Checking in with you today! Things I’ve been watching, cooking and thinking about this week.
Hi, friend. 🙂 How’s it going? I hope things are OK on your end. I’m feeling chatty today, so let’s catch up. Before we get into it, though, turn up the sound, and watch this video:
Goodness gracious, I love her. So sassy!
I’m still here, still hanging on, although I’m definitely feeling the effects of quarantine fatigue (read about it here, here and here).
Businesses and public facilities are slowly beginning to open up here again. Parks, stores, restaurants (for outdoor dining only). Word on the street is Sephora will fling its doors open next week, too.
Part if me is relieved, and part of me is, like, “Well, what happens if/when there’s a second wave? Or what if the vaccines don’t work?” I’ve been “adulting” pretty intensely lately, as El Hub and I have seem to have serious discussions about hard things, oh…every two seconds.
On the glass-half-full side, at least it’s not the zombie apocalypse! 
, Which would be about 100 times harder. Our metaphorical boat is still above water.
On that note, here’s some levity! This has kept me afloat this week…
My childhood on a plate
You know those foods that take you back to your childhood? Filipino mung bean stew (ginisang mungo) does that for me. We had it at least once a week during the week when I was growing up. It’s easy to make and oh-so fulfilling.
Mung beans look and taste a little like lentils. When you cook them, they soften to an almost creamy consistency.
There are many different riffs on this stew, which doesn’t have very many ingredients, but my favorite has bacon and spinach. And pancetta, shallot, garlic, dried mung beans (of course), beef broth, water and fish sauce.
My mom and dad always cooked it in a pot on the stove, but if you do it that way you have to soak the beans beforehand, and they take FOREVER to cook in a pot. If I get impatient, they don’t turn out as soft and creamy as I want them to be, so now I make it in the Instant Pot. In 10 minutes the beans are cooked perfectly.
Here’s what you do!
- Saute a pack of chopped pancetta (I get the pre-diced package at Trader Joe’s) in the Instant Pot until the fat has rendered, and add 1 chopped medium shallot and 3 tablespoons of chopped garlic. Continue to saute until nice and fragrant, and then turn off the heat.
- Add 2 cups of beef broth, 1 cup of water, and 1 cup of rinsed mung beans (I did not soak them).
- Cook on high pressure on the Bean setting for 10 minutes, and then use the Instant Pot’s quick release to release the steam (be careful!). Then add fish sauce to taste, and throw a few handfuls of spinach in there. Stir until wilted.
To get the full Filipino experience, you have to serve it on top of white rice. ??
If you don’t have fish sauce around, you can also use plain salt to flavor the stew, or try a different sauce that has a salty undertone, like soy sauce, tamari or maybe even Worcestershire sauce. It’ll change the flavor profile, but as long as it’s yummy, right? Who cares?
I made this a few days ago, and it did me a world of good. I’ve been missing my family, and this tastes just like home.
Oh! — I gotta give a shout-out to my Instagram buddy Beverly. She posts Filipino recipes every Friday, and she made this dish in her stories last week, which got me craving for it.
For the love of granny panties
Allow me to give you some space for a preemptive “thank you” because your granny panty-lovin’ heart will be forever changed for the better after you order this six-pack of Fruit of the Loom Women’s Breathable Micro-Mesh Low-Rise Briefs from Target for $13.99.
I’m usually a cotton undies kinda girl due to being unusually particular about breathability, but even though these are 93% Polyester and 7% Spandex, the micro-mesh creates a cool breeze that cascades over the mountains of your booty. The material is also moisture wicking.
The material is super soft and comfortably lightweight. No pulling or tugging either.
Even though these are allegedly “low-rise,” the waistband still goes up pretty high, so my tummy still feels covered up enough when I’m wearing high-rise pants.
The sizing is pretty on point too.
YOU’RE WELCOME!
“Alone” on the History channel
EHRMAHGOODNESS. I love and hate this show. It’s a reality competition where 10 people (wilderness experts and survivalists who know what they’re doing) get dropped off in a harsh, remote wilderness location all by themselves and with limited provisions, and the person who lasts off the land the longest wins half a million dollars.
I love it. I fire it up before bed and kinda half-watch it while I stretch. So, if I’m face down on my yoga mat during pigeon pose, I can just hang out there for a few minutes and half-listen without missing much. But it’s a fascinating show! I’m only equipped to handle car camping (I gotta have a bathroom with running water and a shower and toilet nearby. These are non-negotiable.), so I’m learning a lot.
I would tap out even before they dropped me off, TBH.
It’s also fascinating how so much boils down to luck. Even the best trained, most experienced contestants sometimes succumb to simple rotten luck. It’s not always about the most competent person who makes it to the end. Sometimes it’s just the person who manages to dodge more of Mother Nature’s metaphorical bullets.
Anyway, THIS IS ALSO WHY I SIMULTANEOUSLY HATE THIS SHOW — because after El Hub watched about five episodes he started getting ideas. Last Sunday we went on a hike through the nearby Indian Valley Nature Preserve, and he decided to make a bow and arrow using materials he found on the trail.
Now he’s covered in poison oak.
And why is he covered in poison oak? Well, because he made his bow and arrow out of old dry poison oak branches without realizing it.
SIGH.
Rosie’s new role: babydoll
Last, but certainly not least, I keep catching these two besties cuddling and playing together, and it’s the cutest thing. Rosie is so, so patient. She lets Connor treat her like her baby doll. Connor dresses her up in doll clothes and wraps her paws around teddy bears and stuffed animals.
Anywho, that’s what I’ve been up to this week so far. How are you doing?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I burst out laughing at “ the micro-mesh creates a cool breeze that cascades over the mountains of your booty.” Hahaha I know these are strange times and Murphy must be laughing at us. But, Karen, please keep writing 🙂 Your words are magic.
Aww, thanks Fieran!!!
I hope you get to try some Filipino food someday.
Do you put bitter melon in your mung beans? My mom does that and it just ruins it for me. That’s it, I’m teaching myself how to make chicken adobo this weekend! I had to teach myself how to cook and I think I can handle that. Do you have dish favorites from specific family members? My favorite kare kare is from my mom, my favorite pancit is from my aunt, favorite pancit palabok is from another aunt, favorite chicken adobo is from my uncle and sinagang (w/salmon) is from another aunt. But, I love my mom’s lumpias and Shanghai rolls. Damn, I’m hungry now!!
omg, Lexi, that bitter melon killed me each time (but such a good source of iron). I was also afraid of getting a spoonful of too-huge chunks of garlic in the mungo.
Ha, yes!!!
I don’t because I’m currently not a fan. Periodically I’ll try bitter melon over the years to see if my taste buds have changed, but pretty much every time I still consistently despise it.
Chicken adobo is pretty easy! You can make it in an Instant Pot, too.
If you have a kare kare recipe, please pass it along.
OMG, except for maybe the lashes, that little girl in the video does a better job with her makeup than I do with mine! That was too cute, especially when she says, “Why would you do that, girl?” She’s an influencer for sure.
Those photos of Connor with Rosie are the best! So sweet- both of them!!
I love her so much. The part where she says, “The audacity.” LOL!
PGR’s face looks so cute when she cuddles with Connor Claire. They make a great team!
Lumpia fresh-fried in a Coleman cooker on the beach with mini-cups of vinegar sauce made by Tita Del is da best! I also crave my grandma’s chicken tinola. Have you eaten at Elena’s when you’ve visited? Holy moly, the first time I ever had diniguan was at Elena’s and I actually LIKED IT.
I’m in the market for some good, full-coverage undergarments (I loathe the p-word!!), especially during LadyTime. Although, to be honest, I’ve been enjoying going commando underneath house dresses during this lockdown and I feel so constricted when I have to leave the house and wear things down there. It’s best to “breathe.” lol…
Watching less makeup tutorials now, but playing with actual makeup on my face more, and consuming more online conversations and articles about racism and what to do to overcome. And how to avoid exposure during a second wave, which seems to have hit pretty much everywhere; this is worrisome. 🙁
I’ve never eaten at Elena’s. I hope to some day (sigh).
Filipino food story time! When I was a kid, I actually used to love diniguan because family members called chocolate meat, and I thought there was legit chocolate in it. The day one of my cousins told me what was actually inside it ruined it for me. I ever eat it, ever.
Elena’s is in Waipahu (god I hope they’re surviving the pandemic). You can go and get your fill next time you’re on the island.
Aww…diniguan kinda does look like mole sauce. If I wasn’t mostly carnivore, it would have (and did) totally turned me off. But once I tried it, the way Elena’s makes it, I became a convert. So, the opposite of what happened to you. I think the best Filipino meal I ever had was on the shore of the lake at Taal Volcano. It was so simple but scrumptious: fresh-fried tilapia from the lake, rice, and tomato/vinegar relish. Wow, now I’m craving it….
Yes! There are so many yummy Filipino food places on Oahu. I wish I could remember the place that my parents go to all the time… It actually might be in Waipahu! I wonder if it’s Elena’s? I’ll have to ask my mom.
OK, so you’re not the only person who LOVES fried tilapia. The meal you described is MY FAVORITE! My family (including El Hub) makes fun of me because I guess tilapia’s not considered super fancy, fish-wise, but I could happily eat an entire fish all by myself, and I actually have a few times, HA HA HA.
Oh, I forgot to add, that I usually have my side of diced tomatoes in patis, rather than vinegar!
Gurl, you hardcore and a legit Filipino. heehee…. Once we spilled bagoong in the back of the car. Never got the smell (or the pink color!) out!
Oh my gosh! That particular scenario sounds like my tabby’s (RIP) dream come true, LOL! He certainly loved strong-smelling fishy scents.
Oh my gosh the Filipino mung bean stew looks delicious!! And anything I can use the instapot for! I will have to make this vegetarian as I have a family member who doesn’t eat meat but I am excited to try this!
Seriously I love my Instapot! Do you have any go-to recipes? I’m starting to use mine more because I can’t bear to sit in front of the stove when it’s hot.
1) Vegan Mac N’ cheese (I am lactose intolerant)
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 carrot, chopped
½ lb brown rice macaroni (I used regular whole-grain macaroni)
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
Sea salt and pepper to taste
I put the veggies into the pot first and let those get soft first. Instapot is perfect for squashes and carrots. Then I would add in the other ingredients at the last minute. This is so good and makes me feel better if I eat two bowls of this because it’s healthy! HA! I also found some recipes online you can cook eggs in an instant!! Place a basket of eggs into the cooker and good on high for 2 minutes. allow for Natural pressure release (instructions say 10-15 mins) and boom cooked hard-boiled eggs! I have also made chili in my instapot and I have done chicken and basmati rice.
Oh and mac n’ cheese took I think a total of 20-25 mins to make
I can swear I told you about the show Alone. It’s the family favorite here. I keep teasing my dad that he should do it as he always yells at the contestants. If you follow some of the Alone contestants’ pages, you will realize that History does drama it up a little (one contestant was really quite angry how the editing on his journey was done as he felt it wasn’t factual to his journey in the latest season.) Some do whole YouTube videos on History effing up their footage which are always interesting to say the least. I call it “dramatic camping.”
It’s not for me these days. At 31, I will take a cabin that comes equipped with Wi-Fi, electricity, a working bathroom (with shower), an actual bed and a kitchenette of some sort. Fine, I’m now a “glamper.”
Re: poison oak. As a child who ran into the poison ivy/sumac/oak more than once, a stringent routine of cold-ish oat baths followed by liberal application of calamine lotion and courses of Benedryl (or other anti-histamine. Benedryl works best) and cold compresses on the affected areas for 20-30 minutes until the rash is gone is best.
Oh, and tell your husband to leave the plants alone. XD
Oh, I’ll pass along the tips. Thanks Kate!
I hope the rash goes away soon! (And he learned a lesson. HA HA HA!)
That mung bean stew looks tasty. I’ll need to give it go, but on the stove top since I don’t own an insta-pot.
Speaking of Zombie apocalypse. If you’re up for a well made zombie movie that’s about more than just zombies, I highly recommend the Korean movie “Train to Busan”.
I’ve seen that film and liked it!
Let me know if you try the stew. 🙂 Some people also put shrimp and bitter melon, but I like to keep it simple and streamlined so I leave ’em out.
I’ve never had bitter melon. Dear Daughter has and she thinks I won’t like it. She knows my taste in food pretty well. I’m still willing to try it though.
You should try it at least once. I’m currently not a fan. Occasionally I’ll give it a go thinking that maybe my tastebuds will have changed but naww… Still hate it. LOL
I’ll taste almost any food once. So if I ever have a chance, I’ll probably go for it.
Oh my gosh Alone is the best!!!!! My hubs and I have watched it for years and love it!! Still loving your blog after years and years even if I don’t comment all the time, love you girl!!
It is such a good show! Thank you for saying hi today, Michelle!
That first pic of Rosie and Connor is so adorable – love it!
The Filipino mung bean stew looks so good. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I reminds me an Indian recipe, dal which can be made with different types of lentils. It’s served with rice too and it’s definitely comfort food.
So sorry to hear about El Hub. That sounds miserable! Hope he feels better soon.
Sending lots of hugs and purrs to your family!
I’ve had dal before and I like it! It’s been ages since I’ve had Indian food; there’s a good place here in my town but we haven’t really been doing take out. I miss it! Do you cook it much at home?
I love Indian food but I don’t cook it much at home. My Mom is such a good cook and never follows recipes. I feel a bit intimidated trying to cook it myself. It feels like it just doesn’t taste the same. There’s just something special about home cooked food!
Is Filipino food difficult to make? It looks so delicious, but I’ve never really found an authentic restaurant in my midwest town.
I feel ya. My mom never taught me to cook, so everything I’ve learned, including Filipino dishes, the internet taught me. LOL! A lot of the everyday dishes are simple marinades and stir fries, but if you cook them the traditional way, the dishes are often very heavy. I try to make things healthy when I can. As for flavor, there’s a lot of it — lots of sweet, sour, salty. Not really spicy or hot, though. If you want to try something simple and delicious, try chicken adobo!
I could never even so much as get CLOSE to doing Alone! My mom and I share the same definition of camping: staying at a Holiday Inn instead of a Hampton Inn.
Ha! I feel ya.
Cats and children are a match made in heaven – my cat is so patient with the children too. Although he has never been dressed up. Yet.
I love your writing style. And OMG Rosie is such a sweetie! I’ll have to show this to my mom, she’s a Rosie fan.
Those two are too cute together! Thanks for the tip on undies, I most recently tried the Amazon brand briefs and do not love. They’re falling apart after a couple months.
That little girl in the video is hilarious – she’s destined to be an influencer! Love the first pic of Connor & Rosielicious – so cute. Tell El Hubs “Leaves of 3, leave them be”! Have a great weekend!
AWWW! Love Connor and Rosie’s close relationship!!
They are besties. Rosie even sleeps with her at night!