KOMRAD Il Terrazo: A haven for Hunan and Sichuan Cuisine Lovers

Last night we attended the very successful Starbuck's Kick-off Chrismas party which was held at its Bonifacio High Street branch.

I was with my youngest son, Zeus, Ann Ville and Maico (both are my friends too!). The original plan is right after the Starbucks party we will all head to the Il Terazzo Fright Night Halloween Party. But maybe because I'm not really in the mood to party, when we arrived at Il Terazzo I opted to stay behind.

I told my friends Ann, Maico and Florencio that I'll just follow in a few. But guess what I lied!!! My feet led me to KOMRAD Mao's Hunan and Sichuan Kitchen.

KOMRAD with its Black and white interiors ,at first glance I thought it was another Japanese restaurant. I don't know but whenever I saw a restaurant with those colors-Japanese restos comes to mind.

Glad that I lied and got to taste a different cuisine. This time Komrad offers Hunan and Scihuan Cuisine.

According to my research (again thanks to Wikipedia!), Hunan or XIANG CUISINE is known for its hot and spicy flavor, fresh aroma and deep color. The common techniques included in the Hunan Cuisine are stewing, frying, pot-roasting, braising and smoking. Dishes prepared "ala-Hunan" are mostly of Chili peppers, shallots and garlic.

While with Sichuan Cuisine, its very much spicier (yes very spicy aup to its superlative degree) and has basic flavors like sour, pungent, hot, sweet, bitter, aromatic and salty.

Now that I have given (and myself too) you guys an idea as to what cuisine KOMRAD is known for. Let me share with you the food that I ordered at KOMRAD'S last night.

If you're used to Cantonese Cuisine of the usual noodles and siomai fare, then for sure the "fiery" and spicy palette of yours will make you indulge more.

For starters, since I still had my very bad case of sinusitis, I ordered the SEAFOOD and SPINACH soup.

The SEAFOOD and Spinach taste just right to the stomach. I like it piping hot and to top it all feels warm in the tummy.

After warming up with that yummy soup next is.........

Dimsum

KOMRAD RICE

The KOMRAD Rice is just cooked right to the bite. One ofthe most filling rice dish I have tasted.

Kung Pao Shrimp Balls are my favorite. This dish might also complement if you are having your usual yet short "drinking sessions. If you are at Komrad Sichuan and Hunan Kitchen, please don't forget to look for this dish.

Mao's Pork

                                                                                                             FUKIEN NOODLES
All of the food posted above were all certified delicious but there is really one food item here that stood out for me-----and it was the KUNG PAO SHRIMP BALLS. If only you were there in our table, you must have realized that a storm might have passed by our table. When my friends got back from the party to have our very late dinner, in a matter of minutes, it was all gone. My friends who partied at ARIATO (the venue for the Il Terazzo Fright Night Halloween party) forgave me for lying and saying that I will follow them (only to know that I got glued to my seat and had begun my "KOMRAD" feast.

With regards to KOMRAD's pricing for their dishes, I can say that it's within one's foodie budget, meaning one gets to eat yummy Sichuan and Hunan fare with out overly-stashing their pockets.

What about the interiors, if one diner will really take the KOMRAD's interiors "literally", they would have thought that the owners are communist. In their walls , one will see there are Chairman Mao Zedong's pictures in almost every nook here at KOMRAD.

These are the wall fixtures of Mao Zedong. The chairman was also from the Sichuan's region, so I really expected to him on these walls.

More of the Chairman's paintings on Komrad's ceiling.

Here's KOMRAD's dining area with their tables painted with a Communist's sign.

Too bad we dined at KOMRAD way past their operation hours that I can't order another plate of MAO'S PORK. Well there's always  "next-time". Who knows we might bump to each here at KOMRAD Sichuan and Hunan Kitchen at their IL Terazzo  branch but if you find the T. Morato area a bit of a hassle, also try their branch at Eastwood City Libis.

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I will update this post the soonest and will post the prices of their menu.

The Great Dole Cook-off Event @MIHCA!

My bad! This was a late post , though its still worth sharing , thus they say "Better late than never"! I had great time with my fellow Bloggers and foodies as well when I get to attend the "The Great Dole Cook-Off Event"! Though it was  a rainy night and the venue is at MAGSAYSAY INSTITUTE OF HOSPITALITY and CULINARY ARTS and the weather is a bit rainy, it didn't dampened my spirits and be a spectator among the bloggers who will battle each other through a cook-off.

The event was hosted by Chef Jeremy Favia. Chef Jeremy is one of the rising young chefs in television today. He is a product of University of Sto. Tomas (HRM Dept.) and finished culinary school at the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management .

That's me with Fab Chef Jeremy Favia!

For Starters, Chef Jeremy taught us how to cook Cherry Toamto and Eggplant Ragu Penne and Red Gazpacho which are both good for the health buffs out there.

 Cherry Tomato and Eggplant Ragu Penne

This dish made it more tastier with feta cheese. Yummy! I will definitely try to make one at home. This as the dish that bloggers tried to do make for the cook-off. It was great experience especially for those bloggers who were able to try and actually cook the dish. The lucky winner went home with cash prizes.

And the winner is.......

Enzo Luna of Juan Manila Express!

Good job enzo!

The dishes prepared made it more yummier and healthier with use of Dole Tomato Sauce .

Dole is the world's largest producer and marketer of high quality fresh fruits and vegetables and packaged foods. They are also encourage us to cook more dishes with Dole Tomato sauce because their tomato sauces are packed with a lot of Lycopene. Lycopene is said to help fight the big C! So what are we waiting for , let's all try the habit of cooking dishes wit lots of Dole Tomato Sauce in it!

SM MASTER CHEFS COOKING MARATHON: SM HYPERMARKET ADRIATICO tops with an SRO of attendees!

SM HYPERMARKET ADRIATICO is located near Harrison Plaza. Although not located in a prime area + a bad weather last July 26, 2011, it didn't stop hundreds of students to take part in SM Hypermarket Adriatico's Cooking Marathon together with its featured product for that day:  San Miguel -Magnolia.

It was amazing to see hundreds of people most especially students who took that Rainy Tuesday afternoon just to watch and learn about cooking that day. As I've said from my previous post I am actually a frustrated cook and foodie but still, the ever "curious and love for food" part of me said I had to catch this cooking demo with San Miguel as the featured products of the day.

For that day, 4 tummy-filling recipes were shared by Chef Jonathan Chua. Chef Jonathan was the Products applications Specialist for San Miguel Purefoods Culinary Center. He handles products such as Magnolia Dairy, Monterey Meats etc.

Chef Jonathan Chua

These are just among the many attendees that came for the cooking demo. If I'm not mistaken they are 200+ students because , the San Miguel team ran out of application forms for the San Miguel Great Food Club application forms they were giving away.

These were the featured items for the cooking demo. Just by looking on them makes me say "NomNom"!

There were 4 featured recipes for that day: Star Ranchero Rice, Cheesy Hotdog and Fries Sandwich Overload, Chicken and Mushroom Baked Rice and Peaches and Cream Caramel Trifle for dessert.

STAR RANCHERO RICE

I will share with you guys this recipe which can be an alternative for fried rice. While the other recipes here will be featured in my other food blog, just click the link here if you want a copy of the other recipes.

What you need?

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo PUREFOODS STAR HOTDOG                      2 1/2 cup beef broth

1/4 cup olive oil                                                              1/2 cup pizza sauce sweet style

1cup chopped onion                                                       1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 cup green bell pepper, seeded and chopped              1/2 tsp cumin

2 tbsp cilantro chopped                                                   1/2 tsp paprika

1 pc. labuyo                                                                    Salta and pepper to taste

1 cup long grain rice                                                        3 pcs. eggs

PROCEDURE:

Place oil in a standard rice cooker, heat oil and saute onions, bell pepper and Tomatoes. Cook slightly. Add hotdog, rice, cilantro, siling labuyo, and beef broth, mix very well. Cover and allow to cook. When done, season with salt and pepper. Transfer rice into an oven proof baking dish. Crack eggs over rice then broil in oven or turbo broiler until eggs are cooked. Serve hot. Can serve 3-4 person.

Cheesy Hotdog and Fries Sandwich Overload

This recipe is is so easy to do. This is good to eat during merienda especially for those who always like to eat their sandwiches with fries.

Even my son liked it , he even urged me to have a souvenir photo with it first before having a feast!

Chicken and Mushroom Baked Rice

This is a good suggestion if you are on the look out for new recipes or dishes to bring during potluck or small gatherings and parties.

Peaches and Cream Caramel Trifle

This is the recipe for the day. Of course nothing tops a good meal with out the much awaited dessert. But be sure to take small servings first to savor it's yumminess!

Chef Jonathan got his help assembling this desert from a Hotel and Restaurant student. More pictures below:

This is the sugar for the caramel filling.

 Layering the sponge cake.

The peaches!

The Cream, mmm...

It was sight seeing a lot of students who patiently stay from start to end of the cooking demo. Rewarding as it is  because San Miguel even raffled items for the attendees to try at home.

This group of students even took the chance to have a photo-op with Chef Jonathan

If the students were lucky enough, I think much of a luck too, since I had a picture with Chef Jonathan as well.

 Thank you Chef Jonathan Chua!

SM HyperMarket Adriatico was nice branch just near the La Salle Taft Branch making it an accessible supermarket for student dormers residing within the area. And they have nice and courteous security staffs.

Want to take part to any of the cooking marathons happening in your area, just click the link here. And also pls. like SM HYPERMARKET FB page here for more updates and promos.