AUSTRALIA DAY OI! OI!

It's Australia day and we are out to celebrate!  You can check out some of the day's event photos here!

ON FOOD TRIP: BLACKBEARD'S SEAFOOD ISLAND

OYSTER ROCKEFELLER

ATC BRANCH

ENSALATANG LATO

CRAB RICE

PORK SISIG

Posting this late. I have been a little busy these past few weeks and was not able to do updates... but better late than never.  Here it goes:

Shopping during Christmas season was draining.  We were out to get our dearest friend a gift for his (post) birthday.  That was right after work.  We had our dinner-shoping-break at Blackbeard's Seafood island.  But then we were just three of us so we just ordered some ala carte on the menu instead of their usual Boodle feast group meals.

We ordered Oyster Rockefeller, Ensalatang Lato (grape seaweed salad-made up of grape seaweeds, green mango slices, onions, tomatoes, salted egg and crispy dried anchovies served with anchovy sauce), Pork Sisig, Crab rice and Beef kare-kare (beef brisket in peanut sauce served with shrimp paste on the side..sorry i forgot to take photo of this).

The ambiance here was better compared to their MOA branch, though with regards to the service...they still need to work on that. Took us long before i got our Kare-kare take away and also they were just not sure who to hand it over to...gah!

ON FOOD TRIP: KRUSHERS AND CHICKEN BURGER

Thanks for the snacks! KFC Corn krushers and Classic Chicken burger.  I love it!

LET'S CELEBRATE

It is Sean's birthday!  Happy birthday Baby!

A little celebration for this special  day.  The week's work were tiring and leaving Sean no time to go market.  So.....we are having the usual.  He cooked some fried rice noodles with everything on it. (veggies and chicken).  Traditionally, it is never a birthday without some noodles on the table, which the oldies say represent "for long life". 

Also, a whole roasted chicken (chopped) from our favorite peri-peri resto, Nando's, is ready on the table for our disposal!  Got his Smirnoff Black chilled for later.

And for dessert some fresh fruits, ripe mango and apples.  Ripe mango shape is kind of rounded unlike the usual ones we regularly had, which was kind of oval.  But just the same, oval or not, they are the sweetest!

ON FOOD TRIP: CAKES, CUPCAKES & PUFFS

Choco Puff

Red Velvet Cupcake

Mini cake

Thanks for the thought!  Sweetness!  Among the three, it is the Red Velvet cupcake i like more.

WHAT'S COOKING?: STIR FRIED SHREDDED BAMBOO SHOOTS

One of my favorite easy to cook veggies are stir fried fresh shredded young bamboo shoots with a little of vinegar and soy sauce. Added a dash of salt and pepper to taste.  No meat added just sauteed with onion and garlic. 

ON FOOD TRIP: BIBIMBAP

BIBIMBAP, a Korean recipe literally means "mixed rice".  This is served in a bowl of steamed white rice topped with vegetable, beef slices and a raw or fried egg. Thorough mixing it all together before eating.

ON FOOD TRIP: KIMCHI

Never without Kimchi when dining Korean cuisine.  Kimchi is a mixture of fermented napa cabbage, raddish, scallion or cucumber.   I was not into it before but my liking started when i had it often in Singapore and also after learning its nutritional and health benefits.  I love spicy food but not too hot. Some Kimchi taste though i can not tolerate. I always do the taste test first..a must!

ON FOOD TRIP: @ BLACKBEARD'S SEAFOOD ISLAND

Always food tripping with friends make my tummy hurts.  But not of nasty food but with full tummy and laughter after.  On food trip, checking out Blackbeard's Seafood Island restaurant, Moa branch.  We always dine together so we see to it that we check big serving and menu that serves 5-6 people or so..

The place offers set menu or what the usually call the Boodle Feast or you can choose whatever you like on ala carte.  We decided to have the Mt. Apo which serves 5-6 persons and we just ordered Salmon soup to add on.  

Mt. Apo Feast consists of  Imbao sa buco, steamed crabs, grilled pork belly or liempo, grilled chicken in coco milk, grilled squid, steamed shrimps, fried Tilapia, law-uy, Kinilaw na Tanigue fish fillet, balbakwa, grape seaweed salad with crispy dilis and salted fish rice.  Served in a big tray with layers of banana leaves.  You can eat right there altogether using your bare hands.  But then we still preferred using utensils or it will be all grossed out. 

  

Imbao sa buco or some shells in coconut

Balbawa or Ox skin

This meant that we enjoyed the food or let's just say, we really got big appetites!   Here is the link on what's on their menu.

We rated this out of 5:
Food: 4 
Ambiance/Location: 4
Service: 3 - I got Iced tea poured all over me and my new Mango bag at that time.  Well, it was not intended but they should have been more careful. 

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: PAELLA @ NANDO'S

 

After the last time Robert Pattinson was in Sydney last October, Finally the movie is showing!  Sunday movie time early this morning. The perfect companion for this are freshly popped popcorn and Iced tea (no ice! lol!)

Event Cinema, George St., Sydney

Cafe & Bar below the Cinema

Paella at Nando's, Myer, Pitt St., Sydney

Coming Soon!

And Skyfall Sean want to watch at Gold Class next time!

ON FOOD TRIP: LET'S CELEBRATE

Just a little something to share with colleagues to celebrate my birthday at work.  I brought with me Sweet and sour fish fillet, Grilled pork, Patatim, Pancit canton & Chopsuey.  They have gotten me cake and gallons of ice cream to share.

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: PAD THAI @ KHING'S

This is in celebration of my birthday! Pad Thai, all gone!  :)

Sean got it @ Khing Thai 1/240-268 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW

SEAN'S FOOD TRIP: BENTO @ POPORO

On food trip was bento from Poporo at Market City in Chinatown, Sydney. You got to check it out when you are in the area and maybe you want to try the blue soda.

ON FOOD TRIP: STRAWBERRIES, KISSES & ICE CREAM

Strawberries i got from Baguio

When in Baguio, there is no going home without getting some strawberries from the market. One of my favorite fruits ever since.  Kurt, my nephew, liked it too and asked me to bring home some.  It was just good luck that they were sweet then so i got myself a couple of kilos to take home. But then along the way, i got tempted and ate almost a quarter. I just can't resist.

When i got home, my nephew and niece had a total blast.  With their ice cream, they indulged immediately with their cravings for the fruit. 

A heart shaped strawberry

I just wish we can have strawberries all year round and readily available here anywhere.  But we are living in the tropic and it's so frustrating. :(

WHAT'S COOKIN' SEAN?: ROSEMARY PORK CHOPS

Sean is cooking!  The aroma filled the room.  He is cooking his pork chops with rosemary.  He marinated the chops the night before making all the flavor sets in. Fried them a little over the pan and cooking it with it's sauce then until it is reduced and the meat tender. Voila! Bon appétit!