Chicken Soup for the Sick

I have been suffering from a very bad case of allergy which turned into a very bad case of congestion.  LOL  Really, really bad!  I have a high tolerance for pain but the throat/earache was quite unbearable especially whenever I swallow.  I wanted to cry in pain but my friend, Paz, who is a respiratory therapist said, it will make it worse.

I went to Dr. Eusebio Llamas (ENT, Mkt Med.) yesterday and told him he has to make me well ASAP because I am going to Boracay next week!  He prescribed Augmentin (anti-biotics),  Sinupret (decongestant) and Salinase (nasal spray).  On top of that I prescribed to myself Allerta, Advil, Tylenol PM and Montelucast.  I also used my vaporizer.  And yet.... I was still experiencing pain and I could not breathe so well!

But today..... I am feeling so much better!!!  Thank you for the drugs!  There is still a tinge of discomfort but nothing I could not handle.

I read in several websites that Chicken Soup is not just for the soul but also for the sick because it has an enzyme which helps cure the common cold.  I asked Hermie to buy me the ingredients I need in Rockwell.

Chicken Tinola



1/2 K. Chicken breast, chopped
1 T. cooking oil
garlic, chopped
onions, sliced
2 T. ginger, cut into strips
2 T. fish sauce
4 C. water or hugas bigas
1 t. rock salt
6 peppercorns
papaya, sliced thickly
Chile leaves

In a soup pot, saute in oil the garlic, onions and ginger for about 2 minutes.
Add the chicken pieces and cook until no longer pink.
Season with fish sauce.
Pour the water or hugas bigas. 
Season with salt and pepper.
Simmer for 30 minutes then add the papaya.
When the papaya is cooked, about 10 minutes, switch off the heat, add the leaves and cover until wilted.

Best served with fish sauce, chile and kalamansi.

Brasserie CiCou

Mariger (green),  Celine (light blue), Jing (dark blue)



and I had merienda at Brasserie CiCou yesterday but they only serve snacks during the afternoon.



Jing and Mariger had the Quiche Lorraine - with bacon, cream and cheese while Celine had the Leeks and Goat Cheese Quiche.  She is abstaining from meat for the season of lent.



Each had a serving of salad on top.

I tried the Galette with Homemade Pork Sausage and salad.






We shared the dessert - Kouing Aman - Puff Pastry with Salted Caramel Ice cream.



It was a fun afternoon with my AC friends!





It is very rare that the four of us can get together because Mariger WORKS! Hahahahahahaha. 

So, we savor the opportunity that allows us to hang out with each other just like old times even for just a few hours only. 

Quality over Quantity!!! 

Potato Chips

Jing, Celine and I ate at Shakeys Pizza last night.  We had the chicken with mojos, Anchovy and Garlic pizza.  Then we saw the couple at the next table eating this delicious basket of Potato Chips!

We ordered our own.  It was so good! Freshly fried (uggghhhhh cholesterol but never mind!) and it was so crunchy and did not taste greasy at all! We dipped it in ketchup alternately with the gravy.  I plan to bring Del Monte Cheese Sauce next time.

Tamarind Juice

My friends and I experimented with Tamarind Juice yesterday.  It was really very hot so a  tall glass of a refreshing drink was most welcome.

Tamarind Juice



1 C. Tamarind pods.



(We used the Tamarind pods Celine brought from San Pablo.  I suppose the secret is to use sweet tamarind.)
2 C. boiling water
1 C. brown sugar
2 C. ice
1-2 C. cold water

Soak the tamarind pods in boiling water for 10-20 minutes.  Strain the mixture and add brown sugar.  Pour in a pitcher half-filled with ice.  Dilute with water.  Serve really cold.

Ahhhhhh sooooooo good!!!!  Maybe if you garnish with a sprig of mint it would be perfect?

We had it with our lunch, Sinigang na Bangus sa Miso. 



I instructed Hermie to follow the directions at the back of the Knorr Sinigang sa Miso pack.  I bought my fish from Rustans Rockwell and it tasted so clean and fresh.  I get frustrated sometimes when the it tastes like mud.

The day before, Jing and I had lunch at Ukkokei Ramen Ron along Pasay Road.

I ordered the Miso Ramen with Butter and Corn.





Jing had the set meal with Miso Ramen.



I forgot what the other items were. 

Jing said the ramen was too much for one person, she said we should have split in one serving.  I told her, maybe if it was merienda I could but not for lunch.

At least, I was able to satisfy my ramen obsession.  I do not think I will eat a bowl in a long while.  I am all ramened out!

Grilled Tilapia with Pistachio and Tamarind Sauce

I was searching the internet for a Vietnamese fish recipe and I stumbled upon the grilled fish recipe.  Trout or snapper was used in the original recipe, I changed it to Tilapia.  And it was just supposed to be ordinary roasted peanuts, I only have pistachio at home.

Celina brought tamarind pods the other day, she said, we will make Tamarind juice or shake when she comes home from CDO and Camiguin tomorrow.  If fresh tamarind is not available, you can use tamarind paste in bottle which you can buy in the supermarkets.

Grilled Tilapia with Pistachio and Tamarind  Sauce



1 pc. Tilapia, cleaned and scales removed
shredded ginger
finely chopped shallots
2 t. lime juice
2 t. light soy sauce
pepper
oil
banana leaf or tin foil
leeks, sliced thinly
roasted pistachio or nuts, chopped coarsely

Marinate the fish in lime juice, light soy sauce and pepper for 15 minutes.  Stuff the cavity with the ginger and shallots.  Wrapped in well oiled banana leaf or tin foil.



Grill over hot coals.



You may also bake in the oven.

On a frying pan, heat oil over low heat, fry the sliced leeks, cover until it is soft.

Unwrap the fish carefully.  Top with fried leeks and chopped pistachio.



Drizzle tamarind sauce over the fish.

Tamarind Sauce



1 red chile, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 t. brown sugar
1 T. Thai Fish Sauce
1 T. water
3 T. fresh tamarind pods soaked in 1/2 C. hot water for 10 minutes.

Drain the tamarind pods.

Grind the red chile and garlic in a mortar.  Add the sugar then slowly add the tamarind juice.  Season with fish sauce and dilute with 1 T. water.

I never expected it to taste good!  Maybe because it is something new to my palette.  At first I thought the tamarind sauce was a bit bland, so I had to heat bagoong isda with fried garlic.



But it turned out, I did not need it.  The combination of roasted chopped pistachio, fried onion leeks and tamarind sauce was just perfect.

Yaya Hermie cooked Ginisang Patola.  Yum! The patola was so sweet.



She also made Adobong Hito, my dinner tonight, with Adobong Sitaw.



I think Hermie is a budding food stylist LOL  She cooked the little fish wrapped in banana leaves and wanted me to take a picture.



She said it is our dinner tomorrow with Mongo soup.

So far, my blood sugar level has been going down but not as fast when I was on a Vegan diet.  Slow but hopefully, sure.  It is a struggle for someone like me who enjoys cooking and eating.  I pray every morning that I do not get tempted and go back to my unhealthy dining habits.

Fish, fish and fish.

I have been eating fish lately.  As usual, still trying to bring down my blood sugar level.  Vegan diet is quite hard to sustain plus eventually, I will have a lot of vitamin deficiencies.  So my next course of action is to add fish to my diet.

I have also been exercising almost everyday for the past week. I am proud of my 5 + km. a day and started running last night again. Well, just in sprints .. walk ... run ... walk ... run ... which is actually good for the heart.

Sunday lunch today with PD was at Mogu, Serendra.

I had the Grilled Tuna Belly with Fried Rice and Barbecue Sauce.



We shared a plain pizza.



PD had the mixed Tempura



and

Fried rice.



Last night, my food was just Pinangat na SapSap



and

stir-fried sayote.



My blood sugar improved this morning.  I am happy with the results.

The other day, Hermie experimented with Tawilis wrapped in mango leaves with kamias.



I liked it. 

My favorite mollusk soup is Tahong with Fresh Corn.



She also made Pinakbet with no meat.

Ohhhh our neighbor gave us atis from Taiwan! It was so huge and sweet!!!!



Meat was really plump and almost seedless.



I will search for other healthy fish recipes and post it here.  It has be grilled, baked, steamed, poached or boiled.  Frying is a big NO-NO.

Hanaichi, Luxe Residences - The Fort

I had my monthly lunch today with the friends of my Mom and Pd. 



We ate at Hanaichi at The Luxe Residences - The Fort.  Good thing I made reservations, the place was full. Ohhhh lots and lots and lots of cute guys!!!!  Hahhahaha.  Expats and English speaking yuppies.

I gave them my Chocolate Crinkles with hearts and they gave me their Valentines gifts.







Tita Butchie and Tita Mita each got the Tempura Lunch Set.



PD ordered the Sukiyaki Set



and we shared an order of Uni sashimi.



I am still in my ramen obsession so I got the Tempura Miso Ramen which Tita Josie also ordered.



Everybody had an enjoyable time and we already set our next date.