Binagoongang Bagnet sa Gata

Filipino Style Recipe: Binagoongang Bagnet sa Gata or Bagnet sauteed in shrimp paste with coconut milk is almost similar to binagoongang baboy. Bagnet is a popular delicacy in Ilocos made from pork belly deep fried until crispy and blister on skin. Normally the bagnet sauteed in shrimp paste together with tomatoes and chili then add coconut milk for more flavorful and creamy taste.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes(plus marinating time)
Estimated time of cooking: 20 minutes

Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo bagnet, cut into serving pieces
1 1/2 tablespoons bagoong alamang (pre-sauteed salted shrimp paste)
1 cup coconut cream
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 pieces tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup water
2 pieces green chili(siling haba), chopped
1 piece bird’s eye chili(siling labuyo), chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
salt and brown sugar to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In the pan, heat oil and saute garlic, onion and tomatoes until soft.
2. Add shrimp paste and 3/4 bagnet then saute for a minute.
3. Pour water and bring to boil. Add chili and ground pepper.
4. Add coconut cream then simmer for 3 minutes.
5. Adjust season according to taste then continue cooking until thickens. Stir occasionally.
6. Transfer to serving plate then top with remaining bagnet. Serve with steamed rice.

Note:
1. How to cook bagnet, please refer to this link: Bagnet

Spicy Pork Tomato Meat Sauce

Filipino Style Recipe: Spicy Pork Tomato Meat Sauce is a simple and easy recipe that consists of ground pork cooked in tomato sauce, bell peppers, cumin and olives then season with salt and pepper.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes.
Estimated time of cooking: 30 minutes.
Good for 3-4 persons.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo ground pork, pre-boiled
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 pieces bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 small pack tomato paste
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons black olives
1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1 tablespoon capers (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
1. In a casserole, heat oil then saute garlic, onion and bell pepper.
2. Add ground meat then continue cooking until light brown.
3. Add tomato sauce, water, cumin, bay leaves and parsley then simmer for 8-10 minutes.
4. Add olives, capers, chili flakes, salt and pepper then mix well.
5. Transfer to serving bowl then garnish with parsley. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Sinigang na Bagnet

Filipino Style Recipe: Sinigang na Bagnet is another variety of Filipino tamarind soup using bagnet as main ingredient. Bagnet is a popular delicacy in Ilocos made from pork belly deep fried until crispy and blister on skin. This dish has a sour taste best to serve during rainy and cold season.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 120 minutes
Good for 4-6 persons

Ingredients:
1 kilo bagnet, cut into serving pieces
12 tamarind(sampalok) or 2 packs sampaloc mix
1 big-sized onion, chopped
5 medium-sized tomatoes, quartered
3 medium-sized taro(gabi), peeled and cut into cubes
1 bundle of string beans(sitaw), cut into 2 inches long
1 bundle of river spinach(kangkong leaves)
3 pieces green pepper(siling haba)
salt and fish Sauce(patis)
1 1/2 liters pork broth
6 pieces okra, trimmed(optional)
1 radish, sliced(optional)

Ingredients:
Part 1
1.Boil tamarind, pound and strain the juice. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a casserole, pour pork broth, onion, tomatoes then bring to boil.
2. Add tamarind juice then bring to boil. Add gabi then simmer until tender.
3. Add radish, okra, green pepper, and string beans then simmer for another 5 minutes.
4. Adjust seasoning with fish sauce then add bagnet and kangkong.
5. Turn off the heat then let it sit for 1-2 minutes or until kangkong is cooked.
6. Transfer to serving bowl then serve hot with steamed rice.

Note:
1. How to cook bagnet, please refer to this link: Bagnet

Pork Guisantes

Filipino Style Recipe: Pork Guisantes is a simple yet delicious tomato-based pork dish cooked in tomato sauce together with green peas. This dish can be served together with steamed rice during lunch time.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 30-40 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
500 grams pork, cut into serving pieces
1 small pack tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 tablespoons green peas
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
3 bay leaves
2 tablespoons fish sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
1. In a pan, heat oil then saute garlic and onion until translucent.
2. Add pork then continue sauteing until light brown.
3. Add fish sauce, bay leaves, water and tomato sauce then simmer in a low heat for 20 minutes or until tender.
4. Add green peas, cover and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer to serving plate then serve with steamed rice. Enjoy!

Adobong Puti

Filipino Style Recipe: Adobong puti or white adobo is another variety of Filipino adobo. The traditional adobo is made of pork or chicken meat cooked in a blend of soy sauce and vinegar together with spices. This version of adobo does not contain soy sauce instead we used salt or other seasoning to adjust the taste. Fry the meat until light brown then cook together with the sauce until tender.

Estimated time of preparation: 8-10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 30 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
500 grams pork belly or liempo, cut into serving pieces
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
10 cloves garlic, pounded
12 pieces peppercorns
3 pieces bay leaves
salt to taste
3 tablespoons cooking oil

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pot, arrange pork then add garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, salt, vinegar and water.
2. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes or until pork is tender. Add more water if necessary.
3. Remove the pork from the sauce and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil then fry pork until light brown.
2. Put back the meat to the sauce then simmer until reduced in half.
3. Adjust seasoning according to taste then simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Remove from heat then transfer to serving bowl. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Gyoza Dumplings

Filipino Style Recipe: Gyoza Dumplings is a popular Asian dumplings originated in Japan. This dish is usually made from ground meat, cabbage and other vegetables wrapped in dumpling wrappers. Steamed and cooked for a few minutes then served with dipping sauce. This is commonly served as side dish together with Ramen or any noodle soup.

Estimated time of preparation: 30 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 10 minutes
Good for 20 dumplings

Ingredients:
4 cups cabbage, chopped into small pieces
250 grams ground pork
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
salt and ground white pepper to taste
ground white pepper

gyoza or dumpling wrappers

Dipping Sauce:
2/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large bowl, combine cabbage and 1/2 teaspoon salt then let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Squeeze the cabbage firmly to discard excess water.
3. In a large bowl, combine cabbage, ground pork, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and ground white pepper then mix evenly with your hand.

Part 2
1. Scoop a spoonful of mixture then place in the center of wrapper.
2. Moisten the entire edge of wrapper with water then fold in half.
3. Seal and crimp the edges then press against bottom into sheet pan.
4. Repeat the procedures to remaining mixture.

Part 3
1. In a pan, heat 1 teaspoon oil then arrange dumplings in it flat side facing down.
2. Cook the bottom for a few minutes until light browned.
3. Slowly pour hot water until half submerged. Cover and cook until the water has evaporated.
4. Transfer the gyoza into plate then serve with dipping sauce.

Crispy Pata

Filipino Style Recipe: Crispy Pata is a popular Filipino dish made from pork knuckle cooked and deep fried until crisp and golden brown. This is commonly served in any special occasion as main dish or pulutan together with beer.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes(plus marinating time)
Estimated time of cooking: 50 minutes
Estimated time of frying: 40 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
1 piece(1 kg) pork pata(pork hock or knuckle), cleaned
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 large onion, chopped
2 pieces bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
water
cooking oil for frying

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Prick pata with a fork then marinate in soy sauce and vinegar for 30 minutes. Turning occasionally.

Part 2
1. In a large pot, pour water then add garlic, onion, bay leaves, salt and pepper.
2. Add pata then bring to boil over medium heat for 50 minutes or until tender. Add water if necessary.
3. Drain and let it cool.

Part 3
1. Rub pata with salt and pepper then deep fry over low heat until crisp and golden brown.
2. Drain then serve with dipping sauce(soy sauce, calamansi, chili, chopped onion).

Piniritong Dinuguan (FRIED PORK MASK STEWED IN HOG’S BLOOD)

Filipino Style Recipe: “Dinuguan” has been a signature Filipino dish since time immemorial. Different regions and localities vaunt their own version of this recipe which foreigners term as “chocolated pork”. In view, no matter what variation nor modification is applied in terms of ingredients or part of meat utilized, they all boil down to: stewed pork with hog blood. Making waves currently is the presentation that contains “chicharon” (pork crackling) on top…aptly calling it “Crispy Dinuguan”.

Veering away, this recipe’s technological cooking procedure will NOT make use of “chicharon” but desired crunchiness is attained.

INGREDIENTS:
MEAT:
1 kilo pork mask, eardrums included, fully cleaned, sliced into 4 pieces

BOILING BROTH MIX:
1 liter tap water
10 grams salt
3 grams cracked black pepper
10 ml. ginger juice
(This blend removes “lansa” (fishy-ness) of meat
and letting it absorb little flavor
otherwise not attained by boiling in just plain water)

FRYING & SAUTEING MIX:
30 ml. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
6 cloves crushed fresh garlic
3 small “siling pansigang” (banana peppers or chili fingers),
de-seeded and sliced into smaller pieces.

HOG’S BLOOD MIX:
1 kilo hog’s blood. Strain to get away from further coagulation
or lumping. Set aside.
100 ml. of leftover boiling broth mix
25 ml. cane vinegar
15 ml. soy sauce

FLAVOR ENHANCERS:
80 ml. fresh milk or evaporated milk
10 ml. “patis” (fish sauce)
10 ml. ginger juice
4 pieces dried bay leaves
2 grams ground black pepper
3 grams MSG(optional)

PROCEDURES:
Part 1
1. In a suitable casserole, blend all ingredients of boiling broth mix.
2. Add pork mask slices and boil to desired tenderness.
3. Remove boiled mask, cut into smaller pieces.
4. Set aside both pork mask pieces and the leftover boiling broth mix which will be utilized later.

Part 2
1. In frying pan, under medium setting, heat EVOO, fry garlic and sliced banana peppers for 1 minute.
2. Add pork mask pieces, tossing constantly and continue frying until they turn crispy (approx. 5-8 minutes)
3. Using slotted ladle retrieve fried mask and set aside. This meat is done.
4. In the same leftover frying/sautéing mix (oil), add in all ingredients of hog’s blood mix. Transfer to another casserole if need be.
5. CONSTANTLY STIRRING, (to avoid further blood coagulation) bring to a boil.
6. When boiling starts, add in ALL ingredients of the flavor enhancers. Continue boiling for 1 minute adding extra “patis” or black pepper or milk if so desired. DONE. This is now your “DINUGUAN” without the meat.
7. When serving, pour unto bowl, add in desired quantity of fried pork mask, mix a bit, garnish with “sili pansigang” then serve with a smile and be PROUD of your creation.

Pata Tim: The Western Way

Filipino Style Recipe: PATA TIM (CHINESE-FLAVORED STEWED PIG’S FRONT HOCK PROCESSED THE WESTERN WAY) Of Chinese origin, PATA TIM has been modified into various presentation, ingredients’ mix and cooking style.

I grew up in a family where one of its variations “Paksiw Na Pata”(Filipinos’ vinegar based stewed hock) was served once a month. Succeeding recipe will NOT make use of “bulaklak ng saging” (banana blossom) but just carrots & shiitake mushroom that Westerners love. This recipe has been adopted by many friends-cooks, adding little tweaks, for their signature secrets.

Pangs (my spouse) and I labored on these 2 dishes: a different “PATA TIM’ & the technologically innovated U.S. BEEF MECHADO, (for next posting) nights before, to serve to our kids and grandkids out on weekend of June 28 & 29 to Subic Bay, Olongapo City, Phils. for their 5i50 triathlon. In mind, well prepared offerings over steamed rice will surely perk their stamina up in time for next day’s arduous match. Try. Your family will love this “DIFFERENT PATA TIM”.

INGREDIENTS:
1 piece fully cleaned pig’s front hock – with still a little of trotters attached but hooves cut off (USA and Canadian front hocks command higher prices than back for they are meatier)

ANTI-FOUL SMELL BOILING SOLUTION:
Enough tap water to cover entire hock in a casserole.
20 ml. any red wine
3 grams salt dissolved well

PRESSURE COOKER SOLUTION:
Enough tap water to cover pre-boiled hock.
40 ml. soy sauce
3 grams salt
20 grams brown sugar
3 grams crushed black pepper
6 cloves crushed garlic
5 pieces star anise
2 pieces sliced “labuyo” (bird’s eye chilies)

OVEN TOASTER’S SEARING MIX:
15 ml. palm oil (or palm olein)
6 cloves crushed garlic, finely chopped

FINAL SAUCE MIX:
200 ml. of left over Pressure Cooker Solution
1 medium carrot sliced
5 pieces sliced shiitake mushrooms soaked in water for 30 minutes
10 grams corn starch dissolved in 30 ml. water (slurry-thickener)
3 grams chili powder (NOT chili pepper powder. Chili powder contains 5 or more spice-herb combination plus salt while Chili Pepper Powder is just the powder presentation of that particular chili pepper).
20 ml. soy sauce
15 grams brown sugar

PROCEDURES:
Part 1
1. Bring to boil your well blended anti-foul smell boiling solution.
2. Once boiling starts, set timer and boil for 20 minutes. Discard water. Set aside hock.

Part 2
1. In pressure cooker, add in ALL ingredients tumble thoroughly until no lumps are evident.
2. Lay pre-boiled hock, cover, attach nozzle and start under medium heat. When whistling starts, pressure cook for 30 minutes.
3. Done…subject pressure cooker to running tap water, when whistling stops slowly remove nozzle-open cooker.
4. Remove hock set aside including pressure cooker solution.

Part 3
1. Rub palm oil of the oven toaster’s searing mix unto all sides of hock. Rub crushed garlic as well. Lay unto toaster pan.
2. Set toaster to high temp, ensuring top heating rod is in fiery-red state, wedge toaster pan in topmost slot for quick searing. Toast for 10 minutes each side.
3. While you are on this searing stage, in a pan, heat the 200 ml. leftover pressure cooker solution.
4. Add in sliced carrots, drained shiitake mushrooms, chili powder, soy sauce and brown sugar. Boil for 2 minutes.
5. While boiling pour in slurry and stirring constantly, continue for few seconds until sauce thickens. Make your desired adjustments on saltiness & sweetness level, should you wish.
6. Lay seared hock unto plate and pour in your sauce. Garnish. Serve. Watch your family’s happy smiles.

Pininyahang Pork Giniling

Filipino Style Recipe: pininyahang pork giniling or ground pork with pineapple is simple yet delicious dish. Ground pork sauteed and simmered in pineapple syrup together with pineapple tidbits and other vegetables. This is almost similar to ground pork menudo and ground pork adobo.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 50 minutes.
Good for 3-5 persons

Ingredients:
450 grams ground pork(giniling)
1 can(227 grams) pineapple tidbits, reserve syrup
3 teaspoons soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, sliced
1 potato, peeled and diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1/4 cup water
sugar, salt and pepper to taste

2 teaspoons raisins(optional)
2 bay leaves(optional)
1/4 cup sweet peas(optional)

Procedures:
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic and onion.
2. Add ground pork and soy sauce then simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Add potatoes, carrots, raisins, sweet peas, bay leaves, water and pineapple syrup.
4. Season with sugar, salt and pepper then simmer for 8 minutes or until tender.
5. Add pineapple tidbits then cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and serve hot.

(Photo credit to Blogie Robillo)