Baked Mussels

 

Since it's Holyweek (seafood only diet), My husband came home from work early morning with Mussels or Tahong for me to cook. Thing is, I've never cooked it before, and have no idea how to.

I immediately googled "how-to's" and asked for help from my facebook friends.

Decided to make Baked Tahong. The one like I used to eat in San Mig Pub when I was little (although in San Mig it's clams not mussels). It was the perfect one to do coz most stores are closed today and I had to make do with what is here. Although I did have to buy butter and cheese in 711. Luckily I had garlic and/or garlic powder here.

So here's how I did it:

Ingredients
•1 kilo mussels
•Half a bar of butter
•Garlic powder or finely chopped garlic
•quickmelt cheese


I soaked the mussels in water for hours (from 8am til about 11). Occasionally changing the water.



I then pulled out all the hair (or whatever you call it) that I can see.

I put the mussels in a pot of water and boiled til it opened (Surprisingly didn't take a long time).

I strained the water out and took out the other shell of the tahong. Making it like "open-faced".

I made my butter-garlic sauce. Melted butter (I used more or less half a bar for a kilo of mussels). Melted the butter by hand. I mixed in some garlic powder to the butter. In another batch, instead of garlic powder, I used fresh finely chopped garlic instead (coz I ran out of the powder).

I put the butter-garlic sauce on the shell bed. Then I put a small slice of quickmelt cheese on top. (I was thinking of grating the cheese at first, but changed my mind coz wanted it to be thicker)



Now off to the oven!
I used my electric oven coz the batch I tried cooking in my gas oven didn't come out as I wanted. Some overcooked, some just right (di pantay yung heat niya).
Anyway, I turn the dial to the highest heat and just peeked through the glass to see if the cheese are browned and melted perfectly. Probably around 10-15mins.

Then slurp away! Best as pulutan!

Special thanks to my mom who saw my first batch and said it needed to be cooked some more. She was right! It's much better if the cheese is a little browned on top.

This was my first batch, but had to put it back in the oven coz needed to be cooked more.

 


Ciao!

Til my next Kitchen Adventure!

Spicy Chicken Wings

When I was new to living with my Hubby and cooking for our family, I didn't know much. All I knew was frying delata food, and tinola!

An unexpected friend (my husband's ex, would you believe, I'm friendly like that) helped me by sharing a couple of her recipes!

Here's one of her recipes (hope she won't mind me sharing this haha). My husband's fave:


Spicy Chicken Wings



Ingredients:


•chicken wings
• knorr seasoning
•onion
•ufc ketchup
•hotsauce

Marinade the wings in Knorr Seasoning and onions overnight.

Fry wings in oil then set aside.

Fry again the wings in a new pan (without oil) then add ufc ketchup and hotsauce (just a little, for a kick). And mix for about a minute or two. Until the ketchup and hotsauce sticks and covers the wings.

*How much ketchup you ask? Well I just put enough to cover up the wings when I mix it together. Depends really on how "saucy" you want it to be.

That's it!

Super easy and yummy!


I actually do this with hotdog back then. Recipe for the Spicy hotdog soon! Although it's kind of the same anyway.

'til my next post!
Happy cooking!

inLove with Flipflops

I am a flipflop kind of girl, for as long as I could remember. In fact, I have bought more flipflops than shoes. Living here in the south of Manila makes it perfect to invest in flipflops. I don't know if you've noticed but the typical "south of the metro" girl wear a cute comfy shirt, trendy shorts and flipflops (at least that's what I observed). Laidback is a word often used to describe people from here. Styles change from time to time, but flipflops never leave (at least from where I live). Shorts and flipflops, jeans and flipflops, even dresses and flipflops. It goes with almost anything. It is also so comfy and easy to wear when in a hurry! That's why I love them so much!

 

          Flipflops worn with a simple t-shirt, shorts and a belt.

                      Halle Berry wearing flipflops with jeans

I have been through different kinds of slippers in my lifetime. I have broken a couple of expensive ones (one of it was just used for a week). I have erased countless of prints on the flops within less than a week of using (coz of my pasmado feet). I am also flat-footed. So looking for the right kind of flip flops isn't an easy feat.

Then I came across Caribbean Footwear. It's so lightweight it seems you're not wearing slippers at all. It has this arc that makes sure your feet are comfy and in place. The strap fits like a glove on my feet and you barely notice it (unlike the hard straps in the tsinelas you buy in most tiangges, which gives you blisters). Best of all, price ranges from 150-230 pesos only.



I also found out that the structure and design of the flops were well thought of.

Here is the anatomy of their flipflops:
from Comfort your Feet with Caribbean

The Toe Fashion
The balancing act of our toe is well supported by the footwear's structure without compromising fashion and creativity.

The Strap at its Finest
Our cutting-edge technology has perfected the integration of comfort, durability, and elegance in our strap -Caribbean's own invention.

The Mid-foot Curve
Artistically formed to create proper foot formation and posture that will enhance endurance while walking or running. 

Cool huh? Their ideas and hardwork really paid off, coz really felt the comfort in every component of the slippers.

The prints are cool too! Perfect for summer. mine is pink and white, with colorful swirls. Lots of other cool designs to choose from. My mom has a pair of glittery silver ones (goes great with anything).



It is available in your leading department stores. I always see them in SM department stores and Hypermarts. Check em out! I'm sure you won't resist buying one (or two) for your beach getaway!