If I Could I Would

chicharon

Pretty sure I have posted this before but I haven't made this in a long time. Yup, it's that special it warrants  its own post. I don't even remember the last time I made chicharon (pretty sure it's close to a year or maybe more).

I found some pork skin with a little fat (trimmed from pork belly) inside the freezer. I usually save this for pork sisig but decided on chicharon instead. It is one of Lance's favorites and of course hubby's, okay and mine too.

Those store bought ones are nothing compared to these. If I wasn't afraid of the oil splatter I would make these in large batches and probably munch on them 24/7. Maybe not 24/7 but pretty close to it :D

Cooking the Obvious

Because hubby is on leave, it only means one thing (ok maybe two!) gotta have food and eat when it's time to eat.

grilled honey ham

grilled honey ham, egg, cheese, veggies, sweet mayo

grilled honey ham and egg sandwich

He wakes up late so it's either brunch or lunch already. I usually make it few minutes before he wakes up and because he wakes up at exactly the same time everyday (how creepy is that!), by the time I'm done and everything's set up, we're both ready to sit down and eat a warm meal.

waffle sandwich with bologna, egg and cheese plus lemon smoothie

I wish I have a weekly menu planned but I don't. I always go to bed thinking what's gonna go to the kids' lunch bags, what do I cook tomorrow? It works for me though because between that time when I start thinking and waking up, something just pops up. Either it's a craving, or something I saw on Pinterest but most often than not I mentally add up what's in the fridge/freezer. Like I knew the next day would be a poutine day (just because) I remembered there's a bag of fries downstairs.

poutine and strawberry smoothie

poutine for kids' lunch

It may not be the ideal thing to do but I go with what my gut's telling me to cook. Okay, I'm not sure if it's gut or what (haha!) Actually, I cook whatever makes sense. We have this so I cook it. From time to time we do entertain our cravings and make a special trip to the store to get the ingredient but most often than not it's cooking what we already have.

steamed and fried dumplings

Hubby was craving for dumplings few days ago and I knew eating out wasn't the best option. I would rather spend the money towards buying groceries which I did and the dumplings were only $3.88/bag. They all taste the same to me anyway (haha!)

hot dogs in ketchup, worcestershire, soy sauce and brown sugar

I'm not fond of hot dog in a bun, I would rather eat it with rice actually especially when cooked like that in the picture. Found this hot dog recipe but sauteed mine in garlic and onion, omitted the mustard and added soy sauce.

breaded beef and vegetable tempura

I knew I had beef in the freezer, the kids won't enjoy it if it's cooked like steak. I don't have much veggies either to turn it into (sinigang or nilaga), I don't feel like using it in a stir fry. So I decided to just slice them thinly, season with salt and pepper, roll into cornstarch then fry. I still have zucchini and carrots and decided to do vegetable tempura. Okay the tempura thing was just an excuse to use the deep fryer (again!)

love this thing!

Leila came home from school the next day requesting for the breaded beef again. Who am I to refuse her request? Now I have a valid reason to cook the same thing for the second time. I knew hubby would notice but he didn't complain, partnered it with the pickled veggies I made few weeks ago. The veggies are awesome! I am going to make some more and hopefully pick up some mason jars soon. :D

Frozen

paid $5.33

Indeed! How I wish this week hadn't been this cold. Hubby and I could've enjoyed some time outside instead of being couch potatoes all day long.

We went out once and even I wanted to go home right away (which rarely happens). Almost skipped getting the cheap chocolates (thankfully I didn't!)

The extra freezer downstairs should remind me to stock up on meat and other favorite food so when it gets too cold I don't have to force myself to go out there and shop.

We didn't actually have to go out but hubby wanted to check out something at the mall and the store I usually go to happens to be in the vicinity plus I reminded hubby that he was craving for steamed buns so we kinda had to go to the Filipino store. Wrong move though, the steamed buns were expensive (never again!)

So hubby went to get his game, got my cheap chocolates, gel and lip balm. Steamed buns (check) but wait, my other favorite supermarket is just around the corner! Picked up Filipino sausages that were on sale and some dumplings too! Talk about unnecessary spending (ugh).

I know, we should've stayed at home. Anyway, that was the first and last trip outside for the whole week. Or maybe not, if I could convince hubby to go out today, I have a few last minute deals to purchase and then some first day deals to get my hands on tomorrow.

But all these can wait I guess. Cold weather messing up my grocery shopping (again!)

Advice to self? STOCK UP big time and when the weather tells you it's too cold to venture out? LISTEN! :D

Cheers!

I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason when and why I decided to drink and I don't mean drink to oblivion. I meant a drink or two of those fancy cocktails I see on TV. Also, some friends and I still have yet to schedule a girls' night. We always get together during parties with our respective families but never a girls only night (this better happen soon)!

Now I remember, it was Thursday and we were about to watch 2 Guns when I craved for a drink. I'm not after the alcohol but more like the idea of having a pretty drink in my hand. We only have a bottle of whiskey which we love putting in our coffee once in awhile, a bottle of Bailey's I asked hubby to buy at the border but don't remember the last time we drank it, and probably a shot of vodka left.

So I looked up cocktail recipes online, of course we didn't have enough vodka, cranberry/pineapple/orange juice, etc. And during that time I just wanted a really really fancy drink (haha!) I settled on a non alcoholic Pina Colada instead (told you I'm not after the alcohol!) because I knew I have a can of pineapple tidbits and coconut milk somewhere. I retrieved the blender from the basement and just threw in the pineapple, coconut milk, ice and sugar. I chugged it too fast I didn't even take a picture (sorry!)

The next day (with those cocktail recipes) buried in my head, hubby picked up vodka and red wine. Red wine because I want to make Sangria in the near future. Then I went on my own merry way to pick up cranberry, orange, pineapple and apple juice, ginger ale, limes, lemons, strawberries.

And the rest is history...

Bay Breeze

Cosmopolitan

 Cheers! :D

Easy Kids' Lunch

Sometimes I plan ahead of time the kids' lunches, most often I don't. As long as I have what I need (cheese, bread, pizza sauce, fruit, crackers, perogies, hot dog, yogurt, pasta, etc) then I'm good.

One of their favorites is pizza quesadilla which I love making because it's so easy. If I run out of tortillas then I use any bread available then it becomes (pizza bread). I buy pizza sauce and tortillas on a regular basis (weekly) and usually mozzarella and marble cheese. The more types of cheese the merrier (and the pricier it gets). I don't buy the grated ones as they are so expensive. I have a great set of arms (huge actually) and can do the grating myself. We used to buy the cheese slices but I only used them for sandwiches so we switched to the cheese bars plus they give you more bang for your buck (frugal momma right here!)

See how easy it is to prepare this? It tastes really good especially when it's warm. My kids don't care though if it's warm or not, it's always a hit and they come home with empty lunch boxes :D

And may I just say, I love my grill pan. It's probably the most used cooking ware I have. It's very useful and hasn't let me down (just yet).

My Little Rascal

Much as I miss the kids the whole time they're in school, the moment they get home is also the most 'critical.' Tired is an understatement.  I can't think of a word to downplay the chaos :D

After some time out, hugs and kisses, Leila finally sat down and made vanilla butter mug cake. If there's one thing that would bring her out of her mood it's cooking. I made this for myself in the morning so I know the recipe works well.

After making the mug cake, she also made popsicles out of strawberry Greek yogurt, cool whip and milk. Wait, I think I got it wrong she made the popsicles first because it's ice cream that can turn her mood 360 degrees (just look at the pictures!)

showing off the flower shaped ice cream she made

See the puffy eyes? Well, that happens when someone's been bawling her eyes out but then again, the popsicle making and mug cake did the trick (whew!)

So there's (ice cream, mug cake, cooking) on the how to make Leila happy again list. Making to that list as well--- STRAWBERRIES!

strawberries dipped in sour cream and brown sugar

There goes my strawberries for my frozen strawberry daiquiri (haha!) but look at that face, she can eat them all as long as she stays jolly :D

There's Something About Rice

Hubby has been bugging me (non stop) about a certain rice recipe he tasted (maybe once?) many many years ago in Cagayan de Oro. He can't even remember the name of the dish thought it was kiam pung and one look at the recipe and I wasn't interested. It seems like adobo rice  to me anyway, he researched and researched until I remembered a friend's post on facebook. Turned out it's pork steamed rice (Cebu style).
We tried it last night and it was a success, hubby's craving satisfied (Thank God!) We used this recipe as a guideline.

Instead of pork tenderloin, I boiled pork belly and used the broth to cook the rice the rest of the broth saved for the sauce. Along with the pork belly I also threw in chicken breast and shrimps. Sauce was basically the broth flavored with worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil and Chinese wine. Seasoned it as per our taste (as usual).

I made two batches (as requested). The cooked rice turned into fried rice seasoned with oyster sauce (first batch). The second was seasoned with soy sauce. Not much difference when you look at it but I think I prefer the soy sauce flavored one.

first batch

There's really something about rice that makes it impossible for us not to eat it on a regular basis. Next time I cook fried rice I will cook it in broth beforehand instead of plain water. It's more flavorful and has enough oil already (that's because I made my own using pork belly hence the oil).

second batch

Few days ago I made shrimp fried rice. Loaded it with whatever cold cuts I can find in the fridge, scrambled eggs, mixed veggies and shrimp. Love eating in a bowl! So easy to bring it in the living room and just eat and watch TV :D

Dear rice, I wish I can give you up :D