Bicol Express

I have perfected my Bicol Express recipe.

My teacher is "Sir Man". Over the years, I developed my own recipe.

While Pinky and I were waiting for our delayed flight at Kalibo Airport last week, I texted my travel buddies if they are free for dinner on Tuesday. Good thing they all said , Yes!

I asked Pinky what she wanted to eat.

Bicol Express!

1/2 K. Pork Kasim, cut into small cubes

1/2 K. Pork liempo, cut into small cubes

1 head Garlic, crushed

1 onion, sliced

1 T. Raw bagoong

1/2 C. Water

2 C. coconut milk, 2nd extraction

1 C. Coconut cream, 1st extraction

1-2 t. Rock salt, to taste

1 t. Peppercorn

15-20 pcs. Green sili for Sinigang, deseeded, sliced thinly then soaked in water.

2 pcs. Siling labuyo, chopped

Saute garlic and onions until fragrant. Add the pork and saute until half cooked.

Combine the raw bagoong and water. Add to the pork. Continue sautéing until the liquid has evaporated.

Add the coconut milk from the 2nd extraction, 1 t. Salt and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat for about an hour. Stir every 5 minutes.

When almost all the liquid has evaporated and oil has been rendered, add the coconut cream from the 1st extraction. When it boils, adjust the seasoning and add more salt (to taste) and the drained green sili and labuyo. Cook for about a minute and serve.

It was spicy! I had 2 servings of rice!

The Fried Daing na Bangus was a perfect partner for the Bicol Express.

Another request of Pinky was the Kare Kare! I forgot to take a photo. Dra. Cristina said to cook a lot of vegetables.

Pinky brought chocolate cake from Merville.

I loved it!

I'm on a "semi-diet" at the moment. Watching what I eat and controlling portions but not totally eliminating anything yet.

My travel buddies love to eat chips as well!

While we were waiting for Jodie, we munched on chips and nuts!

Ahhhh finally, the ice has arrived! Hahahaha I mean, Jodie!

We asked her to buy ice for us.

I am glad they all liked the food I prepared!

It is easier for everybody if I just cook our food then they divide the cost equally.

Lots of summer activites for us this April and May. Can't wait for our next travel escapade!

Soon!!!!

 

 

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Lia's Food Journey is 5 Years Old Today!

Oh My! It has been 5 years since I started writing about my eating adventures! Time flies so fast when you are having fun!

If you do not know me personally but have been following my blog, I guess I could say, you know me so intimately by now.

You've read about my dieting.... when I am about to start, then after a few weeks I will be on a diet holiday then start again another diet. It is never ending. Sometimes, there would be positive results, most times... I gained more weight than when I started.

Ohhhh and my cravings?!? My obsession of the moment?!? Everybody knows that when there is something on my mind, I will not stop until I get to the restaurant of my choice or until I have perfected the recipe.

I checked my posts for the past 12 months and I would like to summarize the year that was.

There are different groups of people in my life.

I have my family.

This was taken during my birthday week at Marriot Hotel, Cebu.

Christmas 2014

My nieces and nephews.

Yaya Hermie who is like a family member to me.

I have my church group. We attend Bibliarasal every other Monday at St. Andrew Parish.

My civic group.

I am a volunteer facilitator for KST (Kasambahay SaTahanan) which runs from June up to October.

It is such an enriching experience because you get an opportunity to help the domestic workers realize their potential and improve their skills.

I am also a committee member of the Culinary Journey of Bel-Air.

Last summer, I was one of the cooking teachers for Kids at Work in the Kitchen.

I inherited the friends of my Mom, my seniors friends, and then the group became bigger.

We would have lingering monthly lunches.

My ASB Co-workers.... I've only known them for 5 months in 1992 but we have kept in touch with each other since then.

Neighbors!!!!

What will I do without my neighbors?!? I would send an FB SOS in the middle of the night that I am hungry or I am craving for siopao and here comes FGM Cindy to the rescue!

The Junkies!

Who share the same junk food passion as I do!

They are my usual guinea pigs for my experiments!

Childhood friends since 1979!

High School Classmates

My Travel Buddies!

The highlight of the year was our Southeast Asian Cruise on Mariner Of the Sea.

And..... The Batgirls! With Batman and Robin!

What do all these people have in common with me?

We all share the same passion for food.

We love to cook and eat!

Well..... Some could "cook". Hahahaha but everybody enjoys good food and great company.

I have over 300 recipes in my blog. I stopped counting already.

I am so happy that I have many people to feed! I get excited when I know they are coming over. I do not get tired preparing food for the people I love.

A year has passed again so quickly. I hope I could share more recipes with my readers and go on more food trips with friends and family.

Thank you my faithful followers!

You are still reading Lia's Food Journey after 5 years even though by now you know how silly and crazy I am!

 

 

 

 

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Happy Days in Boracay with Pinky

Pinky invited me to join her in Boracay.

Ok, ok, ok! Erase! I invited myself to join her in Boracay!

We stayed at Astoria Boracay, Pinky is a club member.

Pandan Tea - Welcome drinks.

I love our room!!!! So spacious and it had 2 AC vents, one on top of each bed!

Mini kitchenette with a dining table, microwave, utensils, plates and soup bowls.

Kitchen sink

Friends always ask me to show the bathroom of the hotel rooms.

The pool at night.

I set up our chips station. I had to leave the rest of the chips at home, the Cheetos and Doritos from Shey, because my baon bag was overflowing!

I thought we would not be able to finish all of it during our stay, but we did! Only the Piknik was left untouched.

I was so excited to go back so I can eat my favorite food again!

It is a MUST for me to eat the grilled chicken at Island Chicken Inasal!

I also love the Kansi. Good thing you can just order the broth of the soup.

It was just the 2 of us and would not be able to finish an order of Kansi which is good for 3-4 persons with other food.

Pinky ordered the Batchoy.

My favorite Pancit Bam-I at Willy's Resort.

Last year, when I was in Boracay, I could not forget the Shrimps with Brie and Goat's Cheese Pizza at Two Seasons.

So..... TADA!

Happy hour time! Strawberry Daiquiri!

One of the best things to wait for in Boracay is the sunset.

Sometimes, when it is cloudy, you will not get the chance to see the sunset.

I saw my favorite Chori/BBQ vendor! Gina! I have known her since I started going to Boracay in 2010.

Her bbq stand is near Diamond Water Sports.

Pinky and I ordered the chori burger.

I added 6 sticks of Pork BBQ.

Mango soft served ice cream from Halowich at D' Mall.

Probinsya bread is the best! I always make it a point to buy bread from the bakery.

The mini bun was very delicious and so sweet! We bought cheese pimiento spread to eat with it.

Pinky and I had to eat our Sinigang.

Mine was Pork Siningang....

Pinky's was Bangus belly.

Mango Cheesecake at Cafe del Sol, D'Mall.

We ate at the 3 new restaurants in Boracay.

Spicebird at D'Mall.

Their specialty is Piri-Piri Chicken

Another new restaurant is the Sunny Side Up Cafe at The Sands, Station 3.

We tried the Espresso Pancake with Dulce de Leche topped with Chantilly Cream!

Muscovado Syrup

Giant Pancakes! I could only eat half of one pancake! Pinky left a forkful! She said she could not possibly finish it!

The #1 restaurant in Tripadvisor is Los Indios Bravos Gastropub. (Road 1 a. If you are facing the mini lake near the mall, the street is on the left side.)

It has an international menu. We only ordered....

Nachos with chili con carne, cheddar cheese sauce, sour cream and fresh tomato salsa.

Ultra Crispy chicken wings

Because.... We were saving space for dessert!

Mars!

Deep fried Mars Chocolate Bar in a dough/beignet type of batter.

Pinky took my picture at the gastropub.

Then it dawned on me that I have another picture which looks exactly like the one Pinky took.....

Taken last March 2011!

My niece, Gilly, would always show my pictures to her friends. They would wonder why I never seem to age and said that I have discovered the secret to the eternal fountain of youth.

Hahahaha I guess that goes for my mental age as well. In my mind, I am only 22 years old.

Pinky and I saw our Gradeschool classmate, Em! We have not seen her in 28 years! She now lives in Australia.

Fancy bumping into you, Em!

The beaches at .....

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Ilig-Iligan Beach (Taken at Mt. Luho)

Bulabog Beach (Taken at Mt. Luho)

Puka Beach

A visit to Boracay is not complete if one does not drink Mango Shake.

I tried the shake at Jony's. According to the reviews, theirs is better than Jonah's.

There are a lot of new establishments on the island. When I was there last year, I noticed that a lot of small businesses were demolished in favor of the massive buildings they were constructing.

Is it good or bad? Change is always good.

There are now 2 Mc Donalds, Johnny Rockets, Army Navy, Yellowcab, Dulcinea, Sbarro, Starbucks, Bo's Coffee, etc. You get the idea?

But I do miss the laidback vibe of the island where you can eat grilled fish and liempo by the beach.

Will I still go back?

Definitely! Hopefully, soon!!!! I am already planning with some friends.

Thank you so much Pinky for letting me go with you to Boracay!

I hope you were not traumatized by the noise pollution at night!

Hahahaha! Next time,I promise to bring Benadryl for you!

I really needed that 4 day vacation.

Because of you, I was able to leave all my troubles at home and just spend...

Happy Days in Boracay with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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