Spaghetti Carbonara

The traditional carbonara recipe includes butter, olive oil, and eggs on top of the already sinfully delicious bacon and bacon fat.  While my version is still not a dieter's version, I tried to make it less sinful, but delicious just the same. -GG-

Thanksgiving Leftover Remake: Post-holiday Ham Soup

We're at day number four, post-Thanksgiving, and most of my leftovers are gone now except for a slice or two of ham, an itty bitty bowl of green beans and one giant ham bone. My favorite part about holiday ham has always been the bone because all I can think about (after the meat has been sliced off it) is that it'll make one mighty fine tasting soup. The same goes for rotisserie or roasted chicken. I never discard the carcass because there is still so much flavor left in the bones and they're just perfect for flavoring soup.

Biscuit & Eggs w/ Country Sausage Gravy

Back in the late 80's to the early 90's, during my party days, when my big group of friends and I used to call it disco, we would always find a Denny's Restaurant after we danced the night away.  As if we hadn't had enough of each other's company, it's just a nice way to wind down, with a comfort meal before we headed home....just in time to pick up the newspaper off the driveway.

Thanksgiving Leftover Remake: Potato Cakes & Stuffing Cakes

I can't tell you how tired I am of eating leftover Thanksgiving dinner. For the past three days, we've eaten the same leftovers for lunch and dinner and we still haven't been able to finish them off! I was hoping for a few relaxing days of not doing much (especially cooking) but I've about had enough of boring leftovers. They needed some serious revamping so back into the kitchen I went.

A Thanksgiving Feast

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.  While it's an American holiday here in the U.S., but to our readers elsewhere, the message is to be thankful everyday.  This year, as in years past, our cousin "J" always hosts a lavish and delicious Thanksgiving dinner, the classic American way.   Join me for a photo montage of what was on the table.

Cranberry Bars

Happy Thanksgiving to you! If you're still up at this ungodly hour (3:35 a.m. here) surfing the interwebz, you must be either still trying to digest some of that Thanksgiving feast you wolfed down earlier in the evening or browsing all the sweet Black Friday sales online that's just getting into full swing. It's ok. Thanksgiving is the day for indulgence, or rather, over indulgence. Just make sure you're giving thanks while you're indulging. That's the spirit!

Quick and Easy Corn Chowder Soup

I love it when a recipe works the first time I try it.  I just based this on taste and a little research.  What I created is a deliciously hearty comfort food that is so easy to make.

Chicken Noodle Soup

When the mercury dips down, my kitchen gets steamy.  I love hot soup dishes, and this is one that I make during cold days.  It's hearty, it's meaty, and it's packed with flavor, yet it's so easy to make.

I Love Them S'mores

The classic American campfire treat --- S'mores.   The word s'mores supposedly came from the shortened form of "some more."  I love chocolate and graham crackers, put them together and I will definitely want some moresss....

Breakfast Omelette --- The Works

If you've read my previous breakfast posts, you would know that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.  And the bigger the breakfast, the better for me.  Today, I dedicate my post to my niece in Malaysia, whom I will call Little Miss B.  To my cute little niece, I promise I will make you breakfast the next time you visit L.A.

Classic Adobo

Adobo has got to be the Philippines' national dish.  Whether that's official or not, I'm not really sure, but it practically is.  Ask any Filipino if they know how to make adobo, and I'm almost sure they will say yes.  Adobo can be cooked in different methods with different ingredients in it, but what I am doing today is the very basic and classic of them all.  I made it with chicken, but you can definitely make it with pork or a combination of both.

Classic Meatloaf

From what I've heard, meatloaf has a bit of a bad rep even though it's considered to be a quintessential American comfort food. Apparently, school cafeteria meatloaf with its mysterious lump of meat submerged in some runny brown sauce has some people scarred for life. I wish I could relate but I really can't because I wasn't raised in the American public school system and had never actually tasted meatloaf until I was in my late twenties.

Chicken Alfredo W/Penne (from Costco)

Hello bloggers!  It's been awhile.  I miss writing, I miss cooking, and I miss reading mouthwatering posts.  It's been a hectic week, with the release of my calendar, a new part-time job, and the usual household chores...it's been fast food and take-out in my household the past week.

Halloween news + Mikomi Sushi

Ten years ago, my 2nd child, a girl, was welcomed into the world on Halloween night. My son, who was just two and a half at the time, had gone for a quick round of trick or treating with his Grandma before arriving at the hospital, just in time to meet his little sister. Ever since then, Halloween has always been more than just a day for dress-up and candy. My daughter loves celebrating Halloween, in fact, maybe even more so than her own birthday so October 31st has always been a very special but super hectic day.