iWant,iEat,iShoot,iTell! - SoooPinoy Ultimate Food Blogger Entry

The closest that I can get to taste a certain food from a different place is to Google it and pray that someone knows how to do it. If that fails, I would search for the nearest restaurant who offers such dish or beg someone I know who comes from a different city to bring home something that they are well known for. Or I can just switch on the TV and flip it to the food channel and drool.

For me the best meal is something that is cooked at home by someone that reminds you of your life. It is amazing how each meal would serve a story in your life whether it’s a burnt lumpia or  ready to eat pansit canton. There is always a story to tell behind each meal and just like every happy moment, it is captured like what I do in this blog. I would just take a picture and I can definitely reminisce what has happened that day.

Eya, Me and Anne @ Mr. Kurusawa for lunch.

Kanin Club’s Kare Kare – Sunday Family Lunch

Shirmps for Aries' Birthday at Bulacan

 Tahong with butter , garlic and ketchup @ Aries’ Birthday

 Breakfast @ Bag of Beans before Ruth’s first ever Pinoy Adventure.

What is Pinoy Food without these? Street Food @ Mercato Centrale

Personally, if there is a certain dish I would like to highlight in this entry, it will be the Maranao dishes. My boyfriend, being a Maranao introduced me to one which is called the Chicken "Piaparan". It is first prepared by making a chicken soup in coconut milk before mixing it with shredded coconut with “Palapa” in a separate container.

My own Chicken Piaparan – Thanks to bf’s sister for teaching me.

Maranao meaning “People of the Lake” is a term for the people of Lanao who are from the Southern Muslim region of the Philippines. I noticed that their cuisine mostly boiled or cured and spicy. They are also famous with their "Palapa", a spicy condiment of scallion (Sakurab), ginger and chili slightly beaten using mortar and pestle. They also like putting a lot of turmeric powder and coconut milk in almost all of their dishes. According to my research, “Maranao recipes are so rich that it talks about life itself!  Suffice it to say that the recipes are intertwined with the life cycle rites and rituals of all aspects of Maranao society and culture; from birth to death. In other words, food cannot be separated with daily life activities because food is life itself!”.

It has also been in my bucket list to visit places in the Philippines to really capture the culinary experience, culture and heritage of what our country boasts through arts, crafts and music. This is the reason why I would like to join SoooPinoy Ultimate Food Blogger. Not only that this is for free! With 30 days, 10 cities, 101 restaurants and a story of lifetime! This is food tourism in my own land.

Cravings: not anymore!

I have been wanting to try Craving's unlimited Coffee and cakes  for some time now.  I saw this on Jessica Soho's program one time and been craving to try it ever since.  For only 150php doesn't sound so bad. I agreed to go with Mr. JRC when he told me he was going to try this. I can't miss this!

It was Friday dinner time and we were greeted by a waiter who I have asked about the number of cakes they offer that night. Unfortunately there were 3. I am SURE they offer 4. So the waiter said he will ask and he will be back. 10 minutes gone by and he did not return. I heard ALOT of people complaining how slow the service was. Maybe because it was Friday and it was dinner time and it take more than 10 minutes to make a salad or a sandwich?

Anyhoo, we were there for the cakes and coffee so it SHOULD be a pleasant  experience. Apparantly not.  Let me start of with the cake.

There are 3 cakes not 4 as shown on the menu. SADNESS!

(L-R middle portion)

Caramel cake, Devil's cake and Mars cake

For starters, I chose a slice of Mars cake.

I was so excited looking for traces for mars and finally saw one resting between the 2 layers which is the outer chocolate covering of the mars br measuring a few centimeters only.

The cake is not moist or even fluffy and is stiff. It's a bit heavy though.I would say this is just okay. Nothing spectacular.Betty Crocker cakes are way better. The sad part is that the 3 cakes they offer all have the same consistency and texture. The only difference is the icing.

Devil's cake.

Same cake, different frosting. The frosting didn't come out very well. Instead of a smooth frosting, you can really taste the sugar granules and how the outer layer turned into a meringue. I even think marshmallows were used because it was sticking on the cake.

I'd go for Chocolate Kiss' Devil's Cake.

Now for the Caramel Cake.

A can of condensed milk submerged in boiling water for hours.  That's how I can describe it.It's just too much. Not that Caramel made from scratch.

Good thing there was coffee that washes away the sweet taste.

For 150 plus service charge or whatever government tax not yet included, personally and honestly it was not a good experience.

*all photos from Mr. JRC

xx

Zen Tea

With all these Tea Shops and craze, I am a huge fan of Serenitea's Mango yakult. I can only get my fix in Eastwood until I found 2 new shops in Don Antonio one of which is Zen Tea.

Zen Tea is located in a corner along Holy Spirit Drive.  Not hard to miss because of the Red and Black "ZEN" sign.

The place is small but it has a second floor where you can stay and relax. The place is really comfy and lives up to the ZEN design.



small hallway going to the second floor



Reminds me of a Spa.

They have their menu board on the right side after the entrance.

The teas are good and cheaper than Serenitea. Although no similar to Mango Yakult on their menu, I have  decided to get Yogo (Yogurt Cremetea) Grapes Green Tea flavor. The tea is very milky and a bit sour but not sour sour with pudding as sinkers.Everything is good! (I am still attached to Serenitea's Mango Yakult!)

Its just funny that I wasn't able to take a picture of it. The downside of the cups is that they are using plastic push covers rather than the plastic sealed ones. It's just prone to spilling your drink.

This can substitute my Serenitea days. I saw another tea place in Don Antonio which is Cha Dao. I must try it very soon :)



Just Because: I am having a Timezone Fever.

BB,Why can't I pull off that face??

=))

My ultimate food buddy who can't live without eggs.

We can spend hours watching Asian Food Channel.

And gosh, we are so into Timezone and collecting tickets.

xx

Banapple:Sweet Dreams

I think I have craved for A LOT during the weekend. While waiting for our orders to arrive in Food Camp (entry below), I dropped by Banapple craving for cakes and pies. 

I got myself a Potion Pie.

Almonds on Spider Chocolate Candy on top of Fluffy Chocolate Icing (chocolate mousse type) on caramel sauce with chocolate kisses and chunks of chocolate and crushed oreo cookies on crushed graham crust.

-- Well, that's how I think I dissected it. DIVINE!!!!!

Blueberry Cheesecake looks sweet :)

I wanna buy you all... =D

Enormous Pies. I usually get tuna or chicken pie which are really really good by the way.

They don't look fat to me... just big round cookies.

Blueberry Muffins..

Speaking of cakes, Chris brought some sweets from Park Avenue Desserts and they are so EVIL. Those mini like chocolate muffins so moist and with a surprise chocolate filling inside. SO EVIL...

xx

Food Camp : Revisited

I read that it is a myth that as long as you exercise you can eat anything you want. In this case, after running the 10K Nike Run event, we headed to Food Camp to fill in the calories of what we lost. Again, I was not able to finish my burger.  Everything is so wonderful in FC!

Yup! I was able to take a pic of the menu now. :)



Big Juicy Awesome Burgers. Drool..

Chocolate Milkshake.

-Better than Mcdonald's Milkshake. It is not that sweet and it has a creamy texture. topped with whip cream and chocolate syrup, not bad for a 70php Milkshake.

Mozerella Bombs

-Yeah, and they and the bomb!!

Hot Sauce. Luhhhvett

Delta Burger

What's inside Delta Burger?? Jalapenos.... =)



Charlie Burger

-Mozerella Cheese inside the beef patty. DROOL!!!!

Food Camp goes Number 1 on my burger list. :)

xx

RFWE: NAMANAMA

For some reason, after the Sausage event, I think I felt sick the whole day, including the day after.

I even got a Subway for lunch and noodles and tofu for dinner which is awesome by the way.

I wondered where Zuppa Cafe is but it has now merged with NamaNama.Located at the 3rd floor of Cybermall Building in Eastood, you can enjoy asian noodles and rice toppings. If you know me very well, I make sure that my money is spent well on food. I would not be caught spending so much for a lunch or dinner. Meaning that a decent meal does not have to be around 250 per dish and the servings should enough for the hungry me and a plus 1. When it says for sharing, it should really be for sharing. Mental picture of huge bowls and huge round plates and big chunks of everything. NamaNama seems to know what that means.





@120

J and I shared 2 dishes.  We had this Singaporean dish which I totally forgot what its called. It has curry, nuts. ginger, sprouts. tofu, chicken strips, flat noodles, egg and fish balls. The taste is awsome! You can really taste the grind nuts and spicy curry with thinly sliced ginger giving that kick. But I would prefer that the soup is thick (more gata can be used to make it thick) and the noodles instead of flat should be the ramen type.



Tofu and Shitake @ 105php

If I turned vegan, I can eat this again and again. Tofu and Shitake in teriyaki sauce. Yum Yum Yum!!!

I think it will be awesome if chopped nuts are included for a twist.



Potato Chips. A huge plate of sliced deep fried potatoes in salt and pepper with another spice that I do not know, with Mayo and Garlic dip. For 75 pesos, this appetizer is worth it except for the mayo and garlic dip.

Beef noodle Soup for Jamie @ 125



Pork Chop for Eya @ 125



Gyoza Soup for Chris @ 125

xx



RFWE: SAUSAGE and Leila

(Googled)

I now have a horrifying experience.

This has caused my office popularity and dignity.

I will never eat anything that looks like this again.

EVER!

On a lighter note, Leila has come back from the vet! Hoooraaayy!! I missed her so much. I never knew dogs can get amoebiasis. She has been sick most of the time just like me.  It's just really different when she's not around. I think I can't live without her. =)

When I rushed her to the vet @ 1:30am, she had alot of vomit and poopoo with blood. Pretty scary! so she had to stay for 2 days. Imagine my mum who was being hysterical for 2 days because she was so worried. I was worried too but I was more worried about the bill. Dogs do not have medical insurance. I wish they do!

What's important is that she is now back home and better.

She thinks she's human or something because she doesnt want me to leave her.

She was sooo happy to see me when I got home. I was even more excited that she is home.

The cutest thing ever!

xx

RFWE : What I had today

Because I feel like ranting today. This is so weird! This has been the sickest year of my entire life. Early this year I had Fever turned Measles, then a few months after a few months I had gastroenteritis reflux and then I was confined with Bronchial Asthma and that was in August. Now its October and I'm now down with viral infection GREAT! I should get an award or something. I must have used my leaves and the usual 15 leaves are now little less than 10. GREAT.

When I woke up today I had an itchy throat and I knew that this is going to be bad. My whole body aches and getting a bit cold now and my head is super heavy. I hope I get well soon just in time for the Nike Run.

For the Random Food I ate today

Oats

Smart C+. I need to have Vitamin C in my system.

And c/o the clinic. decongestant

The weather is soo unpredictable and I don't know if I can make it to work tomorrow or have a day off.

Should go to work.

xx

RFWE : Snapshots

I could have said this a million times but I really think I need a super small and light weight, not so pricey camera but would take quality pictures. Must go around GH and St. Francis for that one. I wouldn't be caught carrying the dslr always anyhoo.

AND for th Random Food We Eat....

Rufo's Burger Steak

Rufo's Fruity Fiesta

I make fruits and graham way better than this one.



Chocolate Cake from Jamie

I have been craving for noodles with sesame oil. This reminds me of the old school Nissin's Ramen.

From Daiso, 4 packs @88php

Big Guy's Pizza

xx