breaktifasty!!!

I don't normally get excited about breakfast. My mom would know. In my grade school days, she would normally feed me for long hours! I would let the food stay in my mouth and end up throwing it out. Yucky! I would end up crying because she'd get mad. That's our everyday drama even until when I entered highschool already. In college, I would end up leaving the house with my stomach empty(bec my mom is not there to check on me anymore). I don't know, I just don't like being forced to eat in the morning - when I actually just woke up. Ironically, I love breakfast food like tapa, longganisa, tocino, spanish sardines and so many others. But I would want to eat them at a later time in the morning.


Now that I am working, I normally eat my breakfast in the office instead. I wake up, take a shower, dress up and leave for work right away. Eating breakfast is not part of my routine at home. I normally eat my breakfast or drink my coffee an hour or more after I get to work, after i've settled myself and answered a number of my emails and phone calls. I recently found breakfast love in these stalls that recently opened in our 7th floor cafeteria: cerealicious ( i love their blockbuster cereal trails!) and panini (love their bacon lettuce and tomato!). There's another stall that offers organic brewed coffee and I am excited to try this after I give birth. Yes, when the baby's out! :P



On weekends, I look forward to breakfast only because then I know that i'll be with my family. Saturdays- is "breakfast day" in our house. My mother in law would normally hosts breakfast for the whole clan. It's been like that traditionally even before I met my husband. It may be tiring at some point (esp if you were out late on a Friday hehe) but nonetheless these Saturdays are very meaningful and important to everyone in the family esp my mother in law and her sisters :)


I love quiet breakfasts with my husband. We would normally do this on Sundays before mass. We are lucky to have a few personalized and quaint cafes in our area that's good enough for a perfect breakfast. Our favorites: Banapple and Kopi Roti (both located outside our village).I believe we will never grow old doing this together :)

(with husband taken at kopi roti. some two years ago :) kyle took this photo!)

once again @ INYO

I am a big fan of houses turned into cozy restaurants. Two years ago, I surprised Jp on his birthday when I brought him to this house in Katipunan area. That was my first time to experience INYO Cuisine too. It was just the two of us there at that time which made the whole thing more special and intimate for his birthday. I guess INYO is that popular already.The place was packed when we went last Saturday. From sweethearts to old lovers and families, they were there and you'll happy oohhs and ahhss for every bit they made. The restaurant is something that you'll love over and over again. The place is perfect and the food is even better :)


I've encouraged my family, relatives and friends to try the place and i'm happy to hear that they loved the place too :) If there's one thing that I can freely give out to friends, I think that would be a perfect dining experience. No, no.. not a treat! Rather, an experience that they can always look back to and smile about :) Yes, most of my relatives and friends would call me up and ask for suggestions on where to eat for so many important ocassions. I'm happy that I get to share good experiences with them by being part of the special events in their lives :)

Last Saturday, Jp & I went to Inyo Cuisine with our cousins. We had another perfect meal for our dinner. The husbands we're so tired from our badminton game that afternoon so with no hesitation they ordered the US Hanging Tender Steak (yeah this was literally super tender!). We tried their asparagus soup which was just right. Nina and I had pasta. Pesto Cream & Grilled Chicken for me and Nina tried the Pasta Alle Congolle. Both good and the servings were really big. This is another fun fun Saturday night for the four of us :)

For dining at Inyo Cuisine, you can check out details here :)

Sunday Cooking

These was last Sunday's menu :) Guess who helped prepare dinner? :)

My Certified Blue Chef! :)

We had home-made pizzas. Two margherita with white cheese (this I brought home with me when I went to IRRI for Qatar Airway's Roadshow), basil (my must have ing) & pepperoni (a staple food we always have at home), one classic ham & cheese for the little boy, and one gourmet pizza with spanish sardines & basil for the old ones. hehe! We had garden salad on the side and marinated chicken dipped in ranch.Perrrffect! :)

barcino

I read about Barcino Gourmet a long time ago but it was only two Saturdays ago when I finally tried it with my husband and some cousins. Unplanned.

Located along Julia Vargas in Ortigas, this Spanish deli reminds me so much of my favorite Galileo Enoteca. The ambiance and how the place is presented is so much alike. Limited tables, wine cellars around, sweet & cozy :)

I ordered the mexican salad which was A LOT! I ended up taking home half of what I ordered. Jp ordered the shrimp nuggets which he said was not so great. Nina ordered the callos & Ponch tried this ground beef in olives. Both ok. We loved their chorizo platter! The wine is good but we still love Galileo's Lambrusco more :D

Our damage in Barcino was quite high compared to that of how much we'd usually spend for Galileo. Me & my husband usually craves of their set meals there because we get to try a little bit of what the deli' specialty menus. From cheeses to cold cuts to pasta, and we get one round of house wine for free too! Nevertheless, Barcino is worth a try. We will definitely go back for their chorizos. :)



Barcino Spanish Wine Deli is located at 2nd Level City Golf Plaza, Julia Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong. You can call 632) 636-2963 for reservations.

couples dinner

We had another potluck get together at ate ina's house two Saturdays ago with cousins and in-laws. This is our supposedly monthly "catching-up" dinner but the husbands & wives are most of the time preoccupied with work and family duties so this thing became quarterly instead. Nevertheless, the wives are always excited to prepare something special for everyone especially for our dear husbands :)

Ate Ina's table setting was really beautiful with all these white stuffs from tita mona's collection. We used to have our dinners at Bambi & Ria's garden but it rained that night so we moved the venue at the Tulio's. Buti nalang, we live so near to each other so unexpected changes like this aren't that too much of a hassle anymore.

(l-r) My chilli shrimps with mushroom & paprika. Ria made this mofaletta pasta (sausage and olives) , nina's ceasar salad is present of course! and the superb t-bone and rib-eye steak completes our sumptuous dinner.

Nothing beats good food and compnay of course :) Martin, another cousin of my husband joined us and Laureen, the sweet and pretty girlfriend. She made this yummy banana nutella dessert that my husband loved too. We ended the night with wine and absolut mandarin. :)

The family tree is getting bigger! lovin' every bit of it :)

on SPICES & FLAVOURS

Walking inside this small shop outside Market, Market (Fort, Taguig) is amazing. Bottles of spices that you can't usually find in regular supermarkets are all here (hidden). This is such a WOW! Overwhelming. This is just just a perfect place to go to if you are someone who loves to experiment in your menus/ recipes. From Italian , Greek, Mexican, Thai spices that will add flavor to your dishes. THIS will definitely make your day.

The place is just small but every space is maximized. When you enter the entrance to your right, are rows of bottled loose tea leaves which you can buy in grams. From fruity tea flavor apples and orange to flower teas like rose. Don't you just love that?

From regular basil down to neverheard herbs and expensive kaffir lime leaves and dried chillies. It's all here :)


These are sugar crystals that are use to sweeten your cup of coffee and tea. They have sugar crytals in cinnamon sticks also for a aromatic flavor. I love!

This set of teapots are for sale too but I already have a number of sets at home so I had to just let go of this one. A must-have & good investment at home if you are a tea-lover.

I had the chance to visit Spices & Flavours years back with a special friend with whom I share my passion for cooking and good food. I wasn't into blogging yet at that time so no chance for me to spread the good find with on-line friends. I went back last week with Aj to check if it still exists. Now, I am happy to share this with my foodies :)

photo credit: pinkmonster

Books & Sunday Cooking

Kyle loves Geronimo Stilton books. He always ask us to buy him one as a prize/gift whenever he gets good grades in school. I'm glad that my little boy's school encourages their students to read books too. The school usually have Book Fairs and Kyle's always excited about this :)


I am excited about this novel.I so want a copy of this book but it was out of stock in Powerbooks or Fully Booked most of the time. Husband bought me The Time Traveler's Wife book last Friday. Thanks! thanks! :) Oh, I learned that there's a movie coming out on December 2008. I'm excited! I hope I can start reading this weekend. :)

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Sunday cooking at home. Ilocano food is really good. I tried making my own version of "dinakdakan". A famous Ilocano dish. This is grilled pork meat marinated in mayo dressing and garnished with lotsa onions and chillies! Genuine Ilocanos usually use pig's brain for marinade but I don't think my husband can handle that. :D My papa taught me to substitute that ingredient with mayo. It tastes good too! Gerry's Grill I think included this in their menu recently.

All-time favorite Ilocano Pakbet. One of the few veggie dishes that my husband loves. It's been months since I last went home to Ilocos. If there's one thing that I miss about the place apart from my family & friends - is Ilocano Food. I miss Ilocos empanada ,bagnet and garlic longganisa from Batac. I miss adobo bagbagis from San Nicolas. I miss kaldo from Mg Opring's kubo beside our house. I miss Dawang's dinuguan and sarabasab. I miss native bibingka from Marsha's Vigan. I miss that special homemade tupig that my mom orders from an old lady in Currimao. I miss inartem. I miss that bbq and isaw that me & my brothers buy in Badoc town every afternoon.I miss our neighbor's kilawin. I miss my mama's igado and kaldereta. Oh food! Naimas latta! :P

random dinner dates with friends

It was my friend, pinkmonster's birthday two Saturdays ago. I wasn't able to celebrate with her that day so as promised , we met up for a post birthday celebration five days after. I'm glad we did. Kaka-miss talaga! It's sad that Traffic Power didn't work out but nonetheless,we were able to start a personal friendship apart from our supposed professional relationship :)

We both love to eat so deciding where to have dinner became a little complicated because we had so & so choices in mind. We decided to eat dinner at Cyma, a greek resto in Shang. Sarap talaga ever! Opa!:)

We ordered my ever favorite roka salad. I can settle eating this alone. I love the caramelized walnuts on it. We also ordered beef steak kebabs, salmon with lemon zest and of course skolatina for dessert. We finished everything along with nearly four hours of catching up.

Happy happy birthday Aj! :)

Cyma
Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Cinema Level, EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd.
Mandaluyong City
Tel: (02) 637-3090

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I've read blogs about this quaint restaurant a couple of times already but never had to chance to try it. Our friend Hans was very eager to let us try Angel's Kitchen in Ghills. One of their clients and a family friend owns this restaurant. Pretty much, this is what my husband & I likes when trying out new places.

Ok, we noticed the people there were mostly chinitos! haha! Marielle & I could've left :D (kidding) The place is very relaxed and cozy. Food is reasonably priced (except for the dessert which I think - is very expensive at Php160/slice) & service is ok too :)

My husband ordered salpicao and tomato soup which were both very good. I ordered coffee and this chocolate dessert. My bestfriend Marielle had spicy spareribs which was really yummy & delicious!

Catching up on a Friday with college friends. Marielle, Hans with gf Rachel, Rodel, me & husband. Leejay (who btw, arrived 10,000 yrs after with his girl) :) Missing everyone!

Angel's Kitchen
57 Connecticut Street, North East Greenhills
Tel: 721-8822

It was Manila Day yesterday so it's free day for me too! Yahoo! I was able to spend so much time with my two boys. I was a full time mommy/wifey even for one day. I started really early. I woke up at 7am and headed over at AGS for the scheduled PTC. It was my first time to meet Kyle's adviser this schoolyear. My boy is the homework beadle (tasked to check if everyone in class did their homeworks). He makes me so proud. Teacher said he's super behaved & responsible in school. I really pray he remains to be like that even when he gets older.

Finished the meeting at 0830 and went back home to pick up Kyle for his Kumon Diagnostic Exam. Hubby & I decided to enroll him in Kumon class so he can divert extra time in practicing Math skills. Kumon is far from the usual tutorial centers, rather it helps children develop calculation skills without a sweat. The Diagnostic Exam is to check the child's ability & be able to determine his level and start his training from there.


I remembered checking out Kumon few years back when Kyle was still in pre-school. A friend recommended it but at that time, I wasn't that interested yet. Maybe because the little boy was doing very good academically & I felt that he didn't need it anymore. I'm excited for Kyle :) In Kumon, they will be given worksheets of 10 pages each to answer everyday at home and they will have to report at the Kumon center twice a week. The concept is most likely repetition & mastery and the vision is to be able to individually perfect the skills. Kumon offers Math & English programs only.

We went to Rustan's Supermarket after. Kyle shopped for baon :)

* * * * *

Made Of Honor is really funny. Hubby & I wanted to unwind yesterday afternoon so we ran for a movie date in Eastwood. Ok pala magwatch pag weekday! There were like less than 20 people inside the cinema. There was an old couple pa nga who watched also and Jp whispered to me na when we're old like them, gusto nya we'd still go out on movie dates (blush).

The film was hilarious! It's actually a "My Bestfriend's Wedding" type of film. Patrick Dempsey (Tom) is really a prince charming. I like Michelle Monaghan's (Hannah) simple clothing style in this film. Her wedding gown is like mine except that my lace bolero is short sleeved.

A feel good movie perfect for a lazy afternoon &my dark mocha frap from starbucks :)

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What's for dinner on a Tuesday night?:)

Whole olives and sundried tomatoes in whole wheat pasta

Spicy Salami (hubby's favorite pica pica)

Cheese!

Galileo mode at home.. less the wine...

* * * *
Oh, My besty surprised me this morning :) Sweet! Thanks! :)

marielle102983: hey bes!! saw the video??
marielle102983: hehehe
kristine agapay: yup yup super thanks
kristine agapay: naiiyak ako hehe
marielle102983: sabi ko na nga ba..
marielle102983: i had feeling when that you'll cry when you'll see the video..
marielle102983: hehehe
kristine agapay: oo naman haha
kristine agapay: nice pics kakatuwa to reminisce
marielle102983: i know! i had to open certain albums! sa inyo ung katuwa!!
marielle102983: from kids to dating to married to contentment
marielle102983: hehehe

Angelati Italia

My husband & I were doing our last minute shopping for Kyle's school shoes when we bumped into this gelato stall at the ground floor of SM Megamall. I was a bit curious so we stopped. I even had some blooper exchange of words with the server. I asked if this is the same as Amici, the gay server laughed and defensively answered.. "Hindi po noh, kalaban namin yun! nag seserve kami sa hotel, sila hindi kasi di sila makapasok" The gay's so funny! Pahiya tuloy ako:D

They have a number of interesting offers. The server asked us to try two of their bestsellers: Blueberry Cheesecake & the classic Chocolate Obsession. Both good but we ended up trying two different flavors instead. My husband got the Choco Banana Peanut Butter and I tried the Honey Pepita. Both good! :) At P70/scoop, the gelatos are superb! Very rich, creamy and very flavorful. Their ad says gelatos are low fat, I wonder if this is really true??!

I've tried gelato ice cream in Pazzo (Powerplant Mall, Rockwell) few years back when I was still in college and I loved the Pistachio flavor. It's good to have found someplace nearer for such cravings! :)

I am not too familiar what differs a gelato from a regular ice cream. What I am aware of is that gelatos are more pricey. We've settled with FIC brand at home. Affordable and creamy too. I so love the strawberries & cream flavor, Kyle loves plain vanilla or chocolate (nothing fancy) , husband loves vanilla (too!) and ube macapuno or dulce de leche, my mother in law love their coffee flavored ice creams. I found this (photo below) that briefly explains the 3 distinct differences of Gelato & Ice Cream.
Angelati Italia is a joint venture of two sisters who share the same passion for gelatos. Read inspiring story here.

Photo Credit & more infos from this site.

home cooking

One of my duties at home is to prepare our weekly menu. I usually send our "manang" every Mondays to do the marketing. I would love to do it but unfortunately I have work. This is a bit challenging to me because I don't want my family to be "sawa' with the food being served at home. I would love to cook also but I can't on weekdays because I usually get home past seven already. Good thing our manag linda is a very good cook. I can just write what I want ( or mostly what Jp, Kyle & my mother in law likes) and she will surely serve it right. I must say we are lucky because not all helpers can actually cook well. Some are willing to learn but most of the time, they are lazy to do so. Manang is with Jp's family for a long time already that's why she knows what my husband's taste from the main menu down to the dessert. I've been trying to be more creativewith my menu at home. I love food so I want everyone in the house to enjoy eating too:) Good thing, there are so many websites and blogs where you can actually research good recipes or maybe just get something to include in your menu. I don't usually follow the actual recipe. To make it more innovative, I sometimes try to substitute ingredients. Other than RaI have a few list of my favorite websites for my cooking :) AllRecipes, RecipeZaar, Rasa Malyasia, Italian Chef, Pinoy Food, Better Recipes. Apart from all these sites, I make do with my mama's recipes which has been the best and perfect so far :)

These are a few of what my mama cooked during our weekend at Tagaytay. We love the shrimps in coconut milk, bulalo &n and Ginataang halo-halo. The fresh fruits were bought in Tagaytay.

My mother in law's client sent her these cheeses from abroad. Hubby & I both loves cheese. Either with wine, bread or just melting it in the microwave (try it!) like that of Old Swiss Inn's Raclette Cheese. We go really "gaga' which one to try first! :)

My Happy Birthday

"when it rains, it pours" as quoted by my tita Lydia when I started getting worried because it began to rain so hard last Saturday . I started cooking & preparing after lunch, I even had candles lighted & teapots for my guest tables in the garage area- but you really can't have the best of everything.. it was a heavy downpour at 7pm when my guests started arriving so we had to rearrange and set-up inside the house instead. In short, nawala ang ambiance :( But inspite of the heavy rain, my friends and family were all there to celebrate with me. Am blessed because it rained :)


To my dear husband, thanks for helping Kyle with the surprise gift but next time don't forget to keep the receipt ha!?? hehehe! Love you & Kyle so much :) You mean the world to me. :)


My birthday menu (at least some of it :D wasn't able to take pics anymore of the other food kasi). Baked Rosemary chicken, Gateau de Manile's white chocolate mousse cake from my tita Lydia, Roast Pork and corn cob on the side and a pasta recipe from "No Reservations" :) Proud FYI: I did the cooking :)

With my loving family & in laws :) Kulang nalang talaga is another baby. Kyle must be excited. Sana talaga we can be successful this year :) That's my birthday wish (wink)

My highschool & college friends who made my birthday extra special. Thanks guys! I hope to have you in the house more often. Since I am the only married here, then sge I will do the cooking for now because I know all of your are busy with your gimmicks :) Come to think of it, I realized o nga lahat kayo single!!! :D


I love surprises & opening gifts! parang wedding at bridal shower ko ulit hehe :) Thanks for the wonderful & thoughtful gifts. Everyone gave me what I want & needed. 'goes to show that you guys know me that well talaga :)

It was a very happy birthday on a rainy summer! :)

I'm craving for Sonja's for about two weeks now. (Hubby, I really want one please xx) I hope I can drag my family on Sunday after our Mother's Day lunch. Meantime, check this out:

Sprinkles Cupcakes

The cupcakes looks so yummy and perfectly baked. I hope someone from LA can bring home some for pasalubing :D Oh well, nonetheless, I can settle for Sonja's :)

Photos courtesy of Sprinkles Official Website.

Sunday Cooking

(l-r) my mom, friend Tricia, Kyle, Jp & mother in law

I love Sundays.

I invited my mom, brothers and my friend Tricia who is in the city for her NCLEX review to have lunch with us yesterday . I get to practice my cooking only on weekends when Manang Linda, our cook is on a day-off. On a daily basis, I only prepare our weekly menu and she'll manage to prepare it very well and delicious for us.

My mom cooks so good and I hope to learn and master all her recipes. She's a "kapampangan" so her menus are very "pinoy". She cooks kaldereta, bulalo, sinigang, karekare very well. My friends who have tried her cooking will always leave the house with a thumbs up! One of our favorites at home is her buttered garlic prawns. Very Yummy! I included that in my menu last Sunday , only I made it spicy. The family said its sarap :)- except that it had too much sauce (husband said , mukhang spaghetti daw huhu) I guess I got too excited with the sauce recipe :D Nevertheless, everyone were busog and satisfied:)

Spicy Garlic Buttered Shrimps -tried mom's recipe :)

Peppered Rosemary Marinated Grilled Porckchop

Sweet & crispy indian mangoes. My mom's pasalubong from Ilocos.
My all time favorite fruit! perfect with sweet & spicy bagoong!

Creamy chicken & corn soup - Yaya Mila's contribution hehe!

These are the things that I love most about married life. Everyday is a challenge and inspiration. I feel happy seeing my boys very excited too! :)

Can't wait to start my baking :)