Life's Simple Pleasures

Livin' It Up!

2006-11-21T22:20:00.000+07:00

The hubby and i celebrated our anniversary this month and what better way than to splurge and feast on lobsters! Actually a friend of mine knows someone who supplies the food industry here and she ordered a dozen for me. My husband picked them up from the hotel where they were delivered and brought home, all 12 still alive in the styrofoam box. poor guys, i had a bad conscience putting them in the boiling water and i had to ask for their forgiveness over and over! :( I remember my mother used to cook live crabs as well, but needless to say, the lobsters really tasted so good, i prepared 4 different dips (herb butter with lemon, curry, thousand island and chili) had potato salad on the side as well as saffron rice, an extra portion of green salad, and for starters i made some mussels cooked mediterranean style. splurge indeed, and with a bottle of chardonnay to whet the tastebuds, our 4 guests were more than content!

My Federer Moment

2006-09-18T00:27:00.000+07:00

If you're a real fan of tennis, how could you not admire this guy's accomplishments in the history of the sport? By winning the US Open for the 3rd consecutive year, Roger Federer is the only player to win Wimbledon and the US Open back to back three times in a row! He has become the first man in the Open Era to win three slams in a season more than once, he has won 9 Grand Slam singles titles putting himself ahead of players like Agassi, Lendl and Connors who have 8 apiece, and Roger has become the first man in the Open Era since Rod Laver to reach all four Grand Slam finals in one calendar year. Can't get any sweeter than that. What a guy. I hope one day he can win the French Open.

Pichi Pichi

2006-09-18T00:11:00.000+07:00

another first time...i know it looks a bit like palitaw in this pic, but needless to say, the end product was how i imagined it to taste like, and i was transported again to my native land...i used real cassava on this one, peeled and cut into small pieces then off it went to my mixer, i had about two cups of them, mixed with sugar, lihiya and water, then steamed it. as soon as it was cool enough, i formed them into small pieces and rolled it on grated coconut. next time i'll try to mix it with pandan water and make small portions. well, it was a taste of home and it gave me pleasure to make it from scratch.

Food Meme...

2006-08-29T17:59:00.000+07:00

i've hijacked this from here, and here's mine:

how do you like your eggs? soft boiled
how do you take your coffee? with a little cream and little brown sugar
favorite breakfast: first things first, a hot cup of coffee, followed by a slice of bread with butter and confiteur, and if i'm really hungry, then birchermuesli, fruit, orange juice
peanut butter: coarse
what kind of dressing on your salad? Italian
coke or pepsi? coke
you're feeling lazy, what do you make? slice of bread topped with mayonnaise, then cold cuts
you feel like cooking, what do you make? depends on my mood or what i have in my fridge
do any food bring back good memories? sure!
do any food bring back bad memories? yes, but i have a short memory so i forget! ;)
do any food remind you of someone? mostly family...
is there a food you refuse to eat? anything with innards used.
what was your favorite food as a child? macaroni swimming on milk sauce with chicken bits and carrots
is there food you hated as a child but like it now? vegetables, tomatoes...
favorite food and vegetable: fish, asparagus
favorite junk food: tortilla chips
favorite between meal snacks: chocolate
do you have any weird food habits: when i was a kid i removed the siopao filling and ate only the dough.
you're on a diet, what food do you fill up on? salad with Italian sauce, a slice of brown bread, fruit
how spicy do you order Thai or Indian? i can eat spicy food, no problem as long as it's not too extreme.
can i get you a drink: San Pellegrino
red or white wine? red
we only have beer: Heiniken
fave dessert? anything with chocolate
fave nightcap? grappa

Yay, i made Cuchinta!

2006-08-05T23:24:00.000+07:00

Lol, back to my gastronomical pleasures, and for the first time ever in my life i made cuchinta this morning, a childhood favorite. I think most birthday parties that i went to when i was a kid, they had this dessert, and i loved the soft texture and the grated fresh coconut that came with it. Well i didn't get those at the Asian shop yesterday, but you could buy those dried shredded coconut that came in a pack and that's what i used. What can i say? It's easy as abc, and the taste reminded me of my school days. 1 1/2 cups of water with 3/4 cups of brown sugar, cooked and cooled, then added to 1 cup of rice flour and a teaspoon of lye water or lihiya (got it from Puspha) mixed then poured into a mould and steamed for about 12 minutes. I sprinkled the grated coconut on the cuchinta before devouring it. It went well with my cup of coffee. My guinea pig, a.k.a the hubby, who's not really into Asian desserts, liked it. ;)

Roger Roger Everywhere...

2006-07-19T20:47:00.000+07:00

since i'm still in the tennis state of mind, i thought i'd put this here, an event that transpired way back end of autumn last year...

Launching of Roger’s Fan Club in Alschwil, November 2005.

I’ve seen Roger Federer in the flesh a few times in the past, long before he won his first Grand Slam, a few times in Gstaad, at the Swiss Indoors in Basel (even when he couldn’t play due to injury), and once he even came here to town for an exhibition match with some local athletes. He had won his first Wimbledon title that summer. The Filipina in me always makes me very excited and talkative, like you want to say so many things to him but your 30 seconds is over, you know?

So I had the great pleasure of seeing him again in Basel in the beginning of November last year for the launching of his official fan club in Switzerland. It was an occasion where there was no big fuss. I’ve lived in this country for so many years but I’m still amazed at how the Swiss could remain so calm and cool and casual on a day like this; had this affair transpired in the Philippines, the fans would go ballistic gaga. I said hello to a couple of women I knew whose friendships were started because of our mutual admiration for Roger. Then, punctual like a Swiss watch, in that small room at the clubhouse, the world’s best tennis player showed up looking very suave and cool in a brown corduroy jacket, dark shirt, and blue jeans. He reminded me of a student from an Ivy League school.

First, they had the presentation of the fan club to the media which was followed by interviews of Roger. Soon after, everyone moved outdoors and we could take pictures while he talked to the local press and TV, then later we could also have our pictures taken with him. He also signed some autographs (patiently) and I got 2 postcards signed ( I sent one to a Chinese fan in Shanghai) and his mom also handed out some white and red caps from his website. You betcha I got one of those, autographed, no less.
Roger felt at home in those familiar surroundings, the venue was the tennis club in Alschwil where he grew up and learned how to play tennis, there was also a football field right next to it. Roger apparently was also very talented in soccer but in the end, he chose tennis. The rest, as they say, is history. Anyway, how cool is that, standing right next to your tennis hero and chatting with him so casually while having your picture taken together and he was genuinely very nice! Bless him. Lucky me.
Two things worth mentioning here was when all of us ladies surrounded Roger for a group picture, I loudly exclaimed in English, “How come Roger has only women fans?” There was laughter and Roger said, “That’s how I prefer it”. More laughter.
I also had a brief chat with his mother in the ladies room and I told her that Roger inspires me to play better tennis. She said he motivates everyone. Mrs. Federer radiates an inner strength when you come in contact with her, something you see in Roger. And she is a nice, down-to-earth woman. She must be so proud of her son!

Considering Roger’s hectic schedule, I was more than happy to be there to see him again in the flesh. Driving back home was a pleasant experience, the autumn colors in the afternoon sun looked even more intense, the Swiss landscape was beautiful to behold.
A song was playing in my head.

Update...

2006-07-18T20:02:00.000+07:00

whoah! can't believe i haven't made an entry here in almost 3 months. but that just tells you how 'busy' i've been. work and life in general was hectic lately, sometimes i wish i only worked 80% instead of 100. I'd click my heels if i had Mondays off. wishful thinking. not in my current job.
we have also changed flats end of May, so the whole moving process took it's toll. no fun there coming back from the office after 5, packing up, loading it into the car, (going down from the third floor), driving to new abode, bringing up to the new digs (up the stairs) unloading...my husband and i have been doing this for 10 nights in a row before we made the major move with 2 men and a big van, who took care of the heavier things, but we were still helping, needless to say. i was dreaming of wellness spa, massages...we were totally knackered. but that's now a thing of the past, we are now the proud owners of a beautiful apartment 7 kilometers from the town proper and the view is just gorgeous... :)
on top of that, the month of May and June was Interclub season, so i played tennis with my team, won 1 and lost 1 doubles match, but won my 2 singles matches. we were top in our group (5 teams) winning 42 sets and losing 22. i wasn't around during the 'Einstiegspiel' but heard from my teammates that they lost so we stay in the same category next season. in between, i was following the men's tour on tv. too bad Roger Federer lost in the finals of Roland Garros, but i am thrilled that he got a 4th Wimbledon title, and beat Nadal, his nemesis. I would have expected nothing less, it's his turf, after all. i still hope that someday he'll win Paris, the only Slam he hasn't won to date.

The Tennis Side of a Bay Leaf

2006-04-25T04:00:00.000+07:00

Our club opened last Saturday for the new season with an apero and it was a gorgeous, sunny day. As i stood there looking down at those four clay courts, it gave me a warm familiar feeling and it brought back a lot of good memories. My husband and i have been members here since seven years and i've played Interclub the last two seasons. Prior to that I ran the club resto for two seasons, an experience i enjoyed (so did the club members and guests) but it gave me less time to play. The club is open from April till early October. Interclub is played on the weekends of May and June.

I started playing the game way back in the Philippines when i was in college, but since i've lived here, i've taken a couple of lessons to improve my technique. It's a pity i played it on and off in the past. But since we've become members here, i play more regularly now. I may be older, but i've improved my game and i'm enjoying it more. Participating in tournaments has also given me some court experience especially in singles matches. So long as the body is still able and my legs can run, then i got the will to play. With pleasure! :)

Raspberry Muffins

2006-04-16T21:13:00.000+07:00

When it comes to baking i am a real newbie, but i enjoy it nevertheless, i think to get the hang of it, one just needs to do things on a trial and error method. That's exactly what i've done with these. I still have some frozen raspberries so i took them out and thawed them. I wrote earlier about not having the right measurements when cooking, but when i bake, i do, so for this recipe i sifted 2 cups of flour, then resifted it with 3/4 teaspoons of salt, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. On a separate bowl i beat 2 eggs, then added about 4 tablespoons melted butter and 3/4 cup of milk. I then added the dried ingredients to the latter, then the raspberries (which i've sprinkled with about 2 tablespoons of flour before adding them in), then mixing ever lightly for about 20 seconds. (I read somewhere that the secret to a good muffin is never to beat the batter too long, it should come out coarse, as the gluten in the flour will develop and make the dough tough.) Then on a muffin pan i placed paper bun cases and scooped the mix to each form, filling it 2/3. All 12 forms were filled. I then put it inside my preheated oven (200°C) and baked for about 25 minutes then removed and placed in rack to cool.

Happy Easter!

Squid Adobo

2006-04-14T15:29:00.000+07:00

Back in the islands, this is the typical adobong pusit, but of course we all have our improvized versions, and this is one of mine. As today is Good Friday, this is a great dish to prepare--- simple, yet enjoyable. The local Migros shop had these giant squids at their seafood counter, a rarity around here, but much appreciated by the likes of me. So i purchased four pieces, washed them, removing the head from the mantle or tube and squeezed to discard its hard beak, then i removed the gladius (that plastic like thing), and cut the mantle into pieces, washed again, and put aside. Then i chopped some garlic, ginger, and onions, sautéed those in spicy olive oil (hubby dipped a few chilies/garlic in a bottle and kept it for weeks and months), added two dried bay leaves, then added the squids, some soy sauce, patis (fish sauce), and freshly grated pepper. I added also a dash of rock salt and brown sugar, dried chili, then mixed them gently, and lastly, a few drops of vinegar. Mixing again, i let it simmer in the pot for a good half hour and till the sauce was thick enough, and inspite of what experts say about cooking it quickly so it stays soft and tender, this one turned out just fine, tender and tasty. It goes perfect with warm perfume rice, the spicy taste of the olive oil lingering in your mouth for just a little bit longer. *note: i don't necessarily have a particular measuring amount used for the ingredients that go into the dish, like salt, pepper, soy sauce, etc., one just gets a feel for these things after a while.

Chili Crab

2006-04-09T20:22:00.000+07:00

It's been a while, but here's another food entry. Many's the time when i crave of having fresh seafood over here, so i make do by going to the Asian shops here to get a taste of home. The frozen crustaceans that's sold are quite good actually, and you'd be pleasantly surprised with the blue swimmer crabs they offer here . My mom used to prepare this by just boiling them with a little amount of water and adding salt. When cooked just right, the meat taste just divine. I do them in two different versions, one with spicy coconut sauce, then here's the chili version: for a pack of those crabs (about 1 kilo, frozen, the shell, apron and gills removed, and the body cut in half, the claws still attached) i prepare a tablespoon of grated fresh ginger, a teaspoonful of dried chilies (you can also use the fresh one, slice thinly), 5 cloves of finely chopped garlic, chopped spring onions separating the green tips, about 2 tablespoons of patis (fish sauce), 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons 0f Sriracha hot chili sauce (also available in Asian shops). Here's how i do it: i remove the crabs from box and thaw them, then wash in cold water and put aside. I then heat some peanut oil in a heated large wok then sauté the dried chili, ginger, garlic and spring onions, then add a small amount of water, the patis, sugar, juice, vinegar and chili sauce, then i stir till the sauce thickens. That's when i add the crabs, cook covered for about 15 minutes, (crab changes color by then) i then add the green onion tips (coriander leaves are also optional but the hubby is not a big fan of them). But he loves seafood, his favorites are prawns and shrimps, but this one is growing on him. At the beginning i had to show him how to remove the meat, also placing old newspapers on the table then hammering the claws, but he loves it especially with the chili sauce and some steamed rice on the side. Sometimes when you eat something good you have to earn it, even if the table looks a mess afterwards... ;)

Asparagus, anyone?

2006-03-29T02:03:00.000+07:00

I was going through one of my favorite food blogs yesterday (that's the Marketman for you), and he made broccoli sautéed in olive oil and garlic and chili, which inspired me to make a similar version (without the chili) with the vegetable in season here, the asparagus, which is one of the most nutritious, well balanced greens around. For the health concious, asparagus is low in calories, contains no fat or cholesterol, is very low in sodium, and a great source of potassium and fiber. So after work, i went quickly to the local grocery, chose about a dozen of them, and also bought some Prosciutto al forno (ham baked in those brick ovens). The hubby called up earlier to say that he was coming home around 8 pm, so i had ample time to prepare. I washed the asparagus, cut about an inch at the bottom and discarded them, then peeled the outer layer of the stems but leaving the tips intact, and then cutting the stems into small pieces. I put them into boiling water for about 2 minutes, starting with the stem parts, then the tips last. After draining the hot water, i washed them with cold tap water, then continued to immerse them in a bowl of cold water with some ice cubes while i cut some garlic, heated a pan, added some olive oil. I then sautéed the garlic till it was brown, then added the asparagus, some salt and pepper, and mixed them lightly. I never overcook my vegies, so as soon as it reached its soft-enough-but-still-crunchy state, i removed it from the heat. It was perfect timing as the hubby came home so i just had to transfer it to a plate, added the slices of ham, put some of that lovely olive oil sauce on the meat, and, eh, voila, a light meal at the day's end. Before we ate though, i just had to take a picture, then afterwards while showing him the cropped pic, he says it does not do justice to its taste. I'll take that as a compliment. :)

Spring can really hang you up the most

2006-03-28T21:13:00.000+07:00

in my case, i guess it's what the locals here call Frühlingsmüdigkeit, just that feeling of being lethargic as spring sashays back into the scenery. fortunately i am not allergic to pollen like some people i know.

glad, though, that the long cold winter is over, although it still doesn't look like real spring outside with all that rain, i'll take this anytime over those freezing, below zero Celsius temperatures i had to endure all those months.

glad also to get that break last month and to spend four weeks back in the tropics, seeing my siblings, nephews, nieces, old friends and schoolmates, and then my husband and i met up with our friends on the beach.

Emma

2006-03-21T17:51:00.000+07:00

Today is Emma's birthday. She's 84. What an incredible life she has had and she is still going strong (i hope). How does she do it? After ten children, a marriage which lasted almost thirty years till her husband left her for a younger woman, carrying on singlehandedly in raising the rest of her children that were still at home with her, surviving by making use of her culinary prowess to make both ends meet which included waking up at dawn to get the freshest produce from the market and then often seeking solace inside a movie theatre at the end of a hard day's work which sometimes ended up with her falling asleep for the entire duration of whatever film was shown that evening (the Chinese proprietor would wake her up to announce he was closing); then, to have a second wind to start an altogether new life in America as a 64 year-old nanny, living far away from her kin for twenty years and finding a second home with a family who have warmly welcomed her into their hearts, watching her two 'kids' grow from infants to students (the eldest is graduating from college in May), outliving the man she married and has always loved, as well as outliving two of her sons---i can only shake my head in awe and amazement at this bighearted octogenarian who is my mother.

It was a real pleasure to talk to her on the phone tonight and to hear her warm voice and reminish about the good ol' days. She still has such a good memory that she was even telling me stories about her old suitors, long before she married my dad, which made us both laugh. Sometimes she could still sound like a teenager. :) I also enjoy listening to her wartime stories as she vividly recounts tales of that period (my father and her got married when they were both 19 and got out of Manila where they went to college, which was occupied by the Japanese during that time, then took off by banca (an outrigger boat) slowly going from island to island till they reached Mindanao). I've also heard from her contemporaries that during her time she was popularly known as the 'Songbird'. In her generation, I suppose she would be a subtle version of the 'Music Star', clad in whatever garb women wore to perform in the late 30's. She won singing contests in our region, a feat that made my grandfather so proud he bought her a piano and she learned to play it by ear. (When i was growing up our house was filled with her music, sometimes we sang along or she would accompany us as my siblings and i took turns in singing solos which we picked up from watching musicals or whatever tunes fancied us then. Her piano playing inspired us all to sing.) To this day she still plays, but with wrinkled fingers that feel arthritis, and although the sound of her voice is not as forceful as it used to be, singing lifts her spirits and she still hits notes perfectly. Bless her. I hope and pray that she will continue to remain in good health.

Funny enough, i did not learn cooking from her, we devoured with gusto whatever meals she prepared for us. But i have inherited her musical genes, and so have my siblings! :)

I am eternally grateful to this wonderful woman for giving me the gift of life.

Hola, Herb!

2006-03-18T09:49:00.000+07:00

Bay leaf (plural bay leaves) are the aromatic leaves of several species of the Laurel family (lauraceae). Bay leaves are used in cooking for their distinctive flavor and fragrance and may be used fresh or dried.

Why this particular herb for my user's name? Because with this blog i think i'm going to be posting partly on what i've prepared from my own kitchen. Erm, no, i am not a gourmet, i just enjoy food, period. It is also because it's a word play on my real name. ;)

I've gone on a bloghopping rampage last week and they were mostly on the culinary arts and these ladies (and gents) have come up with things so enticing, not only from the wonderful photographs that they have presented, but also from the sumptous preparations that they have shared with everyone. They sure have given me hunger pangs while anxiously waiting for my lunch break, the more i looked, the more i drooled, the more my tummy craved for them. Thus, i was inspired to try to start with something of my own. A big thank you goes also to Puspha for the encouragement. Note: this is not necessarily a food blog, this is mainly the musings of a middle-aged Pinay (Filipina) living in an alpine country and enjoying the view. And the other simple pleasures in life.