Special Palabok

Palabok is one of the many different noodles used in Filipino cuisine. Essentially it is also called pancit meaning noodles.  handed down by the Chinese, it was adopted into the Filipino cuisine and is also known as comfort food for many Filipinos.

Tinapa smoked fish which is used for Palabok toppings.

Pechay Baguio is also called Pakchay or Napa cabbage.

Ingredients for Palabok Sauce:

1 head red or white onion diced

2 and 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup white flour
1 can 8-ounce cream of Mushroom soup
1/4 cup annatto water for coloring
1/2 cup water
2 tbsps. soy sauce

Direction:

In a saucepan, add 1/4 cup of chicken broth to the flour to make thin paste. Stir in the rest of the broth, place over medium heat and bring to a boil. You may use egg beater to stir the broth especially after adding the cream of mushroom soup. Once it starts to boil, add 1/2 cup water and soy sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Correct seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat until ready to use. Makes 3-4 cups of sauce.

For the Palabok toppings:

In a skillet over medium heat, saute 3 cloves minced garlic in 2 tbsps oil for a minute or until brown. Remove garlic from oil and set aside for garnishing. Saute 1/2 lbs diced pork (I use pork giniling) in the garlic flavored oil for 10 minutes. Add 1/2 lbs of shrimps then add 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 2tbsps fish sauce or patis, salt and pepper to taste. Strain the mixture, reserving the liquid and set the meat aside.  (Note: Pork giniling is the same as ground pork)

Soak the Palabok noodles in water for an hour. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and cook the noodles to a desired softness, al dente.

Pour the previously prepared sauce over the strained noodles, sprinkle the crushed pork rind or chicharon and tinapa flakes over the sauce. Top with fried garlic, pork and shrimps, green onions, pechay Baguio (blanched) and hard boiled eggs. use kalamansi or lemon on the side. You can use additional toppings of seafoods like pusit or mussels(optional)

Above ingredients are good for 1/2 kilo Palabok noodles, the cream of mushroom gives it that extra yummy taste…

Here’s the finished product, a yummy Special Palabok!

 

 

 

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Sunday Quote

This is one of those quotes that reminds me of what I’ve been through the past two years.  Quotes like these always give me a LIFT and INSPIRE me to go on with life.  I always  try to find a good  subject as a background and this is where my digicam comes in handy.

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After Almost 38 Years

Time flies, certainly!  We had our informal high school reunion yesterday at one of our batchmates’ s house in Quezon City.  Though it was  not the  first time we had it, it was the first time since our high school graduation that I met some of our classmates.   It was almost 38 years and we were just in our teens when we graduated from high school. Most of them are now proud grandparents!   One of the regular attendees is a four-year old grandson of one of our batch mates.  He practically grew up with the batch and is familiar with almost every one.  I call him our “reunion baby”.

Our reunions always start with a Thanksgiving Mass and end with so much laughter, reminiscing the good old days and sometimes remembering events  and our beloved teachers.  It’s about cherishing getting older and humming songs of yesteryears,  updating each other on the latest happenings in our lives, hours of bantering, exchanging jokes and laughter.  Not to be left of course is the scrumptious  lunch or dinner for the batch.   UST Education High School – part of history, part of a Pontifical, Royal Catholic University in the Philippines.

It may take years before we see some of our classmates again but the friendship, camaraderie and sense of belonging  are what we will always cherish in our hearts.

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Wow, Just Wow

And I thought the fireworks the other night are lovely but this is even more beautiful –  the culmination of the week-long celebration of the 400th year of University of Santo Tomas – UST Quadricentennial Alumni Night Pyromusical!

Go USTe, Viva Santo Tomas, Proud to be a Thomasian!

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High School Reunions

It will be our fourth high school reunion  this coming Saturday, January 29, 2011  which will be held at 11am at one of our high school batchmate’s house in Tandang Sora (still in connection with the 400th celebration of our beloved university).  Since we found each other again in 2003 (our first reunion),  we’ve been in touch via an e-group at Yahoo and we were able to find those whom we haven’t seen since our high school graduation back in 1973.  I think more than half of our batch are now living abroad so it’s kind of  hard to see each other unless they go home and spend a few hours with the remaining members of our batch.   Though sometimes, some of our classmates hold instant get-together, we  are never in complete attendance. It would be nice to be able to  see them again after  two years.  Most of us are now on Facebook, but there is something more inviting and pleasant than just having those chats once in a while or sending those private message now and then, it’s called high school reunion.  Seeing them face to face is  of course a welcome bonus. High school reunions are more fun than probably attending college get-together. Come to think of it, I have only two close college classmates, the rest I have yet to meet again since our college graduation back in 1978.

This week marks a series of events to commemorate our 400th anniversary celebration of the university.  When I think of the days and years that I was  in UST, I can’t help but feel nostalgic and  happy to share these events with everyone.  My Christian values were enhanced further when I was studying there.  There is a certain kind of pride and gratitude that I was given the chance to study in a Pontifical, Royal and Catholic institution that speaks so much of  history and tradition and as they say, “400 years of unending grace.”

Revisiting the place, walking its halls once more, and appreciating the years of stay here and just plain reminiscing – I guess that’s what reunion is all about.

Our high school class picture during our senior year!

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Happy Quadricentennial UST!

Go USTe!

And here’s the firework display that they did last night, during the countdown.

400 years of unending grace….

UST Hymn, a nostalgic song which I learned since high school…

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The Countdown, UST’s Quadricentennial Celebration

Pardon me for not being able to blog tonight, I am busy watching the Quadricentennial celebration of my alma mater,  University of Santo Tomas. I am so excited to see and witness the countdown until 12am.  It’s another milestone,  another history in the making. I am really proud to be called a true-blooded Thomasian!

The  unveiling of the Quattromondial Monument early tonight, one of the highlights of the UST celebration!

(photos courtesy of Fr. Nilo Lardizabal, OP)

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Hmm…Just One Of Those Days

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Quote Of The Day

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Here’s For That Rainy Day

1

I thought I could easily get into my
subconscious self and blot out
all image of you.
But the rain outside keeps reminding me
of that other rainy night
we were together.

2

I drowned my tears through the rain
lest they’ll know I’m crying
I wish I could laugh and in all honesty
smile and sing and dance
and laugh and smile again
and dream of that other rainy night.

3

When the rain ceases
And I no longer find my tears mingling
with the raindrops
Let me see you smile
Let me hear you laugh…..

4

My life – they  are days of hopes and wishes
and dreams
That sometimes, I’m afraid
There will be nothing left anymore
Where will I be by then?

5

I find comfort in the knowledge
that you’re always around
To strengthen’ things out
And perhaps to fill the brim
of my empty cup

6

Lest I forget
We’ve got a toast to make
here’s for that rainy day, pal
here’s for our love…..

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