Indigenous Veggie Cooking

Recipe Name: Indigenous Veggies Chopsuey

Part Used or Main Ingredient: Indigenous Veggies

Cooking Method: Sauté and stir-fry

Serving Size/Portion: 100g/pax

Recipe Serves: 8-12 pax

Ingredients:
Name Mise en Place Amount

Indigenous veggies e.g.

Patola. Upo, kulasi,
katuray, saluyot, etc washed and cut 1 kg

Togue 100g

Patis to taste

Itag or salted Pork Kasim 100g

Chicken or pork liver 50g

Left-over meats If Available

Cooking oil 60ml

Onion minced 1 pc

Garlic minced 3 cloves

Squid balls quartered 6 pieces

Cornstarch slurry as needed

Salt and pepper to taste

Sesame oil a few drops

Sesame seeds a pinch

Leeks leaves a few slices

Procedure:

1. Wash and trim veggies and cut into bite size pieces. Wash togue and other ingredients well. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat up a sauté pan and sauté meats and liver until done. Fry squid balls. Set aside. Sweat onions and garlic then add in the veggies according to their cooking times. We can blanch the veggies first before stir-frying for faster cooking. add in the cooked meats. Stir fry further for a few minutes until Veggies are crisp tender.

3. Season with patis or fish sauce and thicken with a bit of cornstarch slurry. Ddd some pepper.

4. Check seasoning and serve hot. Top with a few sesame oil drops, sliced leeks and sesame seeds for garnish.

more dreams...

been sober for a bit now

been dreaming more and more for nights already

every time it becomes more and more vivid

from dark to gray now its a technicolor of sorts..

a palette in rainbow..

with a recurring theme and scene..

saying goodbyes did left its mark..

woke up sobbing, my eyes full of tears..

remembering that fateful night..

I smiled.=)

I know now that my heart being taken good care of..

lots of friends supporting me, cheering me up, family getting closer..

very very nice feeling.. my baby is always with me..

I'd cry every waking moment even every night because I know I'm being taken cared of..

I am happy.. there's just no comparison..

I believe it.. I know it.. I feel it.. I need it.

Another tour of Laguna, Easter ‘09

Its Easter morning, and I had already been planning what to do on this day. I surely didn’t want to spend it at home. It’s a day for renewing ties, relationships and connecting with God. For Jesus is reborn. A renewal of faith. A situation I have to face. A day I have to make something of. A moment to cherish.

It was a bright sunny day, a good day for swimming! For the local pool was supposed to be open today so I packed my swim gear and rode Daisy (our Honda Dream) to the pool but it was closed. This didn’t surprise me at all even though the lifeguards had told me they will open today for it was a holiday. I didn’t mind it at all for Mameng needed help with her email so I just went home and helped her out. Also I had plans to go on a road trip with friends, another Laguna tour. Oh yeah!

After meeting up with my friends at around eleven in the morning at Crossing of Los Banos, I was the designated driver for it was I that knew the back roads of Laguna. They had read a previous blog of a Laguna tour and they were excited to have a road trip as well. It was my call on to what route to take, all that mattered was that we get there, no time limit and no pressure. I love it! I decided to go the scenic route going through the back roads of Laguna, via the national highway, we passed by Bay and Calauan towards Santa Cruz, then Victoria, turned right at a junction at Pila so we can reach Nagcarlan, then Liliw, then Majayjay and a bit more Lucban, Quezon. Took us about an hour’s drive with the roads being used as the biggest or longest solar drier of palay and the once golden fields are now harvested clumps of rice stalks. Tricycle is king here at these roads so the trip is not that fast but it was enjoyable with all the beautiful sceneries of green and mountain ranges. Also I missed some turns, we have to turn back but it was not a hassle for it’s a road trip. Anything goes! Reaching our stop at Lucban, Quezon’s Kamay ni Hesus, it is a pilgrimage site oftened by devotees from all around the surrounding provinces. Last Friday we had a talk with some friends who came from there earlier that Friday morning and they said that the place was packed with a kilometre long procession of devotees trying to go up the hill and say prayers upon reaching the Stations of the Cross strategically spread on the hill with steep stone steps. It was a very impressive site to behold, a fifty foot statue of Jesus Christ with open arms welcoming everybody willing and strong enough to walk the steep steps going up the hill. There were stalls and food places beside the road, inside the compound a big church and more food stalls and souvenir shops. It was a hot and humid day and even if the devotees from all ages, the elderly, children with their parents, are not as crowded but is still is full of people, some of them already minger and mardy. Somehow I was wishing that we came on a different day but the solemnest of the place was still kept. I don’t like crowded places but it was still a wonderful experience. It was my first time to go inside the Church and I was told to say my dearest wish for it would be granted by the Lord, I prayed hard thinking of what I wanted most, what I needed help with, after a few minutes of prayer we ascended the steps going up the hill where the towering Jesus stands like a giant among the people trying to reach him up high. It was a good thing that Mameng taught Catechism classes at Saint Therese church at Los Banos when I was a small kid, I remembered the lessons. I must admit that I’m not a practicing Catholic anymore and it was time to renew my faith for I had already forgotten how to be a Catholic. I always admire the architecture and art of the different old and new churches I’ve been to, the structures here are quiet modern but rustic for we are in the province of Quezon, just past the boundary of Majayjay, Laguna.

The steps might be steep but this didn’t stop people to start trudging them. I can hear many complain being mardy as they make their way up the holy hill. There are statues and scenes of the stations and some people have prayer booklets to recite prayers from. Even children were not trying to complain but the day was indeed very hot for it was the noon time already. I didn’t bother counting the steps but they were very tiring, good thing I had the muscle memory from climbing mountains when I was attending college so this hill was a piece of cake. We had our water bottles with us to quench our thirsts, but my thirst to climb to the top was not quenched until I saw the vast scene that beholden me. It was a 180 degree panoramic view of rice paddies and coconut groves and it was breathe taking indeed. All the greenness and the fresh air. Just take it all in... Whew! It was a very lovely site. After saying some prayers and resting for a few minutes we made our way down the hill and out of the compound. Thinking back that my wish be granted soon, I was still praying hard.

It was already two o’clock when we descended the steep steps, we are all hungry and that the original Kamayan sa Palaisdaan was just at the next town of Tayabas, Quezon. A few minutes’ drive and we were there. The restaurant features Filipino cuisine and the dining area was nipa huts on a fish pond with Tilapia and Catfish thus Palaisdaan meaning “fish pond” and Kamayan means “to eat with your hands” as Filipinos love doing this. Many foreigners and local tourists love the ambiance and we love it also. It was refreshing indeed. Picking a table on the water with water lilies around, bonsais of endemic hard wood trees, tropical flowers and plants as landscapes and there were pissing statues into Koi ponds with tossed coins for wishing, made it more rustic. It was maintained well and the surrounding is tidy.
Asking our waiter for the menu I quickly noticed one of my favourite dish, Pako or fiddle fern salad (PhP 100.00). I love this dish so much for the ferns are collected in the forest. Haven’t seen or heard of a farm that cultivates the wild edible Pako. Then we picked grilled squid or Lumot (PhP 200.00) and Sinigang na Sugpo or Prawns in hot Tamarind Broth with local veggies (PhP 200.00) and of course steamed white rice (PhP 20.00/order). I thought that the order will take a short time to cook for most of the people have already finished or gone home by the time we arrived. To my surprise it took them almost forty five minutes to serve and our drinks took a long time as well. Their service needs a bit more quickening. The drinks came then the food, which was enough for a group of four.

The surprise was the Pako salad, it came with sardines and the Pako was wilted, blanched for a few seconds only! Still retaining its tender crunchiness. Yes, it’s the canned sardines in tomato sauce, with slices of white onions, native tomatoes and salted duck eggs dressed in native vinaigrette, sweet and sour as Filipinos prefer their dressing. It was a nice dish the plating ok. I love it! I was thinking it would have been better if they used sardines in oil with a bit of Siling Labuyo for piquantness. I use tinapa (Smoked fish) flakes for my own version of Pako salad. Also the grilled squid was done to perfection even though we didn’t have kalamansi juice, soy sauce and red chillies for dipping sauce it was still good, very tender, seasoned well and not over done at all but the presentation need a bit of upgrading. The sinigang was in an earthen pot and it kept hot during the whole meal. We were waiting for the merienda lady, a specialty there was the Kalabasa Pilipit or Squash and rice flour dough fried with caramelized sugar. The best pilipit ever but I think the vendor ran out already for it was a very fast seller. We were not able to buy some. Oh well better be early next time then. We didn’t get dessert anymore for we were planning to get fresh fruits along the way home.

After so many stories shared and tummy’s already full, we drove back to Los Banos, Laguna but I took a different route this time, going through the towns of Luisiana amongst the giant pandan trees, Cavinti, Pagsanjan, Santa Cruz, and Pila stopping along the fruit stands to buy pasalubong and there was a honey dew melon, yellow in colour and very sweet with a firm texture (PhP 60.00/kg). First time I tasted one and it was delicious even better when chilled the lady vendor told us, they got ripe Carabao mangoes also (PhP 60.00/kg.) More fruits were in season, watermelons both the native and seedless variety, Chico, Mangosteen, etc. A sea of fruits! Yummy! So many to pick and choose from. Then the towns of Victoria, Calauan, Bay, arriving at Los Banos I asked if they wanted to hang out first and have couples of beer for the moon was so bright and full it was a lovely end to an inspiring road trip. I was home again... It really felt good... Waiting for the next road trip... dreamy.

of reunions and batch '89 on Good Friday '09

Yesterday, as I was thinking of what I can do for this day.. I was trying to rest after lunch, Siesta as Filipinos always do for the day was so hot that day. I woke up and there were 5 former high school classmates at our gate. I quickly got up and wearing my jersey while walking towards them. The gang is here! Gretel, Vignette, Connie, Nommel and Aileen. They were walking around College Ville for some smokes and that Vignette told them I might be home. After some chatting, we all went to Gretel's house for there is a swimming party and that the adult version would be later in the evening they were telling me. There are so many people almost all relatives of Nommel from Banlic, spouses and children of my other high school batchmates. Oliver Bondad and Wenny was there already when I came. The atmosphere was electric, children splashing in the pool, with their parents, a lot of food on the table and cold drinks (non-alcoholic for it was a children party.)

So after settling down and sharing memories of our high school days, it brought me back to a time where everybody was carefree, full of adventures and explorations. A time when problems were very trivial and almost everybody was naive. That the world is just sitting there for their taking. It was an age of innocence and breaking rules. Happy times indeed. The day went on full of story telling and sharing experiences for they were saying that they are nearing 40 years old already. I was telling them not to count so fast for we are still in our mid-thirties. Many of them have families already but I can say that many still are single and free to this time. Patiently waiting for their own time to have one as well. Never losing hope.

When the children have already gone, brought home by their parents and most of the other guests had gone home as well, it was our time to party!!! Inhibitons are now taken off and we are free (almost). The ADULT version as they call it. We went out to get some booze and chips, ciggys and ice cubes. Woke up Rachel in her house asking her to come with us to the party later. Exactly at the time when the tradional Good Friday procession was starting we were caught with bottles of beer in our hands while we were waiting for the other batchmates, it was ironic for it was a long procession and almost all of the were carrying candle for the event is very solemn. While we were carrying booze slightly ashamed. That's how life goes. We still went on so we can enjoy the party more later. We were celebrating the way we wanted it. Still everything just went right. Then of course I also asked my drinking buddy Guio to came over and party after his run around UPLB campus. Glenda came a bit later after.

The pool was calm now, very enticing. I can feel the warmth emanating and it was calling me. Luring me to soak and drown my worries for a bit. While the booze and smokes was drowning my sorrows. Taking my shirt off and going into the warm spring wading pool felt really nice, the warmness of the water was very soothing. With a glass of cold Red Horse, it was heavenly. Sharing stories of adventures and experiences with a couple of my batch mates made it even more pleasurable. Made me happy.

The night went on with a lot more sharing and it was time to organize the batch for our 20th year as graduates from the alma mater. This is our year and have to find a way to help our beloved U.P. Rural High Schoo

a tour of Laguna

As we have been talking about going to find a site for Green Food Shop, I told Guio that we make our plans real, we have to check out the Pila property of two hectares. After lunch today at two o'clock in the afternoon, he swinged by the house which is very near their house also. We took a 15 minute drive and we were there in no time at all even if there were a lot of traveller's for its holy week and everybody wants to go out of town. I think this is good that there is high traffic in the area. Passing by was the garden shops and a few big restaurants e.g. Kamayan sa Palaisdaan and Samaral at Calauan. At Fiesta Laguna which they feature goat dishes as their specialty. But my favorite place to eat along the highway is the road side eatery, Ellen's Goto Batangas at Victoria, Laguna. Told Guio that I love the goto there.

I knew where the lot was but surprised for the property does look like a bit forgotten. Tall grasses and the place needs a bit of clearing but as we walked towards the gate , the property expansive. Very promising! It turned out to be a very big property with a 100 meter concrete wall of about five feet high and a green gate, being located by the National highway, the wall serves as to make the ambiance more private. Very promising! About a 250 meters deep there is an irrigation canal going to the end of the property and you'll be surprised that there is a very big rice field and its harvest season so these are golden filelds now. A month ago maybe it was a sea of green. I love green. You can smell the fresh palay drying in their stalks while waiting to be harvested and taken to the rice mill. This brings me back to my childhood when i went on vacations at my Auntie Mamang and the rest of Mameng's brothers and sisters living in the middle of the rice field. I love it! Aurora, Isabela is the province I always go vacationing every summer break from school.

Looking around there are a variety of fruit bearing trees. The Carabao mango trees are bearing fruit, the lansones are still out of season, banana stalks and Mulberry trees scattered around for the y tried to grow silkworms years before. Bordered by the small stream along the boundary of the lot are bamboo thickets which are ready to be used as building materials. Condition the tress to bear fruit again will definitely be a big plus for us. As Guio was telling me that the property was a layering chicken farm and a piggery before and it was like ten years of manure on the top soil which will make it very promising to plant in veggies. I'm so stoked by this time. I walked around and looked across the rice fields.. I told myself that people would like to experience this also. Very promising indeed.

After talking to the caretakers, we left with a big hope that we can materialize all these things that are plans for now. Heading home, we stopped by Ellen's Eatery so I can buy my favorite Goto Batangas and a few meters down a couple of bibingka as a food pair I always do. Yummy!
We saw that there are a lot of sweetcorn along side a stall so we got us a few to take home as well. Boil it with some salt until tender. Yummy with barbecue butter! I told Guio that i be his navigator so I directed him to the fork going to Calauan where he said that they have a warehouse full of recovered wood and tin roofing from their old house at Los Banos. This was a bigger property of 3.5 hectares with an old feed mill and abandoned piggery. But they kept the Carabao mangoes for they still are earning from them. Looking into the warehouse we saw the old wood and some other things that we can use for the Green Food Shop buildings or huts which I would like to design myself. Try out my ideas if it will work out and make some money also. The caretakers gave us green mangoes and I picked Kalamias to use for siningang soon. Can''t wait for these ideas of mine to materialize. Very promising.

Going home, I told Guio that we go back using the backroads of Calauan, a short cut to Los Banos passing along Hacienda Macalauan and some other dairy farms, more fields and a few turns we were at Jubilee Ville, Bay already, a few minutes from our house. It was a very nice road trip. Looking forward to the next one.

a different take on LUGAW

Last night, I texted my drinking buddy Guio for some rounds of cold Red Horse and hangout in the bar. As usual we started drinking and sharing stories and plans. We began to talk about alternative businesses for as everybody keeps saying that there is a global crisis.. I always smirk on this crisis because ever since we deposed the Marcoses the Philippines is in crisis ever since so what's new? Filipinos are used to it by this time.

Then I had an Epiphany, I had this concept for a food shop that is green, Earth friendly and very organic. The basic idea is that we lower our carbon foot print, produce all the things we would need and buy less of anything, use as much recycled materials and be sustainable. I even thought of living beyond the grid thus we have to produce our own power as well. It was a good thing that I started to talk about it, my drinking buddy is also interested and more over their family been trying to sell land at Pila, Laguna and it was a perfect spot for the Green Food Shop as i fondly call it now. My idea will also use recovered wood and building materials which should be sustainable and indigenous, organic planting systems and management of the farm as we will try to produce veggies and livestock that we might be needing. This will be lowering over head costs thus making the business sustainable and make some money as well. I have to research more on it but i do have the idea in my mind. The next thing for us is to check out the land and sources of our materials. Luckily Laguna has so many indigenous materials ready for our use. I'm quite excited by the idea already and can't wait to get a move on it.

As the night is passing and so many empty bottles we were going home when Guio asked if i was hungry. I said surely! After a drinking session, I am always hungry. I suggested to him that we eat something light and he has a good idea where to go. LUGAW QUEEN, is a new food shop at Crossing, Los Banos beside the National Highway. I have eaten there before and it was ok for the price and service they have. I liked it there for the service staff are courteous and helpful. Then we started to order. Looking up their menu Guio told me that I try their Palabok Lugaw. I love Pancit Palabok so i ordered two, one for Guio and one for me and a side order of Puto. The bowl of Lugaw is at PhP 25.00 each and the Puto is PhP 10.00. The porridge looked good with all the topping a typical Pancit Palabok would have been but instead of noodles, the lugaw was on the bottom and the starch for the dish. Was looking at it, its a very good idea, tried it out and it really worked well. The smokiness of the tinapa, crunchiness of the chopped chicharon and palabok sauce, topped with chopped onion chives and sliced boiled egg made it as palabok as it can be. Mixing everything to blend all the flavors well. Add in some kalamansi juice and chili garlic sauce with some fish sauce did the trick. Its like a new comfort food for me. I will surely come back for more! Go visit them for a taste of a new Lugaw in town.

more of those random thoughts

intoxicated indeed..

i have been pondering on how should i write here at this site of ours, but now i have more ideas & feelings to share. siguro dati ay takot ako na malaman mo... ngayon i think i have to be there for the both of us baby.. miss you so much!
i do still love you.. please take care of my heart as i promise to take better care of yours..
i promise to be more open & sharing..

some more random thoughts

Mga Panaginip

may ilang linggo na din akong "sober"..
may ilang linggo na din akong hirap makatulog..
may ilang linggo na din akong hirap sa tulog..
may ilang linggo na din akong puro panaginip..

kahit nakainom ako ng alak bago matulog, ganun pa din.. parating may mga panaginip na hindi ko maintindihan..
minsan bangungot na pero hindi naman ako makagising..
nakakpagod.. kulang parati sa tulog.

natatakot ako lumabas ng bahay dahil hindi ko alam kung paano makitungo sa iba..
lalo na sa mga taong nagmamahal sa akin..
pilit ko silang tinataboy at nababalewala dahil sa ako ay walang kwentang tao sa mata nila at ng iba..
sana matapos na itong lahat na ito.. parang bangungot, hindi ka naman makagising sa katotohanan..
tao lang at maraming pagkakamali.. hindi na makabangon.. walang pagasa.. wala ang panaginip ng mabuti at payak na buhay.. kailangan mabuhay sa mabilis at makamundong reyalidad ng buhay..
hanggang kailan kaya? sana maarok ko ang sagot...

Random Thoughts

I just dont know paano mabuhay sa panahon ngayon

there are times when i wake up, my mind always in turmoil.. how to go about things, whether to follow my dreams or to live how people say i should..

mahirap ang pumili kasi malaki ang mga nakatayang bagay.. ang kasiyahan, kalusugan, ang tino ng pagisip..

kailan nga kaya ako matututo?.. alam ko ang kailangan kong gawin pero ang mga taong nagsasaabing nagmamahal sa akin ay naiinip dahil ba sa mabagal ang takbo ng buhay ko at nakikita nilang walang nangyayari o di kaya ay masama lang talaga ang karma na dumadating sa buhay ko?

pinipili ko ang simpleng buhay pero hindi ito sapat para asa kanila.. pinipilit kong maging payak pero maiiwan ka naman sa bilis ng takbo ng buhay ngayon. wala kang patutunguhan, pagtatawanan ka dahil sa ang pinili mong buhay ay ganyan.. walang asenso at walang kwenta..

sino nagsabi na husgahan nila ako at sabihin yun sa ibang tao at hindi sa mukha ko sabihin ng harapan..

masama akong tao pero pilit pa rin silang lumalapit.. pilit ko nang lumalayo para hindi na sila madamay sa buhay ko.. masama akong tao, walang kwenta sa kanilang mga mata..

turuan ninyo ako magmahal.. sinibukan ko pero kulang pa rin.. hindi sapat ang pagibig..
"fish is the begining of love.. minsan nawawala.." kulang pa rin.. hindi yata ito magiging sapat. ano nga kaya ang kulabng/ pera at karangalan siguro. kapag mapera na ako dun siguro nila ako makikita sa tunay kong anyo at kulay, pagkatao at sa lolobin.

kapag ikaw ay walang pera, aalipustahin ka.. wala naman nagsasabi na gatusan ninyo ako. kung wala eh di wala.. mahirap ba intindihin yun?.. hindi ko na alam ang aking gagawin sa buhay ko... ang alam ko dati masaya ako.. ngayon hindi ko na talaga alam.. sinunod ko ang mga bagay at gawain na alam ko ay magpapasaya at magpapaganda ng buhay ko pero hindi ito sapat.. parati pa rin may kulang.. ano nga kaya? sana mayhanap ko ang kasagutan.. sana nga..

Talks & More Talks

there are times when we could talk for hours on end..
there are times when we could talk about nothing and fall silent for many hours..
there are times when i would do all the talking...
there are times when she would talk & i wont answer at all..

i'm glad that we talked last weekend..
taking things slow will make us find each other again...

taking surf pics

Upon Taking Great Surf Pictures

Mahalo!

there are lots of reasons why people get into photography, may be it personal, professional or just to keep moments of special occasions whatever the reason maybe but surf photographers are a different breed! i salute them!

before becoming a surf photog you should have the right know how & eqiupment for it. a simple under water camera for taking pictures of fishes & other marine scenery would not suffice. your underwater casing should be able to withstand the great pressure that a wave will force upon you & your camera. a 4 foot high wave will excert almost a ton of force in pounds when you're on the lip and then crushing you & your camera upon breaking. and being under all that water will certainly break a camera housing. alot of surf photogs have custom made housings which they themselves designed & tested out for there are just no casings available in the market today made specifically for taking pctures out in the surf.

also the photog should learn to be confident & comfortable in the surf. in which it could be very harassing just to go out where the waves are breaking. i remember once at Makati isaland at eastern samar where we have to paddle for 45 minutes just to get to the reef break, head high waves and bowls just right then another 45 minutes to get back to shore. a wave runner can bring you there but who has a wave runner in the middle of a lonely island? you have to have passion for it or else you'll quit the first time you encounter something like this also getting reef cuts, jellyfish or shark attacks is also a consideration. then the photog should know how to surf, respect the ocean & the people living around them. being in top physical condition is a must if you wish to be there at the surf & make sure that you know how to take pictures & time the shots taken to get the right effect or picture you want. of course you can take pics at the shore but you should have real big lenses to get the pictures you want. the surfer & the surf. nobody will apreciate a picture of a surfer that will only be a dot on the whole frame but i have seen pictures taken from the top a hill & still you'll grow in amazement how it was taken. hiking up a mountain just to get that shot is very very tiring but the rewards of getting the perfect shot is worth all the effort.

you should know when the right conditions are for great surf so that your trouble of getting there, the right equipment & the cost of going around would be all worthwhile. weather watching is an element that can't be taken out of consideraton.

someday you'll learn to be a good one for sure..

love for photography is not enough, you have to love of the sea & the surf lifestyle as well..

surf's up! hangloose! Shaka!

La Pizzeria and Kinabuhayan food trip

Yesterday was a very sad day for me.. somebody really close to me went home to England and won't be seeing her again for sometime.. I will be waiting.. how ever long it will take.

But thanks for close relatives and caring friends, the day was filled with happy and fun moments, it started out with my Tita Mati and Tito Nonoy with their son Sherwin and my other Tita Sione coming at the house to visit us just before lunch. So we prepared Siningang PorkChops with Kaffir lime leaves, Grilled Eggplants and Fried Big Eyed Scad with a Chinese Inspired Tomato salad and steamed Pandan rice. Lunch went great with lots of stories and catching up. Started to feel better, gave them herbs from my garden, Pandan, Holy Basil, Tarragon, Thai Spinach, Native Oregano with the white bordered leaves (rare) and the normal one, saw-tooth Coriander, Garlic Chives, Turmeric, Kaffir lime leaves and a few green Papayas all which I planted and now trying to propagate. It was a nice feeling for they appreciate the simple things I gave them. I wish I could have stayed longer but have to run to San Pablo City, Laguna with a friend, Michelle Domingo, just before noon time. She said she wanted to try out her new Nikon D40, shoot at Kinabuhayan Cafe and needs a break from the city. So I'll happily tag along.

After meeting up with Mich and driving to the Total Gas Station at Barangay San Rafael at San Pablo City which is known for their seven lakes, there was a Pizza place simple called "La Pizzeria." A hole in the wall pizza shop where there's a wood burning oven making the pizza truly authentic with lots of toppings to choose from, Margherita, Hawaiian, Prosciutto and loads of other veggies and cheeses to choose from. Its only at one size, 14" and good for 2-3 persons, good for 1 if you're really hungry. We ordered our favorite, Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheese.) It was made in the authentic way with a machine roller and tapered wooden rolling pin. Topped with a very simple tomato sauce, chunky as the way i like it and it looked very promising! Then with Parmesan, Mozzarella, Feta and Romano Cheeses, making me drool while we were waiting for it, after about 7 minutes in a really hot oven, the pizza looked so yummy! With the edges a bit browned black! Trully nice! Very authentic indeed! We took out first slices and it was just perfect! I never thought that pizza this good was just hiding at San Pablo City! All Thumb's up!

After eating a couple slices I wanted more but I was watching my diet but if I were given the chance I could have finished all that big thin crust pizza in one sitting! It was the best! No other pizza came close to this except for the Four Cheese Pizza at Gourmet restaurant going up to Tagaytay City but with the price at PHP 220.00 for dine in with additional PHP 20.00 for the take away box it's not a bad deal indeed! Will go back for more soon! All variants are priced all the same. Goes really well with a cold beer! Sarap Buhay!

After the Pizza eating we went to Kinabuhayan Cafe at Dolores, Quezon. Just several minutes from La Pizzeria. Visiting my Chef friend Jay Herrera was a very nice thing for his place is truly amazing with the open huts and Pinoy Gourmet food that he prepares will make every second fun and relaxing. I was feeling even better now. With a managerie of dogs and a Pig named Onion did make every visit truly interesting aside from the stories and friendship. Jay served us Pancit Guisado Miki Bihon for Merienda, yummy with ice cold softdrinks and water! I miss the cafe for I worked there a year ago. Not much had changed and I'm glad that it did not. I was home again. Was able to reflect on my demise. Have to get ready when that time comes. Jay and I are like very close for we have a lot in common, our cooking styles and philosophies, chatting away with him made me feel really good and that I was not sad anymore. I look at him as a mentor and father figure. He is a very kind man. He is very kind to me. Then the bookings came so he was busy and also it was time to go.

On the way home I started to see that everything is good. I felt so loved. All is good..

Kulitis and Saluyot Fritters with Dill Aioli

Kulitis, Saluyot at Talbos ng Kamoteng Kahoy Fritters with Dill Aioli

You will need the following:

Saluyot leaves, freshly picked
Kulitis leaves, freshly picked
Cassava tops, tender leaves
Sweet Potato Tops, tender leaves
Any Indigenous Vegetable e.g. Eggplants, Okra, Sweet Potato, Cassava root: sliced thinly 1/4 inch thick and patted dry
Mallunggay Fruit, Peeled and cut to 2 inch length
cooking oil for deep frying

For the batter:
All purpose flour, Half a cup
Cornstarch, 2 Tbsp
Cold Iced Water, as needed

For Dill Aioli:
Mayonnaise, Half a cup
Garlic cloves, 2pcs chopped really finely
Dill leaves, 1 tbsp
Salt and white pepper; to taste
Kalamansi juice, as needed

Procedure:
Heat up your cooking oil in a frying pan.

Mix together all purpose flour and cornstarch, pour in cold iced water until mixture has the consistency of thick cream. Please do not over mix because the gluten will develop and the batter will turn out gummy and the fritters won't be as crispy.

Wash the leaves and other veggies, pat dry so batter will stick well.

When oil is hot at about 350 - 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 150-160 degrees Centigrade. Begin to prepare for frying.

Dip leaves or veggies one at a time in the batter making sure all the leaves are well and evenly coated with the batter, not too thick.

Drop in the hot oil and fry for several of seconds for the leaves and couple of minutes for the veggies or until batter is crispy but not browned.

Drain on absorbent paper towels and serve with the aioli.

For Dill Aioli DIP:
Mash the garlic until its very fine.
Mix with the mayonnaise and add in the Dill leaves minced.
Season with salt, white pepper and kalamansi juice.
garnish with a leaf of dill.
Serve with the fritters as a dipping sauce.

Note: Talinun and Alugbati leaves doesn't work well because of the water they have present in their leaves. They make the oil sputter and its a bit dangerous because the oil is really hot.

Aioli dip is good for fried fish and onion rings also.

Try out if Ampalaya leaves are good for fritters also. Send me your comments.

HAPPY COOKING!