#48: Sweet Chili Ribs - Your Way

I had a sudden inspiration. I realized if you are inspired and feel like some edible artwork are coming out the tips of your fingers, then just go for it! Really, cooking should not be uptight. We only say one cup of this or 2 teaspoons of that for the sake of estimation. But as with any art, it's all about what feels right. Now I am not saying all art are touchy-feely or that that logic and reason plays no part in it. Of course it has to be balanced out with what will sensibly turn out right and delicious. But go ahead, go wild. 

#47: Quiche Lorraine

My husband marveled at me when he learned that for most of my life, I did not eat breakfast. I didn't like it much if it meant left-over rice from last night and some desiccated fried fish from 2 days ago. Or if it means jars of spreads beside a loaf of bread.

However, during our honeymoon in Coco Beach, I realized that it can be the most beautiful meal of the day so long as you prepare it properly - prepare it with a little affection :-) When preparing breakfast, you have to throw in some respect because it should not be just a chore that you have to get by in the morning as you rush to school or work.

The ketchup garnish on the side was my tacky and contrived attempt
to dress up this quiche a bit. Still yummy though.

So in honor of breakfast, how about we try a lavish spin on your typical breakfast ingredient: eggs!

#46: A Lazy Dessert - Chocolate Ganache

Savory Sweet Life snapped this picture for me. :-)

Oh I had been very busy marketing our audio and voice-over services in JuanFoundSound I realized I haven't visited my friends here for  more than a month now. Being up to my neck in marketing and baby-sitiing tasks, I still had the gall to look for dessert. Unfortunately, I haven't got some fancy stuff in my pantry for some decent dessert. I looked in my fridge and I found these left-overs: chocolate chips, all-purpose cream and margarine.


Hah! Chocolate Ganache! okay, fine it's just chocolate sauce. Ganache happens when you add a bit of liquor to it. :-) 


TAKE 2: Hah! Chocolate sauce! Now this rich and lovely sweet sauce can store in your fridge for a week and you can drizzle it on practically any dessert. cake, bread or fruit. It's really brainless you may think why I even bothered to publish it here!

A Wedding Message

"Really? You want me to write that?"

Yes, my friend asked me to write a wedding speech for her mother-in-law who is going to speak at the wedding of his son. She said she thought of me because I wrote well.

My dear, being able to write well does not mean I can write a wedding advice that should sound like it came from a marriage veteran. I have only been married for 6 years after all. Well, she insisted. So I prayed, breathed in and mustered all the bits of wisdom that I collected from my mentors, friends and my own experience. I tried my best to make it sound motherly. Read more to see what I actually came up with.

#45: Keeping a Nice-Smelling Kitchen

Aahh... the smelly goodness of tuyo served with vinegar.
Thank you panlasang pinoy for the pic!

Our kitchen is our kingdom. It is our lair. It is where our family's delight are sauteed, stewed and baked so we better make it a nice place to stay in. I have a number of things in my mind that will keep our kitchen (at least) smelling clean. Filipinos most especially need to do this because we just loooooove garlic and patis (fish sauce) and bagoong (fish paste) of all colors, tastes and odors. Not to mention tuyo, buro, dilis, tinapa, durian... the list goes on and on! Yes, I know there is still the clutter but perhaps we can talk a bout that on another (looong) entry, hahaha. The Clutter Monster, after all, is a very tough foe. So let's attend to the smell first. :-)