Bunny's Kitchen: Mabo Tofu version 2

Ok so I had been searching the net for improvements on my Mabo Tofu recipe... and it lead me to going for personal and actual experiences. The net provided everything, minus the part that you need to know it from people you meet personally.

And so today, I had the honor to cook my favorite dish for my wife. My 2nd version of the Mabo Tofu recipe... so here's how it goes:

MABO TOFU(version 2)

by Anton Daniel “Bunny” T. de la Cruz

July 13, 2016

Ingredients
• 1 cup of chicken broth from Chicken Cubes (1/3 of 1 cube)
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch (for broth)
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch (for tofu breading)
• 3 teaspoons soy sauce (Kikkoman will do)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2 to 1 cup vegetable oil (depending on how big your frying pan is)
• 3 medium cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 5 green onions white part only, minced
• 1 tablespoon fermented black beans, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Dry Peppercorn, black seeds removed then ground (optional)
• 4-6 ounces ground pork (lesser pork if you want more tofu)
• 2 tablespoons doubanjiang / gochujang (chili bean paste)
• 14 ounce block of firm tofu, drained and cut into 1/2” cubes
• green part of green onions (spring onion) minced for garnish

Directions

1. Add the chicken stock, cornstarch, soy sauce and sugar to a small bowl and stir to combine.

2. Cut tofu into 1/2" cubes. Place cornstarch on a plate or in a shallow bowl and dredge tofu in it, coating thoroughly.


3. Heat a non-stick frying pan; heat enough vegetable oil so that tofu will be half-way submerged. Fry tofu in hot oil for 2 to 4 minutes on each side, or until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

4. Heat a non-stick pot until hot. Add the sesame oil, garlic, ginger and green onions and stir-fry with a spatula until fragrant. Add the black beans and pepper and continue stir-frying.

5. Add the ground pork and use a spatula to break it up into small grains. When the pork is cooked, add the gochujang (red bean paste) and stir to distribute. Add the tofu, and toss to mix, avoid stirring the tofu as it will lose its shape.

6. Give the stock mixture a good stir to incorporate anything that may have settled, and then pour it over the pork and tofu. Toss to coat, and then boil until the sauce thickens.

7. Garnished with the green parts of the green onions.

8. Dish is best served with hot rice

The Culprit... for all those paint scratches.

So I just encountered, and caught red-handed... the culprit for all those car paint scratches.

For a year now, this same cat has been climbing over my car hood, windshield, trunk and hood and kept on leaving cat paw prints and claw scratches...

And look at him... with that "So what?" face.

>_>

An Afternoon of Wall Climbing with the #loveofmylife

There are times that you notice that you are gaining weight abnormally that you tend to be depressed, knowing that there is that urge deep inside that you want to get out and have an exercise. Sadly, as teachers, we rarely get the chance to have the time to have an exercise routine.

Upon further discussions, we wanted to try something different, and the first thing that pops-out from my wife's mind is "Wall-Climbing".

That is one activity that was introduced to me by my classmates and schoolmates back during my Grade 7 and 1st year High-School years (Grade 8). But ended not continuing because of time constraints.

So Aya, my wife wanted to try Wall Climbing out, so I called the gym I used to go to back in the late 90's, Power-Up Gym, located along Road 1 in Barangay Old Balara, and which is also a few steps away from Tandang Sora Avenue.

In the Philippines, this was the pioneer gym for all things indoor Wall Climbing, and it was the go to place for those wanting to learn the sport. 

So we gave it a try, and went there after work. I enjoyed the time, and was able to remember how I did back in the day, but it was indeed painful as I was out-of-shape. Compared to back then I had strong arm muscles and a tighter grip, but now I am all sticks and bones. As for Aya, the first few tries was ok, and later that time she told me, that she would like to try something else. Though she did tell me that if I would like to pursue the sport, she would gladly be my Belayer.



Maybe next time, will give it again a try. But in the end, we really had a great time.

Going for a MUD-DESERVED trail ride

So it's been nearly a month since I last had a bike ride, and I definitely need that much deserved trail ride. When to have it better is when the rain just passed by, and the trails are moist and wet.

So I arrived at UP Diliman this morning, and took the usual trail mix, only to find several routes unpassable. As it seems the Campus' is doing some constructions and land development, destroying some of the trails located around the vicinity. Well it is to be expected, that these "trails" were not permanent to begin with.

So I still was able to take-on some of the routes that I usually take around area, including the Beginner and Advanced trails near the College of Human Kinetics.

In the end I went home soaking wet and with lots of mud splatter all over my body. Truly a fun exciting ride.

Philippines Gundam Model Kit Contest 2016 - exhibition

So my wife and I saw this earlier at the SM Megamall event area.

I guess it's that time of the year, when newbie, amateur and professional modelers, as well as kitbashers meet.

Makes me miss building plamo kits.

Bunny's Kitchen: Baked Basil and Tarragon Chicken in Sweet Korean Sauce

Alright, so it's another day for cooking! So for tonight's dinner I made a dish I based on imagination:

Baked Basil and Tarragon Chicken

in Sweet Korean Sauce

Ingredients

6 pcs Chicken Thigh Fillet

1 White Onion, sliced

Bunny's 32nd Birthday, Pilgrimage and Roadtrip

Every year on May 1st, I celebrate my birthday together with my father. But for a change this year, I spent my birthday with my other half, Aya. So we planned on going on a road trip to the east of Metro Manila, up the mountains of Sierra Madre and back.

So why Sierra Madre and not going to other locations where other couples frequent like, Boracay, Puerto Galera and the like? Well with the limited time available and May 2 being a work day (as both of us are teachers, and students will surely be looking for us), we decided that a short trip outside the city would be for the best. So like any other driving trips we had, we left early so we could experience the cold mountain breeze before the noon heat comes.

Starting from Tandang Sora, Quezon City we took the Katipunan - Don Mariano Marcos Hway route. Going straight Don Mariano will bring your to the Marikina-Infanta road. From here, you will notice while driving that the scenery changes from the view of the city skyline to barrios, then later you'll get to see an abundance of trees waving at you while you drive past the hills.

The scenery changes as we pass-by Boso-Boso and Mang Vic's Bulalohan