Ochi In The City

Kitchen Chronicles : 10-minute Beef Gyudon

I've been seeing quite a number of people complaining about blogs that include personal stories in each post. One friend posted, "I just want a recipe, I don't want to hear about your childhood". And for some reason, that struck a nerve. I know blogs are supposed to be informational, but they're personal spaces first and foremost. I think the author putting in how personal the dish is for them isn't wrong. I for one keep this as a personal journal on the internet which is why I like telling stories here and there before sharing recipes, reviews etc. And if you want to go straight to the recipe, that's usually towards the bottom--just go straight there. I find it utterly disrespectful to come into someone else's personal space and 'rant' about how they choose to present information.

Anyway, enough of that. I just really wanted to get it out of my system. Today's recipe is something I've shared in the past but I've recently found new way to make it better so I thought why not share it again! Japanese dishes are simple when it comes to procedure but the ingredients is where we usually struggle with because some, like dashi, aren't always readily available in our friendly neighborhood grocery stores. But I've managed to cook up something that you can do at home. Let's begin!

INGREDIENTS

2tbsp soy sauce

2tbsp mirin

2tbsp sake

1tbsp water

Chopped Green Onions

300g thinly sliced beef

Sliced white onions

Toasted sesame seeds

PROCEDURE

1. In a pan, saute your beef for about 3-5 minutes or until they're brown in color.

2. Once brown, add the sliced white onions and saute for 2 more minutes.

3. Then, make the sauce mixture by mixing the soy sauce, mirin and sake, Pour over the beef.

4. Simmer for about 5minutes then add 1tbsp of water.

5. Top with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

NOTES

I've been making Gyudon for a while now and based on my experience, some things you can't just replace--like Mirin. I've tried making Gyudon with just the basics and it just tastes like Adobo lol. Mirin adds a different depth of sweetness to the dish so this is a must-have for me. I also use it in other sauces that I make so having this handy at home wouldn't be a total waste. But if you don't have Sake, I'm happy to report I've found an alternative--vodka! I think I read it on Google or probably saw a Tiktok about it, but I did try it and it worked! If you want less alcohol on your dish, just maybe use 1tbsp. Other articles mention using Soju but I've yet to try it. Will report back once I have.

For now, that's all I have! This is a super easy dish you can easily whip-up in 10 minutes. I usually cook it when I have a lot of work and only have around 30mins to spare for lunch. Prep doesn't take as much time as well. Top it on a steamy bowl of rice and you're good to go. Let me know if you try this recipe. I'd love to know what you think!

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, by Ochi Bernadas

filipino delicacy

Food Diary : Tio Boris' Gotong Batangas

I was supposed to go to bed early until I saw this in my drafts. Since this pandemic started, I haven't really done anything useful or productive outside of work. I mean sure I get work done and I get to upload a couple of youtube videos every now and then but that's pretty much it. I wanted to instill some sense of normalcy so I still continued uploading youtube videos, but really, I was stuck in this pandemic blackhole where I'm confused--I didn't really know what I'm supposed to do. My plants were put on hold, my flights were cancelled and I;m just dumbfounded how we've been on lockdown for 8mos and we're no close to seeing the end. And all this happening at my prime, the time where I'm supposed to be making something out of myself, seeing the world and everything else in between you know. I was just in that blackhole trying to figure out how to go through this mentally, emotionally and socially.

I wouldn't say I'm totally out of that hole but I've managed to adapt a little; re-adjust my plans, line my eggs and prioritize things I need to do. At this point I'm seeing a lot of businesses closing, some starting anew and all I really want to do is help anyone stay afloat. So, apologies if you found that intro lengthy but that's what this feature is all about anyway--another small business trying to stay afloat.

THE PLACE

During the entirety of this quarantine, I haven't really gone outside so eat so I can't tell much about the space but I do know they're open for dine-in. I got my order through delivery because I'm very paranoid about COVID so even if they do sanitize their dine-in spot, I still wouldn't recommend eating there. Delivery is available anyway so another hassle-free way to get your craving. Just make sure you still also sanitize even if it's through delivery. I sanitize the plastic, etc. I also tell them not to put plastic cutlery anymore since I won't be using them anyway. Safer and less waste for nature. Tio Boris' Gotong Batangas is a local, small business located in Malolos City, Bulacan. I've been quarantining here since June so this was on my radar.

THE FOOD

I was thrilled to try this because I've heard and read only good things about Gotong Batangas. Gotong Batangas is a filipino dish soup, but unlike the typical goto, it's made of tender beef tripe and other innards responsible for the thick consistency and its distinct taste. It's usually served with a side of soy sauce, onions, calamansi and chili. It's also not served like goto because this is supposed to be eaten with rice! I mean, what a treat right? As a huge fan of rice you can already tell I was too excited to try. When I was shooting this, I couldn't even be bothered to take more shots of the food in different angles because I was starving. I first had a sip of the soup and it instantly reminded me of Papaitan minus the bitter taste. I then proceeded to put it on top of my steaming rice, generously adding the toyomansi + chili + onion mixture. The first bite was divine! It was hugely because it resembled papaitan a lot but it also had its distinct taste. Best eaten with a lot of onions and I also added more chopped green onions on the soup.

Will I give it another go? Definitely! This is probably the third best hangover soup on my list. Well, first being Bulalo (self-explanatory), and Papaitan next which is like the father of Gotong Batangas anyway so y'all get the drift. If you guys are from Batangas and have tried the authentic Gotong Batangas, is it similar to the one I've tried? Let me know! Bccause with the way things are going, I'm looking at 2022 before I can safely travel again without that guilt at the back of my head.

TIO BORIS Gotong Batangas

Budget : P65 - P100 / pax

0906 416 5678 for reservations/delivery

McArthur highway Palimbang Calumpit Bulacan

Landmarks: Petron and Phoenix Gas station, UPPC, Dra. Roxas Dental Clinic

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, by Ochi Bernadas

noise cancelling app

Zoom Makeup Look + Productivity Tips While Working From Home

We've been working from home for as long as I can remember. I know for some it's only been months but to me it feels like a lifetime. Being stuck at home and forced to be productive while trying to processing how to get over this pandemic--it's crazy! I wouldn't even be talking about productivity if I didn't feel like this could help. I mean, I'm in no way forcing anyone to be productive but I really just want to share a bunch of tips that works for me while we are in this temporary arrangement.

I'm very lucky to have a flexible arrangement at work, meaning I can come in anytime I want as long as I deliver all my required output at the end of the day or attend any important meeting I should be attending. So when our work from home arrangement started, to say that my schedule became chaotic is an understatement. I would always lose track of time and it just felt like I was working 24/7. I was always on my laptop sometimes watching Netflix but somehow it still felt like I was on shift! It was exhausting and I was starting to feel really burnt out with everything that's happening and that's when I realized I should devise a workflow or at least a process so I can stay sane. Hopefully these tips will work for you as well!

1. Create a home office.

A lot of people dismiss the idea of creating a home office attributing to the fact that they can work anywhere but do you ever wonder why rich people who have ginormous houses still have home offices or libraries when they can practically work in the pool, in their own spa or anywhere in the house? It's because a home office creates a physical separation between work and home. Before the pandemic we had our actual office space for that but now that we're working from home, the separation between work, leisure and relaxation is muddled because we're doing everything in the same space.

Keeping a home office no matter how small can help you physically and mentally create a line between when you're working and when you're at home relaxing. Your home office doesn't have to be huge; it can be those computer tables you can buy from Lazada and just assign a specific corner in your house that's free of distractions!

2. Maintain a routine.

Human beings are creatures of habit. When we don't have a routine, we tend to get lost, frustrated and sometimes angry because it's in our nature to function based on routines. And when the pandemic happened, all of a sudden we have all this time in our hands because we don't have our daily commute anymore. Even if we're working from home, still try and keep the routine you used to have before all this happened. These activities would serve as your transition between work and home.

For example, if you used to read a book, listen to podcasts or play mobile games during your commute, still try and do those things before starting work! If you still find yourself with a lot of time on your hands, spend time with the people you love and the people who matter.

3. Keep boundaries.

This tip is probably one of the tips that a lot of people complain about but it's also one of the best advices I can give when it comes to unplugging from work. In a recent survey of people who work from home, one of the struggles they noted is how they're having a hard time unplugging after work. They have this mindset that since they're just at home anyway, might as well answer that email or do that task that was just sent right after your shift--NO. That's a big no. Not keeping boundaries between work and home just because you're in you're house anyway is one of the major causes of burnout.

That's why you need a home office and that's why you need to keep boundaries. If you come in 8AM - 5PM, log off and don't look at your computer. If there's an emergency at work, you probably will get a call about it. Remember, we don't live to work. We work so we can live our lives to the fullest so do just that even if we're just at home because of the crisis.

4. Utilize tools.

While I keep talking about discipline and motivation as key factors to being productive at home, having a bunch of tools help you along the way ain't that bad. Listing a couple of tools that I personally use to make my life easier.

Canva and Piktochart

Since our WFH situation started, I've been wanting to spend less time on the screen for my own sanity and these are the perfect tools to help me do just that. Remember, work smarter not harder! Canva and Piktochart booth help me with my presentations; both have amazing templates you can already get started with or if you want to do things on your own you can even start with a blank canvas. Both have free and paid subscriptions, but even with the free mode, I can already do so much.

FocusBooster

I am a person who easily gets distracted. While working on a task if a certain music that I love plays, I often find myself singing to the entire playlist for an entire hour fully neglecting my task! That's where FocusBooster comes in; it uses the Pomodoro technique where tasks are timed in 25-minute increments with 5-minute breaks in between. At first, I was a skeptical but lo and behold it actually works for my brain who can't keep focused on a task for just 5 minutes. The timer helps me keep a schedule and the urgency that comes with it doesn't really make me feel rushed because i can take breaks in between. It's like a to-do list with a timer.

Krisp.ai

This is probably the best tool I've discovered this quarantine. Since taking calls and everything else at home at home through mediated programs like Zoom, Team Meetings etc., we've particularly been weary of the noise we have at home and sometimes it's just unavoidable. Krisp is a noise cancelling AI app that filters not just your background noise but also the background noise of the people you're talking to! It can filter barking dogs, your neighbor's ongoing house construction and even screaming kids! The downside is that it's not free, but if you use my code https://ref.krisp.ai/u/ua2a028585 you get 2mos free and so do I!

Honestly that's just what I've been doing, sharing my code so I get a lot of free mos lol. As of this writing, my Krisp.ai is free until 2023 so give it a go and don't forget to share your referral link to friends so you get free months as well.

5. Take breaks.

I don't think I need to say more but really, you're body and mind need those breaks. You ever wonder why they're plotted at work? Like An hour an a half for 9hrs? Not only is it government mandated, but also because it's the bare minimum so you can stay sane. So even when you're working at home, simply standing up, having a conversation with the people you're living with, getting a cup of coffee--whatever it is that relaxes your brain, go ahead and do it. Better if it doesn't involve any of your devices so you can disconnect even for a little while.

Whatever technique you have right now, if it works, it works. These are just additional things I've discovered along the way of also looking for a system that works for me. However you choose to be productive at work, always remember : your mental and physical health comes first. Take a break if you feel like you're drowning, take a step back if things start to get chaotic and don't forget to breath. Here's to being productive amidst a pandemic--or at least trying.

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, by Ochi Bernadas

burger recipe

How To Make Juicy Burgers At Home!

I love burgers, that's it. That's the tweet. LOLJK--but no really, I'm not very fond of meat whether it be pork or beef but I do have my favorites, one of which is a fat, juicy, thicc-ass burger. I almost always just get takeout or delivery because despite knowing how to make one, it's insanely laborious to have to go through everything and really just make one burger out of all the effort since I'm just cooking for myself. But ever since quarantine has started, I find myself with more time at home hence I've been cooking my own meals.

For the burger recipe we're cooking today, I browsed through several recipes and found that a good base for a really juicy burger is the kind of ground beef you have. I got mine from Monterey and made sure it wasn't purely lean because I don't like my patty too dry. I made sure there was enough balance of fat and meat. The rest is basically up to you. I found several recipes with a ton of spices but as mentioned, you only really need good beef to go on and the rest can be as simple as you want it to be.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 ground beef

Salt and pepper

Minced onions

Paprika

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Burger buns

Cheese

PROCEDURE

1. In a large bowl mix the ground beef, minced onions, salt pepper and paprika.

2. Start shaping them carefully. You can opt to add cheese if you want it to be creamier.

3. You can choose to use a grill or a pan, but either way prepare both in medium heat.

4. Grill/pan-fry each side for around 4 minutes or longer making sure it's cooked all the way through.

5. For serving, toast the buns then add cheese, tomatoes, onions, patty, lettuce and ketchup or mustard.

NOTES

As you can see, I made my patty really thick--more like a quarter pounder. I mean I'm making it for myself, might as well make the best right?? It's okay to make it as thick as you want just make sure you check that it's cooked all the way through. As for the additional ingredients, you can be as creative as you want. I just really like mine with a lot of vegetables.

If you guys are making this at home, please tag me so I can see your wonderful creations! I usually serve this with a side of homemade potato chips if I'm really in the mood to cook or if you don't have the time, a bag of plain Lay's would suffice. Got hungry just trying to finish this post. Hope you enjoyed this one. Have a great week ahead, loves!

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, by Ochi Bernadas

Kitchen Chronicles : Kapampangan Sipo Egg

Kitchen Chronicles : 10-minute Beef Gyudon

Food Diary : Tio Boris' Gotong Batangas