spiCes

dinner spread during Markie’s Christening.

In any or most Filipino parties, there’s almost always PANCIT or Noodles. This one is Pancit Bihon, one of the most preferred type of noodle dishes served in any gathering. truly PINOY. YUM!

…and of course let’s not forget the PORK BBQ!!! double YUM!!!!

Ito ay ang handa noong nakaraang Linggo sa binyag ng anak ng pamangkin ko na pinuntahan namin sa Connecticut. Anak ng pamangkin…great aunt nalang ok! hindi lola!!!! hahaha!

at marahil alam naman nating lahat na ang anumang handaang Pinoy ay one to sawa! ito ay kuha  ng mga hapon pa lamang, ngunit inabot ng hanggang pasado alas dose ng gabi!

ang BBQ, paborito ng mga bata. kaya maski na umaaso pa sa init ay di na napigilang kumuha ng tig-isang stick!:)

Lahok para sa na may temang…HAPUNAN! mangan ta!:) chow time! bon appetit! kain tayo! let’s dig in!!!

This Sunday is revolving around dining in style and taste with higher quality materials like white linens, fine china, crystal wine glasses, candle lights, wait staffs in formal attire and of course glorious food. In this manner, we give special attention to ambience.  On another note, fine dining is also highly associated with full course meals. This would include bite size fruits for starters, appetizers, soup, salad, the entree served with rice or bread and vegetables to dessert served with tea or coffee and lastly some cookies or nuts served with another drink.

As I have googled, there is no definitive meaning of the words FINE DINING. It is subjective as they say, depending on personal taste and can be guided by the quality of food, service and atmosphere. I cannot find any specific guideline regarding this. Hence, I am leaving it all up to you to help me come up with a more accurate description.

I myself, found it a little difficult to post my own photo, so I borrowed the first 2 from my sister, taken during her wedding. The fact that we rarely go to fine dining restaurants nowadays make up for this inadequacy. I am positive that most of you will agree with me that these would be over the top excessiveness and beyond reason if done on a whim during this dwindling economy. That doesn’t mean we cannot have one though. What we normally have are special nights of fine dining experience in the comfort of our own home such as this last photo. Once I am in the mood for making out of the ordinary meals, not necessarily luxurious, what follows is a nicely done tablescape wherein my finer china and wine glasses, add to that the silver chargers come into good use…as opposed to everyday plastic or paper plates and cups!

I do wish you all a fine Sunday and week ahead! Cheers!
is a weekly thematic FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY meme, Pinoy style!

Last Sunday was family day and fortunately we ha d a feel of pre-spring too at about 60’s. We took advantage of this and went straight to the Wollaston Beach after church and some grocery shopping. The bright and sunny sky cooperated well enough for me to take this picture and some. What came afterwards was even better…a lovely lunch at the Clambox! Delicious!

An entry to

LOVE BIRDS

…as Rachael Ray coined this dish. the  reason? obviously, LOVE is for the heart-shaped fillo or puff pastry atop the chicken breast inside for the BIRDS part [my take, boneless/skinless thighs].

[HOW-TO ]

…I seasoned the birds with salt, pepper and rosemary or any spiCe of your liking. layered with a slice of fontina or gruyere [in my case, one of the very special Holland cheeses sent my way by titaThesserie!, thanks!] and a slather of fig preserves. it is then wrapped up by the fillo and topped with another layer of fillo cut-out into hearts, a little egg wash to seal the edges and add gloss. and finally, popped in the oven @ 400deg F for about 12 minutes or until it turns golden brown.

…our pre-Valentine’s Day dinner. it has been our tradition to celebrate the big day slightly off the 14th, be it before or after. so i decided to make it last night, the 13th for this event. M deosn’t have the slightest idea that I was preparing something special and just imagine the shock on his face when he saw the dining table all dolled up…unknowingly on my part, he also took the cue to grab some flowers for the ladies in the family…great minds, eh?

with some grilled fresh asparagus on the side, this lovebirds was perfectly paired with delicious and spiCy Carbonara, a glass [or two] of Blanc Sauvignon capped with some fresh strawberries for dessert, just to keep it simple and easy on the pocket too. [i'm still waiting for that mixer, then i'll do that special after-Valentine's day dessert!]
…now that’s what i consider a lovely dine-in dinner…that simply resonates LOVE, in itself and my love affair with FOOD!

For this week’s …it’s all about luscious Valentine’s Day food, be it anything heart-shaped or your favorite food.  your V-day spread or just about anything that’s got something to do with your love for food.
LaPiS is a weekly themed FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY meme, Pinoy style! Happy HEARTS DAY! it would’ve been nice to celebrate Vday in a lovely exotic island though, huh? just make sure that you have travel insurance especially during these times…

…i know, i know christmas is more than a month over. can you believe it? it’s almost V day once again! lol! but i just can’t let this photo pass without me posting it for Ruby Tuesday. it is way over due, notice my watermark? 2008! lol! forgive me, will you?

i found these little wine glass blings at a discount store for 25 cents each! isn’t that a fab find? just a small detail to enhance our New Year’s eve dinner table…cheers!
…an entry to