The search for the quintessential game

I have been looking around for a mahjong set since November last year, when I volunteered to host our family reunion last December. You see, my recollection of our family reunion during my childhood is one of great food, exchange of presents the games of bingo for kids and mahjong for the elders.
Mahjong is always played by four people and in our reunions it's usually our grandmother whom we fondly call Mama and her sister, who we all also call Ate', my dad and the fourth player could be any one of my dad's brothers or sisters.

I loved the sound of the tiles as they are moved around, I loved how the glossy the tiles looked when they are lined up and I particularly loved how the players would exchange friendly banter during a game. As an observer, it seemed like the game entailed a bit of concentration yet fun at the same time. Sort of like watching people play chess but with the players giggling and laughing with each other at the end of each game. There never was a sore loser, nor were hurtful words ever exchanged. After all, they played for coins and heck, the pot money was always given to Tita Lina in the end anyway.I guess I like mahjong because I always saw my dad smiling whenever he played, and he would only play at our family reunions.

I also remember how Mama' used to get dressed and tease her hair and put on lipstick in the midafternoon and her amiga (friend) Aling Chabeng would pick her up driving her Volkswagen Beetle and both of them would go to the home of their other friend to play. Mama would return a few hours after, often with Castanas that she lovingly shared with me, my brother and cousins. (Not quite sure how often that happened but the memory is vivid so I will insist that it happened often).

The thing is, I never learned how to play mahjong. My mind then until now, refuse to trigger it's pleasure sensors in any game that may involve losing precious coins. So I never learned how to play cards or mahjong or even roulette. I do not feel any thrill whatsoever whenever I put a coin in the slot machine. I liken car and horse racing to watching paint dry.

So there I was, trying to recreate the reunion we had in my younger days and it felt like it would not be complete without a game that I do not know how to play using tiles that I do not have but oh, I need to have one.

And so the search began.

I checked out websites and asked around and I learned that it is not as simple task to buy a mahjong set. There are a lot of considerations to take note of and a lot of decisions to be made.

For starters, they come in various sizes: small, medium, large and extra large depending on the size of the hand of the players. Of course, they also come in travel sizes so there are extra small tiles (how one can play at the airport or in the airplane is beyond me). There are various types depending on the characters: western (with numbers), chinese, japanese etc and variety of materials bamboo, plastic and of course one that Id like to think is no longer being sold: ivory. The cheaper kind are boxed in plastic. The more expensive ones come in wooden artsy boxes. Oh, and I learned that one should never borrow nor buy a used set so as not to inherit any misfortune or bad luck that can go with it.

Okay, given all that I decided that I want a medium, plastic, plain ivory color western mahjong set.

So now that I find myself in Hongkong and just after I declared to H that I shall not shop for anything extravagant, I thought: what better item to bring home than a set of tiles that can trigger pleasant memories?

A serious search was thus declared. I shall find me a mahjong set!

MrsA

Antipasto

A few weeks ago,in the midst of all the chaos in planning and packing for the big move, H announced his plans of flying me to Hongkong with him for a much needed R&R before he flies off to his business meetings in another continent. Needless to say, I was a giddy and excited mommy- HK is after all, one of my most favorite cities. H articulated our thoughts about the marvelous place very well this morning: 'HongKong is just like San Francisco- there are a lot of great places to eat'. This just shows you how H and I share the love for fine food such that all our vacations (maybe even all waking hours!) are highlighted with culinary adventures.

After checking-in we decided to take an early lunch. He was craving for thin crust pizza and was talking about it all throughout our plane ride. Luckily, we chanced upon an Italian restaurant called Antipasto near the corner of Jaffe and Stewart Roads in Wanchai.

We were greeted by a tall, pleasant man while a Filipina lady showed us to our table. The place oozed with confidence that you will find in successful joints: clean tables, simple yet sophisticated ambiance, nicely laid out dining area, friendly staff.

For starters, I ordered open faced grilled cheese and anchovies in french bread. It was heavenly. The bread was toasted to perfection, with the right amount of crust and tender, pillow-like center topped with flavorful cheese and a whole anchovy that gives it a kick. Perfection!

Main course was linguini with crab sauteed in capers and tomatoes. I cannot even put into words how much I loved it. All I can say is that I will order that again for lunch tomorrow and maybe everyday while we are here.

H ordered the more traditional mozarella, basil and tomato salad and it did not disappoint. The tomatoes are plump and juicy and they gave generous slices of cheese. Its an ode to a traditional fare. His main course was chicken parmigiano that they served with assorted roasted veggies. That too was an encouragement to go back to the place.

The gentleman and our server, the lady from the Philippines, were refreshing to come across with in a dining experience. Despite the craziness of having a full house with people waiting in line outside the resto, both were generous with pleasantries and great service; they exuded a level of enthusiasm that is hard to find in our busy world nowadays. They seem to like having us there and that added to the feeling of us liking to be there.

Over-all I give it five rolling pins out of five. Great food, awesome service and a lot of friendly smiles- its was a glorious lunch with the man I love in a the wonderful place that is HongKong. H didn't even miss the thin crust pizza he was craving for all morning.

MrsA

More binge baking/Marble cheesecake for Kevin

There is just too many things going on at the same time: We are leaving our rented space in two weeks so I have to find us a hotel or condo to stay in while we finalize the transactions for the house that we are moving in to. Of course, this entails a thousand phone calls to brokers and the bank people and the movers and the storage company. This also means countless hours planning and boxing up stuff and labeling etc. To top it all, in a few weeks school will start so I need to prepare the children's uniforms, books, school supplies etc. Oh, H will be in one of his business trips soon and he surprised me with a short holiday so we can spend time together and relax before the big move so I have to prepare for that too.

My constant phone pal nowadays is my brother Kevin, who patiently listens to me repeat to him the litany that I recite to H everyday: How some moving companies/storage companies/hotels/condotels charge ridiculously exorbitant fees, how I excited I am about the move, how we should organize things, how the dry weather affects my mood/skin/hair/sanity and some other random things. In our last phone call, we ended with him requesting (actually it was more like a demand from the brat) that I bake something nice for him and can I send not a morsel but a decent serving please?

H and Chy were also craving for cheesecake so I decided to make a huge batch. I made strawberry cheesecake for H and Chooch using regular graham cracker crumb crust and topping it with the most gorgeous fresh strawberries in the market that morning. I brushed the strawberries with mixed berry glaze and voila! A picture-perfect fresh strawberry cheesecake, no one can suspect that the crumbs was slightly burnt cuz I was packing instead of keeping an eye on it as it baked, haha.

For Kevin, I made chocolate marble cheesecake, using chocolate graham cracker crust. I had enough batter to make 3 more miniature ones so I can have Chy taste-test it before I send it off to Kev. The result was a pretty cake with the usual marbling and a lovely creamy texture that contrasted with the grainy graham cracker crust. Divine!

Of course I had to fish from Kevin if he liked it (Thankfully, the ungrateful brat said he did). I don't know which one I like more- baking something for my baby brother or the love and patience he shows me whenever I need to repeatedly express my nonsensical view of life and this world. All I know is, talking to my brother makes me happy and I was able to make him happy somehow this one time.

Oh wait, I got to call Kev and bore him to death about the difference between regular packing tape, masking tape and cellophane tape and how crazy expensive adhesive are nowadays!

MrsA

Bargain Find: A thirty year old rotary phone (that works!)

I passed by furniture shop last week and collaborated with them on how to transform the large,overly-masculine black couch that H owned circa BN (before N/before the heavens blessed him with me)to a piece that will somehow blend with how I envision our future home. After all the haggling, sketching and the final selection of the fabric to be used (Shhhhhhh........Don't tell H that I have decided not to use leather/leather-like material like he insists!), I chanced upon a thrift shop and decided to pass by and see if they have large cast iron pans (To understand the relevance of the pans, please check out my previous posts).

I looked around and asked and found nothing that resembled decent cookware. Oh, well. I turned to leave then suddenly something caught my attention; something that triggered memories of my childhood. Something totally cool and awesome that I decided to buy it even without testing it, just for the sheer pleasure of having one.

Now if you know me, I am NOT and will NEVER be an impulse shopper- no matter what H tells you. I have the emotional quotient of block of cheese. I will only buy practical,necessary stuff. Its true! I never buy on impulse.

But this one is different. Its whimsical and fun and cool and the damn thing works.

Okay, I take it back. I would have felt like a complete moron and would probably kick myself if it didn't work. But hey- its a great conversation piece and the kids tripped on how different old appliances were; It is thirty years old, works like a charm and cost almost nothing.....is that not reason enough to buy it?

Call me on my rotary phone soon, okay?
MrsA

PS: The photo of the rotary phone was taken in our kitchen (not at the store). I just thought that newer phones provided a good backdrop to my latest find and should emphasize the age of the contraption. The clutter is the writer's own.

On binge cooking and my first attempt at making ensaymadas.

It has been a very stressful week for me. We capped last weekend with H not feeling well, my woggy in tantrums and there has been a recent hurdle in getting the house of our dreams. On occasions in life that are trying, I somehow manage to be calm, collected and alert but my stresses somehow manifest in binge eating and lately, binge cooking and baking.

To keep myself busy today, I made the following for lunch: grilled sirloin burgers, mashed potatoes, grilled saba bananas (just shove the bananas in a turbo broiler), cut-sliced and served watermelon for a refreshing dessert. Not much huh? Add to that the following: Ginataang talangka with sigarilas, strawberry tarts (gone within the hour after I chilled it), Nora Daza's version of banana cream pie. I also made my favorite soup, which started out as my attempt to make seafood bisque but ended up as a glorious squash soup which I topped with cream and enjoyed with a few drops of balsamic vinegar. Then I bought, marinated and shaped more burgers which I prepared and placed in the freezer just in case H and the kids would like some tomorrow.


Oh, I also attempted to make ensaymadas :)

For the ensaymada recipe, I used three references: Nora Daza's cookbook, Market Manila's post on Hinayupac na Ensaimada and called my mom. The experience has been painless, quite exciting actually- as I somehow sense that I will be able to come up with a good batch. However, It has been a loooOooong process. In fact, I started a little after lunch (about 1 PM this afternoon) and I am still final proofing the swirled dough and about to bake when it decides to increase in volume. Its already 1:39AM Manila Time.

I do not understand why this dough is not cooperating with me; it was such a hot day so I was expecting the dough to rise faster than what the great Ms Nora Daza wrote in her cookbook. But it took more than 20 minutes for the dough to double in volume on the first and second and third phases and now after I rolled, spread the cheese, made swirls and placed the dough in the molds- I am still waiting for it to puff up, 1 hour after the prescribed 20 minutes. I could be doing something wrong- maybe I should have placed a kitchen towel over the dough? Perhaps I should have placed a thermometer to gauge the temp?

This is what makes cooking and baking very interesting for me. I describe it as a very good application of chemistry, physics and yes, psychology. I love the fact that its a very unpredictable process; one that has to be adjusted depending on the weather, the altitude, availability of ingredients, condition of your cookware, tools that is used and even your mood for the day. The beauty of cooking and baking is not only in enjoying the final product but in the steps taken to achieve the desired result. It's like answering a crossword puzzle; you marvel at the beauty of a completed puzzle after you spend countless of hours filling in the damn blocks.

Needless to say, my binge cooking and baking has kept me busy and more patient today. H is feeling so much better and there has been progress with Operation Crib. I enjoyed my multiple long phone calls to Mom. To top it all, I was able to come up with food that the family enjoyed and if I am lucky, they will have great ensaymadas tomorrow for breakfast.

Keeping my fingers crossed,
MrsA

Poker night at the Almonds: Whats on the menu?

H invited some of his friends for dinner so our kitchen has been very busy since yesterday. Between shopping for fresh ingredients, ordering stuff and scheduling delivery (timing is everything!), I was an exhausted mommy.

But I always enjoy having people over. I am what they call an ever enthusiastic hostess, with the tendency to over-plan, over-prepare and do everything over the top. Moderation has never been my thing.

On tonight's menu is crown roast, marinated in olive oil, thyme, rosemary and italian pasley. I served it to our relatives during our reunion during last Christmas holiday and it was a hit; I sure hope it turns our okay this time.

We will also have our party staples: fried chicken lollipops, mashed potatoes, lasagne and chicken cordon bleu. For dessert we will have caramel apples (yes, that carnival favorite) that we made cuz I couldn't pass up the mansanitas (small apples) at the grocery store yesterday. We also made cheesecake upon the request of H and chocolate mousse that the kids love.

Bar list includes the only cocktail that H truly enjoys: Margaritas. We pre-made them in massive quantities using Patron Tequila but I made two tubs of lemon and lime based and the another two with strawberries, so when the guests arrive, it will just be a matter of scooping them onto Margarita glasses.

I hope our friends like the food. I hope H wins in poker.

N

On Sherlock Holmes, lunch bags and lunch boxes

I have always been a fan of lunch boxes. Since I got my first Holly Hobbie tin lunch box when I was in grade school, I fancied the concept of bringing home-cooked meal at school or at the office. For one, I thought and still think that that rectangular tin case was a very nice accessory that somehow distracted people from the yucky green uniform they made me wear in grade school. The second reason is lifted off the concept that was introduced to me by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes books.

Men have many observable behavior or practices that indicates whats going on in his life. Neat and tidy clothes and shoes may indicate that the wife cares enough to press his clothes or make sure that the shoes are polished (or they have good maids!). Wrinkling at the arm of a man's shirt may indicate that the better-half has the habit of clinging to his arm (or he has a monkey for a pet?) A right-handed person will never put his wallet on the left back pocket of his trousers (someone took something from it then returned it). Mud on his shoes or the tires of his car means the butler did it for sure, LOL.

While obviously these may or may not be true (its a fiction book, for heaven's sake), I became fascinated by the amount of stuff that people reveal of themselves, if only we care enough to look.

Back to lunch boxes: Back when I was still working, I was envious of people who brought home food with them. It showed that either they are loved by someone who packed the meal or they have very efficient maids or cooks at home. Besides, their food is always, always better than the bland canteen food and I was sick and tired of Mickey Dees. So when I got married, I made a vow to always make lunches for my beloved.

So he who was accustomed to eating nothing else other than Taco Bell, Chilis, Fridays, CPK, McDonalds was suddenly faced with a wife who insists that he brings food to work whenever possible.


Fast forward today: H is once again on his version of the Atkins diet. He was on it once since we got married and I have seen such fantastic results but am nervous about all the cholesterol and fat that goes into a typical Atkins meal. So what i do is try and sort of balance it out with the inclusion of veggies and cooking his food with as little fat, oil or butter as possible. Now I am not a nutritionist neither am I an expert in dieting but the no starch, hi protein with equal portion of veggies made us lose inches off the waistline and lbs off the scale. Oh, and we had to give up soda too.

So for today's lunch, H will have quiche with ham and cheese and sirloin burger in romaine lettuce as substitute for buns. I always throw in catsup and mustard, just in case hes in the mood for them and I will definitely add one more item such as buttered okra or a banana.

I hope he likes my expression of love for him today.

MrsA

PS: The kids, with the exemption of Moggy- all refuse to bring lunch bags to school. They think its uncool. Ha!

Just wait 'til they're married!