Sinigang na Baka sa Pakwan


Ingredients:
1 kilo beef brisket, cut into serving pieces
2 cups tamarind juice or 1 pack sampaloc mix
1 big-sized onion, chopped
1 thumb-sized ginger, julienned
1 regular sized watermelon(pakwan), seeded and sliced into cubes
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)
fish sauce and ground pepper to taste
1 1/2 liters water

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a casserole, heat oil then place beef and cook in batches until browned. Remove.

Part 2
1. In same casserole, saute garlic, onion and ginger.
2. Add watermelon slices then cook for 5 minutes.
3. Put back beef then cover and simmer in a low heat for 1 1/2 hours or until beef is tender. Add more water if necessary. (Pressure cooker takes less time.)
4. Add gabi and tamarind juice then simmer for 15 minutes or until tender.
5. Add green pepper and string beans then simmer for another 5 minutes.
6. Adjust seasoning with fish sauce, ground pepper 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.

Garlic and Parsley Shrimp


Ingredients:
1 kilo shrimps, removed head and shells
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons butter
6 cloves garlic, minced well
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine butter, garlic and parsley then mix until well blended.

Part 2
1. In a nonstick pan, heat oil then stir fry shrimps until color turns to pink.
2. Pour butter mixture, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper then simmer until cook.
3. Transfer to serving plate then serve with fried rice.

Crispy Baby Squid


Ingredients:
500 grams baby squid, separate head from the body
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup flour
1 cup breadcrumbs(optional)
salt and pepper to taste
vegetable oil for frying
1/2 teaspoon paprika(optional)
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
1 teaspoon spring onion, minced

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine flour, paprika, chili flakes, spring onion, salt and pepper. Mix well.
2. Add baby squid and deep in beaten egg then coated onto breadcrumbs.

Part 2
1. In a frying pan, heat oil and fry the squid for 1 minute or until golden brown. Do not overcooked.
2. Remove squids and drain on paper towels.
3. Serve with sweet chili sauce.

Four Cheese Pizza


Ingredients:
Pizza Crust
Pizza Sauce (optional)
Basil, chopped

Four Cheese (choose 4 any of the following)
*Cheddar
*Mozzarella
*Parmesan
*Feta
*Romano
*Provolone
*Fontina

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Place pizza crust in a flat surface, ladle enough pizza sauce into the center and spread it out in a spiral motion. Leave about 1/2 inch of unsauce pizza at the edges.
2. Top with 4 selected shredded cheese then sprinkle with basil.

Part 2
1. Preheat oven over 400 degrees Fahrenheit then bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust are crisp and the cheese is melted.
2. Remove from the oven then transfer to round sheet. Cut into 8-12 serving slices then serve with hot sauce.

Beef Nachos


Ingredients:
1 large onion, minced
1/2 kilo ground beef
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 pack 40g mcCormick Taco seasoning mix
2 piece tomatoes, minced,
1 cup finely chopped cabbage
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 tablespoon sour cream
4 tablespoon cheese spread
1 pack nachos chips

Procedures:
1. In a bowl, combine the beef and the taco seasoning mix. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and saute onion until translucent. Add the beef and continue suateing until the beef is browned and cooked, around 10-15 minutes. Transfer the beef in a plate with tissue to absorb excess oil.
2. In a big flat serving plate, arrange the nachos. Top with desire amount of grated cheese, beef, cabbage, tomatoes. Drizzle with sour cream and cheese spread.

Shrimp Marinara


Ingredients:
500 fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
350 grams spaghetti pasta
Parmesan cheese for garnishing
Fresh chopped basil for garnishing
Garlic bread

Marinara Sauce:
3 cups crushed tomatoes
3 cups tomato sauce
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes/powder
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons olive oil
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 saucepan, heat oil then saute garlic until golden brown.
2. Add shrimp then sprinkle with salt, cook until color turns to pink.
3. Transfer half of shrimp to a plate and set aside.

Part 3
1. In a same pan, add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring to boil.
2. Add dried oregano, basil, parsley, chili, and Parmesan cheese.
3. Adjust seasoning according to taste then stir cook over low heat until mixture thickens.
4. Put back remaining shrimp then stir. Remove from heat.

Part 4
1. Toss marinara sauce with the cooked pasta.
2. Transfer to serving plate then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
3. Serve with garlic bread.

Meatballs Noodle Soup

Ingredients:
Meatballs:
1/4 kilo ground pork
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 medium onion, minced
2 tablespoon spring onion chopped finely
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 egg
1/4 cup breading
oil for frying

Noodle Soup:
3 cups water
1 medium onion,sliced in half
2 3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 bullion shrimp flavor
1/4 kilo thick noodles
1 piece pechay baguio cut into 2 inches
1 small carrot cut into small chunks
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
1. To make the meatball, combine all the ingredients except the oil and using the hand, form into balls around 1 teaspoon each. Heat pan with oil and fry meatballs until brown on all side.
2. In a pot, boil water with onion, garlic, sesame oil,and bullion. Add carrot and meatballs and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the carrot is soft. Add the noodles and pechay then let it boil for a few seconds then remove from heat. Transfer to serving bowl and top with hard boiled egg and spring onions.

Easy Wonton Soup

Ingredients:
For the wonton:
1/4 kilo ground pork
2 cloves garlic, ground
1 teaspoon ginger, ground
1 medium onion, minced finely
1 scallion (1 tablespoon), chopped finely
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
a pinch of ground pepper
20 pieces wonton wrapper

For the soup:
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, smashed but not sliced
1 thumb size ginger, smashed not sliced
1 scallion
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
1. In a pot over medium heat, add all soup ingredients and let it boil (covered)for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat.
2. To make the wonton, combine all the wonton ingredients in a bowl except the wonton wrapper. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
2. Take a wonton wrapper on one hand and brush edges with cold water using your finger tip. Put ½ teaspoon of filling in center of wrapper. Fold in half, triangle shape and seal it tightly by pinching edges together with your fingers. Brush one of lower side corners of triangle with water and bring right and left corner together and press well. Repeat until you finish with wonton filling and wrappers. Set aside.
3. Remove all solid ingredients from the soup and turn on heat and let it boil. Add the wontons simmer for 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.Transfer to serving bowl and garnish with chopped scallions.

Korean Braised Beef


Ingredients:
Marinade:
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 medium onion, grated
4 cloves garlic, grated
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1/2 Kilo caldereta cut beef or ribs
1 medium onion
1 thumb ginger, sliced into strips
4 cloves garlic
white part of the scallions, chopped into 2 inch length
1 can shiitake mushroom, liquid removed, and sliced into half
1 medium carrot cut into chunks
sesame seeds for garnish

Procedures:
1.In a large pot over medium heat, put 4 cups of water and bring to boil. Add the beef, scallions, onion, ginger, and garlic. Keep in boiling and cook for 30 minutes. Remove scum on the top.
2. Strain the stock and set aside.
3. To prepare the marinade, combine the soy sauce, sugar, honey, sesame oil, grated garlic, onion and ginger, pepper and teriyaki sauce. Add the beef and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
4. After marinating, add 3 cups of the stock to the marinade and cook over medium heat. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes or until the beef is tender.
5. Once the beef is tender add the mushroom and carrots and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Transfer to serving bowl and season with sesame seeds and remaining scallion leaves.

Chocolate Chip and Mango Muffin

The most common recipes I encounter for muffins calls for blueberries. However, blueberries can be pretty expensive since they are not usually grown locally. This muffin is using ripe mangoes which are commonly available in the market all year round. The mango gives this muffin a summery tropical feel that you got to try.

Ingredients:
For the muffin:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon buttermilk powder dissolved in 1/2 cup milk (or water)
1 cup mango, seeded and diced
1/2 cup chocolate chips

For the coconut streusel:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon white sugar
3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
1 pinch salt

Procedures:
1. In a bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and salt until smooth. Add one egg and beat until completely blended. Add the second egg and beat again.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Stir into the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk in 3 parts. Toss the chocolate chips in flour (to avoid sinking at the bottom of muffin) then fold into the batter together with the mango.Fill the prepared muffin cups.
3. To prepare the coconut streusel, combine flour, the cinnamon, sugar, the coconut, and 1 pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix in butter until completely incorporated into the flour. Sprinkle on top of the filled muffin cups.
4. Bake in preheated oven at 350F for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted at the middle comes our clean.