Bartleby the cat

Earlier last week TC and I were back at the Adams Avenue Book Store to look for a few book gifts...

"May I help you?"

and who should we run into but the orange tabby, known as Bartleby (or Bart for short)...

Both of the book store cats are always there and usually curled up somewhere  sleeping or basking in the sun but today, Bart was out and about...

"The Adobo Road" Book Signing at Vroman's Bookstore

One thing I learned while driving around in Pasadena with Cathy was that Colorado is one super LONG street! It is part of the route used for the Rose Parade...

Fresh from our super quick pop into Mignon Chocolates, we headed over to Vroman's, which is the oldest and largest independent bookstore in Southern California.

We would be getting there early for "The Adobo Road" booksigning...

Pork 'n Skrimps + Mother's Day Dinner

Pork and what?

Skrimps, or shall I say, Bagoong alamang, aka "salted shrimp fry"...

A most "fragrant" addition to any Filipino meal...

Mango Pies, I mean Tarts

A few days ago, I finally got my copy of "The Adobo Road", a newly published cookbook by Filipino American foodblogger Marvin Gapultos (of Burnt Lumpia fame). I was so excited leafing through the pages and thought I would try out a few of his recipes for Mother's Day. My brother and sister thought we should do a potluck for our mom so she wouldn't have to cook. I had my eyes set on a main dish and a dessert involving mangoes...

This case of sweet Manila Mangoes (ironically grown in Mexico, although they did come over FROM the Philippines many years ago due to the Manila Acapulco Galleon Trade. This box was about $10 at Seafood City and well worth it...

I wanted to try a new dessert recipe, but...

Books read in 2012

This is not a list taken from the NY Times or Oprah's favorites or whatever. I didn't really read too many books last year and some that I read were an utter waste of my time. I hope not to repeat that mistake again this year

First let's clarify that when I say "books", I also include comic books and graphic novels.

Like these two....

My favorite new cookbook

Here it is:

The author is Jennifer M. Aranas, a former restarateur from Chicago ('Rambutan'). I posted a few new recipes on J'ai Faim , my shared food blog with Lotus and Mulysa. I did the Adobo Flavored Pecans and the Sardine & Tomato Noodle Soup. There are so many more recipes I want to try.

The photos are fantastic in this book! It really makes Filipino food look as good as it tastes. Presentation (besides taste of course) is really important. I think that most people not familiar with Filipino food are put off because they are unfamiliar with the ingredients (ampalaya anyone? dilis? diniguan?), maybe they don't like how it smells, or the presentation is often a stew where all of the ingredients are just dumped together and look the same. Chef Larry Banares (Channel 10) said in an older newspaper article that he wishes Filipino food got the same respect at Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines. Everyone thinks their food is so great but not Filipino food. I don't think our Lolos, Lolas, Moms & Dads, and Manongs and Manangs give a rat's ass about presentation. They just want the food to taste good! But seriously, he has a point.

Although Filipino Americans are the largest Asian ethnic group in San Diego, numbering more than 100,000, there are not a lot of Filipino places to eat that are really nice, sit down restaurants. Well, there are a few sit down places like Zarlito's and the old Max's Fried Chicken place, but most places are really small mom and pop operations (more on these in a future post). I'm not dissing the ones that are out there, it's just that they're not really elegant or classy. Sigh. I hope I don't get crucified by that comment but it's the truth. The only place I can think of that kind of matches Barrio Fiesta is food and decor is Ben's 1615 in National City, located in the medical building adjacent to the National City Municipal Golf Course (half course). The doctor (a cardiologist) who owns the building is also the owner of Ben's.

There used to be a Barrio Fiesta restaurant in National City on Sweetwater Road in the Town & Country Shopping Center. It closed in the mid 90's and is now the Casa de Oro Mexican Restaurant. It used to be a nice place to go and have Filipino food; a place you could take non-Filipino friends. Ironically, my family never used to go there because my mother would say, "Why should we go out and pay for this food in a restaurant when I can make it better!" Touche...I only went to Barrio Fiestas on special occasions and once, for a political fundraiser.

Recipes that I plan to try and post:

Shrimp and Sweet Potatos Fritters (Ukoy) This is the photo on the cover of the book.
Crepes with Shrimp and Green Papaya (Lumpiang Sariwa aka 'Fresh Lumpia' because the wrapper is not fried) .
Meatball Soup with Bean Thread Noodles (Almondigas) - Mmmmm...
Mung Bean Soup with Chorizo & Squash (Mongo) - My mom makes her mongo soup with spinach and ham!
Palm Hearts & Apple Salad with Calamansi Mayonnaise

Rib Eye Steak & Onion Rings (Bistek) - My dad makes a great verson of this!
Crab & Eggplant Torte (Tortang Alamang) - My dad also makes this really well!
Pineapple & Cassava Tarts Looks really easy.

and so on and so forth!