Last Wednesday, I boiled several chicken breast pieces, which I used for a pasta sauce.  That left me with a good amount of chicken broth which I would normally save and store in the freezer for future use.  Yesterday, I decided to use the broth to make chicken noodle soup for dinner.

As I was reading the cooking suggestions at the back of the package of vermicelli noodles, the word shabu-shabu seemed to have turned on a switch in my head.  Immediately, I made a mental list of the contents of my freezer, zeroing in on three particular ingredients: dumplings, prawn balls and immitation crab.  Perfect, we could have a simple Hot Pot dinner at home. ;)  Why oh why haven’t I thought of that before?!!

I went to work right away and sauted several cloves of garlic and onions in a pot.  After about a minute of sauteing, I poured the chicken broth in, seasoning it well with salt and pepper.  As soon as it started boiling, I dropped in the dumplings, prawn balls and immitation crab meat.  All this time, my vermicelli noodles were soaking in cold water (15 minutes of soaking as per the instruction on the package).

When all the ingredients I dumped in the pot floated to the surface of the boiling broth, I dropped in the noodles and turned off the fire after a minute or so.  Dinner was ready!  Quick, easy and yummy!

Abby loved it, and Hubby did, too (like he had a choice!).  Abby had fun during dinner because she got to use chopsticks (with kiddie attachment) to pick out the prawn balls and crab.  I, on the other hand, can’t be an impartial judge of our meal.  First, I’ve always loved noodle soup.  It’s one of my favorite comfort foods.  Second, I cooked it!  Hee hee.

I honestly think it’s always best to use real chicken broth for soup or whatever recipe calls for chicken broth.  It just tastes so much better than if one were to use bouillon cubes.  I haven’t used canned broth yet ever so I can’t say if it’s any good.

On our next grocery shopping trip, I’ll be getting more hot pot ingredients and make sure to include veggies, which we have ran out of.  Hee hee.  And next time, I hope to make shabu-shabu from home.  I’ll have to do a little research on the different shabu-shabu sauces first.

I can type really fast with correct finger positioning on the computer keyboard and without having to look at the keyboard.  I’ve been like that since I was 12.  Between you and me, I enjoyed Typing 101 so much and looked forward to the speed tests.  What a complete geek!  Hee hee.  I still enjoy typing upto now.

I currently have 3 blog sites and through my blogs, I get to practice my typing skills…A LOT.  But there are times when I wish I could type faster so I can update all three blogs more frequently and at a faster rate.  I know there are a lot of bloggers and professionals who are constantly on the computer, who wish that they can type faster.

Well, I just found out that with Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard and Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred, you can type faster without actually typing! How is that possible? Check out these two videos:

There is even a review by the NY Times Review of DNS10!

There are two ways people will view this innovative software.  One is that it will only encourage people to be, well, lazy.  And, two, the software allows room for greater productivity.  I choose to view it as a means to greater productivity.  This takes multi-tasking to a different level.  It leaves your hands free to do other activities!

You have to admit that this is a rather cool piece of work!

It’s been a while since I had my hands on my favorite chocolate recipe book.  For one, I have my hands full.  Two, I kinda misplaced it and only realized it a few days ago.  But I can relax now as I finally found it yesterday.  I found it at the opportune time because we were running low on desserts.

I immediately flipped through the pages and looked for a simple recipe, keeping a mental checklist of the limited ingredients I currently have on stock in the pantry.  I found a simple no-bake dessert which takes about 30 minutes to make (and 2 hours to chill).

Creamy Double Decker Fudge

1 cup butterscotch chips (note: I substituted the peanut butter chips that was called for in the recipe with butterscoth chips.)

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.  Line an 8-inch square pan with foil.

2.  Place butterscotch chips and 2/3 cup sweetened milk in small microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave at high (100%) for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.  Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; spread evenly into prepared pan.

3.  Place remaining sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in another small microwave-safe bowl; repeat above microwave procedure.  Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; spread evenly over peanut butter layer.

4.  Cover; refrigerate until firm.  Remove from pan; place on cutting board.  Peal off foil.  Cut into square.  Store tightly covered in refrigerator.

Yield: 4 dozen pieces or 1 1/2 pounds.

Note:  For best results, do not double this recipe.

It’s really very easy!  I’m thinking though, that I might prefer melting the chocolate with condensed milk in a double boiler instead, the next time I make these.  Oh, and by the way, these are very rich and creamy so, take it easy when as you enjoy them.  Hee hee.

Recipe Source:  Hershey’s Classic Recipes