The One About the Breakfast Felt Food Set

When the love for sewing and crafts presented itself to me, I knew it was a matter of time when I would start making felt food.  I'm glad I finally did!  I had fun making these especially since they're breakfast food -- breakfast being my favorite meal of the day!

 Each piece was painstakingly hand-sewn.

I'm resting my fingers right now from handsewing but soon enough, I want to make some more!  Felt food is a very good alternative from those plastic toy food being sold in toy stores.  If I were a mom, I wouldn't have to worry about harmful chemicals in toys and my kid hurling hard plastic at other people.  I can always tell him/her, "Anak, pag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng felt food!"

Okay, kidding. :)  Happy crafting, nonetheless!

Wednesday Nuggets

It's all about crafting today!

Do you share the same sentiments?  Make something beautiful everyday, lovelies. :)

The One About the Seafood Chowder

Another successful kitchen adventure!  The taste of this seafood chowder still lingers in my mouth.  It's THAT good!  And easy! :)




Here's what you'll need:

Butter
Garlic, minced
Onions, chopped
Shrimp
Squid rings
Fish cubes (dredged in flour then pan-friend; you can also poach the fish in milk)
Mushrooms
Cream of mushroom soup
Parsley
Potatoes, cubed

Here's what you do:

1. After pan-frying the fish, put a pat of butter in a pan and quickly cook the shrimp (heads removed) and squid.  Set aside.

2.  Saute onions and garlic.  Add the shrimp heads and, using a wooden spoon, squeeze out all the yummy . flavor from the shrimp heads.  Add the potatoes.

3.  Add water (or fish stock).  Water is fine because the flavor from the shrimp heads will be enough to intensify the seafood flavor of the dish.  Season with salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.

4.  Add cream of mushroom soup (or milk or cream).  Add sliced mushrooms.

5.  Put the seafood back, sprinkle with parsley, and simmer on low heat until ready to serve.

I served the chowder with garlic bread.  Hon-some and I stumbled on this garlic bread recipe and it's the best garlic bread ever!!!

In a bowl, mix the following:  softened butter, chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and lemon zest.  Spread on bread and lightly toast in the oven!

I am suddenly reminded of how perfect this dish is now that the rainy season has officially begun in my home soil.  It's hearty, warm, filling, and it really hits the spot. :)

Weekend Tidbits: F1 Hotel Manila

 The spaces...

 The food...

...and the people who enjoyed them all. :)

Wednesday Nugget: Productive Mornings

Like some people, I find myself to be most productive in the mornings.  There's a funny quote that goes "You've got to be a morning person in order to be a teacher."  But even back in high school, I'd still wake up early, finish my homework and school projects by noon, and spend the rest of the day reading for pleasure or working on personal projects (like studying for the UPCAT -- nerd!!!)

Now that I'm hibernating for two months, I still myself waking up before 5:00 am and saying my morning prayer.  I still have breakfast at 5:30 am.  After I see my husband off to work just before 6:00 am, I dive into my tasks for the day.  I start with an hour of yoga then proceed to do household chores.  I take a bath then work on mostly personal projects and other important stuff.  By noon, I would have already ticked off more than half of the items in my To-Do List.

I understand that other people work best later in the day but I just find mornings refreshing enough to accomplish tasks, most of which take me closer to the realization of my dreams.  My brain is at its peak to take in new information and my body is ready to take creative abuse just as the sun rises and I love taking advantage of that. 

 

When I wake up early in the morning, I realize with gratitude that the 24 hours that God has blessed my day with is just enough to primp our box of a home, cook hearty meals for Hon-some, read books, make beautiful things, sip my tea ritually, and connect with family, friends, and myself as well.

Good morning, everyone, and happy midweek!

The One When the TV Isn't Turned On

This is why I am learning not to like watching TV...

My reading pile becomes smaller...

 I try to learn new things...

(they turned out moist but I still can't get the frosting right!)

 I make crafts that make me hungry...

And I get to sharpen my fine motor skills!

Detailed posts on each picture soon!  Do some crafting this week! :)

The One About the Fish Cakes and Mango Salsa

Here's a recipe I'm sharing today -- Fish Cakes with Mango Salsa!

I try to cook healthy dishes as much as possible.  My man loves his meat and fried anything but he often welcomes health-friendly menus too!  This dish is perfect because I can sneak in veggies in the fish cake mixture that no carnivore would ever miss his meat!

For the fish cakes, you will need:

Flaked fish fillet (I used cream dory)

breadcrumbs

an egg

carrots, minced

onion, minced

parsley

garlic, minced

salt and pepper

flour

For the mango salsa, you will need:

onion, chopped

tomatoes, chopped

mango flesh, chopped

cilantro, roughly chopped

lemon juice

What to do:

1.  Steam the fish (it doesn't take long).  When cool, flake the fish with a fork.  Set aside.

2.  In a bowl, put the garlic, onion, carrot, chopped parsley, breadcrumbs, and egg.  Season with salt and pepper.  Mix very well.

3.  Add the flaked fish and mix until everything is well-incorporated into the mixture.

4.  Portion the mixture (just eyeball it) and roll each portion into balls the size of golf balls.  Then flatten each ball to make a cake.

5.  Dust the cakes with flour.  At this point, you can already fry the cakes.  If you want them crispy, you can dip them in beaten egg and then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs.  Then fry them up.

6.  For the mango salsa, mix everything in a small bowl.  I know not everyone likes cilantro but in this recipe, never skip it.  It makes all the difference in the dish.  :)

Weekend Tidbits: Corniche

My dad took us to dinner at Corniche at the Manila Diamond Hotel for his birthday.  Last week had me at a clearance-frenzy, completing requirements for school before the summer break (hence, the lack of posts last week), so this dinner was the perfect kickstarter to my summer.

Here's the lowdown on what went down in my tummy. :)

 Cream of asparagus soup

Appetizers:  pork terrine, roasted vegetables, salmon

 The Japanese course

 Roast pork with barbecue sauce, baked salmon, and baked mussels

 Clams sauteed in bacon (fat).  Soooo gooooood!

 I was bent on trying new dishes but being a sinigang lover, this called my name.

 Rule of thumb:  one can never have sinigang without rice!

 The cheese plate: bleu cheese, boursin, and gruyere with nuts and raisins and sourdough and laugen bread.

 Ice cream macaron sandwich.  A complete thing of beauty!

I never pass up on creme brulee. 

Unbelievable appetite, I know.  But what the heck, my tummy was at its happiest!!!