Blog Archives - AIS house

Musings: When Less Is More

25/9/2012

Despite upgrading to a queen-sized bed, A and I would still go to our single-sized sofabe d in the living area for cuddling. I like using it because I can lay down while watching TV. I can do the same in the bedroom, but the sofabed seems to be more accommodating for couch potatoes.

A would usually watch TV sitting down...even when he's on the sofabed. But when I'm using it, being the lazy oaf that I am, I'd lay down. A would join me, so I'd end up leaning slightly against the wall. It's nice actually, snuggling up like that. It's just funny that when we had a smaller bed, we've been looking for a bigger bed. Now that we have one, we find ourselves squeezing into

Home Cooking: Guinness Battered Fish and Fries

23/9/2012

(image from Guinness)

I was given a couple of bottles of Guinness Extra Stout to cook with. They say that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. In this case, mine came in a bottle of hops and barley.

With no plans of drinking it, I went to the grocery to get some fish fillet to make fish and fries with it. It's one of our favorite things to eat here at home. Considering Guinness is dark-colored, am expecting the batter to be the same.

Guinness' site actually has a repository of recipes. This is where I found their Crispy Guinness Batter Cod Fillet recipe.

You can also find a video tutorial from the Original Naked Chef. It shows the type of consistency to look in the batter - runny, but not too runny.

ETCs: Once A Maroon, ALWAYS A Maroon...Push On UP!

23/9/2012

Bulk of my college life was devoted preparing for UAAP as I represented UP in track and field. There's a different adrenaline rush when you're watching a game and being in it. I've been both on separate occasions. As a former player, I've appreciated how the Pep Squad supported us in our games. Over time, it became a mutual support... we now cheer for our UP Pep Squad also.

Yesterday, the UP Pep Squad (a.k.a. Pep Squad ng Bayan) made a 3-peat victory by winning the 2012 UAAP Cheerdancing Competition. Last year, they stood out by wearing blonde wigs as homage to Madonna. This year, they represented freedom by shaving their heads. What can I say? The group knows how to make a statement!

Congratulations guys and let's continue to wear our colors proud!

Shop Finds: Infinity Wear By My Dressing Room

16/9/2012

Since owning an infinity top and driving myself crazy on how to wear it properly as shown in the photo, I stopped wearing it for a while. Not that being instruction-challenged was an issue, but the the material makes it easy for sweat marks to show up.

With the rainy season and cool weather being more frequent lately, I'm considering of starting to wear it again. I'm also thinking of getting another version of it made.

Gratitudes: Took Me Home To The Country Roads

16/9/2012

They say that when the eyes need to relax, stare at something green. There's nothing like taking a break from the busy life in the city than going home to the province. The rains just made the scenery even more beautiful by making the rice field look greener and more alive.

We haven't had a decent reunion for a while and with the visit of my uncle and another cousin from overseas who just renewed her wedding vows, the family had more than enough reasons to come together.

Home Cooking: Baking With Guinness Beer

11/9/2012

(image from Guinness)

This is my colleagues favorite beer. He doesn't like the idea of using it for anything else aside from drinking it. So, as my birthday gift to him, I shall attempt to draw out a good, long "NOOOOOOOO!!!" from him by using it in making his birthday cupcake.

Going through various sites that display recipes for Guinness cakes, I ended up choosing that of Nigella Lawson's which called for the following ingredients:

Cake:

250 ml Guinness
250 g unsalted butter
75 g cocoa powder
400 g caster sugar
142 ml sour cream

Cream Cheese Frosting

300 grams cream cheese
150 grams Icing sugar

2 medium eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
275 g Plain flour
2.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda

125 ml double cream (or whipping cream)

Most of the recipes that I saw using Guinness used the stout variant, I opted for the draught one to commemorate birthday boy.

Dining Out: Filipino Dining At Elias

10/9/2012

With so many restaurants opening here at the Fort, A and I have been going around trying them out (thus, explaining my frequent visit to the gym). One of the places that we've tried at the new wing of BHS is Elias. It's a theme restaurant that specializes in Philippine colonial cuisine. It belongs to the same group as Crisostomo Restaurant.

ETCs: Our Cake Made Was Featured In Manila Bulletin

9/9/2012

Today, I just saw this article from Manila Bulletin dated 22 March (my birthday also) 2012. It featured the birthday cake that we had commissioned The Bunny Baker for A's dad.

(image from Manila Bulletin)

(image from AIShouse)

The article may have been a few months old, but I couldn't help but feel more proud about this cake!

ETCs: Dashing Diva Is Finally At The Fort!

2/9/2012

A is my Dashing Diva BFF (well, he's my BFF ...period). Since I treated him to a pedicure session, he likes going to the place. We've been waiting for the BGC Branch to open. The guard told us that they were still fixing the place up.

We were on our way home yesterday when he mentioned to me that there seems to be some movement where the new Dashing Diva site will be opened. When I looked up, it's already operational. Of course, I had something to be giddy about!

Shop Finds: Dessert Plates From Work

1/9/2012

I've been bringing home a weekly stash for A and I to enjoy. Instant date night for under 200 bucks!

top (r-l): chocolate crinkles, oatmeal cookie
bottom (r-l) chocolate eclair, danish pastry, hazelnut-pecan roll

top (r-l): raisin cookie, bird's nest cookie, 5-nut cookie)
bottom (r-l): corn muffin, bavarian donut

center: marble cake
clockwise: rum balls, date cake, banana muffin, walnut muffin, choco-cashew brownies, cheese roll