No-Bake Beef Lasagna

Filipino Style Recipe: Lasagna is one of the popular Italian dish but the word Lasagna is a Greek word which refer to cooking pot rather than the pasta dish. This dish is made with a layer of wide-flat pasta shape, meat sauce and creamy white sauce and normally cooked through baking. But in this recipe, we will cooked lasagna quick, easy and no baking is required.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo Lasagna pasta (cooked according to package direction)

Meat Sauce:
1 kilo ground lean beef
6 gloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 big can four cheese pasta sauce(del monte) or spaghetti sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup fresh basil, chopped(optional)

White Sauce:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 pack all-purpose cream
1/2 cup full cream milk
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Toppings:
grated cheddar cheese
dried basil

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large pot, prepare lasagna pasta based on cooking instructions. Make sure to cooked it well then set aside.

Meat Sauce:
1. In a sauce pan, heat oil and saute garlic and onion
2. Add ground beef, salt and pepper. Cook for 5-8 minutes or until tender.
3. Add four cheese pasta sauce, basil and brown sugar. Cook for 10 minutes.
4. Adjust seasoning according to taste. Remove from heat. Set aside.

White Sauce:
1. In a separate pan, melt butter and add cornstarch. Mix until well blended.
2. Add all purpose cream, full cream milk, grated mozzarella cheese.
3. Mix well until thickens. Keep warm and set aside.

Assembly:
1. In a rectangular(12x8inch) baking dish, arrange pasta sheets at the bottom.
2. Spread a layer of meat sauce then a layer of white sauce.
3. Repeat alternate layering up to 4 layers is formed.
4. top with grated cheddar cheese and dried basil.
5. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Tuna and Mushroom Pasta

Filipino Style Recipe: tuna and mushroom pasta is another easy yet delicious pasta dish. It is usually consist of pasta and a creamy white sauce with tuna and mushroom.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 15-30 minutes.
Good for 4-6 person.

Ingredients:
500 grams Fettucine noodles(or any desired pasta)
1 big can spicy tuna flakes in oil, drained
2 cups sliced button mushroom
1 big can evaporated milk
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
3 gloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup chicken stock or water
2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves(optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
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 pan, heat oil and saute garlic and onion.
2. Add bell peppers, mushrooms and tuna.
3. Pour chicken stock and bring to boil.
4. Add evaporated milk, cheese and basil.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
6. Prepare pasta on pasta tray, top with the sauce, grated cheese and dried basil. Serve hot!

Tupig

Filipino Style Recipe: Tupig is another popular Filipino delicacy and pasalubong from northern part of Luzon specially in Ilocos and Pangasinan Region. This tupig was from Pangasinan, because we went there to visit my grandparents. Although this was a little bit smaller compare to another Region, tupig from Pangasinan had a lot of coconut strips and slightly sweeter. Tupig is almost similar to suman, only that is made from rice flour and coconut strips then grilled in hot charcoal.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups rice flour(malagkit)
1 cup young coconut strips
3/4 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
wilted banana leaves for wrapping, about 3 inch width

Procedures:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine rice flour, coconut strips, coconut milk, and brown sugar. Mix well until dough like.
2. In a banana leaf, put a tablespoon of mixture then spread evenly and wrap.
3. Grill over hot charcoal for 15-20 minutes or until done. Turn frequently.

Banana Flan

Filipino Style Recipe: Banana Flan is made with condensed milk, egg yolks and mashed or sliced bananas as main ingredients. This dessert is usually steamed or rarely baked. This is similar to leche flan.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 60 minutes.
Good for 6- 8 llanera aluminum molds.

Ingredients:
3 pieces very ripe bananas(lakatan), thinly sliced diagonally
10 egg yolks(pula ng itlog)
1 can(390 grams) evaporated milk
1 can(390 grams) condensed milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup water

Utensils:
4-5 Llanera aluminum molds
Steamer
Strainer
Whisk

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a sauce pan, dissolve brown sugar and water over low heat until color turns to pale brown.(do not stir just swirl the pan gently)
2. Pour the syrup in the aluminum molds, spread the caramel on the bottom of the molds.

Part 2
1. In a mixing bowl, combine egg yolks, condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla. Mix gently but not foamy. Remove any solids by using a strainer.
2. Pour the mixture on top of the caramel on the aluminum molds. Pour 1/2 inch thick of flan mixture then let it cool until half set.
3. Arrange slices of bananas on top then pour the remaining mixture to about 1 – 1 1/4 inch thick.
4. Cover molds with an aluminum foil, so that the moisture from the steam won’t come in the molds as it will become watery.
5. Steam for about 40-45 minutes.
6. Remove the molds and let it cool at room temperature then refrigerate for several hours before serving.

Notes:
1. You may also blend or mashed the bananas.

Pichi Pichi

Filipino Style Recipe: Pichi-Pichi is another popular and easy Filipino delicacy specially in Quezon province. In traditional way we used to boil and grate the cassava(kamoteng kahoy). To make things easier, we will used cassava flour instead. This delicacy is made with combined grated cassava, water and sugar. Steamed and rolled in grated coconut.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 60-70 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups grated cassava or cassava flour
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon lye water
2 cups pandan water(combine 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon pandan extract)
1 cup grated coconut or grated cheddar cheese

Procedures:
1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except grated coconut. Mix until well combined.
2. Pour the mixture into individual cup molds.
3. In a steamer, steam the mixture for 40-45 minutes or until golden and translucent.
4. Remove from steamer and let it cool.
5. Remove from the cup and roll each pieces into grated coconut for nice coating. Done!

Notes:
1. Another traditional way is to boiled pandan leaves to produced pandan water.

Homemade Burger Patties

Filipino Style Recipe: burger patty is consist of ground meat usually beef or pork mixed with eggs, minced onions, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Flattened the mixture into a disc-like shape then fried or grilled until tender.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 30-40 minutes(plus refrigerating time)

Ingredients:
500 grams ground beef
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup bread crumbs
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, grated
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, garlic, onion, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire, water, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
2. Divide the mixture into serving pieces. Roll the mixture into balls and flatten into 1/2 inch on an even surface.
3. In a tray with grease-proof paper, arrange patties then cover with plastic. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Part 2
3. Fry or grill patties for 3-4 minutes each side or until color turn to brown.
4. Serve with mushroom gravy or with buns together with sliced tomato, lettuce, cucumber and onion rings.

Banana Bread

Filipino Style Recipe: banana bread is a sweet bread that is made up of flour, baking soda, eggs, butter and mashed ripe bananas as main ingredients then baked until golden brown.

Estimated time of preparation: 15-20 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 50-70 minutes
Good for 2 loaf breads

Ingredients:
Banana Mixture
7 large ripe bananas(latundan or lakatan), mashed well
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, melted

Flour Mixture
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon(optional)
1/2 cup raisins, nuts or chocolate chips(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine flour mixture until well blended. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, combine banana mixture until well blended.
3. Combine both mixtures until well blended.

Part 2
1. In a greased loaf pan, pour mixture then bake over 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 50-70 minutes or until golden brown.(Banana bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)
2. Remove from the oven and let it cool before slicing. Enjoy!

(Thank you to Eloisa Sapallo Fiesta for sharing)

Puto Bread

A Philippine favorite. Sprinkle with grated cheese on top, and enjoy hot or cold.

Note:
This recipe involves baking the little cakes with the muffin tin standing in a tray of hot water – so not suitable to try with kids.

Ingredients:
340g plain flour
250g white sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
125ml evaporated milk
250ml water
2 eggs
250g margarine or butter, softened

Procedures:
1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees C.
2. Mix together the flour, sugar and baking powder. Pour in the water and evaporated milk and stir well. Mix in the eggs and butter or margarine.
3. Pour the mixture into muffin tins lined with baking cups. Find a baking tray that your muffin tins will comfortably fit in. Pull the oven rack out a little – approx 1/4 out of the oven – and place the baking tray (with the muffin tin inside it) on the rack. Very carefully pour about 1L of hot tap water into the baking tray. Then very slowly and carefully slide the rack completely into the oven.
4. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean. Be very careful not to burn your hands with hot water or steam when you remove the muffins from the oven. Top with grated cheese.

(Thank you to Mercy Grace Nadayag for sharing)

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Filipino Style Recipe: chicken cordon bleu is another special meat roll dish that usually served during Holidays or any special occasion. Normally the meat rolls stuffed with ham and cheese then fried or baked until tender.

Estimated time of preparation: 20 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 10-20 minutes
Good for 6-8 servings

Ingredients:
10 pieces chicken fillet
10 slices cheddar cheese
10 slices sweet ham, sliced halves
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup evaporated milk(optional)
1 cup bread crumbs(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Pound the meat using meat pounder, season with salt and pepper.
2. In a bowl, combine beaten eggs and milk then dip meat in mixture.
3. Arrange the filling over the meat and roll the meat, secure with a thread or toothpick.
4. Dredge the meat in flour, dip again in egg-milk mixture then roll in bread crumbs. Set aside.
5. Repeat the procedures for remaining slices.

Part 2
1. Fry meat in butter for 5 minutes or bake it over 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes or until tender.
2. Slice the chicken cordon bleu and arrange on a platter. Serve.

Buko Salad

Filipino Style Recipe: buko salad is another variety of popular Filipino salad that usually served in every occasion specially during Christmas and New Year. The typical buko salad is consist of young coconut strips and various fruits blend in condensed milk, heavy cream and cheese. Refrigerate and serve cold.

Estimated time of preparation: 20-40 minutes(plus chilling time)

Ingredients:
4 cups young coconut strips(buko)
2 cans (15oz) fruit cocktail
1 jar(12 oz) Nata de coco
1 can(14 oz) condensed milk
1 pack(7 oz) all-purpose cream

1 small bottle sugar palm fruit(kaong)(optional)
1 can(8 oz) pineapple tidbits(optional)
1/2 cup jackfruit(langka)(optional)
100 grams raisins(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a strainer, drain all the fruits thoroughly for at least 30 minutes.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix till well blended.
2. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Served cold.