A Steakhouse Like No Other: COWRIE GRILL by Manila Hotel

I love beef. I love steak. It's been a while since I've had one good steak meal, kaya it was a welcome treat for me when I got invited to dinner at Cowrie Grill in Greenhills. That was my first time to dine there and let me tell you, it was one of the best meals I've had in months. While I knew that Cowrie Grill was by Manila Hotel, I never expected it was the famed steakhouse of the hotel until my recent visit.

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Moms' Pre-Christmas Night Out at The Bayleaf in Intramuros

First Friday of the month: Food and Dining

Umpisa na ng mga Christmas get-togethers. My December calendar is getting filled and I can already feel the festive mood in the air. I haven't completed my gift shopping yet (panic mode) but I've already blocked the dates for holiday dinners and parties. The first for this season was a night out with friends at The Bayleaf hotel.

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Foodie Friday: 8 Meatless Recipes for Lent

First Friday of the month:  Mom-Cook / Recipes

It was Ash Wednesday the other day, the first day of Lent.  I attended the mass held at the girl's school and was reminded of the meaning of this holy season. The priest said that Lent is about alms giving, prayer, and sacrifice.  Two forms of sacrifice that Christians practice are abstinence and fasting.  It doesn't have to be just about food.  We can all choose to abstain or fast from wanting and doing things that we like, or giving up something for someone in need. For this post, it's about abstaining from eating meat.

Fusilli in Tomato Sauce with Sardines

Honestly, it's hard for me to give up meat, or a meal, more so to fast. But I'm willing and able to abstain for eating meat every Friday.  If you can abstain for 40 days, why not?

I have here 8 recipes from the past year, prepared with no meat, just to give you some ideas on what to include in your menus this Lenten season. Of course, you can cook these anytime of the year. Maybe some of you have already seen or read these food posts, or maybe tried them already.  Thank you for that!

Just click on the photo or title to go to the recipe page.

Spaghetti Vongole A'la Mom-Friday

Mixed Vegetables with Sayote

Seafood Salad in Asian Sesame Dressing

Garlicky French Beans

Smoked Salmon on Toast

DIY Hot Pot Meal (meat can be omitted from this recipe)

Oysters Teriyaki

You know I want things simple and easy.  No complicated dishes here, so I hope you can try them, if you haven't yet.  

Do you have a favorite meatless dish you care to share?

Get more meatless recipes here: Lenten Special - Favorite Meatless Dishes

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Lenten Special: Favorite Meatless Dishes

Friday is my weekly blog day, but in observance of Good Friday, I will skip a post for tomorrow as my form of sacrifice.  As I mentioned on my Facebook status update yesterday, I cannot do fasting because I will definitely faint from hunger. =) 

In lieu of my Friday post, I've compiled some of my favorite meatless recipes that you can try this week.  Skip this and bookmark if you are fasting, heehee... try them on ordinary days.  You know I am all for quick and simple dishes, so nothing complicated here.

Click on the photo for the recipe.

COLD KANI SALAD

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Good Skin Foods and Johnson's Baby Milk for Nourished Skin

When it comes to skin care, it's all about intensive, moisture-rich and anti-aging products for me.  I'm pushing forty already so I also try to indulge in occasional facials and body treatments, and learn more about the right foods that will help promote healthier, younger-looking skin.

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Foodie Friday: Seafood Salads in Asian Sesame Dressing

First Friday of the month:  Recipes / Mom-Cook

One dinner time, almost 4 weeks ago, I posted on Instagram a snapshot of this shrimp and egg salad I prepared for J.  I received some encouraging 'likes' and a few requests for the recipe.  I was quite pleased with my "invention".  And looking at J's clean plate, I guess he was satisfied with his meal that night.  So, I'm now sharing it here today. 

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Foodie Friday: Kani Salad Roll-Up with Wasabi-Mayo

First Friday of the month:  Food / Recipe


We're all feeling the heat wave in this country and I just want to drink and eat something cold, or light and refreshing every single day.  There's no surprise to this post since the title said it all. And as I celebrate my 3rd blog anniversary this May, I thought it's nice to start the month with an ode to one of my most popular food posts -- kani salad (which, by the way, is currently #1 on Google search for 'kani salad'! Woot!)

In my recent trip to the grocery, I spotted a pack of tortilla and dropped it in my cart, not knowing what to do with it. When I got home, I found all the ingredients to make our favorite kani salad, which I already featured here, and planned to serve it for dinner. But I had another idea. Tortilla + kani salad... eureka!

It's gonna be a wrap for dinner! =) The whole family can help prepare this super simple and delicious roll-up -- no cooking required!  Just by looking at the photos, I'm sure you already know what you need and how to do this.

KANI SALAD ROLL-UP with WASABI-MAYO

Soft tortillas
Kani sticks (Japanese imitation crab meat), cut in half, length-wise
Cucumber, cut in sticks
Fresh ripe mango, slice vertically and scoop out
Washed lettuce
Japanese mayonnaise (I use Kewpie brand)
Prepared wasabi (hot/spicy Japanese condiment of horseradish and mustard mix)
Homemade or bottled herb vinaigrette, optional dressing (I use Gourmet's brand)

For the wasabi-mayo:

Mix 1 part prepared wasabi + 2 parts Japanese mayo (1:2)

(Or you can do 1:3 if you want the spice to be mild.  Adjust proportion according to your taste.)

To prepare:

Lay tortilla flat on a board and spread some wasabi-mayo mix on the center

Layer 2 - 3 lettuce leaves over the wasabi-mayo, which acts as a glue

Add more wasabi-mayo over the lettuce and assemble all the filling on top

Carefully flip lower end of the tortilla over the filling and roll over tight

Wipe some mayo on the top edge of the tortilla to act as glue and secure your roll-up

You can make as many rolls as you want. 1 roll is good for 1, or maybe not enough! =) Press together and hold 2 or 3 rolls and, with a sharp knife, carefully slice into 6 or 8.

A perfectly balanced combination of juicy kani, crisp and cool lettuce and cucumbers, spicy dressing, sweet and succulent mangoes, all wrapped in soft and chewy tortilla.

You can use more of the wasabi-mayo as dipping sauce -- it tastes fantastic with that extra kick!  I forgot to add some nori strips with the filling though, and for sure, it would have added another dimension to the flavor of this refreshing salad roll-up.

Serve on a bed of lettuce, with extra dressing on the side. Dip or drizzle before you pop a slice in your mouth.  A drizzle of the herb vinaigrette adds some tang to the sweet-cool-spicy taste. But you can just stick with the wasabi-mayo for extra creaminess.

I always loved the combination of sweet mangoes and kani! With the tortilla, I now have a more filling alternative to the usual kani salad that I often prepare with our dinner.  This kani salad roll-up is great as appetizers too, or served as hors d'oeuvres during parties.  Try this perfect summer salad roll-up  now!

Care to share your summer-inspired recipes for my Reader's Nook?
Have you tried any of the featured recipes from this blog?
Tweet me your food shots if you did, I'd love to see your version! :)


I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Moms' Wellness Retreat at Nurture Spa

Second Friday of the month:  Family Friday / Motherhood / Health & Wellness


Finally, one full day at the spa for me. 
This thought was running through my head as I count the days to the spa retreat organized for our group.  I already pictured myself being pampered from head to toe without the care in the world... then savoring carefully prepared meals to delight my tastebuds... nourishing the mind and body.

Welcome to Nurture Spa Village. The road to wellness begins here...

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Raffle Time: Blockbuster Treats from FlapJacks

Fourth Friday of the month:  Freestyle Friday / Giveaways

It's the comeback of FlapJacks' blockbuster favorites and I was delighted to be invited to dine and sample these dishes. Our family enjoys dining at their Greenhills branch so I did not hesitate to accept this treat.  Plus, they gave me Gift Cards to raffle off to my dear readers!

I know you're excited with the raffle since I asked you to decide about the FlapJacks prize earlier.  But, first allow me to share what we had for our Sunday brunch before I go into the mechanics of the raffle. This will give you an idea what you can savor and enjoy from FlapJacks.

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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.

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Easy Recipes with Century Boneless Bangus

Unique bangus degustation:  A salad, a burrito, and a pasta.

I have come to appreciate our national fish, Bangus (milk fish), even more after having a taste of these unique, delectable sampler dishes prepared for us during the test kitchen event last week, hosted by Century Pacific Group, using Century Premium Boneless Bangus.  This is the newest addition to their line of world-class quality products.  Century Premium Boneless Bangus are guaranteed fresh, with no muddy taste as they're processed and packed the same day. 

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Foodie Friday: Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad)

First Friday of the month:  Mom-Cook / Recipes

Does this look like a Christmas salad to you or what? 

I used to make a different version of eggplant+tomato+onion salad.  Before, I just toss with a light dressing of vinegar and bagoong (shrimp paste). This time, I replaced bagoong with a vinaigrette, then added dried salted fish flakes and wansoy, as inspired by a very similar dish from Cafe Juanita (a popular Filipino restaurant in Pasig City).

Chopped grilled eggplants, fresh ripe tomatoes, red onions, fried tuyo flakes (dried salted fish) and wansoy (coriander leaves), drizzled with home-made vinaigrette. No rules to the proportions of the veggies, except the eggplant should be the star. One of my favorite side dishes, this vibrant salad brings many dimensions of tastes and flavors that will surely tickle your palate.

Though I'm sure this humble salad is not for everyone, I highly recommend you try this. Aside from chopping up your fresh produce, you only need to fry the tuyo to a crisp and grill the eggplants. Though grilling is still the best, you can also roast or even pan fry it when you're short on time to grill, I did! :-)  As long as your aubergines do not become soggy, you're fine.  The fish flakes give it the salty punch complementing the freshness of tomatoes and onions, with the wansoy capping off this refreshing dish.

Marrying all the flavors together is this simple vinaigrette -- a blend of red cane vinegar, canola oil, and sprinkle of sugar, salt and pepper. You can make your own mix and adjust the taste, as long as you leave a hint of sweetness to the dressing.

Grill, chop, mix. Et voilà! The perfect side dish for an Asian inspired meal.

Give me some steamed rice to go with this and my meal is all set! ;)

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Cold Kani Salad

Today is Ash Wednesday.
For Catholics, it is the first day of the Lenten Season which lasts for 40 days until Palm Sunday, before Holy Week. This year, the Holy Week will be from March 29 until April 4, Easter Sunday. The 40 days of Lent is a time for penance, fasting, charity and prayer. This holy season, we remember the suffering of Jesus Christ who died on the cross and saved us from our sins.  And most devout Catholics practice fasting and abstinence during this period, especially during Fridays.

As Lent begins today, adults are expected to fast -- skip meals, or abstain from eating meat starting today as a form of sacrifice, much like Jesus who sacrificed Himself for us. In our household, the kids and the senior citizens of the house are exempted from this practice. It is really a voluntary act. And I guess it will only be me who can abstain from eating meat.

So for coming few weeks of Lent, I can finally share the meatless dishes I have unintentionally "collected" over the months, just waiting to be posted here.  For starters, here's a very refreshing, cold Japanese kani salad:

COLD KANI SALAD

Head of iceberg lettuce
Kani - Japanese imitation crab sticks
Japanese mayonnaise
Corn kernels, canned (or ripe mango)

Refrigerate all the ingredients for a few hours. Bring out when ready to prepare.

To prepare:
Break and wash lettuce leaves. Then shred, or chop thinly, and place in a salad bowl or deep dish. Set aside.
Drain canned corn kernels. Set aside.

Unwrap and shred the kani, following its grains as you shred by hand.

To plate:
Bring out the salad bowl with the chopped lettuce and scatter the shredded kani on top.
Squeeze and pipe out the mayonnaise over the layered kani and lettuce.
Top with a few tablespoons of corn kernels.

Toss lightly.
Serve and consume immediately.

All the ingredients are readily available in most supermarkets.

So simple and delicious. You can have this salad anytime, any day. I for one can have this for lunch and dinner. Hubby loves this too!

For a sweeter version, you can use fresh mango cubes instead of corn. You can also add thinly sliced / grated cucumber, and crispy fragrant nori strips (seaweed) for topping!

Enjoy!

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!

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