I am posting this video to show appreciation for my husband and his efforts in coming up with this video. 
This is a glimpse of all the shopping we did in Bangkok for the two days that we spent there.
Oh. Did I say shopping?? I meant something else…
Whoa!
The days really do go by so fast! I feel like it has only been a few days since I last updated all of you…and then boom! –It’s almost the middle of the month already. Which means next month will be the month before December….which also means that next, next month will be the month before a whole new year begins. Ayayay!
Let me be completely honest with all of you. I am feeling a wee bit guilty, yet at the same time tremendously grateful for how I have spent the past few days (or has it been weeks?). You see, Dennis and I just got back from a very short yet refreshing mommy-and-daddy-only trip out of the country. This was our first trip out of the country without the kids, and I must say that though I initially had separation anxiety, it was a good thing there were far too many clothes and way too much food to keep my mind preoccupied. Hehe Wait, before any of you think that I actually splurged on the many, many clothes, I will tell you upfront that I didn’t. I behaved relatively well, given that the temptation to shop was all around me. Why, I even stayed below the set budget! (*patting myself on the back*)
Now, why did I say I was feeling a bit guilty again?….Oh! Yes. Right….It’s not really the trip away from the kids. I know all of us need to have that kind of break every once in a while. My guilt (and gratefulness at the same time) mainly stems from the thought of how I spent most of the past few days eating to my heart’s content. *siiighhh….* It seems like even before we left for Bangkok, while we were there, and after we got back, the days have been full of celebration and food trips with friends! Here are some pictures to show you what I mean…
Dimsum feast!
Roast pork…how I hate pork…but how I loved this. hehe
Roti
Garlic and peppercorn squid
Cottage cheese marinated in yogurt and herbs
PAD THAIIII!!!!
Tausi prawns
Roast chicken
Beef hofan
THE BEST laksa in town!!!
Chili prawns
Chewy on the sides, crispy in the middle….gimme some Row-tee!
THAT much food…gone in 60 seconds. I mean, minutes.
FEATURING: Italianni’s Towering Flavors of Lunch
(Side note: you might want to try this while the promo lasts…served for lunch, good for two, pay P995)
Quattro Staggioni: Pepperoni, Hawaiian, Four Cheeses, and Shrimp with Black Olives
Ah, may salad naman pala. HEALTHY!
Chicken Parmigiana
Mussels cooked in wine
Classic lasagna
Tenderly yours, Porkchop.
Look at the size of that momma chicken!
So far, the best Panna Cotta I’ve tasted
There! Just by looking at the pictures, I have already taken you to a tour around half of the globe! I must make a note here: I forgot to take pictures of the eat-all-you-can shabu-shabu we had before leaving, the two-day buffet we had in Bangkok, and the buffet we had the other day with salmon, lobster, and lamb, and the three birthday cakes I’ve been trying to finish here at home! (I’m sure you’d understand. It’s quite hard to think of taking pictures of food when all you want to do is devour them.)
I don’t know…I think that subconsciously, my main purpose for this post is not really to update you but one, to release my guilt (and I’m hoping that some fat is released along with the guilt)…and two, to make you want to eat too. Hehe
This post doesn’t even add value to your lives, I know….but didn’t you at least enjoy looking at the pictures and letting them tickle your palate??? 
PS: Thank you, Atsi Arlene and Larry for taking pictures!
There are two things I absolutely cannot live without and cannot seem to get enough of when cooking: Garlic and Onion. I usually use up one to two cloves of garlic per dish that I make. Not only do they make every dish taste great, they are great for our health, too!
To my excitement (an understatement), my husband and I got invited to this newly-opened restaurant called Krazy Garlik– and on our date night, too! Of course you would agree with me when I say free food is always a good way to start your date night, right?
The restaurant’s name is a dead give-away of their entire concept. Obviously, the owners are crazy about garlic! All the dishes are infused with garlic; and take note– they even use garlic in their smoothies, cocktails and dessert!
Curious yet?
What I like about their food is that though you can definitely tell that they use a lot of garlic, the taste is not so overpowering, so even those who are more conscious of their breaths and who are not so fond of this very healthy and tasty crop (*wink*) will actually enjoy their food. I seriously cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this restaurant’s food.
Just to close my case, here are some pictures for you to enjoy:
Garlic and Anchovy Affection
Haayyy…Oh-so-creamy Creamy Garlic Fondue
Gambas Al Ajillo…Majijilo ka sa sarap! (Toink. =p)
Hara Kiri Rice, for those who love some spice! (Yehess….it rhymes!)
Oxtail and Chorizo Stew
One of my favorites: Garlic Snowflake Pizza. =9
It’s sad that I wasn’t able to take pictures of the rest of the food like the Garlicky Crispy Pata, Pork Rib Adobo, Pasta…or the refreshing drinks, or the yummy dessert… I was too preoccupied, you see. O:)
VERDICT: Malasa. Masarap. Mura ba? Uhmmm…pwede na.
This was a conversation that took place this afternoon while Alyanna and I were baking:
ALYANNA: (while mixing the ingredients, smiles and says…) “Mommy, I’m happy.”
ME: “You are? Why are you happy?” *big smile*
ALYANNA: “Because you gave me a chance.”
ME: “A chance?”
ALYANNA: “Um-hm..A chance to mix. Thank you mommy!”
Now, I’m sure most of you can relate when I say that everytime we let our kids in on what we’re doing, it would surely take more time and more mess…but compared to the joy it brings us (and them), we just end up with a sigh and we say, “oh, well!” 
Anyway, here is a “recipe” (I’m not even sure you can call it that! The amounts I would place here are all based on my hands and eyes) of what we whipped up earlier:
HOMEMADE “HEALTH” BARS
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup bran flakes
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup sesame seeds
4 tbsp wheatgerm
4 tbsp honey
a tiny amount of fructose (just to add some flavor)
a pinch or two of cinnamon
1/2 cup to 1 cup wheat flour (this, together with the water, is basically just to hold all the other ingredients together)
1/2 cup to 1 cup warm water
* Just mix all the dry ingredients (except flour), add the honey and fructose according to taste (not so much or it won’t be as “healthy” anymore), and mix in the flour and water last (I added this last so I can first make sure I liked the taste already).
* Mix everything well and spread out on a baking pan (the ones we use for brownies would be perfect). I greased the pan with a little olive oil.
* Bake at 180 degrees for around 15 minutes.
* Let it stand and cool, then slice away!
This is super fast and fun to do. Mika enjoyed it because it had so much texture. And it was actually impromptu. Those were the only ingredients I had that I felt might be of use and good thing it worked… somehow.
here are two factors that never fail to contribute to fun: great fellowship and good food. In my previous post I talked about how much I am grateful for the wonderful fellowship of faithful friends and family. The other ‘F’ I’d be “dedicating” this post to is my other passion, a very significant factor to having a memorable time— FOOD.
These are all from my get-together with my cousins. I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as I did eating the food!
Imagine barbeque that’s completely soaked and marinated for more than 24 hours— more than tasty!
My aunt has a way of cooking this that makes it super crispy on the outside yet soft inside.
WOW. Talk about Sinigang sa SUGPO!
Heehee! My taste buds are reacting to this now.
Now, here’s an idea! Isn’t this a great way to serve watermelon??
I know this looks so ordinary, but this was the sweetest bunch of mangoes I’ve tasted after a long time!
The pride of my hometown! This is the only pineapple variety I eat. If you haven’t tried these, well, you must.
What do you know? We ate healthy food too!
This picture doesn’t do justice to how good this pasta dish was.
Ooh, take a look at this slab of beef!!
Of course, it’s never complete without dessert— white chocolate Oreo cheesecake.
There’s a saying that goes “Save the best for last”… That’s what I’m doing.
I’ve tasted a lot of delicious muffins but none as moist as these! I even asked Dennis if he thought it was fair for me to say that these are by far the best muffins we’ve ever tried and he gave me his go signal. So I am saying it now: These are by far the BEST muffins I’ve tried!
….and this is where I got them from: Madonna’s Cuisine
Tah-dah! Presenting….the woman behind all the good food and dessert; the woman who has contributed greatly to my love for home cooking; the woman who has greatly influenced how I cook for my family and serve my family…. my beautiful and ageless aunt, Madonna!!! (hehe…I really just call her Auntie Donna, but Madonna sounds more diva-ish!)
Thank you, Auntie, for being so generous with your time and love for our family…and of course, for always serving great food that we can always look forward to every time. We love and appreciate you!
PS:
Guess what?? Madonna’s Cuisine caters! And they accept bulk orders for their cakes, breads, and pastries, too. For more information or to order, just call 8332172 or drop by their place— 66 Hernandez Street, Pasay City.
Photo credits: my cousin Kim
