Homemade Bicol Express Recipe

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On a recent trip to Baguio City, I visited Mt. Cloud Bookshop and came home with a Bicolano cookbook. I know it may seem odd but they sell hard to find books about the Philippines. This weekend, I finally made my first Bicolano dish - Bicol Express. And nailed it!

Choose to Go

choose to go
go where no one has gone before
where no one else will go today
you can go in search of answers
only to find more questions
you might discover something unfamiliar
half way around the world
or uncover something unexpected
far closer to home
sometimes you might need to look back
to see how you got here
and where you might be headed
and just when you think your journey's reached an end
you'd be surprised to find it's only just beginning
but you'll keep going
because it's your journey
wherever it goes

La Relais de Chambesy in Geneva

A compatriot invited me for lunch today and despite my strict penchant for observing the usual one hour lunch, R suggested we dine at a bistro 3-5 minutes away from Palais des Nations, which took longer than average (but still within the typical P-staff lunch duration).

Boarding the V bus right in front of ICRC, we got off right in front of La Relais de Chambesy. Reservations were made (as is customary in Geneva for peak hours) indoors thanks to the silver morning sky but as the sun came out, a table was offered at the veranda.

Talking about Philippine politics and wondering why the poor are not reaping the benefits of the supposedly growing Asian tiger, R suggests that Filipinos who have lived abroad, who are exposed and appreciate the efficient and effective ways of the developing world should lead and be the ones in office. R said people like me, educated abroad, young and still capable to do something.

I retorted, "what about your type?" That means you should come home now instead of waiting for retirement. Come home when you're able-bodied and can still act on your ideas.

Shakshouka at Cottage Cafe

Shak-shuka what? My friends and I said the same thing while perusing the menu of Cottage Café here in Geneva. Eager to try new things, that’s on the upper left of the picture, together with some sliced chorizo and what was called Crispy Chavignol (goat cheese) wrapped in filo with honey and fruits.  All were tasty and light enough for our apero.

But it was not really Shak-shuka that got our attention. It was Sumac. What is Sumac?

Fete de la Musique in Geneva

Geneva often gives the impression that it is boring and quiet. I actually quite agree but not when you know where to go and when summer is here. Geneva completely shows its other face. 

June 21 marks the summer solstice and the start of summer, and there's no better way to celebrate it than with three days of Fete de la Musique! Yes, three days!!!

Fete de la Musique started in 1982 when then French Cultural Minister Jack Lang heeded the suggestion of his Director for Dance and Music to bring people to the streets. Quoted as saying, "the music everywhere, the concert nowhere," the Fete was officially conceived. 

Happening all over the world, the Philippines is no stranger to the Fete. I grew up enjoying the various kinds of music when it used to be held at different stages around El Pueblo. I remember it to be just one evening but would last until dawn. Then all of a sudden, it stopped. I think the last time I went was when the French Embassy brought in a French gypsy trio to perform at the tent in Sofitel. But I heard it's been back in some form or another in recent years. 

But back to Geneva.

Croix Rousse Market in Lyon

If you've been reading  earlier entries from this blog, you would know my unrealized aspiration to take up culinary school. In an effort to test the waters, I enrolled for a class at Plum Lyon last month. The course started with a walk up to Croix Rousse and Lucy Vanel telling us the rich history of the area from its silk roots to how instrumental it was in changing the Lyonnaise cuisine but also how the neighborhood adapted through the decades. For more of Lucy's stories, also check out her blog. 

From reading this blog, you'd also notice I love farmer's markets - the real farmer's markets. Mind you, I always thought that only artisan products were sold in real markets but I was wrong. Lucy said there are three types of market sellers. First, are those that sell one product alone. Let's say they just sell apples that they grow themselves and perhaps add a few other products made from the apples like jam and such. The second type would be selling specific kinds such as vegetables, fruits, meat or whatever except that they are still all from the region's farms and also are products of the season. Then the third category are those that sell imported products from elsewhere. That's why you see pineapples on fruit stands too.

Korean Beef Stew

The Korean beef stew popular in the Philippines is sweet with the beef so tender it's best with piping hot steamed rice. Although beef is top-quality here in Switzerland and needs barely anything else, sometimes, I can't help but crave food I grew up with. The version I share here though is not sweet but has a strong ginger flavor. 

The Balcony of Geneva: Mont Saleve

Geneva's local mountain called Mt. Saleve is actually in France.

It's what you see that resembles the Table Mountain when you're at the Vieille Ville. You get more than just the world's longest bench. You get a view of Mt. Saleve too. 

But don't fret. It's not that far. 

It's actually just about 20 minutes by bus from Geneva's city center on a few of TPG's buses (8,34, 41, 44). From the last stop, which is Veyrier Douane, you need to walk about 15-20 minutes through the village until you reach the customs border. Landmarks include a little square with a few cafes and a church. The way is marked with arrows towards "Telepherique du Saleve." It's bit of a maze crossing a railway and a parking lot but with good weather, the walk would be a leisurely one, with the cable car wires always in sight like the star in Bethlehem. 

5 Things to do in Annecy, France

Annecy and the lake named after it are located in Southeastern France, strategically situated in the Haute-Savoie department of the Rhone-Alps region. That means you get Alpine views, revel in nature's wonders gliding over its spectacular landscape, swim or do sports you fancy by the lake, hike til your legs hurt, and enjoy the pleasures of a little French town and all its former glory. 

It has its character not just because of its location but because of its rich history. It used to be the capital of the county of Geneva (no wonder Geneva still feels like a village!!!)  until it became part of the House of Savoy. Catholic bishops moved their seat to Annecy after Geneva became taken over by Calvinism too. 

I've been to France a couple of times before but it was always just Paris. Yup, yes, I wrote it. Just Paris. And I never became fond of Paris. But visiting Annecy made me realize and appreciate that there's more to France than Paris. To experience France, you must see its different regions, to taste the local cuisine, learn its history, and experience what you see in the movies - the way of life - a quality way of life. 

We visited Annecy at a time it wasn't sure whether summer was taking over or spring just wanted to stay a few weeks longer. But despite the weather, I finally understood why Genevois always say, go to Annecy. So here are my few suggestions on what to do:

Homemade Omelette Recipe

Yesterday was a non-working holiday in Geneva so I had time to leisurely cook breakfast and have it outdoors by the balcony. 

Salon du Livre 2014, Geneva

I love books but I haven't really given it much attention through the years. Perhaps it's because I often live in different places and I do not want to carry hard copies together with all my other stuff. I am also a bit of a cheapskate because I do not even buy e-books and there's plenty of reading material online. But most of the time, there is nothing better than leafing through the pages of a book. Even better if it's one of those hardbound versions.

So it was with so much delight  in my transient life that a couple of weeks ago, Geneva had its Book and Press Fair at Palexpo. Thankfully, I got in for free when I presented my student card. Gotta love Europe for student perks! (I'm done with school but had an ISIC issued. It's very useful!)

Kaempff-Kohler in Luxembourg

We had the pleasure to be hosted by the National Tourist Board of Luxembourg right before Easter. After the pleasantries at the city tourist office, we were whisked away to the closest and apparently highly recommended cafe, Kaempff-Kohler along Rue du Cure for the initial meeting for more discussions. Apparently, Luxembourgish both love their pastries and their cheese, especially with their own wine. So we were made to choose: we chose cheese and wine.

So there we were at the fromagerie- bar a vin, with our cheese board and local white wine. Unlike a true food connoisseur, I couldn't note all the types. All I knew we were in cheese heaven. But two actually stood out, the cheese stuffed with truffle (you see the striped one on the edge of the board) and a local cheese soft cheese called Kochkaese, literally cook's cheese in the tiny bowl. It wasn't one of the fancier ones in the spread but I truly enjoyed it (aside from the truffle) because it was my first time to try it and because I rarely saw it in the German parts I lived at and here in Geneva. Must really check out specialty cheese chops here too. 

How to get a scholarship abroad

Since I've applied countless times and have been a successful recipient of scholarships, it might be useful at least to someone how I managed to get one. To me, there are four basic steps: 1) know what you want, 2) research and selection, 3) preparation, and 4) application. Waiting is inevitable and of course, when selected, the pre-departure process is another post.