A Fine, Fattening, Filling Dinner

Last Saturday our sideboard was converted into heart attack central, with my tiny yellow kichen cheerily churning out dish after dish of cholesterol-laden, crisp fried goodies. We had guests over for dinner, and one of them, hubby's officemate from way back and a current client, requested the best of Lokal dishes. Since he hosted a muy delicioso dinner for us a few weeks ago at his place, how could I refuse?

Normally I would serve the top three Lokal bestsellers on different occasions, simply because the ingredients involved and the manner of cooking can put anybody's healthy heart and low blood pressure to the test. Needless to say, we were all dizzy that night from the fat overload and sensory overkill, but we were replete, and happy.

Appetizer (the only concession to health on that night of gluttony and tastebud debauchery):

Mixed Salad Greens, Roasted Marinated Bell Peppers, Eggplant and Butternut Squash, Herb and Oil Drizzled Honey Tomatoes and Feta Cheese with Green Olives, Roasted Bell Pepper and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mains:

Crispy Tadyang ng Baka with soy-vinegar dip (Melt-in-your-mouth tender beef ribs, simmered for hours, drained well, chilled overnight, fried till tostado)
Chicken Fingers with honey-mustard dip (Strips of chicken breast marinated overnight, dredged in flour, egg and coated in crushed cornflakes)
Aligue Pasta (Garlic and butter sauteed crab fat paste garnished with chopped green onions and served with calamansi)

Rice:
Green Garlic Parsley Rice

Dessert:
Marble Cheesecake from La Rose Noire

All these washed down with a light white wine and a fizzy orange-wine cocktail drink.

I can still feel the effects of that night in my jiggling belly and rapid heartbeat.