Na-Lecheng Flan

They say Necessity is the Mother of Invention and I say: Desperation is the Queen of Discovery!


My mom was a great cook, a trait which i unfortunately didn't inherit.  Well...not totally.  I rarely cook and i only cook when i want to eat something in particular.  And i prefer to make the sweet stuff instead of the main dishes.  One dessert my mom is known for is her Leche Flan and thankfully i was able to learn how to make it her way.


It has been a few years since I made leche flan and for Christmas this year, I decided to make some.  I was the designated cook for our Noche Buena.  Since it's just my dad, my sister and me i didn't have to cook much. Just the spaghetti and the leche flan.


LECHE FLAN (orginal recipe)
6  pcs   eggs (big ones)
1  can   condensed milk
1  can   evaporated milk (small)
1  tbsp  vanilla extract
1  cup   sugar (this really depends on how sweet you want your flan)


Break the eggs, separating the yolks from the whites.  Set aside the egg whites.  In a bowl, beat the eggs yolks.  Add in the vanilla...wait, where's the vanilla???  OMG!  The bagger at the supermarket didn't put it in my shopping bag!  What to do , what to do? I have nothing to use in lieu of the vanilla and its 8pm on night before Christmas! Arggghhh...


Lemme think...can i use coffee?  My friend is not answering my text.  Lets consult the Holy Google. Aha!  There's quite a few Coffee Flan Recipes and it just uses instant coffee, I got that!


FLAN de CAFE con LECHE
6  pcs   eggs (big ones)
1  can   condensed milk
1  can   evaporated milk (small)
1  tsp    instant coffee
1  cup   sugar 


In a bowl, mix the egg yolks, condensed milk, evaporated milk, instant coffee and sugar until mixture is even. Set aside. Using the llanera or flan mold (i used four small ones), caramelize 3 teaspoons of sugar with a little water. Spread the caramel evenly before it hardens. When the caramel is set, pour in the flan mixture. Put the llaneras in a steamer and steam for 30 minutes or until the flan is done. You can check by pricking the flan with a toothpick, if it comes out clean then, its done.


Here is the end result...

The coffee flan is done, now get the egg whites...facial time!

Garahe ni Gatchie: The Gatchies!

I have two words to describe The Gatchalians, my family from my mothers side: quirky and hilarious! From Nanay and Tatay (God bless their souls), whom I think aren't your typical grandparents; to the Titas and Titos who are the "promotores y consentidores"; to the cousins who will back you up any time and any day; and then to the nieces and nephews, who will bog your mind with their wit and sharp tongues.

And because of them I have no choice but to share my family, The Gatchies, to the world.  Thanks to cousin Marlaine, who is witness to all the shenanigans that happen behind the Gatchalian Green Gate (GGG)!  As for other members of this clan, please feel free to tell me your stories, only funny ones please! Hahaha!

You aaare Ferpek...

Palabas si Marlaine isang gabi, nakabihis at papunta sa gimik:

Tito Junior:   Saan ang lakad?
Marlaine:      Manonood ng Concert...
Tito Junior:   Concert nino?
Marlaine:      True Faith, sa Macapagal...
Tito Junior:   Aaah! yung "woh, wohooow...aleluhuuu, aleluhuhuhuyaaaa..."
Marlaine:      Tito, si Bamboo yun!
Tito Junior:   Ah, si Bamboo ba yun? (sabay kamot ng ulo)

Holiday Cheers!

NetNet:         Ate Marlaine, kelan tayo iinom - sa Christmas o sa New Year?
Tito Joseph: (na hindi namin alam na nasa labas pala ng garahe) PAREHO! Mula Christmas hanggang New Year!
Marlaine:      O ayun, pareho daw!

Bottoms Up Mom!

Marlaine and Lizette, nagiinuman sa garahe.

Pode:     Mama, tulog na tayo!
Lizette:   Kawawa naman si Ninang Marlaine pag iniwan natin dito...
Pode:     Eh basta, naaantok nako!
Lizette:   Sandali nalang, uubusin ko lang ito (pointing to the half empty bottle).
Malapit na o, konti nalang...(lumagok ang Lizette...)
Pode:     Paano mauubos yan, eh kinokontian mo ang inom!

 

Hurry Up Mom!

Late dumating ang mag-inang Netnet at Nicole sa isang kumpulan sa Garahe.

Lola Lod:  Baket ngayon lang kayo?
Nicole:      Ewan ko sa babaeng ito, ang tagal kumilos! (pointing to her Mom!)

A Job Worth Doing Well

Si Nicole, inutusan si Lola Nene na ipagbalat sya ng Butong Pakwan:

Lola Nene:  O, ayan, kakain-kain kayo nyan tapos saken nyo papabalatan!
Nicole:        (may nakitang mga hindi nabalatan) Anubayan?! Magbabalat nalang di pa inayos! Ayan o, may balat pa!

Que Bibo!

Here are a few conversations cousin Marlaine had with her son, Juancho, and our nephews: Pode, Kokoi and Macoy. Very witty boys!

BIBO No. 1: PODE

Jamajam:         Asan po si Juancho?
Tita Marlaine:  Nasa school.
Pode:                Ay ako malapit na pumasok sa school ni kuya Juancho.
Tita Marlaine:  Oo, pero sa Witty Minds ka parin today kaya enough na yang playing mag prepare kana for school..
Pode:               Opo, papasok ako sa school mamaya...makikita ko nanaman crush ko...
Jamajam:         Sino ba crush mo?
Pode:               Si Tiffany! (at proud na proud na naka-smile, tumingin pa saken!)
Jamjam:           Tita o, crush daw ni Pode si Tiffany!
Tita Marlaine:  Ok lang yun, maganda kase si Tiffany...
Pode:                Ikaw Jam, sino crush mo?
Jamjam:           Wala akong crush!
Pode:               Baket wala kang crush, siguro puro panget mga classmetes mo! 

BIBO No. 2: MACOY

Macoy:        Tita Marrrlen, o, umpayderman o, sabi mamako sa bertdey macoy o! (dinudukdok nya sa mukha ko ang action figure nyang Spiderman)
Marlaine:     Ha? Spiderman sa birthday mo? Baket, kelan ba ang birthday mo?
Macoy:        Cake!
Marlaine:    Anung cake? Ang sabi ko, kelan ang birthday mo? 
Macoy:        Cake! 

Marlaine:    Hindi mo alam kung kelan ang birthday mo? 
Macoy:        Umsabi nga mama, umspayderman bertdey ko! 

Marlaine:    Bahala ka sa buhay mo, pag dimo nasabi saken kung kelan birthday mo, wala kang gift!
Juancho:    Why Mommny, why are you angry at Macoy?
Marlaine:    Because he doesn't know when his birthday is...
Juancho:    Me i know my birthday, it's already finished, but i can still get gifts right? 
Marlaine:    Magsama kayo ni Macoy!
 

BIBO No. 3: KOKOI

KUMPULAN SA GARAGE YESTERDAY:
(Nieces and Nephews present)

Titas Sheryl, Netnet and Marlaine: Magkano ba kase ang Tickets diyan sa MILEY CYRUS Concert na yan?!
Kakai:     6,000 ang VIP!
Nicole:   600 ang pinaka-dulo!
Kokoi:    6million...katabi mo matulog si Miley Cyrus!

BIBO No. 4: JUANCHO
 
MOMMY MARLAINE AND JUANCHO DOING HOMEWORK IN SIBIKA:
 
Juancho:   Ang takdang aralin ko po ay sagutan ang pahina limamput walo...
Marlaine:   Ok, sandali...
Juancho:   Ako napo ang sasagot alam ko lahat ng Anyong Tubig...
Marlaine:   Ok, sandali (looking for the page at the same time wondering baket mashadong makata bigla itong batang ito...)
Juancho:   Saan matatagpuan ang Maria Cristina Falls?
Marlaine:   (referring to the book so it took me a few seconds browsing through the pages)
Juancho:   INAY!...INAY!...saan matatagpuan ang Maria Cristina Falls?!
Marlaine:   Sandali, Anak! And you don't have to call me Inay if we're speaking in Tagalog, you can still call me Mommy!
Juancho:   Sige, Inay...but you also call me Anak...

Juancho:    Mommy, when i have a dog, i think i want to name it Gatchie...
Marlaine::   Baby, when you shout and call the dog, everybody here will respond!
Juancho:    Why, Mommy?
Marlaine:    Because we are all Gatchie here...even across the street in Lolo Joseph's house, they will respond if you shout Gatchie! (*our family name is Gatchalian, and so the name Gatchie)
Juancho::   Ok, i'll just name the dog MORGAN...
Marlaine:    Why Morgan?
Juancho::   Because nobody here is named Morgan...

Baguio, Oh Baguio

It was just supposed to be a day trip to Enchanted Kingdom. But what started as a semi-planned trip to Baguio turned out to be one of the most fun vacation I ever had.

 
Sarah planned to come to Manila from Bacolod to fix some papers and enjoy a simple five-day vacation.  All she requested was that we go with her to Enchanted Kingdom (EK).  A month before her arrival, I had the chance to meet OMJ, Cinco and Alexis before OMJ's trip back to Baguio.  He suggested that we go to Baguio instead of EK.  Since EK is now only open during the weekends, Baguio became the whole itinerary.  Cay, who was supposed to come to Manila in August, changed her plans so she can go with us.  That made the headcount to 4 girls: Sarah from Bacolod, Cay from Davao, Gerda from Pampanga and Moi from Manila.

Arrival day (July 13th) came and it didnt start as well as expected for Sarah. She had to wait 3 hours at the airport for Marlon, who offered to pick her up. You know, the usual boo boos: carrying 2 bags of napoleones and piaya (which both weighed a ton), wrong terminal pick up, getting lost on the way to Leah's house (ended at San Antonio, Pasig instead of San Antonio, Makati)...that kinda stuff. 

 
I met Sarah for the first time at Araneta Center. Leah was with her but she wasn't going with us to Baguio. Alexis was also there with Jhelyn, so they could at least meet Sarah.  Gerda was already at the bus station because she was supposed to buy the tickets in advance. Unfortunately, they weren't selling tickets in advance. She has to wait for over 4 hours for us to arrive at the station. Cay's flight from Davao was a few minutes delayed but eventually got to the station by midnight. We left Manila at 12.30am.

 
When we got to Baguio, we proceeded to the transient house we reserved. We left our things there, had breakfast then went to make a courtesy call at the head office, where we met the other managers, coached and staff.  After freshening up, first stop is Mine's View Park...ooops its raining, change that to SM City Baguio!  The unique thing about the mall is that it's kinda open air.  No need for a/c because its so damn cold already.  I went to the silver shop, Sarah and Ger rode the mechanical bull and we karaoked at Quantum.

 
We rented a room at a transient house, but we might as well not have done that and just camped at OMJ's place.  We practically just used the place as a changing room.  On the second day, we were joined by Alexis and Jhelyn. With Coach K, we went to PMA.  To go there, we had to pass through the runway of the domestic airport.  Would the plane stop if a vehicle was passing through?  Back at the city proper, we walked through Burnham Park, went to the ukay-ukay (where you can buy an original Hermes bag for only Php10,000) and then went to the market to buy food stuff for dinner.  Two pickpockets targeted Cinco, but fortunately didn't get his phone or wallet. 

 

 
On the third day, we were finally able to go to Mine's View Park, where I was able to buy my Romana Peanut Brittle. There were no locals (igorots) to have pictures with but there were quite a few St. Bernards and pink-haired horses for photo ops.  Passed by The Mansion House to take some wacky pictures. Walked to Wright Park where we saw white horses with pink hair (they too get on with the times). Walked again to The Botanical Gardens, but it was already closed. And just as we started the whole Baguio trip with SM, it was also the last place we went to.

 
OMJ, Cinco, Dos and Coach K served as our hosts and tour guides.  OMJ cooked for us, Cinco showed us around, Coach K brought us to PMA (and we repaid her by making her walk) and Dos gave us souvenir t-shirts.  We cannot thank them enough for accommodating us, going out of their way to give us their precious time. We love you guys!

  

The weather was rainy, we were all freezing. We barely had any sleep, we barely had space to sleep on. The pace was hectic, we were in and out of cabs.  There were nine of us and one bathroom.  We didn't have enough plates and utensils but we all ate heartily.  But nobody seriously complained.  Our trip back to Manila was delayed for 18 hours because nobody wanted to go home yet.  We were a group of people who mostly have only seen each other for the first time, technically strangers. But by the end of the fourth day, we separated as family.

See you next year, Baguio!

Cabin Fever

One effect of working at home is getting cabin fever...and I got it big time! I don't just want to go out and maybe have dinner and coffee with friends; or go to a bar and pretend to drink while munching on pica-pica; or go to the mall and add to the long list of stuff i wanna buy. I want to go to the beach!!!

I am not very well traveled but I've been to some of the popular beaches here in the Philippines.  Two decades ago, I had the chance to visit Boracay, when it was still not very developed. There were not many people during the time I was there because we arrived on a Sunday and the Ati-Atihan festival was just over in Aklan. I was in Aklan with my cousin and friends to attend a wedding and it was in Aklan where we stayed most the the week. We went to Boracay after the wedding, yes with the newlyweds, and stayed at one of the resorts owed by the groom's relatives. That whole week was a blast!

When i worked as a researcher in the early 90s, I went to Bohol and stayed for 3 weeks. I was able to go to Panglao Island and get a glimpse of the beautiful coastline. But that was it!  Didn't even get close enough to dip my feet in the water. Shame right? But nonetheless, going around Bohol is an incomparable experience.

Working on events sure has it's perks. In 2004, part of my event was a 2-day stay in El Nido Resorts in Palawan. We took over the whole Lagen Island, where i had a forest room all to myself! There were games during the day, dinner at the Big Lagoon one night and at the Sandbar the next night. The whole delegation was overwhelmed by the abundant food, the amazing sights above and under water, the world-class service and of course the hospitality of the Filipinos. El Nido is my perfect place to call sanctuary.

  

I've never been to Puerto Galera until a few years ago. I went there with my college girl friends and we had so much fun. It was after the last weekend of summer so the place was not too crowded.

When my friend, BJ, came home from the US, we went to Anilao, Batangas to go scuba diving. BJ is a US Navy man but has never been diving before. We stayed at Planet Dive, where some friends were also rescue-dive training. My intro dive was well worth the price I paid for it, but I don't think I will ever do that again. For one, I don't know how to swim, though that is not a requirement for scuba diving. Two, I admit that the sea scares me. But the sight 20 feet under is really amazing! The corals were beautiful, the fish were colorful and I even found Nemo! I just had a terrible scare when my dive master pointed to a huge turtle and started to go after it with me in tow. If I were able to shout I would have screamed at him not to go after the turtle. Also, i experienced having cramps while I was under maybe because of the cold water. The result of that trip? A great tan!

The year after, our destination was Cagbalite Island off Mauban, Quezon. From the time we jumped off the boat, we had that feeling we were in one episode of Survivor. There was no electricity in the whole island so we had to bring in a genset. There were mangroves along the beach, the water was warm, creepy crawlies were everywhere, a snake even dared to show himself.

Next month, I'm off to Nasugbu, Batangas with family. Yoohoo!

Toxic!!!

This particular blog is not about toxic waste nor being uber busy and most especially not about Britney Spears.  It's about the people you should avoid in your life if your ultimate goal is to achieve happiness.  

I myself think good of people. When i meet new people, I don't judge them by their looks and will try to get to know them first before i come up with the verdict.  And don't deny that you don't ever judge people because we all do. But there are people who tend to get you down with very little effort or none at all, just by being who they are. That's why they are called toxic and it would be best if you keep yourselves physically fit so you can run fast when you see them lurking around.

You may thnk that you are a well-adjusted person, who gets along well with everyone. But there are some people who will rub you the wrong way or give you bad vibes when you are in their company. The key to being happy is to surround yourself with people who can give you a very positive feeling.

MANIPULATIVE  MANNYS

There are those who are very sly and will manipulate you without you even knowing what they are doing until it's too late. They know what buttons of yours to push when they want something from you. They can make you turn away from your beliefs or make you do things you really don't want to do. One day you will find yourself thinking more of their needs than your own.

NARCISSISTIC NENAS

These people are those who put great importance in themselves and think the world revolves around them. They think their needs are more important than yours and at the end of the day, you are left feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.

DONNA DOWNERS

There are the people who cannot appreciate the positive things in life. They would always find something negative to say. They tend to bring out the joy in everything. If you continue to be with these kind of people, you will lose your ability to look forward to tomorrow.

JUDGMENTAL JACKS

People who are judgmental see things differently. Something that is pretty to you, most probably will be strange to them. Whatever positive comment you make, they will always find something negative to say.

DREAM KILLING KARLS

Each time you come up with an idea, these people will think of something to shoot your idea down. If you believe in the saying "Anything is possible" they believe in the opposite. If you are on your way to success, you would not want these people to be around you for they will think of ways to make you fail.

INSINCERE INNAS

Ever felt that people just tend to say things because that's what you want to hear? What you have with them is not honest, but more superficial. When you need real support, they would rather see you fail. Find friends who will tell you like it really is.

DISRESPECTFUL DANIELS

These are the people who does things inappropriately and at inappropriate times.  They know no boundaries and won't care if they hurt your feelings. They can make you lose respect for yourself.

NEVER ENOUGH EVAS

Your best effort is never enough for these kind of people. They expect to much from you and will never stop from finding faults in you. You can never please them and you might lose yourself if you try.

These personalities have some things in common: The more they get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. They also don't see that what they are doing is wrong, so talking to them about it will not work. Also, most of them will never change, no matter what life-altering events happen to them. So, what's the best thing to do: avoid them like the plague! Live life to the fullest and you cannot do that if you are in the company of people who will always keep you from doing it.

Mood Food

I was at a loss for new topics for this blog and i asked Coach V to give me a topic. And he said write about being healthy. And he's right! Having "food" in the title of my blog, it's just apt that I should write about them. So here's the first of i don't know how many...

We all have mood swings, some more than the others. And most of us turn to food when we got the blues, right? And when those blues do not easily go away, the more we eat. But what not many of us know is that what we eat can help affect how we feel. We are what we eat, so they say. So what food will put you in a good mood?

SPACED OUT?

If you are having a hard time concentrating and it feels like your mind is all mush, try to snack on some protein-rich food. Some low-cal cheese, yogurt, low-fat milk or skinless chicken can help you think clearly in no time.

NEED A LIFT?

What is the one food that is sure to lift up your spirits? CHOCOLATE! It may even be the one thing that can solve world peace. The ability of chocolate to make us feel better is not just in our minds. The fat, sugar and high amount of tryptophan found in chocolates work together to raise serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain and the end result is...happiness! But it doesn't mean you should eat all the chocolate you can buy. Keep it in check by only eating those with less fat. They may be hard to find, but they are out there!

MOOD SWINGS?

Does your mood go from one end of the spectrum to the other in a heartbeat? You only need to drink water to solve that problem. Dehydration plays a big role in your emotional stability. So, go drink those 8-10 glasses of water and you'll be swinging on trees in no time!

LAZY DAISY?

Feeling tired all the time? Would rather sleep than go out with your friend? A simple omelet can cure you of that.  Eggs are a great source of zinc, a substance that makes you feel more awake, energized and engaged by helping regulate your blood sugar.

WIRED?

Stressed, nervous, anxious or just feeling as if you had an overdose of caffeine? If going to a spa and having a massage is not an option, calm your nerves with some skim milk or a handful of almonds. Both foods are rich in calcium, and calcium is great for reducing anxiety and making you feel calm and relaxed.

SNACK HAPPY?

Strawberries may just be the other form of Prozac, which is used treat major depressive disorders. Folate-rich foods, like strawberries, cause a boost in serotonin levels in the brain, much like antidepressants do. So the next time you're feeling depressed, go to Baguio and pick your own strawberries to snack on.

TEMPER TANTRUMS?

Angry at your bf / gf / hubby / wifey/ bff / the whole world? Grab for a grapefruit, some grapes, an apple or some carrots! All these foods are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that lowers blood cholesterol. Another plus? When you're angry, your body kicks into fight-or-flight mode, causing your heart rate, adrenaline levels and blood pressure to increase. But pectin reverses these effects and helps your system return to normal. 

Whatever mood you are in, food is definitely the best thing to keep you company...just choose the right one.