"Family Style" Italian Dinner with Friends

A few days ago, I asked my friend, Pinky, what food theme would she like for her "despedida" get together.  She answered : Italian.  After Greek , Italian is my least favorite kind of cuisine.  But still, I got excited because I was getting bored already with the food I normally cook.



I had a week to research.  Every night, I would go online and google different recipes.  I had to put myself into an Italian frame of mind, I checked out the menu of some restaurants and browsed through Italian cookbooks in bookstores.  I even read about Italian cooking and dining etiquette. In short, I had to immerse myself into the culture, even if it was just for a few days only.

I was already conditioning my  mind that I will like what I'm going to cook.  I chose a very simple menu since it was going to be my first time to prepare Italian food.   The service was "family style" where I placed all the serving platter in the center of the table.


I assigned my friends their contributions.  I asked Pinky to buy from Santi's Salami Milano, Italian Garlic Sausage and Pure Beef Salami for our friend, Tin, who doesn't eat pork.

I was supposed to make Bruschetta, but my classmate Janet ordered two boxes of Pizza from Shakey's, she even added Coke.  I also asked her to buy melon.  I wrapped the melon segments in Salami Milano.  Mona's contribution was the Iced Tea with Orange rind.



Tricia, Jodie, Tin and I shared the cost for the Tomato Espresso Soup, Orange Walnut Salad and Aglio e Olio with Shrimps.



Orange Walnut Salad with Honey Orange Dressing - Pinky's request



For our dessert, I made White Toblerone Panna Cotta and Caramel Cream Puffs, a box for Jodie, it's her birthday on February 15 and a box for Pinky, a going away gift.

The Tomato Espresso soup turned out really good.  I was inspired by the Double Espresso soup I had at Lolo Dad's. I also used espresso cups for the soup.

"Ugly Olie"  hahahaha  my friend Mariger and I just came up with the name. I told her,  would call the Aglio e Olio with Shrimps pasta, Ugly Olie.  I was so apprehensive because I have never eaten that kind of pasta in my entire life! I don't have a point of reference.  Mona was the first to try it and she said it was really good!  I had my misgivings in the beginning because how can something taste good with just Olive Oil and Garlic??? After reading about 30 Aglio e Olio recipes ... I was able to come up with my own recipe!!!  The guests all agreed that the pasta experiment was a success.

Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino con Gamberi - Garlic, Olive Oil & Pepper with Shrimps



1/2 K. shrimps, peeled and deveined

Marinade:

juice of 1/2 lemon
1 t. rock salt
2 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

500 g. Capellini noodles (thicker than angel's hair)
1/2 C. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 heads garlic, sliced thinly
1 t. pepper flakes
1 t. rock salt
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 pack Italian Flat Parsley, (leaves only, chopped finely = 1/2 C.)

Marinate the shrimps for 20 minutes.

Heat the olive oil but don't let it smoke, add the garlic and lower the heat to medium.
When the garlic turns golden brown not dark brown because it will taste bitter, add pepper flakes.
Add the shrimps and the marinade.  Saute until the shrimps are cooked, remove from the pan with a slotted spoon or tongs and set aside.

Season oil with salt and remaining lemon juice.  Remove from fire if the noodles aren't ready yet.

Cook noodles according to the instruction at the back of the box.

Put pan back to the flame, Add the noodles, 1/2 of the chopped parsley and 1/2 C. of  reserved pasta water.  Transfer onto a serving platter, top with shrimps and parsley.

It is a big NO-NO to add grated Parmesan cheese to pasta with seafood - I don't know why... but ... why not, if it makes it taste better?   I just served the cheese on the side for those who wanted to add a bit since I'm very rigid when it comes to cooking rules.

Tomato Espresso soup

1.2 K. ripe tomatoes, chopped roughly
1/4 C. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
1 C. white onion, chopped roughly
5 C. water
2 pcs. Knorr Chicken cube
3 t. rock salt
3 t,. sugar
Skimmed Milk froth

Saute Onions, then garlic in extra virgin olive oil.  Add the roughly chopped tomatoes, saute for a few minutes then add the water and chicken cubes.  When it starts to boil, lower heat and simmer for 1 hour.

Cool the soup for 15 minutes,  use an immersion blender stick or blender to puree the soup.  Strain the soup and return to the pot..  Season with salt and sugar. (Soup can be frozen up to 3 months according to some websites.

Serve in espresso cups and add a dollop of skimmed milk froth.

I really loved my soup!!!!! So did my friends, they had several servings and were making fun of each other while drinking their soup from an espresso cup, they were lifting their "pinkie" as they were sipping.

White Toblerone Panna Cotta



100 grams White Toblerone, broken into segments
1 C. all purpose cream
1 C. fresh milk
1 box Alsa unflavored gelatin

Dissolve gelatin in milk, add the cream and cook until it "almost" boils, stirring continuously.  Add the chocolate pieces and stir gently until melted   Pour immediately into shot glasses or cups.  Chill.

I am very glad my friends enjoyed the dinner.  I enjoyed the process of preparing the dinner, research, research and more research.  Italian is still not my favorite but....I'm beginning to like it.

Red Pears, Black Grapes and Blue Cheese Salad

My favorite kind of pears is the Red Pear. It is not crunchy but a bit soft and sweet... it is perfect for poached pears if I'm inclined to make.  I bought black grapes in Rustan's tonight for my salad.  I added crumbled blue cheese and used the left over Honey Calamansi dressing I made the other day.



As I was browsing through the recipe books in Fullybooked, I saw a simple fish recipe.  They used trout, I have yet to research what Trout is in Filipino.  I went down to Rustan's supermarket to buy fish for dinner.  I am inspired because I already lost 5 lbs.since I started exercising again and I have been eating 1 C. cereals with 1/2 C. skimmed milk for breakfast.

I saw the Tilapia was so fresh!  I could tell if a fish is fresh.  The fins are still upright and the fish is a little bit slimy.It was a farily good sized fish at 400 grams.  I asked the "Manang" in the supermarket to clean the inside and remove the scales.

Pan-Grilled Fish



1 pc. fish
1 t. rock salt
2 T. Extra virgin olive oil
1 T. calamansi or lemon juice

Season the fish with salt and let it stand for 15 minutes.

Heat the fish frying pan or griddle.  When smoking hot, add the oil... then the fish.  On medium heat, pan-grill the fish, around 8 minutes of each side, more or less.  Transfer onto a serving dish.  Pour the calamansi or lemon juice over the fish.

Nothing beats fresh fish! It is moist and really delicious.  I wish I could have access all the time.

I recently read an article online about how wonderful the ACAI ( ah - sigh - ee ) berry is with regards to weight loss.



 http://www.consumertipsdaily6.com/health/?n=207&k=TheCelebrityCafe.com+-+CPM
I saw a bottle in Healthy Options today and I'm going to give it a try.  Who knows?!?!?! It might work!  According to the sales girl, Oprah promoted it in her show.  Wish me luck!

My "Fast" Food List

I was with my friends a few days ago and they thought I do not eat in Fast Food joints.  But I do!  There are times when I'm too lazy to cook , I'm maidless or just craving for a greasy high caloric meal!  Let me share my list of establishments I patronize once in a while.

Fried Chicken :

Mini Stop Fried Chicken - recently discovered, recommended by several friends
Jollibee Fried Chicken - Thigh part

Spaghetti:

 I really like the sweet kind.

KFC
Pancake House

Chinese:

Henlin - Siomai and Asado siopao
Jade Palace - Siomai and hakaw
Pao Tsin - Steamed Shark's Fin Dumpling and the Fried Shrimp and Wanton
Le Ching - pork spareribs
Wah Ying - siomai
Luk Yuen - Taro Puff and Radish cake
Ma Mon Luk a.k.a. Masuki - siomai and asado siopao

Sizzling Steak:

Steak Escape, Landmark - Tenderloin Steak

Drinks:

Quickly
Dizon Fruit Drinks

Barbecue:

Beach House in UP Diliman
Aristrocrat

Pizza:

Lotsa Pizza - reminds me of 3M, I only like the ham and cheese
S&R - cheese pizza

Burger:

Hungry Hippo - my favorite
Wham
Jollibee
Tropical
Razon's

Others:

Sisig Hooray
Jose's Goto - SM Makati Supermarket
Jamaican Pattie - Pinatubo express

Pancit:

Red Ribbon - pancit palabok

Hotdog:

Sabrett - with chili, mustard and onions
S&R - hotdog
Purefoods Stand in Cash and Carry - corndog

Donut:

Dunkin Donut - honey glazed or sugar raised

French Fries

Potato Corner - Barbeque flavor
Army and Navy - Freedom Fries

The food from this list contribute to the detriment of my health!  I try to avoid them when I can but it is quite impossible when you are looking for a FAST food.

First Saturday Family Lunch for 2011

Do you know that I haven't seen my Ate and her family since New Year's Eve?!!!  January was a busy month for us.  Goodness! A month has passed already!  It is so scary because it seems that everyday the passage of time seems to go faster.  I had a lot of plans and things to do ...  lots of New Year's resolutions ... but haven't acted on them yet.

So, finally... last Saturday ... I was able to have lunch with my family. 



Ate asked me to buy in Seaside Macapagal, alimango (mud crabs) because she got envious of the crabs I ate with my friends.  I already have a "suki" in Seaside and her stall's name is Lillian's Crab.

I just steamed the crabs in Sprite, after giving them a thorough brushing.  I cooked them while they were still alive.  I did not feel any remorse and was able to enjoy the crab.  Does that mean I have no compassion?  I am upset when I see pigs, cows or chickens on their way to the slaughterhouse but I still love to eat them.  I just don't think about those creatures in their "living" state but just imagine them served on a platter.

I burned half of the crabs....  but not really the crabs... more of the wok, so I had to transfer the other half to another wok with cover.  (Shiny crabs 1st batch, dull looking crabs, second batch.)



I bought 1 kilo of oysters in shell.  When I opened the bag, there were only 10 pieces!  My Ate did not want to eat raw oysters.  I LIKE raw oysters, I wonder why it is bad to eat them????  I usually squeeze lemon or calamansi on raw oyster and enjoy it go down my throat.  I also like Kilawin na Talaba.  Next time, I'm going to make Oysters Teppanyaki.  I just baked the oysters with garlic, butter and cheese.



No Nilagang Baka for Gilly because Ate said the food was more than enough.  So... I'm saving it for next weekend. 

I like the Thai Grilled Pork belly recipe better than the Inihaw na Liempo.



 I bought very thin Grill Cut Pork Belly from Rustan's.  I have a feeling everybody liked it because when I wanted to get second.. ahh.. third... no... fourth serving, the  platter was empty.

How can we eat Inihaw without green mangoes with bagoong??!?!?! 



I also bought from Seaside "PIYESTA" Sweet Bagoong.  I couldn't stop eating, really good bagoong but I did not saute anymore in garlic and pork fat.  The aligue of the crabs was enough cholesterol already!

Ate brought Fresh Lumpia from Goldilocks.

It was a happy family gathering once again.  Food really is a tie that binds.  Thinking already of what to serve with Nilagang Baka this coming Saturday!

Lolo Dad's

Tita Portia and I were invited by Tita Butchie (my mom's good friend) today for lunch at Lolo Dad's in Quirino Ave, Manila.  "Lolo Dad" was her husband and her children named the restaurant after their deceased Dad.  The chef of the restaurant is Ariel Manuel, a multi awarded chef - son in law of Tita Butchie.

The soup I had was called Double Espresso .... served in espresso cups...  Fresh Tomato Soup and Fresh Mushroom soup with bread sticks so light and flaky.



The salad was Smoked Salmon, Sweet Baby Blends  and Seared Tuna on top of  Grilled Watermelon.



I was so enchanted when the Raspberry Sorbet was served!  Smoke was coming out of the little tea pot!!!!



My entree was Sea bass and the thin little noodle-like stuff on top????  Guess what they were??? Baby Eels!!!!



Tita Portia also had the Double Espresso Soup...

Rock Lobster Salad



and ... Lamb with Blue Cheese Risotto.



We were offered dessert but I had to decline because I was full already and just had green tea instead.

It was my first time to eat at Lolo Dad's and it was such a delight for me to watch the chefs in action because you could see them preparing the food and the creative way of plating.  It was like watching a Food Network show while having lunch.

Thank you Tita Butchie for the delicious dining experience!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Happy Chinese New Year!  I'm not a Chinese, I just like to find a reason to celebrate... and Tita Portia too!  A month ago, I reserved at Peking Garden  in Greenbelt 5.  We wanted to eat on the eve but they were booked already, so the next best slot was tonight.  I think the restaurant set up a small table just for us because all the tables were big...for families.  Well... even if it was just a small table for two, it was filled with  food for more than two!

We had a whole Peking Duck served Two Ways

First way .... sliced meat



Crunchy Skin



Carved by the Peking Duck Master



with leeks and cucumber



a dollop of Hoisin sauce



pancake




Voila!  A perfect ensemble!



Second way ... minced duck meat with chopped water chesnuts



lettuce leaves



then eat it like a taco...



Sauteed Shanghai Shrimps. 



I remember my friend Bibo telling us about the way shrimps are preapared in Chinese restaurants ... it still did not put me off.  I love Chinese food, whether be it from hotel , a good restaurant or hole in the wall.

We had ice cream at Cafe Ti Amo, Greenbelt 5 for dessert.   Tita Portia had the Blueberry and Milk Cheese



while I had the Dark Chocolate and Orange.



Tita Portia and I also celebrated New Year's lunch at Mogu, Serendra.  But we were not together.  She went with her friend and I went by myself at a later time.



My favorite sashimi is uni.  Loved the clean taste of the sea urchin.



Of course, I'm still obsessed with Ebi Tempura,



I ordered 3 pieces but as soon as I took my first bite, I called the waiter and ordered an additional 2 pieces. 



Crunchy and light and super long too!  I think it was 7 inches long, plus the sauce had tons of grated radish with ginger... just the way I like my sauce.

I can safely say that all year long I will not go hungry!  Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Menage a Trois

Brains out of the gutter!  I was surfing this afternoon for a fish recipe.  I want to be able to try different ways of cooking fish without deep frying, steaming or grilling.  Since I am still in my "French" mode, I stumbled upon a recipe called Trout Menage a Trois. 

I was not able to buy Trout,  I don't even know the local equivalent of trout but the recipe says, any walleye fish will do.  Talakitok is the Filipino walleye.  I bought a small one in Rustans today.

Menage a Trois because it is a trio of ingredients such as celery,  garlic and pistachio.

Poisson (fish) Menage a Trois
 


1 pc. Talakitok or fish fillet
salt and pepper
2 T. flour
2T. Extra Virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
2 ribs celery, sliced diagonally
2 T. pistachio
parsley, snipped

Season fish with salt and pepper.  Dredge with flour and pan fry in extra virgin olive oil.  Transfer onto a plate.

On another skillet, pour the remaining oil without the flour residue and saute the garlic, celery and pistachio until garlic is golden in color.  Add the parsley.  Arrange on top of the fish.

I just realized, when I pan fry the fish dredged in flour as opposed to deep frying, the result is much better because the fish is moist and tender.

I'm trying to practice a healthier lifestyle.  I started exercising again after being sidelined for 2 weeks due to allergies.  I have been taking triple doses of antihistamine per day, so walking was like walking in water.  But tonight, I just walked going to church instead of driving my car plus added a few more kilometers, total is 5.2 km!  I'm taking advantage of the wonderful cool weather.

I also made salad for dinner.  I loved the Butter Toffee Pecans!  My salad was delicious, my favorite... with pears, grapes, blue cheese, butter toffee pecan and the dressing made from Cava wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and honey.


Butter Toffee Pecan

1 T. butter
2 T. LIGHT brown sugar
2 T. pecans

Melt butter in a skillet, add the brown sugar.  When it caramelizes, add the pecans.  Transfer  to an oiled plate and let cool.

Still part of the healthy lifestyle, I bought cereals with the least amount of sugar per serving, 2 grams, from Healthy Options last night and ate it with 1/2 C. low fat milk.


My favorite brand of milk is Hacienda Macalauan.


But I discovered non fat milk only has 80 calories per serving whereas  low fat has 110 calories.  So, I got a bottle of non fat from Rustans.  I think, the only supermarket which sells that brand.

So my goals... my short term goals ... I never make long term goals... are to exercise regularly to atone for my food sins .... and to eat healthy food that actually tastes good and not like cardboard!!!!