Madel's Potato Salad

On a very rare occasion, our morning class was cancelled to give way for faculty meeting. I received phone call from my classmate regarding the scenario and was directed to go straight Metro South at Trece, Cavite with Total gas station as my landmark. Then, to south bend with orange gate leads to the Castillo’s mansion. Like with built in GPS in my system, I arrived with ease.

I was welcomed with the Christmas ambiance – gigantic Christmas tree adorned with ornamentals in red, silver and greens, Christmas stockings on walls and wreath along fire place that reminded me of a childhood cold Christmas experience in Baguio City. In no time, we had photo shoot when Jen’s niece arrived that made us well entertained and invited us for a swim, which we declined for we have no swimsuit ready. We opted to invade Jen’s room and went memory lane with their family album – we shared laughter and listened as Jen reminisce stories behind each picture. We lost track of time when Jen’s ate Madel cued for lunch is served. Yum!

Ate Madel kept apologizing for the quick fix lunch for they are not prepared for our sudden invasion. In contrast, it was smorgasbord – crispy fried chicken, Alfred’s chicken barbeque, Liza’s Mango flavored iced tea and the Madel’s Potato Salad. I love to travel / visit places as I continuously discover things that are so exciting, new and make me enjoy life which I found in Madel’s Potato Salad.

This in no exaggeration – I love potatoes be it boiled, baked, mashed, fried but not raw. Last to arrive on table was the potato salad. Ate Madel, recommended trying it with cheese. In bowl, was not of typical potato salad it has chopped hard boiled egg, onions, mayonnaise and perhaps salt and pepper to taste and that’s it! Potato was well coated enough with mayonnaise that gives sudden kick of acid, chopped hard boiled egg and onions added texture, while the peppery taste brings spice and cheese for hint of saltiness. The simplicity brought extravagance into the dish that defines potato salad and nothing else. Funny is that it’s a rush quick fix meal turned into gourmet that I tried making at home.

Ingredients:

Ingredients for Madel's Potato Salad

500g potato marblets (27.00 php)

250g Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise (30.00 php)

60g chopped hard boiled egg (1 medium size) (12 php)

30g chopped onion (5 php)

Dash of Mc Cormick black ground pepper (to taste)

Dash of Mc Cormick iodized salt (to taste)

Chianti fresh grated Parmesan Cheese (for garnishing)

Direction:

Wash potato marblets and boil (skin on) over high heat until tender but not mushy. Drain, set aside and allow to cool down

     Boil egg. Once cooked, peel off skin and chop. Set aside

    Chop onion, set aside.

1  In a bowl, combine boiled potatoes, chopped onion and egg. Toss well

1  Add mayonnaise and toss until potatoes are well coated. Add salt and pepper to taste

1 Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve.

 Note: Best served with crispy fried chicken...Next time Alfred's Juicy Hotdog!

Ruby's Cupcakes

I happened to attend a kid’s birthday party in Sucat, Paranaque. Aside from the celebrant’s fairy costume with matching pair of wings another caught my attention was that of cupcakes surrounding the birthday cake – sprinkled with colourful star sugar candies over white tempting cream. I thought it was part of promo package which later I learned was homemade from one of the guest.

Cupcakes were of simplicity that screams of homemade quality and I promised myself to fight over and grab at least a cup to satisfy my craving. Luckily, like heaven heard my plea and alms for piece of bread, the host handed me the coveted cupcake. The base was made of moist chocolate cake, topped with generous amount of cream and adorable sprinkle of colours. Surprisingly, it was not that sweet to torture one of sugar guilt, the chocolate flavour was distinct, while, the cream was of smooth texture that does effectively its job to compliment well with chocolate base cake. I wish to have one more but as I look over the table it was ransacked leaving the area cleared of even crumbs for evidences.

I had the chance to chat with the creator of the said cupcakes – her name is Ruby Ann Camposano (or Ruby), a graduate of Food Technology and had worked with Restaurant specializing with Cakes and currently employed in a food manufacturing. I had learned that pastries (cakes in particular) are her forte and had been creating cakes for family, friends and brethren. She literally bakes at home when ever order comes in.  She dreams of opening her own café before she retires from work and focus on being a businesswoman. The most surprising fact I learned on that day was that cupcakes was priced at lowest 25php a piece – with the volume and quality of her work, I won’t be fascinated to see her name go far in cake business.

Ms. Ruby resides in Sucat, Paranaque. You can text her at 09177519478

Taal Lake - Volcano Island

Month of August comes Research day at DLSU-D for graduate school and prompt panic as mid-term exams follows sequential of events. For our Environmental Toxicology class, we are tasked to invade Taal Lake and conduct biological, water and soil analysis. As scope, this blog entails my journey and strings of experience I had at Taal Lake, while, limitation – to exclude results and discussion of our experiments.

Saturday morning as PAGASA predicted, typhoon Gener should have left the country. However, heavy rain and wind made one think that Gener had “fun in the Philippines” and decided to extend its stay. At 6 am, we are summoned in Dasmariñas, Cavite ground and were loaded in one van together with our paraphernalia, boxful of Gardenia breads and array of sandwich spreads. We left quarter before seven and took Silang Route to Tagaytay, then Sungay down to “Kay Liling Resort and Spa” for our pit stop.

Tagaytay City is the vantage point to Taal Lake and Volcano. There are several means and ways to reach Tagaytay – a 2 hours drive from Metro Manila, it can be reached via Coastal Road (Aguinaldo Highway) or South Luzon Expressway, take the Carmona Exit and drive down through Governor’s Drive and turn to Maguyam, Silang up to the entrance of Tagaytay City or through Sta. Rosa exit going straight to Tagaytay City.    Public buses are also available, with terminal station in Pasay City ply Tagaytay route. BLTB buses bound for Nasugbu or Balayan and Batangas passes Aguinaldo Highway in Tagaytay.

We arrived at Kay Liling resort and spa at quarter past 8 and had short brief discussion about the experiment over complimentary brewed coffee. My group was tasked to do Soil Analysis and sampling sites includes shorelines, soil at Taal Volcano Island and somewhere near the lake. Taal Volcano Island – tagged as “a volcano within a lake within a volcano” This makes Taal Volcano unique for the fact that the volcano itself forms an island that has a lake of its own inside its crater, the top point is the perfect spot to view “Crater Lake”.

The volcano island can be reached by taking a half-hour boat ride from practically any town on the shores of Taal Lake. The popular jump off point is from the town of Talisya. As per Municipal Ordinance No. 13-2006 Boat ride (maximum of 6 passengers) charges at 1,500.00 php, tourist fee of 50.00 php, tour guide fee of 500.00 php and horse back ride (if you opted not to walk) at 450.00 php. Economic dimension of Sustainability, locals grabs opportunity to sell rain coats, bottled water, energy drinks, coconut juice and souvenirs doubled the price. We choose 1-hour hike and accepted the fact of getting dirty and wet (literally its horse shit everywhere).

The hike was an intense cardio work out and effort not to step on horse poop was added challenge. For the first time I thanked heaven for the heavy rain as it cool down my system and washes out my sweat. I was physically worn out but along the way the sight was overwhelming and enriching to ones mind.  We encountered tourist from different continents but mostly Koreans, soil transformations, rock formations and experiences that made me appreciate taking Environmental Science.

Reaching top view point was divine. Burned calories were paid off with the magnificent view of Crater Lake – picturesque, serene and portrait as I described it. Still luscious emerald green of lake, red brick colored crater lined with backdrop of sky, islands of greens was like a postcard taken from the book “Mist of Avalon”, but looking beyond on southern part, was a dismay sight of fish pens and cages over crowding the lake that reminded me of the horrible fish kill that happened late last year. Day dreaming was interrupted as a lady approached and vends us to make a wish by throwing golf ball out in the lake for 35.00 php /ball. As per local, it was introduced by Koreans and wishes do come true as guardians of the lake hear and grants wishes. For fun sake, my classmate and I had indulged.

Another local approached us trying to retail souvenirs but ended up lecturing us about geography. We learned that Tall Volcano and Lake are wholly located in the province of Batangas. The northern half of the Volcano Island falls under the jurisdiction of the lake shore town of Talisay, and the southern half to San Nicolas. The other towns that encircle Taal Lake include Tanauan, Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Santa Teresita, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Lipa, Balete and Mataas na Kahoy.

Note: Permanent settlement in the island is prohibited by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHILVOCS, declaring the whole Volcano Island as a high-risk area and a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Despite the warnings, poor families have settled on the island, risking their lives, earning a living by fishing, farming crops from the rich volcanic soil and eco-tourism.

J.Co Donuts

Yes, J.Co has finally arrived in the Philippines! With its very first store at Mall of Asia, I had experienced to line up for two hours just to acquire my two dozen donuts! The store opened a month ago and had my taste bud enjoyed J.Co’s donuts just last week when my younger sister generously slashed 350 php of her take home pay for a dozen of donuts. Boxed in bright orange, I immediately picked this creamed colored ring with generous sprinkles of shaved nuts which my sister named “alcapone” a favorite pick at J.Co. The alcopone was a treat – aesthetically it looks gourmet donut in elegant cream color; texture was a mix of soft and crunch from dough and nuts; sweetness in just right proportion both from dough and cream that makes me guilt free.

As the saying goes… every first is unforgettable! Thus, it prompt me pay visit at its store at MOA and secure myself two dozens of assortments to pamper my taste buds with the region’s favorite treat. On a Sunday evening, I arrived at J.Co quarter past eight and was amazingly surprised to see clean shelves and was informed by guard-on-duty that they run out of donuts as early as 7 pm and another batch was expected to arrive by 9 pm. So I decided to have a beef bowl on nearby store as I wait. By 9 pm patrons were already lined up, good thing is that they have number system and freebies of yogurt and frozen drinks that pacified our discomfort.

While obediently on line holding my no. 18 claim tag, I had learned a lot about J.Co as I stared and tried to read signage in store, chit chatting with my fellow customers and demanding explanation from crew on delayed donuts:

• J.Co have their dough (base donut) manufactured in Imus, Cavite and only the sprinkling, coating and designing was done in store – this I learned from J.Co staff as she explained that delivery truck was stuck in traffic in Cavite.
• J.Co’s logo is not the female “clit” but of a peacock!- this I figured and argued with my companion as we stared on it’s logo for the longest hour

• J.Co’s donuts were reasonably priced: 230 php for half dozen; 350 for a dozen and 550php for 2 dozens in assortment

• J. Co offers not only donuts but one can chill with J. Cool Yoghurt, be delighted in the bite-sized J. Pops baby donuts, or just marvel in the rich flavor of J. Coffee
• J.Co is Asia’s finest – with stores in Bali, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Shanghai and now Manila
• J. Co’s tagline: “Enjoy it the J.Co way”
• Contact them – hotline:+6328448441; www.jcodonuts.com.ph; email: hello@jcodonuts.com.ph

Almost 11pm when I had my Alcapone, Oreo, Mr. Green tea, Strawberry sprinkles and Black forest boxed up, I wonder how long J.Co fever will last. The scenario was no longer new for me, I had lined for openings of clothing line, Health Juices and the likes but after a month or two they could not sustain the same amount of customer during opening. Like sugar glazed of Krispy Kreme and Bavarian of Dunkin Donuts; the Alcopone of J.Co will be its flag bearer for its memorable, stand out and delightful. Having a dozen of J.Co donuts as I write, I say that J.Co is something to look out for – it has innovation, it’s not complicated that you could easily decipher each donut represents, reasonable price that doesn’t intimidates and their sweetness is in right dosage that made you ask for more.

KOPIKO KOPICCINO

Research and Development groups of coffee manufacturing, I must say are among the most innovative for evolution of coffee have continually left consumers in great surprises. Gone are the days of jars for coffee, sugar and creamer; hotels had shelved their china wares and found its use as plain displays and coffee sachets with logos imprinted are the now on standard operating procedures.

The convenience of 3-in-1 coffee, beneficial anti-oxidants, slimming coffee incorporating the magic of mushrooms, ginseng as added stimulants, a choice of decaf for caffeinated drink, intensity varying from mild to strong, brown sugar or white sugar and flavors that soothes your tastes are amongst revolutionary changes in coffee industry.  

Caffeine had not been nervous system friendly to me, I shrugged off invitation for coffee dates and coffee had been on my least priority grocery list. Not until, I encountered Kopiko’s latest invention – the “KOPICCINO.” The extravagance of foamy cappuccino of my office next-door neighborhood coffee shop now comes handy in 25g sachet for retail price of 8 php.

Due to lack of manpower, I was scheduled on night shift and literally resort to slapping myself to keep awake when one of our kitchen supervisor offered me her cup of coffee, which, I declined for coffee reason. Doing sensory evaluation, she toyed on me by presenting Hedonic sensory evaluation sheet and presented two cups filled with hot beverages labeled as A and B. For sample A – it received overall rating of 3 (average) but had high marks in terms of aroma, while, sample B – had a high mark of 4.3 (almost very like) for its unique tasty blend of instant coffee, sugar and creamy foam milk. In addition, fine chocolate granules were sprinkle at the top of foamy cup. It made me realize for my sensory recalibration that night for I had almost convinced that Kopiko – Kopiccino in sachet was an authentic cappuccino.

How To Prepare:

Pour all the content of Kopiko Kopiccino sachet in a cup and add 150 ml of hot water at 75^oC, then stir gently. Pour the chocolate granule on top of the foam and enjoy an unmatched delicious coffee experience.

Ingredients:

Sugar, non dairy creamer, instant coffee, choco granule (contains skim milk powder and malt extract), cappuccino flavor.

For Chocolate Granules – sugar, malt extract, skim milk powder, non dairy creamer ( glucose syrup solid, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, stabilizer E340, Sodium caseinate, Emulsifier E471, Free Flowing agent E551, Beta carotene E 160a), cocoa powder, chocolate flavor, emulsifier, salt, vanillin

PAHIYAS FESTIVAL - Lucban, Quezon

Looking forward to experience Pahiyas Festival for (3) three reasons: The festive of colors on hot summer, Timpalak Pahiyas – the yearly competition for the best Pahiyas-decorated house and Food!!! Learning that the celebration falls on a Tuesday (working day) - March 15, I had my acting skills geared up seeking medical certificate from my physician, fortunately she understands my desire of becoming “Dora the Explorer” provided that I bring her home “Lucban longganisa”!

Early morning as desired, I dressed up somewhat Dora – pink shirt, walking shorts and my backpack. We took van going Sta. Cruz, Laguna / Pagsanjan and paid 130 php (one way). The journey was a chaotic, as a family of 8 tried to squeeze themselves at the back, while, our seatmates where couple with 3 kids vomiting simultaneously with a nagging mom. The two hour travel seemed forever with the smell, heat and noise confined inside the van. I was gasping for fresh air as we reached rotunda of Pagsanjan where jeepney triple the size of normal jeep in metro systematically pick up passengers lining to go Lucban. The ride was charged 45php each; the zig zag road to Lucban sent me nausea that I decided to take a nap. Two hours after, I was on tricycle going to Lucban town proper that charges 10 php per passenger. Since it was day of Pahiyas, tricycle where no longer allowed to enter town and drop of point was tomb stone declaring “Welcome to Lucban”….Finally!

Welcome to Lucban!

Weather was unpredictable, gloomy sky, rain shower, then, torturing heat from the sun; regardless I’m ready to explore and conquer. The street was lined up with banderitas in yellow and red (sponsored by San Miguel Beer), vendors of woven hats on side walks and longganisa for sale adorns the street. We have no map and simply followed crowd’s flow. I had learned that the route of the Pahiyas Festival changes every year to give other houses chance to decorate and participate. In the morning of the Pahiyas Festival, the procession of the image of San Isidro will pass along this route, as blessing the families and for bountiful harvest during the coming planting season.

Lucban longganisa for 70php/dozen (small)

Handcrafted bayong, bags and fan as souvenirs

Despite the heat, visitors flocked and roamed to watch and have their pictures taken with colorful Pahiyas- decorated home as back view. It was a challenge to take a picture without unwanted companion but later on established a system by lining up and taking turns. At Jollibee themed house, we encountered vendor of Pancit Habhab – this noodle dish made with pancit miki from Lucban, Quezon. A meat-seafood-vegetable noodle dish served on banana leaves and eaten without spoon nor fork. The banana leaf is rolled loosely, allowing the pancit to come out on one end where it is eaten directly. It was superb, I enjoyed eating Pancit habhab. For 10 php per order I consumed 2 orders and took home 3 more.

Kiping -ala - chicharon

Pancit Habhab 

Grilled kipings...anyone?

Not far away, a stall was frying colored chicharon – like made out of kiping topped with sugar was being sold. To satisfy curiosity, paid 10 php for an order and was not happy about it. Walking along, decorated houses had continuously brought surprises with variation of artistically crafted home, the use of indigenous materials to variety of crops and the hospitality of homeowners that allowed us strangers to invade their homes for picture taking.

In search of restroom we spotted towering old stone church of Lucban – San Isidro Labrador Parish Church.  The exterior was genuine centuries old, but the interior was newly painted stone wall in beige, cream, old rose and brown adorned with gold chandelier. Luckily there’s restroom but the line was blockbuster. I was hoping organizers could had installed portalets and handed out maps for some convenience of visitors.

San Isidro de Labrador Parish Church

For lunch, we dined in local carenderia that serves Pancit Habhab and all sort of grilled meat. We bought a dozen of Lucban – longganisa (small) for 70php and let them cook for us (with 30 php charge), rice, and one order of pancit. Longganisa was served with crushed garlic in vinegar sauce that complements well; longganisa has distinct garlic flavor enough for meat to dominate and what makes it special is the fact it’s packed with pure meat and less fat. I ended up buying 3 dozens of small and 2 dozens of large size longganisa as proof of delightfulness.

Pahiyas festival was a colorful experience – the town was literally painted in colors but the hospitality I had witnessed in Lucban, the rich culture, food, religion and faith of locals had further intensified spectrum that it’s really more fun in the Philippines.

Expenses:

370 php – transportation from Cavite – Lucban, Quezon – Cavite

50 php – 5 orders of Pancit Habhab as pasalubong and lunch

10 php – 1 order of kiping chicharon

80 php – Lunch that included ½ dozen lucban longganisa, 1 rice and 500 ml mineral water

210 php – 3 dozens Lucban longganisa (small) for pasalubong

280 php – 2 dozens Lucban longganisa (large) for pasalubong

200 php – 2 pcs ref magnet as souvenir

1200 php – TOTAL EXPENSES

CALEA CAKES - Unforgettable Cakes

After sharing my sweet notes about Contis cakes, my mind went sugary and prompt me to tell tale of my syrupy encounter of Calea Cakes. Cakes have been my indulgence, despite history of Diabetes in my family, I just compensate by drinking plenty of water to wash out sugar. Spread of mouth – that in Bacolod, one must try Calea Cakes to truly imbibe your vacation in south. Having the chance to tour Bacolod, I ensured to squeeze in my itinerary to satisfy craving sweet tooth of visit to Calea.

Doorway to Cake Heaven

On first day, despite exhaustion from traveling from airport to Ruins and Balay Negrense, I made no excuse to end the night without visiting Calea. I heard no complaint from my companions but everyone seemed excited. From Lopues, we took a jeepney ride with sign board “Mandalagan – Libertad”. There is also Calea in Robinson’s Mall but it was unanimous decision to dine at Calea Café in Lacson street fronting King Fisher Hotel.

Better take note!

It was quarter past 9 in the evening, yet patrons of Calea seemed unstoppable, outside the blue arched door were people waiting to get table. It took awhile and soon as settled, temptations begun and I ended up ordering – slices of chocolate cake, black forest and cheese cake with blueberry sauce, yep it’s all mine!

Better have decision making skill

...and more of decision making

I had my chocolate cake first – it was moist, the filling was rich, there’s a hint of bitter chocolate on icing with sweetness on perfect proportion. Next on line was my cheese cake with blueberry sauce – it was very home made, like my mom had prepared this for me with use of premium ingredients and drizzled with love. I took time out and gulped glass of water before I proceed on my black forest – there was no extraordinary with this one except for the assurance that you’re eating cake of high quality and standard simply by its taste. For three slices of cakes, I was charged for less than 300 php – theory turned out right, it has been tremendously thick and tasty icing on the cake!

chocolate cake, cheese cake and black forest

I had to confessed that the following day, I went to Calea – Robinson’s mall and had two (2) slices of chocolate cake again. Accused me of being glutton but I simply can’t resist. For now, I ask visiting friends from Bacolod to bring me home cake from Calea – yep, its possible, buy two hours before your flight and hand carry it – just don’t buy the ice cream cake!

don't forget to drink plenty of water