A Pie For Mikey

I got really sad when I read In Jennie's Kitchen because she recently lost her beloved husband. I hate losing people, eventhough I know that it's inevitable. I know that this is my cooking blog but I can't help sharing this beautiful poem titled "Valentine Rose".

It made me cry.

Valentine Roses

Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose.
And every year her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows.
The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door.
The card said, "Be my Valentine," like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses, and the note would always say,
"I love you even more this year, than last year on this day."
"My love for you will always grow, with every passing year."
She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear.

She thought, he ordered roses in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know, that he would pass away.
He always liked to do things early, way before the time.
Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems, and placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face.
She would sit for hours, in her husband's favorite chair.
While staring at his picture, and the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was hard to live without her mate.
With loneliness and solitude, that had become her fate.
Then, the very hour, as on Valentines before,
The doorbell rang, and there were roses, sitting by her door

She brought the roses in, and then just looked at them in shock.
Then, went to get the telephone, to call the florist shop.
The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would explain,
Why would someone do this to her, causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago,"
The owner said, "I knew you'd call, and you would want to know."
"The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance."
"Your husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance."

"There is a standing order, that I have on file down here,
And he has paid, well in advance, you'll get them every year.
There also is another thing, that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago."

"Then, should ever, I find out that he's no longer here,
That's the card...that should be sent, to you the following year."
She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note.
Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote...
"Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone,
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome."

"I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real.
For if it was the other way, I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life.
I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife."

"You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need.
I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve.
I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years."

"When you get these roses, think of all the happiness,
That we had together, and how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still."

"Please...try to find happiness, while living out your days.
I know it is not easy, but I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year, and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered, when the florist stops to knock."

"He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt,
To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him,
And place the roses where we are, together once again."

Well, eventhough I may not know Jennie or Mikey, I'm extremely sorry for your lost. Words won't be able to describe how sad and sorry I am for your family. I hope that you'll find consolation in these words of a stranger.

In honour of Mikey, I will bake his favourite Creamy Peanut Butter Pie. I will give it to my loved ones, "hug them like there's no tomorrow because today is the only guarantee we can count on."

It's funny how we take people for granted. Occasionally, we need little reminders that one day we may lose everything we have and that we need to appreciate those around us.

Dear Lord, please remove these hurt and anger in my heart that I have against the people I love and who loves me in return. Please rmeove all these years of resentment and remove all the bad memories and retain only the good ones. Please remind me their acts of kindness instead of the fights."

"Last but not least, please bless everyone.Amen."

But, for the record, here's the recipe:

Creamy Peanut Butter Pie (Serves 10-12)

Ingredients:

8 ounces chocolate cookies
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 ounces finely chopped chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup creamy-style peanut butter
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 – 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions:

Add the cookies to the bowl of a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Combine melted butter and cookie crumbs in a small bowl, and stir with a fork to mix well. Press mixture into the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Pour over bottom of cookie crust and spread to the edges using an off-set spatula. Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the melted chocolate. Place pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.

Pour the heavy cream into a bowl and beat using a stand mixer or hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a small bowl and store in refrigerator until ready to use. Place the cream cheese and peanut butter in a deep bowl. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in the confectioner's sugar. Add the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Increase speed to medium and beat until all the ingredients are combined and filling is smooth.

Stir in 1/3 of the whipped cream into the filling mixture (helps lighten the batter, making it easier to fold in the remaining whipped cream). Fold in the remaining whipped cream. Pour the filling into the prepared springform pan. Drizzle the melted chocolate on top, if using, and refrigerate for three hours or overnight before serving.

~La Undomestic Goddess

Apricot Tarte

Nothing, I repeat, nothing, can go wrong with this recipe. The tart crust is delicious and I'm a fan of shortbread like crust instead of those flaky crust. But, for my pastries, I like em flaky! The difference between a pie and a tart is; A pie is generally covered and consists of filling while a tart is open at the top.

Ingredients: (Serves 8 Slices)

Rich Crust Pastry Pie:

100g Butter
60g Icing Sugar
1 Egg yolk
200g Flour

Instructions:

1) Cream the butter and icing sugar till light.
2) Add in the egg yolk. Cream until well combined.
3) Add flour and mix into pliable dough.
4) Let it rest for 20 minutes.
5) Roll pastry between 2 sheets of plastic till 3mm thick ans big enough to line a 22cm/9" pie dish.
6) Place and press the pastry neatly unto the pie dish.
7) Prick base with fork and bake till golden.

You can used this Pastry recipe for generally any dessert, when I started, I used it for Anna Olson's Alsatian Apple Tart.

Filing:

1 Can Apricot/ Fresh Apricot (Sliced)
1/3 Sour Cream
2 tbsp Sugar
3 tbsp Apricot jelly

1) Blend the sour cream and sugar and spead over bottom of cooled crust.
2) Line tart shell with apricots, overlapping each other inwards towards the centre of the tart.
3) Warm jelly (Follow packet's instructions)
4) Pour over the whole tart.

CHILL AND SERVE.

~La Undomestic Goddess

Mushroom & Bacon Carbonara

Still refused to go out because "have to study" and decided to cook my comfort food really quick! Mushroom and Bacon Carbonara. Very delicious. Mother doesn't know that I can cook. No one does it like I do. mmmmm.... The lovely crisp bacon and sauteed mushroom in bacon oil!

Ingredients: (Makes 2 servings)

7 Slices of Smoked Streaky Pork Bacon
5 Medium Sized White Button Mushroom (Thinly sliced)
5 Medium Sized Swiss Brown Button Mushroom (Thinly sliced)
200g / Slightly half a packet of Spaghetti
1 Can Prego Alfredo/Carbonara Sauce

Instructions:

1) ALWAYS, ALWAYS Fry the bacon first. Then, remove and drain.
2) Add in the mushrooms and fry in the bacon oil.
3) Chop the bacon into slices and saute with the mushrooms until soft and everything is evenly coated.
4) Boil the spaghetti until cooked.
5) Heat the Alfredo/ Carbonara sauce and mix it with the spaghetti.
6) Serve with the mixture of mushroom and bacon on the top.

SERVE AND ENJOY!

*I don't like using S&P in my cooking unless absolutely necessary. The bacon has a lot of flavor especially a smoked streaky bacon and that's all you need.

~La Undomestic Goddess

Plov (Turkmenistan)

Was bored studying during the weekend that I attempted to cook Plov! Finally, after procrastinating for years! Plov is my favourite national dish of Turkmenistan. Made it with Mommy's help! Plov turned out just the way Chynar cooked it! Delicious!

Ingredients: (Makes 4 servings)

7 Carrots (halved and chopped)
5 Onions (Diced and cubed)
1/2 Chicken (We used 3 boneless chicken thighs)
2 Cups Nishiki Japanese rice (Sushi rice)

Instructions:

1) Heat up enough oil to cover the pan, preferably non stick pan.
2) Salt the chicken and fry till golden brown.
3) Remove chicken and let it sit for awhile.
4) Fry the onions till soft.
5) Put in the carrots and mix till soft.
6) Cook for 3 minutes and put in 1/2 cup of water to steam and simmer the onions and carrots.
7) Pour in 4 cups of water. Wait till water is bubbling.
8) Wash the rice 3 times and put it into the pot with the chicken, onions and carrots.
9) Mix it every 5-10 minutes on low heat.
10) Add 1 tablespoon of salt.

SERVE AND ENJOY!

~La Undomestic Goddess

Pre Chocolate Mousse Tart

Gonna try Ida Garten the Barefoot Contessa's Omelet for Two and also Jamie Oliver's Baked Chocolate Tart.

I'm craving for the chocolate mousse cake I had at King Louis at Vivo City in Singapore.
Since it's been awhile since I had it, I decided to make it! Unfortunately, I can't decide between a cake or a tart. I need to find a very good chocolate mousse recipe.

Then I could incorporate it between 2 cakes or pour it into a tart shell. I think I'll try Paula Deen's Chocolate Mousse recipe and when I'm much more of an expert, will try Anna Olson's Blood Orange Chocolate Tart.

This Chocolate Tart recipe by Tyler Florence sounds really simple too! I guess this weekend will be spent finding and baking the perfect Chocolate Mousse tart.

~La Undomestic Goddess