So sorry!

Hi everyone, i know i haven't posted anything in a couple of days but it is been kinda difficult to do so i had the holidays on me and now i got a bar exam i have to get ready but i keep thinking on this blog everyday but don't worry very soon i will be back! until then 

May the dorkyness be with you!

Optimus Dork

HomeMade Real Lemon Extract

Well hi there!!! 

Today i am bringing to you a DIY " Do it yourself" on how to make Real Lemon Extract and i think its even better that McCormick's or any other brand out there and the best thing is it is just at a fraction of the cost, well on the long run.

I had a lot of fun doing this because well i had a few drinks while doing it hahaha but seriously also you get to recycle which is awesome!!!

It all started when i was making a version of big coffee house *i am not going to mention names* but i was making their lemon bread and i had to buy a real lemon extract and it was kinda expensive well i find it very expensive over $5 or $6 for one once? and for us small business owners we have to look after every penny because if not well we won't make it.

So i decided to make my own and for this you will need:

Materials

1. Clean empty bottle * I reused a liquor bottle that i had*

2. 2-3 Big Lemons

3. Vodka * I used Absolut vodka well what i drink lol*

4. Knife

Instructions

1.Sanitize the bottle

2.Peel the lemons *Note try to clean it the very best you can or try to take out the white lining as much as possible because it will turn it bitter*

3.Put the lemon peels inside the bottle

4.Add one cup of vodka per one lemon *i added 2 cups per 3 lemon* Because most recipes calls for water but i do not add water it makes it more intense and cuts down the waiting period*

5.Close the bottle and store in a dark place for about 1-2 weeks and giving a swirl every now and then

So that about it very easy to do, also other recipes tells you either zest it or chop it but i don't find it necessary to do it. 

Also you can refresh it by adding more peels then later on refill it when you know you won't use it for 1-2 weeks

You will see in the long run it's a money saver because one cup is a lot and it doesn't spoil that easily.

Well there you have it!!!

See ya next time and may the dorkyness be with you!

Optimus Dork

Welcome!!! Please Read!!!

Hi i just want to take this chance to welcome to my blog 3 new local stores apart from mine. This store are from great people that excels on what they do and they are:

1.ArtTeesTikCo - ArtTeesTikCo  es una colección de obras artesanales únicas, con un estilo muy peculiar característico de la artista. Didi trabaja cada pieza como una obra artística individual, por eso cada pieza es tan hermosa como única. Adquiere arte. Desde Bayamón, P.R puedes conseguir obras artesanales en ferias, eventos y su site en etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtTeesTikCo?ref=search_shop_redirect además de su pagina de Facebook en la cual tendras un link en el blog.

2.Indulges Sweet - Tamara's Homemade Desserts!! Trabaja una gran variedad de postres, bizcochos, galletas, frutas, coquitos además es conocida por empanadillas llamada Padillas entre otras cosas para todo tipo de ocasión. Cada uno de los postres es creado con mucho amor y dedicación. Se trabaja por pedidos y te complacemos en lo que desees. Desde Toa Baja, P.R puedes conseguir todo los deliciosos postres desde su pagina de Facebook en la cual tendras un link en el blog o dejando un Voicemail o text en este numero (787) 354-8328.

3. The Art of Tico Jiménez - Independent artist, Conocido artista local entre sus trabajo más famoso se encuentra Sharky Tuna, Borrero además es un gran promotor de los talentos locales en el mundo de los comics, tirillas y dibujos.

Hi everyone!!! Please read!!! Favor de leer Importante!

This week i am making a few changes to the blog and adding a few features and i am taking this opportunity let you know what they are

1. Translate button - Now you can translate the whole blog into the language of your choosing. Con este boton podras traducir la pagina entera al lenguaje deseado.

2. Amazon button - You can search and buy kitchen products or gardening items, it just a link you help you out and yes it is actually amazon. Podras comprar cosas en amazon con este boton , cosas de cocina o jardineria.

3. Followers button - You can follow my blog just by clicking join this site and adding your email. Ahora podras seguir este blog con tan solo presionando join this site.

4. Donation button - This donation button is not OBLIGATORY but you can feel free to donate any amount you wish, this will help the blog keep running and everything you donate will go to research and or buying items so i can make samplers or give away contest. * it will be not use as personal gain *- Con este boton podras donar dinero la cantidad que desees pero no es OBLIGATORIO pero podras donar la cantidad que desees esto asegurara que el blog continue y todo lo donado sera usado para dar muestras a nuestros seguidores ademas tambien se usara para explorar nuevas cosas y hacer rifas para nuestros seguidores. *Estos donativos nunca se usaran de manera personal*

5. Link to my personal treat store Freak's CandyLand and Awesome local stores- This link you can buy yummy treats of my personal store and visit different awesome local stores from PR where you can find super awesome stuff they offer. - Con este link podras comprar cosas de mi tienda personal además podras visitar otras tiendas locales donde podras conseguir cosas maravillosa la cuales ellos ofrecen!!! *Por que hay que apoyar lo local*

For last and no least PLEASE feel free to contact me if you want to post your personal recipe * PLEASE understand if you want to share a recipe all the credit and your name will be used* - Si quieres compartir una receta puedes contactarme y con gusto la postiare entienda que se usara su nombre y todo el credito va hacia usted.

Also if you have any doubts on any recipe posted or not please contact me and with pleasure i will help you out!!! Tambien si tienen alguna duda con una receta ya sea que este postiada o no con mucho gusto los ayudare solo me tienen que contactar!!!

Well take care and thanks for you time!!!

Optimus_Dork 

Lemon Loaf

Well hi there!

Welcome back again to my lil corner, today as a special request i am bringing you a very delicious treat... Lemon Loaf it so tasty and good that i drive people crazy with it. It have the right amount of lemon flavor and sweetness a very hard thing to achieve so i thought of sharing it with you.

Ready? Let's go!

For this you are going to need

1. 1 1/2 cups of presto flour 
2. 3 large eggs *Room Temp*
3. 1 cup of sugar *I prefer a 50/50 mix of white sugar and brown sugar it give it more of a caramel flavor*
4. 5 TBSP of soft butter
5. 1 Tsp vanilla
6. 1 Tsp Real lemon extract * Soon i am going to show you how to make you own real lemon extract because those little bottle are pricey*
7. 1/3 cup of lemon juice *fresh squeeze* *like to use half a lemon and lime*
8. 1/3 cup of oil
9. 1/2 bar of soft cream cheese
10. 1 Tbsp of honey

Frosting

1. 1 cup of domino sugar
2. 2 tbsp of milk
3. 1/2 tsp of real lemon extract

Instructions

1. Mix the butter with sugar and cream cheese.
2. Add vanilla, oil, lemon juice and lemon extract.
3. Add the eggs one by one and the honey.
4. Take off the mixer and fold in the flour by hand. *Doing this the mixture won't take so much air and it will come more soft and fluffier*
5. In a preheated over at 350 put the mix in a greased bread loaf mold and bake for 45 minutes.
6. Keep a eye on it don't let it over cook stick a toothpick if it comes clean it is done.

For the frosting

1. In a mixer combine all ingredients and mix until a shiny glaze is formed.
2. If is too thick add more milk slow and just a little bit and if is too liquid ad more sugar.

After the loaf is cooled down add the lemon glazing and put in the fridge.

Serve and Enjoy.

It Should look like this

Well there ya go, see ya next time and may the dorkyness be with you!!!

Optimus Dork 

Making Puertorrican Bread

Well hello again folks!

Tonight i'm going to bring the "how to" on making bread, but first let me tell you this wasn't an easy task i been trying to make this kind of bread for over a year without a luck mostly because i don't have the industrial machines of a bakery nor i don't have a proofing box and this makes it more difficult to make as a "self taught" chef/baker i been searching for that recipe to make at home this was a real task of trial and error. I had to adjust quantities and ingredients a lot!!! also i couldn't go to a local bakery to ask the how to because every one have his own secret method that won't share but hey i finally did it today!!! I feel like a accomplished a milestone! so i cannot wait to share with you guys!!! ENJOY

Caution follow this exactly as i tell you!!!

Ingredients

1. 6 a 8 Cup of bread flour ( you won't use all of it i use probably like 5 cups)
2. 2 Packets of instant yeast
3. 1/2 Cup of warm luke water 90 a 100ºF
4. 2 Cup of hot water
5. 3 Tbsp of sugar
6. 4 Tbsp of shortening
7. 2 Tsp of salt

Instructions 

1. Mix the yeast with  the warm water 90 a 100ºF and add one Tbsp of sugar. (let it sit & rise for 10-15mins)
2. Mix the hot water with the shortening,salt and the rest of the sugar. (mix until the shortening is liquid too *its faster to boil everything* 
3. Let the hot water cool down until its warm. *luke warm* 90 a 100ºF
4. Mix the two liquids on your kitchenaid or stand up mixer and start adding cup by cup of the flour. *use your dough hook*
5. Mix until the dough won't stick on the sides. * Tip mix for 2 mins then let it rest for 7 then mix for another 3 mins*
6. On a floured surface put the dough and work it until you form a shiny soft ball.
7. Spray a bowl and put the dough in cover with a plastic wrap.
8. Put it in a dark less than warm place.
9. Let it rest for 2-3 hours. *until it doubles or triple it size*
10. Punch it a bit. *not so much this a classic mistake if you punch it too much all the gas that you work for so much will escape*
11. On a floured surfaced cut the dough into 2 portions *actually the size of the bread that you want, in my case i cut it into 4 portions*
12. Place wax paper on a baking sheet and spray with pam then mold your bread carefully and let it rest for another 30 mins until it poof back or double it size again. *and it will*
13. In a preheated oven at 400ºF place your baking sheet i prefer a pizza stone and bake 1 or 2 loaf at the time.
14. Bake for 25 minutes or until the crust is golden *take it out and tap if it sounds hollow it is ready*
15. Let it cool down for 15 minutes *important you will burn yourself* * I did i just couldn't wait the smell of bread in my house drove me crazy and i pay for it*

And there it is!!! it should look something like this...

Tip you can brush it with a half beaten egg before baking or brush it with melted butter before and after i did it with butter and tasted even better!!! Also at first is going to be kinda hard but as it cools down it will become soft as pan sobao.

Well there you have it!!! See you next time and may the dorkyness be with you!

Optimus Dork

Quesitos/Cream cheese filled puff pastries

Well hi there;

Today i am going to share the makings of Quesitos which are cream cheese filled puff pastries and to keep it short i am using the name quesitos which are one of the most popular pastries of Puerto Rico. The cheese is usually whipped with vanilla, eggs, and sugar. The cheese can also be whipped with guava, papaya and other tropical fruit preserves. The mixture is stuffed into a dough that resembles puff pastry, *but i use puff pastry* coated in a sugary caramelized syrup, and baked. Quesitos are sold at bakeries and "bomboneras" (literally cozy sweet boxes, a word also used to refer to sweet shops selling this type of item).

A very simple Quesito (yields 12 small-medium) recipe:

One sheet puff pastry *i buy from a local bakery shop and its about 14 inches long*

8oz Cream Cheese

Liquid mix

3/4 cup water (or milk)

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 TBSP baking powder

Instructions:

1.Cut the puff pastry in 3 x 3 squares 

2.Cut the cream cheese lengthwise * that is if you like with a lot of cheese if not half lengthwise*

3.Mix the water or milk with the sugar and baking powder

4.Place the puff pastry in front of you side way and it will make a diamond shape

5.With a small brush, brush the liquid mix all over the pastry edges

6.Place the cream cheese at the center then fold the sides

7.Fold the tip in front of you and keep rolling until you reach the other end.*like rolling a crossant*

8.Press the edges a bit to seal the pastry and brush the whole pastry with the liquid mix

9.Place on a baking sheet with a greased baking paper on top

10.Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown at 350 degrees

11.Let it cool off and enjoy

They should look like this!

Variations:

1.Instead of using that liquid mix you can use my Hazelnut caramel sauce *previously posted* to brush on top it gives it a more crunchy texture and more flavor.

2.You can add fruits on top of the cream cheese *A little bit though, too much will make it soggy*

3.You can add white chocolate or dark chocolate *I combine white chocolate with cream cheese on the ones i sell*

Let you imagination run wild like i do!!!

Well See you next time and may the dorkyness be with you!!!

Optimus Dork