Coachelle

Tuyo Pasta. 🤎💛

Ingredients:
al dente fusilli pasta 500g (1 pack)
red pesto sun dried tomatoes 180g (1 pack)
minced bottled tuyo 230g (1 bottle)
diced eggplant 1 cup
diced tomato 1 cup
minced shallot / white onion 1/4 cup
minced garlic 2 tablespoons
salt 1 tablespoon
olive oil or any cooking oil 1 tablespoon
pepper (optional) 1/3 teaspoon
parmesan cheese
basil chiffonade for garnish

Cook pasta in boiling water with olive oil, salt and pepper until al dente. Drain, then set aside.

For the pasta sauce, stir fry the garlic until golden brown, add the shallot, eggplant and tomato. Stir until the eggplant and tomato soften then pour the red pesto sauce and minced bottled tuyo.

I usually add the oil in the bottled tuyo but it’s optional.

Transfer the cooked fusilli pasta to the sauce and toss until the sauce is evenly distributed.

Once ready, sprinkle basil chiffonade and shredded parmesan cheese over the tuyo pasta.

Serve it while it’s hot.

Enjoy! 😊

🧡

Shrimp and broccoli stir fry. 🥦🍤

Ingredients:
shrimp 250grams
broccoli 250grams
minced garlic 2tsp
soy sauce 3tsp
oyster sauce 2tsp
salt 1tsp (for the shrimp)
cornstarch 1tsp
water 1/2cup
chili flakes (optional)

Cook broccoli in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, drain then set aside. Stir fry the shelled shrimps until color changes then set aside.

For the sauce, stir fry the garlic until golden brown, pour the water, soy sauce, oyster sauce and cornstarch. Stir until the sauce thickens.

On a serving plate, put the shrimp and broccoli then pour the sauce evenly. Add chilli flakes.

And, Voila!

Shrimp and broccoli stir fry. 😋

Under the clouds,

above the grass,

hearing the birds sing,

feeling the wind blows,

feeling the love.

💙💚💛

“Family,

isn’t defined only by last names or by blood;

it’s defined by commitment and by love.

It means showing up when they need it most.

It means having each other’s backs.

It means choosing to love each other even on those days when you struggle to like each other.

It means never giving up on each other.”

- Dave Willis

🤎

My version of adobo sa toyo.

The taste I acquired from my father who loves cooking adobo without vinegar.

Seasoned with just salt and pepper, the liempo was separately (half) fried. Then for the sauce, I sauteed garlic and onion, poured in 2 cups of water, added soy sauce, pepper, potatoes and laurel and put them to a boil.

Once potatoes and sauce were ready, I added the fried liempo and boiled eggs.

And voila! My adobo sa toyo.

🧡

“When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.”

- Anonymous

🧡

It was refreshingly delicious.

I thought to myself while drinking my chilled grape juice. I drank some more, and then more, until my glass was almost empty.

I was happy.

But then, there, in the bottom of the glass, I noticed something round and silver. And I thought to myself, maybe it was just a coin.

Wait, what? A coin! Why’s there a coin in my juice?

I looked sharply at my 2-year-old Adam who was playing beside me. He looked so innocently sweet, he smiled at me and I melted.

When I poured the grape juice in my glass I didn’t drink it right away. I put it on a small table beside Adam while he was playing.

Hayz, kids will be kids, boys will be boys, and;

moms will be moms.

🧡

I thank God for this moment of serenity.

What a beautiful gift He has given us.

My heart is grateful.

💙💚🤍

Ziam to me, “I love you Mommy, forever.”

I answered, “I love you too Anak, more than the stars in the sky.”

Ziam asked me, “But how many stars are there?”

And I answered,

“No one knows exactly how many stars are there, just like mother’s love. It’s beyond measure. Someday you’ll understand.”

I love you and Adam, more than the stars in the sky.

🧡

Taho for all seasons.

What makes it so comforting to eat, for me, is that it brings back so many good memories.

It symbolizes not just simplicity but also happiness in simple things.

🧡

My first attempt to draw a portrait, 4 years ago.

It was of Ziam’s, my first born whom I drew my inspiration from.

I’ve once read a beautiful quote by Ella Fitzgerald that says:

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and INSPIRATION, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

I agree 💯.

Even if sometimes, things are tiring and exhausting, I know I have to keep going.

For the people I love.

🧡