Simple Life Matters

McDonald's Dollar Menu fails from sale expectation.  In spite of the Dollar Menu fails resulting to a decline in profit margins during the initial quarter, McDonald’s said the company is picking up in many parts of the world. McDonald’s Dollar Menu fails to boost sales despite stepping up on marketing. The company saw one percent sales drop at restaurants open at least 13 months following an initially strong first quarter. Pix11 reports the hamburger chain’s Dollar Menu let customers get a bigger bang for a buck, but it seems not many of them find it appealing.  In a recent news conference, McDonald’s executives reportedly defended its cheaper menu options, emphasizing that it is necessary in the present economy with a strong belief that low prices would steal customers away from rivals.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 88 / April 14- BANANA SPLIT. Ingredients: 2 scoops vanilla ice cream 2 scoops chocolate ice cream 2scoops strawberry ice cream 1 large ripe banana, sliced lenghtwise 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup 2 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles 2 tablespoons mini marshmallows 2 tablespoons peanuts whipped cream 5pcs cherries 4 ice cream cones Procedure: 1. Place ice cream on a bowl, then top with the rest of the ingredients. Serve immediately.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 88 / April 14- BINAKOL NI IDOL. Ingredients: 2 tbsp canola oil 500g chicken thighs 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 large red onion, chopped 1/2 thumb sized ginger, sliced 2 stalks lemongrass, white part 2 large young coconut meat and coconut water 1 tsp fish sauce freshly ground black pepper handful of sili leaves Photo and Recipe credit:idolsakusina Procedure: 1. Brush chicken thighs with salt and pepper. 3. In a pot, add oil then brown chicken pieces on all sides. Remove chicken from pot then set aside. In the same pot, sauté garlic, onion and ginger then add the coconut water, lemongrass and chicken, then bring it to a boil. Simmer in low heat for 25 minutes. 5. Add sili leaves then simmer for 2 more minutes. Season with fish sauce according to taste. Serve on coconut shells and garnish with spring onions.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 88 /April 14- MAGIC CRISPY NOODLE MEDLEY. Ingredients: ¼ kg small prawns  ¼ cup slurry 3 cups water 4 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 pc. small onion, diced ¼ kg pork belly, sliced 3 pcs. Chinese sausages, sliced on an angle ¼ kg squid balls 2 sachets 8g MAGGI MAGIC SARAP 2 tbsp. soy sauce ½ tbsp. Hoisin sauce ½ tbsp. MAGGI OYSTER SAUCE 150g pancit sotanghon 150g pancit canton 1 pc. medium carrot, julienned Procedure: 1. Fry pansit canton and sotanghon to form a nest like bedding. Set aside. 2. Remove heads and shells from prawns. Simmer in water for 30 minutes. Strain and discard shell. Set aside prawn stock. 3. Combine garlic and oil in a wok. Sauté until light golden brown. Add onion and sauté for 1 minute. Set aside. 4. Add pork belly and sauté for 2 minutes. Add Chinese sausages and squid balls. Cook for 2 minutes. 5. Add prawn stock and bring to simmer. Season with MAGGI MAGIC SARAP.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 88 / April 14- CHICKEN ALA KING. Ingredients: 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 large shallots, minced 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup dry sherry 4 cups chicken broth 6 sprigs plus 1 tablespoon minced flat leaf parsley 1 sprig fresh thyme salt, to taste ground black pepper, to taste Pinch cayenne pepper Pinch ground nutmeg 200g shiitake mushrooms, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch slices 1/2 cup heavy cream 4 cups 1-inch cubed poached chicken 1 tablespoon fresh chives 4pcs Bread bowls Photo and Recipe credit:Idol sa Kusina Directions: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of the butter, and saute the shallots until softened. Sprinkle in the flour, and cook for a minute.  Whisk in the sherry and broth and bring to a boil. Add the parsley and thyme sprigs, lower the heat and simmer. Meanwhile, heat the remaining butter in a pan, saute the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. S

Watch celebrity tv host-actress, Anne Curtis Doublemint new TVC. Doublemint and Anne Curtis officially welcome you to be a part of the Doublemint barkada this 2013. Wanna know what exciting and intense activities Doublemint have planned this year?  Enjoy the refreshing taste of Doublemint gum - the unique, minty flavor you can't get anywhere else. Doublemint was launched in the U.S. in 1914 and has since become one of the world's best-selling chewing gums, enjoyed by generations of consumers worldwide. Doublemint is available in over 140 countries. Join the Doublemint Philippines barkada on their Facebook page, please click HERE!

Does your child have the gift to shine? Join i-Shine Talent Camp 2 now! Nurture his/her talents and be part of the newest Kapamilya show. ABS-CBN i-Shine Talent Camp have an upcoming audition at SM City San Pablo, Laguna on April 20, 2013. Visit ishine.abs-cbn.com on how to join! I-Shine Talent Camp TV is a reality-based talent search in the Philippines that features kids ages from four to seven years old. It is currently hosted by Dimples Romana, Matteo Guidicelli and Xian Lim.