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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Food Trips Friday 051: Fried Rice a la Sreisaat

 

FTFXmasbanner

A quick, easy-to-prepare solution when hunger strikes:

Ooh-la-la!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Food Trip Friday 050: Toast Français par un Anglais



Some weeks ago I stayed up late watching the Barclay's London ATP World Tour matches on television, especially Rafael Nadal’s matches. Because of the time difference, the matches lasted till the wee hours of the night. Call me crazy if you must, but I’m really a tennis fan. I'm glad that my husband lets me sleep in the following day, and when I wake up he makes me breakfast. And this was my request most of the time:

I love mine slightly crunchy and the egg runny.
Don’t you just love waking up to breakfasts prepared by your husband? Heaven. Next time he promised me he’d make stuffed French toast. I’m already excited.http://foodtripfriday.net/

Friday, December 3, 2010

Food Trip Friday 049: B is for Bibimbap (again!)



Oh yes, because bibimbap is one of my favourites I ordered it again when PinayWifeSpeaks, PinayMum, and I were at Sovanna Mall a few months ago. PinayWifeSpeaks led us to this tiny Korean stall called Kimchi and Bulgogi. The menu is limited but we all thought it was worth a try. So we did.  

Looks gorgeous, isn’t it? The colours as well as the textures not only make it my favourite but also appealing to many. Haven’t you noticed how many times I said the word “favourite”? It’s a record! *lol*
We also ordered these tasty sushi rolls to complete our meal. Di naman kami gutom masyado!
I wish I could back there again to try the Korean version of dongas. PinayWifeSpeaks guarantees to its yummy-ness! I’m convinced ^-^

Friday, November 26, 2010

Food Trip Friday 048: Rogan josh



I’m sure a lot of you know  by  now what happened  this week in Phnom Penh. We are still in mourning and the Penh is still unusually quiet. People are still reeling from the horrible incident, and grieving the loss of hundreds, mostly young people. The Cambodian Prime Minister declared yesterday, Thursday, the national mourning day.  

Coincidentally, it was my husband’s birthday and, out of respect for the victims and their families, he decided to forego our planned birthday dinner. Which is fine to me, by the way. So we had Indian food delivered to us instead. This is one of my husband’s favourite:
I often mispronounced this dish to something like Groban Josh! *lol* Rogan josh is  diced lamb meat cooked in heavenly rich onion and tomato sauce. Of course, rogan josh, or any other curry for that matter, is not eaten without it’s ever-present partner, the chapati:
   And this is how we ate it…

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Food Trip Friday 047: Creamy tuna salad



Here’s a quick post for today so here it is:


FTF salad
Creamy tuna salad from Cafe Lika.
Masarap siya, pramis. The greens were fresh and crispy and the cherry tomatoes as well. And it tasted even better when shared with my PELUKA sisters. For only $2.5o per serving/order, it’s already enough for four people as starter.  How I wish I could replicate this at home.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Food Trip Friday 046: A taste of Lebanese




I think I have not posted these pictures yet so here they are.
On our third wedding anniversary, my husband and I went for Lebanese. It's the very first Lebanese restaurant that opened in the Penh. One day after its launch, my husband and I had the pleasure of sampling their offerings with one of my favourite bloggers, Toe. 

On our special day, we were hoping to have a quiet dinner. The neak tas (gods, spirits) must have heard us - by the time we arrived (8pm-ish), only three tables were occupied and were already done, or finishing their meals. When our starters arrived, we were the only ones in the restaurant. It was really nice having the whole place only to ourselves - the lights were soft and there was a faint Lebanese music playing in the background. While my eyes were mesmerized by the hookah that sits seductively on a shelf across the room, my imagination ran wild -- images of enchanting belly dancers slowly making its way inside the smoky room flashed on my mind

Oh well, enough of the drama... here are the main attractions for today:

For starter: Mankoucheh sojouk and cheese. It's a Lebanese pizza topped with cheese and sausages.

Sojouk, spiced Lebanese sausage. It comes with giant Lebanese bread.

Main: Ouzi samak,spicy baked fish served with salad.

Main: Mixed shawarma, a mixed plate of chicken and beef shawarma grilled on an upright spit.

Mixed sweets for dessert, the oh-so-sinful baklava and another kind but forgot the name.
I think I already said this, but I'm saying it again...
One of the best things about living in Phnom Penh is the numerous restaurants offering authentic international cuisines - French, Italian, Russian, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, German, Filipino, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Korean (yes, we also have Pyongyang Restaurant offering North Korean fares!), Mexican, Spanish - name it, they are all here! What's more, dining out doesn't cost you an arm and a leg and most of these restaurants do not require reservations, how cool is that?

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Creative Food Art: National Flags Made with Food

I was surfing the net today and mindlessly clicking links like a madwoman. Then I came across this web ad that promoted the International Food Festival in Sydney in September last year. I say the idea is very creative and original I haven't seen anything like this before. It definitely appeals to those who are flag and food enthusiasts!  There are only twelve flags -- notably missing are the flags of USA, Philippines (shempre!), Thailand, UK, Germany, China, and many more. These "edible" flags are made from foods/edibles that are native to the country it represents. If the aim was to generate interest on the event, then, hands down, this ad certainly achieved its goal.

If you are familiar with the different flags of the world, you might  be able to identify them instantly!













So, which flag(s) would you like to eat, and why?
How many flags have you guessed correctly? Tell me how did you fare in this mini quiz. The answers are in the comment section =)

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Food Trip Friday 045: Spicy Seafood and Crispy deep-fried fish




Two great reasons why we keep on coming back to Trasak Paem Restaurant, along Trasak Paem Street, a few blocks away from the Central Market:

Sizzling, spicy seafood! 

Very crispy deep-fried fish with garlic and green peppercorns *drools*
They're soooo good and relatively cheap -  absolute great value for your money!
In Cambodia, it is best to order whole fish on a plate. My Cambodian friends say, this is because fish, like all kinds of meat,  that's cooked "on the bone", always tastes better. 

Trasak Paem Restaurant has a nice, cosy ambiance and the waiters and waitresses are quite attentive. Best thing about Trasak Paem restaurant is that the rice and tea are bottomless and dessert is free. No wonder it's always full at lunchtime with locals and expats.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Food Trip Friday 044: Hola! Alimentación de disparo en la comida mexicana!





Despite our busy schedules (kunyari lang! hihihi) the Peluka sisters were able to meet again last Tuesday. I always look forward to our weekly coffee dates because, apart from the guaranteed gossips and laughter, we almost always end up food tripping in one of the many restaurants offering genuine international cuisines in Phnom Penh.

This week, we headed to Casa Lika, a Mexican restaurant tucked in one of the busy streets along the riverside. The place is small with only about 4-6 tables and nothing fancy really. It was practically empty when we arrived. We were not feeling particularly hungry so we just ordered what we thought were not too filling:

Tacos
A simple Mexican street snack, this traditional Mexican dish is  composed of folded tortilla shells and beef filling, topped with lettuce and cheese. It also comes with re-fried beans and salsa. 

Cheesy Quesadilla
Also a favourite Mexican street snack. Double-tortilla with  melted cheesy cheese over ground beef. It comes with a dollop of sour cream and salsa.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Food Trip Friday 043: Mie Goreng (Fried noodles)




Here's another of my favourite fried noodles, mie goreng, which I ordered on my first visit to Sumatra Restaurant with friends. We ordered several dishes, of course, but since I am such a noodle-fan, the spotlight will be on mie goreng! Besides my Peluka-sister PinayWifeSpeaks already featured those in the previous FTFs.

Ibu, Ipe... Saya tidak bisa mendapatkan cukup dari mie goreng panas dan pedas. Janji.
It's so hoooooooooot and spicy and I love it so much I want to go back for more! I know it's just easy to make as well. Boil a pack or two of instant noodles (using Indomi, the most popular Indonesian brand and also a hit in Cambodia), combined with chicken, bits of vegetables, and a generous amount of freshly chopped red-hot chili and spices!!  Seriously, I so love fried noodles (well, noodles in general) and I can eat just only this dish like every day =)

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Food Trip Friday 042: Marmite delight!




I finally found a window of opportunity to blog this week. I haven't been posting for weeks because of a consultancy job that I recently signed on to.

For this week's Food Trip Friday, I'm sharing what I've been snacking on - marmite sandwich! It's quick and easy to make.

My marmite delight! Spread it on toast or on sandwich. Generally spread thinly because of the strong flavour, but I love mine thick, but not as thick as jam!
According to the Marmite FAQ, a marmite is a thick, brown, savoury spread made from yeast that is a by-product of the brewing industry. It has a strong, salty flavour but surprisingly nutritious as it is packed with B-vitamin content, as well as riboflavin and niacin, and it is VEGAN!

I was introduced to marmite by my husband when his mum sent us a parcel with lots of goodies, including a jar of marmite that my husband grew up with and loves up to this day. Let's say it wasn't love at first sight between me and the marmite - I turned my nose up at it the moment he opened the jar. But as days and months and then years went on, I got so curious why most British-born seem to enjoy it.  I don't remember  when and why I finally decided to give marmite a try but now I'm enjoying it on toast like a true-blue Brit.  I tell you, it is definitely an acquired taste and one that produces strong reactions from the uninitiated! You either love it, or hate it! It is also best with cheese :)

Now, Vegemite is another story!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Food Trip Friday 040: Cafe dahko teuk'o (iced coffee with milk)



Yes, say it one more time... café dahko teuk'o... a bit of a tongue-twister, eh? But never you mind, just say iced-coffee and you'll surely be addicted to it, too!



I have to say that the best iced-coffee in Phnom Penh is found at Psar Tuol Tumpong (Tuol Tumpong market), popularly known as the Russian market. I love it so much that I used to have my fix more than three times a day. And who doesn't? It is prepared similar to the Vietnamese style of coffee-making using a clay pot and out comes a wonderful blend of Khmer-Vietnamese coffee, crushed ice, and all-you-can-stomach sweetened (or condensed) milk. It is absolutely a must-have! If only not for my current diet regimen, I would be happily sipping a glass of iced-coffee every time I crave for it. 

Tired of exploring the maze-like Tuol Tumpong market? Feeling hot and thirsty? This sinfully addictive caffeine fix will not only quench your thirst but will leave you jiggly-wiggly and ready for more rounds of shop-till-you-drop adventure!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Food Trip Friday 039: Pork Embutido



Home-made embutido... bow!


I finally was able to make this Pinoy meatloaf, errr, meat roll? Whatever. There are a lot of recipes online and I chose the one that didn't look complicated to prepare. hihihi.

Masarap siya and my husband loves it, too. I made three huge logs that I keep in the fridge. Great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or snacks din. Best eaten straight from the fridge, pero pwede ring i-fry, whatever suits your taste.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Food Trip Friday 038: Spicy chicken with Thai Basil




This is my version of the popular Thai dish, spicy chicken with Thai basil. One of my favorite dishes that takes just a few minutes to put in the pan and cook while I go do some little things else.



This is a super-quick dish, easy to make and delicious! Chicken breast fried with garlic, chili flakes (you can also use fresh chopped chili) and lots and lots of basil. Seasoned with patis (fish sauce). Topped with fried egg - a touch my husband loves.  You'll  have this one-dish meal on the table in just a jiffy. I make this dish when I am so running out of time and this definitely takes out the frazzle of the cooking chore.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Food Trip Friday 037: Khmer yellow curry at ang bahaw...bow!



For some reason I wasn't really impressed at the curry my husband ordered at Hagar Restaurant several nights ago:

Seeing the unusual rice shape, I thought to myself, "ngiii, bahaw (cold, left-over rice)!" Di ba ganito ang itsura ng bahaw na naiwan sa kalan? Not that I dislike bahaw, or tutong (burnt rice crust), for that matter. In fact, ako ay laki sa bahaw (I grew up eating bahaw)! I was just surprised why a restaurant would serve rice in this manner,  but the husband assured me it's not bahaw.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Food Trip Friday 036: Pizza-ooh-la-la!



And because I was too lazy to haul my butt off the sofa to the kitchen to prepare dinner last night, I did the second best thing... food delivery!! And who did I call?  The Pizza Company!


This is a large-sized super deluxe extreme pan pizza with extra cheese and sausage bites.  Just by looking at it again now makes me reach out for another slice. I know, it has all the stuffs that are cringe-worthy to dieters and health buffs, but hey, we hadn't had pizza for so long a time! Besides, it is great to give ourselves a treat once in a while, isn't it? And pizza is not really the worst of the worst of foods anyway? Okay, okay, I know I am rationalising now =)

And no, we didn't finish the whole thing. We only had two slices each and chucked the leftover in the fridge. Best eaten at lunch, cold, and with a mug of coffee. There goes my diet :(