Kitchen Stories- Sole with Lemon Butter Sauce

Here's a light and easy fish recipe for those meatless Fridays of Lent. The addition of lemon slices during cooking helps keep the fish moist and flavorful. A simple sauce made with a combination of white wine, butter and lemon juice is the perfect compliment for this dish.

Sole with Lemon Butter Sauce

(from marthastewart.com)

3/4 cup dry white wine

3 sole fillets (about 330 grams each)

coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

18 very thin lemon slices (from 2 lemons), seeds removed

3 tablespoons of lemon juice

4 tablespoons cold butter

fresh dill sprigs

1. Pour white wine in a large lidded skillet. Slice each sole fillet into 3 smaller pieces. Season with salt and pepper and arrange in the skillet. Lay two overlapping lemon slices on each piece of fish.

2. Bring the wine to a boil; reduce heat to medium low. Cover skillet with lid and simmer gently until the fish is opaque through-out, about 3-5 minutes. With a spatula, carefully transfer fish to serving plates.

3. Return the liquid in the skillet to a boil and cook until reduced to 1/2 cup. Remove from heat, then whisk in lemon juice and butter until smooth. Season with salt; strain if desired. Serve with the fish and garnish with fresh dill and freshly ground black pepper.

She Said: I love lemons and can't help but add a squeeze of lemon juice to just about everything! I have also taken up the habit of drinking warm lemon water in the morning, so you can be sure to find a regular supply of this tangy, sour and fresh smelling citrus in our kitchen.

she said: I was really surprised that this dish was really simple to make! This one's a keeper, because the recipe is so easy I can do it myself! : )


This article also appears on PhilStar.com

Kitchen Stories- Chicken in Mustard Cream Sauce

We've been cooking a lot of chicken dishes lately, particularly white chicken meat, which has a little less fat and fewer calories compared to dark meat. We are really trying our best to make healthier choices when it comes to our meals. Chicken breast meat has more protein and less cholesterol, so it's the better choice. We like adding it to our salads, or serving it with some roasted or steamed vegetables and we look forward to sharing our chicken recipes with you! 

She Said: Our New Year's resolution to eat healthier meals has been going well so far. We've been eating more fruits and vegetables and we're slowly choosing lean meats over fatty cuts.

she said: Now, we only hope to be successful when it comes to desserts! We both have a weakness for all things sweet and can't resist chocolates, cakes and cookies, but we're really trying our best most especially for the Lenten season.

This recipe calls for skinless chicken breast fillets. The accompanying sauce is a French classic, made with mustard and heavy cream which you can substitute with milk or even plain yogurt. It makes a perfect sauce for pan seared fish and as topping for pork tenderloin too. Serve this with some steamed string beans and rice on the side and you've got yourself the perfect lunch. Enjoy!

Chicken in Mustard Cream Sauce

(adapted from The Pioneer Woman)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream or substitute with plain yogurt

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon (or 1 teaspoon dried)

coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper

1. In a medium frying pan, heat oil over moderate heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to pan. Saute until cooked through, about 10 minutes, turning once. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

2. Pour chicken broth into the hot pan, cook stirring until broth is reduced in half. Whisk in cream yogurt, mustard and tarragon. Cook whisking until thickened, about 2 minutes.

3. Pour in any accumulated chicken juices into the sauce and mix until combined. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken and serve with steamed French string beans and rice.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Kitchen Stories- Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches

The classic grilled cheese sandwich is our go to for a quick and easy lunch or snack. We often make it at home with different kinds of cheeses and bread. This chocolate variation is a new favorite of ours. You can serve this as dessert after a light meal. So, so very delicious and scrumptious! We hope you get to try it out.

Summer will be soon upon us, and as the heat becomes unbearable in the coming months ahead, we're planning on spending less time in the kitchen by preparing meals that are quick, easy and hassle free. Stay tuned for our Kitchen Stories: Summer Edition!

 
Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches
(adapted from Martha Stewart)

2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
4 slices thick cut bread (1/2 inch thick)
4 ounces thin semisweet or milk chocolate bar
2 tablespoons butter
Confectioner's sugar for dusting

1. In a large, shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk. Set aside.

2. Form two sandwiches with the bread and chocolate. Break the chocolate as necessary to cover the bread without extending over the edges.

3. Dip both sides of the sandwiches in the egg mixture to coat.

4. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Transfer sandwiches to skillet and cook until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.

5. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Cut sandwiches in half and dust with Confectioner's sugar before serving.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Kitchen Stories at Aruga by Rockwell

Just a couple of months back, we had the opportunity to experience the best of Filipino hospitality at Aruga by Rockwell's fully serviced apartments. Located within the exclusive Rockwell Center in Makati City, each studio apartment and one-bedroom & two-bedroom suites are designed to make every traveler feel like they are home away from home.

Spacious Living & Dining areas of a two-bedroom suite

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and with the warm, personal service of the Aruga team making a lasting impression on us, we couldn't wait to be back for more.

Aside from the comfortable beds, one of the parts we liked most about our suite was the fully equipped kitchen complete with an electric stove, microwave, toaster oven, and coffeemaker, among other amenities. In-house guests have the option to prepare their own meals or you can even plan a cooking party with a small group of friends or family.

We didn't get to use the kitchen much during our first visit, so we were excited to be back, and this time we were prepared and ready to cook! A supermarket is conveniently accessible at the nearby Power Plant Mall so shopping for ingredients was a cinch.

She Said: Our Kitchen Stories feature recipes that we prepare and cook at home. I was very excited to cook in Aruga's fully equipped kitchen! Housekeeping services are available round the clock to assist you with every need. They can even do a quick run to the grocery for you if you forget something.

This flavorful chicken recipe is marinated in lots of garlic and olive oil. Serve this family style on a big platter with roasted potatoes and some asparagus for your greens. It's the perfect dish to make for your loved ones this Valentine weekend.

Grilled Marinated Chicken with Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes

6 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 pounds baby potatoes
2 bunches asparagus trimmed and cut into thirds
olive oil
coarse salt and
fresh ground pepper

*Garlic Butter Sauce:

In a sauce pan, melt 1/2 cup salted butter. Add  1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook until tender. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon finely chopped flat leaf parsley.

How To:

1. Cut chicken breast in half so you have about  twelve smaller, thinner chicken cutlets. Salt and pepper on both sides.

2. In a large baking dish or bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons minced garlic, about 1/4 cup olive oil, and white wine vinegar. Add the chicken, turning several times to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for up to 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

she said: Whenever we make this dish at home, I'm in charge of scrubbing the potatoes clean and I help in cooking the chicken :)

4. Cut potatoes in half or quarters and place in a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, then drizzle some olive oil and toss until potatoes are well coated. Spread out potatoes into one layer. Roast for 30 minutes or until brown and crisp.

5. While potatoes are in the oven, preheat a grill pan to medium heat and brush with some oil. Lift chicken from the marinade and grill until browned and cooked through, 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside cooked chicken pieces covered in foil to keep warm.

6. In a non-stick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add asparagus and cook, stirring often, until crisp tender, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Arrange chicken, asparagus and roasted potatoes in a large serving platter and serve immediately with warm *Garlic Butter Sauce.

Treat your loved ones for a Valentine staycation this weekend at Aruga by Rockwell! For bookings and inquiries, call 818-0000, or visit www.arugabyrockwell.com.

This article also appears on Philstar.com.

Inspiration Board: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is coming up! I think this entire holiday is just a big excuse to eat lots of chocolate and sweets in the name of love, but I'm not complaining. : ) My mom is my valentine, and though we don't have any major plans for the holiday, I still think it'd be fun to dress for the occasion. I included tons of pink and red in this inspiration board, which are colors I don't own a lot of, but I love. Hopefully mom and I end up doing something fun together!

Zara Asymmetrical Skirt Jacquard Dress, Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm, Mango Polka-Dot Top, Chinti And Parker Intarsia Hearts Hugs and Kisses Sweater, Valentino A-Line Dress, Mykita Pink Sherbet Mafalda Sunglasses, Kate Spade New York Dear Valentine Heart Studs Earrings, Comme des Garçons x Converse Sneakers, Essie Nail Color in Bump Up The Pumps, Tiffany Charm Bracelet, Clinique Sculptionary Cheek Contouring Palette, Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Large Monday Bag in Cabaret Pink, Lush The Kiss Lip Gloss

Moving Forward: A Birthday Post

I turn another year older, today, and I'm hoping another year wiser too. Since earlier this month, Bianca has been asking me what I wanted for my birthday. She's always feeling generous with me this time of year because all her Christmas money is still mostly intact. I never really ask for anything from her except that she be a good girl, and she gets so frustrated every time I say this. "You say that every year mama! Please ask me for something, anything!"

I guess as I have gotten older, I've been more practical, favoring simple, practical things over fancy gadgets or expensive gifts. Take me grocery shopping at my neighborhood supermarket or health food store, or even the drug store (I'm always buying something in Mercury Drugstore) and I'm a happy camper. Or maybe I'm just boring that way? :)

I am so grateful for all the blessings, both big and small, that the past year has brought me. I wish I could say that I am recovering from my Parkinson's Disease, but I'm not. I feel that I was physically stronger last year. But I will not, and I refuse to dwell on that. I choose instead to move forward and  to focus on what it is that I can do. Whatever I lack in physical strength, God has replaced with an amazing strength in spirit, courage and positive attitude.

During our recent travel, I had to be mostly relegated to a wheelchair while in the airport since I couldn't tackle the long walk from the boarding and arrival gates. I wanted to feel sorry for myself, but I couldn't stop smiling. I was, after all, going on a trip of a lifetime.

Still, there are those days that are especially challenging and frustrating for me when I can't perform even the simplest of tasks. On these such days, I allow myself to sometimes lose my cool. Nobody is perfect. But everyday, as if on cue, God points me in the right direction by giving me a reason to be thankful. And just like that, all the frustrations just fade away.

I am blessed with the unconditional love and unwavering support of my family and friends from whom I draw my strength. Thank you for standing by me. I would also like to express my gratitude to those who have written to me through the blog, for your words of support and encouragement. Thank you for your prayers. I may not know you personally, but I sincerely hope I get the chance to meet all of you someday.

Sharing with you some funny photos of me mustering all my strength to do my infamous jumping shot. Bianca and I couldn't stop laughing because I was failing miserably to get my feet off the ground, and I kept dragging her down with me every time she would attempt to jump. Hahaha!

And here we are, finally both airborne, with me just a few inches above ground. Look at how high, Bianca's jump is. She's such a show off!
My birthday jump was so much better last year. But the Eiffel Tower in the background more than makes up for it, don't you think?!

Thank you, once again, for taking the time to read my birthday post. I enjoin all of you, let's all keep moving forward and seize the day!

Inspiration Board: College Girl

I had been so tense and nervous in the months leading up to college entrance test results, but now that I've finally received all of them, I realize I am heading off to college much sooner than I thought! I'm relieved that all the waiting is over, and excited and scared that I'm soon taking my first step into the big world.

I want to be more organized when I start school in September - admittedly, I'm not the neatest or tidiest girl in the world, and I'd like that to change. I'm going to try and start making to-do lists, using colorful sticky notes, arranging my papers and keeping track of everything I need to do.I'm also going to need to fill my closet with practical staples that I enjoy wearing, and let go of the clothes I don't really wear anymore. All through out high school I had to stick to wearing a uniform, so college dressing will be a welcome but major change.

 The Herschel Supply Co. Backpack, Ban.do Pencil Pouch, Mulberry Reversible Wool Jumper, H&M Bag, Mango Linen T-Shirt, Oasis Crepe Dress, 7 For All Mankind Skinny Jeans, H&M Organza Blouse, Klean Kanteen Water Bottle, Melissa Aranha 1979 Shoes in Pink Neon, Adidas Gazelle

I put together some of my favorite pieces in this inspiration board. It has just the right balance of comfy and cute, which I think is important for everyday dressing. : )