What happens to broccoli when you don't harvest it?

It blooms into the prettiest bunch of yellow flowers!

Technorati tags: veggies

Strawberries in our backyard!

Well, not exactly our backyard, but in a couple of pots sitting happily in the sun room and protected from the rather strong Wellington winds. I bought the plants last September. Soon enough white flowers bloomed, then the petals dropped and the berries began to form: from the small, dark centres of the flowers into light-green halfway-theres, and finally into bulging reddish goodness! And of course, it reminds me of my hometown of Baguio, famous for strawberries and jams.

Can't wait to have a taste of these!

Technorati tags: strawberry

El Pollo Loco

One of the restaurants we frequent in Manila is El Pollo Loco. What made visits special is that once upon a time, El Pollo Loco can only be found in SM Megamall. But it has since branched out to other malls. Loosely translated, the name of the establishment means crazy chicken! El Pollo Loco specializes in Mexican food and chicken is their specialty (which you might have already guessed from the name of the place). Their chicken, I must admit, is primarily the reason why my friends and I keep coming back for more. It has a distinct taste due to their special marinate and it's not coated with batter. Accompanying the chicken is the salsa, which you can have mild or hot. I think, though that the hot variety is not the "burn your mouth and run for water" variety. It's sufficiently spiced up for me.

Ginisang monggo

This is one of my favorite dishes. Whenever ginisang monggo (mung beans) is being cooked at home, I always ask for around half a cup or so of the freshly-boiled monggo and some of the water it boiled on, then I mix some sugar on it and presto! A sweet concoction I think noboby else does but me. It tastes like hopia monggo (another favorite!) without the flaky bread crust. My Nanay had gotten so accustomed to my request that she would usually add more than the usual monggo beans to boil. And of course, the ginisang munggo is truly the perfect dish on a cold rainy day. Paired with some dried or smoked fish and you have a wonderful wonderful meal!

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How to send financial help to the Philippines if you're in New Zealand

Migrante coordinator Dennis Maga said those who can send financial assistance may donate through the Migrant Action Trust (MAT), with ASB Bank Account No. 12 -3077-0509589- 00. "Donors can get one-third back of their donation as rebate since the MAT is a registered charity", he said.

Source: Globalnation.inquirer.net