Food Obession

Food (noun): any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, promote growth etc... . (dictionary.reference.com). 

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love food! I am intrigued, fascinated and amazed about food. Local and international chefs, whether foul-mouth, travel-around-the-world chefs, creative 'mad scientist' of a chef, one who is trying to change school lunches forever (that is pukka!) or just your average 'Joe,' whatever it is inspire me to eat and cook. I LOVE FOOD.

I have not always loved food. My mum was worried at the age of 4 I hardly ate anything and even chocolate. Yes, chocolate didn't help me to chew my way to one 'power up' to tackle the day. The only way I survived was on drinking Sustagen chocolate (the only chocolate I consumed in liquid form) and perhaps a banana..okay I lied, I think I did consume little bits of Jollibee whilst in the Philippines, all because I wanted those fancy toys, yet I don't think I finished it all up as Mum finished it all. Living in New Zealand, changed all that. After I savoured my first bacon and eggs, it made me realised how awesome food is. Later I ate a steak...God I was in heaven! *Hallelujah* 

Of course there are some food I disliked and up to now I still dislike peas, yet I will still eat it.  Brussels sprouts, on the other hand  I do not like because of the weird cough medicine taste and even though they look like very cute mini-lettuces, tasting it irks me, yet I will eat broccoli, cabbage or lettuce, just to name a few. 

During my chlidhood years Mum would take my brother and I to any fast food chains on 'special days' and devour a Happy Meal while collecting as much toys as we can do. Other times Mum will just cook bacon and eggs or some traditional Filipino food. Grocery shopping was amazing for me. As Mum did, we would have spent a lot of hours in the supermarket, searching for food for tonight's meal to a week and I would go aisle to aisle looking at all the fresh produce, boxes, container, bottles and jars full of anything edible (or non-edible). That must be why I love wondering around a supermarket. (Yes I am strange). 

I don't even feel guilty to admit that Filo parties were the bomb because of the food! Pancit, egg roll (spring rolls), adobo, rice cakes etc..., it was wonderful. My stomach would be so full that I would pass out while watching a Disney movie with all the other children. Even the best, if it was held at our place...imagine the left overs!

Thanks to Mum, she introduced me to watching cooking shows. My first ever cooking TV shows were Ken Hom and then Madhur Jaffery. Mum even recorded it so I can watch it over and over again to the point where I would go to the kitchen, gather all the pots and pans and 'pretend' to be a TV chef. Mum wasn't bothered about all the noise, in fact she was happy and encouraged me for my imaginative creativity of a non-existent stir fry. 

The best part would be helping Mum cook or bake. As like every young girl, watching your Mum cook or bake food was wonderful and  even better when helping out. I loved watching mum make won tons or spring rolls and then I was able to make it later on. 

My classmates at primary school, I was envious with the other kid having the most good looking lunch while me with something rather boring like a soggy jam sandwich or a 'plain' yoghurt, not even the yoghurt with the nice choc-chip bits init to make it a pleasant lunch meal...no no. Eventually Mum started to pack the 'cool' stuff to eat for lunch. 

Then when I was in high school canteen money was 'cool' because I was able to buy that 25 cent spaghetti toastie and eventually loved eating chocolate each Friday. With thanks to Mum giving us $4 after a week after cleaning the house, I was able to afford to buy the so-called health food at the 'tuck shop.' 

In Australia, the abundance of food courts in shopping centres overloaded my senses with all the different types of food. Kebabs, Chinese, sushi, pasta, bristo-style, Greek, whatever it was, it was always hard to decided what to eat because of all the variety available. I wanted this, I wanted that, but of course my stomach wasn't about to accommodate all in one go. 

Watching Jaime Oliver's 'The Naked Chef,' my love of food went sky high and I looked forward watching on ABC every Wednesday night. After that with all the food reality shows, cooking shows or chefs travelling around the world, experience new flavours and watching them stuff their face with a blowfish sushi or bull's testes, the more I watched the more I want to change my career and become a chef and open up a restaurant. I think I may have to look at that. 

Just like Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmerm, I am willing to try anything in front of me, regardless that I may like it or not, I get a high eating food. I've eaten snails, lamb's brain, liver, kidney, chicken insides, beef tongue, bone marrow, tripe, fish eyes (and I love eating it), steak tartare, frog legs, just to name a few. 

I am also eager to try all those crickets etc as what they do in those street foods in Asia.

I love eating out especially my favourite foods - Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, French, Spanish yet at the same time nothing beats homemade food!
I love cooking for my boyfriend and people. I love eating WITH people, being in their company and eating together as well as with family. One of the many ways to be together over delicious food discussing over anything and everything. 

Watching Man vs. Food makes me cringe and laugh at the same time, because I cannot believe how one guy can eat copious amount of food within an hour or so. For example a hamburger with 12 slices of beef and the spiciest sauce. Sometimes he struggle and fails, other times he finishes it and becomes part of the Food Hall of Fame.. or a free T-shirt. It is like me back in the days when I was able to gobble up 1/2 a dozen of Krispy Kreme donuts 10mins before going to a dance class, or after dance class heading over to Jojos for steak. 

My favourite re-collection of my version of (wo)man vs. food was at Market Place in Sunnybank. I had lunch with my friend Neil, where I ordered a Wagyu steak, prior to that being cooked, I ate one thick slice of garlic buttered toast, a small salad, soup, then the main course (which my steak was half the size of my plate) with a fired egg and fries, then after that, we went to the movies and ate 6 pieces of mini-moon cake and then after the movie, went home and I had a small bowl of pasta! Ha! And that was in one day! Still have no clue how on earth I ate it all. 

Ahh food. Speaking of food. Time to eat. 

I just want to dance.

I like to dance. Dance to hip hop, latin, flamenco or just be a statistic at the dancefloor, dancing drunk while in a night club to Will.i.am's '#thatpower.' Drunk dancing, shy dancing whatever, but what I would like to do is choreograph a dance. 

I know I have had a dabble with it while I was in a dance crew, not much though. But I don't know where to start. I praise all my friends who are dance teachers of all dance styles and I look up to them as well as others that I have had the honour to be taught by.

The thing is I haven't danced for a long time and I feel the need to actually do some classes again to get back and perhaps give me some inspirations. 

So, my dearest dance friends, where do you get your inspirations and how do you start?

I hear a song and then I would think "Hey! This would be a good song for a dance piece."and I imagine a dance to it. Okay not for the whole song, but for parts of it. 

*sigh*

V.

Croque Monsieur

Of course I have tried a lot of delicious food here in France, but the thing that makes my senses light up is the Croque Monsieur. Yes it is just the good ol' toasted sandwich a.k.a. toastie, yet it is so simple to make. I swear even the President of France probably requests it for a snack (with the top price ingredient of course!)

Seems as the French are cool to name it Croque Monsieur...instead of the typical 'grilled toast.' Makes the sound of it more chic when ordering it at your local café or bristo. "I'll have a croque monsieur please." 

All it is is just bread, butter, cheese and ham. Grill it in the oven or a toaster and voilà a simple snack with or without a nice salad. 

There are variations of this grilled toast such as the Croque Madame which is similar but with an egg on top. 

Normally used with emmental or Gruyère cheese, but whatever cheese you want it doesn't matter. 

It's so delicious I can eat 4 of them! MMMM.

Here is a simple receipe - nevertheless you can pout whatever you want in your 'croque monsieur' 

You need:

4 slices of bread

2 slices of ham

grated cheese or 4 slices of cheese (Gruyère or chosen cheese)

butter

Griller toaster or you can use your oven, set to grill on 250 degreesC 

What to do:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 250 or your grilled toaster

2. Butter the 4 slices of bread

3. On the non-buttered side, put your slices of ham on one side of each bread

4. Put your grated/sliced cheese on top of the ham

5. Place the non-buttered side of the other piece of bread on top of the cheese and place in the oven/ grilled toaster.

6. When it looks golden remove from oven/toaster

7. Cut in half..enjoy with a salad or on it's own

Bon appétit!

I feel pretty...oh so pretty...

Make up. You would expect every female species to be an expert at it right? Wrong. I am one of the few that is make-up challenged. Of course I do dab in a bit of make up every now and then for special occasion, for example costume parties, weddings, concerts, parties etc..., but for everyday wear I am so lazy...or just rephrase "I like the au naturale look."

I have a lot of respect for women who apply make up every day and depending on your job a huge respect. Being a nurse I have no time applying make up for my shift. All it is is face moisturizer and lip balm..well okay if I really really feel like then probably a hint of mascara or eye liner. But as mentioned for me I prefer when its just for special occasion.
 Of course like every girls make up is an essential part of femininity and to accentuate areas of your face especially the eyes and how it compliments your daily wear etc... . Being a young girl, it was fun to go through your Mum's make up kits and try on the brightest lip stick and black eye liner trying it on yourself...til your Mum takes a photo of your beautiful facial artwork which she say 'You look so pretty'...only  to realize you look like a Picasso artwork.

Picture and quote found with thanks to http://scabenga.co.uk/my-posts/damn-you-jordan/

Girls who say, “a lot of guys are after me”, should keep in mind that low prices always attract many customers.

 I am in a place where taking care of how you dress and look is a must. I think it really is beginning to have an impact on me. I am not going to raid Sephora and get all the must haves and you need, just need something simple to hide all that dark circle, blemishes and discolouration. Last week I went with a friend to buy a fond de teint (foundation) as I did not know what colour that blended with my skin, needed help with the Clinique assistant. Yes foundations do work wonders.

The only exception for bad make up is for costume parties, the 80's and photo shoots for a theme etc..it can be caked on as much, but the annoying part is removing it..unless it is permanent makeup and you can sleep on it. If only there was an invention of peel-off make up then no need for a make up remover then.

Let me know if you've created peel-off make up. I'll order right away.

I'll definitely maybe talk tonight.

As I am sitting here on the bed, I am reminiscing the concert which was on last night. I haven't blogged for a while and I am definitely itching to type one. I've got plenty that I want to type about but it seems as if I have writer's block or that P word - procrastinating.

Ahh Oasis, how I have such a soft spot for you. The first time I heard Wonderwall, it gave me goosebumps and from then on I have been a [massive]* fan since 1995. Like every other fan of a music group you will have all the albums, collecting news paper clippings, photos (and before Internet) I use to buy a lot of 'TV Hits,' 'Q-Music magazine,' NME' and so forth just for any articles on Oasis and the famous 'Gallagher' brothers. Yes I admit I had posters, even a t-shirt with 'Oasis' on the front, but no..not a tattoo of the brothers (I was young at that time so obviously under age!..and a good idea NOT to get one of your favourite band!)..and yes I had a crush on Liam.

It has been 10+ years after and I still love them. Despite them breaking up and are respectively making their own music - Liam with Beady Eyes and Noel and his High Flying Birds. I have to admit that 'team Liam' it really hasn't had much of an 'oomph' for me, but team Noel, that guy is bloody brilliant! Musical and lyrical genius. I am sure he is up there with the rest of the great musicians out there, dead and alive.

Last night (Tuesday 9th October) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds performed at Lille's Aéronef. A mixture of French, English (and as quoted by Noel :"England's very far!") and an Australian (!)

Jake Bugg, an English musician was supporting Noel commenced the show with his folk-ish/country rock songs. In between his 'thank yous,' the audience were shouting "NOEL!!!!!" I was sure they just wanted Noel to come on rather than him (guys...let the dude perform.) Jake performed a few of his new songs, which I felt he was channelling Richard Ashcroft from the Verve and Oasis of course. He was good as well, but of course like everyone else couldn't wait to see the man himself - Noel...or what the French pronounced 'Noël.'

As Jake finished his song the audience cheered, the lights dimmed, while the crew/roadies dismantled, shifted, moved, sound checked microphones, guitars before Noel and his High Flying Birds arrived. The lights turned dark blue and everyone started cheering and whistling.  
The first song, everyone started dancing, bobbing their heads and waving their hands in the air (like they just don't care) and singing..yes regardless of the language, people did singalong - especially the die-hard fans of Oasis/Noel...not that I am referring to anybody.

Noel sang a mixture from his solo album "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds" and classic Oasis..and to jog your memory - Talk Tonight, Little by Little, Whatever, Don't Look Back in Anger...Ahh memories back in the days. A brief period where Noel was changing his guitar and a few people from the audience was firing random questions.

How are you feeling?
What'd you mean I'm feeling? Psychologically feeling, mentally feeling...I'm feeling good. Have you finished? (the person I couldn't hear what he/she was saying but said they were finished questioning him)..cause I've got a gig to do! Yup that person just got owned by Noel!

Noel finished with that awe-inspiring song "Don't Look Back in Anger." We were all hoping he would do an encore, nevertheless the crew started dismanteling the instruments. It was one of my friend's idea to stay a little longer, in hoping to catch a glimpse of Noel. Outside Aréonef we saw two black bus coaches, assuming that it was the bus driving the crew around France. We went there but of course noone was there yet, so we crossed the road and saw the crew, who were waiting for the truck to pick up the packed instruments. I asked one if they knew where Noel was...he didn't have a clue. So we waited around. We looked at every direction to see where he would leave.


One hour later I spotted one of the musicians walking on the overpass. I pointed out to my friends that there was one of the band members and I was assuming he would follow..indeed. We quietly crossed the road and as they were walking down the stairs, one of the members saw some 'people' with camera (us) - "no camera." Noel signed someone's ticket..looked at us..hesitated then said "alright, if it's necessary" and cheese! The four of us.

Lucky buggers we were, considering that they turned down the rest of the people.

I felt like a little kid with a new toy. I am over the moon as I got to met my idol for a brief moment.

I can die happy now.

*1995 - 2001 a massive fan. Of course I still am a fan, but not crazy to have my room covered (it was close though!).

Versailles, Paris, here and there.

Versailles, about a 30minute train ride from Paris, while on the way there a small group was singing and playing music (with the very cliché of the accordion) and going around the people for ‘donations.’  Thirty minutes went by and we were at our destination. Had lunch of duck foie gras in baguette (c’est bon!). A 10 minute walk from the ticket/info centre we arrived at Versailles. Rémy got to go in for free while poor me I had to pay LOL. Can’t tourist get in free, considering we paid so much for an airfare to France? Kidding. 

Twenty or so minute waiting in the line, we finally got in Versailles. Magnificent outside as well as inside. I don’t know how many rooms there are, it was wonderful to get inside the palace and see how the French monarchy use to live. It was so lavish and I am amazed as to how they created this enormous palace without all the materials we have. The amount of marble used for the stairs, walls etc..it is very extravagant! My favourite of course being the Glass/Chandelier room. Despite the repetitiveness of the rooms. I couldn’t wait to head out into the gardens. 

Just like the palace, the garden was huge as well. Rémy attempted to give me some history lesson about the ‘sun king’ and other trivial things. The garden was wonderful. I was picturing myself in 17th century clothes and how challenging it would have been for the ladies in 3 foot wigs, corset and ballooning dresses..I am sure heatstrokes where a problem back then, while strolling in the hot sun along the gardens. 

We strolled along the man-made lake and decided to go for a bike ride along the gardens. We reached the place where Marie-Antoinette use to stay and then headed at the opposite direction of the big lake before returning the bikes. Afterwards we decided to take a boat ride on the lake. It was such a beautiful way to spend the afternoon... on a boat at the Versailles. Took turns rowing the boat (more or less Rémy). Row Row, row ya boat....

Ended the day with partying it up with Rémy’s friend, in which we ended up at a night club, that looked like a warehouse till 6am, the following morning. Whoa. What a night!

With only two hour sleep and one with a hangover, we checked out of our hotel and headed to the Eiffel Tower were we met up with Neil & Alicia before departing our own way. It was a beautiful way to end a weekend in Paris. A huge congratulations to their engagement & a final farewell.

This is just a start to my adventures. 

Paris adventures 1.

Touching down on Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, a sudden rush of excitement and joy came over me. First and foremost I am challenging myself to speak French and experiencing the french culture all over again. Another is that I got to travel when it is NOT WINTER! Experiencing my first (well kinda second time) of a European summer! Even-though most people are on holidays during this time of month, it is wonderful to be here because you can just go galavanting around any place outside and the best part is, is that it doesn’t get dark till 10pm at night! One of the things I seem to miss a lot when I go over to Europe during the winter months! 

Ahh Pariiii. The city of lights! People love or dislike this city, however I think every time I land in Paris, I start to love the city more. Prior to coming to Paris, I have been watching a lot of movies that features Paris and whenever I see it, it gives me goosebumps as I count down the days when I finally reach this city! Bam! Here I am. 

Catching the train to the city and then reached the hotel, got ready and then headed out to St. Germain area a.k.a the latin quarter and caught up with Neil & Alicia. It was really good to catch up for dinner with them and the great news of their engagement! Congratulations to my wonderful friends! A pity I have missed out on my ‘frog legs!’ I had the chance to try, but when it came to order food we forgot to order it. ‘Quelle dommage!’ Well I have all the time to try it. Nevertheless, from what I have heard, they taste like ‘chicken and fish’ - “fishken or chickish?”

We departed after dinner and went back to our respective hotels - time for a snooze before our next adventure. 

Staying away from the usual tourist attractions, we headed down the Palais et Jardin du Luxembourg. We were hoping the weather would be holding up as there was 'possible showers' (as per my weather on iPhone!) but I am glad most of the day was find. Firstly sitting down in the garden watching a few people playing tennis in the sports area of the garden. It was nice just to watch them play and see the passers-by. 

Afterwards walked near the palace and saw a big water feature, where children were playing with toy boats and people having lunch around the garden. There was also a replica of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French to the Americans all those years ago. 

Passed by more gardens and statues before having Italian for lunch. Afterwards, we took the metro to Invalides, where we went to the Hôtel des Invalides and got to view Napoléon Bonaparte's resting place in the church close by. It was a mother-trucker of a huge coffin (If I can call it a coffin!) and into the museum of World War I & II. 

Despite me feeling tired, it was a great day. Had dinner close by our hotel before heading to our room to sleep.

Until then..

See ya later

V x