Zucchini Pie

This recipe is from my ex-colleague many years ago.  All of us wanted the recipe once we ate it at a gathering at her house.  She found it online - Raven Haven Bed & Breakfast in Mentone, Alabama (their specialty recipe).  I've made this pie countless times and it never fails to garner compliments from those who eat it, and some would asked for the recipe.  Most of all, it's super easy and fast to make with just a few ingredients.  All the ingredients combined gave a fragrant aroma in the air once it's baked that you can't wait to try it.  The texture is similar to quiche.  We've prepared this zucchini pie as a side dish to western/American food and it goes really well with steamed rice and Asian dishes, too.  For those of you who like spicy food, I find that Asian chili sauce surprisingly goes very well with this pie.

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Baby Back Ribs are the rib meat from pork.  They are a bit more tender and meaty than beef ribs.  Tony Roma restaurant is famous for this type of ribs.  My husband & I used to go to Tony Roma once in a while to enjoy those delicious ribs along with their famous onion rings.

We got this simple recipe that tries to emulate Tony Roma's rib from one of my husband's friends.  We make it occasionally when having dinner guests or family gatherings.  Everyone seem to love it, especially kids. This is a totally wonderful dish, it tastes great and simple to make. The meats are so soft and tender that it easily falls off  the bones while you eat them.  The quality of the ribs seems to matter.  It happened to us a few times when the meat weren't as tender and juicy and I was pretty sure my husband didn't alter the recipe instructions in any way shape or form.  Anyway, here's the not-so-secret "secret" recipe for baby back rib ...

Egg & Bread for Breakfast

My son enjoys cooking and concocting his own creation.  He saw a recipe that caught his interest in a cookbook, "MaterChef Cookbook" and came up with his own version of the "egg in purgatory".  His variation is very simple and easy to make, it's yummy and nutritious for a quick breakfast, it's almost like eating a toast except there's an egg in the middle. Here's the recipe in his own words and picture.

To Die For Blueberry Muffins

My son decided one day that he wanted to make blueberry muffins.  He browsed online and found this recipe from allrecipes.com.  It's so simple to make and yet it's the best muffin we have ever eaten so far - it's moist & not too sweet inside and crunchy on the outside.  So, if my 11 years old son can make it, I am sure you can too, try it.  In case you want it quick, here it is.

French Chocolate Truffles

I decided to try something new this Christmas, aside from the usual holidays cookies or sweets - French chocolate truffles.  This recipe is from a French mom from my son's preschool many years ago.  It's very easy to make and they are delicous.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz bittersweet chocolate (Trader Joe's Pound Plus-Dark Chocolate)
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 4 oz unsalted butter
• cocoa (dutch cocoa is her preference)

Preparation:

1. Melt the chocolate with milk in a pan (or microwave)
2. Add the butter
3. Stir when the butter is melted
4. Put in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 hours until it's hard enough to make it into small balls (I left it in the fridge for at least 3 hrs)
5. Form little balls in your palm, then roll in the cocoa.  

Note: You can add vanilla extract, alcohols, i.e. rum, cointreau, cognac, etc. to the chocolate