Top 15 Recipes of 2015

In a few minutes we are about to welcome 2016!!! Before the year officially ends, I just want to thank all of our loyal readers and followers for supporting us throughout the year! It has been another wonderful year of blogging - many new and delicious recipes tried and enjoyed, many wonderful bloggers met and certainly many awesome readers and followers we got acquainted with. It is such a blessing to be able do something I really enjoy - cooking - and being able to share them with all of you is a major bonus! Again, thank you very much and wishing you all a 2016 full of blessings and happy memories!

Apple Cheesecake Pie with Caramel Sauce

I can't believe it's just a couple more days and 2015 is over! In some ways I am quite excited to welcome the new year as globally speaking 2015 has been quite chaotic and really challenging for so many. That is not to say there weren't many good things that happened in the past year. In fact, my habit as the year ends is always to make a list of the many things I can truly be thankful for. I can only do that if I go through the year month by month and look at the past and see how the Lord has truly blessed us. If often surprises me and in the end I often have to admit that indeed while the year past may not be perfect (it never will be!) it definitely is good and always has been good by God's grace.

17 Delicious Cranberry Recipes

It's Christmas Eve today and things are just getting busy and exciting. Thus, this post will be a little short on words but big and long on delicious recipes. We have gathered here 17 of our well-loved recipes that feature our favorite holiday berry - CRANBERRIES! I hope you love Cranberries as much as we do and hope you get to try some of these recipes if you haven't yet. Wishing you all dear readers and your family a most blessed Christmas season!

Date and Hazelnut (or Walnut) Bars (a.k.a. Food for the gods)

During the holiday season in the Philippines, particularly in the cities, one sweet treat that makes its appearance in cafes and groceries all over is this delicious cookie bar with a funny name - Food for the gods. It is essentially a rich and buttery date and walnut bar. There is a debate as to how it got its name.

Cranberry Eggnog Espresso Chocolate Chip Cake

This is my 13th cranberry recipe in the blog, can you believe it? I only realized that when I counted yesterday. That really shows how much we love cranberries in this family. It's such a great ingredient to use whether for a savory or sweet dish as it imparts a tangy and fresh taste that contrasts, enhances or compliments other flavors. Of course, it is a natural holiday favorite too because of its vibrant red color which makes anything you add it to look festive and gorgeous.

Christmas Krispie Wreaths

A few Christmases ago, while my kids were still quite young, we made some edible crafts that kept them occupied long enough to allow me some peace and quiet for an hour or so and also helped fill their little tummies. At that time, I wanted them not just to enjoy making something with Mommy but also have a sense of fulfillment with the work of their hands. So, we made these easy rice krispie Christmas wreaths.

25 Delicious No Bake Holiday Chocolate Desserts

Who can resist a good chocolate dessert? I certainly cannot! I am such a huge chocoholic that most of the desserts I do in this blog involve chocolate especially the dark and bitter variety. Hubby totally influenced me on that as he's an even bigger chocolate fan than me. So it is just proper to make a recipe round up of nothing else but chocolate - the best NO Bake Chocolate Desserts online! After all, the Christmas season is such a busy time that you want recipes that are quick, easy, make ahead and something that involves (if possible) no oven at all! 

Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cranberry Cider

A deliciously spiced fruity cider with a mix of apple and cranberry juices and made in the slow cooker for ease and convenience. Family friendly and party-perfect! 

While I am not an avid fan of winter at all (blame that on my tropical island upbringing!), there are certain things that I like that are associated with it. Christmas season would naturally top the list and of course, being  a food blogger, I love all the food and drink that we often enjoy only during the cold months. Like a steaming mug of hot chocolate for instance or as this post features - a deliciously spiced fruity cider.

21 Luscious NO BAKE Holiday Cheesecakes

It's the most wonderful time of the year....With the kids jingle belling....And everyone telling you be of good cheer......and so the song goes. This song has been playing in my head for a few days now. I guess because I have been gearing up for Christmas since September that's why! Why September? Because the whole 7,100+ islands of the Philippine archipelago believe in their hearts as soon as the -BER months begin - it's the signal of Christmas season so some radio stations and around the malls you'll begin to hear Christmas carols already. I know, it's too much but I am just trying to fully embrace my culture! LOL. 

Fresh Ginger Tea with Honey (Salabat) to help cure Cold, Cough and Flu

Generally speaking, we the Pinoys (Filipinos) are not huge tea drinkers. In fact, if someone visits your house and you offer him or her some tea instead of coffee that person would respond by saying, "I am feeling well, thank you" or "But I am not sick." It is because tea in the Philippines is often taken only when someone is not feeling well. You can expect a mom with a sick child (old enough to drink tea) to say, "Drink some tea so you feel better."

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

I love cooking with spices. I just love the intense complexity in flavor that a little dash of cinnamon, nutmeg or my favorite cardamon can add to a dish. When I decided to make some condiment for Thanksgiving, I thought it had to be cranberry sauce and a spiced one, too.

Cranberry Cheese and Prosciutto Sandwich

Do you stick to one particular supermarket or grocery store when you go shopping for food on a weekly basis? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't depending on which one has a sale. I do have three favorite stores that I make my rounds on. I already know, more or less, where to go for particular products or for certain food and that helps make everything easier and convenient.

Candied Sweet Potato Casserole

My family and I are getting excited about Thanksgiving and it's just around the corner. Since my parents and siblings  are in the Philippines and hubby's parents are in England, when Thanksgiving comes we really don't have our family to celebrate with us - it's just the four of us, hubby, me and our two little Americans. We do miss them especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas as it's not often that we get to see them because the fares are astronomically high to travel abroad during holiday season.

Best Apple Crisp

A few days ago our very kind neighbors gave us a bag of apples. They were quite a lot and we knew we wouldn't be able to eat it all of it in one go so I had to think of other ways to enjoy these juicy apples. I have made several recipes using apples before and didn't fancy simply re-creating them. I was suddenly in the mood for doing something I haven't done yet.

Easy 3 Ingredient Chili (Slow Cooker or Stove Top)

Even though I am not a winter fan at all I do have two perfectly good reasons why I can tolerate (perhaps even love!) the cold season - fashion and food! Let's talk about fashion first. I just love fall and winter fashion - the boots, scarves, coats, hats or headbands and what have you.... I just love to dress up during fall and winter. I get excited digging up in the closet what I can wear again for the next few months and finding out which ones fit well with a particular pair of shoes or scarf, etc. The best part is that you don't even need to buy expensive clothes as long as you can properly mix and match your outfit with your accessories.

30 Minute Beef and Franks Spaghetti Meal

This post is is sponsored by Prego® Sauces. All opinions are mine alone. 

Ready in 30 minutes, this Beef and Franks Spaghetti Meal with only 5 main ingredients is the perfect dinner solution for busy moms. With ground beef, hot dogs, vegetables and a rich Italian sauce served over pasta, a delicious weeknight family meal has never been easier.

Dutch Apple Pie Bars

Apple Pie....who can resist this delicious fall favorite? I surely can't! I definitely crave this delicious dessert especially in Autumn but sometimes I don't feel like going through the trouble of making a pastry dough from scratch or even using a store bought one. Thankfully, these delicious apple pie bars come to the rescue!

No Bake Individual Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake

We had a ladies' book study at our apartment last Friday and I volunteered to host it. We scheduled it in a way that the study would be done at noon time and thereafter we could have lunch fellowship. I mentioned in the previous post that for the main course I made some hearty Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup. For dessert, I knew I had to make something with pumpkin and since I never made a pumpkin cheesecake before I attempted to make one.

Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup

Several years ago when we were still living in Michigan, one of the ladies from our church prepared this soup for our ladies fellowship. All of us who attended that meeting enjoyed this very tasty soup and naturally we all asked for the recipe. She kindly gave us a copy and I have never forgotten this yummy soup ever since.

One Pot Beef Risotto with Arugula

Of late I have been using a lot of Arugula (also known as Rocket) in my dishes from salad to sandwiches. I have totally fallen in love with this salad leaf. I love the flavor that it brings to the dish. On its own it has quite a strong pungent and peppery taste but mix it with other ingredients and this vibrant green vegetable provides an extra flavor dimension that not only contrast or complement with other flavors but truly enhances the taste over all. Because of this I never hesitate to experiment with it.

Pear, Honey, Cheese and Caramelized Onion Sandwiches

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Rhode Island to check out the city of Newport, well-known for its lovely beaches and of course its mansions. It was holiday in Connecticut, the weather was warm and sunny so we took advantage and took a quick tour to our neighboring state. While there we had a quick stroll of the city center and had a tour of  "The Breakers" (Vanderbilt Mansion). We had a truly wonderful time.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Lassi

*These products were given to us free to sample as members of the Chobani Parents Club. All opinions are my own. #Chobani #ChobaniKids

Oh glorious autumn....the cool crisp weather, the falling leaves and the delicious flavors of the season! I am not a fan of winter at all but fall.....I love, love fall. I wish after Fall we can skip winter and proceed to spring so that after the bright reds, yellows and oranges of autumn we will immediately be treated to the delightful sight of vibrant green. 

One Pot Meatballs and Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles)

Last weekend we attended the fair at Durham here in Connecticut. I believe it is the biggest in the state, much anticipated and certainly well-attended. There was so much to see and check out that you can honestly spend an entire day during the fair without getting bored at all. My kids and I had a lovely time checking out the rides, games and exhibits and the animal shows. I have honestly never attended a fair this huge so it was something new and exciting for me.

Baked Spiced Salmon

I am enjoying the perfect weather we are having this month of September. It is sunny and warm during the daytime ((without being oppressive) and cool enough to sleep at night without having to turn the air conditioner on. The lovely days of September inspire me to turn the oven on and begin baking again not just for cakes or other sweet treats but certainly for savory recipes, too.

Yummy Blueberry Cheesecake

Delectable blueberry cheesecake.....for me there isn't a more satisfying dessert than a sumptuous slice of cheesecake. My whole family loves cheesecake so I have made different varieties through the years - from no bake, to plain, white chocolate, dark chocolate, with green tea, one with nutella, etc - you name it. While I haven't totally exhausted all kinds of cheesecake - we are always willing to try something new.

Fig, Prosciutto and Arugula Sandwich Wrap

Fresh figs from California were on sale the other day so I grabbed myself a box. It's unbelievable but it was my first time to actually taste fresh figs. Oh, it was so sweet and delicious! How could I not have tried this before?  Actually, it's because I've never really noticed fresh figs being sold much in the grocery where we lived previously. Perhaps, I didn't look hard enough and that could be true or perhaps I usually just found the dried ones. Since we don't have these in the Philippines, I am truly not very familiar with it and have never used them for anything.

No Churn Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream

This post was meant to be published last month when the blazing summer sun was in all its glory. However, since we were on a holiday break certain adjustments had to be made. Since we regularly feature photographic travel journals in the blog as well, I decided to devote the month of  August to that and I think it worked out well as I managed to actually finish all the travel posts pretty much within the time frame. Hurrah!!! If you wish to see these posts, you can find them here.

Food Tastings: Deliciously Healthy Cooking Class by Food Magazine

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Food and Travel Feature: Munich & Berlin, Germany 2015

This is part 4 of our Food and Travel series 2015 featuring the places we visited during our tour of Europe in August. We are featuring two cities here - Munich and Berlin. There is so much to show and learn about these fascinating cities and our quick tour is not enough to cover them all. This is simply a quick overview of what can be seen there. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy browsing through.  This photo was taken at Marienplatz - a central square in the center of Munich. It has been the city's main square since 1158 and this was the place where we began our tour.

Hush Puppies

It is getting a little cooler in the morning now, I certainly feel that in the air. While I hate to say goodbye to summer, I welcome the cooler weather, too. I guess, after experiencing a heatwave in Europe while we were there this month, air conditioning and cooler weather in the US was very much a welcome relief! Indeed, it is when you travel that you realize how much you miss the comfort of home and certainly aircon!!! LOL. :)

Food and Travel Feature: Prague, Czech Republic 2015

This is part 3 of our series on our European Holiday 2015 covering the month of August (one more post to go!). We have been to England, France and Austria and for this post - the Czech Republic, particularly Prague, is the focus. Right now we are in London and the tour is ending.....it feels kind of sad as I used to live here and have many happy memories. Anyway, let's go on with the post. This is the view of the city on top of the hill at Hradcany. You can also see Charles Bridge. :)

Food and Travel Feature: Austria 2015

We are on our European holiday at the moment so posts for this month will include not just recipes but also travel features about the countries we are visiting. Here are some holiday photos from our trip to Austria. Hope you enjoy browsing!  By the way, the above photo is of the Schonbrunn Palace and is featured below, too. 

Wagamama's Yaki Soba

There are two restaurants in the UK that we always go back to when we visit England. One is Nando’s (home of the Portuguese flamed grilled Peri-peri chicken) and Wagamama (restaurant featuring modern Japanese-inspired cuisine). Granted that there is Wagamama now in the US, particularly in Boston, since we don’t often go there, we make sure that we don’t miss the chance to visit our favorite branches in London. :)

Food and Travel Feature: UK and France 2015

We are on our European holiday at the moment so posts for this month will include not just recipes but also travel features about the countries we are visiting. Here are some holiday photos from our trip to the UK and France. Hope you enjoy browsing!

Cooking, on occasion, is a shared chore between my husband and myself. I am so glad for that because there are times when I am not able to cook and when that happens, I am not worried because I know that hubby has a few recipes up his sleeve that he can easily whip up for the family. Sometimes, he just feels like giving me a break, too and then he cooks his favorite recipes that we all enjoy. On other times, things are just hectic and that's when I need an extra hand in the kitchen to help speed things up and that's when he is so handy, too!

Like in this particular day, a few days ago, when we were all set to leave for the UK for a holiday. Our flight was in the evening but we still had to make it early enough to the airport which was in New York so things really got busy in the morning with all the last minute packing and, of course, preparations for breakfast. Thankfully, hubby and the kids came to the rescue! We divided the chore - kids set the table as usual while hubby and I set off to make the food.

We had some food we needed to eat up before we left and we didn't want to just throw them away. We had some assortment of food - quinoa, fresh tomatoes, eggs, bacon and kale. I felt like we were in Chopped trying to figure out what to make with these ingredients. Thankfully, my creative and quick-thinking husband decided he would make quinoa with some scrambled eggs and bacon - which I thought was a fabulous idea! I decided I had to do something with the kale and so my kids would eat it (they had to anyway!) I thought I'd make it a bit more palatable by adding some bacon and garlic. So in the end, we had a delicious breakfast as you can see in the photo - it all came out well. It was a sweet ending as all the food that needed to be used up were not wasted and put to good use. And most of all, I have this quick and easy Kale dish for you to enjoy. Only 3 ingredients to make this tasty and somewhat healthy side dish (it's got Kale!)! Experiment on the seasoning and use either some soy sauce or oyster sauce to replace the salt and pepper to make an Asian-flavored side dish! Enjoy!

Sautéed Kale with Bacon and Garlic

By: Manila Spoon
August 8, 2015


Who says Kale cannot taste good? Add some bacon and garlic and you're all set - Sauteed Kale with Bacon and Garlic. Naturally, gluten-free and low-carb!

Ingredients

• 3-4 Bacon strips
• 3 Garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 2 packs (5 oz each) Baby Kale
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a wok or a large skillet, cook the bacon until it has rendered its fat and has turned crispy. Break the bacon into bits. Set aside.
2. Pour out the bacon grease from the pan but leave about 3 tablespoons for cooking. Saute the garlic cloves briefly until aromatic.
3. Add the kale leaves, stir and cook until wilted. This doesn't take very long perhaps about 3-4 minutes depending on how tender you want the kale to be. Season with salt and pepper. If you fancy some Asian seasoning instead, replace the salt and pepper with soy sauce or oyster sauce, to taste (about 2-3 teaspoons).
4. Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with the bacon bits. Enjoy immediately.

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cooking Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes

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Today, just before the clock strikes midnight, our family is off to Europe! We are all very excited, indeed! My husband Mark is English so every other year we go to England to visit his parents. While there we make it a point to cross over the continent so we can visit a few countries and enjoy not just the people and their culture, but of course, their food....glorious FOOD! So just before I place the few bits and pieces of stuff into my luggage and take off, I thought I'll publish this post. After all it's quite appropriate as it's a European dessert - Belgian Iced Coffee Cream (Cafe  Liegeois) - and something that makes me giddy excited about this trip!

That's me back in 2013 in a cafe in Brussels enjoying this most delicious coffee with a delightful chocolate surprise at the bottom! Apart from their chocolate and waffles, I am totally in-love as well with Belgian coffee - for a coffee lover like me - it was coffee heaven to enjoy the various types of coffee delicacy they had.

This famous Belgian Iced Coffee Cream (Cafe  Liegeois) dessert actually doesn't require a strict recipe as it's so easy to make and certainly so adjustable to one's preference. What I'll write below are the ingredients and a guide as to how I make it based on how I like it to taste.

First you really need a good Espresso! Thankfully, I live in an area where I am surrounded by 3 amazing Italian delis so I just purchased individual shots of espresso.

Then, get your favorite Vanilla ice cream, double or heavy whipping cream and your favorite chocolate sauce and some chocolate bars (the last one is optional). The original Belgian dessert actually uses either coffee extract or even  liqueur but I have kids so I thought - I'll switch it to some chocolate sauce instead so they can enjoy this, too! :) Hence, the chocolate is missing from the photo below.... :)

And after that, it's simply a matter of mixing it all together (the ice cream should be softened a little for easier mixing). You can either mix by hand, use an immersion blender or if you wish it to be more like an ice cream again - churn it once more in an ice cream maker. Either way, they're all good. Look at all that yummy chocolate sauce!

Anyway whether you're a coffee lover or not, do try this easy dessert! It is so goooood - it will blow you away! Enjoy immediately! :)

Belgian Iced Coffee Cream (Café Liegeois)

By: Manila Spoon
August 3, 2015

Ingredients

• 8 scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream, softened slightly (not thawed)
• 2-3 shots of strong and unsweetened Espresso, divided
• 8 Tablespoons of heavy or double whipping cream
• 4 Tablespoons of Chocolate sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 (70 %) dark Chocolate bar (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Chill 4 small glasses or bowls in the freezer while readying the other ingredients.
2. Divide the ice cream (2 scoops each) into the 4 glasses or bowls.
3. Pour over equal amounts of espresso on each bowl (depending on how strong you want it - between 1-2 teaspoons is suggested or to taste.) Follow it with the chocolate sauce and the heavy cream, evenly dividing the cream and chocolate sauce among the bowls.
4. Mix by hand or use an immersion blender. If it looks quite soft, simply place in the freezer for 10 minutes or so to harden a little or you can enjoy it right away! Garnish with chocolate shavings just before serving, if desired.

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cooking Time: 0 Minutes
Total Time: 5 Minutes

We love to hear from you. Do share your comment or feedback on any of our recipes. 

If you like what you see and would like to receive new recipe updates, we'd love you to subscribe to our posts or join our site. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Pinterest where you can get more recipes and updates. Thanks and happy browsing!

Oriental (Asian) Coleslaw

From the time I got to taste this delicious salad many years ago during one of our church potluck dinners, I was hooked. I must admit the first time I saw this salad, I thought it looked weird. Uncooked ramen noodles on top? Really? 

Scrumptious Butter Cake

I usually have a few posts waiting to be published. I like to prepare ahead, when I can, so I don't panic when it's time to post a new recipe. Since we are off to Europe in less than 2 weeks I thought it's time to share this delicious and moist Butter Cake of German origin since we will be visiting Germany as part of our trip and it may help me get me into the mood. Truth is, I am panicking rather than feeling excited because there's still so much to do before we go but am also hopeful things will all get done on time! We shall see!!!

Lazy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Tomorrow we will have fellowship dinner at church. Apart from a main dish and salad, I included some dessert as well as part of my family's pot luck contribution. Early in the week, I decided to look for a dessert that can be prepared at least a day ahead which does not require much fuss yet still has that palate-pleasing factor.

Easy 2 Ingredient Lentil and Cilantro Dip

First of all, this is not a sponsored post though it feels like it and perhaps I should pitch it to Trader Joe's. :) Anyway, I do owe the recipe to the grocery store so it is but fair to give them full credit. We live fairly near a Trader Joe's store so we naturally go there for some of our grocery needs. Oftentimes, they give out food samples for the customers to try and my kids are more than happy to indulge their little tummies and try some free food!

Filipino Coconut Chicken Curry

The other night we had dinner over at our friend's house. A missionary visiting from France who spoke at our church last Sunday stayed with them. For his last night we decided to have dinner together, sort of a pot luck. I didn't have time to prepare a main dish as we toured him around the area during the day (though I made some French clafoutis for dessert in his honor). Hubby and I just decided to get a couple of rotisserie chicken as our contribution. 

Quick and Easy Peach Melba

It's already Peach season (woohoo!!!) so I thought it is just the right time to share a post about one of my favorite summer fruits - juicy and delicious peaches! While we often end up just eating the ripe, plump peaches on their own unadorned, occasionally, we use them for making delicious desserts, too. One of the easiest and quickest dessert I make with peaches is Peach Melba.

Red, White and Blue Yogurt Parfait

My kids absolutely love yogurt. Whenever I run out of breakfast ideas you can be certain they will suggest, "Can we have something with yogurt, please?"  For them anything with yogurt just tastes better. So we always have some yogurt stashed in the fridge for snacking or breakfast emergencies!