Sunday, August 25, 2013

My Mom's Famous Cheesy Bacon Meatloaf

So how's everyone doing on a Sunday? Apart from the obligatory attendance at church, there has got to be something that everyone's up to on their rest day. For me, I usually dedicate my Sunday paying homage to the two things that I like to do on my spare time: cooking/baking and reading. 

This Sunday is the usual any given Sunday that doesn't call for a visit elsewhere aside from church. It's one of those days when I would rather curl up in bed and practically do nothing but my flesh and soul aren't up for that today as I, together with my mom, decided to make her sought-after Cheesy Bacon Meatloaf! Uh huh, sounds so yummm, right? I consider my mom as one of the formidable home cooks in the kitchen and the best at that. She's an untouchable in that discipline which explains the number of people ready to make a beeline just to get a taste of her dishes on family and corporate gatherings. She just loves to cook and wants nothing else but be able to do so when time permits. She gains happiness in serving good food to her loved ones and make non-profitable returns. This is a prime example of her not thinking too lofty of herself and rather play smart with her priorities in life. People have been prodding her to put up a catering business and operate it alongside her office career as a fall back when she retires. But my mom decided not to. She's very stubborn sometimes to not give in to the dictation of others and that's one of her many qualities that made her a successful careerwoman. She knows if it's right to devote time and money on certain things and has mastered the art of timing. Being a force to reckon with in the workplace on weekdays and running a household on weekends are just her non-negotiables at this point. Putting up a business necessitates sheer dedication, which, she has to steer clear from at the moment so as not to sacrifice anything important in her life.

Today, my mom is very generous in sharing her Cheesy Bacon Meatloaf recipe with me/us. It's one of my favorites that I squeal in delight just thinking about it! It's cheesy and it has strips of bacon, how could it possibly go wrong? It doesn't crumble when sliced as compared to others' and is best paired with mashed potato or potato salad and red wine. Oh my gosh the feeling I had when I took my first bite was like heaven had come to me! The meat was juicy and delicious, all points covered! The smell of Christmas literally permeates in the air of our home right now. Today happened to be too mundane that it has to be spruced up with something special so my mom thought of making something that she cooks only during special occasions. I promise you, it's really good that the recipe has to be placed in a vault and get locked up until such time when my mom is ready to put up a food business. But then again, she's being generous and she doesn't want to earn anything from it(i'll convince her to think this decision over). A huge smile on my face as I take a bite out of it is enough recognition for her. Click Read More for the recipe. 


Saturday, August 24, 2013

Slow Me Down

Suffice it to say, this song pretty much sums up the abundance and lack that coarse through my veins at this phase of my life. Being 20-something can be quite difficult as it's the time when I must hit the tipping point of all things necessary that shall consequently determine the trajectory of my life in the next 20 years. My life today is a case of endless possibilities and fleeting opportunities that are pronounced with a lot of prodding, and a lot more prying from friends and family. My responsibilities are jacking up lately to a point that I can't seem to get a break. It's a come and go kind of deal that's been driving by as if there was no speed limit. It makes me want to inconspicuously escape from the rattle that adamantly stifles my being to just get a breathing. I could really use the help of some ice cream and an amazing view of the mountains or the tranquil, unadulterated splash of warm sea water gently rushing between my legs. I need peace and my soul is clamoring relentlessly for it.

Am I just feeling this because I spend more than enough of my time glorifying the word 'busy' at my own expense? I get exhausted just rationalizing about it. Let me check back in a few--i'll sleep on this first.

I'm just tired, I know. For tonight, i'll find refuge under the sheets of my white linen sheeted bed.

PS: on hindsight, I wish I looked as polished and put-together as Emmy Rossum on my blah days. Grrr watch!!!


Monday, August 19, 2013

Missing Ice Chendol


Ice chendol or ice kacang is a traditional Indonesian / Malaysian dessert or drink that is very similar to our very own Halo-Halo. It is composed of shaved ice, shards of green coconut jelly, coconut milk, red beans then sweetened by simple brown sugar syrup. I came across it when we passed through Jonker St. in Melacca as it is usually sold on the streets for a dirt cheap price. I had my apprehensions about it because the lady who prepared it, I assume, was not too keen on food sanitation. But for the sake of sticking by the YOLO principle, I gave it a shot. Heck, it turned out to be the best decision that I made out of that trip because it was sooo damn good! Ice chendol tastes nutty yet heavenly. It's an explosion of flavors and textures in my mouth because it's creamy and gritty at the same time. It's not as visually stimulating as halo-halo but equally as good.  I loved it so much that I barely drank water throughout our Malaysia trip as I only wanted to drink either ice chendol or teh tarik to be hydrated. A medium sized cup costs RM3.50 (Php50). 

I'm going back to Singapore in a few weeks (as i'm based there now, currently in MNL for vacay) and I could hardly wait to have ice chendol again. Woot!

My cousin who appears delighted for having tried ice chendol


Layered teh tarik (milk, tea, sugar syrup)
The video below shows how ice chendol is prepared


Stay Happy,
Khaye :)

Laugh It Off

So how's everyone doing? Manila has been hit by a storm and certain areas are heavily flooded. This case is pretty serious as the operations of corporate offices have already been suspended. Please ensure that everything is covered in case of power outage and water supply shortage. Make sure that you have food sustenance, too. I pray that everyone remains safe and dry wherever they are.

Moving on, in my attempt to tone down the boredom brought about by the weather, I found a video from Youtube that got me laughing like a crazy. It features blooper excerpts from Bubba's/Bill Dance's fishing TV series that aired in the 90's. I don't fancy the nature of his TV show but I remember devoting at least a few seconds of my limited TV time watching him say the words "Whoa nelly!" and "Dag gummit!".  I found him funny then but right after watching this video, I find him reaallllyyyy funny now. 

Here, watch:


I hope that you gather laughs out of this despite the gloomy weather. Pray for the Philippines, too!

Stay Happy,
Khaye :)

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Midnight Snack

Tillamook Old-Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream - Soo good!


This has to be the perfect accompaniment to a night of reading. Aaaaah this book (see previous post) makes me feel like a peasant! I'm afraid I might involuntarily end up finishing the entire tub! I'm so going to regret this tomorrow.. Oh well!

Happy weekend, guys!

Stay Happy,
Khaye :)