Coffee Ain't Dead, Electricity Is!

So, typhoon Glenda blew Luzon away and NCR experienced really strong winds. The power was out by 4am and fortunately in our place, it was back by 2pm. However, coffee time can't wait until 2pm. Here's the problem: How can I grind my beans (medium-fine) for my moka pot? :(

I just can't smash them or drive over them. I want coffee. :(

I just can't soak them or chew the beans. I really want my moka pot. :(

Instead of sleeping or crying in the corner, I decided to rummage through my sealed caffeine box and found my brother's unopened Trung Nguyen coffee. Ohmyglob. Vietnamese coffee!! I got one pack that says "2" meaning it's a mix of arabica and robusta beans (my personal favorite is "S"). VN coffee are pre-ground and so I got my filter out and saw we had condensed milk to complete the experience.

Seriously. Buy a clear cup (or a mason jar, whatever floats your boat). It makes you appreciate your drinks so much more. Look at the condensed milk lying so peacefully at the bottom of the cup. 

Nyumnyum. Coffee. Condensed milk. Nyum. 

Side - have you seen my friend try out making foam art? I haven't even tried making latte art but she's proving to no one she can make foam art, too. Not sure though how to put the markings. :|

Cagbalete Island - Quezon

And you thought I have never gone elsewhere. My new friends (from the office haha) managed to sneak in a weekend trip at Quezon. It's called Cagbalete Island.

The water was clear and very swim-friendly but when we got there it was low tide. Kayaking is fine but you can just lounge idly at the sand and let the water calmly bathe you. There is no electricity in the morning and scheduled it from 6pm-6am, just in time for you to get up without feeling all sweaty from the heat yet. 

We brought hammocks (okay, our friend brought 2, set it up, and the girls took turns on it) and lounged lazily. 

How to get to Cagbalete Island?

Ride the JAC Liner bus at Kamuning going to Mauban. It's around Php275 I think and then you ride the trike to the Pantalan, tell the driver you're going to Cagbalete. From there you pay for the environmental fee and the boat rode. Boat ride to Sabang Beach is Php50 one way and the environmental fee is the same. 

The boat ride takes less than an hour and  then depending on the location of your lodging, you can choose to either walk 2kms to get there or ride a boat around the island instead. We chose the trek to Villa Cleofas and just paid the kid-guide. 

The place allows you to set up tents if you prefer and they have a food area, too, if cooking your own meal is not your type. Or basically, if you're not prepared for camping, you glamper. 

Feeling of wanting to be so mad but you can't because you don't have that authority. You don't have the right because you were not part of the picture yet. 

Sariling Sikap Series Is Back

Have I told you that we were able to recreate Shakey's Mojos? And that we were able to make our own shrimp dumplings aka hakaw (next post)?

I guess not. So let's begin then!

Pepper recently released the secret formula of Shakey's ever-loved mojos. For the longest time, I have contented myself with Crispy Fry breading. And then they gave out the answer key to all the mojo-crazed potato heads. 

So what's the secret? FERNA. IT'S FREAKING FERNA. Ferna is a household name before for breading and flour. Then in the recent times, their breadings are much more difficult to find. This is probably because Shakey's swiped most of the stocks so people would take some time before they can figure out this beautiful secret. 

Of course. I rushed to all the supermarkets I know and it can be found at Unimart where hoarding has ensued. Can't find it at Rustan's or at SM. 

The answer to world domination.

Experimentation has to happen. We tried potatoes dipped in eggs then powdered with breading, also tried water mixed with breading, and water mixed with egg and breading. First approach was perfect but left too much residue in the oil. The second one, wherein you mix the water, eggs, and breading then dip the potatoes proved to be sustainable. 

Ahhhh... Junk food at its best.

Best served with Lady's Choice Ranch and our ultra favorite Vanilla Coke which we hoarded. I'm not telling where we found it. >:]

Eggs Sammy. Eggs Norwegian. Eggs Copenhagen. Well, we were able to do this before but it's just now that we tried to do it at our house! Do you eat breakfast food with wine?

So, when the power is out, all you have to do is... Eat a lot. Really. There's nothing else to do. Aside from sleeping.