Filo Dido

Remember the first time I boiled sweet potato ( Click here )? I must admit it did not go as well as I expected it to be. It was too soft for me. I guess, I must have boiled them too long than it should be. I boiled them for about 25 minutes. I only ate one sweet potato and set aside the rest. The next day, I thought I must do something with the leftover. I went to the grocery, then I saw and bought a pack of filo. Filo, phyllo or phyllo dough are paper-thin sheets of unleavened flour dough used for making pastries in Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisine. It is often used in croissants, turnovers and sometimes, empanada. When I got home, I mashed two sweet potatoes and sprinkled brown sugar. I only mashed two just in case the plan would fail, at least nothing much would go to waste. And then, I gingerly laid down the filo pastry since it is too thin that it can easily rip off. I scooped the mashed sweet potato and placed it on top of the filo pastry. I rolled it and sealed it with a dab of water. I tried to brush some of it with egg as what my sister Lili suggested. I placed it in the preheated oven and waited for the pastry to brown. Ta-da! The matte finish were the ones sealed with water while the glossy ones were brushed with egg. I didn't really like it that much. I'm not even proud of it but, it wasn't bad for a first time. The sweet potato was sweet and the filo pastry was crunchy and tasted good too. However, I think I should have used more filo pastry in each piece to make it more thicker. The fillings breaks out after a while since the wrap is too thin. Moreover, it doesn't even look pretty. Next time, I'll wrap them in prettier designs,like a triangle perhaps or a pretty roll. More effort and luck next time.

Sipping Pina Colada

I should be going to the library this afternoon and go for grocery shopping but the rain kept me home. I'm the kind of person who's not fond of bringing an umbrella, it's an extra effort for me. When in a middle of a shower, I would rather get wet than bring out my umbrella and worry after on how to store it when I arrive to wherever my destination is. Anyway, it's just rain. However, when it is really pouring hard, then I practically have no choice. Today, I wasn't in the mood to walk in the rain and embarrassingly drip rain water inside the library. I decided to stay home and listen to, Buenavista Social Club as I imagined myself in a tropical island, sipping pina colada.

 


 An addition to my ambitious bucket list is to see them play live ( click here ).

Passing Afternoon

A girl with a curly hair pays a bunch for a hair rebond while a girl with a straight her gets a perm. When it's pouring rain, one wishes for sunshine but when the sun is shining so bright, one misses the cold rainy day. Life is complicated as it has already been. When I was in the Philippines, I crave for Italian dishes, Japanese bento or a greasy Chinese food in a take out box. And now that I am miles from my homeland, I am missing Filipino foods.

A nearby store sells sweet potato for a $2.99 a kilo. Sweet potato or " kamote " in Filipino. For a second, I was battling with the thought whether to fry it with melted sugar on top or just boil it. It was actually a no brainer, of course I opted for the healthier option and the easiest one.    

I cleaned it, drowned in water and brought it to boil. Easy peasy!

P.S. This is the first time I have actually made this in my entire life. Don't judge me.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

I'm missing the Philippines, therefore I went to an Asian store for some goodies. On the same morning of the same day, my housemates and I talked about Filipino dish and one of which is " sisig ". A popular Filipino dish made from pig's face, ears and liver seasoned with vinegar, soy sauce, calamansi, chili peppers and et cetera. Unfortunately, I never really learned how to cook "sisig" and it's one of those days that I crave for some. If I want to feel less homesick, I go to an Asian store. And so, I came, I saw and bought a canned " sisig " of Purefoods. zoom in! I'm afraid that what seem on the cover of the can does not reflect to what it really looks like inside. A clear example for " Don't judge a book by its cover" . Oh well, marketing! Whatever it takes!

Happy Pill

My housemate was in search for the perfect stocking fit for the perfect dress to wear for a perfect party. And she dragged me to come with her to the mall. While on the verge of finding that perfect thing, a chocolate shop beacons. Koko Black. We went inside Koko Black and drooled over displays of chocolates. Then I said to myself, " No way I'm giving in. This is way way sinful ". We immediately went out from the shop but after a few steps from the doorway, we went back inside. A sudden urge to give in. The shop was too tempting to refuse.





Chocolate treats made to share as gifts.





I had Chocolate Affogato ( $8.50 ), a carafe of hot chocolate poured over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Affogato is italian for " drowned ". From the traditional Italian dessert, gelato drowned with espresso, Koko Black created a chocolate version for the chocoholics. The whole concoction of vanilla bean ice cream and hot chocolate drink is superb making it more creamy. A perfect union of ICE cream and HOT chocolate drink. You can either eat it with a spoon or drink it from the glass. I did both. The whole serving comes with a cookie treat which tastes like the traditional Filipino baked polvoron.



She had Hot Chocolate ( $6.50 ), their signature beverage freshly brewed to a traditional Belgian recipe. I got to taste her drink too. It was rich, creamy and flavourful. It was not too hot and not too cold. For her, the temperature was just right. But I prefer my hot drink to be hot, not warm. However, taste wise, it was heaven in a cup.



And we shared a traditional platter of chocolate which includes two pralines, florentines, chocolate cake, mousse and ice cream. A Belgian spoil. The mousse was divine; scooped perfectly with a little surprise inside. The pralines were of perfect crunch. I did not get to taste everything on the platter, my gut could no longer endure another bite, the chocolate affogato left me with a heavy stomach.



Service was fast and the attendant took time to explain which one is which from the dessert platter.



You can tell a chocolate parlor serves good food when the place is packed. Good thing there were two tables available so that we need not queue outside.



Find me.

" Chocolate doesn't ask silly questions, chocolate understands. "

Koko Black 

Chadstone Shopping Center

Chadstone, VIC 03148