Chicken a`la King

This is not really my genre to write recipes and cooking escapades. I admit that though I can generously cook to save my life but never will be close enough to become Rachel Ray or Marta Stewart. But, since it’s Mother’s Day weekend, I am sharing my own version of Chicken a`la King recipe in honor of all the mothers in the world who need not to have authored a great recipe book or a cooking show to prove their reign of being the queen in every family home’s kitchen. I cooked this dish for dinner earlier and my husband and kids told me I am the best cook ever. The comments brought genuine smile to my face. They, however might have said that because obviously, it is Mother’s Day or my Chicken a`la King version is killing it for real. So, here it goes!

CHICKEN a`la  KING (Pudding girl’s version)

Ingredients:

1 medium size green bell pepper (cubed)

1 medium size yellow bell pepper (cubed)

1 medium size carrot (diced)

1 onion ( chopped)

1 cup of sliced mushroom

2 tbsp. of  margarine/butter

2 pcs. of MAGGI chicken cubes

3/4 cup of milk

1/4 cup of all purpose flour  whisked to dissolve in 1/2 cup water

Chicken Meat (breast part-skinned,sliced and boiled to cook with water. Set aside the chicken broth from cooking the meat)

salt

black pepper powder

parsley flakes

1. In a heated pan, melt the butter and add the onions. Add the bell pepper(green and yellow), carrots and mushrooms. Cook for 5-6 minutes. Set aside.

2. In a separate pot, add the chicken cubes to the chicken broth used when cooking the meat and heat to boil. Add the milk and the flour mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Add the mushroom, pepper and carrot mixture. Stir until it bubbled and becomes thick.

4. Add the chicken meat and simmer for at least 3 minutes.

5. Before serving the dish, add a dash of parsley flakes. It is best if served with plain rice.

It doesn’t take  complicated and extra ordinary dish to make family dinners great. In fact, it doesn’t need to have a special occasion such as Mother’s Day to gather for family dinners. And since my husband’s job takes him away from home most of the time, we took advantage of every chance we get to share together our family dinners and create memorable and precious time of being together.

Cheers!

Galaxy Jewels

 

I first discovered Galaxy Chocolate when I was working in the Middle East some five years ago. Being a chocolate lover, I had generous helpings that satisfied my chocolate cravings during my stay and Galaxy Jewels Chocolate is one of my favorite.

Old packaging of Galaxy Chocolate Chest

New Packaging of Galaxy Chocolate Chest

Galaxy Chocolate Jewels comes in assorted  chocolate selection containing ten different chocolate varieties. The unique Arabic-mixed chocolate itself is rich, smooth milk chocolate filled with caramels, hazelnuts, dark chocolate cream, white chocolate cream,  crispy bits and more that are individually wrapped in a cleverly pretty and shiny foil wraps and packed in a very artistic plastic box resembling a treasure chest filled with jewels.

I bought six large and four medium size chest of Galaxy Jewels when I came home year 2008 for my annual vacation and gave these chests to family, friends and relatives as a pasalubong (gifts). For Easter 2009, my Husband dear attached a cardboard strip on both ends of  medium-sized chest and gave it to me as my Easter basket since finding a real Easter basket in  Saudi Arabia is impossible not to mention even celebrating such occasion is prohibited. Since then, Husband dear never fails to bring a chest of Galaxy Jewels every time he comes home for vacation and this box-filled of chocolate is not for the kids, nor the family and friends but solely for me. Sweet!

Today, my kids and I finished few of the last pieces that were left in the chest brought home from Husband dear’s latest vacation. I still can’t help it if I find Galaxy Jewels irresistible! Totally a guilty pleasure for this week!

CREAM-O deluxe

 

Guilty Pleasure for the week: Cream-o Deluxe by Jack and Jill

I came home today tired and starving. With so many errands to do before Monday comes again, I practically forgot to take my lunch. I ate dinner with Mother and kids which was pretty good but I sensed that my taste buds were wanting some familiar taste to devour. CHOCOLATE! Uhuh…! The culprit that most people on diet commit the mortal sin.

Unfortunately, I can’t find a single piece of chocolate at the house. I was kinda complaining to my mom that I want something sweet  when my daughter suggested about the cookies that I had ready for them to take to school for this week. Without hesitation, I grabbed a single pack of three and started munching.

Cream-o deluxe is a Vanilla cream-filling sandwiched by scrumptious chocolate cookies and topped with thick chocolaty fudge. Just what I need! Before I knew it… I consumed four single packs of three with a total count of twelve cookies!For what it is worth, I did feel good after eating them. Now comes the hardest part… and that is getting rid of the calories I just added to my over flowing calorie counter!

Goodluck to me!

JolliBEE in LOVE

 

After swimming lessons this morning, the kids begged for some Jollibee treat. Granting that being so early to be up and about for the day, I haven’t had anything cooked at the house so I gave in. My son ordered his favorite, Jollibee’s ChickenJoy Meal and Burger Steak  for my daughter. Upon paying our orders, the guy handed me a very cute heart-shaped note pad while telling me in his “fastfood crew-fast-manner-of-talking” that for every chicken meal order, comes free Jolly-Love Notes.

Calling in our orders to their kitchen crew he asked me if I liked it. I answered him that I find it cute and I did like it very much. How can I not?? It is free! What is not to like? Right?! Anyways, Stacking up the tray with our food he showed me that there were actually three different designs to choose from. He also offered that he would be glad to change it for me if I decided to choose another design. I opted for the one he handed me the first time and thanked him.

Everyone is soooo in the mood for the big Hearts day already! Little things such as this Jolly-Love Notes will easily get someone who are V-day likers and lovers  hyped up for the occasion. I may be celebrating  Valentines Day away from Husband dear this year but being securely and unconditionally in love with him is more than what gets me to celebrate Valentines day in everyday day of the year!

   

Jelly Beans

 

Guilty Pleasure for this week : JELLY BEANS.

Jelly Beans are small bean-shaped typed of confectionary with a hard candy shell and a gummy interior which come in a wide variety of flavors with corresponding ultra pretty colors(courtesy of Wikipedia).

Passing by one of the candy corners in a mall, I couldn’t resist to drop by and give myself and my kids a splurge of Jelly Beans! Php99 for 100grams and I paid Php378 for the assorted JellyBeans purchase. The moment the candy corner lady handed us the pack, kids and I never stop popping them beans in our mouth until they’re gone out of our sight and off our hands! So much for sugar discipline act with my children huh? Well, its Holidays and I get to bond with them and enjoying our moment together eating the colorful sweet beans.

 

Colorful and yummy pretty little stuff is simply irresistible!

Happy Thanksgiving!

In my country Philippines, the month of November’s last Thursday is just an ordinary day. Being a Christian country, predominantly Catholic, the Thanksgiving is usually celebrated during the town fiesta which falls on the feast day of the town’s patron saint or the parish’ patron saint. In my home town Tagum City, we recently celebrated the feast day of Christ the King last Sunday. When I was young, aside from what I am used to with the Catholic’s practice, Thanksgiving Holiday existed only in the books that I’ve read, those books with an American setting. I have read about the bountiful harvest and good results of safe hunting. I have read about traditional and heirloom recipes that were passed from generations to generation. The turkey roasting techniques, the pies to bake, the vegetables and fruits, lots of food on the table, the dinner with the family, the prayer of thanks.

November 2007, four Thanksgiving Holidays ago was supposed to be my first American inspired Thanksgiving. I was at Saudi Arabia working at a military hospital during that time and we were invited to a Thanksgiving celebration sponsored by the US Air Force stationed in the country. I wasn’t expecting for the traditional set up like the ones I read on the books because I know that Saudi has limited resources for anything that has to do with celebration not unless it’s their “kind” of celebration. Least, I was excited for a real turkey meal and mashed potatoes and gravy. Little did I know, this Thanksgiving will change my life.

I had a hectic duty schedule that week, since there was an invitation for a Thanksgiving party, I wrote my name and gate pass number on the list of the people attending. I was thinking, after months of working and living within the walls of the hospital compound, it would be nice to be out for a change. The place is Saudi Arabia, no one is allowed to roam around and go beyond the gates not unless you are riding the provided transportation service or scheduled market day specially for female individuals. After the security protocols at the check point and guard houses (there’s three check points to be exact) we were finally allowed to enter the compound premises where the Americans, the British and the French were accommodated. They have special privilege with regards to housing accommodations compared to a Filipino expats like me.  Inside the compound, the women are allowed to be in their normal clothes and can go around without the abaya.

Myself in an ABAYA and full head cover during my Saudi Arabia time.

Abaya- also known as a Hijab, a customary wear for women in the Islamic country. It is typically made in black cloth worn over the regular clothes to cover the whole body

…………………………………………………….

I was the first one  to get off the bus, an American meet us, he introduced himself as Woody and told us where the food was. We ate of what’s left on the table because the party was already at blast when we arrived. There was loud music and to my amazement there’s booze! I was like “this compound really has the privilege considering that we were in Saudi Arabia!” We enjoyed for a while but then it starts to get boring as the US Air Force guys started the bonfire and were burning stuff for fun. I was sitting on a bench with two other Filipina friends and co-workers watching the guys throwing stuff on the fire when Woody approached us again and asked us if we were having a good time. We were obviously looking bored and he invited us to his own unit or his “fortress” as he called it and by that instant the party was moved to his place. For us, that was when the real party started! While everybody got busy having fun, I sat at the end of the bar  trying to stay away from the booze as possible since I have to go to work the next day. Work means 12-hour shift at the Blood Bank, a busy department in a laboratory. Being the proprietor of the “fortress”, Woody was behind the bar making sure everyone is enjoying  and I was having a conversation with him and other two of his friends. I never thought that it was the start of something new. That Thanksgiving celebration is when I met the love of my life and because of that, Thanksgiving has become one of our favorite holiday every year.

Thanksgiving is a celebration of hearts filled with gratitude. On my end, I am grateful for that day given to me, to us- my husband and I, that our paths have crossed to able to share a lifetime together. The last Thursday of the month of November may still be an ordinary day in the Philippines, but for me every Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated by families, by people loving each other, by hearts filled not just of gratitude but of love. Since then, and every last Thursday of November for the years to come, I always say a prayer of Thanksgiving not only for the bountiful blessings in life, not only for the best of health of my family but also for that particular Thanksgiving day four years ago when I met the person who showed me unconditional love and who showered me with everything that I am forever thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone. May the good Lord bless and keep you and from the bottom of my , I love you WCW.

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Goldilocks Classic Polvoron

 

My guilty pleasure for this week is Goldilocks Classic Polvoron.

When I was little, I always recall Mama will give us a piece of Goldilock’s Classic Polvoron as a treat and a surprise whenever she travels to Manila. Goldilocks was only available in Manila not until some 15 years ago that they opened a branch in Davao and eventually in Tagum City not long after.

I am stressing out big time lately. I don’t know why because there’s never a pressure for someone who is a full time stay-at-home mother or so I thought! It could be the kids’ exams today and tomorrow that is causing the stress or so I tried to convince myself blaming the exams. Besides, who won’t be pressured when being a full time mother doesn’t allow me to sign out or logged off. I don’t have a “PAUSE” button to click that’s why the game is continuously playing. I can’t have a day off , a leave of absence, nor a vacation. When payday comes…. I don’t even have a salary voucher to sign. So… I am stressing alright.

Yesterday, after picking up Wine from his tutorial, we dropped by at the mall to get some stuff and some ready made snacks to take to school the next day. Goldilock’s bakeshop is among my favorite source. Rushing, so as to make it home before dinner time,  I went in and grabbed a loaf of sandwich bread, couple of brownie slices(kids’ favorites….and mine too!) and head my way to the counter to pay. A lady was standing ahead of me and paying her purchases… I looked around and saw a package of  the original Classic Polvoron. I stared at it for a moment from where I was standing. I was telling myself that it is against my so-called weight loss plan(as if there is any!), so I turned my back from it and paid attention to the cashier as she punched my purchases on the register. She told me the amount I need to pay and said “Would there be anything else you would like to add ma’am?”, I told her I’ve got all I need and handed her my cash, but just before she punched the cash received I left the counter, reached for the Classic Polvoron pack of 12s and asked her to add it on the second thought.

It’s been 14 hours since I bought the pack and I consumed every single piece of it. Damn! I am actually pigging out huh! Blame it on the nerves… I am stressed so I am entitled to take advantage of having my guilty pleasure for the week.

 

More on Guilty Pleasures:

- http://cuisine-queen.com/2011/10/19/guilty-pleasure-of-the-week-joe-joes/ 

-http://letsgetcookin.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/pumpkin-pie-delight/ 

- http://thrillofthechaise.com/2011/10/20/i-love-ginger-chews/ 

- http://uniquemedley.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/1665/ 

Carrot Cake

A good food will become fabulously magnificent when shared with good people. Once in a while I hang out with my mommy friends to unwind and relax. We take advantage of this time out from being around our children 24/7 to do a little “for the big girls only” session. This session usually includes dinner, coffee, dessert and a hell of chitchat of everything. We also maximize this time together to do a little planning and meetings of our ever dream vacation. We have a long list for that in fact, but so far we only got one pushed thru last summer, that is if you consider a day and an overnight stay at Emar’s wavepool as a vacation (which we don’t ever think of it as a vacay but a tanning session for the kids ha! ha!). 

Hopefully, we will get to have another “vacay holiday” soon. Right Moms?

The CARROT CAKE is one of our well-loved dessert of choice among other favorite cakes.

During one of our sessions in one of our favorite restocoffee shop months ago, the carrot cake gave us the reason to left it barely tasted.

  Julz’ unhappy expression trying it can already tell you what it taste like. Quel and Lou didn’t even bother noticing it around. By the way, why does one have to add strawberry jelly to a carrot cake’s frosting??????

Since it didn’t pass the standards of our Best in Cooking member of the gang, she used it as pictorial props instead. Lesson Learned: Do Not Order Carrot Cake from this particular resto. But, we love the food and ambiance of this place that we did came back to dine a couple of weeks after that.

We had good food as usual and a good dessert as expected sans the carrot cake. Witt and I were afraid to spoil our appetite that we wait for Ms.Best in Cooking to taste it first before we get to give ourselves the treats.

Last weekend my mommy friends decided to have our session for this month and this time we ate at a place called RK Chinese Garden and Sea Food Restaurant for the first time, which I will write about it some time soon. Unexpectedly we had a blast!

What you see is what you get. The food was great, the price is right. If I were to describe it in a way Kris Aquino would, I’ll say “ SULIT!…..it is like we’re getting more than what we paid for!”

We wanted to make most our little time that we decided to get our coffee and dessert from another favorite coffee shop Firenzo and here comes the cake parade.

This time we were satisfied. Everything just taste sinfully good as it looks. What caught out attention though was the CARROT CAKE.

We can’t resist while we were looking at it inside the cake display fridge making our order. We can hear the tiny orange carrot topping calling us and the white frosting is so inviting. So, how do we rate the carrot cake this time?

Well, you will realize that for a carrot cake to be ultra yummy when what you see above will happen to the tiny orange carrot topping.

Hash Brown Beef Burger

 

I had lunch at my favorite fast food chain in the country with my kids …Jollibee . So we ordered our usual favorites. Two-Piece Chicken Joy meal with extra gravy for Wine , Jolly Spaghetti for Water and Palabok Fiesta for me , had our drinks upgraded to Coke Float and additional Pies-to-Go for our dessert . Waiting on the line for my turn towards the counter , I was looking at the bright lighted menu screen and I saw it. HASH BROWN BEEF BURGER.

  Jollibee Hash Brown Burger . Tasty, Meaty Beef Patty sandwiched with tw0-piece baked Hash Browns with cheese.

Its my turn at the counter and the crew greeted me. “Welcome to Jollibee!, what’s your order mam?”. I chanted my memorized by heart favorites answering her. She punched everything on the monitor as fast as she can , yelled for an advance call at the kitchen crew and told me how much I need to pay. When she set the last Coke Float on the tray ready for me to go , I made my last minute order. “I ‘d like to add Hash Browns Solo please …….”. I decided it won’t hurt to try what is new on the menu. Right?

 

When our orders were set and kids are starting to dig in with the meal , I open the Hash Brown box and… boy! it smelled so good and yummy!

Kids tried a bite or two with the Hash Brown , decided it’s good and told me to get one for each on our next Jollibee visit.

Jollibee Hash Brown solo cost Php64.00  and  Php80.00 if ordered with a drink.

I guess I found my new diet-sinful-culprit for this month. The winner goes to Jollibee Hash Browns!

 

For Reference, You might wanna check this out:

* http://www.lynne-enroute.com/2011/09/15/discover-the-jollibee-hash-brown-burger/

* http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531346

*http://disneyusa.blogspot.com/2011/09/jollibees-hash-brown-burger.html

Happy Reading dear friends!

The Bistro Circle Discount Card

 

Less than two months ago , while celebrating my daughter Water’s American Inspired 6th birthday at T.G.I.Fridays , the staff has offered me to avail The Bistro Circle Card . It would cost me Php 1000 and I will be entitled to a year of 20% discount on food and beverage to all Bistro Group of restaurants . That would include T.G.I.Fridays , Italliani’s , Fish & Co. , Billy Rock and many more. Not to mention ten coupons or should I say Appetizer Vouchers for you to be able to have a great start on free appetizers  at each Bistro restaurant. Plus, a Birthday Voucher of 25% off on food and beverage at any Bistro restaurant during the card holder’s birth month.(its going to be next month for me!!)

 

At first , I was hesitant. I was thinking, how would I be able to enjoy and avail all of this  freebies if Davao only has T.G.I.Fridays and Italliani’s?

Well, I just might give it a try. I sign up the registration card, paid the fee , have the card made and got my 20% off on our tab when I paid our bill. Cool!

As I keep saying , I  just had the holiday break in Manila last week. Indeed this Bistro Circle Discount Card comes in handy! Woody has been craving for pork since he won’t get any in Saudi Arabia where he is currently located for work and this trip of ours made us enjoy dining at most of the the Bistro Restaurants. What’s nice about it? We always get 20% discount on every lunch and dinner. We enjoyed the steaks and baby back ribs and finest pasta. Oh did I mention that the free appetizers are tremendously yummy? and the beverages just keep going! I am actually getting more that what I have paid for with this discount card. I can’t say anything bad about it except that my effort to loose weight will definitely needs more effort since I gained like tons from this week . Rest assured , we had great time being in the circle!