Food Friday

This week's Food Friday Featured player is ...

Ms. Dominique, with her post: Sushi on a Friday, on her blog, Dominique's Desk.

Japanese food is a favorite around here! I just love the elegant and nutritious dishes! They are a tad expensive, though. But totally worth it, specially when properly prepared. Click on the shot and check out the interesting experience that Ms. Dominique and her family had when they went on a vacation to Japan!

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Am afraid I won't be able to post my Food Friday dish for today. My current internet connection is all messed up (am far from home, where my connection is relatively reliably fast) and I can't download the pics that I took!

So sorry ... :(

I will visit your posts ASAP when my connection gets better!

On a more cheerful note, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Day with family, friends, and loved ones! Enjoy the Holidays!

Appreciate much your taking the time to share and link your food posts here at Food Friday! :)

Please don't forget to add a link back to this site (you can get the buttons here; deciding to use text instead of buttons is fine also) to be able to add your posts below. Many thanks and hope everyone is going to have a great time this weekend!

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Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Teacher Julie, with her post: Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares, on her blog Plateful of Fun.

If you're like me, who wants things fast (usually) and simple, then this treat is for you (and me)! Yes, that is a NO-BAKE treat! Click on the shot and see how Teacher Julie made them!

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Green Drink, that's what am calling today's food post. I like drinking smoothies, but the ones being sold are almost always too sweet for me. Then I found out about green smoothies; I know I just had to try it!

Ingredients
1 c coconut water (chilled)
1 1/2 c fresh spinach
1 banana
1 apple (peeled, since am sure it wasn't organic)
1 tbsp coconut sugar (less, or more; depends on your preference)
3 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp maca powder

Procedure:
Blend everything till smooth. Adjust sweetness.
Enjoy!

The green drink tasted weird, initially. Maybe because this was the first time, plus the fact that I used coconut water instead of just plain water. My sister loved it, though. The next day I tried with just apple and banana (and plain water) since my spinach and coconut water supply was all gone. This green drink is still new for me, and would love to experiment some more. Not just with the greens, but also maybe with some reds, or blue. And some more green! LOL.

ps. You may freeze the fruit first, if you want. Or add ice. To make a more colder drink.

Appreciate much your taking the time to share and link your food posts here at Food Friday! :)

Please don't forget to add a link back to this site (you can get the buttons here; deciding to use text instead of buttons is fine also) to be able to add your posts below. Many thanks and hope everyone is going to have a great time this weekend!

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Excited For Tomorrow

Between my two sons, the youngest seems to be more interested in wanting to learn how to play the guitar. In fact, every time we go to the mall and pass by one of those music stores he never fails to go inside and check out the guitars that they are offering. He is only 5years old, so we're not really sure if he is still interested after a couple or so of years. I found that there's a classic gibson les paul studio tribute at Musicians Friend, and even if he is not that familiar with the people in the industry yet, he might be interested. But, that can wait. For now, I want him to enjoy school (he's still in kindergarten, lol) and have fun with his classmates.

Come to think of it, tomorrow is their Christmas party! He is soo excited! In fact, he has already picked what he wants to wear: his "Tulong Na, Tabang Na, Tayo Na" shirt, favorite pants, and new shoes. :)

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Hazel, with her post: To the suburbs we go, on her blog HazelCeej.

Sinus-clearing seafood sour soup, that's what Ms. Hazel called it. I really wish I had one of those right now! Yes, it's that time of year again: sniffles time. But really, I think that that soup is perfect any time of the year (or day!) for me. Click on the shot to see more of Ms. Hazel's post!

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My post: Home-made Strawberry Topping

My son wanted to make (and eat, lol) cheesecake (the no-bake kind) but we didn't have any ready-made (in other words, CANNED) toppings. So, we made our own!

Ingredients

• Strawberries (frozen, or fresh)
• sugar, cinnamon
• vanilla, water
• butter (totally optional; I just felt like adding it)

Procedure

• Place fresh/frozen fruits in pot. Add a bit of water.
• Drizzle sugar, some ground cinnamon, vanilla, and butter.
• Simmer and mix every now and then until fruits are soft and liquid gets thick.
• Add some more water if needed.
• Remove from fire once satisfied with the consistency.
• Let cool completely before adding to your cheesecake.
• Indulge!

I think our strawberry topping needed more sugar (compared to the canned version), but I really didn't mind. I liked it. It tasted more ... real. :P

Appreciate much your taking the time to share and link your food posts here at Food Friday! :)
Please don't forget to add a link back to this site (you can get the buttons here; deciding to use text instead of buttons is fine also) to be able to add your posts below. Many thanks and hope everyone is going to have a great time this weekend!

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Pink Live Thingies

No idea what these are ... I honestly thought they were maggots. Or maybe they are. They are really small. Really. Used my phone, with the macro lens. The food was gone in an hour!

Anyway, I like the thingies' color. :P

Pink!

Arm Candy

I have been looking at some of the pics being posted over at Instagram (yes, am afraid I am a bit "busy" over there, surfing. lol. So easy with a wifi capable phone!) and I must admit I am interested in some of those arm candies for sale. Oh, nothing really fancy. I just don't like my watch to feel lonely being all alone. Come to think of it, I always wear my wedding ring so my watch isn't always alone. It would be nice adding something different to spice things up, though.

Anyway, it's really not a priority. I like the "researching" part, though. Love the designs being offered.

Come to think of it, why not make it myself, huh?! :P

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Tetcha Figuerres, with her post: Pagliacci at The Podium, on her blog Delight My Appetite.

That might look like any other tomato-based spaghetti, but it's got something that isn't found in our everyday spaghetti: crab fat! Together with shrimps, olive oil, and roasted bell peppers, this Spaghetti Travolara  is a must-try over at Pagliacci. Click on the shot to see what  Ms. Tetcha and her family ordered for dinner that day!

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I was craving for something sweet one afternoon and after looking at what I had on stock, decided to make these Fruity Pockets (I like how that sounds, compared to Fruity Tortillas! lol).

Ingredients

• fruit cocktail (one can, drained)
• tortillas (soft)
• all purpose cream (chilled)

Procedure

• Drain the can of fruit cocktail thoroughly. While draining, warm the tortillas. Keep warm, as much as possible. Don't toast to a crisp. Or else it will be hard to roll/cover/wrap the fruity mixture.
• Once the fruit cocktail is sufficiently drained, mix in the cool all purpose cream.
• Place on top of the warm tortillas then cover/roll/wrap.
• Enjoy!

I didn't add in any sugar/honey/sweetener since I find the fruit cocktail sweet already. It just needed something creamy to hold things together. I guess the cream just did the trick. It was nice, actually. Sort of like eating a fruity and creamy sandwich! lol.

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Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Dominique, with her post Har Gow and Egg Tarts on a Friday, on her blog: From Dominique's Desk.

I just LOVE the colors on these har gow pieces! I wish I know how to make them! To learn more about the shot above, do click on the shot and see Ms. Dominique's yummy post.

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Squash and Snow Peas Soup is the post for today!

Ingredients

• squash (peeled and chopped)
• snow peas
• chicken stock, cheese, milk, olive oil 
• garlic, pepper, salt

Procedure

• Place the squash together with the garlic cloves in a pan. Drizzle olive oil (or any oil that you have on hand), salt and pepper. Mix. Roast till tender.
• Peel the cloves and mash together with the squash. Set aside.
• Heat chicken stock (or you may opt to use plain water or vegetable stock), then add milk and sliced snow peas. Let simmer.
• Add the mashed mixture together with cheese and mix well.
• Adjust seasoning to your liking.
• Serve hot.

Honestly, immediately after roasting the squash I couldn't help but gobble a few. Then when I started mashing them I loved it even more because of the roasted garlic. But, I was planning on making soup, so I continued on. My kids liked it; I guess because of the cheese. lol. :P

Appreciate much your taking the time to share and link your food posts here at Food Friday! :)
Please don't forget to add a link back to this site (you can get the buttons here; deciding to use text instead of buttons is fine also) to be able to add your posts below. Many thanks and hope everyone is going to have a great time this weekend!

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Template Needed

I really need to change my template.

Searching.

Searching.

Searching.

Error. Error. Error. :D

A Will and A Way - I need those!

Our eldest sister knows how to play the guitar. I never did get to take guitar lessons, though. I guess it's because the teacher retired during my time. There were days when she'd play the guitar and we'd sing together. Happy days. I know it's never too late to learn; I just wish I have the time and the resources. Well, I do know that you can find excellent guitar pickguards at musicians friend, but the time is something that am not so sure I can spare.

I know, if there's a will, there is a way! :)

FREE Ebook: Cooking Ahead - The Less Stress Way To Cook For 2 To 200

Cooking Ahead - The Less Stress Way To Cook For 2 To 200

If you're like me, then this is going to be helpful. I just downloaded my copy. Will read it in a bit...

No Hurries

When I was young, I could never understand why our parents "forced" us to learn how to play the piano. I know I made every excuse I can think of, just so I can stay away from the piano lessons, but it was all for nothing. lol. Now I understand why. Being a parent, I want my kids to experience things that I know would help them become much better persons, and learning at least one musical instrument (in my book) is a good thing. My eldest wanted to take violin lessons, but we couldn't find a suitable teacher at his school while my youngest these days seems more musically inclined than his older brother. I could be mistaken, of course. It's just that every time we go to the mall he wants to drop by every music shop we see, and yes, he is the type of person that drools at every exciting yamaha pa speakers at guitar centers! He says he wants to learn how to play the guitar, then the next day he says he wants to learn how to play the drums! I am happy that he is interested, but confused as to which instrument he wants to focus on, when he gets older.

Still waiting, while he makes up his mind. :)

Food Friday

This week's Featured in Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Winnie, with her post: Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze, on her blog: Something Sweet.

Ms. Winnie's creations are always a delight! Always tempting and makes me wish more than ever that we were neighbors! Click on the shot above if you want to know how she made those yummy treats!

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This week's post is something that I consider as soul food: Dulong (Silver Fish) Patties. Back home we used to have that at least once a week (being a coastal city) and sometimes my mom would just add boiling water, sliced onions, and calamansi (yes, really!) or if we have time, we make them into patties and fry them. Below is my own version (my mom never added parsley; she wanted it simple and clean: eggs, a bit of flour, salt, pepper, and fish only then fried). Don't get me wrong! I love our original version! It's just that some ingredients are now readily available from where I'm at, and why not use them, right? ;P

Ingredients

• dulong (silver fish = commonly called as such because of it's being silver. lol. back home we call it "bolinao"; they look similar to whitebait fish/anchovies, but way way way way smaller.)
• onion and garlic
• parsley
• egg
• salt and pepper
• oil for frying

Procedure

• Clean the dulong (remove anything that does not look like the silver fish); refrain from adding water, then set aside.
• Chop the parsley, dice the onion and garlic, then mix together with the cleaned bowl of silver fish.
• Crack an egg, then add salt and pepper.
• Mix everything thoroughly but gently.
• Heat up the pan with oil, then fry the flat patties.
• Delicious served with ketchup and hot, fragrant steamed rice.

I paired mine with some juicy tomatoes and hot steaming rice. I ate loads of rice that day! lol. My brother likes it with pickled unripe papaya (atchara), or simply with garlicky coconut vinegar (and rice, of course). YUM!

Appreciate much your taking the time to share and link your food posts here at Food Friday! :)
Please don't forget to add a link back to this site (you can get the buttons here; deciding to use text instead of buttons is fine also) to be able to add your posts below. Many thanks and hope everyone is going to have a great time this weekend!

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FREE Ebook: 80 DIY Organic Body Scrub Recipes: Homemade Beauty Treatment For Naturally Radiant Skin

80 DIY Organic Body Scrub Recipes: Homemade Beauty Treatment For Naturally Radiant Skin

I stopped when I saw the word "organic" and smiled when I learned this ebook is FREE! lol. Click on the book title inside this post if you want one for yourself. :)

No Food Friday for Today, Sorry

Hello everyone!

So sorry, haven't been able to put up a post for this week's Food Friday.  My family was one of those affected by the typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) and my thoughts for now are with my family in Ormoc City. Everyone is safe, thank God, and our concerns these past agonizing days are for their daily needs.

Hope you understand.

There will be a Food Friday post next week, that's for sure!!

Thanks all!! <3 p="">

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Mr. Nicholas, with his post Raisin Bread, on his blog: Intelliblog.

I would love to know how to bake breads!  This recipe shared by Mr. Nick goes to my to-do list. Hopefully, I will learn to make a decent bread soon! Click the shot to see his recipe!

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Another quick and easy dish: Fish and Eggplant (in Coconut Milk).

Ingredients:

• fresh fish
• eggplants
• coconut milk (fresh or powdered form)
• chilis, onions, ginger
• salt, pepper
• fish sauce (optional)

Procedure:

• Clean fish, sprinkle some salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Put coconut milk on pot, then add the chili, onions, salt, pepper and ginger. Simmer.
• Add the sliced eggplants and continue simmering until cooked. Remove and set aside.
• Add the prepared fish. In my case, since I used a very flat fish, it only took about five minutes (or was it less?!) to cook.
• Return the cooked eggplants to the pot. Simmer for a minute, or two, and adjust seasoning. Add fish sauce, which is totally optional.
• Yummy served hot, with rice.

Fuss free, easy, and fast! I love cooking )and eating) dishes like this! I wanted to use another veggie, but I only had eggplants, so .... :P

Appreciate much your taking the time to share and link your food posts here at Food Friday! :)
Please don't forget to add a link back to this site (you can get the buttons here; deciding to use text instead of buttons is fine also) to be able to add your posts below. Many thanks and hope everyone is going to have a great time this weekend!

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Looking For a New Template

Yup, I think I need to find a new template.
Something festive...

And free. :P

Off to find one ...

Searching.
Searching.
Searching ....

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

Ms. Czjai, with her post "Jack Skellington Cupcakes", on her blog: The Rebel Sweetheart.

This is perfect for Halloween! Here at home we really don't practice it, but I wouldn't mind sinking my teeth into those scary (but adorable) cupcakes! Food is food, right? lol. Want to know the recipe? Click on the shot to see Ms. Czjai's post.

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Since it is a semestral break, I thought I'd encourage my sons to help me in the kitchen. My youngest said he'd like to make puto (steamed rice cakes) again, but I found out we didn't have the necessary ingredients. While rummaging, we had most of the ingredients for a no-bake cheesecake...no topping, though. But we had lots of saba bananas (plantain). Yup, you guessed it right: Banana (Saba) No-Bake Cheesecake. :P

{The recipe below is the same one that I have been using for all of my no-bake cheesecakes; forgot where I got it, sorry. but it works!)

....and ripe, sliced, fried saba (plantain) bananas.

Procedure:

• Mix first four ingredients, then pack in the container where you plan to put your cheesecake. Reserve some as topping. Chill.
• Combine the remaining ingredients except the bananas. Once mixed thoroughly, add to the chilled crust.
• Bananas must be really ripe, or you might want to slice them into bite-size pieces. You might want to cook them further, too: add water, sugar, vanilla, and the sliced bananas then simmer for around fifteen to thirty minutes. Make sure it's cool before using it as a topping. Drizzle the remaining crushed graham cracker mix.
• Chill before serving.

My sons and I had a fun time making this. They just think it's weird using plantain bananas as a topping. lol. They loved it, though. Me, too. Well, we do love our cheesecakes around here. :P

Appreciate much your taking the time to share and link your food posts here at Food Friday! :)
Please don't forget to add a link back to this site (you can get the buttons here; deciding to use text instead of buttons is fine also) to be able to add your posts below. Many thanks and hope everyone is going to have a great time this weekend!

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FREE Ebook: Essential Natural Uses Of....LEMON (Herbal Homemade Remedies and Recipes)

Essential Natural Uses Of....LEMON (Herbal Homemade Remedies and Recipes)

Just got this! Will be reading it ASAP!
Want to get one while it's still free? Then click on the picture (or the book's name) above!

Time

Wish there are more than 24hours in a day...

Food Friday

This week's Featured Food Friday player is ...

unknown specimen (love that name!), with her post Brownies, Brownies, Brownies! on her site: Pud Blag ni Ako

I love brownies! Wish I can have them everyday! The brownies above are each flavored differently;  want to know what those are? Click on the shot and check out Unknown Specimen's post!

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My family and I went to visit SIL (sister-in-law) a couple of weeks back and along the way we decided to have lunch over at The Kanin Club (Laguna Branch). My eldest son and I wanted to try their Crispy Dinuguan (Their most copied signature dish! Pork heavenly deep-fried to a crisp then set in a semi-dry stew of pork blood. Proven to have convinced non-dinuguan eaters to like the dish {{source}}).

We both loved the crispy dinuguan! Not really a healthy dish, but I believe it wouldn't hurt as long as you eat in moderation. :P

I also liked their turon (Their original. An updated version of your lola's turon: bananas, purple yam jam, sweet coconut strips and monggo beans, wrapped and deep-fried in a rice paper roll. Like a halo-halo in a roll. {{source}}), which was a surprise. I mean, I wouldn't have thought of adding monggo beans to my turon! :)

Oh yeah, we'll be back. :D

Appreciate much your taking the time to share and link your food posts here at Food Friday! :)
Please don't forget to add a link back to this site (you can get the buttons here; deciding to use text instead of buttons is fine also) to be able to add your posts below. Many thanks and hope everyone is going to have a great time this weekend!

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