Learning Something New Today- Lechon with Cacti Leaves

I learned something new today. This is from the Facebook Page of Kyle ( Becoming Filipino). I am happy to share it with you. I have enjoyed Lechon for many decades, but this is the first time I heard it cooked with Cactus Leaves. Attached is an article from the FaceBook, Becoming Filipino.

https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingFilipino

CACTUS STUFFED LECHON! What an awesome spontaneous find here in Bangued, Abra...

It was morning, and I happened to walk past a vendor selling this classic Filipino roasted pig. It was then I heard:

"Lechon sir?"

After a second of hesitation... I realized I'd never tried lechon in Abra before. So why not!? I asked for 1/4kg. As Manong went to work chopping it up, I noticed there was a whole lot of green bits coming out from the meat. Turns out, it was a local cactus called "Karimbuaya".

Cactus leaves stuffed into lechon?

Yes! And does it ever add amazing flavor! You do not need any sauce whatsoever with this lechon... I can't quite describe the taste of the karimbuaya, but it has a slight "green oniony salty twang" to it. I couldn't stop eating it! I wanted karimbuaya on every bite of the lechon... it was that good!

This could very well be one of the top ten lechons I have ever tasted! It was called "Jlens Lechon", cooked by Manong and Manang. My new goal later this year?

Have a karimbuaya lechon hangout in Abra. Seriously, it is like a secret weapon for seasoning! I actually saw the plant outside a house... it seems to just grow in different areas of this Province?

Karimbuaya Cactus Plant

Thank You, Kulas for enlightening me of the various ways to taste/cook lechon. This is an example of the saying, "You are never too old to learn something new".

Meanwhile, here's my quote for the Day

Lastly, I planning to indulge myself with these two dishes this weekend via Door Dash

Filipino Food is Fifteen Minutes Away from My Front Door

I renewed my DoorDash membership last month. I can order any ethnic foods and preferably my favorite Pinoy dishes any time. Last Sunday, I ordered Dungeness Crab in Garlic Butter from Crab Boil & Things in Concord. 

Yesterday, I ordered Lechon Belly and Turon from Imas Kitchen also in Concord ( see photo above). I have to pay a distance fee, since these restaurants are not in Walnut Creek. The Distance fee is reasonable. However I usually add a reasonable tip for the delivery person.  I ordered food usually on Sunday's when THD Newton's Restaurant is closed.     

There are several restaurants in Concord and other East Bay areas, where I could order Filipino Food. It is a shame that Walnut Creek has no Filipino restaurant.  Here are the restaurants where you could order Filipino dishes and is serviced by DoorDash. 

Goldilocks, Isla Restaurant, Isla Grand Restaurant, Oriental Food Market, Grill City, Imas, Chow King, Mama's Lumpia, and Red Ribbon Bakeshop.  Most of these restaurants are located at the Sea Food City Mall in Concord. Sea Food City Mall is just across the Veranda Shopping Mall. 

The above restaurants are good for To Go Orders. If you need more ambience, Try the FOB Philippine Restaurant in the Temescal District of Oakland.  Last year I organized a THD Lunch Excursion. It was a gastronomic delight. I am hoping that this year THD may be able to organize a repeat lunch excursion at FOB in the next few months or so. 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/06/lunch-at-fob-kitchen-gastronomic-delight.html

Meanwhile,  I made the left-over lechon from lunch into paksiw that I eat for Dinner with Steam rice. Here's the recipe for lechon-paksiw. 

https://www.foxyfolksy.com/lechon-paksiw/ 

 Lastly, here is a map of Europe's Culinary Horror, 2013

However, I love tripe soup, blood pudding, liver paste, Pressed Ducks and Frog Legs and Dressed Herring. How about you? Do you have an adventurous palate ? Or are you just a plain meat and potato person?  Most people are!!!       

Gordon Ramsay on Filipino Food

World-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay thrilled Filipino food enthusiasts during his visit to Manila on January 20, 2025, where he announced plans to open three new restaurants in the Philippines.

Speaking to a full house of industry leaders and culinary students, Ramsay expressed deep admiration for the country, calling it the “Sleeping Beauty of Asia” when it comes to cuisine. He also declared that Filipino food is the next big thing poised to captivate the world's palate.

"Maybe a Hell’s Kitchen restaurant as well. So, so exciting," Ramsay teased, hinting at one of the possible concepts in the works.

When asked about his favorite Filipino dish, the Michelin-starred chef didn’t hesitate to say, “Sisig Tacos".

This announcement has sparked excitement among Filipinos, who eagerly await the arrival of Ramsay’s culinary expertise in Manila’s dynamic food scene.

Gordon Ramsay is one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, with a career spanning over three decades. Born on November 8, 1966, in Scotland, he initially pursued a career in professional football before an injury led him to the kitchen. Ramsay trained under legendary chefs like Marco Pierre White and Guy Savoy, eventually earning his own Michelin stars. Today, he boasts an impressive 17 Michelin stars across his restaurants, making him a global culinary icon.

Known for his fiery personality and perfectionism, Ramsay rose to international fame through hit TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef, and Kitchen Nightmares. His sharp critiques and passion for excellence have inspired chefs worldwide to push their boundaries and strive for greatness.

Interesting facts about Gordon Ramsay:

- He holds the prestigious title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to the hospitality industry.

- Ramsay is a marathon runner and has completed multiple Ironman triathlons.

- Despite his tough exterior, he’s a family man with five children and is deeply involved in charity work.

- He is known for his love of Filipino food, especially adobo, which he praised during his previous visits to the country.

Ramsay’s presence in the Philippines is not just about expanding his restaurants but also about sharing his culinary philosophy and inspiring the next generation of chefs. His commitment to quality and innovation continues to make him one of the most respected figures in the culinary world.

For Details visit the following sites:

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/gordon-ramsay-filipino-cuisine-sleeping-beauty-asia-waking-up/

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/20/exclusive-gordon-ramsay-talks-filipino-cuisine-comfort-food-and-global-trends?fbclid=IwY2xjawH-EeBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXOUkV-ccFf2e8wsfRS2gXQdVka5YyJd7NtDwPhfqeHTB2daaW4kJnW2lw_aem_97NSXdMbXzHyj6lQ8lxSnw

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/1/21/gordon-ramsay-shares-the-key-ingredient-to-his-culinary-success-1645

Meanwhile, here's the latest photo of my 2 room mates, Batman & Robin

Lastly, here are some photos I took at our Annual Lobster Lunch at the WC Yacht Club Sea Food Restaurant, yesterday!

The Main Lobster, French Fries and Coles Slaw were a Gastronomic Delight!!!

Personal Note: To THD Movie Goers, Here's review of Our Movie Tonite-Widow Clicqout

ihttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/widow-clicquot-film-review-2024

The Annual Lobster Lunch at the WC Yacht Club Sea Food Restaurant

Our Annual Lobster Lunch sponsored by the Walnut Creek Yacht Club Sea Food Restaurant is scheduled for this coming Saturday, Jan 25. It is fully booked with several names in the waiting list.  The prepaid price of $35 is discounted as a thank you and gift to THD residents from the Sweinberg Family that own and manage the restaurant.  The Sweinberg parents used to be Residents of THD.  They also sponsored the annual Corn Hole Tournament for THD residents during summer. 

Speaking of a $35 lobster lunch. I had a Lobster Dinner last Thursday with my son, Dodie at East Ocean Sea Food Restaurant at the Ignacio Plaza. It cost me twice as much, so the $35 prepaid price at WC Yacht Club is indeed a bargain.  Besides the Lobster, we had Calamari and Hot and Sour Soup. 

Dodie and I had Dinner at East Ocean last Thursday night. We were surprise to see John and Carol Larimore came at the restaurant. We were almost finished with our dinner, when the Larimores came in. However, we had a few minutes to chat and a photo shoot with them prior to our departure. Here are some photos of our lobster and Calamari Dinner and with the Larimore on our way out. Notice the to GO bag on the table-it's my snack time of the left from our dinner.  

     Whole Main Lobster in Scallion and Ginger Sauce

The Lobster in Ginger and Scallion  sauce was delicious. The Calamari was plentiful, a little bit hard for my teeth but was very tasty.  Price Range is a little bit on the High Side compared to nearby Chinese Restaurants.   

Meanwhile, here's the most recent review of the East Ocean Sea Food Restaurant. The range from

 4 to 5 stars.

1. SUPER happy East Ocean has my mom's favorite dish: Bitter Melon Beef! We also ordered BBQ Pork Fried Rice, a family favorite. Everything we ordered was delicious! "ding ho".

2. Just had a Doordash dinner order delivered from East Ocean. I have found my go-to place for dry beef chow fun -- finally! East Ocean does it right with plenty of rice noodles and the flavor is spot on. (Too many other places give you too much bean sprouts and not enough noodles). The tofu and vegetables and the radish cakes are executed quite nicely, too. Great meal -- thank you East Ocean! Everything we have tried so far has been fantastic.

3. In general, the food was pretty good and the portion was decent, but the price point was to me a little higher than what I'm used to when it comes to Chinese food. But below is my review of two items that we ordered: Fried Chicken in Garlic Sauce: very delicious, and the flavor profile reminded me a lot of Korean style sweet soy fried chicken. I especially loved how thin the breading was on the chicken, and how tender and moist the chicken pieces were. It was like an elevated version of general tso's chicken. While the portion was pretty generous, the price point to me was really high at $19. Honey Pepper Angus Ribeye Beef: tender beef chunks in savory sauce, loaded with veggies including peppers and onions. While no doubt that this dish was good, I am not convinced that it was worth paying $25 for. I would probably not order this again, and instead try their other beef dishes priced lower to get a sense of comparison.

4. Been here a few times. The food is always great but is a little more on the expensive side compared to their Alameda location. I had to crispy pork belly and soy sauce chow mein. The Sui Mai here is good as well.

5. Same owners as the Alameda East Ocean. One person in our group preferred to eat outdoors so a large table was setup for us. I was very surprised that the restaurant did not have a line at opening like most dim sum restaurants in the Bay Area. The indoors was small but over time it seemed to fill up more. The selection of dim sum was much smaller than what I was used to. Ha gow and siu mai were good. The pork buns and chicken buns were decent but I would've liked to have seen more meat. The salt and pepper calamari was amazing like in Alameda. The pork belly was very fatty but tasty. Fried meat dumplings (hom suey gok) and fried bean paste (gin duey) we're good. Turnip cakes were great. Service was very attentive for our large group. Maybe for the Walnut Creek area, the menu was sufficient but I like more variety. The food and service of what we had were good!

https://east-ocean-seafood-restaurant.restaurants-world.com/#google_vignette

Meanwhile, Last Sunday, I had a cravings for Tempura. Thanks to DoorDash, my Tempura cravings was  satiated by Hakashi Sushi. It was delivered right in my front door within 15 after I ordered it on-line. 

 Lastly, Did you know?

Sultan Kudarat of Mindanao was a powerful leader who managed to keep the Spanish at bay for decades. He formed alliances with other Muslim sultans and waged a series of successful guerrilla campaigns. Kudarat led one of the longest resistance movements against the Spanish.

His ability to unite the Muslim sultans and his strong military tactics kept much of Mindanao free from Spanish rule for over 30 years.

Spanish Influence on Filipino Cuisine- Sea Food Paella

The other day, I had cravings for Dungeness crabs. Today my Cravings is for Seafood Paella. This dish was served in Newtons during one of Our Sunday Brunch, when the former Sous Chef Alberto Alvarez was still working here. It replaced the weekly Baked Salmon Dish. Hopefully with a new Sous Chef coming on January 20, we will have Seafood Paella in our Brunch Menu. For recipe for Sea Food Paella.

 

https://www.themediterraneandish.com/easy-seafood-paella-recipe/

A notable example of a Filipino dish with Spanish influence is the paella (locally known as "bringhe"), a rice dish made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and a variety of meats and seafood.

Another example is lechon, a whole roasted pig that's a staple of festive gatherings. The Spanish also introduced churros, which became a popular sweet treat in the Philippines. 

Additionally, many Filipino desserts, such as leche flan and ensaymada, have strong Spanish origins. Leche flan is a variation of the Spanish flan, and ensaymada was inspired by the Spanish ensaimada pastry from the Balearic Islands.

Here's the site of my blog on my Favorite American and Filipino Dishes:

https://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/2023/12/thd-christmas-dinner-menu-and-filipino.html

Meanwhile, Did You Know That:

The closest country to the U.S. isn’t Canada—it’s Russia! At their closest point, the U.S. (Alaska) and Russia are only about 2.4 miles (3.8 km) apart across the Bering Strait.

The Diomede Islands in the Bering Strait mark the nearest point between the two countries. Little Diomede is part of Alaska, while Big Diomede belongs to Russia. During winter, the sea ice sometimes forms a natural bridge between the two islands, making it theoretically possible to walk between the U.S. and Russia.

Lastly, Last night with the Larimore's at East Ocean Sea Food Restaurant at Ignacio Plaza. What a surprise to see them. Did you have a Good Dinner? 

Three Excellent Places for Dim Sum in Walnut Creek, CA

This is my 20 months of residency here in the Heritage Downtown Walnut Creek.  There are three Dim Sum places nearby that I have been to.  I love Dim Sum, so the first time I have a chance to get out I dined at Dim Sum Places. These are the three that I have been to: 

1. Creek House at Parkside - Have been there 5 times during the last 20 months

https://www.creekhousedimsum.com/_files/ugd/055480_29a73c5ffb104517bb24f800e8f182eb.pdf

2. East Ocean Seafood at Ignacio Valley Rd- Have been there 3 times during the last 6 months

https://www.creekhousedimsum.com/_files/ugd/055480_29a73c5ffb104517bb24f800e8f182eb.pdfhttps://www.creekhousedimsum.com/_files/ugd/055480_29a73c5ffb104517bb24f800e8f182eb.pdf

3. Dumpling Hours at North Main ( Downtown)- My first time the other day with Ditas and Carenna

 https://www.yelp.com/biz/dumpling-hours-walnut-creek

The above three places are great for Dim Sum. Each restaurant has different vibes and slightly varied menu. My favorite dishes are the soup dumplings, pork buns, hot and sour soup and Fish with Black Bean Sauce.  I am attaching the websites and reviews of the three Dim Sum Places.  If you have been to any of these places let me know what you think of their Dim Sum offerings. 

At the Dumpling Hour: During Carenna and Ditas visit  ( Dec27),  I ordered their Scallion/Ginger Noodles, Soup Dumplings💚, Siomai and the Hot and Sour Soup, and the Flower Tea for Drink. It was excellent. 

At the Creek House Last Week: On  My Birthday ( Dec 20), Dodie, Ruth and I ordered their shrimp Siar Gao, egg rolls, hot and sour soup, pork spare ribs with black bean sauce, pork buns, sesame balls and egg custard.  It was delicious.  

At East Ocean: Two Months Ago: Dinah and I ordered: soup  pork dumplings, noodles, won ton soup, Sui mai and Shrimp/Crab Dumplings and Barbecue Pork Buns.  It was yummy!    

I have never been disappointed with the Food I have tasted in the above 3 restaurants. You can also order on line.  

Meanwhile,  The word dim sum comes from the Cantonese tim sam, "appetizer," or literally, "touch the heart." Definitions of dim sum( noun. traditional Chinese cuisine); a variety of foods (including several kinds of steamed or fried dumplings) that are served successively in small portions.

Here's an Excerpt from a Recent Review of the Dumpling Hours: 💚

"The star of the hour was the soup dumplings, and I feel this place certainly has their soup dumplings down. They even have fancy dumpling soup spoons that some places have nowadays, such as 88 Bao Bao, but I do feel the size of the dumplings here are on the larger side compared to other spots, and of course, the soup in there is just aplenty, and will need to eat with caution using your designated soup spoon. It was delicious!

Overall, Dumplings Hours is not a unique dumpling spot, as there's just so many of them here now in our area. However, I do feel they have one of the better soup dumplings out of the more than handful of places that you can get soup dumplings now in our area. The downside is that it's in the downtown area, not that I don't like the downtown area, but it just difficult to find parking at peak hours, and traffic is not going to be great. Additionally, the adjusted pricing to account for this area also does it no favors. But hey, beggars can't be choosers, and if you're in this area and in the mood for some soup dumplings, hit up Dumpling Hours".

• Finally,  Here's the list of other (# 4-9)  Dim Sum Places in the Walnut Creek Area. I have been also to Dumpling Time in San Ramon #9 (below). Their offerings are also delicious.  

  
  

  4. Peony Garden

  3.8 (462 reviews)

  $$Open until 9:30 PM

  “but surely won't be the last. Overall it is easily one of the best Dim Sumplaces I've been to...” more
• 

  5. Aberdeen Cafe

  4.3 (169 reviews)

  $$Open until 8:00 PM

  “Food is excellent, staff is really kind. Best dim sum, despite it being a small selection.” more
• 

  6. Yin Ji Chang Fen

  3.8 (99 reviews)

  $$Open until 8:30 PM

  “Not the best dim sum but a nice complement to the Chang Fen and Congee.” more
• 

  7. Dumpling and Noodle House

  4.5 (251 reviews)

  $$Open until 9:00 PM

  “My bf and I love getting dim sum, especially when they have the egg yolk buns for dessert on the...” more
• 

  8. 88 Bao Bao

  4.1 (164 reviews)

  $$Open until 9:00 PM

  “Love this place, great dim sum and the food is made as you are ordering.” more
• 

  9. Dumpling Time

  3.7 (523 reviews)

  $$Open until 9:00 PM

  • Live wait time: 0 mins

  
  

  
  

  But my best Dim Sum Experience the last 18 months was when Grand Daughter Alix-Katague-Quinn and new husband, Brendan Quinn treated me for Dim Sum during my last year's birthday at the HongKong Lounge Bistro near their apartment in Fremont St, San Francisco, Ca.    
  
  

  https://hkloungebistro.com/

  
  

  Lastly, Did you Know That----

  
  

  The Philippine Trench, one of the deepest parts of the ocean, reaches depths of about 10,540 meters (34,580 feet) in the Emden Deep.

  The trench is a result of the complex tectonic activity in the region where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate.

  Despite the extreme depths and pressures, unique and diverse marine life inhabits the trench, adapted to the harsh conditions.

  The Philippine Trench has been a significant site for deep-sea exploration, providing insights into geological processes and deep-sea ecosystems.

  To put it in perspective, the Philippine Trench is deeper than Mount Everest is tall, highlighting the vastness and mystery of the ocean's depths.