You Tube Monday: Food can Help!!!

Weird Household Uses For Food

YouTube video by better

FEED IT FORWARD™ - Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com’s Feed It Forward™ will donate $30 million in free restaurant $10 gift certificates – over 30 days – and allow you to treat friends, family, and colleagues —anyone deserving—to savings on a great meal out. When you Feed It Forward™, you have the opportunity, every day for 30 days, to enrich lives by giving the gift of meals and memories. Now until Christmas, you simply choose whom to give to, and they take care of the rest. Each person that receives a gift through the giving site can help Feed it Forward™, by giving free restaurant $10 gift certificates to others.

What a TEErific way to spread some holiday cheer to friends & family!!!

YouTube: Monkeying Around Allowed

YouTube video by CBS

Do the Turkey Trot!!!

glitter-graphics.com

YouTube Monday: Turkeys Gone Wild!!!

YouTube video by jth1963ut

YouTube video by JupiterGreetings

Have a TEErific and FUNtastic turkey day!!!

YouTube Monday: Dinner for 5,000 - No problem!!!

The West Lake Restaurant in Changsha, China

YouTube video by lpdrivethrupictures

Wokking My Way to Good Eats

Kimchi Fried Rice

The title "experimental cook" was given to me by my Dad when I started cooking for the family 'cause you never know how my dishes would turn out. I would be trying out some unusual recipe (to my family - everything I cooked was unusual) that I came across either in a magazine, a new cookbook or ate at a restaurant. I had my share of hits and misses.

Well, to this day - I continue to live up to my title every time I cook or bake. Family and friends have been the beneficiaries of those "experiments".

Here is my wokking recipe for kimchi fried rice with wok-fried calamari rings & catfish nuggets. I came across this dish when I was working in Santa Monica. This Japanese restaurant (kitchen chefs were Korean) had kimchi fried rice (minus the calamari rings & catfish nuggets) on their menu. I love kimchi and rice so the combination makes for one TEErific good eats.

Ingredients: kimchi - store bought, olive oil spray, leftover cooked rice, green onions, garlic powder or minced garlic, pepper seasoning, egg, calamari rings & catfish nuggets (optional)

Calamari rings & catfish nuggets were marinated in freshly squeezed lemon juice and seasoned with lemon pepper. Used canola oil for frying.

Word of caution: I would highly recommend using disposal gloves when cutting the store bought kimchi (very spicy).

Have yourself some TEErific good eats today!!!

YouTube Monday: One BIG MAC

Vinita, Oklahoma

YouTube Vdieo by matoman5

After Voting has its' SWEET REWARDS

Please VOTE!!!

Check out these sweet rewards tomorrow:

• 1. Starbucks - FREE tall cup of brewed coffee
• 2. Krispy Kreme - FREE star shaped doughnut with patriotic sprinkles
• 3. Ben & Jerry - FREE scoop of ice cream

YouTube Monday: All Aboard

2Toots Train Whistle Grill

YouTube video by 302884269

All aboard for some TEErific lip smacking FUN!!!

November FREEbies

Dessert FREEbies on your birthday month:

1. Friends of Krispy Kreme eClub
2. Baskin Robbins Birthday eClub
3. Cold Stone Cremery Birthday eClub
4, Orange Julius eClub
5. Smoothie King Kindom eClub
6. The Melting Pot Fondue eClub
7. Frosty Paws treats for you & your pet
8. Bakers Square eClub
9. Ben & Jerry's ChunkSpelunker eClub
10. Dairy Queen Blizzard Fan Club
11. TGI Fridays eClub

11 TEErific ways to a FREE sugar rush birthday month!!!

YouTube Halloween: BOO!!!

YouTube video by r4g3m4st3r

Have a TEErific Halloween Fun!!!

TAKE 5

1. 5min video How to Make Garlic Ginger Bak Choy
2. Bread in 5 Minutes a Day
3. Four Inexpensive Breakfast in under 5 Minutes
4. Breakfast in 5 Minutes - 19 Quick and Tasty Options
5. 5min video How to Make Egg Muffins

Whatevah you do, enjoy your TEErific 5 minute break!!!

Sample FREEbies

1. Turtle Chex Mix Bar FREE sample
2. Dunking Donuts Coffee FREE sample
3. Haydee Chocolatier FREE sample box
4. Zhong Guo Cha FREE tea sample
5. Airbone FREE sample

Enjoy your TEErific FREE samples!!!

FREE Tacos for America on Tuesday

Steal A Base. Steal A Taco

Game One - 2008 MLB World Series

It happened in the bottom of the fifth inning. Tampa Bay Rays 2nd baseman Akinori Iwamura was at bat with shortstop Jason Bartlett on first base. Bartlett stole 2nd base.

Mahalo Jason Bartlett for the FREE taco!!!

CEE Turns 13 Today!!!

WHOO HOO - What a SWEET CELEBRATION!!!

In lieu of the traditional birthday cake, her Uncle bought one dozen of "A Local Taste of Politics" cookies from Torrance Bakery.

Which cookie disappeared quickly first? Palin. Second? Tie (McCain & Obama). Does that mean anything? Dunno. Regardless, I can assure you that the Torrance Bakery cookies were and always have been TEErific. They deserve a 5 TEEspoons rating.

Just a note - Whatevah your party affiliation may be, please VOTE!!!

CEE's fav candidate

CEE baked & decorated (with some TEE assistance) her birthday cupcakes to share with her school classmates tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CEE and many more TEErific ones!!!

Plate Lunch Friday

Bruddahs
1033 W. Gardena Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(Between Vermont & Normandie)
310.323.9112
Rating: 5 TEEspoons

A hole in the wall that serves TEErific Hawaiian & Filipino dishes. My fav is the Inihaw Baboy (Filipino pork dish). This dish is almost as good as Dad's cooking.

Inihaw Baboy
(BBQ pork over raw onions & tomatoes in a vinegar soy sauce)

Come hungry and definitely leave HAPPY!!!

Sample FREEbies

1. Barnes and Noble Complimentary Cappuccino
2. Ben & Jerry FREE Scoop of Ice Cream
3. Folgers FREE sample
4. Steal a Base Steal a Taco (FREE) from Taco Bell
5. Tyson Food FREE booklet "Giving Thanks at Mealtime"

Enjoy your TEErific FREEbies!!!

YouTube Monday: Trough Noodles

Japanese Noodle Trough

YouTube video by mtokuyama

Well, how about 'em noodles???

Wokking My Way to Good Eats

Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

• Ingredients: chicken wings, lemon pepper seasoning, all-purpose flour, canola oil
• For less frying time, I either boil the chicken wings first (half cook) or fry until outside is crispy enough and finish cooking them in the oven.
• Coat chicken wings with the lemon pepper seasoned flour

Deep frying in wok over medium heat. Fry a few at a time.

• For boiled chicken wings, 3-4 minutes frying time on each side
• For the other method: Fry to desired crispy look, bake in the preheated oven at 350º for 15-20 mins

Chow down to some TEErific Good Eats.

YouTube Monday: WOK This Way

Mr. Noodles Wok Restaurant in Malaga, Spain

YouTube video by txemaprada

Woking never looked & tasted so GOOD!!!

Sample FREEbies

1. Kashi FREE cookie
2. Bertolli FREE sample of premium sauce
3. Original Pho FREE sample
4. Walmart's Orville Smart Cakes FREE sample
5. Sundance Organic Tea FREE sample

Enjoy your TEErific Sample FREEbies!!!

October FREEbies

Celebrating a birthday soon, here are some ways to enjoy a TEErific FREE birthday gift from these restaurants:

1. Red Lobster Birthday Club
2. Black Angus Steak House Prime Club
3. Chili's Bar & Grill eClub
4. Islands Tiki Link
5. Joe's Crab Shack - Joe Mail
6. Marie Callendars' eClub
7. Red Robin eClub
8. Rubio's Beach Club
9. Tony Roma Rib Expert eClub
10. Claim Jumper CJ eClub

Enjoy 10 TEErific ways to celebrate your birthday month!!!

Salsa Mexicana

Homemade Salsa Roja Picante

Homemade Pico de Gallo

Mrs. D, my sis in law, grew up in Mexico and learned to make salsa the old fashioned way. It is very labor intense but the flavor is worth every sweat and tears!!! I have used her basic recipe to make guacamole and mango salsa. Here is a similar recipe for pico de gallo minus Mrs. D's secret seasonings.

Whatevah salsa flavor you choose, make it a TEErific one!!!

Take 5

1. Five Minute Makeup, Face Makeup Application Tips in 5 Minutes - HairStyles.com
2. 5 Minutes for Your Earth - Blue Planet News
3. You Got 5 Minutes, Make the Most of It - HealthBlot
4. Top 10 Things to Do in 5 Minutes - Associated Content
5. How to Make Wholly Guacamole - FoodWishes at 5Min Life Videopedia

Make it a TEErific 5 Minutes!!!

Sample FREEbies

1. BEAR NAKED Fruit and Granola Bar
2. Seattle's Best Coffee complimentary sample
3. Gimbal's Jelly Beans FREE sample
4. True Lemon FREE sample
5. Sundance Organic Tea FREE sample

Enjoy your TEErific Sample FREEbies!!!

FREE 3oz Make-A-WISH Creation

It is the 7th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social at participating Cold Stone Creamery stores nationwide, a special night to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and share the simple pleasures of life with a FREE ice cream and family fun.

On September 25th from 5:00 - 8:00PM, guests will be treated to a 3 oz. serving of Jack or Emily's Creation. All donations will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

• Jack's Creation - Marshmallow ice cream with OREO® Cookies, Chocolate Chips and Fudge
• Emily's Creation - Nutter Butter® ice cream with White Chocolate Chips, Kit Kat® and Yellow Cake

Enjoy Jack or Emily's (Wish Children) creation and support a TEErific cause!!!

Frugal Friday

Iced Green Tea

One pkg of YAMAMOTOYAMA Green Tea

= $1.50 or $0.09 /tea bag

One reusable 2 quarts (1 tea bag/8 fl oz) pitcher = zero

Calories = zero

Fat = zero

Sodium = zero

Sugars = zero

25 Benefits of Green Tea & TEErific cool way to save money = priceless

For the frugal tip, TEE kisses to my youngest brother UBB who knows bargains & great taste.

FREE Breakfast at IKEA

Starting September 19 through September 21, IKEA is offering FREE breakfast until 10:30am.

Have a TEErific IKEA breakfast before shopping or whatevah!!!

Take 5

1. 5 Minutes of Caring - Text Appeal - CoolPeopleCare
2. 5 Minute Craving Busters - About.com
3. 5 Things You can Do in 5 Minutes (or less) to Protect the Planet - Cottonwood Institute Blog
4. Achieve Your Potential: 5 things You can do in 5 Minutes - The SideRoad
5. Sitting in Silence Good for Your Health - ABCNewsOnline

Make it a TEErific 5 Minutes!!!

Wokking Your Way to Good Health

Confucius says: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

First step is choosing a wok that matches your needs & budget. I prefer to cook with a round bottom wok. Wok cooking is very fast, so gather all your ingredients first before heating up the wok. I use the wok for all my everyday cooking.

Here is my simple & quick recipe for a healthy sinigang (Filipino sour soup dish).

1. Spices (lemon pepper, garlic & onion powder), tarmind soup base & olive oil spray

2. Chop up onions (1/4 cup) and 5 cherry tomatoes

3. 5 catfish nuggets or tofu

4. Bitter Melon Leaves (one handful bunch)

5. String Beans (1/2 cup)

6. Coat the wok with the olive oil spray under medium heat.

7. Start with the onions & brown the catfish nuggets before adding the tomatoes.

8. Add 2 cups of water and allow the mixture to simmer.

9. Season with the spices, start with one teaspoon first and taste.

10. Add the string beans, constantly stir the mixture. And 5 minutes before serving, add the bitter melon leaves into the mixture to cook.

11. Approximate wok cooking time: 20 mins.

12. Eat it as a soup or over steamed rice.

I am not one for leftovers so I cook just enough for 2 servings. Learning to cook with a wok is FUN and healthy. Once you get the hang of it, you can wok and roll to your pace.

Sample FREEbies

This week's TEErific Sample FREEbies:

• Kashi - Get a Free Cookie
• Yogi Tea Free Samples
• Chef Paul Prudhomme's Complimentary Magic Seasoning Blends
• A Traveler's Guide to America's Dairyland
• Betty Crocker Potatoes Free Sample

Enjoy your TEErific Sample FREEbies!!!

That's Sweet - Halo-Halo

This YouTube video (gusto14321) caught my interest. I love halo-halo especially the ones I had back in our small town in the Philippines. The ingredients were fresh not canned except for the evaporated milk and they used the metal shaver on a block of ice. Our local street vendor prepared the mixture right in front of you. I am salivating as I write this.

Will Chowking live up to their enticing, mouth watering commercial? I am ready to find out.

Chowking
131 W Carson St Ste D
Carson, CA 90745
310.835.7100

I was greeted by a friendly staff. There are 2 sizes for halo-halo, Classic (coffee cup serving) or King (super-size). I opted for the King size - cost $5. The staff agreed that the King size was the best way to enjoy their halo-halo concotion. The mixture was prepared in less than 5 minutes. It was exciting to bring home a sweet taste of the Philippines. I was disappointed that the major ingredients were not in the mixture such as the flan, coconut, banana slices which the commercial video beautifully displayed. Just a lot of clear & green cubed gelatin, red mung beans and some jackfruit. The King size provided 2 medium servings of halo-halo. Sweet but not overly rich. Although, the overall enjoyment of this halo-halo was good. My rating for this sweet pleasure is 3 TEEspoons.

Well, I am on my way to the next stop to find that TEErific halo-halo perfection.....stay tuned.

Plate Lunch Friday

L & L Hawaiian BBQ
272 E. Sepulveda Blvd., Carson CA 90745
(E. Sepulveda Blvd & Dolores St)
310.549.2913
Fax: 310.549.2947

Chicken Katsu photo from
L & L Hawaiian BBQ website


Rating: 4 TEEspoons

My fav is the Chicken Katsu Curry. Lots of crispy chicken strips (moist in the inside) and the curry sauce is thicker, sweeter and milder than the Indian equivalent. Other favs are the Hawaiian BBQ short ribs and the fried shrimp. Their steamed pork manapua is also delicious. Friendly cashiers. This location has added more dishes to the regular menu. I always call in my order. If you order right there, it is at least 15-20 minute wait When there is a lunch or dinner crowd, well ....just make sure you have something to occupy your waiting time and that you are not on a tight schedule. Clean and ample parking. No desserts but adjacent to L & L Hawaiian BBQ is Blenders (smoothies & bubble tea or boba stuff) and across the parking lot are Cold Stone Creamery & Starbucks to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Have a TEErific plate lunch Friday!!!

Sample FREEbies

Here are some TEErific FREE samples:

• Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis
• Custom-Designed Fruit Roll Up Snack
• Fiber One Free Sample
• Free Cold Stone Creamery 3oz Make a Wish Creation on Sept 25
• Quaker Simple Harvest

Sharing is good. Enjoy your TEErific sample freebies!!!

Take 5

1. 5 Minute Tour of the World - Author annlee Slide Boom Presentations
2. Use 5 Minutes Everyday to Help You De-Stress - Green Health Information
3. Erase Varicose Veins in 5 Minutes - Prevention
4. How to Cross-Stitch in 5 Minutes - 5Min Life Videopedia
5. Righteous Tofu Pudding in 5 Minutes - JustHungry

Enjoy your TEErific 5 Minutes!!!

The Catch of the Day: CATFISH

Our grandparents got us "hooked" on catfish when we were little. They would cook it in way that you just could not resist eating it. And being finicky kids, that was a major accomplishment. So in honor of Grandparents' Day, this blog post is dedicated to them. Our mom, now a great grandma loves fried catfish. Because of her dietary restrictions, we have to find healthy ways to cook catfish. This is one simple recipe she loves. This is my recipe, you take a little bit of this, a smidgen of that, squeeze this and add flavor of that to the mix. Not one for exact measurements, you just know when it is right or other words hit or miss. You be the judge and adjust according to your taste buds.

TEE's pan fried catfish fillets

• Marinate the fillets by squeezing a medium size lemon, season with lemon pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
• Lightly coat the fillets with either all purpose flour or cornmeal.
• Use extra virgin olive oil or spray on a flat frying pan over medium heat.
• Fry both sides at least 3-4 minutes to have a nice crispy texture.

Here some other TEErific catfish recipes:

• Southern Fried Catfish Nuggets - RecipeZaar
• Classic Fried Catfish - My Recipes
• Lemon Grilled Catfish - The Catfish Institute
• Cumin Catfish w/ Orange & Avocado Salsa YouTube by Dani Spies
• Blackened Catfish - Everyday Health

Have a TEErific Grandparents' Day and

enjoy some U.S. farm-raised catfish!!!

Photo taken from The Catfish Institute website

Plate Lunch Friday

Mahina Hawaiian BBQ
20804 S. Figueroa St. Carson 90745
(Adjacent to Starbucks)
310.787.8638
Fax 310.222.8687

Seafood Mix photo
fr Mahina Hawaiian BBQ website

Rating: 3 TEEspoons

I usually call my order in to avoid any lunch or dinner hour crowd. Our fav (Cee & Tee) is the Seafood Mix (Crispy Shrimp, Mahi-Mahi, BBQ Chicken). We prefer teriyaki chicken over the BBQ chicken so we substitute at no extra charge plus one order of spam musubi. Total cost: $12.

I have not eaten at the location but it does look clean and presentable. Friendly & smiling cashiers are a hit and miss. Ample parking spaces. No desserts but Baskin Robbins and Starbucks are close by if you have a craving for sweets.

Have a TEErific Plate Lunch Friday!!!