first baking attempt

counting down to 2013 is more progressive with this first attempt to bake. since we bought our new oven for Christmas, what more fun to use it to baking. for a muffin recipe turned into a cake, i also made a new twist by adding grated bitter gourd and carrots.

here are the ingredients to my first baking project:

4 cups of flour
8 eggs
8 teaspoons of baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup of pineapple juice
3 cups of brown sugar
4-5 teaspoons grated bitter gourd and carrots

Directions:
1. preheat oven for 20 mins at 175 degrees.
2. mix the eggs, sugar, pineapple juice well. set aside.
3. mix all dry ingredients together (flour, baking powder, salt) and combine it with the wet ingredients. also add the grated bitter gourd and carrots.
4. put the mixture in the oven and bake for 30 mins or until the top is brown and not burnt. use a toothpick to check if the inside is already baked. serve.

Christmas dessert at Hyatt Hotel

i really love this time of the year. other than merry making, i also got to enjoy the food that i love. in a rare occasion like a business meeting, i'm so grateful to see a valued client and best of all, to treat us for lunch.

Hyatt Hotel and Casino is one place that i love because it is in the middle of the busy streets of Manila. when we had lunch at Market Cafe, i feel so at home with its cozy ambiance and well-lit room. and with the array of food choices, i still stick with my favorite Japanese cuisine with a platter of sushi and a sip of warm miso soup.

mussels, Thai Fried rice, Sinigang na Hipon, season vegetables

after digging into a sumptuous meal, i have to give in to my sweet tooth with the wonderful delights at the center of the buffet. panna cottas, ice cream, cakes are aligned in a manner you cannot decide where to start. but for me, i had chocolates, pandan French macarons, pineapple pie, and ice cream. never mind the calories, just enjoy the Christmas dessert

Market Cafe by Hyatt Hotel and Casino is located at the 3F Hyatt Hotel and Casino, 1588 Pedro Gil Corner MH Del Pilar, Malate, Manila, Philippines. follow them on Twitter @GrandHyattMNL.

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the first food truck market: CUCINA ANDARE

get your gastronomic systems ready for the first food truck market and food bazaar happening at the center of the Makati Business District. this December 14, CUCINA ANDARE will line up specialty and gourmet food trucks, your favorite Mercato Centrale vendors and new and innovative food, drink and pastry vendors from home-based food businesses from around Makati!

CUCINA ANDARE is developed by the same team who made the successful Morning and Midnight Mercato at the Bonifacio Global City. enjoy the buffet of delights while listening to acoustic musical acts.

CUCINA ANDARE is located at Glorietta Park (in front of Glorietta 3, Landmark, Makati Shangri-La Hotel & 6750 Ayala Ave.), Ayala Center, Makati City every Friday, Saturday, Sunday (4pm to 3am) starting this Friday!

BULALO Point and Turo-turo Grill

other than coffee, Cavite is home to a famous beef recipe that warms the body during a cold climate. BULALO, a stew in which beef is thoroughly cooked to its softest cartilage and where bone marrow is everyone's favorite.

in the cold mountain ridge of Tagaytay City, a place is named after the bulalo. BULALO POINT and Turo-turo Grill serves a variety that will hug your cold body in the cold weather in Tagaytay City. as you enjoy the view of the Taal Lake and see the glory of the Taal Volcano, sip into the calming soup of the bulalo.

the bulalo is served in clay pots and the temperature as it is served is just right. you won't burn your lips and tongue as you enjoy the soup and the tender beef. if you want a little heat, chop a cayenne pepper, drizzle with a little fish sauce and squeeze a lemon or calamansi.

in the majestic scenery and the relaxing breeze of Tagaytay City, Bulalo Point serves other meat lover delights like the Crispy Pata and Fried Tawilis for your crunchy cravings. enjoy the food while in al fresco dining inside mini-huts or with a huge crowd on long table setting.

BULALO POINT AND TURO-TURO is found along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway in Tagaytay City. it's just a few blocks from Casino Filipino if you're coming from Olivares complex (Nasugbu bound).

know your teas with THOUSAND TEAS

we've known tea as a natural fighter for illnesses like heart diseases and certain cancers. we also know the flavors infused in every bag calms and relaxes the body and increases metabolism. the tea cup you're enjoying right now might have a lot of benefits you didn't know. just check from what tea leaf it came from as THOUSAND TEAS Tea House explains it to us.

teas generally came from Asia in countries with high altitudes like China, India and Japan and some parts of Europe. and they came from different tea leaves to identify with the different strengths. white, green and black teas were taken from different sections of the tea plant and then later infused with flavors like jasmin, peppermint and others.

it was before a drink for the royalty as served in ceremonials. in a short demo, owner Gilbert Jim showed how tea ceremonials were done. little that we knew that the first pour would just be for washes, [haha!] and then each cup will be washed in another cup to wash away dust particles. before you drink it, it already cleans.

THOUSAND TEAS blends also present teas from the plant to your cup. they serve brews of your choice in special pots infusing the flavor in warm water for that relaxing taste. the timeless blends Iron Goddess, Earl Grey, Ceylon, Assam, Oolong, Genmaicha and Flower Green Teas bloom in front of our eyes to soothe your tea preferences.

they also serve bubble teas infused with fruits for the young market who are giving in to their tea cravings and promote tea to a healthy lifestyle. the teas are best consumed with scones or pasta especially made at THOUSAND TEAS.

and for a special gift this Christmas, you can also promote a good drinking lifestyle to your loved ones with the gift packages by THOUSAND TEAS. the Classic and Executive gift sets for only Php 600 and Php 900 for your tea parties.

Classic Tea Gift Set (Php 600)

Executive Tea Gift Set (Php 900)

you can visit THOUSAND TEAS, just below Mezza Residences located at Aurora Blvd. cor. G. Araneta Ave, Quezon City. or call for orders at 708-3919 or email info@thousandteas.ph. visit also their website at www.thousandteas.ph

collecting RISE OF THE GUARDIANS with McDonalds Happy Meal

i really loved the movie RISE OF THE GUARDIANS and we look forward to the merchandise that comes with the movie. and i got even more excited when McDonalds released their Rise of the Guardians toys in every Happy Meal.

of course, the Guardians, North, Tooth, Jack Frost, Sandy and Easter are in their fighting form and they were joined by an Elf. it would be a great idea to collect as many elves as you can so you can put tassels on them and hang them by your Christmas Tree.

The 5 Guardians

Elves in 3 faces

i just ordered the burger Happy Meal since it was the cheapest. but im loving my toys and really, i will collect as much elves as i can. since there is many McDonalds branches near our place, i can just drop in and buy any Happy Meal or order for delivery at 8-6236.

CHEFS' QUARTER dinner

it's good that i found my Chefs' Quarter gift certificate and use it on its last day of validity. so i went there with my mom and brother to avail it and enjoy a feast at the restaurant.

Chefs' Quarter, 3F Atrium, SM Megamall

we ordered Tessie Tomas Salad, named after a Filipino actress, Roasted Chicken and Special Fried rice. and finish it off with Ube Cheesecake for dessert.

Tessie Tomas Salad

this salad is made of greens, goat cheese, stir-fried shrimp, Shitake mushrooms and drizzled with dressing.

Roasted Chicken

chicken roasted to perfection with its juicy meat melts in your mouth. good for around 3-5 people, this bird reminds you of your mother's cooking in a very special occasion.

Special Fried Rice

indeed a very special fried rice, sauteed in bagoong for that smoked flavor and with a kick of long green peppers.

the Ube Cheesecake would be the star of our dinner. with the rich ube cheese custard filling, the crunch of burnt brown sugar and chocolate shavings on top neutralized our stomach and taste buds.

everything costs about Php 1500 in total, inclusive of VAT and 10% service charge.