Food Friday

This week's featured Food Friday player is...

Ms. Dominique, who blogs over at Dominique's Desk, with her blog post: Beef Macaroni and Chocolate Cake on a Friday

Ms. Dominique is a mom with three kids, and her blog shares mostly about parenting topics. Since she is also interested in baking and cake decorating, well, expect to see some of that in her blog, too. Do click on the photo and let's know more about this lovely elementary school teacher, and what's keeping her busy these days.

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Sorry, I didn't get to dabble much in the kitchen (except maybe fix a quick breakfast - oatmeal, usually - or to get myself a hot drink), since the past few days were quite busy and that left me less time to cook. Yup, we ordered and had food delivered or we ate out. Hopefully, next week the schedule would not be as hectic. Keeping my fingers crossed...

I'll be posting instead one of our fave food choices when we eat out: Japanese food. I think they are a bit expensive (the Scrooge in me taking over again, lol) but you just can't beat the fresh taste, as well as the fact that their cuisine is relatively healthy compared to some of our dishes. Some might not agree, but that's ok. lol. Am just happy my kids love Japanese food and the veggies that came with it! :D

This is what we'd usually order (just the two kids and I):

Forgot to take a shot of the other dish that came with that order, though. I think it was called crispy chicken (first time we tried it)...and we all decided we would order it again next time. :)

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Busy...

Been busy...too many things to do. Too little time.

Sleepy...Zzzzzzz.

*snores

Food Friday

This week's Featured in Food Friday player is...

Ms. Jessica, who blogs over at Home Cooking with Jessy, with her post: My little girl's first time to eat at Jollibee

It's wonderful that after six years Ms. Jessy has managed to go back home and even bring along her kid to meet some of the family! I can just imagine her mom's apprehension meeting her granddaughter for the first time and finally hugging her. Eating in one of her fave fast food restaurants must also be a real treat after all those years! Am sure you had an awesome vacation here, Ms. Jessy! To know more, click on the picture above.

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A basic recipe for Pancake is my post for this week. Yeah, so basic and you can add fruits to liven it up, or maybe make it savoury instead of sweet. Your call. :)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp coarse salt
• 2 3/4 tsps baking powder
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter, plus more for serving
• Vegetable oil, for the griddle
• Pure maple syrup, warmed, for serving

*note: I used 1 1/2 tbsp muscovado sugar and added 1 tbsp vanilla extract
I didn't have maple syrup; I used confectioner's powdered sugar instead

Procedure:

• Mix together the dry ingredients first.
• Make a hole in the center then add in the wet ingredients. Mix well.
• Put vegetable oil (I used canola oil) into the pan and cook until you see bubbles on the side; then flip them over. Wait a few minutes then place on clean plate. Spread some butter on top and the maple syrup (in my case, I used powdered sugar). Enjoy.

Usually, we eat them as they cook. Tastes much better that way. lol. I must admit, the pancakes were not as fluffy as I wanted. But it tasted great. :)

Also, I forgot where I got the recipe, so sorry! Will post it here when I do manage to find the site...was browsing via my phone that day when I copied the recipe. :P

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The Least

As we grow older we can't help but think about how some bodily functions we seem to take for granted are really as precious as our life. I know, that might sound dramatic, but my mom has this hearing problem and that's why we are thinking of getting her a hearing aid together with some hearing aid accessories. The doctor said it is because of old age (she's now 80years old) so we have to understand if she finds it difficult at times.

My parents are not perfect but we all love them. They have certainly done their job as wonderful parents and that's why I think it's time that we take care of them this time.

That's the least that we can do. :)

New Toy

Oh yeah, I finally got myself an olloclip! So happy they have one of these around here...am satisfied with the purchase, though the macro lens needs some major getting used to. Still fun though. :)

Unexpected

Life is really unpredictable. A former high school batchmate just suddenly left us over the weekend. I know, really sad. He was working overseas and my batch have this account on one of those networking sites where we all keep in touch. We never knew he'd be gone so soon. I am not that active on the site so I was informed only via text. That (and a lot of other unexpected happenings) prompted me to check out life insurance over at www.equote.com. There are lots of options and I must admit I am liking the idea.

Better be safe than sorry. I know, I think I say that a lot. :D

Food Friday

This week's Featured in Food Friday player is...

Ms. Jenn who blogs over at Tara Let's Eat with her blog post: A Refreshing Break

I really have a lovely time whenever I visit Ms. Jenn's food blog since she not only writes well, she also takes yummy food shots (and we all know that yummy shots plus good writing is a lethal combo specially when you have a food blog!). Do visit her; you won't be disappointed if you're looking for anything food, and give yourself a yummy treat as well!

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This week's food post is another simple, easy, and fast dish: Ground Pork with Onions. I honestly prefer fast, easy, and healthy dishes (that doesn't mean i don't love eating food that takes-eons-to-prepare-and-cook, of course! lol) since sometimes I don't have the luxury of cooking ahead of time.  I know I will, one of these days. :)

Ingredients:

• ground pork (around 1/4 kg)
• red onion (2 big ones, or you may use white onion, sliced)
• garlic (3 cloves, diced)
• soy sauce, black pepper, salt, Italian seasoning, cooking oil
• boiled egg, steamed rice

Procedure:

• Make sure the ground pork is properly thawed. Put in pan with a bit of water (around half a cup). Add soy sauce, pepper, salt, and the Italian seasoning. Let simmer until the water evaporates.
• You may add a tablespoon or two of your preferred cooking oil, if there isn't enough oil to saute the sliced onions and diced garlic. Mix well, until the onions turns translucent. You may add some more seasonings at this point.
• Once you're satisfied, remove from heat and place cooked pork on top of steamed rice, together with boiled egg.
• Done!

This dish is so simple, so you may add other herbs/spices or anything else to it (maybe even a veggie). Your call. All I know that day was that I wasn't really in a mood to think what to cook...I just wanted to have something hot and substantial to appease my growling stomach. lol.

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Ixora spp.

raining again...

Food Friday

This week's Featured player is...

Ms. Che, who owns the blog Sweet Memoirs, with her blog post: Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe

That's Cheese Baked Rice with Black Pepper Beef...and am drooling just looking and thinking how that will taste like! We have here another food post by Ms. Che during one of her family's spur of the moment trip! I have to say, though, the drinks and the dessert got me...want to know what I am mumbling about? Then do click on the picture and see!

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Am afraid my post for today is just Orange. Yeah, I haven't done lots of cooking lately because I got sick (in fact, I am still sick right now...sigh. must be a sign of aging! lol. plus the fact that these rains hasn't let up much, causing floodings almost everywhere! we're lucky the floods hasn't reached us yet...and I pray it stays that way). To those who were/are greatly affected, I hope that the water will subside soon and you can return to your homes the soonest.

My sons like eating oranges, too, and sometimes my youngest peels them himself and gives it to me. He knows mommy is sick. :)

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A Flower

A rather sweet rain lily from my sister's garden...They stay true to their name: the flowers usually bloom during the rainy season! :)

Life's Lesson

My older sister graduated a nurse, and when we were both going to college we were given everything what we needed; and just a bit of what we wanted (am assuming you know what I mean. lol). We understood our situation, of course (there were three of us going to college at the same time!). My sister wanted one of those nurse watches they've been told about, while I wanted to complete my tackle box (yeah, we had one of those for our surgery lab). We eventually got those. :D

I am glad that my parents are not super rich. Yeah. Really. Life has taught me a lot of things (like something as simple as riding the public transpo, when we went to college) and for that I am forever grateful. Now if only I can teach my children the same thing... :)

Food Friday

This week's Featured in Food Friday player is...

Ms. Winnie, who owns Something Sweet with her blog post: Sweet Potato Brioche

Doesn't that look really tasty? I just love the food posts Ms. Winnie has up her blog and this is definitely one of my favorites! Let's all go and visit her site and check out what's she baking right now. :)

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Since it has been raining almost constantly for the past few days, I wanted to cook something that we'd love on any cool weather: chicken tinola. However, I didn't have the ingredients for it (lol) so decided to try something else instead with what was available: Chicken Cooked in Milk (with Talbos ng Kamote/Young Sweet Potato Leaves).

Ingredients:

• chicken (i used half a chicken, cut into serving pieces)
• talbos ng kamote/sweet potato leaves (about 2 cups)
• evaporated milk (about half a cup - you may use coconut milk, of course)
• bellpepper
• salt, pepper, dried herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme, basil), ground cummin (optional)
• water, cooking oil, chili, onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and fish sauce (optional)

Procedure:

• I marinated the chicken pieces in soy sauce, salt, pepper, and the dried herbs overnight.
• Placed cooking oil on a hot pot, added diced ginger, garlic, and onions. Then I dumped in the marinated chicken pieces, letting it cook for about ten minutes, stirring every once in a while.
• Once I was satisfied, I added the bellpepper (I honestly almost forgot this! lol), then the milk and water (just enough to cover the chicken). Salt, pepper, and cummin (this is optional; just a pinch or so) were added next.
• Let it simmer for around 25-30 more minutes. Once you're satisfied, add the talbos (sweet potato leaves) and the fish sauce (optional). Adjust the taste.
• Normally, I'd turn off the fire at this point since the heat will continue cooking the leaves. After ten more minutes it's done! But, if you want to serve it faster, leave the fire on and let it continue to simmer for about five minutes, then serve immediately.

This was the first time that I totally cooked chicken in evaporated milk, instead of coconut milk, and the verdict? YUMMY! I could do this again. The leaves added a nice dimension to the taste, too..,am thinking of using malunggay leaves next time. :)

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Directions

Honestly, I think am terrible with directions, so having one of those gps tom tom can help me a lot! Hubby's different: he can get his bearings easily and fast. Is that a man and woman thing? I really don't know. Maybe. That's why I suggested we get a car gps if he wants me to do the driving. lol.

Will have to do some more research about this...am really interested. Or can anybody help out there? :)

Rain

"Rain rain go away...come again another day". lol. Must have heard that a million times these past few days. But what can we do? It's the rainy season! :)

At the supermarket

Going to the supermarket these days is kind of tiring because of the weather...almost always raining! Gondola Shelving in most supermarkets can help ease the routine though, specially if it's well arranged and well-stocked. Having a three-year old along and pushing a cart can be nerve-wracking at times, lol.

Sometimes it's hubby who does the shopping for us when he has the time; and for that am really thankful! :)