What I brought home from my trip to Japan

It was our last day and I could not go home without going to this place in Asakusa. There is a street in Asakusa where they sell everything for the kitchen, from restaurant equipment, uniforms, Japanese curtain for the kitchen, tea cups, bowls, everday utensils, western cooking pots, i.e. Le Cruet. How I wish I could bring more than these two tea pots.

Ikea sell more than furnitures

Ikea opened a new store in Red Hook, Brooklyn.









Usually a trip to Ikea means we either get a snack or have lunch in their dining room. My favorite is the Swedish meatballs with cranberries. It seems I am not the only one who goes to Ikea for the Swedish meatballs, as they sell them at one of their food outlet located as you exit the cashier. And not only the meatballs, they sell whatever they serve you for lunch, all imported from Sweden.
This carrot with almonds tort is a bit heavy. All you need is a small slice to satisfy your sweet tooth. Good thing is, you can have 8 small slices to enjoy at home. Reasonabled priced too.

Getting the buck for your money

Where would you spend you money, on local or imported produce?





Strawberries abound during these days and a big bowl would cost you a mere $2 ($1 in the summer). However, when you see these imported mangoes from Mexico, don't you miss the sweet taste of mangoes you used to enjoy when you were back home in the Philippines. This variety cost a $1 a piece, although they are so inferior to the Philippines mangoes. If only.....

Somebody said, I'd have bananas anytime. More for my hard earned money. Do you think I agree with him???? Nope. hehehehe

Nothing beats simple home cooked meals

Bok choy stems with black beans









shrimps with green beans








pancit canton/sotanghon with snow peas and wood ears





Shrimps with green beans and calabasa







pasta soup with ham, carrots and peas






eggplant relleno








stir fry bok choy with oyster sauce




Sometimes all you crave for is comfort food. Comfort food usually means dishes that you used to enjoy i.e. what your mother cooked when you were young. It does not have to be fancy but yet after enjoying a plateful, you know you are in heaven. Pancit has always been my favorite. Pancit bihon, pancit canton, pancit sotanghon, pancit palabok (alternatively called Pancit Malabon).....anything pancit is good for me. I try to be creative and see if combining canton with sotanghon (or with bihon) will taste better because of the texture. It sure is! Try it.

Recycling leftovers

Couscous with salmon















Cook couscous according to instructions on the back of the box. I use chicken stock with butter to cook the couscous and a little bit of salt. Combine with flaked 1 cup cooked salmon(leftover from last night's dinner), minced onions, scallion sliced thinly, dried cranberries or regular raisins, golden raisins or apricot, minced red peppers, salt and pepper. Serve with minced parsley(I used mint here). Goes well with roast chicken or pork chops.

Easy veggie dish

Snow peas with shitake mushrooms






Stir fry dishes are quick and easy. Saute ginger and garlic. Add the snow peas and rehydrated shitake mushrooms. Add soy sauce and oyster sauce and mix well. Throw in few pieces of slivered almond(I used cashew nuts) before serving. Goes well on its own with hot steaming bowl of rice.

Happy together

Spring means fruits are at its peak. On its own, stawberries and blueberries are sweet and juicy.








Combine the strawberries and blueberries with cereals and milk and you're good to go. This bowl of fruit is like a work of art. Good for the tummy too.