What's For Dinner This Christmas?

 I'm excited to make strufolli for the first time this Christmas.   

I'm doing Giada's recipe from familycircle.com. 

This is a common holiday dessert in Naples and Italy and can be prepared a day or two ahead of the party that's why it's convenient.   I'm sure this will add a festive touch to my Christmas table. 

Christmas should be the happiest time of the year but we homemakers are often anxious about Christmas dinner.  This feat can be overwhelming sometimes, yet we are determined to make it great. 

There is no reason to fret because there are lots of ideas going around.  On tv alone, celebrity chefs are sharing their ideas, claiming that they are all super easy; it's just searing the meat with herbs and spices, popped in the oven, forget about it until the oven dings.  

Supermarkets and bakeshops offer lots of endless delicacies to enhance our spread.  There are also plenty of delicious pre-prepared dishes for sale at delis and restaurants that we can easily put together a sumptuous meal and spare us the trouble if we don't have much time.  But if we want something different we can always Google for more ideas. 

Early on I felt I needed to gather more inspiration for my Christmas feast, so I spent sometime watching the Food Network, the Asian Food Channel and Lifestyle Network;  I've read holiday blogs, surfed the net and actually tried the recipes that I found interesting.  

I realized that too much information is not always good; at least to me. The idea of preparing what my family really want eludes me.  However, just like shopping for the right shoes or dress, when I see it, I know that's the one; the idea for my Christmas dinner dawned on to me just like that. 

I aim to make it like a home-cooked meal yet festive at the same time.  It should be special but simple, sans the fancy; light but nutritious because most of us are so health conscious nowadays.  Most of all, it should be something that everyone would enjoy. 

I wanted to depart from the traditional Filipino dishes like caldereta, afritada, menudo, mechado, adobo or at least put a twist on one of them to make it sound new and interesting. 

So this Christmas, I think I'll work with lamb and the other dish could be salmon.  I will cook the lamb like a traditional stew and make a complimentary side dish, I'm still debating whether it will be mashed potatoes or au gratin.  

One good tip I learned is stick to tried and tested dishes at times like this to lessen stress.  I'm not into roasting so much, so I won't roast.  

The salmon will be light and refreshing baked on top of fettuccine and asparagus that will blend with fresh herbs and lemon to counteract the heaviness of the lamb.  Since lamb is not everybody's favorite, I'll sneak in a dish of Osso buco to make everybody happy. 

I will include the Celebration Chicken Salad because I want crunch with apple, celery stalk, cucumber, red radish, almonds and walnuts.  

Did you know that this was first prepared and served at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II by two chefs at the Le Cordon Bleu in London?  The addition of curry and tumeric was borrowed from India due to their significant presence in the UK.  Isn't it interesting to know this bit of history? 

Dessert maybe fruit salad and hopefully I can squeeze sometime to make Angel food cake or bread pudding. 

Of course I will bring out the queso de bola and Chinese ham which is everybody's favorite. 

I don't believe in an over-flowing Christmas table so I limit my preparations but ample enough for everybody; I don't want to handle a lot of leftovers.  Do you think my menu is good enough and fitting for a holiday feast?

The Quest for the Best Breakfast Cafe in Alabang and Paranaque

It's been sometime now that Jim and I are more inclined to eat out for breakfast or brunch rather than dinner.  Every Sunday we wanted to prolong that great feeling after mass so we continue to celebrate by having breakfast in a Cafe; shall I say,  "to break the fast"?

 We rarely go out for dinner anymore because for one, it's becoming more difficult to drive at night.  Besides, we don't eat much at night; I myself don't eat dinner unless we dine out or have company at home.  

So breakfast or brunch is our thing nowadays.  That's when I ditch my banana-granola-oatmeal and green tea frap for a gourmet breakfast and special coffee blends, decaf and skinny preferably. 

 "Where shall we have breakfast today?" Jim asked one Sunday morning.   So I told myself what better time than now to start checking out whether the recommended breakfast cafes in Alabang and Paranaque are worth the reviews.

Let me clarify here that the quest is about small, stand-alone cafes only; definitely not those in hotels like the Belvue, Vivere, Crimsom, Hotel B, etc. 

Our first stop was the Exchange Alley Cafe House at Molito.  

We ordered each an open sandwich of toasted ciabatta topped with prosciutto, (the other salmon) and poached egg dressed with mustard-mayo. 

Their latte is great as well. 

Next Sunday, we located the L'Epiciere Gourmand at the River Park in Filinvest.

It is a French cafe and a deli as well.  So far this is our favorite. 

We enjoyed their cheese and cold cuts platter.  

Jim, a sausage aficionado like our son couldn't help but add an order of the kielbasa with fried potato cubes. 

Here we are at Cafe France 

We often go to Cafe France whether for breakfast, lunch or snack.  We always get an appropriate food for a meal, that is properly prepared to our taste, presentated in an appetizing manner and the price is reasonable.  It is frequented by seniors though the menu could be everyone's favorite. 

Today Jim wanted to go to Cafe France again but I suggested we check out the newly opened J-Rams cafe along Aguirre Ave so we can get on with our quest for the best breakfast cafe.  The place is bright, cool and nicely decorated but sadly, it was not our kind of food or maybe it was the manner it was prepared.  That's the problem when the cafe is not recommended.  

Our search for the best is a work in progress, I think we are not even halfway.  In Aguirre avenue alone, new cafes are being opened. Personally, I like to eat at a new place most of the time  and order something different, though I think most men often prefer to go to a familiar place and possibly order the same food like last time. 

Of course we've been to Pancake house many times; to Conti's and Mary Grace; and don't forget the Big Breakfast at McDonald's, the breakfast joys at Jollibee and the double burger at Tropical Hut.

Our quest is about finding the best cafes we can go to and enjoy a great breakfast on Sunday mornings.  We don't intend to critique them or find anything lacking about their food.   After all, people have different preferences, we just need to find out which of them serve our favorites. 

A Day In Tagatay

It was a heavy-traffic-kind of day going to Tagaytay on Tuesday but Tagaytay beckons me back for this big sumptuous breakfast sampler at the Bag Of Beans. 

On second thought, I think it's what they call in our language "takaw mata"(it's the eyes that is hungry).  The presentation is appetizing but it's hefty for me, even for brunch.    Besides I can have that in town, just not as beautifully presented perhaps, but I can also make that at home. 

We entered SLEX, Filinvest at 6 and arrived at the Bag of Beans for breakfast after 8.  I wasn't surprised to see a bigger establishment, afterall it has to accommodate the onslaught of clients.  Though they retained the open-air atmosphere, the garden ambiance is no longer as authentic as before when we used to frequent the place, but impressive nonetheless. 

Oh yes, they have wifi, so I was able to post our breakfast on Facebook straight away.

From Sta Rosa junction all the way was heavy, I heard it was worse during the Asean Summit weekend when thousands of cars were noted in Tagaytay.  The two lanes on either side as a result of road widening doesn't cut it due to the heavy influx of city dwellers who wanted to escape to the countryside.

Tagaytay became more popular in recent years due to it's vicinity to metro Manila; one can come and go in a day.  Because of the pleasant weather it became an alternative vacation destination to Bagiuo, the summer capital of the Philippines, 

                          With my sister 

The last time we were in Tagaytay was during the Christmas season last year when our son-in-law treated us to that great breakfast buffet at Balay Dako.  The trip back and fort didn't take long unlike last Tuesday.

After breakfast, we went on to pay the real estate tax, our main purpose for the trip. 

    The main dining room of Royale Tagaytay Estates and Country Club. 

We made a brief stop at Royale Tagaytay Estates Golf and Country Club for halo halo.

  

At half past 10 when we started back we saw to our dismay that both sides of the road were bumper to bumper.  Can you believe that we got home south of the metro at half past 2 pm?

Tagaytay is a fast-growing metropolis, bursting with new business  establishments.  As we droved passed, I saw new restaurants, BNBs and small hotels with attractive and welcoming facade. There are more souvenir and local delicacies stores, fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, ornamentals and herb gardens as well. 

I recall when we frequented Tagaytay 2 to 3 times a week after we bought our property some 20 years ago, (the only time in our lives that Jim and I worked part-time for half a year) we enjoyed the facilities of the new country club.  Back then Tagaytay was easily accessible to and from our home.

Lena, a friend in the US saw my breakfast post on Facebook and asked where to have dinner in Tagaytay this coming Christmas season.  Well, I can only recommend what I tried like Balay Dako, the Bag of Beans and Antonio's restaurant, 

     Taken the year before at Antonio's where we enjoyed a breakfast treat of our daughter and her family.  

I haven't been to Sonya's Bed and Breakfast recently, Jim brought me there for lunch when it was a newly opened vegan and nature restaurant, not yet a BNB then. Lena and her family may like its romantic ambiance. 

My friend Tess post this picture above among others on Facebook which made me curious to open Sonya's BNB website. 

     This llooks like the main dining room lifted from their website. 

A usual stop for us is Rowena's, a store of native delicacies. Their cupcake-size buko pie is to die for though there are numerous other goodies to choose from.  I noticed many customers as I walked in and a long queue at the cashier. 

I was able to get this box of the original flavor of buko pie (I intended to get two since they last long if popped in the freezer) but they ran out.  I also grabbed a box of egg tarts for my granddaughter, it's her favorite.  

If one has been to Tagaytay one would like to go back in spite the heavy traffic.  

 

  This picture I lifted from their website shows the view. 

Chill at the most beautiful Starbucks in the Philippines in that cool weather, sit outside and appreciate the overlooking-view of Laguna the bay and know that it is the place to be; to unwind and enjoy time with family and friends. 

To Get Or Not to Get A Housemaid: That Is The Question

When my housemaid of two years went on a two-week leave sometime ago, I  asked myself: "how hard can it be without her?". 

In the Philippines it is still possible to have a live-in maid even for average families; though I must say that it is becoming more and more difficult to get one.  Most of them want to work abroad.

As soon as my maid went of vacation, Jim and I developed a routine in maintaining the house spic and span.  I do the indoors and he tackles the outdoors.  It doesn't mean though that we don't help each other in whatever task that needs to be done. 

That was when  I saw that my maid's work isn't all that backbreaking nor takes so much time.  In the first place, there's only Jim and I at home, no more kids to clutter the house.  

I have a heavy duty washer and dryer, so she doesn't wash clothes, including her beddings.  My clothes are drip-dry, no ironing necessary there and Jim irons his delicate clothes himself, he can't thrust the maid with that.  I do the cooking, she just prepares the mise en place.  We have no pets to take care of  and Jim and I tend the garden, well..that's  mostly Jim.  

Nowadays, maids are distracted with texting and Facebook that they don't do their jobs well anymore.   My maid can hardly put down her phone.  Early on I tolerated that because I thought that she also needs a breathing space in between chores and I saw that she got things done.  Lately however, it looks like she spends more time on her phone than working.  

My older daughter doesn't have a live-in house help since her maid of 11 years left.  After three maids that she recently tried and didn't like, she is more inclined not to get one;  she got tired training them besides, she has someone who does the thorough cleaning once a week.  

Now that she works from home, she can prepare breakfast and dinner for her husband and her 12-year-old daughter; alone at noon, her lunch is take-out or left-overs.  On weekends they always eat out, whether they have a maid or not.  Her in laws are just next door and they have two drivers and two maids who could be of assistance when necessary. 

Here are the pros and cons whether to get a maid or not that I can think of:

CONS:

. We have to allocate a budget for her salary.

. It is a hassle to think or prepare her food; we may thrive on sandwiches or just pasta but she needs rice and adobo. Think of feeding another person three meals and two snacks and imagine the savings if we are prudent in preparing meals. 

. There is little or no privacy at all, especially in a condo where space is limited.

. The presence of another person in the household will also consume utilities like electricity and water that we can be saved otherwise.  Remember, she charges her phone twice a day, lol!

PROS:

. She will look after the baby when we are at the office

. We have someone to do the cleaning

. We won't wash dishes 

. Theres someone to bring us things if we are too lazy to go get them ourselves

. to hang and fold the laundry

. to throw garbage, soap the waste can and line it again with plastic bag

. to open and close the gate when we come and go

. to bring over the remote when someone calls

. to answer the door.

. Someone is always at home. 

Maybe we're so used to having a maid that oftentimes we feel deprived if there's no one to wait on us.  True, we can always do the chores but it means less time for me to devote to the store; less time for hobbies, leisure and relaxation.  Moreover, Jim is reluctant to leave the house for long periods without someone at home. 

How about you, what's your take on this?  

A House Warming That Warmed Our Hearts

It has been a busy week in mid-September that climaxed in Antipolo on a Sunday,  the house warming of our niece and nephew-in-law.  

     Their house facade

At dawn on that Friday before was also the arrival of my sister's friends and neighbors from Florida who came to attend her milestone birthday celebration.  

 

                  Jim with Ben and Alessandra

We welcomed them with a Filipino breakfast.  

Mary Grace is becoming a must-go-to restaurant for tourists and balikbayans.  Jim and I brought them around town while we made the final preparations for the birthday party happening that Saturday night. 

Like I said earlier, it takes time to really enjoy pleasurable moments with our favorite people and in our case the good times happened one after the other within the month.  That's why this blog is a bit late.  I just needed to set aside these thoughts about the house warming because I wanted to focus on the succeeding events with my children in Singapore the following week. 

Back on the house warming

Their new place is on the other side of town but my niece was thoughtful to send over a van to get us and bring us back.  We were in luck traveling that route on a Sunday, on other days it would have taken us 3 hours, and even worse during peak hours. 

But I'd say it was worth all the long trip.  Their house is very serene, an open-concept living room, dining and kitchen area made more relaxing with neutral shades all around.  

I have to give it to our niece and nephew-in-law to want such a house that calm the soul with its elegant and pleasant atmosphere.   This couple work so hard to start, expand and sustain their business; such a formidably difficult feat in this day and age in our country. 

"You've got a great place here", I told my nephew by way of making conversation, while we were served  drinks with baked oysters and other hors d'oeuvres I didn't recognize but delicious. 

"This is so relaxing, I'm sure you really must enjoy it after a hard day's work", I further said. 

"Yes Tita, we love it too, it is quite relaxing after driving through traffic almost the whole day".  

I'm so happy for them, they really deserve this restful haven for their family. 

 

Our hosts: our niece and nephew-in-law with Alessandra

The day was a happy event, there was dancing, too.

I have to commend my niece who went out of her way  to include her cousins, the children of our siblings who live abroad.  

It was a happy reunion with nieces and nephews.  In as much as we wanted to stay longer, we had to leave since we still need to bring back my sister's guest at their hotel. They needed to pack and rest for the next day of shopping before leaving for the airport.  

Last Two Days In Singapore

I'm not inclined to watch tv on board a plane.  I'd rather read a magazine or a novel from my iPad.  On Singapore airlines flight back to Manila, I read an article from Women's Weekly, "how to find joy" where Psychologist Fred B. Bryant was quoted saying that:   "we don't automatically feel joy when good things happen to us, it's the way we reflect on those experiences that determines how happy we are".

I believe that's true.  Here  I am, a week after I left my children and their families in Singapore, yet I'm just reminiscing the numerous happy times I spent with them.  Looking at pictures I took and putting them along with the memories in a blog makes me savor the joy more.

Our younger daughter's new home in Singapore is beautiful. Their place overlooks an impressive wide open space at the central area where trees, shrubs and ground covers abound.  The pools are big and the water features are all lighted up gaily at night.   This condo unit is just right, in fact very spacious, not tight like you would expect of one, especially in Singapore where properties are relatively pricy.  

Our daughter also take a leave from work whenever we visit, but this time even our son-in-law took a leave as well.  How thoughtful of them to welcome us with a big platter of fruit, cheeses and crackers.

Since their place is on the other side of downtown, near the airport, it makes sense to lunch at a nearby place where one of the best ramen in town is served. 

On queu to be seated at Tsuta, a ramen house

Waiting to be served while we watched two chefs prepare our ramen. 

Our hosts wanted to bring us out to dinner as well but we felt like staying in, so my daughter prepared a sumptuous meal.  I loved her salad of leafy greens and fruit with a just right vinaigrette dressing.  Her baked chicken flavored with lemongrass is something to write home about.  

Roti or naan with assorted dipping sauces of butter chicken, palak paneer (goat's cheese) and chickpea completed the meal.  I enjoyed the butter chicken best of all..

The next day they invited our son and his family for lunch.  She prepared beef rendang, a Malaysian recipe, and there was duck, white chicken and veggies, and of course: 

Cake!!!

This well-decorated decadent chocolate cake made our grandson pay attention.  He immediately left his puzzle on the floor and came up  to blow the candle meant for my sister who has been celebrating her milestone birthday since the week before. 

On that last night, back at our son's place, our daughter-in-law wanted to treat us yet again to cocktails and dinner at a resto bar but this meant leaving our grandson behind; so we stayed in instead.  

It turned out to be cocktails, dinner and nightcap. 

This delicious, smooth-and-silky-melt-in-the-mouth cheese cake was presented mid-way while our grandson was still up and lively.  Who else would blow the candle but my sister and our eager grandson. 

Pizza and pasta night is becoming a tradition for our last night.  We stayed late into the night telling stories, laughing, eating and drinking.

From family visits here or there in Singapore, I learned that it's not enough just to be physically present, hugging and kissing  family;  it is by sharing our thoughts and feelings, our present challenges, our plans and dreams that make us feel that warmth and really enjoy that awesome feeling of togetherness. 

It seemed that our visit was not quite enough for the very next day after our arrival back home, our son called:  "book a flight again as early as now mom,  maybe for January" (coz we may see them here for Christmas).  He paused, "or even November". 

Well, life is short, we're not wasting anytime, not at all. 

Our First Two Days In Singapore

It's never "as usual" with us whenever we go to Singapore. There are always new roads, new structures and new places. Our children make sure that bringing us around is always a new experience. 

When Singapore airlines flight 915 touched down on Changi, I messaged my son that we just landed. Since he took two days off from work, he said he was getting us from there. 

While driving out, as always, our son asked what and where we like for lunch. "It's up to you, we're not really that hungry", replied my sister who joined us on this trip. 

"Oh, so you want ambiance?, he asked smiling. "Okay, I'll give you ambiance". 

"The House" is one of the many restaurants in Dempsey,  formerly barracks of American soldiers converted to bars, restaurants and shops. We've been to Dempsey three times but there are just so many bars and restaurants there that it's our first time in The House..

We couldn't resist going out of the glass walls and take pictures.  

My son and my sister has a great connection, having been so close way back when he was a toddler while my sister was doing college and stayed with us.  This is a toast to this special reunion.

The ambiance was really great but the food took the spotlight, especially Jim's order, 

This meter-long sausage served on a bed of crunchy arugula leaves occupied the whole diameter of the round table. 

Not to be outdone, my burger with bone marrow served with onion rings and veggies was picture perfect.  It tasted great as well. 

We had a sumptuous lunch,  another place another great experience. 

 At the Tower Club situated on the 62nd floor, our daughter-in-law as well as our younger daughter and son-in-law joined us for cocktails after work. 

The place has spectacular views and tastefully decorated that  my sister and I couldn't help but explore the place and take pictures. 

Second Day 

Our grandson skipped school to spend the day with us, after all bonding with him was the prime purpose of our visit.  First order of the day was breakfast at the American Club

At 3 1/2, our grandson loves cars, fast cars, so much so that he stayed up late the weekend before to watch the finish off Formula One race.  He is patient in completing puzzles and has interesting idiosyncrasies.  

 Foremost is his tendency to contradict.  If you give him a square plate, he would say: "I want a round plate".  If you sit him on a yellow  chair: he'd want the blue.  If fruit is given for snacks he will say:  "I want something nice", meaning chips or his favorite biscuit. 

Before lunch, he needed to go to  the toy store where he plays often though he seldom asks to buy any. 

The whole day was pleasant and interesting especially when we went to the park surrounding the M social hotel designed by the famous French designer Philippe Starck.  

Here our grandson showed how good he is in riding his scooter.  He can cope with his dad's speed and he enjoys going up and down a slope. 

What did my sister and I do?  Had cocktails while watching.

Having mojito and Long Island tea

Father and son sharing a French fry drizzled with truffle oil. 

We also explored the premises surrounding M social and posed for pictures. 

The day ended by going local with dinner at Newton Circus, one of the biggest hawkers in town. 

We were tired and happy as we rested for the day while we anticipated the next day to be with my younger daughter and son-in-law in their new home.