Pata Tim: The Western Way

Filipino Style Recipe: PATA TIM (CHINESE-FLAVORED STEWED PIG’S FRONT HOCK PROCESSED THE WESTERN WAY) Of Chinese origin, PATA TIM has been modified into various presentation, ingredients’ mix and cooking style.

I grew up in a family where one of its variations “Paksiw Na Pata”(Filipinos’ vinegar based stewed hock) was served once a month. Succeeding recipe will NOT make use of “bulaklak ng saging” (banana blossom) but just carrots & shiitake mushroom that Westerners love. This recipe has been adopted by many friends-cooks, adding little tweaks, for their signature secrets.

Pangs (my spouse) and I labored on these 2 dishes: a different “PATA TIM’ & the technologically innovated U.S. BEEF MECHADO, (for next posting) nights before, to serve to our kids and grandkids out on weekend of June 28 & 29 to Subic Bay, Olongapo City, Phils. for their 5i50 triathlon. In mind, well prepared offerings over steamed rice will surely perk their stamina up in time for next day’s arduous match. Try. Your family will love this “DIFFERENT PATA TIM”.

INGREDIENTS:
1 piece fully cleaned pig’s front hock – with still a little of trotters attached but hooves cut off (USA and Canadian front hocks command higher prices than back for they are meatier)

ANTI-FOUL SMELL BOILING SOLUTION:
Enough tap water to cover entire hock in a casserole.
20 ml. any red wine
3 grams salt dissolved well

PRESSURE COOKER SOLUTION:
Enough tap water to cover pre-boiled hock.
40 ml. soy sauce
3 grams salt
20 grams brown sugar
3 grams crushed black pepper
6 cloves crushed garlic
5 pieces star anise
2 pieces sliced “labuyo” (bird’s eye chilies)

OVEN TOASTER’S SEARING MIX:
15 ml. palm oil (or palm olein)
6 cloves crushed garlic, finely chopped

FINAL SAUCE MIX:
200 ml. of left over Pressure Cooker Solution
1 medium carrot sliced
5 pieces sliced shiitake mushrooms soaked in water for 30 minutes
10 grams corn starch dissolved in 30 ml. water (slurry-thickener)
3 grams chili powder (NOT chili pepper powder. Chili powder contains 5 or more spice-herb combination plus salt while Chili Pepper Powder is just the powder presentation of that particular chili pepper).
20 ml. soy sauce
15 grams brown sugar

PROCEDURES:
Part 1
1. Bring to boil your well blended anti-foul smell boiling solution.
2. Once boiling starts, set timer and boil for 20 minutes. Discard water. Set aside hock.

Part 2
1. In pressure cooker, add in ALL ingredients tumble thoroughly until no lumps are evident.
2. Lay pre-boiled hock, cover, attach nozzle and start under medium heat. When whistling starts, pressure cook for 30 minutes.
3. Done…subject pressure cooker to running tap water, when whistling stops slowly remove nozzle-open cooker.
4. Remove hock set aside including pressure cooker solution.

Part 3
1. Rub palm oil of the oven toaster’s searing mix unto all sides of hock. Rub crushed garlic as well. Lay unto toaster pan.
2. Set toaster to high temp, ensuring top heating rod is in fiery-red state, wedge toaster pan in topmost slot for quick searing. Toast for 10 minutes each side.
3. While you are on this searing stage, in a pan, heat the 200 ml. leftover pressure cooker solution.
4. Add in sliced carrots, drained shiitake mushrooms, chili powder, soy sauce and brown sugar. Boil for 2 minutes.
5. While boiling pour in slurry and stirring constantly, continue for few seconds until sauce thickens. Make your desired adjustments on saltiness & sweetness level, should you wish.
6. Lay seared hock unto plate and pour in your sauce. Garnish. Serve. Watch your family’s happy smiles.

Cream Dory in Sweet Soy Sauce

Filipino Style Recipe: Cream dory in sweet soy sauce is another simple and quick fish dish that consists of cream dory cooked in sweet soy sauce made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch and sugar. This can be serve together with steamed rice.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 10 minutes
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo cream dory, cut into cubes
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 thumb-sized ginger, grated
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch(dissolved in 1/4 cup water)
1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
salt and pepper to taste
chopped spring onions for garnishing

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, arrange fish and ginger then pour enough water. Bring to boil for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a sauce pan, heat oil then saute garlic and onion.
2. Pour soy sauce, oyster sauce, water and sugar then bring to boil.
3. Add fish then simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add dissolved cornstarch then bring to boil while keep stirring.
5. Add ginger powder, chili flakes then adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Transfer to serving plate then sprinkle with spring onions. Serve hot!

Crispy Fried Luncheon Meat and Tofu

Filipino Style Recipe: Crispy fried luncheon meat and tofu is another simple and easy dish that is usually serve as appetizer or pulutan together with your favorite dip. Luncheon meat and tofu were coated in flour mixture then dip in eggs. Roll luncheon meat and tofu in breadcrumbs then deep fry until golden brown.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 10-12 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
300 grams spicy luncheon meat, cut into serving pieces
200 grams firm tofu, cut into serving pieces
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
oil for frying

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, heat oil then fry tofu until golden brown. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper then mix well. Set aside.
2. Prepare beaten eggs and breadcrumbs into a separate bowls. Set aside.
3. Dredge the luncheon meat into flour mixture then shake off to remove excess flour.
4. Dip in beaten eggs and press into bread crumbs to coat all sides.
5. Repeat the steps for remaining luncheon meat and tofu.

Part 3
1. In a pan, heat oil then fry each luncheon meat and tofu for 5 minutes or until light brown.
2. Drain on paper towel then serve with garlic-mayo dip.

Cream Dory and Pechay in Oyster Sauce

Filipino Style Recipe: Cream dory and pechay in oyster sauce is a simple and quick fish dish that consists of cream dory and pechay cooked together in oyster sauce, soy sauce and other seasonings.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 10 minutes
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo cream dory fillet, cut into serving pieces
a bunch of pechay, trimmed
3 tablespoons soy sauce
4 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 thumb-sized ginger, julienned
a dash of dried chili flakes
2 stalks of onion leeks, chopped
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoons sesame oil
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
1. In a sauce pan, arrange some pechay then place cream dory on top.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients then top with remaining pechay.
3. Cover and simmer in a low heat for 5 minutes then adjust seasoning according to taste.
4. Simmer for another 3 minutes then remove from heat. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

Filipino Style Recipe: sweet and sour fish fillet is another variety of popular sweet and sour dish that is commonly served in Chinese restaurants. The fish fillet comes fried in a crispy batter. Together with other vegetables, the fish fillet mixed in sweet and sour sauce made of pineapple, vinegar, ketchup, sugar and cornstarch. This is usually serve as main dish together with steamed rice.

Estimated time of preparation: 20 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 20-25 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
3/4 kilo fish fillet(I used dory), cut into serving pieces
oil for frying

Coating:
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cornstarch

Sauce:
1 green bell pepper, cut into cubes
1 big can pineapple chunks(reserve juice)
1 medium onion, cut into cubes
3 tablespoon vinegar
4 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons cornstarch(dissolve in 5 tablespoons water)
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, egg, salt and fish fillet then stir to coat evenly.
2. Let sit for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Part 2
1. In a frying pan, heat cooking oil and deep fry fish pieces for 4 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Drain on paper towel and set aside.

Part 3
1. In a sauce pan, heat oil then saute bell pepper and onion. Remove from pan and set aside.
2. Add the pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, salt and brown sugar then bring to boil.
3. Adjust seasoning according to taste then add cornstarch mixture and simmer for another minute or until begin to thickens.
4. Add the fish pieces, bell pepper and onion then mix well. Remove from heat.
5. Remove from heat then transfer to serving plate. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Dory in Creamy White Sauce

Filipino Style Recipe: dory in creamy white sauce is a simple yet flavorful dish. This dish is consists of dory fillets comes fried and then cooked together with mushrooms in creamy white sauce made of butter, milk and cornstarch. This is a healthy main dish that is usually serve together with steamed veggies.

Estimated time of preparation: 15 minutes(plus marinating time)
Estimated time of cooking: 30-35 minutes
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo dory fillets, cut into 4 inches
1/4 cup lemon or calamansi juice
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary(optional)
200 grams sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 cups non-fat milk
1/4 cup cornstarch(dissolved in 1 cup water)
100 grams butter
salt and pepper to taste
100 grams green beans, steamed(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Season dory fillets with rosemary, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Set aside for 15 minutes.
2. In a frying pan, heat oil then fry fish until golden brown.
3. Drain on paper towel and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, pour milk and cornstarch then stir until dissolved. Set aside.

Part 3
1. In a pan, heat oil and melt butter then saute onion until soft.
2. Add mushrooms then stir fry until light brown.
3. Pour milk mixture and bring to boil then season according to taste.
4. Simmer until begin to thickens. Keep stirring.
5. Add fried fish then simmer for another minute.
6. Transfer to serving plate then serve with steamed beans.

Baked Tilapia Parmesan

Filipino Style Recipe: Baked Tilapia Parmesan is a flavorful and easy to prepared. Usually the fish bake for several minutes then spread with cheese coating. Bake for another few minutes until light brown then serve with dipping sauce.

Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of baking: 25-30 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
1 kilo tilapia fillets

Cheese Coating:
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons calamansi juice
1 small onion, minced
1/4 teaspoon parsley or basil, chopped
salt and ground pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine cheese coating ingredients then mix well. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a greased pan or lined with aluminum foil, arrange fish fillet then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Bake in a preheat oven over 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven then spread the cheese coating on top of fish fillet.
4. Bake for another 10 minutes or until light brown.
5. Transfer to serving plate then serve with stir fried beans and remaining cheese coating as dipping sauce.

Honey Sesame Chicken

Filipino Style Recipe: honey sesame chicken is another mouth-watering chicken dish that is commonly served in Chinese restaurants. The chicken comes fried in a crispy batter then tossed in a sweet honey-sesame sauce and served with sprinkled sesame seeds.

Estimated time of preparation: 20 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 20 minutes
Good for 4 servings

Ingredients:
3/4 kilo chicken fillets, cut into cubes
toasted sesame seeds for garnishing
cooking oil for frying

Coating:
1 raw egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
5 tablespoons cornstarch

Sauce:
1 tablespoons sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons cornstarch(dissolved in 3/4 cup water)
2 tablespoons ketchup(optional)
1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine the chicken and coating ingredients then stir to coat the chicken evenly. Let sit for 15 minutes.
2. In a frying pan, heat cooking oil and deep fry chicken for about 7 minutes or until color turns to golden brown. Drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a sauce pan, heat sesame oil then saute ginger and garlic.
2. Add the rest of sauce ingredients then simmer while keep stirring until slightly thickens. Turn off heat.
3. Add chicken pieces then toss to coat. Transfer to serving plate then sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Latik(Coconut Curds)

Filipino Style Recipe: Latik is a solid coconut curds made from coconut milk. The coconut milk cook until almost dry and curdle, this is usually serve together with suman, biko, maja blanca and other desserts.

Good for 1/4 cup latik

Ingredients:
2 cups coconut milk

Procedures:
1. In a sauce pan, cook coconut milk in a low heat while keep stirring until brown and curdle.
2. Remove from heat and drain then serve with suman or biko.

Baked Hickory Smoked Chicken

Filipino Style Recipe: baked hickory smoked chicken is another variety of mouth-watering chicken barbecue dish. Instead of cooking the chicken in hot charcoal, we parboil, marinate in hickory smoked barbecue sauce and bake the chicken until tender.

Estimated time of preparation: 5-10 minutes(plus marinating time)
Estimated time of parboil: 15-20 minutes
Estimated time of baking: 45 minutes
Good for 3-4 persons

Ingredients:
3 pieces chicken leg quarter
1 bottle hickory smoked barbecue sauce
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, arrange chicken then season with salt and pepper.
2. Parboil for 15-20 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
3. Prick the chicken several times with a knife.
4. Brush with hickory smoked barbecue sauce then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Part 2
1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a baking pan, drizzle with olive oil then arrange marinated chicken.
3. Bake chicken for 45 minutes, basting with barbecue sauce every 15 minutes.
4. Remove chicken from the oven and brush again with the barbecue sauce.
5. Transfer to serving plate then serve with steamed broccoli.