Mango Panna Cotta

Filipino Style Recipe: My version of Mango Panna Cotta is very simple to prepare yet looks very elegant. This dessert will definitely impress your guests. It is very light and refreshing to the taste buds. Dont be intimidated by the name and try it! You may replace the whipped cream layer with coconut milk and agar agar.

Ingredients:
1 cup crushed grahams
4 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon melted butter
1 cup whipped cream
1 pack instant pudding mix, mago flavor
1 piece ripe mango, cheeks removed and chopped

Procedures:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed grahams sugar and melted butter. Press onto the bottom of the serving glass around 2 tablespoon each.
2. Add the whipped cream on the next layer until half of the glass. You can use a plastic bag and cut on the edge to pipe the cream easily into the glass.
3. Prepare the pudding mix according package instruction. Pour on top of the whiped cream until almots full. Chill until the pudding is set. Top with the ripe mango.

Puto Flan with Caramel Sauce

Filipino Style Recipe: Puto Flan with Caramel Sauce is a Filipino favorite mid-afternoon snack (meryenda) made of puto bread with leche flan then drizzle with caramel sauce.

Puto Flan
Ingredients:
2 cups cake flour or all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 egg whites
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon yellow food color

Leche Flan:
4 egg yolks
1 big can (300 grams) condensed milk
2 teaspoon lemon juice

Procedures:
Part 1 (Leche Flan)
1. In a bowl, combine mixture then whisk until well blended.
2. Grease moulds then pour leche flan mixture 1/2 inch full.
3. Place into steamer then cover with cheesecloth, steam over low heat for 10 minutes.
4. Remove from steamer and let it cool.

Part 2 (Puto)
1. In a separate bowl, combine wet mixture until blended
2. In another bowl, combine wet mixture until blended
3. Combine both mixture then add food color. Mix until no lumps and smooth.
4. Strain mixture using clean cheesecloth then pour over leche flan until almost full.
5. Place into steamer then cover with cheesecloth, steam over low heat for another 10 minutes.
6. Top each puto with leche flan then steam for another 5 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a puto comes out clean.
7. Remove from steamer and let it cool.

Caramel Sauce
Ingredients:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoon butter, cut into small cubes
2 tablespoon all purpose cream
1/4 teaspoon salt

Procedures:
1. In a pan over medium heat, put the sugar and wait until it starts to melt. Do not stir the unmelted portion as this will cause the sugar to harden. The sugar will turn to thick amber colored liquid. You may now start stirring careful not to burn the sugar.
2. Stir the butter until completely melted.
3. slowly drizzle thhe all purpose cream . The mixture will bubble rapidly, continuously stir until the cream is evenly incorporated.The mixture will thicken once cooled.
4. Remove from heat and stir half of the salt. You may add the other half depending on your preference to the saltiness of your salted caramel. Allow to cool before drizzling to puto flan.

Note: Put in a bottle and cover tightly if not yet to be used. You may store this in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Ginataang Bilo-Bilo

Filipino Style Recipe: ginataang bilo-bilo or sticky rice balls in sweet coconut milk is another variety of popular Filipino mid-afternoon snack (meryenda) that is usually served in any special occasion. It is consist of sticky rice balls cooked in sweetened coconut milk together with other ingredients.

Ingredients:
Glutinous Rice Balls(bilo-bilo):
1 cup glutinous rice flour(malagkit)
1/2 cup water

3 cans(400 ml) coconut milk
1 can(400 ml) coconut cream
300 grams white sugar
200 grams tapioca pearls(sago)
200 grams sweet potato(camote), peeled and cut into cubed
200 grams taro(gabi), peeled and cut into cubed
6 pieces ripe plantain bananas(saging na saba), peeled and sliced
250 grams ripe jack fruit(langka)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, mix rice flour and water to make a dough-like consistency.
2. Get a small piece and form into small ball about 1/2 inch in diameter.
3. Repeat this step until all the dough are consumed. Set aside

Part 2
1. In a big pot, pour coconut milk and bring to boil.
2. Add tapioca pearls, sweet potatoes and taro. Simmer uncovered until the pearls are cooked.
3. Add banana, jack fruit and rice balls. Simmer until all the rice balls has floated in the surface.
4. Pour coconut milk and sugar to taste.
5. Transfer to serving bowl then serve.

Strawberry Cheese Cupcakes

Filipino Style Recipe: Strawberry Cheese Cupcakes is a mouth-watering dessert that can be served in all kind of occasion.

Ingredients:
1 small can strawberry pie filling
10-12 muffin cups
muffin pan

Crust:
2 cups crushed grahams
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese:
2 packs cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 can condensed milk
1 lemon, juiced and zested
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
2 tablespoon flour

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, mix together the crust ingredients until well combined.
2. Grease muffin pan and line with muffin cups.
3. Scoop a mixture and press into the the bottom of each muffin cup.
4. Bake in preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven but keep the oven on.

Part 2
1. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually beat in the condensed milk. Mix in lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
3. Beat in the eggs at low speed one at a time until just combined.
4. Add the flour and beat again.

Part 3
1. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the muffin cups until 2/3 full.
2. Bake for 25 minutes without opening the oven.
3. Let it cool completely then place scoop of strawberry filling.
4. Refrigerate for at least 4 hourse until ready to serve.

Pink Velvet Cupcakes

Filipino Style Recipe: I have received requests from my colleagues to do a pink cupcake so one lazy afternoon, I decided to grant their wish. The cupcakes came out beautifully and my colleagues raved about them. Now I am thinking what other flavors and colors will be next.

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 drops red food color
1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract (optional)
24 big marshmallows

Procedures:
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, around 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until just combined. Beat in vanilla.

2. In another bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the sour cream, beating well after each addition. Mixture is a little heavy.

3. Add the food color and strawberry extract and whisk slowly until color is well distributed. Use more or less food color to achieve the shade of pink that you like.

4. Fill paper lined cupcake cups until 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

5. Get the cupcakes from the oven and quickly top with marshmallows. Put back in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until marshmallows are softened. Remove from the oven and press down the marshmallows using spoon. Let it cool completely.

Avocado Ice Pops

Filipino Style Recipe: Avocado Ice Pops is a refreshing dessert freeze on a stick made of avocado flesh, sugar syrup, lime juice and salt.

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados, scoop the flesh
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Sugar Syrup:
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar

Procedures:
1. In a sauce pan, add water then heat in a low heat. Add sugar then keep stirring until dissolved. Remove from heat then let it cool to room temperate.
2. In a blender, combine avocados, sugar syrup, lime juice and salt then blend until smooth.
3. In a ice-pop molds, divide the mixture evenly then freeze until solid.

Blue Velvet Cupcake

Filipino Style Recipe: You love red velvet cupcakes but your favorite color is blue. Why not make blue velvet instead? Now you can have your two favorites in one. Happy baking!

Yield: 30 cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons buttermilk powder
1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 bottle (1 ounce) blue food color
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting:
1 cup frosty whip (powdered whipping cream)
1 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon blue food color

Procedures:
1. In a small bowl, mix together the milk, buttermilk, and baking soda. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar using electric mixer until light and fluffy, around 5 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time until just blended.
3. Mix in buttermilk mixture, food color and vanilla.
4. In another bowl, combine flour cocoa, powder and salt. Gradually blend dry mixture into the wet mixture.

Part 2
1. Spoon batter into paper lined muffin cups until about 2/3 full.
2. Bake into preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
3. Remove from oven and cool in wire racks.

Part 3
1. Beat the powdered whipped cream, water and food color until peaks form. Chill for 15 minutes.This will make the frosting easier to pipe and hold its shape.
2. Frost cooled cupcakes. Serve and enjoy.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Filipino Style Recipe: This recipe is very easy to prepare and does not cooking (other than melting the butter and chocolates). When you need something sweet and have limited time to prepare, this is one recipe to consider. If you love Reese’s, you will definitely love this.

Yields 24 bars

Ingredients:
1 cup ( 1 pack) butter, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 1/2 cup peanut butter
For the frosting:
1 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoon peanut butter

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large bowl, combine the butter, graham cracker crumbs, confectioner’s sugar, and peanut butter. Mix until well blended.
2. Press the mixture at the bottom of 9×13 pan. Place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
Part 2
3. To prepare the frosting, put a metal bowl on top of boiling water. Put the chocolate chips and stir until melted.Remove from heat.
4. Add the peanut butter to the melted chocolate chips and mix until well blended.
5. Spread the chocolate mixture on top of the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least 1 hours before serving.
6. Cut into 2 inch squares.

Queso de Bola Cheesecake

Love cheese? Then this yummy treat is for you. Your favorite cheesecake is even made more cheesy with grated queso de bola.

Ingredients:
For the Crust:
2 cups crushed grahams
6 tablespoon butter, melted
4 tablespoon sugar

For the Filling:
3 packs cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoon flour
3 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup grated queso de bola

Procedures:
Part1
1. In a bowl, mix together the crushed grahams, butter and sugar until the mixture is moistened.
2. Press the mixture into round cake pan. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.

Part 2
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and sugar. Using a mixer, beat together until well combined.
2. Starting at this point, all mixing will be done by hand and spatula. Add one egg at a time and mix until just combined. Add the sour cream, flour and vanilla, and mix until combined.
3. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven at 350 Fahrenheit for 60 minutes. After baking, let it stay in the oven for at least 2 hours.
5. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Top with the remaining queso de bola.

Assorted Pastillas

Filipino Style Recipe: Pastillas is one of the popular sweet delicacy in the Philippines. This delicacy is made of powdered milk and condensed milk mixed together until well blended. Mold into desired shapes then roll in granulated sugar. Pastillas can come in a variety of flavors (Pandan, Melon, Strawberry or Cookies and Cream).

Estimated time of preparation: 30 minutes
Good for 30-35 pieces

Ingredients:
2-3 cups powdered milk
1 cup condensed milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar for coating

Flavoring:
Pandan Pastillas:
McCormick Pandan flavor
Green food coloring

Cookies and Cream Pastillas:
Crushed Oreo cookies

Melon Pastillas:
McCormick Melon Flavor

Strawberry Pastillas:
McCormick Strawberry extract

Procedures:
1. In a mixing bowl, pour condensed milk and flavoring. Add powdered milk gradually then mix until well blended then set aside for 30 minutes.
2. Scoop a spoonful of mixture and mold into desired shapes then roll in granulated sugar.
3. Repeat until all the mixture are consumed. Wrap into cellophane or paper.