08 Feb 2009: ...On Food Blogs...

I was gonna call it a night on the blogs and I started discussing food blogs...A couple weeks ago my friend joseph hits me up on an instant message askin' what I was doing...I said about to drop a food blog real quick. he's like,"oh like everyone else..." I'm like,"I make the food in my shit aiiight, so shuttit" he's like,"oh okay"

Like when did my friend become such a jaded bitter judgemental asshole. Oh maybe after his psycho ex left him a second time. Step back from that shit pal. Yeah I put you on deck. Climb up out that bullshit and remember I have tolerance for the struggle of others but when you drop the voice of judgement you become open game. Not that I don't love your ass I'm just not feeling your bullshit right now.

Which brings me to my current topic. All kinds of people food blog for their own reasons and for their own kinds of love of food. Some people food blog to give everyone an update and be a bit of a peacock. Some people simply love to chronicle their epicurean journeys and share the bits of yummy they've had. Some people just love food - period. Not everyone can cook but everyone can eat. That is the universal nature of food - very few people don't have some kind of food they enjoy - unless you are one of those bulimic bonkers hoes.

There is another reason I food blog. A lot of people hit me up for recipes tips and how to's. A lot of people who love Filipino food who were never taught how to make it. I am not a stingy person who refuses to share recipes or tips - you just have to remind me from time to time. But I am more than willing to part with 99.9% of my recipes. I have one exception and that's my chocolate chip cookie recipe - that only goes to direct family.

I think that too many people do not break bread together. The very act of the family meal is lost. People don't even know how to sit in a house for a regular meal making conversation and getting reacquainted with day to day life and being involved in the life of others. My other point of concern is that Filipino cooking is getting lost in the Modern American Day. I may be Philippine parts but I'm American Made. It makes me sad when people tell me that they never learned how to make lumpia, pancit, adobo, afritada, sinigang, kare kare, biko, bibingka, cassava cake, menudo, morcon, embutido, putong puti, bistek, ukoy, siopao, empanada and all the goodies that are a part of life (if you care to know I can make all of those and then some). Because if we aren't making it today - how will the Filipinos of tomorrow remember the dishes of yesterday. I tell you what, a lot of my non Filipino friends can get down and make lumpia and pancit.

It's so unusual to eat Filipino food that even common food is served at parties

Alfie thinks I should write a cookbook. I'm gonna shelf that for now (but I have a running recipe book I keep in my purse with some crazy stuff up and coming). I think I will first start with a Video Blog of how to make pancit...because a lot of people try and fail...I feel a little weird posting a food "show" but when I get multiple emails that they are trying 3,4,5 times and it's not happening I feel bad.

I'mma say this--I'm ABOUT it. I love cooking even though I don't do it full time for money anymore...and if you don't believe me....

Here's my fridge...


november 2008


november 2008 backup fridge for Turkey Day



January 2009



January 2009



February 2009



February 2009



And then there's the pantry, which isn't even really stocked...
Hey that ain't TP, it's 8 rolls of paper towels - haha.



Then you gotta have 3 kinds of soy sauce, vinegar, sri ri cha plum sauce, olive oil blend, canola and sesame oil then add 2 kinds of oyster sauce plus plum sauce and hoisin in there somewhere.



I got tired of buying small shakers of herbs - so I started buying bulk coz I rip through them quickly enough. I drop them in the little mason jars and use both printed labels and hand written ones...I only jar up the frequently used ones, I have rarely used herbs, wasabi, saffron and dried ginger stored with keep fresh packs to suck up any moisture or external odors...



But Gya says the most clownin' thing in my kitchen is the huge Patron Bottle filled with Vanilla Extract...REAL extract. Truth be told it would actually end up costing more than patron if you compare price. But when I made them cookies and I busted that out - she started lauuuuuuuughin. Hahahhahha.

I just think that things of value should be stored properly in glass jars.




or you can see it in action...my finest girls with the finest appetites for all this life has to give...food, friends and every freakin' thing...

the opposite of what mine looks like.

08 Feb 2009: Saturday Snacks...Sunday Afternoons.

On Saturdays...I make treats - just coz we like them and coz friends drop by. The last few weeks Julian (my boyfriend aka Mr. Man aka Kibby aka all around cool guy) has not been eating breakfast so I started making "krispy" treats or cereal treats. This way he gets some form of grains and it's on the go.
Last Weeks was Cheerios and Cap'n Crunch Berries:



Of course Gya and Tina were right on time for them...



Yep



Then there's always the classic joints to make for friends and family and co workers who have become your friend who are having birthdays...or just to bake coz it's chilly in the house but not cold enough for the heater:



Chocolate Chip & Oatmeal Raisin. In that order.



All lined up ready to go into the oven. As much as I love my kitchenaid I need a bigger one - so if anyone wants to trade my little one for their big one - let's talk.



Then you just gotta cool 'em and bag em up:



I love the smell of baked goods...



Friday nights after a long week we generally eat salads, sandwhiches and appetizers - I still make them coz we still don't eat much even though we could coz it's in the budget and coz we are surrounded by tons of places to eat. But we like sitting at the table or campin' in the living room. Also most times I come home on Friday Julian has a few of the boys over playin' NBA Live

Hence, I've started making him appetizer platters:



Ever since the PS3 got here for Christmas - Julian has made his OWN futon which consists of 3 blankies a denim backrest and a pillow! Hahahha. It's his 2nd most favourite spot in the house.



--- Saturday mornings we mostly sleep in. I woke up and showered and shined and then threw somethin' in the oven to be ready by lunch. Julian is growin' out a natural so it was time to part and condition his scalp because he hasn't had long hair in a long while...



Right as I finished the Chicken was done...So I turned the oven to let it rest and then chopped up some broccolli and potatoes...Voila - lunch for 2 under 5 bucks. yeah you heard me - the chicken was 2 bucks and the potatoes and brocolli were both under a buck and we still had plenty to spare for a couple more meals.



We are in love with Queso de Oaxaca



don't cook it - just tenderize it a bit by resting it in boiling water (burner off)



Roasted Chicken is the only instance where I dig the dark meat - it just has a different flavor, but I gotta be the one cooking it coz I like the skin roasted to paper...I had 2 drumsticks and 2 wings on my plate...



I almost burnt the chicken breasts I precook for our lunches (salads, wraps, burritos etcetera) that we bring to work but Julian saved it by dousing it with 2 cups of water and turning it to low which instead made smoked chicken...

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Sundays we wake up and kinda talk about what we want to do and then attack the chores...cleaning vacuuming bathroom scrubbing and the floors...After that we take off respectively..generally he watches the games at the sports bars and I go thrifting, grocery shopping and catch up on my writing at Xtreme Bean coffee...

For some reason we both got home today at around 2pm and we were both starved...So I used yesterday's chicken in today's garden salad...I dunno if it's because we were hungry or coz the chicken was well roasted but we killed our plates without 2 words besides blessing the food.



I also made his breakfast bars for the week. Cheerios marry Apple Jacks...
A request from Mr. Man...



...take my word for it - these suckas are good.
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On a final note: I was about halfway through this blog - and Julian came home.
me: are the games done?
him: no, it's boring
me: hardcore laughing
him: and Vic Damone left
me: Ahhhhh.
him: what's to eat up in here
me: don't tell me you are hungry after that huge salad
him: yeah
me: chicken supernachos?
him: yeah yeah yeah (already firing up the ps3)

so i threw together some nachos to the asiatic Rhythms created by Rza for Afro Samurai...we like our nachos with both melted cheese and grated cheese on top with fresh veggies...but you know, nachos and eggs are different good to each different person...I think the pictures below will show you how to do it.









And if it's nachos you're havin, might as well have guava strawberry juice!



Almost there.



Ta Da...



The end.

28 Oct 2008: Haha I love Gya even when she FBombs Me!

Gya Before:

Gya After. LOL

BWAAAHAHHAHHAHAHHAH!

28 Oct 2008: Check out this video: it's not funn..Anime Exclamations for GYA! HAHA.

Check out this video: its not funny.. Anime Exclamations for GYA! Hahahha
Category: Blogging

17 Aug 2008: My Second Vegas Wedding...

Julian's cousin James has been living in Las Vegas and married Dolores. We were invited. It was a bit stressful the entire week before because we pretty much worked straight through...We were departing on the 8th and Gya was off to NYC on the 11th. Wendy, Gya and I coordinated a small impromptu bomblettes the night before my departure...However, there was a sudden rain and lightning and it knocked out my quadrant. So basically no electricity from 830pm until 230am. Bwaa hahhaa

I sent the girls a text message and told them I was kickin' it by candlelight. They said ohhhh - we'll come kick it with you. So they came and sat with me by candlelight...I was hot - and frustrated and exhausted...and somehow managed to get the packing of our clothes started...

We sat over gelato and laughed and chopped it up and stuff...We must have been talkin' over an hour and then we heard Julian give a nice roaring snore. The girls said, "ohhhh Kibbs is here?" I laughed and said he's BEEN here - carry on, he can't hear us - listen to him in there!" Oh my girls were all dolled up to go to the Blunt Club even with the Hawaiian bread in tow for the cancelled bomblettes...Julian says,"Why don't you go out with your girls?" Me."because we have to be up at 4am and catch a 6am flight to Vegas..." Hahahhaa.

I woke Julian up so he could say goodbye to Gya! Because the night before he said - I'm sad. I asked Why? He said because your girl is moving away and your peoples are cool! I laughed and said don't worry we'll visit her many many times before she comes to kick it for the wedding!

As always...the 3 I love.

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So we woke up ridiculously early. Got ready and Jereme took us to the airport. We caught the flight just fine and had a snack in the airport at the bud lounge and just waited for City Momma to arrive...

City Momma is so cute...the first thing she said was Awwwww you two look wonderful!!! I pointed out how much weight and mass Julian is getting and she stopped to take a really good look at him and said oh you HAVE put on some weight...and she turned to me and said,"Thank you Saucy for taking such good care of my Baby!!!" Awwww.

We picked up the rental and then checked in switched rooms and then ran over to see Uncle RC and Auntie Eiko. Well...while we switched rooms these 2 guys were like oh are you ladies checkin' out - we're just checkin' in. We laughed and Momma said something funny like yup we're outta here. So the dude grabs my arm and is tryin' to holla. I laughed and said in my little girl voice,"Momma the man is touching my wrist..." He dropped my wrist like a hot potato as Momma turned around. Bwaa hahahhha. His friend looked at him and said,"Wuuuut PLAYA" Bwaa hahahhaha. Then City Momma and I grabbed a sandwich at the cafe downstairs. Meanwhile Julian played some poker downstairs at Mandalay Bay. I have to admit...I love hangin' out with family in Vegas more than I like the gamblin' or the drinkin' or any of that. Before we knew it - it was time to coordinate ourselves for the wedding...James and Dolores were going to get married at around 8-ish.

Of course we were on time coz City Momma was on time...Uncle RC and Auntie Eiko were on time...and the Auntie who should have been on time was not on time was not. So...we killed the time taking pics...City Momma has more pics and I will attach those accordingly once I receive them.

Here are some of the pics:

Uncle RC and Auntie Eiko with Julian...

I love the pic below because almost everyone is smiling!

Here is a cropped version of one of my favourite pics...that is Julian's cousin Kevin and his son Little Kevin. Little Kevin is so cute...he asked me,"When are you and Uncle Julian getting married..." I laughed and laughed and said,"Well Hunny it's not a woman's job to ask..." He smiled and walked over to Julian and said,"When are you and Saucy getting married..." Bwaa hahahahhha.

Kevin' and Kibby

Me with the Men...

City Momma with the Men

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I love to see Julians face looking a little more full...I told him you are Papasan status now with that chubb to your jowl!!! hahahha.

I will post pics from the reception later.

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We spent the next day just doin' some general sightseeing...because City Momma had never been to Las Vegas before...

We let Julian drive as much as possible.

You know we kick it with Buddha for blessings and luck...and to remember that even though we are all born suffering there is humor in all that happens...

Metal Bonsai...what a fabulous idea...I'm going to make sure to have a wood one made for our vacation house!

Don't jock my Bruce Lee Stunna Shades

Everyone talked so much hot shit about how the chocolate fountain at Bellagio was the bomb and this shit and that shit...BLEH - it was AIIGHT. I was not impressed - nor was I impressed by the flavor of their gelato...so There.

My chocolate is far more stunning than Bellagio's chocolate:

So then we were just in time for the water show...and Momma has got it on video!!! We have funny video of each other learning to use video...

So...we decided to walk back to the Mandalay Bay after being on the Bellagio side...and Julian sees this statue and says,"...PICTURE TIME..." Bwaa hahahha. He jumped up on that platform thing and started feelin' the thing up right by the sidewalk escalator...I busted out my camera and laughingly told him,'go ahead and feel her up coz those are the ONLY white titties your ass will be feeling on...believe THAT!" This older white man started CRACKINNNN UP! Actually sometimes I crack MYSELF up.

So then we went back to the room...to take a nap because we had passes to the bank Club in the Bellagio. Julian wanted to go out to the Hooters Hotel (w/c he later reported as lame)...then we met in the lobby for a drink while some people karaoke'd. City Momma was knocked out for the count and I didn't have the heart to wake her up. We were sittin' around choppin' it up with some locals and not so local friendly folks...

Funny...once we put our heads down - it was lights out.

Next thing I knew it was morning...Momma and I went to catch a breakfast buffet and chop it up before I flights later in the afternoon...It was great to sit down and have breakfast...the omelette cook was mortified when he accidentally splattered momma with a little egg and oil...but it was okay. I love love love love breakfast...Then we went up and Julian had some croissant with cream cheese and fruit while we packed up.

Sooner than soon it was time to go...Everyone was pretty exhausted from the reception and the walkin' around and the cocktails here and there in the sun...

We said our goodbyes at the airport...and I'm sure it will be a short amount of time before we see City Momma again!

ps) I caught the bouquet...that is --- I caught it after he asked the bride to precision pass it specifically to me and all the bridesmaids blocked any takers.

Bwaa hahahha. and right as I caught it everyone turned to look at Julian and he had a big ole smile on his face. Uncle RC said,"I really don't like comin' out to the dessert but we WILL come to Arizona when the two of you get married..." Julian laughed and laughed and smiled and put a wedding bell on his suit button...Auntie Eiko laughed and whispered a prayer into it and hung it on his ear! Hahahahhahha.