Filipino Cooking 101

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to learn 5 new cooking recipes, where one of them had to be Filipino. So far, I've learned 3 new ones this year and they all have been Filipino dishes.

My first dish was Pancit Canton (the Filipino chow mein). I added too much broth the first time, and realized it right away when the noodles cooked really fast. So I started spooning out broth like a boat taking on water. I need to cut the mushrooms better, and maybe add either shrimp or Chinese sausage the next time around. I give it a 6 out of 10, a modest score to improve upon.

The second dish attempted was Pinacbet (a vegetable medley with pork - optional). The recipe called for bittermelon, and I almost put it in until I tasted it on the side. Holy bitter, Batman. I also didn't know you had to remove the inner core of seeds and pulp. I think I can do without the bittermelon. I might have had too many vegetables the first time around because it was a bit watery, thus came out a bit bland. Not sure how to improve this dish, but I'm sure it'll taste better the next time around. First attempt score, 5 out of 10.

Yesterday I cooked Ginataang Alimasag (crab in coconut milk sauce). This I knew I couldn't get wrong in making. Though I wasn't sure if I should pre-cook the pre-cooked crab. Turns out my instinct was right, and didn't need to. 3rd dish was a charm. 9 out of 10 because nobody's perfect.

Also included in my Filipino cooking arsenal from the past are Arroz Caldo (rice chicken soup) and Chicken Adobo. Both dishes still need some work, but at least I know how to make them. I always ask my mom the secret to cooking, but never get a straight answer because it just comes naturally. Sometimes doing something routine can feel like no secret at all. So I guess I'll just keep practicing my timing and measurements, and maybe one day I'll be a step closer to having a secret of my own.

Anyone hungry? Cause I need a victim to get a real opinion of my cooking.

I Live In An Igloo

I officially hate winter. The office has been closed the past two days due to ice storms hitting the Austin area. I did venture out yesterday to the gym before the ice tooks its toll on the roads. Why did I risk going out? Because it's a brisk 60 degrees in my house...at least downstairs. I have a two-zone heating system, one for upstairs and the other for downstairs. The one upstairs works 75% of the time. The one downstairs works 0% of the time. Compound that with the freezing temperatures outside, I basically live in an igloo.

I'm too cheap to call a repair man because it will probably cost an arm and a leg to have my heaters checked out at a time I'm sure they are charging above premium prices. I would start up my fireplace, but I have no idea where the tool to open up the damper is and I think having some wood would help. I guess my space heater and layered clothing will have to do.

How did I ever survive in Minnesota?

One (Less) Step Closer To Home

Great news...Austin will have a direct flight to/from Seattle in April 2007! No more stops in LAX, DEN, MSP, ORD, MEM or DFW.

December 19, 2006

New Seattle-Austin nonstop flight announced by American Airlines

AUSTIN, TEXAS - American Airlines announced today it will begin new, nonstop service between Austin, Texas, and Seattle on April 10, 2007. American will operate one round trip a day on the route with its 136-seat MD80 aircraft featuring 16 First Class and 120 Main Cabin seats.

"The Austin and Seattle markets are important to American and its customers," said Henry Joyner, American's Senior Vice President - Planning. "We've done very well with our other flights between Austin and the West Coast - we expect this one to be a success as well."

Here is the schedule for American's service between Austin and Seattle, effective April 10, 2007 - all times local:

Flight 1893 Departs Austin: 8:15 a.m. Arrives Seattle: 10:25 a.m.
Flight 1960 Departs Seattle: 3:35 p.m. Arrives Austin: 9:35 p.m.

"This has been a highly sought nonstop route," said Jim Smith, Executive Director, City of Austin Aviation Dept. "There is strong support in business travelers between these two high-tech cities. The schedule allows one to fly to Seattle for business and return in the same day. Additionally, it's easier for leisure and recreation travelers of Austin to enjoy the American Northwest. We also expect a strong response from travelers in Seattle coming to Austin."

Sorry for the bait & switch.

My 10+1 Resolutions

Here are my 10 resolutions for 2007:

1. Get to 170 lbs. I currently weigh 180 lbs, which isn't bad, but I've always wondered what I'd look like if I lost a bit of weight.
2. Run a 10K. This may help Resolution No. 1. The most I've ran is a 5K and I was dying after that. Plus I'm getting over an Achilles injury that plagued me in 2006.
3. Develop a six-pack. I hate doing abdominal workouts. But this year I'll be going to Mexico in March and Hawaii in May, and would like to look beach ready.
4. Buy a dining table. I have the money, but there's no point in buying a table for just one person.
5. Cook at least 5 new recipies. Hopefully, one of those will be Filipino. Pancit time! I have the magical touch of turning gold into lead...no Midas talent here.
6. Sing one Karaoke song. Sounds easy, if you don't have stage fright or trouble remembering words or beats to songs.
7. Jump cleanly wake-to-wake on a wakeboard. 2006 was my rookie year.
8. No alcohol for one month. I think I better choose February.
9. No meat for one month. This might not be doable, thus all the way at No. 9.
10. Read three non-fiction books. Boring.
11. Follow through with at least 4 of these resolutions. Thus this will count for one, and make it look like I got half of my resolutions to pass. Winner = me.

Happy New Year!!! 2007 is already one better than 2006.