Grilled Tilapia in Banana Leaves "Inihaw na Tilapia"

Grilled Tilapia in Banana Leaves or "Inihaw na Tilapia sa dahon ng saging" prepared on our "meza".

The weather been cold,hot and then too cold in early morning for the passed few days. But today, (Saturday) the weather is just perfect. It is sunny but not too hot that you could enjoy being outside in the backyard having some Barbeque and some ice cold drink. We had some Barbeque yesterday for dinner and today for lunch. Last nite we had some grilled Salmon with lemon,pepper and pinch of salt wrapped in aluminum foil and some grilled pork chops seasoned with just salt and pepper. For our sauce we had spicy vinegar with soy sauce and garlic, for salad - caesar salad, grilled corn or inihaw na mais and for our drinks we had some ice cold root beer and ice cold water. Sadly, I totally forgot to take some pictures but today I was able to take the picture of the grilled tilapia (not the Barbeque Chicken though) as my son reminded me to. He remembered that yesterday I was saying that I should have taken the picture of the Grilled Salmon and the Grilled Pork Chops for my blog. So today, he remembered but after the fact that we only have one barbeque chicken left, but the good thing is we still have the Grilled tilapia that we havent started eating because it took us a long time to cook it or maybe we got hungry with all the smell of the bbq that we didnt wait for it, we'll have it for dinner and dip it in lemon and little bit of soy sauce. For drinks we had some ice cold Cantalope Juice as you see in the picture. Like last nite, we had our lunch in our backyard and hang out a little longer with a music for background and it simply feels good to be just out there.

Orange Rose Color blooming in our

garden, as well as purple rose color below. Hmmm can you tell I am a novice when it comes to picture taking? lol sorry.

On Mother's Day

Last friday, after work when I picked up my son, he came running to me with a big smile on his face and he looked very proud, I could tell from his twinkling eyes. He pulled me and gave me one big hug then presented his gift, a bracelet. He said "Mommy I made this for you, happy Mother's day" (got teary eyed ofcourse). He is getting so big too fast, I thought to myself. And then he gave me a kiss and a greeting card also that says I Love You Mommy, signed with his handwritten name. I taught him how to write his name. He just made me so happy, complete and I thank God that I am his mother. He always make my husband and I feel so blessed for having him. He is very bright, very smart and super "kulit" which he got from me according to his dad.

Anyway my husband's gift were, he took my son and I to visit my parents and brother in the bay area and we had our date there, we went and saw a movie together.

So after work last friday, we left for San Jose, the travel was not bad, lots of people were traveling and we enjoyed ourselves during travel time also. We laughed, listen to the music, told some stories, dreamed a little here and there and most of all it was fun because our son who is only 4 years old was actully entertaining us with his singing so how could it be not fun.

I Honestly I didnt know that we are going to San Jose after work. He mention going there but nothing was definite and so I didnt expect it. He is always like that, I dont need to ask him to take my son and I to see my family. And that is why my family are really thankful that he is that thoughtful and he is that sweet. My family enjoys his company and my husband enjoys theirs also so it is just great.

Since we were there for a short visit, a day only, we were unable to visit old friends or other relatives. And celebrating mothers day with my whole family (my husband,my son,mom,dad and brother) is one gift that I woud cherish forever and that is why I love my husband so. I would always thank him for always taking us to visit them even when I dont ask him to or even when there is no occasion he wound take us there. He would always say it is nothing but for me it means a lot. Seeing my family again fills my heart and my son loves seeing his grandparents and uncle and my other relatives.

We got there late friday, but still able to watch some family videos. On saturday, while my son was enjoying his time with his grandparents and uncle ( they were doting his every whims) my husband and I took a few hours for ourselves to watch a movie and for dinner we all went out to celebrate Mother's Day. My son picked the restaurant. He loves Romano's Macaroni Grill (an Italian Restaurant) and so we went there. It was during dessert time that I remembered that I should have taken the picture of what we've ordered so I could post it in my blog. Anyway, for anti pasti we all had Calamari Fritti and for dinner I had Pasta Milano, my husband had grilled salmon, my son had pizza, my brother had Chicken Scaloppine, my dad had grilled halibut and my mom had Chicken Portobello. For drinks, my brother and I had a Merlot, maybe we should have gotten a Pinot but the Merlot was just fine. For dessert, we only ordered one dessert, tiramisu we shared it but still didnt finished it as you see it in the picture.

We left the restaurant full and happy. When we got home my husband, dad and brother went ahead and watched the Golden boy and Pretty boy boxing in HBO repeat. Tried to watch it too but I am just too tired. My son stayed with his dad and watched it. I went to bed as well as my mom. Sunday morning we planned to leave early because I still need to work on my lesson plan for Monday, but end up having "Mothers day" celebration part two as we went out to eat for breakfast just after the drama courtesy of yours truly lol.

So now we are back home. I could honestly say, it is great being a mother to my son and a wife to my husband. I can't complain.

We live a simple life. I believe simple life equals lots of happiness. Living that way makes it easy for us to see all the blessings that are coming our way...dont you agree?

Lumpiang Shanghai

Lumpiang Shanghai is one appetizer that you will always see in any filipino gatherings. Well, there are different version of Lumpia, Lumpiang gulay, Lumpiang ubod, Fresh Lumpia and ofcourse Lumpiang Shanghai.

Lumpiang Shanghai is our favorite not just when theres' a gathering but on any regular day and it is my son's favorite. See the picture? I am unable to fill it because he keeps on coming back to the kitchen while I am cooking, so he could eat the cooked "lumpiang shanghai".

Anyway, my work schedules been sporadic, business been in a slow phase lately. But can't complain because when I am not in the office, I get paid while working at home and I am able to take care of my son. But last week, my work have schedule changed. I've been busy working (both home and office) and will be also this coming week and then back to sporadic scheds again? Maybe. Anyway, I decided to make a whole bunch of "shanghai". I've cooked some and put the rest in the freezer for future use. Working on my lesson plan plus working straight for a few days or weeks, I think it would be better that after work, I would make an easy to cook meal plus the shanghai to add to it and it would be just perfect for the three of us.

For "Lumpiang Shanghai" I bought, "lumpia" wrapper or spring roll wrapper, ground meat,onion finely chopped, 1 or cloves of garlic, carrots, "kinchay" or chinese celery,soy sauce and pepper. (thank God for food processor, it made everything so easy).

How I made it? Actually, others just mixed all ingredients put in the wrapper and will be deep fried when time comes.

Well, what I do is I saute the garlic,onion then add the meat, and other ingredients. Add half a cup of water and let it simmer for few minutes. Let it cool down before wrapping it. I do this so that it is fully cooked versus to not simmering it, theres a chance that the meat will still be pink even though its been deep fried. And I cant have that especially that my son loves eating it. So this lumpiang shanghai recipe is from my Auntie.