Batchoy

Rainy day makes me want to eat something that is hot and just avoid the nasty and wet weather outside. One of my favorite comfort food is “batchoy”.   Batchoy is one of Ilonggo’s pride and I can proudly say that I have never tasted an equally delicious tasting batchoy outside Iloilo.

Batchoy is made of noodles, pork organs, liver, shrimp, chicken and chicharon (pork cracklings.)

Now that's one of the best thing being an Ilonggo, we got the privileged to taste this delicious Ilonggo delicacy. 

My Cup of Tea

When I was younger I’m not fond of drinking tea, it’s not that I don’t like it, I thought before that drinking tea is only used as a cure for a stomachache. That’s why I was wondering why my grandfather loves drinking tea. The first thing he would do every time he arrives is to make a cup of tea. So, I just thought that maybe he loves drinking tea because he’s a Chinese (not sure though).

As I get older drinking tea (we called it “cha”) is not bad at all. Now, I drink it even without a stomachache as I was used to do. Before I would only drink tea only if it is sweetened by sugar to get rid of the bitter taste, but now I can drink it without sugar.

Luckily, my brother brought a green tea plant, so, I’m no longer dependent on bag or dried teas. I can now make my own fresh green tea. I also made my own ice tea beverage made from green tea leaves, that I can be sure that is fresh and chemical free, rather than buying bottled ice tea or powdered ice tea juice.

Here’s how:

Green Tea Leaves

Honey or Sugar

Lemon (or any citrus)

1. Boil green tea leaves for 2-3 minutes.
2. Strain to separate green tea leaves from its water.
3. Add honey to sweetened
4. You can add lemon or any citrus available to enhance the flavor.

Loving my cup of tea, literally!

Enjoy!

Make Your Own Soya Milk

Soya milk is a healthy beverage plus it is inexpensive compared to cow’s milk although it doesn't contain calcium. Making your own soya beverage is easy and it is much cheaper than to buy it in a supermarket though it is more convenient to purchase than to go through all the process of making soya drink.  But since we love to drink soya milk at home it is much more practical for us to make our own soya milk and be sure there’s no preservatives in it. Also, I sometimes like to do things on a traditional.

There is a soy milk machine that you can use to which is pretty cool but it is also quite expensive. If you don’t have a soy milk machine a blender would do. 

Ingredients:

1 cup soya beans

Water

Equipment Needed:

Blender

Large pot

Bowl (large enough to soak the beans)

Cheese cloth (or any clean cloth for straining)

Spatula (this will be used for stirring)

Directions:

1. Soak the soy beans in a bowl of water for about 8-12 hours. Make sure that the water covers the top of the beans.  If possible change the water a few times during soaking time.

2. Put your rinsed and drained beans in a blender with just enough water to cover and blend your soy beans.

3. Blend for 2-3 minutes or until turned into foamy puree.

4. In large pot add 7-8 cups of water then add the soybean mixture. Bring to boil and then simmer for about 30 minutes. This will bring into a foam, just stir it to bring it down the foam or add a little bit of cold water.

5. Pour the soybean mixture in a cheese cloth and squeeze out as much as liquid as you can.

Unsoak Soya Beans

Soak Soya Beans for 8 hours

Soaked Soya Beans

Blended Soya Beans

Bring to Boil Soya Mixture

Okara 

Ready to Drink Soya Milk

You can also strain the soybean mixture before cooking, either way you will likely to achieve the same results. Soybeans contains enzymes that is why you need to make sure to cook it for 25-30 minutes to avoid the beany and bitter taste of the finished product. I’m sure you won’t like to drink soy milk that is bitter. Add sugar to taste. Lastly, you can add cocoa or vanilla for flavoring if desired.

Better serve hot or cold.

Enjoy!