SHOW ME ST LOUIS TV STINT and a Pop Up

Can someone please tell me I'm not dreaming?

Ok fine,  let me breathe... but yes today, I was  on SHOW ME ST. LOUIS! I'm stoked being with  the host and STL's favorite Ms. Heidi Glaus.

Alright please forgive me for  posting this picture.  (In our defense the lights were off when this photo was taken) I just needed to put it out there that working with Heidi makes you feel like you are a pro in front of the TV camera.  The truth is she made the whole experience fun and easy, that I totally forgot I was on cam!  Seriously Heidi, thank you so much for this wonderful experience.  And of course to the whole crew of Show Me St. Louis (even up to the Security Guard haha!).

SO I was on Show Me St. Louis to share some of the plates I will be serving at my next pop-up,  Did I say another POP-UP?  Oh ok, sorry for not updating you guys on what's going on but yes, I have another pop-up this coming June 27 at Hammer and Hand Imports.   Hammer and Hand is a hip furniture shop owned by Chris and Amy.  They've been hosting one of a kind pop-up dinners at their store lately.  It was serendipitous that one day, I just dropped by their store and voila, here I am schedule to do another pop up at their venue.   I am also collaborating with another couple, Carlos and Val, owners of 2340 Kitchen Mobile Services.  We've been  neighbors all these years but I'm excited to know them closely as we work together for this upcoming event.

Ok fine, here's the link of my SHOW ME ST. LOUIS stint .  But before you click that, if  you want to reserve for the pop-up, I suggest you do so because space is limited. Click the button to reserve. 

See you soon!

The Salo Project: An Epic Event

The Salo (a gathering) Project-  moveable pop up dinners by Yana Gilbuena is a series of  epic events.

Yana has been traveling across the US doing what she does best - cooking a feast for a gathering of adventurous diners; she believes that to best understand the culture is thru food. And that's exactly what she brought to STL: The experience to eat with a big group Kamayan style on banana leaves, yet with refined dishes is just amazing. On top of that she's doing this for a cause: for the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Thank you Yana for inviting me to be a part of this noble cause. I truly enjoyed working with talented Filipino chefs, supported and made possible by the friendly staff ofWinslow's Home headed by the owners, executive Chef Wil, Angela and Nowell. I've also always wanted to collaborate with Joel Crespo of the Guerrilla Street Food fame, and having said that, Salo is a dream... a sweet dream. 

Thank you also to the adventurous diners and the unfailing support of my family and friends. Honestly your endless support is what fuels my passion to promote and celebrate Filipino food.

The fierce and the force behind Salo: YANA GUILBUENA

Hats off to you Yana for pulling it off with every single dinner that you create from state to state... This is a noble and courageous project. More Power!

Prepping up my dish of DINAKDAKAN.  I call it the SISIG of the North

Met another Filipio Chef, Nowell Gata, who was a powerful force at the back of the house.

Chef Nowel executing Yana's  Squah Flan.

Joel Crespoo co-owner of the Guerrilla Street Food truck;winner of the best food truck in the US.  They served DINUGUAN for SALO.

The executive chef of Winslow's Home(the venue) Chef Wil  Fernandez-Crus, together with Sauce editor in chief Ligaya Figueras

The adventurous diners

My KapaMEALYA (my ever loyal family and friends)

SALO rockstar Yana Gilbuena pouring her ginataan concoction over fried hito

The venue: WINSLOW"s HOME,  where it brings you to s different era.  It used to be a grocery store but the owners gutted it down in to a bohemian chic resto cum bookstore, cum kitchen store with up cycled everything.  I just loved the hip ambience.perfect for an epic event

Serving my Dinakadakan and a short spiel.

My daughter Izzy and foodie friend Maxene... in the foreground are beers from Urban Chestnut who sponsored the beer pairing for the event.

My friend Gerome with the "special" in the menu: BALUT

Balut-brave eaters

Being on Feast TV | Pan Seared Lamb Chops in Tamarind and Lemongrass Reduction

I  told  you in my last post, how ecstatic I was being featured in three magazines in August right? But September just kicked in and it gets more exciting! You see,  I'm blushing as I write this post.

For the September issue of Feast Magazine  I am featured as one of the five STL bloggers talk about their favorite gadget and share a recipe (of course) on the article Go Gadgets Go,  What's more thrilling is the fact that I am featured twice, as I am also on Feast TV, (launched in April and is  Emmy nominated on its maiden show).

Yes, I. AM. ELATED.

I am sharing with you the video clip here but before we do that, allow me to thank Liz Miller, the managing editor of Feast.  When she initially emailed me regarding the article in June, I was ecstatic. After a series of emails and a meet up, I then got another email from her, saying that I will also be featured on Feast TV too. Whoa. I was floored because I know that it's going to be huge. I also would like to thank the video tandem Hannah Radcliff and Edward Calvey, if you watch the show, you'll be impressed at their work, and I mean REALLY impressed!  Also Kristin Brashares for making me at ease with the camera.  I guess the team's energy infected me with calm-ness and it made the whole experience really FUN! 

A special thanks to my good friend Ralph Cordova, who is a professor (in his normal life he says) but is also the creative force behind Verdura Botanica,  He is the reason why I was oozing with self confidence, as he designed my diva-usque apron! (He designs and makes leather bags, crafts soaps, I tell you he is multi talented and I'm so lucky to have him as a friend-- hihi).

So here's the clip and oh, btw it will also air on KDNL ABC St Louis on Sunday, at 9:30 am.Please click here to watch.

I shared a recipe I developed using my favorite gadget, an immersion blender.  I used two of my favorite ingredients: tamarind and lemongrass.

Pan Seared Lamb Chopsin Tamarind and Lemongrass Vinaigrette Reduction

Skip to Malou in the Lou | Vietnamese Summer Rolls

A year ago, my husband got me on a flight bound for St. Louis.  I left San Diego filled with trepidation, as I did not know what adventures lay ahead.  I viewed one last time the beautiful So Cal coastline accentuated by the waves from the Pacific.  I will miss San Diego, the beaches, the weather, the park, the food and the friends we have left behind.

As our plane touched down that Friday afternoon in September, I had my first look and see what my new city is all about.  It was the end of summer and all our kids were off to college, so we thought that moving to a new city was very timely.  But just like in any move, adjusting to a new place, forging new friendships and building a new home can be very daunting.  But after a year, I am glad St. Louis has treated us well - way beyond our expectations.  I have fallen in love with St. Louis and its people.

We now enjoy the company of new friends...

Got a chance to have lunch with the Mayor:

Becoming one with Cardinal Nation...

Trekking to Food Truck Fridays...

And having a brief Taste of St. Louis...

... Continuing to be uplifted during Sunday services at the majestic Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis...

Even my blog has evolved, I've added a new segment on All Things St. Louis.

Now I've developed a new Modern Asian Cooking Series that I teach at Whole Foods and will soon have at the Kitchen Conservatory in the winter.

Another highlight is appearing on KSDK NewsChannel 5  and I look forward to another guest appearance on September 29, 2012.  

As my blog has brought me the opportunity to interact with a lot of friends and new acquaintances interested in Filipino and Asian cooking, I am reaching out to the local community to preach the wonders of Filipino and Asian food.  I want to share the unique flavors and dishes of Filipino cooking and broaden the palates of the community by highlighting Asian cuisine.  Not only is it quick and easy to prepare, but the ingredients are also readily available.

Anyone can prepare Filipino and Asian dishes that are very simple to make.  I hope you could join me in my next class Sept.11 at 6:30pm and we can start our journey to learn more about Modern Asian Cooking. Here's a link on how to register... for those not based here in STL, allow me to share with you another easy recipe called:

VIETNAMESE SUMMER ROLLS

8 sheets rice paper
green lettuce leaves, hand torn into pieces
1/2 pack rice vermicelli
1/2 bundle of cilantro, chopped
large cocktail shrimp (ready to eat from the store)
1/2 cup chicken strips, cooked (I used left over roast chicken)

Dipping Sauce
1 tablespoon premium fish sauce
3 tablespoons chicken stock
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1/2 teaspoon Chirashi sauce
1 tablespoon  sugar
2  tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon finely chopped peanuts
2 cloves garlic, minced

DIRECTION
Boil rice vermicelli in a pot of chicken stock for 5 minutes or until al dente.  Drain and set aside.
While others dip their rice paper in a bowl, I use a brush dipped in a bowl of warm water, then let the wet brush make the wrapper pliable.
On a flat surface, lay the wrapper and layer lettuce, rice noodles, cilantro, chicken and shrimp.  Traditionally, summer rolls have mint, so feel free to add but for me, I omit the mint.
Roll the rice paper.

SAUCE:
In a small bow, mix the fish sauce, hoisin, Chirachi sauce, chicken stock, lime juice, garlic, sugar.  Season according to taste.  Sprinkle chopped nuts and minced garlic.

Best served cold

All Good Things St. Louis: Pi at the Delmar Loop

All Good Things St. Louis is my attempt to give you glimpses of what the city is all about. Being new residents of St. Louis, I thought of sharing with you our adventure as we explore our new city (just like my previous posts: The Big Change and Taste of St. Louis: My Gateway to the City).

So this is our third weekend, yes can you believe it?  Today my husband took a surprise turn at the Delmar Loop. It is an area six blocks long where you find good grub and vintage finds, theater, music (including an amazing vintage record/music store called Vintage Vinyl) and other entertainment activities.  The one that caught his attention was The Pageant, a concert venue. He suddenly parked the car and was excited that Beirut was playing tomorrow.  I don't particularly know the group and of course he bought 2 tickets before I realized what was going on.  So it will be an interesting adventure tomorrow, but we'll see.

Not knowing anything about the area, we saw groups of people dining across the street from The Pageant.  Besides Yelp, the best way to know where to go eat is by the number of people dining at the place.  We found ourselves walking towards that direction and voila what a lovely surprise.

The tables outside were mostly occupied, so we were escorted inside... and it was a blessing in disguise.  Because inside I was drawn to its artsy decors.  It was hip, cool and "green".  I bet the furnishings were collected from "thrift store" finds, along with vintage and antique store purchases.

The interiors has the industrial-chic look...

And at times also whimsical,

And I waited patiently as my husband tried to memorize the beers on tap, until he finally ordered a glass of Schafly Pale Ale beer, which was sweet and tasty.

More playful decors...

Now let's talk food, we ordered a deep dish pizza.

So we ordered a combination pie of marinara slathered South-Side Classico (which my husband preferred) and a sweet barbeque sauce infused The Delmar (which I really liked). It was a perfect combination.

How good was it?  Watch...

,,,as we enjoy it one slice at a time...

The sign outside was not huge but yet the place spoke for itself.

Are we going back there? You bet, maybe when we go watch Beirut in concert.  Did I say Beirut, ok then - I have to listen to their music to familiarize myself with it.

Have a great weekend!

Taste of St. Louis: My Gateway to the City

As I told you in my previous post, when we arrived in St. Louis last week the sky glowed with the Annual Balloon Race held right across the street from where we live at Forest Park.  I was enthralled to say the least because of the festive mood of the evening, and to see the groups of people walking towards the park.  So this weekend there is another event to attend:  the award-wining Taste of St. Louis.  It's a weekend celebration of food, music, art, and did I say FOOD?  Oh yes indeed, as there is a collection of FOOD tents pitched on a street (Restaurant Row) covering 4 city blocks.  I was so concentrated on food, I didn't realize that there are other activities going on around me.  It includes the Chef Battle Royale held at the Culinary Stage sponsored by Lumiere Place and River City Casino, the Art & Wine Walk held just north of Restaurant Row, the Charter Marketplace - with vendors displaying their products and interactive presentations, and Andy's Seasoning Showcase Stage and Dining Area with culinary showcases and artist demonstrations. 

Well you can't blame me, this is my first time, I didn't know what to expect and I didn't know that they shut down a few blocks of downtown and not just one street... hahaha.  Lesson learned: I should look at the Event Map, or better yet, read more about the event before riding the train and heading off.  I could still swing by today to take part in the other events. Also, my hubs wants to go watch the English Beat playing tonight.

So, I won't keep you waiting as here are the photos I took yesterday.  It was a lovely Saturday (I guess we brought the San Diego weather haha!) and hopefully will be the same on Sunday.

see the smoke?  we followed a few as if they were smoke signals...

...and the first smoke trail took us here!

the line was looong... but we lined up just like the rest.

they are pig crazy here...

and PIGged out!

after 25 minutes, comes the reward...

BBQ Ribs + Beer = PIGfect!

the huge stage where bands played all day... Fitz and the Tantrums played Sat. night

...the crowd is getting bigger 

the Drunken Fish was another tent with long lines... 

more BBQ Ribs: Rib City and we also tried Roper's Beef Brisket sandwich. It was so good!

It did get crowded around late afternoon.

Ethiopian food...

Coming from Cali, this sign seems odd...

... the map was there, how could have i missed it?