Special Italian Dinner Last Night-Osso Buco

The Special Italian Dinner last night was a Gastronomic Delight. I particularly enjoyed the Entree-Osso Buco.💥. It reminds me of a Filipino Dish ( Bulalo)💙 that I have been craving for sometime.

THD had a special Italian Dinner celebrating the end of February(29th)- (a Leap Day) in connection with the our Taste of Northern Italy Travel Discovery Series hosted by Galen Corson, Activity Director. Last January we had Taste of Japan, and March Travel Discovery series will be Taste of Southern France.  I am posting the Dinner Menu last night featuring Osso Buco as the Entree(above). For those of you who are not familiar with the dish.   

💥"Osso Buco" means "hole of bone" because the marrow provides the rich flavor to the sauce. A marrow spoon, one of those long skinny spoons found in old sterling silverware sets, would come in handy with this dish, as the succulent shank marrow can be tricky to extract (I used the skinny end of a teaspoon).

Ossobuco or osso buco (pronounced [ˌɔssoˈbuːko]; Milanese: òss bus [ˌɔz ˈbyːs]) is a specialty of Lombard cuisine of cross-cut veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth. It is often garnished with gremolata and traditionally served with either risotto alla milanese or polenta, depending on the regional variation. The marrow in the hole in the bone, a prized delicacy, is the defining feature of the dish. The gremolata (parsley, lemon zest, and garlic) is an important garnish for this dish.

The two types of ossobuco are a modern version that has tomatoes and the original version which does not. The older version, ossobuco in bianco, is flavoured with cinnamon, bay leaf, and gremolata. The modern and more popular recipe includes tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onions; gremolata is optional. While veal is the traditional meat used for ossobuco, dishes with other meats such as pork have been called ossobuco.

Did you enjoy The Italian Dinner last night?  If so tell Agustin, our Chef!!!

Here are some photos I took at Dinner Time. 

The bone marrow was super delicious and the meat just melt in my mouth!!!What a treat!!!

Hurrah to the Kitchen Staff and of course to THD Management and Activity Director, Galen Corson.

💙Bulalô (Tagalog) is a beef dish from the Philippines. It is a light colored soup that is made by cooking beef shanks and bone marrow until the collagen and fat has been melted into the clear broth. It is mixed with corn and vegetable greens. The bone marrow is super delicious!

To Agustin and THD Management, Could we have Bulalo Soup in the Menu for This Coming June for the Filipino Heritage Month Celebration?  

Filipino-Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area

http://theguardsman.com/7_culture_soma-pilipinas_ticsay/

Last January when Dinah and I visited my grand daughter, Alix, in San Francisco she treated us to Dim Sum at HK Lounge Bistro located at Fremont and Eight Streets. On our way to the restaurant she mentioned that a few blocks from the restaurant had been designated as SoMa Filipinas in honor of Filipino-Americans in San Francisco. I was not really inform on this so I did some search and I am happy to post it for your information on the  history of Filipino- Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area( Wikipedia).   

Elderly tenants who were evicted from the International Hotel in San Francisco during the dawn hours of 4 August 1977

"One of the earliest records of a Filipino settling in the San Francisco Bay Area occurred in the mid-19th century, when a Filipino immigrant and his Miwok wife settled in Lairds Landing on the Marin County coast; many Coast Miwok trace their lineage to this couple. Significant migration began in the early 20th century, including upper-class mestizo businessmen, mariners, and students (known as pensionados). Another group of Filipinos who immigrated to the Bay Area was war brides, many of whom married African-American "buffalo soldiers".  Additionally, other immigrants came through the U.S. Military, some through the Presidio of San Francisco, and others as migrant workers on their way to points inland; many of these Filipinos would settle down permanently in the Bay Area, establishing "Manilatown" on Kearny Street (next to Chinatown). At its largest size, "Manilatown" was home to at least 10,000,^]the last of whom were evicted in August 1977 from the International Hotel. After 1965, Filipinos from the Philippines began immigrating to San Francisco, concentrating in the South of Marketneighbourhood.

 In 1970, the San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area had the largest population of Filipinos of any metropolitan area in the continental United States—44,326. Two other nearby metropolitan areas also had a population of Filipinos greater than 5,000 in 1970, San Jose , and Salinas-Monterey (6,147).

Due to a change in the ethnic make up of the Yerba Buena neighborhood, and with the construction of the Dimasalang House in 1979, four street names were changed to honor notable Filipinos. By 1990, 30% of the population in South of Market was Filipino American.

The 2000 Census showed that the greater San Francisco Bay Area was home to approximately 320,000 residents of Filipino descent, with the largest concentration living in Santa Clara County. In the mid-2000s Filipino Americans were between one fifth and one fourth of the total population of Vallejo, having been drawn there by agriculture and Mare Island Naval Shipyard. In 2007, there were about a hundred thousand Filipino Americans living in the East Bay alone. 

By the time of the 2010 Census the greater San Francisco Bay Area was home to 463,458 Filipino Americans and multiracial Filipino Americans; Santa Clara county continued to have the largest concentration in the area. In 2011, 9% of all Filipino immigrants to the United States reside in the San Francisco metropolitan area, and an additional 3% resided in the San Jose metropolitan area. Daly City, in the San Francisco Bay Area, has the highest concentration of Filipino Americans of any municipality in the U.S.; Filipino Americans comprise 35% of the city's population.

 In 2016, although the number of Filipinos living within the City of San Francisco has been reduced, a heritage district was designated "SoMa Pilipinas". For details on SOMA PILIPINAS visit:

https://www.somapilipinas.org/

For some of SoMA activities visit: 

https://www.parollanternfestival.com/

Again, may I emphasize that I am indeed very proud of my Filipino ancestry. I immigrated to US in 1960 and became a US citizen in 1972. For some details of my autobiography please visit:  

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/08/excerpts-from-my-autobiography-updated.html

    Lastly, enjoy this photo from Pacita Abad Art Exhibit at the SFO Museum of Modern Art.

Happy St Tib's Day/Leap Day to All 

Why is leap day every four years?

The reason there are leap days, and years, is because of the Earth's orbit.

The amount of days it takes for the Earth to complete a full revolution around the Sun is not a whole number. The 365 days we experience is actually 365.242190 days, according to the National Air and Space Museum.

A Hectic But Relaxing Day Here at THD Yesterday

Yesterday, was a very hectic day for me here at THD ( My Gilded Cage).💥 However, it was also a very relaxing day. My massage therapist e-mailed me the night before if he could come Tuesday instead of Thursday this week. I have no choice because I do not want to miss my weekly massage. What could be more relaxing than a whole hour body massage with the Song from the Secret Garden Music in the background?

http://vevo.ly/Oed6EI

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2013/07/time-for-some-music-for-relaxation.html

My day started with a hot shower at 7AM after Batman & Robin woke me up for their breakfast. A hearty breakfast of my own with Belgian Waffle and 2 eggs with coffee and fresh oranges ended at 9:30AM.  My massage started promptly at 10 and ended at 11 AM, followed by Corn Hole at the Yoga Room.  My 30-minute lunch was just soup and chips and watermelon and regular coke.  At 12:30 PM I have bridge for 2 hours. Then  at 3PM I have a haircut followed by a nap. 

Dinner was at 5PM and I have a choice of several Entrees/Salad/Desserts from the Menu( see photo above):    

My Baby Back Ribs Dinner after one bite last Night-Yummy!!!!

Last Monday I had shrimp scampi. I had on the Back ribs yesterday ( see photo above). For dessert I had German Chocolate Cake last night and Key Lime Pie on Monday.  

The photo above  are the Events Highlights for our February 26 to March 3 Schedule of Events. Looking forward to the Taste Of Italy Special Dinner tomorrow. 

Let me close this posting, that my regular days are not as hectic as yesterday. Normally, my mornings are free except on Tuesday when I play either corn hole, ladder ball or chair volleyball.  However my afternoons are busy with either bridge or mahjong for 2.5 to 3.0 hours on Monday to Friday. My Weekends Days are FREE except for Zumba on Saturday at 1PM. 

Finally here's my quote for today: We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.  Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894, Scottish Writer and Poet.    

💥A place where someone appears to live in luxury but where he or she has very little freedom. I lost my freedom when I stopped driving a couple of years ago and when I could barely walked a few blocks without getting tired.

Some of My Coin Collections

I started collecting coins about 30 years ago. I was not serious about it. However, I was able to purchase the following coin sets.  I found these coin sets while looking for other items I have missed that are still in my unopened boxes. I have no idea of the value of these coins, but if you are knowledgeable about the value of old coins, I will appreciate your input.  Here are the photos of each set both in front and back.

  

Two of the Most Expensive Coins Listed for Sale on E-Bay -Teddy Roosevelt Panama Penny, 1920 listed for 990,000.00

and The Double Lincoln Penny 1999 -Listed on E-Bay for $555, 555.00 

And here is my miscellaneous collection of coins from US, the Philippines and other countries

The oldest are 1967 Kennedy Quarter,1971 Eisenhower Dollar, and the 1976 Jose Rizal Philippine Peso
  

For values and prices of US coins visit:

https://www.pcgs.com/prices/us

Lastly, 

Question of the Day: How do numismatists differ from coin collectors?

Numismatists study the physical attributes of the payment media rather than the use and function in an economy. The term numismatics is often used interchangeably with the coin collection, though it connotes more intensive study than just simply collecting coins.

Once Again, I have Cravings for Filipino Food

The food here at the Newton's Restaurant,THD is delicious and rated 5 Star. But eating the same dishes week after week becomes very boring sometimes.  I have resided here in the US since 1960 but with my Filipino ancestry and taste buds, my cravings for filipino dishes once in a while, I will consider a normal behavior.   

Thus after I moved here at THD, I did some Google search on the Filipino Food near me ( see reference below).

I found Imas Restaurant located in the Seafood City Compound in Concord to have the best-tasting Filipino Dishes. You can order it and have it delivered here at THD or you could drive to Imas (only 4.2 miles) in Concord. You can even order ahead for lechon if you are planning a Filipino Feast.

Alix and I admiring the Lechon ( roasted Pig Suckling) during Her Wedding Reception last September

Here's a list of Filipino Restaurant Near THD, Walnut Creek, Ca.  Bon Apetit!

filipino food near me

Filipino cuisine has developed from the different cultures that shaped its history; it is like other Southeast Asian cuisines but with heavy Spanish influence. Some ingredients of the Mexican cuisine, such as corn, tomato and chili, have also found their way to the Philippines.

Though its cuisine is not as renowned as many of its neighbours, such as that of Thailand and Vietnam, Filipino cooking is nonetheless distinct in that it is possibly the least spicy of all South East Asian cuisines.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that Filipino food is bland, though. It is just that instead of spices, Filipino food depends more on garlic, onions and ginger to add flavor to the dishes. Painstaking preparation and prolonged cooking time is also a characteristic of most Filipino dishes, and when done properly is often what brings out the flavor of the food, as opposed to a healthy dose of spices.

With over 7,500 islands, the cuisine of the Philippines is rather a mish-mash of hundreds of local, regional, and ethnic cuisines, and without any qualifiers, you would often think of ubiquitous dishes such as adobo, sinigang, lechon,and Filipino-Chinese dishes.

Thus, Filipino cuisine is a mesh between Chinese, Mexican, Malay, Spanish, Indian, and American cooking.

Another non-Filipino dish I missed is the Mexican Chili Rellenos. 

Chile rellenos (or ‘stuffed peppers‘ in English) are a traditional Mexican dish made from roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, then coated in a fluffy egg batter and fried until golden brown.

They’re sometimes served with a simple red or green salsa, or even wrapped in a tortilla with refried beans to make chile relleno burritos.

Photo Credit: FoodFanatic.com

Good News: I talked to Agustin, our Chef the other day. He informed me he has not forgotten my request for him to cook Chili Relleno Casserole in the future. He assured me we will have Chili Relleno Casserole in the near future.   

Newton's did have Chili Relleno Casserole in our Dinner Menu under the Vegetarian Section for the whole last week of January. Thanks, again Agustin for the delicious Chili Relleno Casserole.   

Cravings For Pigs Feet/Hocks Adobo or Humba!

Thinking of Spring-Today and Yesterday

Yesterday, Dinah visited me. She convinced me to walk with her in downtown Locust Street- Walnut Creek Restaurant Row to have Dim Sum at the Grand Opening of the newly opened franchised Dim Sum restaurant Dough Zone. It was only a few blocks from THD at the corner of Locust Street and Mt Diablo Blvd. Since it was a beautiful spring-like afternoon,  I reluctantly agree. With my cane I slowly walked the few blocks and I enjoyed the adventure very much. This was my first outing walking out from the front Gate of THD since I moved here about 8 months ago. I felt like a bird that flew out of its gilded cage. Speaking of Dough zone, I am not impressed. It has limited offerings and it did not taste as good as the Dim Sum in CreekHouse in Parkside. Here's the website of Dough Zone on Locust Street. 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/dough-zone-walnut-creek-walnut-creek-3

   

Meanwhile, while reading my Facebook page today, I see this photo of the Butchart Garden, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (above). It reminded me of my previous posting about the three most beautiful gardens that Macrine (RIP) and I had visited.   

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-three-most-beautiful-gardens-that.html

Macrine (RIP) and I loved Gardens. We spent a lot of time, money and energy in our younger years to make Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, a Garden Paradise.  Here's a repost of my article on the subject.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2019/04/pleasant-memories-of-my-gardens-at_14.html

Here are two old photos of our visit to Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C. Canada in 2005.

 

Meanwhile Here's a photo of the Daffodils in our THD Garden Court Yard

 Here are two of my favorite spring quotes:

• "The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing." — ... 
• 
  
• "Blossom by blossom the spring begins." — ...

Lastly, this is part of my orchids collection along the Driveway of Chateau Du Mer (CDM)( our second home),Boac, Marinduque,  Philippines, 2015