COFFEE ADDICT ME

Yummmy! I've always loved coffee...and moreso now that it's raining here in the Philippines.

Since it is a long weekend, starting today friday(May 1 - Labor Day), the whole fam is all in. We then decided to go malling, and went to our favorite hang-out, Makati.

I dragged them to MY favorite place to be...Seattles Best! I get to have the best hot choco-mocca I've been craving for since yesterday. UNSURPASSABLE! Simply BEYOND COMPARE!

Slurp!=)

GET TOGETHER

I invited a few new acquaintances in our church group. Don’t really know them much yet, and I’m not sure if we’re gonna click…but sharing the same passion for pasta is a start. So, in this getting-to-know-each-other nite, I prepared a “pasta bar”. A few varying sauces, toppings (tuna, bacon, chicken strips, meatballs, cheese) and choices of 4 cooked pasta (famous spaghetti noodles, twist, shells, and flat noodles); and basic tomato sauce, pesto and basic cream sauce. With it are toasted slices of French bread and tossed some greens.

The evening was a success. Everyone enjoyed dinner…better yet everyone enjoyed the company of each other. I hope this starts the friendship I’m hoping to blossom.

Here are the sauces, you might wanna try this yourself one day…

BASIC TOMATO SAUCE
1-1 ½ K plum tomatoes
¼ c olive oil
2-2 ½ c finely chopped onions
3 cloves garlic
3 broth cubes
1c chopped fresh parsley
3Tbsp chopped fresh oregano
1-1 ½ Tbsp fresh thyme
1c water
To taste salt and pepper

1. Boil tomatoes, peel off skin, chop. Set aside.
2. Saute onions in heated oil, add garlic.
3. Stir in broth cubes and celery.
4. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and herbs. Let simmer and pour in water.
5. Season to taste.

BASIC PESTO SAUCE
38g fresh basil leaves
4Tbsp chopped garlic
1c walnuts
2Tbsp garlic flavored seasoning
½ c grated parmesan cheese

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender
2. Blend till smooth
3. Pour over pasta

BASIC CREAM SAUCE
½ c butter
½ c flour
1pc chicken broth cube dissolved in: (or fresh chicken broth)
1 ½ c water
1pack thick cream
1tsp nutmeg

1. Heat butter in a pan, add flour until cooked through
2. Slowly stir in dissolve broth, continuously stirring
3. Add cream and nutmeg.

MCDONALD HAPPY MEAL

I was “seeing someone” yesterday afternoon and I asked for us to have dessert in McDonalds (am actually craving for a sundae!!!). Had my favorite caramel sundae as dipping for my fries…and remembered I have to buy my li’l kiddo my promised bring-home surprise. There I saw the happy meal toy …Monsters. She love lighted toys thus ended up getting one of their meals too to get hold of this monster that lights up red when pulled…

I LOVE SALADS

I love all of ‘em! Cooked or raw! Yummy!

Speaking of such, do you know that Caesar Salad

wasn’t actually named after Julius Caesar?

I thought so at first (hahaha)

…but it was named after someone who first prepared it in Tijuana, Mexico

a Caesar Gardini of Caesar’s Place Restaurant.

SPICY TUNA EN PASTA

Trying to sound Italian here…though not one bit of one, I love Italian dishes. Thus, mostly preparing (and concocting) pasta. Try this recipe that I tried, which is both tasty, healthy and economical.

Ingredients: cooked pasta (according to your desired style, but preferably spaghetti noodle), minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped celery, sliced mushroom, drained hot and spicy tuna, commercial spaghetti sauce, tomato paste (as thickener, may disregard), salt and pepper to taste, sliced finger pepper (for additional spice, may disregard)

Procedure:
1. Cook pasta in boiling water with a little oil and a little salt to desired texture

FOR SAUCE
2. Saute’ garlic till fragrant
3. Add onions till transparent
4. Throw in tuna, celery and mushroom
5. Pour tomato sauce (and tomato paste, if desired)
6. Salt and pepper to taste
7. Add finger peppers (if desired)
8. Pour over noodles when served

QUICK-COOK TERRIAKI

I'm home...and cooking!

This recipe is best served with buttered or stir-fried vegetable. I usually match it with buttered corn and carrot, buttered green beans or fried potato wedges. You can also try stir-fried sprouts or mixed vegetables.

ingredients:
chicken, soysauce, ginger strips, sugar, sesame seeds, cornstarch, salt and pepper to taste, chopped finger pepper for heat and garnishing(optional)

procedure:

1. in a bowl mix sugar with soysauce for sauce, set aside

2. in another separate bowl dissolve cornstarch in water for thickener, set aside

3. fry ginger strips in a pan till fragrant

4. add chicken (may be fried first, breaded or not; or may use plain raw chicken)

5. pour soysauce mixture, and bring to boil

6. let simmer for 20 minutes

7. add salt and pepper to taste

8. add sesame seeds

9. slowly pour cornstarch to desired thickness of sauce

10. add chopped finger pepper (optional)

11. serve

BON A PETIT!

SALPICAO

It’s one of those days that I had the urge to try my magic in the kitchen.

And today, I cooked what I found in our stock. And I found Beef. Since I prepared Coleslaw in Pineapple Vinagrette yesterday, I want something tasty and dry to go with it.

Ingredients: Chicken, lots of sliced garlic, minced garlic, butter, Worcestershire sauce, Soy sauce, Hot sauce, Potato strips, black pepper, sliced finger pepper (optional).

Procedure:
1. Marinate beef strips in Soy sauce, Worcestershire, Hot sauce, and Black pepper for atleast 10 minutes.
2. Toast sliced garlic. Set aside for toppings.
3. In the same pan, add butter in oil. Fry minced garlic till fragrant.
4. Add beef and marinate. Cook till tender (around 30 minutes).
5. Add potato strips, when cooked, add toasted garlic and finger pepper.
6. Serve.