Tai Chi Momma

about me

I remember learning to cook from my Dad, who is from the Pampanga province in the Philippines. It's known throughout the Philippines for its regional cuisine. When my dad immigrated to the U.S. he worked as a cook at a diner. He taught me how to flip pancakes, how to cut my vegetables all the same size and how to be organized in the kitchen.

The first dish I ever made by myself was fried chicken and I was 12. I really became enthusiastic about food and cooking when I was in college and living off-campus. Over the next 10 years, I always loved to make meals for myself and friends and finally last year, I left my IT job to pursue a new career: a sushi chef.

After working for 9 months as a sushi chef in a high-end sushi restaurant, I'm now at home, expecting my first child this December. I'm experimenting with cooking once a week and my goal is to come up with a repertoire of fast, tasty and healthy recipes for me and my growing family.

My dream is to one day open a little cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. It'll have fantastic crepes and an assortment of Filipino snacks and baked items. A little place to have what we Filipinos call "merienda", a mid-morning snack or an afternoon tea.

Here's my rating system:
5 stars - Great, easy to make, and gets the approval from the family. A regular staple for me.
4 stars - Good, but I had a little trouble making it. A keeper, but needs a little refining.
3 stars - Ok and the family liked it, but not something I would make again.
2 stars - Not good. Doesn't match my tastes nor my family's. Not for us.
1 star - Not recommended. I'll usually have detailed notes for why I don't like something.

Favorite Foods:

Chicken Adobo, Guinataan, Kare-Kare, Lumpia, Matzo Ball Soup, Chopped Liver, Smoked Salmon, Osso Bucco with Risotto, Sushi, Korean Tofu Soup with Seafood, Sweet and Savory Crepes, Sesame Balls Filled with Mungbean Paste, Baked Roasted Pork Buns.

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