Food from home: Mixed

     I just realized I overlooked at some of my food pics, especially the new experiments... Oh well, better late than never. 

Miso soup

     Frankly, I don't know anyone who doesn't like miso soup. It's light, healthy and comforting. The basic ingredients are miso and dashi stock by boiling bonito flakes in water. It's highly recommended to include tofu and green onions , but I believe it would be nice to add clams and clam broth next time for more flavor.

Gindara Terriyaki*

     Another Japanese dish that's light, healthy and comforting. Best to cook the gindara for 1-2 minutes both sides. The sauce is made of soy sauce and mirin that's boiled until thick. I admit I was always hesitant eating this because of my fear of swallowing a fish bone. The key for that is to dissect it for assurance (yes like in a scientific experiment). The good news fish bones are big so you should be able to feel it. ;)

*You may buy your Japanese ingredients in New Hatchin (see my previous post Takoyaki & cake @ New Hatchin and Bebe Rouge for complete address, contact number and map).

Big Mac dressing

Our version of Big Mac

     I love Big Mac! This is one of those things I look forward to in my cheat days. I came across a tutorial in youtube and got hungry after so I decided to give it a try. According to Mom, it's best to use the best quality beef as much as possible (leave it to Mom to know her ingredients) so I used black angus beef. I did my best for the burger to be as close as the real thing... burger bun, iceberg lettuce and cheese. The dressing has mayo, mustard, paprika, vinegar and pickle relish. The only concern here was the patty should have been flatter and wider... but other than that, taste wasn't far apart from the real thing. ^_^

Turon

     This is the only exception here because this isn't my first time making this. Based on experience, the best turon are the ones from the vendors outside. Mom was craving for turon so I decided to give in. Turon should be fat, no empty filling (sometimes you just bite into the wrapper without the banana) and should have Langka as it gives the flavor... but Mom will disagree here. I made 3 versions: Banana and Langka, Banana, Banana Langka & Ube, Banana & Ube.* 

Gindara -codfish

Langka -jackfruit

Ube -purple yam

St. Marc Cafe in Manila

     I was thrilled when I saw in Instagram and Facebook there will be St. Marc Cafe in Manila. We (my parents and I) have been to the one in Tokyo last year (see my post New Discoveries in Tokyo) and loved it. Since Megamall is quite far from our area, it took a while for us to find time to go to there. We finally made lunch plans in that area and invited my sisters, Nicole and Mitch for dessert. I assured them they were gonna love it as much as we did. 

Strawberry Daifuku and Original Chococro

We liked the latter more. 

Sunshine -soft served ice cream with mangoes

     We had the one with strawberries in Japan. We thought of trying the one with mangoes. Also yum and refreshing too! ^_^

     

     My apologies for not taking pics of the wax display. I look forward to coming back for their sandwiches and more ice cream. This is another place to go to if you just want to chill out. ^_^

St. Marc Cafe (Chococro)
Ground Floor
SM Mega Fashion Hall
SM Megamall
Ortigas, Mandaluyong
*Across Tim Ho Wan

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Getting older

     I celebrated my 25th birthday last week... ok, ok, I'm kidding... it was my 34th birthday. Praise the Lord it was a busy and fulfilling birthday... one of the best birthdays I've had. 

     It started when I attended and supported Plana Forma's Jungle Zumbathon, which happened the day before my birthday (although no one knew it was my birthday). :D I have been a Zumba addict since my first Zumba class here. I decided to go with the theme by doing animal print cupcakes just so it would appeal to the adults. I was a cupcake girl on duty but it was worth all the time and effort. I love doing cupcakes with fondant because I love how attractive it gets.

     Since I wanted to have the make your own Magnum for birthday, I decided to celebrate somewhere in SM Aura and thought of Todd English Food Hall, somewhere tried and tested (see my previous write up The works @ Todd English Food Hall). I was happy we tried 2 new dishes.

Salmon flatbread pizza

Not sure if this is the correct name but we enjoyed it. :D

Dynamite roll

Tuna Tartar

Linguine & clams

Fish taco

I'll make sure we order this next time. ^_^

OMG

Todd English Food Hall

5th level Skypark SM Aura

Taguig

621-4002

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     Finally, after a long wait... I get to have the Magnum! ;P

     I chose Vanilla ice cream dipped in milk chocolate, drizzled in white chocolate with marshmallow, honeycomb and Oreo. Surprisingly, this wasn't overly sweet. ^_^

Magnum Manila

5th Floor Skypark SM Aura

Taguig

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     My birthday celebration still continued the next day. My sister Nicole and my brother in law Charles (who was there in spirit) treated for afternoon tea at the Peninsula. I don't remember the last tiime I had afternoon tea here but it was definitely a privilege. Nicole and I agree afternoon tea isn't the same without the ambience. I felt nostalgic because it brought back memories of my practicum days here when I was assigned in the cold kitchen and was tasked to make the afternoon tea sandwiches.

I love their pretty porcelain! ^_^

     Desserts were pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. It was a pretty sight because pink is one of my favorite colors. ^_^

The Peninsula Manila
Corner Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue
Makati City
887-2888
Visit their website
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   Since I didn't have a birthday cake, it was a good time to have one of my favorite cakes, the Marshmallow cake of Costa Brava.

Costa Brava

12 Polaris Street

Bel-Air Village

Makati City

896-6872 / 896-1267

Also available at Power Plant Mall on weekends

     I leave with a quote from one of my favorite authors and speakers Bo Sanchez, "Growing old is a gift. Each day is a gift." Thank you to my family and friends, thank you for all the birthday greetings. Thank you Lord for another birthday. 

Food from home: New and eclectic

     I miss doing this segment! It's always good to discover new dishes and share it with loved ones because you'll never know... it may be a hit. The beauty of cooking at home is you get to control the quality, quantity and portions... just in case they want more. ;)

Mexican

     I love Mexican food! I love the smokey and cheesy flavors with salsa and guacamole. This is another time I can go a little more spicy. I often procrastinated doing Mexican food because I was unsure if ingredients would be available... eg. certain kinds of chili peppers. Thanks to the internet, there are many simple and authentic recipes available. I wanted to surprise Mom and my sister Mitch since we don't have Mexican food that often and thank goodness they enjoyed.

Taco salad

     This has ground beef, jalapeno, lettuce, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips and salsa (or pico de gallo... still unsure of their difference) which is made of tomato, onions, lemon juice, cilantro (wansuy), salt and pepper. I would have wanted to make guacamole but avocados were unavailable.

Chicken enchilada

    Most recipes use fried corn tortilla, but I used flour tortilla because that was the one available. I wanted to use chicken to be healthier. 

Japanese

     Of course Japanese food is already a given with the family... I need not say more. :D

     We sometimes have Batayaki, which is meat and seafood cooked in a grill pan, similar to Teppanyaki. We always have steak, chicken and shrimp. This is great with rice, grilled  onions and garlic dipped in soy sauce and mustard.

Japanese potato salad

     If you're one of those who gets grossed out with potato salads that are mayo galore... you're not alone. The Japanese potato salad is an exception... full of flavor without being overloaded with mayo. This is perfect with a sandwich.

Korean

     Kimchi is a staple in Korean food. I always make it in advance just so it absorbs all the flavors as time passes. It's said that Kimchi can last for months... but because of my OC tendencies, I prefer to make it as fresh as possible.* I recently cooked a Korean lunch for my cousins, Toby and Jamille but forgot to take pictures of the food. It's a good thing I was able to take pictures when I cooked for my niece and nephew Sofia and Enzo.

Kimchi rice, grilled beef (Korean style), Kimchi, Japchae

     The original plan was to do Bibimbap... but because Mom got lured by a Kimchi rice tutorial, we decided to do Kimchi rice for a change. I tried using the packaged Kimchi before but wasn't successful because there was only a limited amount so it lacked flavor. Both the Kimchi and juice are important for the flavor and color, so it's best to use homemade Kimchi so I have more than enough for the rice. I used leeks and kim for the garnish.* Japchae is perfect for those who aren't into spicy food. Grilled beef is always appreciated.

Kimchi quinoa

     Because the Kimchi rice was a hit, I made a healthier version using quinoa. Still full of flavor without the bloated feeling. ;)

     I surprised Sofia and Enzo with their favorite desserts. I admit I like surprising loved ones and friends with their favorites. :D

Mega chocolate cookies

Red velvet cupcakes

OC -obsessive compulsive
Kim -Korean seaweed; similar to the Nori for Japanese food