29 June 2011

ON FOOD TRIP: LUNCH PLATTER



This was lunch at home!  

Not a perfect fried fish though.  I used the only available small frying pan and the fish did not fit.  Fish tail stuck on the rim of the pan. But nevertheless, i had a great meal!

27 June 2011

WHAT'S COOKIN' SEAN? : JAMAICAN CURRIED OSSO BUCCO



And this is the specialty of the week, Jamaican Curried Osso Bucco and those spices went into the soup!  Oh this is so tender!  Sean finished this bowl up with no rice.  Now he said he felt guilty after hahaha!  He put carrots and potatoes in it. Then sprinkled over some freshly chopped parsley.  This is just timely, a hot soup for a cold night.

xox

26 June 2011

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: PASTRAMI & TWIGGY STICKS


Ever favorite of ours!  One word....YUMMY!   Sean got it fresh from Delicatessen at Coles. Droolin'?  That's the reason why we post here! 

xox

25 June 2011

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: ANZAC BISCUITS


The ever famous Anzac Biscuits .  Sean got it freshly baked today, June 25.  Rolled oats and desiccated coconut are the main ingredients.  They are so chewy!  These are popular in Australia and New Zealand and been associated with the soldiers since World War I and that soldiers' wives sent these to their husbands because it doesn't spoil easily.

xox

20 June 2011

KURT'S CREAMY SAUSAGE & TUNA PASTA

Today was declared holiday in commemoration of our national hero's, JOSE P. RIZAL, 150th natal day.  A family day again for us.  Kids are at home and requested for some pasta.  It has been raining for days now.  So lazy to go out that i used only ingredients which are available.  Luckily, i was able to cook this for them.  One of my nephew's favorite.  My niece is more on the red sauce for her pasta but she had it anyways.





My sister made some chicken sandwiches also to go with it. My uncle stopped by and had his share as well.  Holidays were so much fun spent with loved ones!


PROLIFERATION OF GLUTTONY...NOT!

It is definitely not a proliferation of gluttony. It is just that every time we get together, which is not often, we ended up having good laughs and fun pigging out and having drinks. And this time it was with my guy cousins and their families.

In celebration of father's day and that the day after is a holiday, we spent the day in my eldest guy cousin's place. Nothing much special on the food but these fruit cuts in containers. I said special and let me tell you why....

My guy cousins on my mom's side, well, they are not that showy or not good showing affection. (or was it a guy thing?) Anyways, the eldest went out with my sis and wife to get some food. They were to get some pancit malabon, spring rolls, and crispy pata but the rain was so heavy they ended up in the supermarket instead and got something to grill. My guy cuz went to the salad section, got two containers and filled it up with fruit cuts he has chosen himself. Then when they got back, he immediately served them to the oldies (my mom and aunt). He even said "just for them". I was touched with his gestures. Well, probably because it was nothing like i see of him that way. My sister even whispered to me like it was a "miracle". I appreciated him that time. His brother on the other hand, made their way to travel north to south (with the pouring rain) just so he can be with us. At first, we thought this "little-get-together" wont be possible because we can not fit in one car (which will be the only available that time). But i decided to just use public transport, with my mom and nephew, the night before so my other cousin and mom can join us as well.

Anyways, we spent the day eating, drinking and singing our heart out with the karaoke...still with the pouring rain. Today is like no other day having fun times with family. This moment is what we call precious!


The Special Fruit Cup

Here are the blessings we had on the table:





Well, a lot more of them on the grill and pan. My younger guy cuz brought with him crispy chicharon and native delicacies like "puto and suman", which he got from Bulacan.

In the afternoon, they drove us home safely. We all crashed to sleep early that night.

I hope you too had a great weekend!

19 June 2011

WHAT'S COOKIN' SEAN? : CRAB CAKES & FRIED RICE


One word...Yummy! This is his first to make all these and yes it was too much fun. Now i started to let him meet the spices and herbs family. Lol! Hollandaise sauce was to be on top of the crab cakes but not much enough time in the kitchen so much weekend house work for him to do. Next weekend...some spicy soup on the menu!

xox

15 June 2011

WHERE TO? : OFF THE CLIFFS!



Cliffs at Kurnell


A walk on the ROCKS

See the nature's wonder on this side down under.  Sheer sandstone rock formations (wind sculpted rock cravings ) on the cliffs at Kurnell.  This is located 22km south of the Sydney, Central Business District.  Kurnell, by the way, is a deviation of an Aboriginal word "collonel" or of the name of an early settler, John Connell.

History trivia:  The edge of the sandstone cliffs at Kurnell was where the first European, Captain James Cook landed with his crew in 29 April 1770.

A must see! One of the remarkable places to check out and experience when in Sydney!

14 June 2011

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: SUSHI


It is Sushi Buffet at One RSL for dinner tonight, mate!

Nomm Nommm!  An ultimate favorite Japanese dish for us.  As you heard me right, it's a buffet, so expect varieties on the table.  And you bet, you just can't get enough!

Kanpai!  

xox

#kanpai. often times spelled incorrectly as "kampai"

WHAT'S COOKIN' SEAN? : RICE NOODLES



Fried rice noodles or Pancit Bihon as we natively call it, is what Sean's cooking for today. This is cooked with deveined prawns, pork slices and carrots.  He doesn't have much vegetables available at this time but these veggies can be added : cabbage, lettuce, bean sprouts, green beans, lima beans, black mushrooms, chayote, cauliflower, and a lot more.  Some preferred fried tofu or crispy pork slices as toppings.  There are a whole lot more ways to cook this rice noodles with but as for Sean, it is always with seafood!  He really fancy this!

xox

13 June 2011

WHAT'S COOKIN' SEAN? : BEEF PATTIES

Hey Mate! It is Monday and we are on holiday down under! Woot woot!

Here is a new portion to this blog, a regular posts of what's cooking (this ain't a food blog but we can't help it!), what's happening (something that gets us busy) and whatever we feel like posting (just whatever we wanna share) from the land down under, Australia!!!

It seems to be difficult when you are cooking for two persons or just for yourself. The quantity and what to cook is also a hassle especially when the ingredients needed you just can not get easily on hand. Like Sean; who is working 6 days a week and have only few hours on Sundays to get to the market and buy his stocks for following whole week; must think ahead of what he should prepare for his daily meal. Instant food is a no-no! Read my lips: MUST COOK! We need easy, simple and quick cooking recipes to squeeze in Sean's busy day to day schedule. That is mostly before 8-9pm. After that time he's busy with me! *grins*

Anyways, we are going to post on this blog some of Sean's cooking. And today is holiday as i mentioned earlier, he cooked our version of Beef Patties commonly known as Burgers. What was special with this recipe was he added Pancetta, an Italian bacon, into the mixture. He grilled the patties and topped caramelized onion (well almost, he left some crunchiness on the onions). He added some of the extra Pancetta on the plate and Viola! some heart filling, juicy burgers! Ciao!


Beef Patties with Pancetta

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: OLIVES

For the love of Olives:

Olives pickled and stuffed with feta cheese! Yes, that's right! It's just so hard to stop...pig out!

12 June 2011

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: OLIVES


For the love of Olives!  Here is one of Sean's appetizers, Green Olives pickled and  stuffed with garlic and chili!  You bet they were crunchy! 

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: MINI EASTER CAKES


A late post! These were the mini cakes given to Sean and colleagues at the practice during Easter.  

I love the pastel colors of Easter! Do the bunny hop! :*


SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: PAELLA


Paella for the one who likes it a little hotter


Today is the Seventh Sunday of Easter, The Whit Sunday or the Sunday of Pentecost.  It's freezing cold here down under.  Rain is heavily pouring!  And Sean just hate this kind of weather! I say better than in Pearl of the Orient where weather now is heating up when it is supposed to be raining.  Global warming??? Today is the day to do  marketing after the service.  Sean is glad for tomorrow is a holiday which means no work and all chatting and cooking for us.  Weeeee! Anyways, walking around with this weather is such a killer!  Thanks to Sean's comfort food, Paella @ Nando's, located at Pitt St., international Food Court under Myer.  Their Peri-peri chickens are to die for!  Just too bad this resto doesn't have much branches in some countries.


11 June 2011

WHAT'S COOKIN' SEAN? : EMPANADA/PUFF


I taught Sean on how to make his perfect dough and yayy! now he's a pro on making this empanadas or puff. Filling he used for this recipe was minced pork, but then again, you can make other kind of filling like chicken with diced potatoes, tuna and sardines can also be used. Spicy or not, can be yummy just the same. Sean is not into curry spice much but curry puffs are personal fave of mine!

Then i asked him why not much in the bowl on this shot. He said he ate most of them already before that shot. DUH!!!

xox


10 June 2011

WHAT'S COOKIN' SEAN? : PUMPKIN & PRAWN IN COCOMILK


When Sean is tired of eating all meat dishes, a recipe with coco milk is a lifesaver.  This is one of how Sean cooks his prawns, with pumpkin & coco milk. He added green chili for spice and savor.  And this is never without  cup/s of RICE! 

xox


09 June 2011

WHAT'S COOKIN' SEAN? : BAKED MAC



Sean got some leftover sauce from last night's spaghetti and sorting out ingredients available in the pantry this recipe was made possible.  Tadaaa!  Baked macaroni topped with slices of mushrooms, capsicum and cheese.  

A vietnamese lil boy just can't wait to have a taste of these and he loved it! #toycar

xox


06 June 2011

MITCH COOKS: FRUIT CREPES


My aunt usually send us these big packs of pancake mix. Thanks to her! A 10LB (4.53kg) pack. Kids love pancakes but this isn't anything like the local pancake mixture that is really fluffy and flavorful that you can cook just the way it is. This one below really needs some flavor for the kids to like. So i made fruit crepes out of it! Mocha flavored crepes for Nicole coz she wanted them plain. The fruit crepes i topped with fruit cocktail and poured on some syrup out of the juice i made. Actually, i want it A la mode but Kurt was so lazy to get us ice cream. He said his head aches under the sun. But anyways, they are yummy just as well. Snack time!


Previous recipe i made out it? Coffee-Banana Hotcakes, Choco Chips Hotcake (with real choco bits), Cheese waffles, and Banana fritters. Used up not even half of the pack yet and thinking what to do next. I will keep you posted.