Foodie Friday: What Have I Been Eating???

First Friday of the month: Food Finds / Dessert

Dessert. Cake. Ice Cream. Nuts. Chocolate. For the past month, my foodie finds have been mostly baked goods and sweets, except for this natural cracked pili nut. I really have a sweet tooth and it's simply a challenge for me to refuse desserts. The sad truth is that I have an intolerance for gluten and eggs -- what pastries are mainly made of. Well, Mother's Day naman...okay, Mother's month, hehehe, so I'll "cheat" na muna! =)

read more

Family Friday: My Birthday Girl is 9 Today

Second Friday of the month: Kids / Family

My not-so-little girl is 9. It's like every year after she started going to school, I say to myself that I don't have a baby anymore and that time flies so fast. Indeed, it has. While his brother is already in the tween stage, I am taking comfort in the fact that she still wants to remain "small" and to "stay a kid forever" -- her own words. She'll forever be the baby of the family.

When she turned 8 last year

We did not plan anything special this year except giving in to her request that she wants to go swimming with her cousins, just like how she celebrated her birthday last year with her (girl)classmates.  We'll do that tomorrow. Today, she'll treat her second-grade class to a simple lunch. Tonight, we'll have our traditional family dinner at a resto of her choice, and then candle-blowing on her requested ice cream cake at home.

Let me keep this post short and simple as I dedicate this to M on her 9th birthday. Here are some precious photos from years past and sharing my hopes and wishes for our little lady.

From here on, I hope you remain persistent and motivated to get through challenges and to achieve your goals. Keep trying, never give up.

Enjoy life's many adventures. I hope we can travel the world together. Explore!

Be humble. Show respect. Be kind, always. 

Stay curious. Keep asking questions. There's so much to learn and discover. 

Continue to hone your talents and pursue your interests.

I  hope you become more confident and self-assured. Don't be afraid to stand out and to express yourself.

I wish you find true friends, have the best times and create wonderful memories with them.

Be your brother's best friend. Love one another. Act silly together.

Always look at the bright side. Stay positive, stay healthy and happy.  

Remember that we all love you very much. We are always here to guide, to support, and to cheer you on. I know there's so much in store for you this year. Here's to being 9!

Birthdays past:

7 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/01/planning-frozen-birthday-party-with-girl.html

http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/01/fun-friday-what-to-prepare-for-frozen.html

6 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2013/01/the-girl-is-6.html

5 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2012/01/foodie-friday-rainbow-birthday-cupcakes.html

3 - http://www.mymomfriday.com/2010/01/girl-is-3.html

School party planning:

http://www.mymomfriday.com/2013/01/fun-friday-school-birthday-party_18.html

Update:

All about M on my Instagram today. =)

Here's the girl with her requested frozen custard cake (ice cream cake) I ordered from Rita's. During lunch at school, we treated her classmates to Shakey's Bunch of Lunch and a tower of Krispy Kreme doughnuts instead of her usual birthday cupcakes. Happiness!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow @mymomfriday on Twitter and Instagram
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

read more

Fun Friday: Mothers Who Brunch Holiday Potluck Party

Third Friday of the month: Celebration / Holidays

The holidays are fast approaching and I am frantically drawing up my list for gift-giving, and blocking off dates from my calendar for get-togethers and events. If you're one to celebrate Thanksgiving, then you need to plan your menu now. Here are some ideas on potluck party preparations, from food to table settings, during the Mothers Who Brunch Holiday edition held at the Viking Range Showroom in Alabang.

read more

Foodie Friday: Eggless and Alcohol-Free Tiramisu

First Friday of the month: Recipe / Dessert

The other day, I stopped by Santi's Deli to buy a few stuff and spotted a tub of mascarpone cheese. I instantly craved for tiramisu! I already made it once before and I want to make it again. Without second thoughts (ang mahal na pala nung cheese!), I grabbed a small tub and paid for my items. The ingredients for the cake started running through my head. I had no time to buy all ingredients so whatever is in my kitchen will have to do.

read more

Foodie Friday: No-Bake OREO Cheesecake Singles

First Friday of the month: Recipe / Dessert

This is my last Foodie Friday post for the year, and what better way than to feature another dessert that you can serve at your holiday parties, or give as gifts.  It's safe to say that Oreo is the world's most popular sandwich cookie, the go-to snack that's well-loved by kids and adults with it's delicious simplicity and versatility as a sweet treat. Inspired by my most popular blog post - the No-bake Blueberry Cheesecake, and other Oreo cheesecakes I've seen in the market, I made a spin on this classic recipe and came up with two versions, this time with Oreo cookies.

read more

Conti's goes FLAT for a Wobble-Free Dining Experience

When dining out, do you find yourself constantly adjusting wobbly tables? I do.  Sometimes they're too light they keep moving, resulting from glasses and plates to shake.  It's more inconvenient especially with the kids around, where they tend to push and pull the tables, and it makes our dining experience less pleasurable.

 

read more

Mom-Finds: Wilton Snack Server (Dessert and Cake Stand)

Last Friday of the month:  Mom-Finds and Faves

The holiday season is here, which means Christmas party galore!  Whether you're attending or hosting one, social gatherings require some sort of production effort, including food presentation.  With the party season in mind, I though it would be nice to share my latest kitchen find that's perfect for serving snacks and desserts beautifully.

read more

The Boy is Turning 10

Freestyle Friday: Kids / Celebration

The boy will turn 10 on Sunday.  He's my first-born, which also means I'd be celebrating 10 years of motherhood as well!  I can't help but wish for time to slow down so the kids won't grow up too fast!

Superbaby - his first birthday portrait

read more

Fun Friday: School Birthday Party Planning

Third Friday of the month:  Event / Parties / Birthday

Party planning is nothing new to me.  I've been an events planner since the 90s, organizing corporate events, private social functions, and weddings.  It's never a walk in the park.  They gave me a lot of stress and fulfillment at the same time. With children's birthday parties, however, there are different dynamics and elements to it. I did not attempt to go into that anymore.  I only planned my own kids' parties, and suggest ideas when friends ask for my help with theirs.

read more

Foodie Friday: Irene's Quezo de Bola Cheesecake

First Friday of the month:  Food / Dessert

Send me cake and I'll eat it. Send me a cheesecake and I'll take my sweet time to savor and indulge. Let's start the love month with something decadent!

I have a long-standing "love affair" with cheesecakes ever since my mother made one more than two decades ago. Her luscious blueberry cheesecake became my benchmark against others I've tried thereafter.  Eventually, I learned to make one when I was in high school.  After sharing the recipe here, it has since become my most popular blog post to date and even ranked #1 on Google search for "no bake blueberry cheesecake"!  So yes, I am very particular about cheesecakes, and I will always love my own! *wink*

I've tried all sorts of cheesecake varieties, and just last Christmas, we received our very first box of quezo de bola cheesecake. No one at home was interested with the cake so I had the pleasure of consuming the whole 8" cake all by myself over a two-week period.  And as my luck would have it, I received another one just weeks ago! What a treat for me! 

For this foodie post, I'll tell you about the second Quezo de Bola Cheesecake I had, a 4.5" solo cake from Indulgence by Irene. (Quezo de Bola, or edam cheese, is a hard dark yellow cheese with a somewhat off-putting smell, and has a sharp flavor.)

Irene's Quezo de Bola Cheesecake has a very smooth, creamy consistency with bits of finely grated edam. Compared with the first one I tried, which was more dense and has a stronger edam cheese flavor,  I liked her version much better.  I prefer my cheesecakes to be lighter, softer, and smoother.

What I noticed from this cheesecake was that even though it was baked, it still maintained it's rich and velvety texture, and the crust still very moist yet firm.  That's why I initially thought this was a no-bake cheesecake too.  It also has the right level of sweetness, balanced with the mild saltiness from the cream cheese and without an overpowering flavor of the quezo de bola.  I just found it a tad milky for my taste, so I had hubby try a small bite -- and he agreed with me on that.  Still, I enjoyed this divine quezo de bola cheesecake, a real indulgence indeed.  This did not last a day. Now, I think I found my birthday cake for this year! ;)

Indulge in this luscious Quezo de Bola Cheesecake from Irene, order now!
Call/Text: +63922-8303900;  +63917-6225800
9-inch cake - PhP 900
4 1/2-inch cake - PhP 200
For pick-up in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.  Meet-up in Magallanes - weekday mornings and afternoons


I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
(Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

read more

Foodie Friday: Rainbow (Birthday) Cupcakes

First Friday of the month:  Food Find / Dessert

First Foodie post for 2012 -- let's make it bright, sweet and colorful to usher is a bountiful year ahead!

My girl will turn 5 on Sunday and has been anticipating her school "party" with her classmates. She can't decide what theme or character she wants to use for her simple celebration since she wants too many things. But for the past couple of months, she's into anything rainbow -- rainbow dresses, rainbow-colored toys, playing with my rainbow scarf, picking rainbow candies, etc. etc.

It was supposed to be the villains from Super Mario Brothers cartoon since big brother had this theme for his own birthday last November. Well, I'm glad her moods changed in time for her own celebration so for her class treat today, we decided to go with "rainbow".

read more

Foodie Friday: Red Velvet Cake & Malted Milk Ice Cream

First Friday of the month:  Food finds


Satiating my sweet tooth... and yours.  
Carla & Elaine's Red Velvet Cake and Carmen's Best Artisanal Ice Cream.
These are my (overdue) sweet discoveries that deserve to be shared.

I regularly crave for sweets and always try to leave room for desserts like cakes and ice cream.  There are dozens of heavenly confections in my list of favorites, and these two are now part of that list.


Carla & Elaine's Red Velvet Cake
Moist and slightly dense, just the way I like cakes to be. The cake has a hint of cocoa, layered and covered in creamy-smooth buttercream and cream cheese frosting.  Perfectly balanced sweetness. It's ruby and cream colors make it all the more irresistible. This one also happens to be my girl's cake-of-the-moment.  Have a slice, or two!

6-inch Red Velvet Cake @ Php 420

I am a regular customer of the Kitchen of Carla & Elaine's and have bought many of their specialty cakes for our birthdays, or whenever I crave for their pastries. So I was really excited when they launched this Red Velvet Cake, which I quickly introduced to my daughter knowing she will love it!  I have only tried two other red velvet cakes and a cupcake in the past and this version did not disappoint.

Kitchen of Carla & Elaine's
198 Promenade Bldg., Wilson corner P. Guevara streets, San Juan City

Mondays - Sundays: 10am-7pm
Tel No.: (632) 480-9457


Carmen's Best Artisanal Ice Cream - Malted Milk
Super rich and creamy, real milk goodness with chunks of malt candy.  If you like Horlicks and Maltesers like me, then you will definitely love this artisanal ice cream creation from Real Fresh Dairy Farms, the same family farm that produces premium fresh milk Holly's.

Malted Milk flavor @ Php 380 / pint

I discovered Carmen's Best during the World Eats Food Fest at The Podium last July 31. I first tried Salted Caramel flavor and it was divine. But Malted Milk won me over so I happily brought home a pint of this one. They are produced in small batches, sold in plain pastic containers like this one.  I think they are still developing their label and packaging.

Owner Paco Magsaysay was on hand to entertain purveyors and customers and he shared with me that he mixed in crushed Horlicks for this Malted Milk flavor -- *drool*. It's very rich and sweet so try not to finish the whole pint like I did, my throat surrendered. Savor every scoop. The price for a pint is a bit steep but with the quality ingredients, it's worth every spoonful of this cool, decadent dessert. I have more flavors to try!

Carmens Best Artisanal Ice Cream and Gelato

For inquiries and orders:  (632) 893-1459
Find them on Facebook

What's your sweet indulgence?

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!

read more

From Hummus to Ginataan, With Love

Last weekend was like a food fest of sorts. A long-planned company reunion was set at my former boss' beautiful home down South.  This proved to be a memorable gastronomic experience for all of us who came to the party as we got to sample an array of local and exotic dishes, all made with love!

It's been years since I last tasted these well-loved dishes prepared by my former boss. And as expected, they're the most-requested by "ex-agency cast members", myself included, of NHAI.  During our years at the agency, company parties at her home were made more memorable by the food she serves. For our recent reunion, only the best was laid out from the house of Harel, from hummus to ginataang halo-halo.

read more

Foodie Friday: Mom-Friday's Tiramisu

First Friday of the month:  Mom-Cook / Dessert

Today would be my first food post for 2011 and I'd like to kick off the year on a sweet note with this "pick-me-up" cake.  This is also my first attempt at making this sinful Italian dessert and I am delighted to say that my Tiramisu was a success!

After recently reviving a classic cheesecake recipe, here's another sure-fire hit especially for those with a sweet tooth. Well, Tiramisu is actually not as sweet as other cakes in my opinion. According to Wikipedia:

Tiramisu (Italian: tiramisù; Venetian: tiramesù [tirameˈsu]; literally "pull me up") is one of the most popular Italian cakes. It is made of biscuits (usually savoiardi) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone, and flavored with liquor and cocoa. The recipe has been adapted into many varieties of puddings, cakes and other desserts.

I thought it would be complicated but it turned out to be pretty simple to make once you lay out everything you need. With many variations to this dreamy cake, I intended to be as true to the traditional recipe. However, with the risk of having salmonella* from raw eggs, I searched for other ways to do this. I ended up combining ingredients and methods from recipes I culled from three different sites, resulting in this caffeine-free, alcohol-free version I can proudly call Mom-Friday's Tiramisu!

MOM-FRIDAY'S TIRAMISU

For the Zabaglione:
*6 egg yolks
1/2 cup white sugar
(Didn't add marsala wine)

For the filling:
500g (1 lb.) mascarpone cheese
1 cup all purpose cream or heavy cream, chilled
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence

For the cake base:
1 1/2 cups prepared instant decaffeinated coffee + 1 teaspoon sugar, cooled for dipping
(original recipe calls for espresso; I also skipped the rhum)
24 to 30 pieces ladyfingers / savoiardi

For garnish:
Bittersweet chocolate shavings
Unsweetened cocoa powder

To prepare zabaglione:
Heat a bain-marie, or use double boiler - use a stainless bowl set on top of a small pot half-filled with water, bring to a boil, then let it simmer.
In the hot bowl, beat egg yolks and gradually add sugar until thick using electric mixer. This will gradually cook the egg in the process, about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat then set aside

To prepare filling:
In a bigger bowl, beat the cream and sugar until stiff.
Add the mascarpone cheese and vanilla, beat until smooth.
Pour in the zabaglione to the cheese mixture and beat until well blended.

To prepare cake base:
Pour cooled coffee in a shallow dish.
Dip each ladyfinger, top side only, for no more than 5 seconds (soaking too long will cause them to fall apart). Arrange soaked ladyfingers on the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking dish (or any preferred dish), breaking them if necessary, in order to fit the bottom.

To assemble:
After lining the bottom layer with ladyfingers, pour half of the filling and spread evenly.
Repeat process of dipping and arranging ladyfingers on the filling, be careful not to press down.
Pour the rest of the filling over the second layer.

Cover the tray with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Before serving, dust with cocoa powder and sprinkle chocolate shavings.

I served this subtly sweet tiramisu after our new year's eve family dinner. The cake drew encouraging feedback from my baker-mom, foodie sis-in-law, and cake-loving little girl. I knew then that this recipe is a keeper!


* Raw Egg Warning:
Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs due to the slight risk of salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly refrigerated, clean grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell. (Source: foodnetwork.com)
In Italy, Tiramisu is made using raw eggs. Today the danger of salmonella is always present, and we prefer to cook the yolks in a bain-marie, or double boiler, and substitute whipped cream for the egg whites. (Source: annamariavolpi.com)

You can get the different original recipes from these websites:
Food Network - Giada De Laurentis
Anna Maria Volpi
Folie A Deux


If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it! Stay connected and Follow me on Google friends, Facebook and Twitter @mymomfriday, or Subscribe here via email and get the latest updates!

read more

No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake

After almost 20 years, I finally made this cake again during this most wonderful time of the year.

I used to make this with my mother when I was in high school.  I didn't know where she got the recipe but it was the first cheesecake I ever tried and I loved it! Blueberry cheesecake became an instant favorite and I can't help but compare every other cheesecake I've tried to this home-made version.  I may be biased, but I still put this at the top of my list. This cake was always present at family parties and I try to serve this when friends come over to our house.  It got all the compliments, unless they were just being polite. :)))

read more

The Boy is 7

I see that twinkle in your eye

And know some mischief you might try.

I'll watch you grow just like the moon

From slip to fullness, all too soon.

-- Gilson

Just like this poem, my boy always has some mischief he might try -- so playful yet gentle-hearted, very personable and ever so sweet!

Today, my boy turns seven. I still remember a few months back when he began counting down towards this day.   "It's only 48 hours 'til my birthday!", he exclaimed last Monday morning.  He has so many wishes and we promised to fulfill a few of those for his natal day.

He is in "big school" now, facing another exciting stage in his very young life, with more challenges and more independence. It seemed only yesterday that we celebrated his sixth...time flew so fast!  Now I'm the one who's feeling old! :<

Aside from the traditional celebratory Sunday family lunches, we did not plan for any parties. For his birthday, he only wanted toys like Lego and Zero Gravity...and so we bought him what he wanted a week earlier...

...and to eat McDonald's Cheeseburger!!! It's the first time he asked for this on his birthday so for dinner today, we went to the burger chain as he wished.

Savoring his burger and fries at his fave fastfood joint

Candle blowing with his chocolate mousse cake decorated with his Spongebob toy figures

A second birthday cake made with love by Gwa-ma (maternal grandma)

A simple celebration for a simple boy. We are truly blessed to have him as a son.

To my darling boy, HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY!

A year ago: The Boy is 6.

Note:
Poem above is from the book "The Language of Parenting".


If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it! Stay connected and Follow me on Google friends, Facebook and Twitter @mymomfriday, or Subscribe here via email and get the latest updates!

read more

Fun Friday: What Makes a Fun-tabulous Kiddie Party?

Third Friday of the month:  Parties / Celebrations


11 children's parties over 16 weeks. Imagine that! These happy events filled most of our weekends since late June.  I didn't even include the invitation for tomorrow, and still expecting a couple more 'til December.  As I write this, I remember counting all the preggy ladies I know during a baby boom in our circle of friends last year. Next thing I know, the invitations came one after the other.

Eight out of eleven parties we've attended were first birthday celebrations. As expected, they were festive, colorful, loud, fun, exciting -- each one unique and memorable in their own (big) way.

read more

Random Cravings of Pasta, Cake and Coffee

What better way to start the week than with something savory, sweet and deliciously sinful!  
Picture this...

Rich, creamy, mocha frappé using a blend of native tablea chocolate and brewed coffee, topped with heavy whipped cream...

Mocha Manila Frappe

After my recent initiation of the best-selling Filipino dishes and sweets at Sérye Café Filipino, the images of those yummy treats still haunted me for the past week.

Since I didn't get to try the Cafe Mocha Manila the first time, which my companions raved about, I vowed to go back and treat myself to a glass of this coffee and tablea concoction made from the best locally available coffee beans and chocolate. And this I did yesterday to satisfy my cravings, after I fetched the kids from school.  That's my girl up top, licking away the cream off Sérye's special ice-blended coffee drink -- Mocha Manila Frappé. This beats all other mocha fraps I usually order from coffee shops by a mile!

Before the frappé, I had a filling lunch of this flavorful spaghetti putanesca with a twist -- the local kesong puti (white carabao cheese) adds the Pinoy zing to this classic Italian pasta dish. The cheese complements the fresh tomatoes-and-olives sauce perfectly. Kesong Puti Putanesca served with lightly buttered pandesal toast -- although I wished the bun was more toasted.  Great for vegetarians too!  I was totally satisfied with this one, yum yum!

Kesong Puti Putanesca

All-time favorite Boneless Chicken Barbecue -- the kids' choice! Well-done grilled chicken that's juicy and tasty, matched with signature java rice and java sauce. Winner!

Boneless Chicken Barbecue

This was a really good meal for me and the kiddos!
* Lunch photos above were taken from my mobile phone's camera.

Over a week ago, I was invited to 'Ladies Who Lunch' bloggers' get-together. After raving about Sérye's outstanding Filipino cuisine, I promised to do a follow-up post about our desserts. Now it's time to share the 'sweet side' of the restaurant which I held off earlier.  See what triggered my random cravings:

Mocha Manila cake

Here's Make or Break's Pehpot P. having a shot at her hot Cafe Mocha Manila and Mocha Manila cake.
Mocha Manila and the Macapuno Pandan Cake are made using select local ingredients. Both are equally scrumptious with just the right sweetness. Mocha Manila is a layered mousse-and-cake tower with the same rich flavor as its beverage counterpart. The special coffee crunch in the center was a nice surprise that tease the palette. Plus points for not being too chocolate-y sweet, though some might argue the lack of it.

This Macapuno Pandan Cake was my favorite since it's so light, moist and fluffy, and has the natural essence of my favorite pandan flavor. From the look and smell, this confection is unique and balanced in texture and flavor. Again, the cake has the right amount of sweetness that you can eat another serving without having soar throat!

Macapuno Pandan Cake

This Decadence Cake needs much improvement. For me, it was too dense and lacked the deep tablea chocolate flavor -- not really decadent.  The owner welcomed our insights and suggestions since he admitted that this particular cake was still in the development stages and will be improved by serving it in a pool of caramel sauce.  That's more like it! I also added that making the cake more moist and serving it warm will enhance the 'decadent' appeal.

Chocolate Decadence

Aside from a wide selection of savory dishes, you can choose from an array of refreshing beverages and tempting pastries the cafe has to offer.  Cheers to perfect sweet endings!

In good company:  blogger Pehpot, Abbey of Protege Agency, blogger Joy, and Serye owner Alvin Lim

p.s.
I got this one after I dined in yesterday.
Coupons!!! Discounts and Freebies on the next visit. :)))

Here's my initiation to gastronomic delights at Sérye Café Filipino.


If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it! Stay connected and Follow me on Google friends, Facebook and Twitter @mymomfriday, or Subscribe here via email and get the latest updates!

read more