kilawin (southern philippines)

Cucumber salad with herring and fresh squeeze lemon juice.

In the Philippines, we called this 'kilawin' (raw), but instead of herring people usually use fresh tuna. This is a popular dish serve as an appetizer, it's perfectly paired with beers and ales.

This is my ideal summer salad. It's simple, delicious and high in omega 3 fatty acids!

mdardra (lebanese dish)

Mdardra | mung beans, rice & smoked mackarel with fried onions.

This classic Lebanese dish has a dozen versions. I substitute lentils for mung beans just to try how it taste and I liven it up with smoked mackarel. It's actually really tasty. Some people like to eat it hot and others like it at room temperature. It's delicious, simple and nutritious.

I love me some herring!

One useless fact about me is that I love herring (reminds me of the food in the Philippines called kinilaw). I found this german deli in my neighborhood that sells homemade herring. Zomg!

brunch

Brunch: baked eggs in chicken cups with cherry tomatoes and Dubliner Irish cheese. With a nice cup of tea. Serve with a toast or some nice roasted potatoes.

This is so simple and easy to make. It's perfect for brunch. Just pop it in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes in 300 degrees...and voila!

turmeric brown rice salad with tuna and capers

Tonight's dinner: turmeric organic brown rice with tuna (100% pole and troll caught skipjack wild tuna), extra virgin olive oil, green peas and capers.

This dish is very simple, delicious and loaded with nutrients such as manganese, magnesium, selenium and fiber.

Studies have shown that magnesium-rich whole grain foods, lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes and helps regulate blood pressure. Also, reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease.

*Studies have shown that turmeric can prevent cancer. The active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin, it is long known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

For more info on ways to eat fish sustainably: http://bit.ly/qCwMFp

fresh pico de gallo

It's been really hot, Chicago is in the midst of summer heat wave. I really don't feel like cooking anything. So, I went to my local farmers market today to check out some fresh food and veggies. I got some fresh and happy tomatoes, cucumber, cilantro and some fresh herbs. I love tomatoes and they're in season all summer long. So, I decided to make some pico de gallo, it's perfect summer food and it's one of my favourite!

I like to mentioned that many years ago when I was younger, I used to dislike coriander or cilantro but it grew on me and now I absolutely love it! I like to put it on everything, I even make a salad or a curry with it.

As you know coriander or cilantro has a high anti inflammatory benefits and helps against bacterial infection. It also has a strong anti-oxidant properties and helps detoxify the body. You got to love coriander!

For more health benefits of coriander: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/cilantro.html

smoked wild alaskan sockeye salmon

Tonight's dinner: wild alaskan sockeye salmon with tomato, goat cheese and capers on multi grain crackers. This is also great as a snack.

Chicago heat wave: heat index nearly 110 degrees! Stay cool and hydrated Chicago.

power lunch

Brown rice with green beans and tomato.

*brown rice is an excellent source of manganese - keeping bones strong and healthy, maintain normal blood sugar levels and sex hormones.

greek salad with anchovies

I decided to make some greek salad for dinner tonight. It's one of my favourite. I like them with anchovies, pepperocini and kalamata extra virgin olive oil. It's perfect for relaxing summer evening.

don't call it a comeback...

After years of hiatus, I'm back writing my blog. It's hard to keep up because I've been posting most of the food I make on Facebook. I've been on facebook, twitter, and now google+ - with all the social media, it's hard to keep up sometimes. But I will try my best to keep writing and sharing things in my blog that I find interesting and I hope you find interesting as well.

I am actually working on my masters this fall to become a dietitian so I will definitely have lots of things to share about food, health and nutrition.

I love going to farmers market as you know, so I went this morning and found some happy tomatoes and fresh green beens (pesticide free), all for $5.00!

Going to farmers market can be intimidating sometimes if you don't know what you're looking for, but don't feel pressure to buy anything you don't need. I like to look around and walk around and see what they got. Usually, they have some free food samples such as cheese, pastries and dips. I'm just hoping they should have some wine tasting to pair with those cheese...(smile).

Tonight, I'm thinking of making some tomato salad with smoke salmon and a side of green beans with garlic and olive oil. It's perfect for warm summer night.

*Eating tomatoes can help prevent sunburn and wrinkles and green beans is rich in antioxidants.