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Showing posts from October 9, 2019

When the longing for authentic Pinoy dishes strikes in the U.S., Isla Grand stands ready to transport your taste buds back to the Philippines.

Carmina is traveling to the United States to spend time with her family. My dad planned a family gathering for Mother's Day at their favorite Pinoy restaurant . Since reservations aren’t possible, we arrived an hour early to ensure we could get a table for twelve before everyone else showed up. As my dad approached Isla Grand , the branch we visited in Pleasant Hills, California , the host at the door said they could prepare a table for twelve at five o'clock. Later, the server called my dad's name and guided us to our table. The place was bustling with people enjoying meals and celebrating Mother's Day. On our first visit to Isla Grand, I was captivated by the décor, noticing many native items that gave the place a fancy yet authentic Filipino feel. They usually have a live band, but unfortunately, there was no entertainment the night we went. My family had spoken highly of Isla Grand and encouraged us to try the Filipino dishes we’ve been missing from back home. Lech...

California Maki Pasta

This recipe is almost like making a sushi, but the only difference you are using fettuccine noodles than Japanese Rice. Fettuccine California Maki Recipe: Ingredients: 250g San Remo Fettuccine cooked according to package directions 150g Imitation Crab Sticks 1 large cucumber - peel and cut in the middle. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and cut into match box sticks 3 Ripe Mango - slice the mango into cubes Garnish: 2  tbs - Spring onions 2 tbs - Sesame seeds Dressing: 1/2 - Cup Nestle cream 1/4 - Cup Alaska evaporated milk 2 tbs - Wasabi paste from tube 2 tbs - Kikoman lite soy sauce 1 tbs - Calamansi or lemon Salt and pepper to taste Step 1: Cook the fettuccine noodles, strain out the water and place in a flat casserole dish Step 2: Add the cucumber and mango to the fettuccine noodles Step 3: In a large bowl combine all the dressing ingredients together and mix wel...

Korean Japchae or Potato Noodles Recipe

Japchae or Potato Noodles Ingredients: 1 package of Potato Starch noodles or Korean vermicelli Follow the directions on the package how you cook it. 4 pieces of dried mushroom - Just soak it under water and chopped it into slices. 1/4 cup - sesame oil 5 cloves of garlic chopped 2 pieces - spring onions chopped 2 pieces - carrots chopped in a size of a matchsticks 250 grams - baby spinach 1/4 cup - Kikkoman Lite Soy Sauce 4 Tsp - Sesame Oil 1 Tsp brown sugar 2 Tbs - sesame seeds Step 1: Cook the potato starch noodles by following the directions in the package. Drain the water, set aside and cut it with scissors 6 inches length. Step 2: Heat 1 tbs of the sesame oil with the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok. Cook the garlic and chopped spring onion for three minutes. Add the carrots and baby spinach for one minute, add the remaining sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar on low heat. Once cook add the chopped mushrooms and add the potato starch noodl...

Taco Recipe

Taco Recipe Ingredients: 1 kilo Ground Beef or Ground Pork Grated Eden Cheese Mc Cormick Taco Seasoning Sour cream Tabasco Sauce Taco Shells or Tortilla Step 1: Boil Ground beef or pork with little amount of water and drain the water. Place back in the pot and add the taco seasoning                                                                                                       Step 2: Salsa Ingredients: 2 - pieces White Onion 8 - pieces Ripe Tomatoes 1 - bulk of cilantro which they call it wansoy in the Philippines 2 - pieces hot pepper (chopped) Salt Optional: Italian Salad Dressing Chop all the ingredients and combine it all together...

Buko Pandan Salad and Fruit Cocktail Recipe

Buko and Fruit Cocktail Salad I had to revised this recipe for the family and friends who live in California. I realized there are some ingredients that can't be bought from your International Grocery Store. Here is something you can make from buying in Ranch 99 or Island Pacific. I ngredients: 1 - Small can evaporated milk 1 - Can small condense milk 2 - Nestle Cream  3 boxes of Lady Choice Alsa Green Gulaman 1 can of T.A.S Young Coconut in syrup (stripped buko) 1 large can of Fruit Cocktail 1 tbs - Pandan Flavoring Step 1: Follow the instructions on the Alsa Green Gulaman Add 1 tsp. pandan flavoring Place in flat tray and let it cool off in the fridge Once it has harden slice into small cubes. Step 2: Combine the following ingredients: Evaporated milk, condense milk, nestle cream, buko and green gulaman Place in Tupperware Enjoy your dessert! If, you are living in the Philippines the ingredients would be as followed: 1 - Alaska evaporated milk 1 - Small can of ...

Fortune Island, Nasugbu, Batangas

I found this hidden treasure when I was searching for places that no one seem to know about. Not many people know that this area exist since it was abandoned. This can be an unforgettable trip that looks Greek. The time I had visited was on the month of February where the weather is not hot. To me it is the best time. It can be extremely hot since there is no covered area during our summer vacation. I recommend you bring a tent. It will give you a place to eat your food. Tips: What to bring before you plan your trip : Tent  Towel Food and drinking water Paper plates Plastic utensil Waterproof backpack Swim clothes best to rash guard Water shoes Sunscreen Sunglasses Waterproof camera Power bank with phone cord Trash bag (throw your trash) Be sure to book a boat ahead of time before your arrival to set your time: Boat Reservation contact: Tatay Dante - 09394895292 Tatay Boy - 09186962488 Joel - 09361276462 Places to do in Fortune Island: ...