Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Filipino Style Recipe: shrimp pesto pasta is another simple and healthy Italian pasta dish. This dish is consists of shrimp, pasta and pesto sauce that is made of processed basil, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 30-40 minutes.
Good for 3-4 person

Ingredients:
200 grams Penne pasta or any pasta
250 grams shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 red bell pepper, diced
1 head garlic, minced
1 onion, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil

Pesto Sauce:
3/4 cups fresh basil leaves, chopped
3 tablespoons pine nuts or roasted pili nuts or walnuts
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large pot, prepare pasta based on cooking instructions. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a food processor or blender, process chopped basil, pine nuts, salt and pepper until blended.
2. Add extra-virgin olive oil then continue blending until combined. Add more olive oil if needed. Set aside.

Part 3.
1. In a pan, heat oil then add shrimp and cook until color turns to pink. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. In a same pan, saute garlic, onion, and tomatoes until softened.
3. Add bell pepper and then pesto sauce. Adjust seasoning according to taste.
4. add pasta then toss to coat evenly, add shrimps.
5. Prepare shrimp and pasta on pasta tray then top with Parmesan cheese.
6. Garnish with remaining basil. Serve and enjoy.

Note:
1. You may also use ready made pesto sauce in supermarket.

Carrot Muffin

Filipino Style Recipe: Carrot Muffin is a delicious pastry that has a moist, soft, and just the right sweetness. While frosting is sweet and creamy which makes the muffins look like from a gourmet bakery.

Ingredients:
3 cups grated carrots
4 raw eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 pack (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, vegetable oil, white sugar, and vanilla.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Combine flour mixture, egg mixture and grated carrots then mix until well blended.

Part 2
1. In a muffin pan lined with paper cups, fill each cups 2/3 full of the mixture.
2. Cook into a preheated oven over 350 Fahrenheit for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted on the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and let it cool.

Part 3
1. For the frosting, combine the butter cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy.
2. Frost the mixture into muffins and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Tips:
1. For grating the carrots, use the bigger side of the grater (the one usually used for the cheese).
2. Do not try to open the oven until it is almost done (around 3/4 of the cooking time).

Chocolate Mousse

Filipino Style Recipe: Chocolate Mousse is a popular chocolate dessert made of melted chocolate and milk incorporate together with gelatin then refrigerate until set.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup evaporated milk
1-7 gram envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
whipped cream and cherries for toppings(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a sauce pan, dissolved gelatin in water over low heat. Keep stirring.
2. Add evaporated milk and sugar then continue stirring until steaming hot. Do not boil.

Part 2
1. In a large bowl, combine chocolate morsels, vanilla and milk mixture then mix until blended. I used hand mixer.
2. Pour the mixture into molds then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until set.
3. Top with whipped cream and cherries then serve chilled. Enjoy!

Cheesy Ground Beef Nachos

Filipino Style Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Nachos is a popular Mexican dish made of delicious corn tortilla chips loaded with various toppings and cheese sauce.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 20 minutes
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
Corn tortilla chips

Salsa:
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
100 grams sliced black olives
1/2 cup picked sliced jalapenos

Taco Meat:
500 grams ground beef
1 white onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt to taste

Cheese Sauce:
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup low-fat milk, chilled
1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, heat oil then saute onion.
Add beef and seasoning then cook until brown and crumble. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a same pan, add butter and flour then stir until smooth.
2. Slowly add chilled milk then whisk constantly until smooth. Break any lumps.
3. Add broth and seasoning then simmer until bubbly and thickened.
4. Lower the heat then add shredded cheese, stir continuously until smooth. Set aside.

Part 3
1. In bowl, combine salsa ingredients then toss. Set aside

Part 4
1. In a serving plate, layer the tortilla chips evenly then top with taco meat, salsa then drizzle with cheese sauce. Top with extra salsa. Serve and enjoy!

Beef Curry

Filipino Style Recipe: Beef curry is another mouth-watering dish inspired to Indian and Islamic cuisine. This dish is another variety of typical Filipino curry dish which is similar to chicken curry. Beef curry is usually made of beef cooked in coconut milk, curry powder and chilies until tender. Curry is one of the popular spices that gives a spicy and strong flavor.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 30-40 minutes
Good for 4-6 persons

Ingredients:
1 kilo beef sirloin, cut into serving pieces
3 potatoes, quartered
2 carrots, cut into cubes
2 bell peppers(red & green), cut into cubes
1 cup coconut milk or evaporated milk
3 tablespoons curry powder(dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water)
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons fish sauce(patis)
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes(optional)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, fry potatoes and carrots until color turns to light brown. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In the same pan, saute garlic and onion until soft.
2. Add beef then stir cook until color turns to light brown.
3. Add fish sauce, dissolved curry powder and water then simmer until meat is tender. Add more water if needed.
4. Add bell peppers, fried potatoes and carrots then simmer for another minute.
5. Add coconut milk, salt and ground pepper then simmer for another 3-5 minutes or until slightly thickens. Keep stirring.
6. Remove from heat and transfer to serving plate. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Almond Cookies

Filipino Style Recipe: Who doesn’t love almonds? And who could resist if those almonds were added in your pastries like your favorite cookies? Try out this recipe and you’re surely won’t regret once you’ve tasted.

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sliced almonds, set aside some to be put on top of the cookie

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Sift flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together into a bowl.
2. Add the butter and mix until mixture resembles dry oatmeal.
3. Add egg and vanilla then mix well.
4. Add the sliced almonds then toss until it is properly distributed in the dough.

Part 2
1. Scoop about 1 teaspoon of the cookie dough
2. Using your palms, roll into ball then press down to flatten into about 1/4 inch or depending on the thickness that you want.
3. Stick some of the raining almonds outside the cookies. Place cookies 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake in a pre-heated oven over 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-20 minutes. Cool on rack for 15 minutes then serve.

Szechuan Chicken

Filipino Style Recipe: Szechuan Chicken is a popular chicken dish originate from China that has become popular in Filipino cuisine. The chicken coated in cornstarch and egg then fried until light brown. Cook in a spicy and pungency sauce together with vegetables and delicious spices.

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

Ingredients:
500 grams Chicken fillets, cut into serving pieces
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 egg whites
2 cups broccoli, cut into pieces
1 green bell pepper, cut into cubed
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 thumb-sized ginger, julienned
1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
chopped spring onion and parsley for garnishing
vegetable oil for frying

Sauce:
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1/4 teaspoon ginger powder

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine cornstarch and egg white then whisk well.
2. Coat chicken into cornstarch mixture. Set aside.
3. In a pan, heat oil then fry coated chicken until light brown. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. Clean out the pan, heat 1 tablespoons vegetable oil then saute ginger, garlic, onion and sesame seeds.
2. Add broccoli and bell peppers then stir fry for a minute.
3. Add sauce mixture then simmer until vegetables are slightly cook.
4. Adjust seasoning according to taste then return the chicken.
5. Stir cook for another minute then turn off the heat.
6. Transfer to serving plate then garnish with parsley.

Oven-Baked Potato Wedges

Filipino Style Recipe: Oven-Baked Potato Wedges is simple yet delicious potato dish. This is a good alternative to fries and can be served as side dish or as snack along with your favorite dipping sauce.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
4 medium-sized unpeeled potatoes, cleaned
1 raw egg, beaten
6 tablespoons olive oil

Dry Mixture:
3 tablespoons cornstarch/cornflour
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and ground pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine dry mixture then mix until well combined. Set aside.
2.Prepare beaten egg into a separate bowl.
3. Dip potato wedges in beaten eggs then dredge into dry mixture to coat.
4. Repeat for the remaining pieces.

Part 2
1. In a baking pan, arrange potato wedges then drizzle with olive oil.
2. Bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
3. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Agar-Agar Salad

Filipino Style Recipe: Agar-Agar Salad is another popular appetizer or dessert of Filipinos that is commonly served in every special occasions like Christmas and New Year. Salad is consist of gelatinous substance blend in condensed milk and cream together with various fruits.

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons agar-agar powder
2 liters water
1 tablespoons flavoring extract (pandan, orange, pineapple, etc) (optional)
1 can fruit cocktail
2 big cans all purpose cream
1 big can (370ml) condensed milk

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pot, combine, agar-agar powder, flavoring extract and water then stir until dissolved.
2. Bring to boil over medium heat until slightly thicken. Keep stirring.
3. Pour the mixture into baking pan or rectangular-shaped container. Set aside and let it cool until solidify.

Part 2
1. Scrape the agar-agar into strips.
2. In a large bowl, combine fruit cocktail, cream and condense milk then mix.
3. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Serve cold.

Homemade Ham

Filipino Style Recipe: Homemade Ham or hamonado is a popular and special dish during Christmas season. Normally the meat cured and cooked in a special sweet broth until glazed and roasted.

Ingredients:
3 kilos pig’s leg without bones
7 cups pineapple juice
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoon salt
3 pieces bay leaves
1 head garlic, pounded

Pineapple Glaze:
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a deep pot, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, bay leaves and garlic. Stir until dissolved.
2. Add meat then cover and simmer over low heat for an hour. Let it cool then refrigerate inside the fridge overnight.

Part 2
1. Let stand the meat for an hour or until reaches room temperature.
2. Score the meat surface in a diamond pattern.

Part 3 (Pineapple Glaze)
1. In a sauce pan, combine pineapple juice and brown sugar then simmer until thickened. Keep stirring.

Part 4
1. Using a pastry brush, brush the meat with pineapple glaze then bake in a preheated oven over 325 degrees Fahrenheit for at least an hour or until nicely browned. (basting every 15 minutes with remaining glaze)
2. Remove from oven then brush with remaining juices. Slice and serve.