Monday, July 30, 2012

Have some -PATATIM

I recently had lunch with the entire family to celebrate my father's birthday. The restaurant we chose, was a personal favorite, because of its' good food and ambiance. One favorite dish is the PATATIM or Stewed Pork Leg, which was the star of "Papa's Birthday Feast". This very simple dish, cooked into perfection using different kinds of sauce, is what would make one go back for seconds and thirds...and order extra rice too. We even cook this at home. This is what home cook meal is about and I want to share the recipe for this, so you too can try it at home.

PATA TIM INGREDIENTS:

1 whole Pork (front or hind-your choice) tip: get the one's with bigger upper meaty part
1 pc. Star anise (sangke)
4 tbsp. Hoysin sauce (optional)
½ cup Dark Soy sauce
1 cup Brown sugar
2 cups Root beer (optional)
1 tsp Sesame oil
2 tsp Corn starch dissolved in ½ cup of water
1 pc Medium size Chinese cabbage
6 to 8 pcs Shitake medium mushrooms (optional) soaked on hot water
for 30 minutes then drained
1 pc. large carrot
baby corn

PATA TIM PROCEDURE:

1. Boil the pork pata for about 45 mins in salted water. Drain and let cool.
2. Deep fry in vegetable oil until golden brown. Let it cool
3. Place the fried pata in a casserole. Add about six (6) cups of water
4. Add the star anise, hoisin sauce, soy sauce and brown sugar.
5. Place in high fire until it boils then reduce the fire to low and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the pork leg is very tender (almost falling off the bone). Remember to add the carrots,baby corn and shitake mushrooms after 30 minutes of simmering.
6. Check the level of the water in your casserole. The sauce should be 1/4 of the casserole when done. Add the cornstarch and water mixture. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
7. Add the Chinese cabbage and simmer until it is tender. Add the sesame oil.
8. In a serving dish, place the pork leg in the center. Place the vegetables on the side.Pour enough sauce on the pata. Serve hot.

Google and Olympics

The 2012 Summer Olympics opening was a spectacular creation documenting (others say story telling) UK's transformations to a very progressive country that it is now. It also was a showcase of UK's famous citizens who has made great contributions in film - James Bond/Daniel Craig and Mr.Bean, to literature - lines from William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" were said, and to technology and health. The lighting of the Olympic Cauldron was simply breathtaking. Truly word class.

And Google, is also into the Olympic fever too. Their webpage features Olympic games, which I find cool and fancy. Just like this.

Nice, noh? Today, it's fencing that they are featuring.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Techie, Techno

I just recently joined technorati. Feel like I should have done this a long time ago, but I was probably busy doing something else, it slipped my mind..Now, I'm finally able to submit my blog on this site, and it was eawsy. I didn't even wait for 24 hours to get this unique code: 5QNV4G4UPK2H .

You and I/You and I

This version og Matthew Morrison and Idina Menzel of thesmash up of Lady Gaga's and Eddie Rabbit's You and I song, brings me down to memory lane. Got this lyrics from lyrics-celebrities.anekatips.com/

Just wanted to share with you guys. Enjoy!





You and I / You and I Lyrics Glee

You and I Lyrics by Glee Cast – Shelby Corcoran (Idina Menzel) and Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) – from Mash Off , 6th episode, third season of Glee

It's been a long time since I came around
It's been a long time but I'm back in town
This time I'm not leaving without you

OOOoh just you and I sharing our love together
And I know in time
We'll build the dreams we treasure
We'll be all right, just u & I

Somethin, somethin about this place
Just U and, just U and I
Something 'bout lonely nights and my lipstick on your face
Just u & I
Something, something about my cool Nebraska guy
Yeah, something about, baby, you and I

Just u & I, Just u & I
Sharing our love together
And I know in time
And I know in time
We'll build the dreams we treasure
We'll be all right, just you and I

Somethin, somethin about this place
Just U and, just U and I
Something 'bout lonely nights
and my lipstick on your face
Just U and
Something, something about my cool Nebraska guy
U and I
Yeah, something about, baby, you and I

Oh, You and I
And I remember our first embrace
That smile that was on your face
The promises that we made
Uuuuh
And now, your love is my reward
And I love you even more
Than I ever did before

Somethin, something about this place
Just U and, just U and I
Something 'bout lonely nights
and my lipstick on your face
just U and I
Something, something about my cool Nebraska guy
You and I
Just dreams of from Nebraska
From Nebraska from Nebraska nebraska
I love You
You, U & I
U & I
Nebraska
U & I
I love you
You and I
We made it
You and I

Monday, July 23, 2012

I Adore - Alexandre..Farewell

Some call it maturity, others term it mellow...It's that point in your life when you prefer a quiet environment to unwind, rather than going to clubs. This I call -ME time. And Alexandre-French Bakery Bistro and Lounge in The Fort gives me just that.

My love for Paris, and the Eiffel tower outside the cafe is reason enough to draw me inside the lounge, its' homey feel was too hard to resist...


I ordered the succulent pistachios macaroons and a croissant..



paired with a cup of my favorite coffee, in a mug that says...


Lounging in this place, is too relaxing, you could forget that you've been staying there for hours. That's why it pains me when I heard that the cafe has finally made its' curtain call and said goodbye to its' clients.
Thank you, Alexandre, for giving me a taste of Paris...



Friday, July 20, 2012

Mercato Centrale

After it's opening late last year, Mercato Centrale has now become a famous destination for foodies all over the metro.. I headed off to Mercato a day after it was launched and I keep coming back on every weekends that I could, and it never cease to impress me with its' wide spread of food and even organic stuff to suit any one's needs. It has moved into a new location, still in The Fort, just at the back of St.Lukes near MC Home Depot and S&R.

Different food stalls, so foodies and clients would have a wide array of choices.


While going around and checking out the stalls, you can sample the food products, because each food stall offer food tasting.




Tables and chairs are provided for customers to relax and dine at the same time. You can even share your table with a fellow foodie and gain friends.

Oh and this is where I got a sampling of my personal favorite-DQ Ice Cream. The day I was there was the day that they brought back their Dive Bar.

And these mochi's are sooo good :)


Mercato now has it's counterpart in the South, it's called Soderno. Check it as well.