FoodTripping

One less...

2017-10-25T16:15:00.026-07:00

Being mom has always been one of my favorite roles, but my life goes beyond caring for my 3 wonderful boys. I have a lot on my plate and I struggle to juggle life's daily chores and activities, attend to my "adult" responsibilities, play my other favorite roles as wife, friend, daughter, sister and individual contributing to society. On my less busy days, I do try to celebrate me (yep...there's time left for such). So the grief that I felt when my eldest left for college came unexpectedly... He isn't the last offspring to leave home, so I’m not officially an empty-nester yet. I still have 2 years left with my middle son and a whole lot of years more for my 11-year old, thank goodness!

I don't recall dreading my firstborn’s moving out. In fact, I have looked forward to the time he would spread his wings and find his independence away from home. His absence, however, left a gaping hole even with my 2 other sons around. I guess it’s missing his presence, plus the worry and concern over adjusting to his new life. I think though, on a deeper level, it’s realizing that despite regular contact, there will be less shared experiences and in consequence, I will know him a bit less. Oh well, c’est la vie…Live, laugh, love (and cry, I guess?).

He celebrated his 21^st birthday this weekend and made time to go home and spend the evening with us. It was a joyous moment…I had a skip to my step and my laughter was way louder than it normally is (may be partly due to the few drinks i had though).

Everyone was in a wonderful mood – even my middle son who usually works the weekends took the day off so the family was once again complete. It was just a perfect night with my boys, celebrating a special occasion and sharing a great meal, this time at a local steak house which had 2 1/2 inch prime rib steaks and tempting libations! Just like the good ol’ days….

Weekend Escapes

2016-07-19T20:58:00.001-07:00

I love weekend getaways! These trips are instant escapes from the hectic schedules that we live daily, with the convenience of a quick return to reality (some people have to work, y'know).

Some of my family's favorite spots are Napa Valley, Carmel-by-the-sea and Lake Tahoe. For our past stays at Tahoe, our usual destination would be in a ski resort in the North or a log cabin up in the mountains.

This last July 4th weekend was an entirely different experience for us though...my family booked 3 days at a charming (no fuss but cozy) South Lake Tahoe Airbnb home that was a short walk to town, to several trails and to the lake.

The rugged terrain of the South was excitingly appealing and was a welcome change from the tamer North. Although weekends are especially challenging for me (Saturday meds for persistent ouchies), I somewhat enjoyed our long trek to Emerald bay and the grueling hike up the waterfalls since we deservingly rewarded ourselves with crackers, cheese, dried salami and fruits. Our picnic spread was far from being gourmet but the exhausting hike to get to our destination, and the breathtaking views made our food extremely gratifying.

Later in the day, we discovered the other side of South Lake Tahoe where we didn't have to trek wild nature, but instead, had to brave a different kind of wild...the casinos and bars at Stateline Nevada!

At the end of the day, it was a welcome surprise for an exhausted sunburnt family of 5, wanting to sit back, witness the beautiful sunset, eat good food, and specifically for yours truly, enjoy a super cold classic mojito ;-)

I ❤️ Tahoe!

No Filter...

2016-05-05T23:45:00.001-07:00

I recently turned 45, and I realize that it's not a big deal after all...Apparently, it's not as special as I thought it would be.

It's nothing like turning 25 when you experience true independence, far from 35 when you get all that confidence and bravado, and is definitely unlike 40 when you get your A-ha moments and start believing feel-good quotes like "Happiness is a choice." Wait a minute... I did say that when I turned 40!

In fact, I've recently read a lifestyle article saying that 45 is like the forgotten middle-child of aging. It doesn't call much attention to itself, is hardly celebrated, but thrives even in the direst of situations.

I really want to celebrate this "coming of age," so to speak, but my sleepless nights, restless legs, overwhelming fatigue, early morning soreness and baffling brain fog prevent me from doing so.

I do try though...for who wants to succumb to getting older? Forever21 still beckons, but I may have to start shopping at Ann Taylor soon...and maybe, just maybe, substitute my juicy ribeye for a small ahi poki salad the next time we go out for a celebration (never the skinless chicken breasts though...N-E-V-E-R...).

In vain, after a long day at work, I drag my sloth-like body into activity, hoping that the few miles I walk on some nights will prevent the inevitable 5-pound weight gain each time I look at food, and hopefully, calm the all-too-frequent joint flares that come and go at will. I'm still working on consistency though.

Then I do realize that there are good days, as I tiredly look at my 3 boys- ages 19, 17 and 9, who I know for a fact, are all too busy with their own lives and circumstances...but still curl up next to us on our oversized couch to watch redbox movies, join us at the dinner table to have a hearty meal as a family, and occasionally, give in to my pleas for arm massages.

More importantly, through the stress, pain and lethargy, I find another aging hand linked to my arthritic fingers and is not about to let go anytime soon.

Looking at the bright side, I'm still a year away from 46, which is a whole new level of old anyway...(Apologies to the over-45-group)

FoodTripping makes a comeback

2014-06-21T13:40:00.003-07:00

1. Reading a good book
2. Filling the house with the scent of newly-baked cupcakes
3. Munching on delicious food
4. Writing about all of the above

The list above is of things I absolutely love to do...Unfortunately, I've been too caught up in life's hectic moments that I just didn't have time to do all four. The luxury of occasionally enjoying one on my list isn't bad at all though, especially since it's eating good food more than I probably should. Unable to document my food escapades, I have sadly been away from blogging but have been planning for a comeback for the longest time. The plan was to write a good meaningful piece (or at least something that had lots of drool-worthy food involved), but there was nothing worthwhile up until....our family's recent visit to the Philippines.

It's been almost 4 years since the last time we visited our hometown as a family. And the trip I found myself making by my lonesome on February 2013, was under inopportune and very sad circumstances. It was the passing away of 2 great ladies who lived their lives to the fullest, our beloved grandmothers, Mama B and Mama Nene. It was undoubtedly bittersweet, with me in deep grief at such loss, but also appreciating how special it was to be with my loved ones when they needed comfort the most.

Pork BBQ, Chef Marj's famous paella, Red
Velvet cupcakes and the Moistest choco fudge
brownies

The trip I made with my family just a month ago, on the other hand, was a delightful one. It was, after all, to attend my youngest brother's wedding to his longtime lovely girlfriend, who is now officially our sister-in-law. Our vacation, while too short, was a celebration from beginning to end. The wedding was a success. We spent each day with family, and yes, the food (lots and lots of it) was comforting and delicious.

And boy, did I document it! So hold your drool and enjoy the photos of our trip of fun, family, friends and food...

Carpe diem!

Sizzling Tofu, Pork & Shrimp rolls(lumpia), Halo-halo (yummm), Crispy Pork Hock(Krispy Pata)

Shakey's Fried chicken and Mojos,
Chocolate fudge shake and its famous
Pepperoni Crunch Pizza

My sister's Sizzling Dinner treat at our
Victoria Condo! Thanks Jenny!!!

Le Ching Dimsum! Can't go wrong with
this go-to comfort food at Greenhills.

Having a tad too many....Cheers!

Big brother's super yummy bilao treat in
Batangas. Ala-eh thanks Kuya Jay!

Squeezed in a lunch reunion w/long-time
college friend PF (pretty friend) & my
sister Jenny. The cake was goooood...

Good food and great company account for
the big smiles in these photos

What's for breakfast?

2012-10-14T15:23:00.002-07:00

It's common knowledge that, nutritionally, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. People who skip it are more likely to have problems with concentration, over-all energy, metabolism and weight.

If most everybody knows this, why do we still skip it then? Why resort to getting a venti Starbucks macchiato drive-thru? The answer is simple...we've downplayed the fascinating breakfast meal to a bowl of cereal or oatmeal.

Not in our household though....

Breakfast is always an event, something worth waking up to from deep slumber.

Garlic rice, fried eggs, tocino (sweet cured pork) and of course,
Sukang Pinakurat (spiced vinegar)

Spicy spanish sardines, longganisa (Filipino sausages) and beef tapa

French toast, fried eggs, bacon and hash browns

Steamed rice, toasted spam, hash browns,
corned beef with onions and scrambled eggs

Chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes topped with whipped cream and maple syrup

HAPPY BREAKFAST EVERYONE!
(Note: All photos taken in our kitchen...and yes, all dishes eaten by us)

A new chapter unfolds...

2012-10-02T00:18:00.001-07:00

I've been away from blogging for quite awhile, not at all by choice though. So much has been happening the past few months that it was simply impossible to find time to post anything. I've missed writing and yes, venting...and am now attempting to do both. I've always enjoyed being able to spend most of my time with my boys and have been grateful for the past 2 1/2 years of being there for them at any time of the day. Being a mom is what I do best - and I believe I have the bragging rights to say so.

Some people say that the specific roles you play do not define who you are...but what else does? Your likes? Your job? It is most definitely a combination of all the roles you play.

I love playing the role MOM and will never tire of it. So much so, that going back to work was such a difficult decision to make. Some years back, I decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the corporate world to fulfill a specific purpose, that is, to be where I was needed most. Truly, my staying home was worth everything and I just enjoyed it to bits. Cooking for my family was an excuse to delve into my deep passion for food, keeping the home organized and spiffy-looking was an HGTV opportunity and most importantly, guiding the kids through their day-to-day decisions was a gift not every parent has nowadays.. I've been so involved in their lives that admittedly, mine has diminished to a certain degree.
There are no regrets though...only a sense of gratitude that I've been able step back and be there for my children at their most vulnerable moments.

Of course, I had to have a compelling reason to go back to work. I needed something that would justify leaving the role I do best and often wondered if it were actually possible find something worthy of my precious time.

It's been five months since I've started work and reclaimed that missing part of me. It has been mostly hard work and sacrifice, but just knowing that I am able to make a difference in a much larger radius, is gratifying. The people I work with are wonderful individuals, all striving to make a difference. They inspire me to be more and have driven me to perform to my limits. My family has been nothing but supportive in this new endeavor and has made shifting from one role to this other one possible.

What role do I now play best? Still that of one who nurtures....both to my dearest supportive family and to the new family I have been so warmly welcomed into. I also like to bake for them, keep the processes in the workplace organized and running smoothly, and guide them through their day-to-day activities. Who knew going back to work was so much like staying home...

WEATHER we like it, or not.....

2012-04-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

The weather must be a fascinating subject since it's always the first topic people talk about when a conversation begins. It's a good opener for acquaintances or strangers who just met and a wonderful ice-breaker when things get awkward or too quiet.

I say, the Bay Area weather has been quite interesting for the past weeks. It poured during spring break and has been summer-like the following week. I, for one though, prefer the warm, dry days and last Sunday was just beautiful. It was too warm for a long road trip but perfect for a stroll at Santana Row (read: ...along the wonderful aisles of H&M!) to be preceded by a good substantial meal. The substantial meal came from large plates of Mexican food at Wahoo's Fish Tacos. It was a fun lunch for the family since we all got to pick how we wanted our meals done....as a combo of tacos, burritos, quesadillas or, as a rice bowl or salad. And to choose whether to have carne asada, carnitas, fish or chicken...yum!

The food was simple, ample and without all that oil dribble. If I had to be more critical though, the flavor wasn't as smashingly tasty as what the more authentic Mexican restos offer, but the prices were affordable and the day was just too wonderful to feel any discontent. And so, we ate all the humongous platefuls of food with gusto! And fueled were we to take on THE stroll along the stores of Santana Row ;-)

We got home with the sun still up and the warm day still in its full glory so I decided to hang out at our backyard to read a book with my feet up while watching my boys play catch...

By the way, did I say it was a wonderful day?

A Surprising Reconnection

2012-02-06T12:24:00.001-08:00

Middle age has a remarkable way of softening the sharp edges of the past, leaving only a few childhood memories in vivid detail. What remains, sadly, is often no more than a fading montage of faces and places.

I, for one, have always been poor at recalling life events, no matter how defining they may be… I need visual prompts like photos or videos to help me remember that these weren’t made-up fantasies and that they actually took place. No, I’m nowhere near old age, but I very well may be with my horrible memory. Unfortunately, Facebook and digital phones with high-resolution cameras were not around during our younger years (you see, in the 70s and 80s, kids had to actually be with each other to communicate), and capturing memorable moments at that time was not as easy as it is nowadays.

Despite these hazy images, I always knew that I had a wonderful childhood… the few pictures and memorabilia I have are indicators of how special it was for me.

So, news of my cousin making a side trip from her Las Vegas convention to San Francisco to stay with us for a few days was something I looked forward to! Let me tell you, this was especially exciting since she was the cousin I was closest to as a child. We were inseparable and had countless escapades together. Although I couldn’t remember too many of them, those I did recall stood out as special… there were faint memories of laughter, shared secrets, and sisterhood.

After living separate lives beginning in our college days, we really hadn’t been able to catch up and interact with each other as adults. Her migrating to faraway Australia and starting her own family further kept us apart, leaving our juvenile bond tucked away in the past. This comes with the realization, of course, that change is inevitable and that while we were attached at the hip a long time ago, it was, well… a long time ago.

With this thought in mind, I found it an unexpected surprise to have long-lost memories come flooding back the moment we hugged at the airport. It was like, all at once, seeing who we both were when life was simple and we were just the closest of friends without a care in the world. In the very short visit she made, we slowly unearthed buried childhood memories.

We couldn’t stop talking, and our blurry recollections of the past gradually became clearer as we shared them with each other over a favorite dish my mom always served during our many sleepovers. Yes, it’s the best-tasting pork adobo recipe in the world, and we ate plate after plate as we relived countless stories of fun and silliness. It was like revisiting the very core of who we were—without pretenses, without complications, simply ourselves.

But more importantly, the years we’ve grown apart have now been bridged as we breathlessly updated each other on how life has gone on for each of us and who we have become. Probably, for the first time, we started to see each other as adults and realized that despite life taking us in different directions, not much had changed. We may both now be a little bit older, a tiny bit wiser, and a tad more confident, but ultimately we have the same laughter and twinkle in our eyes that we had as children. Inside, we still enjoy the simple things in life, like my mom’s adobo… We were still the two giggling girls we once were… uncomplicated and true to ourselves.

My mom's adobo recipe: ( here's writing it down before I forget )

2 to 3 lbs pork butt

1/3 cup vinegar

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup chopped garlic (put aside 1 tbsp for frying)

Ground black pepper

4 bay leaves

This dish is SO EASY to make, and we have it at least once every two weeks. I always make a large batch so I can freeze it and just microwave a portion every time we feel like having it. The more often you heat it, the tastier it becomes.

Put all ingredients together in a large pot with a sealed lid. Cook for about 1 1/2 hours, or until very tender, using low heat. Once tender, remove the lid and mix. If a substantial amount of sauce is still present, let it simmer over medium heat until it is reduced to a thicker consistency. Transfer the tender meat and remaining sauce into another container. Using the same pan, sauté the remaining tablespoon of chopped garlic until slightly browned. Return the cooked meat to the pan, then sauté for about 3–5 minutes until all sides of the meat form a crust. Add back the remaining sauce and cook for a couple more minutes until thoroughly heated.

Now you have an adobo dish to last you for the week :-)

CHRISTMAS...and what it really is

2011-12-22T12:31:00.000-08:00

It's a few days before christmas but personally, I haven't been feeling festive. Yes, i said it! The tree is up and the greeting cards have been sent out but the days are just as crazily-filled up as ever. The errands are still around and the holiday activities are only adding up to the chaos of everyday living. Aren't we supposed to be all jolly and merry this time of year? Makes me wonder... am I turning into the grinch or am I just about to have a nervous-breakdown? I suppose it IS natural to feel overwhelmed during this time given all the inevitable baking, panic-shopping, gift-wrapping and party-planning at the end of the year.

I have never been good at cloaking my emotions so my helplessness and exhaustion were obvious to my dearest ones. Hubby, who has just arrived from consecutive business trips, was very thoughtful and did the shuttling of the boys for most of the mornings despite a jetlag. Kids found time to do their assigned errands with less prompts (instead of several, about two yells did the trick...hahahah!) and the thought of school coming to an end for the christmas vacation just had to put a smile on my distraught face :-)

This Saturday evening, we planned to go visit San Jose's Christmas in the Park. We did this a few years back but couldn't for the life of us remember how it was...which is never a good sign. We were all sluggish after a hectic week of school pageants, parties, errands and just wanted to kick back and relax but knew we had to do something "christmasy" for the boys. Initially, it didn't seem like a good idea due to the volume of the crowd we knew would be there plus the lack of "wow-factor" and simplicity of the displays.

Once there, It didn't help to overhear another parent explain to her young daughter that "...not everything has to be exciting" . This almost made me turn around and head back to our cozy toasty home. Almost.

Ten minutes, however into our unimpressed trek, his squeal of delight made me glance at our five year old's face only to see an excitement in his eyes that has long been gone from mine...an enthusiasm i remember having but has since been replaced by practicality and cynicism. Here is my young boy seeing christmas for what it truly is...family, togetherness, love and the pleasure one derives from simple things in life. Well...the bobbing car ride with his dad probably tops his list though.

With this realization, the trees seemed a lot more colorful,

the yuletide hymns a tad more joyful

and the maddening crowd I actually welcomed ....for realz!

Christmas was after all, all around me and I was in the midst of it! I then knew it was going to be a christmas like no other...especially since we were headed to vietnamese food heaven after (at 19 Market, San Jose).

A very merry Christmas to all!!!

One Big Thanks!

2011-11-25T11:11:00.001-08:00

The holidays are upon us and this is kicked-off by celebrating a very special day...Thanksgiving! Adults and kids alike await this event for its very timely school and work break but more meaningfully, for its focus on family and friendship. I say, the timing is perfect since it's not quite the end of the year but is late enough for one to be able to look back and reflect on what the year brought in.
While I am very grateful for the tangible blessings that have come my way this year, i am personally much more in awe of the following invaluable gifts I've received in abundance:

Loads of laughter stemming from both new and older friendships
Priceless good health
Unconditional love
The gift of family and friendship.

In the past, I've always wondered why celebrations frequently involve a humongous main dish like the roast turkey or for more traditional Filipinos, the Lechon (or for me, a large batch of vanilla buttercream and capuccino cupcakes).

Now, equipped with more wisdom brought about by the years gone by (read: aging a little bit too quickly to author's own liking), I've realized that these dishes are actually supposed to be shared with a whole host of individuals who are special to you. Thanksgiving just isn't meant to be celebrated in solitude but should be spent with people who make our lives a little bit brighter....may these be your family or those you consider as family.

It's giving thanks for having them close to your heart this year and hopefully, for the years to come.

Fall-back food

2011-10-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

Whether you're a stay-at-home or a full-time working mom, a mother these days has her calendar bursting with appointments and to-do-lists. We are all faced with too many errands that have to be accomplished in unbelievably short days. Fortunately, each of us have our personal ways of coping. I, for one, hold on to my planner as if my life depended on it (and it probably does!)...since it's a convergence of the schedules of all my 3 boys plus all other stuff we can't seem to find time for. In a desperate attempt to stay on top of everything, I have made use of every app available, to keep me updated with my appointments, all of which are programmed to notify me through every gadget possible!

Sometime earlier in my life, I've made the realization that my personality borders on the obsessive-compulsive. My sanity is only maintained if I am able to control my surroundings and at the least, how my day goes... Certainty in my day-to -day activities ensure that everything's gonna be okay, right? But it takes no Einstein to figure out that no matter how organized one tries to be, juggling the lives of 1 freshman, 1 seventh grader and 1 kindergartener makes certainty a thing of the past. So now, while I still make an attempt at order, I find no shame to exhale with a big sigh of resignation when things go awry.....LIFE DOES HAPPEN.

Now you may be thinking, "Isn't this a food blog? Why is this not about food?" On the contrary, this IS about food (although, I admit, I am known to digress)! With all the confusion of making decisions regarding simple or complex tasks....there is a need to find comfort in things that make us feel whole. Family is the best grounding factor for every stressful situation (quite ironic, since it causes us the most stress too..hahahaha!). We always find the time to sit down and eat together as a family and find this as a venue to connect. Food is the medium we use to celebrate, share and interact as a unit. But let me tell you, the weekly outings pose some issues too....where and what to eat? It has become our habit to try different cuisines everytime, and this has proven to be educational and adventurous. But when we just want to relax and forget about the woes of the week that was, we revert to our fall-back food. Everyone has one. Ours is Japanese! What's yours? Happy start of the week everyone!

Thoughts of spring cleaning (and much more)...

2011-05-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

It's spring time (almost summer, even)...the birds are chirping, the sun is shining and the heater has long been forgotten. Yay! Personally, I go for the warmer weather. Yes, yes, the winter does bring out the fashion savvy in everyone and I do enjoy wearing those dressy coats, lace up boots and beautiful scarves, but the chilly seep-through-the-bone weather isn't for me. Good thing I'm in sunny California! Hopefully, I never have to live where it actually snows during the winter (nope, hail doesn't count, hahahha!).

With the chill factor going down a notch, we find the time to move around the house and yes, actually clean-up, thus, spring cleaning! I've started this feat weeks ago and one kid's room took me over 2 days to do. Going through the piles of stuff which have been gathering dust for over a year, makes me wonder why I didn't throw them out long ago. The closets almost collapsing from too many clothes were a mystery too.....after laying them out and setting aside items that were too small for the boys, plus clothes I was hoping they would wear but never saw the light of day.....I actually had too much space left!

The way time works is just so unbelievably fast...a clear indication were the clothes that used to fit a season ago and now has to be either passed on to the next sibling or to be given away. Where have all my little boys gone? I hope I wasn't too busy to see them grow up. My eldest passed his HSPT with flying colors (which I never doubted he could do) and got into his preferred high school (okay, I must admit that I did get a little jittery about this later on, but initially had so much confidence in him that I had him apply to only that school without entertaining the possibility of a negative outcome). It was bittersweet the day we sat together and chose the courses he would be taking, him still thinking my opinion mattered, me hoping I'd continue to matter.

This kid used to shout "I love you mom!!!" at the top of his lungs for every aisle that we would pass when we did our grocery shopping...yes, the same boy who would have me kiss his boo-boo or cut-up his food for him in tiny bits so he could eat without pauses. Now I look at him and see a young man, with very strong principles, and a clear view of what's right and wrong. He's not like several other teens who couldn't wait to join the bandwagon and try to belong but is instead comfortable with his uniqueness and is not afraid to show his individuality. He sees no color nor gender and will never intentionally hurt anyone since he sees the value in everything. A young man, ready to take on the world....hopefully with one hand linked to mine.

So far, I think we've done pretty well.....

Over the Hill....

2011-02-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

A very wise man, in the person of Charles M. Schultz said, "Just remember, once you're over the hill, you begin to pick up speed." Really funny, huh? or as this generation might say...LOL( by the way, I still refuse to give in and join the acronym craze...a sure sign of aging!) This is because there actually is a lot of truth in it. Jokes bring out the guffaws and giggles in us just because they touch on topics that affect us greatly or express the very own thoughts we dare not speak out loud.

So yes, it's undeniably true....I am officially middle-aged! Over the hill, ancient, aged, elderly - a little too harsh? Okay, okay - wise, senior, mature...to make it easier on the ears.
I hear that most people are caught off-guard when this inevitable day arrives, but not me. I've been anticipating THE day and have taken the months prior to it as time to reflect on how life has treated me. As one of my favorite quotes from William Shakespeare goes, "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves."....What can I say? The man is a genius!

I've led what you may call a very sheltered childhood. I was loved without boundaries by my parents and siblings and am eternally grateful for the bond we share. My family has instilled in me all the values I've always firmly believed in and upon reaching adulthood, I have since taken baby steps to fully realize that destiny has never been about leaving everything to chance, but is stepping out into the world and being the best that you can be, in order to BE the person you were destined to become. With faith in God to guide me, and prayers to give me strength...everything can be achieved. To this day, they've remained to be among the most important people in my life and I love them dearly.

I think, that I am by far, the luckiest 40 year old in the world....and do you know why? It's because I've chosen to be happy, to make the most out of anything - whether good or bad,

to appreciate the loving husband and 3 caring boys who bring out the best in me,

to keep close to my heart the wonderful people I've had the pleasure of being lifetime-friends with,

to fill my kitchen with the scent of freshly-baked cupcakes as often as I can (which I tell you, is quite often),

to stay strong and healthy, earning me the right to brag that I can finally do 10 consecutive push-ups if necessary (the keywords are "IF NECESSARY")...hahahhaha!

and finally...understanding that I can actually step on the brakes going downhill.

Revisiting simplicity...

2011-02-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

Our recent trip to the Philippines was a homecoming of all sorts...Other than it being a plethora of family reunions and christmas parties, the visit was likewise a gastronomic deja vu for yours truly. The food, on most occassions, was simply good.
What is unique about Filipino fare is that, the food is generally prepared in its simplest form....presentation, then, does not take away from each dish the complex marriage of flavors which require an acute acquired taste for the unusual. In simpler terms, it's mostly us Filipinos who patronize Pinoy food. Who cares????!!!! I like 'em all!

Here are some dishes that I indulged on:

SIZZLING BANGUS BELLY
This dish was really one of my favorites. The "select" fish parts which were marinated in soy sauce, Philippine lemon and black pepper were served on a sizzling platter, topped with sweet onion rings.

SISIG
Talk about nasty stuff magically put together to create a masterpiece...I say nasty since I personally wouldn't go through all the trouble of tenderizing, crisping then chopping up non-mentionable pork parts to make sisig. But I would definitely travel 3 hours (yes, one-way) in bumper-to-bumper traffic to Tagaytay to get a taste of this delicacy...Which we actually did (note to self: Not to be repeated in the near future)!

FRESH LUMPIANG UBOD
Who doesn't love lumpia? This kind though is very much different from the more popular fried egg rolls. This fresh vegetable dish has a crepe-like wrap which is thin and delicate but is versatile enough to hold its contents together. Inside is an assortment of julienned vegetables, sauteed with shrimps and garlic. The clincher is the sweet, garlicky sauce which is drizzled generously on the lumpia. Topped with chopped peanuts, how can you go wrong?

TROPICAL HUT HAMBURGER

I know this photo makes the burger look quite unappetizing, but I was too much in a hurry to eat, that I didn't care if the picture came out blurry. It did disappoint to some extent since the bun was a tad soggy and the patty was falling apart, but the flavor of the meat couldn't be beat. The burger doesn't taste like it was made from an assembly line of fast food cooks but tasted like how a home-made sandwich should be. 0 for presentation, an 8 for taste!

(Note: hubby couldn't get past the soggy buns and probably rates this as a 5)

FRESH SEAFOOD

Couldn't get any better than having grilled prawns, squid and fish by the sea. This was just one of the delicious dishes we had at Boracay during our stay there. The fresh sweet taste of seafood, with the view of the ocean before you is just spectacular. Didn't mind a cocktail or two to down everything...hehehhe!

EVERYTHING GRILLED

Okay, okay, there IS some form of unique "food presentation" going on here. What can I say? I just had the ultimate Pinoy FoodTrip and have photos to remember all the food by. Till next time!

Memories of Boracay

2011-01-22T18:24:00.000-08:00

It's been almost 3 years since our last trip "home" and the anticipation of spending both Christmas and New Year's with our dearest ones was driving me to the edge. I had our luggages out and ready for packing a week before our scheduled departure, but up until flight day, we were rushing madly to make everything fit in the bags and even made crazy final trips to various shops for last-minute "bilins."
This i can say though, all the fuss was worth the trip. The holidays were how they should be and details will be in a separate post altogether. What I can't wait to tell you about though is how we capped this wonderful wonderful trip.

BORACAY....need I say more?

I know I don't need to, but I'll go ahead and gush about the "polvoron-like" sand,

beautiful sunsets,

clearest blue waters,

lazy but divine moments on the hammock (I could get used to this),

sub-zero san mig light with too much cholesterol-raising food,

and of course, the best company there is!

I could give more colorful details about our trip to this small strip of paradise but what happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay (hopefully).

The photos tell part of the story (yes, these have been edited for general patronage viewing...hahaha!) with the hope that you too will visi or re-visit it someday soon.

Pinoy Foodtripping....

2010-12-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

It's been ages since my last post. Don't get me wrong, I did make several attempts to write about anything, everything, something....but I was just too busy moving from one thing to the other. I've been diligent though with snapping photos and mentally taking note of every event worth writing about...now, if I could only find the time to write them all down...hahaha!

This specific post is an ode to my home...the Philippines! I'm having difficulty sleeping nowadays due to too much excitement....a couple of weeks to go before I see family and good friends! I definitely look forward to being with people dear to my heart and of course, spending the holidays the way I've always celebrated it....with lots and lots of good food! Just thinking about the adobo, caldereta, lechon, sugpo makes me want to pack my bags at this very moment.

I have the luxury of living in the bay area where Filipino fare is not difficult to get. Just about a month back, we've visited one of my favorite pinoy restos in the area. It's not a fancy place like those joints set-up to impress, nor does it feature any gourmet special for the snottier (yes, there is such a word) crowd but they sure do cook good Filipino food. It wasn't anyone's birthday and we weren't celebrating any wonderful milestone...we just decided to FoodTrip, pinoy-style.

This first dish is inihaw na liempo (grilled pork spareribs) smothered in brown gravy and would probably appeal only to us Filipinos. Yes, gravy here in the U.S. is paid for and doesn't automatically come as part of the entree unless you have mashed potatoes on the side (gasp!).

This next plate was what I had....my favorite daing na bangus (crispy fried milkfish marinated in vinegar & garlic) with lechon kawali on the side! This was super yum! All the dishes normally come with java rice but we opted to go for the white steamed rice.

And the motherlode, was of course, the crispy pata....just looking at this photo gives me a mild stroke! The skin was fried to a perfect crisp and the meat was tender and flavorful. This came with the perfect dipping sauce of vinegar, garlic, soy sauce, peppers and other spices.

For a taste of the Philippines in California, Toppings Too in Union City is the place to go.

Now...off to the real thing in a few days! Tata!!!

Zaru Soba - Home Edition

2010-08-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

Intimidating as it may sound, Zaru Soba (cold soba noodles topped with shredded nori seaweed), is surprisingly easy to prepare. I must say the dish, which is normally served on a sieve-like bamboo tray, complemented with a bowl of dipping sauce called tsuyu (a mix of dark soy sauce, sugar and mirin) on the side, is simply beautiful. I would never have attempted to prepare this at home but one of hubby's goody bags from his recent trip to Tokyo included all the ingredients for the dish. Now, if that's not an obvious hint, I don't know what else is.....

Preparing the soba noodles is not unlike cooking Italian pasta. Just bring a pot of water to a boil minus the salt. As with spaghetti, ensure that these noodles don't stick together by carefully sprinkling them into the hot water in batches. I cooked mine in about 8 minutes...I had to taste about 5 strands at different times to avoid undercooking or overcooking it. Immediately drain and wash the noodles thoroughly with ice cold water to stop the cooking process and to strip the noodles of any starchy uncooked flavor. Drain well before serving. It would have been great to serve it on a weaved tray, but who cares, it still tasted great!

I didn't have to create the tsuyu from scratch since mine came from a bottle but it tasted even better when I added chopped green onions and a generous dollop of wasabi. It sure didn't hurt to have a tray of crispy shrimp tempura to complete our Japanese spread.

Our light, simple but flavorful meal ended with hot green tea using our new cute japanese tea set. What made it perfect was we didn't even have to get out of our PJs....

Chocolatey goodness....

2010-08-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

I am a chocoholic...
Chocolate, in any form, lures me in and makes all attempts at self-discipline futile. In fact, during our last grocery shopping, I completely avoided the sweets section with the hope that "non-availability" of certain items in our pantry will save me... carelessly discounting the fact that occassional bouts of "creativity" pop up when my sweet-tooth strikes.

Yes, these cupcakes were baked out of desperation. It does serve one well to keep basic baking goods in the cupboard....

These are moist choco cupcakes, caramel-filled and topped with dark and white chocolate ganache.

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup butter

1 1/2 cups soft dark brown sugar

3 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup cocoa powder

2 tsps. instant coffee granules

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Smuckers Sugar-free caramel sundae syrup (NO KIDDING!)

Add caption

First, beat the butter and sugar till smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Sift the dry ingredients into the butter mixture then add the vanilla, coffee and buttermilk slowly while beating.
Bake in oven at 330 degrees F for about 18 to 20 mins.

Once completely cooled, cut out center of the cupcake with a regular steak knife (saving the cut piece to cover the cupcake later) and fill hole with caramel goodness. No specific quantity...you can go crazy with this!
Cover cupcake hole with cut out piece and top cake with chocolate ganache (a blended mixture of heated heavy cream and chocolate).

TEXAS STYLE COUNTRY RIBS

2010-08-19T16:32:00.000-07:00

Don't you get all drooly when you see some program in Food Network doing an episode on Texas BBQ? The super tender fall-off the bone meat grilled for as long as 15 hours in custom-built smokers is the stuff of gastronomic dreams. I hardly touch our outdoor grill since it's not my turf (says the self-crowned "king of the grill" hubby I have) moreso attempt at replicating ribs rubbed with dry spices and slowly-cooked over indirect heat from either pecan or oak-wood.
All this changed when I was gifted by a good friend I visited in Houston just recently with a bag of Zach's Texas Style Bar-B-Que Rub. It was fool-proof and gave me an excuse to give the grill a try. I may be cooky at times but haven't lost my head entirely to slow cook meat on the grill for an entire day....this lady has things to do, you know. So I did the next best-thing and "modified". Yeah, I'm the queen of modification (the act of changing something to make it less extreme)....I do it all the time, with my work-out program, my diet and now, my ribs. A busy mom like me makes every minute count and thus, in goes the tray of dry-rubbed meat into my oven (covered tightly in foil) at 380 degrees F for 2 hours. I cooled it down and put the tray in my ref until the floating fat disguised as yummy juices solidify into yucky orange goo. I scrape all these off and move on to THE grill by the deck (which isn't even a charcoal grill). I char all sides of the meat for about 3 minutes each to give that smoky flavor and appealing camera ready look...hahhaha!

Surprise of all surprises, the meat turns out just as tender and dreamy (for a bbq rookie like me) as those in far away Texas! Yeehaw!!!

Chili...my way!

2010-08-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

Like what pork adobo is to Pinoy fare, chili does for the mexican/spanish cuisine. It is difficult to pinpoint its "original" form though and has about a hundred variant recipes which only raise dispute among afficionados. Nope, I'm no fool to attempt an authentic version but have modified the dish to suit my family's specific tastes.

My hubby who frequents Mexico and has the priviledge to sample a more local taste of chili con carne seems to like the one I prepared from scratch (based on the number of servings he ate -- hahahha!). The oven-roasted golden potato wedges adds to its kid-appeal and had my boys going for seconds too.

Ingredients I used:

Ground beef (lean)

1 small can chili beans (drained)

tomato paste

red onion finely chopped

1 tbsp. dried chopped chili peppers

1/4 cup beer

1/4 cup chili powder

worcestershire sauce

minced garlic

fresh cilantro

dried oregano

roasted ground cumin

dried basil

salt

ground black pepper

cayenne pepper

paprika

brown sugar

After browning the beef and getting rid of the unhealthy oil, I lower the heat, incorporate the tomato paste and wait (read: long wait) for the sauce to render oil before adding all the other spices (which, you might have noticed, are quite a lot ---but the flavor produced in the end is enough justification). In goes the beer with the beans and I let it simmer with very low heat for about 1/2 an hour or until sauce thickens. Don't let the rest of the beer go to waste...enjoy it chilled or with ice while cooking :-) It makes the long cooking time a tad shorter.

Add a dollop of light sour cream before serving and garnish with some of the fresh cilantro.

Perfect Start!

2010-07-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

We're forever in a rush in the mornings and will grab just about anything to keep us going until lunch time. There's always the reliable whole grain cereal or the yummy nutella on toast. In fact, I may have also come up with one of the tastiest breakfast on-the-go shakes which is a favorite of the boys...why wouldn't it be when it has everything in it --- chocolate, fiber, banana, milk and yes, peanut butter. But that has to be in a later post. What I have today is something you don't have everyday. Not that it's sinfully tasty and could be dangerous to your health (which it very well might be if eaten on a daily basis...hahahhaha!) but because its preparation is more elaborate than your more common pop-in-the-microwave instant oatmeal.

One weekend morning, in my half-awake, half-asleep state, I attempted to prepare a traditional Pinoy breakfast for the family....and boy, did it wake us all up!

The fish is fried Mackerel Scad (Galunggong to us) which was marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, pepper and garlic. Of course, the longganisa (or philippine sausage) had to be on the table too since it's my youngest son's favorite food in the world :-) There were fried eggs on the side, a salad of tomatoes, onions and cilantro with fish sauce and lastly, the garlic rice.

I would normally hesitate to fry galunggong at home since I don't particularly like the fishy scent lingering for the next day or two, but since we had set up a portable camp stove at our deck this summer, it was even quite enjoyable cooking outdoors.

I know, the spread may be too much to look at but I did a cheat version of the fried rice. Since there was already too much frying going on with the fish and the sausages (which, simmered in H20 before they cooked in their own juices), I decided to just serve steamed white rice which i lightly salted and sprinkled with the great and wonderful pre-fried garlic I bought from our nearby filipino grocery. That should make everyone feel better! ;-)

Quick Fix

2010-07-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

While summer time may mean a break from the daily crazy morning rush to school and a pause from the onslaught of projects, homework and extra-curricular activities of our kids, it doesn't necessarily entail a break from the number of meals prepared in one's household. In fact, while PB & J sandwiches had to do for their school lunches, something more wholesome and homey is in order when dining together at home. I really enjoy preparing dishes that are flavorful and hearty but these often require a lot of time in the kitchen. Now, who would want to spend too much time indoors when the nice warm weather beckons you to the deck....probably a fruit shake on the side with a good book waiting to be read. Hmmm...Choices, choices.

Yes, a quick fix should always be at hand for beautiful days made for lounging outdoors. And I do have one I can rely on anytime. We pinoys love noodles and can't get enough of it. A testament to this is the numerous instant noodle options in the supermarket back home....even the Filipino groceries here in the U.S. have an entire aisle dedicated to these meals-in-a-bowl. Yes, this would indeed be a quick fix (the quickest fix, in fact, since all you need is to add hot water) but I have a heartier and healthier version which won't leave our summer appetitites wanting.

I buy pre-packed shrimp and pork dumplings (yes, frozen), a box of chicken broth, then I shred rotisserie chicken breast, chop up some green onions and separately pre-boil a pack of fresh chow mein noodles. Broth is prepared by quickly sauteeing garlic and onion then adding the rest of the ingredients except for the noodles and the green onions. To avoid soggy noodles, I only add the boiling broth once everyone is seated and ready to eat. Adding a few drops of chili sesame seed oil adds more flavor to this easy to prepare meal.

Note: For other quick fix ideas, visit http://cesanciano.net/spices/lasang-pinoy-sundays-quick-fix/

Turning Japanese

2010-06-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

Healthy eating has a number of caveats....numero uno is not being able to eat your fave foods on a daily basis. What? You don't do that? Well, WE used to....

Each day has always been a celebration to me and my family. We don't need guests to bring out the china (in our case, the correlle plates given to us as wedding gifts) or roast the pig (lechon kawali!). Since our basic family unit is in itself a party of five (4 of the five having full-sized appetites), cooking is never a waste of time. Dishes that come out of the kitchen are well-appreciated (more often than not) and are received well. This encourages me to step up and try out different dishes all the time. Sitting down with the family to share good food play an important part in our lives and will always be something that will bring us together.

Since more than 2 months back though, we've started to shift to a healthier eating style and our past fave meals (read: fatty and rich, but always yummy) are now limited to the weekends or for special occasions. When we're not having our own little barbecue at our deck, we usually eat out at the end of the week and use this time to try out different cuisines. Recently, we've had Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and even Greek. Everytime, it has been exciting to our palates and an experience worth remembering.

About a few weekends back, my hubby suggested eating at a small Japanese fastfood resto chain serving Japanese ramen noodle soup dishes --- Ajisen Noodle in Fremont. It was unpretentious and the opposite of fancy but since it clearly had hubby salivating at the thought of bowlfuls of ramen goodness, then heck, we decided to try it!!!

Oh...and it didn't disappoint! Everything we ordered was reminiscent of the good ol' days (hmmm...about 2 months back?) when calorie-counting wasn't a family activity. We ordered the prime rib ramen and the heavenly "super tender pork rib ramen" which was hands-down, the best dish choice of the day. We also tried its hot version rightfully called "Volcano" (note: not for the faint of heart, nor the gastronomically-weak).

The photos we took aren't prize-winning since we were more concerned with eating the ramen as quickly as we could...but believe me, they were all delicious.

They also had this kid's meal that would put the standard chicken nuggets and soda combo to shame... My youngest two boys enjoyed their own full-course meals which included a bowl of piping hot ramen, sticky pork rice, a small serving of french fries, yogurt drink and sweet slices of oranges. Each one of us enjoyed immensely and decided that the Japanese resto was simply wonderful....So wonderfully delicious in fact, that we had a repeat of everything for lunch just today....It's never too soon to have a good thing, right?

Changing with the times

2010-05-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

While I used to be quite on the "healthy" side during the span of my childhood, I've outgrown the phase to be mostly reed-skinny from teen-age to my young adulthood years. Of course, I see this only now that I'm well into "maturity" (read: DON'T READ!#@%!) and the sluggish metabolism phase of life.

I remember the days of "Eat-All-You-Can" at Pizza Hut, KFC's 3-piece fried chicken with rice, mashed potatoes & gravy, macaroni side dish PLUS extra rice, Lapid's Chicharon, and a whole pint of Selecta Cookies & Creme Ice Cream in one sitting. No matter what I ate, a couple of skipped meals would put me back on track. Going to the gym wasn't even regularly required....my weight would always be within a few pounds' range. Of course, this worked well with me since I've always had a love-affair with food. I enjoy cooking and appreciate good food to the point of never making "substitutes"(read: non-fat, egg whites, whole grain etc...). Taste can never suffer for the sake of (horrors!) lower caloric intake.

But LIFE gets back at you in strange ways. Try eating the same stuff you've eaten 20 years ago at this point in time and we'll see if even a 5-hour daily run on your treadmill works wonders. Gone are the days of unalterable weight, unchanging dress sizes and exercise free weeks. Even doing Wii Fit for 5 days a week won't keep you at your regular size if your diet remains unchanged. I hate to admit it, but this realization is what Oprah would probably call an AHA moment! The diet HAS to change....Aaaaarrrggghhhh!
I've finally given in....For the past months, I've been very conscious about all the meals that come out of my kitchen and make sure that the calorie per serving is reasonable and does not require a climb on Mt. Everest to burn. One thing remains constant though....the food has to taste good. Luckily, I've come across several recipes that are both yummy and sensible eats.

Try this recipe and you'll probably have to do just a few hundred lunges to burn the guilt (just kidding, one serving only has about 250 calories and won't kill that figure).... It's blackened Tilapia and is quite flavorful (what do you expect...that single piece is smothered with smoked paprika, onion bits, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, garlic powder, ground peppercorns and a dash of sea salt---whew!). The side salad of romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, arugula and feta cheese drizzled with balsamic dressing counters the spice of the fish. Note the miniscule 1/2 cup of white steamed rice at the edge of the plate....almost as good as garlic fried rice. Cheat method: just sprinkle with a bit of fried garlic bits from a bottle!

Rotisserie Chicken...a busy mom's bestfriend

2010-04-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

We all know that chicken is versatile....that it can be cooked and eaten in so many ways. From the not so healthy, finger-lickin' fried chicken to the uber wholesome grilled & skinned chicken breast, it pleases most everyone to his own liking. But I've realized that when I'm pressed for time (read: single-mom mode), rotisserie chicken in particular is like my childhood bestfriend, who always has my back when I'm in a rut and will be there for me, no matter why or what. The analogy does not of course pertain to any physical semblance but is more of an affinity in the "reliability area" (peace!).
Just the other day, I took out from my refrigerator the trustworthy rotisserie chicken c/o our friendly grocery store to whip something up for dinner. I cubed most of the white meat which I used to make my Chicken Mac Bake. Seeing the rest of the chicken in such a pathetic state though, I decided to boil, debone then shred the rest to pre-make chicken noodle soup for the following night.

I was cooking like a deranged maniac, with both hands working the pans. Knowing, however, that I could just sit pretty the following evening and not worry about dinner was worth going bananas for a night.

It was a happy ending, with the Chicken Mac Bake well-received by my "test kitchen" (read: my 3 sons).

The following day, with left-over mediterranean bread sticks, we each had a bowl of piping hot chicken noodle soup. The best thing was I didn't even have to lift a muscle to prepare the meal. Well....I did lift one finger, that is, to press the reheat button in our microwave. Now that's what I call good eats!