"Lunch at the Batcave"

My friends call my house the "Batcave". It is their home away from home, where they can just help themselves and treat it like it is theirs. Hahaha! Actually, I just let them be.... When they ask for water, I tell them where the glasses are.... When they want something.... I tell them to get it themselves.

Sherman is leaving this Friday for Jakarta, we will not see him until August! Mona, Mayette, Jon, Tita Cena and I invited him for lunch at my house. It was our turn to treat him.... A Despedida of sorts. I asked him if he wanted Filipino or Steak and potatoes, he chose the latter.

I got T-bone from Gil, my suki in Farmer's. I told him to remove the bones because I will use it for my Beef Nilaga. Hehehehe, Lisa said, what kind of t-bone is it without the bone?!?!

We were chatting via FaceTime the whole time I was preparing for lunch. She saw me marinate the steak in Maggi Garlic Seasoning, pepper, Lea Perrins and...... Shhhhhhhh...... MSG!!! Lisa said, I should only use salt and pepper so we could taste the "beef". I told her, "Lisa, our meat comes from the Philippines unlike in NY, the beef there is very flavorful as it is."

And then..... I made gravy! Hahahaha I also told Lisa that we like to smother our steak in gravy!

We also like to pour it on the mashed potatoes.

Mixed vegetables.

Tita Cena made Ceasar's Salad from scratch.

I was quite apprehensive about the tenderness of the beef but thank God they said the meat was tender! I was very careful not to overcook. I pan-fried it in oil and BUTTER!

Everybody enjoyed our lunch. They were even suggesting that I should open my house for private lunches or dinners but I told them I only like to cook for my friends.

Sherman! We are going to miss you! Will wait for you in August!

 

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Our Very Own Lechon Cebu from Scratch

Mayette and I had this dream for so long..... We wanted to roast the Lechon ourselves! Finally.... Today was THE day!

She and her husband invited the whole group at the Padilla-Yara Farm, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. This place belongs to Jon's family.

Upon reaching the farm..... We were so surprised our hosts already set the picnic tables. I call this picture....

Mayette's Slice of Life.

As soon as we settled ourselves.... We started working on our project.

I was so glad the pig was already dressed and ready for seasoning and stuffing.

I told Mayette I will not be able to eat the Lechon if I have seen it still alive and kicking!

No way! If I saw these pigs before lunch, I would never have eaten the Lechon.

I browsed the Internet and asked several people how to season the pig. I just combined all their suggestions and recipes online.

Lechon Cebu :

25 K. Pig

Leeks

Lemongrass

Salt

Pepper

MSG

Pineapple chunks and juice

Garlic

Onions

Sprite (for basting)

Soy sauce (for color)

Cooking oil (for basting)

I put everybody to work.

Mayette's assignment was to spread the soy sauce all over the pig.

Mon and Tricia pounded the garlic. We used the caretaker's outdoor dining area for the preparation.

Jing and Mona cleaned and trimmed the leeks and lemongrass.

The rest of the crew helped......

Jon was Dra. Mayette's assistant....

Sherman sponsored half the cost of our pig! Thank you!

Jing! Why do you have that naughty and evil grin!?

Work all done! Well....most of the work.

The manong lechonero had to secure the opening with a wire.

Then.... The long and slow process of roasting Lechon began.

I tried turning the bamboo pole a few times. It was not easy.

We had snacks while waiting for lunch.... Crackers,Strawberry preserves, cream cheese, olive oil butter, cheese pimiento sandwiches, chips and drinks.

Mon was assigned to set up the Mah Jong table.

Perfect activity when roasting a pig so you will not get bored.

Jing and I took pictures of each other taking picture of each other! Hahahaha ha! We are silly that way.

After a couple of hours........

TADA!!!!!!!

Our Lechon Cebu from Scratch! We finally did it! YAY!!!!!

We only had grilled eggplant with it.... Our dipping sauces were Mang Tomas and Suka from Romblon with soy sauce, calamansi and sili.

The Lechon was sooooooooo flavorful! I did not even have to use the vinegar-soy sauce!

We were so happy with our accomplishment!

Not everybody gets an opportunity to roast a pig in their yard! Our first experiment was a success and we are already planning our next Lechonan.

Thank you, Mayette and Jon for another unforgettable experience!

 

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Mang Recto Spaghetti

My classmates and I had a "Mang Recto" get-together at my house. I was able to get the number of Mrs. "Mang" Recto from Aileen.

I posted an open invitation in FB that the group would order a gallon of sauce and everybody was welcome to join us. I then followed up the invitation via text.

What is so special about Mang Recto's spaghetti?

When we were in high school, we would always hangout in one of the houses in Palm Village and order the spaghetti, chili or halo halo.

Most of the batch mates overseas asked if it still tasted the same.... I replied, so far so good.

I prefer my sweet style sauce better but what we were after was recreating the different experiences we had with our friends during high school.

We asked Tricia to order barbecue for us.

Bought bread at Rustan's, Rockwell.

We had our chips, soda,Sangria ( c/o Bibo ).... Also the booze was sponsored by those who love to drink!

I am always willing to try anything. Bibo mixed a drink for me, Jack Daniels with Coke Zero. I told them it tasted like gulaman and sago. I had several glasses...l do indulge occasionally.

Our dessert was Caramel Cake from Costa Brava.

We just divided the expenses among us.

I was so glad because we all had a fun time, we missed Jodie, Tin, Jopet, Serla and Cath. Hopefully next time, they will be able to join us.

 

 

 

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Happy Birthday, James!

The little boy of Jing is not so little anymore.

James turned 11 today. He is even taller than me!

I was invited by the family for lunch at Burgoo, PowerPlant.

The birthday boy had his favorite Burger!

The rest of the food....

Ceasar's Salad

Appetizers - Sample Platter

Buffalo Wings

Spaghetti Bolognese

Large Pizza

Chicken Barbecue

James was very surprised by the birthday greeting of the Burgoo waitstaff and obviously delighted by the "surprise".

He told his parents it was his "best birthday ever!"

Happy 11th Birthday, James!

 

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Hey, Mom!

That was my favorite greeting to my Mom when she was sick in the hospital six and a half years ago. As soon as I enter the ICU, I would always say, "Hey, Mom!" And... If it was a very good day, I would get a reply by way of a smile ... A smile which reached her eyes.

I do miss her so much! We were so different from each other.

I am very shy whereas Mom was the life of the party..... very outgoing.

She was very comfortable giving out speeches and lectures whereas I would rather write.

She was known for being so well put together and glamorous.... She had this diary and would write down the clothes she wore so she would not repeat an outfit. I was sorting out her pictures a couple of weeks ago and true enough, I noticed that she had a new ensemble all the time.

Hahahaha Check out my photo albums and I do not care if I wear the same things over and over and over. I have a closet full of clothes but I just like to wear my favorites all the time.

I am a very good cook though.... I can name in 2 hands the dishes she prepared for us.

Sometimes....I often wonder if my life would be different if she was still alive. I know I will not be allowed to travel and go to places on my own. Mom was... Super.... Over.... Protective! She would always say, "Oh, No! You might get picked up by strange men!" Hahahaha but is that not the point of going off on an adventure by yourself?

I was very close to my Mom but that was only in the last 10 years of her life because she was so busy with work. Do you know why being sick is such a positive experience for me? That was the only time I had her all to myself. She would drop everything just so she can go home and take care of me. One time, she told her office staff that her "baby" was sick and had to rush home. Then, the new secretary said, "I did not know Ma'am still has a baby." Hahahaha .... I was the baby and I was not a baby anymore then, if I am not mistaken, I was already in college.

So when my Mom had a stroke back in 2006..... She was hospitalized at ICU of Makati Medical Center for almost 3 months. Her friends and relatives would always "hint" to us kids to let my Mom go and not make her suffer anymore.

She was a mother who would give anything.... Do anything.... Whatever it takes... Whatever the cost just to make sure her sick child would get well. That was the kind of mother I had.

Knowing she was willing to do all of that for us, we told her (17) doctors to do everything and anything in their powers just to make my Mom well.

But in the end.... they said there was nothing they could do for her anymore.... Then we had to let go.

Hey, Mom! Wishing you were still with us. There was not a day I did not think of you.

 

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