Stuffed Pechay

Filipino Style Recipe: Stuffed pechay is another simple yet delicious vegetable dish. Ground meat wrapped in pechay leaves then cooked in coconut cream and turmeric powder. This dish has a creamy and tasty flavor from coconut cream and turmeric powder.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-30 minutes
Good for 2 persons

Ingredients:
10 large pechay leaves, cut off the white stalks
300 grams ground pork, chicken or beef
1 1/2 cup coconut cream
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, diced
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
2 green chili(siling haba)
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
fish sauce or salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons cooking oil
toasted garlic for garnishing(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a flat surface, place pechay leaf then add a tablespoonful of ground meat at the center.
2. Roll and secure the filling, repeat the procedure for remaining pieces.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil then saute garlic, onion, tomatoes and chili flakes.
2. Arrange stuffed pechay in a single layer then pour coconut cream.
3. Add green chili then season with turmeric powder, salt and pepper.
4. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the sauce is curdle and reduce.
5. Transfer to serving plate then top with toasted garlic. Serve with steamed rice.

Penne Arrabiata

Filipino Style Recipe: Penne Arrabiata is another tomato-based pasta dish popular in Italy. This dish is made of Penne pasta cooked in olive oil, tomatoes, chili, parsley and other herbs. Penne Arrabiata is usually served in any special occassions or party.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-25 minutes
Good for 2-3 servings

Ingredients:
250 grams Penne pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 big can(350 grams) chopped tomatoes
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste
grated Parmesan cheese(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large pot, prepare the pasta based on cooking instructions. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a sauce pan, heat olive oil then saute garlic, onion and chili flakes.
2. Add chopped tomatoes then simmer for 3 minutes.
3. add oregano, parsley, sugar, salt and pepper then simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add precooked pasta then carefully stir until pasta is well coated.
5. Transfer to serving plate then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve with garlic bread.

Margarita Cocktail

Filipino Style Recipe: Margarita cocktail is a popular Mexican cocktail consists of tequila, triple sec and lime juice shaken with ice(on the rocks) or without ice. This is commonly serve in salt-rimmed margarita glass.

Good for 1 cocktail

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons tequila
1 tablespoon triple sec(Cointreau) or other orange-flavored liqueur
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
lime wedge for garnish
salt to rim the margarita glass(optional)

Procedures:
1. In a cocktail shaker, mix all the ingredients with ice cubes then shake for 30 seconds.
2. In a salt-rimmed margarita glass, pour the margarita then garnish with lime wedge.
3. Serve immediately.

Atsarang Labong(Picked Bamboo Shoots)

Filipino Style Recipe: Atsara or atcharang labong is another variety of popular Filipino pickle. The primary ingredients is bamboo shoots(labong) then mixed with slices of carrots, bell pepper, ginger, onion, garlic and other vegetables. Raisins, pineapple or ground pepper maybe added to complete the mixture. Placed in airtight jars then refrigerate and serve as side dish for fried or grilled food.

Ingredients:
500 grams bamboo shoots(labong), cut into strips
1 large carrots, cut into strips
2 red bell peppers, cut into strips
200 grams green beans, cut into 1 inch diagonally(optional)
1/2 cup raisins
Onion, julienned
2 tablespoons ginger, julienned
1 head garlic, peeled and minced

Picking Solution:
2 cups cane vinegar
2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pot, pour water and add bamboo shoots, uncover and bring to boil for 5 minutes or until soften. Drain and let it cool.

Part 2
1. In a saucepan, combine pickling solution then bring to boil. Remove from heat.
2. In a large bowl, Combine all the ingredients together with pickling solution then mix well. Let it cool.
3. Pour the mixture into airtight jar then refrigerate for at least 2-3 days before serving.

Sinigang na Liempo

Filipino Style Recipe: Sinigang na liempo is another variety of tamarind soup dish that consists of pork liempo cooked in tamarind soup together with other vegetables. This dish has a sour taste that is usually serve as main dish specially during rainy season.

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

Ingredients:
1 kilo pork liempo, cut into serving pieces
10 tamarind(sampalok) or 1 pack sampaloc mix
1 big-sized onion, chopped
5 medium-sized tomatoes, quartered
3 medium-sized taro(gabi), peeled and cut into cubes
1 radish, sliced
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 liter water

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

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

Bibingka

Filipino Style Recipe: Bibingka is another Filipino delicacy that is traditionally served during Christmas season. This dish is commonly sold along the streets during Simbang gabi. Bibingka is consists of rice flour, coconut milk and baking powder then place in a round pan lined with banana leaf and topped with salted eggs and cheese. Traditionally this is cooked over and top of preheated charcoals or preheated oven. Brush with butter and sugar then served with freshly grated coconut.

Ingredients:
1 cup rice flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
banana leaves

Toppings:
1 salted eggs, sliced
30 grams cheddar cheese, sliced(optional)
butter or margarine
brown sugar(muscovado)
freshly grated coconut(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, mix rice flour, baking powder and salt until well combined. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a separate bowl, dissolved sugar in melted butter.
2. Add beaten eggs, coconut milk, and evaporated milk then whisk well.
3. Add flour mixture then whisk again until well blended.

Part 3
1. In a round baking pan, arrange banana leaf then pour mixture.
2. Bake in a preheated oven over 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Remove after 15 minutes then top with slices of salted egg and cheese.
4. Bake for another 20 minutes or until top turns to medium brown.
5. Remove from the oven then brush top with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
6. Cut into serving slices then serve with grated coconut. Enjoy!

Tomato Salsa

Filipino Style Recipe: Tomato salsa is a popular Mexican dipping sauce and become popular in any restaurants. Salsa is a Spanish word for “sauce” and basically made of tomatoes, onion, cilantro and jalapeno. This dipping sauce has a mixed taste of sour, salty, sweet and spicy flavor. Mostly, this is commonly serve with chips together with cold beer.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2 big-sized canned whole tomatoes
1 big-sized white onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cup basil, chopped
2 pieces bird’s eye chili or 1 jalapeno, deseeded and diced
1 small-sized lime or 4 calamansi, deseeded and juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt or 2 teaspoons fish sauce

Procedures:
1. In a blender or food processor, place all the ingredients then pulse it a few times or until the right consistency is achieve.
2. Adjust seasoning according to taste then transfer to serving bowl. Serve with chips.

Tinolang Halaan

Filipino Style Recipe: Tinolang halaan or clams is another simple seafood dish that usually served by Filipinos. Usually to eat the clams using your hands and scoop the meat out of the shell using your mouth. This simple Filipino recipe is usually served during rainy season specially to lactating mothers.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
1 kilo fresh clams(halaan)
1 bundle malunggay leaves
1 small green papaya, sliced diagonally
1 bundle sweet potato tops(talbos ng kamote)
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 thumb-sized ginger, thinly sliced
1 onion, sliced
3 cups water or soup from rice cooking(sabaw-sinaing)
fish sauce or salt and ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons cooking oil

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Wash the clams thoroughly and drain. Place the clams in a container with water and salt. Cover and set aside for several hours or overnight. This will allow the clams to expel sand.

Part 2
1. In a casserole, heat oil then saute ginger, garlic and onion until translucent.
2. Add clams and fish sauce then cover and simmer until shells open.
3. Pour in water then cover and simmer for another 3 minutes.
4. Add green papaya, simmer for about 5 minutes or until papaya is tender but not overcooked.
5. Adjust seasoning with fish sauce and ground pepper.
6. Add malunggay leaves and sweet potato tops then simmer for a few seconds.
7. Remove from heat then transfer to serving bowl. Serve hot.

Baked Macaroni

Filipino Style Recipe: Baked macaroni is one of the popular pasta dish that is commonly serve in any occasions. This dish is consists of macaroni pasta mixed together with meat sauce then topped with creamy white cheese. Baked until the topped cheese starts to light brown.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 20-25 minutes
Estimated time of baking: 15 minutes
Good for 2 baking pan(8x6inch)

Ingredients:
500 grams macaroni pasta

Meat Sauce:
500 grams ground beef
1 pack(150 grams) tomato paste
3 large-sized tomatoes, diced
2 red bell peppers, diced
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, minced
1 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon Spanish paprika
sugar, salt and pepper to taste

White Toppings:
5 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 big can(380 grams) evaporated milk
80 grams Cheddar Cheese
40 grams Parmesan Cheese
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 pan, heat olive oil then add butter, ground beef and cook until starts to brown. Set aside.
2. In a same pan, saute garlic, onions, tomatoes and bell peppers until soft.
3. Add ground beef, beef broth, tomato paste and paprika then stir and simmer for 15 minutes or until meat is tender.
4. Season with sugar, salt and pepper to taste then cook for a minute.
5. Add cooked pasta then toss until well combined. Set aside.

Part 3
1. In a separate pan, melt butter then add flour and stir until well blended.
2. Pour milk then bring to boil. Season with salt and pepper then stir until starts to thickens.
3. Add cheddar and Parmesan cheese then stir until melted and well blended. Set aside.

Part 4
1. In a baking pan, add macaroni mixture then spread evenly.
2. Pour cheese mixture on top then spread evenly and make sure to secure the edges.
3. Bake in a preheated oven over 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until the top is light brown.
4. Remove from oven then let it cool for a while before serving. Enjoy!

Chicken and Green Beans in Coconut Milk

Filipino Style Recipe: chicken and green beans in coconut milk is a creamy and tasty yet affordable dish. The chicken and green beans sauteed and cooked in coconut milk until tender. This dish is similar to ginataang sitaw but instead of string beans we used green beans or baguio beans and chicken.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20-30 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
200 grams chicken fillet, cut into small pieces
1 bunch green beans or baguio beans, cut into 1 inch diagonally
2 cups coconut milk
1 onion, chopped
3 gloves garlic, minced
fish sauce or salt and pepper to taste
a dash of chili flakes(optional)

Procedures:
1. In a saucepan, heat oil then cook chicken and fish sauce until color turns to light brown.
2. Add garlic and onion then saute until translucent.
3. Add green beans then continue sauteing for a minute.
4. Pour coconut milk then bring to boil. Add water if necessary.
5. Season with salt and pepper according to taste then add chili flakes.
6. Cook for 2 minutes or until tender then transfer to serving plate and serve immediately.