Razon's Halo-Halo: Less is More

Craving for a sugar fix? Here's a regional variation on the classic Halo-Halo from Pampanga. Unlike the more traditional halo-halos which have several ingredients (check out the previous post on Milky Way's Halo-Halo here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2011/09/halo-halo-mix-of-cultures-in-glass.html), Razon's uses only three:  Macapuno (shreds of young coconut in syrup), Saba (plantains in syrup) and Leche Flan (caramel custard). And it works pretty well. Less is more. 

Finely shaved ice and evaporated milk are then added, and topped with Leche Flan. 

Healthy Shabu-Shabu at The Podium

The cool weather and early evening rain means it's time for shabu-shabu. And with a name like Healthy Shabu-Shabu, how can you go wrong? 

Shabu-Shabu is the Japanese version of the hot pot, and the name comes from the swishing sound of cooking meat, vegetables and other ingredients in the pot. Each table is set up with individual hot pots with its own set of controls. Your very own hot pot. Very cool. No chop stick duels for the last piece of shrimp. On the  left is the Chicken Breast Set (P295) and the Mixed Seafood Set A (P 505) with large shrimp, squid, fish and mushrooms.

Not Just Any Can of Tuna

The Dude's cuz dropped off a package recently. Wondering what it was, I opened the package revealing cans of tuna. Hmm...more stuff for the pantry, cool. Until I read the label...very cool! 

The Liebster Blog Award...Awesome!

This is definitely a season for thanksgiving. Ever since I started blogging early this year, I never knew that I would meet such an awesome and supportive community that continues to inspire me to keep blogging. And since I can't really cook much less bake, except maybe scrambled eggs since everything I do turns scrambled, I am continuously inspired by the amazing creations shared by the community. This morning, I was surprised and elated to receive the Liebster Blog Award from Ramona of Curry and Comfort (see Ramona's awesome blog at http://curryandcomfort.blogspot.com/), and well, what an amazing way to start the day! Thank you, Ramona, for the support and recognition, and for being such an awesome friend! Yeah, I know, I mentioned "awesome" three times already.

The Liebster Blog Award comes from the German word meaning "dearest" or "beloved" and is given by fellow bloggers to new blogs with 200 or less followers, with the aim of encouraging new connections. And there are interesting rules to follow:

1.  Show your thanks and appreciation to the blogger who gave you the award with a link back to their blog. And I have to say it again, Ramona, you are awesome!

2.  Copy and paste the award on your blog.

3. Share the love by picking 5 other blogs with 200 or less followers that deserve the support and recognition, and let them know by leaving a comment in their blog.

4.  Keep the love and good karma going...and have fun!

I will start spreading the love by sharing this award with five special blogger friends who deserve the same recognition and support:

• Bake Me Blush: An amazing blog by a young baker and true artist in the kitchen with awesome photography. See Nicole's beautiful baked creations at http://bakemeblush.blogspot.com/.
• Fire and Food: Nothing more natural and tasty as grilling food on real wood. See more of firefoodie's awesome cooking at http://firefoodie.blogspot.com/.
• All That I'm Eating: See the best local, seasonal quality ingredients and recipes in a well-written blog at http://allthatimeating.blogspot.com/.
• Masala Herb: Exotic food and other culinary creations frome Helene, an Austian/French woman living in Goa, India. See more of Helene's amazing culinary adventures at http://masalaherb.blogspot.com/.
• Hungry Ducky: Fun blog featuring great restaurant reviews as well as excellent recipes. See more of Ducky's adventures at http://hungryducky.blogspot.com/.

Again, thank you Ramona! The Dude thanks everyone for following and supporting Dude For Food, and looks forward to learning more great eats from all of you!  Yeah, it's an awesome day...

What's in the Fridge...Suman

As the holiday season approaches, traditional treats start appearing everywhere, including the fridge. Suman, a sweet, sticky roll made from glutinous rice and wrapped in banana leaves  is one such treat. Prepared and cooked with coconut milk and sugar, the rolls are then wrapped and steamed. 

What's in the Fridge...Arugula and more Crab Sticks

As the holiday season approaches, I will make a conscious effort to eat a more balanced diet, or at least try, to compensate for the anticipated eatfest in the coming weeks. After the first "What's in the Fridge" post last 17 November (see post here http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2011/11/whats-in-fridge.html ), I decided to have another go at a fridge salad. Here's more "What's in the Fridge..."

Today, the fridge yielded some arugula and mixed greens, tomatoes, white onions, a salted red egg, and more of those crab sticks...

The Ultimate Taste Test 7.0 at BGC

I've never attended the previous Ultimate Taste Tests, so I was really looking forward to this year's event at the Bonifacio Global City. It's great to see food entrepreneurs with their products all in one place, and sampling each of them in one night. You'll never know, but you could meet a potential food business success story right here. So what's cookin' at the Ultimate Taste Test 7.0 edition? Here's a quick tour on some of the Dude's  favorites...

Mio Gelati and the Ferrero Gelato. If you love the candy, you'll definitely love this. And the Snickers Gelato ain't bad too...

Lord Stow's Egg Tarts

Light, flaky, sweet and soft custard. Rich and creamy, the kind that makes you close your eyes. Lord Stow's famous egg tarts is an indulgence I reward myself, for any and whatever reason.

Opening its first outlet in 1989 in Macau, the Lord Stow's Bakery story is an amazing one, with much of its success attributed to this egg tart. The original bakery has  become an iconic tourist attraction in Macau and its egg tarts continue to be popular.

What's in the Fridge...

Checked the fridge, found some half opened bag of spinach. Hmm...maybe a salad. One tomato...well, that would do. And, hey...crab sticks! Or what's left of it...

For the dressing, I found some near empty bottles of  olive oil and balsalmic vinegar, add salt and pepper to taste...

Back for More at Urameshi-Ya

Back at Little Tokyo. Back at Urameshi-Ya. Back for more Kobe beef and other grilled meats...great to be back.

Your table top grill is all set and ready to go...