Delijo's Banh Mi

I used to hate cilantro. I know hate is such a strong word but that’s exactly how I felt whenever I encountered the herb in my food specifically in Mexican cuisine. 

Just like cilantro, baguette was my least favorite carb. Even if it’s the most expensive one from a high end Boulangerie. I just can’t seem to appreciate it. Prolly because I am accustomed to the soft, pillowy bread like what most Japanese bread makers would offer. 

All of these, to the disappointment of Tapioca who adores anything Mexican and everything that is good and crusty bread like a French baguette. 

Everything changed when I got pregnant with little pumpkin. When hormones were crazy and my taste buds became weird. Suddenly, I was craving for anything with cilantro. The smell and taste was just too enticing. I can’t help but eat anything with it. 

It started with the Beef Thai noodles that oozed such strong cilantro flavor. Then the Banh Mi. These things I used to ignore and couldn't care less about pre pregnancy.

Unforch, I do not have any pictures of the stall where I get my Beef Thai Noodle fix. But I am aware that they have multiple stores around the city. The place is called Sen Luk Thai. I am not sure how authentic their food is but during my pregnancy cravings, I couldn't care less. In fact, I actually dream of travelling to Thailand and Vietnam. Hahaha!

I do have photos and videos of my favorite Bahn Mi stall. Again, I can't vouch for their authenticity but pregnant me back then loved every bit of it. I thought my taste bud would fail me once pregnancy is over. However, until this day, I am forever changed. My heart now belongs to anything with cilantro.

. . . delijo at the food court of robinsons forum in pioneer st.

traditional baguette, my favorite! . . . 

. . . fresh spring rolls, but I prefer the fried version 😉

For the record, I've only tried two places that offer Bahn Mi. Banh Mi Kitchen and Delijo. I can say that I prefer Delijo over Banh Mi Kitchen. It's hard to explain but I think their Bahn Mi's are two worlds apart. From the baguette used, to the butter, meat and pâté, everything is just not the same. For me, Delijo wins quality wise.

I love Delijo for it's consistency. I know making a sandwich is as easy as ABC but I commend Delijo for being consistent. I really, really love them. 

Check out this video, where the staff was being generous in putting cilantro in my sandwich per my request 😊

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I Quit!

Nope. Not blogging, duh!

Today, I came across this message from Teri Hatcher’s Instagram account . . .

If you’re going to quit anything, QUIT being lazy, QUIT making excuses and QUIT waiting for the right time.

Bull’s eye! Big time. Need to get off my lazy a**.

Thank you, Teri! Mwah 💋

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Lunar New Year 2020

 Happy Lunar New Year!

. . . photo from here

How was your new year? If you ask about us, nothing much really. We were just at home like a regular weekend. Tapioca is still recovering so we are stuck at home. Though we were able to attend the mass yesterday afternoon. But that’s about it. No fancy meal, no festivities. Nada.

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Tapioca and Dengue Fever

Last week, Tapioca fought with dengue fever. It was hell.

. . .  spot Tapioca

It started with him complaining about some itchy insect bite around his arm. He didn’t know and couldn’t tell where he got it from. Not even sure if it’s mosquito bites. I mean, it could be bed bugs or something. All he could say, it was damn itchy.

Sunday morning, he started to have a fever. Despite feeling feverish he was able to go to the market, prepared and cooked food for the supposed drinking party with his officemates at home.

By lunchtime, he could not bear to stand let alone sit and accommodate his friends. He was in bed all day running with a very high fever (39 degrees which never went down even when he took paracetamol). Munchkin and I entertained his guests. We didn’t even know Taal Volcano erupted while we partied.

Monday and his fever was still up. He was having diarrhea and having difficulty eating. All he wanted was to lay down in bed. He went to a nearby clinic and was prescribed some antibiotics. The doctor advised him to get CBC if the fever never goes down by Wednesday.

I took his temperature again as soon as I got home from work. It was at 40 degrees. I wanted to give him some water bath to help lower down the fever but then I noticed the rashes. He insisted those are his freckles and not rashes.

It was night time so I wasn't sure. I went online and checked again. I read all the signs of dengue fever. He had all the signs except for vomiting and bleeding. I told him we will not wait till Wednesday for the CBC. We will get one in the morning.

Tuesday morning came and he woke me up saying he needed to go to the hospital as he was feeling really bad and having hallucinations.

We rushed to Makati Medical Center’s ER and got confirmation that he was indeed having dengue fever. Since it’s his 2nd time (he previously had dengue fever when he was younger), the symptoms were more severe.

He was very weak and helpless. Getting up was such a pain. I couldn’t stand all the blood extractions. I imagine how difficult it could have been for very young children if they got infected. 

I thought of our kids, Munchkin and Pumpkin. I prayed and asked for protection so that they may be spared. I prayed Tapioca will get better soon and avoid all complications. It was all I could do. PRAY.

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Pumpkin’s Bapstism

We finally got the pictures from Pumpkin’s baptismal day. Usually, it just takes two weeks to get them from our trusted photographer but because of the holidays it took quite some time. I was so excited to go through them after receiving it last Sunday.

Pumpkin got baptized at a local church near our place. I have been going here ever since I was a little girl. The church had gone through major changes and renovations over the years. I’d say it’s current state is the most beautiful it has ever been. It now has a bell tower with the most beautiful sound.

Unfortunately, solo baptism was only available from Tuesday to Friday. In consideration for guests who were available during weekends only, we joined the mass baptism on a Sunday. It was Immaculate Conception Sunday.

There were 26 kids who received the sacrament of baptism that day. It was a chaos. It was so hot because the electric fans were turned off. They turned it off so as not to extinguish the candles during the ceremony. Imagine all the people especially the kids sweating it all out like we were in a big sauna room.

I’m glad I got pumpkin a baptismal outfit in cotton fabric. And thankfully the baptismal rite didn’t take that long despite the number of children being baptized. When Father finished blessing all the kids, everyone had to fight off a spot at the altar for photo op.

We made a rush to the other side of the altar. Not as pretty as the one in the center but good enough for the church picture souvenir. We did not take a lot of photos because there were other families waiting for their turn. Also, we had to rush for our reservation at Gino’s. They're only giving 15 minutes to hold on to our reserved tables.

Reception at Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza in Serendra.

Will make more kwento when I feel like it *wink, wink* Hahaha!

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