Another favourite of mine for merienda and/or breakfast is Taho. I never tire from eating Taho every morning the last time I visited my folks in the Philippines (which was 2 years ago!). I can’t help it! The vendor is just right outside our doorstep, the same way it’s always been when we were kids. Believe it or not, the same vendor sells it to this day. He used to carry the oversized aluminum tins by way of a wooden plank over his shoulders, on foot, inside our village. Nowadays, he’s got them on board his customised bicycle. His bike even has a shade made out of tarpauline over his head to protect him from the sun’s scorching heat. Unfortunately, living away from home forces you to DIY — from chores to errands to... [Read more]

This, I miss! I used to order this everytime my officemates and I go eat at the Banana Leaf Curry House. Did you know that diners at this restaurant eat with a banana leaf instead of a plate? Quite fitting and best enjoyed when you’re eating with your hands! Ingredients: 1/2 tsp peppercorns 2 cloves garlic 2 tbsps fresh coriander roots or stems 2 lemongrass stalks, tender midsection only, finely minced 2 tbsps oyster sauce 2 tbsps light soy sauce 2 tsps sugar 1 1/2 tsps Asian sesame oil 750 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 4cm pieces 36 pandan leaves, each about 12 inches long by 2 inches wide peanut oil or corn oil for deep-frying Sriracha sauce (Named for the seaside Thai town in which it originated, this bottled, hot or... [Read more]

Yesterday, I finally got the chance to see Slumdog Millionaire. I just had to know what the fuzz was about. I was curious to know how the Slumdog grand-”slammed” all those awards for Best Film. After watching the last full show with my mom, we both left the cinema having the same sentiments. It was moving and heart-rending. My impression of India went beyond the overcrowded trains, the way I’ve always viewed it on the Amazing Race. Growing up in a third-world country, the film made me realise how India is far from different to the Philippines’ pitiful state. Actually, throughout most of the scenes in the movie, my mom would nudge and whisper to me “Parang sa ‘Pinas din” (Translation: “Similar to... [Read more]

Just thought of sharing with you this clever idea I read from Cyndi’s blog. For Asian cooking aficionados like me, I would probably substitute the herbs with coriander, cilantro, Vietnamese mint, Thai basil, etc. This makes for a good gift idea! Don’t you think? Or a DIY marvel! Customise the herbs you want in your pot. But if I were you, I would suggest putting name tags. I can easily confuse one herb for the other. Image credit: www.harryanddavid.com [Read more]

Here’s a tasty, homemade twist to the canned kind. My picky 1-year old liked it and so will you! Ingredients: 1/2 cup glutinous rice 1 cup sugar 2 cups water 1 can whole kernel corn or 2 cobs of fresh corn, scraped 2 cans coconut milk Directions: 1. Combine glutinous rice, water and sugar in a deep sauce pan and keep to a boil. 2. After 5 minutes of boiling, add the coconut milk and corn stir well. If rice is tender and soup becomes thick, put off stove. Add a little water if it becomes too thick. Serve hot. Ahh.. nothing beats a taste of home. Definitely brought back memories of my childhood days, aww.. =) My sincerest thanks go out to my Mom for this lip-smacking recipe! Keep those delicious food ideas coming! Happy cooking! [Read more]