a repeat, new favorite, something new and grief

I spent the rest of the Holy Month of Ramadan cooking:

Clockwise:

Day 14: Pad Thai
My brother cooked extra noodles for the Vietnamese Pho; he must had misunderstood my instruction I gave him. But instead of getting angry, I simply started to think on how to reuse it and Pad Thai came first thing into my mind. This is my first try: it actually a bit pink in color due to hot sauce I used (not naming the brand). It was a hit, except my dad didn't liked it - it was too sweet for him.

Day 15: Chicken Noodle Soup
This is the noodle soup of my childhood:  shredded chicken, noodles in creamy garlicky broth - no carrots no cabbage.

Day 16: Vegetable Spring roll
My sister didn't had enough last time a made this so I cooked another batch.

Day 17: Garlic Soup
There always a couple of bulb of roasted garlic sitting in my freezer. I usually make this soup whenever I'm having a cold or flu (yes, I still cook even if I'm sick). Though I wasn't sick when I made this; I just ran out of ideas!

Clockwise

Day 19: Pad Thai
My brother was leaving and my family requested Pad Thai for the send off dinner. We found a new favorite! I am also glad that one of the local grocers stocked some Sriracha and purchased a bottle. And this time, it wasn't too sweet and my dad kept refilling his plate.

Day 21: Mushroom Quiche
I remember the days when I treat myself with a few of hors d'oeuvre sized Mushroom Quiche and told myself: I should know how to make these. However, I didn't make hors d'oeuvre-size quiche - didn't have the time and patience for that!

Day 22: Ensaymada
This is a Filipino-style Brioche topped with butter, caster sugar, grated cheddar or Emmental cheese, and slices of preserved eggs. This is definitely not for the calorie or weight conscious person.

This was a very sad day to my family as one of our dog has died. We are all dealing with the loss in our way: dad spent hours doing carpentry, mom did the laundry ahead of schedule, my sister was always angry, my brother wasn't talking, and I kept on cooking. I was temporarily not allowed to cook for few days.

Since we were all grieving, our Eid celebration was very low key. I was finally allowed to cook. I decided not to post about it as there were others who were grieving too.


See you in my next post!

empathy, gratitude, and celebration

Sorry, it's been a while since my last post. It's the Holy Month of Ramadan - a time when Muslims exercise in empathy for millions who are living under poverty by not eating any food or drink from sunrise till sunset, do charity work or do any form of aid to the needy. During this time, newspapers, magazines, even social media is filled with articles reminding Muslims its significance, fund raising campaigns and charity works.

However for me, I think of food alot more. I can't help myself not to: I smell food during late afternoons, I see ladies exchanging plateful of food, I see food advertisement on billboards, newspapers, I receive emails, SMS about food, read recipes shared by prominent personalities or chefs from famous restaurants, and food being wasted (which is an eyesore). So I make food almost everyday during Ramadan.

I tend to make soups almost every single day, though I also make something else or even try a new recipe:

Day 1: Mexican Chicken Soup (top left corner):
This is an Ina Garten recipe I tried sometime ago which I initially thought was a hit with my family but it turned out that it is only me and my dad who likes this alot.

Day 2: Filipino-style Chicken Noodle Soup (top middle)
I was really happy when one of the grocers regularly stocks fresh Chinese egg noodles making it possible for me to make this soup.

Day 3: Minestrone (bottom left corner):
This is one of my dad's favorite soup; the rest would drink this soup as long as there is croutons. I like to use pita or "lebnani"  bread for croutons instead sliced white bread. I chop 2 pita breads, toss some oil, season with salt and pepper and into preheated oven for few minutes.

Day 4: Lentil Soup (bottom middle):
This soup is almost a staple during Ramadan; at least to what I have noticed. I have come across with many recipes of lentil soup but I liked the version with potatoes the most. Just sauté onions with cumin, coriander, and turmeric, add lentils, water and chopped potatoes. Bring to a boil, season with salt and pepper, then simmer till the potatoes are done. Let it cool, transfer to a food processor or use a hand blender, reheat, adjust the seasoning and serve.

Day 5: Churros (extreme right):
After 4 consecutive days of drinking soup, I craved for something fried. I made choux pastry long time ago so I wasn't so intimidated in making these. My pulled my brother as my sous chef: I piped the pastry to the hot oil, he fish it out once it reached golden brown color.

Day 6: Vegetable Spring Roll (top right corner)
This is known in my home country as "lumpiang prito"; I craved for something fried, crunchy and savory - and this is perfect. This is a spring roll filled with bean sprouts, shrimps, celery and chopped tofu. I placed a parsley leave as I wrap the spring roll for presentation.

Day 7: Crab and Corn Soup (top middle)
This must be the one of the easiest soups there is. However, I probably "murdered" this one by using butter - I have no regrets.

Day 9: Potato and Leek Soup (bottom left)
Classic!

Day 12: Vietnamese Pho (bottom middle)
I never associate cinnamon with savory dishes and never really like anise seeds and yet, I took up a courage to make this one. The beef was tough that it sat in the simmering and aromatic broth for 6 hours but it was worth the wait. Though it made the broth cloudy it was very satisfying.

Day 13: Spaghetti Stroganoff (extreme right) 
It was only the night before when my brother reminded me it was Fathers' Day the following day. This is one of my go-to dish whenever there celebration in my family.


If you notice, Days 10 and 11  was skipped: I didn't cook on these days and my mom took over the cooking duties as usual.


See you in my next post!

insta-recap: April, 2016

Here's a little recap for April:


New dress and used the last of the clothing label for 2015:

A work in progress; I usually bundle up cut up fabrics like so and put it in a small box or bag along with the notions that are needed for the project. It saves me time.

Last char-grilled food for the season: Chicken Tandoori.

Ticked off a project from my list

I had a pasta cravings last month. My mom always cook this for my birthday but since I learnt the recipe, I can cook this anytime.

Are you participating this year's Me Made May? I unfortunately have to pass but I am considering joining Self Stitch September instead.

See you in my next post!


xx

insta-recap: March, 2016

Without further ado, here's a little recap last month:


I have finalized my sewing plans for this year which I affectionately call "10 for 10":

I was dandruff-free for more than 2 years with the help of a Japanese brand shampoo but when the dandruff came back, it came with vengeance. I discovered this company while I was searching for a new shampoo to try. Their Neem and Tea Tree Body and Hair Shampoo works wonders with my dandruff and body acne. They ran a little contest last month so this was my entry:

I am working on a sewing project which I'll be posting soon:

I do barbeque in my backyard nearly every Saturday since my dad's birthday. Here, I made Chicken Barbeque using my dad's recipe, Chargrilled Tilapia (my sister's fave):

We were told to anticipate a rainy weather so I cook a batch of Chicken Mami. Its a Filipino-style chicken noodle soup: fresh egg noodles, shredded chicken with a flavorful broth. Mine is topped with fried garlic, chopped chicken cracklings, green onions and fried crab-flavored balls. Yum!

See you in my next post!

41/45

I almost forgot about my brother's birthday - his 41st - which falls the day before my parents' wedding anniversary - their 45th . I didn't realized it till 2 days prior while I was re-checking my pantry for ingredients I needed for the anniversary dinner.

Shoot! What am I going to cook?!?!

I found some (God knows how many) egg yolks in a plastic container sitting in my freezer, then I saw a couple of tin of condensed milk in the cupboard and went like *eureka* creme caramel! I then decided to make Chicken Pot Pie since I haven't made one for quite a long while. Great! I made the menu in such little time. I like to cook ahead so I spent an entire evening cooking the chicken filling, making the creme caramel and marinating the pork ribs. I like to cook some of the dishes ahead of time so I don't have to spend an entire day slaving myself in the kitchen.

The following evening, its assembly time sadly, I found the chicken filling covered with thousand of tiny bubbles and distinct aroma. Yes, the filling was rotten and my mind was filled with a thousand F-bombs! To make the matter worse, the supermarket is 20-minute drive from my apartment and it was already 6PM. If I have to make the filling from scratch, the pie has to be in the oven by 7PM obviously, I can not make it. I have no Plan B whatsoever. Without any hesitation, I calmly announced to my family that dinner is late than the usual, grabbed the keys at get a chicken rotisserie.

It was almost 8PM when I got the pie in the oven, but minutes later, the puff pastry sunk in the filling. I felt so horrified; next thing I knew I found myself arguing with the oven. Then my family was horrified when they saw me. Anyway, I fished out the puff pastry placed in on a cookie sheet and popped it in the oven.

I never really imagined that after all the years of cooking and many recipes that I have tried and mastered, such disaster can happen.

And that's was my chicken pot pie, of course this picture was edited many times to make it looked appetizing. :P

***

The following evening was my parent's wedding anniversary. There wasn't any drama but I did worried a little because I thought made it too spicy for my mom.  Dinnertime, everybody was quite - - did I get myself into another disaster?

To my relief, they enjoyed it and even suggested used the same marinade with pork chops. I am happy that they have forgotten the disaster I had the night before. Well, I guess I'll have to find another occasion to celebrate.


Until then,

Happy Cooking

insta-recap: december, 2015

Alot of cooking and celebrations happened last December, here's a recap:

New pattern in my inventory: Vogue 2931, McCalls 7154 and a vintage 1970's McCalls 5239:

We celebrated my mom's birthday with Pansit Malabon - it's a stir-fry rice vermicelli noodles with minced beef and seafood. Mom's favorite!

 Ube-macapuno cake for dessert!

Celebrated my brother's birthday with Chocolate Cake (his request):

I participated in Burdastyle's Model Member Holiday Challenge, see my entry here:

Details of my bold jacket:

We celebrated Christmas with Roasted Pork Belly, Carrot & Potato Mash, Roasted Veggies:

Buko - Pandan, a fruit salad consist of meat of a young coconut, cream, pandan infused gelatin,  for dessert:

And Crab and Corn Soup as appetizer:

Another set of vintage patterns 1950's McCalls 3550 and 1970's McCalls 3031:

I've seen alot of flower wreath cakes so I tried to make one and gave it as a Christmas gift to one of my friends. Though it didn't turn out to be as pretty, but it was well appreciated and enjoyed:

Lastly, my family and I welcomed the New Year with Chicken Barbeque, Szechuan Noodles and Hatosi:

Catch these in real time via 


Happy New Year, everyone!

insta-recap: november, 2015

I have to be honest, I didn't do alot of sewing last month. In my defense, temperature finally dropped, the cold season is finally here and all I could think about is having a bowl of comforting soup or having barbeque for dinner. However, I did try something new:

I was watching food channel one evening, and the chef was making a marinade. I didn't get the name of the dish but I realized I got all the ingredients in my pantry: rosemary, thyme, lemon, chili flakes, roasted garlic, olive oil so I gave it a try.

I did tried something fancy and cooked a steak with chimichurri sauce. Plating is, admittedly, not something I am good at but, I am willing to learn.

Finally, got my sewing mojo back on, but my little George disrupted me by sleeping on my project, delaying it even further.

Another new is the Mexican Chicken Soup and Cheese Jalapeno Cornbread which is lovely and for sure, I will make these again.

Christmas is just days away and I am excited!

Catch these in real time via or via 

Until then,

insta-recap:: october

As I prep for my next project, here's a little recap of what I've been up to:


These are the cut fashion fabric and lining. Since there is no notches, these are marked "SB" as in "side back" so I won't get confused when I sew the pieces together.

I spent my Muharram holiday learning how to pipe flowers using royal icing. These cuties are supposed to be red in color; I used one of those food color paste that comes in tube packaging but the icing turned pink. So I added liquid food color but it turn to orange-red hue instead. When learning something new, making a mistake is inevitable and I have to remind not to beat myself up when I do. Lessons are learnt from those mistakes.

Here are another batch of cuties: the "petals" looked more refined than of the  first batch. The above cuties, because of the added liquid food color, the royal icing had thinner consistency so the different consistency gives different results. Lesson learnt! Plus, I found a reason for me to make more cupcakes!

I'm a selective eater, meaning there are still some dish that I avoid.   Its primarily the reason why I want to know how to cook: there are some dish that I want to know or cuisine that I want to explore. On this particular evening, mom made a fish stew which I avoided eating by making myself a spaghetti carbonara. I think I overcooked the eggs this time but, I didn't care.

Finally, I made a dress!

Catch these in real time via or via 

Until then,

insta-recap:: september, 2015

I'll be posting about my recent project soon, at the meantime, you can follow me via:

 A glimpse of the cutting process and the finished bodice of the dress I made recently.

My family and I celebrated the feast of my hometown with my variation of Fresh Lumpia which I served along with a fiesta-staple Menudo.  This is my variation of my mom's variation of lumpia, I know sounds confusing. My mom's variation of this recipe, since she doesn't know how to make fresh lumpia wrapper, is sauteed shrimps, green beans, julienne carrots & jicama with thickened sauce and minced fresh garlic and chopped toasted peanuts. I, like my mom, doesn't know how to make fresh wrapper, so I wrapped the sauteed veggies with plain crepe. Traditionally, the sauce or at least all of what I have tasted in the past, is a thickened and sweetened broth with minced raw garlic - which I never really appreciated. So instead, I made this sauce using shrimp broth, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar (just a *hint* of sweetness) and seasoned with salt pepper. So my variation is more like a sweet & savory crepe, a very eclectic but, my family loves these and that's what really matters. 

New fabric in my stash! I supposedly shopping for suiting/coat fabric but I bought this instead. Well, it looks so pretty I can't resist. I've been contemplating to make Alder shirtdress for so long; maybe its about time. 

I missed having heavy breakfast, so I made some chicken longaniza which I served with fried rice and fresh tomatoes. I have made this before, but my earlier version was too dry but this time it wasn't as I added some pork. There was some pork chunks sitting in my fridge, I just cut the fat part of it, put it in a food processor and added it to a mixture. 

I was working on my project  last week and my tailoring chalk fell from the table :( 

Until then, 

See you on my next post!

insta-recap

I'm currently working on two big sewing projects so for the meantime, you can follow me via

I ventured again into bread making recently *successfully* this time. My earlier attempt were disastrous: I did dehydrate the dried yeast with water that was either not warm enough or too hot. I finally learn the correct temperature and made some of my favorites: (on the left) Pan de Sal (salt bread) and (on the right) Ensaymada (brioche covered with butter and grated cheese).  

Its monsoon season in other part of the world - - I definitely missed the rain and a bowl of warm and comforting bowl of soup.  So I cooked Lomi

I spent my Eid al Fitr holidays sewing 3 more of V8772; my first can be seen here. My first plan was to sew more projects, but the holidays was shorter than anticipated so I settled with these. 

My gym shorts and my first tee; blogged here. 

I bought another vintage sewing pattern and my collection is growing - oh my!

I was excited that I saw some fresh banana leaves at the grocer the other day. My excitement drew attention of some shoppers that they've approached me and asked if I eat these leaves! ***not funny*** I cooked Maja Mais (mah-ha-ma-is) a variation of a coconut pudding with corn kernels and butter. The pudding was set in a spring-form pan lined with banana leaves. 

And finally a weekend roast. Ina Garten's Perfect Roast Chicken. I first made this many Christmases ago and my family loved it. Since then, they requested this every now and then often times I use chicken thighs while I would cook the whole chicken for celebratory dinners. 


See you on my next post!