Low Budget Meal Recipes

Mashed Potatoes

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Mashed potatoes is a simple yet great side dish that is easy to prepare. The potatoes boiled then mashed until smooth. Added with butter, milk then seasoned with salt and pepper to improve flavor and consistency. This can be serve with gravy together with other dishes.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 40 minutes
Good for 5 servings

Ingredients:
1 kilo potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup fresh milk(depend of how creamy you want)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
water
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a casserole, place potatoes then pour enough water with salt.
2. Simmer for 20 minutes or until done.(Potatoes is done when a fork inserted can poke easily.)
3. Drain water then put back in stove in a low heat.

Part 2
1. Using a potato masher, mash potatoes until smooth.
2. Add butter then mix until well blended.
3. Pour milk and continue mashing until reach the desire consistency.
4. Add parsley then season with salt and pepper then mix well. Serve with gravy.

Cookies and Cream Polvoron

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Cookies and Cream Polvoron is another variety of polvoron made up of toasted flour, powdered milk, sugar, butter and ground cookies and cream. This is a simple sweet delicacy and easy to prepared.

Estimated time of preparation: 20-25 minutes(plus wrapping time)
Estimated time of cooking: 15 minutes
Good for 30-35 pieces

Ingredients:
4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups powdered full cream milk
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/8 cup butter, melted
1 cup cookies and cream(Oreo), ground

japanese paper or or cellophane
polvoron moulder

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan over medium heat, toast flour for about 15 minutes or until color turns to light brown. Stir constantly.
2. Transfer to a bowl and let it cool. Set aside.

Part 2
1. Add powdered milk and sugar then mix until well combined.
2. Pour melted butter then mix well until smooth.
3. Add ground cookies and cream then stir well.

Part 3
1. In a polvoron mold, scoop and press the mixture until compact.
2. Wrap the molded polvoron with cellophane wrapper then secure by twisting both ends.
3. Repeat until all the mixture are consumed. Done!

Adobong Talaba

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Adobong talaba or oysters adobo is another variety of Filipino adobo consists of oysters cooked in adobo sauce made of soy sauce and vinegar. Oysters is an aphrodisiac food and a good source of energy for lactating mothers. This kind of dish is so simple yet delicious and commonly served as appetizer or pulutan.

Estimated time of preparation: 8 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 15-20 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
500 grams fresh oysters(talaba), cleaned and drained
3 tablespoons canola oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
12 pieces peppercorns
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 green chili(siling haba), sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, heat oil then saute garlic, onion and peppercorns.
2. Add oysters and vinegar then cook until almost dry and brownish.
3. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a same pan, add soy sauce and water then bring to boil.
2. Add green chili and simmer until liquid is reduced.
3. Put back the oysters then adjust seasoning according to taste.
4. Simmer for a minute then turn off the heat. Serve with steamed rice.

Cheesy Hotdog in Tomato Sauce

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Cheesy hotdog in tomato sauce is another easy and simple dish that is made of hotdog sauteed and cooked in tomato sauce then sprinkle with cheese. This can be served as pasta sauce, appetizer or pulutan or can be served together with steamed rice.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 10 minutes
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
8 pieces jumbo hotdogs, sliced diagonally
70 grams mozzarella or quick melt cheese, grated
100 grams tomato sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 white onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
1. In a pan, melt butter then saute garlic, onion and dried basil.
2. Add hotdogs and chili flakes then continue sauteing for 3-5 minutes.
3. Add tomato sauce and water then simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
5. Add grated cheese then simmer for another minute or until cheese is melted.
6. Remove from heat then transfer to serving bowl. Serve

Braised Pork in Oyster Sauce

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Braised pork in oyster sauce is another simple yet delicious pork dish similar to adobo and estofado. I usually cooked pork in a blend of soy sauce, water, sugar, garlic and peppercorn. Then simmered in oyster sauce together with fried bananas and hard-boiled eggs.

Estimated time of preparation: 10-15 minutes(plus marinating time)
Estimated time of cooking: 40-50 minutes
Good for 3-5 persons

Ingredients:
3/4 kilo pork belly, cut into serving pieces
4 pieces plantain bananas(saba), sliced diagonally
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon whole peppercorn
1/8 teaspoon dried chili flakes
10 pieces quail eggs, hard-boiled
1 cup water
cooking oil for frying
2 pieces star anise(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1(optional)
1. In a pan, heat oil and fry the sliced bananas until golden brown. Drain and set aside.
2. In a casserole, combine pork, garlic, soy sauce, water, sugar, star anise and peppercorn then marinate for 30 minutes.

Part 2
1. Place the casserole in a stove then cook pork for 30 minutes or until tender. Add more water if necessary.
2. Add oyster sauce, fried bananas, hard-boiled quail eggs and chili flakes then simmer for 2 minutes.
3. Adjust seasoning according to taste then continue cooking until the sauce is thicken.
4. Transfer to serving plate then serve with steamed rice.

Sinabawang Halaan

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Sinabawang halaan recipe or clam soup is a simple yet delicious seafood dish that’s commonly served by Filipinos. The usual way of eating clams is by using your hands then scoop the meat out of the shell using your mouth. This is usually served during rainy season and it’s a good source of energy for lactating mothers.

Estimated time of preparation: 8 minutes(plus soaking time)
Estimated time of cooking: 15 minutes
Good for 3-5 persons.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo fresh clams(halaan), Wash thoroughly and drain
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 thumb-sized ginger, thinly sliced
1 onion, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
2 cups water or rice washing
3 tablespoon fish sauce(patis) or salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
butter or cooking oil

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large bowl, place clams with water and salt. Cover and set aside for several hours or overnight. (This will allow the clams to expel sand).

Part 2
1. In a wok, melt butter then saute ginger, garlic and onion until translucent.
2. Add tomatoes then continue sauteing for 3 minutes.
3. Add fish sauce and the clams then saute for another 2 minutes.
4. Pour water then cover and let boil.Adjust seasoning with salt and ground pepper.
5. Continue cooking over a high heat until clams open.
6. Transfer to serving bowl then serve with steamed rice.

Sarciadong Ampalaya

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Sarciadong ampalaya or bitter gourd sarciado is another healthy yet affordable dish. The bitter gourd sauteed with ground pork then cooked and simmered with tomatoes and beaten eggs.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes(plus soaking time)
Estimated time of cooking: 15-20 minutes
Good for 4-6 servings

Ingredients:
2 bitter gourd(ampalaya), seeded and sliced thinly
3 medium-sized tomatoes, diced
2 pieces eggs, beaten
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup water
250 grams ground pork(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Rub bitter gourd with salt and leave for 10 minutes then squeeze until the juice comes out. Rinse, drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic, onion and tomatoes.
2. Add ground pork and cook until brown.
3. Add water and bring to boil then add bitter gourd. Cover and simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Add beaten eggs then stir cook until eggs are firm.
5. Season with salt and pepper according to taste. Remove from heat and serve hot!

Spicy Salt and Pepper Tofu

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Spicy Salt and Pepper Tofu is another easy and simple dish inspired by Chinese cuisine. The tofu was coated in cornstarch then fried until golden brown. The sauce was made up of sauteed garlic, spring onions, dried chili flakes and other seasonings then tossed together with fried tofu. This can be serve as side dish or appetizer.

Estimated time of preparation: 5 minutes.
Estimated time of cooking: 10-15 minutes.
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
400 grams medium firm tofu
3/4 cup cornstarch
3 gloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon spring onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
vegetable oil for frying
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Pat dry tofu then cut into 1 inch cubes.
2. In another bowl, combine cornstarch, salt and pepper then toss tofu until coat evenly.

Part 2
1. In a frying pan, heat oil and fry tofu for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Part 3
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic, spring onions, dried rosemary and chili flakes.
2. Add soy sauce, brown sugar then cook for a few seconds.
3. Add fried tofu and dried basil then toss.
4. Remove form heat then transfer to serving plate. Serve with your favorite dip.

Pasta Marinara

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Pasta Marinara is an Italian dish that has become popular in the Philippines. The sauce is consists of tomato paste, tomatoes, and bell pepper. This is commonly prepared over or toss with pasta then sprinkle with grated cheese.

Estimated time of preparation: 5 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 30 minutes
Good for 4-5 persons

Ingredients:
400 grams Fusilli pasta or any pasta
4 cloves garlic
1 medium onion, chopped
6 tomatoes, diced
1 small pack tomato paste
1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
1/4 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large pot, prepare the pasta based on cooking instructions. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a saucepan, saute onion and garlic then add bell pepper. Continue sauteing for 2 minutes.
2. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and water and keep stirring until the mixture is boiling.
3. Cover with lid and simmer for 20 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
4. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
5. Remove from heat and toss with the cooked pasta. Sprinkle with grated cheese then serve.

Note:
1. You may also add seafood like shrimps or squid if you prefer.

Egg Sandwich Spread

vangiz Leave a Comment

Filipino Style Recipe: Egg sandwich spread is a very simple and easy to prepare spread that consists of chopped hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, onion, salt and pepper then mix until well blended. This is commonly spread into bread together with tomatoes and lettuce.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20 minutes
Good for 5-6 servings

Ingredients:
3 eggs
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 small onion, finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pot, put eggs then pour enough water then bring to boil for 2 minutes.
2. Turn off the heat then cover with lid for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the eggs then rinse with water until cooled. Remove shell.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, chop or grate the hard-boiled eggs.
2. Add onions, mayonnaise, salt and pepper then mix until well blended.
3. Spread egg mixture into loaf bread and serve. You can also add tomatoes and lettuce into the sandwich.