Muffin

Filipino Style Recipe: Muffin is popular pastry bread specially in United States. This bread is similar to cupcakes and usually serve during breakfast together with coffee, tea or other meals.

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 raw eggs
3/4 cup fresh milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt then mix well. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In an electric mixer, combine melted butter and sugar until well blended.
2. Add eggs, milk and vanilla then mix until to blended.
3. Gradually add the flour mixture then mix until well combined.

Part 3
1. In a muffin pan, grease with cooking spray or place paper cups.
2. Pour batter into each cups until 2/3 full.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit then bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.(Muffin is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)
4. Remove from the oven and let it cool before serving.

Minatamis na Saging at Sago

Filipino Style Recipe: Minatamis na saging at sago is another famous Filipino dessert made up of plantains and tapioca pearls cooked in brown sugar syrup then usually served with ice or milk. This dessert is similar to saging con yelo which is easy and simple to prepare and usually serve for meryenda(mid-afternoon snack). Minatamis na saging at sago is commonly sold along the streets or carinderia and usually serve during summer season.

Ingredients:
6 plantains(saging na saba), peeled and sliced
1 cup cooked sago or tapioca pearls(see cooking procedure below)
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Procedures:
1. In a cooking pot, boil water then add brown sugar. Keep stirring until dissolved.
2. Add plantains, cooked sago, vanilla extract and salt then simmer in a low heat for 15 minutes or until soft.
3. Let it cool then transfer into serving bowl. Serve with ice and milk.

Sago Cooking Procedures:
1. Soak sago pearls in water for 3 hours then cook in boiling water for 15 minutes or until turn clear.
2. Stir constantly to prevent sticking then drain and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Set aside.

Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Filipino Style Recipe: Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream is a healthy dessert dish made of banana and peanut butter mix together until soft-serve consistency then chill before serve. This dish is a perfect dessert specially during summer season.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes(plus freezing time)
Good for 2 servings

Ingredients:
8 pieces ripe bananas, peeled and slice into discs
4 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract(optional)

Optional Toppings:
* grind almonds
* chocolate chips
* crushed chocolate cookies

Procedures:
1. In a food processor or high-speed blender, place bananas then process until creamy and smooth.
2. Add peanut butter and vanilla extract then process again until well blended and soft-serve consistency.
3. Transfer into freezer-safe container then place in freezer for at least 2 hours.
4. Serve chilled with toppings.

Saging con Yelo

Filipino Style Recipe: saging con yelo or saging con hielo is another famous Filipino dessert made up of plantains cooked in brown sugar syrup then usually served with ice and milk. This dessert is easy and simple to prepare and usually serve for meryenda(mid-afternoon snack). Saging con yelo is commonly sold along the streets or carinderia and usually serve during summer season.

Ingredients:
6 plantains(saging na saba), peeled and sliced
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
ice, cubes/crushed/shaved
1 can evaporated milk(optional)

Procedures:
1. In a cooking pot, boil water then add brown sugar. Keep stirring until dissolved.
2. Add vanilla extract and salt.
3. Add plantains then simmer in a low heat for 15 minutes or until soft.
4. Let it cool then transfer into serving bowl. Serve with ice and milk.

Pita Rolls

Filipino Style Recipe: pita rolls is another simple and easy Filipino meryenda(mid-afternoon snack). Pita roll is made of pita bread or soft tacos stuffed with hot dogs, scrambled eggs, mayonnaise, lettuce and cheese then toast for a few minutes.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 10-15 minutes
Good for 8 servings

Ingredients:
4 pieces pita bread, cut into half

Filling:
4 pieces hot dogs, halves
1/2 cup mayonnaise or sour cream
1 1/2 cups lettuce, trimmed
8 strips of quick melt cheese
1 white onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, diced
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, heat oil then stir fry hot dogs for 1-2 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a same pan, saute onions and tomatoes until soft.
2. Pour beaten eggs then let it begin to set before slowly stir until turns to fluffy texture. Drain and set aside.

Part 3
1. Arrange the filling over each pita bread then roll.
2. Repeat the procedures for remaining slices.
3. Pre-heat oven over 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes then toast pita rolls for 5-8 minutes or until the cheese melted. Serve!

Notes:
1. You may customize the fillings based on what you like.

Buko Pie

Filipino Style Recipe: Buko pie is another popular Filipino delicacy and pasalubong from southern Luzon specially in the province of Laguna . Buko pie is similar to another custard pie, the filling is made up of coconut meat, coconut juice milk, sugar and cornstarch then mix until well blended. Pour the mixture into a pie crust and cover with top crust then bake until firm and done.

Estimated time of preparation: 15-20 minutes
Estimated time of baking: 60-70 minutes

Ingredients:
2 pieces ready made pie crust

Filling:
3/4 cup evaporated or coconut milk
2 cups young coconut meat, sliced
3/4 cup coconut juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Heat a pan over low heat, combine milk and sugar then stir constantly until sugar is dissolved.
2. Add coconut meat then cook for 2 minutes.
3. Pour coconut juice and cornstarch then stir until well blended and thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.

Part 2
1. Pour the coconut filling on the pie crust
2. Place the top crust over the filling then seal the edges
3. Pre-heat oven over 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes then bake the buko pie for 50 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Remove from oven and let it cool before serving.

Notes:
1. Pie crust is available in grocery stores(frozen section). But if you prefer to do it yourself, here’s the recipe on how to make a pie crust. Please click here

Ground Beef Soft Tacos

Filipino Style Recipe: ground beef soft tacos is a popular Mexican food that is commonly serve along the street. This is simple yet complete dish made of soft flour tortillas fill with ground beef, pico de gallo, sour cream and cheese. I got this idea when I was invited for a dinner in Mexican restaurant somewhere in Makati.

Estimated time of preparation: 10-15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 15-20 minutes
Good for 8-10 tortillas

Ingredients:
500 grams ground beef
1 pack taco seasoning mix
10 pieces soft taco flour tortillas
1 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups lettuce, chopped
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Pico de Gallo:
2 pieces white onion, chopped
2 pieces cucumber, diced
2 pieces tomatoes, diced
1 green chili(jalapeno), diced

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, heat oil then add ground beef and cook until brown.
2. Add onions, taco seasoning mix, water and tomato sauce.
3. Stir and simmer until almost absorb and start to render oil. Keep warm and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a hot dry pan or microwave, heat tortillas for a few seconds.
2. Fill each tortilla with ground beef, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and shredded cheese.
3. Repeat for remaining tortillas then serve. Enjoy!

Taho

Filipino Style Recipe: Taho or tauhue is another popular Filipino snack originate from Chinese and commonly sold along the streets specially every morning. Taho is usually made of soy beans or extra soft tofu which is available in grocery stores. Traditionally this is usually serve warm with sago pearls and sugar syrup.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-30 minutes(plus soaking time)
Good for 3-4 glasses

Ingredients:
3 cups extra soft tofu
1/2 cup sago or tapioca pearls

Brown Sugar Syrup(Arnibal):
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Soak sago pearls in water for 3 hours then cook in boiling water for 15 minutes or until turn clear.
2. Stir constantly to prevent sticking then drain and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Set aside

Part 2
1. In a pan, boil water then add brown sugar and vanilla. Mix well until dissolves. Set aside.

Part 3
1. In a steamer heat extra soft tofu for 10 minutes or in microwave for 2 minutes.
2. In a glass or bowl, transfer tofu then top with sago pearls and brown sugar syrup. Mix then serve warm.

Carrot Shake

Filipino Style Recipe: carrot shake or carrot milkshake is a healthy and refreshing beverage. This beverage is made of carrots, sugar and cubed ice. Some added powdered or evaporated milk for creamy consistency. This refreshing beverage is similar to other healthy shakes and best to serve during summer season.

Estimated time of preparation: 5-8 minutes

Ingredients:
3 pieces medium-sized carrots, peeled and cut into cubes
sugar or other sweetener to taste
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup powdered milk(optional)

Procedures:
1. In a blender, process carrots, milk, and sugar until blended.
2. Add ice and blend until smooth, add more sugar if needed.
3. Pour into glasses then served cold.

Espasol

Filipino Style Recipe: Espasol is another popular Filipino delicacy and pasalubong from southern part of Luzon specially in the province of Laguna. This Filipino rice cake is made from toasted rice flour cook together with coconut milk and grated coconut then coated with remaining toasted rice flour.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 60-70 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups glutinous-rice flour
1 cup grated coconut
2 cups coconut milk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Heat pan in a low heat, then toast rice flour while keep stirring until light brown. Transfer in a bowl then set aside.
2. In a same pan, toast grated coconut while keep stirring until light brown. Transfer in a bowl then set aside.

Part 2
1. In a pan, boil coconut milk then add sugar and vanilla while keep stirring for 5 minutes.
2. Add toasted grated coconut then keep stirring for 3 minutes. Add a little water if necessary.
3. Add toasted flour then cook while keep stirring for 40 minutes or until thicken and dough form.
4. Transfer the dough in a flat surface with dusted toasted flour then let it cool.

Part 3
1. Divide the dough into serving pieces then roll in toasted flour until coated.
2. Transfer into serving plate or wrap into cellophane or paper wrapper.