Potato Cheese Croquettes

Mashed potatoes is one of the most popular comfort food in the US. It is also greatly appreciated here in Manila and is usually served as a side dish to fried or roasted chicken.

But what to do with leftover mashed potatoes [if any] when everyone has had their fill and no longer yearns for the comfort it brings? Make croquettes out of it!

Croquette came from the French word croquer, which means “to crunch”. The dish is a French invention which is usually made of mashed potatoes and minced meat, dipped in egg, rolled in breadcrumbs then deep fried. It became so popular that almost every country now has their own version of preparing the classic favorite.

My version is very similar to the European tater.

Ingredients:
leftover mashed potatoes, chilled
1 whole egg, beaten
quick-melt cheese, cut into 1/2 inch thick strips
1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
cooking oil

Procedure:
1. Scoop 1 tbsp of mashed potato onto your palm.
2. Flatten it to make a patty.
3. Place 1 cheese strip in the middle of the patty.
4. Roll patty using palms to cover the cheese all over with the mashed potato.
5. Dip the roll in the beaten egg.
6. Roll it in panko and make sure that it's evenly covered.
7. Heat oil in a pan.
8. Fry potato rolls until breadcrumb coating turns golden brown.
9. Remove excess oil with paper towels.

Dulce de Leche Ala Mode

It's summer in the Philippines and mangoes are in season. This time of year, the fruit ripens with a delicious shade of golden yellow, becoming succulent and sweet.

Mangoes are great eaten by itself, but why stop there when it can be used in so many dishes. With the abundant stock at home, I amped up my mango ice cream and Dulce de Leche slice combo with a generous serving of mango cubes.

Kani Maki

Craving for Japanese food during the wee hours of the morning, when all decent restos I know are already/still closed, made me do the unexpected.

I made my own maki.

I've heard from a TV chef before that it's best to always have a pack of kani at home. You'll be prepared when the need for a quick snack arises, and there are so many possibilities with what you can make -- salads, sandwiches, tempura or simply eat it by itself. That was one of the best advices I've picked from the tube.

You might be asking yourself "what is maki?" and "what is kani?". You've probably seen these words in Japanese restaurant menus but have never bothered to find out what these translate to. If you still haven't Googled it by now, let me add to your knowledge of basic Japanese dining vocabulary:

maki - roll
kani - crab meat (sticks)
kani + maki = crab meat roll
nori - dried thin seaweed sheets
sushi - vinegared rice

It is interesting to note that outside of Japan, some people refer to or understand sushi as the raw fish or seafood. Truth is, the sliced raw fish or seafood is called sashimi.

I took out the makisu (bamboo rolling mat) from its hiding place and cracked my knuckles. With the kani out of the chiller, I was ready to roll.

Procedure:
1. Lay the makisu on a flat surface.
2. Lay a sheet of nori on the makisu.
3. Mix cooked rice with a solution of vinegar, sugar and salt to make the sushi.
4. Spread the sushi on the nori sheet.
5. Place the kani (and other desired filling) on top.
6. Roll tightly.
7. Slice roll into 6-8 pieces.

Click here for a detailed, step-by-step instruction on how to make your own maki.

Itadakimasu!

Chips Delight Striped Chocolate Chip Cookies

For an instant and inexpensive mood lift (shopping is definitely out of the question). Just like any other stressed individual, I will find the light of hope...in the fridge.

At the farthest corner of the lowest shelf, I found an almost forgotten pack of Chips Delight Striped Chocolate Chip Cookies. Expiration date checked, I lifted 2 devils from their plastic bed. Sinking my teeth into a cookie loaded with chocolate chips and laced with chocolate strips reminded me why it was kept in the recesses of the cold box in the first place. It's too sinful! Mmm, wish I had a glass of cold fresh milk to wash it down.

According to research, chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural substance that is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love.

Stressed = (chocolate) Desserts.

Maybe that's why I feel giddy...or it might be the sugar rush straight to the head.

The Soup Kitchen

This is a repost from my other blog:

"Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble."
- Three Witches; Macbeth

Probably the most dramatic and detailed soupmaking scene ever written in English literature was done by Shakespeare in Macbeth. Those witches were whipping up a wicked stew!

Enjoying a hot bowl of soup need not to be that tedious anymore. Instant mixes and canned soups are readily available in supermarkets, and in dire situations, even a cup of hot water a bouillon cube will do. But nothing comforts the belly and the soul more than the real deal -- homemade-style soups with hearty chunks of the ingredients paired with freshly baked breads. Mmmm.

Thankfully The Soup Kitchen serves just that. "Original Home Made Goodness" is what you can always expect from each visit. Here you can find the perfect soup for everybody's preference; cream base, tomato base, vegetarian, seafood or all meat. They serve 8 varieties everyday, but their Chili and Chowders are always available since these are the crowd favorites.

Soups are the healthier and more delicious alternative to the fast food we have grown accustomed to, light yet satisfying. Why not grab a bowl now?!

The Soup Kitchen
3/F Glorietta 5
Ayala Center, Makati