Natilla

My father used to make this dessert for me when I was a child. It’s a kind of pudding. I remember it fondly as something special the two of us shared. Neither my sister nor my brother liked it. So on the rare occasions he made it I was super happy with the treat. Now as an adult when I’m feeing down and want to feel like a little girl again I make it for myself. This is just real comfort food for me. There are few foods that can really give you that sense of innocence and comfort. This is one of the top ones in my personal list. Hope you guys enjoy it.

Tips:

·      The way you know the pudding is done is with the wooden spoon. When you make the line with your finger (careful not to burn) and the mixture doesn’t run it is ready. 

Ingredients:

2 ¾ cups of milk

¼ cup cornstarch

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Ground cinnamon (to taste)

Procedure:

In a medium size pot add the milk.

Add the cornstarch. Mix until well combined.

Add the sugar.

Add the salt.

Add the vanilla extract.

Prepare the aluminum molds.

Cook the mixture, stirring constantly at a medium temperature until it’s thickened.

 

This is the mixture at the start. It's very runny. 

This is the mixture at the middle of the process. It's starting to thicken.

This is what I was talking about in the tip. The top doesn't run.

Pour the mixture into the aluminum molds.

 

Sprinkle some ground cinnamon on top.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Brownie Pudding

A new invention! This is a very simple recipe. I was thinking about my brother who loves brownies and yesterday’s pudding, so I decided to mix them a little bit. I guess I’ve been having some flashbacks from my childhood lately and thinking when the times come for me and my hubby to have kids of our own. Looking forward to it. Hope you guys enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 box of chocolate pudding

2 cups of cold milk

Brownies of your preference

Procedure:

Put the chocolate pudding mix in a medium bowl.

Add the cold milk.

Mix it until well combined for two minutes.

Put in the fridge for 5 minutes until it sets.

In a cup put a little bit of pudding, then a layer of brownies. Repeat until you reach the top of the cup.

Enjoy!

Boxed Chocolate Pudding

My brother and I have always loved chocolate pudding and it’s been a while since I last ate it. I’ve never made boxed chocolate pudding before. Mom always bought it ready to eat in the supermarket. Last week I passed them by then I did a double take and stared at the variety of pudding boxes in front of me. I had a flashback to my childhood with my brother; good memories. So right then I decided to make a batch, but if you know me you should know I didn’t just take the chocolate flavor but the banana flavor too! Even though it’s a pretty simple recipe, I just loved the memories I had from my childhood. The flavor of this, I think is far better that the one you can buy ready to eat. It takes literally only two minutes and is something you can do with your kids without any mess! Hope you guys enjoy it. I wish you guys some great family time!

Ingredients:

1 box of chocolate pudding

2 cups of cold milk

Procedure:

Put the chocolate pudding mix in a medium bowl.

Add the cold milk.

Mix it until well combined for two minutes.

Put in the fridge for 5 minutes until it sets.

Enjoy!

Mozzarella and Marinara Spaghetti

Yesterday I gave you the Basic Marinara Sauce recipe and today I’m going to use it to make Mozzarella and Marinara Spaghettis. This recipe is one of those inventions you have when you really don’t want to cook, but you have to and suddenly you remember the homemade batch of Marinara Sauce and Voila you are saved by the sauce and quickly you have a dish in mind… yep just like that. I saw my fridge and the only things I had left were fresh mozzarella, parmesan cheese and the sauce.  What better than those ingredients to make this dish? Sometimes less is so much more! Most of the time those are the best recipes! Just saying, don't you guys think this is one of my best photos? I think I'm getting better. What do you guys think? I really hope you guys enjoy my inventions!

Ingredients:

½ cup of basic marinara sauce

1 cup of cooked angel hair spaghettis

1/2 mozzarella ball

Parmesan cheese (to taste)

Procedure:

Cook the pasta.

Cut the mozzarella cheese.

Drain the pasta.

Heat pan on low and add the sauce.

Add the spaghettis.

Mix well until combined.

Add the mozzarella cheese and let it melt.

Serve and add the parmesan cheese to taste.

Enjoy!

Basic Marinara Sauce

This is my basic version of a marinara sauce. I prefer making it with fresh tomatoes but sadly I couldn’t find some good-looking tomatoes to bring home. I made this one with canned whole tomatoes. The sugar in the recipe is to cut out the acidity of the canned tomatoes. If you make a big batch you can freeze it and use it later, having the amazing taste of fresh marinara sauce even in winter. So hop on and try something new! Hope you guys enjoy it. 

Ingredients:

1 large yellow onion diced

2 Tablespoons of olive oil

6 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tablespoons of Italian Seasoning

½ cup of wine

56 ounces of whole tomatoes

14 ounces of tomato paste

4 Tablespoons of white sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

In a large pot heat the olive oil.

Add the onions and cook them slowly.

Until caramelized.

Add the garlic.

Add the Italian Seasoning. 

Let it cook for 5 minutes.

Add the red wine to deglaze.

  Cook for 2 minutes.

   

Add the tomatoes.

Add the tomato paste. 

Add the sugar.

Mix and crush until combined.

Bring to a simmer and cook on low for 2 hours.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Whiskey Sour

Well, this is definitely not a dessert and my hubby apparently loved it! For my taste it’s a little strong. I guess I’m not a huge fan of whiskey or maybe the whiskey I chose is not the best. I think that may be the reason; let’s face it I don’t have a lot of knowledge about alcohol but I’m trying. If any of you guys knows more about this please let me know how can I get better. Hope you guys have an amazing week! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 measure lemon juice

2 measures blended whiskey

1 teaspoon confectioner’s sugar

Cracked ice cubes

Slice of lemon and cocktail cherry, to decorate ( I didn't used it. )

Procedure:

Add the lemon juice.

Add the whiskey.

 Add the confectioner's sugar.

Shake well over the cracked ice.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

 Enjoy!