For and By Kids - Mini M&Ms/Chocolate Chip Cookies

Since it's the school holidays, my 10-year old daughter invited her 2 best friends (plus her friend's 6-year old sister) over yesterday. While they usually just hang around my daughter's bedroom when they are here, for a change, I let them invade my kitchen to do some baking. A few days ago, my daughter and I had already picked out the perfect recipe from a cookbook for children called Tiny Kitchen.

I controlled myself from meddling with the girls' business, letting them do most of the work. Seems like they really had fun...especially so because they had the excess M&Ms all to themselves and... I did all the cleaning up afterwards!

This is what they baked...


As soon as these cooled down, the kids had their snack along with some vanilla ice cream (yes, ice cream, even on a cold winter day here in Melbourne). I had some myself and truthfully, for a recipe so simple, they were pretty good. Melt in the mouth, not too sweet....try them!

Mini M&Ms/Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients/Procedure:
Mix together in a bowl:
1 cup soft butter
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg

Add the following:
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

Mix together well. Stir in:
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips/mini M&Ms

Line your cookie pans with baking sheets. Using two spoons, drop dough in any shape or size you like. Alternatively, you can shape your dough into small balls to create a more uniform shape. Leave about 2" in between cookies for spreading. Bake at 180 degrees C for about 15 minutes or until the cookie edges are light brown. Leave cookies in pan for a few minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

TUTORIAL: Messenger Bag with Zip Top Closure

First...pictures of my finished messenger bag

Front

Back pocket/side view

Top view showing zip closure, front pockets and magnetic snap

Close up of zip closure
Inside view with zippered pocket

With my library books inside
Introduction
Let me just say I am not a sewing expert at all. Please excuse me if I am sometimes at a lost for proper sewing terminology. My methods may not be the best, so you may, in the process, want to incorporate your own and/or change some things. These steps just work for me.

I came up with this step-by-step tutorial upon the request of a fellow 'craftster'. I have divided it into several small parts. You will notice that I cut my materials as I go about sewing. I do not enjoy cutting, that is why I don't do it all at the beginning of a project. For this reason, dimensions for the fabric pieces are provided as you go along each part of the tutorial. I personally find that if I do one small part at a time and take breaks in between, I end up with good results. I suggest you do the same.

Considering my lack of expertise, I am truly happy with how my messenger bag turned out. I hope you will be, too.

So...enough of that already and onto the tutorial. Good luck and happy sewing everyone!

But wait...before we begin
**For this project, you will need:
about 1 meter plain medium weight fabric
about 1/2 meter printed medium weight fabric
open-end zipper, at least 13" long
all-purpose zipper, 6" long
about 1 1/2 meters fusible interfacing/stabilizer, appropriate for medium to heavyweight fabrics
1 set magnetic snap closure
matching thread

**After cutting your fabric pieces for the front/back of outer bag, front/back of lining, and flap, use a protractor or any curved object to shape the bottom left and right corners,as illustrated.

**Use a 1/4" seam allowance throughout, unless otherwise instructed.
**As a prerequisite to this project, you need to know how to install magnetic snaps and make zippered pockets. Here's a link to a useful tutorial : http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=150
**Except for the pockets, fuse all fabric pieces with interfacing. Only instructions for lining the handle will be provided in this tutorial.
**Towards the end of this project, you will be sewing through a thick layer of fabrics. Have an appropriate sewing machine needle ready.

How to Make a Messenger Bag with Zip Top Closure

Main Bag
Part A. Front panel/pocket
11" (H) x 12" (L) plain fabric for bag front
14" x 12" plain fabric for pocket

1. Fold pocket piece in half, wrong and long sides together. Press.
2. Topstitch along folded side about 1/4" from the edge.
3. Pin and baste this pocket piece to the main bag front, aligning bottom (longer) edges.


4. Stitch down along center of pocket to create two equal slots.


5. From the top center, measure 6 3/4" down and mark this spot. Attach the flat half of your magnetic snap right below the mark.


Part B. Back panel/pocket
11" x 12" plain fabric for bag back
18" x 12" plain fabric for back pocket
Use steps 1 to 3 above (for front panel) to create your back pocket.


Part C. Flap
11" x 12" plain fabric for inner flap
11" x 12" printed fabric for outer flap
1. Find bottom center of inner flap piece and measure 1 1/4" up. Mark this spot. Attach other half of magnetic snap right above this mark.

2. With right sides facing each other, stitch outer and inner flap together along sides and bottom. Leave top open.
3. Turn flap right side out and press. Topstitch 1/4" from the edge.


Part D. Zip panels
2 pieces - 3 3/4" x 12" plain fabric
open-end zipper, 13" long (or more)
1. Fold both short ends of zip panels 1/2" in.


2. Fold zip panels in half, wrong and long sides together. Press.
3. Open zip all the way to separate its two sides.
4. Take one zip side and pin along folded edge of one zip panel. Start with the bottom end of the zip, as pictured.

5. When you reach the other corner, neatly curve zipper to go around the shorter end. Cut off any excess zip length.


6. Do the same with the other zip piece and zip panel.
7. Stitch zipper to panel. You can change your presser foot to a zipper foot at this point. As you can see, however, from the photo below, I did not find using a zipper foot necessary.



Part E. Handle
6" x 42" plain fabric
3" x 42" stiff interfacing
**Take note that handle length can vary according to your requirement. You can also use a d-ring and slider if you wish to make your handle adjustable. Also, if you do not have enough fabric to cut the entire handle length, you can cut two strips and sew them together. That's what I did.
1. Center interfacing along the length of wrong side of fabric. Fold in long edges towards the center and press. (Please excuse my stained/burnt ironing board cover!)

2. Fold fabric in half to end up with 1 1/2" wide handle. Press.

3. Stitch down 1/8"-1/4" from the edge. Do both long sides.

Part F. Attaching Gusset
3 1/2" x 34" printed fabric for outer gusset
1. With right sides together, pin gusset around bag front panel (or back panel -- it doesn't really matter which one you start with), starting from the bottom center, going around the curved corners and up the top edges. Trim any excess gusset fabric.


2. Carefully stitch around. Remove pins and clip into curves.
3. Do the same with the other panel.


4. Turn bag right side out.


Part G. Assembling the Main Bag
With main bag right side out,
1. Align and baste flap (magnetic snap side up) along top edge of bag back.


2. Take zip panel with the zipper pull side. With wrong side up, align and center raw edge along the top edge of the flap/bag back. Pin and baste.


3. Take the other zip panel. With wrong side up, align and center raw edge along the top edge of bag front. Pin and baste.

This is what you will have so far.


4. Center, pin and baste one handle end to the bag gusset. Do the same with the other end.


Bag Lining
2 pieces - 11" x 12" printed fabric for front/back lining
3 1/2" x 34" plain fabric for inside gusset
6" all-purpose zipper for pocket
8" x 14" printed fabric for pocket (to be folded in half)
1. Make zippered pocket on back lining.
2. Assemble lining using same procedure as outer bag (see Attaching Gusset). Increase your seam allowance by about 1/8" (from 1/4"). This ensures your lining will sit nicely inside your bag. Leave a 6" opening on one side of lining bottom for turning later.


Final Bag Assembly
1. With right sides facing each other, put main bag inside bag lining. Zippered pocket in lining should be on the same side as the back of main bag. Pin in place, making sure the gusset seams are aligned. Be sure, too, that the bag handle is neatly sandwiched in between main bag and lining, going down straight along the gusset and the rest of the handle length tucked in the bottom.


2. Stitch around the top edge, using a 1/2" seam allowance this time.


3. Pull main bag out of the lining opening.


4. Slipstitch close the opening. It is good to press the bag at this point.
5. Topstitch 1/4" along the top edge. Make sure flap, handle, and zip panels are up and not inside the bag when topstitching. Remember to open up the zipper completely to separate the two zip panels.


Wheew...that's the last step! Your bag is finally done. You should now have something like this...


Finished bag size is 11 1/2" (L) x 10 1/4" (H) x 3" (W).

I hope everything was clear enough. Please feel free to ask questions. Comments are most welcome! And I would love to see your own creations...

Best Ever Cathedral Windows

**This post has been updated with new photos. 1/12/14

For as far back as I can remember, this wonderful dessert had always been a part of every family gathering. This was my late aunt's specialty. I can still clearly remember watching her as a young child assemble the jelly in their kitchen. I've seen, tested and tasted different versions of cathedral windows, but nothing else ever compared to this one. I do believe the recipe was my aunt's own. I am not kidding...this is the best.

The 'secret' recipe, of course, was passed on to the rest of the family. I do not know a lot of people who make this as often as I do...perhaps because making it is quite a tedious process. I always opt to bring this to potluck parties instead of the usual dishes as I am sure no one else would bring the same. Don't be turned off by the process...it is not as hard as it seems and the effort is well worth it, believe me.

Enjoy!

Cathedral Windows

Ingredients/Procedure:

Prepare 2-3 jelly moulds. You will need 5 boxes of different flavoured/coloured jelly crystals.

Jelly Cubes -
1. In a medium bowl, mix together contents of one box of flavoured jelly, 1 tablespoon unflavoured gelatine, 1 tablespoon white sugar and 1 cup boiling water. Mix until jelly crystals and sugar are fully dissolved. Then add 1 cup cold water. Combine well. Pour into a pan (about an 8" round pan or any similar sized container would do) and chill inside refrigerator until very firm.
2. Do the same procedure for 4 more boxes of different flavoured jelly.
3. When jelly is firm, cut them up into small cubes and combine in a large bowl. Set aside in the fridge while you prepare the binder.

Binder -
1. Dissolve 2 tablespoons unflavoured gelatine in 2 cups hot (but not boiling) apple juice. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan and over low fire, beat 4 egg yolks and cook with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice until thickened.
3. Pour and mix in the apple juice/jelly mixture. Remove from fire.
4. Fold in 1 cup thickened cream and 1 cup evaporated milk.

Assembly -
Combine cream mixture with the cut-up jelly cubes. Quickly (but carefully) pour into jelly moulds. Set aside in refrigerator until firm.
Invert jelly mould onto a plate. Slice and serve! To enjoy it at its best, consume within a day or two. 

Some additional tips:
1. Use 5 different coloured/flavoured jelly crystals. I usually use the following:
Strawberry - Red
Lemon or Mango - Yellow
Lime or Apple - Green
Orange - Orange
Grape or Blackcurrant - Violet

2. I usually chill the coloured jelly overnight to make sure they are very firm. The following day (the day you are going to serve this), make the binder a few hours before serving.

3. After you have incorporated the binder with the jelly cubes, work quickly to transfer them to your moulds.

4. Leave in refrigerator until it is time to serve. Specially on a warm day, leaving the jelly at room temperature may cause it to soften.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

Snapping Out of the Sewing Slump

So......after being in a sewing slump for about three weeks, I finally snapped out of it and completed this new project. The idea of making a messenger bag for myself has long been on my mind. It took a while, though, for me to clearly visualize how I was going to go about sewing it. I believe it was only last week that I had actually put it all together. I wanted one with a zip top closure apart from the flap (for better security), but I had doubts I could pull that off as I had not done anything like it before. And then it came...the epiphany...and appropriately enough, I was at church when I suddenly figured out how I was going to do it!

And so, here it is...my new messenger bag.

The main colour is navy blue (my favourite). The flap, sides and lining material is a lovely corduroy with paisley prints. Both fabrics are remnants from previous projects.

This is the side/back view showing the zippered back pocket.

With the flap open, the top zip panel is revealed, as well as the two front pockets and magnetic snap closure.


I am mighty proud of how I made this top closure. The use of an open-end zipper made the process much less complicated.


This is the inside view showing the slip pocket.


Another view of the inside, this time with some library books just to give you an idea of the bag's size. It is pretty roomy.


And finally, with the strap fully extended, hanging on my bedroom door.


Finished bag size is 10" (H) x 11" (W) x 3" (D). Strap is about 41" long.

Incidentally, my sewing machine started acting crazy just as I was about to finish this. I could not figure out what was wrong with it so in the end, I wasn't able to topstitch the top edge of the bag. No big deal really. But I sure hope my machine gets fixed or I may be on my way to another slump again...

Corned Beef Hash Browns

A few years ago, my sister in-law gave me a recipe book containing more than a hundred easy, everyday meals from the best of Good Housekeeping magazine. One of the very first recipes I tried was that of Corned Beef Hash Browns. This was an instant hit with my kids and has since become one of their favourites. Pictured below is the page from the book featuring the recipe.

As you can see, the patties were served like hamburgers, complete with tomatoes and lettuce in a bun. We have yet to eat it this way as I have always served the corned beef with rice. But it does look yummy, doesn't it? Looks ideal for school lunchboxes, too.

These are the corned beef hash browns I cooked earlier...

And here is the recipe, courtesy of Good Housekeeping...

Corned Beef Hash Browns (serves 4)

Ingredients:
I cup cubed potatoes
1 can (210 grams) corned beef
1 egg
1/4 cup cornstarch

Procedure:
In a skillet, brown potatoes, then drain. Transfer to a bowl and mix with corned beef, egg and cornstarch. Blend well. Heat oil in skillet. Form the mixture into patties and fry until done. Serve with rice or bread.

The Art of 'Recycling' Food

I often wonder how my mother managed to feed us, her 9 children, day in and day out, without losing her mind. I distinctly remember her going to her weekly trip to the market and coming home with countless baskets of fresh meat, fish, fruits and veggies. She spent hours in the kitchen sorting out the meat, cleaning the fish, putting them in separate freezer bags and stacking them all in the freezer. And then she still had to cook! I certainly know that it is really a big task coming up with meals that will make everyone satisfied and happy. I have four children of my own...four with different likes and dislikes.

My dad used to be very strict with the food budget. He accounted for every single cent my mum spent in her marketing. This probably drove my mum to become very creative in the kitchen. So as not to waste anything, she learned and perfected the art of recycling food. When I say 'recycling', what I really mean is this. Leftovers are transformed into an entirely different dish. My mum had a way of changing its appearance...maybe through the addition of another type of sauce or perhaps different vegetables. We'd quickly recognize bits of the 'old' food in the new one though.

I must admit I am not as creative but last night, I proudly used some meat leftovers from the other night's dinner to come up with this dish.

Nothing fancy, really. Just some broccoli, sliced mushrooms and the leftover beef. I stirfried these with minced garlic, put in the sauce from the beef leftover and sprinkled some sesame oil. That's it.

We had some fried flounders and steamed rice with it.


And yes, some watermelons to finish off....

Not bad...