Food Friday

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

Manang Kim, who owns the blog @my tabletop, with her blog post: Street Food.

Most of us like to nibble or munch in between meals. We all try to eat healthy (well, at least I'd like to think so) but of course sometimes we just can't resist all those sweet/spicy/salty/savoury/oily snacks that is all around us. I don't think eating chips is bad but everything must be in moderation. Enough said, lol. Just head on over to Manang Kim's post and check out what else they had that day! Just click on the shot above and you'll get there safe and sound. 

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My food post for this week is something that I used to have on a weekly basis when I was growing up: Sauteed Halaan (Ark Shell) <------ am not sure if that's the proper name of the bivalve, so do correct me if i'm wrong. :)

Ingredients

• fresh live halaan shells (I bought a kilo)
• ginger, onion, garlic (all thinly sliced and diced)
• vegetable oil, pepper, water

Procedure:

• Place the shells on water and set aside.
• Prepare the ginger, onion, and garlic. You may opt to pound the ginger and garlic, like what we used to do back then...I just like mine small since I like to eat the garlic bits. Weird, I know. lol
• Heat the pan, then add the vegetable oil (use whatever oil you like). Place the ginger, onion and garlic on to the pan, then stir for about a minute or so under low heat.
• Remove the shells from the water then dump them on the hot pan. Stir for a bit then add water (just enough to cover the shells). Add pepper.
• Cover and let simmer for around five to ten minutes, or until the shells have opened.
• Best served hot.

We were fortunate enough to be growing up on a coastal area so we had access to all the fresh bounty that the surrounding waters had to offer. Shot above was taken two days ago when I accompanied SIL to the wet market...and that's where I saw the "halaan". Of course, I just had to buy one kilo to bring home (it costs only Php40 - more or less just US$1!!) and cook them (with my SIL's permission, of course, since that's where we're staying right now)! lol.

*all shots taken using phonecam...no fancy-shmancy shots in my food post today! lol. :D

Reminder: Please don't forget to link back (a simple text would be great, or you may use the buttons provided here). Also, please try to visit the other party-goers and leave some commentluv to let them know that you dropped by. Many thanks! :)

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Last month

Yeah, that's me and my shadow. Shot taken last month. :D

Food Friday

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

Mommy Bonz, who blogs over at Bonz World (World of Food and Health), with her blog post: Shopping and Food Last Weekend.

Food always tastes exceptionally good when shared with family and friends. Most of the time we just can't help getting second servings with the goodies spread right in front of us (all the while talking and laughing with our companions)! Looks like Mommy Bonz and her family had a wonderful time eating out that day. Want to know more? Then do check out her site,

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My food post is another personal fave: Monggo (Mung beans)

Ingredients

• mung beans (soaked overnight)
• tomatoes, malunggay leaves (moringa), bell pepper, red onions, garlic
• salt, pepper, soy sauce (just a drop, or two)
• cooking oil for sauteing
• fish sauce and chicken stock (both optional)

Procedure:

• Boil mung beans in water until soft and mushy, with a pinch of salt.
• Heat another pot and saute tomatoes, bell pepper, red onions, and garlic.
• Dump the boiled mung beans in the pot, liquid and all. Let simmer for a bit, then taste accordingly (here's where you add the soy sauce/fish sauce/pepper/salt). Add the malunggay/moringa leaves. You may opt to add stock (we like chicken stock, but it's entirely up to you) if it's too dry.
• Once satisfied, serve immediately. Perfect with steamed rice. I also like it sometimes with a crusty loaf.

There are loads of variations with this dish and that's what I love about it: the variety and versatility! Both my sons like eating this dish (though my youngest doesn't eat the bell peppers, lol). This was regularly served when I was growing up (sometimes meat was added, or a different veggie - like the bitter gourd leaf! - mixed in; whatever was readily available that time) so it has been added to my long list of comfort foods. lol. I personally like it without meat, though. :D


Reminder: Please don't forget to link back (a simple text would be great, or you may use the buttons provided here). Also, please try to visit the other party-goers and leave some commentluv to let them know that you dropped by. Many thanks! :)

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Happy Chomping...

...simple pleasures. :)

sharing over at Happiness Is...

#SuperEvent #Giveaway: TriLight Health {$200 Credits}

So excited to bring you another #SuperEvent Giveaway! This week is all about TriLight Health a high quality liquid herbal product supplier! Hosted by Full Price? Never! with contributing bloggers CuzinLogic and MyCraftyLife.

About TriLight Health: For over 20 years now, TriLight Health (formerly TriLight Herbs) has faithfully supplied their customers nationwide with their high quality line of liquid herbal products. They were the first company to specialize in great tasting, non-alcoholic herbal formulas for pregnancy, children, and the family. Their exclusive 3 Stage Liquid Light Process is what makes their products Fast Acting and Effective for adults, but Tastes so good that children will LOVE them!

#Giveaway: My Name is Handel (CD for kids)

This giveaway is made possible by Maestro Classics and the Review is done by Colleen owner of Colleen's Book Nook. 

Did you know that Maestro Classics CDs have won over 45 national awards? Impressive, huh?

And did you also know that Maestro Classics has a Kid's Club? You can sign your child up for monthly puzzles, games and activities. Good thing the kids can go online at their site and get the answers to the puzzles and activities. You and your children can also find how to make lots of homemade instruments on their pinterest site! I suggest you check them out.

So this is how I came to find out about Maestro Classics and the wonderful CD My Name is Handel!:  Bonnie, from Maestro Classics, had originally sent me their CD "The Soldier's Tale" to review. It was not to my family's liking (we all felt the story was too dark for us, although I hear it is a smash with jr high and high school boys), so I shared this with Bonnie. Bonnie wanted me to hear some of their other stories set to music, so unbeknown to me, Bonnie sent me two wonderful CD's that our family has loved, My Name is Handel and Tortoise and the Hare. And I want YOU to know that Maestro Classics is wonderful to work with and will help make sure you find the right "fit" for your child!

I have a 4 yr old grandson and an 11 month old granddaughter and you wouldn't think that children that young would enjoy the classics, but my grandson loves My Name is Handel! He was brought up as a baby listening to the classics and enjoys them. The story about Handel is short with lovely & LIVELY music that he LOVES to listen to! He will ask to have this CD played! He sits in a trance listening to the story and music. So if you want to introduce your child, grandchild or anybody else to the classics, this CD is perfect!

Maestro Classics is giving this fabulous CD,
  My Name is Handel, to one of our lucky readers!

Open to US only
Enter on the Rafflecopter below. Lots of Luck!

Food Friday

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

Ms. Che who owns the blog Sweet Memoirs, with her blog post: Pronto Pizzeria

Another pizza for this week's featured player's post! Gosh, pizza lovers are all over! lol. This time, it's a blog post by Ms. Che (I have featured her food post before, here), when she and her family went out. Actually, I believe that they didn't just "go out"...want to know more? Then check out her post! :)

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So sorry, haven't had the chance to visit much these past few weeks...that's because my family and I are on a month-long vacation and the internet connection is quite moody here; one minute it's on and quite fast and the next minute it goes kaput! Frustrating, but that's life. ;P

Anyway, another super simple recipe... Potato Omelette.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs (scrambled)
• ground pork (not sure about the exact amt, but am sure i used less than 1/4 kg)
• one medium potato (peeled and diced)
• half red onion (diced)
• one garlic (sliced finely)
• cooking oil, water, soy sauce, salt, pepper
• pepper flakes (optional)

Procedure

• Place ground pork in pan with a small amount of water. Heat up pan, add soy sauce (around a tablespoon). pepper, and salt to meat. Cook till water has dissolved. You may add a bit of cooking oil if it's too dry. Add diced potatoes, onion, and garlic. Season. Once cooked, set aside.
• Heat up another pan and add a bit of cooking oil. Add the scrambled eggs, then after it has set/cooked for a bit place the cooked meat/potato mixture on one side. Drizzle some pepper flakes, if you want. Flip the empty side over to cover the mixture. You may opt to flip the whole omelette again just to make sure everything's cooked to how you like it. Transfer to a serving plate. Pepper flakes again, if you're like me. lol.
• Done! :)

My youngest always likes his omelette with loads of ketchup while the eldest and I always have ours with pepper flakes. Went well with the pan de sal (the breakfast rolls we have commonly around here; literally means "bread of salt") that we had, together with our choice of drinks (I had coffee while the youngest and eldest had their Swiss Miss drinks).

Reminder: Please don't forget to link back (a simple text would be great, or you may use the buttons provided here). Also, please try to visit the other party-goers and leave some commentluv to let them know that you dropped by. Many thanks! :)

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