Chocolate Indulgence

This is so easy to make and it's no bake. It's got everything you want in a dessert - chocolate, caramel, cream and some toffee bits for good measure!

It's summer time and we have been experiencing such lovely weather here in England where we are on holiday and visiting some family. That explains why I have been a bit late in posting some recipes for the month of June my dear readers. We have been traveling and I am just over the jet lag, I think and I hope so.  In the next few days I hope to catch up and I finally I got a new one for you!!

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

The classic Filipino dish - Chicken Adobo - marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns and garlic then cooked in the pressure cooker (instant pot).

I have lost count with regard to the number of adobo recipes I have! This is the latest and probably the 5th! Well, we love chicken adobo so much that I want to try all the different versions. I have my own classic adobo, our helper's awesome adobo, Chinese-style adobo, slow cooker adobo and then this --- a pressure cooker version. And this time, I am talking mainly about chicken adobo -- pork adobo is equally as popular and for me, equally delicious!

Sautéed Green Beans with Lemon and Almonds

Just 5 minutes to make this tasty side dish full of buttery, lemony goodness and extra crunch from Almonds! 

I am grateful that my kids love to eat vegetables or at least are willing to try new vegetable dishes which is why I try to look for new recipes so they don't get tired of the same old fare. The other day I got some haricots verts instead of the usual green beans. Haricots verts are also called French green beans - they look like the regular green beans but with thinner edible pods and smaller seeds. Nonetheless, despite seeming smaller than their bigger green bean cousins - they are more intense in flavor and taste. Well, at least according to my taste buds!! :)

Yummy Strawberry Cheesecake

Deliciously creamy and fruity cheesecake with a luscious sweet-tangy strawberry sauce that brings this dessert over the top. Best way to welcome Spring!

Are you excited for Spring? I am so into spring nowadays!! I've had enough of winter already (though I must say I have no right to complain as this past winter has been pretty mild!)!! Anyway, when I got together with my favorite food bloggers in the world wide web and we decided that our theme for the month of March for our 30 Day Recipe Challenge would be berries - I had no hesitation at all in choosing strawberries as my featured fruit. After all strawberries are the quintessential spring fruit!

Cheese Tortellini and Pesto Soup

This very tasty soup is a huge time saver and great for those busy nights! No chopping or extra prep required to make this yummy Cheese  Tortellini and Pesto Soup.

It was just one of those nights when I needed to make dinner but I didn't have enough time. Our fridge had a lot of food in it but it seemed that everything I thought of making required too much effort, lots of ingredients involved and quite a long cooking time, Making Filipino or Asian food was out of the question as that usually required a lot of prep time usually in the form of chopping vegetables. What was a mommy to do?

Italian Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup

In 30 minutes you have a delicious, nutritious and hearty soup for the whole family -  Italian Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup. Easy recipe, too.

Winter season is soup season indeed! Since winter is also the season when you most likely will get sick or catch a bug, I want to make sure that I feed  my family healthy and wholesome food, too. As we all know green and leafy vegetables are one of the best sources of nutrients and Kale is certainly often considered the queen (or was it king?) of greens! Naturally, since it's not exactly candy material and the bright tint of green doesn't excite my kids either - I need to devise some ways to make them eat this healthy veggie!

Dutch Baby Pancake with Spiced Apples and Bananas

Delicious and easy to make Dutch Baby Pancake loaded with cinnamon spiced Apples and Bananas! So yummy and perfect for breakfast or brunch!

I have been desiring to make Dutch Baby Pancakes for the longest time but for whatever reason, I never got to. Sad. However,this day was meant to be the day to do it. Sophie, my little girl, approached me this morning and asked me what was for breakfast. She was usually content with cereals or oatmeal and anything with yogurt but today she requested something different. When I mentioned pancakes, she was immediately delighted. I told her, when the idea of Dutch baby pancake popped into my mind, that she may have to wait a little because this is not the regular pancake and it required some baking. She seemed excited about the idea of a new kind of pancake so didn't mind waiting a little at all.

Italian Sausage Casserole

This Italian Sausage Casserole is delicious and loaded with flavors from meat, herbs and vegetables! A healthy and yummy option for those in a gluten-free and low-carb diet, too!

Last November we went to England because of a family emergency. While we were there we met up with some of our friends. We only get to see them when we come to the UK for a visit so when we are over we make sure we meet at least once. One of the Sundays we were in London we attended worship service at St. Helen's, part of the Church of England denomination. Our friend attends this church regularly and we all decided to have dinner together after the evening service. After our souls were fed, we wondered where to get some physical nourishment. Thankfully, we didn't have to go too far to find a restaurant as St. Helen's, on Sunday nights, offers a dining service in one of its buildings for a very reasonable price. And the food was really good!!!

Slow Cooker Beef Caldereta (Kalderetang Baka)

This Asian beef stew (Beef Caldereta) is robust in flavor and so delicious! Cooking in the slow cooker makes it very convenient, too. Serve with Jasmine rice.

Sometime last year when the weather was starting to get cooler, I had this intense craving for Filipino food. In particular, I was longing for a steamy bowl of Beef Caldereta, a classic Filipino beef stew originally based on a Spanish stew, hence the name, (we were colonized by Spain for over 300 years, remember?) but with a distinctly and authentic Asian flair! It is a dish you will commonly find in any major celebration in the Philippines - weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, you name it. It is usually made with either beef or goat though you may also find versions of chicken or pork. Naturally, it pairs perfectly well with rice!

White Chocolate Chex Party Mix

So deliciously good and highly addictive!! Chex cereal, chopped pretzels and pistachios smothered in white chocolate and subtly spiced with Nutmeg or Cinnamon - this White Chocolate Chex Party Mix is the ultimate party snack! NO BAKE!

Happy New Year!!! In just a few more hours we will officially welcome 2017!! I don't know about you, but I can honestly say, I can't wait for the new year to come. 2016 has been a really tough year for myself, personally, and for my entire family. We've had many challenges, some illnesses and yes, even the passing of a loved one. The great thing is, through all the trials and difficulties, we have felt God's love and mercy. So, we look forward to 2017 with much hope, knowing that no matter what, the Lord is with us!

Top 16 Recipes of 2016

Only a few more days to go and we shall all welcome the new year! 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!

One Bowl Yummy Pumpkin Muffins

Use this as your basic formula for  yummy Pumpkin Muffins! Add your favorite baking chips for extra deliciousness!

One day earlier in the school year my little boy came home very excited and declared he will be doing some baking the next day. I asked him what inspired him to do that? He said their class baked some pumpkin muffins that day and that he enjoyed them so much he wanted to make them again. He was totally motivated to do it that he, in fact, got the recipe and brought it home!

Korean Ground Beef over Rice

Sweet, salty, with a little spicy kick, if you like, this quick and easy Korean Ground Beef over Rice will please your taste buds! Done in 20 minutes or less. Can be made Paleo-friendly.

I love ground beef! We buy it bulk during the beginning of each month and then I separate the meat into 1 pound bags and freeze the ones I won't use immediately. That way when I am in a quandary on what to make for dinner, I can simply pick a bag out of the freezer, saute them with some onions and garlic, add soy sauce or whatever seasoning I fancy and then mix them with any veggies available in the fridge. Easy dinner without the fuss that is quite healthy, too.

Jam and Burrata Toasts

Just 3 ingredients and can be customized to your taste, these easy, quick and yummy Jam and Burrata Toasts are the perfect appetizers for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year or any holiday!

When fall season commences, there's a sudden anticipation of the holidays. After all, truly, they're just around the corner. In the Philippines, while we don't really have fall or winter, once the month of September comes - the holiday season begins! I am not kidding.