Random Thoughts

Travel, food, life, and everything in between.

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

My second IP dish - Shrimp and Mussels Paella and it turned out pretty good for my first time! Total cook time: around 20 mins including prep work.

Ingredients (servers 4) 20 pcs jumbo shrimp, shell and tail on frozen 10 pcs mussels, cleaned 2 cup Jasmine rice 8 tbsp butter 1 onion chopped 8 cloves garlic chopped 1 red pepper chopped 1 1/2 cups home made chicken broth 1/2 cup white wine (used pinot gris) 2 tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp turmeric 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 2 pinches saffron threads 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes Instructions 1) Set Instant Pot to Saute function and wait till it says HOT. 2) Heat paprika, turmeric, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and saffron threads in pot for 30 seconds. 3) Add butter to pot and melt. 4) Add onions and cook until transluscent, then add garlic. Cook for one 2 minutes. 5) Add red peppers,rice and stir, cook for 1 minute. 6) Add chicken broth and white wine covering the rice. 7) Add shrimp and mussels on top. 8) Turn off Instant Pot and cover, making sure that the valve is set to sealing. 9) Set Instant Pot to Manual Mode and set a 5 minute timer. 10) When done set release valve to vent (quick release).

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

This quirky but fun concept of a Filipino restaurant called Pedro N’ Coi have excellent food, but what makes this place special is its attention to detail in expressing both traditional and Filipino pop culture. Pay a visit as the pictures sure don’t do justice. Pictured above is a collection of fried seafood, meat and rice, and also a deconstructed “kare kare” dish, a Filipino stew made of tasty peanut sauce. This version is served with deep fried pork hocks and a side of vegetables to lessen the guilt. 

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

Although I travel a lot to Asia, it was my first time celebrating Lunar New Year this year. It is my family’s tradition to visit the local temple to offer thanks and take part in a number of rituals believed to bring good luck. My favourite part was the generous amount of Misua, courtesy of the temple. Misua is a very thin variety of salted noodles made from wheat flour that originated in Fujian, China. This version is traditionally made with vegetarian ingredients including mushrooms, taro, and tofu.

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

I couldn’t get enough of these local barbecue in my recent trip to Manila. The top two pictures above are called “isol” or chicken butt, tastefully marinated “Bacolod Inasal” style and slowly grilled to perfection. Before you judge, give it a try and you will not regret it! Served with a side of freshly made pork sisig, popular dish made of chopped pork ear, jowl, snout, tongue and seasoning on a sizzling plate.

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

Prepared this nice and healthy home made open-faced chicken fajitas on whole wheat flat bread.

Ingredients (serves 4)

½ lb Free range chicken breast

4 pcs. Arnold Sandwich Thins 100% Whole Wheat Bread

1 whole red pepper

½ cup Tillamook medium grated cheddar cheese

½ cup frozen sweet corn kernels

2 tbsp Home made fajita seasoning (recipe below)

1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

1) Cut chicken breast into even bite-sized pieces and marinate with home made fajita seasoning for 20 minutes.

2) Remove seed and pit from whole red pepper and cut into julienne strips.

3) In a hot cast iron pan, sauté chicken breast until golden brown in extra virgin olive oil. Add sweet corn kernels and red pepper until cooked. Set aside. 

4) Place whole wheat flat bread in baking pan and add cooked ingredients on each bread evenly.

5) Top with grated cheddar cheese

6) Place in broiler for 3 minutes at 500°F until the cheese melts

7) Serve with a few drips of Tapatio hot sauce to taste.

Fajita Seasoning

¼ cup Chili powder

2 tbsp ground Himalayan pink salt

2 tbsp roasted paprika

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tsp cayenne powder

1 tbsp cumin powder 

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients well in a bowl and store in a jar. 

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

Not a bad view from the only hotel in a small town called Ardenno in northern Italy, La Brace Hotel Ristorante. This place is located only a few kilometers from my work site in Talamona, which is a couple hours drive from Milan. It is a hotel like no other with stunning views and impeccable food. This hotel doubles as sort of a meeting place or community hall where locals hang out to watch football or have espresso. 

It may not look much but what you see there is a Florentine steak that the hotel serves. People do not normally associate steaks with Italian cuisine but I have to say that this piece of meat is one of the best I have ever had and it rivals premium cut steaks I’ve eaten back home. It is simply prepared and seasoned but what makes it special is being grilled rare over local oak wood that gives its very distinct smokiness and flavor. Served with a plate of more meat, such as local bresaola, handcrafted and smoked in-house, and other selections.

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

One of the perks of traveling internationally for work is that I get to see a lot of interesting buildings and architecture. This is one of my favorite as I walk pass here everyday on the way to the office. This is a building on Bleichstraße in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

I was fortunate enough to visit South Africa and experience first hand one of this stunning view on the outskirts of the city of Durban. 

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

On our way to Takayama, we stopped by Shirakawa-go, and I’m sure glad we did. It is a place like no other in Japan as it is famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which dates back to more than 250 years old. Pictures do not do justice as the picturesque landscape and structures look like something out of a Ghibli animation. The area has also been declared a UNESCO world heritage site, so if you are ever in the area, I highly suggest a visit.

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

Kanazawa is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Japan, and it is a favorite of mine. Known for its rice production and fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, the quality and selection of fine sashimi is outstanding. At a sushi restaurant near the famous Omi-cho market where we found these beauties: fresh abalone, uni, ebi, sake, toro, just to name a few. Each piece is equally delectable, and the best I have had so far. For the quality and contents, it is a great bargain for roughly ¥2500 to ¥3000 per bowl and comes with local rice and miso soup. 

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

One of my favorite, go-to beverages is a properly made whisky sour. I have been making my own lately with a twist. Having made this a number of times by now, I have found the perfect balance and this recipe is sure to impress. Friends who have tried my whisky sour say that it far better than what they had at expensive bars. 

This recipe makes two drinks - 

Ingredients:

1 egg white

6 ounces Maker’s Mark Whisky

6 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

4 ounces vanilla infused simple syrup (recipe below)

6 Luxardo Maraschino cherries

Instructions:

1) Prepare two sphere ice balls (as pictured) by adding half a teaspoon of lemon zest into the mold and freeze.

2) In a cocktail shaker, add the whisky, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake rigorously for one minute. Strain contents into each whisky glass with the prepared sphere ice ball until to tops fill with foam from the egg white. 

3) Drop two Maraschino cherries on each glass and add a few drops of the Maraschino syrup. 

Vanilla-Infused Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar

1 cup water

1/2 teaspoon Rain’s Choice pure vanilla extract (or comparable)

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the water slightly thickens while it remains clear. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and cool completely.

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

A quick stop over en route from Durban, South Africa to Kruger National Park, we encountered this make-shift food stall serving authentic Indian snacks and sweets. My favorite was this Panipuri, a small crispy hollow rounded pastry filled with flavored water called puni, tamarind chutney, chaat masala, potatoes, onions, chickpeas, and seasoned with spices. This popular street snack from India, that also goes by Phuchhka and Golgappa can also enjoyed with rum or whiskey instead of puni for our alcoholic friends.

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

This is just a mere sample of what you can get at Khun Maem Noodles in Ratchaburi, Mueang District, Thailand. The balance of spicy, sweet, salty flavors, and fresh herbs and ingredients makes a savory lunch like no other. A popular spot among the locals, it seats comfortably in an open air stall like most establishments in the area. A bowl of this egg noodle with boiled egg and marinated pork, fresh coconut juice, and a nice dessert will set you back a whopping $3 CAD. 

[travelfoodandrandomthoughts]

Crossed this one off the bucket list! I’ve never tasted a more amazing piece of meat than an authentic Kobe beef at Mouriya Honten in Kobe. You are given a choice of different cuts at varying weight and prices. The meat is so flavorful and tender that it literally melts in your mouth. Reserve a seat with a dedicated chef to get the full experience and you will not regret it!