Garlic & Rosemary Chicken

Another one of my "pacham" dishes---garlic & rosemary chicken.  Instead of baking the marinated chicken, I slow-cooked it until tender.

How-to:  Marinate chicken breast in minced garlic, salt & pepper, pinch of sugar, soy sauce and fresh rosemary. Stir-fry chicken, add water and bring to boil.  Add marinade when chicken is tender and cook until marinade is reduced.

I wanted to add white wine but my mother stopped me.:p

Verdict:  My mom and nephew liked it.

P.S.:  "pacham" = pa-tsamba :p

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Plaza San Luis/Our World-Tuesday

Named after one of the old barrios of the walled city of Intramuros, Plaza San Luis is a cultural-cum-commercial complex currently composed of five houses---Casa Manila, Casa Urdaneta, Casa Blanca, Los Hidalgos and El Hogar Filipino.  Above is the facade of Casa Manila along the cobblestone street of Calle Real del Palacio (also known as General Luna Street) and across San Agustin Church.

Casa Manila is a museum showcasing a typical upper-class colonial Intramuros home. The interiors are filled with late 19th century and early 20th century furniture, artwork, and other artifacts from the Spanish era, all carefully arranged to illustrate what life was like for wealthy families of that period.  Below is a fountain at the courtyard.

Next to Casa Manila is this white-painted building that houses a mid-range hotel and a fine-dining restaurant, Barbara's.  Barbara's serves traditional Filipino and Spanish fares in an old world setting.

At the end of the block, at the corner of Calle Real and Urdaneta is this beautiful neoclassic house [that was newly painted]---a typical home of a Filipino illustrado or the privileged class in the late 19th century.

Intramuros is a 0.26-square mile fortress built in the 16th century, a city within the city of Manila, and its oldest district.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Vendor's cart/Blue Monday

A vendor's cart displaying balls, kites, and other toys for sale at the open field near the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.  The open field at the Quirino Grandstand is usually used as a venue for cultural, political, religious, and sports events;  people also come here to enjoy the open space, and possibly escape the dingy confines of their crowded homes and neighborhoods.  We definitely need more parks in Metro Manila.

Join us @ Blue Monday

Morning/SWF

Morning at the beach after a stormy night.

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Linguine alle Vongole

Baba Ghanoush

I was in the mall again a couple of weeks ago for some errands and was in the look out for an ink-efficient printer.  I noticed Stavros, a Mediterranean bistro, and made a mental note to have dinner there after I finished my errands.  

I was the only customer when I got here around 7 pm, and the kitchen crew seemed happy to see me.   I was focused on hummus for my pita but they were fresh out of stock.  The lady at the counter suggested Baba Ghanoush instead---a Levantine dip of eggplant and tahini, mashed and mixed with olive oil and garlic.  I remember the eggplant dip/appetizer at Chateau 1778 that I have been trying to make at home but was never successful.

Anyway, I still prefer the eggplant appetizer at Chateau 1778 but this Baba Ghanoush was also tasty.  Eggplant is one of my least favorite vegetables that I'm always delighted when I encounter an interesting and flavorful eggplant dish.

I wanted something light for the main course, and decided on Linguine alle Vongole--a lighter pasta made with fresh clams, garlic, wine, parsley and olive oil.  This was scrumptious! 

Linguine alle Vongole

Footnote:  I returned to Stavros recently but it was no longer there.:(

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday