6-Ingredient Mocktail Recipe with May Sparkling Juice

Thinking of a liquor-free drink to prepare for your party this holiday season? Here’s a 6-Ingredient Mocktail Recipe using May Sparkling Juice!

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Christmas Recipe: Fiesta Fruit Salad

Ho ho ho! Advance Merry Christmas to all! For the season of feast and festivities, nothing beats the classic and decadent Filipino desserts.

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Tuna Macaroni Salad Recipe with A Twist

The usual macaroni salad we are familiar with need not be boring. You can make it healthier and add a twist to it in a jiffy! Turn it into a Spicy Tuna Macaroni Salad! Continue reading →

Healthy But Yummy Tuna Sisig Recipe

Aside from adobo, sisig is another famous contender as a Philippine national dish that Filipinos love!

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Sardines Recipe for Lent by Mega Creations Premium Sardines

Chef Greg Villalon

Chef Greg Villalon

In a predominantly Catholic country such as the Philippines, Good Friday symbolizes the commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Aside from the prohibition of taking a bath after 3pm, one other observed tradition is the abstinence of eating meat. And so, I found this sardines recipe from Mega Creations Premium Sardines (from the creators of Mega Sardines) a fitting post today. 🙂

Mega Creations Premium Sardines (L-R, Natural Oil, Spanish Style)

Mega Creations Premium Sardines (L-R, Natural Oil, Spanish Style)

A few weeks ago, Mega Creations Premium Sardines, together with Global Academy Head of Operations Chef Greg Villalon, demonstrated that tasty meals can be easily prepared even using common household ingredients in less than half an hour.

The sardines come in two variants: in natural oil and in spanish style. One of the dishes / recipes cooked with a twist was the Moroccan Sardine and Sweet Potato Casserole. It was my favorite and deserves a feature here:

Moroccan Sardine and Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 6 Cans – Mega Creations Premium Sardines Spanish Style (chopped)
  • 2 Cups – Spinach leaves (chopped)
  • 2 Cups – Red Bell pepper (strips)
  • 1/2 Cup – Raisins
  • 1 Cup – White onion (minced)
  • 2 Tbsp – Cinnamon powder
  • 2 Tbsp – Cumin powder
  • 1 Tbsp – Turmeric powder
  • 6 Tbsp – Tomato paste
  • 1/2 Cup – Olive oil
  • To taste – Salt
  • To taste – White pepper

Sweet Potato Mash

Moroccan Sardine and Sweet Potato Casserole

Moroccan Sardine and Sweet Potato CasseroleSweet Potato Mash

  • 1 Kilo – Orange sweet potato (peeled and cubed)
  • 2 Cups – Milk
  • 6 Tbsp – Butter (softened)
  • To taste – Salt
  • To taste – White Pepper

Cheese Crust

  • 1 Cup – Cheddar cheese (grated)
  • 1 Cup – Japanese bread crumbs
  • As needed – Butter

Procedure:

  1. Peel, chop, and boil sweet potatoes until soft enough for a knife to go through it. Drain off the sweet potatoes before mashing with a fork.
  2. Place mashed sweet potatoes in a pan, then incorporate milk and softened butter until desired consistency is achieved. Season to taste then set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a sauté pan then add onions, peppers, spinach, and raisins. Briefly saute, then add all the spices and leave in the pan until fragrant.
  4. Add the potato paste and stir well. Next, add the Mega Creations Premium Sardines and mash thoroughly until a “spreadable texture” is achieved. Season to taste, then set aside.
  5. Assemble the dish on a casserole or a Pyrex dish. The ingredients will be layered similar to a lasagna dish, with the first layer made of sweet potato puree, and then topped with the spinach mixture. Repeat the process until you fill the casserole.
  6. Sprinkle the cheese crust on top then add slices of butter to cover the whole dish.
  7. Bake in a 375° F oven for about 30-45 mins or until the crust has browned.
  8. Serve and enjoy!
Chef Greg Villalon with Chef Rose Bud

Chef Greg Villalon with Chef Rose Bud

Mega Creations Asian Style Sardines Sub-Sandwich

Asian Style Sardines Sub-Sandwich using Mega Premium Sardines

Catch more of the Mega Creations Premium Sardines recipes with Chef Villalon in an exciting new cooking show entitled “Everyday Creations,” premiering on April 5 at 6:30 p.m. on The Lifestyle Network. There will be replays on Sundays, 11:30am and Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. Check My Everyday Creations page on Facebook for additional sardines recipes as well.

I’m Hungreh! – NomNom’s Top 10 Emerging Influential Blog Babies for 2010

It’s that season of the year again when the blogging community goes on the sprawl searching for their Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for the year.

There are a lot of great and influential blogs out there. But the trick in this search is the term ‘emerging.’ It pertains to the NEW blogs, those which started about a year ago – March 2009 to be precise. And that’s where discernment is needed – because of a blog’s young age, it’s really hard to judge if the blog would eventually kick-off or die down into oblivion in a year or two.

I have been participating in this annual activity for three years now. And I have noticed something unique this year – a rise in the number of new food blogs. I think it is safe to say that this is partly the result of the increase in food blogger events as well, prevalent in at least three major areas in the Philippines namely Cebu, Davao, and Metro Manila.

Nomnom Club

NomNom Club itself is an out-sprout form LetsGoSago.net, a former travel-and-food-blog now turned travel blog. It was September 09, 2009 (09/09/09) when I decided to start this food blog to avoid diluting LetsGoSago.net which was slowly being dominated by non-travel related food posts. The rest is history.

More than the increase in new food blogs, the latest top rank list (week 9) were dominated by at least 5 food blogs sharing 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 7th spots. Compared to last year’s winners, there were only 2 food blogs.

In this light (and being a food blogger myself), my first five Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 are:

NomNomClub.com – This food blog. If I don’t vote for my blog, how can I encourage others to do so? 🙂 Hence, I hope you will (*ahem*vote*ahem).

Foodie Manila

Foodie Manila

By the way, I’m trying to develop it to become community-based by year 2 so feel free to Join NomNom Foodie Club and expect exciting foodie activities soon! We’re turning one next month! 🙂

FoodieManila.com – If you’re not much of the reader-type, this food blog is for you. Just look at the awesome photos, dream about it but hold that saliva drip, asleep or awake.

Kusina Maria

Kusina Maria

KusinaMaria.com – Maria is her first name and cooking is her surname. Find personal recipes from her blog

Thirsty Blogger

Thirsty Blogger

ThirstyBlogger.com – And you think having a food blog is already a focused niche in itself, this guy goes a step further by focusing on drinks and juices, or any beverage for that matter.

TeaCompletely.com -  Tea blogging. And you thought a beverage blog was already extreme? This blog tandem of Aileen and Drew is about their tea adventures in Manila, Davao, or as far as Singapore!

Tea Completely

Tea Completely

I guess 50% of my nomination slots going to food blogs is enough. I’ll look into other emerging and influential blogs and update this post within the month.

Aug 31 Update:

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And the other 5 non-food blogs completing my list are:

Facebuko – this is one of the best and wittiest humor blogs we have today. Maintained by a fellow UP alumni, I’m not surprised (lol).

Ganda Ever So Much – I am not usually fond of personal blogs as monitoring the personal lives of individuals is not my cup of tea (unless they’re extra special). But this one got a magic touch to it care of Orman. 🙂

When In Manila – From zero to hero, Vince managed to prove that there is still room for more creative blogs in the Philippine blogosphere.

Fat Girl No More – this blog is unique and inspiring as it journals the quest of a fat girl who wants to loose the extra pounds. I admire her dedication despite the odds and her courage in sharing her journey with us.

Tara Na – I have personally met all my nominees above except Erica. Nonetheless, her zest in the write-ups and articles shows her zest for the craft. I believe she is one emerging and influential blog to look forward to in the months to come.

Sadly, we can only include 10. If for any reason, you don’t prefer my complete list, you may consider the following similarly deserving blogs in your list:

  • http://www.project52weeks.com
  • http://www.reluctantstylista.com
  • http://www.survivingautism.net
  • http://www.paolodome.co.cc
  • http://www.rabsing.com
  • http://www.christianhomeschooler.info
  • http://www.avatar.ph
  • http://www.thecreativedork.com
  • http://www.no-benta.blogspot.com
  • http://www.bonggaba.com

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If  NomNom Club passes your standard to be one of your Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010, please do so in any of your blogs and it will be very much appreciated. 🙂

This writing project will not be possible without the support of sponsors such as Events and Corporate Video, Budget hotel in Makati, Pinoy Party Food, Copyediting Services, PR Agency Philippines, Budget Travel Philippines, Send Gifts to the Philippines, Black Friday Deals, Roomrent – units for rent, Search Profile Index, Corporate Events Organizer.

My Yummy Adventure: Tinapa Rice with Salted Eggs and Tomatoes, Or Is It?

Yummy Magazine May Issue

Yummy Magazine May Issue

Aside from regularly checking out www.yummy.ph, this month’s Yummy Magazine issue is one of my favorite as it featured “easy to cook” dishes.

Lazy as I am, I found a truly easy one in the “Quick and Easy” section – Tinapa Rice with Salted Eggs and Tomatoes. I thought this would be a good one for my entry in their bloggers’ contest as well. I had one problem though, we don’t have tinapa (smoked fish) at home.

It was for Sunday dinner and I don’t have time to buy so I was forced to look for a substitute. I came up with a great idea for a substitute, Bangus Fried Bangus!

I also consulted some friends online (specifically in social networking site Plurk) and they approved of my tinapa substitute. 🙂

Online Consultation for a Good Tinapa Substitute

Online Consultation for a Good Tinapa Substitute

And so it was. 🙂

Bangus Rice with Salted Egg and Tomatoes Ingredients

Bangus Rice with Salted Egg and Tomatoes Ingredients

Here are the ingredients I used as patterned from the Yummy Magazine: (for one preparation)

  • Half Bangus Fish
  • Cooking Oil
  • Some Garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 Cup of white rice
  • pinch of salt
  • minute dash of pepper
  • 1 red egg, peeled and sliced into eights
  • 1 tomato, sliced into six

Procedure:

  1. Debone the Bangus and fry. Flake afterwards
  2. In a large wok, heat the oil and fry the garlic until lightly browned. Add the cooked rice, salt, and pepper and stir together.
  3. Add and mix the flaked bangus strips and stir well. Remove from the heat.
  4. To serve, pour the rice into a serving bowl and top with salted eggs and tomatoes

Fry the Bangus and Flake After

Fry the Bangus and Flake After

Heat the Oil, Fry the Garlic

Heat the Oil, Fry the Garlic

Add the cooked rice, salt, and pepper and stir together.

Add the cooked rice, salt, and pepper and stir together.

Thankfully, my cooking escapade was a success! My Tinapa Bangus Rice with Salted Eggs and Tomatoes tasted great (if not better than with tinapa). :)  And that concludes My SundayYummy Adventure!

My Hardwork: Bangus Rice with Salted Egg and Garlic

My Hardwork: Bangus Rice with Salted Egg and Garlic

Top View of My Delicious Bangus Rice on our kitchen table

Top View of My Delicious Bangus Rice on our kitchen table

Also, do check out Yummy’s Facebook and Twitter accounts:  facebook.com/yummymagazine and twitter.com/yummyph

My Bangus Rice with Salted Eggs and Tomatoes and the Tinapa Rice with Salted Eggs and Tomatoes from the Magazine looks the similar isn’t it? 🙂

Yummy

Yummy