When an Anti-social Person Goes Out...

...she normally finds herself anxious and/or bored. Last weekend was a bit different, though. Jer and I went to my company's anniversary party despite the fact that we were both dead tired from the day's activities. I was not really looking forward to it simply because I do not like parties. Jer, on the other hand, was hyped up because he knows how fun our parties can be.

So what happened? Well, I found myself relaxing (the roast beef did the trick I think) and having a good time. It was not wild but it was not boring either. We left a little after midnight and had some dessert at a nearby Starbucks.Heaven on Earth and Blueberry Cheesecake - yum!Ruy and Jerry...?

Our Marikina Experience

We went to Marikina City today to look for furniture for the new apartment. Before that, we went to get some paint - it cost more than I thought! Livi told us to go eat at Luyong's Restaurant, where they serve pancit (noodles) with lechon (roast pork). We got lost for a while but we finally found it. I have to say, it was pretty good for the prices that they charged.

After we ate, we went to look for Ana's, the furniture shop that Livi goes to. Yup, she is the strongest advocate of this city. Anyhow, it was so funny because we were crawling along the main street, looking for a sign that said Ana's when this woman in a bright blue shirt flagged us down. She turned out to be Ana!

Her store is 3 stories high - packed to the brim with all sorts of furniture. It was really cool because we had so many choices and she gave us really good prices. There are more that we want to get in the future but we were not sure if they would fit in the new apartment so we had to settle for a wardrobe and a kitchen stand. On our way out - with 2 tiny jade buddhas and a golden bull, Ana's free gifts - when we saw a tall narrow stand with a mirror. It would be perfect for the hallway so we just had to get it.

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good trip. I am broke like anything and I have no more energy left but I am feeling pretty ok. Now we're off the the company party.

On An Appliance High

We paid a visit to an appliance sale (thanks again, Livi!) yesterday and boy, did I get high! They sold brands like Moulinex, Krups, Brun, Dowell, and more. It was a bit overwhelming, seeing all those appliances being sold at very low prices.

So what did I walk away with? Well, I was only really planning on getting a turbo broiler and I was so delighted to see one for only PhP1,100 (approx. 23 USD). I also wanted a coffee grinder and we found one for PhP1,300 (approx. 27 USD). As I was looking around, I noticed Jerry following me with a dirty and ugly box. There was a jewel inside, though - a Moulinex Duomo! This espresso machine normally sells for PhP5,000 (approx. 106 USD) but we got it for PhP1,800 (approx. 38 USD) - thanks to the box and a couple of scratches.

Here are pics of our new babies.

Oh yeah, we've named them already. The turbo is McQueen, the Duomo is LePieu, and the grinder is Grim. Since I got today off, we were able to play with them. I made barbecued pork chops for lunch- take a look at them:

This is our first cup(s) of espresso. I couldn't believe that the same coffee tasted so much better!

Why Does It Have to Stink?

Those were the words that came out of my husband's mouth as I was cooking a mouthwatering pot of paksiw na bangus. I am not sure what the English equivalent is but I think the closest I can get is pickled milkfish.

It didn't stink, really. I think he smelled the vinegar cooking and that's what made him say that. I just realized how different backgrounds really give you a different take on things. I found it quite amusing because he does not complain that much about tuyo, which is supposed to be the worst smelling thing ever.

In my mind I was thinking...your loss!

Photo courtesy of Kikai's Kitchen (didn't have time to snap my own photo last night)

My Tuyo Puttanesca

I love good old spaghetti meat sauce but every now and then, I do get a hankering for something different. Puttanesca is always a good choice for me but I have never been able to pull it off. To date, the best puttanesca I have had is Bruce's.

Anyhow, I still had a bottle of gourmet tuyo (dried fish) from Connie's Kitchen so I decided to try my hand at making puttanesca.

Ingredients:
4 tomatoes, chopped up
2 tablespoons capers
2 tablespoons black olives
4 cloves of garlic, chopped up
olive oil
salt to taste
cayenne pepper

So what did I do?

First I drizzled some olive oil in a pan - enough to cover the bottom fully. Then I crushed up some of the tuyo - I don't remember exactly how many I used but maybe around 6 of the fillets. I then put the tuyo and garlic in the pan and just let it sit there, stirring every now and then. I did this until the tuyo kinda melted (if that is possible). I then added the tomatoes, capers, and olives. The mixture looked a bit dry after a while so I added more olive oil. I also added salt and cayenne pepper.

After about 8 to 10 minutes, I tossed in the noodles (already cooked of course) and mixed it up. To be honest, I was a bit iffy ... I didn't know if I was going to like it. After the first bite, I dug into the meal without any hesitation. I'd say it was a success!

My Sweet Tooth

I think I ate too much! I tried my hand at tuyo puttanesca (I'll talk about this in a separate post) this afternoon and I liked it so much that I had it for dinner again. Now I need something sweet. Unfortunately, I overlooked desserts when we went to the grocery store last week. Now all I can do is to browse online for dessert recipes. Maybe I'll be able to find something to whip up in the kitchen.

Thinking "Turbo"

In my attempt to try new things in the kitchen, I think I shall buy a Turbo Oven. This nifty appliance is similar to a convection oven and yet not exactly the same. According to Amabel, though, you can do everything in a Turbo Oven.

I am not quite sure about that as my experiences with this device are limited to the times when my dad would "turbo" (in the Philippines, this is commonly used as a verb) a whole chicken. The last time this happened was ... I don't remember exactly.

I think that he even tried chopped up turkey one time. I can distinctly remember the crunch of the crispy skin as I munched on it. The meat, if I am not mistaken, was very flavorful and reasonably juicy.

Anyway, back to the present day...I am thinking of getting my own Turbo Oven pretty soon. It should make things easier - marinate and "turbo." It will also give us more options as to the dishes that we eat.

You may be thinking, why not get a "real" oven? My budget is a bit tight right now and I cannot afford the real deal...maybe soon. For now, I can't stop thinking about liempo, barbecue, pork chop, roast, ribs, and more - all made in that little device called the Turbo Oven.

Don't You Dare Say It Wrong!

I can't get over how Jerry criticizes foreigners for pronouncing Tagalog words the wrong way. A couple of years ago, we went to watch a WWE show at the Araneta Coliseum. Mick Foley (I think that's his name) had a short speech thanking the audience for coming out to see them. At the end, he said "Salamat po!" That's the Tagalog phrase for "Thank you."

My Filipino (at least he seems to be one sometimes) husband suddenly yelled "It's sahlahmat po! NOT salaymat po!"

Today, we were watching CSI and the guy said "It looks like balut. It's a Filipino delicacy." He pronounced it as "balot."

Husband: "It's bahloot!!! God, it's so irritating when they say it wrong."

Be careful how you say Tagalog words around him. He's the expert. ;)

By the way, if you are wondering what balut is, it is the fertilized egg of a duck. It is boiled and eaten with a bit of salt. I have to admit, it is quite gross - I can't even eat it. Take a look for yourself.
By the way, balut is supposed to be an aphrodisiac.

Photo courtesy of Patricia Holden

This is What a Big Breakfast Should Be

I don't normally eat breakfast - it seems that my stomach is not ready for food early in the morning. But when I do eat breakfast, I make a big deal out of it. That is why I really do not like eating the breakfast meals at McDonald's or Jollibee - they leave me unsatisfied. For the price that you pay, I think that you should be getting more, both in terms of quantity and quality.

Last week, I made my own big breakfast (although I had it for lunch). Thanks to Vicki, my tuyo (dried salted fish) was finally satisfied. Take a look at this.


3 Hotdogs, 2 fried eggs, and 3 pieces of yummy tuyo. Oh, and don't overlook the dipping sauce - Del Monte vinegar with a dash of salt and some garlic. Of course, a steaming cup of rice (it was still cooking when I took this picture) completes the meal. THIS is what those fastfood chains should have for their big breakfast menu.

Wanting Jelly Beans

Whenever I feel down and out, there are certain things that are sure to make feel better - maybe not totally happy but at least comforted. Naturally, food comes high up on my list. There are a lot of things that I would like to have right now but I was surprised when something came to mind that I have not had in a long time - jelly beans.

Jer's dad used to send us jelly beans and despite the fact that they do not really fall under health food, they always cheered me up. Now I am on a mission - jelly beans mission.

I came across this site where you can buy Bulk Jelly Beans. That is, you can buy all sorts of jelly beans in large quantities. Large quantities - that's always good but here is something better: wholesale prices! I was really excited to see that they carry the brand Jelly Belly as this is something that brings me back to my childhood. They have all sorts of varieties of Jelly Belly and I think I discovered quite a few types of candies that I have never heard of before.

Of course, there are more on offer than Jelly Belly. You can find other brands of jelly beans for really cheap. They also have some promos going on, where you can get lotsa candy for less than $3! This is jelly belly heaven, I am telling you.

This is a paid post.

8700 Jollibee Delivery to the Rescue

As I sit here and try to clear away the tendrils of sleep clouding my brain, my eyes rest on the remnants of the "feast" that we had at 2 in the morning. We got a bit desperate last night due to gnawing hunger pains and the fact that McDo's hot line was still down did not help one bit.

Thank God for Jollibee! I didn't know that they had 24 hour delivery service but I gave it a shot anyway. Besides, I have been craving for one of their burgers ever since Wednesday, when I got a whiff of The Champ from someone at work.

My morning uppers are working now and the gears in my brain are starting to turn...what makes Jollibee's burgers different from McDo's? Which is better?

I remember mulling over this last night as I was eating and my conclusion is that McDo's burgers are meatier - the taste of the beef is stronger. Jollibee's burgers, on the other hand, are better seasoned.

So which is better? Depends on what you prefer, I guess. For me, it depends on my mood. I still prefer our homemade burgers OR Livi's wagyu burgers!

Photo courtesy of Laurence's Legacy

McDonald's 8-mcdo Down?

I just realized how dependent we are on McDonald's 24-hour delivery service. We don't order everyday but when it is past midnight and we suddenly feel pangs of hunger, I don't really feel like cooking. It takes so long to thaw meat and then cutting up veggies and actually doing some work is not an attractive thought in the middle of the night.

Anyway, we tried calling them the other night but the line just kept ringing. An hour ago, I tried again since we are both kinda hungry. Same thing.

I did some research and saw a post in That Word In Me. Apparently, McDo changed call centers and their system has been down. I need to get the number of a specific branch to get food delivered.

It sucks to be hungry but I think it sucks even more that I am relying on McDo to get me full.

The Great American Seafood Cook Off

I love seafood and I am always on the lookout for new recipes to try. So when I heard about this event called the Great American Seafood cook off, I was quite excited to see what it was all about. When I visited their web site, I was more than satisfied. They have different recipes from different chefs and they all look so yummy!

My favorite one is the Pan Roasted Glazed Rockfish with Peas and Carrots. Perhaps the main reason that I chose this recipe over the others is the fact that it seems quite easy to prepare. The ingredients are basic - rockfish, salt & pepper, thyme, crab or shrimp, and butter. You also need peas and other things for the sauce and taco. The preparation is so simple - you don't even need an oven! (If you have been following my blog, you would know that I don't have an oven so I need recipes that do not call for one.) Another possible reason that I chose this recipe over the others is the fact that the recipe was created by Chef Tafari Campbell of Maryland - Jer is from there and he has always been proud of their seafood.

I have never really thought of the idea of combining fish and taco and I think that this is brilliant. It is a very good alternative to other sides such as rice and potatoes (which is basically what we have most of the time).

I think that the idea of the Cook Off is very interesting as it would encourage people from all over the United States to utilize their existing local resources. More than this, using local seafood is actually better on the pocket and is fresher (and tastier!) as well.

If you have not heard of the Cook Off yet, I suggest that you visit the web site at www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com and browse the recipes. You could even join their contest - pick the best recipe - and get a chance to win a trip to New Orleans! Yummmm!!!

Seafood Craving

I don't know why but since last night I have been craving for seafood. Fish, shrimps, mussels, crabs - I don't care as long as it is seafood. There are a lot of options but I am leaning towards going to the market and buying fresh seafood and cooking it at home. I just might do that since Sam's coming over for a visit.

To Grill or Not to Grill?

I was watching Bobby Flay's Throwdown last night and the theme was barbecued ribs. He challenged this guy from Richmond and as I was watching the show, I couldn't help but want to have barbecued ribs. Actually, I just want anything grilled.

The thing is, we do not have a grill. I am now thinking of getting one but the really nice ones are quite expensive. I saw an electric grill at Shopwise for a reasonable price but I am not sure if it will produce the same results as a charcoal grill. Anyone have some tips?

Cooking Lesson for the Day

DO NOT COOK WHEN YOU ARE VERY HUNGRY.

Or maybe, don't wait till you are starving to start cooking. I could come up with many reasons for this. One of the most important reasons is this: you will probably be shaking and end up cutting yourself.

Yup, it is almost 4 pm and I just started cooking lunch. Unfortunately, I needed to peel and cut up some baby carrots. I almost ended up with sliced fingers as well - not to mention that I am so hungry I could eat everything that I have prepared, with nothing left for Jer.

So again, cook before you find yourself in that situation - shaky knees and hands and a voracious appetite.

Cooking It Up with Cooking Mama: Game Review

I have always loved video games - ask my parents and they will attest to that. I always thought I was pretty good but after 3 years of marriage to Jerry, there is no doubt that the axiom that there is always someone out there who is better than you is true.

Anyway, as much as I love playing games, I have not had much time to do so - until we got the Wii. We got this game called Cooking Mama and it is so much fun! You get to cook like in real life. For example, you chop ingredients by moving your Wii-mote in a chopping motion. You have to stir your concoctions by moving the Wii-mote in a similar motion. You get the idea?

Your tasks are timed and some are easier than the others. I kinda suck at some of the tasks but I think I am getting the hang of it. What I like is that you get to "discover" new recipes as you complete each of the ones that you already have.

Graphics are cute and are reasonably close to reality. Load times are almost non-existent (I think it's true for a lot of Wii games but I am not sure). One drawback - the girl who keeps telling you that you "are better than Mama" gets on my nerves a bit.

The bottom line: you should give Cooking Mama a try. Even Jerry gets caught up in the game.

Aussie Rib-eye from Ants

We just realized last night how much beef we have been eating for the past weeks - thanks to Jerry's aching knees (getting old?). Wagyu burgers from Livi, steak from Hot Rocks, and the Aussie rib-eye from Ants - not to mention the beef stew and beef strips that we bought from Shopwise. Starting next pay day (when we do our groceries again), we have to cut back. Otherwise, someone's knees just might give in.

Anyhow, I wanted to write about the steak we ordered from Ants. For PhP575 a kilo, it was really worth it. For a kilo, you get 3 huge slabs of rib-eye. The steaks are pre-marinated so you don't really have to do anything else but grill or pan fry the meat. I decided to pan fry it in olive oil and some butter. You just have to make sure the pan is really really hot so you sear the meat on contact. After that, you can cook it in lower heat to your heart's desire (yup, I like my steak well done). Bake some potatoes, slather them in butter, and you are set for one of the best meals ever!

By the way, they deliver the steaks so let me know if you want to order and I'll give you her e-mail address.

"I ate sushi..."

...and now my tummy hurts. My husband is one of the most unadventurous persons in the world when it comes to food. He sticks to what he likes and good luck with you if you try to introduce him to something new.

Sushi is definitely not a new thing to him but he declares - repeatedly - that he does not like sushi. Last night, we had dinner at Omakase (yum!) and I ordered Philadelphia Rolls. He had his usual Seafood Teppan, miso, and fried rice. I really wanted him to try the rolls because I thought he might like it.

You see, I have had a couple of successes in this regard - bulalo being the biggest. He wouldn't touch the soup in the first place but I got him to try it and now, he is addicted to the stuff. Anyway, I reminded him of that and told him that he would never know if he likes the food or not if he doesn't try it. (Actually, there was more threatening and bribing that went on.)

I succeeded. He got one roll but picked it apart. First that came out of the sushi roll was the mango. Then came the cucumbers. Then a bit of the cream cheese. Almost nothing was left. He sniffed the thing several times before gathering up the courage to pop it into his mouth.

It was a flop. All the way to the grocery store and while doing the groceries, he could only say one thing: I don't like sushi.

How can you NOT like sushi?

Photo courtesy of Sklathill

The Tale of the Wagyu Burgers

We got these really nice burger patties made from wagyu (Kobe) beef from Ruy and Livi last week and we had been looking forward to having them for lunch. We've never had wagyu before and I have to say the burgers were really good.

I encountered a glitch though - the patties were quite thick and seeing that we have no grill, I had to pan fry them. The result? The outsides were a bit burnt while the insides were still raw. The situation was quickly remedied by making several trips back to the stove.

Lesson learned - cook in low heat first. They were still good!