The One About the New Felt Breakfast Set

My first foray in creating lovely bits of felt food began with this breakfast set.

 Since my sewing skills have levelled up (“ahem, ahem,” –Miss Gertie), I created a much better, much lovelier one.

Oh hello, brekkie...

In case the difference doesn’t show in the photos, the pieces this time are bigger, almost mimicking the actual sizes of pancakes, eggs, bacon, syrup, and pats of butter.  The previous set had pancakes the size of silver dollars (although, yes, silver dollar-sized pancakes are still made in some homes these days).  Imagine how fun for a little one to play with real-life-scaled toys such as these!

On that note, won’t it be lovely to wake up to a hearty plate of these beauties?

Speaking of breakfast, I have often declared that it's my favorite meal of the day.  As I write this, I am having breakfast at this charming gem called Third Cup Cafe.

Here's to the happiness brought about by a hearty plate of eggs, bacon, and pancakes.  Or in my case, a steaming cup of cappucino and a jalapeno poppers sandwich.  Right now, I have the place all to myself which is a good thing because I brought work to do.  This blog post is just one of the many things on my to-do list.

Having said that, here's to a lovely day, a lovely breakfast, and a completely ticked off to-do list at the end of it. :)

The One About Maple

Aaaaaaaaannnnddd the breakfast adventures continue!  :)  This is actually a late post as I had totally forgotten to blog about our dinner at Maple restaurant.  Maple restaurant, located in San Antonio Plaza and Shangri-La Plaza Mall, is the high-end all-day breakfast restaurant of the Pancake House group.  Once we learned about the new restaurant, we knew right away that we just had to dine there.  It was like the restaurant was built for people like us who love breakfast food but are looking for innovative recipes and imaginative breakfast menus.

 The place was almost packed on a Tuesday night.

 The restaurant offers the signature Pancake House fluffy pancakes but I really wanted something that I had never seen in a breakfast menu before so I opted to try the Chilean Mussels.

 I thanked my lucky stars that night for my choice!  It was soooo good!  Fresh Chilean mussels cooked in premium beer and saffron sauce.  I tasted white wine as well and it was heaven in my mouth.  It was served with large slices of crostini.

I downed all (yes, all!) the mussels with their yummy and refreshing Country Iced Tea.

Hon-some is a tapa lover so naturally, his taste buds gravitated toward the Prime Rib Tapa.  A marinated prime rib that rests on garlic rice and two eggs with tomato-onion salsa and atchara.  He's very particular about tapa marinades and this one was right on the mark.  The serving was good for two but telling us that would get you a good slap on your face.  Haha!

After our meal, I arrived at the following conclusions:

1.  Brinner (breakfast for dinner) rocks.  Really rocks.

2.  Breakfast food may be the easiest to prepare of all meals but not everyone gets it right.  Maple does.  Big time!

3.  A weeknight dinner date is so much more fun than one in a weekend.  :)

Here's to happy tummies!

The One About Ally's All-Day Breakfast Place

 

With Maginhawa Street in Quezon City being declared a food hub, it was just a matter of time before an all-day breakfast place opened in the area.

And it did!  Well, not exactly.  Ally's All-Day Breakfast Place opened along Malingap Street which is just a bump away from Maginhawa Street.  Anyway, Hon-some and I were in search of a good place with good wifi access when we stumbled upon Ally's.  We were really after the free wifi but we left the place with happy tummies too!

To start off, this small gem of a restaurant has bright and cheerful interiors!  The place is infused with delightful yellow and orange hues!

 Their food was yummy and the helpings were filling!

 Beef tapa

 Mushroom and asparagus omelette!

Hash brown nest with egg

It's a happy place to be in.  And by that I mean it's perfect for meeting up with family and friends who also adore breakfast food like me or for "me" times when you just want to be wrapped up in what you're reading while enjoying a plate of pancakes.  Or even coffee and their homemade cupcakes.

With the fun restos opening up in my neighborhood, QC is the place to be. :)

The One About the Baked Eggs

I noticed I haven't been posting about my kitchen adventures for some time now...and I'm never NOT adventurous in the kitchen. :)  So here's one today...

I first read about Baked Eggs in Samantha Sotto's book, Before Ever After.  I have been meaning to try it but I sort of forgot all about it until I read about it in some blog.  Anyway, this dish received a two thumbs up from Hon-some and it's super easy to make.  Takes about half an hour to make. :)

Here's what you'll need:

3 cloves of garlic
1 medium onion
Italian/breakfast sausages
A can of whole tomatoes
Paprika
Cumin
Cayenne Pepper
Brown Sugar
Parsley/Basil
Eggs

(I don't measure when I cook so I hope you're comfortable eyeballing the amount of the ingredients.)

Here's what you'll need to do:

1.  Slice/crumble the sausages and fry them up.  Set aside.
2.  In the same pan, saute the onions and garlic in olive oil.
3.  Add the whole tomatoes and the sausages.  Sprinkle paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper.  Add a teaspoon or two of brown sugar to cut the acidity of the tomatoes.
4.  Simmer until the mixture reduces slightly.
5.  When cooked, transfer the mixture to small bowls or ramekins.
6.  Break an egg on each bowl, topping the tomato mixture.
7.  Add a dash of parsley or basil (fresh or dried).
8.  Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until eggs set.

Hon-some and I enjoyed this with some toast and it makes for a perfect light dinner or "brinner" (breakfast for dinner) which we like to have at least once a week.  We looooovvvveee breakfast food!

Try it.  I know you'll love it. :)

The One Where I Served Breakfast

I made breakfast for my co-teachers today. It was my turn to do so. Every Monday and Wednesday morning, when we have faculty meetings, someone sponsors the breakfast.



I made my famous spinach formaggio...

...and salmon mousse which was store-bought.

They went great with crostini and crackers, even.