I’ve been pretty good most of the time about eating properly to help maximize gains at the gym, but every once in a while, I’m not immune from indulging in some less than healthy eats, as evidenced in the gallery below. But what is a helpless foodie to do?
Chocolate Salami
I don’t know why I’ve never made these before. Just a few simple ingredients, and totally delicious. I think I’ll make more for holiday gifts later this year.
Chocolate salami with crunchy biscotti and pistachios.
Oui, oui! Blanquette de Poulet!
French cooking has a way of making rustic, country-style comfort food such as this chicken blanquette appear plain and simple when presented. But there’s nothing plain or simple about it. Blanquette, from the French word blanc, meaning white, is the whole point of the dish. Nothing gets browned — not the chicken, not the vegetables, nor the mushrooms. None of the ingredients try to compete with the others for color. And that keeps it as delicate-looking as it tastes.
It only took me 2 hours to gently prepare this delicately crafted dish, but oh, was it worth it! As with most French dishes, the sauce is the show. This delight of a dish pairs well with steamed white rice, mashed potato, buttered noodles, or slices of crusty sourdough.
Friday Night Dinner
I recorded a video of a favorite chicken recipe for a regular Friday night family dinner, inspired by Binging with Babish’s Spatchcock Chicken Roast with Chicki-churri Sauce. This one’s a real winner.
Summer Social
[25 July, 2026]
On the last weekend of July, I hosted a summer BBQ party at home with some friends/previous co-workers. They brought appetizers, side dishes, desserts, and drinks, and I provided the mains. Starting the midnight before, I smoked a whole brisket, Texas-style, on the Big Green Egg, and on the day of, I prepared everyone’s favorite ‘paella mixta’ (with Spanish chorizo, chicken, and shrimp). We all had a great time catching up with everyone and enjoying the good food.
Family Visitors
[16-19 July, 2026]
My niece and her family who relocated to Maryland came back to visit with us over a long weekend for some now-rarer-than-usual family time. Of course, what is a Filipino reunion without lots of food and eating? We had great weather, great eats, and overall, a great time together back in Ohio just like the good old days!
Upping my Sandwich Game
I’ve been trying to up my sandwich game recently, building up on previous efforts with my must-try sliders with sweet potato fries, and of course, famous breakfast sandwiches: egg soufflé on ciabatta; and egg, cheese, and bacon on either brioche bun or everything bagel.
This time, I added my classic favorites: a Reuben and Italian pesto+prosciutto. Trying to find the right balance of high quality meats, dressing, the right cheeses plus the rest of the necessary accoutrements, on proper bread, is a fun and tasty adventure, one that I’ll continue to expand into other sandwich types. My other favorite, a lobster roll, perhaps? Bon appetit!
Cooking and Baking Through Winter's Doldrums
It’s cold and gray out, and I’ve been trying to beat the winter blues by cooking and baking some of my favorites, several definitely taking cues from Filipino cuisine.
Kamille's 5th Birthday
[16 December, 2023]
A birthday party for Kamille that took place two days early! Complete with unicorn cake, colorful balloons, and parlor games! As these things go! A fun time for all!
Thanksgiving Dinner
[23 November, 2023]
It was a low-key Thanksgiving Day, largely due to everyone’s conflicting work schedules. Something we’ve learned to live with, what with a majority of family members in the “no-holiday” medical professions. And still, it was our usual non-traditional dinner, notably with nary a turkey to be seen.
Michigan Day Trip
[7 October, 2023]
Went on a day trip to Dexter and Ann Arbor with Team Satoh for cider and donuts at Dexter Cider Mill, a visit to a pumpkin patch, a stroll through U of M campus, yummy brownies from Zingerman’s Deli, and some delectable Korean dining at Miss Kim. Definitely plenty of hints of autumn in the air, with a crazy, rapid-fire weather variety of wind, rain, and sun to boot.
Re-Living Spain
Been trying to re-live my recent Spain visit, one Mediterranean dish (cod en papillote) and drink (tinto de verano) at a time.
Spinach and Cheese Egg Soufflé
Reprising one of my favorite homemade dishes during the pandemic, it is almost nostalgic making these Panera-style baked egg soufflés once again!
Zucchini Rose Muffins
My next-door neighbor has a vegetable garden and shared a couple of zucchini with me this past weekend. So, through the magic of pre-made frozen puff pastry, I turned them into zucchini rose muffins.
Ramen Night!
[June 13, 2023]
Dinner out for early celebration of my niece, Kate’s birthday. At Yokai Ramen Bistro.
Berry Custard Pastries
Tried this Instagram recipe for berry custard pastries with Italian crema pasticcera and they were fantastic. Definitely Insta-worthy!
Birthday Celebrations
[14 and 20 April, 2023]
Kasey’s and my birthdays are only a few days apart so it’s been a foodie flurry of lunches and dinners the past couple of weekends. Here’s to celebrating completing another revolution around our closest star!
Easter Weekend
[ 8 April, 2023]
Easter weekend celebrations at home.
Homemade Madeleines
[29 March, 2023]
Madeleines are one of those French pastries that have simple ingredients yet can take a very long time to perfect. The crispy, darker side with the notable ridges, the distinctive “bump” on the lighter, softer side, the subtle hint of vanilla flavor, and the rich, soft lemony moist cake interior — all need to come together nicely in a scrumptious little bite-size cookie. They also have a very short life, best consumed fresh and warm from the oven. This is my first attempt; not too bad if I may say so.
Pi Day
[14 March, 2023]
An old tradition long observed with previous Honda co-workers is to share pie on Pi Day (3.14159 …. you know the drill). I hosted the annual get-together this year, so it was coffee and pie at my house this morning. Today is also Jiro’s 9th birthday, so there’s an extra reason to celebrate! (You can see his behind in the photo below.)