"Sinigang na Bangus at Hipon" (Milkfish & Shrimp in Tamarind Soup)

It's my hubby in the picture. He loves seafoods... isn't it obvious? Sipping the soup in the serving bowl. Hehe!

Good for 5 servings.


You'll need:

• 6 cups of rice wash or water
• 3 red over ripe tomatoes, topped
• 1 large red onion, quartered
• 2 small pcs taro (gabi)
• 1 medium raddish, cut diagonally at 1/2" thick
• 1 medium eggplant, cut diagonally at 1" thick
• 2 pcs finger chilis
• 2-3 tsps of iodized coarse salt
• 1 small pouch of sinigang powder with gabi
• 1 pc (550 grams) milkfish
• 1/4 kg of medium-sized shrimps
• a bunch of kangkong (tender stalks & leaves only)

Here's how:

In a heavy bottom casserole, place the first-four ingredients. Cover. Place over medium-high fire, bring to boil. Cook for 12-15 minutes. Follow with the raddish and eggplant. Put the lid on and cook for another 4 minutes.

Mash the tomatoes carefully. Add the chilis, salt, sinigang powder, fish and shrimps. Mix gently. Put the cover. Cook for a few minutes or until shrimps change color. Put the kangkong. Cook until crisp-tender.

Serve with warm cooked rice and patis.

Cheska's Bday & Jared's Christening

These photos were taken two days ago.... a double celebration, Cheska's Birthday and Jared's Christening. The newest member of the Nery Clan.

My kiddo, Tita Tin and the birthday girl, Cheska!


Welcome to the Christian World... Jared Julian Nery!

Torres Clan: Lolo Torres Funeral & An Instant Family Reunion

Earlier, we went to Bulacan to attend the funeral of "Lolo Torres", my father-in-law. After that, we spent the rest of the day in Tong-tong's newly built house. It's beautiful and has a very large backyard. All the kids had a great time. They played poker, pingpong and did other stuff, like making fun of each other.... teasing around. Dinner time was spent in "malaking bahay". It's a family reunion, an instant one! .... sobrang saya!


Addams family with Tito Danny


Lola Gonyang and my kiddo.


Kuya Ogene and his baby cousin, Hannah.


Lolo Torres funeral


Kulit and Kuya Yokyok at the cemetery.


Lolo Torres


kambal di ba?!


my hubby with her favorite niece, Idel.


grabe, sarap talaga ng kropek!!!


ang mga pasaway! hehe.


mga pa-cute sa cam!


D' hung-hunks!!!


Moy, Leo, Tito Danny and Tong-tong.



Poker Time!


Ping-pong Time!


Kulit and Kuya Mac.... playing chess..... este, dama pala!


Torres Clan

"Breaded Garlicky Pork Fillet" &" Iceberg Lettuce, Red Cabbage and Cucumber Salad with Caesar Salad Dressing"

Last night's dinner.

Ingredients:

Pork fillet:

• 650 grams pork shoulder (kasim), fillet-cut
• 1 tsp fine iodized salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp granulated garlic
• 3 tsps savor, garlic flavor
• 1/3 cup of flour
• 1 pc egg
• 2 tbsps of fresh milk or water
• 100 grams japanese or dried bread crumbs

Salad:

• 1 small pc (225 grams) cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 head (250 grams), iceberg lettuce, torn into small pcs
• 1/4 head (100 grams) red cabbage, shredded
• grated cheese for toppings

Dressing:

• 2/3 cup of mayonnaise
• 1/2 tsp pickle relish
• 1/2 mustard
• 1 tbsp of fresh milk
• a pinch each of fine salt & white pepper
• a little sugar

Procedure:

Clean the pork. Pat dry with towel. Place in a large bowl. Throw in the next-four ingredients for the pork fillet. Mash and mix. Let it stand for a few minutes.

While doing so... Combine in a small bowl the dressing for the salad. Cover with plastic wrap. Place inside the refrigerator.

Back to the marinated pork, sprinkle the flour. Toss the pork until well-coated. Let it stand for awhile. In a separate bowl. Beat the egg and milk until frothy. Pour over the floured pork. Mix well. Add 1/3 of the breadcrumbs, toss. Then, the other 1/3 of the breadcrumbs and toss again. Put the rest of the breadcrumbs, toss! By this time the pork should be well-coated.

Deep-fry in batches until rich golden brown. Oil should be very hot. Drain in lots of paper towels.

Tip: Do not overcrowd the pan when deep frying so that the temperature of the oil will not drop quickly making the pork absorbs more oil.

I prepare the salad while I'm frying the pork to save time. Just put the lettuce, cabbage and cucumber in a large platter or bowl. Sprinkle grated cheese on top. Cover with clingwrap. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with rice or bread.

Chips Ahoy!

I'm not a sweet tooth but if you want me to eat sweets.... it's cookies. I love those bitter-sweet crunchy little things... specially chocolate chip cookies!!!! I can't seem to resist it though it's bad for my blood sugar.... (",)

Temptation..... temptation.... I'll just reduce my food intake later this evening (",) hehe!

Sarap to the bones!!!!

We had "Lolo Pinghoi's Bulalo Soup Recipe" for lunch. I actually saved the pork bones for Luigi. After 4 months with us, he doesn't look like a puppy anymore ...... he's so big!

"Chicken & Vegetables in Oyster Sauce"

Ingredients:

• 2-3 tbsps of cooking oil
• 4 cloves of crushed garlic
• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
• 250 grams chicken, cut into very small pcs
• 325 grams chicken gizzard & liver
• 1 tsp of fine salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1-1/2 cup water
• 3 tbsps oyster sauce
• 1 pc chicken cube
• 1 pc (150 grams) potato, cut into wedges
• 1 small (100 grams) sweet potato, cut into large chunks
• 1 small (100 grams) carrot, half-moon cut - 1/4" thick
• 1 small (250 grams) chayote, cut into chunks
• a bunch of chinese celery, remove roots & cut into1" length
• 1/2 pc (250 grams) cabbage, cut into large chunks
• 1 small (40 grams) red bell pepper, large strips

thickening agent:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 heaping tbsp of flour

Procedure:

Separate gizzard and liver in two bowls. For the liver, wash it twice thoroughly with water removing traces of blood. For the gizzard, using a knife scrape yellow slimy stuff. Mash with rock salt. Wash thoroughly. Set aside.

In a wok, heat oil. Saute garlic until golden brown. Add onion, cook until limp. Dump in the all the chicken, fine salt and pepper. Saute until it changes in color or fragrant.

Add the water, oyster sauce, chicken cube, potato and sweet potato. Mix. Cover. Bring to boil. Let it bubble away in medium-high heat for 7 minutes. Follow with carrot, chayote and chinese celery. Stir. Cook for another 7 minutes with the lid on.

Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the thickening agent. Mix well.

Place the cabbage, bell pepper and thickening agent. Mix. Cover. Let it cook until cabbage is crisp-tender.

Serve with cooked rice.

"Easy Caldereta"

Ingredients:

• 3/4 kg of pork spareribs or shoulder bones, cut up
• 6 cloves garlic, finely crushed with some skin
• 1 medium native onion, finely minced
• 1-1/2 tsp of ground black pepper
• 3 tbsps soy sauce
• 1-1/2 tbsps native or white vinegar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 large potato, cut into wedges
• 1/4 cup green peas
• 1 small pouch (115 grams) tomato sauce
• 2 tbsps grated cheddar cheese
• 1-2 pcs red hot chili, minced (optional)
  

Procedure:

In a thick bottom casserole, place the first-six ingredients. Do not mix. Cover. Place over high-fire, bring to boil. Let it boil for a minute before removing the cover. Mix. Put back the lid on. Bubble away in low fire for 35 minutes.

Increase heat to high, put the rest of the ingredients. Mix very well. Cover. Bring to boil. Then, reduce heat. Let it simmer in low fire again for another 25-30 minutes.

Serve with warm cooked rice.

Banana Heart with Chayote in Coconut Cream Sauce & Milkfish Poached in Vinegar and Spices

Given by my cousin, Ate Vicky .... these were my lunch... very delicious! Earlier this morning, I was having trouble with my tummy. Well, I love any dish with coconut cream.... Eventhough I'm still having attacks of an aching stomach .... Definitely, that didn't stop me from eating this creamy and yummy dish.

Stromboli & Cheesecake from Sbarro

My early dinner. This isn't the first time I tried these two yummies. I liked the combination of cheese and ham inside the bread plus the very aromatic smell and sharp taste of sesame seeds on top of it. Toasted and crunchy on the outside but very soft and gooey in the inside... perfect! As for the cheesecake, I like the mild sweetness of it and creaminess.... heaven! (",)

Tiktilaok & Kruuk-kruuk

The newest addition to our pets.... my kiddo named the rooster, "Tiktilaok" and the hen, "Kruuk-kruuk".

Luigi's Bath Time

This was not the first time Luigi had his bath time with my hubby. The first time around, I wasn't at home to take pictures then. Our pup was quite cool about the whole thing. He didn't even cried though a little scared, in my opinion. A very brave puppy! (",)

After that, we went to my kiddo's school to check his class section and the price of his school uniform. Luigi had a great time walking around the school (ang yabang feeling pogi paano lahat ng makakita sa kanya binabati siyang, "ang cute naman ng dog nyo!"). Then, we went to his vet for his first vaccine shot. It went well also without any hassles from Luigi whatsoever! Good little doggie! (",)


bath time is over!



sun bathing after bath time.

Don Luigi a.k.a. "Taburneek"

Meet the newest member of our family... Don Luigi! Sometimes, we fondly call him, "Taburneek". He's a crossbreed of Chow-chow & Japanese Spitz. Last May 5, my hubby and kiddo went to Cartimar. Supposedly, My hubby wanted a pair of rabbits but our son wanted a puppy. To make the story short, they ended up with Luigi .... cutie, right?!!! (",)

Tin-tin's Cravings

Tin-tin is my buddy. She's like a second mom to my kid, always around in our house almost every weekend (ika nga, laging nakakalat sa bahay namin yan since college days pa!). First, she's one of Clark's (my brother) friends in Olivarez College, then eventually, we became friends. She's like a sister I never had.

Last Saturday night, she was pestering me about eating ice cream or ice craze in Jollibee. Like most weekends, she's here spending the night over. Though, she's still sick from abusing herself... several nights of not sleeping because of beadwork! (feeling mommy talaga ng anak ko pati sya super busy sa mga costumes!) I gave in to her request. I even went out to Jollibee with her in my pajamas... hehehe! Unfortunately, the ice craze products weren't available. We ended up going to Mercury Drugstore to buy ice cream and my hubby's medications. We tried Nestle's new product... "Trio" (cheese, chocolate & melon flavors), it's only php 149.00. It's yummy and cheap. Even Luigi, liked the cheese flavor! By the way, Luigi is the newest member of our family. My next post is all about him, our puppy (",)

The next day (Sunday), for our snack (merienda), we called Jollibee to deliver us the Ice Craze products, My hubby and I had the saba con yelo. Tintin and Lola got the ube-keso. My kiddo got his ever favorite, Jolly Hotdog. Kuya Arcel also gave us his version of "Pancit Canton". He used fresh canton noodles bought in Batangas. It's like miki minus the stinky smell (",)

Sbarro's Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, Garlic Stick & Spaghetti with white sauce

Due to my little one's busy ice skating schedule last month. These pictures are one of those I weren't able to post on this blog. I love eating at Sbarro. Even my hubby who didn't like Italian Cuisine learned to love their food. It's my first time to try their "Chicago Deep Dish Pizza", it tasted good but still my favorite is their "Pan Pizza Supreme" and of course, "Ziti with white sauce". We even tried their "Spaghetti with white sauce and Garlic stick". Nothing to rave about like their "Ziti" but it's okay too!



Chicago Deep Dish Pizza



Garlic Stick and Ziti with white sauce



Spaghetti with white sauce & Garlic Bread

SM- Summer Skate Manila 2007

Last week, May 15-18, my son joined the "SUMMER SKATE MANILA 2007" held in SM-Mall of Asia. Out of 6 events he joined, he got 5 gold and 1 bronze medals.

GOLD
- Delta; Solo Program (Technical)
- Solo Spotlight (Light Entertainment)
- Couple Spotlight (Light Entertainment)
- Stroking
- Surprise

BRONZE
- Speedracing




My son's skating club (ELITE BLADES SKATING CLUB) & home rink (SM-SOUTHMALL ICE RINK) got the "Over-all Team Champion" for garnering the highest points and having the highest numbers of members joining the said competition.

Now, my little one is busy and having a great time with his swimming lessons everyday. But still, 2-3 times a week, he's still at the rink polishing his skating. He's getting ready for the upcoming international competition, "SKATE ASIA 2007" in August. It will be held here in the Philippines at SM- Mall of Asia. Our first time to host an international ice skating competition.

more pictures....

"Quick Pork & Squash Recipe"

It's been over a month since I post something on this blog. I've been very busy with my little one's skating. Almost everyday we are at the rink practicing and polishing his skating. If ever I'm at home, it's time for the household chores. Luckily, my hubby is around to help me. He's still here for his vacation, still thinking if he will go back or not to his work abroad.

I will post very soon my son's pictures and if possible his video c",)

Last night, we had a late snack (merienda), plain congee (lugaw) topped with lots of toasted garlic & tokwa't baboy at around 6pm. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of it, we were too hungry! We had our dinner at around 10.30 pm... hehehe! It's almost like midnight snack! My hubby requested something with veggie. So, for a quick fix, which by the way, I didn't feel like cooking, I came up with this recipe.


You'll need:

• 2 tbsps of cooking oil
• 3 cloves
• 1 large onion
• 2 red plump tomatoes
• 1 slab (250 grams) pork belly
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp of fish sauce
• 1-1/2 tbsp of soy sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 slice (300 grams) squash, seeded & skinned

Here' how:

Clean pork. Cut into 1/2" x 2" cube. Set aside. Cut squash into 1" cube. Set aside.

Finely mince together the onion and tomatoes. Using a mortar and pestle, pound finely the garlic.

In a wok, put oil. Heat thoroughly. Put garlic. Saute until rich golden brown in color. Add the onion and tomatoes. Cook until limp. Put pork, pepper & fish sauce. Stir-fry until pork changes color. Pour the soy sauce and water. Put the lid on. Bring to boil. Then, reduce heat to low for 18-20 minutes.

Add the squash. Increase heat to medium-high. Cover. Cook the squash until done, about 6-8 minutes.

Serve with warm cooked rice.