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Gifts for Bacon Lovers

I don't know what is it about bacon that makes me giggle. Whenever I see merchandise like these, I always end up linking it to my hardcore bacon-loving friends. After browsing through so many, I decided I'd post some of them here. So, if you're looking for a last-minute gift with a sense of humor, here's where you start!

 Patron Saint of Bacon - who knew?
(Buy it for $7.35 @ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Saint-Anthony-Patron-Bacon/dp/B000ZFB47S)

 

Bacon Bandages - don't be surprised if your friend starts getting cuts more often =p
($4.99 @ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Accoutrements-11476-BACON-BANDAGES/dp/B000SSV8AA)

 

Bacon Postcards
(http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35976143)

Bacon Wardrobe (http://www.zazzle.com/bacon+gifts)

 

Bacon Wallet
($14.99 @ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Accoutrements-11653-BACON-WALLET/dp/B0014J7NDI)

 

DIY Bacon

Bacon Wrap

http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/2006/07/bacon-wrap.html

Bacon Soap..I'm not the biggest fan of this one though 

(http://www.blogadilla.com/2008/09/04/how-to-make-bacon-soap-from-actual-bacon/)  

Actual Bacon:

Chocolate Covered Bacon - I first tried this in Las Vegas, at a Vosges Haut Chocolat store in Caesar's Palace. They were pretty interesting! Chocolate-covered potato chips catalyzed my obsession for salty-sweet combinations. Bacon + chocolate sure is intriguing!

For those in Manila - Happy Bacon  (order by emailing happy_bacon143@yahoo.com, more info @ http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2009/12/ericas-happy-bacon-chocolate-.html)

 

For those in the US: Vosges Chocolate Bacon Bars
(http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon_exotic_candy_bar/exotic_candy_bars)

 

 

Mini Birthday Cupcakes

Found this in my iPhoto. These little ones are such a hit at parties!

Order yours : http://thesweetlifebyange.com

 

Spaghetti & Meatballs!

My aunt is such a magician in the kitchen. I've been sick the past week and thriving on instant noodles and hot tea, so this comfort food dinner really brought my spirits up! You can never be too old for spaghetti and meatballs!

Fresh parmesan to go with the spaghetti 

The ciabbata (far right) was so fresh and addictive. With a dab of Irish butter, it was perfect! Note to self: ask where she got it from! 
 
  
One of my all-time favorite meals!

 
 
Cheese course

Chocolate + cheese for dessert. When I said comfort food, I meant it!

Bread Pudding at Myron's

I'll let the photos do the talking.

 

Myron’s
P1 Power Plant Mall,
Rockwell, Makati
728-5555 / 728-9898
(from dessertcomesfirst.com)
 

Balducci

There's nothing like my favorite truffle oil pasta to make me ooh and aah in delight! Balducci is a more casual version of one of my favorite Italian restaurants of all time L'Opera. They're open most of the day unlike L'Opera so I'm always assured I can quell a 3pm truffle oil pasta craving! Boys, if there's one dish that's sure to impress a pasta-loving date, this is it. 

 
Warm pita bread

 

Amazing appetizer; prosciutto with sweet mango, olives, and a mushroom
 
  
Grilled Chicken

 
 Tagliatelle Tartufo! Homemade egg noodles. a truffle-infused creamy sauce and proscuitto.

Seriously SO good.

Balducci Ristorante & Deli, Serendra

Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio Global City

Taguig City, Metro Manila

(02) 856-0676

Pastel Christmas Tree Cookies

Check out the pastel versions of our Christmas tree cookies!

 

Email inquiry@thesweetlifebyange.com for more info!

Luxe Couture Cake!

While browsing through my older photos, I stumbled upon these. They're photos of the cake I had in my 18th birthday almost two years ago. Although I bake cakes and other pastries, attempting something of this calibre is just not quite in my league yet. That's why I consulted with Marta Matute, one of the country's most talented cake designers. The theme of my 18th birthday was "Luxe Couture" and inspired by the Victorian era. The end result was this beautiful work of art; hat boxes piled up on top of one another with a plethora of girly knick knacks spilling out. I wanted it to look like it came from the boudoir of a glamazon.. perhaps one akin to Coco Chanel.

 
Check out the Chanel No. 5 inspired perfume bottle!
 
  
The detail on this cake was remarkable!

Check out the customized brocade design on one of the layers
  

I wish we never ate this cake! =p

Marta's Cakes
http://www.martascakes.com.ph/AboutUs/a.html  
 

 

Baby Shower Cupcake & Dessert Tower

 

Congrats Jenni Epperson (www.jenniepperson.com) for her baby boy on the way! Check out the cupcake & dessert towers in her baby shower from The Sweet Life by Ange.

This is how her invitation looked like :

 
 (photo from JenniEpperson.com)

Check out the cookie version of the drawing of the mom & baby giraffe with the "Mabuhay!" speech balloon:

 

Mini chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with baby blue & white buttercream frosting + baby toppers

Macaroons and L'Amour Triple Chocolate Cookies

 
Up-close view of the mini cupcakes

Macaroons.. yum!
 
 
 The L'Amour cookies!

 THE SWEET LIFE BY ANGE
http://thesweetlifebyange.com

Afternoon Tea @ The Pen

 

I was probably around 9 when my favorite aunt taught me how to appreciate tea. Every night after dinner, she'd bring me to her cupboard full of fine teas. "What's for tonight? Earl gray, Four Red Fruits, Peppermint?" After selecting our tea, she'd get the kettle running and prepare the sugar cubes, cream, and perhaps a small dessert or two. We'd settle in her leather couch with blankets and socks ready (Bay area spring nights can get a little chilly!) then watch a sappy Lifetime movie while sipping our tea. That became our nightly routine every time I spent my summers in the bay. And though it might just have been a simple bonding routine, it had also catalyzed a love and appreciation for tea.

When I discovered that Peninsula Hotel offered an afternoon tea spread, I was ecstatic. My love for tea had grown from a huge collection to a fascination for the classic way Europeans enjoyed it. Peninsula Hotel's take on the experience brings you back to far more elegant eras. Perfect setting for an afternoon with the ladies! Forget lunch; afternoon tea is a lot more fun.

 
When you enter, you are welcomed by this grand lobby.

When you sit down, you're asked to choose from a wide selection of fine teas. My favorite is their Rasberry Tea. I like having mine with a single sugar cube and a small amount of milk/cream.

I'm in love with the china they use to serve their tea! Gorgeous! 

Cheese platter
 
  
The beauty of this spread is that you can choose to enjoy a late lunch, afternoon snack, or just a light meal. They offer a nice selection of hot food, finger sandwiches, dessert, etc.

 
Dessert section; ice cream, cookies, cake, brownies, and tartlets

 
A few Filipino desserts too

 Fruit platter
 
  
Afternoon tea is not afternoon tea without delicious SCONES! They're served alongside homemade lemon curd, jam, and clotted cream of course.

I've never had a better scone here in Manila. Peninsula makes the flakiest, most flavorful scones. I prefer mine with clotted cream and jam.
 
  
There's nothing like taking a bite out of a scone with cream+jam then taking a sip of your tea. Heaven! When I'm having jam with my scone, I usually refrain from adding sugar to my cup of tea.

Perfect flaky goodness!
 
 
 Just in case you aren't feeling the Christmas spirit just yet, the tree in the lobby will probably do the trick!

Afternoon Tea @ The Peninsula Manila Lobby
2:30-5:30pm daily
Reservations : (632) 887 2888 ext. 6759

Emeril's 4 Cheese Macaroni

 
 
Emeril Lagasse's 4 Cheese Macaroni Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter, plus 2 tablespoons, plus 1 tablespoon
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups half and half (I used all-purpose cream)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Emeril's Red Hot Sauce (I used Tabasco)
• 8 1/2 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, or other good-quality parmesan cheese (about 2 cups)
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 4 ounces grated cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces grated fontina cheese
• 4 ounces grated gruyere cheese
• (In my version, I used a combination of Parmigiano, Cheddar & Gruyere)
• 1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon Essence or Creole Seasoning (I chose Nutmeg instead)

Directions

In a heavy, medium saucepan melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over low heat. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and whisk in the half and half little by little. Cook until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat, season with the salt, pepper, hot sauce and 4 ounces of the grated parmesan. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Cover and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add salt to taste and, while stirring, add the macaroni. Return to a boil, reduce the heat to a low boil and cook for about 5 minutes, or until macaroni is very al dente (slightly undercooked). Drain in a colander and return the macaroni to the pot. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and the garlic and stir to combine. Add the bechamel sauce and stir until well combined. Set aside.

Using the remaining tablespoon of butter, grease a 3-quart baking dish or casserole and set aside.

In a large bowl combine 4 ounces of the remaining parmesan cheese, cheddar, fontina and gruyere cheeses. Toss to combine.

Place one-third of the macaroni in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with one-third of the mixed cheeses. Top with another third of the macaroni and another third of the cheese mixture. Repeat with the remaining macaroni and cheese mixture. In a small bowl combine the bread crumbs, remaining 1/2 ounce of grated parmesan, and the Essence (nutmeg, in my case) and toss to combine. Sprinkle this over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the macaroni and cheese is bubbly and hot and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

discovered Afternoon Tea Manila almost 10 years ago. Been going back ever since. Some things never change <3

(blog post about it later!)

Champagne + Caviar Brunch

 

I love entertaining at home. It's always nice to have friends over for a delicious spread that's well-thought out and in some cases, following a certain theme. Today a few of my favorite ladies came over for a casual weekday brunch. I kind of go in Martha Stewart mode when it comes to entertaining (haha) but all the stress is well worth it when you see your guests enjoying everything.

Cheese platter; Parmigiano Reggiano, Cheddar, Gruyere & Double Creme Brie

 

Champagne, white wine & caviar

  

For the breakfast loyalists, I prepared some granola and hot chocolate mixes

 

Four Cheese Macaroni w/ nutmeg & breadcrumb topping

 

Eggs Benedict with a twist -- I used spam!

  

I originally wanted to order a few Spam Benedict meals at a cool place called Trilogy, but I started prepping the brunch a few hours before they opened. Decided to make my own version for the time being.

 

Caviar Pie from Susie Quiroz (order : 0918-9094115)

(took the presentation idea from Lori of dessertcomesfirst.com) 

 

..recipes for some of these dishes to follow!

A glimpse of what the christmas cookie rush looks like

Cookie Dough being cut into fun holiday shapes

snowmen ready for baking!

baked & cooled cookies
 
  
ready for icing!

little christmas crew!
 
  
christmas bells are ringing!

cute little christmas houses
 
 
mini cookies packed and ready to eat!

THE SWEET LIFE BY ANGE
http://thesweetlifebyange.com
 

Gifts for Cupcake Lovers

 

Stumbled upon these really cute cupcake gifts at Gourdo's (right next to Kaiseki, see my blog post below).

 

 
 
 
 Adorable, huh?

Gourdo's
The Fort Entertainment Centre,
Fort Bonifaio Global City
Taguig
Phone Number: (63 2) 845-1700, (63 2) 887-5007

My absolute FAVORITE Japanese place & what to order

My family and I have been regulars at this restaurant for maybe 4 or 5 years now. We love Kaiseki for their consistently good & fresh food, attentive service, and cozy, intimate ambience. I won't ramble too much about how much I love this place. If you live in Manila, make it a point to drop by and see for yourself =)

Here are my staples:

Crazy Maki; sushi + crab meat done tempura-style (so many restaurants have pirated this specialty, but nothing compares to Kaiseki's in my opinion)

Salmon Sashimi

Perfect shrimp tempura!
 
 
My favorite dish; Kaiseki's Grilled Gindara. Order this at the start of your meal because it takes longer than most of their dishes.

Kaiseki
 The Fort Pointe, Bonifacio Global City
Taguig
 Phone Number: (63 2) 889-1005

 

Festive Christmas Tree Cookies

 I've said it before and I'll say it again; the holidays are THE absolute most stressful period for baking businesses. The Sweet Life by Ange is definitely no exception. Butterscotch bars being sliced and wrapped on one side, another corner devoted to cookie decorating, and so forth. With the flurry of things going on, it's hard to appreciate the beauty of what we're doing. When I was photographing these little edible butter cookie trees, I just couldn't help but stop and smile. These little trees are colorful, festive, and bring a touch of childhood whimsy when you see them. I imagine the glee in a little kid receiving a cookie tree, or the sheer joy a bunch of co-workers share during their coffee break taking this tree apart bit by bit. I absolutely adore being in the kind of business that is an essential part of moments like those.

 

 

 
 
(oops, that little silver ball fell off right when I took the photo! haha)
 
 THE SWEET LIFE BY ANGE
http://thesweetlifebyange.com
# 8150188 / # 0917 8238198
inquiry@thesweetlifebyange.com