Travel Buddies Halloween 2015

Halloween 2015 with the Travel Buddies

Joint Birthday Celebration of Yayo & Doti

... a potluck merienda cena

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I prepared Penne Pasta Bolognese, 

Splatchcocked Fried Chicken and Calamari.  

Shrimps & Veggies in Coconut Milk from Karel.

Yayo brought Callos. Thank you ladies!

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This is my plate. 

See the Lapid's Chicharon?

My favorite snack. Thanks Dr Dags!

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Store bought Leche Flan & Inutak from Hubby.

Turon by Art, our trusted & loyal help.

Assorted Mamon from Doti.

Halloween JCo. Donuts from Swanee.

Russian Salad from Malu & Jannette.

Lanzones from Angela.

Cassava Cake from Bubut.

Pastillas from Raffy.

Thanks ladies!!!

***

Last time we got together for Angela & Swanee's

birthday, we had two cakes and no candles.

This time, we still didn't have candles.

..... and we also didn't have birthday cakes.

Oh dear, the gels are aging fast.

Forgetful? A bit distracted? Miscommunication via text.

Since we didn't have cakes or candles,

Bubs came up with this...

Two turons on top of the cassava cake.

Hahaha!!!

Happy birthday girls!!!

***

Our group pictures ...

We were early, as always.

Patiently waiting again.

Next time, we'll set the time two hours ahead

so, no one will be late. Ok?

Aba Swanee, nasobrahan yata ang Johnson's 

baby powder mo. Bagay lang sa occasion.

Atty Susie came as a pirate. 

She was the only one in a costume. 

Complete with Pirate Hat, Eye Patch & Boots.

Oh .. she was wearing a Pad Paper inspired T-shirt. 

Haha!!!

Two years ago, she came as a nun.

Last year, she was a Kung Fu Master.

This year, as Captain Hook???

este ... no hook, an "itak" "espada"

or jungle bolo!

Swanee, you rock!!!

***

Guess who they are, rather what they are wearing.

Angela, you should have worn a mask too!

And waving !!!

***

***

Our group photos from 2013-2015.

May we have more years together.

Sabi nga ni Jannette, matira matibay!

LOLWROTF!!!

Seems like we haven't aged much since 2013.

I love these ladies, my travel buddies!

It's almost Halloween ...

It's almost Halloween.

Getting ready for a get together with the travel buddies.

(The travel buddies haven't been travelling together

for a while now.  We will sooooon!)

Serving Plates

Dessert Table with a Christmas "Snow Man" Cake Plate

because all my Christmas decors are out since September.

Halloween is just a day but Christmas (in my country)

starts when the -ber months begin!

Table Setting

Centerpiece

Oh... two friends are also celebrating their 21st

birthday for the nth time.

***

It's not just almost Halloween, 

it's autumn in some part of the world.

Special kakanin treats ... YUMMY!

Inutak

The Hubby had friends over for coffee over the weekend.

His classmate from Pateros, the one who brings duck eggs

(balut) and salted eggs, the same friend who gave the 

Aling Aging suman, surprised me again with leche flan 

and this creamy, smooth, delectable kakanin

called Inutak.

It's my first time to taste this Filipino dessert.

The basic ingredients are rice flour, coconut milk

and sugar.  For flavor and color, purple yam is added.

Aling Aging's Suman

This is the suman. There are various fillings inside

those suman rolls like leche flan or pastillas.

Hubby's relatives are from Pasig, where this suman

can be bought.  But all these years, my sister in law

never told me about this delicacy.  She probably

didn't want my blood sugar to shoot up. 

Heeheehee!

***

I made Sukiyaki ...

I made Beef Sukiyaki

***

"Where did you learn to make beef sukiyaki?"

That was what my son asked me when I served

this for dinner last week.

"huh?" ... you should have seen my "side eye".

If you are as old as I am, you'd probably know how

to cook or make anything.  From experience?

From Google? From reading my cookbooks? Exposure?

Hmmm ... I just love cooking for my son.

From the photo above, you will already know

the ingredients used on this dish.

Beef (Sukiyaki Cut),  Tofu, Mushrooms,

Carrots, Baguio Pechay & Sotanghon

Other ingredients are cooking oil, sesame oil, onion, 

salt, sugar and Kikkoman soy sauce.

Saute the onion in a bit of cooking oil,

Add the beef, carrots, mushrooms, tofu,

Baguio pechay and sotanghon.

Add some water or soup stock.

Season with Kikkoman soy sauce, a dash

of salt and a splash of sesame oil.

Take note that you have to use Kikkoman

soy sauce and sesame oil. 

These two ingredients cannot be 

substituted or your dish won't taste
like the original

Japanese Beef Sukiyaki.

***

Happy cooking!

  

Mushrooms on Toasts

Mushroom Cheese & Basil Toasts

served with Cream of Mushroom Soup

You only need four (4) ingredients.

Mushrooms, Cheese, Fresh  Basil & French Bread

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I made these the other day, but used three (3)

kinds of cheeses. Sauteed the mushrooms in olive oil

first, seasoned with salt and pepper.

Layered the cheeses, mushrooms and some

fresh basil on sliced French bread.

Popped in the oven for several minutes.

Served with some lettuce and tomatoes.

***

Bacon French Toast Rolls

Bacon French Toast Rolls

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All you need are five (5) ingredients.

Bread, Egg, Milk, Margarine/Butter & Bacon.

You will also need a rolling pin, a big wooden 

chopping board or any clean surface, and a 

non-stick frying pan.

Fry the bacon but do not make it crispy or

you won't be able to roll it inside the bread.

Set aside the bacon.

Flatten the white bread using a rolling pin.

Since I used fresh bread, I didn't have 

to slice the edges of the bread.

Mix the egg with some milk.

I used powdered milk and water.

Fresh milk would be best but I didn't have

any at the moment.

Fill each bread slice with some bacon

then roll gently, and dip the roll in your

egg-milk mixture.

Heat your non-stick pan.

Place some margarine or butter.

Fry the bacon roll.

Let excess fat drip on paper towels.

Serve with some scrambled eggs

or eat with sinangag like I did.

You know meeee,

 a carbo loader.. hee hee hee

Mini Lemon-y Donuts on a Christmas Plate

Mini Lemon-y Donuts on a Christmas Plate

***

I know. I know ...  it's only October.

Who says I can't use this beautiful Christmas plate?

It was a gift from my friend Atty Susie last Christmas.

Besides,  all our Christmas decors are out and I have put

up two Christmas trees, one red and the other yellow.

As always, the house is ready before October 24,

 which is my mother's birthday.  I've been doing this 

since forever!

***

Oh... the recipe.

I just used a box of hotcake mix, any kind will do.

Follow the instructions and add a dash of lemon flavor

or you can use lemon zest and half a teaspoon of lemon juice.

You can make regular pancakes in a pan
 or use a Mini Donut Maker.

Why make your kitchen life difficult ?

... if you can make it easier and prettier.