Busy Cooking

I have been busy cooking since I got my new toy!

It is the best stove in my opinion that is not commercial.

I cooked lots of stir-fried food!

When I went to Farmer's, I bought clams for the Stir-Fried Clams with Tausi and Oyster Sauce.

Tricia brought Kang Kong and we stir fried it with Garlic!

Beef with Ampalaya and Tausi.

I have also been busy preparing for my KST catering stint.

I baked chocolate brownies for dessert.

Turbo Lechon

I put it inside the Lechon Wrap.

I call this my Bouquet of Happiness!

Pancit Sotanghon con Lechon!

I added Lechon bits on top and the most wonderful surprise of all....

Liquid Gold = oil dripping from the Turbo Lechon.

I showered the Pancit with Liquid Gold!

About 1 1/2 Cups of Liquid Gold for the 2 servings of Pancit!

Fantabulous!

I was so surprised it tasted so good! I had 2 servings!

Plus the senior citizens had second and third servings!!!!

I did not tell them my secret ingredient!

<WEG> (Wide Evil Grin)

 

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I'm in Love! With my new "Kalan"!

I have a new stove and I'm in love with it!

A few months ago, I saw Chef Bambi and he was gushing about his new stove!

Of course, I had to check it out! I immediately bought one!

It was not until yesterday that I was able to buy the hose, regulator and Gasul.

I asked the Gasul manong to install what I bought. I even tried it out several times.

I was so excited to cook the mixed vegetables for my family's Saturday lunch and do a demo for them!

When I switched it on..... Nothing happened! I tried it several times!

I was in panic mode. I immediately called security and asked to be connected to:

LUTONG BAHAY!

Hahahahahaha what I meant was: Tulong BAHAY!

The village maintenance people can come to your house and do simple repairs, like leaking faucets, or change the bulbs or install the Gasul.

Finally! It was working!

What I love most about my new stove is the flame!!!!

Look!!!!

It is also an energy saving stove because you can cook the food in half the time.

And the quality of the food?!?!

My vegetables were crisp tender!

Because of the high temperature, it did not become mushy or overcooked.

Even my nieces who do not normally eat vegetables tried the sautéed veggies!

When the food looks very appetizing, then it is not a hardship at all to convince the kids to try it.

I am very excited to cook a lot of stir-fried dishes!

Pancit! Adobong pusit! Pad Thai! Kangkong with garlic! And a whole lot more!

I forgot already how much I bought my stove because it was a long time ago.

But....... If you want to order, please call Chef Bambi at 09206626708.

One or two burner stoves are available.

It's so worth it!

I'm in love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My Overseas Friends

My lunch guests today were my overseas friends.

We have known each other since elementary years!

Pinky.... Been away most of the time working at the Royal Carribean Cruise Lines

Sarah Jane ... Has been working in Doha, Qatar for several years now.

Dodai... Who has been away for the past 30 years but is back now in the Philippines because her husband has been assigned here for 3 years.

I experimented with Binagoongan Baboy!

Oh look! It is swimming in natural pork oil!

Red Egg salad

Fried Lumpiang Ubod

Kilawing Puso ng Saging

I asked Pinky to join us for lunch in a text message. Her reply was, she will just drop by.

Then I texted back, "I have Tinapang Bangus!"

"Ok, I'm leaving the house at 11:15!"

Hahahahaha so easy to bait Pinky. She loves Bangus in any form.

She brought Lola Idang's Pancit Malabon.

Lisa said she likes it so much! Even if I am grain free/LCHF, I tried the Pancit!

Dodai brought Lord Stowe Egg Tarts!

I scooped out the filling.

She also brought me a solar powered dancing flower and chocolate!

Sarah gave me lots of pasalubong!

Bag from Doha!

Pashmina scarf

2 bottles of wine

Carribean Rum Cake

And.... BIG bar of Toblerone Chocolate!

My favorite!

I did not share my chocolate and I have no plans of sharing ever!

Call me whatever name you like but I am still not sharing!

Hahahahahaha

We are planning another get together with most of my schoolmates.

I have another classmate coming home for a vacation from the U.S. this June.

It was such an enjoyable experience to be with my 3 gradeschool friends from the overseas!

Thank you!

 

 

 

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Egg Cooking Skill

Do you know that cooking an egg requires a certain skill?!?!

I do not posses that skill.... Until recently.

I have been practicing and I suppose... Practice makes perfect!

Sunny side up eggs!

My friend, Patrick, from the Low Carb High Fat support group taught me how to cook sunny side up eggs!

He said, that I should put a small amount of fat in the pan.

I used butter this morning. Then on the lowest setting, I cracked an egg in the pan with melted butter and covered it!

I probably waited for just a minute and.....

TADA! Perfectly cooked sunny side up eggs!

The yolk was runny and the egg white was not rubbery!

Unlike my pervious attempts.....

Omelette..... Another friend of mine, Chickee, taught the kids at our Culinary Journey how to cook the perfect omelette.

I practiced and I practiced and I think I got the hang of it!

Gouda Cheese and Shrimp Omelette!

Scrambled eggs! One of my Waterloos!

I have been watching Hermie how she cooks scrambled eggs for years!

But mine always look like Wriggly's barf!

Jing gave me cheese pimiento spread. She followed the recipe in my blog.

Since I cannot eat it with bread, I added it to the scrambled eggs!

The result?!?'

Soft and fluffy scrambled eggs!

I still have to master cooking poached eggs but I need really fresh eggs for it.

Ohhhh... Since I started doing Low Carb High Fat diet, I have been eating 2 eggs for breakfast everyday and I feel full all day long.

 

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Beef/Pork Afritada

This is my first time to cook Pork Afritada.

It was not something I ate growing up. My family does not eat it but I wanted to experiment because I do not know how to cook it.

Tricia asked her kusinera to share the recipe with me.

I hope I understood her instructions correctly. I cooked it for Mona because she slept over last night.

Mona said she liked it and told me she will also try to cook it at home.

Pork Afritada

1/2 K. Pork kasim, cut into cubes

Marinade:

2 T. Vinegar

3 pcs kalamansi, juice of

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 t. Cracked black pepper

2 T. Knorr seasoning

Marinate the pork cubes for 1 hour.

Garlic, crushed

Onions, sliced

Bell pepper, cut into squares

1/4 C. Tomato paste

2 Cups water

1 t. MSG or Magic Sarap Or Aji ginisa

Potatoes, cubed and fried

Carrots, cubed and fried

Red and green pepper, cut into squares

*1-2 T. Mang Tomas Lechon sauce, optional

Sauté garlic, onions and bell pepper. When soft, add the tomato paste and continue sautéing for a few minutes.

Add the marinated pork and saute for about 10 minutes.

Add 2 cups water and the remaining marinade.

Simmer for 2 hours over low heat until pork is tender.

Add fried potatoes and carrots.

When the potatoes and carrots are soft, add the red and green pepper.

Season according to taste. You may add salt, pepper or Patis.

* Add Mang Tomas if you want a sweeter version.

PS.

I also tried Beef Afritada.

I followed the recipe above but simmered it for 3 1/2 hours instead of 2 hours.

 

 

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My Love Affair with Boracay

My love affair with Boracay is a "love and hate" relationship. But mostly.... LOVE.

I would like to chronicle all my trips in one post. This could serve as a guide or as a source of entertainment that will make you laugh or cry.

1st March 2, 2010

Prequel: Boracay... It Was not LOVE at first sight.

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2015/05/prequel-boracay-it-was-not-love-at.html

I had very high expectations when I first visited the island.

Hotel: Beachcomber

2nd August 27, 2010

Boracay Birthday Weekend Parts 1 and 2

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2010/08/boracay-birthday-weekend-day-1.html

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2010/08/boracay-birthday-weekend-part-2.html

My Ate and I went to Boracay, it was her birthday treat to me. I had a wardrobe malfunction! Several times!

Hahahaha!

Whenever a huge wave would crash towards the shore, my tankini bottom would roll down to my knees and my takini top would roll up to my chin!

Hotel: Seawind

This was when I started loving Boracay.

3rd December 8, 2010

Early Christmas in Boracay

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2010/12/early-christmas-in-boracay.html

This trip was my Christmas gift to myself.

Hotel: Hey!Jude

4th March 3, 2011

Boracay... The surprise... And the degree of happiness

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2011/03/boracay-journey-surprise-and-degree-of.html

Celina was my surprise! She just came home from Canada.

Hotel: Boracay Beach Resort

5th March 30, 2011

Boracay Again

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2011/04/boracay-again.html

Mimi and Sam invited me to join them in Boracay because it was their first time.

Hotel: Astoria

6th June 2, 2011

Boracay... My Happy Place

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2011/06/boracay-my-happy-place.html

It was Mona's first time in Boracay.

We met up with our travel buddies, Cristina, Miko and Jodie with their families.

Hotel: Boracay Haven

7th August 27, 2011

Happy Birthday Lia.... In Boracay!

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-birthday-lia-in-boracay.html

Another year older, another birthday treat by Ate.

It was this time when I injured my back because I was silly and played in the ocean while the huge waves crashed against my back. I had to undergo physical therapy for several weeks.

Hotel: Two Seasons

8th November 12, 2011

Boracay! Yay!

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2011/11/boracay-yay.html

Celina and Mona were my travel companions.

Hotel: Willy's Beach Club

9th February 2, 2012

Boracay with Lisa

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2012/02/boracay-with-lisa.html

My BFF is home from the U.S.!

Beautiful shot of the sunset.

Hotel: Willy's Beach Club

10th March 12, 2012

Boracay... My Alternate Reality

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2012/03/boracay-my-alternate-reality.html

Celina, Mona, Mimi and David were with me.

Hotel: Milfores

11th May 31, 2012

Boracay with Kids

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2012/06/boracay-with-kids.html

Finally! My dream was to be with my nieces in Boracay!

I was going to wait until they are 18, but it happened several years in advance!

My Ate and her family invited Sophie and I to join them for a holiday.

Hotel: Ambassador in Paradise

12th June 5, 2012

Happiness... Boracay Part 1

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2012/06/happiness-boracay-part-1.html

I only had a few days, less than a week, to have my vacation clothes washed because I was off to Boracay again!

I went with the Avancenas! Tita Cena, Corry and Mona.

Hotel: Willy's Beach Club

Happiness ... At Discovery Shores Part 2

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2012/06/happiness-at-discovery-shores-boracay.html

The hotel stay was Corry's treat!

My dream came true! Again!

Every time I would go to Boracay, I would always look at Discovery Shores longingly, wondering when will I be able to stay there.

So.... No more dreaming!

Hotel: Discovery Shores

13th November 11, 2012

Boracay the 13th

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay-13th.html

I met a newly married couple at Mama's Austrian restaurant owned by Marcus. The woman is a reader of Lia's Food Journey.

I felt I was "jinxed" because it was my 13th visit.

I was so sad when I left the island because I did not feel the "spark" anymore.

The photograph below captured the emotion I was feeling back then.

Hotel: Hey!Jude

14th June 8, 2014

My Boracay Food Trip

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2014/06/my-boracay-food-journey.html

After a year and a half, I was back!

The highlight of my trip was the pizza at Two Seasons Hotel, Shrimp with Brie and Goat's Cheese Pizza.

I also loved my hotel because when I opened the sliding door, the beach was just a few feet away!

Hotel: Watercolor Divers Beach Resort

15th March 24, 2015

Happy Days in Boracay with Pinky

http://liasfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2015/03/happy-days-in-boracay-with-pinky.html

I invited myself to join Pinky in Boracay! She also loves the island.

We tried several new restaurants.

We met up with a balikbayan classmate, Ems, who is now residing in Australia.

Hotel: Astoria

Whew!!!!

15 times in 5 years! It really goes to show how much I love Boracay.

I am just enjoying the island while I still can.

Soon, it will be overcrowded already and I shudder in revulsion whenever I think about how the government will be able to preserve its natural beauty.

I am excited because I am going back to Boracay again with Pinky and this time with Dodai as well!

Hahahahaha I do not feel a "forever after" anymore with Boracay.

Relationship status with Boracay: Friends with Benefits!

I just plan to savor each moment while it lasts.

 

 

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