I used to love munching on ice cubes. Aaah! But CNBlue`s Yonghwa Oppa also does that… Excuses! haha {I can`t believe I just wrote “oppa” like a Korean highschool fan girl!} Anyone of you who also loves ice cubes, or am I just too weird? But with this summer heat in what`s supposed to be rainy day June, one just can`t help but find anything cold to eat—or munch on.

 

Flavored Ice cubes  are soft when you come up with a really creamy mixture or even just with fruit juice. Y-U-M-M-Y! I love that! {But I love it even when it`s just plain water.} And ice pops? Need not to say, they make me smile all the time!

 

I found these cute recipes I`m gonna try this week. Also perfect for you, my lovely friends who`s enjoying summer in your hometowns halfway around the globe.

 

Happy Summer!

 

 

 

 

 

PS. You can also make flavored coffee ice cubes out of coffee, tea or any  fruit juice… I like milk ice cubes in chocolate and tea. Or chocolate cubes in milk! I`ve also seen a recipe using canned fruit salad frozen into cubes and dropped in refreshing fruit juices! Mmmmm….

Do you remember the Cold Soybean noodle soup I showed you almost a year ago here on the blog? I finally found the recipe tonight!

 

I asked Papa if we could buy soybeans anywhere here. I`ve never held soybeans with my hands ever before! I love taho and soymilk but never seen how a real soybean looks like. My Dad said soybeans can be bought in supermarkets! Yes! And though I kindda doubted and thought that maybe what he meant was sago {the black pearls in your pearl shakes}, I might as well trust him, right?

 

So here`s the recipe of kongguksu (Kong means beans in korean, Guksu means noodle soup {Yey! I`m learning my Korean, writing that down from memory. Aaah! Yabang! I`m too proud! }. I`m gonna try this as soon as I find those beans somewhere. You should try too!

 

Anyway, I`m running a little poll in here…right there on your right side.. the right sidebar. Please tick a little box if you have a little more time.

 

Thank you for dropping by!

Last year, I posted about cute Japanese bento boxes and my favorite Hello Kitty sushi, and wished I would learn how to make them myself. Boy, they`re so intricate and seems so hard to do.

 

Today, I foundc ute instructions how to do the super cute bento box fillings.

 

 

Here are  the samples. I`m excited to try!!!

Ava and I love the ham-apple-cheese wraps recipe we got from Martha Stewart. Too bad, I didn`t take a photo last time we made it. I love and crave for it so much that sometimes, when we`ve got no ham or cheese for the wrap, I just slice an apple and dip it in a cheesy dip and it`s enough to make my day.

 

I`ve always, always been a fan of kid-friendly recipes over the net because they`re simple and fun and so easy to do. Here are a few of my favorite recipes you must also try to enjoy yourselves.

 

Happy Tuesday! {Links to the recipe are in pink letters.}

 

1. Apricot and Cheddar Chicken Melt

 

In this cute, yummy recipe, apricot jam/ preserves is spread on a baguette, and then topped with chicken, cheese and ham and brought to the broiler to make the cheese melt.

 

Kids and grown-ups would love this for snacks! Yum!

 

Ripe here!

 

 

Mini TurkeyBurger

    It`s hard to find thick burger patties in Philippine supermarkets. I also wonder why. But you can always make one anyway.

 

I love this recipe. If there`s no turkey, you can substitute chicken instead and whoala! You`ve got thick mini chicken burger patties to enjoy!

 

Lighter

Beef Tacos

How `bout lean ground sirloin and low-fat tortillas for your tacos?

 

This one`s a little “fiery” {uses chili paste} but can always be excluded if you wish.

 

Recipe here.

 

 

I`m thinking about something for breakfast tomorrow because I`m tired of pan noodles and canned tuna. ;) This week had been fairly busy so none of us ever made our way to supermarket.

 

So these eggs are just fine `cause they`re everywhere and we`ve got plenty of herbs, still, in the kitchen cabinets (I tried to hide my secret herbs but yeah, they`re running out. My sister Viola is trying them on everything she cooks).

 

Baked eggs on ramekin dishes! My dad would be so proud. Very, very French!

 

 

Mmmm… What can you say?

 

But I should follow the instructions carefully because they`re not as easy as scrambled eggs. Aaah. It`s good food. It`s FRENCH.

 

And Cathy, everything that`s French is classy. Everything that looks classy can be complicated.

 

But I won`t give up! And you shouldn`t either.

 

Wanna try this with me tomorrow morning?

 

Click here for the full recipe.

All photos from A Cozy Kitchen.

Hi, my dear friends! I`m taking a break from blogging for a while and I want to let you know so my absence wouldn`t leave you wondering where am I.

 

 

It has come to a point in my life where I have to get a way from my usual activities and set on a quiet journey of challenges, new adventures and hope. I`m starting a walk of faith that is, of course, filled with elements of uncertainty and blindness towards the next step, because how can it be faith if we are so sure? And as nervous as I am now is my heart`s desire to cling into my Lord`s hands and heart as I walk the next steps of life.

 

 

I won`t be gone for long. I hope just for a week or two. I`ll be back when I have the good news to share with you. I`m practicing my faith now, see? I hope you would stay around with me until I come back with more faith-filled stories, for more victories and triumph. And I also would want to ask for you to pray for me, your sister in the Lord, as I face these challenges head on.

 

But before I go on my little break

I want to share with you a few things. I couldn`t just leave without the links, right? haha

 

A new book written by a friend I met in Subic Bay several years ago is something I`m so excited about. Jia Min was a missionary from Doulos, and their ship was on shore for a moment and I happened to be right in Subic for a missions trip as well. I was so inspired with her life and testimony.

 

She was fresh from a prestigious college in Singapore when she took the less traveled road, obeying the Lord and leaving her comfort zone to join a missions group that traveled by sea, going around the world to spread the Good News, instead of pursuing a career and supporting her family.

 

 

Now, she`s got a book published—Out of the Harbor—her journal entries for 6 years on board the ship and I can`t wait to get a hold of the book myself.

 

Here`s my favorite part from the preview on her blog. Funny and entertaining but so teaches life`s sweetest lessons.

Port Said, Egypt: Plastic Bags and Tea Bags

 

If you`re in Singapore, you can find it in any major bookstores. If not, you can order it online here.

 

And of course, here`s a recipe you

might want to try. I can`t wait to try this one myself.

 

Amy Cotler`s Strawberry Yogurt Soup at Design Sponge.

Yummy!

 

 

 

 

So, I got to go now! I`ll see you soon!

Blessings!

 

PS. Please check out the archives when you miss me. And you can still contact me via the contact form on this site. I`ll respond as quick as I can.

 

I found this mouth-watering photos from the new book On A Stick by Matt Armendariz and I think I`m going crazy, I want to go to the States and get a copy for myself and start cooking, cooking, cooking!

 

I wonder…. I wonder how long will they get to have it in bookstores in the Philippines?

 

Now, look at these photos. I`m hungry and panicking and shaking in excitement. But can you blame me?

Corn dogs! Oh! Corn dogs! Yum-mmmmy!

View a preview recipe at Design Sponge. Photo via Design Sponge

.

Refreshing Fruit Skewers! (Aaah! I`m fainting!)

 

Appetizing Coconut Shrimp! Delicious!!!

POPcorn Balls!!!

Spaghetti and Meatballs On-A-Stick!

Wow! I mean, wow! Who would`ve thought this was even possible?!

Chicken and waffles!

Reminds me of Hongkong street foods and the Filipino Kikiam!

 

Fried Pickles!

They look appetizing even if don`t quite like pickles!

And Panzanella sticks!

Look at those chewy croutons!

 

Now, my dear friends… are you as hungry as I am now?

 

Wow!

For a change, I’m posting only one link for inspiration and the rest would be recipes I’m dying to try soon—if not this week.

 

I don`t know but I suddenly became so excited to cook again. Funny thing is that my sister Ava was recruited to join a pageant (whoa! I`ll tell you in another post) and she`ll be working hard to stay fit for next coming weeks. Haha Good thing there`s no swimsuit competition `cause I might not be a good influence to her eating habits. haha Anyway, my conservative sister won`t join if there is such. ;)

 

Enjoy cooking!

 

 Tofu Dumplings from Shiori

{This one`s in Japanese-please use a webpage translator}

 

Sweet and Spicy TongDak by Aeri Lee

 

 

Vietnamese Spring Rolls by Giao Trac

{via Design Sponge}

 

Korean Style Fruit Salad by Aeri Lee

 

Hot and Sour Soup by Shiori

{This one`s in Japanese-please use a webpage translator}

 

And finally, For Inspiration

When It’s Hard To Change: Breakfast With Jesus by Bonnie Gray

Did you enjoy this morning`s Japanese-style fried chicken recipe? I sure did. Now, here`s an extended list of all beautiful recipes from Shiori.

Most of the recipes from Shiori are western recipes made Japanese-style. I picked the ones that`s more Japanese. Just be a little patient with the links though. The original site is in Jap and Google translate (like other website translators) wasn`t able translate it perfectly.

 

Have a good time cooking!

 

1. Spring Picnic Lunch Box

Click here for the recipe.

 

2. Ozoni

Click here for the recipe.

 

3.Bacon and Spinach Quiche

Click here for the recipe.

 

4. Miso Soup and Salmon + Sweet Potato Milk Rice

Click here for the recipe.

 

5. Mango Pudding Melts

Click here for the recipe.

 

6. Taco Rice

Click here for the recipe.

 

7. Meatloaf Jap-Style!

Click here for the recipe.

 

For more recipes from Shiori, click here..

It`s 2:44am here in Manila and I`m still up—and hungry! Now, I`ve seen this yummy Chicken recipe earlier, on With Magazine,  and it makes me crave for food even more!

 

What`s really amazing about this dish is that it is not your usual fried chicken recipe. I got a little too excited when I found out it has grated garlic, ginger juice, yuzu pepper and a little rice wine (the alcohol would evaporate, so it would be just fine).

 

I can`t wait to try this one out! Here`s the recipe for you guys! Thanks for dropping by!

This year, why not try to become more adventurous in your kitchen and try unconventional recipes that would surprise your friends, family, and guests.

 

From white chocolate soup, Greek cheesy grilled seafood, to Asian Pan Noodles and Narnia’s Turkish Delight, make this year a year to remember.

 

1. White Chocolate Soup by Trish Desein                  {via Design Sponge}

White cholocate soup with Passion fruit and coconut juice. Sounds yummy, isn`t it? Worth trying out, definitely!

 

                                                              Click here for the recipe.

 

2. Kare-Kare

Kare-Kare is a peanut-based stew from the Philippines made with vegetables, beef and beef tripe. If you don`t eat beef tripe, you can omit it. For vegetarians, you can omit the tripe and the beef, and it would taste just as good. The unique thing about Kare-kare is that it is not salted and it is served with fermented shrimp paste called bagoong (available in Philippine grocery stores) to season it.

                                                                Click here for the recipe.

 

3. Grilled Stuffed Squid with Feta Cheese

This grilled squid recipe is an original Greek recipe that uses oregano, garlic, and olive oil for marinade, and the squid is stuffed with feta cheese before being grilled until slightly crisp. Perfect for summer backyard gatherings and beach parties. But I can’t wait to try this one out right now!

                                                                    Click here for the recipe.

 

4. Narnia’s Turkish Delight

Ever wondered how the Turkish Delight featured in C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” tastes like?

 

The Turkish Delight shown in the movie is placed in a cup and looks like ice cream—if I remember it right. I’ve found a recipe that is supposed to go along with the real Turkish Delight (which is a candy) but would be very much similar to the one on the movie.

Click here for the recipe.

 

The real Turkish delight, which was invented in the 1700’s,is a candy made with sugar, icing, lemon juice, and rose water.

 

                *Click here for the recipe.

 

It’s all up to you to try the candy or the light and airy dessert that goes with it. Better try it together! Sure, both would be sweet-smelling and yummy because of rose water and cream.

 

5. Royal Palace TteokBokkI

Originally served to Korean Kings and Queens, this recipe will surely make you feel you’re like one of them!

Click here for the recipe.

 

 

6.Lemon Curd and Buttermilk Panna Cotta Cake   via {Design Sponge}

Looking for something Sleeping Beauty would probably eat?

This lovely cake is made with lemon curd, merigue stickes, lemon and almond sponge cake and buttermilk panna cotta that when assembled, looks lovely like this. Perfect for fairytale tea parties!

 

Click here for the recipe.

 

7. Wild Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna

Unlike the regular cheesy, meaty lasagna, this recipe is made of chanterelles, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms and lots of fresh spinach and romano cheese. Healthy option for lasagna lovers!

Click here for the recipe.

 

8. Roasted Fall Vegetable and Ricotta Pizza

 

This pizza recipe uses roasted fall vegetables. But even if it’s not fall, you can substitute the available vegetables during the season which make this flexible any time of the year.

 

Click here for the recipe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Lunar New Year Soup

This soup recipe is the one Koreans cook during their New Year celebration. It is made of beef, seaweed and rice cakes and topped with eggs.

                                                                 Click here for the recipe

10. Japanese Pan Noodles

Described as “satisfying and hearty, caramelized Japanese udon noodles in a sweet and spicy soy sauce.” in Noodle and Company’s Japanese Pan Noodles, this recipe remake will surely be a good starter for day. Delightful, healthy and very easy to do.

Click here for the recipe.

 

I hope you’d try making some of these sometime during the year!

Anyway, here’s another dessert recipe that you would surely love! Have a great year cooking!

 

Frozen Berry Pudding

This frozen berry pudding made with three kids of berries and cream is very easy to do and would surely delight your guests! All you’ve got to do is beat and freeze!

 

Can’t wait till summer arrives!

 

                    Click here for the recipe.