Food Trip Friday: Nom Korng

One of the dishes I've had the pleasure of trying out in Phnom Penh is nom korng or the Khmer caramel donut.

I've only tried it twice and although I can honestly say that I can go through a box of donuts faster than a bag of chips - on most instances - I was only able to finish one nom korng per occasion.

Perhaps it is the consistency of the delicacy, or the caramel glaze that allows me to be satisfied after a single donut. Nevertheless, it is something that goes great with hot coffee as per experience. Others may have it whichever way they prefer.

I poked around the Internet and found a recipe for nom korng for those who are interested. I truly want to try making it as well - if I have the time. This one is brought to us by Chanbo Keo (http://www.chanbokeo.com/).

Ingredients: 
3 cups Sweet rice flour
1 cup Regular rice flour
2 cups Water
3 cups Sugar
Roasted sesame seeds
Cooking oil 

Preparation: 
1. Mix both flours with water, roll into a donut-like, finger sized and deep fry till crispy brown, scoop out and drain it.
2. Heat the sugar with some water, till it turn reddish in color. Dip one side of donuts in sugar and lay it on a tray.
3. Sprinkle it with roasted sesame seeds and serve.

I hope you enjoy it! ;)

Wordless Wednesday: Hug O' War

Hug O' War

a poem by the late Shel Silverstein

I will not play at tug o' war

I'd rather play at hug o' war,

Where everyone hugs

Instead of tugs

Where everyone giggles

And rolls on the rug,

Where everyone kisses

And everyone grins

And everyone cuddles

And everyone wins.

Food Trip Friday: The Art of Salad Layering

One of the things that I have learned during my transfer to Phnom Penh is how to do salad layering.

Though I am not a pro, I am proud to say that I have learned this art and it is quite useful, especially if you and your friends are presented with an awesome salad bar.

If I may, I'd like to share with you the Art of Salad Layering so that you may reap the rewards of maximizing your servings at the salad bar.

Before we begin, I feel the need to inform you that one needs practice before perfecting this art. Also, we only use this secret weapon when faced with a salad bar at a restaurant that does not allow guests to have second, third or fourth helpings.

Stage 1.

1. Retrieve bowl to use. Note: Please see how small the bowl is in the picture.
2. Fill bottom portion of the bowl with coleslaw to create a foundation.
3. Line rim of the bowl with carrot sticks as shown in the image above.
4. Line the bowl with lettuce leaves to mimic a bigger bowl.
5. Fill with delights from the salad bar, preferably the ones that are pasta, corn kernels, and seafood bits.

Stage 2.

1. Line rim of the bowl with carrot sticks or cucumber sticks. Carrot sticks are often imperative during stage one.
2. Line the bowl once more with lettuce leaves, extending the bowl further.
3. Add salad delights that you want.

These are the two basic stages of salad layering. Stage 2 is often repeated again and again as long as the bowl manages to hold up. Proceed with caution!!!

In the past, I've seen some people reach as far as 5 layers. How they have managed to do that without spilling this way and that, escapes me.

I tell you, it is definitely art! Go ahead and give it a try!

And remember, TRY AND TRY UNTIL YOU SUCCEED!

Have a Happy Friday everyone!!

Wordless Wednesday: Time

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

~ Mother Teresa

Breathtaking sights at Kbal Chhay waterfalls

Last month, I finally had a chance to step out of Phnom Penh and check out nearby wonders after months of roaming the same streets in the city.

My family and I hit the road on a rented van and made our way Sihanoukville where we spent the day enjoying the nice beach. It took us 3 hours or so getting from Phnom Penh to the beach, we spent a few hours getting sunburned before we started our trip back home. While on our way back, we passed by Kbal Chhay waterfalls, which was a beautiful sight to behold!

I must admit, the Kbal Chhay falls was the first waterfalls that I had seen - EVER.

The path we followed as we got around the waterfalls was a bit on the steep and adventure-laid side, but we survived. Whoohoo! We managed to get onto the part of Kbal Chhay falls that was not so dangerous and even showered a bit.

It was definitely a wonderful experience to enjoy. Sitting under water of the falls and feeling the rush of the spray instantly took the stress away from me and my companions. Good thing the place we chose was 'tourist friendly' so we were able to enjoy ourselves - and of course take pictures.

I took the time to let Mother Nature wash out bad vibes and recharge my soul. Heh. 

Well, after a day at the beach, followed by a fresh waterfall shower, who wouldn't be tired senseless? Suffice it to say that I hardly felt time pass by as we spent another 3 hours going back to Phnom Penh. We got home by night fall and most of us crashed and burned without even thinking of food.

For those who do not know where Kbal Chhay falls is, below is a map I lifted off Google Maps. Hope it helps!

As for the Sihanoukville part of the trip, that is a story befitting another post.

Cheers!

Sunsets and Silhouette Dreams

Sunsets are things of beauty.

Don't you agree?

Yesterday boasted a particularly gorgeous sunset that Phnom Penh enjoyed after a couple of weeks of gloomy days and frequent rainfall. I was just so pleased with what I witnessed that I rode my motorcycle home immediately and grabbed my camera before lumbering up to the rooftop with hopes to at least catch the final rays of the glorious sunset. I was not disappointed.

John Lubbock once said, "Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven." I am inclined to agree.

After long hours of work, I must admit that I look forward to the ride home; when I get the chance to glance at the sky and just feel lighter than air.  If I'm lucky enough, I'd get a chance to catch sunsets like yesterday.

I read this article somewhere that people these days do not bother to look up and enjoy the scenery in their hurry to get their days done and over with. I think it is a shame especially since there is just so much that we can enjoy wherever we are.

Hey, if you are one of those people, do try to enjoy a slow sunset at least one of these days. I promise you it is worth it. ;)

Food Trip Friday: Kraing

Since I transferred to Cambodia, you could say that I have indulged in food that may not often grace my plate.

While the Philippines does have its own fair share shellfish recipes which I love, here is one that I have encountered only in Cambodia so far.

Kraing.

I believe this is raw shellfish (but I could be wrong!) eaten with some chili and the Khmer red salt (salt + MSG + chili).

Eyes glazed over

I think that I've actually gotten better at noticing when I am 'tuned in' and when I have 'tuned out'.

Lately it seems that I can now identify when my brain is still functioning, and when I have gone down into the deepest recesses of my brain. It's like I am aware that my eyes have glazed over, but there is nothing I am willing to do to stop it. So I let it freeze into a thin sheet of caramel just looking or staring without really seeing. 

At first I thought it was boredom. It does not do children such as myself to be bored so early in the afternoon, but I let it be.

But what I really think is that this is some kind of exhaustion mixed with a dash of depression and unhappiness. I do not, however, wallow in this feeling, but I cannot help it. I thought about stopping it, like finding a solution for this feeling- especially since I hate the feeling of eyes glazed over.

I've also thought about standing up and fixing myself a cup of coffee. I could do that, you know, but I simply choose not to. Well, not right now. 

Perhaps a sadistic part of me revels at the feeling of having glazed eyes and then pulling back to be sure that I do not permanently slip into such abyss.

Perhaps.

There should be concrete reasons why I am feeling this way, but I can only safely blame this on a lack of caffeine since this morning.

Have you had coffee yet?

A work in progress

I consider everything as a work in progress.

This is another one of those 'works in progress' where everything and nothing is being said.

When people value their privacy, they go through extreme means just to make sure that their lives are protected but their voices are still heard. I guess, in more ways than one, this is my way of saying that I need space to think and let my voice be heard. At the same time, I am still trying to get my bearings straight that I would rather if you did not know my real name.

I used to care about what others thought about my blog... but I guess. I am too tired to think about that... I just need an outlet of sorts.

If you do like what you see here, then by all means, welcome!