Mushroom and Cheese Croquettes

So I was enjoying buffet dinner with my family over the weekend, and it just so happen that City Buffet's croquettes was the highlight of my meal. It was plain potato croquette but it was delicious and it matched the salsa sauce that came with it. I thought, as a week opener, beating the Monday blues, I decided to make my version. Mushroom and Cheese Croquettes.

Croquettes are easy to make and it can be stuffed with almost anything. Ground meat, vegetables, different cheeses, ham, bacon and a mix of any of these. It can also be served with any sauce but most of the time it is paired with salsa.

Since it's my first time to make it, I searched for an easy recipe. Please check the link: Croquette Recipe

Instead of Ham and Cheese, I replaced the ham part with minced mushrooms.

My sauce recipe:

• 1/2 cup Hunt's Tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup ready-made salsa
• 1/2 tsp cilantro
• 1/2 tsp chopped parsley
• a dash of salt

How To:

• Mix everything in a microwavable container and pop it inside the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds.
• Also best served when chilled.

*Please take note that you can use any brand of tomato sauce and ready- made salsa. I prefer Hunt's because their tomato sauce is thick and rich.

Afternoon Delight at Vanilla Cupcake Bakery

Labor Day was spent with a very good friend of mine. We drove all the way to Alabang to meet up with her and plan our summer getaway for this year. After lunch, we decided to look for a cozy place where we can have dessert and refreshments and continue our talk. It just so happen that the Vanilla Cupcake Bakery branch at the Alabang Town Center is already open, so we walked our way to one of the cutest dessert place I've been to.

Like any other Vanilla Cupcake Bakery branch the Alabang branch is also appealing. The Daphne chairs made it more stylish. Makes me want to buy one for my dresser and few for my soon- to-be- new dining room and balcony.

I was set to get a taste of my favorite Luscious Salted Caramel. But unfortunately, they didn't have it on the day of our visit. There were less choices for the cupcakes as well.

The cheesecakes on the other hand, are overflowing.

Our dessert for the day went around with their best sellers: Red Velvet, Chocolate Malt, Banofee and Toffee. We also ordered some Strawberry Iced Tea and a Strawberry Smoothie. I'm not much of a cupcake person but I still do have my list of favorites.

1. Anything with rich chocolate is worth trying.

2. Red Velvet being one of the Vanilla Cupcake Bakery's best sellers, is also a must- try.

3. Banofee, though I've fallen in love with Banapple's banofee, Vanilla Cupcake's version is not as sweet which makes it a good choice for me as well in case I need my banofee fix.

The whole time we were at Vanilla Cupcake Bakery. We were just loving and enjoying our friendly talk. That would be from 2 until 5 in the afternoon. The ambiance was very homey. It felt like we're at the veranda in one of our houses enjoying our usual girl talk while having some cool refreshments and pastries.

While Rach and I spent the afternoon at the bakery, my husband and my son Frankie went around the town looking for toy shops. We're looking forward for another visit and hopefully with the rest of the girls--- and boys too.

Celebrating Mom and Ella's Birthday at Papa John's

The recent week, I have been occupied searching for a nice restaurant where the whole family can celebrate my mom and my sister's birthday. Usually, we do the celebration at home. We cook luscious dishes, spent with a whole lot of endless bonding moments. Since my dad is out of the country and my other brother wasn't also available,  my mom decided to treat the rest of the family some place else. At first she wanted buffet. Then, Banapple. Until she finally made up her mind to try Papa John's.

Papa John's as most of us know, is a famous pizza- pasta restaurant that originated in America. It's one of the fast- growing restaurants in the Philippines. For family gatherings and for group get- togethers, Papa John's is perfect.

One of the things I like about Papa John's is their cozy dining room. Even when the restaurant is full, there's room for movement. The tables are aligned properly and offers enough privacy.

My Pink Grapefruit Soda

I love Papa John's Sodas. On my second round I went with Green Apple.

Each went with an order of any pasta of their choice. Most of us got Seafood Carbonara.

Mediterranean Seafood Linguini

Diablo Burst

3 orders of each: Mozzarella Sticks and Battered Onion Rings

Papa John's Signature Pizza: All the Meats Pizza

Papa John's Signature Pizza: Super Papa's

Papa John's Specialty Pizza: Fisherman's Catch

We sure made our mom happy by simply going with her choice of restaurant. I know that Papa John's will fit our needs as a big family. We love the food, the ambiance and the friendly people at Papa John's.

Visit: www.papajohns.com.ph/ for more details