Good Investment For A Food Business

I always enjoy everytime I talk about business. I have a plan to be able to establish a good business. A stable food business. Even if I'm still in the process of planning and putting things together. Studying the right market and location. What is considered hot and what is not in the food industry. I can feel that I'm getting closer on reaching my goal. There are times when I pass by a restaurant supply store, if I have the money, right at the moment it makes me want to buy any restaurant supply that I think will be essential when I start running my business someday.

I look at it as a good investment. But before anything, just to let you know, through the years since I decided to pursue a food business, I've done research and studied several options that will aid me on choosing the right equipments and at the same time, are of great value.

With a small restaurant business on my mind, I search for high quality equipments, such as, catering equipments, kitchen and food preparation, warewashing and shelving materials and even for an elegant dining room set up. I've already started with some chafing dishes and baking wares. And you know what 's great, I get to practice on preparing dishes with the very same equipments. By the time I get to run my own restaurant, everything is already in top shape, all I need to build is a good name.

On My Christmas Menu...

For the very first time in my whole of being a Mother, this year, as we approach the Holiday Season and with a month to go before Christmas, I haven't finalize anything yet for my Christmas and New Year's Eve menu. With my oven working, I guess, it brought so much excitement. There was a time when I thought of baking my own cake. It may be a pound cake or a sponge cake. I was also thinking if I should prepare some mixed pastries such as brownies, chocolate crinkles and tarts as my Christmas giveaways. So much options and choices. It's mind boggling. Even my husband, who helps me get everything together, he couldn't think of anything.

All I have in mind are the basics. Pasta, Steak, Mixed Greens, and wine to match. But through this post, my brain started working again. Aside from food, I am also thinking of an elegant centerpiece and what tabletop to be used to match my theme this year.

So here is the initial plan:

• Red and Yellow Roses
• Meaty Lasagna or Baked Cannelloni
• Roasted Chicken or T-Bone Steak
• Creamy Mashed Potato
• Holiday Plate (mixed Canapés )
• Fresh fruits
• Traditional Fruit Salad
• Sponge cake or pound cake (homemade? will still figure it out)

I might also include Chocolate Sundae to add as dessert. Perfect, while opening our Christmas presents and continuing the night with warm conversations.

Passionate About Coffee

It's been years since I drank my last cup of coffee. When I got pregnant, one of the things I was advised not to take in was coffee simply because of it's caffeine content. I think I exaggerated my understanding of it when my doctor told me to stay away  as much as possible. Well I guess, it's just my instinct working since I'm carrying my first child. There was a recent incident when I totally found an excuse to bring coffee back to match my daily grub. I brew coffee every morning everyday. I love the fresh aroma that fills my kitchen and dining area, it relaxes me. My husband I were thinking if we should invest on a new coffee maker. But some friends of ours suggested that a bean to cup coffee machine is going to be a worthy buy. It's an all-in-one dispenser.

* Black Coffee                     * Black Coffee Decaff
* White Coffee                     * White Coffee Decaff
* Cafe Latte                         * Cafe Latte Decaff
* Cappuccino                       * Cappuccino Decaff
* Espresso                           * Espresso Choc
* Chocolate                         * Creamichoc
* Hot Water                        * Hot Milk

And you know what's great, I found an amazing product called Strong Vend . It creates tailor-made bean to cup coffee machines for blind people. Bean to cup coffee machines specialist was approached by an existing customer after an increase in the number of blind staff in its workforce.

Strong Vend came up with a simple, yet effective solution to the problem; the custom-updated bean to cup coffee machines with Braille instruction panels and drinks labels, allowing visually impaired staff to enjoy a hot drink throughout the working day without having to ask for help. 

This bean to cup coffee machine is also perfect for the office and for business purposes. Most of all, nothing can be better than having one in the house. Just imagine, a cup of Cafe Latte Decaff anytime you want it.

One Day Vacation

My mind isn't working this week. I missed on some recipes that I'm suppose to share. I passed on dishes to prepare. All I want to do is to meditate. It's that moment when both my mind and body are looking for some quiet time. So I went to visit my mom the other day. Actually I spent the night in my hometown. I was missing the old place. I asked my husband if I could go for a one day vacation. Our place in Rizal caters a more peaceful environment compared to our place here in the city. 

As I watched my mother's hermle clock,  yeah, she has one. While my son was enjoying a movie with his Uncle, I got my book, prepared my favorite drink, took advantage of the free time, stayed in the balcony, then I cherished another moment for myself. It was quiet and breezy.  I can smell that Christmas is nearby and all I can hear was the soft murmurs from the TV inside the house and the overpowering chirping of the birds, that made my one day vacation perfect.

Luxury Crystals

Aside from Silver, the next set you'll find inside my jewelry box are Swarovski Crystals. I don't have much, but I made sure that at least I have a set which is compose of a Swarovski Ring, a Swarovski Necklace, Swarovski Bracelet and a simple pair of  Swarovski Earrings. It is important to always have a set of jewelries in your box.  Especially, when you have a husband who loves dinner surprises. With Swarovski Jewelry, I choose designs that will match both casual and evening wear.

Jewelries that I can wear individually not only by set. For example,  Acrylic Swarovski Jewelry such as Swarovski Rings. I enjoy the combination of the colors. Not too catchy, perfect as an everyday accessory and is very fitting for any outfit. Aside from a ring, I am also fond of wearing Swarovski Earrings. I love my crystals in red. And one of my favorites is a pair of butterfly red Swarovski Earrings, I bought it with my mother-in-law 2 years ago. Up to this date, it looks brand new, elegant as ever.

Raw Food Diet

Here's what I got to say, nothing can be healthier than eating all natural food. From fruits, vegetables and even fish. I grew up with fresh food on the table. My father created a small farm right at our very yard. The health benefits? well, throughout my lifetime I was never hospitalized. No one in the family got seriously sick. My parents are active and they even look younger for their age. 

With proper discipline, having a raw food diet everyday is going to be easy. Raw food living is now a trend in some countries. I pray that this trend will be permanent and I hope it will never change. With the fast food industry getting bigger, I am very thankful that organic products are also out competing. Better, if organic raw food will replace most canned, dried and frozen goods in the supermarket. Since it is fresh and free of preservatives, raw food must always be consumed within a certain period of time. And this guarantees that something fresh and healthy is always served on the table everyday, from breakfast, lunch, dinner and even on special occasions. I came across some easy raw food recipes.  Restaurants serving organic are coming out slowly. I went to several restaurants where they offer organic ingredients for your dish. And I thought I'll have a hard time introducing raw food to a little boy who would rather choose fried chicken and chocolates. Believe it or not, at the age of 6, my son is loving organic.

KFC Philippines, We May Have A Problem with the Double Down Chicken Sandwich

You must be kidding me KFC! We've been in and out 6 KFC restaurants for the past 2 days and all you gave my family was total disappointment. 

1. KFC Katipunan Avenue

2. KFC P. Tuazon Cubao

3. KFC Ali Mall Cubao

4. KFC Shopwise Cubao

5. KFC Gateway Mall Cubao

6. KFC Telus near Farmers Market Cubao

Not a single Double Down Chicken Sandwich from any of these restaurants. Sadly, all your service crew could ever answer us was "it's very good, that we've run out". Really? What if I want a Double Down Chicken Sandwich for dinner or as a midnight snack since you have stores open 24 hours.

Note: we visited these same fast food chains on different dates, Meaning: Sunday, all 6 restaurants weren't able to give us a single double down chicken sandwich and yet again yesterday none from any of them, and today all wasn't able to cater.  Don't give us the reason that's "it's very good, that we've run out". Regardless of time, the moment you released the commercial, you should have also considered the possibility for the demand to shoot up. 

Your marketing strategy without a doubt was pretty good. Your commercial on the new KFC Double Down Chicken Sandwich was effective. But you did not have enough supply to meet the demand.

Aren't you suppose to be doing something about this shortage? A week  or even a day or 2 after the release would be enough to gauge it.

I'm thinking, maybe your the joking part in your commercial has a deeper meaning in it: that this is all a big joke!

Ginger Rice

If there's something I learned from my On The Job Training 10 years ago, Ginger Rice was one of them. It was one of the main rice courses the guests and clients are always looking for in that particular 5 Star hotel.  Luckily, after my restaurant training, I was assigned at the kitchen of that very same restaurant and it was time to discover the magic that was happening in order to serve scrumptious dishes everyday. The chefs were not allowed to give it's trainees the secret recipe,  so I became more observant of the ingredients and the process. 

Today, I will share my own recipe on how to whip up this healthy rice dish.

Note: The recipe I will be posting is far different in order to protect the hotel's menu and it's business.

Simple Ingredients:

• Your regular rice
• Ginger- may be crushed, sliced, chopped or minced (equivalent to 1 tablespoon)
• Dash of Turmeric (luyang dilaw)

How To: Boil them all together

Trivia: Turmeric is also from the Ginger family. Turmeric is used as a spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking.

One of the healthy use of Ginger is to  lower cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of blood clots. And it's been proven. Here's more about the Health Benefits of Ginger.

Tomorrow, I will be cooking a different version of Ginger Rice, watch out for it.

The Most Wonderful Time In November

We all get excited as our birthdays approaches right? We think of presents, parties, food, family and friends together. As a matter of fact, it's like Christmas, only, the celebrant is the center of everything, she/he will be receiving all the gifts. But with all that was mentioned, as always, I never really require so much to celebrate. I grew up with simple gatherings and most of them were celebrated with my family and few of my close friends. Right now, I feel very excited, because in a few weeks it is going to be my birthday. Another opportunity to give thanks for the graces I received from the past, blessings to come, to ask for strength and patience for the challenges that I need to conquer.

Turning 32 is not a big deal for me. As long as I'm living the life my Creator wanted me to have, age are just digits. Numbers that we can even change and manipulate. But if we talk about peace of mind and happiness, that would be the true gauge if a person is fulfilled as he or she celebrates his/ her birthday every year. Let's stop the drama here and on with my birthday plans. 

First thing that I will do as I wake up early the day of my birth is to hear mass with my family. My husband and my son are the most precious gifts that was given to me. It is important for me to show Him how happy I am with my 2 boys, how He made my life meaningful through them.

As always, I spend the whole day doing whatever we want. Oh by the way, my Canon Camera is turning 2 on the day of my birthday too. It was a gift from my husband in 2008. Since so much has changed, I would also like to share that blogging became more interesting when I started sharing occasions like these. I remember, the reason I asked for a DSLR  was to be able to deliver clearer pictures to my readers, right between introducing myself to blog advertising and websitehosting.

My camera was the only material thing I requested for my birthday throughout my 20-25 years. When it was given to me, I couldn't ask for anything more. With that, nothing big is expected for my birthday this year.  Just dinner at my favorite restaurant, maybe do a little shopping, a little sightseeing,  a new reading would be great too. Let's just wait and see (wink!)

How Safe Is Your Drinking Water

Just a year ago, my son suffered from a terrible tummy ache, which was later on diagnosed a serious sickness acquired from drinking water. For our home, we have been a frequent buyer of clean water, processed for this matter. But ironically when we eat or dine out somewhere, sometimes we stay satisfied with tap water. So when my son got this terrible sickness, we immediately traced the cause, and true enough, tap water was the main reason. Let's face it, our environment is not as clean compared to our grandparents' time. Reverse Osmosis Water Filter was the only purification method they considered back then. Now in the present, water filter of all types are popping out in the market  just to be able to preserve with what's left of our natural running water.

With what my son went through, I have a filtering system for every faucet in the house. We still buy processed water for drinking just to be sure.

Genghis Khan

I made this dish out of curiosity. Just a few weeks ago, I was enjoying an International Buffet with my family. I was going through everything, and a dish called Genghis Khan caught my attention. As a food lover, I was also distinguishing the flavors. Believe me, it was served and presented like our ordinary braised beef and it looked plain like our regular beef steak without the onions.

A strong name for a simple looking dish, what more can you do but to try it yourself and find out what makes it different. I really mean it: you will be able to tell and distinguish the extraordinaryness of this dish once you have tasted it. Often prepared and cooked using a metal skillet inspired by a Mongolian Soldier's helmet, also known as the Mongolian, Barbecue Grill. Usually served with mixed  vegetables and noodles or may top  your hot rice.

I don't have my own recipe to share for this dish (promise I will work on it).

For now, this will do:Genghis Khan Recipe

Pork Binagoongan With Baby Pechay

This afternoon I was just talking business with my mom. It's more of a girl talk, ladies who wants to get into food businesses. One of our main concerns is the over-all presentation, particularly the best design that will represent our mission in the food industry. We plan to sell food that's not only delicious but healthy at the same time. We went through several fitness business cards websites online, we checked computer programs like print shop that offers designs and templates for business cards.

With this entry is a Filipino dish called Pork Binagoongan. I added a little something-something to make it more appetizing.

Ingredients:
Lean Pork cut into small strips
1 whole red tomato (cut into quarters)
1 whole onion (chopped)
5 cloves garlic (minced)
2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons shrimp paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
5-6 pcs. baby pechay
2 green chillis (sliced in the middle)
Pinch of pepper
1 cup water
note: you can replace Pechay with Bok Choy or Chinese Cabbage

How To:

In a pan, saute garlic until golden brown.

Add onions and tomatoes. Stir for a few seconds.

Add the lean pork and shrimp paste, stir again for a few seconds.

Add 1 c water. Wait until meat is all tender. Add water if necessary.

Add the evaporated milk and 1 tsp sesame oil. Keep stirring.

Add baby Pechay. Stir again for a few seconds.

Add pepper and chilli. Stir for a few seconds, then serve.

Servings: 3-4

Mashed Potatoes

Once again, just the same with my recent posts this was my first attempt on making mashed potatoes. Last Sunday, I made some to match my roast. Making mashed potatoes is very easy. You can do it everyday as long as you have potatoes in stock. So creamy that you don't even need gravy. But okay...whatever we do, gravy is a must, so I included my easy gravy recipe too.

Ingredients:

5-6 medium to big size potatoes peeled and washed

Pinch of salt

1/2 c milk

4 tbsp melted butter

A dash of your favorite dried herb

Important Materials:

Potato masher/ heavy fork

Puree potatoes using a food processor, an electric mixer or a blender

How To:

Boil peeled potatoes in a sauce pan until cooked.

Drain water. In low fire,  dry potatoes using the very same sauce pan. Then turn off fire.

Once potatoes are dried up, mash each using a potato masher or use a fork.

Transfer mashed potatoes in a bowl, with an electric mixer, just mix away pouring melted butter, salt , dried herb, and milk little by little until desired texture is reached. (follow same procedures if you're going to use a food processor or a blender)

0o0o

Gravy

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tbsp butter
3- 4 tbsps Knorr Original Seasoning
dash of salt and ground pepper
1 cup water
2- 3 tsps all purpose- flour

Note:
If you don't have Knorr Seasoning, you can use soy sauce. Mix 1 c water with all purpose flour.

Melt butter

Add sliced mushrooms (if desired)

Add Knorr Seasoning

Stir for a few seconds

Add thickening agent ( water and flour mixture). Mix on low fire.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Servings: 4-5

Enjoy Your Weekend Potato Lovers!!!

FTF: Arroz a la Cubana

Arroz a la Cubana is originally a Spanish dish which consist of fried eggs and tomato sauce. Here in the Philippines, we saute ground beef or any lean ground meat with garlic, onions, potatoes, carrots , some peas  and we mix it in either tomato sauce or oyster sauce. My version contains raisins and instead of carrots I used chopped bell peppers. Served with hot rice, egg, (preferably fried) and slices of banana fritters.

Ingredients:

1 kilo lean ground meat

3 tbsp oyster sauce

2 small bell peppers chopped

2-3 tbsp raisins

2 tbps olive oil for sauteing

1/4 cup fresh green peas

3 medium potatoes (diced)

5 cloves garlic (chopped)

1 medium onion (chopped)

1/2 cup water

salt and pepper

How To:

Pre-cook meat and diced potatoes by boiling in water drain then set aside.

In a pan, saute garlic in olive oil until light brown.

Add onions and stir for a few seconds.

Add cooked meat and potatoes and stir for about a minute.

Add oyster sauce, bell pepper, raisins, peas and the 1/2 cup of water.

Stir everything together for about a minute or 2.

Add salt and ground pepper to taste.

*Cardava Banana (Saging Saba) sliced then pan fried

*Eggs (sunny side up)

Serve with hot rice, egg and banana fritters.

Servings 4-5

Carinderia Buffet

It was a Friday, I asked my husband if he could drive and take our son to school. I wasn't feeling well, but I still went to accompany my other half. After leaving our son. We drove around looking for a cheap place where we could have brunch. I was also craving for something different that day. I turned down McDonalds, KFC and even Starbucks. I was in the mood for something delicious and so Filipino. As we drove along V. Luna Avenue here in Quezon City, we came across this restaurant. Carinderia Buffet

We immediately made a u-turn. Then the following pictures below surprised us.

A clean and nice dining area

Lots of Filipino viands to choose from

More Filipino dishes

Hot Sinigang and Nilaga soup

The restaurant is not air-conditioned giving its guests a true carinderia feel. But no worries, there's not a fly around and it's a very cool restaurant. With the big windows, the wind will just breeze through. Not to forget, they have clean comfort rooms too.

We spent a total of Php300. Everything x2 (php99 buffet, php35 for our bottomless drinks both iced tea and soda) +vat.

All dishes are freshly cooked and served hot.  But it comes with a warning...

Store Hours: 9:00am-11:30pm
photos: Blackberry Curve 8900

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My First: Basic Chocolate Cake

Clap!clap!clap! a pat on the back for a job well done! It was very fulfilling to nail a basic chocolate cake. Let me mark this as my first featured kitchen experience. This time guys, when I say "featured" it means that the recipe will fall under my "secret recipes". Not that I'm being selfish, it's for future use, maybe for a business. And it's understandable how important it is to be able to create your own name with original recipes not borrowed.

I would like to share that this wouldn't be possible without the help of my younger sister Les. We were "kinda" in the process of experimenting. An experiment that turned out right. It feels like a Perfect Chocolate Cake recipe was handed to us.

Key ingredient: Real chocolates

I wasn't able to make some frostings because I was missing an ingredient. Honey. All this time, I thought I have a bottle waiting. Without anything else to top my cake, I covered each square slice with confectionery sugar instead, it was pretty good too. The following day, it tasted even better. This made my week fantastic. It gave me more ideas on how to make our chocolate cake more attractive inside and out, for every slice and  for every bite. 

So Mom, let's start planning on baking our own cake for every occasion.

Creamy Baked Potato

Baked potato is not really my favorite but I still find it as something to look forward to everytime I eat out. 

One of the things that keeps pushing me to cook and prepare such dishes is basically because I didn't have a satisfying experience with the food at some point in some restaurant. So I end up doing it  according to my preference and Baked Potatoes are one of those dishes. A few months back, I had an order of baked potato from a restaurant. I got to give it to them, it was very appetizing to look at. But when I started digging in, I got disappointed on how thin the filling was and  I ate the skin more than the creamy potato itself. It turned out like Baked Potato with lots of skin in it (lol!).

This is an easy dish to prepare as long as you have potatoes and an oven working.

Ingredients:
5 big potatoes (washed)
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp mix of salt and ground pepper
2 tbsp chopped onion springs
4-5 tbsp crispy bacon bits
and a fork
1 cup grated cheese of your choice

Bechamel Sauce: or basic white sauce Recipe courtesy Mario Batali please click link for the recipe.

How To: 

Preheat oven at 350F

After washing the potatoes pat dry with paper towel. 

Use the fork stab each potato deeply  all over.

In a flat pan or baking dish mix olive oil with salt and pepper then roll each potato until well coated.

Place each potato on preheated oven rack, then place a baking sheet under to catch the drippings.

Bake for 1 hour, depending on the size of the potatoes.

*Since I used big potatoes, I prefer cutting my baked potatoes into half . 1/2 maybe equivalent to 1 cup of rice.

While hot, immediately top your potatoes with Bechamel Sauce, grated cheese, chopped onion springs and bacon bits!