Arroz Caldo and Rice Toppings with My Tacook Ricecooker

Hey all! My Mom-Friday is still alive and active, heehee... just haven't been blogging as much as I used to. So, for today, I'll be sharing something that I've been using for a few months now, and it truly deserves a blog feature. Tiger Tacook JBX Rice Cooker -- the multi-tasking, multi-use, micro computer controlled rice cooker from Japan!

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Auntie Arnie's Ready-to-Heat Heirloom Recipes

I'm slowly getting my blogging mojo back (fingers crossed) and lately, I've been drawing inspiration from new experiences and discoveries that I cannot wait to share with you. I used to follow a weekly theme for my features, like Foodie Friday for the first Friday of every month, Family Friday for the second Friday, and so on. Today is the first Friday of April, hence this food post. I was introduced to these great-tasting meals during the event I attended yesterday. Yup, this is hot off the press! =) So, say hello to Auntie Arnie's!

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What's New at Toast Asian Kitchen?

We love Asian food and there are many dining places that we go to for specific cravings, be it Chinese, Korean, Japanese, or Filipino. For Asian fusion, there's only a handful, and TOAST Asian Kitchen & Tasting Room is up on my list of must-visit. 

I've shared in detail how I enjoyed my first visit to TOAST here just weeks after they opened. Masarap kasi talaga yung food nila. I was immediately impressed by their well-thought out menu which made for a pleasurable get-together with a couple of my blogger friends. A few weeks later, I even brought my whole family there to celebrate my birthday. This just goes to show how happy and satisfied I was with TOAST.

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Garlic-Lemon Roast Chicken

Because we all love garlic and we all eat chicken, I always have these in my kitchen. Always. While there are sooooo many ways to cook this staple meat at home, I always end up serving the most simple ones to prepare. Siyempre, nandiyan lagi ang pambansang manok - Magnolia Chicken, whole dressed chicken or in choice cuts for specific dishes I plan to cook.

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Toast To Good Food at Toast Asian Kitchen & Tasting Room

Foodie Friday:  Restaurant / Dining

My usual Thursdays with my boy is to accompany him to his M.A.PE classes (music, art, PE) that starts with swimming in the morning, then drums and painting after lunch. Yesterday's schedule was light. He's done with first sem drums and art, so our afternoon freed up. This invitation to lunch came at a right time and the venue was conveniently located, kaya after his swimming class, we went straight to the newly opened Toast Asian Kitchen & Tasting Room in Ayala Mall the 30th in Pasig.

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My #LutongNanay Chicken Menudo Hack

The holidays are fast approaching and for sure, there are already several party planning in the works. One of the most important element is the food, siyempre, and it's the best time to serve special lutong nanay recipes and festive-looking dishes like this menudo. It looks and feels like Christnas, no? =) But I have to confess, this is my first time to cook this dish coz the family is not fond of dishes mixed with liver, so I made my own version here.

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Look Who's Hooked on Crunchy Garlic

Crunchy. Toasted garlic. Sweet and salty. These are some of the "qualifications" that the kids look for when ordering a chicken dish. Actually, mine too! We all love garlic, especially with beef and chicken. Garlic makes everything smells so delicious and adds that kick to flavor. My latest restaurant find is BonChon Crunchy Garlic.

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Chef for a Day at Global Academy Cooking Workshop

One Saturday afternoon, nag-feeling chef ako...feeling lang.  =) It was an exciting, exhausting, yet super fun learning experience being in a professional kitchen with some of my fellow SoMoms. We have to thank Global Academy for this unique cooking workshop especially prepared for us. It was definitely a kitchen adventure for the six of us who took the cooking challenge.

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Foodie Friday: Boneless Chicken / Pork Adobo

First Friday of the month:  Mom-Cook / Recipe

Adobo.  The unofficial national dish of the Philippines needs no further introduction. It's probably the most cooked, most popular comfort food and "ulam" in the country. It's a meat stew, sometimes for seafood or veggie too, cooked in garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce. I've made a few versions of pork and chicken adobo since I got married, including the Chinese-style hong-ma with a more sweet-salty thick sauce.  But this version is a personal favorite.

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Red Curry Chicken Express

I posted this food shot on Facebook and Instagram the other day and asked friends and readers to guess what this dish is.  I'm really impressed that two of them guessed correctly (check FB and IG links to see who got it right)!  Yes, this is a curry dish. =)

Aside from the staple stew, adobo (which I plan to blog about soon), this fragrant curry dish is also very quick and simple to prepare.  Since this is spicy, only J and I get to savor this at home.  We prefer this red curry for chicken, and the yellow curry for beef.  It does look very much like chicken afritada, which has a tomato-based sauce and the same mix of veggies.

I have to admit, the star of this dish is really the Pantai Red Curry Paste which lends the exotic flavor to the meat and veggies.  I usually buy 2 packs of red and yellow paste at the supermarket, among other instant sauces I stock in the pantry.

RED CURRY CHICKEN EXPRESS

1 kilo chicken thigh fillets (about 10-12) , cut into bite-size pieces

2 cloves garlic, minced

red onion, chopped

1 cup hot water

1/2 pack Pantai Red Curry Paste

potatoes, cubed

carrots, cubed

bell pepper, chopped

125ml (1/2 cup) coconut milk

2 tablespoon cooking oil

To prepare:
Gauge how much potatoes and carrots you want to cook for this serving.
Cut/chop all veggies and chicken fillets.
(You may opt for breast fillet if preferred. I just like the thighs better - more flavor and more juicy.)
Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.

To cook:

Sauté garlic and onion and let it sweat. (I was out of red onion when I cooked this, so I used white instead, and that's fine.)

Set heat on high, add in chicken cut-ups and sear.

Cover pot and let it cook for about 20 minutes. Let it simmer then lower heat.

Pour hot water and red curry paste.  Mix well.  Taste and add more curry paste if desired.

Add the rest of the veggies and leave for another 20 minutes.

Pour coconut milk and mix.  Simmer for another 5 minutes.

Taste and adjust level of heat to your liking - add more curry paste or more coconut milk to temper the heat/spice.

Feel free to use chopped whole chicken, bone in.  It's actually more flavorful.  I used fillets since it cooks faster.  And if you want more veggies, you can also throw in some sweet peas to the mix.

For me, curried dishes are best eaten with roti.  This ready-to-toast Spring Home Roti Paratha, which I also featured here long ago, is our favorite.  Aside from having roti for breakfast or snack with just butter and sugar, I always prepare this to match our chicken curry.  I make sure to have a side of curry dipping sauce for the roti too.  Yum-yum!!!

Do try this easy red curry dish if you like some heat in your meal.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Toki Q Japanese-style Rotating Barbecue

The country's first rotating barbecue fast food restaurant -- that's Toki Q!

TOKI Q Rotating BBQ (photo from Toki Q)

Toki Q is conveniently located within my neighborhood, so when Jane extended the invite to me, off I went to the intimate blogger mixer held last month, organized by Zodio (more about Zodio before I end this post).  I'm glad I attended since I really enjoyed everything that they served us.

See that rotating contraption above?  It's the rotating griller/broiler that the resto owners imported from Japan. That's were all the yakitori (skewered chicken) and pork belly get their ride around the "barbecue carousel" and get grilled to perfection.

Check out their menu of savory and very affordable Japanese-style BBQ dishes basted in their very own sweet and salty "Toki sauce".  Toki Q offers Combo meals, a'la carte dishes, and even group platters.

COMBO MEALS COME IN SLEEK PAPER-LINED TIN TRAYS

I was able to try their Combo 3 (from top to bottom):

• Chicken Wings - 2 pcs.
• Chicken Fillet - tender boneless fillets
• Tontoro Pork -  thinly sliced pork belly
• Chicken Ball - 3 pcs.

Although my Tontoro was more charred than the other sticks, I still enjoyed it more than the balls. Everything was very tasty and flavorful.  I really liked the taste and doneness of the meats, plus, they offer unlimited rice with the combos, so you'll definitely have a full and satisfying meal!

MENU from Toki Q

For the food quality and price, Toki Q is a far better, and healthier, alternative to your typical fast food fare.

Aside from my hearty Combo 3 meal, I also got to try their extras:

• Toki BBQ Corn - Spicy flavored powder on grilled corn, which I still crave from time to time
• Kara-age - bite-sized glazed crispy fried chicken, a popular Japanese appetizer, which became my favorite at the end of the night

KARA-AGE

I made sure I left room for dessert 'coz they also offered a favorite of mine - mochi! The only available flavor then was the Black Sesame, which was a winner for me with its chewy bits of caramelized sesame seeds with ice cream.  I had one happy tummy that night! =)

The place is very small though, and can accommodate around 12-14 people only.  Parking is available in front of the resto and at the building's basement.  But I've observed during the event that several customers just order to-go.

So, what's the connection between Toki Q and Zodio?
Zodio is the Philippine’s first social location-based search and reviews platform: 

• Users can “Find, Review, and Share” favorite places, from restaurants like Toki Q, to hotels, malls, spas, and other food and service establishments - share on Facebook, email, or even SMS
• Can pinpoint locations like gas stations, ATMs, other public places
• Has a gaming feature
• Rewards for checking – in, reviewing a place, uploading a photo and the like
• Allows business accounts additional capabilities such as giving discounts to people who view their page

ZODIO community manager Mark; chef Angelo Comsti (right, in blue)

TOKI Q co-owner Wendi, with Nina of Zodio

Download the Zodio application for free at www.zodio.com/app.  Get the app on your smartphones for free! :)  For more info, visit and register with Zodio @ www.zodio.com.

Go try the barbecue at Toki Q then post your photos and reviews on your Zodio account! :)

You can view more of our photos during the fun gathering on my Facebook page.

Here's my girl enjoying her share of my Toki BBQ Corn one afternoon, during the ride from school.

TOKI Q
P. Guevara corner Wilson St., San Juan City
Tel.: (632) 425 9867

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Fun Friday: McCelebrations Take-Out Party for the Grannies

Third Friday of the month:  Events / Celebrations

Can you imagine a kiddie party especially prepared for grandparents?

Well, we did just that.  Last Sunday, we had a McCelebrations "party delivery" - made possible only by McDonald's!

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Foodie Friday: Linguine with Chicken and Mushroom

First Friday of the month:  Food / Recipe


I am a big pasta eater, and so is my son.  So, it was but natural for me to include one pasta dish during our recently concluded Hunt's Mother-Child Cook-Off held during the Yummy Eats food fair last week.  And for today's Foodie Friday, I'm sharing the recipe of the pasta dish we have prepared during the cooking challenge.

Photo from Yummy Hunt's Facebook Album

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The Avengers Delivered our Chicken Joy

Special delivery!
Look who dropped by the house today...

We were all surprised by 'Captain America' and 'Iron Man' with two buckets of crunchy-juicy Jollibee Chicken Joy and four passes to the special screening tomorrow!

When I got an email that a "surprise treat from Jollibee" will be delivered to us, I assumed it's just gonna be an Avengers promo item. Then the agency said it's perishable, so I knew it's food! =)  All the while I thought it would just be the Chicken Joy in special Avengers buckets that will be sent to us.  But when we opened the door, these dudes greeted us. The kids were stumped.  I was too!

They were just so cool!!! And the funny thing was the kids seem lost for words and didn't know how to interact with them -- the boy and the girl were just in awe. 

Thank you Jollibee for this amazing surprise! You made our day!

Our lunch was obviously extra special and memorable, with our all-time favorite Chicken Joy specially delivered by The Avengers.

Well, I don't think Captain America and Iron Man will be doing any more of the delivery rounds, but you can still grab an Avengers Chicken Joy Bucket anytime until May 15! =)
Check out more Avengers goodies from Jollibee:

I'm really looking forward to our movie night with the kids!

The Avengers hits the theaters, April 25. Are you going to watch The Avengers?

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
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CHICK-IN Chicken Inasal is a Winner

Weeks after their second outlet opened, at the invitation of the owners, I was excited to bring my foodie blogger friends to Chick-In Chicken Inasal restaurant and have them try the house special chicken inasal (Bacolod-style char-grilled skewered chicken marinated in vinegar, salt, spices, and basted in annatto seed oil).

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Foodie Friday: Instant Kung Pao Chicken Pasta

First Friday of the month:  Mom-Cook / Recipe

Care for some spicy spaghetti?  Go Kung Pao!!!

I'm not going to pretend this is something new. Kung Pao (which translates to palace guardian/official) is a famous spicy Asian sauce and is definitely one my favorite pasta sauces ever since I had a taste of California Pizza Kitchen's Kung Pao Spaghetti, with shrimps, more than 10 years ago. Then came the equally delicious Charlie Chan Pasta from Yellow Cab, a popular local pizza chain.

What I love about kung pao sauce is it's very distinct Szechuan-style sweet-hot-salty flavor with red chilies, complemented with roasted peanuts and colorful mix of veggies for my pasta.

And now I discovered this ready-to-use pasta sauce at one of my weekly trips to the supermarket -- Clara Olé!  Simply toss with your favorite pasta noodles, meat, shrimps or tofu and you're ready to go!

INSTANT KUNG PAO CHICKEN PASTA

Cooked spaghetti noodles (good for 2 - 3 servings)
Sauce:
3 pcs. chicken thigh fillet (or breast fillet), cubed and lightly salted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped (approx. 1 tablespoon)
1 stalk medium celery, chopped
2 tablespoons whole roasted peanuts
Few stems of spring onion, chopped to matchstick size
3 tablespoons peanut oil / canola oil
1 pack Clara Ole Kung Pao Pasta Sauce
black pepper
chili flakes, optional
chili oil, optional

To cook:
Cook spaghetti as instructed on the pack.
Heat a pan with the oil, then saute and lightly toast minced garlic.
Add in chicken cubes and stir-fry for around 15 minutes until browned.
Mix in the bell pepper, celery, spring onions, and peanuts.  Continue to stir-fry until chicken is done.
Pour in the kung pao sauce and mix well. Add ground pepper.

Taste and add chili flakes and chili oil if you prefer more heat.
Gradually toss in cooked spaghetti until well coated.

Serve and garnish with more spring onions and peanuts if desired.

I ate this for two straight days! :)))

What I like about this instant kung pao sauce is it's rich, balanced flavor, yet it's not too hot, which was just perfect for me. This way, you can easily control the heat to your liking by adding more chilies or chili oil. You can actually see bits of chillies and taste a subtle nutty taste to the sauce.

Next time, instead of chicken, I'll use juicy, succulent shrimps!

Wikipedia:  Westernized versions, usually called "Kung Pao chicken", commonly consist of diced marinated chicken stir-fried with skinless unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped, sliced, or diced red bell peppers (as well as other vegetables such as green bell peppers, celery, Chinese cabbage, water chestnuts, and carrots), sherry or rice wine, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and chili peppers. Although chicken is traditionally used, seafood items such as shrimp or scallops, or other meats such as beef or pork, are sometimes used in place of the chicken (although typically only a single meat or seafood is used).


You might wanna try these too:
Creamy Salmon & Caviar Pasta
Spicy Tuyo Spaghetti
Pasta Gambasetti a'la Mom-Friday
Fusili with Smoked Chorizo
Sauce Express: Aligue & Pesto



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