Scottish Shortbread

A couple of high school friends who are now living in London visited us two weeks ago, and they brought me a tin of Marks & Spencer Scottish Shortbread. Shortbread is one of my favorite things in the world, so even though I haven't tried Marks and Spencer's, I was definitely delighted. The tin itself is very nice. It's depicting an old red English telephone box with a variety of characters each waiting their turn to use the phone. Such a collector's item! When I tried what's inside, I was even more delighted. I just loved how delicious these all-butter Scottish shortbread by M&S were! They have the usual melt-in-your-mouth goodness but have a different texture compared to the ones that I usually make and the shortbread brands that I usually buy here like Walker, Archer Farms and Voortman. I checked the ingredients and found out that aside from wheat flour, it also has rice and corn flour. So what did I do? Of course I tried making them! I added rice flour and corn meal (since I don't have corn flour) to my favorite recipe...and my goodness, those two ingredients added the most heavenly texture to the shortbread which I've always thought was the best! Now, I know there's a better shortbread recipe...thanks to my good friends, Ces & Elaine! I'll surely be thinking of them and their visit to Texas everytime I bake Scottish Shortbread (^.^)

Baked Filipino-Style Spaghetti

Like me and Ryan, our two daughters love Filipino-style spaghetti. They love it so much that it's something they very often request me to cook. Well, it's the irresistible sweetness in it that makes it seem addicting for them. Whether it's with meatballs or with the regular ground beef and hotdogs, this pasta dish never fail to bring sweet smiles on their faces. But there's a special version of it that they love even more. I'm talking about this Baked Filipo-Style Spaghetti...

...which is so creamy, cheesy, and truly irresistible for children and adults alike. This has the same cheese topping as the Baked Macaroni that I've shared here before, wherein I used 3 types of cheese: parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella. 

Though the Filipino-Style Spaghetti is pleasing enough to eat as is, this baked version takes it to a whole new level. Baking it not only let the spaghetti absorb more flavor from the sauce, it also makes it extra comforting because of the added gooey cheese! 

Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

It's fall here in the US, and pumpkins are everywhere...so for this month, it is the star of Baking Partners Challenge! We were given three recipes to try, and I chose the Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting recipe from Country Living suggested by Priya R. of Cook Like Priya.

These cupcakes are absolutely delicious and are perfect Halloween treats and Thanksgiving dessert as well. You'll surely love the wonderful combination of chocolate, cinnamon,  pumpkin and nutmeg! The orange flavor in the frosting is also something to fall in love with! A truly great fall cupcake --- you should try it!

Filipino Style Fruit Salad and Cherlin's 7th Birthday Party

Hi everyone! Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the week! I was very busy preparing for Cherlin's 7th birthday party that's why I've been MIA. But it's over now, and I'm happy to share with you that the party was a big success and the birthday girl had a blast! 

It was truly a memorable day for my little princess! She had so much fun spending time with her friends designing their tiaras and wands, and of course, playing at the bounce house and doing the pabitin and piñata.

We had a total of 70 guests. i.e., 36 adults and 34 kids. Whewww! Honestly, I couldn't believe that we were able to pull it off! I even thought that we would run out of food. Good thing, we didn't! There was enough for everyone and we even had extra for some guests to take home. 

Though the star of the party was this very fabulous cake made by my dear friend, Christy...

...every dish we prepared was a hit! The guests (both Filipinos and non-Filipinos) really love the Filipino Style Spaghetti, Beef Caldereta, Pork Menudo, Embutido, Macaroni and Cheese, Chopsuey, Chicken and Mushrooms in Teriyaki Sauce, Custard Cake, Tres Leches Cupcakes and this Filipino Style Fruit Salad...

Unlike the American fruit salad, Filipino Style Fruit Salad has condensed milk and cream. This is a very simple yet very delicious dessert that requires no cooking. All you need to do is a little chopping and mixing, and it's ready to serve! 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake for My Princess Cherlin

Today is my youngest daughter's 7th birthday...a day she has been anticipating since the start of 2012. Just like any other typical girl her age, she has been very excited and busy planning about it for months now --- from the food she wants to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the treats she wants to bring to school for her classmates, down to how she wants her birthday party to be. As her mom, it's (of course) my job to make it all happen. :) Oh well, I'm glad that her wishes aren't out of this world! They are actually simple and attainable. She said all she wants is a Nintendo 3DS or an mp3 player...a cookie cake, and a princess themed party where she can invite her friends. She also requested that I prepare fried rice with sausage and egg for breakfast and pancit canton and egg rolls for dinner. For lunch, she asked that her dad and I bring her McDonald's Chicken Nuggets and french fries in school. 

Well, Mommy Tina got everything covered! :) Yesterday, while she was in school, I made her a chocolate chip cookie cake. This morning, she was so thrilled to see it and her birthday gift when she woke up. The breakfast I prepared for her also gave her so much delight. Can you see her big smile??? I know she seems more happier with the DS, but she told me she loved everything and I believe her. :)

During lunch, Ryan and I went to school to eat with Cherlin. She was really happy to have both of us there. It's usually just me so it's a big deal to have daddy this time. For dinner, we'll be having her requested pancit canton and egg rolls. That's pretty much her birthday celebration today...but on Saturday, she'll have her princess party, which she's really looking forward to! I made the personalized invitations and I was able to send them out last week...