tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387452792024-03-05T16:08:17.074-08:00Chef WannabeSerious amateur chef!
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-44470441951397400782013-09-27T17:47:00.000-07:002013-09-27T17:47:05.751-07:00A Lenten treat<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the last 14 years, it has been tradition to follow the Stations of the Cross in Calatagan on Good Friday and end with a pot luck merienda for our community members. This was my farewell treat! ... </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cream cheese with sour cream and onions, topped with salmon roe and garnished with green onion on wheat bread squares.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-91597371981309849472013-09-27T17:36:00.000-07:002013-09-27T17:36:11.504-07:00Pretty in pinkLittle girls and big girls alike can't get enough of Hello Kitty! What can be more adorable then for a little girl's birthday giveaways than Hello Kitty shortbread cookies packed in clear bags with matching polka dotted pink ribbons!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-75327510729334206152013-09-27T17:21:00.000-07:002013-09-27T17:21:07.842-07:00Regina turns 20 with a Bacolod feast!Birthday milestones from childhood are traditionally celebrated on the 1st, 7th, 13th and 18th year. For one living in the United States however, it is the 21st year that calls for a celebration. My daughter, Regina moved to New York not even when she was 18. So, home for the holidays before her 20th birthday which is just a few days after the new year, we celebrated somewhere in between with a Bacolod feast. No cooking for me this time, it was all about styling the tables with a very festive look of Negros, with shredded colored Japanese paper mixed with the very famous Bacolod sweet delights.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-72245350662887071552013-09-06T19:51:00.000-07:002013-09-06T19:51:20.240-07:00A Spanish Tapas and Paella DinnerSpanish food embraces a world of sun and color. This served as my inspiration in preparing and styling this dinner to start the new year, 2012. To my twin sister, it brought back memories of the orange trees and flowers in Seville, Andalucia, Spain.<br />
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Baked aubergine, red pepper and anchovies<br />
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Jamon Serrano and manchego cheese<br />
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Pan fried scallops and chorizo with parsley salad<br />
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Meatballs in red sherry sauce<br />
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Paella Valenciana<br />
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Mushroom Paella<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-40708718707490235772013-09-06T19:07:00.000-07:002013-09-06T19:07:02.122-07:00A Christmas eve traditionChristmas is a time when family traditions are observed and passed on to generations. For so many years since I was little I helped my mother prepare Christmas dinner for family, relatives and friends. Moving forward with my own children now, Christmas dinners would still be with my family although this time my mother prepared the feast with her own helper. Picking up from this, I started my own tradition, preparing Christmas eve dinner for my helpers. It's that time of the year when we reverse our roles. My girls set the table and I do the cooking. It's our way of thanking them for helping us with our household throughout the year. So on this occasion, they are our guests and dine in style on our very own dining table before heading off to their own families.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-76215306122424278562013-09-06T18:18:00.000-07:002013-09-06T18:18:16.951-07:00A White Christmas collectionA white Christmas is associated with images of snow filled holidays. For me, it evokes elegance. For the year 2011, I produced a limited line of food and gift items, all enveloped in white. Packaged in the same color with touches of gold and silver, they were simply elegant.<br />
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Creme de Menthe chocolate truffles with white candy sprinkles<br />
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in silver boxes with white and gold ribbon<br />
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White bean dip with Italian parsley and pita chips with oregano<br />
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packaged in white serving dish and tureen with hand made embossed serving instruction cards<br />
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Starburst cupcakes - chocolate cupcakes with chocolate glaze and mint flavored buttercream frosting<br />
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and Smoked Salmon Cake - layered bread cake with salmon and capers wrapped in cream cheese, cucumber and caviar for that special Christmas eve dinner<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-72314296369859397552013-09-05T18:57:00.000-07:002013-09-05T18:58:58.601-07:00A very special private dinner for twoYou'll never know what you can do unless you just do it! <br />
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On November 20, 2011 with much hesitation, I prepared a very special private dinner for my aunt and her husband who were visiting in Manila. Not only were they to attend a wedding, they too were celebrating their first wedding anniversary. So what could be more special than a surprise private dinner in their own studio apartment they rented for their stay.<br />
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Going back to the planning stages, I received an email message from my aunt asking if I could do this for her. As I had not done any dinner outside my home since I started my private dining, I politely declined. Not wanting to take no for an answer, she told me to think about it as she really wanted to surprise her husband. As this was something new to me I wanted to make sure there would be no hitches, so off I went to my first task, an ocular inspection of the studio unit. Okay, this could be done I thought to myself but keeping in mind that this was their first wedding anniversary, I wanted to give the couple privacy while having their meal.<br />
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There was just no way this could happen in a small studio unit. Voicing out my concern to my aunt, again she wouldn't take no for an answer and found a solution to this. I could use the kitchen of another unit in the same building that another wedding guest had booked. Sounds easy enough but the unit was on another floor. But by this time, I had already agreed to do it so everything was in my hands now. I had to find a way to access both units easily. You see, all residents and guests could go only to their floors with their elevator cards. I could have borrowed from both of them but I was able to get a one day elevator pass that could get me to both floors. Little did I know that I would still have to go down to the lobby each time I went to the other floor!<br />
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But no worries, if that was the only way, then it will be done! Having figured this out, I set out to do the rest of the planning. I did a mock set-up and chose a three course menu that was quite easy to execute. I personally selected music that would be compiled in a disc as a souvenir together with a box of home made chocolate truffles. I chose every single item that would contribute to the ambience, from flowers to candles and created a personalized welcome card. <br />
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On November 20, 2011 while the couple was out all afternoon, I beautifully set up a table for two, created a lovely ambience and delivered the rest of my equipment to the other kitchen above. At 7:00 pm, the couple walked into their unit and with that, my aunt called me down. Seeing her husband in tears, I knew that this would be a very special evening.<br />
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Yes, I did it and to my own surprise, I was able to pull it off.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-33433485874069974612013-09-04T18:44:00.001-07:002013-09-04T18:44:47.159-07:00A Pleasant Surprise!<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">I Google searched Minnie Puno blog just to see what's out there and was pleasantly surprised to find this. Didn't even know of this feature!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><a href="http://www.appetite.ph/dining/the-home-chef-private-dining-by-minnie-puno" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.appetite.ph/dining/the-home-chef-private-dining-by-minnie-puno</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-2187816337390669212013-08-28T19:04:00.000-07:002013-08-28T19:04:07.608-07:00Another wedding anniversary dinner for my dear sisterSince I started my private dining venture, my sister has celebrated her wedding anniversary twice in my home. Here is another dinner I lovingly prepared for her in 2011 choosing again pink flowers to go with her wedding color motif. With this I added another special touch, chocolate truffles in silver boxes tied with a very light pink ribbon as giveaways. Another addition to this year was a special guest, her youngest niece! Too bad I'm unable to do this anymore for her as I am now based in New York.<br />
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White bean dip with Pita chips<br />
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Roasted tomato and basil soup<br />
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Roasted beef tenderloin with caper sauce<br />
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Lemon poached pears with caramelized mangoes and Limoncello chocolate truffles<br />
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Creme de Menthe chocolate truffles in pretty boxes for giveaways<br />
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And the evening's special guest, who's no longer a baby now!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-5169787576119671952013-08-28T18:22:00.000-07:002013-08-28T18:22:35.538-07:00An Asian dinner: a repeat (2011)The same menu need not go with the same decor, so with this Asian repeat I scoured my cabinets in search of items to style my dinner. You don't have to look far to create these table settings. I chose simple flowers to sit in clear glasses and an ornate Asian silver tea canister I found in my kitchen. I borrowed a striking red Vietnamese table runner from my sister and used a Buddha incense stick holder given by my brother-in-law. For another table, I used an old glass water pitcher with silver trimming, an ornate Asian looking silver pumpkin any my gold table runner to go with my red tea light holders complementing the setting. Put together, it gives it an Asian vibe.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-26771719498858706232013-08-28T17:51:00.001-07:002013-08-28T17:51:54.502-07:00An Asian dinner 2011By now, I'm kinda getting the hang of hosting, cooking and plating dinners. So here's another challenge I decided to accept. A group of doctors decided not only to try my private dining but to watch me prepare their dishes! This was new to me and although I warned them that my kitchen cannot accommodate all of them at one time, they were open to moving in and out of my kitchen in groups. This was exciting and it turned out to be another fun evening as not only did I demonstrate the cooking, I asked them to actually try doing some of the procedures called for in the recipes. With their laughter adding spice to their dinner, everything just turned out right!<br />
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Again it starts with the menu, Asian this time, and everything else follows. I always choose to do my own hand embossed menu cards to create my brand so that is a given, then the styling just flows with the evening's theme. Not to forget the music to complete the ambience.<br />
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Sauteed scallops with Cilantro chili butter and Orange jicama salad<br />
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Asian mushroom soup<br />
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Thai barbecue chicken with Jasmine rice<br />
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Asian poached pears with Ginger chocolate truffles and Caramel lychees<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-22636977564370874402013-08-28T16:58:00.001-07:002013-09-01T16:17:20.386-07:00A Birthday BarbecueMarch is a big month for birthdays, with four celebrants in the family. On March 6, 2011 we decided to do something different. Out with the sit down dinners this time so we had a barbecue instead. No formal table settings, no special menus, just plain old simple burgers and hotdogs with the usual side dishes of baked beans, corn, potato salad and spaghetti. But flowers always add a nice touch so I chose a bundle of spring flowers to complement two special birthday cupcakes I prepared - citrus cupcakes with buttercream frosting and red velvet cupcakes with marshmallow icing and candy sprinkles. Blessed with gorgeous weather, it was all sunshine and cheers!<br />
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Cheers to the birthday celebrants!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-33321035404979299112013-08-28T16:03:00.002-07:002013-09-05T19:07:32.452-07:00An Aphrodisiac Dinner for Valentine's DayWhat is Valentine's without surprises? This is one dinner I truly enjoyed planning with two men for their Bible study group of seven couples. As I was told, each year these men look for a new restaurant to take their wives for a special dinner. This year (2011) however they wanted something more special, more private and with more surprises. So having found my private dining venture, they booked me and we carefully planned this evening. Bouquets of roses were delivered in the morning and kept in my house for each of them to give to their wives. But for that special surprise, I asked my driver to stay for the night and pretend to deliver them just after dinner and was never discovered by the women. To top it all, to their amusement a guy came to serenade the wives! <br />
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Let's not forget though that food and ambience are the most important for the success of a special event. I went on to research on aphrodisiac ingredients and created a menu with each dish having one of these ingredients. Three single red roses were held by vintage wine bottles on each table strewn with rose petals and illuminated by candle light. And to cap the evening, special giveaways of chocolate truffles I prepared in simple gift boxes tied with a red ribbon were given to the women.<br />
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It was indeed a wonderful Valentine's surprise!<br />
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To start off, here are my two table settings, each with three roses in vintage wine bottles and menu cards framed by dinner napkins<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU0jISFYmXtvFLNx5coy80AiUgyI5qMMPd4zlp_FBPJ2pOG0JI0ZCkBPGR0F45Fw_yONiGAAqcFiJ5SfqDVmZ7auP5-Vz5QbHLyjTlv_GTl-7PCzhkVPCpesf889aY9g_Got1/s1600/IMG_4720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU0jISFYmXtvFLNx5coy80AiUgyI5qMMPd4zlp_FBPJ2pOG0JI0ZCkBPGR0F45Fw_yONiGAAqcFiJ5SfqDVmZ7auP5-Vz5QbHLyjTlv_GTl-7PCzhkVPCpesf889aY9g_Got1/s640/IMG_4720.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
The menu<br />
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Crostini with cream cheese, chives and CAVIAR<br />
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OYSTER soup with frizzled leeks and cayenne pepper<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKxN9tCUp0EZmREGjAorW2w7d7UZZT2FJP5Tc85IQUx2PALwWyokJGGgSDaTVkoErVRHwDzBU5IClDX-nL1OnuRTAV4pPkCAVPUchq-LnrTz03vyYuYCKPaZrVMXWQguU8aRp/s1600/IMG_3506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKxN9tCUp0EZmREGjAorW2w7d7UZZT2FJP5Tc85IQUx2PALwWyokJGGgSDaTVkoErVRHwDzBU5IClDX-nL1OnuRTAV4pPkCAVPUchq-LnrTz03vyYuYCKPaZrVMXWQguU8aRp/s640/IMG_3506.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Roasted chicken with GARLIC confit, saffron scented couscous and pine nuts</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkqyLMs69JKc6oTTsMDei4bNt-SIsvwhQrqCH86BmQ0Wp0k1aN0_0aGFJ0n43CI4tlsEcSUZ3tta8oPScQppmW47OynUDgGQ0l6s863tlwDZvicUJLTLkkl5rXUJOzlC9JizQ/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkqyLMs69JKc6oTTsMDei4bNt-SIsvwhQrqCH86BmQ0Wp0k1aN0_0aGFJ0n43CI4tlsEcSUZ3tta8oPScQppmW47OynUDgGQ0l6s863tlwDZvicUJLTLkkl5rXUJOzlC9JizQ/s640/IMG_3490.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wicked hot CHOCOLATE mousse</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-91271370819736989252013-08-27T17:46:00.000-07:002013-08-27T18:00:44.357-07:002010 Christmas SpecialI like to create new products every holiday season to accommodate my regular client, my sister. While keeping my signature dessert, a licqueur flavoured mini chocolate mousse, for those who can't get enough of it, I like to do something special each year for my very discriminating sister. With the market flooded with commercial gift food packages, she always likes to give something created not by just any home cook or baker but one with a more personal touch. That special product is always done by me and always comes in a serving dish for the recipient to keep. Disposables have no place in my private kitchen except for stylized barbecues. For this year, it's Humus with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil with a pack of crostini.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Humus with sun-dried tomatoes and basil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">packaged with Crostini in a white serving platter</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-54399571199115264682013-08-19T18:34:00.000-07:002013-08-19T18:53:14.865-07:00An Ermita Christmas tradition dinner"I can still remember Christmas eve in our family home in Ermita. I helped my mother prepare our annual holiday dinner since I was a child. I would mash sausages for her galantina until they were very fine, dice potatoes and cut chicken inch by inch and chop onions until tears fell from my eyes. Then I would mix them with other ingredients until my arms ached, careful not to mash them for that perfect chicken salad. I patiently drained each can of fruit cocktail and watched her prepare her own natilla, mix them together and crown her salad with swirls of cream and bright red cherries.<br />
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I took the challenge of recreating some of these family recipes, styling and plating the same dishes to brighten your visual and gustatory senses. I have recreated our family Christmas tradition dinner for you to experience and enjoy. I hope you do so as we have over the past many years."<br />
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I wrote this story to include on the left side of my menu booklet. Again, it gives it a personal touch, something to transport you to the many years we enjoyed having this dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgQxhvqXKd3nmZdvVOpukzhfM5tjPwgPG7gpkdBO0zAtji-35-aK0mQ3AlJjPqsuYHqvLv0LP2dHDsupbruMzWZh0A04CWbcFXM9TBNVShsPmBhqefQj_ILZLfXFgHFkJ_qcR/s1600/40722_173448599336777_1898669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgQxhvqXKd3nmZdvVOpukzhfM5tjPwgPG7gpkdBO0zAtji-35-aK0mQ3AlJjPqsuYHqvLv0LP2dHDsupbruMzWZh0A04CWbcFXM9TBNVShsPmBhqefQj_ILZLfXFgHFkJ_qcR/s400/40722_173448599336777_1898669_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festive colors of orange and purple - a break from tradition</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hand crafted menu booklet shares our story</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Galantina</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken potato salad with mustard mayonnaise dressing - a favorite!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE4wQWeztQxSD8VqVtSVvsK0aZE4gwJHuY2hE4vzGcnA07F1_JtvBbmyyv0fol7r3wXGhLCbS_1jbavoXoGcx80AcpRp7qfBySNI0KpCogEHpcpqlhxdb5Y_niCvjzrlM1iib/s1600/76279_173451099336527_6544638_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE4wQWeztQxSD8VqVtSVvsK0aZE4gwJHuY2hE4vzGcnA07F1_JtvBbmyyv0fol7r3wXGhLCbS_1jbavoXoGcx80AcpRp7qfBySNI0KpCogEHpcpqlhxdb5Y_niCvjzrlM1iib/s400/76279_173451099336527_6544638_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lighter version of Callos served with garlic and parsley bread</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lengua with mushrooms and capers now served in a puff pastry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef and eggplant lasagna</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lighter glazed fresh fruit salad with creamy natilla</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-84473671485339997502013-08-19T17:54:00.000-07:002013-08-19T17:54:17.745-07:00A wedding anniversary dinner for my dear sister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My sister and husband were not big on celebrating wedding anniversaries. But having started my private dining in 2010, they decided to throw a small, intimate dinner just for family. Hosting a private dinner for me is not just about the food. It is a total experience. Leaning towards the arts, I must say I am a very visual person. While taste is of utmost importance, everything should be pleasing to the eye. So a lot of attention to detail and an added personal touch goes with my style.<br />
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I remember very well my sister's wedding. I was a pregnant sponsor and my only daughter then was a flower girl with a crown of little pink flowers. In contrast to her very strong personality, her color motif was a very sweet, light pink -"blush" as it is referred to today. I tried to recreate a very fresh and elegant atmosphere, choosing roses in "blush" coupled with a hand crafted menu that looked like an invitation card.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elegant table setting brings back memories of their wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A virgin cocktail is a must! Orange pineapple spritzer with apples and fresh mint</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crostini with sun-dried tomatoes and chickpeas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion Soup</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken potato salad with mustard mayonnaise dressing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled lamb chops with lemon spaghettini</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your choice of Bailey's or Limoncello chocolate mousse<br /></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-6123023788612092082013-08-19T16:16:00.000-07:002013-08-19T16:16:00.050-07:00Food Photography Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is very common nowadays to see people having their plate served to them in a restaurant and letting their food go cold just to take that obligatory food shot. Well, if you can't lick them, might as well join them. And since I'm guilty of it too, why not take print worthy pictures then. You see my daughter used to take my food photos until she left for college. So on October 2010, I joined a food photography workshop given by Joy Jesena-Barcelon. Interesting as she actually taught us how to, among others, make do with common items that can give you that extra lighting you need, a flashlight! Yes, you read it right, a flashlight! We're not professional photographers you know, so naturally we don't have any of their sophisticated equipment. But you will be surprised at just how you can take good photos even without these. Of course a good SLR camera will help although these were just taken with a Canon iXus but besides that, composition is really the key. Again, I was honored to have been asked to provide my salad rolls while the others provided dessert for us to shoot.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Vietnamese rolls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh salad rolls with ground pork, water chestnuts and fresh basil</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0GJmACkICcrpadpU1mzgUjvWuBtUNDRn9LWcsaNAYEKWUeNTdyEiZASV4rOb0Y_MQczGkw25otRvXEWcqGo2VCYrjuOJ3UuhSFUaw-t13SRkwkR1dsZgqy0fmIAjjhgILi1H/s1600/smoked+fish+salad+roll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0GJmACkICcrpadpU1mzgUjvWuBtUNDRn9LWcsaNAYEKWUeNTdyEiZASV4rOb0Y_MQczGkw25otRvXEWcqGo2VCYrjuOJ3UuhSFUaw-t13SRkwkR1dsZgqy0fmIAjjhgILi1H/s400/smoked+fish+salad+roll.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh salad rolls with smoked milkfish, salted eggs, tomatoes and green onions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNf8Tr_-Y9NWrfcpDIWkFV2jS9waMXVsuFgm5aZ3M1qW4NwZN-_LX3VJw0mSw2-rqCB11ZOWRqYFs6S0ssT0x6lipHtV58FiRxbwPGY627v5ASVVPujwKDDwKZL6NMBPTpbIp/s1600/IMG_2676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNf8Tr_-Y9NWrfcpDIWkFV2jS9waMXVsuFgm5aZ3M1qW4NwZN-_LX3VJw0mSw2-rqCB11ZOWRqYFs6S0ssT0x6lipHtV58FiRxbwPGY627v5ASVVPujwKDDwKZL6NMBPTpbIp/s400/IMG_2676.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Bars by Veronica Singson de Tagle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cream Puffs by Veronica Singson de Tagle</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-89847712857430489102013-08-19T15:04:00.000-07:002013-08-19T15:04:28.723-07:00Private Kitchens in Lifestyle Asia<div style="text-align: left;">
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Who would have thought that I would be featured again in such a short time by another magazine. Lifestyle Asia decided to do a feature on a new dining concept in Manila, private kitchens for their November 2010 issue. It was just as timely as I was conceptualizing my holiday dinner for the season. Such a great pleasure to prepare my dishes and enjoy them with the photo shoot crew. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8TDAX2Mv_lavuRcW36tni2_fsoGUTIK-HkNQWT6nG-tLsl2ZMCdHPWQNg8qyohCqapMJJMvtEhsvgdNt_ADtetTDFV2uuDKxqjnzwsSPmDODhRpHE6DDH585zvm61_Q9N4Si/s1600/74022_172254162789554_3643905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8TDAX2Mv_lavuRcW36tni2_fsoGUTIK-HkNQWT6nG-tLsl2ZMCdHPWQNg8qyohCqapMJJMvtEhsvgdNt_ADtetTDFV2uuDKxqjnzwsSPmDODhRpHE6DDH585zvm61_Q9N4Si/s400/74022_172254162789554_3643905_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-2627995931449179942013-08-15T18:02:00.001-07:002013-08-15T18:04:30.378-07:00Connecting Foodies, COOK magazineFresh from my first private dinner in June 2010 and still brimming with excitement, here is my very first feature in COOK magazine, Connecting Foodies. And it just wasn't about the dinner, there were snippets of my life as a foodie and my other holiday food offerings. Overjoyed and filled with pride!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg8kQ3WvViBK7SoFLhPsiiRg1Df6fdpGXPvBvNEYztpVyMgh5C76pJzCKQN3F__OH0zEIVizv-WwVtxfSo6TioeD8g-RKJ9XE8BhwNAlFV8P9ij1JM1dqJFHIQOgF3FYG10sl/s1600/71938_171795586168745_4944858_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg8kQ3WvViBK7SoFLhPsiiRg1Df6fdpGXPvBvNEYztpVyMgh5C76pJzCKQN3F__OH0zEIVizv-WwVtxfSo6TioeD8g-RKJ9XE8BhwNAlFV8P9ij1JM1dqJFHIQOgF3FYG10sl/s400/71938_171795586168745_4944858_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-10012051101092547032013-08-15T17:15:00.000-07:002013-08-15T18:10:09.055-07:00The Home Chef... a Private DinnerIt all started with a Christmas dinner for close friends in 2009 (see previous post). All coming from the south, we refused to brave the holiday traffic in search of a restaurant and so they hatched an idea. "Why not cook for us and we'll just pay you?" Were they serious?!?<br />
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In June 2010, I launched The Home Chef private dinners in my home. Having participated in two of the food blogger, Anton Diaz's Ultimate Taste Test events where I got the public's approval and had therefore earned the honor of being featured in his blog, I invited him to be the first to try it. Little did I know that he would ask Nancy Reyes Lumen to join his group. I welcomed my first guest into my home and after the introductions and a little conversation, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach and tried not to dash off to my kitchen. Trying to quell my excitement I slid beside my daughter who was taking photographs in the kitchen and let go of a muffled scream in her ear.<br />
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"Guess who's here for dinner?!?"<br />
"Who?"<br />
"Oh, just the editor of Cook magazine!"<br />
"Whaaaaat?!?"<br />
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Sensing both my apprehension and excitement she went on to assure me. "Oh mommy, you can do it!"<br />
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I gave her a smile and just like that, I went back inside wanting to make sure the other guests had arrived. Then I returned to the kitchen and went head on with the cooking, praying to God that all turns out well.<br />
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I cooked, plated and, after the last course was served, joined my guests, relaxed and just enjoyed the evening. Nancy excused herself as she had to leave early but not without first asking me if I would agree to be featured in her magazine. Of course, I was enveloped with a sense of pride and thanked her for gracing my first private dinner. <br />
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Not only did I get featured in the Cook magazine, I too was again featured in Anton's blog. Later on, I was again honored to be included in "Private Kitchens" in Lifestyle Asia magazine and "10 Private Dining Spots in Manila" in www.spot.ph. Thank you for the features. It was indeed a pleasure having you as my first guests.<br />
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It all starts with the menu, all personally hand crafted for that elegant look...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM32wyA-wvtIzMO7ewu_9kqOOkgPOQ3fFSVScbEqZ4B_mV9h9sTHZGO2csNuZlVMmr_rgNZNSKhpU8cPGPiPvTm1pX6vEsn5JGNHwDjfr53pjEJ6pqkwBhMsC6RFOdzfT5Vx3/s1600/DSC_0041_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM32wyA-wvtIzMO7ewu_9kqOOkgPOQ3fFSVScbEqZ4B_mV9h9sTHZGO2csNuZlVMmr_rgNZNSKhpU8cPGPiPvTm1pX6vEsn5JGNHwDjfr53pjEJ6pqkwBhMsC6RFOdzfT5Vx3/s400/DSC_0041_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Rvj9Sb5jDiD7CRiRGv6ExHzg60x9TKrSSY3oZo8o2fi34V4BfXE1p8g3OtrKcTpGvLg0mYM45uz2HA4FVzCM1Y-O8__lA3PwXZkD_ZikFNBHwbr6vhyzmY3mWqeoqpT97uVS/s1600/DSC_0064_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Rvj9Sb5jDiD7CRiRGv6ExHzg60x9TKrSSY3oZo8o2fi34V4BfXE1p8g3OtrKcTpGvLg0mYM45uz2HA4FVzCM1Y-O8__lA3PwXZkD_ZikFNBHwbr6vhyzmY3mWqeoqpT97uVS/s400/DSC_0064_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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back in the kitchen, the food preparation starts, fresh tomatoes are ready to be chopped<br />
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and while it's roasting in the oven<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj181M1at5T7qu7ML2yYsunQ2aQ-PCPqGGzlVkj4jEZNAo-Fc45FyogOw8QAaYcSP_uHxvlL3jqHsmvPFfd59Ktc67-86Z1WdDQwMe2esRjkyG__RtwiogF9i6aJdS6Dwm25yJn/s1600/DSC_0038_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj181M1at5T7qu7ML2yYsunQ2aQ-PCPqGGzlVkj4jEZNAo-Fc45FyogOw8QAaYcSP_uHxvlL3jqHsmvPFfd59Ktc67-86Z1WdDQwMe2esRjkyG__RtwiogF9i6aJdS6Dwm25yJn/s400/DSC_0038_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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cocktails are prepared, Orange Pineapple Spritzer with Apples and fresh Mint<br />
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and Crostini with Roasted Vegetables and Sardines in Olive Oil<br />
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preparing the salad now for service<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWRRcovrzz4mZ4S2zJWtbo7vQXV-JlYJoJ6UHaaUQN2aj3Wf5MluqWedYK3XxkpNy9s-ZgrLVrZNASl01QSNTta0vF5YlZ-1bBuSQwjD3phkWIDHyRZUsUbPcoIQiwhzPHJ2P/s1600/DSC_0086_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWRRcovrzz4mZ4S2zJWtbo7vQXV-JlYJoJ6UHaaUQN2aj3Wf5MluqWedYK3XxkpNy9s-ZgrLVrZNASl01QSNTta0vF5YlZ-1bBuSQwjD3phkWIDHyRZUsUbPcoIQiwhzPHJ2P/s400/DSC_0086_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Arugula Roasted Pepper Salad with Seared Rib-eye Steak<br />
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then the rest follow, Pasta with Seafood and Anchovies<br />
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Pollo al' Aretina<br />
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and to cap the dinner, Bailey's Chocolate Mousse on Graham Cookie Crust<br />
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Thank you!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-53525395505721215502010-06-04T07:57:00.000-07:002010-06-04T08:29:30.083-07:00CHRISTMAS '09 DINNER<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvMdNIAkWCSzpS8W2UqCkpvY9ShFDAK_uxzH2yov7mNdm3_PYr5is0EaMh3JxkXlybjlU3XdibFHzMYS5z7FxY8dmmu6z_BxaOucqVx5LKZuscrzwhpNMJV0glAuTtnPaBv_W/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvMdNIAkWCSzpS8W2UqCkpvY9ShFDAK_uxzH2yov7mNdm3_PYr5is0EaMh3JxkXlybjlU3XdibFHzMYS5z7FxY8dmmu6z_BxaOucqVx5LKZuscrzwhpNMJV0glAuTtnPaBv_W/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478938931748094146" /></a><br />My menu<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBPcwyPmedPYAMchEl7p5jeq8lwWbJ13Ybh9fNOgTiaN2WNeJxLVGz28fR1GvUkNQtS8gWM319KYQKCFtGD8im-7w9t9GSg_RV2S92iCAH8yDJWuPnVvQVPc8hyphenhyphenq987QxfVRJ/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBPcwyPmedPYAMchEl7p5jeq8lwWbJ13Ybh9fNOgTiaN2WNeJxLVGz28fR1GvUkNQtS8gWM319KYQKCFtGD8im-7w9t9GSg_RV2S92iCAH8yDJWuPnVvQVPc8hyphenhyphenq987QxfVRJ/s400/DSC_0083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478938947399865282" /></a><br />Table setting<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixamPA-w8tL7x5qyT_eTbT5wOmlaIWR4lQ7pTKLC18dvTQoKQQBAbcso60SYWu-kkMgH5pmCbwS8ICzNJbktWSRDLeFNjUs2hynElJrUIruG95eSPdl3ZgvHhNQMsxx1ESVDGc/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixamPA-w8tL7x5qyT_eTbT5wOmlaIWR4lQ7pTKLC18dvTQoKQQBAbcso60SYWu-kkMgH5pmCbwS8ICzNJbktWSRDLeFNjUs2hynElJrUIruG95eSPdl3ZgvHhNQMsxx1ESVDGc/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478938960318276594" /></a><br />Personalized Christmas balls<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMkMX1t7dqnAU0UOyrg6Ciy_L4wagO-MSXHgD-MzMUDXIHBmu3gLkqyNngAyBIfYI1-WUBpyaHwoqSa7nCThWjoHuYHti3ZZluIlkyF3zybmeTPA2F7oJyqbxeLC-g32bgyX7/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMkMX1t7dqnAU0UOyrg6Ciy_L4wagO-MSXHgD-MzMUDXIHBmu3gLkqyNngAyBIfYI1-WUBpyaHwoqSa7nCThWjoHuYHti3ZZluIlkyF3zybmeTPA2F7oJyqbxeLC-g32bgyX7/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478938966831333106" /></a><br />Bacon wrapped Holiday Meatballs<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6rqblaR9AT_q9WfyxTkr5rynoaAHXnQZUXRDLu1Jyzx_BekjibhfRKDGER7EdpJRY_SlIv8LXKAHdEdOT3bPTuj2tiHDhno_-_8C2U2c2bGRtSzWdhgvJg5RhdPZ3DZNF0k_/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6rqblaR9AT_q9WfyxTkr5rynoaAHXnQZUXRDLu1Jyzx_BekjibhfRKDGER7EdpJRY_SlIv8LXKAHdEdOT3bPTuj2tiHDhno_-_8C2U2c2bGRtSzWdhgvJg5RhdPZ3DZNF0k_/s400/DSC_0097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478934683850196226" /></a><br />Pan-seared Rib-eye Steak with Arugula Red Pepper Salad<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfATA8SpadMbF9SeuUKb5amG_BIBWhYNQB1-X2Y1aZlP_HF4hUlNXKEeQgSJyU0LsHhfR2vxjPq3jfYk8hpw6VbWm1zowGvC9KfRVGaZurZJ2uSop7x6bTyiN7109qqMi4qCvR/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfATA8SpadMbF9SeuUKb5amG_BIBWhYNQB1-X2Y1aZlP_HF4hUlNXKEeQgSJyU0LsHhfR2vxjPq3jfYk8hpw6VbWm1zowGvC9KfRVGaZurZJ2uSop7x6bTyiN7109qqMi4qCvR/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478934689192625842" /></a><br />Grilled Tuna Steak with Basil Pesto<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomj_8twpbdF-oZEwh-uj57aS5-cIJgEys08I1aqgDfUlpookWxtCy4qu7LQ4zDs4_hcWcv3qKeYs373QR-1gi77mFL75HjHKil5Gtm7mBBIJwBX2qEBPF4b73AEnsgKxTO7PW/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomj_8twpbdF-oZEwh-uj57aS5-cIJgEys08I1aqgDfUlpookWxtCy4qu7LQ4zDs4_hcWcv3qKeYs373QR-1gi77mFL75HjHKil5Gtm7mBBIJwBX2qEBPF4b73AEnsgKxTO7PW/s400/DSC_0104.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478934704398123378" /></a><br />Lemon Spaghettini<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VUhrYMRUfZZ1SH0b52tACdgug6HQXBX5ZHx4JtbObMqmZiF-lU-TpLgRYow1NNYq2wg9tqZV5sa9D0uvyYpmJMDc92U9AIbdkNxVZYWC8Cb4o5dr6SE6SHJL7eeeiLxqZHYc/s1600/IMG_0233_3.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VUhrYMRUfZZ1SH0b52tACdgug6HQXBX5ZHx4JtbObMqmZiF-lU-TpLgRYow1NNYq2wg9tqZV5sa9D0uvyYpmJMDc92U9AIbdkNxVZYWC8Cb4o5dr6SE6SHJL7eeeiLxqZHYc/s400/IMG_0233_3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478934713845991186" /></a><br />Apple Cinnamon CakeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-19335129387881081942009-11-04T05:07:00.000-08:002009-11-04T05:22:25.213-08:002009 HOLIDAY SPECIALS<br />Once upon a time, apples were associated with Christmas. For this holiday season, I am offering products with a bit of nostalgia, using apples as a special ingredient.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AEwM0DUq83H5IX0tykN8gHc90dKXA2K34JDVPnmrHhYGrV2KUc715a_MekftdWOcEJ1AWsVuE1KWLZlfJaeBEa6oNa8q6jcsUjHwH7iBxKUnhOMAoukiDzz9nR8gIxGdnISZ/s1600-h/xmas+shizzy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AEwM0DUq83H5IX0tykN8gHc90dKXA2K34JDVPnmrHhYGrV2KUc715a_MekftdWOcEJ1AWsVuE1KWLZlfJaeBEa6oNa8q6jcsUjHwH7iBxKUnhOMAoukiDzz9nR8gIxGdnISZ/s400/xmas+shizzy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400236223216699570" /></a><br />Christmas with Apples<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I8CX8JhYi92NTEkvtBis-1F_n9epW7kqztyrDpE0E5Z_E3TPUKF9UaWP0IzpYNtAiEvhqTl_I6HKzu5Yw2pr9hV1DaWmQn6U_WkCjAF6a9pP8j7PnmAJK56SvolvQipv8ASc/s1600-h/DSC_0317.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I8CX8JhYi92NTEkvtBis-1F_n9epW7kqztyrDpE0E5Z_E3TPUKF9UaWP0IzpYNtAiEvhqTl_I6HKzu5Yw2pr9hV1DaWmQn6U_WkCjAF6a9pP8j7PnmAJK56SvolvQipv8ASc/s400/DSC_0317.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400236211252732050" /></a><br />Meat Loaf with Brandied Apples<br />Ground chicken and pork meat loaf with brandied apples, chorizo bilbao, herbs, cheese, carrots and raisins, topped with bacon and olives. Frozen in 5x7" tin pans with serving instructions.<br />P880 with Christmas packaging<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZjWnccCqjoYvLJIh6VT9ujSsIdc82ehJyHg1syQIGSPL6-RbiJyj_rIn4zyxswwsODm_SqS_d64-sIxL1NujZIA5VrQFny5qJ4nwtaJ8Iy76DDAOyr9j200oGojxah7GsPEf/s1600-h/IMG_0233.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZjWnccCqjoYvLJIh6VT9ujSsIdc82ehJyHg1syQIGSPL6-RbiJyj_rIn4zyxswwsODm_SqS_d64-sIxL1NujZIA5VrQFny5qJ4nwtaJ8Iy76DDAOyr9j200oGojxah7GsPEf/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400236202609883186" /></a><br />Apple Cinnamon Cake<br />Baked with cinnamon coated apple bits and topped with buttercream icing with apple bits and a sprinkling of cinnamon.<br />P660 with Christmas packaging<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI1JLhVamMuzZBCkHMTcMjSLChtuVs9d7cbCtvqcXIcWP58RybC-A1_mao7oA6rUCXnpujwoNnE4DSV-8FYZNr2jYiYILcOKzRLQR70ELL-da61L-iEMyExOVLYtWw6RyqGzz/s1600-h/DSC_0567.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI1JLhVamMuzZBCkHMTcMjSLChtuVs9d7cbCtvqcXIcWP58RybC-A1_mao7oA6rUCXnpujwoNnE4DSV-8FYZNr2jYiYILcOKzRLQR70ELL-da61L-iEMyExOVLYtWw6RyqGzz/s400/DSC_0567.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400236190337233122" /></a><br />Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes<br />Individual servings of apple cinnamon cake packaged in boxes of four.<br />Minimum order four boxes at P180 per box with Christmas packagingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-89059132504179171722009-11-01T00:42:00.000-07:002009-11-01T01:20:40.727-07:00A VERY DEADLY FILIPINO DINNER!<br />After joining the Ultimate Culinary and Heritage Tour of Ilocos last May, I prepared a simple dinner of Vigan Longaniza and Pinakbet Paella.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9fH956GDCPJjQVLk0pK8zmnO4mUGL4g3MilnwjNYhnSXCfmUSO-0_DjDnQEseQXHWMx5HzdzxZCQvME0t8o0fbxBbs9diaFEXO7YK8dVztOIjywFhIEaXC3wK41KqvgvnFEF/s1600-h/DSC_0413.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9fH956GDCPJjQVLk0pK8zmnO4mUGL4g3MilnwjNYhnSXCfmUSO-0_DjDnQEseQXHWMx5HzdzxZCQvME0t8o0fbxBbs9diaFEXO7YK8dVztOIjywFhIEaXC3wK41KqvgvnFEF/s400/DSC_0413.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399044237505811154" /></a><br />Pinakbet Paella with Bagnet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiPNM_lTRvDWCxdLSo3B5s68naYtgVctNiaw5dNUZn8ZcTt3wq1XjVcQQz5svp2DArRrpS_NGIkmwiuYtOpVET7USWQQU4G4S_8aEEMyjFk542ioZmTnnolWAcTEzqmB0CN0x/s1600-h/DSC_0408.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiPNM_lTRvDWCxdLSo3B5s68naYtgVctNiaw5dNUZn8ZcTt3wq1XjVcQQz5svp2DArRrpS_NGIkmwiuYtOpVET7USWQQU4G4S_8aEEMyjFk542ioZmTnnolWAcTEzqmB0CN0x/s400/DSC_0408.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399044225006205234" /></a><br />Inihaw na Baboy<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5-Nxr4Czz0XYxvhD4zInT9hl3OcVE7qYkZwy_qluaYhFsTXd6isLodXbjyyUzXvZlqC95KvesYEFdZWFh1yzCQNSvWPPJrfZJ4cpwr2PEeTvwu7tdJzscHmefdPuVjF10Nkr/s1600-h/DSC_0405.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5-Nxr4Czz0XYxvhD4zInT9hl3OcVE7qYkZwy_qluaYhFsTXd6isLodXbjyyUzXvZlqC95KvesYEFdZWFh1yzCQNSvWPPJrfZJ4cpwr2PEeTvwu7tdJzscHmefdPuVjF10Nkr/s400/DSC_0405.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399043331086471698" /></a><br />Vigan Longaniza<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHpR3zKkPhm49tX6LHMpcGRX1bA5TMGfK5Go0B5kPnQDH2YnALDqgI9PsIL3FEnxf-NftnVdzpmxcTSEIwa56Tfs4Q8v210r6bS-6Qybdl3zGl-r_-fPFokl5-E6ko_FQcpeG/s1600-h/DSC_0401.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHpR3zKkPhm49tX6LHMpcGRX1bA5TMGfK5Go0B5kPnQDH2YnALDqgI9PsIL3FEnxf-NftnVdzpmxcTSEIwa56Tfs4Q8v210r6bS-6Qybdl3zGl-r_-fPFokl5-E6ko_FQcpeG/s400/DSC_0401.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399043318622709042" /></a><br />Mangga at Bagoong<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMvdJgxcBNGmEYLccjmkHyayLMdT1BNWhVeVvsg35BoAeBSTfJ-gfUpPb2YuMFIHaQWIL-di8o_KSlLvCHlcTQ0PR15YH9jgLIKwOOagzDm_oqPdxkthXM0MEinvfrE6MoTWy/s1600-h/DSC_0397.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMvdJgxcBNGmEYLccjmkHyayLMdT1BNWhVeVvsg35BoAeBSTfJ-gfUpPb2YuMFIHaQWIL-di8o_KSlLvCHlcTQ0PR15YH9jgLIKwOOagzDm_oqPdxkthXM0MEinvfrE6MoTWy/s400/DSC_0397.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399043308897407714" /></a><br />Buffet Centerpiece<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOqdKpgZGhpplhb5aq4_T5Xr0ngYfysgfZq-EjVsRPMw_a5DgaztIBooamb1TizajXfVeKe6XQFdwba6UX9sQToVW2Vzhi9clmau7k1bW_TPbGlx9FExp4f_wTyRm-a73Rp8J/s1600-h/DSC_0394.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOqdKpgZGhpplhb5aq4_T5Xr0ngYfysgfZq-EjVsRPMw_a5DgaztIBooamb1TizajXfVeKe6XQFdwba6UX9sQToVW2Vzhi9clmau7k1bW_TPbGlx9FExp4f_wTyRm-a73Rp8J/s400/DSC_0394.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399043298468163330" /></a><br />Table Setting<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpnmJsaoRvZx6I4xSfG9-hw__dgHrI3cmYucugXI9d2an6hNvuv2YWjk1iuWsA8D7LvA1Ff6U6qHIFLwp6wbrwkHl3aQLzpuk_wmWpzXcml95rOPnIPJvpVuGRbg8xK0OW_Tx/s1600-h/DSC_0393.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpnmJsaoRvZx6I4xSfG9-hw__dgHrI3cmYucugXI9d2an6hNvuv2YWjk1iuWsA8D7LvA1Ff6U6qHIFLwp6wbrwkHl3aQLzpuk_wmWpzXcml95rOPnIPJvpVuGRbg8xK0OW_Tx/s400/DSC_0393.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399043296675869074" /></a><br />Table CenterpieceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-16623901689317284242009-03-16T02:51:00.000-07:002009-03-16T02:57:28.915-07:00WELCOME PACKAGE<br />A trio of flavors to welcome a visiting US business group.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbGGCY9VLjU_jUW6uqtjpCO75O1T-VF2PqhSlxT3waltXqNPfb8254rni_R3Wo4B_2SI7cc47ptfw5yGipZmYb7lEQTO0CZR8tgJPkAIawP9lhiAuIgWaVxjl7dI6eHGHj3zR/s1600-h/DSC_0038.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbGGCY9VLjU_jUW6uqtjpCO75O1T-VF2PqhSlxT3waltXqNPfb8254rni_R3Wo4B_2SI7cc47ptfw5yGipZmYb7lEQTO0CZR8tgJPkAIawP9lhiAuIgWaVxjl7dI6eHGHj3zR/s400/DSC_0038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313721246573205570" /></a><br />Cheesecake, Citrus cupcakes and Kahlua chocolate mousseAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38745279.post-25427473907997928112009-03-03T02:37:00.000-08:002009-03-03T02:45:38.230-08:00APPLE CINNAMON CAKE<br />Baked with cinnamon coated apple bits and topped with buttercream icing with apple bits and a sprinkling of cinnamon<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGW8pkZGRGOcyLdBH7vBw-_xMZOE9FjMouQjcYICq43FiaQGNA0IBopt19hdlROf4Dtj8Z3tIGrD2ivR19U1Y89KBzzql-A5XGwNRJ5URGBfZ6z_34NTDLLz_pBslkXC7M_7F/s1600-h/IMG_0250.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGW8pkZGRGOcyLdBH7vBw-_xMZOE9FjMouQjcYICq43FiaQGNA0IBopt19hdlROf4Dtj8Z3tIGrD2ivR19U1Y89KBzzql-A5XGwNRJ5URGBfZ6z_34NTDLLz_pBslkXC7M_7F/s400/IMG_0250.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308910024720564450" /></a><br />Savour the apple bits in every slice...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h4uGTS1zXV6hwNRz5rEUOD0HotWO3Wj0eEjMUGq7s3bDNfO5lh_ERd2F9ISB7rMFs3-pQX4iEuqqiHEhyInI5d70mw7KanRzpvzEWqfMDm_QvPiFj-r2RvVrc6jpGzfKNK2v/s1600-h/IMG_0233.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h4uGTS1zXV6hwNRz5rEUOD0HotWO3Wj0eEjMUGq7s3bDNfO5lh_ERd2F9ISB7rMFs3-pQX4iEuqqiHEhyInI5d70mw7KanRzpvzEWqfMDm_QvPiFj-r2RvVrc6jpGzfKNK2v/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308910020583313218" /></a><br />... of a whole cake<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_nWcjaL8t441Sp5nndWWdT4bky2_yc7A8MaR3jsTGHIGA3UZLa8Az-vKT4kDZ99w8TOnacHIg-R8AvDumDqfDUJ3W7VLHseVSKC_5rSnoZ-nSybaJZxG6QcmZw9Q-hsJj4HM/s1600-h/DSC_0567.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_nWcjaL8t441Sp5nndWWdT4bky2_yc7A8MaR3jsTGHIGA3UZLa8Az-vKT4kDZ99w8TOnacHIg-R8AvDumDqfDUJ3W7VLHseVSKC_5rSnoZ-nSybaJZxG6QcmZw9Q-hsJj4HM/s400/DSC_0567.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308910007172339986" /></a><br />... or in a cupcakeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11413802193319240683noreply@blogger.com0