New Apartment, new adventures!

It's been way too long! Moved back to San Francisco, got my own apartment, got a new microwave oven, new adventures!

I've actually been cooking and baking less now that I'm working full-time. I never knew it would take so much time and energy out of me. And there so many good food in the city just a short bus ride or walk away....why do I even need to cook?? Just kidding....

My first baking project in my new apartment was baked macaroni and cheese. YUMMM!!!

Preheat oven to 350.

Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.

In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.

Whisk the egg and milk together in a large cup. Add butter and cheese to the egg and milk. Stir well.

Place the lightly cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese liquid over the macaroni, sprinkle with tons of salt and pepper, and stir well. Press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.

Bake uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown.

Orange Cranberry Bread

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Orange-Bread-2/Detail.aspx

Turned out quite delicious. I used fresh squeezed orange juice too! Only change I would make is to use dried cranberries as well and only a little bit of actual cranberries because the fruit is very sour.

Pineapple Fried Rice

The hardest part was cutting the pineapple in half and scooping the fruit out so I can use the shell as a bowl.

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

http://gastrophoria.blogspot.com/2011/01/red-velvet-cookies-happy-accident.html

I originally wanted to actually use the red velvet cake mix to make a cake but I didn't try something different thanks to my friend who gave me this recipe. My "lil sis" did all the work and made this lovely dessert in my apartment :] It looks extremely cute, it tastes extremely sweet, but very yummy! I think next time, I might try to make it smaller just because it is a tad bit sweet for my taste and I'd only eat a little bit. Cute party dessert though.

Jacks N Joe

After hearing all the rave about Jacks N Joe, I finally got a chance to go there one day with my friends. Breakfast for dinner? Definitely interesting, but very delicious. We shared a plate of omelette, their monthly special: biscuits in bacon gravy, and their weekly special: strawberry crepes with lemon custard.

Very delicious food. I'd go back again during actual breakfast or lunch time and try their combos and pancakes.

Strawberry & Nutella Crepes

Mmm I've been craving for crepes for so long! And nutella...Mmmmmm delicious on everything and anything.

My friend suggested to follow Alton Brown's crepe recipe and i did: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/crepes-recipe/index.html

Turned out very delicious with strawberries, nutella, and whip cream. But I'm not very good at making the crepes though...how do you make the crepe skin crispy??

Bread Pudding

MMMMYUMMMM! Just made it today, was afraid it wouldn't form but it turned out great! It's spongy, moist, and soft, tastes kinda like french toast! I think bread pudding is meant for dessert but I didn't put that much sugar in it so it's perfect for breakfast. Yay!

8 slices of bread

2 tbsp melted butter

3 eggs, beaten

2 cups milk (I used soymilk)

3/4 cup brown sugar (although I used 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup white sugar)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Break the bread in small pieces, fill the baking pan. Then drizzle the melted butter all over the bread on top. In a bowl, mix the eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract together. Then pour all over the bread. Use a spoon or fork to push the bread down so everything gets soaked in the mixture.

Then put it in the oven for 45 mins. That's it!! :] Next time I'll probably add some raisins or dried cranberries to add more to it!

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