#203_ International Food Night

Our Ward RS Enrichment night last night was "International Night"
where each of us ladies brought different kinds of food from all over the world.

I represented the Philippines, so guess what I brought?
If you guessed Crema de Fruta, you're right!
It's one of my favorite dessert.

There were so many different varieties of food....
too bad I can't identify all of them for you.

It was so awesome to see so many different goodies,
some of them I've never tried before....

This Sushi Platter stood out

They were made by a couple of young sisters, Caroline and her younger sister, Rose who were originally from the island of Guam. The sushis looked so beautiful arranged in 3 tiers. They did a fantastic job on the presentation.

As I was asking them what's in those sushis, I already made up my mind that I was not going to try one even though the girls were very reassuring that we will like their sushis because they did not contain any fresh fish.

First of all I'm not a big fan of sushi, but I didn't want to offend the girls and did not want to kill their enthusiasm about their masterpiece, so I politely took one, thinking that I can leave it on my plate. I found out that was hard to do when you're sitting with others around a table, so I forced myself to eat the sushi.

The verdict? Surprisingly, I went back to get me a couple more! Yep, I actually liked them....a real surprise!

So, what's in those sushis?! spam and scrambled eggs mix in with the rice then rolled in nori.

Amazingly good after all.

#202_Turkey Sandwich

Super Simple Turkey Sandwich

I always enjoy left over turkeys more than I do the roast turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Aside from making arroz caldo (rice soup), I love making this turkey sandwich. I got the idea from a sandwich that I tried at a restaurant in Camp John Hay, a USAF Base in Bagiuo City many years ago.

Here's how to make this sandwich:

In a heavy skillet, melt a small amount of butter

Toss some shredded turkey (dark meat is best) into the pan with the butter until the meat is just heated through, adding salt and pepper while tossing the meat. Set the hot turkey aside.

Split up a french bread, then butter each side,

grill the buttered sides of bread in a hot pan
(I use cast iron skillet. A toaster oven which i don't own, might work good as well)

spread some mayonnaise on a grilled side (or both sides) of bread

Pile those turkey up as high or as low as you want
on one side of bread, top with cheese slices and cooked bacon (if desired)
then replace the other side of bread on top.

Really good!!
Nothing is better than simple things!

Notes from MaMely:
1) You can use tortillas instead of bread then make Turkey Roll Ups.
2) If you have leftover ham, you might as well throw them in to the pan with the turkey meat.
3) If using bacon and ham, you don't need to use a lot of salt on the turkey meat as the cheese, ham and bacon are loaded with salt already.
4) If using bacon, use the same pan with grease from frying bacon to saute the turkey in....ahh you'll have a flavorful sandwich!!

#200_Baby Shower: It's a Girl!

On Saturday, 14th Nov, I helped a friend, Camille do a baby Shower Party for another friend.

Keri is going to have a baby girl! Congratulations, Keri!!

The menu was very simple... Lemon punch, chicken sandwiches

fresh fruits, chicken roll-ups...

My friends assembling sandwiches and roll ups: Lowena, Sela and Amy

Chocolate cupcakes with strawberry butter cream frosting

more cupcakes and mango puff tarts

#199_Bake Sale

Today is Saturday, 28th of November. I better finish doing this entry and post it before it becomes too old as this has been sitting in the draft file for a few days. Sorry folks, I have been terribly busy these past few weeks that I had neglected this blog.

Well, the proceeds from my bake sale went to a friend in my home town of Dagupan City whose house was flooded by the typhoon Ondoy back in September. I didn't raise very much money from the bake sale but with the generous hearts of a couple of friends here in Salt Lake, Aida and Bobbi who had given me some cash money out of their own pockets I was able to send my friend in Dagupan a generous amount. Bless your hearts! I also appreciate those who supported my bake sale at the event. Thank you everyone!

the atcara was the #1 best seller. There were only 8 jars available, so they were gone fast....they were all gone within 30 minutes after I set up my table. I had to ask the customers to leave them on the table for a while after they had paid for it with their names on the jars, so my table won't look too bare. Others still said, can I buy this?! Too bad, I didn't make enough.

The polvorons were the #2 best seller. They were sold out within an hour.

the Ensaymadas were the #3 best seller along with the Crema de Frutas.


Most of the cupcakes and cookies were unsold.....
inisnab ng mga Pinoy ang dessert pang Americano.

The Bake Sale was a lot of work with low returns, but in a way it was fun specially when I saw people enjoying what I had to sell. It was all worth my efforts. Naalis ang aking pagod at ginanahan pa tuloy ako! Maraming salamat sa mga kababayan ko!!!

#198_Crema de Fruta or Fruit Cocktail Cream Cake

Crema de Frutas "to go"

Crema de Frutas or Fruit Cocktail Cake
For the fundraising Event

For recipe, click here.

#197_Kiddie KupKakes

CUPCAKES FOR THE FUNDRAISING TOMORROW

I hope there will be lots of kids to show up at the Luncheon
and Bake Sale so they can enjoy these cupcakes.

#196_Brazo de Mercedes with a Big Twist

Brazo de Mercedes turned into a pie!

I still need to come up with a good name for this dessert. It is kind of a heinz 57 thing where I put everything I love in one pie, i.e. mangoes, custard, coconut cream and meringue.

The idea is taken from Brazo de Mercedes, but instead of rolled, the meringue is baked in a pie tin then filled with custard cream filling, hence a Pie. The cream filling, click here, has coconut cream and home made mango jam, then mounded some shaved fresh mangoes on top. Sorry, I don't have time to write down the recipe right now. I'm making this for our Fundraising Event on Saturday.

For Custard Cream filling recipe, click here.

#195_Special Polvoron

Candy Bars Polvoron for the Fundraising

These are not just polvoron...
they are Almond Joy Polvoron
and Reese's Peanut Butter Polvoron.
Chopped real candy bars are mixed in to flavor the polvoron
and that's what make them so special.

Click here for the Basic Polvoron Recipe.

#194_ Atcharang Papaya

Atcharang Papaya
to be sold at the fund raising

We're having a food bazaar/bake sale on Nov. 14th to raise funds to help some typhoon victims in my province of Pangasinan. Every night after I come home from work I will make an item or two or whatever I can do that night. I started with the Atcharang Papaya yesterday. Next on my list will be polvoron. I'll make them tomorrow.

The Prize-Winning Fluffiest Pancake Recipe

UPDATE: Nov. 9, '09 (Tuesday 10th, New Zealand time)

From: mail@nzfavouriterecipe.co.nz
Subject: Congratulations
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:16:21 +1300
To: melitamasagnay@hotmail.com

Congratulations you're a winner in The Search for New Zealand’s Favourite recipe with FreshChoice and SuperValue Supermarkets. We hope you enjoyed the competition as much as we did.

You've won a prize of $1,000 cash. We will direct credit this into your bank account early December, just in time for Christmas.

Please email back your full name, bank account details and also your postal address.

Media may want to contact you with a few questions. If you are happy to be contacted please email back your contact phone details.

Once again congratulations on your win.

The contest has ended with these winners below. Thank you very much to all of you who voted for Melita's entry. She appreciates all your support!!!!
MaMely

Overall Winner
The Ultimate Chocolate Brownie ... With Raspberries If You're Feeling Extra Flashy - 2145 votes

Category Winners
Snacks & Light Meals - John's Ultimate Protein Post Workout Shake - 691 votes
Main Meals - Chicken Italiano - 408 votes
Starters & Extras - The Fluffiest Pancake Ever - 333 votes

UPDATE:
Deadline to vote is Nov. 8th! Please go to the link below to vote for her recipe. Be aware though, that after you voted you'll receive an e-mail from the organizers asking you to confirm your vote. Hope you don't mind doing that. Thank you so much!!!

The Fluffiest Pancakes Ever!

This is my sister, Melita's entry to a recipe contest in New Zealand. With less than 2 weeks left before the contest deadline, she has 295 votes and 9th place overall and 1st place in her category. It is a popularity contest, so anyone with an e-mail address can vote.

May I invite you, beloved readers of this blog to vote for her recipe. It will mean a lot to her.

Please click here to cast your vote and to see the recipe...you don't need to try and cook it!


Your vote will surely make a difference.
Thank you very MUCH.

Another update:Nov. 2, '09

Melita received this e-mail today!

From: mail@nzfavouriterecipe.co.nz
Subject: Media
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:41:26 +1300
CC: kathy.cunningham@ogilvy.co.nz
To: melitamasagnay@hotmail.com

Thanks for entering your recipe for The Search for New Zealand's Favourite Recipe.

Your recipe has been selected to promote to the media.

Can you please provide your contact phone number(s) for one of the Ogilvy PR team to discuss this with you.

You may or may not be interviewed in the media. Please let us know that you are comfortable with this.