Category: Food Trip

INDIA: As Spicy As It Gets

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Food Trip, India, Travel, travels — 4 Comments

November 23, 2014

Spices of India. Masala. And I thought it was another spice. Rather, masala is a mix of ground spices. The very heart of Indian cuisine. And India is soooo rich in spices. Turmeric. Cumin. Pepper. Cardamom. Chilies. Fennel. Cinnamon. Caraway. Anise. Ginger. Coriander. And so much more.

Poori or Puri Unleavened Bread. As puffy as it gets! With potato masala.

Chole. Chickpeas is love ❤

I was quite prepared for the spicy cuisine. And I do like Indian food. One of my fav dishes is the ubiquitous Palak Paneer found on every buffet spread. That plus the dhal (lentils) and chole (chickpeas) paired with all types of flatbread. Naan, Poori, Chapati, Paratha of all types — onion, garlic, paneer, etc. And the chutneys!

Chutneys galore!

All that bread. Imagine all that ghee. A couple more weeks here and I couldn’t slide into my pants. Plus the rice. Biryani? Basmati? Carbo overload. And don’t forget the okra — short, tiny, and crunchy. Loaded with uric acid, if you aren’t careful. Yay!

They look like doughnuts but these breads must be filled with ghee!

And how can you resist the curry? My fav is mutton curry, which I can’t get enough off. Rice or flatbread, the mutton curry is wiped clean off the plate or bowl. Soaking naan across the curry plate is yum! Just mind the spices. There were others, but I couldn’t get past a tasting portion without burning my tongue. Phew!

Indian “fried rice” was such a hit with me!

As for desserts, that uber-sweet, syrupy gulab balls should really push your sugar levels past the Diabetes 2 threshold. Tooooo much. I won’t mind not seeing them for a year. And the almonds? Freshly shelled and milky white not to be ignored. Other nuts like pistachio also found their way into some sinful desserts.

On our last day, our guide shared this home recipe with us. I tried it…. and ended up with a spinach dip instead. (I’m hopeless)

Palek Paneer (Spinach + Cottage Cheese)

Boil spinach until wilted. Osterize to make purée. Set aside.

In a pan, put veg or olive oil. Sauté cumin seed or put cumin powder; add finely chopped onions or onion purée. When browned, put garlic paste and bit of ginger paste. Put spinach; let boil. Add chili powder, salt to taste. Add cubed cottage cheese. Add tomato purée. Add little hot water to dilute.

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Thank you, Chikie, for some of the food photos

Tags: Food Trip, India, indian cuisine, Travel, travels

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A TAJ FOR ALL SEASONS, A TASTE FOR ALL REASONS

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Food Trip, India, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

November 5, 2014

Slept after a leisurely walk around the pond and the pool from where the illuminated City Palace — now part Museum, part Hotel — stands in view across silvery Lake Pichola. After a gruelling bus ride from Johdpur through Raknapur to more quiet, cleaner Udaipur, I felt soooo rewarded with a most comfortable sleep. Can’t even recall if I managed to switch off the TV, but I do remember staring blankly from the room window and waking up to the same majestic view this early morning.

The birds woke me up as they chorused around the Lily Pond made even more famous in the 1983 James Bond film “Octopussy”. Too late for yoga lessons now as I went in search of my new friends. I can do with some stretching and more relaxation but it can wait till tomorrow morn. The Octopussy pond with all the chirping birds beckons and I promptly obliged.

Praveen and Lekha of Taj Lake Palace Hotel are my new friends. You know you get good service when you sit under one of those colorful umbrella tents by the pond and someone quietly serves you your double espresso without being told. You linger longer without going in to check the breakfast buffet and you’re presented with a bread basket, jams and marmalade. A menu was left on my table, where I easily picked Eggs Benedict to start my day. No one pushed me to get more from the sumptuous breakfast buffet. Praveen and Lekha knew I was savoring the moment. My friends either still asleep or stretching on the rooftop terrace while catching the morning breeze. Me? I enjoyed the solitude. Praveen and Lekha, good early morn companions, should there be any need for human interaction.

By the 2nd morning, I was ready for yoga lessons and a full breakfast after. Someone has already claimed my fav prized spot by the pond but I found a choice seat inside with a full view of the lake and this long boat in vibrant red nearly framed by the arched window. Post-yoga, I was famished. Couldn’t decide between an Indian brekkie or Continental fare, so I had both. Poori, that deep-fried unleavened bread, all crispy and golden, and all those excellent dips compete with my fav cheeses and cold cuts. Happiness. Gluttony wins!

Poori!

Fresh Almonds for Brekkie! lavash and some cold cuts and cheese.

My only regret here in Taj Lake Palace was dining in the same dining outlet for breakfast and dinner. There is this posh Indian Restaurant within the hotel that I should have tried. Plus I should have ordered a bottle of wine (rather than my beer) till I’m so drunk I’d crawl back to my hotel room via this long corridor mindful I don’t stray and fall into the pond. Pipe dreams!

Lovely morns at The Taj.

Tags: Incredible India, India, Lake Pichola, Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

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HERE’S TO SYDNEY (A Summary of 2014 Adventures)

Filed under: Australia, Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

June 11, 2014

This is a sequel to last year’s blog summary (IN AND OUT OF SYDNEY). Some favorite sites were revisited and explored further, and unlike the earlier blog, I’ve thrown in a list of food trips (including some from 2013 archives) for you to consider. Have a good trip, mate!

Bondi Beach

Day Trips From Sydney

A Weekend in Lake Conjola

PARAGON CAFE: Oldest Cafe in Australia

BERRY As Pitstop On Way to Jervis Bay

Blue Mountains’ Many Walks and Lookouts

Leura and Katoomba in the Blue Mountains

Darling Harbour

In And Around The City

A Few Good Spots Around Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge 24/7

Bondi On The Pacific

Watsons Bay

Powerhouse Museum

The Friendly Inn at Kangaroo Valley

Food Trips

Leura Gourmet Cafe

Heritage Bakery

NANDO’s Peri Peri Chicken

How About Some Burgers from Charlie?

WatervieW in Sydney’s Olympic Park

SUSHIRO In North Sydney

Two Skinny Cooks from Berrima (2013)

The Old Bakery Cottage In Berrima

Mira Japanese Resto In Manly Beach

Lindt’s At Cockle Bay Wharf

Nick’s At Darling Harbour

That Famous Robertson Pie

The Friendly Inn @Kangaroo Valley

Tags: Australia, Berry, Blue Mountains, bondi, Katoomba, lake conjola, Leura, New South Wales, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Sydney Travel Tips, Travel, travels, Watsons Bay

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VILLA ESCUDERO At Iba Pa

Filed under: Food Trip, Philippine Travels, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

March 8, 2014

Been here. Done that. Posted photos here and there.

When friends called to ask who arranged our trip, or that they didn’t know you can swim (in the pool) and go bamboo-rafting in Villa Escudero, I began to realize that many go there just for the lunch by the falls and the cultural performance. Some didn’t even bother to do the museum tour where one finds centuries-old carrozas (floats), religious icons, family memorabilias (Escudero family), the Filipino alphabet, currency and doll collections from all over the world, and so many other antique collections of the Escuderos.

Kundiman Singing+ Carabao Ride in Villa Escudero

Narrow Bamboo Rafts. Great for rowing! Villa Escudero.

In my earlier blog on Villa Escudero, I highly recommended this trip to balikbayans, foreign guests, or simply to families longing to show their young children how life was in earlier times. It’s both a nostalgic and educational trip for the young and adults. The statues to be found there may not look so appealing but they showcase many Filipino traditions and lifestyles. Here’s where you can recount those stories of your younger days to the little ones or those born and grown in foreign lands who only read about them. The statues leave better memories. They complement the stories!

Physical (Rowing) and Soothing at the same time. Villa Escudero.

Lunch is served! By the falls. Villa Escudero.

The highways make these trips a breeze. You can leave as late as 8:30am, driving through SLEX and ACTEX till you reach the boundary of Laguna and Quezon. Soon after you pass the boundary marked by a Welcome Arch, turn left towards Villa Escudero. You register and pay P1,400 for a day tour which includes a Museum Tour, lunch by the falls, carabao rides, use of facilities like swimming pool and bamboo rafts. Senior citizens get a hefty discount and pay only P1,000!

Cultural show at 2pm. Villa Escudero

Performers are ALL employees and their kin. Villa Escudero

Arriving way before lunch, we did the Museum tour then took the carabao ride to bring us to the lunch area by the falls. Lunch was platefuls of grilled fish, chicken and pork belly, caldereta (beef), salad and banana cues! After lunch and while waiting for the 2pm cultural performance, you can take a dip by the pool and/or take one of the narrow bamboo rafts and exercise those arm muscles amidst a grand view of the cottages and trees by the water. Soothing yet physical, the activity renders you longing for a glass of halo halo or young coconut juice to savor while watching the dancers perform on stage.

Villa Escudero dancers.

Cultural show’s choreography by national artist Obusan, no less!

The cultural show ends at 3pm. Early enough to drive a few more minutes from Villa Escudero to visit Ugu Bigyan’s Pottery Workshop. Getting here was a challenge. The only landmark from the Maharlika Highway driving further past Villa Escudero was the Petron Gas Station and Iglesia ni Kristo on your right. Soon after passing them, take a left and look for Alvarez Village. Ugu’s workshop, gardens cum dining place is on your left. No signs, but easy to spot the red brick one-story house with a sprawling garden as soon as you enter the village.

Ugu Bigyan Pottery workshop. Tiaong. Quezon.

Patis Tito. Formerly Kusina Ni salud of Viajes del sol fame. San Pablo City

From Ugu’s place, we drove back towards San Pablo City to check out Sulyap Cafe. On our way there, we found a sign towards Patis Tito, formerly Kusina ni Salud. Really, finding these Viaje del Sol spots is quite a challenge. We had snacks here of suman (glutinous rice) and another forgettable “kakanin” and sat there watching how unkept the place was. Guess they spruce up the place only for big groups. I hope.

Patis tito. Ex-Kusina Ni Salud

By the time we reached Sulyap Cafe after missing several turns and U-turns, we were tired but still full from the merienda. We visited the art gallery inside before an intended supper there, but found the place too gloomy to spend dinner time there. Dark, gloomy, nearly haunted. Maybe the place is suitable for romantic dates. Not for us. So we chose to simply drive back to Manila instead.

Patis Tito

Patis Tito. Kusina Ni Salud. Viajes del sol.

The entire trip to Villa Escudero with sidetrips to Ugu Bigyan, Kusina ni Salud and Sulyap Cafe & Gallery lasted from 8am to 8:30pm. Not bad. It’s a good roadtrip….. Just arm yourself with a good dose of patience looking for these spots with hardly any markers. Happy driving!

Patis Tito. Resto and garden.

Ugu Bigyan’s Pottery Workshop.

Sulyap Gallery Cafe. San Pablo City. Viajes del Sol.

Tags: Kusina ni Salud, Patis Tito, Quezon, Roadtrip, San Pablo City, Sulyap Cafe, Tiaong, Ugu Bigyan, Viajes del Sol, Villa Escudero

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My Desayuno Adventures In Madrid

Filed under: Europe, Food Trip, Spain, Travel, travels — 4 Comments

January 12, 2014

Back when I was a first time visitor in Madrid, I took my breakfasts in the hotel. Easily, that sets you back 7-10€ daily. I scrimped the second time i visited. Did my groceries and made my own breakfasts. Then the 3rd and 4th time around, I knew better.

Desayuno means breakfast in Spain. Not their most important meal of the day, but just as interesting as it is simple.

Tomá Cafe. Best coffee in town. 5 stars!

While I’m not about to dismiss the Churros y Chocolate in Chocolateria de San Gines, which honestly appeals to me more as midnight or late afternoon snack, I’d like to share some happy breakfast discoveries here. Feel free to click on the link for more photos, details and directions.

Typically, my breakfast here is only 2.50€ for a cup of cafe cortado y bocadillo. This photo shows my breakfast of coffee and roscon de reyes, a typical 3 Kings Day pastry. Costs 3.50€ for this special fare.

A typical desayuno from audrey’s: cafe y empanada.

For best coffee, it’s Tomá Cafe ☕️. Their alfajores is also good on the lips, but feel your hips grow while munching one. Audrey’s Panaderia is just round the corner so it easily became a go-to for bocadillo, croissant and empanada fixes.

Brie con tomate breakfast in Toast Cafe where I was the sole diner. I must be too early?

Cafeteria HD ain’t much to look at from outside, but you’d like the vibe here. I’m told they serve good burgers here.

Spaniards don’t really take breakfasts “seriously”. That works well with me as I do enjoy hearty luncheons. I care about my coffee and would settle for a good molleta con tomaté in Cafeteria HD or brié in Toast Café. Those are typical Spanish fare for desayunos. Other times, I settle for brunch in some mercado where I can stay longer people-watching while downing cups of my favorite black liquid, or while deciding whether to order more tapás. Mercado de San Anton, Mercado de San Miguel, Mercado de la Paz and Mervado de Maravillas come to mind.

Mercado de San Anton. My new favorito.

Mercado de San Miguel, still one of my favorites.

Of course it’s tempting to see those 1€ bocadillos or sandwiches and maybe take a couple “para llevar” to eat in some park or square. But I’d advise you against it only because desayunos can be a happy leisurely affair that hardly costs you. I even found one coffee shop offering 1-1.50€ complete breakfast (Mercado de Provenzal) and another with an extra glass of freshly-squeezed naranja (2.50€) at Cerveceria de Padron. Great deals.

Mercado de la Paz. People-watching or jamon-watching while enjoying your desayuno.

Tempting, yes. Not the best, but really cheap, huh?

Much depends on how you feel first hour in the morning. You either save your appetite for lunch and thus settle for a simple breakfast, or take a full breakfast to energize you for long city walks. Take your pick. Mine varies from very simple, simple, hearty to delightful. The last is when I take the sweet Spanish pastries for breakfast. In Christmas, there were loads of them!

Want to show you a 1€ breakfast of good coffee and a tostada media con tomate.

And here’s a 2.50€ desayuno with a glass of freshly-squeezed naranja. Coffee in a glass.

Dulces de Navidad is how they’re called. Snack food. But don’t take my word for it. I dropped in on a few pastelerias for breakfast to indulge myself 🍰🍪🍮

Ensaimadas here are not like what we have locally. Tasted more like creme puffs to me. But I love their turrones and their polvorenes con almendras (almonds)!

Drool……

Or you may simply choose to have your Spanish chocolate ~~con or sin churros~~ after all. There’s Chocolateria de San Gines as I mentioned, or Valor. But I’m also happy with my chocolate from the lovely Estado Puro or Pabellon de Espejos. Your choice, really.

See that smile? Churros con chocolate does that to any child. Valor.

Just 2.50€ for a cup of chocolate here in Estado Puro. You’d love their very spanish interiors here.

I know. Too many choices for a “simple desayuno”. The idea is you’d never find it a problem looking for a breakfast place around Madrid. Cheap too! Most offered below 3€. If you need more “complications” deciding how to spend your waking hours, here’s more. 😉

It’s an ice cream place but I ‘ve tried their coffee here. Another choice for you when you want to jump from desayuno to sinful dessert.

Tags: Audrey's Panaderia, Breakfast in Madrid, Cafeteria HD, chocolateria de san gines, churros y chocolate, Desayuno, estado puro, Mercado de la Paz, mercado de maravillas, Mercado de Provenzal, Mercado de San Anton, Mercado de San Miguel, Toast cafe, Toma Cafe, Valor

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A Must Addition to Dining 101 In Spain

Filed under: Europe, Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

December 9, 2013

Earlier, I blogged about my ‘food trip’ while spending nearly 3 months based in Madrid, Spain. If you’ve been following my blogs, you won’t be surprised to know that food is an essential part of all my travels. In that earlier blog (Eating Around Spain), I rattled on and on over Spanish paella, cochinillo, boquerones y rabo de toro. I have reminded many of my friends never to miss Mercado de San Miguel near Plaza Mayor which just happened to be one of my “happy places” while in Madrid. Obviously, I have gained more favoritos in my first 2 weeks here and now feel compelled to make these additions.

Best Cocido Madrileño. Only in La Gran Tasca in Calle Santa Engracia near cuatro caminos.

While cocido madrileño is traditionally a winter dish, it is mercifully available yearround, so don’t fret. Try it in what claims to be the best cocido in Madrid. La Gran Tasca Ristorante. You won’t miss it. Just take the metro (2) line and get off at Rios Rosas and walk along Calle Santa engracia towards Cuatro Caminos. It should be on your left side. For more details, just click on the link.

Pricier as it is trendier. Love the anchoas del cantabrico here in mercado de san anton.

Filipino historian and Rizal expert Jaime Marco gave me a “Rizal’s Madrid” tour here, as well as introduced me to such delightful dining places I missed the last few trips. I soooo love Mercado de San Miguel near Plaza Mayor. Love the vibe, even the crowds. But if you really want to eat, claim a stool, leisurely sip your cortado or cafe con leche, and savor quality deli food, go to Mercado de San Anton in the chueca neighborhood just off Gran Via. You’d know what i mean when you get there. For details and directions, just click on this link. Buen Provecho!

Tags: Cocido Madrileño, Dining 101, Food Trip, Madrid, Mercado de San Anton, Mercado de San Miguel, Spain

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Life as a Movie (Part 2)

Video

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

November 13, 2013

http://youtu.be/tkQeboZozSY

Here’s a quickie post. More like a vid-blog or whatever it’s called 🙂

http://instagram.com/p/gpAwYiA5UD/

Tags: Asian holiday, Autumn in Korea, cats cafe, Everland, Family Trip, Food Trip, Gyeongbuk, hanbok, hello kitty, Hwaseong fortress, Korea, MBC Dramia, Nami island, petite France, Seoraksan, Seoul, suwon, Wind village

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RUBY (Canberra): Jackie Chan’s Australian Roots

Filed under: Australia, Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

August 25, 2013

Jackie Chan is one of my favorites. I remember my father shaking his head whenever he sees me watching Jackie’s old kung fu movies on TV whenever I’m home. Not that I’m a sucker for martial arts. I simply enjoy comedy action films. And Jackie Chan’s movies fit the bill alright.

Not many know that Jackie’s parents lived in Australia. As did Jackie. His parents settled in Canberra where his father worked as Chef in the US Embassy. Before long, his parents became successful restaurateurs.

In his own words, Australia has been good to his parents. Canberra was home for 46 years. And RUBY remains a landmark Chinese dining place in the country’s capital. No surprise, really. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal there the day we visited the capital.

What really comes as a surprise is that the place never claimed its connection to the famous martial arts and comedy actor. No hints. No references, even. Not one dish bearing “Jackie Chan’s Favorite xxxxx” whatsoever. (Thanks, Rahns, for bringing us here!)

Tags: Australia, Canberra, Day Trip out of Sydney, Jackie Chan, Ruby

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From Mongolian BBQ to Korean Barbecue

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Food Trip, Travel, travels — 3 Comments

June 8, 2013

Who leaves Mongolia without feasting on their Mongolian Barbecue? Stuff your bowl with meats & veggies, make your own sauce concoction, and then leave it to this Mongolian to cook it for you on this round hot rock table.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJZr-D3-42A&feature=youtu.be

But I must say Korean food is something else. We hit the ground running by choosing a bibimbap meal on our KAL flight. Well…… Let’s just say we can’t wait. Of course the inflight meal ain’t the real deal, but it’s a good start. So, here’s how we indulged ourselves in the 2 nights we stopped over in Seoul. Call us gluttons! GWIYOMI……… I’m happy!