Veggie Lovers

We love veggies! I cook them 2-3 times a week depending on what I have in the fridge and if I get my supply from the Asian store. For this dinner I made Pinakbet, an all time Filipino favorite vegetable dish. Very easy to make and I love the look of the mixed vegetables in vibrant colors!

Undeniably satisfying :)

To make:

Heat oil in the pan, when hot add the pork slices and cook until the meat turns brown. Add minced garlic and saute for few seconds then drop onion slices and chopped tomatoes. Pour about 3/4 cup of chicken broth (I used this instead of water or you can use pork broth), season with a little bit of fish sauce or shrimp paste and some black pepper. When it's boiling, add the carrot wedges and simmer for about 5 minutes then add string beans, squash, eggplants and okra within couple minutes interval. Stir from time to time, when the vegetables are done but not overcooked, sprinkle some Maggi magic sarap seasoning (optional) and a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot and enjoy the fruit of your labor! 

Dish serves 2-4 so adjust your vegetable measurements accordingly.

Up next: Mung Beans with coconut milk

One of my favorite comfort food

This was our dinner few days later. I made it with smoked pork ribs left overs and the smoked flavor complemented the dish very well. Wallet friendly recipe and food you will love that reminds you of home (for us living in another country).



To make:

Saute minced garlic in a heated pot until fragrant then add chopped onions. Put the meat if using and cook for few minutes or until the meat is brown. Add mung beans, stir for a little bit then add enough water to cook the beans. Season with salt and pepper. The beans take a while to cook especially if it wasn't soaked in water for hours or overnight. Cover the pot and simmer for 50 mins to an hour checking occasionally if there's still liquid, add more water a little bit at a time if it dries up. When beans are cooked and liquid is reduced, add about half to a cup of coconut milk and cook for couple more minutes. Adjust seasonings. Add spinach leaves, cover with lid and cook for another minute. Turn the heat off and you're done! 




I'm grateful that my foreigner hubby loves Filipino dishes and I don't have a problem cooking food for him. The reason why he has to go to the gym 3-4 times a week so he can eat good food haha!




Until next time. Cheers!

Weekend Getaway: Munich, Germany

We had a last minute travel plans last MLK weekend and ended in Munich, 4 hours away from our place. We didn't get the chance to explore Munich as our time was limited and everything is closed on Sunday so that took away 1 day out of the 3 days we were there, the only open place we can go was Dachau Concentration Camp.

I thought this camp was just one of those tourist attractions where you look around and know about the place, I was wrong. Upon entering the gate I felt eerie, maybe because of the thought that thousands of prisoners died there. I just can't imagine the kind of suffering they went through while they were imprisoned. 

Camp outline 

Spot where they hung and shot the prisoners

Prisoners' barracks

The living and sleeping quarters. After 1942, the prison compound had at least 12,000 prisoners who had to live in the barracks designed for 5,000 men.

After reading and seeing the pictures of what happened in the camp, we left the place and I, had a heavy heart. It was an experience I'll never forget. I still get goosebumps while writing this. 

That Sunday night after visiting the camp, we passed by an area while looking for the restaurant where we made reservation, it was Michael Jackson's memorial site.

Germans love him! :)

Then it was time to eat. I ordered set menu of grilled chicken and minced meat (my favorite) a side of basmati rice, doogh (yogurt, water & mint) for my drink and baklava for dessert. 

Persian food craving at Restaurant Shandiz

The next day hubby and I went to the shopping area and I had to stop by at Mango & Zara. I just had to, the stores were screaming 40-60% off winter sale! I ended up getting a skirt and a shirt far from being wintry. *rolls eye*

Until next time. Cheers!

Life's simple pleasures

Hallo mein freunde! How's everyone doing these days? Tonight's dinner was nothing extraordinary.  After a hearty meal of 'sinigang' (Filipino sour soup with vegetables), I was craving for something sweet for dessert. Then hubby suggested we use the chocolate fondue set we have that's been sitting on top of our fridge for a year now. I agreed. We had fun dipping the fruits and marshmallows in the warm chocolate and it was oh so good! Who would've have thought that this would make our night? Simple yet satisfying and the best thing is, it's free!

M-m-m-m-m-m! :)

I will use Nutella or peanut butter next. Have to experiment to find my perfect dip!

Until next time. Cheers!