FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

I do not bake cookies a lot. I probably like savoury snacks more than sweet ones. This one, though, is one that I really like, and if I am in the mood to bake cookies, this is most often the one I make.

CRISPY PORK BINAGOONGAN (CRISPY PORK WITH SHRIMP PASTE GLAZE)

One of the most outstanding characteristics of eastern cuisines, that is not present in the west, is pungency. It is probably a food description that some find off putting, but believe it or not, it is that certain taste that makes food umami rich, tasty and, ironically, fragrant.

FILIPINO STYLE SPAGHETTI

Spaghetti, though an everyday food, brings fond memories of special occasions. Every birthday party probably has spaghetti as one of the dishes served. For me, spaghetti brings to mind Christmas. We always serve spaghetti for Christmas brunch. All the children (as well as the adults) look forward to spaghetti. If we are lucky enough to have leftovers, we look forward to eating pan fried spaghetti for breakfast the next day. The pasta with sauce is heated in a pan with a touch of oil. The spaghetti becomes dry and caramelized with toasty bits of meat and cheese. Super delicious!

MUNG BEAN, BACON AND ROCKET SOUP

Global warming has changed the weather around the world. When I hear about typhoons that are going to pass through the Philippines, I'm gripped in a sense of panic. A few years ago, torrential rains in proportions never witnessed before caused massive flooding in my hometown. This was unheard of when I was growing up. In fact impending rain gets us kids excited. It means we can play in the cool, refreshing rain. How great it felt to feel the first splash of water on our hot, sticky skin.

FISH SAUCE CHICKEN WINGS

Fish sauce is an ingredient that people either love or hate. The smell is a bit overpowering but the flavour, in tempered amounts, might just be the very thing that would wake up the flavour of any savoury dish. If you have yet to be converted, do read on.

The ubiquitous fish sauce is the tasty agent that sets these wings apart. Recipes that greatly vary from each other are popping up in a lot of food sites and I was just intrigued. After reading the recipe for Ike's Vietnamese fish sauce chicken wings (popularized by the Pok Pok Restaurant in Portland, Oregon), I just had to make it.

CRISPY BUTTERNUT SQUASH FRITTERS (UKOY)

Inexpensive food that falls within the poor man's budget are the type of food that are usually sold in the streets in the Philippines. One of them is ukoy, a vegetable fritter that's eaten as a snack or a side dish, usually paired with rice congee. 

THAI STYLE STIR FRIED CHICKEN WITH BASIL

I was still enjoying the last vestiges of summer when I heard the countdown for Christmas. Chunks of time seem to have disappeared and I can't remember what happened between the beginning of summer and now. I know that I can't think or move fast enough to make up for lost time but I can surely plan spending every bit of time wisely from now on.

CARAMEL CAKE WITH SUGARED PECANS

Time flies especially when you're blogging. I've said that before and will say it again. 

Adora's Box is two years old today! I wish to thank all of you readers who regularly visit here. You have contributed to keeping this blog alive. I hope you'll keep on doing so, and as long as you do, I will be here to welcome you with the only way I know how...with food!

CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM ROLLS

When we go to Costco, one of the things we never give a miss is eating at the cafe. Both of my children love their chicken bake which is basically a stromboli filled with a creamy chicken filling. They love it although they do complain that it is quite greasy.