Gastronomic Giveaways FINAL WEEK PASABOG!

First of all, Congratulations to last week's winners!

Baked bites sampler goes to HANNA LEE!

The Balcony GC goes to Tricia Morente!!

Please email me at ericaparedes@gmail.com :)

Second, I know I said I would have 8 weeks worth of prizes, but what I didn't realize was that on the 8th week, I'll already be in Sydney. So, instead of doing week 7 and 8, I've decided to combine both and announce a winner by TUESDAY next week (Dec 20)

Up for grabs on Gourmet Kitschen's FINAL Gastronomic Giveaways Week:

A P500 GC from Malcom's

A P1000 GC from Rue Bourbon

A P500 GC from Gino's brick Oven Pizza

P1000 GC from OPUS

1 Box Savoury Pies from Tina's Pie Outlet

GC for a Nutty Crispy Tower from Swensen's

THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE WINNER FOR ALL THESE GREAT PRIZES!For a chance to win, simply click on the comments link and answer this question:

What is the best gift you will be GIVING this Christmas and WHO are you giving it to?

Good Luck!!! :) Contest ends Monday, December 19 11:59 pm!

Also, please visit the Gourmet Kitschen Facebook page and click like for more updates on the upcoming online show! :)

Gourmet Kitschen...TV!

I cook, I blog, and you all ask me for recipes! Instead of emailing everyone individually, or typing it down- I'm giving you all something BETTER!

How would you like to WATCH ME ONLINE as I cook and explain some of my favorite recipes to all of you?

Here's a sneak peek at what me and my fabulous crew have been working on. Launching end of January 2012 :) Stay tuned and stay hungry!

Sneek Peak Behind the Scenes Video:

Like what you see? Follow us on Twitter: @GourmetKitschen and Like our GOURMET KITSCHEN page on Facebook to receive updates and lots of food porn!

I'm SO excited!!!!

Tummy Treats: Raku Hokkaido Ramen House

When I was living in Salcedo Village, I used to spot this little Ramen place on Valero street every time I'd drive through on my way home. Sadly, every time I tried to look for it on foot, it always happened to disappear- yes, disappear! One night I was really craving Ramen and convinced Abdul to walk over with me. We couldn't find it and ended up drinking at a bar instead (yeah I know, shut up haha)

Well, I FINALLY found it. After I moved out of the neighborhood and met up with my friend for a lunch meeting/ catch up. Yay!.

Her Ramen, my Ramen...and my tat :D

I heard they had different types of gyoza so I wanted to try those too. We got the scallop gyoza and the pork one. They come with different kinds of dipping sauces as well. Oh man, I can't even remember but they were good. They have sauces like lemon butter, curry etc. I actually enjoyed the gyoza more than the ramen (it was ok but i've had better elsewhere. not bad though if you live/work in the area and need a noodle fix!)

Raku Hokkaido Ramen House is located at Le Grand Condominium 130 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City Call: 553.6635

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

Gastonomic Gifts Week 6

First of all, Congrats to Week 5 winners Kat Dideles for Mochiko ice cream---> Good Luck on your mission to try all flavors, and Ellie for Gino's Brick oven Pizza--> I love Feta too!

For Week 6, we have a sweet treat and GCs to a gastropub in Makati!

The first is a sampler box from Baked Bites. I blogged about their yummy Food for the Gods and moist brownies! All you need to do to win is answer this question on the comments section of this post: What is your favorite baked treat and why?

The 2nd is a P500 GC to The Balcony Gastropub in Legaspi Village. I absolutely LOVE their sisig here (topped with aioli) and the twin mac n' cheese. You can try it too (as well as their other gourmet comfort food), just answer this question on the comments section of this post: What is your ultimate comfort food?

You have until SATURDAY December 10 at 11:59pm to join and win! Good Luck!!! :)

Kitschen Chaos: Mixing business with pleasure

It took me a few days to come up with an East meets West menu for such a diverse group of people. I work part-time for a French company, so a good percentage of my colleagues aren't Filipino. I wanted to do my usual Asian with a twist but I had to make sure it wasn't too out there for people who didn't grow up here. So, what to feed 2 Belgians, 5 Pinoys (one who can't eat pork)a Frenchman and a Laoatian (by way of France and according to Gisa, Vietnam)

Chorizo cooked in red wine and garlic, served with bread and quezo de bola

My Pinoy-French (haha) fusion starter--Adobo and brie spring rolls with adobo and honey dipping sauces.

Easy peasy and yummy squid ball bombs... changed them up again so they are easier to eat-served with my favorite-nuoc cham!

For their main dish, I made Thai roast chicken with coconut mash and Vietnamese mint. I stuffed a sprig in my mouth without realizing Vietnamese mint is...mad spicy!!!

On the side we had bangus belly with chili coriander lime butter.

Guests--Tanya, Gisa with me!

Domi and Davy!

Trina, Max, Abdul and Mark!

Pod getting mad at Gisa. (hahaha)

More dinners with other workmates next time :D Good Times with lots of wine and even Max ate my non-Western food! (Hi Max!)

Food and Friends: Terry's Selection

One of my favorite fallback restaurants. It's been around for awhile but it's always been good and I am more than stuffed every time I eat there.I had not eaten at Terry's in quite awhile so when I set a quick lunch with my two lovely friends who I hadn't seen in awhile either, Terry's sounded awesome, specially since our next appointments were all in the Pasong Tamo/ Fort areas anyway.

Cla's Angulas al Ajillo, basically sizzling eel in olive oil and garlic. I didn't get to try it but I wanna order this next time. Looks soooooo good.

Chicho's Jamon Serrano and Chicken Croquettes. This is one of my faves!

Chicho and I both had Spanish Omelets, I had the Ilongga which was basically a garlic rice and chorizo omelet. SO GOOD. Heavy though so I couldn't finish it.

My two lovely lunch dates. Hopefully it's not forever until we see each other again!

Terry's Selection is located along Pasong Tamo extension and The Podium