Wraps

Chef Ed Dychauco, RN

(May 16, 2013)

What comes into our mind whenever we hear the word “wraps”? Can it be a piece of cloth that covers a part of our body? Or can it be a piece of paper that covers a gift for giving?

But since we are food lovers, then we should be pertaining to nothing else but something that covers pieces of food that eventually would get into our mouths! What else?

A fad that has been going strong for some time, this can both be healthy, hearty, and bad depending on what is in it. The wrap itself plays an important part of the meal itself. It can be plain, made of whole wheat, or incorporated with healthy stuffs like spinach, garlic pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and others.

Now, what is a wrap by the way? It actually looks like a piece of very thin bread, like a piece of lumpia wrapper. Maybe it can also be a called a distant cousin of the very popular “crepe”. It is available in supermarkets or it can also be home-made. But why take time in making them when they are readily available?

The good thing with this is that this wrap itself is already good by itself, whether as it is or heated up in oven, toaster or pan. I like it a bit “crispy” on the sides while maintaining the middle part soft so I can roll it well without the filling falling over when I start biting into it.

Think of the “wrap” as a piece of bread, but just workable and bigger. So, whatever you can put into your bread, one can technically put anything in it, both savory & sweet.

Personally, I always look forward to this “meal” (I really consider this a meal!) any time of the day, be as a breakfast item, lunch, dinner or even as snack item! Again, depending on what I really put into it for that delicious treat! What about midnight snacks, too?

To start with, I always heat up my wrap. Then I start putting in the “fillings” I enjoy. It could be anything ranging from fresh greens like lettuce, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, carrots, celery, to anything that is pickled (that should really give it a twist!) with that sour, sweet, spicy add on.

For most part, it would be any processed meats like spiced ham, sweet ham, turkey, bologna, salami, sausages and various cheeses like feta, cheddar, swiss, jack’s, and many others.

Next on the list can be any home-made left overs, say pieces of letchon, fish fillets, adobo flakes, humba, kaldereta, pork & beans, embotido, pork chop, letchon manok, or even those morning left-overs like tocino, tapa, corned beef, chorizo, longganiza, hotdog, srambled or sunny-side up eggs, etc. (that is if there are still anything left!)

I try to chop them into smaller pieces for a better chew of course. And easier wrapping for easier (and faster) eating!

If the left overs has sauce, then that takes care of it. But if there is none, I might add some condiments like catsup, mayonnaise, pickles or pickle relish, mustard to bring it the next level. Or maybe some gravy. And even a dash of hot pepper if there is a need!

And for the vegetarians, this goes well with any fresh or cooked vegetables like pinakbet, rellenong talong, laing, sari-sari, guisadong ampalaya, guinataang kalabasa… hey! The list can go on! It just takes a little imagination & lots of appetite!

The good thing with this type of food is that it can be eaten formally (if you prefer to call it such), depending on the presentation, slice it into smaller pieces, plate it well and voila! An elegant meal by itself!

It can also be an “eat & run” meal, an over-the-counter on the go meal, a fast food item (which this belong to for now) and is getting extremely well-liked & trendy, especially to the busy people.

I should say this fashionable item should be pocket-friendly. Again depending where one gets it and what is inside it.

Also, this is one food item that can be prepared ahead of time, wrapped well, frozen and then re-heated when needed for that quick fix any time of the day! What a convenient way of eating!

To recap, this well-liked food item can be a regular staple in our refrigerators as long as we have the basic ingredients: wraps, veggies, meats, condiments. And it doesn’t have to be expensive at all!

I always say, we need a well-balanced meal, so with those said, let’s enjoy a great, good meal!

Website:  www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com    Email:  potsnpans1976@yahoo.com  

I Love You…. Mama!

Chef Ed Dychauco, RN
(May 9, 2013)

These are the 4 most wonderful words one can declare to their mother, not just on Mom’s Day, but every day of the year!

I cannot remember how many times I have said this, but I guess it is not enough because I feel that phrase should be part of my “vocabulary” day-in & day-out, morning, noon & night-time!

The only memories I have as a baby and a small kid would be the thousands of photos you have kept all these years. All black & white, or should I say, brown & white (?), immaculately kept in a box, but mostly in those weathered-look albums that have been well preserved all these years!

That’s my mom! She really takes tons of photos and took good care of them!

I sure did and continue to enjoy looking at my baby pictures. Those are memorable treasures that money can’t buy! I can always brag that I was a cute & adorable baby! Okay. We all are cute and adorable when we were babies and that includes you!

Growing up, I can always say all of us were taken cared well with what we’ve got. We were probably not sent to the best schools there is but we managed to grow up and finished our degrees in due time. We became parents ourselves and now, I am seeing, feeling and experiencing what a parent is subjected to.

But I am certain, that being a mom is truly demanding, but rewarding. Can one imagine what she does all day? Endless house hold chores, the unceasing assignments, the everyday pocket money &” baon”, the uniforms, and so many other important duties she does for her kids?

When we don’t feel well, when we are hurt, when we are sick, it is always our mom that comes to the rescue. Who do we call when we are in need? Mama! What is the first word do we say when something goes wrong? Mama!

My mom, who just turned 85 two weeks ago, is a very strong lady. She is full of love and I am so lucky to have her as my mom! The very best in the whole wide world!

Nonetheless, I would like to say that Mom will be mom, no matter what. And that can never be taken away from them.  That goes to my wife, too who is a mom to my fantastic kids.

But I still would like to include in our list of other mamas, beautiful people who “acted”, “perform” and “function” as a mom to us. Say, our grandmothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, and even yayas who definitely had taken care of us at one time or the other.

These wonderful people also deserved to be called “moms”, too because they also took time to look after us. I believe what we are today is partly because of the people around us. They have absolutely given us a part of their lives. And we should be thankful for that.

Maybe all the “women” in the world should be given due recognition not only today but all the days of their lives.  And what can we do?

Actually, there’s so much. Pamper them with Love! Care! Tenderness! Spend romantic moment with her and her alone. Give or treat her with what she like and love.

And if we have more, we can give them more of course. Give her a bouquet of flower, treat her to a candlelight dinner or be the “chef” for the day, give her a luxury massage, delight her in beauty spa, possibilities are endless.

And for those who have just enough, treat her well, with respect , as a friend, as a partner and as a mother to your kids!

Happy Super Mother’s Day!!!!

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Travelling…. Alone!

Chef Ed Dychauco, RN
(April 25, 2013)

For so many times, I am sure we have travelled alone at some point of our lives. Be it near or far, within and far beyond.

Every time we prepare to take a trip, it is with great enthusiasm, preparation and “looking-forward” to the planned journey. We might constantly talk about it, share our feelings about it and even “brag” about it to family & friends.

The excitement and everything prior to the trip can be so overwhelmingly exhausting. But in the end, making the trip is THE ultimate goal.

I have had my share of these travels myself. Months or even years before the planned trip is always full of eagerness & anticipation. There is the thrill, yet there is also the fear especially if one is going to a place where it is totally new.

Say, going abroad. For sure, many can relate to this. It is with so much interest prior to the trip. What to bring, what to do and all the “what ifs”.

Leaving behind loved ones for a period of time is hard. I can say that for sure. I remember my very first trip abroad and it was terribly hard to adjust. The subsequent trip is equally hard more so because of the time spent with family & friends during vacations.

However, on the lighter side of it, one can move freely and easily because one doesn’t have to wait for other people. With this, one get to go around the place faster and less time is spent waiting, if you know what I mean. In totality, the word there is “flexible”.

For me, I am always fascinated by the beauty of nature, historical sites and tourist spots. So I tend to devote my time in “old structures”, museum, parks, and maybe theme parks, too. Nature including flora & fauna captivate & mesmerizes me.

And like most of us around, taking pictures becomes second nature to me. So I can always say, the camera is really an extended part of my life! Just like my mom as everyone would say!

The only regret in taking picture without a companion is not being able to take good photos of one self, unless one get to bring a tripod with them. Most cameras are now equipped with a timer, so it won’t be as hard.

I always believe one should travel light especially if there is a lot of “walking” tours. Bring some water and light snacks just in case since most “tourist” areas sell items at a higher price.

Try to wear comfortable shoes & clothing fit for the trip. An extra light jacket might be needed if it becomes chilly at the later part of the day or night.

Use rechargeable batteries it is cheaper in the long run. Just make sure to bring the charger with you! Or you will end up buying more batteries along the way!

Taking video of the place or activity is also good. Again, most cameras now are furnished with built-in camera that can take so much, depending on the capacity of your memory card.

And if the area calls for a “scenic & panoramic” shot, then do so with these new cameras. It is worth it and trust me, it can tell so much about the place without any explanations!

Make friends along the way. And who knows, they might become your friends and you will end up helping each other if the needs arises.

Most of all, enjoy the expedition and bring back lots of memories!

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Today’s Dining out encounters in cdo!

Chef Ed Dychauco, RN
(April 18, 2013)

With the influx of new and exciting restaurants, cafes & eating places in the city, one must be in awe as to what new places to visit and what sort of new and contemporary cuisine to try.

With still a lot of local and nationally franchised “restos” within the city, newer ones have to compete with these well-known & recognized establishments and make a name to capture the market.

A variety of diners can be found in the newer malls and shopping centers although some are found along the major streets or the newer sections of the fast rising city of golden friendship.

I was into a few of them and I personally have nice and bad encounters with the servers and of course, the food itself.

Just like everywhere, one can come across well-versed versed waiters & waitresses when asked about their menus, which is a plus factor.

One thing I hate is when I asked for “recommended or most-sought after” dish they have and they would give me 3-5 selections, which can range from anything they have in their list!

For a very few real great places to dine, they would have great food, great prices and great portions. But sad to say, quite a number of restaurants I visited have ridiculous & outrageous prices for their over hyped offerings.

The menu card or posters looks so deceivingly good, but in reality, they are so tiny in proportions and do not even come close to what they are promoting! Such bad and inconsiderate advertisements!

Not only that, prices are so expensive! A few examples I can give are as follows: for a 10” boneless deep-fried  very thin bangus (with a few slices of tomatoes) costs more than P200.00, so with the greasy letchon kawali that costs more than P250.00 for a few slices! There was even no “plating” at all that one can say they have put some “effort” on the dish!

One menu states so nicely, salad with feta cheese. But in reality they used locally manufactured cheddar cheese! And for a price that is so unreasonable! The “award-wining” kinilaw came in with a nice presentation, but sad to say when poured into the plate, one can count the number of cubed fishes with their fingers!

I was hoping I would have a great dining experience but to my dismay. It was really out of this world! No wonder I remember a few “Chef-friends” of mine from Manila some years ago who came for some exhibit and was commenting on the “titles”, presentation and the dish itself!

The name of the dish sound so interestingly “new” and sensational but was totally disappointed because it is not what it was supposed to be after all! And when asked to speak with the manager or owner, they were nowhere to be found!

In totality, I think we still have so much to learn. It is not only in the presentation, being an award winning dish,  and the other several factors that makes the dish, but it should boil down to “value for your money”!

Yes, ambiance is important. That kind of make one wants to come back, but not because of the place, but because of the food and the services that goes with it!

Some plays really loud music which is great for the yuppies and the very young but if it is meant to be a great dining experience, I don’t think this is applicable.

Loud music tend to make people scream rather than talk in a modulated voice.

One problem that I have also observed is the lack of parking spaces. It is really hard to find a safe spot nearby. Either they have few spaces or they are filled up. Having someone guide you as to where to park would be nice. It would also be plus factor with visible security around that makes us so much safer to park.

Surely, in due time with more newer and themed food places opening doors to the public, one would have more choices and perhaps, the others can and will improve on their offerings so as to be competitive.

But one thing is sure. Once a client likes the food and everything that goes with it, that establishment becomes the ultimate place to be. That being said, I believe is the secret of longevity in business!

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