During my first trip to Korea back in 2004, some of my choirmates tried Galbi (cook-it-yourself smokeless grill) maybe twice or thrice in the entire trip. It cost a lot, but filled our tummies so well.

Here in my neighborhood, there’s a small Korean community and a number of Korean restaurants have sprouted. I always see this small Korean resto and I knew it had Galbi.

I tried it out one night. Here’s a look at what I had devoured.

My order included the meat (I got the smallest plate which had five thin slices of life-threatening pork belly. Along with the side dishes, plus hot kimchi soup and rice, it was more than enough for hungry me!

The waiter forgot to give me the greens though. I realized this after he gave a basketful to the mother-daughter customers across me. I was halfway through my meal by then, and I didn’t mind anymore because I was getting full!

Price is P250 for the smallest serving good for one. Add P50 for rice. Fair enough, I said, as I was sipping the soup while waiting for my meat to cook. Just like as I was in the Galbi restaurants in Korea.

From Korea, let’s go to Japan! No, I haven’t been here, sadly, but I discovered another cook-it-yourself grill, and probably a lot of people know it: Pepper Lunch.

That was my then uncooked plate of Beef Pepper Rice, their most basic plate and the cheapest there was. For about the same price of the Korean Galbi, you could experience cooking your own pepper rice, in less than two minutes! Just mix, mix, mix!

And I devoured the plateful by my lonesome. I tried this before 2012 ended, when my husband and I scheduled our separate me-times. Must go back with the fam soon!

So take your pick: Korea one day, then Japan the next. Let me know what you’ve tried.

~ Touringkitty

The Korean Restaurant is located at Leveriza Street that borders Manila and Pasay City. There’s no signage but the gate is orange and near Wesleyan College of Manila.

Pepper Lunch has lots of branches already. I went to MOA on a weekday so the service was quick.

Hello, WordPress, it’s been a while!

I have not blogged so much lately mainly because of work. Work means sending emails, following up, coordinating, making memos, typing in the good ol’ fashioned typewriter. But the best part of work: Watching FREE shows, attending (and singing for!) masterclasses (like the one of Arthur Espiritu!)

So to make up for the lack of post, I’ll just make a quick one, no pictures attached, and share with you my yummy treat I made today: SIOMAI!!!

I super love siomai. Anything siomai, actually. But this is the first time I tried making one. And wow my daughter LOVED it!

Here’s the recipe!

1/4 k ground pork

1/2 grated carrot

1 minced onion

1 egg for binding

salt and pepper to taste

1 pack of molo/wanton wrapper (we used the smallest size, we thought it won’t hold the filling but it did!)

water for sealing the wrapper

…and the magic ingredient… 1 MINCED PEAR!

You read it right, pear. And it adds sweetness and fruitiness to our siomai. Only because I wasn’t able to buy singkamas. Tee-hee!

How we did it:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl except water and molo wrapper.

2. Scoop small amounts that will fit in the wrapper and seal it with water, whatever shape you want it.

3. Steam for about 30 minutes. We have a 3-layer steamer at home so we also steam some veggies along with the siomai. We did Sweet Potato strips this morning! You can also use a pasta cooker or rice cooker, or still, a pot half-filled with water and a steamer or strainer.

4. Serve with toyomansi.

And that’s how I Siomai love for my family!

How about you, how do you show your love for the family?

~ Touringkitty

With our family having no helper since June, I had to step up and force myself to cook, hence the recipes you have been reading in my previous posts. And with my toddler’s increasing solid intake, I also have to maintain fresh home-cooked meals with a good balance of veggies, meat, and rice.

I’ll be posting my recipes for the week. Here’s one, which I got from Good Housekeeping Magazine July issue.

Chicken Rice Soup

You will need:

Canola oil for sauteeing

Onion

Carrots, cubed

Sayote, cubed

Chicken fillets cut into cubes for easier cooking

1/2 cup washed uncooked rice

Water

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Saute onion, carrots, and sayote.

2. Add in chicken and let it brown a little.

3. Add in water and rice. Season to taste.

4. Mix occasionally and wait for the rice to cook. Serve hot or warm.

You can use other veggies, like celery.

More on my next post!

~ Touringkitty

I am trying to discover my love for cooking. Well, here’s a sample.

Sharing my Lentil Stew Recipe:

You will need:

Canola oil
Garlic
Onion
Chicken pieces, about half of chicken
Salt to taste
Easy cook Lentils
Frozen Diced Carrots
Water
Tomato sauce, small sachet

You’ll also need Good Approximation Skills (notice there aren’t measurements?). I never measured! Well, maybe the first time, but when I repeat a dish I never measure anymore!

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Saute garlic and onion in oil.
2. Add chicken. Let it brown.
3. Put salt then water. Simmer chicken until tender.
4. Add in lentils and carrots then the tomato sauce. Let them all cook.
5. Your lentil stew is done!

Here’s my personal notes about this recipe:

1. My 11 month old daughter eats this so I separate an unsalted portion for her (though I must admit, sometimes I forget, but am aware that I should put minimal salt!).

2. I let the pot boil long to make sure all ingredients are well cooked (and so that I can do other things at home!).

3. I like the chicken browned at the beginning. And to make it less sinful, we had the skin and slimy fat removed upon buying. Healthyummy!

4. I use half a pack of lentils and this recipe is good for 4-6 people.

How about you? Anything cooking from your kitchen lately?

~ Touringkitty