Kinason (Philippine Clams) & Galunggong (Mackerel Scad)

Kinason is what we call this kind of clam in the picture below. It is usually cooked as a soup with Malunggay and spices. But here, Mom mixed it with Okra, Kamote Tops/Leaves, Sili Leaves/Saluyot (Jute Leaves), Kamatis (Tomatoes), Luy-a (Ginger), Sibuyas Dahon (Scallion/Spring Onions), Tanglad (Lemon Grass) and some salt to taste. When this soup is cooked, it'll be a bit thick/slimy looking because of the okra and saluyot leaves cooked together.

Galunggong or Mackerel Scad (Decapterus macarellus) can grow up to a foot in length and has a dark somewhat oily but tasty flesh. This fish is an extremely common fish in Philippine waters and markets. It is usually cooked fried or grilled. Below is a picture of how it looks like when it's fried.

This is what we had today :) The clams only worth 20 pesos, the galunggong 50 pesos, all the vegetables 30 pesos. So for a total of 100 pesos, this could feed about 5 people for 2-3meals depending on their consumption :) We've had it for 2 meals already and we still have alot left.

The Husband Store

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store
ONLY ONCE !

There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch . . .. you may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband . . On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1 -
These men have jobs and love the Lord.

The second floor sign reads:

Floor 2 -
These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids.

The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 -
These men have jobs, love the Lord, love k! ids, and are extremely good looking.

"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads:

Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead good looking and help with the housework. "Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!" Still, she goes
to the fifth floor and sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak. She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 6 -
You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Watch your step as you exit the building, and have a nice day!

Please send this to all men for a good laugh and to all the women who can handle the truth!

Mamsuy's Chow Fan

Is what we're having today. :) Chow Fan (Chaa Peung) - Fried Rice in Chinese is cooked in different ways, this is one of them. Usually its much better/tastes better if left over rice is used with it. I don't know why, it just is.

My Mom - Susan Lim - also known as MamSue or Mamsuy by her friends, cooks really good food but only cooks these kinda good food whenever she wants - whenever she feels like it. If I had her talent and if I could just clone myself, one would be cooking in my own restaurant, one would be doing my current job, and the other taking care of Zaza. So anyway, back to the Chow Fan.

Mom made use of leftover rice from last night, scrambled eggs, spring onion, bell pepper, and some seasonings to add color and taste.

I was up late lastnight working so I woke up a bit late, Zaza was already up and helped mom cook this. He woke me up and said it was time for us to eat breakfast, so I stood up and ate with him. Here's a photo of Mom's little helper, Zaza, right after cooking.

Binas-oy & Fried Kutob

Is what we had for lunch today and what we'll have for dinner tonight.

Binas-oy or Bas-oy is a vegetable soup usually mixed with Malunggay (Horseradish Tree), Alugbati (Malabar Nightshade), Okra, Kalabasa (Squash), Kamote Tops/Leaves, String Beans, Tanglad (Lemon Grass), Kamatis (Tomatoes), and Luy-a (Ginger). Some mix it with more veggies and some with Fried/Grilled Fish but I like it this way and this is our recipe - actually my mom's, but I usually request that no fish be added so it'll only be just veggies. I usually have these cooked when I feel sick and it does work wonders. This is also highly recommended for lactating mothers and sickly children.

Kutob is a common salt water fish that's always readily available in most wet markets here in Cagayan de Oro. Mom says there's no season for availability for this fish. I can't seem to find any picture of live Kutob nor information about it. I also forgot to take a photo before it was fried, i'll do next time.

The vegetable names above have been linked to another site where there is more detailed information for each of the vegetables. Most of these Philippine vegetables are medicinal and in that site are details that some of these plants may cure the ailments.