Cooking 101: To Go Instant or Not

In this day and age, one thing I am grateful for is the instant help in cooking. It may be more unhealthy but it has helped me in the beginning of my cooking journey. Remember, I used to be an anti-kitchen person. But the instant food or instant mixes available in the groceries have aided me and trained me. I still use them half the time, but I learned to start from scratch also. Yay!

I just want to share here what I have tried and enjoyed. My hope is that, just like me, rookie cooks won't be scared to begin the exciting cooking journey.

Recently, I mastered my adobo recipe, which someday I will share. Before attempting to start from scratch, we would use ready-made adobo mixes from either McCormick or Mama Sita's. We even tried the adobo sa gata. They were all okay. But I knew I was looking for this particular taste or version of adobo. And so we did use them more than once, adding other ingredients with the hope of achieving THAT taste. I just do not remember what we preferred between the two brands. For now, we no longer use the mixes. I am proud to say, I make my own version of twice-cooked adobo.

My version of twice-cooked adobo

A favorite of ours is the Clara Ole ready-made marinades and pasta sauces. And we still use them until now. For the pasta sauces, we've tried: Chunky Tomato with Three Cheese, Cheesy Pesto, Chunky Tomato with Basil, and Kung Pao. I just started experimenting by using the recipe at the back of each pack. 

A personal favorite is the Chunky Tomato with Basil. I would use tuna with this sauce. For the tuna, I use the brand Permex, which I only find in Landmark, but a friend said it is also available in Cash and Carry. Then I just add olives and parmesan cheese. This is one dish I also am confident to say I love to make and eat.

Another product of Clara Ole that we love is their Hickory BBQ Marinade. We use pork then we bake it. We also tried the recipe at the back of the pack and it turned out good. Super delish!

I was always hesitant to try making sinigang. I felt it was more complicated than the recipes I was following. But with the help of another ready-made mix, I conquered my fear of sinigang. I actually like how it turned out. I use the Knorr Sinigang sa Sampaloc Mix. I just buy the vegetables we eat then cook it. Honestly, I want to try to make it from scratch. Someday.

These are just some of the instant mixes we like using and continue to use. There may have been others we have tried but I do not remember because we probably didn't feel like using it again.

These mixes have trained my taste, now I kind of know what's too salty or bland, what needs more salt or water, etc. I am more confident in the kitchen with the help of these mixes in the beginning. Presently, I prefer to make meals from scratch because it is more healthy, more than anything. But in the future when I look back at the start of my cooking journey, I know I will remember the significant help I got from them.

So there, another cooking journey experience. Hope you continue to take the ride with me.

Where Motherhood has Brought Me So Far

A little over nine months after giving birth, I am still uncertain of things. I am still asking questions. I am still learning how it is to be a mother. Sometimes, I still find myself amazed that I have this charming little boy and he's ours forever. But it can also be overwhelming because everything that we do, to, for and with him will impact him forever. It is truly a blessing and a privilege to be called to the vocation of marriage and motherhood.

Today, I wish to share about the beginning of this journey of motherhood. A journey that is awesome and beautiful for its share of pleasures and pains, triumphs and trials.

Simpler life. I read an article that said, having a child makes life simpler. It is true! 

For one, I learned to pay more attention to budgeting, to our finances. We had to adjust our lifestyle and live a simpler life. Simplicity is relative though. For us, we had to cut down on a lot of things. Especially when I decided to take a leave from work for year. Our income was cut to half. So, we rarely eat out nowadays. I had to kinda give up my always-wanting-to-try-something-new drive when it comes to food and restaurants. It was, it is, a struggle! 

Like I shared in my previous post, I had to change the way I did my groceries.
I had to lessen my me-time. I used to go to the nail salon every two weeks, now I go when I can see that we have a little extra, or if I really need it already. 
I often have to say no to those impulsive cravings or desire to buy not-so-important things for myself.

Simpler life called for simpler schedule as well. We learned to say no. We learned to prioritize. We also learned to rest a little more. Well, sometimes.

Simpler life made us take joy in simple things, as well. Little victories, such as hearing our son giggle for the first time, or being treated by my siblings for dinner.

Dinner c/o my younger brother and sister in Project Pie

Deeper relationships. Motherhood, and even homemaking life, led me to deepen bonds with amazing women. I would spend time chatting with old friends or family over Viber or Facebook, or even meet up with them, talking about the rewards and challenges that come with this vocation. I really enjoy learning from others' experiences. I really find it a blessing that there are others who started the journey ahead of me. And I am equally grateful that I have women who are currently on the same boat with me.

I also learned to be more understanding and less judgmental of others. I realize that people are raised differently and people raise their children differently. That we have to respect. This made me kinder towards others. I pause and try to see where they are coming from or what they are going through. This teaches me also to become a better wife and mother to my own.

Playdate photo session and bonding with cousins
(L to R) My son Noah, Elijah at the back, and Paco with mama, my MOH, Coco

Stronger faith. Because everything is uncertain, every child is different, and no one really has all the answers to motherhood, the only best person I can rely on is my God. With Him, I am certain. With Him, I am confident. I always tell Him in prayer, "You called me to this life, You brought me this far, I give it all back to You." And He just does wonders. When my son is sick, I just pray. When our finances are tighter, I just pray. When I feel tired of doing all that I am doing, I just pray. It doesn't mean life is easier on me. Well, maybe a little, maybe a lot. But amazingly, I guess, He just works and He answers. The little boy starts feeling better. My generous lola gives some money randomly. My in-laws send us food for lunch. And I could still go on. 

Faith is stronger because it wasn't also easy keeping it strong. The demands of the home and the little boy wasn't predictable for someone who is a first timer. It was difficult to pray, to find time to be with my God and just be there. The little boy needs to feed, time to cook lunch already, something in the house needs my immediate attention, etc, etc. It's a little predictable now. Thank you, Lord!

Motherhood simply made me grow in my faith.

A more grateful heart. Motherhood made me a better person (PERIOD)

If motherhood were a flight, I would say, I just lifted off the runway and am starting to see the view. And the journey continues.

Cooking 101

One area I had to conquer when I got married was... the kitchen. We need food to stay alive, right?

And... I love to eat!!! I love food. It's just not obvious, especially now that I am breastfeeding and my son is really really active, so he makes me really thin.

If you knew me from before I got married, you know I fear the kitchen. I fear the splatter of the oil while cooking. I do not like the smell of onions or garlic especially on my hand. I would rather eat or wash dishes and enjoy the water. But people change, at least I know I did.

Background, my dear lola, who raised me while my parents were working, does not really cook. She was more into baking. Leave it to the maids. She's your typical Señorita. And I remember my meals consist of either hotdog or bacon with eggs. My mother, only likes to eat, and well, tell our awesome cook/helper what to cook. In fairness to my mom, she makes sure to choose really delicious and good food. She kinda knows how to cook, but prefers not to. So you get the picture, I got it from them. I did not want to cook. I only want to eat.

But my life is a lot different from them, I have no maid/cook to do that for me. Borrowing my father's line, "You have to learn!" Besides, how can I eat? What will my husband eat if no one will cook? 

So, my journey to cooking began. I'm two years married already. In those two years, I gradually had to overcome the fear of the splatter of the oil. I still scream when it happens. I had to just keep washing my hands or rubbing it on steal (is that what you call it?), like the sink or the sides of the knives, to remove the garlicky smell. And those are just some of my experiences in the journey.

Tuna Pasta: I used Clara Ole' Chunky Tomato Basil as sauce and added parmesan cheese

I want to share a few things I learned that I hope will encourage others (newly married, single, or whatever) to conquer your fears! At least, of the kitchen.

1. Plan your menu and do your groceries from there.
Maybe many veteran moms or kitchen-lovers do this already. I didn't know this until now. In the beginning, I went to the grocery, buy what I thought were essential. Get half a kilo of chicken thighs, half a kilo of country style pork, half a kilo of ground beef, some onions and garlic, maybe a bottle of dried basil, etc. I do this without a planned menu. I ended up cramming for recipes. And thanks to Google, I found a lot. But several times, the ingredients required by the recipe is something I do not have. Sometimes we end up throwing away food because we never used them. 
Now, since I started planning the menu first, my freezer has more space. And I think that's a good thing. Less consumption of electricity. I am more efficient doing it the other way around. When you plan your menu first (I try to do mine weekly or every two weeks), it becomes easier to do the grocery. Because you know exactly what you need, you do not waste time and you save more money.

2. Take advantage of fellow moms or friends who like cooking or good at it. Or in my case, our beloved all-around helper, Ate Ging!
Often times, the recipes I try are those that I have tasted or I think I like from my own home, my husband's, or of friends. With that you are sure that you will like it. There were times at the beginning that I didn't get the same result as what was shared with me. It was a great disappointment for someone like me who wants to get things right always. Haha. But my husband made me realize that I should go easy on myself, since I am new to this. Of course, for the times I felt I did well, it was rewarding!

3. Google is your best friend.
I said that, at the beginning of this cooking journey, I go to Google to cram for recipes. I still do, especially when I want to try something new. But this time, I go to Google then I make the grocery list. I take time to read the reviews and see from there if it's worth trying. Almost always what I end up making is something my husband and I enjoy and add to our recipe folder.
Oh, other than Google, I also buy Yummy Magazine. Some of their dishes are newbie-friendly. Some are kinda challenging. There are also cooking websites. Actually there are lots!
Here are two of the websites:
Yummy
Panlasang Pinoy

4. Keep a recipe folder. Or box.
Or whatever it is that will help you organize and keep your favorite meals. I used to go back and forth my computer or phone just to check the recipe. It was such a hassle and sometimes gross, especially when you used your hands to chop meat then need to check your phone for the next step. We printed our recipes and put them all in a clear folder. I know others used index cards years ago.

5. When you can, and when you really need to, ask help. Delegate!
When I am too tired or not feeling well, when I feel there are too many chopping and washing needed, I ask help. Sometimes it's the yaya of my son who cooks. I kind of taught her some of the simpler recipes. Sometimes, my husband volunteers, or sometimes I ask him. Sometimes, I share the tasks with either of them. Someday when my son is old enough to help out, I'll let him do some tasks as well.

There you go. Still in the beginning of the journey of cooking. Special thanks to the people who boost my confidence and encourage me in this area, specially my husband, who eats what I cook no matter what.

Gambas: This wasn't so successful but I plan to try it again

To those still hesitating, hope my journey will somehow enlighten you. To those who wish to share your simple recipes with me, please do so!

Thanks for reading! God bless.

Hope you'll continue to take the ride with me.

Starting the Journey

Okay. Where do I start? I have always always wanted to start a blog. It may not be obvious but I like writing. When I was younger, I used to write a lot. Stories. Poems. Reflections... Some of them are in (I am giving away my age here) MySpace and Friendster. Haha.

I want to write because I think I express myself better in writing. I get to think about what to say. I like expressing my thoughts and opinions. I am passionate about sharing my beautiful experiences and the significant lessons I learned about life.

I want to write about he simple things in life that I love and enjoy: my hubby, my little boy, my crazy family, my community, food, travel, my dreams and well, my journey in life...

I wish to start my journey now. I hope you guys will take the ride with me.