Homemade Fruity Pockets

I’m not really fond of doing desserts. I know a few recipes like graham fridge cake, buko pandan salad, ube halaya, but I gotta admit that I don’t create sweets most of the time. However, because I wanted to challenge myself, I decided to place a desserts section in this site (Pakitang gilas! Ha!). So this weekend I prepared something very easy, simple and filling.

When I said easy I meant that we’re gonna cheat a little. Okay, I didn’t have much time to prep (and learn how to make) fresh dough so instead I used sliced bread loaf. Here are the other ingredients: 1 ½ cup jackfruit, 6 halves peaches (in can will do. Save the syrup), 1 pc large ripe mango, cinnamon powder, ½ cup refined sugar, egg wash, water, ¾ cup cream, ¾ cup condensed milk and oil for deep pan frying.

Slice the jackfruit into thin strips, the peaches thinly sliced and the mango cheeks diced. Simmer the jackfruit first in ½ cup water and ½ cup syrup. Add ½ cup sugar. Should you decide not to use the syrup, double the quantity of water and sugar. 

Once the jackfruit has started to soften (looks wilted), add your peaches and simmer until the fruits are fully soft.  Finally mix the mangoes and simmer until all liquid has dried up and the mixture is thick like a jam. Stir occasionally to avoid burning the sugar. Let it cool.

While simmering the filling, start making the dip. Simply combine in a pan the cream and condensed milk heated over low fire. Mix thoroughly. Once it started to simmer, add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder. (Add more to your liking). Continue simmering until the dip thickens, stirring occasionally to avoid burning the milk.

Flatten the bread using a rolling pin. 

Scoop a teaspoon or two of the filling and place at the center of the bread. Brush all sides with egg wash, and then fold the bread in half. Press on the sides and make sure they are sealed well.

Brush the folded bread with egg wash and roll over in bread crumbs covering both sides.

Fry the bread over medium fire until it turns golden brown. Do not burn it! If the oil is hot enough, each side should take only about a minute. Serve hot together with the sweet dip.

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Pan-fried Chicken Breast with Chunky Tomatoes and Basil

I don’t always find the food in the office cafeteria appetizing. But sometimes I let myself buy a cup of white rice and a viand because I failed to bring my own packed lunch. So one evening I searched through our fridge and cabinets for something easy to prepare the next day. I found chicken fillet, fresh basil and some concasséd tomatoes, which I previously prepared.

First I pounded the chicken breasts then seasoned with salt, ground pepper, crushed garlic, ginger powder and Spanish paprika.  I heated about two tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick pan and fried the chicken. Depending on how thin the chicken was pounded, mine took not more than three minutes on each side. Make sure it’s brown and golden.

While doing the chix, I sautéed some white onions in olive oil, added ½ cup of the tomatoes and poured in ¼ cup of chicken stock. Once simmered, I tossed some olives and fresh basil. Voila! Just top the veggies on your chicken and it’s done.

Happy eating! 

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Creamy Cheesy Egg Sandwich Spread

Back when I was in school, my mama would always prepare me a sandwich and a Zesto juice pack aside from my rice meal. Cheese, tuna, ham and egg sandwiches were my usual snacks during recess time. But the latter has always been the most enjoyable for me. Until now, I find eggs delicious, and simple and trouble-free to cook ingredient in any dish.

So today I decided to make perhaps one of the most common sandwich spreads. It’s very easy to do and perfect for those I’m-too-lazy-to-cook moments.

What I learned about hard boiled eggs is that you have to boil the water first before adding the eggs. Then turn the fire low and simmer for not more than ten minutes (large eggs may need to be cooked for 15 minutes). Once done, immediately soak the eggs in cold water. This will help the shell be easily removed from the white. Cracking the egg will also release the gas that causes the greenish discoloration around the yolk.

I used two sliced eggs combined with ¼ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup less-fat cream. (You can actually lessen the mayo and cream should you like the spread to be thick). I added two tablespoons of American cheese and tossed some crushed parsley, and seasoned with a few dashes of salt and pepper.

Place in a clean container with cover any unconsumed spread and store in the fridge.

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Mushroom Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Mushrooms are undeniably one of my favorite foods. It’s a major turn on for me to try dishes served with any mushroom whether it’s soup, pasta, risotto, burger or pizza. I find them simple yet savory and filling.

I’ve tried several mushroom pastas but this one I cooked was made healthier by using whole wheat spaghetti. Although it is still starch, whole wheats are high in fiber, which aids in digestion and helps on weight management.

Cook 200 grams of your choice of whole wheat pasta one minute less than the given instruction. While waiting for your starch, sauté two gloves of minced garlic in olive oil, adding ¼ cup of minced white onion. Once your onion turns translucent, add one cup of minced shiitake mushroom. You can use either fresh or dried but fresh produce ar oftentimes better.

The trick: use food processor (or blender) to easily mince the mushroom.

Pour one cup of chicken stock, ¼ cup white wine (I used chardonnay) and ¼ cup non-fat cream. Add salt and pepper then simmer and reduce the sauce by ¼ cup. Once the pasta is about to cook, toss it to your sauce, mix well and cook for another minute.

That’s healthy and savory without the guilt.


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A Short Affair with Sam: First Night

My dream travel destinations include most countries in Europe like France, Italy, Spain and Greece. That’s why it was a total surprise and a huge blessing at the same time that I was given the chance to travel in the US. Considering that I was previously denied of a visa, I never had high hopes of going there anytime soon. But last July was a month of many firsts for me. Yes, Sam and I spent some great time together. It was certainly an experience to remember: from the lengthy hours of flight, to non-stop shopping and food tripping, to falling in love with Yun Zi.

My flight was scheduled to leave then at 2200H of 07 July via PR 102. I arrived about a couple of hours earlier. I decided to have dinner prior to going to the airport since there are only small cafés in Terminal 2. I already arranged a choice seat with a travel agent so I didn't have to worry about not getting a good spot. Prior to boarding, I had to pass a series of inspections: I was searched, all the contents of my carry-on bag were brought out and I had to remove my shoes. Even so, all PAL personnel were nice and courteous.

Less than an hour to our flight all passengers were asked to board the plane. Honestly, I felt butterflies in my stomach. It was the longest flight I took – 15 straight hours – and I kind of expected an uneasy one.  To help myself from boredom I played Glow Hockey and read a few pages of The Curious Case of the Dog in the Nighttime (which I haven’t finished yet at the time of this writing). I tried not to sleep so as to “sync” my body clock with the time in California. Alas, I couldn't help it.

The only things I enjoyed during the flight were food and the free seat beside me (I took advantage of this and placed all my stuff beside me). Unexpectedly, the foods served were savory and satisfying! They have mproved a lot since the last time I tried PAL meals from my trip to Jakarta last year. Our cabin attendants were nice and helpful but they weren't as warm as those assigned in domestic flights (Oops! Sorry!).

Breakfast: Omelet, sausages and hash brown

Dinner: It's like adobo but sweet and has corn

A couple of hours prior to arrival in Tom Bradley International Airport, passengers have started to fix themselves. There was a queue in front of me as the lavatory was near my seat. Honestly, it was a bit uncomfortable. Feeling the presence of people very near me just didn't help me go back to sleep. I decided to read again.

Exit row seat

Side ways

There was exactly no window beside me because I was seated in the exit row. But from the window adjacent to the crews’ seats, I could see sunlight at eight in the evening! At first I thought I might be in the wrong destination. But later on I realized different time zones also mean different durations of day and night. I was quiet while waiting for our plane to land. But deep inside I was a giddy child; feeling that kind of excitement when my parents used to bring me to the carnival! I waited, and waited, and waited…

I arrived!

 The long wait at the immigration and customs was exhausting. It was already dark by the time I finished all inspections. Oh boy, the wind was really cold outside! I was already wearing a jacket and yet it felt like I was inside my boss’s office (that’s usually 17 degrees Celsius). Our golf team’s coaches picked me up and we drove our way to Sun City where the team’s “home base” was.

Thou shall tell nothing but the truth

The trip from Los Angeles to Sun City was quiet and the traffic was really smooth. Our travel was more than twice the distance of my daily home-office route but we arrived within an hour and a half! (My travel time from Cavite to Manila is usually two hours)

Sun City neighborhood at night

The neighborhood in Sun City was deafeningly quiet and dark, at least during the night. It was like one of those places you see in suspense-thriller movies where a serial killer lurks. Of course, I was just scaring myself so I started preparing and fixing my stuff as soon as I got in the house. It was spacious: a garage fit for two cars, a backyard almost the size of a badminton court, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area as big as the master’s bedroom and… a roomy kitchen! Well, it may be an average kitchen for most houses there but that was definitely not cramped unlike ours at home.

After eating a few slices of barbecue and a plate of pansit (Yep! Our coach bought food), I took a quick shower and dressed up into my pajamas and t-shirt (No tank tops!) Since all rooms were occupied, I settled in the couch with a pillow and a blanket. I’m glad to have bought a microbead pillow before I left; at least I have something to cuddle to my sleep.

The night was swift and before I knew it the clock was about to strike midnight. I spent a few minutes staring at the ceiling and thought of the adventures I was about to take the next morning before I finally dozed off. 

This is the couch were I slept during my stay in Sun City.

To be continued…

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