Cafe Bola Kamias Shake

Kamias or Bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi) is a common backyard plant in the Philippines that bears sour -- make that acidic, cylindrical fruit in bunches. Back in my childhood, me and my friends would pick the fruits from the tree and eat it with rock salt as a snack. We would laugh at each other's funny sour faces and our teeth would feel funny afterwards because of the acidity. I think that's how I developed my fondness for anything sour. Just thinking about fresh kamias already makes my mouth water!

I have mentioned in a previous post that kamias can be used to make sinigang. Another popular use for it would be as a relish/salsa for fried fish. Just chop it and mix with cooked bagoong (shimp paste) and its ready, tomatoes and onions are optional.

I never thought that kamias could also be used for beverages. In Cafe Bola, kamias shake is served and I have friends who have been raving about it. I was a bit skeptical about it at first, thinking that it's too sour to be made into a shake but I gave in to my curiosity and tried it during my recent visit to the cafe.

Wow! My friends were right all along. The drink was refreshing and not just because it was served cold, but more so because it was a familiar flavor that I never expected to taste from a drink. My tastebuds were tickled with delight by the play of sour, sweet and a hint of saltiness of the beverage. I found a new fave and bid goodbye to the usual soda or boring iced tea.

Cafe Bola
2/F Greenbelt 3
Ayala Center, Makati City

Petra and Pilar

It's been busy at work and this post unfortunately had to be set aside, but the homestyle cooked food in Petra and Pilar is too good not to talk about.

Kojiro and I have been eating dinner out together lately, and thanks to the walking distance of this high end carinderia to both my office and his condo, Petra and Pilar has been our usual spot. You might be asking "Who is Petra and Pilar?". Petra is the Ponce-Enrile matriarch while Pilar is the Castañer matriarch, two great ladies who passed their love of good food to their granddaughter Katrina Ponce-Enrile (President and CEO of the JAKA Group of Companies).

Katrina's brainchild combines Filipino/Spanish comfort food prepared by chefs, presented to the customers in a minimalist space and familiar turo-turo (point what you want) manner. So off to the counter we went and started pointing which of the viands we want. Each serving of viand is big enough for 2 persons. We were quite hungry during this visit, thus we ordered the following (pardon the grainy images from my mobile phone):

L-R: Beef Kalitiran, Tanigue in Pesto, Chicken Sinigang
(not pictured: 3 cups of rice)

Beef Mushroom Kalitiran - P150

The Beef Mushroom Kalitiran is the house bestseller. Their menu changes daily but you're sure to find this as a staple. It's like roast beef with mushroom gravy, however I cannot tell if the beef was actually roasted prior to slicing or if the slices were simmered in the gravy to cook. Regardless of the cooking method, the results are absolutely fantastic.

Tanigue in Pesto - P150

Our next viand is really just mine to finish, Tanigue in Pesto. I've said it before and I will say it again; I love pesto! The fish cutlets were cooked just right, firm but flaky. The pesto they used was flavorful but doesn't scream "BASIL!", and that's a good thing. I think this dish would have gone to the next level with some juice from a lime wedge. Though I would have wanted it less oily, overall this creation was a winner, heck I ate all of it!

Chicken Sinigang - P 170

Our meal would not be complete without some soup. The offering for that evening was Chicken Sinigang. Sinigang is a dish that has meat and vegetables in a sour broth. It can be cooked with either chicken, beef, pork, fish or shrimps. The soup is also quite flexible wherein it can be made sour by using any of the following: tamarind, kamias (balimbi), calamansi (philippine lemon), or guava. The popular choice nowadays would be the ready-to-use powdered soup base that can be bought in all supermarkets and convenience stores.

I have a sour tooth and wanted the broth to be more sour. Kojiro agrees. The cooked vegetables were separated from the meat and soup, and were only added upon ordering. Its a good way to prevent it from being over cooked and turning soggy, however exposing it to air the whole day leaves it dry. This viand being the most expensive out of the three we ate turned out to be a disappointment. Next time I'll ask the staff if it's possible to just have some of the soup without any meat or veggies.

When I found out the dessert of the day, I made sure to leave some room for it. Leche Flan Pudding, mmmmm. Leche flan is a Filipino favorite with Spanish origins. Leche literally translates to milk, but the recipe calls for more egg yolks than milk (10-12 yolks). It can be considered as a stiff custard or a firm creme brulee with caramel sauce instead of the usual shell on top. Some would say that Leche flan is tedious or expensive to prepare, thus it has been associated with celebrations and special occassions in the Philippines.

Leche Flan Pudding - P130

Petra and Pilar's version has a layer of pudding, probably bread, which is barely recognizable. It blends with the flan so well that it looks and tastes as if it's all flan you're eating. It was firm and soft, the perfect balance for the consistency. I also love that it wasn't overly sweet despite the caramel sauce. As for the serving size, it is a considerable block good to share between 2-3 persons...if you'll be sharing it at all!

Petra and Pilar
JAKA Center
2311 Exportbank Drive cor. Chino Roces Ave.
Makati City

Chowking Congee and Siomai

Hail to the king of Chinese fast food! With over 400 branches all over the Philipines, and outlets abroad, Chowking undoubtedly reigns in its niche.

The place serves breakfast sets, rice meals, noodle dishes and snacks round the clock. The other day I had a craving for Hong Kong style congee and dimsum for breakfast. Though there were much nearer breakfast alternatives, I walked roughly 2 blocks to satisfy my craving.

There are a couple of variants for their congee and the main difference would be with the toppings. I ordered the classic or "plain" which already has bits of meat and century egg mixed into the porridge. Fried wanton wrappers and chopped spring onions on top add color and crunch. I like it best when drizzled with a mixture of light soy sauce and philippine lemon (calamansi).

Classic Congee - P39

As for the dimsum -- pork siomai, I've sampled better than this. The filling was bland and had an almost rubbery consistency. Thanks to the chili paste served, it added kick and flavor.

Pork Siomai - P39

Chowking

various locations

Healthy Options

Healthy Options is a flourescent lit haven for organic and health food fanatics. Even if you're not that conscious of what you eat, the place charms you with is spacious interior and hand painted decor.

Aisle after aisle, colorful display of different snacks and drinks tickle my curiosity and tempt me to reach them off the shelves. There are so many stuff we wanted that I now have a grocery list in my head: pear juice, cheese puffs, ready-to-toast blueberry waffles, seaweed flavored rice cakes, flavored sparkling water, apple chips, frozen blueberries, and the list goes on and on.

Prices are a tad bit expensive compared to your regular supermarket and most of the products/brands are exclusively distributed in the store. We put it off for now but will definitely come back at another time.

We also found something that gave us "Healthy laughs"

Want some honesty? Now you know where to get it.
(all together now...honest tea is such a lonely word...)

Healthy Options
Basement level, Greenbelt 5
Makati

La Maison

Derived from the French words that literally translates to "the house", La Maison is the home of steaks and seafood, but in my dining out experience it is where I found the best wild mushroom soup.

P170/bowl

The generous serving is filling enough for a light meal with the restaurant's complimentary bread sticks. Real bits of various mushrooms swim in the thick, creamy base. It has a subtle nutty, earthy flavor that you probably can only get from the real stuff which no powdered or canned alternative can compare to.

For our entrees, I had the regular serving of fish and chips. A gasp of surprise came out when I saw the huge platter being laid on our table. 2 big fried dover sole fish fillet slices were on top of a bed of large cut fries. 3 kinds of dips were served as well for it, ranch, chili, and curry. The fish was lightly seasoned, moist and flaky. I liked the ranch dip the most since it was creamy-tangy-sweet but did not overpower the flavor of the fish.

Regular serving - P375

Kojiro ordered the chicken wings (8pcs). This dish was okay if we didn't have any expectations. The wings were drizzled with a sweet-spicy sauce that gave an oriental touch to it. This was a disappointment for us since we prefer it spicy and done the Outback way.

8 pcs. - P270

La Maison
3/F Greenbelt 5
Makati City

Pesto Crusted Tofu with Cheese

I absolutely love pesto. Its so simple to make and so tasty. In my family, I'm the only who has acquired the liking for it. They find the basil flavor too overwhelming. In my opinion they're missing a lot, but on the other hand it's a good thing that they don't like it -- more pesto for me!

Looking for ways to bring more excitement to the subtle flavor of tofu, I decided to experiment and combine the two; the boldness of pesto and the mildness of tofu. It's an East-meets-West recipe, and I was pleasantly surprised with the result. I was expecting a strong herb flavor but the tofu subdued the intensity. The cheese brought the flavors together with just the right amount of salt and creamy texture.

Ingrdients:
tofu, sliced into 1/2 inch thick slabs
pesto sauce
grated or sliced quick-melt cheese

Procedure:
1. Marinate the tofu in the pesto sauce for 5 minutes.
2. Heat pan and place tofu with some of the pesto sauce coating it.
3. Pan fry one side of the tofu for 2-3 minutes.
4. Flip it to fry the the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
5. While still frying the other side, place cheese on top and let it soften a bit or completely melt based on your preference.
6. Remove from heat and serve.

Potato Cheese Croquettes

Mashed potatoes is one of the most popular comfort food in the US. It is also greatly appreciated here in Manila and is usually served as a side dish to fried or roasted chicken.

But what to do with leftover mashed potatoes [if any] when everyone has had their fill and no longer yearns for the comfort it brings? Make croquettes out of it!

Croquette came from the French word croquer, which means “to crunch”. The dish is a French invention which is usually made of mashed potatoes and minced meat, dipped in egg, rolled in breadcrumbs then deep fried. It became so popular that almost every country now has their own version of preparing the classic favorite.

My version is very similar to the European tater.

Ingredients:
leftover mashed potatoes, chilled
1 whole egg, beaten
quick-melt cheese, cut into 1/2 inch thick strips
1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
cooking oil

Procedure:
1. Scoop 1 tbsp of mashed potato onto your palm.
2. Flatten it to make a patty.
3. Place 1 cheese strip in the middle of the patty.
4. Roll patty using palms to cover the cheese all over with the mashed potato.
5. Dip the roll in the beaten egg.
6. Roll it in panko and make sure that it's evenly covered.
7. Heat oil in a pan.
8. Fry potato rolls until breadcrumb coating turns golden brown.
9. Remove excess oil with paper towels.

Dulce de Leche Ala Mode

It's summer in the Philippines and mangoes are in season. This time of year, the fruit ripens with a delicious shade of golden yellow, becoming succulent and sweet.

Mangoes are great eaten by itself, but why stop there when it can be used in so many dishes. With the abundant stock at home, I amped up my mango ice cream and Dulce de Leche slice combo with a generous serving of mango cubes.

Kani Maki

Craving for Japanese food during the wee hours of the morning, when all decent restos I know are already/still closed, made me do the unexpected.

I made my own maki.

I've heard from a TV chef before that it's best to always have a pack of kani at home. You'll be prepared when the need for a quick snack arises, and there are so many possibilities with what you can make -- salads, sandwiches, tempura or simply eat it by itself. That was one of the best advices I've picked from the tube.

You might be asking yourself "what is maki?" and "what is kani?". You've probably seen these words in Japanese restaurant menus but have never bothered to find out what these translate to. If you still haven't Googled it by now, let me add to your knowledge of basic Japanese dining vocabulary:

maki - roll
kani - crab meat (sticks)
kani + maki = crab meat roll
nori - dried thin seaweed sheets
sushi - vinegared rice

It is interesting to note that outside of Japan, some people refer to or understand sushi as the raw fish or seafood. Truth is, the sliced raw fish or seafood is called sashimi.

I took out the makisu (bamboo rolling mat) from its hiding place and cracked my knuckles. With the kani out of the chiller, I was ready to roll.

Procedure:
1. Lay the makisu on a flat surface.
2. Lay a sheet of nori on the makisu.
3. Mix cooked rice with a solution of vinegar, sugar and salt to make the sushi.
4. Spread the sushi on the nori sheet.
5. Place the kani (and other desired filling) on top.
6. Roll tightly.
7. Slice roll into 6-8 pieces.

Click here for a detailed, step-by-step instruction on how to make your own maki.

Itadakimasu!

Chips Delight Striped Chocolate Chip Cookies

For an instant and inexpensive mood lift (shopping is definitely out of the question). Just like any other stressed individual, I will find the light of hope...in the fridge.

At the farthest corner of the lowest shelf, I found an almost forgotten pack of Chips Delight Striped Chocolate Chip Cookies. Expiration date checked, I lifted 2 devils from their plastic bed. Sinking my teeth into a cookie loaded with chocolate chips and laced with chocolate strips reminded me why it was kept in the recesses of the cold box in the first place. It's too sinful! Mmm, wish I had a glass of cold fresh milk to wash it down.

According to research, chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural substance that is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love.

Stressed = (chocolate) Desserts.

Maybe that's why I feel giddy...or it might be the sugar rush straight to the head.

The Soup Kitchen

This is a repost from my other blog:

"Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble."
- Three Witches; Macbeth

Probably the most dramatic and detailed soupmaking scene ever written in English literature was done by Shakespeare in Macbeth. Those witches were whipping up a wicked stew!

Enjoying a hot bowl of soup need not to be that tedious anymore. Instant mixes and canned soups are readily available in supermarkets, and in dire situations, even a cup of hot water a bouillon cube will do. But nothing comforts the belly and the soul more than the real deal -- homemade-style soups with hearty chunks of the ingredients paired with freshly baked breads. Mmmm.

Thankfully The Soup Kitchen serves just that. "Original Home Made Goodness" is what you can always expect from each visit. Here you can find the perfect soup for everybody's preference; cream base, tomato base, vegetarian, seafood or all meat. They serve 8 varieties everyday, but their Chili and Chowders are always available since these are the crowd favorites.

Soups are the healthier and more delicious alternative to the fast food we have grown accustomed to, light yet satisfying. Why not grab a bowl now?!

The Soup Kitchen
3/F Glorietta 5
Ayala Center, Makati

Lord Stow's Egg Tarts

This is a repost from my other blog:

Andrew Stow did not secretly transport these little pieces of heaven to Asia. His egg tart creation was born in Coloane Island, Macau. Lord Stow's egg tarts stand out from the rest because of its flaky pastry filled with generous creamy egg filling that's not too sweet, and topped with slightly burnt caramelized sugar.

The locals of Macau eat it for breakfast, as a snack or dessert. Once you've tried it, you too would want to eat it as part of every meal, everyday!

The Lord Stow's Bakery franchise reached the Philippines in 1999, and thank goodness for that! These treats are soo good, I wouldn't care less if it were from an underground business. No need to fly all the way to Macau just to taste the melt in your mouth goodness.

Per Piece - P36.00
Box of 4's - P142.00
Box of 6's - P210.00
Box of 12's - P400.00

Nono’s Chocolate Oblivion

This is a repost from my other blog:

Indivdual(P145.00)/Regular(P895.00)

Dessert isn't usually part of my meal but after sampling Classic Confections' Nono’s Chocolate Oblivion, I have been converted into a believer that dessert is a must when dining out. The decadent brainchild of Baba Ibazeta is made of layers of chocolate cake and ganache, textured with walnut praline and dusted with cocoa powder. It is rich and smooth like velvet in your mouth. It satisfies the sweethtooth craving without being toothachingly sweet, definitely deserving of the accolade received as one of the metro's top ten desserts.

You may forget everything else but not how good it tastes. Go ahead, slice into oblivion.

Classic Confections
2/f Greenbelt 5
Ayala Center, Makati City

Tilapia in Coconut Milk

If there's one fish that I probably won't get tired of eating, even everyday, it has got to be the Tilapia. This freshwater fish is so versatile, it can be cooked in so many ways and all would be delicious. The flavor of the tilapia is subtle which goes well with just about every imaginable spice or sauce.

Ingredients:
2 whole tilapia
2 tbsp cooking oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 small ginger thumb, julienned
1 cup fresh coconut milk (canned veriety can be used as a substitute)
1/4 cup water
salt and pepper
(optional) 1 small bunch Chinese cabbage, chopped
(optional) 1 red or green chili pepper, chopped

Procedure:
1. Heat oil in pan.
2. Saute garlic, onions and ginger.
3. Pour coconut and water. Stir and season with salt and pepper.
4. Place the 2 tilapias in the mixture, and simmer until flesh turns opaque.
5. Add the Chinese cabbage and chili pepper.
6. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. Serve with steamed rice.

Steamed Creme Dori with Garlic

My family and I have been eating a lot of fish lately. This is because last week was Holy Week and as Catholics, our way of observance was to avoid eating meat. Also, the timing was quite convenient for me and my mom, who both had dental procedures done and still could not chew well.

Pardon the grainy image quality. This picture was taken using my handheld device and not with my usual digicam. I wanted to capture this simple yet tasty dish as soon as possible before it disappears before my eyes.

Ingredients:
Creme Dori, fish-steak cuts
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp EVOO
salt and pepper
*minced ginger is optional

Procedure:
1. Heat EVOO in pan.
2. Fry garlic (and ginger if applicable) until golden brown. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Season the creme dori on both sides with a little salt and pepper.
4. Arrange fish in a steamer and put the garlic (and ginger) on top.
5. Steam until the flesh turns opaque
6. Serve with cooked rice or steamed/buttered vegetables.

Moo Ice Cream Sandwich

This is a repost from my other blog.

Mmmm-Moo Ice Cream Sandwich from Wall's/Selecta is a sure pick-upper when you're tired and frustrated (especially with work). This comfort food can be found in 7-11 outlets and is available either by piece or by pack. Good thing there is always a 7-11 store nearby...a short walk towards happiness *sigh*.

This dairy delight is better and safer than Prozac, but too much of anything can be harmful. Its side effect? You'd end up craving for more.

Gelatone Gelato

This is a repost from my other blog.

Gelato is Italian ice cream that has little air in it, making it denser than the regular ice cream. Denser ice cream = a richer, more flavorful treat. In my opinion, gelato is the greatest Italian contribution to civilizition, followed by pizza and pasta. Splendido Italianos!

Good thing that the Italians have shared with others the recipe and procedure for making this heavenly dessert. We don't have to fly all the way to Italy just to sample the creamy concoctions (but it would be a dream to be in Italy and eat gelato there too). Gelatone is one of the few places here in the metro that specializes in gelato, with over 15 flavors to choose from. It is a tad pricey though, a generous scoop will cost you around 100 Php but try it once and you'll agree that its worth it.

It's difficult to choose just one flavor when all are just oh so good, but being a dark chocolate & mint lover, the Menta for me is happiness on a cone.

2/f Greenbelt 3
Ayala Center, Makati

Honey Hazelnut Oatmeal with Peaches

I woke up and realized that my parents have already gone to the market. My mom did not cook any breakfast so I just decided to prepare a quick meal for myself.

Quaker Oats now has flavored variants and I bought a box of Honey Hazelnut last week. A box contains 5 packs. Simply pour the contents in a bowl and pour hot water or milk, and stir until the oats cook. Top it with your fruit of choice, even add chopped nuts if desired. Today I was in the mood for peaches.

Cyma Greek Tavern

This is a repost from my other blog.

"Where will we eat?" is the perennial question Kojiro and I face everytime we dine out. We have already tried most of the restaurants/cafes in Greenbelt 2 and 3 to come up with our safe bets; places we can always go to and rely on to provide good food when option paralysis strikes. However, my palate would appreciate a vacation every now and then from the usual Japanese, Italian, or hodgepodge cuisines, and today was one of those days. I wanted something different, something more adventurous...

Eureka! Let's go Greek in Cyma! Kojiro and I had only eaten at Cyma once and that was years ago with his otousan. We were not able to try their main dishes then but from the sampling i had of their soupa (soup) and orektika (appetizers), i like. Speaking of Cyma's appetizers, it is a must for every first-timer to order their house specialty -- the famous flaming Saganaki. This dish is flambéd at the customer's area and is accompanied by a resounding "**OPA!" from the servers...really entertaining but probably not for the weak-hearted.

photo courtesy of dessertcomesfirst

Whetted appetites will surely be satisfied in Cyma since not only do the food taste great, but also the servings are huge that even their "solo" servings are good for two. Now that's real value. To start our meal, Kojiro and I ordered the Spinach and Artichoke Fondue. It is a blend of melted cheese, sliced sun-dried tomatoes and feta served with warm pita triangles and grilled garlic bread. Mmmmmmm.

Spinach and Artichoke Fondue (P280.00)

For my main course, I opted for a solo Tonnos Salata (salad). "Whoah!" I gasped at first sight, the plate was heaping! It has Ahi tuna, mixed greens, tomatoes, feta cheese, baked onions, Gavros (not an abbreviation for Gavin Rosdale, it's Greek anchovies hehe), roasted bell peppers, black olives, marinated potatoes, green beans and boiled eggs with herb vinaigrette dressing. Colorful and quite tasty, though I wasn't crazy about the gavros.

Tonnos Salata Solo (P280.00)/To Share (P390.00)/Family (P540.00)

Kojiro wasn't feeling experimental so he ordered a "safe" chicken dish. The Kotopoulo Lemonato is the Greek's counterpart of our chicken adobo. The bird is braised with lemon, oregano, garlic and EVOO, then roasted with Greek potatoes and feta cheese. We were overwhelmed to see the half portion of the chicken lying on the plate. This dish alone could feed us both.

Kotopoulo Lemonato (P345.00)

We were so full afterwards, though it seemed as if our food were barely touched. I can't wait for the next time the infamous question pops up again. There's still a lot on Cyma's menu that I have yet to taste.

**Opa - traditional Greek term used to express one’s excitement and admiration in a very enthusiastic manner

Cyma Greek Tavern

1/F Greenbelt 2
Ayala Center, Makati

Adobo Flakes Rice Topping

Ingredients:
leftover chiken from adobo, flaked
adobo sauce
3 tbsp cooking oil
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 cups cooked rice
pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Remove chicken from adobo sauce.
2. Set aside sauce.
3. Remove chicken from bones and flake the meat.
4. Heat oil in a pan.
5. Fry the flakes until brown and crispy.
6. Remove from pan and drain excess oil with paper towels. Set aside.
7. Heat adobo sauce in the pan.
8. Mix in cooked rice.
9. Season with a little salt and pepper.
10. Stir to evenly coat the rice with the sauce.
11. Remove from heat.
12. Mound rice in bowls.
13. Top with fried chiclen flakes and chopped tomatoes.

Veggie Spring Rolls

This is a repost of this recipe which was first featured in my other blog.

Spring Roll Filling

Ingredients:

2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
leftover chicken sausage, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped into strips
1/2 can of young corn, chopped into strips
1/2 cabbage head, chopped into strips
2 tablesppons oyster sauce
sal and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons water
*snowpeas, bell peppers and mushrooms are optional but great additions to this dish

Procedure:
1. Heat EVOO in a pan with sesame oil.

2. Brown the chopped sausage. Let the spices of the sausage come out.

3. Add the carrots and corn. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the cabbage.

5. Add the oyster sauce and stir to evenly distribute.

6. Pour in the water.

7. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Cover the pan for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the cabbage to soften but do not over cook.

9. Remove from heat and drain any liquids left.

To make the spring roll:

Ingredients:

spring roll wrapper
drained vegetable mixture (recipe above)
vegetable or corn oil for frying

Procedure:
1. Drain any excess liquids from the filling.

2. Scoop about 1-1/2 tablespoons of the vegetable mixture on to the wrapper.

3. Roll it firmly.

4. Heat the oil

5. Fry the rolls until golden brown. Do not over crowd your pan so as no maintain even temperature.

6. Drain excess oil from fried rolls with paper towels.

7. Serve hot as is or with dipping sauce.

To make the dipping sauce:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vinegar

1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

dash of pepper

Procedure:

1. Mix all ingredients.

2. Pour into a dipping bowl with fried spring rolls.

Tofu in Barbecue Sauce

This is what me and my parents had for dinner earlier. It was paired with Catfish Adobo and steamed white rice. Both viands were so good, I forgot to take pictures of them before it were shoveled onto our plates.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tofu block, cubed
1/2 cup Mang Tomas Barbecue Sauce
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Chili Oil

Procedure:
1. Heat pan and melt the butter.
2. Saute the garlic until golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic to avoid the bitter/burnt flavor.
3. Pour the barbecue sauce and dilute it with water, depending on your preferred consistency and taste.
4. Add the chili. Lessen or add more to what is indicated in this recipe depending on how well you can handle spicy food.
5. Add the tofu cubes to the sauce.
6. Let it simmer for 5 minutes in low heat.
7. Remove from heat and serve with steamed rice.