Of Adobo and our Frontliners

I was not looking into posting this. Especially not here on my blog. 

"But when you give to someone in need, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." - that's written on Matthew chapter 6 verse 3 of the bible. It's a cardinal rule to most catholic family like ours, when you give to the needy, do it secretly. 

The photos here were taken while we were preparing food and distributing it to some of our frontliners including those manning the check points we were aiming to feed and extend help to. All of it were taken with my beat-up mobile phone and were meant only for personal consumption - forced of habit because I'm a blogger, also, a remembrance of some sort. 

"Ma'am, baka pwede nyo po i-post sa Facebook, para makita ng iba. Para ma-inspire din po sila magpadala ng tulong. Nabubuhayan po kame ng loob pag nakikita namin na hindi po kame nakakalimutan."  

After hearing those words from one of the frontliners in between spoonfuls of the adobo and rice that my family and I prepared for them, I know I have a promise to keep. 

How to Make Nutella & Marshmallow Grilled Sandwich

If we go back to six months ago and you'll tell me that I will be where I am right now, I probably wouldn't believe you. But life happens. Six months into corporate life and sometimes, I still can't believe that I veered away from doing what I have been doing for a decade and accepted a more challenging role that requires majority of my time in a day coupled with solid commitment. But I am not complaining. 

I am grateful that I still have the child-like enthusiasm every time I go to work. I am grateful that no matter how challenging things can get, I still find myself looking forward to meeting new batch of trainees I need to handle, making sure they are somehow equipped with knowledge and skills they need to become a well-functioning employees when they get to the grind. I am grateful. 

While work can give sense of fulfilment in my book, it is certainly not a walk in the park. There are still some times when I find myself questioning if I am in the right track. There are still some times when the nagging question why am I doing this to myself haunts me. 

There are times when I feel like nothing makes sense until one employee or two would come up to me and hug me or tap me with such gratefulness because they have finally passed the certification. Those moments are golden. Those moments made me realize that hey, I love this job. 

8 Reasons Why You Should Buy Instant Pot [Instant Pot Philippines]

Prior to the launch of Instant Pot here in the Philippines, I use my mother's old-school hand-me-down  pressure cooker she acquired from my grandmother. I love the novelty of family heirlooms that survived generations, don't get me wrong. But if you know how are the pressure cooker of yesteryears - safety and all, you would understand why this girl needs some moving on.

The first time that I was introduced to Instant Pot was years ago when an aunt from Ontario let me try a delicious fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs she made in less than an hour with her Instant Pot. That time, I knew I fell in love - with both the ribs and the Instant Pot.

Now that Instant Pot is already here in the Philippines, my love continues. And the more I use it, the more I see how effective and impressive this kitchen appliance is. So in this blog post, I am going to share with you 8 Reasons Why You Should Buy An Instant Pot. Because I'm pretty sure you would love it too.

Instant Pot is Now in the Philippines!

Instant Pot is now here in the Philippines and that is one news I am excited to share. Because let me tell you, whether you love to cook or not too fond of it, Instant Pot can be that one sleek and smart helper in the kitchen we all want to have. Who doesn't want one revolutionary kitchen appliance that can function and replace seven other types of appliances in the kitchen? 

Instant Pot, a smart Electric Pressure Cooker is known and designed to be safe, convenient, and dependable. It has proven to be an effective kitchen appliance and a pretty popular one at that judging by the various Instant Pot-related Facebook groups and pages you can see online. And yes, this best-selling product in Amazon has a cult following. 

Now that Instant Pot is already here in the Philippines, we all got good reason to acquire one or two for ourselves. 

How To Cook Tteokbokki 떡볶이 [Toppokki / Dukbokki] Easy Korean Spicy Rice Cake Recipe

This recipe for Tteokbokki 떡볶이 or Korean Spicy Rice Cake, alongside majority of the Korean food recipes I know I learned from an Ajumma 아줌마 (Korean elderly woman) who owned a Korean restaurant near the place where I used to live. My friendship with this ajumma didn't really start off on the right foot, you see. She used to dislike me.

For her, I was this annoying girl who speaks in broken Korean while asking for extra servings of kimchi more than a normal customer would. Until I grew on her. I somehow and surprisingly charmed my way through her heart and the next thing I know she was handing me a notes of her Korean food recipes before boarding the plane that will bring her back to her motherland for good.

I miss her. I miss hanging out in her restaurant and annoying her with my Konglish until she feeds me good food because she'd rather see this annoying girl devour her food happily instead of talking things she cannot understand. But when we speak the language of food, we become friends, there was nothing we cannot understand.

Buta No Kakuni Recipe 豚の角煮 [How To Cook Japanese Braised Pork Belly]

There was this Japanese movie I've seen years ago which title and other information, to my dismay, escaped my mind currently. What I can remember however, was this scene of a man in search of something, who chanced upon an izakaya in the middle of nowhere.

The man, obviously worn out and exhausted from his quest was fed with what the audience can surmise as the best Buta No Kakuni he has ever had in his life. That moment gave him a sort of clarity - a fresh breath of courage to continue with his journey. 

That particular scene was very meaningful thus, it is one which to this day clings to my mind. It was bleeding with metaphorical representation of a despondent man being fed with an edible pep-talk - and a good one at that. By the end of the scene, he was beaming with optimism like that of a glistening chunks of kakuni that hopefully unlike the man's newfound courage, will melt in the mouth.

It was so subtle yet powerful. 

A Late Hello, an Update, a YouTube Channel, and a Very Simple Toast Recipe

Hello lovely readers! It wasn't my intention to turn this blog into a space-gathering dust but somehow it did and I apologize. 2019 started out all well and good but the super cold weather where I am right now is taking a toll on my health I've been sick on and off for the past weeks. I know it is rather late but let me greet you a Happy and Prosperous 2019! I am claiming that this year will be filled with blessings, fulfilled dreams, answered prayers, and delightful surprises for all of us. And yes of course, good health.

So, first blog post for the year. Nothing grandiose, really. As a matter of fact, I am still on my PJ's and lazily sitting on my bed as I am writing this because I am still nursing residual colds from the mean flu that knocked me down recently. But I figured, the Chinese New Year has passed (gōng xǐ fā cái, btw) and I still haven't blogged about anything yet. So, hello there!

I started a YouTube Channel. I have been wanting to start one for a while now because almost everyone in my family have their own channel filming the things they love for all the world to see, while I, was constantly battling the idea of starting my own channel versus my love for my privacy. At the end of the day, a lot of people talked me into starting one. Shout out to my friend Richie a.k.a. The Pickiest Eater In The World, who gave me an encouraging nudge to just get my sh*t together and start.

So here I am - navigating ever so carefully the colourful world of creating videos on YouTube. 

5-Day Meal Plan with US Potato #USPotatoPowerPH

Regular readers of this blog know how much I love US Potatoes whether it is fresh, frozen, or dehydrated. Over the  years, I have shared several recipes here on the blog using US Potatoes. To this day, I am still a believer. I  rely on US Potato if I want to create and eat something good and nutritious.

I’m working my way to a much healthier me- starting with quitting my smoking habit (which I’ve done for almost a year now), being mindful on the food that I consume, and exercise daily.

Quitting smoking entails gaining weight for some and that includes me. That is why recently, I have come up with a simple way to manage my food intake. I am not too crazy about getting thin because truth is, I am at peace with my body structure. What I am concerned about is being healthy. I don't mind being plump, I just want to be healthy.

Korean Potato Pancake Recipe [How To Make 감자전 Gamja Jeon]

I have always been a believer of the wonders of US Dehydrated Potatoes. I have been working on various recipes using it and every time, I am falling for the convenience it brings. I have previously mentioned here on the blog that I am one of those old souls who appreciates the art of slow food. However, it does not negate the fact that sometimes, convenience and time come as a priority - especially when a situation calls for it.

I am a recipe developer and food stylist by trade so, it is important to me that the materials I am using for my clients are of good quality, convenient to use, versatile, and do not require too much time to prepare because in this profession, time is gold.

In recipe development, I often use US Potatoes - fresh, frozen, and dehydrated. I am a believer of the nutritional value that one can get from US Potatoes so it is part of my arsenal. I have shared recipes here on the blog that use both fresh and frozen US Potatoes. Now it's time to tackle  US Dehydrated Potatoes.

Potato Salad in Dill Yogurt Dressing Healthy and Easy Recipe

This easy and healthy US Potato Salad in Dill Yogurt Dressing recipe is one of my favorite snacks to whip up when I need something that can boost my energy and satisfy my tummy. I would normally have this as my pre-work out grub since it is very light and US Potato is  good energy booster aside from its many health benefits.

If you have been reading my blog, or even if you just have poked around it a bit, I am guessing it is no secret to you that I am a believer of US Potato. I have blogged about it several times already and the fact that I am still doing so to this day says a lot about my belief on it.

Now allow me to give you a little back story on why I am sharing this healthy recipe to you and my love for US Potato. Months ago, I have ditched several bad health habits I have been doing with reckless abandon for years now. 

How to Make German Spätzle from Scratch [Bacon and Cheese Spaetzle Recipe]

I have a list of recipes using KitchenAid Stand Mixer and as promised, I am going to share it here on the blog. First one is this easy recipe for Homemade Cheese and Bacon Spaetzle also known as Kasespaetzle with bacon thrown in the mix. And with the help of stand mixer, I am going to show you how to make basic spaetzle recipe from scratch.

I am crazy about doing things and making food from scratch because that is how we normally do it here on the mountain where I am currently at. Such a tedious task, you say. Don't fret. KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer got our back. It makes things easier, I tell you.

But first, what is Spaetzle (Spätzle)? There are tons of information about Spaetzle you can find online but to make our life easier, Spaetzle is basically a German pasta in shape of a sparrow. Some refer it as egg noodle dumplings, you get the gist.

Meet the New KitchenAid Artisan MINI

I am super stoked to share recipes using my new KitchenAid Mini Stand Mixer but let me give you first some information you want to know about this new addition to the KitchenAid family. It was only early this month when KitchenAid Mini was launched here in the Philippines facilitated by Focus Global Inc., the exclusive distributor of KitchenAid here in the country. 

Thanks to the fun hands-on baking class led by no less than chef Miko Aspiras during the launch, I personally got to experience the amazing power of this new baby. With that, I am excited for you my dear readers to #MeetTheMini. 

"Mini" is the operative word because compared to other full size KitchenAid titl-head stand mixers, KitchenAid Mini is 20% smaller and 25% lighter but said to be just as powerful. 

Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Filippo Berio Olive Oil, Classic Pesto, and Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

This recipe for bruschetta using Filippo Berio Olive Oil, Classic Pesto, and Sun Dried Tomato Pesto is so easy you can whip it up in no time. This is my go to recipe when I need to instantly come up with delicious grub for spontaneous party, unexpected visitors, or if I am just simply craving for what I consider a taste of sunshine in my palate.

I have quite a number of recipes in my arsenal using Filippo Berio products. Yet for today, I am going for the easiest but downright delicious nonetheless.

There are several olive oils and ready-made pesto in the market today but Filippo Berio is one of those which I have come to trust. In terms of quality and value for money, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t have it as staple in my pantry.