HotRocks (Libis)

Bibi discovered this place when he went to Club 650 for a badminton game.  It seems after every badminton game, he and his gang troop to this place to replenish the calories they just lost.  Of course, he just has to bring me here :) 


Great food at reasonable prices is what one can find in HotRocks.  And if you want to eat the classic grilled innards with less worry, this is the place to be.  The steaks and the grilled Tuguegarao longganisa are really delicious too – too bad I do not have pictures.  Lastly, the dessert – the Jar of Monkey is a sweet ending to a sumptuous feast.  

The plates on the wall are filled with messages written by celebrities. Very entertaining to read while waiting for our orders. 

HotRocks

Club 650 E. Rodriguez, Jr. Avenue, Libis, Quezon City

Ba Noi's (Makati)

If you are craving for authentic Vietnamese food, Ba Noi's is the place to be! Two of Bibi's friends (who are now a couple!) brought us to this place.  It was just newly opened at that time.  We loved the food so much that we go here at least twice a month (when we were still Makati-based).  During those  times, we even got coupons for a free dish for our next visit.  This just made us frequent the place more!

Among our favorite orders are the Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) and Bo Lu Lac (stir-fried spiced beef served with fried basil and chilies on the side).  Here are the other must-try dishes:

Goi Buoi Tom Thit
Sweet pomelo and shrimp tossed in calamansi-sesame dressing surrounded by lobster cracker

Goi Cuon

Pork, shrimp and vermicelli attractively rolled in rice paper served with their famous peanut sauce

Ga Nuong

Grilled chicken in rich lemongrass marinade 

Ba Noi's, Greenbelt Mansions

G/F Greenbelt Mansions, Perea St., Legaspi Vill.

Makati City, Metro Manila

Philippines    

Kuting's Kitchen: French Toast with Caramelized Banana

Given my current condition, my cooking (mis)adventures will be put on hold.  Good thing our Yaya Emily is a very good cook so the execution of the featured recipes will be done by her.  The first of her many cooking challenges:

French Toast with Caramelized Banana
[source: easy everyday meals from the best of Good Housekeeping] 

In a saucepan, caramelize ½ cup sugar until light brown. Lower the heat and add 4tbsp of Magnolia Gold Butter.  Cook until bubbly. Add in 4 slices of banana.  Stir in ½ cup fruit juice (pineapple, orange or apple) and simmer until thick.  Set aside.  In a bowl, beat 2 eggs, 1/3 cup milk, dash of salt and ¼ tsp cinnamon.  Heat 2 tbsp Magnolia Gold Butter in a pan.  Dip 4 slices of bread in egg mixture.  Pan-fry until golden brown.  Serve topped with caramelized banana.  

Note:  Yaya Emily used muscovado sugar.  Instead of fruit juice, she used blended mango sauce (leftover from the mango crepe).  As for the bread, she used sliced "parasyon", one of the best-selling bread from my Nanay's bakery, "Masang Caviteno".

Verdict: Yum, yum.