May 22

Feast and Fireworks

Buffet 12 Comments »

It has been planted - the challenge is to make it grow.


The template was changed (we’re still tweaking), a feast, visitors and fireworks too. It’s probably the most lavish way to celebrate a food blog’s first anniversary. But it wasn’t really for the blog. And I’m getting ahead of myself.

My blog genie Catsudon upgraded WordPress to version 1.5.1.1 and changed the template in the process. While tweaking the blog this morning (Philippine time, she’s in the US west coast), she noticed that the archives started in May 2004, exactly a year ago today. It’s actually quite appropriate that it’s her who noticed the anniversary since it was Catsudon and Bea, college friends both, partner-in-crime and roommate respectively, who got me into writing a food blog. After months of resistance, I just had to give in to their constant nagging.
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May 22

IMBB 15: Pilgrim’s Milk Tea (Has My Blog Jelled?)

Beverages, IMBB?, Perfectly Sweet 9 Comments »


This month’s edition of IMBB with the theme “Has My Blog Jelled?” is being graciously hosted by Elise at Simply Recipes.

Much as I promised myself to join each IMBB as is humanly possible, I wasn’t very enthusiastic about staying in front of the stove in the summer heat. I initially thought of crema de fruta, a sponge cake encrusted with fruit cocktail and set with gelatine. But no baking for now, otherwise I might just combust.

So, what’s easy and not so common? I’ve posted Ginilu already, a beverage of thin coconut milk with agar cubes. Since it’s extremely hot, why not another beverage? Sago’t gulaman (tapioca pearls with agar cubes in a light banana-flavoured syrup) is common but I can do better than that and try my own version of milk tea.
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May 20

Attack of the Munchies

Buffet 5 Comments »


The past few days I was in a workshop in a resort along the coast of La Union facing the South China Sea. Although the food was nothing spectacular, it was substantial and I couldn’t really complain. We had more than enough yet one evening, as I sat down to work on a document, I just had to satisfy a craving. I had to have balut. To the uninitiated, balut is a 15-17 day old cooked fertilised duck egg. Definitely not for the squeamish.

The resort of course did not have the delicacy on the menu so out into town I went. Balut is usually sold by itinerant vendors and not knowing where their route, I had to ask the lady at a variety store. A bit embarrassed that I just wanted directions, I bought some puffed rice snacks (which bring pleasant childhood memories) and proceeded to find the balut vendor.

A few minutes later, I was back in the cabin and shared the grace with my roommate. She was laughing at how my craving compelled me to go out late in the evening. I don’t get do that everyday yet when it strikes, it’s hard to shake off.

The puffed rice wasn’t the crispiest I’ve had and the balut not the freshest nor tastiest but then I was satisfied. I am easy to please. :cloud9:

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