Lody's Leche Flan (Philippine Custard)

SAMPLER PLATTER DESSERT

Per Emily's request, here's my version of leche flan, one of Philippine's most famous dessert!

Ingredients:
for Caramel: 1/2 to 1 cup sugar and 1 tbsp water

for Custard:

12 egg yolks

1 can(13 fl oz) evaporated milk

1 can (14 oz) condensed milk

1 tbsp pure vanilla extract or lime zest or lemon zest (pick your choice)

To make caramel:

Option 1: Combine sugar & water in a small pan with handle (left in the photo below) over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar turns golden brown. Pour the caramel immediately into bottom of flan mold. This works best if you're using a glass or pyrex mold.

Option 2: If you're using a stainless or aluminum flan mold (right in the photo below), melt sugar directly on it over medium heat, stirring frequently until it liquifies and turns golden brown.

Whichever option you choose, do not overcook the sugar as it will taste bitter. It will definitely ruin your yummy flan.

To make custard:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all custard ingredients and blend using a "fork".

2. Pour mixture over caramel lined flan mold using a strainer (lower left in the photo).

3. Cover mold with tin foil.

4. Choose with cooking options below.

5. Let the custard cool before unmolding on a platter.

Cooking options:

Option 1: After lining the mold with caramel nor prior to preparing custard, fill steamer (see last photo below) with 3 to 5 cups of water then put on stove-top over medium heat. Arrange the flan molds (vertically if necessary) on the layers of steamer. Steam for 45 to 60 minutes or until the custard is firm. This option is best when using molds as shown in the photo below, and this is my preference.

Option 2: Prior to preparing custard, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Fill a large pan or big roasting pan (big enough to fit the flan mold) with 3 to 4 cups of water, then put the flan mold properly & cover the pan. Bake for about 45 to 60 minutes or until custard firm.

small pan, flan mold, & strainer

2-layer stainless steamer

One of the first thing I bought when I got here in US was this steamer as I knew I had to make leche flan in the near future. I remember the first time I made this yummy dessert on my second month here, I used stainless bowls as molds. Nevertheless, MIL & SIL love it. It has become one of the most requested dessert since then. I also used pie pans, cake pans, etc... until I decided to ask my family back home to send me the Philippines traditional flan molds.

More tips and tricks in preparing leche flan:

1. Do not make your flan too thick. Remember, this dessert is so rich therefore 1" is always my preference.

2. Lime zest or lemon zest is my preference as it provide great aroma.

3. The caramel is just an option for better presentation. You can definitely skip that part as the custard is sooooo sweet already.

4. Straining the custard mixture is necessary to remove the egg yolk impurities, and zest (if you used it). When separating yolk from white, chances are some whites could still be attach on the yolk. If that's the case and you didn't strain your mixture, you'll see white spots on your cooked flan.

5. The sweeter the flan is, the smoother it is. Just like when making an ice candy (we always do this in the Philippines... kids & adults love it.)

In reference to the above ingredients: By increasing the egg yolks from 12 to 15, and adding another can of condensed milk, your flan will be super-dooper rich. This is the proportion I prefer to use when I know lots of people will be present at a party.

If you decide to make this flan, let me know how it turns out.

Happy cooking everybody!

Happy Thanksgiving Day Everybody

We had a wonderful food-loaded Thansgiving Day! We had so much left-over that all of us won't have to cook anything until tomorrow... lol

As expected, I had to prepare my desserts ahead of time. DH started preparing his Apple Crisp around 9PM last night. I didn't able to conquer the kitchen till about 11PM, then started baking at midnight. Aside from desserts, I decided to bake the appetizers too and just re-heat them in the morning. I slept at almost 3AM and woke-up around 7PM. DH woke-up around 5AM, and greeted me with a "sneaky grin" when I woke-up... lol Why? He said there was a BIG RAT in the kitchen that ate almost half of the bacon-wrapped lil smokies & lil pig in a blanket... lol To-cut the story short, he was the BIG RAT who couldn't resist the appetizers. On the other hand, I didn't had to prepare any breakfast for him. lol Anyways, here's the food preparation sequence in our household:

DH couldn't take off his mind Apple Crisp starting a couple days ago, so I told him he gotta prepare it as my hands will be full already. He made his own version and it turned out sooooo yummy!

DH Version of APPLE CRISP

Ingredients: apples, brown sugar, oatmeal, flour, baking butter, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg

I first baked the bacon-wrapped lil smokies, followed by pastry-wrapped lil smokies or as what my in-laws called them earlier, lil pig in a blanket. lol Due to the BIG RAT's behavior, I had to bake another batch of bacon-wrapped lil smokies this morning, but this batch has "sweet chilli sauce" at the bottom of the pan. I served them in a humongous platter as you can see in the photo below. These appetizers are really finger leakin' good and everybody loves them. We already finalized our Christmas party details and we'll gonna have an "Appetizer Buffet" on Deceember 25th at around 3PM... These smokies are of course requested! BTW, while DH was baking his crisp, I prepared the lil smokies.

A Platter of Appetizers

BACON WRAPPED LIL SMOKIES

Ingredients: lil smokies, bacon strips cut into thirds, brown sugar plus toothpicks to secure bacon ... Optional: sweet chilli sauce

LIL PIG IN A BLANKET

Ingredients: lil smokies, strawberry jam (or jam of your choice), dijon mustard, and pastry dough (homemade or store-bought)

While lil smokies are in the oven, I started preparing the leche flan (Philippine custard). I asked my family back home to send me flan molds years back as I prefer to use them on my "steaming" process. I can fit layers of these molds perfectly in my steamer. I still prefer steaming flan over baking. The picture doesn't show justice how yummy this dessert is! But take note, they're not for somebody who's on a diet. When you eat flan, remember that it should be a guilt-free eating time!

LECHE FLAN (Philippine Custard)

Ingredients: egg yolks, condensed milk, evaporated milk... Optional: lemon zest, lime zest, or vanilla (I used vanilla for the above), caramelized brown sugar

Flan was so fast to prepare, and since it's a stove-top cooking, I had to make sure I'm done preparing my cheesecakes before my lil smokies gets out from the oven. I was sure glad DH didn't mind the noise of my "mixer" while smoothing the cheesecake main ingredients. It was the first time I made cheesecake and I couldn't believe it's that simple. I used store-bought graham crust though at first I planned to used home-made... glad I changed my mind!:) I can see myself making more cheesecake in the near future. Flan and cheesecake were done almost at the same time. I let the cheesecake chill in the fridge till morning before putting the cherrie on top.

CHERRY-TOPPED CHEESECAKE

Ingredients: cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, eggs, graham crust, pure vanilla extract, butter, & cherries

Finally, the last thing I had to prepare, broccoli-rice-cheese casserole... another first for me, both on cooking & eating part! I like it very much though... so tasty.

BROCCOLI-RICE-CHEESE CASSEROLE

Ingredients: broccoli, rice, velveeta cheese, cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, mushroom, chopped onion, & chopped celery

And now for the fun part... the winner of GIVE THANKS contest is ANNE-MARIE of France. Congratulations Anne-Marie. Thanks to everybody who participated!:) Watch out for upcoming contest to be posted next month.

I have more stories to tell but I better save some for the next post. I hope everybody's having a great THANKSGIVING NIGHT!

Happy Thanksgiving... Give Thanks Prizes

Just in case I forget tomorrow, I wanna greet you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We'll have our family gathering at SIL's house and everybody was assigned what food to bring, plus personal additions. I'll gonna make bacon-wrapped lil' smokies, pastry-wrapped cheesy lil' smokies, cherry-topped cheesecake, brocolli-rice-cheese casserole, leche flan (Philippines custard), chinese fried rice (50-50 chance), and since yesterday, DH has been thinking of apple crisp as well though it wasn't in the original plan. I got most of the ingredients but casserole so we might have to run in town later. I'm planning to prepare all the desserts tonight, otherwise, I won't be able to cook everything in time as we only have one oven. How about you everybody, what are you going to cook?

On the stitching note, here's part of the prize for GIVE THANKS contest, still working on the stash.:)

GIVE THANKS Contest Prizes

Biscornu, Needles Etui, Scissors Fob and Stork Scissors

Below are some book additions in my collections. I got a bunch of interesting stuffs from EGA Shop last month which I forgot to share. I enjoyed reading them all and love the embroidery video very much. Check our EGA Shop and build up a wonderful needlework collection! The books/leaflet on top came from various sources. I was lucky to find a David Lauer book about color and design. Also, I've been looking for the IA Mansion House book since I heard about it last year, and I finally able to grab a signed copy from the personal collection of an ebay seller. This is so far the only listing I found on ebay since I started searching for it. And finally, a Just Nan leaflet - it's part 1 of Barnabee's Quest. I do have part 3, so I gotta get part 2 to complete the bellpull. This piece is in my to-do list, I just don't know when will I do it.

November 2008 Stash:

Books/Pamphlets from EGA, etc.

Have a great family time everybody!

Great News

I got a big sigh of relief here... I emailed photos of my ornament(s) for 2009 JCS Ornament Issue to Ms. Christy yesterday and I recieved the notification today that it was accepted. Yipppeeeee! Finally HA! I didn't able to submit this year coz I was soooooo late inquiring about it... lol I will also work on a new design for JCS, plus the sewing set I mentioned in the previous post will be forwarded to them. Therefore, I won't be able to show much finished photos aside from exchanges.

Have a great weekend everybody!

The BUCKET LIST Movie... and my FRIENDS

I've been eyeing the above mentioned movie for a long time and finally watched it today, thanks to hubby for buying the DVD this morning. If you haven't seen it, please DO. It's a must-see movie, whether you have friends or none. I am not ashame to say that I cried a lot while watching it.. lol specially at the ending during Morgan Freeman's funeral where Jack Nicholson delivered his speech.

And speaking of friends, I can't help but wonder about my good friends back home. I have lost contact to some but I'm glad that I got a hold on most of my college buddies, though 95% of our class are living or working abroad... particularly in Dubai, Australia, Bahrain, US, Singapore, etc. As for my buddies from work, I finally for a hold on some (via email) mid this year.

I just told DH recently about "Rose", a former colleague from work, whom I used to hang out with on a "guilt-free" eating time... lol She's the one who encouraged me before to eat at any fancy or eat-all-you-can restaurant at least once a month, it has to be after payday of course. Though we did not able to work together for long as she decided to just work in Baguio City, her hometown. I still think of her once in a while.

One of my bestfriend from college is Jen, who now lives and works in Australia (and still single...:)). I will treasure her friendship forever as she's the most patient friend I got. She's the kind of friend who doesn't have to say anything when you're in your lowest moment yet you'll know she's there and how much she cares. We used to go to church and attend a novena every Friday in Quiapo. For 5 years, on the duration of our engineering course, you'll find us attending a night mass. A true friend indeed... Thank you my dear friend and rest assure you're always in my thoughts!

There's also Ate Flor, a pioneer employee like me on the company I used to work with... She was our accountant. I remember spending time with her when she sends email to her bf (now her husband) in Indiana, USA... those times were in the late 90's (about 1998 and 1999). It has been more than 8 years since the last time we see each other but we do keep in touch either on phone or email. She now has an 8 year old son who's so passionate about "chess". The last time I heard, her son won the junior chess tournament... beating the 11 and 12 years old competitors. Like Jen, Ate Flor is a very kind and patient friend. Another friend that I'm so thankful I have in my life.

I recently got a hold of another wonderful friend, Raquel, a former co-worker who now lives/works in Dubai, but soon to reside in Washington, USA... that's where her Filipino boyfriend lives. I can't wait for her to come here in US so we can start chatting on the phone, but for now, we just settle on emails.:) I have to say that whoever works for over a year with our "very impartient former boss" is considered a very patient person. lol So kuddos to you Raquel, and thanks for being my friend.

I just wanna introduce 5 of my dear good friends on this post so I'll finalize this list with Mary Anne... If you remember in my previous post months ago, I talked about her a lil' bit already. She arrived in San Francisco, California mid this year and finally enjoying life with her Filipino husband.:) Their daughter who was born last year, is my goddaughter. I was surprised when she told me she travelled alone (from Philippines to US) on her own with an infant. Yes, she is a truly determined person... Though she's a chemist by profession, she only used it for a few months then decided to open her own business. She's a great entreprenuer at her young age. She used to own and manage a couple of "Internet Cafe" shops near PUP in Manila. One thing we have in common is: we love to work on our capabilities instead of relying to somebody. Unfortunately, there are some people who prefers to rely to somebody when it comes to $$$, at all cost... and I'm glad Mary Anne shares the same moral values like me.:) I have a lot of fond memories shared with her. I'm glad our path crossed in the pass Mare, otherwise, I'll missthe opportunity of meeting a humble person like you. Thank you for being a good friend thru thick and thin!

On the family side, me, DH and MIL did some shopping in Ames this morning. We got some wonderful gifts for SIL and our dear niece... plus we had to drop by at Hobby Lobby of course while DH spent some time at the moviestore. Btw, that where he bought the Bucket List DVD, along with the latest Indiana Jones which we already watched this afternoon. Me and MIL didn't get much from Hobby Lobby, can you believe that? lol I only bought an antique-style chatelaine pin, perle cottons for my hardanger embroidery and some rosettes (not in photo).

Antique-style Chatelaine Pin & Perle Cottons

from Hobby Lobby

On the stitching note, I already finished the companion I was talking about on my previous list but I'm still undecided if I'll submit it in a magazine therefore the finished photo is still a secret. I am also stitching a couple of personalized altoid tins, which I hope to finish this weekend.

Anne-Marie, my connection still kills me and I've been trying to leave a comment on your blog but I always fail. So, congratulations on your 1,000th post and thank you so much for stitching and sharing the "Christmas Hearts" (my ornament design published at this month's TGOSM).

And to my dear friend Deb, I hope everything will get back to normal from your end, specially your health. I hope all the operations and therapy you gotta have will be a success. I've been trying to leave a comment on your blog as well but I always end up in a "page cannot be found". Thoughts and prayers are on their way for your speedy recovery!

To everybody, I hope you're all having a great day and/or evening! Write later!

Year End Exchange and Some Finishings

I'm so delayed in sharing news lately... I was down and spent most of my days in bed from Thursday (the other week) till Monday last week. It also meant no stitching for me, though my fingers were itching to stitch. So imagine how much time I spent drooling over my stash when I got better... lol Below are just some of my finishes last week. I have a bunch of MailArts (all stitching done) and some sewing sets to finish but I had to put everything down on Friday when I thought of a band sampler stitchers companion. I should be able to complete all the stitching today & hope to finish it this week.

A mixture of November finishings:

biscornus, fobs, sewing sets, and ornament

I also recieved a wonderful package from Radha of Malaysia last weekend. It's our year-end exchange for NNC organized by Usha. She's so generous and spoiled me to death with all her lovely works and extravagant surprises! I still couldn't believe she sent me this much, and I felt guilty right away when I thought of my "recipient partner" Ulla of Sweden. I will have to compile another package for Ulla.:)

I couldn't pick a fave item on Radha's package coz I love them all. The 3 handmade items are:

1. a needleroll stitched in variegated blue... it is a first in my collection!

2. a fob for with floral motif... I got a bunch of scissors that needs it!

3. a knitted scarf in blue... perfect for current Iowa weather as we had our first snow on November 7th already.

As mentioned in her card, she added extra gifts for my family (in-laws). Katie will surely love her new bracelet... she & SIL are on vacation in Disneyworld (Florida) at the moment but will be back this evening. I will give her gift on Thanksgiving. She loves opening gifts so I'll wrapped it to keep the surprise. The beaded necklace is stunning! I will have to wear it either on Thanksgiving or Christmas.:) The other items are yaradages of trims/rick-racks, fabric with beautiful prints (background in the photo), coordinating threads, green beads, blue sequins, a scarf and stand-up 2009 calendar.

Year End Exchange Gifts from Radha of Malaysia

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY RADHA!

On the family side, I recieved an email from my sister back home that my brother "R1" and his girlfriend (now his wife), who were both working abroad in the last few years, are now in the Philippines and had their civil wedding recently. They're now in the planning stage of their Catholic church wedding. Me and my sister in California are hoping they'll schedule the church wedding early next year so we can (try to) go home. When we went home on 2006 to attend our other "R2" brother's wedding, "R1" didn't able to go home. If everything will materialize, it will be our next family get together where all the siblings are there in the last 10 years or so.

CONGRATS "R1" AND M!

And to everybody, happy stitching!

Winding Stairs Fiber Arts Festival

I read in the local paper last Sunday an advertisement about the above exhibit. Needless to say, it caught my interest and called the organizer right away... I was even wondering why nobody answered the phone, yes, I forgot it was Sunday... lol Anyway, I finally talked to Suzanne (a fabulous quilter, a designer and owner of a needlework shop) on Monday and advised her about my intention to exhibit my works. Me and hubby went to her shop (KNOTS and BOLTS) yesterday in Traer and I submitted 34 completed pieces - all of them are of course 3-dimensional.

Up to now, it still amaze me when somebody asked "what are these little things? i.e. biscornus, etc. I guess it's because I've been doing them for a long time that I expect everybody know them... lol Anyway, Suzanne told me that she used to do cross stitch till she got interested on quilting. To cut the story short, she's interested to carry/sell my works at her shop! Isn't that wonderful?

I will be at the exhibit on Friday, but not sure if I can go on Saturday though. Some of my patterns will be sold at the exhibit too. This is the first annual Winding Stairs Fiber Arts Festival which is all about fiber arts pieces, i.e. quilt, knit, cross-stitch, tat, crochet, etc. The previous yearly exhibit was called "Stitches in Time" Quilt Show. Handmade handbags will be the featured exhibit at this year's show.

I browsed Suzanne's shop yesterday a lil' bit and here's what I got:

Yummilicious fabrics from Knots and Bolts

Stitchers Showcase and Margaret's Blog

Stitchers Showcase is another perfect place in the virtual world of stitching. I was recently invited and joined this irresistable group. The website is owned by Ann from Australia, though her husband is the one in-charge on the website administration. The site is dedicated to showcase stitchers works only, no promotion involve. How cool is that? So come on girls, check out Stitchers Showcase.

If not for the group above, I wouldn't find Margaret's blog. Margaret is from UK but now lives in SPain. She's an amazing stitcher, knitter and one of the best handbag maker I know. I fell in love with a tote bag she made using Blackbird Designs fabric for Moda Madeira... the fabric has Quaker sampler prints and is just absolutely stunning. She blog about this bag on her October 1, 2008 entry... lots of photos on different angles. I'm getting close to asking Margaret for a commissioned work for this similar bag... lol Oh and yes Margaret, I dreamt about your bag the other night... lol

Happy All Saints Day! News and Finishes

In the Philippines, our version of Halloween is called "All Saints Day" or "All Souls Day" which is celebrated every November 1st. Literally, we call it or it can be called "Day of the Dead" as we devote November 1st to our dead relatives and friends... at least for Catholic like me. Sounds strange? I'm sure you're find it more strange when you read further how we spend out day!

Usually, on the last week of October, we already buy a bunch of candles that we have to take at the cemetery... then we buy flowers either October 1st or morning of November 1st. Candles are lighted continously at the tombs... as in whole day. Aside from flowers and candles, different kind of food is also brought... it's like we're having a picnic. One way or the other, most (if not all) relatives will spend hours at the tombs of their dead loveones. Though in our case, we take turns in spending time there. I remember when I was still there, we go early in the morning at my brother and grandparents' tombs, then in the afternoon, we visit other relatives' tombs. To cut the story short, All Saints Day for us is like a family get-together for both living and the dead. It is a day entirely devoted to our dead loveones.

On the stitching side, here's another batch of altoid tin topers. I'm still finishing a bunch of sewing sets, and miscalculated the time I wanted to allot on them. My finishing basket is getting full and I need to stop stitching in the next few days if I wanna see the bottom of that basket again... lol Anyway, I finished more last week but as always, I can't share them all yet so just settle for the altoids for now.:)

Altoid Tin Toppers by Lody's Creations

The other day, I was advised by Embroidery and Cross Stitch magazine that one of my sewing set will be published on December 2008. I submitted the design months ago (along with another design) and I'm glad I'll finally see it publish next month. So if you're a subscriber of the said magazine, watch out for it.:) Also, I finally recieved the other day the instruction documents for Step 1 of my Master Craftsman for Counted Thread Embroidery from EGA. I spent few hours yesterday browsing my needlework book collections in the attic, then brought them downstairs. There were lots of interesting reference books (included in the instructions) that I don't have but thank goodness I found a couple online... I purchased them of course.:) And speaking of purchase, my stash addition recently are just fabrics, twisted cordings, box of altoids and some "oh so" cheap stuffs I got from Dollar General store. I couldn't resist these antique-y color 100% cotton fabrics so I grab a yard of the leafy green and 1.5 yards of the flowering vine pink. The natural color linen-like at the bottom has been something I wanted to buy in the last few weeks and I couldn't ignore it anymore the other day.:)

Cotton & Linen-like Fabrics

Do you have a copy of this month's TGOSM? My ornament contribution at this month's issue is called "Christmas Hearts", with a bright and pastel version. Though I finished both pieces as flat mounted ornaments, the design is suited for a biscornu, pinkeep, pincushion, needlebook, etc. as well. It is just a quick-to-stitch project and I hope you'll stitch it. Please don't forget to email me a photo shold you stitch it. I'm planning to stitch it again as well.:)

TO EVERYBODY HERE IN THE US: Please don't forget to cast your vote! Your vote counts and can make a difference. We've voted early last month... yes, thank goodness DH decided to submit his early. I remember him telling me right after he mailed the ballot: "There honey, you won't have to remind me about it anymore... lol"

Have a great stitching weekend everybody!