Month: December 2017

While my hands are busy cooking, I let my mind wander and think of other things. (A multi-tasker like me is good at that.) For instance, I review my sermon notes mentally while cooking. I even pray while cooking. It is also when I’m cooking that blog ideas cross my mind. 



So after cooking those delicacies. My short rest time is dedicated to writing my blog. I’d lay aside those pots and pans. I’d take off that apron and I’d go to the computer and  put all those thoughts into writing. That helped in relieving the stress from my kitchen toils.

The following random thoughts were cooking in my brain while my hands were busy in the kitchen. These original quotes (epigrams) are on the subject of food. I “plated” them for you in an artistic presentation and I’d like to serve them to you as “Food for your Thoughts”. Hopefully you will find them appealing, intriguing and most of all satisfying. 

You can agree or argue with me, discuss with me or respond to me. Happy reading.

Eating requires a healthy attitude.

If you appreciate my cooking. Here’s what you can do.

Here’s a cooking tip you must remember.

Cooking is a laborious job, but there’s a reward for the toil!

For me, nothing is lonelier than sitting by the dining table alone!

Food has a special bonding ability. It unites people.

You must agree with me on this one. When friends and family gather, food…lots of it are present.

This one is contributed by my wife. Whenever she tasted food she grew up eating, she would tell stories associated with that taste. For instance, when I brought home guava juice from a Mexican store. She cried after tasting it. She remembered her father preparing “postre”-boiled guava made into a drink. She remembered a guava tree teeming with fruits at their backyard, and the joy and laughter she shared with her siblings climbing that tree. When I cooked beef liver steak, she remembered her mother who always cooked that  delicacy. And mother would always say: “Eat this, for this us good for your blood.”Do you have the same experience? What are your memories of childhood triggered by taste? Could you share it with me and my readers? Email your story to: gilvalenzuela@icloud.com  If I receive at least 5 stories I will feature them as special edition in my blog site.

Food is a gift from God. Always Dine GRATEFULLY and GRACEFULLY this 2018. 

May your dining tables be filled with good and satisfying food all year round. Happy New Year everyone!!!!!

Filipinos in America might have adapted to the American culture but they certainly have retained much of their own. One of the cultural/religious practices they brought with them is the celebration of “Simbang Gabi” (Night Mass). 

The observance of this religious gathering here in America takes a different approach. Unlike in the Philippines where Simbang Gabi are held daily from December 16-24, the American version (at least here in Chicago) is held only once before December 25. 

The mass is usually followed by a huge reception where Filipino foods are served. There are also renditions of Filipino folk songs and dances. The celebration is attended not only by Fil-Ams but by other North American Catholics who are very delighted with Filipino food and entertainment.

We at Mabuhay Restaurant are privileged and happy to have taken part in this celebration. We were chosen to cater two big churches: St. Patrick in St. Charles, IL and St. Matthew in Glen Ellyn. We fed more than a thousand people.

St Patrick Church ordered 550 pieces of fresh lumpia, 550 pieces of turon and 500 pieces of palitaw. These delicacies are individually prepared by hand. The main entrees were eight large catering trays chicken afritada and eight trays of pork adobo. My team and I took two days of prepping and cooking. It takes an oversized wok, a huge “paddle” and a lot of guts to cook for hundreds of people. 

St. Matthew Church ordered 500 pieces of fried chicken, 500 pieces of pan de sal, 1,700 pieces of lumpia shanghai (egg rolls), eight large trays of pancit and four large trays of chop suey. We labored two days to prepare for this catering order. 

My real gain and profit in doing these catering events were more than monetary. I certainly gained new circles of friends who are now my “Suki” (regular and faithful customers). Also, I learned some new processes and techniques in volume prepping and cooking. And best of all, Mabuhay Restaurant earned some valuable respect from the local Filipino community for the delicious food and efficient and timely service.  Both St. Patrick and St. Matthew Churches clearly indicated that Mabuhay Restaurant will be their caterer for next year’s Simbang Gabi.