Irvin 's Photographs

Irvin, my youngest, loves to play with the camera - whether it's a phone cam or Erwin's Canon. Of course, Erwin would always get nervous if it's his Canon Irvin is playing with. Recently, Erwin has been trusting Irvin more with his camera. It's because Irvin seem to be really interested in taking photographs.

Here are some photos Irvin took during our last week's trip to Silang, Cavite. Most pictures he took while he was inside the car, while Erwin and I were going around shopping for plants.

Quesong Puti Meatball Lasagna

This recipe was inspired by Patsy’s meatball lasagna recipe which was featured on the Today's Show. Of course, I had to make do with the ingredients readily available.

Ingredients
Meatballs
1 kilo ground round
salt and pepper to taste
half a head of garlic, minced
2 eggs
oil for frying

Procedure
1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Form into small balls
3. Fry until brown
4. Set aside

Lasagna
1 Package of lasagna noodles
Marinara Sauce - home-cooked or store bought
5 packs of quesong puti - this is the local variety. Each pack has 2 slices.
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 cup of fresh spinach, coarsely chopped. Alugbati is a good substitute
5 leaves of fresh oregano
1/4 cup queso de bola, grated
1/2 cup grated quick melt cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure
1. Cook lasagna noodles - follow instructions on the packaging
2. In a separate bowl, mix quesong puti, sour cream, basil, spinach, oregano with some salt and pepper.
3. Layer as follows, starting from the bottom
- meat balls with marinara sauce and some grated quick melt cheese
- quesong puti mixture
- meat balls with marinara sauce and some grated quick melt cheese
- quesong puti mixture
4. Cover the 4th layer and top with the remaining grated quick melt cheese and queso de bola and a few meatballs.

NuWave Oven Baking Instructions
1. Cover the top with foil so as not to burn the cheeses.
2. Cook for 10 minutes under P50
3. Cook for another 10 minutes under PH1
4. Remove foil and cook for another 3 minutes under PH1, just to melt and brown the cheeses
5. Serve hot.

Bawai's - Another Cavite's Best

I first read about Bawai's on inquirer.net. The main reason why I got so curios is its location - Silang, Cavite. Until the discovery of Bawai's, we knew of Silang only because of its rows and rows of gardens along Aguinaldo Highway (which we also frequent by the way).

Last Friday night, Erwin had a craving for another breakfast in Tagaytay. We slept on the idea. The next morning, I decided to read again the inquirer.net article about Bawai's. I googled it too hoping to find its site or at least a review and I found Anton Diaz's July 2007 blog which did the final push to satisfy the Tagaytay breakfast craving.

It was one of the best, if not the best so far, breakfast experience. The food was awesome but the people behind it were exceptional. From the very warm welcome we got from Mr. Ver Tatlonghari at the garden, the privilege of meeting Bawai (Mrs. Tatlonghari) and Paul (this is actually just an assumption because we were not formally introduced but I'm very sure he's the one mentioned on the inquirer article and one of the children because he looks so much like Bawai), and the very accommodating staff.

Mr. Tatlonghari gave us a quick introduction of the restaurant and even provided us with reading materials. As he gave us the menu he warned us that they didn't have any specific breakfast menu and all dishes are authentic Vietnamese cuisines. In case we didn't like anything, he said it's ok if we decide to leave but he would give us coffee first. So nice. Of course, we decided to stay.

Decisions... decisions... decisions... If only we could try everything in one meal.

The complimentary tea to warm our tummies as we decide what to order.

Pho Bo (P195). Not so spicy but enough to keep you warm.

Bung Bo Hue (P195). Like beef mami but way way better. The fresh vegetables, herbs, lime, and noodles give this dish it's character.

Cha Gio (P130). Irvin is a lumpia lover and he specifically ordered this dish. He loved it!

Goi Cuon (P145). Very refreshing! Light, crunchy and tasty.

Ca Phe Sua Nong (P45). Brewed Coffee with sweet milk.

Ban Da Lon. I don't think I will be able to describe how this dessert tastes like. All I can say is it's a perfect finale for a wonderful meal.

The interior was straightforward and elegant.

The view outside was also refreshing.

Teaching Irvin how to use the chopsticks.

Irvin has not stopped telling his Kuya Ren (who decided not to come with us because he made other plans) how delicious his breakfast was. He hasn't stopped asking us also when are we going back. That would be soon, definitely!