Recipe: Chicken Macaroni Salad

Happy Holidays! 

Macaroni salad has been a staple dish in all of the occasions in our family. There are a lot of versions of this that came out but nothing beats the classic chicken mac salad I grew up making with my Lola Luming and Tita Linda since I was a kid. Been getting a lot of requests for the recipe, so here it is. 

Ingredients:

450 grams Salad Macaroni pasta, cook as per package instruction 

1/4 kilo Chicken breast, boiled and shred into small pieces 

230 grams luncheon meat, diced (you can also use cooked ham) 

165 grams Cheese, diced

1 medium size Carrot, diced 

1 medium size White Onion, cut in small pieces 

1 stalk Celery, cut into small pieces 

200 grams pouch Pineapple tidbits (or small can), drain 

2 tablespoons Relish pickles 

2 pouches 470ml  Mayonnaise 

Sugar, Salt & Pepper 

Procedure:

1. Cook salad macaroni pasta and chicken, Set aside. 

2. Prepare the rest of the ingredients: luncheon meat, cheese, carrots, celery, onion, pineapple. 

3. Place the pasta, chicken and all of the ingredients in a big bowl (I still have the old "enamel" basin which can fit all of the ingredients for easy mixing). Mix together. 

4. Add the mayonnaise, relish pickles. Mix well. 

5. Add a dash of sugar. 

6. Salt and Pepper to taste. 

7. Chill and serve.

This is a super easy dish to prepare. I am not an expert nor a chef, but I grew up helping in the kitchen so it's more of "tantsa" estimates, my gauge is really my taste buds. I used to make this since I was 11 years old and I am sure you will be able to make this. Happy cooking!

xo,

Chiq❤️

Japan trip throwback♥

Konichiwa!  This post is two years in the making.  Yes, it's been 2 years since my first trip in Japan.  Luckily before the pandemic struck, we (me and my sister's family) were able to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.  Going to Japan is always a wish, yes you've guessed it right - because I am a big Hello Kitty fan. (*wink!)  Kidding aside, I have also heard from my friends who have traveled there that Japan is a great travel destination.  

I wasn't able to share this trip right away here in my blog... and I can't really remember why.. haha..  It was a 5 day trip to Japan, we chose Osaka because the kids wanted to go to the Universal Studio. We flew via Philippine Airlines (PAL) and stayed at Holiday Inn (Osaka Namba).  Staying in Holiday Inn is one of the best decisions we made since it's just walking distance to Dotonbori. 

This welcomed us when we arrived at the Osaka International Airport

Our itinerary includes visit to Universal Studio, Temples, Nara Deer Park, Kyoto and the Rinku premium outlet.   Aside from the beautiful sceneries, good food, friendly people, we were able to learn about Japan's culture.  Like in Nara the deer there are not intimidated by the humans, and the deer were considered sacred animals that is why they are protected for many years.

Day 1:  Exploring Osaka

First stop is the Osaka Castle and we just went around Dotonbori because as I have said earlier it's just few steps from our hotel.

Osaka Castle

My first authentic Japanese meal - Salmon Sashimi

Day 2: Universal Studio (USJ)

When we arrived at the Universal Studio it was jampacked.  We went straight to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  It was really a magical place, truly mesmerizing.  The kids bought merchs and of course their own wand.  

Inside Three Broomsticks

Inside Three Broomsticks

Roasted Chicken with Cranberry Sauce

the famous Butter Beer

We had lunch at the Three Broomsticks and we tried the famous butter beer.  But honestly, I was not really a fan of the drink. (Sorry)

After lunch, it's my turn to visit the Hello Kitty place in USJ.  I had my first photo op with my beloved Hello Kitty and took some snapshots on the shops there.  It's a little tiring but it was worth it.  We did not try the turkey leg at the Jurassic world because we're still full.

Day 3:  Nara :  Deer Park, Japanese temples and Shrines

Nara Deer Park

Nara Deer Park

Todai-ji Temple

Todai-ji Temple

Todai-ji temple is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven great temples located in the City of Nara.

Kasuga Tashia Shrine

Oldest and largest Wisteria tree known as Sunazuri - over 700 years old 

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

After Todai-ji temple we proceeded to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine.  The shrine of the Fujiwara family and it's considered as one the sacred sites in Japan.  The interior is famous for its bronze lanterns, as well as the stone lanterns that lead to the shrine.

 

Lunch at Hotel Asyl Nara Annex gave us the taste of the Authentic Japanese Pork Ramen which is sooo good.

Day 4 : Kyoto tour

Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion

Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion

Kyoto is known as the cultural capital of Japan.  It's well-known for it's numerous temples, shrines and palaces.  We were able to go to the Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo grove to name a few.  Honestly, it's a little hard to take photos on the Bamboo grove because there are a lot of tourists on the trail.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

But even if its super cold, we did not miss trying the soft served ice cream - which is really a must try when in Japan.  I had the Cherry Blossom flavor!♥

Japan did not disappoint, yes it's kinda hard to travel to countries during winter season but it's worth it.  Our travel in Japan made us experience two seasons : Autumn (end of fall season) and Winter (beginning of winter).  Of course one of the most important highlight of this trip is my photo with my favorite girl - Kitty White.♥

I so love autumn... seeing the red and yellow leaves... that we don't have here in the Philippines... And of course the chilly feeling of winter. Find Japan winter colder than Sydney winter (when I was there in 2011).

To sum it up, it was a great experience and we want to go back... I hope this pandemic will end soon... So we can go back to Japan... without the quarantine requirements and etc.

Til next time...

xo,

Chiq♥

Tidbits: We super love Don Quijote and the small sanrio shops at Dotonbori.  We also bought some stuff at the Rinku Premium outlet (we weren't able to take photos).

I am an Army Tita♥

source: google.com

Geez... I think, I am already bitten by the BTS bug.  Recently I am into listening to BTS music.  This started when they released their hit song Butter.  I don't know but I really liked the song.  Love the beat! -  For a Tita who is into singing and dancing, I started listening to their music.  Yes, I am a Tita already.. My nieces are into BTS since then, I felt I am too old for K-pop.  (I used to buy them BTS stuff)  Honestly at first I cannot relate, but when I started listening to their music I learned to love it. (Nakaka-bagets as they say.. haha).  One of my cousins told me that I am already an "Army" well maybe an Army Tita haha..

Aside from their music, what I love about these boys is that they so down to earth and humble... even though they are so popular worldwide you can see that they are very respectful and good people.  I remember when I watched some fan clips of their Crosswalk Concert on The Late late night show with James Corden I saw them helping the staff move the props across the road.  They are setting good example to their fans (the Army)...  and they always show their appreciation to the Army.

source: google.com

source: google

Who's my BIAS?

Each boy have their own uniqueness that you will surely love.  Yes, at first I have a favorite... but lately I find each of them amazing.  I learned to admire all of them.  But V will always have a soft spot. (*wink)

source: google

What's my favorite BTS song?

Of course Butter will be very memorable because it's the song that drawn me to them.  Aside from Butter, I like : Life goes on, Spring day, Telepathy, Boy with Luv, Dynamite, Permission to Dance, Idol and of course their newly released collaboration with Coldplay - My Universe..  I also like their cover version of Fix you and I'll be missing you.♥

til my next entry...

xo, 

Chiq♥