zee

Since last night I was thinking of cooking something special. It's long weekend and am looking forward to a hearty lunch. Hearty not considering the number of dishes but because of the people I will be spending my lunch with, my family and household helps.

So here, we went to Crossing wet market early in the morning and decided on grilled squid and liempo (pork belly). I was looking for a good salmon steak when I saw a good quality tanigue. I changed my mind. Instead of cooking Sinigang na Salmon or a salmon spread this week, I opted for a Kinilaw na Tanigue. It is like a salad where the Tanigue meat will be 'cooked' using vinegar. So here is how I did it...

Ingredients:

750g Tanigue meat

1/4 cup vinegar for washing fish meat

1/4 cup vinegar for 'cooking'

2 tbsp rock salt

2 tbsp ginger, finely chopped

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

red bell pepper, julliened

cucumber, julliened

green chili, thinly sliced

lemon, cut 1/2 into wedges and squeeze the other half

pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Dice tanigue meat and then wash with vinegar. Put in rock salt when meat turns opaque, mix thoroughly to remove strong fish odor.

2. Chill for 15 minutes.

3. Mix all the vegetables in a bowl. Put in rock salt and pepper. Once washed fish meat is chilled, drain the vinegar and salt solution and mix with the vegetables.

4. Now, put fresh vinegar and squeeze in half of the lemon.

5. Toss.

6. Place lemon wedges on at the sides before serving.

Chill again before serving.

New Orleans, not the adopted hometown of the famous celebrity family Jolie-Pitt but the dining destination in Bonifacio High Street, offers an Oyster meal that will definitely satisfy your craving for this treasure from a shell.  In my last post, I have mentioned of Oyster Amatricana (Or was it Americana?) a deep fried Oyster topped with mango salsa placed on a platter of salt and garnished with lettuce.

 

For Peso 330+/order this dish is definitely good for a group order and not bad at around 33 a piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Last night, my friends and I went to Bonifacio High Street for a stroll, a chat (oh that is an understatement by the way) and of course food. Our friendship started out about two years ago, when from different paths and pasts, we became the pioneer team of an American company here in Philippines. Now, even if we are not in the same company anymore, we still continue to cherish the bonding and find time to go out and enjoy each others company... and most of our exploits are centered on good food.  Too bad Pareng Pol, Chet, Di, Job, and Frank were not able to join us.

So there, we tried out New Orleans and ordered their best seller, Oysters. Let me share not just the good times but also the gastronomic indulgence that we shared.

 

Yan, Zee, MamaH, Ate Mye, and Dod

 

 

Complimentary Garlic Bread

 

New Orleans House Salad >> I never imagined that ketchup is a good salad dressing

 

 

 

Chicken Buffalo Wings >> If you're used to the gigantic wings from Don Henrico's, this one is definitely a surprise (in terms of serving size), but tastes good too.

 

 

Oyster Amatricana >> I had ordered this dish the first time I went to New Orleans but this time, I wanted for my dear friends to really try it. For people who have qualms of eating raw oysters, Oyster Amatricana is the one for you. It is deep fried, hence oyster is well done, then topped with mango salsa.

 

 

 

Clams and Mussels Linguini >> unlike other tomato or cheese based pasta dishes, this one has the flavors of clams and mussels and was served on a sizzling plate... maybe similar to the famous vongole as well but the mussels are a welcome addition. 

 

 

Blackened Chicken with Mashed Potato and Fried Basil

 

     We had Conti's last year for my birthday, but this time, we just missed the good ol' seafood delights that true to it's word, are really delightful. We went to Dampa sa Libis for early dinner to celebrate my birthday. Among my favorites are Chili Crab which reminds me of Singapore and Prawns, which reminds me of my Tatay's (Dad's) cooking.

 

 Chili Prawns, Singang na Sugpo (Prawns in Tamarind Soup), and Chili Crabs

 

 

     I had long discovered this place in Tiendisitas at Frontera Verde but this is the first time for me to write about it. Dining or ordering for take out (to go for some) in Veccing's and Lola Diding's Barbecue * Inihaw * Sarap ng Batangueno has never failed to fill me up or excite the senses of my family members. Maybe one of the reason is that our taste buds have the familiar taste of Batangas dishes as we hail from that province.

     But today, I had a feast of Bulalo (Beef Shanks), Ensaladang Mangga at Itlog na Pula (Red Egg and Mango Salad), and Inihaw na Baboy (Pork Barbecue).

 

     Let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

The Place I called 'home', an extension of our kitchen that is Veccing's and Lola Diding's

 

 

Bulalo, with the cardiac delight bone marrow

 

 

 

 

Ensaladang Mangga at Itlog na Pula

 

 

 

Pork Barbecue (had one bite already hahaha)

 

 

 

I will be posting a series called "Road Trip". This will feature my food trips along the way while revisiting driving with my cousin Frank. Funny as it may seem because in the summer of my 5th elemntary grade going to 6th grade, I have already learned driving an owner type jeep then. Stopping for quite some time, years even, made me unfamiliar and lost my boldness on thye road.

With the emergence of so much bikes and scooters in the sidewalks, yes not just roads but also sidewalks, Manila roads has become more chaotic than ever. Who would say Filipinos are that poor when a family can own more than two cars, our neighbor has twelve!

Well, I am not sure where the road will lead me, but somewhere along the way, there'll be stop overs that will surely fill me up.

My mom and I had a hard time thinking of where to watch Iron Man, the Movie. When we eventually agreed in going to Greenbelt, we ended up in Rockwell. The reason being is Milkyway. I have been mentioning about craving for something new in the past days when I suddenly realized that I haven't eaten in Milkyway for more than a year now and a visit today is most welcome.

 

Excited not just for a movie, we went for lunch first and there was no doubt that we will order Sinigang na Salmon when we saw it in the counter. It's not easy cooking salmon. Maybe some will disagree but for me it is difficult. The process of cooking this pink meat is easy but removing the strong smell is difficult. Also, there should be balance between making it smell nice or not overcooking the fish.

So that's why there is Milkyway, it's their problem anymore, not mine (hahaha) all that I needed to do is just order then eat. Unfortunately my mon was so happy about this dish that I had to remind her, "The plate is not edible, Mom" :-)

 

 

 Milkyway also offers "To Go" foods and Frozen Foods if you want to enjoy their dishes at the comfort of your homes. Next time I go back, I'll revisit the taste of their pasta, salads, and sandwiches with a galss of Sago and Gulaman.

I haven't gotten over my little careless incident earlier of deleting my original post on Haagen Dazs Food Event lheld in the first company owned branch in Mall of Asia (MOA) held May 14, 2008.

 

 

 

 

When we (with Arpee, Noreen, and her brother) arrived in MOA, we don't have any other expectation but the best of what the 'Rolls Royce' of ice cream has to offer. We were welcomed and presented with their new flavors  and were given the choice of creations, Waffle Dream and/or Dark Chocolate Orange Brownie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Typhoon Cosme may have taken Metro Manila 'by storm' but it was quite a gloomy day today. Windy and dark. I was just browsing my vox account and editing some things with one eye, I was soooo sleepy this afternoon that's why. Suddenly it hit me, "Wait a sec, where is my Pre-birthday @ Haagen Dazs post?"

Well, I deleted it. Accidentally.

 As I have mentioned in my first post, I am not a seriously good writer so all the efforts and excitement that I poured into that writing suddenly went kapoof.

Anyway, I'm still finding words on how to rebuild it.

Lessons Learned in Blogging:

• Have a backup.
• Don't edit when half asleep.
• Browse only in phone and edit on a PC/notebook.

There...

I keep on hearing a lot of people say how fast days go by in these past few months. It was Monday and then after after just a few turns, a week has passed by.

Yesterday morning, I was in the same fast-paced mode as many of us are when I noticed these yellow flowers from the street. It was as fresh as what summer could have been. With the global warming and all the drastic environmental changes in this age, seeing these Yellow April Showers (in the month of May :-) ) has made me stop and capture its beauty in photos. Unmindful of the people who see me taking picture of a tree in a very busy street.

 

 

Stop and smell (I didn't literally smelled it by the way) the flowers. It was a good way to start a day.