Xin Tian Di

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Chinese
Location:	Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ortigas

Trixie and I celebrated our birthdays with family there and everyone was really happy with the food (especially the kids). Xin Tian Di serves really good Chinese dimsum with bottomless iced tea or hot tea. They steam/ cook only upon order so everything is fresh and hot. I especially liked their seafood noodle soup, hakaw, taro puff, spareribs, buchi, custard... the list never ends. It's also a plus that we were put in a very comfy, nicely designed private room (see photo), and the service was impeccable. Truly one of the best buffet fares in Manila. I will definitely go back.

Prawn Pomodorro

I just love pasta.  Here's my recipe for pomodorro- this one's light yet flavorful.  The sauteed prawns are optional.

Ingredients:
Cooked pasta (I prefer Angel Hair)
Extra-virgin olive oil
Minced garlic, about 1 tablespoon, depending on the quantity of prawns
Sliced garlic, the more the better
Shelled and deveined prawns (Please leave the tails intact for presentation)
Chopped fresh, ripe tomatoes
Sliced olives or mushrooms (optional)
Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce, Italian Style
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper

Procedure:
Season prawns with salt, pepper and paprika.  In a large pan, add olive oil and saute prawns in minced garlic until pink and tender.  Do not overcook.  Remove prawns from pan and set aside.
Using the same pan, add lots of olive oil and saute garlic until aromatic.  (It's important that you add a big amount of olive oil, about a half cup, because the pasta should not be dry.)  Do not cook until brown so as not to make it bitter.  Add chopped tomatoes and saute until half-cooked only.  Tomatoes should remain firm.  Add olives.
Add the cooked pasta; toss it so as to be completely coated by the olive oil.  Add about 1/4 cup Del Monte Spaghetti sauce for a bit of color.  If the pasta appears dry at this point, you may add more olive oil or spaghetti sauce.
Lastly, add parmesan cheese and toss again until the cheese melts and disappears.
Put pasta in a big bowl and garnish with cooked prawns.  Enjoy!

Tip:  Store left-over pasta in a sealed bowl.  It actually tastes better the following day when the garlic becomes more flavorful.

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Meet Leann Grace

This was our visit to Mary's house to see Leann. But as you can see, there are more photos of Trixie than Leann :)

Fun times with Jennie

Here are photos of our lunch out with Jennie and the "early Christmas dinner" at our place. Look how tan Jennie is!!!

Trixie wore the gown!!!

Well, this is the final fitting, not yet the big day, but I'm so so so happy and relieved (isn't it obvious in my smile?) that Trixie opened the box and initiated wearing the gown. She loved the dress! Hopefully, she will wear this again next, next week. We'll see...

It's Red Velvet Once More

I think I'm in love with Red Velvet. I made a batch yesterday with a better recipe (from dianasdesserts.com), and Brandon and I are officially hooked. I still used the same milk frosting and these cupcakes taste even better the day after. (Stew, you were right!) I think I'll bake another batch tomorrow...

I am officially 29.

I just turned 29.  No doubt about it.  I calculated my age, 2007 minus 1978 using the calculator to be really sure, coz when people ask my age, I tend to be stuck on age 26 for some reason.  Life gets a new perspective at my age and whenever a year would pass, I am haunted by the idea that sooner, my age will be out of the calendar already.  I was wondering how my birthday would turn out, and now that it's over, I can say that I had one of the best birthdays ever. 

At 12:13am today, I got a text greeting  from my former student in La Salle and I was touched and surprised.  The text read "How can I forget your birthday, eh your class was the one thing I looked forward to during my ccs days."  I soon found out that my former student is doing well and she is graduating this week.  My heart leaped for joy.  Talk about throwing a starfish.  During the day, I got wonderful greetings from dear friends and it felt really good to be remembered.  I was surprised that my store employees also texted me their greetings and they even chipped in to give me a birthday cake.  I was really touched by that gesture. :)  To end the day, we just had a simple dinner of my favorite dishes with parents (no cooking or baking for me) and of course, lots of fun and giggles from Trixie who gave me the best birthday gift ever- a long nice sleep with no fussing or crying!

I officially end my birthday with a thankful heart for a most meaningful day and a truly blessed life from God.  I am surrounded by dear family and friends.  I have Brandon forever and my little Trixie who is truly a reward from God.  :)