Jenny’s Chicken Adobo

Yesterday I was thinking of what to cook for dinner. How about chicken adobo? Another Spanish influence dish I am going to cook for dinner. The word adobo in Spanish term is to marinade, sauce, or seasoning. My grandmother uses lomo or pork loin marinade with garlic, salt and atsuete oil. It was used to be dry seasoning.

When the Spanish invaded the Philippines in 16^th century, Spaniards are very keen on food processing such as tinabal fresh fish salted and fermented and bulad/buwad also known as dried fish - fresh fish salted and dried under the sun.  For so many years in the Philippines they encountered a cooking process that involved stewing with sugarcane vinegar.

Now adobo is one of the most popular dishes in the country. There are many variations of adobo in the Philippines. Some used chicken, pork, squid, birds, frog and snakes. Cook with ajos (garlic), pamenta/laurel (bay laurel or bay leaf), toyo (soy sauce), suka (vinegar).

Here is my own recipe. You can try it at home (The choice is yours; I’ll leave it to you.)

Serves: 4-6

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Method: Stew – medium fire

Ingredients:

• 1 kilo – Chicken drumstick (you can use pork or any parts of the chicken you like)
• 100ml – Soy sauce (I prefer Silver Swan or Datu Puti as substitute)
• 200ml – Warm water
• 30 ml – Vinegar (I like sugarcane vinegar)
• 6 pcs – Cloves of ajos (garlic)
• 3 pcs – Dahon ng Laurel (bay leaf)
• 3 pcs – Star Anise (optional) perfect for pork
• 10 pcs – pepper corns (any colour)

Method:

1. In the hob heat a large pan add chicken stir every minute until the skin turn to brown. (I don’t not discharge the fat from chicken skin every time I use drumstick they are less fatty than breast and thighs) I use the fat to sauté the garlic with the chicken.
2.  Crush garlic and add into the pan. Make sure your garlic meets with the fat. That way it gives more aromas in your dish. (for 60 seconds)
3.  Add soy sauce, water and vinegar.
4.  Let it simmer for 15 minutes.
5.  Cover the pan and let it simmer.
6.  Then crush pepper corns mix and then add bay leaf and star anise.
7.  Cover the pan and let it simmer again for 10 minutes.
8.  Then tastes make sure there is enough sauce for everybody. Food is cook.

Suggestions: Best serve with steam rice and steam okra for healthy options.

NOTE:

I did not use oil to sauté the garlic because I use chicken skin fat to sauté the garlic with the chicken. You can use whatever soy sauce you have or vinegar. (The choices are yours; I’ll leave it to you.)

My family back home neighbours, friends love my cooking and of course adobo/humba is one of their favourite. Now I am currently living in a small town in England and we have been invited 3 families and my husband’s nephews to come to our house for dinner and they certainly love our food such us adobo, bihon guisado (stir fry vermicelli), pansit (stir fry egg noodles) and more. I think it’s time to reveal my secret in cooking. Have a go! Try it at home.

Reference:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobo

Let’s play with Mr Potato Head

What is this Mr Potato Head toy?

Mr Potato Head a classic toy invented and developed by George Lerner in 1949 and was first debut in 1952. The toy is made of plastic and of course shapes like potato decorated with a hat, eyes, ears, a nose, a tongue, a moustache, hands, glasses and shoes. Those parts are removable and easy to assemble. The toy is suitable for children ages 2 – 8 years old. The toy helps to develop your child’s creativity using body parts by swapping the parts or change to create a funny potato head face.

Facts:

• Mr Potato Head is a classic American toy.
• First manufactured and distributed by Hasbro in 1952.
• In 1995, Mr Potato Head made his debut in Hollywood with a leading role in the Disney/Pixar animated feature Toy Story.
• Mr Potato appeared in Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 alongside with Mrs Potato.

Short Story

Last Christmas my daughter received this toy from her godmother Carol. She fall-in-love with the toy. It's quiet interesting to play with this toy really.  This toy teaches  Basic Body Concepts, Imagination, Problem Solving, Fine Motor Skills, Hand-Eye Coordination, Conrol of Muscle Strength. It's a good toy and good buy too. Probably from £5 and up.

She keep asking why is he called Mr. Potato Head? So we watch the Toy Story 3 so she’ll familiarises the characters. She doesn’t like it. She is scared with Mr Potato Head, Monkey and the rest of the gang. Perhaps she is too young to play with this toy.

I'm pretty sure she'll be fine as long as I am here to teach her how to play with Mr. Potato Head and keep my eyes not to put in her mouth every pieces of this toy. You know toddler, everything goes to their mouth. And as far as I am concern choking is dangerous especially with toddlers.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Potato_Head
http://www.hasbro.com/playskool/en_US/discover/more-than-play/MR-POTATO-HEAD.cfm

Happy Pancake Day!

21th February 2012 – Tuesday – is Pancake Day in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It is actually a Shrove Tuesday today. It is also known as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday due to eating pancakes on the day. This tradition is also observed in the Philippines and Germany.

Many Christians still do this practises before lent and fasting, begins. In addition pancakes are eaten as they are made out of the main foods available, sugar, fat, flour and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting, associated with Lent.

In England, as part of community celebration, many towns held traditional Shrove Tuesday football ('Mob football') games, dating as far back as the 12th century. The practise mostly died out in the 19th century, after the passing of the Highway Act 1835, which banned playing football on public highways.

In fact the pancake race remains as common festive tradition in the UK participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air, catching them in the pan whilst running. A day full of fun and pancakes!

Last Saturday we were watching Saturday Kitchen on the telly they make crepe Suzette. Then I went shopping after the show at the entrance of the supermarket there is a big signage of Pancake Day in one section everything you need for you pancake is there from frying pan to flour, eggs and etc.

It’s in my brain that I have to get up early on the Tuesday for Pancake Day! And so I did.

Pearl's Pancake Vanilla flavoured pancake with milted chocolate and banana toppings.

Ian's Vanilla Pancake with honey and lemon toppings.

My Hotcake! Filipino Style with margarine and sugar

Jenny’s Pancake Recipe Vanilla flavoured

• 200 grams of self-rising flour (normal flour well do, just add baking powder it will be fine)
• 300 ml of semi-skimmed milk
• Butter
• 50g refined sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract

Tradtional Hotcake Recipe

• 200 grams of flour
• smal can of evaporated milk
• Margarine
• pitch of salt
•  Egg
• Atsuete oil serves as food colouring (This is optional) So that the hotcake looks yellowish Nowadays they using artificial food colouring.
• Sugar

What you need?

• Frying pan
• Mixing Bowl
• Sifter
• Beater
• Ladle
• Palette knife

Method of cooking: Shallow fry

Good for 4 servings

Procedure:

1. In the mixing bowl sift the flour and sugar.
2. In the centre of your mixing bowl break the egg into it. Then begin whisking.
3. Add milk and vanilla extract the continue whisking.
4. Let it settle of 20 minutes. (You can keep it in the fridge)
5. After that in the pan medium fire melt the butter.
6. Use ladle to pour your mixture in the pan in one go.
7. Then wait for one minute to flip you pancake using palette knife.

Serving Suggestions: Add honey, melted chocolate what ever you like. Remember the choice are yours I'll leave it to you.

Pancakes serves in 2 minutes. EASY PEASY! Happy Pancake Day!

References:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday

GAP PIROUTTE QUILTED JACKET

Winter is over and say hello to spring. It’s still freezing cold outside we need something lightweight jacket for our child. I fall in-love with this Baby Gap pink quilted jacket for toddlers.

This quilted jacket is perfect with jeans and flats. I’m sure my toddler will look fabulous with this jacket.

 

Gap Piroutte Quilted Jacket | H&M trouser | Next leather flats

Useful info:

• Quilted jacket with hood
• Large buttons
• Two pockets to front
• Fully lined to the inside
• Sizes available to 12 -36 months
• Lining: Polyester.
• Trim: 93% cotton
• 7% viscose
• Machine washable
• Colours: Pink
• Price: £25 or approximately $ 34.50

I definitely recommend this jacket its lovely, looks very posh, durable and easy to clean and very light for kids. 

Filipino Valentine's Party

Today is Valentine’s Day – a day for exchange of tokens of affection.

Two days before Valentine’s Day our Filipino Community in Saint Helens, England were celebrating the annual celebrations of Valentine’s Party. Filipinos families, Filipino and British couples and other nationals are invited to celebrate the exchange of Valentines. It was held at Haydock Conservative Club, St. Helens.

This event is not all about couples who are entitled to celebrate the events. If you’re single or have kids you can come and join us, everyone is welcome to celebrate the seasons of heart.

For only £10 per family you’ll enjoy the best entertainment we can offer. Filipino DJ, unlimited authentic Filipino food to eat, a rose for your partner, contest, raffle tickets and disco. (If there is  left-over food everyone can take home. Definitely Pinoy Culture!)  Everyone is happy.

This is our 3^rd year of celebrating Valentine’s Day and will always remember all the good times. Thanks to all the officers who works so hard to make this event successful. God Bless you all. Xxx 

Each partner recieved one long stem red rose.

so cute cupid

Puto | Puto Cheese

Cake

Buffet

As always kakambal ko ang swerte nanalo na naman ako.

We were dancing move like Jagger

Pasensyahan n'yo na to dalawang beses lang kami nag practise.

Jenny's Tortilla

The Surprise Breakfast

Typical Spanish egg dish also known as Spanish Tortilla “tortilla de patatas”. My dad taught me this recipes influence from our Spanish accentors. Since he doesn’t like potatoes he preferred bread. We eat this back home at least twice a week every morning. He cooked it with eggs, lots of tomatoes, garlic, and spring onions and sprinkle a little bit of salt to taste.

One morning I was very busy of doing household chores. My husband and daughter are hungry and asking me what for breakfast? I replied I don’t know. I shout if the food is ready. I was in the kitchen on my own. I opened my fridge there are 3 sausages, bacons, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, spring onions and some vegetables. Actually there is nothing much in our fridge especially on weekends. I end up using whatever is in my fridge.

Breakfast is serve Jenny's Tortillas with sausages and brown bread.

Cooked in perfection

It looks like pizza

Moist and looks yummy

Preparation: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Method of Cooking: Shallow fry and baking.

Ingredients:

4 pcs of free range eggs

2 pcs of bacons

4 organic tomatoes

6 pcs of organic mushroom

4 cloves of organic garlic

2 pcs spring onions

2 tbsp of olive oil

 (NOTE: You ca use whatever ingredients you have in your fridge.)

Preparation:

1.    Crack all the eggs into mixing bowl and scramble.
2.    Chop the bacons, tomatoes and mushroom.
3.    Crash the garlic then chopped finely.
4.    Chopped finely the spring onions separate the white portion and leaves.
 

Method:

1.    Heat the oil in the very large shallow frying pan and sauté the garlic, white portion of spring onions and bacon. Whilst doing this don’t forget to pre-heat the oven gas mark 4, 180 Celsius.
2.    After few minutes your first ingredients will turn to brown add tomatoes mix and cook it for 5 minutes then you can add the mushrooms mix and let the mushrooms absorb all the oil and water from olive oil and tomatoes for 1 or 2 minutes.
3.    In the mixing bowl with scrambled eggs add all the ingredients you cooked then give a good mix.
4.    Add the spring onions the leaves to give more colours to your dish.
5.    Transfer the mixture into a round shaped non-stick sandwich pan.
6.    Then put the pan in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
7.    After 6 minutes add sprinkle some mozzarella cheese.

If you notice I did not add salt because bacon is salty from the bacon it gives saltiness to the dish you can add salt to taste.

Cooking is all about PREPARTION and TIMING. In this dish you need those words to cook a dish in PERFECTION. This dish should be moist not over cooked to serve. I hope you like this dish.

BREAKFAST IS READY… WOW that’s perfect – Pearl OMG What a surprise - Ian

Big and Small Magnetic Height Chart

I was in town centre with my daughter. We’re heading to Home Bargains to buy some toys to send to the Philippines. It’s a shop in the UK where you can find cheap and branded toys and groceries. I have a list and I was hoping I can buy toys under 3 quid. On the way to the till I found one thing I like to buy for my daughter. I think it’s a good buy and will last at least 8 years. It’s not a toy but kids can play with it using the magnetic pieces.

It’s Big and Small Magnetic Height Chart.

• With 28 magnetic pieces to decorate the chart.
• 16 stickers to use for growth marker
• Use as room decoration
•  It’s easy to place on the wall. (removable anytime you change your mind to remove the thing)
•  It’s cheap. (£1.99) Can’t argue with that.

Successful Man and Woman

“A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.” – Lana Turner

Absolutely true! Then I am a successful woman. Laugh out loud! True and funny I found this quote last year. It seems like me and my husband status. Oh blessed him. He earns more money than me, I don’t earn anything. But I am the financial controller in our household, and the money I use comes from him.

Majority of my friends tells me I am very lucky to stay at home doing everything I want. What? Yes, I am lucky doing household chores, looking after the kids, looking after the husband, cooking and spending some cash to satisfy our necessity; there is nothing wrong with spending by the way I have full-time job in my household.

If you work hard; you'll expect for rewards. I work hard, I certainly receive a reward. BTW men like him is hard to find. I hope you will find one!

Sending Money Abroad

 Thinking of sending money in the Philippines?

Aside from balikbayan box to send in the Philippines, sending money is another option to help and give to our family and friends. I think sending money is more practical to give specially to your parents who need medication, sibling who need tuition fee and supporting children. Although there are things that is not commonly found in the Philippines which is also ideal to give.

£ 50 bank notes

Majority of overseas Filipino worker and Filipino living abroad they send remittances in the Philippines. This will helps to boast the economic status of the country, but there are times peso is falling. This is the downside of it.

In some reason we’re looking for cheap, reliable, easy to send and trusted by sender companies to send our remittances back home.

This days you can easily send money back home. You don't need pigeon anymore to carry your cash. You need PHONE, INTERNET, and BANK ACCOUNT for on-line transactions. CASH for walking sender.

Below are list of companies I used to send money in the Philippines.

 

1.    Money Gram – Is American based global money Transfer Company. Allows consumers to send and receive money worldwide, primarily through a global network of third-party agents like post office or bank.

Estimated Cost:

Send Amount: £ 50.00          -           Fee: £9.90       - 10 minute service – Philippines PESO

How to send money?

Step 1 Find a MoneyGram agent.
Step 2 Visit your MoneyGram agent, taking some personal identification* with you like passport, driving license and etc.
Step 3 Complete a simple ‘send’ form and hand this to the MoneyGram agent along with the money you want to send and the transfer fee.
Step 4 after your transaction is made you will be given a reference number.         
Step 5 Contact the person to whom you’re sending the money, and give the reference number. In just 10 minutes the money will be ready to collect.
For more information visit: http://www.moneygram.com

2.    Western Union – Another American based financial services and communications company. It was used to be the best known US Company in the business of exchanging telegrams.

Estimated Cost:

Send Amount: £50.00                       -           Fee: £ 4.90      - It takes at least 24 hours. That’s the cheapest fee I got.

How to send money?

There are 3 ways to send money via phone, internet or Western Union Agent.
For more information visit: http://www.westernunion.co.uk

3.    PhilRem – Philippine Remittances Ltd. is a money remittance company operating from London provides door-to-door, bank transfer and other services. 

Estimated Cost:

Send Amount: £50.00                       - Fee £7.00      -           It takes at least 24 hours.

How to send money?

Go to the nearest Barclays or Lloyds TSB Bank in your area and fill out a deposit slip. Deposit money into our account. Call or inform our Customer Care Team to confirm your transaction via telephone, fax or e-mail. Or visit their website: http://www.philrem.net.

4.    WorldRemit - Is an online money transfer business enabling customers to send money using various payments options including debit and credit cards.

How to send money?

Just simply visit the website and don’t forget me WR006794 who refers you to send money. Cheers!

Estimated Cost:
 
Send Amount: £70.00                         - Fee £3.99      -           Pick-up immediately
 

For more information visit: http://www.worldremit.com

Out of four companies I featured above. The BEST, SIMPLIEST, CHEAPEST, SAFE and TRUSTED brand is WORLD REMIT. I calculated the exchange rates and the services comparing those three massive companies. Still I will prefer to use World remit and recommend it to my fellowmen and other nationals. No hassle to collect the money, quick service and you will get text from them if the money is collected same as Western Union you’ll receive text. PhilRem is good as well, but I was disappointed in my last transaction. Prefer not to mention they also increase their service fee. 

By the way there are hundreds of banks offered money transfer straight to your bank account. Like Nat West, HSBC, Bank of America and etc.  I only shared my personal experiences with transacting money to those companies.

 “If you’re not sure then visit their websites and compare the exchange rates and service fees. The choice are yours, I’ll leave it to you.”


 

My Independent Toddler

Is it true that young girls are more independent and smarter than young boys?

Looking at the mirror, singing whilst pulling her tights.

I don’t know the answer  I only have one little miss who is now 30 months old toddler.

As a mother who looks after her most of the time, I found it very surprisingly her quick development.

Some mothers in the play group say “your daughter is very clever; she is bright child and etc. I’m happy that people appreciate my child.

I don’t know if it’s genetically or maybe the environmental influence.

According to Wikipedia “The toddler years are a time of great cognitive, emotional and social development. Toddler development refers to the changes that occur in children aged between 1 and 3 years. Change may occur as a result of genetic processes known as maturation, or may be due to environmental factors and learning. Usually it involves an interaction between the two.”

Pulling her tights

At the age of 25 – 36 months every toddler can do this following.

• PHYSICALLY

1.   Able to dress oneself; - Obviously from the pictures.
2. Advanced mobility and climbing skills. – She starts climbing our 15 steps at the age of 10 months.
3.  Increased dexterity with small objects puzzles. – 18 months she can do wooden jigsaw without pictures. Just plain wood with animal shape. 29 months Alphabet jigsaw. 

She loves stories and books.

MENTALY

1. Ability to be independent to primary care giver. – 22 months when I start going to nursery cried 3 sessions, but she alright after that.
2. Anticipates routines. – Indeed specially when its weekend.
3. Attempts to sing in-time with songs. – She loves singing.
4. Easily learns new words, places and people's names. – She’s a chatter box and she can count 15 in Spanish and English and little terminology.
5. Toilet learning continues – still on training but she’s nearly there.
6. Speaking in sentences. – Oh yes!
7. Plays with toys in imaginative ways. – Yes, taking her dolly in the pram for walk, feeding and changing nappies and do some pretend cooking.

After singing the alphabet she notice Teddy's toys.

EMOTIONALLY

1. Knows boys from girls. – Excuse me boys this is my territory.
2. Shows preferences, such as clothes and entertainment. – Oh yes! She knows to pick shoes now.
3. Knows how to play different games. – Yes, indoor and outdoor like rugby, golf football even the teams.

Washing her plate.

My daughter and new best-friend.

I think those are few results of good parenting. Every time I spend time with my daughter is the most precious time in my life. I'm so blessed and lucky to have her.

Bow Moccasins from M&S

Last week we went to M&S to do some shopping for my husband’s working shoes. Just remember that time Pearl still have vouchers from M&S so I was thinking to look for something for her.

My husband went to men’s shoes wear and Pearl and I went to children section of course. I was thinking to get her a pair of trainers something light and perfect to wear in summer.

I saw this Leather Round Toe Contrast Bow Moccasins I was looking, if they have sizes for young girls. Unlucky Pearl those shoes are for older girl. I was very lucky to find size 5/38 which is my size. 

I am going to try this pair Pearl. It fits me and it’s very comfy and cheap.

Prices is from £14 - £16 I can’t argue with that. I wore moccasins since I was 7-year-old classic style. Absolutely reminds me on my childhood days. I love it!

Additional product details:

• Moccasin style
• Round toe
• Slip-on
• Contrast bow and stitch detail
• Panel design
• Punch hole feature
• Flat sole
• Composition:
• Upper: leather
•  Lining and sock: leather and textile
•  Outer sole: other fibres

If you want to shop on-line just click this--> marksandspencer

The one in the left and the 3rd shoe.

By the way I manage to get her a pair of trainers.