Say Keso

I can bake! I can bake!

ccsamaniego — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:55:57 +0000

I’ve been a frustrated baker for years now. Why? Because we don’t have an oven at home. So every time I see a recipe that says “Pre-heat oven at 350F…”, I just give out a sigh of desperation. But when a friend a told me that she bakes using a turbo broiler, my hopes went up. I didn’t try it immediately. After gathering enough courage, I decided to look for an easy cupcake/muffin recipe. I immediately thought of making a carrot cupcake/muffin because my parents are both diabetics. Thank God I’ve discovered this recipe. I know it sounds funny but I was really nervous as I watch the muffin rise! I prayed to all the desserts gods to make this work. And it did! My Mother even said that of all of my food experiments, this is the BEST! Wohoo!

I think I got addicted to baking.

Cappuccino Muffins

Chocolate cinnamon muffins

Chocolate raisins cupcakes

Oh, the joy of baking

Recipe Finds: Banana Cream Pie and Chocolate Cheesecake

ccsamaniego — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:52:41 +0000

If I’m in a dessert shop, trust that I will choose a slice of Banana Toffee (Cream) Pie or Cheesecake (or both!). That’s why I am always in search of shops that sell these desserts or recipes so that I can prepare them on my own. So here I am sharing with you my latest finds:

From Aileen Siroy’s photoblog, she whipped up a super easy Banana Cream Pie. Not only that it’s super easy (store bought pie crust+peanut butter+bananas+cream!), the photos are lovely!

Photo taken from Aileen Siroy’s blog

A new blog that I recently discovered is Mochachocolate-Rita and she shared her Super Easy Chocolate Cheesecake. I rarely see chocolate cheesecakes around, so this is worth a try!

Photo taken from Mochachocolata-Rita’s blog

First Taste: Mom & Tina’s

ccsamaniego — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:37:53 +0000

I’m really excited when I learned that Mom & Tina’s will have a new branch along Katipunan. So barely a few weeks after it opened, off we went to have lunch. Since my friend and I want something cheesy, we ordered Shepherd’s Pie and Chicken Spinach Lasagna. I love the serving size of their pasta and potato dish. It’s full and filing. It won’t disappoint. Careful though, it’s hot!

Chicken Spinach Lasagna

Shepherd’s Pie

Garlic Rolls: the best pasta and pie buddy

On a separate visit, I ordered their Fettucine all’ Amatriciana. I love it because there is a good balance of pasta, tomatoes and bacon. Really yummy and filling! (Sorry no photo!)

Panna Cotta: “perfected”

ccsamaniego — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:35:46 +0000

I am truly happy with the result of this Panna Cotta. Finally

Kitchen Test: Creamy Spinach Dip

ccsamaniego — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:50:53 +0000

Here’s another versatile recipe, c/o Yummy. I did not only enjoyed this as a dip but I also mixed some ~~left-over~~ with my pasta. Yes, instant creamy pasta sauce.

Here’s how you’re supposed to do it:

1. In a blender, combine spinach and sour cream; process until smooth.

2. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl, and add cottage cheese, onion powder, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

3. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. Place bowl on a platter with your preferred vegetable sticks.

What I did: I used fresh spinach and cream cheese instead of frozen spinach and ricotta cheese. And added some chopped basil as well.

I suggest you try this too

First Taste: The Ramen Bar

ccsamaniego — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 02:53:30 +0000

My colleague posted in his FB wall where can he eat a good bowl of ramen. Since I’ve just read a review of The Ramen Bar, I suggested the place. So off we went when we decided to go out for dinner.

Since I am not a fan of noodles with soup, I didn’t order a ramen (but now I realized that I should. Booo!). Based on the reactions of my companions, they enjoyed the Spicy Karaage ramen that they ordered. I am happy for them.

I ordered the Karaage (Fried Boneless Chicken w Salt). I didn’t use the salt that goes with the chicken because it is too salty already (for me, though). And oily! I guess I would have enjoyed my meal if I had the Yakiniku Beef that was not available that night. Too bad.

To end our meal, we ordered their Fried Tempura. Nothing too special about this. :(

Where to find The Ramen Bar?

G/F Eastwood Mall , Libis, Quezon City

Kitchen Test: Pastillas

ccsamaniego — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:15:35 +0000

Pastillas is a popular sweet delicacy for us Filipinos. I tried to look at its direct translation at Google translate and the word pastilla means “tablet, piece, bar, drop, cake…”. Basically, just like many of our local delicacies, pastillas is made of milk and sugar. So when I found this recipe, I’ve decided to do if myself. The result turned out to be too rich and soft. It can’t hold its form . I made two variants: original (rolled into sugar) and cocoa-coated. It also turned out to be a bit greasy because of the butter. So for my first attempt, it wasn’t that bad. All I need to do is to lessen the liquid component to achieve that consistency and form that I’am looking for. The taste actually reminds me of the pastillas in Kabigting’s Halo-halo. That rich.

Click to view slideshow.

My Travel Postcard: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (2011)

ccsamaniego — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:27:31 +0000

My Travel Postcard: Hong Kong (2011)

ccsamaniego — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:58:52 +0000

Manang’s Chicken–ang bagong fried chicken ng Pinoy

ccsamaniego — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:40:28 +0000

Manang’s Fried Chicken had a stall in the Ateneo Campus this week and I say it was a HIT! I did not miss the chance to taste this chicken which I’ve heard is a serious competition of Bonchon. It was gooodd! My friend had it for lunch for 3 straight days! Who wouldn’t be happy for the double-fried crispy and tasty chicken wings? Though, I find the chicken meat a little drier compared to Bonchon (but hey, I’m not complaining!). You can choose your own glaze: original, mild spicy, and extra hot. I like mine hotttt! I hope they return to the campus soon!

You can learn more about Manang’s Fried Chicken’s story here

Where can you find Manang’s Fried Chicken?

AIC Gold Tower, Garnet Road corner F. Ortigas St. Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Mercato Centrale and Mercato Weekend (Fort Bonifacio) and Legaspi Market on weekends.

Find them on Facebook!