Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter at Megamall

Happy Easter!

I have not been to mass yet but I already celebrated today.

Had lunch at Yabu House of Katsu, Megamall.

...... ordered the Premium Tonkatsu Set, Berkshire Pork.

I am already eating all food high in wheat content because I plan to reduce my wheat intake starting tomorrow.

Crossing my fingers!!!! XXX

Look what I found in SM!

A mini rice cooker!

I was just exploring the mall when I saw this food kiosk ....

Angry Puffs

They are air puffed snacks in different flavors.

I got the sweet and spicy flavor.

I love chips and puffs! Hahahaha that is why I am so "PUFFY"!

Getting ready now to prepare what I need for the farewell to the Virgin Mary.

I am occasionally invited to join the Libra St. Block Rosary even if I live on a different street.

Bye bye, Mama Mary! Thanks for staying at my place for a week!

 

Lia's Food Journey's 3rd Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to my blog!

I have been sharing my recipes and my life with all of you over the past 3 years! How cool is that?!

You have read about my struggles regarding weight loss... Shared in my jubilation when I shed a few pounds and commiserated with me when I gained them all back again and more.

There were some of you who approached me in the malls and told me how happy you were with my blog because the recipes were so easy to follow and loved my storytelling of what I am most passionate about.

Strangers who are not strangers to me anymore.....

Vicky, who I always see in Rustan's-Rockwell, Happy, Wriggly's "Ninang" and my Fairy Godmother and neighbor, Cindy, who once came to the house at midnight and showered me with lots of goodies because I was whining in FB that I was so hungry in the middle of the night!

And then.....

There is my family.... What family!?! Hehehehe I think only my Ate reads my blog.

Friends.... Oh I have a lot!

I always share my posts in FB with Jing, Celina, Mariger, Mona, Mayette, Catherine, Maryanne, Pitay, Doods and Catherine EA.... always in that order because I might forget someone.

More friends... Lisa, Betsie, Gina P., Tita Tess and the list goes on and on.

Sometimes, people would ask PD, "How is Lia?"

Most of you now, if you have been following my blog over the past 3 years would be able to answer that question.

My life is divided into 3 activities...

I would cook, cook, cook and entertain my friends and family.

Then, I would go to Boracay, Cebu, Boracay, Cebu with Palawan and Legazpi in between.

Then.... After cooking and cooking and going to the beach.... It is doctor, doctor, doctor and doctor.

Then.... The cycle begins all over again.

Hahahaha that is the summary of my blog!

I told Lisa that I get embarrassed sometimes because I always write about food and that my life revolves around food. She said, "We eat everyday, it just so happen, you write about it everyday."

Kidding aside....

Posting in my blog gives me a feeling of satisfaction and contentment.

I am happy because I know I make a difference in the lives of the people who learn from my recipes.

I know I often make you, my readers, laugh and smile with my funny stories.

I even made some of you cry in the few times that I have bared my innermost thoughts and shared my pain.

Thank you, everybody for inspiring me over the past 3 years and for joining me in my adventure called... Lia's Food Journey!

 

Friday, March 29, 2013

Holy Week Food

This is the first Holy Week that Sophie and I did not spend with my Ate because she and her family are in the US for a quick holiday and Gilly's graduation gift.

I am feeling so much better after my second round of antibiotics. Hopefully.... I am well already! Yes! Thank you, Jesus!

With a better state of health, my taste buds and appetite came back!

Yikes! My shorts are very loose now, I hope my tummy does not get bigger!

Been trying out a couple of restaurants along Jupiter St.....

There is new Chinese Seafood Restaurant called RK Garden. The original branch is in Tagum City, Davao.

Tried the Lechon Macau...

Steamed Shrimps....

Assorted Green Vegetables with Crabmeat

Yang Chow Fried Rice

I was surprised it tasted quite good .... Lots of ingredients and not bland at all. They must have put a secret ingredient to make it tasty!

Another place I tried on Jupiter was PINO.

Crispy Fried Shrimps with Red Egg....

Crispy Fried Hito...

Bagnet Kare Kare with Bagoong Rice

*The Wriggly Chronicles:

I had one leftover slab of the Bagnet that I was planning to eat for merienda. My fault, I left the takeaway box on the long dining table. After a while, I was looking for Wriggly.... I could not find him! Only to discover that he went up the table and dragged the takeaway box under the table. No wonder I could not find him! He ate one slab of Bagnet!

Bad boy, Wrigglyboy!

Ever since I saw the picture of the Inihaw na Liempo on Sarah's FB page, I've been craving for it but I cannot grill using charcoal. I cannot inhale smoke. :((

I tried to use my stove top grill and cooked Pork Chops

And paired it with my favorite vegetable, Kinilaw Puso ng Saging.

I cooked for my friend, Sarah yesterday.

She is home from overseas to attend the graduation of her son on April 2.

Paella.....

And Lechon Kawali.

Today is Good Friday.....

When I woke up today, my FBS was 205!!!!!!!

Why?

I ate 5 pieces of Insular Bakery Ensaimadas! Hehehe not in the pic was the one I ate while I was still at Insular.

My favorite! It was my chance to buy yesterday. P.Burgos St. is a tow away zone, I could never buy because they do not have parking. I left my car at the Mercedes gate and walked all the way to the bakery.

While everybody is out of town and enjoying themselves whether at the beach or overseas, I thought to spend it at Chinatown.

Went to President Grand Palace Restaurant. I called up the night before to check if they are open on Good Friday.

Had my favorite Sizzling Noodles with Seafood....

Steamed Suahe! Soooo good!

Even I do not know how to cook it that way. Sometimes, I tend to overcook my Suahe.

And.... Oyster Pancake.

Where is God in all of these? Well..... I just downloaded the Family Rosary App and learned how to use it!

It is the best! Jing recommended it to me. I can now pray along, especially that my guest for the Lenten week is the Virgin Mary.

So apt for this season of remembering the love of Jesus for us.

 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Happy Birthday Jing and Mariger!!!

We have 2 celebrants in our group this March, Jing and Mariger!

When I relayed Jing's invitation to Mon, he said: 2 celebrants! Do we have Lechon?!?!?

My friends and I do not want the usual party fare anymore... Lengua, Paella, Lechon, Callos, Kare-Kare, Prawns, Crabs, etc.... So we thought of something different.

This time.... We just wanted a Picnic Themed Lunch!

Mayette helped with the "props": potted flowering plants, checkered table cloths, Pastel printed table napkins and cake plates.

Everybody helped in the preparation of the food.

Hamburger Sliders with Lays Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips.

German Franks with relish, chopped onions, grated cheese, chili and condiments - ketchup, mayo, mustard and cheese sauce.

Boiled Corn with Butter
Mona cooked the Baked Macaroni for us with chorizo, Vienna sausage, red and green peppers, tomato sauce and cream cheese.

Pork Barbecue

Dessert was Strawberry Shortcake ordered from Mona's cousin. It was their family's gift to Jing.

Mon brought Chocolate Cake from Becky's Kitchen.

Mayette's Mom, Tita Letty baked an Apple Pie for the celebrants!

Everybody had fun and enjoyed the picnic food.... As you can see.....

Even Celina joined the birthday celebration via FaceTime!

There was no "candle-blowing" but the birthday girls cut the cake as we were singing "Happy Birthday".

My group is very small but we are like a BIG Happy Family!

Happy Birthday, Jing and Mariger! Mwahhh!!! Love you, "gels"!

 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Sick, Tired and Resting

I often hear people say, I'm sick and tired of.......

It so happen.... I am sick AND tired of being sick. I have not been well since January 1. I really have a bad case of dust allergy. Dr. Canlas said I am a victim of many circumstances,i.e. I live near EDSA, I have a dog I do not plan to get rid of and I am "immuno-compromised" because I am diabetic.

I had to go to Dr. Llamas today because my ears and throat were very painful already. I was not minding the earache for the past couple of weeks.... But when swallowing was so difficult and painful, it was time to head to my ENT.

I could not swallow?

Ergo... I cannot eat!!!

Goodness! Hahaha How can I post food pictures in my blog if I cannot eat?!

I am tired as well because I have a difficult time breathing because of the head cold.

I was whining to Lisa the other night about being soooo tired. I know other people have worse and terminal conditions but being sick with cold-like symptoms with no abatement for 2 1/2 months tolls the body and the spirit.

I am on my second round of antibiotics already. I hope this time I get better so I can start experimenting in the kitchen again. I do miss cooking and eating, of course.

I have been resting for the past several days.

I know I will be up and "cooking" soon... Sharing my recipes with all my faithful readers.

Give me a few more weeks and let us pray all the medications work!

 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Apartment 1B, Rockwell

Corry and Mona invited me for dinner at Apartment 1B, Rockwell.

I was surprised when our order came... The Crab Cakes were encased in "shoestring" potatoes which I loved! If I could , I would just order one platter of the fried potato strings.

You cannot eat the crab cakes unless you eat the fried potatoes first.

They also ordered Gourmet Popcorn. Specially selected corn kernels cooked in olive oil and herbs.

Grilled Pork Chops with Apple Sauce.

I always wonder how can the pork chops be juicy and tender. I tried cooking it the other day, I even used my pressure cooker and they were still a little tough.

I do not like pasta dishes but my 2nd favorite after my Sweet Style Children's Spaghetti is Pasta Vongole.

This one was just perfect for me! I even cleaned the plate with the toasted baguette.

I have eaten at the Salcedo branch of Apartment 1B years ago. I am glad there is a new one just around the corner.

Thank you Corry and Mona for the dinner treat!