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Main Dishes Nourish

Cooking made easier with Dole

Many of you know that I enjoy cooking. I enjoy cooking even more when the meal that I prepare can be done quickly. (Remember, I’m a mom of four kids who likes to get things done!) So, that means that if I have kitchen gadgets or trusted ingredients that I buy to make my life in the kitchen easier, then I am a happier momma who’s feeding my family well.

So, when I attended the #DoleChefMom event with some of my friends, I knew that I would be able to pick up some helpful tips and hints from another multitasking, Momma, Chef Rosebud Benitez. While waiting for the rest of our Chef Mom friends to arrive, we all sat around chatting and sharing our experiences in the kitchen. I was in fact super surprised to learn that Chef Rosebud didn’t always have the desire to be in the kitchen, and she wasn’t always as inspired to cook! In fact, she shared that it wasn’t until she graduated culinary school that she realized she could have fun in the kitchen as well.

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Chef was pleasant, engaging, and very easy to understand. When she was teaching us our new Dole dishes, we not only had fun cooking all together, but I realized we could even get the kids in on preparing these dishes, because they were so easy.

We started the event out by everyone answering the question “What is your cooking style?”

I don’t even know if I answered the question properly back then, because I rambled on a bit…but I will answer that question now…

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My cooking style involves simple, easy to prepare dishes. I use quality ingredients and don’t believe in fab diets. I prepare balanced healthy dishes, serve them family style, and I like using lots of tools in the kitchen that make my life easier. I have staples that I keep in the pantry so that if I need to, I can whip something up on a moment’s notice. I enjoy getting in the kitchen with my kids. I want them to play with flavors, prepare snacks for themselves, and develop a fondness for food that is healthy.

I guess Chef Rosebud feels the same way because it’s like she prepared the menu we would all be learning that day…exactly for me.

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Thanks Chef! I felt like the recipes you prepared for us, were a perfect fit for my cooking style and my family.

The first recipe she taught us was Pork Tenderloin Tacos. Admittedly, I have never thought of putting tenderloin in my tacos (and we have tacos pretty often in my house) so this already was a revelation for me. Chef shared that she chose tenderloin for us, but we could really use any kind of meat for this dish. (normally, I use a mix of ground beef and pork)

Ingredients neatly prepared by Chef's staff.

Ingredients neatly prepared by Chef’s staff.

We all settled into our stations at The Cookery. I loved how the place made it really easy for the personalized cooking lessons provided for us by Dole and Chef Rosebud. It was intimate, encouraging, and even if all of us weren’t so adept in the kitchen, there were people to help near by who knew their stuff too. Each of us had two burners to use and an oven to share if we were to have baked something…

The thing with attending events like these is that you also get to meet new people.

The thing with attending events like these is that you also get to meet new people, like Tricel and Peachy.

All six of us in the kitchen have different styles as well…so it was really nice to get to meet other Mommas who like to have fun in the kitchen too.

But the thing about what was impressed upon us for the entire time we were together was that we should also be able to have #funcooking in the kitchen. It’s easy to whip up dishes when you are having fun, right?

Even if these girls look super serious in this photo, I promise they are having fun. PROMISE!!!

Even if these girls look super serious in this photo, I promise they are having fun. PROMISE!!!

I got to thinking about it too…got to thinking about why no one is smiling in the photo…and then I tried smiling and cooking at the same time…it took such an effort!! But not because I was stressed-it’s just not what I was used to doing. SUPER EFFORT TALAGA.

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In all honesty, I find cooking to be very therapeutic and relaxing, most of the time.  (I think I might have shared that while we talked about our cooking style during the event.) When I first moved here from NY, and I was homesick looking for food I wanted to eat from back home, I would fire up all six burners on my stove top and have an eggplant parm baking in the oven…

 

Simply because, that’s how I roll. The beauty in being that homesick is that I wouldn’t have to cook for a week after a bout of homesick sickness…

Ok. But back to our cooking lesson. 

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Don’t these tacos look beautiful? When I made them at home again I put a ton more pineapple tomato topping and a LOT more cheese…but these tacos were perfect to enjoy with the rest of the ladies that were there cooking together. They weren’t too messy, nor too full, and I was able to share…

[yumprint-recipe id=’8′] But this wasn’t the only dish I learned. We also learned how to make grilled chicken breasts with a pineapple salsa. I totally imagine myself serving this during a family barbeque. It was easy, the salsa can be prepared ahead of time and super healthy if paired with a green salad and maybe even some quinoa. 

I would even consider marinating the chicken breast before hand in either the pineapple juice with a little garlic, evoo, and maybe some honey to just change it up a little.

To make sure that everything went really smoothly, Chef Rosebud prepped all of our ingredients for us, again.

To make sure that everything went really smoothly, Chef Rosebud prepped all of our ingredients for us, again.

Whenever you make a salsa-you need an acid. In the past, I have used lime, lemon, calamansi, and even just plain ole white vinegar. The thing I love about a salsa like this is that it’s so light and refreshing you could choose to serve it with chicken, fish, and even grilled shrimp. 

[yumprint-recipe id=’9′] Seriously, these recipes are SO easy that I am sure you can try them out for yourselves and have fun in the process! Check out my friend Neva! She boasts not having any experience in the kitchen but she was a whiz. She even made our vinaigrette for the salad.

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Thank you Dole for inviting me to be part of this wonderful campaign that empowers Mommas like me to have fun in the kitchen with the whole family!

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I can’t wait to share some more easy to make recipes that will keep the kiddos coming back for more. 

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From L-R Our Dole-lightful host, Mary, Michelle Lim from My Mom Friday, Tina Ong from The Phenomenal Mama, Chef Rosebud Benitez, Ms. Weng from Dole Philippines , Moi, Neva Santos from Manila Mommy, Peachy Adarne from The Peach Kitchen, and Tricel De Guzman from Tricel Can Cook.

Be sure to check out #DoleChefMom and #funcooking on Instagram and Facebook for inspiring ways to whip up some meals for the whole family…

PLUS: Stay tuned for a huge giveaway from DOLE! We are teaming up to give away four big baskets of DOLE goodness for you to have #funcooking in your own kitchen!

 

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Comments

  1. rocoispeaks says

    May 4, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Dole pineapple chunks and tidbits are a staple in our pantry! If not added to adobo or pininyahang manok, we chill and have them for dessert! 😛

    • michelle says

      May 4, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      US Too! Our usual favorite is Sweet Turkey Chili. We use pineapple tidbits in that dish for our BBQ’s 🙂 I am so glad I just learned how to make Pininyahang Manok from our yaya!

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Creating food together is one of our love language Creating food together is one of our love languages. We flow in the kitchen. I get excited and move too fast, and she grounds me, and slows things down. We can move around one another while still staying in sync. In our own kitchen, there is music that guides us and sets the tone for the meal. Gelli would be in the mix, the boys will set the table, someone makes dessert, and maybe @manila.gent  makes a drink. 

When we prepare our table together there is so much that goes into the process and the ingredients. This mindful movement brings me so much joy when we are all together.

Even more so when we attend classes together to learn new dishes too.  @themayakitchen1 has regular classes offering cooks of all abilities to learn something new when preparing meals for for our families.

Check out my new article on @rappler for @kitchen143 where Gia and I learned from Chef @cocoyventura a few new Pinoy dishes that will definitely be on rotation for #TeamGellibean.

Link in my profile: 

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/kitchen-143-learning-lovelokal-the-maya-kitchens-cooking-classes/
Crispy Pata. Is there anything better than perfec Crispy Pata.

Is there anything better than perfectly brined crispy fried pork? 

@manila.gent and I visited @viicsrestaurantph for simple Pinoy fare that hit the spot. Admittedly, after moving here so many years ago, I took a while to warm up to this dish that is one of Nino’s (and my mom’s) favorites. But every once in a while-I won’t feel guilty about indulging in this deep fried treat.

Happy to learn that we can also order for when Mom arrives through @foodpanda_ph too!
The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their doors! @manila.gent and I were privileged to visit the hotel on Friday night with some new friends and we were both so excited to explore some new digs in Manila.

Looking forward to bringing the family back soon!
We were a little early for therapy this morning, s We were a little early for therapy this morning, so @gelliaventajado got to spend a little time with @grace_loedin!

@thevanguardacademyph is still open for enrollment in their summer program, and has a full staff for all therapies and interventions. We really love her school and all of the faculty and staff. It makes a huge difference when you have confidence in the people you leave your child with for learning!
Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappl Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappler now!

Link in my profile!

https://www.rappler.com/nation/kitchen-143-dreaming-greece-try-making-easy-whipped-feta-dip/
Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGu Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGuardia, was picked up by one of my dearest friends and spent the entire day at the beach just catching up on LIFE.

It was a breezy day. Overcast. A little chilly to be in a suit, but it was perfect to catch up with my girl Candy. Sometimes, if you have chosen your friends well, you can pick up where you left off, as if no time has passed at all. 

Just like I did, sitting in that beach chair, feeling the mist of the Atlantic Ocean, and watching the seagulls pick and the seaweed.

Thank you Candy! For the friendship, for dropping everything to come and pick me up. Drive me around and have dinner with me and Fayth. 

Wishing I was sitting on this beach with you right now!!!
Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of ma Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of many dishes that we enjoyed during #SundayBrunch at Waterside in @solaireresort .

From cornbread, to mom’s potato salad, melt in your mouth whisky cured short ribs, homemade sausages and more. This #BrunchBuffet had @manila.gent and I rolling each other out the door!

Hard to choose which was our favorite from the feast that was set before us!

Brunch is inclusive of some delicious drinks, some Southern smoked and BBQ Fare, and a most colorful sweet dessert buffet by way of Milkshake Bar!
Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy by @lumosprojector_ph!

Summer Lovin’ ain’t over for #TeamGellibean. Hop on over to www.mommanmanila.com to read my full review on how easy this #homeprojector is to use when you want to watch your favorite family film!!

Gelli and I have watched Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Grease, and BTS Videos. Up next? The Sound of Music! 

Want to have your own #LUMOSRAYProjectoe delivered to your home? Stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway, too!

Link in my profile!

https://www.mommanmanila.com/lumos-ray-projector-review/
Missing my @migaventajado The short time I had w Missing my @migaventajado 

The short time I had with this guy in Florida was definitely something I will look back on. Wish we had more time to explore and do some fun things on our own.

Gah. How is this kid 20 years old already?
I remember when he was little and he loved peanut butter, chicken nuggets, Kylie Minogue, and sitting on my lap. He was squishy, in tune with my feelings, and I was always worried that he might have an asthma attack in his sleep so I would nebulize him every few hours. He always looked at new experiences with gratitude and wonder, much how he did while we were in FL together.😍

Praying he continues to strengthen his faith as he grows. 🙏🏻👨🏻🙌🏻

Miss you Miggy!
I’ll be sharing a little bit about my faith toda I’ll be sharing a little bit about my faith today with some university students. 

I have shared my testimony with other mommas, women in our community, and parents through this platform and others. It’s always come naturally and has often ended in tears of gratitude and joy for His faithfulness and unending LOVE. 

Of course, sharing parts of myself with others who may find it helpful is a privilege. But for some reason, I am always just a little bit anxious and apprehensive right before I am about to present parts of my story.

Perhaps today, I’m anxious because the format for how I will share is a bit different, I won’t have the comforts I have gotten used to since working from home. Instead I’ll print some cue cards for myself so I can stay on task and within my given time period. 

I love the opportunity this endeavor has given me, to reflect on His presence in my life. He’s been there all along, even if I didn’t know it. I love the understanding that I can have these intimate conversations with my Creator knowing that He has plans for me. He loves me. He knows all the hairs on my head. And that He knows what I need to fulfill my purpose.

This doesn’t mean I won’t have challenges, or times when I feel broken in my life and faith. In fact, there have been many times where my faith has faltered. All of it just means that He is fortifying me through each and every lesson. He is allowing me to create a greater understanding of who I am, where I am supposed to be, and how He will get me there.

Do you share parts of your faith here?
What does that look like?

#ThoughtfulThursday #faith #thoughtful 
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