RECIPE | Muscovado Glazed Roasted Chicken




Wow it’s Wednesday!

Reward yourself for working hard on the first two days of the week with sweet, savory, spicy and aromatic all-time favorite roasted chicken. 

This personalize chicken recipe is seasoned and glazed in the mixture of herbs and Muscovado sugar, and then roasted with potatoes.  Indeed, a beautiful-looking and delicious all-in-one dish.

My lovely, sweet twist on a traditional roasted chicken. It is very easy to prepare than you think....





Here are the ingredients;

Chicken quarter
5 garlic cloves slightly pressed and chopped
2 tbsp Muscovado
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp pepper
1/4 cup water
7 g Ajinomoto Ginisa flavor seasoning mix
2 medium potatoes, unpeeled and cut into bite slices
Bunch of rosemary





1) Preheat oven to 190C.

2) Dissolve muscovado into water and mix garlic, pepper, rosemary and Ajinomoto Ginisa together. 

3) Loosen the skin of the chicken away from the flesh and cut the meat inside to make room for the seasoning. 

3) Spread the seasoning to the chicken inside and out. Place in a roasting tin, then sit potatoes around the empty spaces of the tin.






5) Roast everything for 40 mins. Lower the oven to 180C then cook for a further 40 minutes.

Note: Make sure that the potatoes are absorbing the pan juices.

6) Leave everything to rest for 5 minutes, and then serve.






Weekender | Ingredients for Muscovado Glazed Roasted Chicken



I'll roast something sweet, savory and garlicky today. Will share it to y'all next week.

Happy weekend everyone!


GLIMPSE | Nagkalit-kalit Falls, El Nido, Palawan



Rome and Trixie were stranded in El Nido and unfortunately, all island tours were cancelled when Tropical Storm Kajiki (Typhoon Basyang) hit the municipality. Trekking to Nagkalit-kalit Falls is one of the alternative inland tours in El Nido and this was what they do. Full post next!



Brew and Blew | Starbucks South of the Clouds Blend®



I still feel the tail of cold wave or extended polar vortex every morning and it’s the best time of my day. I mean, what's better than waking up every morning with freshly pressed Starbucks coffee? I have to admit, their flavors are wonderfully unique and bring me up to heaven with every sip.

To be able to enjoy Starbucks coffee at the comfort of my home is more economical. I'm glad and thankful to my officemates when I received a presser and a coffee maker last Christmas, I am now able to brew my current favorite coffee at home where I can adjust to my preferable taste and is more convenient.

At the moment, I'm discovering Starbucks' “Seasonal Favorites” and been addicted since I tried their Christmas Blend last January.  The special coffee is available for only a brief amount of time, you gotta savor each exquisite sip when they arrive... and you’ll miss them when they’re gone, urgh!

I've always been fascinated with coffee and Starbucks has always been my no. 1 choice for my caffeine fix but I've never had South of the Clouds coffee before. From my kitchen, there's the South of the Clouds brewing and blowing every morning since last month. It's a unique blend featuring balanced herbal flavors balancing medium acidity and body with an intense herbal flavor. This Asia/Pacific blend is Starbucks' first blend to feature coffee from China. It includes the finest and rare beans from the Baoshan region grown at elevations of 1,200-1,400 meters. Set in the foothills of the Himalayas, Yunnan boasts snow-capped mountains, deep canyons, and lush tropical lowlands that support the countries great diversity of plants, birds, and mammals including Asian elephants and tigers.




I brew this using US Tradition Coffee Maker.  I love my new coffee maker, thanks to Jojie! This coffee maker has maximum of 10-12 cups capacity, just enough for my whole day.  The coffee maker features non-stick warming plate, illuminated on/off switch, cone style permanent filter, water level indicator on tank, heat resistant carafe, and hinged tank lid. Making my coffee everyday using this is very easy;

1)Uncover the water tank lid and fill the water tank with adequate amount of clean water.
2)Pull the filter cup on the holder. Open and add sufficient grind coffee or tea into it.
3)Close the filter cup on the holder then put the carafe on the hot plate.
4)Turn the power switch on, the indicator will turn red when the coffee maker starts to operate.
5)Fresh coffee will soon drip into the carafe. To keep the temperature of the coffee, leave the coffee maker on the hot plate.






I seriously believe that French press taste better and can make me happier better than automatic drip. And it does! It’s like a blend of both Western and Eastern in a cup of coffee!

I can have this coffee to switch-on my brain function during grey morning until late evening after a hectic day as I sit down to drift away.




When People are the Tourist Attraction | Sungka - Philippine Mancala Game



Stranded: Rome and Trixie were stranded in El Nido on the first day of their holiday. All island tours were cancelled when Tropical Storm Kajiki (Typhoon Basyang) hit the municipality. 

They met Swizz tourist Daniel and his Filipina girlfriend Jazmine who were also trapped at Cliff Tower Apartelle. With nothing to do after breakfast, the couple started playing Sungka to throw away their boredom. 

They watched as the couple play. Sungka is a kind of Mancala Game in the Philippines played on a solid wooden block with two rows of seven circular holes and two large holes at both ends called "head". Daniel has just learned the traditional Filipino board game and they were amazed when a foreigner and a first timer to play the game won several times. Trixie tried it but was also lost. Lol!

I can't remember the last time I played this game. Like you, I shun away the classics such as Chess, Domino and Scrabble in favor of expensive computer consoles, mobile games and oh, flappy bird to keep me entertained. Sungka maybe a good old fashioned game but it improves mathematical thinking, teaches patience and observation skills. It makes the family sit around the table and spends quality time.I seriously doubt kids these days don’t know how to play Sungka anymore. Sure, there are word and number based games available in computers, apps and Facebook that provides more excitement which is why it's preferable. 

There has to be an acceptance that life is different now but game play should always be an integral part of family life. Family can still connect and play together, digitally. In fact, Sungka can be downloaded from Google Play already. 

Later on that afternoon, they decided to hike to Nagkaalit-kalit Falls and visit Las Cabanas Beach, alternative inland tours in El Nido when island hoping is prohibited. And that’s where I’m going to bring y’all on my next posts.



Tradional Pulpo a la Gallega

VASK Ushers in Lenten Cooking at The Maya Kitchen - Unique seafood dishes perfect for the Lenten Season were the showcase of the recent cooking demo at The Maya Kitchen featuring Spanish-born Executive Chef J. Luis Gonzalez, the genius behind culinary destination GalleryVask. 

Chef Chele, as he is fondly called, has worked with Juan Mari Arzak, considered as the Father of Modern Spanish Cuisine as well as in the kitchens of famous restaurants El Buli, El Celler de Can Roca, Mugaritz, and Nerua-Guggenheim. Gallery Vask is located on the 5th Floor, Clipp Center, 11th Avenue Corner, 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The cooking demo was made possible with Mida Food Distributors, a leading supplier of seafoods to major hotels and restaurants.  Below is one of the recipes of the demo.

For more information, log on to www.themayakitchen.com or e-mail contactus@themayakitchen.com.   





Tradional Pulpo a la Gallega

Octopus
2500 grams Octopus
x grams salt
Elaboration:
Dip octopus twice in boiling water. Boil for 1 hour. Drain and cut tentacles.
Season with salt and pepper.
Potatoes (10 Pax)
2000 grams Potatoes
Elaboration:
Peel and slice potatoes. Boil potatoes using the same water for the octopus.
Plating:
x g Paprika Sweet and Spicy
x ml Extravirgin Olive Oil
In a plate put the potatoes and put the octopus on top. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.



Press Release: This means that this material is fully and directly from the company issuing the press release. This also means that this website is not the author of the statement being read. The Cuisineuer is simply providing the information for readers who may be interested.

Ke Nikko | Serving the Best Baby Back Ribs in Puerto Princesa City

Crispy Pata, Php 350.00


Puerto Princesa City - I've been away from my favorite city for quite some time and now that I came back, my sense of taste was kinda lost . The places are familiar but strange. Unlike before, I have no idea of the best places to eat in "city in the forest" anymore. My nieces, who by the way, are hosting my Palawan vacation brought us to their favorite restaurant that according to them, "serves the best baby back ribs in the city" to spend my first dinner.


Nikko's Baby Back Ribs, Php 220


Not far away from their newly opened B & B in Tiniguiban, Ke Nikko Bar and Restaurant is located at SJD Center along National Highway in San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City. It has a pleasant atmosphere with young local followers lurking at the al fresco area when we arrived.  The bar and eatery boasts pop and loud music, Filipino food and "pulutan", and an impressive variety of cocktails, hard and mixed drinks and of course San Miguel Beer and Red Horse Beer. Agreeably, the perfect hipster hideaway in my long missed city at first glance.


Lengua, Php 130 and Lumpiang Shanghai, Php 130


Inside, we were greeted with the ever-increasing sound of Rihanna's music. Dia, requested to turn the volume down so we could understand each other.  Immediately as we settled-in, the smell of frying pork broaden a smile on my face, the feeling that we are on a holiday has finally kicked-in.


Fried Chicken Wings, Php 110 and Garlic rice, Php 35


We had Crispy Pata, Lengua, Lumpiang Shanghai and Fried Chicken Wings. Nikko's Baby Back Ribs was juicier, meatier and tastier than the baby back ribs casual dining chains in Metro Manila usually serve. Very tender, cooked probably with its own brand of sauce, it was indeed a beauty queen of everyone’s palate. Lengua, however, was another star of the night and a must try.





Cliff Tower | Long Staying Apartelle in El Nido, Palawan



Are you planning on staying longer than the usual three days/ two nights in El Nido, Palawan? Then consider staying at Cliff Tower Apartelle located in the quiet area of the town few steps away from the crowded El Nido shoreline. Owned and manage by his cousin, Cliff Tower was where Rome and Trixie stayed in while on vacation in the beautiful town of El Nido last January.

Rents are sky-high in El Nido particularly during summer. Control your budget and make your money go as far as possible. The apartel is offering a month of stay for as low as Php 10,000.00 only, including taxes. The facilities at the apartel are basic. It has five rooms, each with an en suite. 2 of which are air -conditioned and the rest are fan rooms. Bring your own toiletries, if you forget, there’s a store nearby to purchase. Cable TV and Wifi access are also available at the common area.




Long-term tenants are the tower’s main clientele but they are open for daily accommodation if there’s vacant room. An Australian tenant who is residing on the second floor for two years has moved to the third floor. Rome and Trixie occupied the just vacated room. Cheap and comfy, the budget room offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and rocky cliffs through the glass windows.




The apartelle was under construction when Rome was there but his cousin and her husband were speeding up the construction of the building to be completed before summer starts. Previously, she's the Project Development Officer of the municipality and Civil Engineer by profession, Rome's cousin and her husband are proud to offer a unique experience, adding that it was never about luxury.

'Our market is more the traveler, long staying tourist and locals but we have all type of people coming here because it is so remarkable.'





Cliff Tower Apartelle is located at San Juaquin St, Buenasuerte, El Nido, Palawan. For bookings, questions and reservations, please contact Mabel Cornel at 09071419196.






VASK at The Maya Kitchen

Regional cuisines from the Basque Country and the North of Spain take center stage on March 15, Saturday, 9am-1pm as Chef Jose Luis Gonzalez of renowned restaurant VASK visits The Maya Kitchen.

Chef Luis will demonstrate Pulpo a la Gallega Tradional or Galician Octopus is the signature dish of Galicia in the North of Spain. Octopus and potato are boiled and then garnished with paprika, rock salt and olive oil. 



Pulpo a la Gallega Modern is a dish where the octopus is boiled, then smoked and grilled. The paprika is made with bread crumbs giving it a crispy texture. Instead of boiled potato, the potato is made into a foam.
Bakalao al Pil Pil with Pipperada is a traditional dish from the Basque Country (el Pais Vasco) and is well known all over Spain and popular with Spaniards and tourists alike. It is made with salt cod, garlic and olive oil. It is “sabroso” or tasty with the pil pil sauce, which is an emulsion sauce made with olive oill and natural gelatin of the fish. Piperrada is a typical Basque dish prepared with onion, green peppers, red bell peppers and tomatoes

Scallop Black Ink Risotto.  In the Basque Country they do not have paella, they have risotto instead. The dish is a modern risotto where the flavors are traditionally combined but cooked with a modern twist. 

Hailing from Santander, Spanish-born Executive Chef J. Luis Gonzalez recognized his affinity for cooking at an early age. Chef Chele, as he is fondly called, finished his degree at Artxanda, Bilbao. His culinary acumen and attention to detail earned him a referral at the restaurant of Juan Mari Arzak, acknowledged as the Father of Modern Spanish Cuisine. He went on to work in the world's most respected restaurants, such as El Bulli, El Celler de Can Roca, Mugaritz, and Nerua-Guggenheim.

Gallery Vask is Chef Chele’s personal culinary gem. Western cuisine with Asian influences is the star of the menu. Select art pieces displayed in the area completes the ambiance. Gallery Vask is located on the 5th Floor, Clipp Center, 11th Avenue Corner, 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

This special cooking demo is made possible with Mida Food Distributors, a leading supplier of seafoods to major hotels and restaurants with the onset of the Lenten Season, these recipes are welcome suggestions in menu planning and selection.

For more information, log on to www.themayakitchen.com or e-mail contactus@themayakitchen.com   or visit The Maya Kitchen Culinary Center every Tuesday to Saturday at 8F  Liberty Building, 835 A. Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati City or call 8921185 / 892-5011 local 108.

Press Release: This means that this material is fully and directly from the company issuing the press release. This also means that this website is not the author of the statement being read. The Cuisineuer is simply providing the information for readers who may be interested.



Breakfast at Melvo's Garden Bed & Breakfast, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan



We are here for one night and on the next morning, we made in time for breakfast before hitting the road going to El Nido, a municipality in northernmost tip of Palawan province.

Often a deal-breaker for the every discerning guest, our home-cooked breakfast came from what's available stock in their fridge because we checked in unannounced.  Apart from the eggs which my niece, Mae, poached to order – pork tocino, good sausages, steamed rice, tomato and cucumber slices were all on offer. The sausages and pork tocino were a fried-up that somehow tasted heavenly. Coffee, juices, including a small tray of delicious tropical fruits such as mango and watermelon completes our breakfast.




The breakfast was generous even though plated. And, if you give 24 hours' notice, they'll whip up your preferred breakfast or an evening meal or lunch and offer you beer or wine at reasonable prices. Although we’ve chose to take our breakfast at the in-house restaurant which is under construction, everything was spick and span.  There are no other guests except us; the atmosphere in the open area was very quiet and relaxed.





Melvo's Garden Bed & Breakfast is perfect for those who've been and not been to Puerto Princesa and want a more laid-back, local approach to the city. From the rooms to the great breakfast, this B&B is on its way to got it right.



Room Review | Melvo's Garden Bed & Breakfast, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan



What prompts a man to go from being an aspiring Information Technology expert in the Philippine Capital, Manila, to becoming the owner and host of a garden bed and breakfast in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan? A desire to finally fulfill his true purpose? An early mid-life crisis, perhaps? Or simply acting upon those reflective conversations we have from time-to-time about moving back to the countryside and working for ourselves?

Melvo's Garden Bed and Breakfast, a 15-minute ride from the city's center has been open and is checking in friends and hotel’s spillover of guests for less than a year. What's obvious from the moment I checked in is that owners Alexandria, Mae and Jedrik (who hung up his computer job in Manila to live the B&B dream), my nieces and nephew, have the kind of hospitable enthusiasm for their new lives. Funded by their parents, Melinda and Voltaire ( Melvo ),  they bought a vacant lot and constructed this 10-room bed and breakfast in Barangay Tiniguiban. What followed next was an ongoing construction of in-house restaurant, garden landscape, and hopefully, swimming pool.

Without any experience in tourism and hotel industry - 'except staying in them' - the siblings worked on, learning as they go. Hurtling towards their first year milestone, they tell me stories about their funny and learning experiences from the guests who stayed and that it's 'been tough but worth it'.


 

The concept behind Melvo's Garden Bed and Breakfast is that Puerto Princesa, the Philippines’ gate to last frontier, doesn’t stop and end at the front door of this B&B. Tourists and guests are encourage to discover the city and the whole province. If you are travelling to Puerto Princesa City, either by group, family, or couple and are hunting for quiet, affordable and pleasant rooms to spend the night in, it's better be Melvo’s. 

As a true blue Palaweño who worked in a hotel in the city some time ago, I have to say that unless you are paying for the five-star experience, hotels are pretty characterless over the city. You have to explore Honda Bay, Underground River, Palawan Museum, Churches, Mitra’s Ranch, Ugong Rock, Crocodile Farm, San Carlos River and many more that your three days and two nights are not enough. You just need comfortable accommodation at night to rest and sleep and then go again on the following day.

So what can visitors expect inside Melvo’s rooms? 





There were two of us, my friend Trixie traveled with me going back to my hometown. We took the air-conditioned, double bed, ensuite room equipped with cable flat screen TV hanging on the wall against the beds, electric fan for extra cooling and body-size mirror. These 10 rooms have closet and private bathroom complete with basic toiletries and can accommodate up to 4 persons for just Php1600 nett, inclusive of personalize breakfast. The B&B maybe a bit hard to find but is 5 minutes away from Robinson's mall.

In spite of their relative inexperience, it seems that my nieces know enough to not scrimp on the essentials. The beds, though a little bit hard, are comfortable and have clean sheets. Plus, fluffy towels and a lovely hot and cold shower! And they have strong wifi connection! This is far removed from your average B&B.