Mystique Shutterbug: Delish Stuff

Hail to the comeback of my long gone photo blog series!

Today’s episode will once again feature one of my greatest destressers – FOOD!

No less than my favorite hot dishes, desserts and beverages!

Less words, more pictures.

Aim, shoot and tell!

Four-cheese Pizza

I get weak in the knees when it comes to cheese and pizza.

My Native Chicken Adobo

Adobo is one of the famous Philippine dishes. One taste, and you’re sure to ask for more!

Mom’s Clams Soup

I love the challenge shell dishes give me. We had this for lunch one Sunday.

Goldilocks’ Dark Chocolate Chips Muffin

I’m not much of a muffin fan, but this is a big exception. I die for anything chocolate!

My Beef Patty Garnished with White Onion & Tomato

To get rid of boredom, I decided to prepare something a little special for myself for lunch and snacks.

KFC’s Combo Meal Overload

This meal includes  1 piece of brownie, chicken, mushroom soup, mashed potato, soft drink and rice.

KFC’s Brownie and Spoonful

I forgot the flavor of this Spoonful, but I think it’s Tiramisu.

Classic Savory’s Combo Meal 3

I just can’t get enough of Classic Savory’s Chicken.

Ferrero Rocher Chocolates

Who won’t fall for these chocolate balls wrapped in gold? I’m melting.

Mini Toblerone

Cadbury, 100 Grand and Butterfinger

Twix Cookie Bar & Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

 

Noir Dark Chocolate

I’ve been spending quality time with chocolates lately. Need I say more?

 Magnum Classic Ice Cream

Of late, this is the Philippines’ newest addition to its dessert market and the most hyped ice cream in the country. Filipinos are all the rage over this smooth vanilla ice cream covered in thick Belgian chocolate.
Now, I just jumped in the bandwagon. I haven’t tried other flavors though, but they say Magnum Truffle tastes divine.

360 Degrees’ Milk Green Tea

Meet my favorite tea beverage that is proudly Davao-based. I go loco for any drink with tapioca! Try their Red and Green Milk Tea. You’ll never regret it!

Save More’s Garden Fresh Salad

I love having raw vegetable salads, not only because of the health benefits; but simply because of the crisp as well! Lettuce, carrots and corn for a nutritious snack.

Don’t you just love rewarding yourself with your much-loved treats

when you feel knocked down with stress?

Food is definitely one of the best ways to cope with any bad vibes.

‘Til next time shutterbugs!

It’s a wrap!

Ultimate Guilty Pleasure: Snacks

Mama’s Praline Turtle Cake

This chocolate cake is different from the ordinary one because of the ingredients. For this Praline Turtle Cake, Mom used the following:

1/2 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup chopped pecans (but Mom used cashew nuts instead), 2 cups all purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 2 eggs, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 canola oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp white vinegar. Mom used ganache chocolate for the frosting.

Toryano’s Bontee Toasted Siopao

Mom found out about this siopao when she once went to Toryano’s Chicken Haus in Bangkal to buy dinner. This is not your ordinary siopao, because it’s not steamed. Instead, it’s baked or should I say, toasted in a brick oven. I like this because of the crunch. This siopao is stuffed with egg and shredded chicken. Each box contains 8 pieces. I also heard the owners are planning to expand their market for this product all over the country.

My Cheesy Hotdog Sandwich

I’ve been experimenting a lot in the kitchen lately, and a few days ago I figured I make my own spread. I used a slice of Queso de Bola, hotdog, butter and McCormick’s Spicy Italian Blend to taste.

First I melted the cheese in a heated pan with butter, then I added the hotdog and spicy blend, and voila! It’s ready. I suggest you serve it while hot. I know you think it looks disgusting because of the presentation, but it tastes good. I got the idea from Cheese Whiz’s cheese spread hotdog flavor.

Oatmeal and Coffee w/ Cinnamon

This combination is perfect for my cold afternoon snacks. I’ve always loved oatmeals, and I can’t think of any other brand that I trust other than Quaker. I’ve gotten so used to that blonde man with a hat. Of course this carbo meal wouldn’t be complete without a hot cup of coffee with cinnamon (to add aroma). Don’t put too much of the latter cause it might destroy the taste of the coffee. I should know.

Nissin Cup Noodles

I love Noodles, and the only local noodle brand that got my taste is Nissin. I don’t like Quickchow, Payless or even Knorr. I don’t know what’s with Nissin Cup Noodles that makes me so fond of it. Maybe it’s because of the memory that goes along with this meal.

This actually reminds me of my boyfriend. We were in a long distance relationship during our first few months of being a couple; and whenever we call each other, I used to eat this all the time. This was also the first food that we ate together. I remember it was Beef flavor. Sweet!

Oishi Manju’s Baked Korean Cake

I’ve been a fan of this baked Korean cake since I was nine years old. I can still recall the first time I bought a box of these delicious treat was also the first time I went to the mall without my parents.

My Mom was in the hospital that time, and my Papa was still at work. My sister and I were asked to buy some food at the mall nearby. We bought fried chicken and of course, Oishi Manju. I don’t know if my Mom remembers this, but it’s very vivid in my memory.

Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal cookies are really one of the best cookies in the whole world. It’s healthy and tasty. When I discovered that Quaker came up with the idea of having oat cookies, I almost jumped for joy. Well, that’s an exaggerated statement but I was close to doing it. Anyway, my favorite flavor is Apple & Cinnamon. I also liked Alman’s Oatmeal Cookies and Oatmeal Brownies. Isn’t it obvious that I’m a big oatmeal fan?

Chocolate Everything

MARS Celebrations Chocolate (Left-Above), Ritter Sport Alpine Milk Chocolate (Right-Above), Café Demitasse’ Chocolate Chip Cookies (Left-Below) and Dolcetto’s Premium Wafer Rolls (Right-Below).

Even now that I’m already an adult, I still find every mall’s chocolate section very enchanting. It’s like I’m in a cloud nine whenever I pass by this area. Why, because chocolates have been my most wanted snack of all time. I find comfort in it whenever I feel that a negative vibe is getting into my system. Chocolates give me a certain delight that no other snack can. One more thing, chocolates always bring out the child in me.

Hard & Soft Candies

I love Willy Wonka and Trolli candies big time. Actually, all the candies sold in Candy Corner are likeable. Maybe you find it weird that I consider candies as snacks. Yes, it really is but sometimes I just want something to munch on like Nerds, Gobstopper, Runts and some soft candies like gummy worms (and other creatures).

However, I can slowly sense the ill effect of candies on my teeth. I’ve been having sensitivity pain lately, and I guess it’s a sign that I should start getting rid of it. Thanks to SENSODYNE for being my partner against tooth ache.

Chicken Goodness

Grilled Chicken from Penong’s (above), Fried Chicken from Loleng’s Mountain Resort (left-below) and Chicken Fillet from McDonald’s (right-below).

Who says rice meals can’t be considered as snacks? I call it heavy snacks. Whenever I’m famished and I couldn’t wait for the main meal any longer, I always resort to chicken meals. I’m a huge lover of fried or grilled chicken, but I love the first one the most. Maybe if I’m allergic to it, I’d still eat it anyway. I just can’t live without chicken!

What do you usually nibble for snacks?

Once Upon A Time

“Only one can break the curse, and only one knows the truth.”

Just like any other kid, I was also once very imaginative and I’d like to believe that I still am until now. I was and still is mesmerized by the mere thought of castles, royalties, fairies, magic and even dark powers. Those fancy stuff are part of my phase as a child who believes in fairytales beyond doubt. I even remember having all kinds of classic story books a kid knows. They even come with beautiful boxes and cases. I didn’t know what came into me and my sisters. We destroyed all of them in a heartbeat like outraged monsters. How perfectly dreadful!

For a stretch there I thought I’ve already gotten to grips with my enchanted mind’s eye, but here I am grappling with it all over again in spite of everything. A few weeks ago, I browsed YouTube for some trailers of new Hollywood TV Series that could get me hooked. I found only a few, and one of them is ABC Studios Production’s Once Upon a Time. The title itself thrilled me to watch for it. The series now has seven episodes. I’m still on the fifth, and I’m totally riveted by it. I can’t wait to see the developments of this new favorite show of mine.

Centers on a woman with a troubled past who is drawn into a small town in Maine where the magic and mystery of Fairy Tales just may be real.

Once Upon a Time stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, and many more. It revolves around the classic characters from fairytales that were trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen – Our World. The main characters are Snow White, Prince James, the Evil Queen and Emma Swan (Snow and James’ daughter). For a little information, Emma is considered to be the savior who is destined to break the Evil Queen’s curse and to free our beloved legendary fellows from the spell of not knowing who they really are.

If that hint sounded vague to you, I suggest you spend time with the Once Upon a Time and I’m quite certain you’ll be drawn to it. Anyway, before I end this piece let me share you some points about the show that fascinated me a great deal. First, is that it made me become a kid again. Why, because almost all my favorite storybook characters have connection with each other in this series. I also like that Snow White is not the dainty damsel we know. Here, she’s the independent and strong girl type who isn’t afraid to fight if necessary.

The second thing is the moral I get from each encounter the individuals of this story has. Just like in every classics, the most important thing we can gain after reading them is the lesson learned. For instance: “Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing.” You can have some more if you watch it. The third would be the production’s effort and expertise in coming up with a huge show like this on TV that I can compare to an epic movie. Two thumbs up to them! I hope it will reap more supporters, and of course, longer telly life span.

PS: I also heard in the local news that there actually is a Filipino in the cast. I haven't seen him yet, but they said he plays the role of one of Snow White's 7 Dwarfs -- Bashful. I'm just so proud of him!

Mama Bet’s Cook Book: Mixed

Baked Penne Pasta

Mom prepared this mouth-watering pasta as the main dish for her 51st birthday. She used San Remo Penne Pasta, Magnolia Processed Cheese (not sure with the name), ground beef, bell pepper and a little bit of Mc Cormick Spicy Italian Pasta Blend. The process is just the same with that of Baked Mac, I guess.

Crinkles

With my continuous pestering, Mom finally called the shots at letting our sweet tooth sink in these tasty crinkles during the long weekend. It was her first time to bake cookies so there were still some flaws. I’m pretty sure that with more practice, she’ll be able to perfect this recipe. She used Bensdorf Cocoa Powder for this.

Vegeroni Pasta

This is a Carbonara style pasta dish. Mom used San Remo Vegeroni Pasta. I find it so cute because it has three different vegetable pasta shapes and colors. Pardon the photo quality because what I’m talking about isn’t that visible in the picture provided. We had this for our Halloween celebration, by the way.

Mango Delight and Red Velvet Cake

I honestly didn’t enjoy the Mango Delight, because I am totally not a fan of fruity cakes and I don’t like mangoes. The one and only mango recipe that I have learned to love is Mango Float, and nothing else. About the Red Velvet Cake, Mom thought that the sourness overpowered the sweetness. Try again next time, Mom!

Waldorf Salad

This one’s supposed to have lettuce, but Mom forgot to buy some. Too bad, eh? I could have loved this salad better, if there were greens. As you can see, she made use of walnuts and fruits like apple and grapes. She also added raisins, cheese and of course the most important ingredient – the mayonnaise.

‘Til next time connoisseurs! I'm stoked to blog about my Mom's next kitchen adventures. Oh, don't forget to leave a word if you'd like to be a guest writer for my newest blog series. Ok? See you then!

Devouring Movies and TV Series

Apart from my Mom's scrumptious and delectable home-made goodness, I've been devouring a lot of movies and TV series these past few days, and that's because I'm no longer that stressed with school. What a relief that I can do what I love to do from now on. I only have thesis (due on November 10, 2011) to think about, and guess what, I don't want to talk about it. It's perfectly a colossal waste of time. I mentioned before that I'm not a movie/series buff, but I'm taking that back now. I am now a full-fledged couch potato. How 'bout that? The following productions are so cool, they don't bore me:

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT
Two single adults become caregivers to an orphaned girl when their mutual best friends die in an accident.

WHEN IN ROME
Beth is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, on a whirlwind trip to Rome, she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors.

LOVE ME IF YOU DARE
As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children -- a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts.

BREAKING BAD
Informed he has terminal cancer, an underachieving chemistry genius turned high school chemistry teacher turns to using his expertise in chemistry to provide a legacy for his family... by producing the world's highest quality crystal meth.

COMMUNITY
A smarmy lawyer whose education is deemed void by the bar is forced to attend a local community college with an extremely eclectic staff and student body.

NEW GIRL
After a bad break-up, Jess, a quirky young woman, moves into an apartment loft with three single men. Although they find her behavior very unusual, the men support her and they become like family.

May I just add that Josh Duhamel is my new ULTIMATE HOLLYWOOD CRUSH alongside, Channing Tatum, Ian Harding, Nicholas D'Agosto and Milo Ventimiglia. I so love him in Life As We Know It. Aside from the fact that he's too-hot-I-can't-handle-him in that film, I also dig the story. Katherine Heighl and him make a really cute couple. I love that Holly and Eric's story began with friendship, and that they weren't in a whirlwind romance unlike other chick flicks I've watched. Another thing I love about it is that it's almost a two-hour film, which means his exposure is quite long!

What other interesting TV series and movies can you suggest me buddies? Give me a buzz!