Kangkong with Bagoong

Filipino Style Recipe: Kangkong(water spinach) with bagoong guisado(sauteed shrimp paste) is an easy and simple side dish. Kangkong is usually steamed or blanched for 2-3 minutes then rinse in cold water to maintain the color, texture, flavor and stop the cooking. This is usually serve during breakfast with sauteed shrimp paste.

Estimated time preparation and cooking: 15-20 minutes
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
1 bunch Kangkong(water spinach), trimmed
5 cups water for boiling

Sauteed Shrimp Paste:
1/2 cup bagoong alamang(shrimp paste)
100 grams pork, cut into small pieces
4 gloves garlic, finely minced
1 onion, finely minced
1 large tomatoes, minced
sugar and vinegar to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute, garlic, onion and tomatoes until soft.
2. Add the pork and cook for until golden brown.
3. Add bagoong alamang, vinegar and sugar then simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a pot, boil water then blanch kangkong for 3 minutes.
2. In a strainer, drain kangkong and rinse with cold water.
3. Let the excess water drip off then cut into 5 inch.
4. Arrange in a serving plate then serve with sauteed shrimp paste.

Notes:
1. If you want to skip Part 1, sauteed shrimp paste is also available in grocery stores. I recommend a regular sauteed shrimp paste from Dizon farm.

Steamed Crab

Filipino Style Recipe: Steamed Crab(alimasag) is a simple and easy seafood dish. The crabs simmered in water with salt, I used soda instead to have a sweeter taste. Crabs cooked for less than 8-10 minutes or until the crabs cooked and turns to bring red. This dish is usually served as appetizer or pulutan with toyo-mansi with bird’s eye chili(labuyo).

Ingredients:
1 kilo fresh crabs(alimasag), cleaned
1/2 cup soda
2 teaspoons salt

Procedures:
1. In a large pot, combine crabs and the rest of ingredients.
2. Cover and simmer in medium heat for 10 minutes or until crabs color turns to bright red.
3. Remove from heat then transfer to serving plate. Done.

Puto Pao

Filipino Style Recipe: Puto pao is another Filipino delicacy that usually served during meryenda(mid-afternoon snack). Puto Pao is similar to plain puto stuffed with filling same as siopao. There are several versions of puto pao, in this recipe we will make asado for the filling.

Estimated time of preparation: 20 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients:
Batter:
500 grams all purpose flour
250 grams white sugar
1/4 cup baking powder
2-1/2 cups water
1 cup powdered milk
3 pieces whole eggs
3 tablespoons butter

Filling:
500 grams ground pork or beef
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 piece laurel leaf
1 piece star anise
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons cooking oil

Toppings:
1/2 cheddar cheese, sliced
4 salted eggs, sliced

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder then pour water, powdered milk and stir well.
2. Add eggs and butter then mix until well blended. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic then add ground meat and stir cook for 3 minutes.
2. Add the rest of the filling ingredients and cook until tender and the sauce thickened.
3. Discard anise and laurel. Set aside.

Part 3
1. In a muffin cups, pour a little amount of batter then add a tablespoon of filling.
2. Cover the filling with another amount of batter until cup is half full.
3. Top with salted egg and cheese then steam for 10-15 minutes or until done.(puto pao is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)

Hardinera

Filipino Style Recipe: Hardinera is a special and popular dish in Lucban Quezon. It is made up of chunk pork cooked in tomato sauce, then mixed with beaten eggs together with other ingredients. Place in a glass or aluminum molds then steamed or baked until firm. This is similar to pork everlasting of Marikina and looks like meatloaf or embutido.

Estimated time of preparation: 20 minutes
Estimated total time of cooking: 60 minutes

Ingredients:
1/4 kilo pork, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup tomato sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
200 grams luncheon meat or sausages, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup pineapple chunks
1 small size carrot, cut into small cubes
2 tablespoons sweet pickled relish
1/4 cup raisins
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup pork broth
2 tablespoons cooking oil
salt and pepper to taste

1 small red bell pepper, cut into diced(optional)
1/4 cup liver spread(optional)
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese(optional)
1/2 cup bread crumbs(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a casserole, heat oil then saute garlic, onion and pork for 3-5 minutes.
2. Add pork broth and tomato sauce then stir and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender and the liquid is absorb and sizzle. Remove from heat and set aside.

Part 2
In a bowl, combine cooked pork and the rest of the ingredients. Mix until well combined.

Part 3
1. In a glass or grease aluminum molds, put the mixture and spread evenly.
2. Cover with aluminum foil then steam or bake for at least 45 minutes or until firm.
3. Remove the molds then transfer to serving plate. Serve hot.

Pork Spareribs with Black Beans

Filipino Style Recipe: Pork spareribs with black beans is a popular among Chinese restaurant. Normally the spareribs marinade and steamed until the meat is tender.

Estimated time preparation and cooking: 40-50 minutes
Good for 4-6 persons

Ingredients:
1 kilo pork spareribs, cut into serving pieces
1/2 cup black beans, sauteed
1/2 cup cornstarch
4 teaspoons garlic, chopped and fried
2 teaspoons oyster sauce
3 pieces green pepper, cut into strips
4 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoons white pepper
1 piece raw egg, beaten(optional)
spring onions for garnishing(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except green pepper.
2. Marinate spareribs, covered in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours.

Part 2
1. Using steam boiler, transfer spareribs in a deep steaming plate then top with green pepper.
2. Steam over high heat for about 25 minutes or until spareribs are cooked and tender.
3. Remove and garnish with spring onions. Serve hot.

Tips:
1. You may also fry the spareribs instead of steaming.