Corn and California Summer

I am a Catholic. I was raised as a Catholic, educated as a Catholic. Along with the desire to lead a pious way of life, ingrained with this Catholic upbringing is also the fear of eternal fires as consequence of swaying away from the church’s teachings. Yet, how can one, even devout, worry presently about the afterlife when there is a California summer to contend to first? With these recent days seeing temperatures tip close to 100 degrees and an everyday job in a kitchen that has four commercial ovens burning all day, it is like I found hell on earth! Pity my staff and others who have crossed my path today because I was pretty, pretty short with my dealings! Read more

Mexican-Style Pizza~Clayuda with Tasajo

I can’t remember a plate I ever passed up. Thai, Filipino, Japanese, Italian, Indian, Chinese~name it and I’ll eat it. But I do have a special affinity for Mexican food and most of my introduction to this cuisine is from my kitchen staff’s lunch boxes. If I was free from a meeting, my staff and I would all group at the corner of my office and dig in to the home-cooked meals they have packed for work Read more

Written by Lalaine · Filed Under Across the Border 

Fried Plantains with Refried Black Beans and Mexican Cream

February 23, 2008

Platanos fritos con frijoles negro y crema mexicana~definitely one of my gastronomic pleasures! Although commercially-prepared refried beans are readily available in most grocery shops, I sometimes prefer to make my own at home. Very simple recipe really. It is just a question of how long I am willing to wait for my favorite treat! Read more

Written by Lalaine · Filed Under Across the Border, Fruit Suprises 

Choletas Contentas (Happy Pork Chops)

February 8, 2008

To attain their spicy and flavorful bite, these thick pork cutlets were simmered happily in beer and over a bed of spanish-style rice. Read more

Written by Lalaine · Filed Under A Touch of Buzz, Across the Border, Pork, Potatoes and Grains 

Leche Flan

December 16, 2007

When two people are dating, there will come a point in the relationship when one is hit by the realization that liking is now loving. Actually, my realization came pretty fast. On our fourth date, while watching TV in his apartment, my then-boyfriend-now-husband states “I make the best Leche Flan”. Visions of me sitting comfortably on the sofa every night while he labors in the kitchen preparing our dinner came swirling in my head. I am marrying this man! Read more

Written by Lalaine · Filed Under Across the Border, Sweets and Treats, Truly Pinoy 

Pan De Muerto

December 16, 2007

I arrived one morning at work and found my Mexican cook, Jesus, enjoying a slice of this Pan de Muerto bread with a cup of hot chocolate. He states this bread, which translates to Bread of the Dead, is only made for 4 days in a year, November 1 to November 4, in observance of All Souls’ Day when Mexican catholics honor their departed. Mexican bakeshops sell it for around $15 for a loaf the size of a 9-inch plate. Read more

Written by Lalaine · Filed Under Across the Border, From the Oven 

Campechana

December 16, 2007

Campechana is a Mexican seafood cocktail usually made of oysters, baby octopus, mussels, shrimp, squid and scallops.The seafood mix is prepared in its broth with vegetable juice, lime juice, ketchup, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, avocado and cilantro. Of course, jalapenos for the spicy kick! Read more

Written by Lalaine · Filed Under Across the Border, Fish and Seafood 

Pork Pozole

December 15, 2007

Out of my forty or so posts, four, including this, have been soup-like dishes: sinigang beef ribs, nilagang baka and wonton-shrimp soup. What can I say? The temperature hasn’t been friendly enough for me. What nips the harshness of winter better than the comfort of a nice bowl of broth? Read more

Written by Lalaine · Filed Under Across the Border, Pork, Soups and Salads, Stews and Casseroles