Chili Cheese Sticks(Dynamite)

Filipino Style Recipe: Chili cheese sticks AKA dynamite is a simple and popular cheese sticks in Bacolod. Chili cheese stick is made of finger chili(siling haba) stuffed with cheese strips then wrapped in spring roll wrapper, deep fried until golden brown and crisp and served with your favorite dipping sauce.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-30 minutes

Ingredients:
20 pieces finger chili(siling haba)
1 block cheddar cheese , sliced into small strips
Spring rolls or lumpia wrappers
cooking oil for deep frying

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Using a sharp knife, slit each chili vertical cut then scrape out the seeds. Rinse and drain.
2. Stuff the chili with cheese then wrap and roll the wrapper, use a bit of water to seal the edges.

Part 2
1. In a frying pan, heat enough oil then deep fry the rolls for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
2. Drain on paper towel then serve with preferred dressing.

Notes:
1. You may also add strips of ham together with cheese if you prefer.

Ginisang Pechay(Sauteed Bok Choy with Ground Meat)

Filipino Style Recipe: ginisang pechay or sauteed bok choy with ground meat is another healthy yet affordable dish. Normally the ground pork or beef sauteed until tender then cooked and simmer with pechay, season with salt and pepper.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-30 minutes
Good for 4-5 persons

Ingredients:
500 grams ground beef or pork
4 cups pechay or bok choy, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped(optional)
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 cup water or beef/pork broth
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
fish sauce, salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pot, place ground pork and add enough water to cover the meat.
2. Bring to boil then drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic and onion.
2. Add ground pork and stir cook until brown.
3. Add tomatoes and fish sauce then cook until soft.
4. Pour water and bring to boil then add pechay and oyster sauce.
5. Cook for a minute or until half-cooked then adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Remove from heat then serve with steamed rice. Enjoy.

Stir Fry Shrimp and Broccoli

Filipino Style Recipe: stir fry shrimp and broccoli is another healthy low carbohydrate dish. Normally the broccoli cooked with shrimp, mushrooms, oyster sauce and other seasonings.

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

Ingredients:
2 cups broccoli florets
400 grams shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 thumb-sized ginger, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch(dissolved in 1/2 cup chicken stock)
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup mushrooms, sliced(optional)

Procedures:
1. In a pan, heat olive oil then saute ginger and garlic.
2. Add broccoli and mushrooms then stir fry for 2 minutes.
3. Add shrimp, salt and pepper. Stir for another minute.
4. Pour dissolved cornstarch and oyster sauce then cook until the sauce is thickened.
5. Remove from heat then transfer to serving plate. Serve hot.

Vegetable Fried Rice

Filipino Style Recipe: vegetable fried rice is a healthy rice dish that is commonly served during breakfast. It is mainly made up of cooked or leftover rice then stir fried with mixed vegetables and seasonings.

Estimated time of preparation: 10-15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 10-12 minutes
Good for 4-6 servings

Ingredients:
4-6 cups cooked or leftover rice(I prefer Basmati)
2 cups choice of chopped veggies(carrots, green beans, cabbage, bean sprout, broccoli, cauliflower)
1 onion, chopped
3 gloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil(optional)
salt and ground pepper to taste
spring onions, finely chopped(half for garnishing)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a wok, heat olive and saute garlic, onion and spring onions.
2. Add chopped vegetables and stir and cooked for 3 minutes.
3. Pour soy sauce and sesame oil. Add cooked rice and continue stirring.
4. Season with salt and ground pepper. Mix well until rice is well coated.
6. Transfer to serving plate and garnish with spring onions. Enjoy

Notes:
1. You may also add scramble egg if you prefer.

Pancit Miki Guisado

Filipino Style Recipe: pancit miki guisado is a stir fried noodle dish similar to pancit canton. Like other noodle dish, this recipe is made of pork meat, vegetables and miki noodles which is thinner compared to Lomi noodles. We added shrimps, squid balls and more vegetables to enhance the taste.

Estimated time of preparation: 20-30 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 20-30 minutes
Good for 5-8 persons

Ingredients:
500 grams miki noodles
200 grams pork belly, slice into small pieces
200 grams shrimp, peeled
2 pieces carrots, sliced
1 cabbage, chopped
1/4 kilo green beans or snow peas(sitsaro)
1 cup celery(kintsay), sliced
6 gloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 cups hot water or chicken broth
2 tablespoons cooking oil
salt and pepper to taste

100 grams squid balls, cut into half(optional)
100 grams mushrooms(taingang daga)(optional)
100 grams chicken breast or liver(optional)
1/4 cup spring onions, diced(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Wash miki noodles in running water. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a wok, heat oil then saute the garlic and onions.
2. Add pork, liver and squid balls then cooked until color turns to brown.
5. Add oyster sauce and hot water then stir and bring to boil.
4. Add shrimps and vegetables then stir fry until the vegetables are half-cooked.
5. Add miki noodles then stir and cook for 3 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed.
6. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste.
7. Transfer to a serving plate then garnish with spring onion. Serve and enjoy.

(Thank you to my Mom for sharing her recipe)

Stir Fried Broccoli and Mushroom

Filipino Style Recipe: stir fried broccoli and mushroom is another healthy low carbohydrate dish. Normally the broccoli blanched then cooked with mushroom, carrots, oyster sauce and other seasonings.

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

Ingredients:
1 cup broccoli florets
8 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 carrot, sliced thinly
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch(dissolved in 1/4 cup water)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chicken stock or water
salt and white pepper to taste
1/4 cup toasted almonds or peanuts(optional)
spring onion for garnishing(optional)

Ingredients:
Part 1
1. In a pot, boil water with salt. Once boiling, add broccoli and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil then saute garlic, onion and ginger.
2. Add mushrooms, carrots and pour chicken stock then stir fry for 2 minutes or until half-cooked.
3. Add broccoli, toasted almond, oyster sauce, dissolved cornstarch, salt and pepper.
4. Stir and simmer for another minute or until sauce thickens.
5. Transfer to serving plate then garnish with spring onion. Serve.

Notes:
1. You may also add shrimps or prawns if you prefer.

Stir Fry Snow Peas and Mushrooms

Filipino Style Recipe: Stir fry snow peas and mushrooms is another easy yet healthy food. Normally the snow peas and mushrooms comes stir fried then cooked in a blend of cornstarch, water and soy sauce.

Estimated time preparation and cooking: 5 minutes
Good for 4 persons

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh snow peas(sitsaro), trimmed
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 chicken cube(bouillon cube)
2 olive oil

Procedures:
1. In a pan, heat olive oil and stir fry snowpeas and mushrooms.
2. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, water, soy sauce and chicken cube. Mix until well blended.
3. Pour the mixture in a pan, simmer for 2 minutes or until thickens. Serve hot.

Ampalaya Salad

Filipino Style Recipe: Ampalaya salad or ensaladang ampalaya(bitter gourd salad) is another easy yet healthy dish. The ampalaya and radish were marinated in salt then mash until all juice has been removed. Then combine with radish, white onion, tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.

Estimated time of preparation: 8-10 minutes(plus marinating time)

Ingredients:
1 large bitter gourd(ampalaya), remove seeds and sliced thinly
1 radish(labanos), peeled and sliced thinly
1 large white onion, sliced
3 large tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, put sliced ampalaya then sprinkle with salt. Let stand for at least 15 minutes.
2. Squeeze out excess water from the bitter gourd with the hand. Rinse and drain well.
3. In a separate bowl, do the same procedure to radish.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Mix until well blended.
2. In a large bowl, combine ampalaya, radish, onion and tomatoes then pour vinegar mixture.
3. Mash with hand and toss. Serve.

Notes:
1. You may also add hard-boiled eggs and boiled shrimp in this recipe.

(Thanks to Nanay Yolly Fiesta for sharing)

Tortang Talong with Cheese

Filipino Style Recipe: tortang talong with cheese or eggplant omelet with cheese is an easy healthy breakfast recipe. It is consists of broiled eggplants then peel off the skin. Stuffed with shanghai mix and dip in egg mixture before frying. Lastly, sprinkle with grated cheese melt before serving hot.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 30-40 minutes
Good for 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 medium-sized eggplants(talong)
2-3 cups shanghai mix
1 cup cheese melt, grated
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
salt and pepper to taste
cooking oil for frying

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Broil eggplants until skin are charred and blister.
2. Let it cool then peel off the skin and retain the crown and the stem.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, combine eggs, flour, salt and pepper. Mix well.
2. In a large plate, flatten the eggplant using fork.
3. Spread the shanghai mix on top then pour the egg mix.

Part 3
1. In a pan, heat oil and fry eggplant(dipped in egg mixture) until both sides are golden brown.
2. Drain on paper towels then top with cheese. Serve and enjoy.

Vegetable Chowder

Filipino Style Recipe: vegetable chowder is a creamy vegetable dish that is made up of vegetables like broccoli, potatoes and carrots cooked in a blend of flour, milk and cheese.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 10-20 minutes
Good for 4-5 servings

Ingredients:
4 cups broccoli florets, cut into serving pieces
2 medium potatoes, diced
2 medium carrots, sliced thinly
1-1/2 cups water
1 large onion, chopped
4 cups evaporated milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed

1 chicken cube(optional)
4 slices ham or bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces(optional)
1 cup corn kernels(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine flour and 1 cup milk, mix until smooth. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a saucepan, pour water and bring to boil.
2. Add onion, carrots and potatoes.
3. Pour flour mixture, milk, chicken cube, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
4. Add broccoli, bacon and corn. Keep stirring until sauce thickened.
5. Remove from heat and add cheese just until melted. Serve.