I shouldn’t complain. I have a great family, we’re in good health, we’re financially stable, we live in a beautiful house, our kids go to a good school… it’s a grand life. At least, for the most part. But there are things that I still wish and long for not because I’m a whining bitch ... (more)
Ginseng
Posted on December 31, 2010 · 3 Comments
Despite being an Asian country, and despite our proximity to China and Korea where ginseng has been growing forever, ginseng, as it is used in herbal medicine, did not become popular in the Philippines until the 1990s. Despite the lateness of its appearance in the market, however, the moment it did hit the market, it ... (more)
Herbed cream dory with spicy lemon and orange sauce
Posted on December 31, 2010 · 6 Comments
Think lemon chicken and orange chicken. Substitute fillets of cream dory (or any mild-flavored fish), create a sauce that combines lemon and orange juices, spike with grated ginger and chili flakes, add dashes of orange and lemon extracts, and this is what this dish is like. Basically a dish of fried fish with sweet and ... (more)
An afternoon with Cream Dory
Posted on December 30, 2010 · 15 Comments
Two days ago, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Rizal Chapter, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Rizal) staged a Pangasius Food Festival. The objective was simple — promote Pangasius, or cream dory as it is more popularly known, as a viable everyday food, a versatile gourmet food and a profitable business. ... (more)
Conversation at a pet shop
Posted on December 30, 2010 · 15 Comments
We were at Tiendesitas earlier tonight. If you’re new to this blog, my younger daughter Alex lost two white cats over the last few years: a Persian named Salt and a blue-eyed macho cat named Maki. When Alex spotted a grey Persian at a pet shop tonight, she started getting antsy. Alex: “Mommyyyyyy… I want ... (more)
Smoked salmon and cream cheese terrine
Posted on December 28, 2010 · 5 Comments
For yesterday’s potluck party, Laura, my ex-future sister-in-law (go figure) brought a lovely smoked salmon and cream cheese terrine topped with caviar. I understand that it was inspired by an appetizer served at Bizu Patisserie. We attacked it with gusto and it was so delicious that I promised myself I’d try making one soon. Soon ... (more)
Minty Mocha
Posted on December 27, 2010 · Leave a Comment
I love chocolate especially the mint-flavored ones. And I love coffee. Put those two favorites in one drink and I’m a happy person. Add some booze and I’ll probably get giggly. Add two kinds of booze then drop a candy cane into the mug to stir the coffee with and it is irresistible. Which was ... (more)
Chocolate chip and walnut cookies
Posted on December 26, 2010 · 17 Comments
I made liver paté earlier and I wondered what could go into the oven after it. No preheating in between and that saves time and power. Not too thin, not too thick, lightly crisp and mildly chewy — that about sums up what these chocolate chip and walnut cookies are like. A result of an ... (more)
Fizzy rum and lime
Posted on December 26, 2010 · Leave a Comment
We’re having a little family get-together tomorrow and I had been mulling over what drinks to serve. I really wanted to mix some punch so that everyone could just help themselves but I didn’t get the punch bowl I wanted (I’ve been searching for a drinks fountain, actually) so I set the idea aside. Then, ... (more)
Chocolate drizzled and star-studded Christmas cookies
Posted on December 25, 2010 · 2 Comments
They’re butter cookies made from an almost runny dough that spreads into thin discs with flat and smooth surfaces — almost like lenguas de gato. I baked them last night because my 18-year-old daughter, Sam, wanted to decorate cookies. What she really wanted was gingerbread men but I didn’t have enough space in the fridge ... (more)
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