Once Again, I have Cravings For Filipino Food

The food here at the Newton's Restaurant,THD is delicious and rated 5 Star. But eating the same dishes week after week becomes very boring sometimes.  I have resided here in the US since 1960 but with my Filipino ancestry and taste buds, my cravings for filipino dishes once in a while, I will consider a normal behavior.   

Thus after I moved here at THD, I did some Google search on the Filipino Food near me ( see reference below).

I found Imas Restaurant located in the Seafood City Compound in Concord to have the best-tasting Filipino Dishes. You can order it and have it delivered here at THD or you could drive to Imas (only 4.2 miles) in Concord. You can even order ahead for lechon if you are planning a Filipino Feast.

Alix and I admiring the Lechon ( roasted Pig Suckling) during Her Wedding Reception last September

Here's a list of Filipino Restaurant Near THD, Walnut Creek, Ca.  Bon Apetit!

filipino food near me

Filipino cuisine has developed from the different cultures that shaped its history; it is like other Southeast Asian cuisines but with heavy Spanish influence. Some ingredients of the Mexican cuisine, such as corn, tomato and chili, have also found their way to the Philippines.

Though its cuisine is not as renowned as many of its neighbours, such as that of Thailand and Vietnam, Filipino cooking is nonetheless distinct in that it is possibly the least spicy of all South East Asian cuisines.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that Filipino food is bland, though. It is just that instead of spices, Filipino food depends more on garlic, onions and ginger to add flavor to the dishes. Painstaking preparation and prolonged cooking time is also a characteristic of most Filipino dishes, and when done properly is often what brings out the flavor of the food, as opposed to a healthy dose of spices.

With over 7,500 islands, the cuisine of the Philippines is rather a mish-mash of hundreds of local, regional, and ethnic cuisines, and without any qualifiers, you would often think of ubiquitous dishes such as adobo, sinigang, lechon,and Filipino-Chinese dishes.

Thus, Filipino cuisine is a mesh between Chinese, Mexican, Malay, Spanish, Indian, and American cooking.

Another non-Filipino dish I missed is the Mexican Chili Rellenos. 

Chile rellenos (or ‘stuffed peppers‘ in English) are a traditional Mexican dish made from roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, then coated in a fluffy egg batter and fried until golden brown.

They’re sometimes served with a simple red or green salsa, or even wrapped in a tortilla with refried beans to make chile relleno burritos.

Photo Credit: FoodFanatic.com

Good News: I talked to Agustin, our Chef the other day. He informed me he has not forgotten my request for him to cook Chili Relleno Casserole in the future. He assured me we will have Chili Relleno Casserole in the near future.   

Newton's did have Chili Relleno Casserole in our Dinner Menu under the Vegetarian Section for the whole last week of January. Thanks, again Agustin for the delicious Chili Relleno Casserole.   

Cravings For Pigs Feet/Hocks Adobo or Humba!

Is Avocado a Fruit or a Vegetable?

Some of My Avocado Harvests from My Fruit Orchard Chateau Du Mer, Philippines 

When I was growing up in the Philippines my favorite ice cream is Avocado Ice cream.  I also enjoyed smashed avocado in condensed milk. So in the Philippines it is considered a Fruit.

However, when I moved to the US in 1960, I have Avocado in My Fish Taco and my Green Salad, so it is a Vegetable here in the US.     

So the Answer the Question is Avocado a Fruit or Vegetable, Read the following.

https://www.rd.com/article/is-avocado-a-fruit-or-vegetable/

You may be surprise of the answer. It is Both! 

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of avocados and other popular Fruits in the Philippines. 

 https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/11/some-of-most-popular-fruits-of.html

I have also an avocado plant in a pot now inside my apartment here at THD, but it will moved outside to my patio next Spring.

Here are other photos of avocados in my photo collection

Sprouting Avocado from Commercial Seed- Indoor in Fair Oaks, in my Kitchen Window

 

My Potted Avocado Plant in my bedroom here at THD

My Potted Avocado Plant In My Patio Here at THD 

Meanwhile enjoy Chinese New Year Here at THD

The Chinese Lunar Year Parade in SFO China Town will be tomorrow. Have you personally attended  an event similar to this Celebration?    

Final Note: A Resident told me "I like Avocado and I really don't care whether it is a fruit or vegetable". Can you write on a more serious subjects similar to your previous blogs about THD( suggestions for improvement) or is Biden too old to be President or Skin Hunger and other senior citizens issues.  I do enjoy reading your blogs, though and I am a loyal reader." 

My Response: I write on any subject that comes to my mind except on sex and religion and rarely on politics. 

Another Resident Reader: I do not like Avocado, It has no taste. 

I responded, Have you tasted Avocado ice cream or milk shake?   

U.S. annual avocado consumption 1985-2022That number has increased six-fold to over 2.7 billion pounds of the berry being consumed by Americans in 2022. Per capita consumption has increased from 2 pounds in 2001 to over 9 pounds in 2022.

Lastly, Here's my Quote of the Day: "The mind is its own place, and in itself.  Can make a heaven of hell,  and a hell of heaven"- John Milton, 1606-1674,  English Poet

Recipe for Chicken Adobo-Philippine National Dish

Use Chicken thighs, but you can use any cuts that you like. Breast is healthiest, but the most common is chicken wings!

• Brown your chicken on both sides on your pan using any cooking oil, then remove and set aside

• Using the same pan, sauté garlic and onion on High heat until fragrant

• Return chicken onto pan, add your soy sauce, vinegar, water, salt, brown sugar, and pepper—Optional: Bay leaves and Sprite

• Cover with lid and leave it on Low-Medium Heat to simmer for 30-45 minutes. Check once in a while. When the meat is fork tender, it is ready.

I used to be afraid to use vinegar, but now I use a little more of it. I was taught 1:1:1 ratio of Soy Sauce:Vinegar:Water in school in the Philippines, but I like the taste of 1:0.5:0.5 better!! I only add 1-2 Bay Leaves and cut each in half, but depends on how I feel that day!

The above simple recipe I found in my Face Book page(by Tracy Cang Tam). It is very similar to my own recipe. This posting is inspired by the numerous positive reactions I received when this dish was featured here at Newton's Restaurant ( The Heritage Downtown), Walnut Creek during the celebration of Filipino American History Month last  October.  For details visit:

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/filipino-dinner-will-be-in-menu.html

For other Filipino Recipes read this site:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/posts/5945785151073188166?hl=en

Meanwhile enjoy this recent photos I took at dinner time here at THD with new resident Jay Pollack, and with other older residents.  I was assigned to be Jay's Greeter two weeks ago and really enjoyed this activity very much. My next Greeter assignment will be on February 8, when John and Carol Larimore will move here at THD.

Jay Pollack

Marsha Kefer 

Ed Hoffmann

Patty Healy

My Grilled Salmon-Trout Dinner with rice and asparagus

     Dean Elias

Battle of the Vineyards-THD Educational Activity

Yesterday afternoon, another THD activity enjoyed by its residents was the Wine Tasting & Educational Series sponsored by Vino Las Vegas Wine Club( see photo above). It was hosted by Scott and Elaine.   

We tasted four wines. Two whites, one rose and one red California Grown or World Import.  At the end of the tasting, we have to guess which of the white wines are from California. For the Non-California wine, we have to guess what country was the origin of the wine. Ninety(90%) percent of the attendees guessed the California wine, but no one guess the country of origin of the imported wine, which happens to be from Spain. My guess was from New Zealand.  Other guesses were from Georgia, Australia, Portugal, Austria  and France.  Here are some photos I took during the wine tasting event.   

Here are photos from the FaceBook of THD-Photo Credits- Jenny Shively

Ed Hoffmann, Winner Of Gift Lottery with Girl Friend Patty Healy

Chili Relleno Casserole in Our Dinner Menu This Week

In this week dinner menu ( January 22-27, 2024), (photo above) is listed in one of the vegetarian dishes, one of my favorite Mexican dishes- chili relleno casserole. Thank you Agustin for honoring my request. Agustin is our Chef here at Newton's Restaurant.  

 It was delicious and a little bit spicy, but I love it. So as a warning if you do not like spicy food, the chili relleno casserole is not for you. However, if you have an adventurous palate and like Mexican dishes try it this week. 

Here's the recipe in case you want to prepare it yourself. https://bellyfull.net/chili-relleno-casserole/

Prior to my move here at THD last year in June, my Mexican-American Housekeeper prepared the dish as my farewell Dinner. Here's the photo of her dish.

Here's the recipe that she used: https://houseofnasheats.com/chili-relleno-casserole/

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of Batman and Robin, my two pets and companions here at THD

Speaking of Mexican Food, I asked Agustin, if he knows of a Mexican restaurant who makes the best Chili Relleno near THD. He recommended Tortilleria El Molino located at 1500 Monument Blvd in Concord. They sell Chili Relleno only on Fridays for a reasonable price compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area.  Here's the menu of El Molino.

http://www.tortillaselmolino.com/Assets/menu.pdf

Delicious Japanese Lunch at Oishi Sushi and Grill Restaurant

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/01/delicious-lunch-at-oishi-sushi-and.html

Cravings for Coconut Crabs- Taste of Japan Dinner Menu

https://whyretireinthephilippines.blogspot.com/2024/01/i-have-cravings-for-coconut-crabs-taste.html