Mahlzeit!

Blueberry Muffins

One of the things the kids enjoy at the kitchen is baking. Once in a while I let them mess with me as we prepare flour, butter and other ingredients. One morning I decided to use the fresh blueberries we got from the grocery the day before.

Mixing the ingredients is a job for the bigger girl and boy while the lining of muffin cups is for the little boy. I also allow them to put the baking pans in the oven and they would always watch with excitement which is the first cup to grow the biggest.

The basics of a muffin is easy to remember just like this recipe…

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups fresh blueberries, (may use frozen)
2 tablespoons sugar, for topping
Preparation:

In a medium mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well; stir in milk. Combine dry ingredients and add to the mixture; stir to combine. Gently fold in blueberries. Fill greased muffin cups about 2/3 full. Sprinkle tops with a little sugar. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Makes about 12 muffins.

As the kids wait for their muffin to brown, I would start to clean utensils and kitchen stuff, my daughter would occasionally sweep the floor of what the little boy accidentally dropped there. The best part of it all and what they look forward to, is getting to taste what they baked and waited for.

Carlo’s Pizza (Tagaytay)

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No pun intended with regards to Monday’s hostage incident at the Quirino Grandstand (or maybe there actually is).  I know, the tourists  and the dismissed officer Rolando Mendoza getting killed is not a matter to be laughed at but it seems that Philippine movies starred by FPJ, Rudy Fernandez, Lito Lapid and other action stars aren’t far from reality. Philippine police, monickered Pulis Patola (Luffa/Loofah), showed how they lack training when it comes to such cases. Just like the luffa which may lack nutrients or how it may pertain to the baton they carry (shaped like the luffa fruit), the SWAT team was utterly useless! Ok, I’m no expert on these things but seeing a video on a proper way of breaching a bus, made me think, it would have been that easy…given of course, that the bus in that video has no people in it. It surely was a lot different from the situation at the Grandstand.

Ooopps sorry for the ranting,  I don’t usually care about such topics but I just can’t help comparing them police and pizza delivery guys. Just as the quote says…they seem to be more efficient than cops. Teehee!

On our first Sunday in the Philippines, hubby and I met with highschool friends. Where else? The nearest and coziest place of course, Tagaytay. Twelve years and nothing much has changed when it comes to choosing where to eat. It took us half an hour to decide where to dine, considering that we were surrounded by different kitchens at One Destination, an area in Tagaytay housing the following cafes and restaurants: Cafe Lupe, Carlos Pizza, Henlin, Junzi Oriental Cuisine, Kitaro, Mile Hi Diner, Pancake House, Starbucks, Teriyaki Boy and The Grill by Antonios. There’s a great view of the Taal lake and volcano that adds charm to the place and to each establishment which also has branches in different parts of Metro Manila.

The call time was 5pm but everyone seem to have other important things to do, we were at the area at 7:30 (still Flip time). Most has had a bite on their way too so we settled at Carlo’s Pizza for some munching and drinking. We chose to dine al fresco, the very accommodating and friendly crew arranged tables and seats for us a la presidential table…

For appetizers, we had mozzarella cheese sticks. Chewy and rightly spiced, we enjoyed this treat. Funny though, the waiter asked us if we would like to have them while waiting for the pizza since the latter may take longer to cook and I of course said yes…the mozzarella sticks actually came after the pizza was served. Others we ordered from the menu included Spaghetti with meatballs (al dente and perfectly spiced with fresh basil), Buffalo chicken and wings (cooked well and tender), Quattro Formaggi (with Blue cheese, parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella cheese topping) and Piemonte (with ham, bacon, pineapple topping) for pizza along with buckets of beer and other drinks.

Superb! That’s how I’d rate the food. Each dish is distinctly flavored and  would be well loved after each bite. The ranch dressing served for the Buffalo chicken and wings is to be noted! I really liked it. For the prices, please click here.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 spoons!

(customary -blurry- group photo minus 2 photographers lol)

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Carlo’s Pizza, Tagaytay
One Destination, Main Rd. Tagaytay City,
Cavite, Philippines
(0063-46) 483-0707

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Zuni (Greenbelt 5)

My craving for foie gras has finally ceased (for the moment). We had a wonderful dinner one Wednesday evening at Zuni, Greenbelt 5. Offering continental and Mediterranean cuisines, Zuni is a must for those of you who love food!

The call time was 7 pm…Hubby and I arrived earlier than the others so we get to see the area first, located between Kai’s and a Thai resto I forgot the name of, the place has a warm ambiance, a not-so-crowded interior and you can dine al fresco too! Dear friend Catt came next and we were all hungry so we ordered some appetizers while waiting for the others. Catt was at Wowowee earlier that morning, yes, wowowee still not the other game show- she played “Hephep Hooray!” lol and underwent facial treatment so the hunger is understandable. Hubby and I were walking about so we somehow burned a few calories off to feel the pangs of hunger too.

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We had this super-yummy appetizers,  Sauteed Escargot and Shiitake Mushroom Ala Jillo (P395) and Blackened Tuna with Tomato Mango-Relish (P295) and red wine. From the first bite, we three agreed that the night would be a wonderful one. The flavors fused well for both dishes, the olive oil and spices and mushroom for the escargot and the mango-tomato for tuna.

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The gang came and we transferred to a bigger table where the wine bottles are visible. I believe I took a photo but can’t find it for the meantime…The server came and took our orders which took longer because the menu description were so appetizing….I personally got confused which I want best. So we had some photos while waiting for the food. Above, is Ahyen and Chiqui, hubby and I. Teasing and kwentos were included too while we wait.

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For some reason again, I can’t find the photo of what I had…Ravioli Stuffed with Foie Gras and Mushrooms (P505.00) served with Pomodoro sauce (I chose this over creamy green peppercorn). Of course, no one goes wrong with foie gras!  I’ll have it over and over again.

Catt ordered Pan Fried Medallion of Sole Fillet (With scallop and prawn, in champagne-saffron sauce, served with angel hair aglio-olio and asparagus) -₱580.00, presented so nicely and tempting. The scallops were really soft and flavorful…I had to thank Catt for letting me taste it lol.

Erwin and Jordan (not in photos) had the Grilled US Angus Porterhouse (₱960.00). Topped with cafe de Paris, served with vegetables, roasted potato and shallot-garlic confit, the serving size would make one full as with the others we ordered.

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This Baked Vegetable Lasagna-Topped with tomato-herb salsa (₱375.00) is hubby’s, he must be cutting down on meat! lol. This was really good too, I ended up finishing it for him, and he ended up finishing mine…sweet!

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Lamb Goulash-Ahyen’s choice…New Zealand lamb spareribs braised in tomato, onion, pork liver and green olives, served with jasmine rice and vegetables (₱490.00). Be wary that this dish literally means spareribs.

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What my second choice woud have been is Roasted Norwegian Salmon Fillet – in creamy spinach and corn, enhanced with sambucca, served with brown rice risotto ( ₱620.00). This heavenly dish is Chiqui’s. Salmon cooked to perfect tenderness and a very yummy sauce that complements the tasty salmon.

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That’s Chiqui and her Salmon, Catt and her scallops on the other….

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We were so full already, forgot to save space for dessert which were all tempting. No one was really into ordering so we just got the Dessert Sampler – Half orders of Zuni obsession, tiramisu, cheesecake and decadence  (₱385.00) and which were also superb!

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All in all a great dinner that would definitely be listed on top of my book. Another great night out with treasured friends if I may add. Though what we waited didn’t happen that night but later on, I still would say Congratulations Erwin and Catt on your engagement! Hopefully, the next time we eat together would be on your Wedding! (Hey, no pressures…lol). And thanks for this lovely dinner!

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Zuni Restaurant and Wine Bar
Ground Flr., Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St., Legaspi Village
Makati City, Metro Manila
(0063-02) 757-0361 to 62

Golden Bay Fresh Seafood Restaurant

Hainanese Chicken Rice (Singapore), Bibimbap (Korea), Omurice/Katsudon (Japan), Paella (Spain), Khao Phat (Thailand), Risotto (Italy) and Arroz Caldo (Philippines) – these rice dishes would not even be a fourth of the hundred rice dishes that cooks have experimented on through the years. (Visit this list for more.)

Rice is one of the most versatile ingredient out there that even day-old rice is heaven, just add a beaten egg and salt!

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When we arrived Saturday, my older brother and his then wife-to-be met with us, my mom and my sister’s family at Golden Bay Fresh Seafood Restaurant in Pasay. A few minutes ride from the airport…it was a very convenient trip since we arrived almost lunchtime. I forgot to take a photo of the exterior (I always do)…but the building is a green-white, 3 -storey structure, you won’t miss it! The place has a big parking lot but definitely not enough for big events.

Carpeted floor, traditional Chinese decor would welcome you upon entry. Garbed in both gold and red, you won’t go wrong in this Chinese restaurant…comfy ambiance that is. The place has a big Dining Hall and function rooms on the first and third floors with each own videoke. A Banquet Hall is on the second floor, perhaps a perfect setup for big occasions as weddings.

Golden Bay also has one of the biggest open kitchen I’ve seen…because I got used to the ones here in Vienna, that perhaps to save up space, the kitchen are compact yet convenient.

In a corner, much to the kids and the hubby’s delight is a tank area where seafood is kept. True to its name fresh seafood restaurant, the aquariums were filled with live fish, crab, and other fruits of the sea. We had a great time looking at the different catch and asking the attendants a question or two. (The first time I saw live gaycrabs too!) It took time anyway before food was served so we didn’t get bored passing time. Although waiting is not really my brother’s virtue considering too that he’s always hungry (teehee).

(Overgrown shrimp errr…a  lobster and geoducks, stonefish and gaycrabs, sharks and a defenseless crab)

The restaurant offers set menus and a la carte to guests. Set menus I heard costs P10,000 minimum upto P32,000 at most. Judging from these, I’d say that really big Chinese families dine here often. The tables were set in which at least 8 people can dine together. We had a la carte and ordered a variety of dishes. (I did not to take photos of all of them and I didn’t take note of the dishes’ name…sorry.)

(Beef broccoli)

(Noodles – it just ain’t Chinese without them)

(Crispy pork)

(Mango sago)

Coming from this part of the world where Chinese dishes are synonymous to salty I was happy that what we had is far different from what my taste buds got used to. OVer-all, it was a good meal. It may not be as memorable as my others but surely, had I the chance to come back I would and I’d  definitely try their more famous dishes e.g. Peking duck, dried scallop rings and steamed king prawns.

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Golden Bay Fresh Seafood Restaurant
Lots 3 & 4 Block A
Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. Pasay City
Telephone Nos: 556-7525; 994-2959
Email: goldenbay.marketing@gmail.com

Pull up bars vs Revel bars

Summer is about to end, for me that means a few more days and I will have more time for myself. Not that I regret being with the kids but when school starts in September, I can go do my training regularly. My routine includes 40-60 minutes running (on machine). I would then work on my shoulders, back and tummy, my problem zones. Good thing that the Gym I’m going to has a wide range of fitness equipments aimed for a certain spot. There’s the ab workout machine whose brand I forgot which for me is the most effective in making my stomach muscle hurts (it’s working when it does hurt). For my shoulders, there are triceps and biceps machine that works the shoulders too so I make sure I get to know them too as I sweat. Lastly there are pull up bars that is really good for one’s shoulders, biceps and back. I spend more time in here than I would with any other machines.

So that’s me still dreaming . Reminiscing how I was so motivated back then. After spending 5 weeks in the Philippines I’ve lost the drive to lose all the extra calories which also accumulated while  on vacation. I don’t regret that, what I regret is not having to taste these heavenly looking revel bars from Entrepremom, Iris. To think that her bakehouse is very near my mom’s! Iris is one of the many I know who used to be a busy bee in the corporate world but chose to be a work at home mom instead. PH Bakehouse is her newest endeavor…born from her love for cupcakes!

(Photo: http://projecthappinessbyiris.info)

Anyway, I mentioned in my previous posts, I eat lots of protein before and after training. I looked up how much protein revel bars contain so I can get away with eating it…Nope, only 3g – not even 10% of the total calories.
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Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 227 Calories; 10g Fat (38.1% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 33g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 29mg Cholesterol; 113mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 2 Fat; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.
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I therefore conclude that revel bars aren’t the healthy type of chocolates (yes, there are wheyprotein chocolates that I get from the gym at times)…that revel bars won’t do much to my “toning” activities. I, however, stubborn as can be would  prefer revel bars over pull up bars…at any given time.

Reminiscing Italy

Summer is almost synonymous to beach…with emphasis on “almost” because this summer is a little different. The weather is crazy, and I mean crazy. Cold breezes in the morning, sunshine at noon and rain in the evening. This predicament made me look back to a lovely summer we had in Italy. We had a week-long vacation there and a one day trip to Venice. We rented a summer house which was of walking distance to the beach and has a pool in the compound.

The kids enjoyed that particular summer as did hubby and I. I was totally tanned because of spending the mornings on those beach bed lined with comfy outdoor cushions by the beach.

I had a great time taking photos too of the water, the boats, the kids and everything there is to see. I’m not sure why but I don’t think I blogged much about this particular vacation.

Aside from the beach and the lovely weather, I miss the authentic pasta and pizza the Italians serve…fresh from the traditional oven topped with fresh seafood and herbs, you can clearly tell the difference from what you were used to having.

The gelato is also worth mentioning. Not just the fruity flavors but of course, the low butterfat content.

We just came back from a summer vacation so I don’t think that an Italy trip is possible now. Well, I can always look back, thanks to the photos for making me relive the memories but I’d definitely be back (but perhaps after resiviting Paris).

Yakimix Chowfun! (MOA)

It’s like I’ve been posting mostly Japanese dishes and I can’t help it too! My good friend, now based in Cali, whom I haven’t seen for 9 years came home too and she also enjoys salmon and sushi…So we had our grand reunion at Yakimix Chowfun, Mall of Asia…having no idea what they serve, I thought this is mostly about drinks, mixing drinks…I was relieved to see a cooktop grill on the table. Yaki is apparently the japanese word “grill.”

They serve Chinese dishes from sweet and sour to noodles and Japanese cuisine, both raw and cooked buffet style…well, you get to cook and that’s the more exciting part of it!

As courtesy, I started off with miso soup, separately served from the chinese hot soup. You can put your own choice of tofu, green onions and wakame. So I did mine the same way I cook it at home.

The grilling could wait, I was a bit late along with some friends so we took turns filling our plates with sashimi, maki, temaki and most of all my favorite, beni-shouga (lol). Everything tasted good except for the unagi (eel) maki which is too salty for me.

(Vegetable-filled bacon, kobe beef slices, tofu and welsh onion–and below: unagi maki)

There was an assortment of meats to choose from; beef, pork, chicken; korean-spiced, soy-flavored plus a lot of veggies too! I had a plate full  because I was tasked to do the grilling…lol. Seconds after the attendant turned on the grill, I was in action, putting in slices of meat after the other, salmon and veggies and what my chopsticks got in between. Thank goodness it was a smokeless grill!

The best part of the meal is unquestionably, dessert…A combination of specialties from Red Ribbon and Goldilocks I presume…Ube Macapuno roll, blueberry cheesecake, dragon fruit, melons and these colorful marble chocolates (which we have fond memories of back in highschool) were all in my plate. Needless to say,  nothing was left

Yakimix has an ice cream station which I wasn’t able to try. They serve Selecta local flavors and premium and on the side would be your ice cream additions station; marshmallow, chocolate bits, candy sprinkles and m&ms! A haven for those child at heart (like me!).

A friend’s plate of chocolate slice with candy sprinkle and marhsmallows, cheesecake with m&ms and fruit tart.

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A very appropriate place I must say, the place is big enough for groups of people dining together. They also have tables outside so you can enjoy good food with a fresh breeze. I can’t speak for the price though since this was Catt’s treat (lol, thanks!) but I’ve read reviews and they said that it is by far cheaper than other buffets around town.

Oh, I forgot to mention the blue refillable lemonade! lol. See, pretty isn’t it? It’s not difficult spotting me here as I mentioned earlier I was tasked by my late comrades to grill. Let me take back what I said, the best part would be taking photos and reliving memories of decades-long friendship….

My original barkada (minus 2 others).

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Yakimix Chowfun
Unit 122-126 Ground Floor
SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
(0063-2-836-1535 )

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