Braised Pork in Oyster Sauce

Filipino Style Recipe: Braised pork in oyster sauce is another simple yet delicious pork dish similar to adobo and estofado. I usually cooked pork in a blend of soy sauce, water, sugar, garlic and peppercorn. Then simmered in oyster sauce together with fried bananas and hard-boiled eggs.

Estimated time of preparation: 10-15 minutes(plus marinating time)
Estimated time of cooking: 40-50 minutes
Good for 3-5 persons

Ingredients:
3/4 kilo pork belly, cut into serving pieces
4 pieces plantain bananas(saba), sliced diagonally
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon whole peppercorn
1/8 teaspoon dried chili flakes
10 pieces quail eggs, hard-boiled
1 cup water
cooking oil for frying
2 pieces star anise(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1(optional)
1. In a pan, heat oil and fry the sliced bananas until golden brown. Drain and set aside.
2. In a casserole, combine pork, garlic, soy sauce, water, sugar, star anise and peppercorn then marinate for 30 minutes.

Part 2
1. Place the casserole in a stove then cook pork for 30 minutes or until tender. Add more water if necessary.
2. Add oyster sauce, fried bananas, hard-boiled quail eggs and chili flakes then simmer for 2 minutes.
3. Adjust seasoning according to taste then continue cooking until the sauce is thicken.
4. Transfer to serving plate then serve with steamed rice.

Sarciadong Ampalaya

Filipino Style Recipe: Sarciadong ampalaya or bitter gourd sarciado is another healthy yet affordable dish. The bitter gourd sauteed with ground pork then cooked and simmered with tomatoes and beaten eggs.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes(plus soaking time)
Estimated time of cooking: 15-20 minutes
Good for 4-6 servings

Ingredients:
2 bitter gourd(ampalaya), seeded and sliced thinly
3 medium-sized tomatoes, diced
2 pieces eggs, beaten
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup water
250 grams ground pork(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Rub bitter gourd with salt and leave for 10 minutes then squeeze until the juice comes out. Rinse, drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic, onion and tomatoes.
2. Add ground pork and cook until brown.
3. Add water and bring to boil then add bitter gourd. Cover and simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Add beaten eggs then stir cook until eggs are firm.
5. Season with salt and pepper according to taste. Remove from heat and serve hot!

Cheesy Baked Pasta

Filipino Style Recipe: Cheesy Baked Pasta is another mouth-watering pasta dish made with beef, bell peppers, sausages and red sauce. The pasta and beef mixture tossed together then sprinkled with grated cheese. Baked in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 30 minutes
Good for 8 persons

Ingredients:
400 grams fusilli or spiral pasta
500 grams ground beef
7-8 pieces jumbo hotdogs, sliced diagonally
2 green bell peppers, diced
600 grams tomato sauce
1 large white onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
175 grams mozzarella or quick melt cheese, grated
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 pan, heat oil then saute onion and garlic, add ground beef the stir cook until light brown.
2. Add the hotdogs and half of the bell pepper, season with salt and pepper then simmer for 2-3 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, beef mixture and tomato sauce then toss to combine.

Part 3.
1. In a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, spread the pasta and beef mixture evenly.
2. Arrange the remaining bell peppers then top with shredded cheese.
3. Bake in preheated oven over 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
4. Remove from the oven then serve immediately together with garlic bread.

Nilagang Buto-buto ng Baka

Filipino Style Recipe: nilagang buto-buto ng baka is an easy yet delicious Filipino soup dish. This soup dish is so simple to prepare but time consuming. The beef simmered for an hour until tender then cooked with corn cob, potatoes, carrots and other veggies. This is so popular and can be served anytime or the best during rainy season.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 60-80 minutes
Good for 3-5 persons

Ingredients:
500 grams beef ribs, cut into serving pieces
7 cups water(add more if necessary)
1 onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon peppercorn
2 potatoes, quartered
1 bundle bok choy(pechay)
1/2 small cabbage leaves(repolyo), cut into serving pieces
fish sauce or salt to taste
1 piece beef bouillon cube(optional)
1 carrots, cut into serving pieces(optional)
1/2 bundle green beans, trimmed and cut into 3-4inch(optional)
1 Japanese corn cob, cut into serving pieces

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large casserole, place the beef and add water. Set over medium heat and bring to a boil and simmer for about 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender. (Remove the scum as it rises.)
2. Add more water if necessary. Pressure cooker only takes 30 minutes.

Part 2
1. Add onion, peppercorn, beef bouillon cube and sprinkle some salt.
2. Add corn, potatoes, and carrots then continue cooking until cooked.
3. Add the green beans then simmer for 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning according to taste.
4. Add cabbage and pechay then simmer for another minute.
5. Transfer to serving bowl then serve hot with steamed rice. Enjoy

Pasta Marinara

Filipino Style Recipe: Pasta Marinara is an Italian dish that has become popular in the Philippines. The sauce is consists of tomato paste, tomatoes, and bell pepper. This is commonly prepared over or toss with pasta then sprinkle with grated cheese.

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

Ingredients:
400 grams Fusilli pasta or any pasta
4 cloves garlic
1 medium onion, chopped
6 tomatoes, diced
1 small pack tomato paste
1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
1/4 cup water
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, saute onion and garlic then add bell pepper. Continue sauteing for 2 minutes.
2. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and water and keep stirring until the mixture is boiling.
3. Cover with lid and simmer for 20 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
4. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
5. Remove from heat and toss with the cooked pasta. Sprinkle with grated cheese then serve.

Note:
1. You may also add seafood like shrimps or squid if you prefer.

Sinigang na Baka

Filipino Style Recipe: Sinigang na baka is another variety of tamarind soup dish that consists of beef boiled in a low heat until tender then 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: 120 minutes
Good for 4-6 persons

Ingredients:
1 kilo beef, 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 water
1 radish, sliced(optional)

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

Part 2
1. In a casserole, place beef, salt then pour water.
2. Bring to boil in a low heat for 1 1/2 hours or until beef is tender. Add more water if necessary. (Pressure cooker takes less time.)
3. Add onion, tomatoes, and tamarind juice then bring to boil.
4. Add gabi then simmer until tender.
5. 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.

Strawberry Milkshake

Filipino Style Recipe: Strawberry milkshake is one of the popular refreshing beverage. This beverage is made of strawberries, milk, yogurt or ice cream and cubed ice. This refreshing beverage is similar to other healthy shakes that are best to serve during summer season.

Estimated time of preparation: 5-8 minutes
Good for 4-5 glasses

Ingredients:
400 grams fresh strawberries
2 cups yogurt or ice cream(vanilla/strawberry flavor)
1 cup fresh milk
1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup white sugar

Procedures:
1. In a blender, process strawberries, milk, and ice cream until blended.
2. Add ice and sugar then blend until smooth, add more sugar if needed.
3. Pour into glasses then garnish with fresh strawberry. Serve cold.

Notes:
1. You may also use yogurt as alternative to ice cream.

Seafood Salad with Lime Dressing

Filipino Style Recipe: Seafood salad with lime dressing is another type of salad consists of seafood, celery, tomatoes, onion and parsley then tossed in lime dressing. Seafood salad is a simple and easy to prepare dish. This is commonly served as appetizer and ideal for those on diet and health-conscious.

Estimated time of cooking: 8-10 minutes
Estimated time of preparation: 20 minutes
Good for 3-4 servings

Ingredients:
300 grams shrimps, peeled and deveined
300 grams squid bodies, cut into rings
350 grams fresh tuna fillet, cut into cubed
3 tomatoes, deseeded and diced
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 white onions, chopped
1/2 tablespoons paprika(optional)

Dressing:
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup lime juice
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a shallow bowl, combine dressing ingredients.
2. Season tuna with a dash of salt and pepper. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a frying pan, heat oil then cook tuna for 3 minutes or until done. Drain and set aside.
2. In a pot, bring water to boil. Add a dash of salt then boil shrimps for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. In a same boiling water, boil squids for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Part 3
1. In a large bowl, combine seafood and the rest of ingredients.
2. Pour lime dressing over the salad then toss and sprinkle with parsley. Serve.

Blueberry Cheese Cupcakes

Filipino Style Recipe: Blueberry Cheese Cupcakes is a thick and soft sweetened dessert made of cream cheese, eggs, sour cream and sugar. Pour and spread in hard biscuit crust usually made from finely crushed Oreo cookies or graham crackers and then baked until firm. Topped with blueberry pie filling and chilled before serving.

Estimated time of preparation: 30-40 minutes
Estimated time of baking: 30 minutes(plus chilling time)
Good for 15-18 cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 can blueberry pie filling/topping

Crust:
2 packs Oreo cookies, discard filling, finely crushed
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 tablespoon sugar

Filling:
3 Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons flour
3/4 tablespoon vanilla
4 raw eggs

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a mixing bowl, combine crushed Oreo, sugar, and butter then mix until well combined.(Mixture should be moist, add more butter if too dry).
2. In a muffin pan, place paper cups then spread and press down the Oreo mixture up to 1/4 inch thick. Let it set for at least 5 minutes.

Part 2
1. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar until well blended.
2. Add sour cream, flour, and vanilla then mix well.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing slowly until just blended.
4. Pour and spread the filling evenly into the crust.

Part 3
1. Bake in preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
2. Remove from oven and let it cool then top with blueberry pie filling.
3. Chill for at least 4 hours. Serve.

(thanks Ms. Rochelle for sharing)

Panzanella

Filipino Style Recipe: Panzanella is another type of salad made of bread, tomatoes, onion and basil then dressed with olive oil and vinegar. Panzanella salad is a simple and easy to prepare which is ideal for those on diet and health-conscious. This dish is popular in Italy and commonly serve as appetizer specially during summer season.

Estimated time of preparation: 30 minutes
Good for 3-4 servings

Ingredients:
200 grams croutons
6-8 ripe tomatoes, diced
1 red onions, chopped
1 tablespoon capers
3 tablespoons black olives, sliced
a bunch of fresh basil, torn into pieces

Dressing:
8 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
4 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a separate bowl, olive oil, garlic, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper then mix well.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, combine croutons, tomatoes, onions, capers and black olives.
2. Pour dressing over the salad then toss and set aside for 20 minutes.
3. sprinkle basil then toss again before serving.