Peanut Butter Co. and Pureza with Brijette

One day, nagkatext na naman kami ni Brijette and as usual sa mga ganitong pagkakataon we end up with a rush gimik,, hehe,, we met each other in MOA. The meeting time was supposed to be 6:30 but it became 8:00pm due to several reasons.

I was feeling depressed that night kaya niyaya ko si Brijette na patulan ang movie ni Melai,, haha. We went to  purchase our tickets and then we spent our remaining hour to eat since we were both hungry.

We chose to try eating at Peanut Butter and Co. The menu was almost filled with sandwiches, but they do have pastas, rice meals and others. But one thing is noticeable among the food offerings, they all have peanut butter on them.

You can also buy jars of your favorite peanut butter in different varieties. From plain to the most unusual combination, they have it here.

Here are the things we ordered that night...

I chose to have one sandwich which caught my interest, Elvis, The King Sandwich which is said to be the favorite of the late Elvis Presley. It has banana slices, bacon and of course peanut butter. I can't find the proper words to describe how good this one is. It's worth a try...

Look at how YAMI(yummy ala coco martin) it is...

Brijette ordered a rice meal of Chicken with touches of peanut butter...

I also added Classic Spaghetti which is made special by the house's specialty, peanut butter. It's creamy and very delicious. The peanut butter made the pasta's consistency better and the taste is to die for!

I ordered grape soda for my beverage. I like how it went well with my dinner. No umay factor since it neutralizes the after taste of peanut butter.

We then wen to the cinemas to watch this movie. You may become bored with some parts but I definitely enjoy some scenes because of my new crush. hehehe Laughtrip lang talaga, minsan dahil sa sobrang corny na. but it was not that bad since it cheered me up and made me less depress that evening.

MARKY COOKS: All-Meat Carbonara

Monday is my favorite day because I get the chance to go home and cook for my family, friends and workmates. Last week, I told mom that I will cook. She asked me what am I going to prepare, but I told her I don't know yet.

I checked our cupboards and looked for things that I like in my pasta. I ended having Vienna Sausage, Ham, Cheese, Nestle Cream, Campbell's Cream of Mushroom and Chorizo.

I chose these ingredients since me and my siblings are all meat lovers. If my parents want veggies for lunch or dinner, we will have another dish automatically.

If you want to try this yourself, here's how:

• 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 block of butter (big)
• 1 small can Nestle Cream
• 1 can Cream of Mushroom
• 1/2 kilo Ham
• 1 large can of Vienna Sausage
• 1 can Chorizo
• cheese
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• salt and pepper
• 1 kilo spaghetti pasta
• Pork Chop (sliced) **optional**
• water

1. Cook pasta in boiling water, add salt and set aside when done.
2. In a pan, add olive oil and garlic under medium heat. Cook until golden brown.
3. Add chorizo and Vienna sausage until they turned medium brown in color. Add butter followed by the ham sliced into smaller parts. If you are a garlic-lover like me, you can add some garlic powder for extra flavor.
4. Pour Nestle cream and cream of mushroom. Add water in small partitions until desired viscosity is attained (depending whether you like it to be more creamy). Add salt and pepper. Let it boil for some time under low heat.
5. In a bowl, mix pasta and a little of the cooked sauce. Top the pasta with the All-meat sauce.
6. Place slices of the fried pork chop on top and sprinkle desired amount of cheese.

That night, I went back to Manila and brought some for my sister. I also brought some at work for them to taste one of my impromptu recipe. I encourage everyone to try cooking for your loved ones. You don't have to go to a culinary school to be good. You just need some readings and a little practice. In cooking, you develop a skill and you make your valued family and friends extra special :) 

Heavenly Dinner @ Holy Cow, Midtown

Last Tuesday, I texted Deah and told her that we should go out and bond if she has a free time. I told her to set a date, then she told me "mamaya cge" I was not prepared actually to go out that night but knowing how med life runs, I took it to be with my dear friend:) naks... So we met each other at Espana after my work and we are having second thoughts on where to go. But since Robinsons Manila is nearer than Trinoma, we chose to go there, not bad for an unplanned dinner.

We were both starving that time, but we went to check some boutiques first and to buy tickets for the movie that we want to watch. Then we walked and walked looking for a place to eat. We chose this American Steak House and Grill that we saw since it's been there for some time but we haven't tried it yet.

Holy Cow as I said is an American Steakhouse and Grill that has several branches in the metro. From its name you will obviously know their specialties.  Here is a picture of me while waiting for our order at Holy Cow Robinsons Place Manila.

Here is one of my closest and coolest friend, future doctor of medicine, Andrea in yellow:)) haha

Here is a photo taken showing the interior of the Resto. The lamp, horse shoe and the others contribute in giving that ranch atmosphere. I love the lights, not to bright and gives a warm feeling and coziness.

Andrea chose to a rice meal for that evening. She ordered Lonestar Grilled Pork Chop which is priced reasonably considering the size of the pork and the quality of the dish. It is served with a colored rice (not actually java) and mixed vegetables.

At first, I wanted to have rice, but after seeing their menu, I was curious with both the Pasta and the Burgers that they have so I chose to try those instead. For my pasta, I ordered Superb Creamy Carbonara (well if you will notice, carbonara is my favorite). I love it! Not too creamy nor salty. The pasta is cooked perfectly. It's served with a garlic bread.

I also ordered Juicy Melty Beef Burger(if I remember it right) which is served with potato fries and dip. I love this one because of the beef patty. It's thick and oozing with the flavors I am loooking for in a burger. The fries are good, hot and crispy. The dip also contributed to it's yumminess! Pak na Pak!

Here is  a picture showing what's in the burger... Oh it makes me hungry again///

Over-all, our dining experience was great. They have good customer service, the crew is attentive and fast, not to mention that there is no service charge. The food is delicious and affordable. I would love to go back there and try more of their offerings.

You can also go to their other branches in SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia. Buh bye for now!

Craving for Greenwich Pizza

Since Stephanie bought pizza for us as her birthday treat, I became addicted to the taste of Greenwich thin crust pizza. Sunday night after our YakiMix dinner, I was asking ate to go with me at Greenwich Morayta but too bad when we came, it was already closed. So the following day, I went to see and support my friends, afterwards, I went to the mall to buy ingredients for my Sweet and Sinless attempt. Then I asked ate to have mirienda with me at Greenwich in SM San Lazaro.

As usual, I had Carbonara. It's just weird that this is the first time that the pasta was very dry. I did not like it that much unlike when I eat it for lunch near our branch.

To satisfy my cravings, we has this Five Star Bacon Burger Melt Overloaded Pizza in thin crust. It was damn good! I want more... moreee... and moooorrrreeeeeee!!! I will definitely try another one one of these days since my move for satisfaction did not work out,, it worsened because I am craving for more:))

Cheesy Night with Jops: Sbarro + Forever and a Day:))

Last June 18, we had our cluster meeting for the Manila Area under MMD. So it was a fun experience while working because we share our different insights regarding certain events and issues happening. The thing which stressed us is the weather. It's raining hard so I wasn't able to ride the LRT going to my pre-planned activity after the meeting. I went to see Seven at T&J at North Edsa and have a haircut. After few minutes it was done. I crossed to Trinoma and texted Jops to join me. Luckily she's available that time. We were suppose to watch Green Lantern at Resorts World that time but since the weather is not in the mood, we decided to watch at Trinoma. We purchased our tickets and then, looked for something to eat.

Since it's Sunday and it's almost 8:30, we do not that much option on where to eat since some are preparing to close. We agreed to have Sbarro for dinner and they only have few available choices.

As always, I had raspberry juice as my beverage. It's my all time favorite drink at Sbarro..

There were only two pizza flavors available that time. This is Supreme Pan which went to Jops (and partially to me) I like the way it was cooked that time. It's crispy and there are lots of flavors coming out and felt by my tongue that time.

This was my pizza, Meat Delight. It's okay but I want it better if it's more crispy and cooked very well. 

I had Baked Ziti with Chicken Parmigiana... This was my first time to have this since they don't have spaghetti pasta that time. It's just okay. Ziti with toppings:)

Baked ziti for jops. She already ate that time ata before leaving the office.

For dessert, I chose to have blueberry cheesecake. It's good and I really like it. Being a cheesecake lover, I also want to try their cherry cheesecake and the other one which has both blueberry and cherry.

Here's jops in one of her usual looks:) joke,, this is stolen of course

After that, we watched Sam and KC's movie, Forever and a Day... It's a story about a dying girl who is out to conquer her fears before her life ends. It's a story of optimism, appreciation and hope. I like the way they showed the beauty of Cagayan de Oro. It made me realized that the quality of life is not about how long it has been, but how well you spent it.

Dinner @ The Real Thing Diner

One night, Ate Aljane agreed to go with me to Tender Bob's to eat steak... We went to SM North Edsa, The Block after my work and Mia, her sister, joined us. When we got there, the mall is about to close. Ang funny na nakakabwisit kasi the lady receptionist, in full smile, happily greeted us good evening followed by sorry closed na po,, I don't know if natutuwa sya o ano.. hahaha.. anyway, we went out of the mall since all the others are closing as well. We went to Tomas Morato and find a place para mairaos ang paghihikahos ng aming kalamnan! Chos!

We went to Terrazzo to check Banapple but the placed is crowded. Then something caught our attention, it's a place of red and white, it's named The Real Thing Diner. We went to check the menu and the lady in grass skirt(I think she is one of the owners or so) greeted us delightedly and asked us what aare we looking for. So we went in and ordered.

The Real Thing Diner features dishes which includes Coca Cola Products. The place is full of Coca Cola collectibles and the color is a war between red and white. 

They have nice music which is matched with the place's ambiance. The staff is attentive and courteous.

Since the famous dishes here have Coca cola products with them, we decided to have iced tea for our beverages.

We ordered a platter composed of their signature dishes. It has Coca-cola Baby Back Ribs, Tru-orange Porkchop and Eight O'clock Chicken. Among the three, Tru-orange porkchop is my favorite. These are really must try dishes when you go here!

We were so full already but our order of their Shrimp & Zucchini Linguini was served. It's quite good but there are portions that are too salty. I guessed I should have mixed it well on a bigger plate. Reminder, it is better to eat it at once when served.

For our desserts, I had Happily Appley, Swedish apple pie, served a la mode

Mia got, Choc a la mode, it's a warm chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream

Ate Aljane chose to have their Sundae composed of vanilla, strawberry and chocolate, accompanied by coca-cola syrup and topped with cherry

The food here is good and the price is very reasonable. One thing that I did not like is that the crew seemed to rush us when it was almost 11pm. I suggest you have to come early if you don't want to be in a hurry:)

MARKY COOKS: Fridays should always be Good (04.22.11)

Good Friday... I woke up early to feed Smeagle and give him his vitamins. I saw a Sumans on the table. It's a kakanin known to many Filipinos. It's just rice cake made of glutinous rice wrapped in palm leaves then steamed. I like my suman to be fried and hot. Put some butter and sugar on top and Voilà! My perfect Pinoy breakfast...

At lunchtime, Mama and I prepared some Fish Fingers and Chicken rolls. I made the white sauce out of cream and mushroom soup. The sauce made the fried stuff more interesting and it enhances the taste of the plain dish.

Chicken rolls and Fish Fingers in White Cream Sauce

I went out to have a view outside and I got interested on our love birds. I remember that I used to have a pair when I was a child and I cried so much when they died.

After resting, I went back to the kitchen to cook mirienda. Mom forgot to buy me chorizo so I have no choice but to look for an alternative. I found bacon inside the freezer and I used it. Yes it's good friday but I intentionally used it and put emphasis on the importance of abstaining from sin rather than meat. It's the same thing I cooked last January but mom requested for this one. It's just Bacon and Shrimp cooked in garlic and olive oil then I added chili powder and paprika. I added cheese to improve the taste.

Bacon and Shrimp pasta in Olive oil

We had a meaningful Good Friday this year. We joined the procession in our parish at night and commemorated our Savior's death on the cross to save us from sin:)

Breakfast @ The Sicilian Express (01.27.11)

Andrea and I decided to meet at UST a day before the Q Celebration! I came to buy the 200 peso bill with the UST @ 400 logo but it was no longer available. I asked Deah to have breakfast with me at The Sicilian Express, Dapitan. I was really craving for  pasta since last night. We were not sure if it's open because it's too early... Luckily they were!

Deah had a solo order of Seafood Marinara (140.00). What I love about Sicilian is the generosity when it comes to the sauce!

As always, I had Carbonara (130.00). I really love the creaminess of the sauce matched with the perfectly cooked pasta! I lililililililili love it!

We also ordered Chicken wings (180.00). 4 pieces of spicy wings served with sour creme dip. It was the first time we ordered this and I must say that it's a discovery! Deah likes it as well... I was surprised that she finished hers first:))

We went back to UST after that to meet Zoe! Deah treated us at the Krispy Kreme booth near the UST field. They joined me roaming around the campus while I am waiting for the time of my shift. I miss my friends so much!