If there’s one thing I love most about the Philippines other than the joyful and hardworking attributes and their passion for karaoke, is the food. This might be biased coming from a Filipino but there’s nothing that can beat the taste of Filipino dishes. There are various foods out there but here is my favorite!
This dish is a Filipino dish that translates to “eggplant omelette,” and it only requires eggplants, eggs, salt, and anywhere to fry it. Even if you’re not a big fan of eggplants, this might change your perspective on eggplants. The steps to making it is without a doubt really simple! First of all, you need eggplants, obviously. Any type of eggplants work, but the preferred one is Japanese eggplant! Poke holes on the eggplant so your kitchen doesn’t end up a mess. Next step: fry it. This is typically done over a grill, but you can use a stove, or an airfyer even. Fry them evenly on both sides and once it is grilled, the skin of the eggplant should come off easily by prying it off with a fork or with your hands! Make sure not to take off the stem!! After the eggplant is skinned, beat 2 eggs and you should use the stem as a handle for the eggplant, and smash the eggplant in the beaten eggs. Once that’s that, fry it in a pan with oil and once it’s fully cooked, you’re done! Personally, it’s tastes best with rice and banana ketchup with it. If you haven’t give this a go you should definitely try it!
Are you ready to shake up your summer with a refreshing twist? I love summer because of the abundance of fruits and vegetables that come with living in California. Imagine the perfect blend of juicy watermelon, zesty citrus, and hydrating coconut water in a harmonious symphony of flavors. That’s right, we’re talking about the ultimate thirst-quencher – the Watermelon Cooler! Whether lounging by the pool or having a backyard BBQ, this exciting concoction will add fun and brilliant color to any gathering. I love this drink’s refreshing, incredible taste; we make it when the fruits are abundant every summer.
Ingredients: – 1 large or 3 cups watermelon 2 Lemons or limes 2 cups of Coconut water Ice
Equipment:
Blender
Instructions:
Cut the Watermelon into chunks and remove any seeds.
Squeeze the juice of lemons or limes.
combine the watermelon chunks, lemon/lime juice, coconut water, and ice in a blender.
Blend until smooth and well combined.
Serve the watermelon cooler in glasses with some ice cubes and fresh watermelon for decoration if desired.
Also called “Hakka Stirfry,” Hakka Style Stir Fry is a popular dish in Taiwan. Originating from the Hakka people, a subgroup of the Han Chinese from Central China, this dish is salty, fragrant, and greasy, blending delicious umami flavors. Today, around 15-20% of the Taiwanese population has some kind of Hakka blood. This recipe makes 6 servings.
Ingredients:
8 ounces of dried cuttlefish 8 ounces pork belly 8 ounces of Taiwanese celery (1.5 inch long strips) 8 ounces of green onion (white parts, 1.5 inch strips) 4 pieces of marinated pressed bean curd (1.5 inch strips) 1 red chili pepper (de-seeded, thin strips) 2 cups of warm water 3 cups of cold water 1 tablespoon of cooking oil Seasoning: 2 tablespoons of soy sauce 5 tablespoons of rice wine ½ teaspoon of white pepper ½ teaspoon of salt soy sauce rice wine white pepper salt
Preparation:
Soak cuttlefish in 2 cups of warm water for 1 hour, remove the outer skin, clean and cut into long strips (1½ inch x ½ inch). Set aside.
Boil cold water in pot on medium heat, add pork in boiling water for 2 minutes before turning off the heat. When the liquid is cool, remove pork and rub with 1 teaspoon of salt, let it marinate for 30 min. Remove pork skin and discard, cut remainder of pork belly into the same size strips as cuttlefish.
In a heated frying pan or wok, add fattier pork strips first, brown until fat is drained, add the rest of the pork strips, stir until all meat is browned, remove meat from pan and set aside.
Stir fry bean curd in the same pan until slightly brown, remove bean curd and set aside.
Add cuttlefish in the pan, stir fry on medium low heat for a few minutes, drizzle 3 tablespoons of wine slowly around the edge of the pan, and continue stirring until fragrant.
In a clean hot pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil, add cuttlefish, and stir on high heat, add soy sauce, turn heat to medium, add green onions, stir for a few seconds, add celery, chili pepper, pressed bean curd and pork, mix thoroughly. Add ½ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons of wine, stir until wine is absorbed. Sprinkle with white pepper.
Preparing this dish shouldn’t take more than an hour, and is suitable for everyday meals, or in larger portions, even for special occasions.
“Twenty years ago, teenage boys in the United States drank twice as much milk as soda; now they drink twice as much soda as milk.” ~ Eric Schlosser
So, let’s talk about Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. This book rips off the veneer and presents some harsh realities for anyone who has ever wondered what actually goes on behind the neon-lit drive-thrus and golden arches. The system that supports the fast food industry, from factory farms and worker exploitation to the hazardous meatpacking industry and the horrifying realities of food production, is more than just greasy food.
Schlosser delves deeply into how fast food spread around the world, influencing not only what we eat but also how we work, how we farm, and even how we view convenience. Indeed, there are some really unsettling parts of it. He reveals how fast food companies use marketing to target children, the hazardous working conditions in slaughterhouses, and how the industry’s drive for efficiency frequently comes at the expense of public health. Warning: You may want to reconsider your next burger.
What I appreciate about this book is that it’s not just a hit piece on McDonald’s (though they do take some heat). Schlosser connects the dots between corporate greed, government policy, and the way our food system has evolved into something pretty unrecognizable from the farms of the past. It’s like The Jungle but for modern times.
Is it enjoyable to read? Not precisely. However, it’s captivating. Schlosser blends factual information with true stories to give everything a personal touch, writing like a journalist who has done their research. This book is worth reading if you’re interested in environmental and public health issues or simply want to understand what’s actually in your food. But fair warning: It might not be a good idea to pick it up just before lunch.
Would I recommend it? Yeah, but with a warning: once you know this stuff, you can’t un-know it.
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded from Libby.
Apple Crisps were a staple of my childhood, and this recipe was an adaptation of my grandmother’s recipe. This recipe creates a combination of sweet and tart, and if you love cinnamon-y desserts, then this recipe is for you.
Yields: 1 serving
Ingredients:
Filling:
1 Granny Smith apple (or another baking apple)
1 Tablespoon of Sugar
Pinch of Cinnamon (measure with your heart)
Topping:
2 Tablespoons of Oats
2 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons of Flour
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 1/2 Tablespoon of Butter melted or very soft
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit
Peel and slice apples into slices, just under 1/4″ thick and roughly 1″ in length. In a bowl, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over the apple slices, and toss until well coated. Set aside.
Combine the dry ingredients (flour, oats, brown sugar, & cinnamon)
Add melted/very soft butter
Mix until well combined.
Place the sliced apples in a thick paper baking cup or a small oven safe bowl or ramekin.
Spoon the topping “crisp” over the apples.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the apples are soft (you can check with a fork) and the topping is golden and crisp.
Cool as needed, but I think it tastes best while warm.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and enjoy! Personally, I think this apple crisp recipe is pretty hard to beat. Try it for yourself!
Although Orange County has numerous restaurants to choose from when eating out, It can sometimes be hard to decide on just one. For your convenience, here is a list of my personal 10 favorite restaurants in Orange County that not only offer a delicious menu, but are also affordable.
1. Taco Mesa
Taco Mesa is an authentic Mexican restaurant offering many delicious options including burritos, tacos, and enchiladas. The restaurant itself has a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere, with brightly colored murals on the wall. Most of the food items available range from $10 to $20, and come with fairly generous portions, which are more than enough to satisfy one’s appetite. Between the delicious food that is offered, and the affordable price point for a meal, Taco Mesa is a great option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
2. Urth Cafe
If you’re looking for a fresh, new dinner option, try visiting Urth Cafe in Orange. Urth Cafe provides a wide variety of coffee, pastries, salads, and even dessert. Urth Cafe also offers many gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and plant based food options. Urth Cafe also allows online orders. Overall, Urth Cafe is a lively restaurant with so many different food options, available for people with different food preferences or diets.
3. Panini Kebab Grill Panini Kebab Grill is a Mediterranean restaurant located in Mission Viejo. There are many types of bowls, plates, and salads available at Panini Kebab Grill, but family meals are also offered here, feeding around four people. This family meal includes generous portions of chicken or beef koobideh, rice, salad, and vegetables. At $54.99, this meal is a great value that fills the whole family’s bellies. In addition to the tremendous value, the food is delicious, making you want to eat here for every meal.
4. Diho Siam
Diho Siam serves a multitude of comforting Thai food, from Pad Thai to Pad See Ew. Furthermore, Diho Siam also offers a refreshing Thai Iced Tea to pair with any meal. Diho Siam serves generous portions of food for their entrees for a more than reasonable price. This restaurant offers food pickup in addition to sit down booths, if you feel like having a warm dinner in the comfort of your home. Overall, Diho Siam is a wonderful option for lunch, dinner, or even a light snack.
5. Delizie Ristorante
The last restaurant which I have included in this list is Delizie Ristorante. This charming Italian restaurant serves authentic Italian food, including pasta, pizza, and even meatballs. While prices are a bit higher than some of the other restaurants included, the portions are extremely generous, leaving you leftovers to eat all week! Delizie Ristorante also offers gluten free options for all of their pastas and spaghetti, making sure that they are considerate of people’s gluten diets or preferences. In addition to the numerous mouthwatering entrees which this restaurant provides, many appetizers are available for purchase, including fried calamari, and a wide selection of salads. Being mostly central to Mission Viejo, Delizie Ristorante is a great decision whether you are dining with a party, or simply enjoying a lunch by yourself.
Overall, Mission Viejo is host to a multitude of restaurants, and whether the restaurant is more formal or casual, all of these restaurants have one thing in common: all of these restaurants serve high quality food and a wonderful dining experience.
Kauai is one of 137 islands in the state of Hawaii. Also known as the Garden Island, Kauai is revered for its lush landscape with steep cliffs that meet aqua-blue water. I had the privilege of visiting this island last June for about a week. Prior to going on this vacation, I researched this island and found it to be extremely helpful when wondering what to do or see. When going to Hawaii, most people flock to Oahu; and while this island is pretty and has amazing food, Kauai is remote and prettier (in my opinion). Below are places and things to do if visiting Kauai.
Beaches
Tunnels Beach – This was my favorite beach on my visit to Kauai. If you are looking for a place to snorkel, Tunnels is the place to go. At Tunnels, the coral was huge and there was a large variety of sea life. The best part of this beach is the view of the mountains in the background with the beach at your feet.
Anini Beach – Located in the northern part of Kauai, Anini Beach is known for being a family-friendly beach. The water at this beach remains shallow for about 30 feet out. However, the best part about this beach was the amount of turtles. When I was snorkeling, I believe I saw turtles 15-20 times. Another pro about this beach is that there is a lot of shade so beach umbrellas aren’t needed.
Hanalei Bay – Hanalei Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Kauai to visit–and for good reason. At this beach, you are surrounded by panoramic views of golden-sand beaches and a range of mountains. Also, there is a pier that you can jump off of for fun.
Poipu Beach – This is another family-friendly beach on the south shore of Kauai. Poipu Beach is great for snorkeling and relaxing. A con of this beach is that it is always crowded. However, if you are in the area of Poipu, stop by this beach.
Hikes/Other Activities
Kalalau Trail – Hiking is a major activity that you HAVE to do in Kauai. This particular trail stretches 22 miles in length (you have to have a permit to do all of it). I only hiked to Hanakāpīʻai Beach which was 4 miles round-trip. This hike was so beautiful and the views along the coast were gorgeous. After the beach, you can hike to HanakāpīʻaiFalls (8 miles roundtrip). Overall, Kalalau Trail is a must-do when visiting Kauai.
Waimea Canyon – Waimea Canyon is named the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and was formed from the collapse of a volcano. The unique terrain of this canyon is an attraction you should see. I believe that you can hike this, but my family and I just drove to different lookouts to see the Canyon.
Lydgate Farms Chocolate Tour – As a chocolate fanatic, I was so excited to visit this Chocolate Farm. While you can book a tour to explore the farm, I just went to the gift shop. At the gift shop, an employee gives you a chocolate lecture where you learn about the origins of the cacao and try the products. I’ve tried a bunch of chocolate in my life and I can confidently say this was the best chocolate I’ve ever had. Lydgate Farms makes their chocolate in small batches which was evident considering how delicious the chocolate was.
Na Pali Coast Boat Tour – Last but not least, you NEED to go on a Boat Tour (or helicopter tour) to see the Na Pali coast. I would recommend going with the company Captain Andy’s and booking the “Na Pali Raft Day Expedition.” On this boat tour, we went through sea caves, snorkeled, ate lunch at an ancient fishing town, and saw the Na Pali coast. This was hands down my favorite memory from the trip. The Na Pali coast is breathtaking and the water was the color of blue Gatorade. In addition to doing cool activities on this tour, you’ll learn much about the history of Kauai and its people.
Well, this recipe was introduced to me by one of my teachers, but I removed a couple of ingredients from that list for simplicity and tweaked the directions a bit to help with efficiency. I’ve fallen in love with these biscuits, and baking has slowly started to become a hobby of mine as a result. This recipe only requires six simple ingredients and is overall a perfect recipe for amateur bakers.
Yields: 8-12 biscuits depending on size
Ingredients:
2 cups (260 grams) Flour, plus more for shaping/kneading the biscuits
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (if using regular butter that contains salt, only use 1/2 teaspoon of salt)
5 Tablespoons (2.5 ounces) cold no-salt butter cut into chunks
3/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons of Buttermilk or Yogurt (If you don’t have Buttermilk or Yogurt, you can use regular milk, add 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk, let stand for 5 minutes. Or add 1 & 3/4 teaspoons of cream of tartar to one cup of milk.)
Do Ahead: Cut the 5 Tablespoons of butter into small chunks (about 10-15) and place in a small plate/bowl in the refrigerator. When you are ready to make your biscuits, the cold butter will work better in this recipe.
Directions:
Heat the oven/air fryer to 450 degrees F
Mix the flour, baking powder, and baking soda together in a large bowl.
Add the cold butter and press it into the flour mixture until well combined.
Add the buttermilk and stir just until the mixture until the mixture is well combined.
Spread some flour on your work surface and turn the dough out onto the flour
Knead the dough a few times. Add flour to hands if dough is sticky.
Press the dough into 3/4 inch thickness and cut into biscuit rounds. You can use a glass or can to do this.
Put the biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
These buttermilk biscuits are great with butter and/or honey and are also an amazing way to involve carbs and fiber in your diet!
Fast food is unique in American culture. Why is it so popular? The reasons- convenience, affordability, and societal influence. In every corner of every neighborhood, there’s always a convenience store, a McDonald’s, or other fast food restaurants. Our country is keen on fast food.
On every corner of every city and neighborhood, fast food chains dot the landscape because families like fast and familiar meals that have become a staple for many. What is the reason for this love of fast food? It has unparalleled convenience.
Fast food offers a solution in a society where time is a precious commodity. If you need a quick lunch and are short of time, these fast food places provide meals in minutes, require minimal effort and time commitment from buyers, and don’t taste bad either.
Affordability plays a significant role in the appeal of fast food. With menu items often priced competitively, they are so affordable that even young kids can afford a burger or fries.
Another factor that makes fast food a significant influence on our culture is the influence of advertising and marketing; this is the key factor in shaping the culture surrounding fast food. Fast food chains have successfully ingrained Americans from a very young age through strategic campaigns emphasizing convenience, taste, and value. TV commercials, social media promotions, or sponsorships make fast food popular among young children and teens. They have been ingrained in the American psyche as a quick, enjoyable dining experience.
Beyond practical considerations, fast food has become woven into the fabric of American social life. These restaurants also serve as gathering places for friends and family; students meet here for meals and study together.
The consistency and predictability offered by chain restaurants contribute to their enduring popularity. With standardized menus and quality control measures, we, as buyers, know what to expect when visiting our favorite fast-food restaurants. Fast food is a multimillion-dollar industry, and these restaurants are out to make the culture ingrained in our minds.
The love affair with fast food in America is complex due to convenience, affordability, marketing prowess, and social dynamics. It reflects changing dietary habits and broader shifts in lifestyle and consumer behavior. As fast food continues to evolve and adapt to new trends and tastes, its place in American culture remains secure and will only become more widespread.
My hope is that the widespread fast food trends will change according to our healthier lifestyle choices, help our population become more fit, and provide a means for younger generations to have fewer food-related illnesses.
Since the holidays are around the corner, I thought making churro cookies would be a unique twist on traditional holiday cookies. Similar to snickerdoodles, these chewy cinnamon desserts make a perfect companion for a glass of milk or eggnog!
Ingredients
Cookies (12)
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
Cinnamon sugar mix
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Buttercream
1/4 cup room temperature butter
1-2 (up to you) tbsp cinnamon
splash of heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Mix + Bake cookies (Don’t incorporate buttercream ingredients.)
Mix cinnamon sugar
preheat oven to 350 fahrenheit
cream butter & sugar until fluffy and light
scrape sides and beat in egg & vanilla
scrape sides and add flour, baking soda, & cinnamon.
Make dough balls, dip them in mixed cinnamon sugar, flatten, and arrange on pan.
Bake for 14-17 minutes, make sure they’re not glossy
Make frosting and frost!
8. Whip butter until smooth, add sugar, whipping cream, & cinnamon. Pipe and serve!
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Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice 