Brunch in the Kitschen: Your 12 step guide to the perfect brunch

1. Mushrooms are ALWAYS a good idea. Fresh only, otherwise don't bother! Those canned ones are a poor excuse for "mushrooms"

2. Eggs Rothko. First tried it in NYC, next time was in my own kitchen. We couldn't find brioche so we used turkish bread instead.

3. While cooking, keep your friends entertained with alcoholic beverages, like a seemingly innocent smoothie with peanut butter, chocolate...and Bailey's. Lots of it. (Plus have them bring bubbly for mimosas...then later on to drink alone, when the juice is gone)

4. Or...let them play with their food.

5. When you're done, plate your food as best you can---> we're no pros, but make an effort. Also, if your guests don't mind, use a plastic plate that you can chuck in the bin right after. In Manila, where there are helpers to do your dishes, use your fine china if you wish.

6. Be a gracious host and serve your guests :) Don't forget to smile!

7. While they are taking a break after the savory part of the meal, go back to the kitchen and stew some fresh peaches ( or apples, or pears...or any fruit you want) Steal some of the juice from your mimosas to add to your peaches.

8. Act silly with your friends while waiting for peaches to cook.

9. When finished cooking, create a "healthy" greek yogurt sundae with your peaches, and top with toasted almonds!

10. Surprise your friend who just turned 30. Buy plastic skulls for her bday cake because you know she will love them.

11. When you are too full to move, stay in your seat and dress up used bottles of wine and champagne.

12. Ask them if they want to have brunch again someday...and hope their answer is the same as Ben's.

:)

Ladies who lunch: Tin Hau

The Mandarin has always been consistent in not forgetting my birthday every year and most times i get a GC for a meal at Paseo Uno. This time, I got one from Tin Hau and it was expiring by the end of November. Not one to waste good food, I called my girl Rae to come and have lunch with me. All my GC said was "Jade Set lunch for 2" so neither of us knew what to expect.

We started with a crab claw served with jellyfish with chili and coriander. I really enjoyed this!

I THINK this was sea cucumber- something I always feel iffy about eating. It almost tastes like mushrooms, btu with a weird consistency. It's not bad but definitely a texture you need to acquire. This was served with mushrooms that were really big and meaty!

Little lobsters with a cheese sauce (the waiter said) seemed a bit off at a CHinese restaurant but good nonetheless)

Baby bokchoy in this crab sauce. Veggies for the day!

My newest favorite flavor nowadas is lemongrass so I really enjoyed this lemongrass gelee with bits of honeydew and passion fruit. It was so refreshing!

A fried taro puff for 2nd dessert. Good but really oily!

With my lunch date Rachel. Here's hoping our five year "ladies who lunch" plan happens!

Tin Hau is located at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Restaurant Rave: SALA Bistro

Much as I love dinners, I also adore brunches, most especially when it's with the company of ex-colleagues from my magazine life. We try out a new place every time we meet up and each time is a late morning full of great food and plenty of industry gossip.

I love the simple elegance of SALA Bistro, and the food ain't too shabby either. I wanted to have the Champagne Brunch with unlimited bubbly but everyone was in a rush that day. Next time!

My Bistro Sunday Fry Up-- essentially a Full English brekky without the beans and black pudding. I ate every last bit of this.

Kat's Bistro Minute Steak (topped with Onion Rings!)

Tippi and Andrea got the Creamy Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon

As if our mains weren't enough, we had little desserts to top off our meal as well.

I got the rum and raisin bread and butter pudding with vanilla seed ice cream. I was mad full but guess what, I still finished it!

Warm chocolate croissant with vanilla seed ice cream

Ricotta and Banana Pancakes with Maple Syrup---I'm getting this next time!

Happy Faces--and bellies!


P690 for a two course brunch and P1280 for a two course brunch plus unlimited bubbly.
Available Saturday and Sunday 11am-2pm Call 7294888 for reservations. Sala Bistro is located at the G/F Garden Side, Greenbelt 3

Traveling Tummy: Cupcakes and Champagne

Loose Leaf tea and tea bags


Cupcakes!


Make shift tower by Ala, made of plates, tea cups and mugs-and sticky tac.


Trish's Banana Cupcake--half eaten *teehee*


Spinach Dip. *drool*


With fellow baker, Trish


With spinach dip maker cam---> We're both inked by Ricky Sta. Ana, with designs by my sister, Ala Paredes!

*Oh yeah, have I mentioned I love tattoos as much as I love food?*


and just because I love rings...


My friend Trish here in Sydney (sugarlace.com) and I decided that while I am here, we needed to have some sort of get together with us baking cupcakes. It was an Afternoon Tea party, with actually tea, but most of us were drinking wine.

On the menu:

By Me--

Barnaby
Red Light Special
Will you marry me

By Trish--

Banana cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
Scones

Lisette brought dukkah, eaten with bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic, Cams brought spinach dip in a bread bowl, Geraldine, Miguel and Pete brought a cheese platter---aaaaand Awafi Lebanese Chicken (woohoo!) The chicken was a bit out of place but in my opinion, there is never a wrong time to eat Lebanese chicken with garlic sauce. Never.

People brought wines, mostly whites like Chardonnay, Riesling and Moscato and some Sparkling Roses. The day ended at almost 2 am. It was great catching up with friends!