WHAT ARE MY PLANS FOR 2017!!

It’s sad that it has come to this… We have to say bye to each other. You have been wonderful to me and always brought me new and exciting blessings which I will always remember…  H O L D  U P!!! Are you guys thinking I’m saying all that to you? Naahh!! I was talking to 2016!! I feel sad that we have reached the end of this year. 2016 has been good to me but I know 2017 will be better so it’s more of a happy-sad feeling.

Usually it is around this time where everyone makes “new year resolutions” like losing weight (which BTW  is ranked the #1 as peoples new year resolution) some of the other popular resolutions are spending less and saving more or working on organizational skills etc! I can’t say I am not guilty; losing weight was my #1 resolution for a while as well.

But this time round, I am thinking of changing the rules. Instead of making New Year Resolutions, I thought of making some simple goals for what I’m already working on for example:

1)            Blog Posts

Posting more interesting topics such as more recipes, sharing more about my lifestyle because that’s what “chroniclesofanewbride” is supposed to be. Sharing my adventure with you all as a new bride and because cooking is one of my favorite hobbies, it has kind of taken over which is fine, a lot of you have told me that you love my food posts which make me very happy but I want to keep it all balanced with my lifestyle, DIY, and experience as a new bride stories (All coming up for you- something to keep you excited)

2)            Adding excitement on the website

I know I already have my blog up and running but there are a few changes I want to make such as add more menus to the menu bar, add more pictures and most of all making it easy for you guys to navigate around the site. I have been a little busy with other things that my husband and I have been working so I’m not really getting a chance to working on the website but now that everything is clearing up, I see myself having more free time.

I also wanted to mention that I hope to get a job soon and once I do, I’ll get all busy working, but because I’ve been really enjoying the blogging experience, I do not want to stop especially because I get such good and positive feedback from you guys. So I will try my best to continue posting and I can only hope to keep you coming back J

Well, that’s all for now. I just got the first batch of Laundry done; now I need to clean up the house and cook up something small as we still have lots of Beef Stew from last night’s dinner. I marinated the chicken wings so i'll make that and we’ll have the Scalloped Potatoes as a side.

Thank you for visiting and I hope to see you soon J

Love,

Arzina xo 

GARLIC PARMESAN SCALLOPED POTATOES

Sometimes, It dear hubby’s turn to cook and he’s good at making Steak so whenever we decide to have steak, it's presumed that he will be making it and I will make a side dish which is usually fries or Mashed potatoes but this time I decide to try something different. Something more fancy so to speak!

This is what I found. It was easy and delicious. These potatoes are a perfect side dish for pretty much anything; the garlic and parmesan with the potatoes… Oh! A good mix! 

INGREDIENTS

·         4 tablespoons butter

·         1 tablespoon minced garlic (or 4 large garlic cloves, minced)

·         4 tablespoons all-purpose (or plain) flour

·         4 cups milk (skim, 2% or full fat -- more if needed)

·         1 teaspoon chicken bullion powder (or Kosher salt)

·         Salt, to taste

·         ½ teaspoon black pepper

·         4 pounds | 2 kgs potatoes, peeled and sliced into ⅛-inch rounds

·         2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

·         ¾ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)

·         1 tablespoon fresh chives, divided

INSTRUCTIONS

1. preheat oven to 400°F | 200°C.
2. Melt butter in a medium-sized pan / pot. Add the garlic and sauté until just fragrant (about 1 minute). Whisk in the flour; continue to cook while whisking (or stirring) for at least 2 minutes. Reduce heat down to low; gradually whisk in 4 cups of the milk (about ¼ cup at a time), whisking between each addition to combine. Bring to a boil until beginning to thicken. Stir in the bullion powder, salt (if needed), and pepper. Set aside.
3.  Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking oil spray. Arrange a layer of potatoes over base of prepared dish. Pour half of the cream sauce over the potatoes, then top evenly with half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Arrange the remaining potato slices over the cheese, the remaining creamy sauce, and the remaining cheeses.
4.  Cover tightly with aluminium foil and bake for 40 minutes until potatoes are just tender. Remove foil; cook for a further 30 minutes or until top is golden and the sauce is bubbling. For a crispier top, broil (or grill) on medium heat for 2-3 minutes until cheese is crispy.
5. Garnish with chives. Serve warm.

Enjoy!! 

Love,

Arzina xo

Recipe Source: Karina 

Sloppy Joe's

I did not want to post this recipe because I couldn't get a good picture but wah! I was too good to not share! 

I had to run out to the store to pick up some burger buns because I did not have any at home and guess what!! The store had just received the buns fresh and warm- So that definitely made me happy coz I like my food fresh! 

Try out this recipe and let me know what you think and as always, tag me on your pictures if you end up making them : ) 

Ingredients

·         1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

·         1 Tbsp olive oil

·         1/2 cup diced yellow onion

·         1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

·         1/2 cup diced green bell pepper (or an additional 1/2 cup red bell pepper)

·         1/4 cup diced poblano pepper (optional)

·         1 medium carrot finely grated (about 1/2 cup)

·         2 cloves garlic, minced

·         2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce

·         1/3 cup water

·         1 1/2 tsp lemon zest

·         2 Tbsp lemon juice

·         2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

·         1 1/2 Tbsp molasses

·         1 Tbsp yellow mustard

·         1 tsp liquid smoke flavoring

·         3 Tbsp granulated sugar

·         2 Tbsp dried parsley

·         1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder

·         1 1/2 tsp paprika

·         1 tsp cumin

·         1/2 tsp salt, and then to taste

·         1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Directions

·         Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat, crumble in ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up beef when stirring, until beef has browned. Drain beef into a bowl lined with paper towels, reserving 1 1/2 tbsp fat in pan.

·         Add onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, poblano pepper and carrot to fat in skillet and cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until veggies become translucent and tender. Add in garlic and cook 1 more minute. Reduce heat to low and add remaining ingredients, along with browned beef and stir. Cover and cook 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve warm on toasted hamburger buns (delicious toasted with butter and rubbed with a clove a garlic), and sprinkle optional cheddar cheese over Sloppy Joe mixture.

Enjoy!

Xo Arzina

Mexican Hot Chocolate

I dare you to try this Mexican Hot Chocolate- It's that good AND so easy to make!!

I always try to make different coffees, teas, hot chocolates, I even made the famous Turkish coffee and S'mores hot chocolate which was delicious by the way, but I think none of them beats this one. So far, this Mexican Hot chocolate is our favorite. It aromatic and most definitely relaxing.

What more do you need during this stormy winter apart from a hot chocolate, some chocolates, a good movie and a snuggle buddy?! 

Try out this recipe and let me know what you think. Tag me on to your picture if you do end up making it :) 

PS: I added something special to make the drink even yummier, but you’ll have to scroll all the way to bottom to know what just so I can have you read up the recipe ; )

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups milk (any kind)

3 Tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cinnamon stick

1/4 tsp. chili powder, optional

DIRECTIONs:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon stick. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring gently.

Remove from heat. If desired, add chili powder to increase spice.

Pour into 3 cups to serve immediately, or set over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Secret tip:

I put some whipped cream on the hot chocolate and sieved some unsweetened cocoa powder on top - The recipe doesn't call for these two additions, but I thought why not?! and boy! it was a classic finish to the drink. 

Enjoy!

Xo Arzina

Delicious Roasted Beef Ribs!

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• INGREDIENTS 

  • 1 (14 ounce) bottle Ketchup
  • ½ cup maple syrup or ¹⁄₂ cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce  
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (to taste) (optional)
  • 3 finely chopped green onion or ¹⁄₂ cup chives   
  • ¹⁄₂ teaspoon cinnamon  
  • ¹⁄₂ teaspoon allspice  
  • ¹⁄₄ teaspoon fresh ground pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 dash hot pepper sauce (optional) or 1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 4 lbs meaty beef ribs  

  DIRECTIONS

  1.                  In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients, except the beef, and adjust seasonings to taste (the sauce should have a good balance of sweet and savory flavors).

  2.                  Place the ribs in a large bowl, and coat with the sauce.

  3.                  Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours or as long as 48 hours, turning the ribs every so often.

  4.                  Preheat the oven to 325°F.

  5.                  Drain the ribs (reserving the sauce), and place them in a large roasting pan, bone-side down.

  6.                  Brush with sauce, and bake for 30 minutes.

  7.                  Remove from oven, and turn the ribs over, brush with additional sauce, bake for another 30 minutes.

  8.                  Turn one more time, brush with the remaining sauce, and bake for another 35-40 minutes, or until ribs are tender, basting every so often.

  9.                  Note: the sauce may be doubled if desired. 
• Recipe Credit: Kittencal@recipezazz via food.com
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Hot Fudge chocolate pudding cake

I might have mentioned it before or maybe through my instagram page that we have a sweet tooth and always crave for something sweet after dinner. The scones were not done yet and dear husband of mine is already craving for something chocolatey!! So the very next day I looked up some recipes and found this one and let me just tell you, the house smelled like Hershey chocolate factory (Awk: I didn't use hershey chocolate nor have I been to their factory yet but you know what I mean) :P ) 

This recipe is so simple and easy to make! Try it out and let me know how you like it..

INGREDIENTS

CAKE:

• 1 cup plain or all-purpose flour
• ½ cup white granulated sugar
• ¼ cup cocoa powder (I like unsweetened cocoa powder. (*See notes)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup milk
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FUDGE SAUCE:

• ½ cup white granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (I like unsweetened cocoa powder. (*See notes)
• 1-1/4 cups boiling water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 175°C | 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan*. Pre-boil water in a kettle while preparing cake.

FOR THE CAKE:

1. Combine ½ cup granulated sugar with the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Add in the milk, butter and vanilla; whisk until smooth and fairly lump free.
2. Pour the batter into prepared baking pan or dish and spread evenly.

FOR THE SAUCE:

1. Combine together the remaining ½ cup white sugar, brown sugar and remaining 3 tablespoons cocoa powder. Evenly sprinkle mixture over the batter. Slowly pour the boiling water over the top (DO NOT STIR OR MIX INTO THE BATTER. ALLOW THE WATER TO SIT ON TOP).
2. Bake 35 minutes or until the centre is almost set. Remove from oven. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
3. Serve in dessert dishes with ice cream or whipped cream, and spoon fudge sauce from the bottom of pan over top of each serve of cake.

recipe source: Karina

Cranberry Orange Scones with Vanilla glaze

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Ingredients

·         2 cups (277g) all-purpose flour

·         8 Tbsp granulated sugar, divided

·         2 tsp baking powder

·         1/4 tsp baking soda

·         1/2 tsp salt

·         8 Tbsp unsalted butter, frozen

·         1/3 cup sour cream

·         1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp heavy cream, divided

·         1 large egg

·         1 tsp vanilla extract

·         1 Tbsp orange zest

·         1 (heaping) cup fresh cranberries, diced into halves

Glaze

·         1 cup powdered sugar

·         2 Tbsp heavy cream

·         1 Tbsp milk

·         1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

·         Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, 6 Tbsp of the granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt for 20 seconds. Grate butter and add to dry mixture, then using a long pronged fork or pastry cutter, cut butter into flour until it resembles coarse meal. Make a well in center mixture.

·         In a small mixing bowl whisk together 1/3 cup of the sour cream, cream, egg, vanilla and orange zest until well blended. Pour sour cream mixture into well in dry mixture and using a rubber spatula fold mixture until it starts to come together in large clumps. In a small bowl toss cranberries with remaining 2 Tbsp granulated sugar then pour cranberry mixture into dough mixture. Gently knead mixture by hand (in bowl or on counter) about 5 times, or just until it comes together.

·         Dust a clean surface with flour and drop dough onto surface. Gently pat and shape into an 8-inch round. Cut into 8 wedges then transfer to a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush tops with remaining 1 Tbsp cream. Bake in preheated oven until golden, about 16 - 18 minutes. Cool on a wire rack then drizzle with Vanilla Cream Glaze and allow glaze to set at room temperature. Store in an airtight container. Best served day prepared.

·         For the glaze:

·         In a mixing bowl whisk together all glaze ingredients until well blended.