Another wedding anniversary dinner for my dear sister

Since 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.

White bean dip with Pita chips

Roasted tomato and basil soup

Roasted beef tenderloin with caper sauce

Lemon poached pears with caramelized mangoes and Limoncello chocolate truffles

Creme de Menthe chocolate truffles in pretty boxes for giveaways

And the evening's special guest, who's no longer a baby now!

An 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.

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."

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.

Festive colors of orange and purple - a break from tradition

My hand crafted menu booklet shares our story

Chicken Galantina

Chicken potato salad with mustard mayonnaise dressing - a favorite!

My lighter version of Callos served with garlic and parsley bread

Lengua with mushrooms and capers now served in a puff pastry

Beef and eggplant lasagna

A lighter glazed fresh fruit salad with creamy natilla

CHRISTMAS '09 DINNER


My menu


Table setting


Personalized Christmas balls


Bacon wrapped Holiday Meatballs


Pan-seared Rib-eye Steak with Arugula Red Pepper Salad


Grilled Tuna Steak with Basil Pesto


Lemon Spaghettini


Apple Cinnamon Cake

COMFORT FOOD... PANDESAL
After the holiday bingeing, we simply look forward to eating comfort food. I have reinvented everyone's favorite pandesal into filled pandesal cups.


Great with coffee!


Pandesal cups filled with...


Corned beef and onions...


Spanish sardines with red and green peppers...


Pork adobo with tomatoes...


Chicken potato salad with green onions

A MEDITERRANEAN DINNER


Dining Room Setup


Bright pink bougainvillas, inspired by the Mediterrenean


White bougainvillas


Multicolored bougainvillas


A fully laden buffet


Spanish: Coca de Pisto y Sardinas


Spanish: Pelotas en Salsa Roja


Greek: Mixed Green Salad with Grapes, Olives and Fried Camembert


Spanish: Chorizo and Meat Paella


Tuscan: Pollo all' Aretina


Sicilian: Pasta with Seafood and Anchovies


Greek: Garides Sto Fourno

MY BEST FRIEND'S ASIAN TREAT!

Home for a visit, I indulged my best friend with an Asian treat.


A simple yet colorful setting


Fresh Spring Rolls


Crispy Calamari


Sour Fish Soup


Chicken Pomelo Salad


Five Spice Beef


Sticky Rice with Mango