M & Ms Cookies - The Trials

I wanted to serve colorful goodies for the resort's turn down service. M & Ms cookie came to mind. I hadn't had a chance to make something vibrant before. I browsed through online gallery and searched for recipes to get a picture of how it was done. There were hundreds of them. I could not decide which way to go. The only way to get a good result was to do a trial run before giving it a final go. So I did. Just thinking how they would turn out got me excited.

Back At Ethos After Two Years

It was my last night in Bangkok. Me and the gang had agreed to meet for an evening out for the last time before I returned to my simple life on the island.  We chose Khao San Road because of its proximity to the area we were at. I was on the boat to Khao San Road with the girls when I remembered Ethos vegetarian restaurant. It was 2012 when I dined there for the first time. My vegetarian sister and cousin, who is not vegetarian but eats many vegetarian dishes, would love the food for sure. I didn't really think much how would my omnivorous friends like the idea of having an all plant-based dishes that night. I suggested they try it just once.  I think the only reason they agreed was because I was the  "guest" for the night. Haha.

We were waiting for other friends to arrive when my two friends ordered pad Thai from a hawker. We could smell the aroma from where we were standing. They couldn't resist the good smell it emitted so they went and bought two. They were huge servings. I joined in. Wrong decision. I already had fries and fried chicken at KFC only an hour before that. By the time we got to the restaurant, I was almost full. There's only room for dessert.

A Perfect Wedding Treat - Tiramisu

At the time I was attending culinary school, I learned how to make hundreds of different cakes. The training covered almost everything in nine months. There was one cake in particular which I was eager to learn how to make -tiramisu. I had it once when I was holidaying in Hongkong many years back. The name sounded new and unique. Although I am not into coffee, I took the risk and bought one. I was curious. One bite was all I needed to discover the wonderful flavors tiramisu offered. There was quite a kick in it but it was divine. It was my first encounter with the popular Italian dessert

Fast forward to my culinary school days, I got so excited when I browsed the recipe book which the school provided.  The basic course covered simple cakes. Tiramisu  was included. And so I learned the procedure at school but it wasn't until May this year when I made my very first tiramisu. Boy, was I glad! I made it for the wedding party. Everyone finished off with this moist, creamy and decadent dessert.

Wedding # 13 : Chocolate Sponge Cake With Butter Icing

This is by far the smallest and cutest wedding cake I've made this year. Three tiers, each with 4 layers of chocolate sponge cake generously filled with vanilla butter icing were sandwiched together. The outside was left unfrosted so the even layers of cake and icing were seen. How simple is that? The addition of roses and dusting of icing sugar gave this simple cake a perfect finishing touch. The cake highlighted the simple dessert table at the wedding.

Korean Dining At Tudari

While vacationing in Bangkok, I quickly developed an urge for Korean food. It might have to do with me knowing that I had so many choices  in the city unlike on the island where I live where the only Korean restaurant I know is miles away.

When I was with my cousin at Central World to attend the Philippine Fair, I suggested we go Korean. I had eaten almost everything except for it.  I only had a few days left before I return to the island and being in a big shopping mall where they have restaurants of all sorts seemed to be a perfect timing. The event was not starting til 2 in the afternoon. We arrived at the venue early - around lunch time. It was the best time to hunt for a decent place. We were on the escalator going up the top floor when we spotted one right away. Without hesitation, we went in.