Tiramisu Lover and Recipe

Friday afternoon my office building treated all tenants to a very nice miniature desserts social.  They had different kinds of seasonal sugar cookies, brownies, cheese cakes, and lemon squares, etc.  Hot chocolate and apple cider were also served and accompanied with mini marshmallows, whipped cream and cinnamon sticks.            Now I think about my favorite dessert, tiramisu.  I found a recipe a while ago and would like to try to make it myself.  Below is the recipe as you also might be interested in baking this wonderful dessert for your family and friends.  Let me know how you like it and show me some pictures if you like.               Finally, I would like to thank God as He is the only one who created all kinds of foods for us to enjoy and gave us a tongue to taste.  Lord, you are so good.  Have you also found that the Lord is good?  If so, what did you do to share His goodness with others and let them taste this wonderful gift?  If not, do you want to experience His goodness today?  You can own this free gift now by putting your faith in Jesus, He promises give you eternal joy. Psalm 34:8  Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Recipes (from America's Test Kichen):  Tiramisu Brandy and even whiskey can stand in for the dark rum. The test kitchen prefers a tiramisù with a pronounced rum flavor; for a less potent rum flavor, halve the amount of rum added to the coffee mixture in step 1. Do not allow the mascarpone to warm to room temperature before using it; it has a tendency to break if allowed to do so. Be certain to use hard, not soft ladyfingers. Serves 10 to 12 2 1/2 cups strong black coffee , room temperature 1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder  9 tablespoons dark rum  6 large egg yolks  2/3 cup sugar  1/4 teaspoon table salt  1 1/2 pounds mascarpone cheese  3/4 cup heavy cream (cold) 14 ounces ladyfingers (42 to 60, depending on size) 3 1/2 tablespoons cocoa , preferably Dutch-processed 1/4 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate , grated (optional) 1. Stir coffee, espresso, and 5 tablespoons rum in wide bowl or baking dish until espresso dissolves; set aside. 2. In bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat yolks at low speed until just combined. Add sugar and salt and beat at medium-high speed until pale yellow, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula once or twice. Add remaining 4 tablespoons rum and beat at medium speed until just combined, 20 to 30 seconds; scrape bowl. Add mascarpone and beat at medium speed until no lumps remain, 30 to 45 seconds, scraping down bowl once or twice. Transfer mixture to large bowl and set aside. 3. In now-empty mixer bowl (no need to clean bowl), beat cream at medium speed until frothy, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Increase speed to high and continue to beat until cream holds stiff peaks, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes longer. Using rubber spatula, fold one-third of whipped cream into mascarpone mixture to lighten, then gently fold in remaining whipped cream until no white streaks remain. Set mascarpone mixture aside. 4. Working one at a time, drop half of ladyfingers into coffee mixture, roll, remove, and transfer to 13 by 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. (Do not submerge ladyfingers in coffee mixture; entire process should take no longer than 2 to 3 seconds for each cookie.) Arrange soaked cookies in single layer in baking dish, breaking or trimming ladyfingers as needed to fit neatly into dish. 5. Spread half of mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers; use rubber spatula to spread mixture to sides and into corners of dish and smooth surface. Place 2 tablespoons cocoa in fine-mesh strainer and dust cocoa over mascarpone. 6. Repeat dipping and arrangement of ladyfingers; spread remaining mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers and dust with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa. Wipe edges of dish with dry paper towel. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 6 to 24 hours. Sprinkle with grated chocolate, if using; cut into pieces and serve chilled. Step-by-Step: Dip, Don't Submerge Oversoaked: This ladyfinger was fully submerged in the coffee mixture for 2 to 3 seconds. The coffee mixture has penetrated all the way to the center of the cookie. Perfectly Soaked: This ladyfinger was dropped into the coffee mixture, rolled, and removed within 2 to 3 seconds. The coffee mixture has not completely saturated this cookie. Step-by-Step: Assembling Tiramisù 1. Arrange soaked ladyfingers snugly in single layer in baking dish. 2. Spread half of mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers. 3. Dust half of cocoa over mascarpone mixture. Repeat layering.

Flowers of Love

     My sister just got married a few weeks ago, and I was honored to be her bridesmaid, to stand by her side on her special day.  I also was asked to make the floral bouquets.  I made a red rose bouquet for her, and a calla lily bouquet for myself.

     I looked at the pictures of the floral bouquets of that day.  I made them using different stems of flowers and tied them together with  long ribbons.  All the flowers bloomed at the same time and they withered together at the end.  Don’t you think marriage is like a bouquet?  Somehow a couple meets each other, and their relationship grows together like the budding and blooming of the flowers.  Later on, marriage will bind them together to form unity; just like the ribbon on the bouquet.  The marriage will also have an end:  one will leave their partner due to sickness or some kind of accident.  Then just like the flowers, the marriage will die.

     Marriage doesn’t automatically mean happiness; there will be days the couple will feel joy together but there also will be a day they will feel frustrated with each other.  During the difficulties, will you remember the wedding vows to your spouse?  That day on which you said to your spouse, “I do”, you also said, “I do” to God.  God is the witness in your marriage and He is willing to help and strengthen your marriage as long as you ask Him.

     Would you like to renew your wedding vows?

    Do you, _____________, take this woman/man, _______________, to be your wife/husband, according to God’s holy decree; do you promise to be to him/her a loving and loyal husband/wife, to cherish and keep her/him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful only to him/her as long as you both shall live?

     “I do.”

 

Love is patient

Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do.  Proverbs 10:12

Love is kind

Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.  Ephesians 4:32

Love isn't jealous

But don't be conceited or make others jealous by claiming to be better than they are.  Galatians 5:26

Love isn't boastful or proud

Too much pride causes trouble.  Be sensible and take advice.  Proverbs 13:10

Love isn't selfish

We should think about others and not about ourselves.  1 Corinthians 10:24

Love doesn't keep a record of others' wrongs
If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you.  Matthew 6:14

Love is caring for others
Each of you should look not only to your own interests; but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

I Luv My Bag

    Christmas is just around the corner.  Who doesn’t like receiving a gift on Christmas day?  But shopping for gifts can be a headache for some people.  They feel they don’t know what to buy and/or don’t like waiting in long lines to pay for their purchases in the stores.

     Here is a solution which might heal your shopping headache: how about buying some unique inexpensive handmade bags this year online?  Then you can stay at home, sit in front of your computer and just click a few times with your mouse.  Your package will be delivered right to the front door.  Also, the money that you spend will help the homeless in Chicago.  Your purchases can help others and your family members and your friends will be happy receiving these meaningful gifts.

     The two pictures on the right are called a plastic bags holder and  stylish wine bottle bag.  They were made by two creative women.  Please go to I Luv My Bag to check out more styles (backpacks, totes and brocade bags) and to support the homeless in Chicago.

Matthew 5:3,5,7-8

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Above All

photographed by oline in the city Above All by Michael W. Smith Above all powers, above all kings Above all nature and all created things Above all wisdom, and all the ways of man You were here, before the world began Above all kingdoms, above all thrones Above all wonders the world has ever known Above all wealth, and treasures of the earth There's no way to measure what You're worth Crucified, laid behind a stone You lived to die, rejected and alone Like a rose, trampled on the ground You took the fall and thought of me Above all           'Above All' is one of my favorite songs.  When I think I have the power to control my life, God proves even more powerful to make me give up control, turning back to Him saying, "Forgive me Lord, please direct me."  Whenever I feel sad and complain that no one understands how I feel, God shows me that He is always with me.  Through the smell of the flowers, the warmth from the sun, and even the sound of the rain, God speaks to me through his marvelous creation.  Again I say, "Forgive me Lord, because once again I am so focused on myself that I neglect to remember that You are with me every second of the day."  I am learning to give God all of my worries because He is the only one who knows all of my troubles, and He cares for me like none other, because He is my creator.           No matter how unfaithful I am, God helps me to remember His faithfulness.  One of the ways He has done this is by sending His one and only Son – Jesus Christ to die on the cross for me.  Since Christ suffered and took the punishment for me, now I can have a second chance and live forever. I'm so glad to have the Lord in my life.  If not for His great sacrifice, I would have to bear the full brunt of my sins once I died.  I often pray and saying, "Thank you for showing your love by the blood of your Son.  Now my sins are forgiven and I cannot wait to see You in heaven.  Thank you Jesus!' Romans 5:7-8 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Unbelievable Freezer

I have only partially defrosted my fridge twice in my rental apartment since moving in eight years ago. Ice keeps growing in the attached freezer day after day resulting in less and less room for me to store frozen food. The good thing that has happened is that now I eat more fresh and healthy food. My iced-up freezer prevents me from buying ice-cream or frozen pizza as there is just has no room for that.

Every time I look at my freezer, it reminds me of my sins and the sins that we have been struggling with. Rather than worrying, complaining, stealing (even taking a paperclip from workplace), lying, cheating, getting addicted to different forms of substances, or lusting. If I do not do anything about it, sins keep piling it up as the ice keeps growing thicker in the freezer. I cannot live my life with such burdens.  It is good for me to go to God and ask Him to unshackle these struggles for me and be filled with His Holy Spirit and righteousness. No more will I feel worry or guilt, because Christ will forgive and set me free from these bondages.  Hopefully, one day I will learn to live a life without sins.  Wait a minutes!  Does it mean I need to defrost my freezer?  No...God helps me please!

1 John 1:8-9

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

For Japanese translation please go to:
http://ishimaru92.blog105.fc2.com/blog-entry-53.html

BSF International - My favorite Bible study group

BSF means Bible Study Fellowship. They have classes for men, women, and children all over the world. I have been attending BSF for seven years and through BSF my faith and knowledge of God has grown. Class will start on September 14, 2009, and we will study the book of John this year. It is all free, so bring a Bible, pen, notebook, and friend(s) with you. For more information and to find a BSF near you, please go to http://www.bsfinternational.org

Cajun Steaks with Mango Salsa

Just find this recipe online and would like to share with you.  Isn't it sound yummy?

Cajun Steaks with Mango Salsa

Serves 4
1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
4 thin 6-ounce top round steaks
2 cups mesclun greens

Mango Salsa:
1 large mango, chopped coarsely
2 medium tomatoes, seeded, chopped coarsely
1 small red onion, chopped finely
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons finely shredded fresh basil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Prepare the mango salsa by mixing all ingredients in a bowl. Set aside. Sprinkle the seasoning over the beef, cook on a pre-heated grill until browned on both sides. Place one steak on each plate. Top with mesclun greens and mango salsa.

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Beads My Valentine!

I love jewelry making, especially working with beads. Here are some samples. Enjoy!

Please go to: http://www.freewebs.com/beadmyvalentine

p.s. For personal friends, email me to place an order. I'll give you special discounts.

Washington Monument

Sorry folks! I'm lazy to write, here is a picture for you. I took this picture a couple months ago in Washington D.C. I had a great time and want to go back.

How to Knit a Relationship with God for Dummies?

Basic needs: a knitting pattern; knitting needles; a ball of yarn.

Skill level: Easy but requires lots of practice and patience.

Knitting Pattern: It is like God’s instruction plan for you. All you need to do is to obey and follow each and every single detail to achieve a perfect piece.

Knitting Needles: They are used to help you to build your piece up, you can’t work without them. Just like our lives need God, families, friends and circumstances to help us to grow.

Yarn: It is made with many different colors, sizes and materials. It requires a pattern and needles to work together to make something unique. Yarn will become a sweater, glove or scarf. But yarn without a pattern and needles is just called yarn. We are like yarn made with many different colors and sizes. Each one of us is unique. Our life is like yarn in that it needs a pattern and needles to work. The end results are different and unique.

Directions

1) Follow the pattern and start by casting on the required number of stitches on the needles. Begin to work on your piece with the needles and be careful to follow the instruction.

2) When you make a mistake, you have two choices – ignore it or rip it. If you choose to ignore it, your piece will come out imperfect. And you will make the same mistake again and never learn the right way of doing it. Knitting requires ripping. If you choose to rip it, the mistake that you have made will disappear and give you a chance to learn the right way and prevent you from making the same mistake again. You will feel frustrated when you choose to rip, because you will feel like you need to start all over again. But remember, at the end your piece will be perfect and all your hard work will be worth it.

Our sins are like the mistakes we make during knitting. We can choose to ignore our sins, and we will carry our sins in our live and repeat them forever. But if we choose to rip our sins, God will help us erase them and teach us His righteous ways. During the process of ripping our sins, it is painful and not so easy. It might take some time to learn His righteous ways. If we fail and make mistakes again, we just have to keep ripping. God has patience with us as long as we choose to rip and not ignore it. He will always there for us and make us whole again.

3) When you are knitting, sometimes you don’t even know you are making mistakes. After a while, someone will tell you where you have done wrong and you will have to rip the piece up. Isn’t it just like our sins? Most of the times, we don’t even know we have sinned. God might reveal our sins to us or He will send someone in our life to point them out to us. What is your response to God? Do you handle it well when someone critiques you? Do you humbly acknowledge your sins and start ripping? Or do you get angry when someone tells you you were wrong?

4) Knitting requires lots of time, focus, practice and patience. Our relationship with God also requires of the same things. How much time do you spend with God this week? What can you do to help you focus on God? Ripping is a process of Holiness. Are you willing to practice ripping? God is love and has all the patience with us. Will you choose to come to Him and learn to obey his instructions? Will you choose God as your knitting needles and learn to hold on to Him? Will you choose God to rip and mold you in your life?

Finishing

If you obey fully to his knitting pattern for you, one day you will become His perfect and unique piece. And you will experience his joy and peace in your heart. Let’s make a goal to pursue his Holiness and wait for God saying, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’

Happy Knitting!

Psalm 139: 13-14

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
For Japanese translation please go to:

http://ishimaru92.blog105.fc2.com/blog-entry-40.html#extended

Free Meandering Scarf Pattern:  Click Here