Because October has 5 Monday's this month, I somehow get three paychecks instead of two.. It's always fun when that happens, because then we get just a little bit of extra spending money. So the husband & I decided to order from Phil-Am Foods again. We ordered so much this time, it came in 2 boxes, lol.



Goodies from Phil-Am again!

Yay! More Phil-Am goodies!

Phil-Am Foods

Philippine Snack Foods

Foreign Food Cravings

Taste Testing (Asian Aisle) 

It was F.B.'s birthday yesterday. It's the 2nd birthday he's spent in the USA. We went to a Chinese Buffet near Franklin Mill's Mall for lunch.




September 28th, I contacted our immigration lawyers again. It will be time to remove the conditional status from F.B.'s permanent resident card soon. Last August I asked how much it would cost to rehire the firm and was quoted $1,200. So that's what we saved towards. I also know it will cost $590 to file the form with immigration.

When I heard a reply back a week ago I was told the cost to rehire the firm was now $1,950. Wow... $750 dollars more than we were expecting. I really love our immigration lawyers and they did an amazing job last time, but that price jump definitely made me feel a bit sick in the stomach. So, I found the email where I was quoted the $1,200 and forwarded it just to ask why the fee's had increased so much. I wasn't really expecting much, just an explanation. But thankfully, (and this is why they are great lawyers!) They changed the paperwork to reflect the $1,200 we were quoted last year. (Save your old emails!)

In mid November our lawyer will begin all the paperwork. Immigration will not allow the forms to be submitted early. It has to be submitted 90 days before F.B.'s permanent resident card expires or else immigration could reject everything. Rules... rules....


We've also had to collect paperwork that proves our marriage is valid and that we live together. Some of the paperwork I've gathered is:

• Federal & State Tax copies filed jointly.
• Bank statement copies with both of our names
• Copy of our lease for our apartment in both our names
• Copy of insurance declaration in both our names
• Copies of our driver licenses showing our current address.
• Photos with family.
• Letters from Family/Friends

Speaking of that... you wouldn't think collecting letters from family & friends with a short statement saying how long they've known you & your spouse, how they've interacted with you & that your marriage appears to be valid, etc; would be that difficult to get... but it was like pulling teeth. Literally. I let so many of our friends and family know 3-4 months in advance that we would need these letters and still they've trickled in... I'm grateful for the ones who have written us letters, but we definitely expected a lot more support and a lot more letters... but enough about that.... blah. Rant over...

Anyway that's where we stand right now with immigration. In mid November our lawyers will prepare the paperwork and by December 5th, 2012 the form should be filed with immigration and then fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly so the conditional status will be removed from F.B.'s resident card. (Ugh... he will also have to get a new driver's license in March because that expires when his resident cards expires). I just can't wait until we are finished with immigration!

(I know he will have to renew his resident card every 10 years or so, but that won't be as bad compared to all the rules and paperwork over the past 3 years!)

NOTE: Our lawyers Peter J. Gonzales & Shanna Stanton have changed firms. They are no longer with Kahiga Tiagha. They are now with Green and Spiegel LLC, but still located in Philadelphia. 

 

This is not my recipe, but one I've used for quite a few years already and love. I just baked two fresh loaves today. Yummy!


NOTE: I have altered the spices in the original recipe. I like my version better because you taste the spices more than what the original recipe recommends. (Recipe source is here). This recipe makes 2 loaves of Pumpkin Bread. You can freeze one or give it to a friend. :-)

 Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cup flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of Mccormick Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 1 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup cold water

Preparation:

This is the 2nd time I've made this. It's super yummy!

PRE-STEP: You'll want to prep your dough at least 1 or 2 days before. You can follow my Dad's homemade pizza crust tutorial here.

You can also prep the meat filling the day before. This saves time. You can store the meat mixture in the fridge in an airtight container. Then heat for 2-3 minutes in the microwave when you're ready to assemble your Stromboli.

Things you'll need for this recipe:

• Already prepared pizza dough
• 1/2 Pound of Ground Beef (or Ground Turkey)
• 1 Jar Ragu Double Cheddar Sauce.
• 6-8 slices of bacon cooked & crumpled. (I used Gwaltney brand bacon)
• 1 medium onion   
• Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning- Red Lid (It tastes good on everything!) 
• Salt 
• Pepper 
• Ketchup 
• Mozzarella Cheese (Optional) 
• 1 Egg (To egg wash the Stromboli crust with) 

(These are the deep cookie sheets I use, I love them! I got them from Walmart. They are $5.97 a piece. Better Homes and Gardens Non-Stick Bakeware 15" x 10" Baking Pan)

STEP ONE: Brown ground beef in a frying pan. Add about 1 teaspoon of Goya Adobe Seasoning to the meat. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a few shakes of pepper. (Drain out fat).


STEP TWO: Cut up your onion into small slices and fry until caramelized with a little bit of Olive Oil.

You want these nice and caramelized!

STEP THREE: Cook your bacon. What I do is line a deep pan with foil (makes clean up easier,) and then I cook my bacon in the oven 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. You want the bacon to be nice & crisp. After the bacon comes out of the oven, drain the slices on a plate with paper towels. Crumble when cool.

Before the oven.

After the oven.

STEP FOUR: Once cool, combine your ground beef, crumbled bacon and fried onions in a bowl together. Add 3/4 cup of Ketchup and mix well.


STEP FIVE: Roll out your dough on a square cookie sheet, then pour some of the Ragu cheese sauce on the dough close to the edges. Place your meat mixture next, squirt a little more ketchup and drizzle some more cheesy sauce on top. You can also place a few slices of mozzarella cheese (Optional). 

I took the handles off my rolling pin, lol. I find it easier to use that way.

STEP SIX: Slowly fold and pinch your Stromboli closed- be gentle when doing this so the dough doesn't tear. (I fold one side & then the other- towards each other- meeting in the middle). If your seam isn't perfect- don't worry, it won't show when it's on the bottom! Clean up any sauce leaks or extra flour with a paper towel. To flip- gently place another cookie sheet over your Stromboli. Pick up and gently turn so your Stromboli is now on the clean cookie sheet!

Mozzarella on mine too! (Optional)

STEP SEVEN: Slice three air holes in the top of the Stromboli. Brush with egg wash (1 egg mixed together in a bowl), sprinkle some garlic salt or Goya adobo seasoning on top. Cook in the oven on 350 for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool before slicing!

Time for an egg wash & then into the oven!

Just out of the oven!

Time to eat!!! Yum! :-)

I can't say I created this, because I've seen this idea on Pinterest before. (My Pin). Most of the recipes I've seen on Pinterest, the muffins are always made from scratch. Mine is a little bit easier and just as delicious!

All you need is one box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix and four hot dogs. (I used Ball Park beef hot dogs). 1st, spray your muffin tray with Pam or another non-stick spray. Then follow the directions on the back of the Jiffy corn muffin box. Cut up your 4 hot dogs into little pieces and mix the hot dogs into the batter. Ladle mixture into a muffin tray. (Cupcake tray in my case). Cook muffins according to the back of the Jiffy Package. It should make about 9 muffins. Serve with ketchup or mustard! This is a yummy comfort food! :-)

My brother has reviewed a few Philippine food products I've given him on YouTube! :-)

Chocnut:


Salted Duck Eggs:




Phil-Am Foods

Philippine Snack Foods

Foreign Food Cravings

Taste Testing (Asian Aisle)

 

I thought I would attempt to make this Rosemary & Olive oil bread recipe I found on Pinterest, since I've mastered making homemade pizza crust. Bread & I didn't used to get along, I was always too impatient for it to rise, lol. This is a more hearty dinner bread, it would be great with spaghetti! The recipe calls for bread flour, but I made mine with self rising white & wheat flour and it turned out fine.

I whipped up some garlic butter to put on top of the fresh sliced bread.  I mashed up half a stick of butter with some fresh chopped garlic- (I buy the kind in a jar), and a little salt all mixed together.




We had my parents over for dinner last night for a belated Mother's Day dinner. I cooked bacon wrapped chicken, sliced yellow squash & mushrooms and  Stouffer's macaroni and cheese.

Here's the table all set! :-)