2 tbs confectioners sugar
2-4 apples
5 tbs of cinnamon spice ( grounded into a powder )
2-3 tortillas

to cook : olive oil

1 ) with a chopping board and knife chop the apples into a crescent moon shape thinly sliced, set aside
2 ) combine all of the cinnamon and confectioners sugar in a bowl, set aside.
3 ) with the tortilla spread 2-3 generous tablespoons of dulce de leche on one side, on that one side add in some apple slices and cinnamon sugar, fold the quesadilla in half so that everything is secured.
4 ) heat a large skillet over medium heat pour some olive oil and evenly distribute it around the pan, add your quesadilla folded in half cook one side till golden brown, flip and cook the other side till golden brown.
5) serve on a serving plate with toppings.

For the topping : dulce de leche caramel cinnamon cream

Ingridients :

 200 ml whipping cream
4 tbs confectioners sugar
5 ts cinnamon spice powder
5-6 tbs dulce de leche

1) whip up the whipping cream and sugar together with a mixer, when whipping slowly add in the dulce de leche, then whip till really fluffy and well combined.

2 ) after fluffy slowly fold in the cinnamon

3) top over the quesadillas or dip the quesadillas into the cream

4 ) EAT AND ENJOY !!!! :)

I hope you guys liked this recipe :)

muchos gracias,

Senorita Spice

DIY BODY BUTTER !!!!!!

The solid winter days are coming :( bad for me and the dry skin eh? Every winter I usually finish about 1-2 pots of body butter to revive my skin to just not be way too dry, actually I even use up tons of tubes of hand cream or butters, I use it a lot during the winter  although all year round it can be used. Body butters and creams can be really pricey at times, even though they smell good and is very nourishing one pot can be expensive and FULL I mean FULL of bad chemicals and stuff....

My favorite butters/creams :


( image couretsey of loccitane,the body shop and nourish organic online store )

I realized that the base for these products were mainly oil,butters,fragrances and tons of other chemicals and fragrances, I decided to try out without the chemicals and formulated a body butter recipe that is all natural and organic, while still keeping your skin smiley and happy. It is just a base of natural scents,butter and oils that will keep your skin glowing and smooth all winter long plus it makes a good lot of body butter, PS because a little goes a long way it is very, I mean very moisturizing.

Image couretsey of shutter shock royalty free images, from right to left : shea butter, coconut oil and violet/lavender essence scent oil ).

I hope everyone has a blissful winter with wonerful skin, especially formulated for dry to normal skin and is just great,effective, and more cheaper and moisturizing.

Home made organic all-natural body butter ( makes around one pot )

for the base :

1/2 cup of Shea butter , organic and all natural
1/4 cup of cocoa butter, organic and all natural
1/4 cup of mango butter, organic and all natural
1/8 cup of almond or avocado oil
1/8 cup of coconut or hazelnut oil

1) prepare a double broiler on a pot over medium to low heat, add your butters and oils until it is fully melted but not boiling.

2) transfer into a bowl ( freezable ) and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours plus or until solid, it should still be able to pierce into though.

3) after it has set prepare a mixer, and whip up the base mix until whipped and fluffy, it should not be stale,hard or oily.




For the add ins : ( optional, you can add stuff in or not, the base is just unscented and natural )

grounded dried spices/herbs ( ex. cinnamon,rosemary,etc)
liquid soap coloring ( specifically soap coloring, to make it colorful )
extracts/fragrances/essences/essential oils
dried lavender or other add ins like ( aloe gel,etc )

how to : after whipping everything slowly with a spoon fold in any add on's lightly fold it, just to make it Incorporated nicely but not too fluffy.

Storage how to and tips :

Personally, I like to store it in mason jars or old candle jars ( i like the ones from bath and body works) with pre made personalized labels / pictures.

Store it in a dark and cool place not in a hot place, if not it will melt.

If it starts to get oily, transfer into a bowl and repeat steps two and three but do not add anymore add on's.

can last up to 1-2 months,best used fresh.

Where to get all the stuff :

http://www.brambleberry.com/

Dr . Adorable site

http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/


Picture couretsey of shutter shock

Enjoy it spicers ! :

good luck,

Ms.Spice