Oreo Cheesecake

Filipino Style Recipe: Oreo Cheesecake is one of the favorite cheesecake by most of us. The slight bitterness of the Oreos balances so well with the sweetness of the cream cheese and sugar.

Ingredients:
4 packs cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 tablespoon vanilla
3 packs Oreo cookies
4 tablespoon butter, melted

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Remove filling of Oreos and put into ziploc then crush 2 packs into slightly coarse crumbs. In a bowl, mix the Oreo crumbs and butter until well combined. Press into the bottom of a round 9 inch springform pan then chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
2. In a big bowl, mix cream cheese and sugar until well combined. Add vanilla and mix again.Add the eggs one at a time mixing using the hand until just combined. DO not over mix.
3. Set aside around 8 pieces of the remaining Oreos for topping. Remove the filling of the remaining oreos and break into pieces. Fold into the cream cheese mixture.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.
5.After cooking, open the oven slightly and let the cheesecake cool inside for about 2 hours.

Part 2
1. Remove the cheesecake from the oven, top with the remaining Oreos and refrigerate before serving.

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.

Lemon and Mint Water

Filipino Style Recipe: Lemon and Mint Water is a refreshing and healthy drinks made of fresh mint, lemon and water. This drinks is an antioxidant and a great source of vitamin C ideal for those on diet. It helps the body to cleanse any toxins in the system and aids in weight loss.

Ingredients:
2 lemons, thinly sliced
fresh mint leaves
1 2/3 liters water
juice of one lemon
ice cubes
honey to taste (optional)

Procedures:
1. In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients then allow flavors to infuse inside the fridge for a few hours.
2. Serve chilled.

Beef Bicol Express

Filipino Style Recipe: beef bicol express is a popular Filipino dish that has a spicy and creamy taste. This dish is another variety of bicol express originated in Bicol Region. The beef cooked in coconut milk together with shrimp paste, green peppers, beans and red chili.

Estimated time preparation and cooking: 50 minutes
Good for 5-6 persons

Ingredients:
1 kilo beef sirloin, cut lengthwise
4 pieces long green peppers(siling pangsigang), sliced diagonally
10 pieces baguio beans or green beans, sliced diagonally
1 cup coconut cream (1st extract)
3 cups coconut milk (2nd extract)
4 tablespoons sauteed shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
3 pieces red chili(siling labuyo)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
salt to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl with water and salt, soak green peppers for 30 minutes then rinse and drain.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat vegetable oil then saute garlic and onion.
2. Add beef then continue sauteing until colors turn to medium brown.
3. Add the shrimp paste then mix for another minute.
4. Pour coconut milk then simmer until beef is tender. Add water if necessary.
5. Pour coconut cream then simmer until reduced.
6. Add the green peppers, baguio beans and red chili then adjust seasoning with salt according to taste.
7. Remove from heat then serve with steamed rice. Enjoy!

Crab Meat Aglio Olio

Filipino Style Recipe: Crab Meat Aglio Olio is another variety of traditional Italian pasta dish. This dish is made of sauteed garlic in olive oil, chili flakes, crab meat and basil then toss in spaghetti pasta. Aglio olio is usually serve as meryenda(mid-afternoon snack) or in any special occasion.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 6-8 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
400 grams spaghetti pasta
1/4 cup olive oil
8 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
200 grams crab meat or crab sticks, cut into thin slices
1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes(optional)
1/4 cup white wine
10 leaves basil, finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste
grated Parmesan cheese

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 1 tablespoon olive oil then saute garlic, chili flakes until light brown.
2. Add crab stick and then stir cook for 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
3. Add white wine and simmer for 2-3 minutes or until sauce reduce in half.
4. Add remaining olive oil, pasta and basil then toss until coat evenly.
5. Transfer to serving plate, top with Parmesan cheese and garnish with basil leaves. Serve.

Melon Milk Drink

Filipino Style Recipe: Melon Milk Drink is another refreshing beverage and usually serve during afternoon or summer season. This drink is consists of melon, milk, sugar, and water then stir with ice.

Estimated time of preparation: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients:
1 medium sized melon, scrape the meat
1 1/2 liters water
1 large can low fat or evaporated milk
sugar to taste
ice cubes

Procedures:
1. In a large pitcher, combine melon, milk and water.
2. Add sugar according to taste then serve with ice cubes. Enjoy!

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).

Buko Pandan Drink

Filipino Style Recipe: Buko Pandan Drink is another refreshing beverage and usually serve during afternoon or summer season. This drink is consists of shredded coconut, pandan gelatin, milk and coconut water then stir with ice.

Ingredients:
1 pack green or pandan flavored gelatin
2-3 drops pandan extract
4 cups coconut water
1 big can evaporated or fresh milk
1 big can condensed milk
1 cup young coconut buko, shredded
5 pieces pandan leaves (optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Prepare gelatin based on package instructions. Let it cool and cut into small cubes. Set aside.
2. Boil pandan leaves in 4 cups water over low heat for 20 minutes or until aroma comes out. Let it cool and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a water pitcher, combine all the ingredients then mix well.
2. Serve with ice cubes. Enjoy!

Garlic Cheddar Chicken

Filipino Style Recipe:Garlic Cheddar Chicken is another chicken dish that you can serve to have a variety from your all time fried chicken. It has lots of cheese so your kids will surely love.

Ingredients:
8 pieces boneless chicken breast, cut into half and pound thin
1/2 cup butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 pack cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan over low heat, melt butter then add garlic. cook until the garlic is tender. Set aside.
2. In a wide bowl, mix bread crumbs, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
3. Brush or dip each chicken with the garlic butter mixture then press into the cheese mixture.
4. Arrange chicken in a baking dish. Drizzle any remaining butter and sprinkle any remaining cheese mixture.
5. Bake in preheated oven at 350 Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes. Once cooked, remove from oven, server and enjoy!

Mango Cinnamon Pavlova

Filipino Style Recipe: This dessert will definitely impress your guests. With a bit of imagination on the presentation, it looks very expensive yet the ingredients are so simple, just mainly egg whites! This pavlova is marshmallowy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Estimated time of preparation: 30 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 1 hour plus cooling time
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients:
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice

For toppings:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioner’s sugar
1 ripe mango, cut into cubes
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Procedures:
Part 1
1.In a large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Add the cream of tartar and beat again.Gradually add the sugar about 1 tablespoon at a time while continuously beating after each addition. Beat until thick and glossy.
2. In a small bowl, combine the vanilla and lemon juice. Gently fold in the mixture into the beaten egg white.

Part 2
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then draw a 9 inch circle in the middle of the parchment paper. Sprinkle lightly with cornstarch to avoid sticking.
2. Spoon the egg white mixture inside the circle starting from the middle spread toward the outside edge. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour at 300 Farenheit. Once the time has been reached, slightly open the oven and let it cool inside the oven for at least an hour.
3. In a small bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Add the confectioner’s sugar and beat again to combine. Slice the pavlova into serving size, top with whipped cream, mangoes, and cinnamon. Serve and enjoy!

Note: make sure that no single drop of egg yolk is added on the egg whites.