Foot and Fire

*I baked these squares some time ago and I will try my best to remember the proportions I have used here. 3 cups flour 3 tsp baking powder 3 cups sugar a pinch of salt 3 eggs 1 1/2 cup banana syrup (made from banana and sugar) 1 1/2 cup canola oil *For simple banana cake I added raisins *For chocolate banana cake I melted some chocolate and spread on top of the banana squares... Mix all dry ingredients. add the egg and oil a few amount each time and mix until the batter is free from lumps. Bake at 350 F temperature.

               Ivy and Sunbird sandwiching me! New year 2007. It was 1st of January when Rovil replied to the enticing text of Ivy, that is, to drop by the house of Nioly at Kilometrahe 34 in Tabao. He said YES, OKAY, FINE and disembarked SDL and emphasized that he had until 11am just in time for Nioly to prepare to go back to her work in Manila. Take note that when Rovil went out of his house that day, he had only two things to do that day: to bring his fiancée to the port and to sleep. Unfortunately, he replied to Ivy’s text.

French bread Vegetable Salad: cucumber, sliced sweet corn kernel carrots, grated sliced olive iceberg lettuce leaves Dressing: mayonnaise or sandwich spread yogurt (mango flavor) Mix all ingredients in a bowl, except the last two. In a separate bowl, mix the dressing and then, add to the vegetable. Can be eaten as sandwich to the french bread or as is with french bread on the side.  The Salad... *** The french bread ***

This is a favorite beef stew! Beef meat banana (sab-a) camote (sweet potatoes) white kidney beans (pre-boiled or use canned garbanzos) cabbage Cook cubed meat until tender (about 2 hours or by pressure cooker). Add banana, camote and kidney beans and let boil until very tender. Mash some camote to thicken the soup. Season to taste. Add cabbage and remove from fire. Serve hot.

The Monster of Florence Doug Preston and Mario Spezi Nonfiction, 406 pages I love Florence, I love to experience the Tuscan sun. If I ever have to visit Italy, I want it to be Florence! The painted landscape of Florence in my mind is idyllic, with the sunny hills lined with olive trees, vis-a-vis the proofs of Renaissance from the genius creations of Botticelli, Michaelangelo and Da vinci to Medici's creation of first currency system. As for Italians, I have no painted faces of them yet except that they are Catholics and as they were portrayed in the decade-old film Under the Tuscan Sun (perhaps, this influenced me to love the Tuscan skies!). This want, the book supplanted. And why in the world, I have to pick up The Monster of Florence? Am I ready to discover the monster before I enjoy my longed-for Tuscan vacation someday? I am no fan of thriller novels but I am a fan of nonfiction. I am no fan of crime novels but I am a fan of true crime stories and CSI...

This is the outcome! For chop suey, I used canned young corn and mushroom, ground beef, carrots, potatoes, sayote, bell pepper, cabbage. A little of cornstarch was used to adjust the consistency as the chop suey should not be soupy.   *** For cripsy noodles, I washed the sotanghon or the vermicelli in warm water and soak for a while before draining. Then, I heated a pan until a little smoke comes out of it. I arranged the noodle spreading it out on the pan to get the pan shape. *** For chop suey recipe, pleaes see older posts.

Seafood platter When hunger and sweet tooth cry out, Lacson street in Bacolod City can answer the call. Pepe's sumptuous lunch can be punctuated by the sweet delights of Calea located just a little farther across the street. Pepe's is located on the second floor of Sorrento building. This rugged building is undergoing renovations at the moment but this did not stop hungry souls from dishing out their favorites from fish to meat. Meanwhile, the coffee and sweets craving are answered by Calea, the house of the popular triple chocolate mousse. And so, here are my shots of the blessings we partook as part of our Christmas friendship gathering. *** Ceasar's salad *** lemonade *** Grilled fish in mango-coconut salsa *** Beef salpicao *** The burger *** Triple chocolate mousse, the Calea's best. *** Good old apple pie. *** Triple sweet delights! *** Blueberry topped fruit cheesecake ***

Lights are candies to the eyes. Hence, December is always the time to forget electric bills and delight in the twinkling lights. La Carlota is dubbed as the City of Lights but I must admit there is nothing ultra special to its lights but then, since locally, it strives to be known as such,  I commend the consistency of establishing this tradition of lights which usually opens on the midweek of December and usually culminates every fiesta the next year, January 24.  Here are my quick tour of our humble town plaza. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Plazuela de Iloilo. This is Iloilo City's take on depicting Spanish-designed public place.  But since we arrived late, the grounds fronting the architecture caught our attention.  The toy-themed park made us giggle with childish joy. The Fountain at the entrance *** Out of place stuffs  in a European-inspired architecture but still fun to watch. *** *** *** At the grounds of the park.  *** *** *** ***