Katherine's Graham Mango Float (bread edition)

Ingredients
2cans Condensed Milk
1pack All Purpose Creme
2cups Fresh Milk
7pcs Ripped Mangoes
1pack Crashed Gramhan
1pack Sliced Bread

1. Cut the sides/edges of each Bread. Slice Mangoes thinly.

2. In a large bowl mix Condensed Milk, Fresh Milk and All Purpose Creme well.

3. Place Sliced Breads evenly in your choice of dish storage, (reminder this recipe needs to be kept frozen, so a breakable cook/glassware is highly recommended). 

4. Pour in Cream Mixture on top, making sure that each space is covered. 

5. Add in Sliced Mangoes and another set of Bread on top (we're trying to create layers). Pour Cream Mixture and Sliced Mangoes.

6. Spread Crashed Graham evenly on top as if creating an icing on a cake. 

Finish Product

This is by far the easiest frozen delight I've ever learned in my entire life. In every - most Filipino household, there is NONE who doesn't know how to make a Mango Float. Now, this recipe on the other hand comes with a twist because we're using SLICED BREADS instead of Graham Crackers for layers - making it more budget friendly and have to admit, the taste is totally the same but this one is more ice creamy than the traditional Mango Float. 

Anyhow, I really had fun watching my good friend Kathy make this, look at how thinly she sliced the mangoes - so REFINED! I'm not a dessert person and I don't even know how to present cakes and other sweet treats the way I present main courses but maybe I should try making some :D

Hope you enjoyed this simple yet heart watering treat :)

Manila - Makati Family Bond

My last Manila visit meant family bonding. My grandmother (father) just died a few days when I flew in to join my Aunt, her boyfriend, my uncles, cousins and father. My grandmother died in the US and her remains were buried there, so, we who are her in the Philippines, were unable to pay tribute and visit her remains but nonetheless, I think my lola had a peaceful death and that she didn't want any of us to worry nor to grief like those that we see in the cinemas. 

Spending time with my immediate family whom I haven't seen for a long time was fun. Here are a few photos that I took during my stay.

Makati - Manila Philippines! The capital city of the country always makes me feel so awed specially with the tall buildings rising like lego shiz. The first photo is said to be the tallest building in Makati - an oozing 72 floors condominium. Took the pic from the hotel that I stayed. Then photos while on the cab and then while we were getting some cocktails from another hotel within the vicinity that we stayed. I love city lights. I basically want to live within the city, just like in Saigon. PS, Manila is a fast phase place, so if you're looking for a lax - relax place to live - MANILA - MAKATI is not for you. And being that, vending machines like the one I've posted above are readily available everywhere. Subways, Bus Stations, just about every where :)

Round and about The Fort Bonifacio High Street in Makati. Must say, this place is where the rich and famous usually hang out. It has a huge park in the center, it's a jogging area during weekends and pets are welcome in all shops even in restaurants :) And most top brands are here :) And there are also residential buildings and basically new structures are on the rise almost every day. But getting a cab is quite difficult in this place. Must have your own car, if you'll be chilling here passed 7p.

My uncle Nikko, Caitlin (Yvanna's uber young Mother) along with the rest of the gang went in for a little shopping trip at Greenhills. If you're from the Philippines and if you've been in the Philippines then you've probably have heard of this crazy shopping center where all brand imitations you can think of and "didn't pass quality" brands are. And basically the price is up to 50% of and more. And the place where we stayed in Makati was at the RED DISTRICT. So imagine my surprised when I walked out at night and saw all these signage on the bars and we did some rounds and for the first time in my life - I saw girls half my age - my age almost naked dancing on the floor as foreigners and even Filipinos enjoying. I pitied them but this is reality, I told myself but it's a sad reality.

It was a good mini vacation for me and this is an uber late post but nonetheless, I was able to jot it down and now I can erase 'em photos on my mobile. I've lived in Manila - Makati for 7 months before and the lifestyle is totally different from Cebu. I love to shop and I must say, everything is in the capital but I wouldn't trade Cebu for it. Cebu is stress free and it's a very small city and you can do a lot of things here and almost everything is also here and it's less traffic and less chaotic. But I love traveling to Manila - Makati. Always makes me giddy when I'm bound for a visit because I know - I'll be able to get good bargains and great deals :) And some of my friends are also based there :) 

Until next travel session :)

Mövenpick Hotel Cebu

The Mövenpick experience. Formally known as Hilton Hotel Cebu, the changed of ownership has brought in some one of a kind update and experience. Gone are the all pink motif and then came in all white and sweet relaxing hues. I am in love with the new facade.

They are slowly changing the colours of the building thus explains the "still" pink building on the right. The structure behind where I stand (which you can't see) is the Condominium building to which I must say: "lucky are the owners of the units." They're so close to paradise :D

Father dear posing in the midst of the seaside view. At his back stand the old Manny O's restaurant which now caters to fine dining - buffet and some music festivities at night.

Beautiful pool area which transforms into a wonderful blue water at night. Will be posting some photo of it in a bit.

As mentioned earlier, the pool area transforms into a magnificent blue at night - actually the entire place looks so out of this world at night. The chairs near the sea shore illuminates and yes! since I like the shade of blue - I instantly feel in love.

Since it was my father's 54th Birthday that day, we decided to dine in and have a taste of what their new menu has to offer. They also offer buffet on this pavilion - which consists mainly of salads and beef döners. They also have bands playing live music at night. The outside part - to which I shall be posting some pics of later is a chill area where hotel guest and walk - ins can enjoy some cocktails and pica pica as they listen to the band.

Appetiser aka complimentary bread: Tomato Bread paired with Olive Oil and Spices. Have to admit, I am a sucker for hotel service breads. Those round buns like this one makes my heart melt. 

I decided to try this one because when I was in Viet Nam staying with my Turkish friends - they offered the same thing in their Turkish Restaurant: Kofta or in plain layman's term: Meatballs. And to my amazement - it tasted the same except that this one, they added flour on the meat while on my friends restaurant - it was pure beef (I know, because I saw their own father making the meatballs himself). So basically now, I know where to go if ever I'll be craving for some Turkish treat or maybe I could just make one for myself :D

Lamb Chops: Have to admit, it tasted so good. 'Twas my first time to have a piece of cooked lamb meat in my system and I totally dig it - not on a regular basis but on special occasions, I'd love to have a bite again. It was perfectly cooked and the sauce that came along with it was brilliant :)

Seafoods Paella: OMG! It was a huge serving but it was totally totally mind blowing. I'm a fanatic of rice with other stuff on it and this one definitely didn't fail me at all.

The famous... I forgot how many pound of burger meat it was but when it was still Manny O's some years ago, 'twas the most expensive burger in the entire region with a price of around 1000php or around 25usd. But this one, I think it's a reduced plating and it only costs less than the price that I just stated. Same taste and same texture. The thing that I like about their burgers though is that it came with a sunny side up egg, which for me is a little twist from the ones that are served in fast foods and other restaurants. 

View from the outside bar and the Churros that we had. We also order some home made ice cream and coffee but the photo I took of it were too dark. I'm not really a fan of sweet treats after a meal but I'd say just go for the home made ice cream because the ingredients used were of top quality and looking at their menus, they didn't offer so much sweets.

Over all, it was a good dining experience. There is definitely something about eating in hotels that makes me feel so at ease and appreciative of the hands that made those servings. I am into food presentation - for me it is so important to present your plating as if your presenting your self in front of a thousand guests. I know it makes no sense but I really like it when my food is not only tasty but also beautifully crafted and served. For Mövenpick Hotel, they achieved it and why wouldn't they? They're an international name that I've been dying to visit. They have a brand in Viet Nam but never had the opportunity to go in because I didn't have enough resources but if I did, I would have love to dine in. Maybe next time.

For more informations, please check their site: 

http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/asia/philippines/cebu/resort-cebu/overview/

Heaven & Eggs with Friends

Had always passed by this area each time we go to Glorietta but never had the opportunity to dine in until my Manila based friends Lulu and Clu suggested that we meet and have breakfast at Heaven & Eggs...

And I couldn't be more happier when we did :)

Dory Fish with vegetables

The famous Danngit of Cebu :) Obviously they are small dried fish which are cooked fried to perfection :)

Longganisa with rice and egg.

Heaven & Eggs is basically known for their great tasting breakfast set meals. And must admit - they are fine dining for breakfast because of the prices but it was worth the price and the presentation and preparations were all good. Not to mention the location. 

Apart from ala carte, they also have breakfast buffet but I don't think it was very wise to dig in their buffet. They don't only offer Filipino Breakfast but they also offer other continental breakfast sets for those who doesn't like having rice for their first meal of the day.

For more inquiries, you can check out their facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/heavenandeggsg4

Some wacky portraits with my good friends :)

Oh! How much I've missed them. Clu is based in Manila because of work. I still see her each time she goes back home for a short vacation to visit her family. Lulu on the other hand - this is my first time seeing her after almost 12 years. She's based in Manila with her love and baby girl. :)