Thanksgiving 2010

Wow. I just re-visited my "Thanksgiving 2009" post on this blog and I can't believe a whole year has passed from then until now. Last year I flew to Manila from LA to spend the long weekend with my family, and now I'm living with my family here in Manila. I'm still adjusting to certain aspects of Manila vs. Malibu, but I couldn't be more thankful being closer to my parents and Jon. This is where I want to be.

Last year there was zero turkey and zero stuffing; this year 2 turkey's and 1 stuffing. Last year we had Chef Fern whip up his culinary dishes in the kitchen; this year we had our friends participate in the "home-made potluck". Last year I made 2 desserts; this year I made 3! Hehe.

Check out the photos below for a few highlights from Thanksgiving 2010... Btw, these photos were all taken by my friend Barry (who made an amazing meat loaf!). I should probably give him a heads up that I'm stealing them for the blog... ;)

Jon's Masterpieces [so delicious!]

Carving up those birds...

Jon's Stuffing to the left & Janjay's Quartet of Potato Salads to the right

Barry's Meatloaf [he made it himself!]

Reena's Pie Pops [almost too cute to eat]

Patti's Lemon Bars [i want to make these again!]

Wendell posing w/ Patti's Chocolate Chip Cookies & Oreo Truffle Pops

Winner Entry ;) [sorry, i'm being biased...]

Thanksgiving 2009

Since Thanksgiving was just over a week ago, I didn't want to risk having an overdue post... I don't have the complete set of photos from the dinner buffet (everyone was taking pictures so some are here, and some are there), but most of them can be seen below. I was going to wait to show the whole meal, but I'm over Thanksgiving and ready for Christmas holiday meals! Again, thanks to Chef Fern for making this a meal to remember.

Smoked Bangus Spread

Garlic Toast

Cigarilla Salad

Thai Pomelo Salad

Shrimp Gambas

Sauteed French Beans

Chicken Inasal

Miso-glazed Sea Bass

Beef-Steak [Bistek] Tagalog

Thanksgiving 2009: In the Kitchen

A sneak-peek of kitchen shots from Thanksgiving dinner... Chef Fern was in charge of pretty much the whole meal. I was appointed desserts and of course, I gladly accepted the "appointing" :) Fern finished so many dishes in a matter of hours, making cooking look so simple and easy. I on the other hand, left lots of time for prepping and baking my two desserts, hehe. Observing him chop away at veggies, mix ingredients like no one's business and gladly presenting the final plates was a trip - a "real restaurant chef" cooking in my family's kitchen! Lucky for me, he is a good friend as well... Double wammy.

Before looking at the pics, keep in mind this is not your traditional Thanksgiving dinner - no turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc. I like to think of it as a dinner with close friends and amazing family celebrating happiness, love, life and health; of what I am so very thankful for.

Mark & Jon sipping on some wiz-zine

Slicing up the modern "bistek"


Tossing the french beans with butta and garlic... Yummm

Sea bass fillets straight outta the oven

Plating the miso glazed sea bass - and smiling :)


Adobo rice sizzling in the wok

Checking up on my apple tart tatin

Kaiseki Thanksgiving via Luxirare

Kaiseki - "traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, the term also refers to the collection of skills that allow the preparation of such meals, and are analogous to Western haute cuisine"

A Thanksgiving twist on kaiseki style cuisine, by none other than Luxirare.

*Photos from Luxirare (here)

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is in a week. So much to be thankful for. Xo

*Photos from Cupcakes Take The Cake (here)