IT?S THAT time of year again, for me to go around and think of what to serve for my son Diego?s birthday party.

Cooking everyday, I wanted to free myself of it. I?ve realized that it was more enjoyable to spend the day with my son than make myself a slave in the kitchen. It is way cheaper to hire someone to do it for me and I can enjoy other happy chores that come with children?s party celebrations, like decorating the house and wrapping tokens.

I am sharing my new discoveries that may come in handy should you need ideas for your next party:

Mokkilato Gelato: The gelato/sorbet catering comes complete with a freezer and server. You can choose six from this list of flavors: Chocolate, Pistachio, Donatella (yummy!), Hazelnut, Gran Stracciatella, Strawberry, Roasted Almond, Raspberry, Ube, Amadeus Dream, Ciambella (doughnut), Bubblegum, Mango Alphonso, Green Tea, Biscotto, Caramel, Brazilian Coffee, Croncantina al Rum, Cherry Vanilla, Billbery, Piña Colada, Irish Coffee Mascarpone, Cheesecake (with any combination of fruits).

They serve all of the flavors with yogurt as base. And for those who are trying to lose weight, some are low-fat and sugar-free. For the lactose-intolerant, they even have soy-based gelato!

They claimed that what they served me was good for a hundred people but I beg to disagree?it was more like two hundred. The following day, even after the gelato thieves made their way to the freezer at night, I still had more than half of the tubs filled with ice cream. Call 0917-5276288/0917-9830791.

Street Corner Bakery?s cakes

Birthday cakes: Why do they cost so much only to be left whole at the end of the event?

Janet wrote asking to recommend someone good yet reasonable. According to her, she canvassed prices and the cheapest she found was P2,000, which was small yet beautiful.

So I contacted a friend, chef Andrew Chua of Street Corner Bakery, and challenged him to come up with a cake for less than a thousand pesos. The cake surpassed my expectations. Impressive for P950! Serves 30 and can be custom-made for your theme. Call 994-4495.

Clown/magician: Bibo is the funniest, bordering on the insane. Both for adults and kids. His magic tricks rock! Just tell him to bring an extra bird for his magic show, in case it flies away like it did during our party. Call 0917-8437377.

Since it?s back to making baon, Tess wrote asking for sandwich spread recipes:

Chicken Asparagus

1 ? c mayonnaise
? c onions, chopped
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp sugar
2 c chicken, boiled and flaked
1 c canned green asparagus cut into one-inch lengths
Salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl except asparagus.
Mix well.
Add asparagus last.

Cheese Pimiento

2 c grated quickmelt cheese
? c condensed milk
2 tbsp sugar or to taste
1 tbsp mayonnaise
? c cream cheese
? c roasted bell pepper, peeled and chopped
Salt and pepper

Mix first five ingredients in a bowl.
Season to taste.
Add pimiento last.

Egg

8 hard-boiled eggs
? c bacon, cooked and crumbled or ? c sweet ham, chopped fine
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
? c green onion, chopped
? c mayonnaise
1 tbsp mustard
Salt and pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp hot sauce

Combine in a bowl. Mix well.

Tuna

2 cans tuna, drained
1 c mayonnaise
1/3 c onions, chopped
? c celery, chopped
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped or ? c chopped apples
? cup sweet pickle relish
Salt and pepper

Combine in a bowl. Mix well.
Season to taste.

Ham

3 c finely chopped sweet ham
? c chopped celery
1 c mayonnaise
? c butter, softened
? c diced sweet pickle
1/3 c pineapple chunks
2 tsp mustard
Salt
Pepper

Combine in a bowl. Mix well.
Season to taste.

Shrimp Salad

1 k shrimp, boiled and peeled
? c each, celery and onions
2 hard-cooked egg, finely chopped
? c sweet pickle relish
1 c mayonnaise
? cup diced mango, peach or avocado
1 tbsp wasabi
1 tsp mayonnaise
2 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper

Combine in a bowl. Mix well.
Season to taste.

My new class schedules are out. I am also starting Mga Luto ni Lola Basyang?A Cooking Class Series on Home-cooked Filipino Dishes. On June 12, I am conducting a Food and History Trip Back in Time in Taal, the Grand Lady of Batangas, with Heritage Preservation advocate Dindo Montenegro.

For inquiries, call 928-9296/927-3008 and look for Jane; or 647-4744/0908-2372346 and look for Jhem.

E-mail the author at raspiras@inquirer.com.ph.