(I liked how Christmas-y the colors of the noodles are.)
In response to invitation from friends, we have tried the dinner buffet in Saffron, Atlantis Hotel in Dubai. While I’ve taken a lot of food photos, I find these (contained in this post) the most appealing at this hour because of the hallucination it brought me.
I feel guilty for not spending more time with the oven lately. Blame it on my work (heehee, that’s a joke, of course) and my other interests. Anyway, we had a potluck last week and I volunteered to bring the dessert. Since it’s the season to be jolly and even jollier, and eat more, here’s this easy fudge brownie recipe for you.
You will need:
1 cup butter
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs if you like it fudgy and chewy (or 3 eggs if you want it to be cake-like)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan (or other pan size, in this case, I toyed and opted to use a heartshaped pan. In 3-quart saucepan over very low heat, melt butter or margarine and chocolate, stirring the mixture constantly. Remove from heat, and stir the sugar into the chocolate. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour and salt; stir into the chocolate mixture. Fold in the walnuts. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in oven for 30 minutes. Brownies are done when toothpick inserted into center come out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.
To add some colors, I put the same kind of sprinkles I used for the Disney princesses cupcakes. On to a geek cum childlike mode, I used Albert Einstein‘s and one of Strawberry Shortcake’s friends’ figures as toppers.
On a happy note, a friend is on her first trimester of pregnancy and was craving for the same brownie. I willingly whipped an extra share for her. I hope the baby’s complexion will not be brownie-like, but that he or she will get the sweetness and cheerful spread a brownie can exude. ? ? ?
(The restaurant revolves slowly, in a manner that will not make you dizzy. You enjoy the sumptuous meal while your eyes are fed at the same time through the panoramic and per minute changing view of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. And yes, the Norah Jones-like charming lady sings Don’t Know Why, I’ll Be Watching You, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and other renditions that will make your stay more worthwhile.)
Since the first year I have been miles away, I have learned to celebrate my birthday with people back home simultaneously (i.e. we munch on pancit or anything that symbolizes long life and other comfort food). On the other hand, my friends-colleagues and I in this part of the globe do a sort of thanksgiving for the added year that we have wisen up. I must say that we are intentionally mindful of each other’s birthday and other occasions because these are the perfect chance for us to get together, to withdraw from the inherent monotony (we all have that eh?). We have tried something very different from last year, plus that I had a joint celebration with a colleague.
Before we go back to the regular programming (i.e. resume with the regular topics from the giveaway phase), I would like to share this entry from a friend whose blog is, by intention, known to very few friends-readers. We have not seen each other ages ago, but with her, the “once a friend, always a friend” cliche is very true. As I read her comment, each word struck me. I felt that she was indeed talking beside me. Not surprising though, she is one of the sincerest and warmest (but she is not a wolf!… I think only those who are oriented with Twilight Saga will get the joke) people I know. I am not sure if you noticed this entry from the at least 30 comments on the giveaway post. I am afraid that you were too intent on the “questions” asked. Haha. Anyway, here it is:
Jo, deary
Here’s hoooping I “win” this time:
(1) How we met virtually and/or in person
I remember it so well, Jo and her smile. It was your first day at work, my first few months or so. We were both early birds. You greeted me first! And so it was love at first sight for moi. Thanks, Jo, for that beautiful morning. And for all the rest of the mornings that you are a part of my life, that is, for life
(2) Why you read this blog
Because although you don’t exactly blog your more personal stories (hear my clamor, hehe), it makes me feel OK that you’re OK, then I can sleep more soundly, naks, hehe. It just warms my heart hearing from you.
(3) A link to your most favorite post from this site (and why)
It has got to be this: http://witsandnuts.com/2010/06/11/the-things-that-we-love/#more-3044
Why is it my fave? Let me count the ways:
1. It is categorized under life and I am naturally drawn to life stories.
2. I can so relate, being an immortal myself, hehe.
3. It’s so Jo(4) Topics that you want me to write about/proposed changes to this blog
I wouldn’t want you to be any other than your good ol’ self, Jo, although this is too serious an answer, hehe. Hokey, since you’ve asked anyway, I wish you’d blog about your day to day inspirations…
(5) “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person.
Does this apply to me? Hehe. I emailed you a question before.. If you just didn’t receive it that’s why it’s unanswered, it’s the same question I would want to ask you. Otherwise, it’s “How are you? Really.” And I hope the setting is as cozy as when we had our last long talk at RCBC Plaza, remember?
Then, am gonna hug yah real tight!!! I really really missed you, my friend. I’m happy when you’re happy. But you know when you’re not, you just have to holler, hokey? We’re all here for you kasi lab na lab ka namin.
