GOURMET KITSCHEN

Kitschen Chaos: Valentine's Day

2012-02-25T11:00:00.000+08:00

Abdul and I never really go out for Valentine's Day. It's always too traffic and the thought of dealing with the millions of cars on the road AND overpriced set menus always turns me off. I usually cook something and we enjoy a nice dinner at home. This year we invited my dad to join us since my mom is all the way in Sydney and Abdul's parents joined us to instead of going out for their usual dinner/ concert in a hotel. His family can't eat pork so I had to make some adjustments (I super take for granted stuff like bacon bits in some of my dishes) Anyway, here's what we ate:

Roasted Pumpkin soup to start. Tip: Always use fresh herbs! Makes a difference.

Salad: Mixed greens with rocket, roasted tomatoes and fried brie with a honey vinaigrette.

Slow cooked lamb adobo with crumbled feta, basil and fried onions on couscous.

Baked Parmesan crusted salmon with roasted garlic mashed potatoes


And my favorite-Dessert: Panna cotta with mango compote. Use real vanilla bean and taste the difference!

Kitschen Chaos x 13: Burger Battle

2012-02-16T11:04:00.000+08:00

First of all, I'd like to apologize for being such a bad blogger and not posting anything for over a week. Life has taken over my schedules and I am usually so tired when I get home that I want nothing but to read a good book or watch a crappy movie. The other night was Breaking Dawn (I know, gross and 2nd, I'm so behind lol) Before I get on with the actual entry for today, can I just say that the weird baby vampire birthing scene was one of the weirdest things I've ever seen.

ANYWAY... back to the topic at hand. Burger Battle. About 12 other friends and I decided to have a contest for the best burger. This seems fun and easy, yes, but on the day of, we realized that we EACH had to eat 13 burgers. Sure, they were all mini versions, but 13 mini burgers still equals about 3-4 real sized burgers. Bueno, but no bueno.

Sarah's chorizo, manchego, goat cheese and nutella burger

My wine and cheese burger-beef patty, chorizo, melted asiago, fried brie and honeyed arugula

The Nakayama's Big Mike--> tastes JUST like a Big Mac!

Dee Jae's Banh Mi Burger-> Pork burgers with cilantro, pickled veg and sriracha aioli

Rae's chicken fillet burger with cranberry, camambert, arugula and wasabi dressing

Hylton's beef burgers with duck confit, truffle cheese on a foie gras brioche bun

Banj's Ranch chicken cheeseburger

Sassa's Ensaymada, scrambled egg and longanissa burger

Abdul, Winner of the night's prize pot!

Sarah and I, best friends forever. In sickness and in health, til burger deaths do us part.


Abdul's winning Salpicao burger! It was Salpic-WOW!

Kitschen Chaos: Bangers n' Mash

2012-02-07T09:49:00.000+08:00

My own version--> Honeyed Sausages, roasted garlic mash and onion dip on the side.

Kitschen Chaos: Comfort Food, Gourmet Kitschen style.

2012-01-31T11:44:00.000+08:00

Roasted Tomato soup with cumin cream and paprika-parmesan crisp

Braised beef shank with kamote-potato mash

More experiments this week. I have another great soup idea I'm dying to try out!!!!

Kitschen Chaos: Healthy Livin'

2012-01-25T15:23:00.001+08:00

Actually not really. After these 2 relatively healthy starters, I gave my guests these burgers I've been experimenting on. Read on to see what was in them :)

I hate eggplant but I love Baba Ganoush- specially my version, which of course has the usual Gourmet Kitschen additions!

Followed that started with a roasted tomato salad with basil and vintage cheddar

Healthy part of the meal done. This first burger is an adobo chicken burger with adobo cream sauce, fried onion and basil.


and this second one is a breaded adobo patty with garlic parmesan cream cheese and onion jam :)

It's more fun in the Philippines:Traveling Tummy: VIGAN!

2012-01-23T07:53:00.000+08:00

No drug can beat the high of realizing you are above the clouds!

We stayed at a Heritage house called Villa Angela. At first I was a bit creeped out but it wasn't scary at all!

It was actually quite homey and really beautifully preserved.

Haunted Houses-more fun in the Philippines!

Vigan Longanissa rice at Cafe Leona

Abdul couldn't have any so he got the 2 pc chicken meal

If you love antiques, you will adore Calle Crisologo!

I love how they really kept all the old structures in Vigan. Pwede naman eh. Manila?

Traditional woven blankets (called Abel I think)

The ever present Bagnet. I brought some home. Have yet to try it.

Yes, you read right. This, my friends, is a club. Through these doors you will find a modern, spacious club. It's their version of Republiq, but hardly any people.

The confusing American looking, peso bills issued by the Japanese governement

WAAAAHHHH :( I hate frogs.

Irene's Empanada. Said to be the oldest empanada place in town.

Turkish pizza

Yeah, Ive been working out ehehe

Think we grew a little bit too!

At the weavers a few towns away from where we were. Took a video of this, will post next time!

My boyfriend now wants a kalesa.

Hidden Garden: Sinigang na Bangus (with belly floating around, yum my favorite part)

Okoy. Too thick and it was cold so it was more like a pancake or omelet. Too bad.

Another empanada---this time vegetarian. It was actually pretty good even without meat. I liked the shell of this one more than Irene's.

Dirty ice cream on a hot day. The sorbetes carts are everywhere!

Last minute find: "Bibingka" I was expecting a fluffy cake but instead it was like a sticky, buttery tikoy! Either way, yummy!

Visit more of our country this year! It may not have all the trimmings of a first world country, and sometimes the bathrooms don't work (sigh), but seeing historical buildings still looking exactly the way they did in the past like in Vigan, or getting a traditional tattoo in a mountain that takes almost a whole day to get to (where Abdul is now) is such an enriching experience that really allows you to get to know yourself more- where you came from, who the people are in our history. My Philippine travel wish list includes: Cotabato to see the dream weavers, Zamboanga for the vintas, Marawi for the awesome chests and trafdtional houses called torogans (although I don't think there's much of hem left sadly) and Batanes--heard it's a different world out there! Fingers crossed!

What's on YOUR Philippine travel wish list?

Traveling Tummy: Melbourne

2012-01-20T10:24:00.000+08:00

Ananda at the Melbourne Aquarium

Ananda and Erica's accidental Melbourne adventure!

Degraves street

Hosier Lane (I love that my daughter picked graffiti over the toy store)

Can't remember what this was called but it was stuffed with haloumi and feta (at Rumi, Lygon street)

And this quail with toum. HOLY!!!!

Thanks for the lovely meal Karla!

Queen Victoria Market. The dairy section is my fave. It has all this cool stuff.

Free cheese!! (tasting!)

More street art in Fitzroy

The sound of this face? "KKKKkkkkkkkkhhhhh"

Balinese pork belly from Eat Drink Man Woman along Brunswick street

My baby and her mussels

Cute bench!

Little dog lost

Little Monkey

See you again soon Melbourne! Always a pleasure!!!

Kitschen Video: Hungry Friends

2012-01-16T09:03:00.000+08:00

Dinner with friends c/o Chef Hylton Le Roux--> this was before the food coma! Blog entry with photos to follow.

Brunch in the Kitschen: Your 12 step guide to the perfect brunch

2012-01-14T09:34:00.001+08:00

1. Mushrooms are ALWAYS a good idea. Fresh only, otherwise don't bother! Those canned ones are a poor excuse for "mushrooms"

2. Eggs Rothko. First tried it in NYC, next time was in my own kitchen. We couldn't find brioche so we used turkish bread instead.

3. While cooking, keep your friends entertained with alcoholic beverages, like a seemingly innocent smoothie with peanut butter, chocolate...and Bailey's. Lots of it. (Plus have them bring bubbly for mimosas...then later on to drink alone, when the juice is gone)

4. Or...let them play with their food.

5. When you're done, plate your food as best you can---> we're no pros, but make an effort. Also, if your guests don't mind, use a plastic plate that you can chuck in the bin right after. In Manila, where there are helpers to do your dishes, use your fine china if you wish.

6. Be a gracious host and serve your guests :) Don't forget to smile!

7. While they are taking a break after the savory part of the meal, go back to the kitchen and stew some fresh peaches ( or apples, or pears...or any fruit you want) Steal some of the juice from your mimosas to add to your peaches.

8. Act silly with your friends while waiting for peaches to cook.

9. When finished cooking, create a "healthy" greek yogurt sundae with your peaches, and top with toasted almonds!

10. Surprise your friend who just turned 30. Buy plastic skulls for her bday cake because you know she will love them.

11. When you are too full to move, stay in your seat and dress up used bottles of wine and champagne.

12. Ask them if they want to have brunch again someday...and hope their answer is the same as Ben's.

:)

Traveling Tummy-Sydney: Shenkin

2012-01-08T10:54:00.000+08:00

In Erskinville, just a few blocks from the busy King street, there is a little cafe that serves Israeli breakfasts (and others but you go there for this)My sister took the whole family to Shenkin last week for some quality time and yummy food.

My brother's big breakfast. This came with bread and jam too. Growing boy!

My dad's kebab!

Ananda's banana pancakes. So goood. Not fluffy like how I usually like it. They were layers of thin ones with banana slices in between. YUM!

Shakshuka with chorizo and pita---> what you MUST order when eating here. It was SO good. I can imagine it being really good in the winter. It's basically a spicy tomato stew with poached eggs and this one with chorizo slices. You can throw in whatever you like though!Traditional Israeli brekkie.

Shenkin, 53 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville, NSW 2043 Call: 02 9550 5511

Traveling Tummy-Sydney: Feel at HOME

2012-01-06T06:59:00.000+08:00

My taste buds sometimes lock in on one type of cuisine and its all it wants for a period of time. At one point in was Indian food, another, Japanese. These days, it's Thai. All I want are the flavors of lemongrass, chili, shallots, garlic...all fused together into a medley of yumminess in my tummy.

So my dinner with friends here in Sydney finally pushed through (I had to cancel last time because Ananda was sick) and my friend Geraldine suggested HOME, a Thai resto somewhere in Bathurst and Sussex streets in the city. She warned us that we may have to line up, and that it gets packed. Sure enough, we were given a table for only an HOUR...and when we walked out, there were so many people!

Sticky rice vs regular rice. Sticky rice is the same kind they use for the mango and sticky rice dessert. Keep in inside a container like this because once exposed, the rice can go from hot and sticky to cold and bleh real quick.

Soft shell crab salad--this was yum!

Kao rad pad pik sod---crispy pork belly with garlic, chili, basil, onion and lemongrass. Holy!!! This was so good! I'm not big on pork but when it's crispy like this , with flavors that just start a party in your mouth, I can't resist!

The one thing I didn't enjoy too much, the Kui Chay---dumplings stuffed with chives and garlic. it sounded good in theory, but in real life it was weird. Not bad, just weird, in a way I didn't like.

The day after I would not have minded going again to eat that pork dish (no. 38 on the menu--do it!)

Home is located at 299 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000, Contact: T: 02 9261 5058. E: info@homethai.com.au

Kitschen Quickie: Juicy!

2012-01-02T08:33:00.000+08:00

Nothing prettier than fresh tomatoes :)

Traveling Tummy-Sydney: New Year's Eve dinner :D

2012-01-01T09:13:00.000+08:00

Aaaah New Year's Eve...another excuse to experiment in the kitchen (as if I need excuses) I decided to do a roast because celebrations deserve a big roasted piece of meat, be it chicken, beef, lamb or pork and because we are in Australia where lamb is cheap, I decided to buy some and adobo the hell out of it.

Since adobo isn't really visually appealing, I had to figure out a fun way to present this dish in a creative way. So I made a cherry tomato jam and fried some onions to a crisp and went with that.

Stuffing for my Thai Roast chicken--made with water chesnuts and mushrooms among other things (best eaten with the spicy coconut gravy made out of the chicken drippings)

Chicken straight out the oven---all 4 lbs of it!

Fried the onions earlier in the day. Man I could eat this alone.

Rosemary Lamb adobo

Salad greens for my mushroom-pecorino salad

And of course...home made cherry tomato jam :)

Warm mushroom and pecorino salad. This is great as a light meal in itself!

Lamb adobo, served on garlic bread, topped with crumbled feta and served with crunchy fried onions and a smear of cherry tomato jam. This was a winner!

Thai Roast Chicken with stuffing and sweet potato mash :)

For dessert, I made grape truffles!!!! I infused the chocolate with cinnamon and rum so not really for kids!

Drunken Girls! Me and Lisette after 446596364769 mojitos!

Ananda and her playmate, Tim!

Ala with Slick Rick. I mean, mom!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

For some reason, I can't upload videos here on blogger so please check out the Gourmet Kitschen Facebook page for more food porn, videos and all that good stuff!

Traveling Tummy-Sydney: Scenes from Christmas Day

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000+08:00

Christmas Day is always happy chaos in the Paredes household here in Sydney. We have about 40-50 people come over each year to celebrate Christmas with a potluck, barbie, games for the kids and lots and lots of singing!

beef stew

Creamy chicken casserole with crunchy bits

My favorite home-made ham! yum!

Yup, cheese! All day, everyday!

Tita Reggie hand rolled all 250 pcs of lumpia!

I had lots of left over sauce and adobo flakes so I made more adobo cream pasta

My brother manning the barbie--wings and sausages!

Thanksgiving prayers

Leeeeeeesssssss eeeeeaaaaatttt!!!

Next up, New Year's Eve. Another night of food experimentation and generally oinkness.

Traveling Tummy-Sydney: Why eat out when your food tastes better?

2011-12-28T19:27:00.000+08:00

6pm: Can you make dinner?
6:15- after scrounging around the kitchen I find beef, basil, tomato paste, pesto, onions,potatoes, mushrooms and garlic.
8:15-- Nomnomnomnom....

Always start with a drink. I prefer wine because it doesn't get me drunk fast but my mom wanted to make mojitos so who was I to refuse?

Halfway through. Yum.

plated and served with garlic bread :)

We ate al fresco tonight... kinda cold out (even if it's summer!)

Then the kitchen elf made brownies :)

Why go out?

Visit our FB page!!!!

2011-12-27T08:14:00.001+08:00

It sucks that the videos I've put up haven't been working on blogspot, but you can check them all out plus more on Gourmet Kitschen's Facebook page! Please hop on over to https://www.facebook.com/GourmetKitschen and look at photos, watch videos... click LIKE if you love it :D

Traveling Tummy: Christmas Dinner/ Noche Buena

2011-12-26T11:13:00.000+08:00

Christmas means family time in Sydney! I'm almost never in Manila during the holidays and I would like to keep it that way. I like the smaller, more intimate celebrations we have over here. We have no helpers so everyone really chips in to make it special.I gave my family 2 menu options for Christmas dinner and they chose the 2nd, Pinoy-inspired option. Here's what I made:

Roast Pork Belly-straight out the oven!

That we turned into this! (sliced, with caramelizes garlic sauce + bagoong-cilantro rice)

Also made rosemary and adobo cream sauce linguine with toasted adobo flakes and crumbled goat cheese

A Christmas present--> The Boozy Chef (For drinkers who love to cook) Awesome!

Skull cups for awesome cupcakes! Marrying my 2 favorite things!

Ananda's new Cabbage Patch doll :)

Chorizo braised in red wine and garlic with turkish bread and prune compote

Merry Christmas!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

2011-12-25T10:14:00.000+08:00

...from the Paredes Mafia down under :) May all your wishes and dreams come true!!!!

Traveling Tummy-Sydney: El Jannah, we meet again. Part 1.

2011-12-23T20:06:00.002+08:00

I'm delirious from a long tiring flight but super happy to be here...as you can see.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-12-21T17:13:00.001+08:00

A Bohol trip, a 70's disco themed office party, pigging out at Draft with the homies AND the annual Ateneo girls Christmas dinner. It's been a fun, crazy past week!

I am beat and raring to get to Sydney to spend real Christmas with my family!

Disclaimer: I know it seems like I am drunk all the time and well, that's not true. NOt ALL the time. Just like 70% of the time.

Also, I don't usually wear leopard print but I figured i could pass for a cokehead 70's disco girl.

Leaving for Sydney tomorrow. Hope y'all are having a wonderful holiday season!

FINAL GIVEAWAY WINNER!

2011-12-20T22:40:00.000+08:00

TRISH MANLANGIT! You're the winner!!!! Please email me your contact details at ericaparedes@gmail.com (address/ mobile)

I'm leaving for Sydney so I will try my best to get it sent to you BEFORE i leave (if you email soon enough) Otherwise, i will send out first thing when I get back after the New Year.

CONGRATS! and may you all have a Merry Christmas!!!!

Out of the Kitschen: Ladies who (book) launch

2011-12-16T10:20:00.001+08:00

Because aside from nourishing your tummy's, you also gotta nourish your soul

Last night, these two beautiful ladies launched "Unscripted", a book documenting their favorite interviews from the now defunct (but Why?!) "The Dollouse" radio show. Sarah and Vicky are two people in my very small circle of trust. I am proud beyond words that they came out with this book (and at a loss for words now that I have to talk about them)

Ever seen so many people at a book launch (and dancing in the middle of Fully Booked on a Thursday night?)

It was all due to Nix Pernia aka @nixdamnp who Sarah introduced as "The only DJ we trust"

The lovely Sassa Jimenez provided the 'fits for the night!

My dad is one of those featured in the book :)

Tina and Teresa Herrera (Thanks Ter for letting me use your photos!)

Oxygen's Jeff Bascon getting his copy signed.

If you are looking for me...anywhere... go to where the alcohol is :D

Get yourself, or your friends a copy for Christmas!!! Available at all Fully Booked branches! (Marc Jacobs Sharpies not included ;p)

*Photos by Teresa Herrera

Gastronomic Giveaways FINAL WEEK PASABOG!

2011-12-13T23:36:00.000+08:00

First of all, Congratulations to last week's winners!

Baked bites sampler goes to HANNA LEE!

The Balcony GC goes to Tricia Morente!!

Please email me at ericaparedes@gmail.com :)

Second, I know I said I would have 8 weeks worth of prizes, but what I didn't realize was that on the 8th week, I'll already be in Sydney. So, instead of doing week 7 and 8, I've decided to combine both and announce a winner by TUESDAY next week (Dec 20)

Up for grabs on Gourmet Kitschen's FINAL Gastronomic Giveaways Week:

A P500 GC from Malcom's

A P1000 GC from Rue Bourbon

A P500 GC from Gino's brick Oven Pizza

P1000 GC from OPUS

1 Box Savoury Pies from Tina's Pie Outlet

GC for a Nutty Crispy Tower from Swensen's

THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE WINNER FOR ALL THESE GREAT PRIZES!For a chance to win, simply click on the comments link and answer this question:

What is the best gift you will be GIVING this Christmas and WHO are you giving it to?

Good Luck!!! :) Contest ends Monday, December 19 11:59 pm!

Also, please visit the Gourmet Kitschen Facebook page and click like for more updates on the upcoming online show! :)

Gourmet Kitschen...TV!

2011-12-10T23:25:00.001+08:00

I cook, I blog, and you all ask me for recipes! Instead of emailing everyone individually, or typing it down- I'm giving you all something BETTER!

How would you like to WATCH ME ONLINE as I cook and explain some of my favorite recipes to all of you?

Here's a sneak peek at what me and my fabulous crew have been working on. Launching end of January 2012 :) Stay tuned and stay hungry!

Sneek Peak Behind the Scenes Video:

Like what you see? Follow us on Twitter: @GourmetKitschen and Like our GOURMET KITSCHEN page on Facebook to receive updates and lots of food porn!

I'm SO excited!!!!

Tummy Treats: Raku Hokkaido Ramen House

2011-12-10T11:47:00.000+08:00

When I was living in Salcedo Village, I used to spot this little Ramen place on Valero street every time I'd drive through on my way home. Sadly, every time I tried to look for it on foot, it always happened to disappear- yes, disappear! One night I was really craving Ramen and convinced Abdul to walk over with me. We couldn't find it and ended up drinking at a bar instead (yeah I know, shut up haha)

Well, I FINALLY found it. After I moved out of the neighborhood and met up with my friend for a lunch meeting/ catch up. Yay!.

Her Ramen, my Ramen...and my tat :D

I heard they had different types of gyoza so I wanted to try those too. We got the scallop gyoza and the pork one. They come with different kinds of dipping sauces as well. Oh man, I can't even remember but they were good. They have sauces like lemon butter, curry etc. I actually enjoyed the gyoza more than the ramen (it was ok but i've had better elsewhere. not bad though if you live/work in the area and need a noodle fix!)

Raku Hokkaido Ramen House is located at Le Grand Condominium 130 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City Call: 553.6635