Category: travel

Travel – Bonbon beach, Romblon, Philippines

by : Bacardi Gold
27/Nov/2020


This is a sandbar in Bonbon, Romblon. During high tide this part of the sandbar is submerged in water. The island is connected to Bang-og island thru this sandbar which you can walk up to its beach front. Spend an hour on its shore and be on the alert as you would be caught by the high tide on your return walk to Bonbon beach. Tiamban beach and Nunok beach are just next to each other for a continuous calm and refreshing swimming activity.

Travel – Seoul, South Korea …Bibimbap

by : Bacardi Gold
12/Nov/2020

Bibimbap is a fantastic Korean comfort food, packed with rice, vegetables and flavour. Judy Joo simplified her bibimbap recipe, making it quick and easy to prepare.

During our trip to Seoul, South Korea, our itinerary included a local Korean restaurant for lunch. Bibimbap was on the menu. We were excited to taste the Korean food to be served on a very low table, maybe a foot in height. First to be served was the portable butane stove. Next was the ingredients for the Bibimbap. Then the waitress left and stood a few feet from us and waited for our additional orders. We looked at each other and whispered , “What are we going to do with that?” The waitress sensed that we were tourists in the city and observed us for a minute. Ha, ha,ha ! Nothing has been done with the bacon-thinned pork and the veggies. So, I called her to please help us do the cooking. She started with a smile and did the explanation in Korean which we never understood a single word she uttered. Only her body language helped us to understand her show. When all was finished and devoured the delicious food, our tour guide who left us earlier to eat her own meal in another room showed up. “Did you enjoy your Korean meal? … “Of course, we love it”

This is our table ,so low, we have to sit on the floor…

honestly bibimbap is one of the fastest dishes to make on ur own, looks difficult but takes me maybe 15 mins, enjoy ;))


image credit : additional Pinterest blown-up Bibimbap photo

Classic Bibimbap Recipe – (pronounced:  BEE – beem – bap)

There is a reason this dish is one of the most popular dishes served in Korean restaurants all over the world…it’s amazing!

Learn how to cook this delicious Korean dish. Seasoned veggies, Korean beef (bulgogi), egg, Korean sauce, all on top of perfectly steamed rice. It’s so easy. Make all the toppings first, then the rice…and serve with the homemade sauce. So good.

This can give you the following Vitamins and Minerals for the body. Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 1738mg | Potassium: 1014mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 8327IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 5mg

All the vegetables, mushrooms, and steak can be prepared up to 1 day ahead of time.  You need to re-heat each component in the wok, or skillet, before serving. Gochujang can be found in the Asian section of most well-stocked supermarkets, or at Asian food markets, or online. Long-grain rice, or Jasmine rice are good substitutes for the traditional short-grain rice.  Just follow the cooking time according to package directions.  



Ingredients

THE TOPPINGS

  • ▢1 lb prepared bulgoli or cooked, seasoned ribeye, sirloin, or skirt, thinly sliced
  • ▢Stir-fry oil or vegetable oil…for stir-frying all the ingredients as you go.
  • ▢4 garlic cloves minced
  • ▢2 cups bean sprouts
  • ▢4 tbsp soy sauce divided
  • ▢2 tbsp sesame oil divided
  • ▢1 cup julienne carrot or shredded
  • ▢1 zucchini seeded, cut into 1-inch sticks
  • ▢12 oz spinach fresh
  • ▢8 oz shiitake mushrooms sliced
  • ▢4 eggs
  • ▢2 tbsp sesame seeds toasted

THE RICE

  • ▢2 cups short-grain white rice
  • ▢2 cups water
  • ▢2 tsp rice vinegar
  • ▢1 tsp salt

THE KOREAN SAUCE

  • ▢2 tbsp gochujang
  • ▢1 tbsp sesame oil
  • ▢1 tsp sugar
  • ▢1 tbsp water
  • ▢1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • ▢1 tsp garlic minced

Instructions

MAKE THE TOPPINGS

  • Prepare the bulgogi, or stir-fry beef with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp each soy sauce and sesame oil. Set aside.
  • Cook the bean sprouts in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain, Place in a separate bowl and add 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 tablespoon each of soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix. Set aside.
  • Stir-fry the carrots in a little oil for about 4 minutes. Set aside. Lightly salt.
  • Stir-fry the zucchini in a little oil for about 4 minutes. Set aside. Lightly salt.
  • Stir-fry the spinach with a teaspoon of water until wilted and water has evaporated, about 4 minutes. Place in a separate bowl. Add 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 tablespoon each soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix. Set aside.
  • Stir-fry the mushrooms with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, until reduced and lightly browned, about 6 – 8 minutes.
  • Cook 4 eggs, sunnyside up, add salt and pepper, set aside.

PREPARE THE RICE

  • Bring rice, water, vinegar, and salt to boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
  • Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until liquid has been absorbed, 7 – 9 minutes.
  • Remove rice from heat and let sit, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes.
  • (Cook time will be longer, approx. 25 minutes, if using long grain rice).

PREPARE THE KOREAN SAUCE

  • Mix all the ingredients together and set aside.

ASSEMBLE THE DISH

  • Portion out rice into 4 bowls.
  • Arrange toppings in a circular fashion.
  • Top each with egg and then toasted sesame seeds.
  • Garnish with sauce.

happy cooking everyone…!


Travel Photography # 45 – Sta. Cruz, Zambales, Philippines

by : Bacardi Gold
08/Nov/2020

Bell tower – Sta. Cruz, Zambales



Sta. Cruz, Zambales Catholic church ( St. Michael, the Archangel Church )


interior of the church…



At the garden of Sta. Cruz church



Rizal Monument at the plaza
Sta. Cruz Municipal Hall






Travel Photography # 42 – Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar Masbate,Masbate, Philippines

by: Bacardi Gold



Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar is an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, bird watching, sunset/sunrise watching, scuba diving, and for family picnics. It has a 250-hectare white sandbar and is located in the sea waters off Barangays Nursery and Tugbo, Masbate.

 It is a long stretch of white sandbar surrounded with turquoise crystal clear waters and teeming with different kinds of marine life and vibrant corals. 



Image may contain: one or more people, ocean, swimming, outdoor, nature and water

Travel, Photography # 41 – Romblon flower

by : Bacardi Gold
03/Nov/2020



This is the first time I saw this kind of flower ( ? ). I don’t know either if this is really a flower or a fruit ? Whatever.

I shot this in Romblon island, the marble capital of the Philippines.