Sundays at my Aunt's Place: Pancit Luglug and Tokwat Baboy

Sundays at my Aunt's place is always a treat, and for an afternoon snack, noodles and a tofu pork dish are on the menu.

Pancit Luglug, a local noodle dish with thin rice noodles and topped with a thick shrimp sauce, crushed chicharon (deep-fried pork rinds), sliced boiled eggs, green onions and bean sprouts. Pancit, a term for noodle dishes in Filipino cuisine,  is derived from the Chinese Hokkien pian i sit, loosely translated as a noodle dish that is cooked fast and quick. The Chinese influence in local cuisine is strong, and most of these influences remain popular mainstream dishes. 

The Lamb Gyro at Cyma Greek Taverna

It never fails. Really. Every time I'm at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, I just have to drop by Cyma Greek Taverna. And the Lamb Gyros are to blame.

What's in the Pantry...The Pumped Up Tuna Sandwich

Found a can of tuna in the pantry, and thought maybe a pumped up tuna sandwich might be a good idea. Cool. Gather up some parsley, dill, celery and red onions. Add some mayo and mustard using a 3:1 mix for the mayo mustard dressing. A tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and a squeeze of lemon for a little zing.

What's in the Fridge...Homemade Hotpot on a Rainy Sunday Afternoon

The skies are grey, and a continuous drizzle cools up the afternoon. No better time for a hotpot at home. Got the hotpot mix packet ready, and raided the fridge for some crab sticks, squid balls, leeks, Chinese Cabbage, snow mushrooms, bok choy and other veggies. The thin beef slices are thawed and ready, and the glass noodles are all set. Throw everything in the pot...and wait. Just a few more minutes...

What's in the Fridge...Cheese Rolls

Soft, sweet cheese rolls, topped with cheese and a little sugar. Great with coffee.

What's in the Fridge...Macaroni Salad

More leftover ham from the holidays. Cool. Grab the Mayo, sweet pickle relish and some celery. And a pack of macaroni. Time for some macaroni salad.

Slice up the ham into little bits, pour in the mayo and the pickle relish, add the chopped celery and the macaroni, then whip and toss.Salt and pepper to taste. Then let it rest in the fridge for a couple of minutes.

After chilling in the fridge, it's time.

Enjoy.

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What's in the Fridge...Post Holiday Scramble

Another day, another Fridge Raid. The best part about the holidays are the leftovers.Pour some olive oil in a skillet,  scrounge up some onions, garlic, and lots of tomatoes. Finish off the last few strips of Majestic Ham, add some bacon and green peas. Then throw in some eggs and add a dash of Tabasco.

Late Night Tapas at Barcino

It was a cool late evening, and it seemed perfect for some tapas. The Dude's nephew was home for the holidays from Australia, and a younger cousin was also here from San Francisco. I remember reading a blog post from the hungry ballerina about some great tapas in the Metro (check out her  interesting post here at http://www.hungryballerina.com/2011/04/tapas-in-manila.html), so I decided to bring them to Barcino for some tapas, a few cold beers and some good times. 

Gambas Al Ajillo (P 425), fresh shrimp sauteed in olive oil, lots of garlic and chilies. The heat goes perfectly well with the cold brews.

Chocolate Overload with Conti's Choco Chip Brownies

A double chocolate overload to start off the New Year? Why not. The Choco Chip Brownies from Conti's fits the bill. Slight crunch on the top portion, moist and chewy inside. And the chocolate chips just adds that extra kick.

The Choco Chip Brownies come in small bite-size pieces, and you'll need some serious self-control to stop at the third brownie. Good luck. Better yet, just go for that fourth brownie...

A Simple New Year's Breakfast, and Big Hopes for the New Year

A few slices of Majestic Ham. Some wedges of Queso de Bola or Edam Cheese Ball. Some leftover chestnuts. Some round fruits to symbolize prosperity in the coming year. And a cup of hot chocolate.  These are the morning flavors of the holiday season since childhood, and a tradition kept alive by family.

A simple breakfast to usher in the first day of the new year, a prelude to more feasts to come. And hopes for an even better year.