DISH 6: THAI (Pad Thai)

What can I say about Pad Thai? Well,  I was first introduced to it at The Makansutra  (now MAKAN-MAKAN) located inside the Manila Ocean Park, then at Som's & Sen Lek Thai Noodle House. I think  It is the most flavorful stir- fried Asian noodles I've ever tasted so far.

It's a  put-it-all-together ingredient dish. The crunchiness of  fresh cabbage,bean sprouts and  crushed peanuts, the sweetness of brown sugar, sourness of lime & tamarind paste, and the pungent taste of thai chili paste.  It also has bitterness of crunchy garlic, and  has eggs,  tofu, and shrimps for added meat/protein. It's a complete meal, along with the carbo-rich Thai noodles.

Pad Thai

It is one of my food choices during weekdays of white meat & vegan diet, and another comfort food during rainy season, and boring or stressful  hungry days. Fortunately,  If I'm not in the mood of making one, Sen Lek is  just a walking distance away from home, making me love the idea that I can get it nearby.

Anyways, three dishes to go and I'm all done with this challenge. I'm just happy and proud of myself  for being able to do the things I love to do nowadays, and as early as now  I'm into planning new ideas after this, and I'm so excited, I  just can't wait. :)

For my next dish, I will make something Japanese..... 'til next blog!

DISH 5: SPANISH (Gambas al Ajillo)

Gambas al Ajillo

Finally, a time to update my blog. I had been busy for 2 weeks now, doing errands and adjusting to my new work but nevertheless,  I'm 100%  still focus on finishing my challenge. 

For my fifth dish, I made one of Spain's favorite Tapas, the Gambas al Ajillo, or the simple Garlic Shrimps. Tapas, are variety of appetizers that you can nibble on any part of the day, however tapas can also be prepared on large quantities and can become a dish during dinners, or celebrations.  

This was a very easy dish that can be done for 5 minutes or less, I chose this because of the availability of fresh shrimps in the market and the limited time I have because I woke up late that time.

This was not really my  planned dish, that's why I'm planning to make a part 2  or another dish from Spain after the whole challenge.  I wanted to do a  much more complicated dish which is the Paella, I find this dish really interesting and detailed and  I was lucky enough to have tasted two different versions ( Seafood Paella & Paella Negra) at two different birthday parties  for two consecutive weeks. It was like telling me to give it a try one of these days. 

So, this is it my Gambas al Ajillo, made of lots of Garlic, Olive oil, Butter (must-have), Spanish Paprika, Salt & Pepper, and you can add dried Thyme & Rosemary. It can be served with a toasted crusty bread, or rice. 

Next Dish: THAILAND:  Pad Thai

DISH 4: INDIAN (Indian- inspired Chicken Curry)

I was supposed to do a Greek dish last week however, there’s a need to help out a friend to prepare a healthy pre-planned Indian curry for her mother & their guests, so I decided to make that happen.

My best friend, Karen is into health food nowadays, she’s replacing all their groceries with something organic and fresh, like for our chicken it has to be native or free range. No more processed meats, and even fresh pork & beef, only white meat like chicken & sea water fish.  Milk has to be full cream, and from green grass-fed cows, and lots of fresh organic fruits & vegetables in large quantities in a meal and natural herbs & spices to make the dishes tastier.

I must admit eating organic has this guilt free feeling, makes me feel light just right for attaining my goal of 100 lbs.  Nevertheless, to be able to survive this in a long run is another thing especially that I have a craving palate, because  I’m not happy eating raw, bitter, tasteless veggies, so experimenting and making tasty dishes is quite a challenge. So to start off my friend’s asked me to make a chicken curry.

Google to the rescue, I searched on how to make a very rich Indian-inspired chicken curry, and I’m glad that I almost have the ingredients inside our pantry like it’s my first time to use turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne powder in my curry, plus yogurt to make it richer. All these ingredients are good for the body & spice like turmeric is well known for its antioxidant effects, making curry as a perfect dish.

Indian- inspired Chicken Curry with Red Rice

All the ingredients played with each other and the taste is just full, and rich.  I like my curry a little hot so I put cayenne to give it a kick, and cinnamon for that aroma, everything was well- blended together to make a wonderful flavor.

I’m happy that my friend and her family loved it. It’s literally became a comfort food to everyone especially that last Sunday, Manny Paquiao was defeated by Bradley and almost all men are pissed off (that includes my dad). Oh well, Manny, I wish I could give you some of my curry, don’t worry you’re still our people’s champ!

I’ll save my Greek dish on my Birthday.

Next Dish: We’ll see…hehe J

DISH 3: ITALIAN (Italian Herbed Tomato Farfalle)

I'm now on my 3rd dish and at the same time we celebrated my brother's birthday last weekend, and there's nothing more appropriate but to cook him his favorite dish of all time, Spaghetti.

But prior to that, I just like to share that I started a new family tradition that I will in all my might must do in every birthday morning for love ones, and that is, Happy Birthday Pancakes! A little segue about this one, I found this idea on the internet, pile of pancakes with colorful touch. Ever since I was a kid I always  love pancakes they are one of the many childhood recipes I like doing every day and  there was a time that "The Pancake House" is my favorite place, like I will have dinner and pancakes for dessert. When other kids love hotdogs all the time, me it's always Pancakes.  Then through the years I make  lots of batches as  breakfast treat for my family, and it's always a charm, sweet gesture for them. Anyways, now it will be a birthday tradition and here are my brother's hotcakes.

I added colors to make it look fun! :)

So going back since the weekend plan is to make my only "baby" brother smile and  to spoil him a little I decided to make his dream come true, but instead of spaghetti I used the Farfalle pasta in the pantry and made him a simple Tomato- Based Italian Pasta.

Italian-Herbed Tomato Farfalle

I did not overdo this pasta dish, because I agreed with the Italian chef on TV's opinion, that Italian food should be kept simple, to allow it's ingredients to have its own character. Mangiamo!

Ingredients:

250 grams Bacon
1  Small can of Champignons
5 Fresh Tomatoes
Fresh garlic & Onions (Saute)
2 Tbsp Dried Italian Seasoning
1 Tbsp Dried Oregano
Fresh Basil
1 Big Can Tomato Sauce (Stewed)
Parmesan Cheese
Salt & freshly ground pepper

Next Dish: Greek!

Ciao!