2023 Highlights

2023 is a year that my Faith increased by Leaps & Bounds, as my nearness to Jesus Christ drew closer than ever!

After 14 years driving 3 different Isuzu SUV Models, I switched to Mitsubishi Montero Sport. We are very happy with it! Drive On!

Food Highlights

The BBQ Grill Bar was Raised Higher in 2023.

Batok Inihaw, AKA Pork Collar; cut above the Hog’s Shoulder.

Kalbi. Korean Beef Ribs, so fire up the Grill. Same Marinade for Kalbi as Batok…Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Gochujang/Korean Chili Paste, Sesame Oil, Garlic, Peppercorns, Green Onions, *Pour Marinade over Ribs, mix & put in ref 4 hrs. Sear Ribs each side & Grill 13-15 minutes until done. Baste with Homemade BBQ Sauce Ingredients, same as in Marinade.

Grilled Kalbi Steak Sando.

Dijon Mustard on the Bread, Kewpie Mayonnaise & Horseradish on the Kalbi, with Peppers & Onions.

Churrasco Asado AKA Brazilian BBQ. Beef & Pork Steaks/Chops/Chicken/Sausages.

I’ve eaten BBQ Duck in the Philippines a number of times. It is good with the correct Marinade… Coca Cola, Sprite or 7 Up, Soy Sauce, Lemon Juice or Lime Juice, Apple Cider Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Ground Black Pepper, Onion, Garlic, Ketchup.

Korean BBQ Chicken Rocks the House! For the Best Authentic Korean BBQ, if you do not have access to Gochujang, 고추장 /Korean Pepper Paste, you can use Red Pepper Flakes or Sriracha in the BBQ Sauce with…Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Crushed Garlic, Grated Ginger, Rice Vinegar or White Vinegar, Fish Sauce.

I can easily share more 2023 Gary’s Grillin’ & Chillin’ Grill Treats, however, I do not want to put you in Overdrive! Take it EZ!

I hope to see you one day, somewhere…all around Bacolod!

Your Amigo,

~ Gary ~

Korean Food Day

Bacolod City, The City of Smiles, welcomes the large Korean Community. Many Koreans are Community Builders here in the City, with their Restaurants, Korean Grocery Stores and with their other Contributions.

Have you seen one of the Korean Food Trucks around Bacolod City? Please let me know.

Korean Food is much more than only Spicy Ramen. However, I often begin my day with Spicy Korean Seafood Ramen. It sets my Metabolism until a later Lunch.

I have not forgotten being taught how to make Kimchi. My good friend, Gina Choi, owner of Gina’s Korean Place in Mary Esther/Ft Walton Beach Florida was my Kimchi Teacher way back in 1994!

Always use a large Glass Jar or Glass Dish to ferment your Kimchi. Napa Cabbage, Daikon Radish, Leeks, Green Onions, Carrots, Garlic, Ginger, Red Onion, Coarse Salt, Fish Sauce, Sugar, Gochujang/Korean Red Pepper Paste. It’s hot!

My 2 Signature Korean Dishes

Kalbi! Fire up the Grill and enjoy Kalbi.

Beef Ribs or Beef Steak. Kalbi Marinade…Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Gochujang/Korean Chili Pepper Paste, Sesame Oil, Garlic, Peppercorns, Green Onions. Pour Marinade over Beef, mix & put in ref 4 hours. Sear Ribs or Steak each side & Grill 5-6 minutes longer.

Note: Pork Ribs, Pork Chops and Pork Steaks also work well as Kalbi. However, Grill Pork longer than 5-6 minutes each side. Eat Safely!

Dwaeji Bulgogi Spicy Pork BBQ!

Pork Belly, Pork Shoulder or Pork Loin work very well.

Marinade… Marinate 2 hours Bosc Pear crushed if Asian Pear unavailable Onion Minced Garlic & Ginger Green Onion Soy Sauce Brown Sugar Black Pepper Red Pepper Flakes Grill, Broil or Pan Fry. I love to Grill!

There is so much more I can write about, concerning Korean Food. However, these will get you started.

I hope to see you one day, somewhere…all around Bacolod.

Your Amigo,

~ Gary ~

Jesus is right here in the Philippines where I am and He is right there where you are. There’s never any distance in Prayer and my Prayer goes out for Everyone to have Abundant Life that Jesus wants you to have.

Well Seasoned in Bacolod City

Negrense Style Inahaw na Liempo is Where The Action Is!

Pork Belly & Marinade…1 Lemon or 4 Calamansi Lime Juiced, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Garlic, Ginger, Banana Ketchup. Fire it Up and Just Grill, Baby, Grill.

Don’t Waste the Charcoal!

Grilled Lemon and Garlic Shrimp.

Fresh off the Grill Shrimp for Brunch? I do say…most certainly. Grilled Lemon Garlic Shrimp.

Marinate Shrimp up to 1 hour with…Lemon Juice, Few Dashes Olive Oil, Brown Sugar, Minced Garlic, Black Pepper, Old Bay Seasoning and Red Pepper Flakes are Optional.

Homemade Bacon

Choose a nice slab or 2 of Pork Belly, ever how many you want to use. Slice the thickness you like. Rub w/ blend of Black Peppercorns, Brown Sugar, Soy Sauce, & Pineapple Juice. Put into a zip lock, store in the Ref for 3-7 days. Can you wait ? Flip zip lock daily.

You got this!

I Hope You Enjoy

Creating Delightful Food in our Home Kusina is one of my favorite Hobbies.

I hope to see you one day, somewhere…all around Bacolod.

Your Amigo,

~ Gary ~

Your Testimony, Faith and Prayer are your Power!

USA Is Not Where The Action Is in 2023

I spent 3 weeks in Florida USA, August-September. My stops and 7 day stay in Angeles City Philippines & in Taipei Taiwan were both much more exciting.

Singing with Joseph Cordero and Band at Live House Music in Angeles City was a Blast!

Smart Fish Noodles in the Taipei Airport is Where The Action Is! I had the best Fresh Ramen Noodle Dish, which is out of this world! Loaded with cut up Fish, sliced Pork, Vegetables and Ramen! They also have their own Microbrewery on site for those who enjoy.

Home is where the Heart is and Florida is no longer my real home. Bacolod City is my Real Home! At our home with Saba Bananas from our Farm. Doesn’t take much for me to be happy!

I hope to see you one day, somewhere…All Around Bacolod.

Your Amigo,

~ Gary ~

Live House in Angeles City Philippines

I am in Angeles City until this Friday, when I fly to Orlando, Florida for 3 weeks.

My Filipino Brother, Randy, is with me, as this is my first time outside of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental since 2017.

The Drake Hotel is a Fabulous place to stay in Angeles City.

The Drake Hotel on-site Restaurant, Papi’s Bar and Chill serves up Authentic Country Style Home Cooking from Sountern America, other delights and Filipino Food. All prices are very reasonable.

Skip the Girlie Bar scene in Angeles City and head on down to the place Where The Action Is! Where? You know where…Live House Resto Bar! Every Taxi and Trike Driver knows the location. Fabulous Fries, other Dishes, Billiards, Live Band and you can sing with the Band. Go for it! The Manager and Waitresses are all Friendly, Helpful, Attractive and very Personable. Check them out and tell them Amigo Gary sent you!

We look forward to our next visit tomorrow night, Wednesday, at Live House Resto Bar. See ya there. Let’s Play!

I hope to see you this week in Angeles City and always somewhere…All Around Bacolod.

Your Amigo,

~ Gary ~

Chef Carmine’s Authentic Italian Cuisine in Bacolod City

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Carindarias: Underrated by Expats

I’ve met some craZy Expats during my time. Some refuse to eat any Filipino Food & others only eat in Hotels & other high end Restaurants. I am Adventurous, however, I know what to look for in a Carindaria. Clean place & Food Pots aren’t open but have closed lids. Fabulous Food at a number of Carindarias!

One of the first Filipino Dishes I ever tried was Lugaw, way back in 1986 in Manila. A long time Favorite and I like this Filipino Rice Porridge cooked w/Annatto, Salt & Ginger. Garnished with Fried Garlic Chips, Chicharrón, Boiled Egg, Calamansi/Lime, Fish Sauce & Green Onions. This is very easily made at home and there are Luhawan Carindarias which are Famous for their wonderful Lugaw.

Lugawan sa Tejeros is upscale on Chino Roces Avenue in Makati, Metro Manila. The make 4 different types of Lugaw, Palabok, Chicharrón Bulaklak, Lechon Kawali, Pork Sisig and various Breakfast Tapsilog…anytime! How can you not Love such a fabulous Carindaeia?

Checkout a local Carindaria today, will ya?

I hope to see you one day, somewhere…All Around Bacolod.

Your Amigo,

What’s Cooking: Highway 61 Revisited

This is Thursday and Throwback Comfort Food Day. You got a can of hominy just sitting in the cupboard? Let’s Kick it up for a Fabulous Brunch! Hominy with Tomatoes, Bacon and Egg. After that, it’s time to check out Buffalo Bob’s Blazin’ BBQ Seafood. I have my order in for Grilled Lison Fish.

I have Shrimp Creole in the Simmering and we will eat it later today. Rock Shrimp is excellent. Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Chopped…Onions, Bell Pepper, Celery & Garlic, Bay Leaves, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, a good Squeeze of Lime or Lemon Juice, Creole or Cajun Seasoning and Chopped Green Onions for garnishing. Serve with White Rice.

I hope to see you one day, somewhere…All Around Bacolod. See ya somewhere down the highway.

You Amigo,

~ Gary ~

What’s for Supper?

Asian Fusion is a good way to go! Great Food from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and India.

Fire Up the Grill!

Bacolod City is known as…The City of Smiles and I also call it…The City of Sausages. We have lived here since 2009 & I’ve been introduced to Hungarian, Swiss Schüblig & Cervelat, German Debraziner and just today, Slovenian Rainer, AKA Carniolan Sausages.

Pancit is a Delightful Noodle Dish, with several Variations.

Pancit Palabok and Pancit Bihon are my 2 favorites. So good!

Those will get you started! Till next time,

I hope to see you one day, somewhere, All Around Bacolod.

Your Amigo,

~ Gary ~

Message of the Day…

What’s for Breakfast?

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There are many wonderful choices for Breakfast in Negros Occidental. The Filipino Fry Up is for those ready to chow down with a full-size meal. Corned Beef Hash is the Center piece, with Longaniza Sausage, Pandesal bread, Sliced Tomatoes, Country Ham, Fried Egg and Mushrooms. No way can I finish this much food, so I eat a portion of each.

Lighter

Pandasal is used to create a number of Breakfast Sandwiches. Sakurab is Native Scallions. Add Scrambled Egg, Bacon, Tuna & Cheese on Pandesal and it is a Fabulous Breakfast Sandwich. Make 3 or 4 different ones for Variety or to go around.

Liempo Bacon

Buy local Pork Belly and Marinate it. Soy Sauce, Banana Catsup, Brown Sugar, Garlic, and Lime or Lemon Juice is the perfect Marinade. I like Fried Liempo for Breakfast and Grilled Liempo at other meals. Serve with Rice and kick it up with an Egg and Sliced Tomatoes.

Bistek Skillet…Steak, Caramelized Onions, Eggs and Rice.

This will get you started if you want an Authentic Filipino Breakfast.

I hope to see you one day, somewhere soon…all around Bacolod.
Your Amigo,
~ Gary ~