Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Restaurant Review | Shakes, Juices and Smoothies | Uncategorized

Peking Garden Serves the Best Peking Duck in the City

By on December 13, 2023

At Peking Garden Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center Makati city, we celebrated the 90th birthday of my aunt Conchita with family, relatives and close friends. The fine dining hosted for more than 50 people, we all occupied 5 round tables leaving one table for food platform. The food was served at 7:30 as guests began to arrive as early as 7 in the evening allowing time for conversation and getting to know each other.

Prayers before meals was offered to thank God for our blessings.The birthday music (Chinese version) playing in the background to match the birthday celebration.The celebration brings family members, relatives and special friends closer together on the table, not only on this occasion but to every event. All the guests elegantly dressed in red and that includes me.This kind of gathering serves as a good bonding for us, helps us to strengthen relationship and connections especially to the business group.

For family celebrations, we normally had dinner in a closed-door room to ensure our own privacy. Scent of good food surrounds us, we are surrounded by the aroma of delicious cuisine throughout the evening. No significant Chinese occasion would be considered complete without an abundance of delectable cuisine involved. There was enough food served and mouthwatering. Awesome! It was an evening with a well balanced meal that contains all necessary nutrients. It not a fatty dishes, not even hot or spicy.

The birthday menu checklist, best selection of favorites are rare treats, variety of Chinese dishes contains low in calories and fats. Obviously, an expensive choices. The soothing effect of all seafood is irresistible so with the signature dish, the ”Peking Duck” How else to explain the sight of good food that gives such a burst of appetite.The presence of more favorites gives more excitement to eat. It’a an oriental feast!

Elegant and beautiful setting

Peking Garden Restaurant

The 90th birthday of my aunt is a significant milestone in one’s life, it is frequently marked by a grand celebration. In general, the older the person the larger the celebration.

The beautiful celebrant, Aunt Conchita cutting her birthday cake.

Birthday cheers and singing the birthday song. While the guests were enjoying, the menu goes a long way creating a good mood. The assortment of food becomes the focal point here. The 12 courses meal, a selection of Chinese specialties. You can see from the menu itself. Yum! I love this food, some are my favorites…

Lively look on the table,sparkling and superb! Everything was arranged oriental style. It’s a 12 courses meal for the celebration. Lets get started,this is such a long list of courses up to 12 and one vegetable salad not on list, that makes it 13-course meal all in all!

Vegetable salad complimented the meal. The best starter going to the main course.

Birthday Misua with Shrimp and Mushroom

In Chinese culture, the custom of eating noodles are thought to bring luck and long life so, everybody must eat noodles served for longer life. My appreciation for all courses, I was trying to get a picture perfect for the first course. The first course, it’s a Birthday Misua with Shrimp and Mushroom.

The 2nd course is a Doubled-boiled Winter Melon Soup with Assorted Seafood. It is clear and tasty. Why clear? well, you don’t see any tiny floating particles, totally clean and clear! Winter melon was considered to be healthy, nourishing and cleansing to the body.

For me, a delicious soup is when you bring up the total hotness of natural flavor of seafood and vegetables.

Each round table is good for 12 guests and to every table, one Broiled-Winter Melon Soup bowl each. What a huge and heavy shell. It’s just perfect enough for 12 people. You can see the assorted seafood individual bowl down there, nourishing and full of flavor. The 4 empty wintermelon shell which serves as a serving dish for the soup.

In a small bowl, it is hot and delicious.It gives specific taste as it is appealing.

The 3rd course is Peking Duck, the restaurant signature dish. Peking duck can be prepared in a number of ways. In spite of the variety of specialties, the Peking duck still remains the favorite dish of the night.

In here, it is served two-ways, you can see below as details shown on photos and the other one is Minced duck with Fresh Lettuce.

The crispy skin of Peking Duck with a stalk of spring onion. How to wrap a Peking Duck? Click this link

Cutting the Peking duck breast in thin slices

The clever way of dividing into pieces. Thin flesh of Peking duck carefully arranged in a circular shape following the edge of the plate.

The duck flesh at the center and the crispy skin on the edge of the plate or vice versa.

Strips of Peking duck served with tortilla, stalks of spring onions and Hoisin sauce.

The whole Peking Duck is a special treat for all of us, full of flavor and deliciously fragrant. It’s addicting, once you start eating it, you just can’t stop, you want more and soon craving to eat again.

The 4th course is Deep Fried Almond Prawns.

Prawns breaded with thin almonds.The perfect match.

The 5th course is Braised Sliced Abalone with Vegetables

Pretty Oh so good! The sparkling abalone is tender and tasty. The fresh green color of the vegetables was completely preserved maintaining vegetables green color and nutritive value.

The 6th course is Whole Lapu-lapu with Scramble Egg White

Whole Lapu-lapu with Scramble Egg White served on a big oval platter, looks deliciously elegant.

The 7th course is Sauteed French Bean with Minced Garlic. The only vegetable being served aside from the salad, preserving the fresh green color, it is sweet and crisp.

The 8th course is Golden Crabs with Salted Egg

The 9th course is Minced Duck with Fresh Lettuce

The Minced duck serves with iceberg lettuce cup and Hoisin sauce. It’s an iceberg lettuce wrap.

The 10th course is Steamed Supreme Soup and Pork Dumpling.

Steamed Supreme Soup and Pork Dumpling, something that will suit your taste.

Champagne Moët & Chandon, French champagne appropriate for the event. The world’s most loved French champagne.

Cheers! Happiness and good health for everyone! Long life for aunt Conchita!

The 11th and 12th  courses are desserts; Birthday Bun and Chilled Mango Shake with Sago. I’ve missed to photographed the last one.

Sweet dessert, the Birthday Bun, What’s inside the Birthday Bun? A sweet bean paste.

This is my plate. How good is that? Always on the go for my favorite choice! My appetite grows stronger for food, after the first bite and another bite leads to another bite, there seem to be more…

Bravo ! Highlight of the evening’s entertainment was a special number,violin solo rendition by Jason Gan.( one of Aunt Conchita’s grandchildren) The audience were all quiet as excited to hear the musical piece. Jason’s twin sister a lovely girl, Daniela, check photo above beside Aunt Conchita.

Other photos taken during the celebration. You will see here all the guests who flocked to the elegant and fabulous evening gathering; family members, relatives and special friends. It was a celebration full of laughter and excitement. The birthday treat is a blessing and sign of thoughtfulness. Thank you so much aunt Conchita!

Peking Garden Restaurant  specializes in authentic Chinese cuisine. When we have celebrations, we usually host them here, we are frequent customers at this restaurant, whatever dish was ordered, it was always excellent and the ambiance made you feel comfortable while dining.

I’d like to give a round of applause to all foods served on the list item. I would like to thank the chefs for all the dishes that are offered. Congratulations and Best wishes!

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Sweets and Confectionery by Ninz

By on December 18, 2021

What’s going on here? Day of Love? The baby shower? An extraordinary birthday, or any other day? It will make a beautiful addition to any kind of party. The holidays are right around the corner, making it the ideal time to start new, heartwarming rituals. Commence your own by honoring the people who mean the most to you in this world. The greatest gift you can give does more than you expect it to, and sometimes it happens.

Welcome to the world of Sweets and Confectionery by Ninz

Tempting flavors, smooth treats, and mouthwatering baked goods made just for you. More people enjoy Sweets and Confectionery by Ninz than any other, that fact alone will solve your gift-giving problem this holiday season.

Customizing holiday greeting cakes is an easy way to make your party more memorable. Indulge in the comfort of your own home while shopping for candy and sweets from Ninz. You must pre-order. You can do your shopping online, and then either pick it up or have it delivered to you. Tuguegarao, Philippines

Creative Cake Designs

Kid’s Birthday Cakes

The best custom cakes comes out to compliment your birthday celebration.

Gardeners birthday cake

For the Green thumb, gardening themed cakes is also available. It’s a hearty warm cake for your own passion. So creamy, love at first bite.

Burnt Basque Cake

For fruit lovers, fresh strawberries in the middle of the cake is equally worthy.

Blooming flowers cake

Classic cake with medley of flavors, exciting new treats for family and friends.

Sweets and Confectionery by Ninz

Senior citizen birthday cake

When you’re about to blow the whistle on… the cake that’s noticeably more luscious and velvety in texture. Try it out!

Elegant cakes

Lovely baby cake

Unicorn cake

I just recently discovered her bakeshop on social media, which is also available to anyone and serves as a useful platform for commercial endeavors. I was really impressed by the unique flavor and color combinations that she came up with for the specialized cakes. Every one of us naturally wants to share these happy times with family and friends because it is something special that was meant to be shared, and the holiday season really catches flavor at its peak. The warmth and glow of this season brings forth feelings of goodwill.

Pastries & Desserts

Cakesicles

  Doughnuts 

Sweets and Confectionery by Ninz will remain in the minds of people for a very long time. Inexpensive and flexible! They are able to accept and fulfill orders immediately. All the best to you and yours during this holiday season!

Go cashless, online cake delivery

Inspired by: Sweets and Confectionery

By Nina Cagat

Contact number:  0916 524 0121

Address: Pallua Norte, Tuguegarao City

Visit Facebook Page> Sweets and Confectionery by Ninz

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Fruit Photography/Fresh Strawberry Pictures

By on September 22, 2021

Strawberries are at their peak right now and my present photography subject today. These fruits have a lot of vitamins and minerals as well as it’s a good source of fiber too. I want to emphasize a very simple setting to show some of my pictures taken during my ‘’Fruit Photography Hour.

My photography setup for inside is significantly more streamlined because everything I need is right next to me. When trying to get a close-up of fruit, I’ve found it challenging to capture the angles that make the fruit look the most natural, appealing, and enticing. Lightning is very important because it will reveal the texture of the fruits My aim is to make strawberries looks fresh even on pictures.

As a food blogger, you get to indulge your interests in cooking, writing, and photography. All of this has taught me a great deal as well. It’s rewarding to watch my hard work pay off in such a satisfying way.

Let’s check out some strawberry pictures

Intrinsic beauty of strawberries

My macro shots

Having a white background makes the image more vibrant and appealing, but this technique has been used before with different caught fruits. Using macro always presents a challenge for me because of the potential threat posed by tiny fruit particles.

To emphasize my point, I am adjusting the light levels so as to prevent any unwelcome shadows from forming. Macro photography requires close-up lenses and setups. Equipped with a 55 mm, 100 mm, or 200 mm macro lens, your camera will be able to perform exceptionally well at close range.

Strawberries on a white plate

 The perfect white background for strawberries. My mood will rise and seems active, let me tell you how it was done, I used a white cardboard for the frame to reduce the intensity of light. The white background will make these fruits even brighter and sharp because it was done under full sun. If you know how to control the light by covering both sides using white cardboard to shelter from the wind and extra unwanted shadow reducing the intensity of the bright light or reflectors. The white background exposing the natural freshness of the fruit although, it is sharp.

Having a white background will emphasized more on the subject itself.

Strawberry on Green Background

Other fruits goes well with strawberries

It’s just as much fun to take pictures indoors, and I don’t have to worry about becoming too hot in the sun. It would appear I am trying to conceal anything; oh well, my skin is a pale brown to begin with. After a long day of labor, it’s rewarding to see the results of my efforts. Once I’m done taking pictures of these fruits, you can find them in my stomach.

well folks, it’s getting late, I need to go…

Take Care and Stay Safe

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Peking Duck Wraps

By on September 17, 2021

Sumptuous dishes traditionally prepared and served in a grand style, the Peking Garden, 4th level Greenbelt 5, Makati City serves the best Peking duck in the city, it was the restaurant’s specialty as the name goes well with it. Tonight, is the birthday dinner celebration of my aunt, fabulous dinner served and the most popular choice. From the 10 courses meal served, the Peking duck and the Winter Melon Soup with assorted seafood was my 2 best favorites although meal’s highlight and star on the table is the savory Peking duck.

Winter Melon Soup with assorted seafood

The best comfort soup and our favorite.

The Peking duck is in good shape, well-cooked and the aroma is awesome. It was very tasty, and the skin is crispy. It is bound to reign on the table.

How to carve a whole Peking duck

The Peking duck was neatly carved into even slices by the server. Started with the breast diagonally towards her holding the wing with the fork and cut through the outer layer of the breast into the joint.

Carving the breast in thin slices parallel with the breastbone and repeating with the other side. It looks like very easy to carve because the knife is sharp, that’s the secret of perfect carving.

The thin flesh was carefully arranged in a circular shape following the edge of the plate on a big white plate with the crispy skin at the center or it work both ways. You can see the difference from the photos up and down. The duck flesh at the center and the crispy skin on the edge of the plate or vice versa.

After the carving and preparation, the Whole plate of Peking duck transferred to our table along with the tortilla, stalks of spring onions and the sweet hoisin sauce.

See how it looks, Attractively beautiful !

How to wrap a Peking Duck Strips

Lay one fine strip of Peking duck flesh on a tortilla wrapper, followed by the stalk of spring onions, add a spoon of sweet Hoisin sauce on top and lay another strip of Peking duck.

This is how it looks before wrapping.

The filling looks like this inside.

Hold one end of tortilla and roll it halfway. Fold both borders and roll it again to enclose properly.

Almost done, I’m leaving one end open to show the filling inside and roll it once again to finish.

One bite, followed by another bite and more pls… I’ve tasted Peking Duck from different restaurants before but these, nothing can equal the flavor, I’ve never tasted like it before. So far, the best among the rest.

Ok guys! you can drop a cute note down there, simple things makes me happy…

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Winter Melon Bowl

By on August 23, 2021

Winter melon Bowl is a vegetable shell and an excellent serving dish for soup. The good thing about the shell, it’s quiet thick and good enough to hold the heat of the soup.

Double-Boiled Winter Melon Soup with Assorted Seafood

This is the internal part, wide and clear white. I don’t see any damage parts.

Complete example of Winter melon shell, Four Winter melon Bowl on the table, wrapped in plastic Cling wrap to support  the whole shell. It’s heavy that needs a support to stand but no signs of swelling at the base.

Two servers carefully ladled in assorted seafood inside the shell and scraped the flesh of winter melon using a long-handed cup-shaped spoon followed by the clear soup to fill each bowl. For our finale, picking a piece of shrimps over the edge of the winter melon bowl.

Peking Garden 4/L Greenbelt 5 Makati Phase 2 Ayala Center, Makati, Metro Manila serves the best Double-Boiled Winter Melon Soup with Assorted Seafood

You may want also to see the complete set of Double-Boiled Winter Melon with Seafood Soup << Click link above

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Take care and Stay Safe

Goodnight..

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Seasonal Fresh Fruits in a Glass

By on August 13, 2021

I’ve prepared fresh fruits in a glass before my snack time, it’s quiet earlier than the regular time so it will not lessen my appetite for the next meal. Today’s assorted fruits are the following: kiwi, red watermelon, papaya, dragon fruit, red apples, grapes, oranges, sweet pineapples, and strawberries as the best example of my favorites. It’s just a fresh fruit to increase my strength for today’s physical activity.

Fresh fruit medley, a wonderfully assorted fruit combination combining different colors and flavors, unique taste come in. Lately, I had indigestion, so I avoided large meals, a small frequent meal is good and something light and nutritious just like these fruits are the best source of vitamins and minerals, high in fiber and good for digestion. I eat more at breakfast and lunch, less for supper but most of the time skipping supper if my tummy is already full but for me, skipping meals is not a good idea because I need more energy, I don’t want my body to lower its metabolism, I need a better mood day after.

From the garden, a call to wear face mask when preparing food at home.

Fresh Fruit Platter

 Bite-sized pieces of fruits

See how fresh it is! It was cleanly cut into bite sized pieces and beautifully arranged inside a cocktail glass.

More than just another pretty way to bring out the best in fruits. This is just a simple serving idea for fresh fruits, it is also good for special set-up, a pick-up snack and dessert.

Stay Safe and Healthy! See you again next posts..

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Shakes, Juices and Smoothies

Orange Man/Fruit Carving

By on July 28, 2021

For my orange man fruit art, I’m using the best choice of my own Valencia oranges, it is the world’s most famous variety of orange and the best kind when it comes to juicing however juicing comes after my creative fruit art. I’m in the mood to show my personal touch, this is a hands on carving and cutting tricks. If you are happy, you can apply the same mood to your hands.

Oranges with bright orange skin with wonderful scent and sweet flesh is really good. Tangerine can also be used in the same way as oranges. It was fun making something different to attract the kids, these photos will tempt you to try one for your kids.

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Shakes, Juices and Smoothies

Shakes, Smoothies, and Juices

By on July 12, 2021

All fruits are infinitely mixable according to your own likes. It is the simplest thing to make and most refreshing after a hard work. Nowadays, almost all recipes are printed in cookbooks and magazines that serves as a kitchen reference, we all eat and serve the same kind but there’s changes every season, the process of making adding new flavors and variations. What do you think? When the next idea will come from? Unless you’ll try to make and remake to love it first before sharing with others. You don’t need to order shake in the restaurant if you know how to make it yourself and it’s economical, you’ll also feel the good mood knowing you are saving energy and money.  With too many fruits around, you can do more for it.

 I devoted a bit of my abundant free time in making different kinds of shakes, smoothies and juices using fresh fruits in season such as; mangoes, papayas, cantaloupes, strawberries, blueberries, pears, apples, bananas and many more. There are many ways to do it, like the mix together ways. I’ve combined blending the mild sweetness, sour, delightfully sweet and others which includes;  a low calorie shake for diabetics, trendy summer delight for dieters and delightful drinks for weight gainers.

I never break the habit of bringing our favorite fruits on the table no matter if it is a juice, shake or smoothies as long as anything nutritious is made out of fruits.

Few creative props added like fruit slices and mini umbrellas for good presentation.

Some of our healthy drinks is an everyday fruit choice for the family. I will always welcome any family member to make the right choice and suggestion on what kind of fruit to blend for the day. This is how I value our health and handle their cravings.

My everyday habit to make fruit shake for the family. Literally, there are many ways to serve fruits, one favorite of mine is turning fruits into drinks too. It’s not only refreshing but also healthy and nutritious.

There’s no shortage of these fruits, It’s always available in the market and you can even use the leftover fruits in the refrigerator.

Shakes, Smoothies, and Juices that you’ll love

Try one of these and see!

Sweet Papaya Smoothie

Refreshing Watermelon Shake

Apple-Kiwi Berry Shake

Pear and Pineapple Shake

Peach-Mango Shake

Pineapple Juice

Avocado Shake

Guyabano or Soursop Smoothie

Kiwi Shake

Always remember the health benefits of fruit shakes, smoothies and juices. Way to ensure you’ll receive all these vital nutrients that we need to stay healthy, full of energy and fight off diseases. All the goodness on the inside will have a positive effect on the outside. Ok fellas! Stay safe and healthy. Fruit shake and Smoothie recipes coming up next. See you again next posts..

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Technology/ Learning Tips

Attractive Serving Dish for Fresh Fruit Medley

By on May 7, 2021

There are times when you want to do something a little special that you may also want to produce an eye catching and attractive serving dish for fresh fruit medley. You can try this! After all, it is accompanied by a helpful photography to give you an idea on how to be creative and it is also easy when someone shows you how. This is very simple, it is a quick entertaining idea, half an hour is sufficient to prepare everything.

 Instead of using a glass platter or bowl, you can also make use of fruit boats and cups as serving dishes for fruits itself such as; melon bowl, pineapple boat, dragon fruit boat, avocado boat, orange cup, watermelon bowl or winter melon bowl to name a few.. you can also use vegetable salad shells as well.

Different serving dishes for fresh fruit salad

Fresh fruit medley usually beautiful containing variety of nutritious fruits with contrasting colors and flavors.

Pineapple boat

Melon bowl

Dragon fruit boat

Watermelon Bowl

Avocado boat

Orange cup

Ripe fruits are best eaten in its natural state, it usually brings a nutritious flavor on its own. Can be served as a healthy snack or a perfect dessert in any meal.

Note: To follow> Attractive vegetable serving dishes next blog…

Stay healthy and always remember the benefits of eating fruit everyday

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Rattan Fruit Tasting Experience

By on April 16, 2021

My second time to taste rattan fruit and hoping that this time will seduce my tongue. Once again, let’s see if I can tolerate it. I think it’s one of the best fruits to eat during COVID-19 Pandemic because sour fruits usually rich in Vitamin C. This would be my tasting review the second time around. I can remember my first tasting experience was memorably terrible. Golly! it was incredibly sour that I couldn’t take.

Rattan fruit is a beige scaly fruit (fish-like scale) an oval fruit like lanzones or langsat. It tastes like combination of strong vinegar and green lime.

A good friend of mine gave me these fruits with other kinds such as lemons and pineapples. I was forced to taste it again since it was already there. I first picked up the rattan fruit, it seems interesting to try once more. I took one and my first bite, can’t finish the whole thing, Yakks! Strange and mysterious sour, it seems my eyeballs popped out from its socket. I had mentioned it once and again, it was so terrible. I felt a sharp pain through my tongue and decided to throw it away but with a last- minute looks, I’ve saved it and dry under the sun because into my mind, it looks good for home decoration. I ‘ve kept inside the clear glass jar. Holaa! it is good on the table better than to taste and love it as a good fruit. I will never taste these fruits again.. I swear!

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