EASY TRIP... FOOD TRIP... at Pangasinan and Tarlac!

My journey to the Crater of Mount Pinatubo and the Hundred Islands in Luzon has given the flavorful chance to savor the different taste of the usual food and delicacies I usually eat in my hometown Davao - food such as my favorite pinakbet and pancit that is on my weekly usual plate that oftentimes I get used of its taste. Having traveled to different places, trying every food from my usual plate becomes one of the most anticipated parts of my travel.Simply because some of these usual foods I eat may vary its taste, its presentation and of course it mouthwatering flavor when cooked or prepared from different places.

Everybody loves to eat especially when in a very exciting travel. Food maybe the same or merely usual but surely it tastes differently good and unique. Just the ones I had on this trip.

PHOTOS are taken from our way to Alaminos, Pangasinan via the North Luzon Express Way then to Dagupan, Pangasinan and to Tarlac City in the Provonce of Tarlac. Special thanks to the NIA Office in Tarlac City for providing us a very good shelter for the night and of course for the mouthwatering dinner and breakfast we can never forget.

 BIBINGKINITAN

 

R. LAPID'S CHICHARON

LONGGANISANG ALAMINOS

 EMBUTIDONG PANGASINAN

 LECHON MANOK ALA DAGUPAN

 GRILLED DAGUPANG BANGUS

DININGDING

PANCIT BIHON

SINAMPALOKANG DANGGIT

TOCINO TARLAKENIO

 

CHICKEN PORK ADOBO

FRIED FIESTA RICE

BUTTERED SCRAMBLED EGG

 THE YUMMY BREAKFAST IN TARLAC CITY

(Prepared and sponsored by National Irrigation Office of Tarlac City)

HOT COFFEE FOR BREAKFAST

(Thank you NIA Tarlac for the all these delectable breakfast)

Together with my RTours Friends from Davao City, that is our delectable FOOD TRIP straight from Pangasinan and Tarlac from our plate to yours.

MY YUMMY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I just turned another yummy year older on Valentines Day. Yes, I was born on the day of hearts - a certified Valentine Birthday Baby. And since it is a very Special Day celebrated around the globe, I celebrate mine in a very simple yet meaningful way. I never like lavish parties - the simpler, the better. So, just like the previous years, I hosted a very simple dinner for some few friends. For this year, I prepared smple yet delectable dishes that I know had delighted my few guests.  Together with my good buddy Phillip Pescones, a very good Cook and a Chef in the making, here are the dishes prepared and served on this special day.

 

HUMBA ALA POLDANG

By: OLAN

(I learned this from my Mama Poldang - that's why I called it Humba Ala Poldang. Back in our hometown Cateel, we used to own a restaurant where my Mom was the Main Cook. I love her food and style. I used to watch her cook at the kitchen. In our family, they say I got my cooking skills/taste from her.)

JUICY BATTERED CHICKEN

By: OLAN

(One of my favorite recipes. The marination is done overnight with my secret special marinade. I tell you, this is really good.)  

PANCIT BIHON IN OYSTER SAUCE

By: OLAN

(This is what I learned from trying every Pansiteria in town and other places I visit. I love pansit. I am addicted to it. Some of my friends knew that aside from Pinakbet, PANSIT is on the top of my list. Pancit Bihon in Oyster Sauce is also one of my favorite dishes to prepare. Simple yet delectable.) 

 

 LAING

By: Phillip Pescones

(Specialties from the Bicol Region are truly one Philippine's tastiest. LAING for sure is one of those. Thank you Phillip for preparing this dish. Everyone liked it.)

 PORK RIBS AND BEANS

By: Phillip Pescones

(This is just so mouthwatering. I always love the heavenly taste of pork and beans. With Phillip's very tender Pork Ribs and Beans, it made me crave for more. I know my guests would agree with me.)

With the presence of my friends and loved ones feasting over these blessings, these among others made my Birthday, a yummy happy Birthday!

VALENTINE BIRTHDAY CAKE FROM GOLDILOCKS

Given by my Rtour Friends

I want to thank everyone who send their well wishes and greetings on my birthday.

Maraming salamat. Salamatay Gayud. Daghang Salamat. Arigatoo Gozaimasu. Muchas Gracias. Merci. Thank you very much!

This is OLAN, your Food Cruiser, sharing "My Yummy Happy Birthday" from my plate to yours.

LONGGANISANG ALAMINOS

The City of Alaminos in the Province of Panganisan is the home of the world renowed Hundred Islands National Park. Along with friends at RTours, my recent weekend trip to the city does not only take me to the Hundred Islands but also to experience another tummy treat that I certainly concluded "Tatak Alaminos".

PRESENTING

Longganisang Alaminos

 

The Philippines is amongst the few countries known for tasty and savoury Longaniza - these are version of sausages flavoured with indigenous spices and condiments stuffed inside pig intestines as casing. Each region has its own specialty. Some are garlicky flavoured, others are salty and soury. Some are distinctive sweet taste.

 

Longganisas of Alaminos, Pangasinan are certainly unique. Unlike others, Longganisa Alaminos are prepared distinctively by dividing each piece using toothpicks. It has six pieces in every length. They also use buli grass string for hanging. As of the taste, Longganisa Alaminos is garlicky delectable and sourly sweet - just too perfect for a much needed breakfast.

So when in Alaminos, Pangasinan, never leave the city without trying their famous Longganisa Alaminos. Just too delicious to miss out.

This OLAN, your Food Cruiser, sharing LONGGANISANG ALAMINOS from my plate to yours.

BRUNEI: Home of Nasi Katok

My trip to the Sultanate of Brunei brought me a lot of new discoveries – the oil, which the country is very rich of; the elegant and grandest mosques, which the country take pride of; the Sultan, himself, whom the people adored and loved most; and delicious foods you can only find in BRUNEI.

PRESENTING:

NASI KATOK

One of Brunei's somewhat distinctive food is the Nasi Katok. Actually,the food itself is not unique but the way is cooked and served made it only one of its kind. Nasi Katok is rice with a hot spicy gravy called sambal, a piece of fried crispy chicken wrapped in a special paper wrapper. It costs around one Brunei Dollar ( Php 34.00) for a small packet. There are plenty of Nasi Katok food stalls scattered in the main Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's Capital. It becomes Brunei's signature street food every visitor/tourist should try.

The ones I got were from a food cart stationed outside the grand Yayasan Shopping Complex, just adjacent to the spectacular  Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque.

 The Yayasan Shopping Complex and the Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.

 Nasi Katok Food Stalls at the Yayasan Shopping Complex.

 This is where i got my first Nasi Katok experience.

Feeling so delighted from its good taste, I asked the literal meaning of NASI KATOK from the Food Vendor. In Brnuei, “Katok” is derived from the Malay word "ketuk" which means "knock"; while the word “nasi” means rice. So literally, Nasi Katok means you have to knock to get your rice. Satisfied, I gave him a very cheerful smile as my way of appreciation for the answer he gave knowing he tried to explain it in his limited English. And I continued saying, "Can I knock your Food Stall now so I could get rice and chicken for free?". He looked at me instead and gave me a very contagious laugh

 NASI KATOK: a must try food trip in Brunei.

Brunei is known being one of the most expensive places to visit in Southeast Asia. So if you’re on a budget trip looking for inexpensive food to eat yet truly appetizing, NASI KATOK is just very right for you. But for sure, Brunei’s food experience is not just NASI KATOK. There are more to taste, more to experience and more to food cruise.

 Nasi Katok Food Store Outside Yayasan Shopping Complex.

This is OLAN, your food cruiser, sharing my Nasi Katok from my plate to yours!

YUYU CAFE: Tagum City's Little Charmer

My recent visit to the City of Tagum in Davao Del Norte brought me to one of the City's home grown Cafe -  YUYU CAFE AND DESSERT SHOP.

Yuyu Cafe and Dessert Shop is one of the newest additions to Tagum City's list of must try dining places where extravaganza of delectable desserts and various mouthwatering cuisines are conceptualized to meet one's discriminating taste.

Opened on July 8, 2010, Yuyu Cafe and Dessert Shop is managed and co-owned by the two equally lovely sisters Emerald Uy and Ciara Isabelle Uy, daughters of Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy. Chef Emerald Uy studied Culinary Arts  at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York, USA and got a Diploma in Pastry and Baking at At-Sunrice Globalchef Academy, Singapore. With her expertise, she takes charge of the kitchen and personally prepare almost everything to insure the quality of every food they serve.

Here Are Some Of Yuyu's Sweet Delights:

PRALINE

A layer of crispy hazelnut base, chocolate hazelnut mousse, chocolate chiffon, dark chocolate granache

 

CHOCOLATE TRIO

A layer of moist chocolate cake, dark and white chocolate mousse, chocolate fudge icing.

MANGO CHARLOTTE

lady finger sponge, mango campote and cream, cheese mousse

STRAWBERRY RED VELVET CAKE

(Available Soon at Yuyu)

 

THE MAIN COURSES

...the very tender juicy BABY BACK RIBS...

(My very favorite)

 

PIZZA 27

Ham, chorizo, bacon, beef and mozzarella.

CHICKEN PESTO PANINI

98pesos

  

SHRIMP AGLIO OLIO 

linguine. pan seared shrimps tossed in garlic, chili, tomatoes and spring onions.

140pesos.

FOR MY CHOICE OF COFFEE

 

 COFFEE LATTE

Just months of operation, YuYu Café, situated along the National Highway is making a name in the food business in Tagum City. Emerald Uy excitedly told me that YUYU CAFE AND DESSERT SHOP aims to make it prices affordable without sacrificing its quality. Indeed, coffee at Yuyu's is much cheaper than any other coffee shops in the City. Delectable cakes are sold less than a hundred bucks.

I am a chocolate cake fanatic. When i tasted Yuyu's, it didn't disappoint me. My favorite is the CHOCOLATE TRIO. And for the price of Php 95.00, surely, it is more than worth the price.

SO, when in Tagum City, do drop by YUYU Cafe and be charmed by their sweet delights. I experienced it once and surely I'll go back there and be delighted again.

This is OLAN, your food cruiser, sharing my YUYU CAFE AND DESSERT SHOP from my plate to yours!