Next Time You Think About Lemon, You Can Try This Lemon Chicken

I cannot point clearly where I first saw the dish name lemon chicken. I know I saw it in the menu card at one particular restaurant in the Philippines. But I did not try. When we are in the Philippines, what I usually eat are dishes that I have been growing up with like adobo, sinigang, and laing. Lemon chicken sounds western, I prefer native, foods that when I eat can be nostalgic. Just lately, I found out that lemon chicken is not just delicious, you can also add this dish in your easy to cook and budget recipes. This is how I have this discovery. My husband and I shop once a month in Amazing Oriental, an Asian complete supermarket. There is Amazing Oriental in Rotterdam Central, in Alexandrium, but we always go in Amazing Oriental in the Chinese Boat. The location is just perfect, fronting the iconic Euromast, fifteen minutes drive from home. Amazing Oriental has plenty to offer. Asian foods, from fresh to canned goods, to frozen foods. They have Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Singaporean, and Indian brands. Sometimes, we go there not just to shop but to explore more of the other possible dishes and cuisine.

I saw these Lee Kum Kee sauces mix, handy, ready, Hongkong style. I picked one, lemon chicken. I said to my husband, I want to try this, just one. Because if it is not delicious, nothing to lose. And to my delight, my husband really love it. Last week, we went back shopping there, I took five. Here is how I cook lemon chicken with the Lee Kum Kee sauce.

Soak in egg, roll in flour.

Ready for deep frying 

We need: 

 1 Lee Kum Kee lemon chicken sauce mix, 

 around 350 grams a chicken fillet, 

 1 egg (beaten), 

 a bit salt, 

 flour, 

 and oil.

How:

 I sprinkle a pinch of salt to the both sides of the chicken. I soak it to the egg and roll in the flour. I set aside for about fifteen minutes. To fry, I use sunflower oil, must be enough oil for deep frying. The heat must be high enough for the chicken to become crunchy. Once fried, put the chicken in a serving dish. You can warm the Lee Kum Kee sauce in the microwave for just 1 minute, the sauce is creamy, you can pour it slowly to the chicken. Lemon chicken is good with rice or fries and vegetable salad. Next time that you will think about lemon, why not try the lemon chicken, not just about lemon to lemonade. Don’t forget that this dish is easy, delicious, and so budget-friendly. Till next time.

Duck Tonight And A Wonderful Ambiance at Eetcafé In Den Berkerbrom

 

My plate of my eenden borst

Today I am writing about a dining out experience. It was a dinner treat of my mother in law. I think nothing ever changed the way I was reared, it is still those little things that always captured my eye, even my undivided attention.

Still wintertime in the Netherlands, when we arrived in Eetcafé in Den Berkebrom in Rotterdam, about half past five. The owner opened the door for us. The place is secluded, from the narrow street you barely see it. I removed my jacket just hanged it at the back of my chair when the owner asked me if she can hang it in the garderobe. She asked what would be our drink. I have my usual warm chocolate drink, “geen slagrom”. As I am writing this, I can still paint on my mind the beautiful mug of my warm chocolate drink… as I savouring the warmth and the exact sweetness of it, my mind starting to knit words, patching them to the lovely little things I was seeing. I am going to write about that night. 

The cup seems pastel in colour, it looks like salmon pink or color peach. The lights were too dim to light the old charming place, but I was mesmerised by the country-home painted in the mug. My hands in the mug, my eyes from the floor to ceiling, table to table, to the wall. The restaurant is like an old English pub, but I was imagining, it is a cottage in Dorset or Cornwall, or a winter getaway in Norwegian woods. Tables are compact, two little tables beside the bar. On the other side, my eyes can look straight to the big wooden chalkboard, no menu card but a big menu board. Meanwhile, I am making up my mind that I like to eat duck. Duck tonight. It surprising, when the clock ticked at 6 o’clock, the diners started to coming in. All tables taken, Dutch people’s happy hour, I am the only Asian. An older man was going to the toilet when he tapped the shoulder of another man who was sitting in the table near the bar, he entangled right away to the conversation and laughter.

The owner gets our orders. For me, duck tonight.

The entire room became crowded, the owner coming and going, serving, brisk but always smiling. It amazes me that they served our meal in less than 30 minutes! My eenden borst for duck in Dutch is so delicious! The sauce is like an explosion of variety of flavours and tastes that hard for me to elaborate. I’m glad I was able to make a photo of my before and after of my plate for you to see. I eat in silence, my eyes drifting from my plate, here and there. Funny, as I relish my food, I am thinking that Drew Pitchard will not hesitate to enter this room, full of charmant old things. I am usually an observant and I observed that the diners treat the place special not just because of the food, but also the ambiance. At the other side of the room, when you are going to the wc or toilet, there is a seemingly painting of an open Bible from the Middle Ages, it hangs in solitaire at the top of the  antique sign with the lunch-dinner written on it.

My eyes coming back to my plate, the sauce of my duck is color velvet, authentic, perfect. My eyes wander around one more time. This time, I was caught by an old candle holder that looks like a candelabra, all holders are over-flowing of the melted candle. I don’t mind if they look messy, when my eyes changed direction to the big vase with fresh tulips, it gave me a lot more of satisfaction. 

After. 

When the owner returned to our table for our last round of drinks, another thing caught me… an antique wine rack, hanging like a piece of a jigsaw. Eighteen holes, fifteen empty, three bottles remaining, I can’t exactly name if they look deserted or just neglected.  They don’t have menu card. I was in glee to just read the menu on the wall. The owner busy serving, she moves with authoritative, down to earth, and sweet. My Dutch family won’t end any dinner with no dessert. It is their cherry at the top of the cake. As they wait for their dessert, they make paper planes using the table napkin to my son's delight. The evening gets colder, the atmosphere gets warmer, love is in the air. Time to go home. We walked outside, the winter night is cold to the bones, we played the paper planes while walking to the car. The narrow street was peaceful, no passerby. Homes and quaint shops have already shut ready again for the following morning. I try to remember as much as I could, the sight or sound, small or big details of that lovely evening when my beloved mother in law took us to one of those unforgettable family dinners by her. Till next time. 

My Longing To Write Again

Three important things that keep me going. 

 There are few things in our life that are not that important, but we feel we cannot live without. Once it is gone, or stopped, we have the longing to switch back the time so we can experience it one more time. I am back because this is how I feel for the last couple of weeks. I have this feeling even in my sleep. I am longing again to compose my thoughts, write in words, and share them with the world. Maybe it is your first time to get across my blog. But as you can check, I already wrote many. From cooking to gardening, from just being poetic to love of traveling. My life seems monotonous, but I completely happy turning the ordinary to become less ordinary. 

Thinking how I can start again.

My goal now is to ignite again the fire in my writing, keep it burning, play with words, color them with feelings, both to entertain and to inspire. Why I stopped writing? Few reasons that can be valid, but one of them is I almost get lost to who I really am.

I started to doubt my capacity to love people, to love myself, to love the things that I love doing, but I never doubt my love and faith in God that I worship. I have been into a dark tunnel, and I walked there long, trying to grasp any light, no matter how tiny or long.  During those times, I tried to type words, but it was like I am a feather, light and being carried by the wind with no direction, vulnerable. It was sad. But now, I am glad I am back. I am out from that dark tunnel now. I see now that I can write again, I can play with words again, and I am smiling while writing. Till next time.

More Than A Cymbal The Sincere Hospitality In Savarin Hotel

Many of the most beautiful stories in the history were told with heart and emotion. Stories of goodness, kindness, mercy towards humanity. I want to write today a heartwarming story, happened to my family, how it continues to linger despite it happened almost a month ago. 

Savarin Hotel in The Hague

cold outside, heartwarming inside

From Louman Museum, on a cold afternoon, we traveled back home. As my husband drives and exit the busy historic streets in The Hague, our car started to wiggle. There is something wrong, my husband exits again the three of four lane expressway, we entered Rijswijk. You cannot park your car just anywhere in Netherlands. The penalty is too high. There are numbers for any emergency, and since we need to troubleshoot the car, my husband made some phone calls.

The ANWB will come to fix our car, we are hoping that it will not take much time. I'm quiet, starting to feel panic when my husband said that ANWB coming in an hour. My husband sensed it, he, we, do not like to sit in the car for an hour, watching the passers-by and speeding cars. “Let’s go, have a walk, and have coffee”, told my husband. Just a few steps, we entered the Savarin Hotel. The New Year celebration of the world is only a few days away, it’s expected that hotels are full and busy.

We sit in the small, almost cramped reception. My husband went to the reception desk to let them know our purpose. I took the cozy corner, by the window, overlooking the parking area, and a so petit bookshelf with travel and lifestyle magazines, good to kill time. My son nagging, “how long it takes, mama?”

Guest coming in, coming out. Even it’s warm inside, I still feel the very cold dry wind outside. One of the hotel staff brought a cup of coffee to my husband, black to please his delight, while my son has his cold creamed chocolate milk, mine is warm without “slagrom”. Warm drink and reading, one of the most relaxing combination. 

Coming of guests is non-stop. One of the reception staff, cheerful, welcoming the guests with free glass of champagne. The scene is like holiday people in the Swiss mountains, checking in and ready to ski.

One couple went up in the lift, with a merry face, it was like in a blink, they came down with a face merrier. 

It was then that one of the staff, set a tray on a round table before us, and called my son on the other side of the reception area, watching the car race on the big tv. “Did my husband asked for another drink?”, I asked. “No, no”! The staff said, “it’s for your son.”

She lay down on the round table the tray with a glass of hot milk with three small plates, our son can choose from the three: white chocolate, brown chocolate, or pure chocolate for his warm chocolate drink. 

My husband left us to meet the troubleshooter who was already in our car. While I was still mixing  my son’s drink, my husband hurriedly back and said we can go home now! 

I pick up my bag, wear my jacket, and grabbed my son who still engrossed watching the car race. I went to the reception, asking them if I need to pay the drink, looks so special to be taken for granted. They all smiling and said, “no”! I thank them for their warm hospitality even we’re not a check in guests. I was not able to document the kindness through photos because they also let me charged my phone on their desk with their charger while we’re waiting. 

As we walked back to the car, I am glad I took a snap shot of just anything in front of the hotel, for me to keep, to remind me that once, this five star hotel gave us a very warm reception, that sincerity is like a cymbal to make them deserving of the said title. The memory remains poignant to me.

Life Change

As I am writing this, my heart pounding for my new found best friend, one friend who never left me  from the day that my beloved father passed away to this moment on...

 Looking back, reflecting of my old life asking where would I be if I did not find the true God,

where would I be if the true love never found me.

Life-changing moment caught me by surprise, 

pushing and pulling me to the place where I never want to be stuck. 

Life-changing moment helps us to realized  the vanity of quantity than the quality. 

Life-changing moment opens our eyes to seek help, to reach out, and hold fast the warmth of a helping hand.

Life-changing moment sprout one true friend, so real with a love that can see you through, persistent to comfort you.

Someone who will knock on your door, ring your phone,

When you are helpless, senseless, hopeless, depress, or breathless. 

Life-changing moment can be a break-through

For us not to beg for love, don’t  force to be loved.

Life changing moment will lead us to people who see the goodness in our heart when we think we are about to have self-condemned. 

Life changing moment will reset out mind, not to worry with who we are or what we are. 

There is no good in apologising how we are made, how we are mold based on what we learned or by upbringing.

The tea just remains tea and it never apologise for not being a coffee.

What lies ahead is life and death and just yourself.

The Car and Taxi In The Godfather, The Customized Cadillac of Elvis Presley, and The Sedan Chair 1750. Our Family Tour at Louman Museum

Seeing many cars is a normal experience you have when you live in the city. In the Philippines, I can see many cars on the highway, such as in Edsa, in Ayala, or even in Manila. But seeing many luxurious cars, from 1700’s onward to modern times is quite an experience. I'm referring to our recent visit to the Louwman Museum in The Hague.

This is worth of your visit... Especially if you love cars.

Our family arrived at the museum before lunchtime. As you enter the building, your face will gleam how huge the entry hall, as you see the shining purple American car just as you enter the grand hall, your mind starts to guess… what’s next? We arrived there before noon. 

my husband and son, the garden is royalty

the grand hall, ground floor

the oldest Toyota, found in a farm in Russia

it's nostalgic, seeing this prestigious car as the same time, there is an old jukebox  nearby playing the unforgettable songs of Elvis Presley

This swan car is from India, used in the film

the Sedan Chair, 1750 The first no motor vehicle for the affluent society. As I am looking, I am imagining what if I am already alive during that period, am I one of the slaves carrying it, or I am the one who nonchalant sitting grand there? What a thought!

The entire world I think saw the film The Godfather. This is the gangster's taxi!

The first ever car in the museum, 1914. Before the museum was filled of rare collections.

An old gasoline pump, with the red me. 

I started by finding first the toilet. The public toilet is on the first floor, when I stepped out, my excitement accelerated, just on the other side is the vintage car as well as the taxi that was used in the classic film The Godfather. I calm down, I know we can get closer, I need to see first where my husband and son are now, I left them in the cloakroom.

I returned to the ground floor and they are waiting for me at the museum’s restaurant.  I’m all smiles, the setting, the background, even the floor seems a time machine, will bring you back in time, 1930’s? In London? 

The tour will start from the top to bottom. I Never feel so excited seeing cars or any vehicles as I felt that time. It was almost a whole day tour. 

The museum is not just about cars, what I found very compelling is the history behind each car. I made many photos, I cannot post them all, really, they are too many. I love to show only the cars that captured my heart, I carry them well in my memory. There is something bittersweet with them, Some of the photos I made maybe will let you feel why.

If you will ever come to visit the Netherlands, why not put Louman Museum among places you visit. I am sure you are going to enjoy the richness of the entire building. From Sedan chair, to chariots, to racing cars and luxury cars. And from there, I have also learned that the first electric car is the car of GrandMa Duck, the grand mother of Donald Duck! In all, the Louman Museum has 275 rare cars for you to see! 

with my favourite. A classic Pegasus shown in New York Car Show circa 1956

Something To Look Forward To On Friday

my plate every Friday 

 The weekend starts on Friday afternoon, it ends on Sunday afternoon. In the Netherlands, the weekend is something to look forward to. Be it with family, friends, time alone, or time to remember and to worship our Grand Creator. In most Dutch homes, weekend means being lazy, cozy. In our home, weekend means laid back, fast food on Friday night, game time, tv time. Have you ever heard the word frikandel? Uh! This is something that we look forward to on Friday! Our family is not much a consumer of fast foods. Not on Friday! Frikandel is one of the most likeable fast food among Dutch. It is a kind of sausage, my husband makes it more delicious by garnishing it with a mix of fresh shredded onions with catsup and mayonnaise, in short, the famous "frikandel special."

frikandel and fried shrimp

sla (fresh salad) the sla mixer is a gift from my dear friend

this makes "frikandel special"

cassava kropek

TGIF!

I have never seen frikandel in the Philippines, it’s the Purefoods tender juicy hotdog that both young and adult love there. Sometimes, I also buy them in the Filipino store in Rotterdam. We match frikandel with French fries, sometimes with chicken nuggets, my husband also includes our recent discovery, the cassava kropek! Real fast! Fast food! I cannot eat them without anything green, so I always prepare a fresh salad, I don't want to loss the word “healthy food”. For Nederlanders, fresh salad is sla. 

Any fresh leaves, usually it is rucola, with sliced tomatoes, cucumber, white cheese or feta is my version of sla. After the meal, my husband has cola, I drained them with oat milk. As I am writing this, I am thinking to search the origin of frikandel. The foods we eat are for me a rich blessings from God. There is always a good story behind every food we eat, as well as the rich culture that made that food known. How about you? What food made your country famous?

Shopping Story. Shopping With My Husband in Amazing Oriental

Cold, rainy. I got my purse, just my keys, my phone, my ATM, and the drugs that can calm me down when I have a panic attack. Two weeks now since I was diagnosed with panic attack. How it tremendously changed me as a person, as a mom, and even my happy lifestyle. For weeks my husband would be with me, that is what marriage vow, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.

I sit in the car, in cold hand, have a deep breath, I want to see how far can I go now, traveling, will I panic or not? 

approaching Euromast, Rotterdam

Rotterdam a fifteen minute drive from home, this time my husband took it slow. The clouds that I see as we approach the big, busy city were clear blue, even it cannot hide the wintry day. We are going to shop in the big Asian Store inside the famous Chinese Boat. The location is just in front of one of Rotterdam’s iconic towers, the Euromast. We shop at leisure, with my pleasure. 

I bought kangkong and gabi for my sinigang. I never see any gabi in any asian store in our small city. To my surprise, there is Durian, I just wonder why the big durian is in the freezer? Is still delicious even after frozen?

durian

I never tried tasting this they said stinky fruit from Mindanao! I made a photo just to amuse me. My husband bought one sack of jasmin/pandan rice. I also have a new walis tambo, a floor sweeper. The one I purchased from a vacation in the Philippines is now really bad and bald. 

with my new walis Tambo

My husband picks American potato chips, mine is Japanese! It's still unopened, waiting with a good cup of coffee or a warm chocolate. In our last round in the store, I also pick the pandan chiffon cake mix, will try baking than buying, a jar of Saba for Igado, I love to cook Igado as soon as I can, it brings back a memory of my beloved parents… lastly, I found a frozen kinayud na buko, that would be so great for my ever favourite buko salad and buko pandan.

I am so glad, we finished our shopping without feeling of panic. We went out the store, I took some photos, me and my new walis tambo. Driving back home, the weather turned colder, cloudier, and really foggy! This how the Dutch weather is, very unpredictable. I took my phone, steadying my hand, and glad that I made a few videos. As I look back, I am glad, I was able to move again, with some help, I can go out, to shop, to laugh, or to just breath with all my heart’s delight. 

the we of me

driving back home 

Happy for the day, later that evening, my panic attack strikes again.

I drink my medicine fast, I feel calm, drowsy, drifted into a long, tight sleep. I began to make up my mind, when I woke up, I finally decided I liked to write again! 

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