Ginataang Hipon at Kalabasa


Ingredients:
500 grams shrimps
1/2 squash(kalabasa), peeled and cut into cubes
1 bundle string beans(sitaw), cut in 3 inches long.
1 tablespoon shrimp paste
1 can coconut milk
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
2 pieces green chili(siling haba)
cooking oil
salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients:
Part 1
1. In a saucepan, heat cooking oil and saute onion and garlic.
2. Add shrimps then stir cook for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a same pan, add shrimp paste and coconut milk then bring to boil.
2. Add the squash then cook 15 minutes or until soft.
3. Put the sauteed shrimps back then add string beans, cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add green chili then season with salt and pepper according to taste. Add water if necessary.
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes then remove from heat. Serve and enjoy.

Choco Mocha Cheesecake

Christmas is just around the corner and you might be planning on what to include on your Noche Buena. You may consider this cheesecake recipe and prepare it ahead of time (like a day before) and keep in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:
For the crust
1 cup crushed grahams
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoon sugar

For the filling:
2 packs (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup dark chocolate,melted
2 teaspoon mocha flavor (I used Ferna)
Chocolate shavings for garnish

Procedures:
1. To prepare the crust, combine the ingredients and press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
2. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese using an electric mixer until smooth and no lumps remain. Gradually add the sugar until well blended. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating after each addition until just incorporated. Do not over beat at this point. Add the vanilla until well blended.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg white until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Get 1/3 of the egg white and fold into the cream cheese mixture until well blended. Add the remaining egg whites and fold.Divide the mixture into two.
4. For half of the mixture, fold in the dark chocolate. For the other half, mix the mocha flavoring. Get the crust from the refrigerator and pour the chocolate mixture. Then gently scoop the mocha mixture over the chocolate mixture to form the second layer.
5. Bake in preheated oven at 350 Fahrenheit for 50-60 minutes or until the outer layer is no longer wet but still jiggles when shaken. Note: do not open the oven to check no earlier than 45 minutes. When done, slightly open the oven and let the cheesecake stay inside for about an hour. Then remove from oven to let it cool completely before refrigerating. Garnish with chocolate shavings before serving.

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.

Coconut Crusted Chicken

This recipe is a twist on the usual breaded chicken. Using desiccated coconut as crust gives the necessary crunch to this chicken recipe and a nice aroma.Dip with your favorite sauce such as sweet chili sauce or garlic mayo.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo chicken breast fillet, halved or chicken tenders
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, finely ground
2 egg whites
1 cup desiccated coconut
vegetable oil for deep frying

Procedures:
1. In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, salt, cayenne, and black pepper,
2. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until frothy.
3. In another bowl, put the desiccated coconut.
4. Pound chicken fillet to tenderize. For each piece of chicken, dredge in cornstarch mixture, shake off excess. Next, dip into the egg white. Then, press each side into the coconut to coat.
5. Heat oil (deep enough to cover the chicken fillet) into a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken until cooked, around 5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken and drain excess oil. Serve with sweet chili sauce.

Ginisang Sitaw at Kalabasa with Fried Tilapia

Simple, budget friendly, and healthy dish that you can serve to your family. Best served with steaming rice.

Ingredients:
1 piece tilapia, cleaned and halved
1/2 squash(kalabasa), peeled and cut into cubes
1 bundle string beans (sitaw), cut into 2inch long
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
cooking oil
1 cup water
salt
fish sauce and ground pepper to taste

Procedures:
1. Wash tilapia, dry, and sprinkle with salt. In a frying pan, heat oil and fry tilapia on both sides until brown . Remove from pan and set aside.
2. In another pan, heat oil then saute garlic and onion.Add tomatoes then continue sauteing for 5 minutes or until soft.
3. Add vegetables and stir cook for a minute, then add water and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Season with fish sauce and pepper according to taste.
6. Cook until veggies are tender, add the fried tilapia and let it boil for 1 minute. Transfer to serving plate and serve.

Red Velvet Cupcake

The all time favorite red velvet cupcake is very simple to do. On this recipe, I used buttermilk powder instead of my usual sour cream. The output is still the same soft and velvety cupcake. The perfect frosting for red velvet which is cream cheese frosting is also included in the recipe.

Cupcake Ingredients:
1 tablespoon buttermilk powder
1/2 cup water
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
3 cuos sifted confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heart Shaped Sprinkles (optional)

Procedures:
For the cupcake:
1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Dissolve buttermilk powder in water and set aside.
2. In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.In another bowl, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg, buttermilk, red food coloring and vanilla.
3. Add the dry ingredients and stir into the batter until just blended. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and baking soda. Stir and pour into the batter and fold.
4. Spoon batter into prepared cupcake cups.Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let it cool before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting
1. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners’ sugar. Frost cooled cupcakes and add spinkles.

Pork Hamonado Roll


Ingredients
1 kilo pork loin, sliced thinly and long enough to roll
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup soda (sprite/7-Up)
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 cloves garlic
1 carrot sliced into strips
sausage or hotdog, can be halved vertically
cheddar cheese, sliced into strips

Procedures
1. In a bowl, prepare the marinade by combining the soy sauce, soda, pineapple juice, brown sugar and garlic. Mix until the sugar is dissolved.
2. In a flat and clean surface, arrange the carrots, hotdog and cheese at one edge of the meat. Roll to form like a log. Secure with string. Do the same for the rest of the ingredients.
3. Put the rolls into a container and pour the soy sauce mixture over it and marinate overnight or for at least 1-2 hours.
4. Once ready to cook, heat pan with oil, put the meat and sear on all sides until light brown. Get 1 cup from the marinade and add to the meat. Simmer for 30 minutes, flipping the meat from time to time, until the sauce is thick and the meat is cooked.You may add sauce if the meat is not yet cooked.
5. Once cooked, remove the meat from pan. Cut the string and slice pork into serving pieces and transfer to serving dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the meat.

Pan-Fried Pork Gyoza


Ingredients:
gyoza or dumpling wrappers

Filling:
4 cups cabbage, chopped into small pieces
250 grams ground pork
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
salt and ground white pepper to taste
ground white pepper

Dipping Sauce:
2/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a large bowl, combine cabbage and 1/2 teaspoon salt then let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Squeeze the cabbage firmly to discard excess water.
3. In a large bowl, combine cabbage, ground pork, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and ground white pepper then mix evenly with your hand.

Part 2
1. Scoop a spoonful of mixture then place in the center of wrapper.
2. Moisten the entire edge of wrapper with water then fold in half.
3. Seal and crimp the edges then press against bottom into sheet pan.
4. Repeat the procedures to remaining mixture.

Part 3
1. In a pan, heat 1 teaspoon oil then arrange dumplings in it flat side facing down.
2. Cook the bottom for a few minutes until light browned.
3. Slowly pour hot water until half submerged. Cover and cook until the water has evaporated.
4. Transfer the Gyoza into plate then serve with dipping sauce.

Cheesy Dulce de Leche Cake

The sweetness of the dulce de leche is balanced with the cheese. The cake base is very easy to prepare and came out soft and moist. Perfect with your favorite coffee or tea.

Ingredients:
Cupcake:
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 pieces egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 lemon juiced and zested with 1/2 cup hot water

Dulce de Leche:
1 cup condensed milk
2 cupa evaporated milk
2 piece egg yolk
2 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoon butter
1 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated for topping

Procedures:
1.In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Add the milk, egg, oil, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Mix until all ingredients are well blended.
3. Pour batter in 8 inch springform pan. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.Remove from oven and let it cool.
4. In a saucepan combine the condensed milk, evaporated milk, egg yolk, and cornstarch. Mix until the egg and cornstarch as well blended.
5. Cook over medium heat while stirring consistently until mixture becomes thick around 20-30 minutes.Cake is done when it springs back to the touch
6. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and butter.Let it cool before frosting the cake. Top with grated cheese

Crispy Sweet and Sour Meatballs


Ingredients:
Meatballs:
500 grams ground pork or ground beef
1 tablespoon cornstarch or 1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 raw egg
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon soy sauce(optional)
1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce(optional)
1 small carrot, finely chopped(optional)
2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped(optional)

Crispy Coating:
breadcrumbs
1 raw egg, beaten
1 tablespoon flour
cooking oil for frying

Sweet and Sour Sauce:
1/2 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 tablespoons vinegar
1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch(dissolved in 1 tablespoon water)
1 small carrot, sliced thinly
1 cup green and red bell pepper, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 cup pineapple chunks, juice drained(optional)

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, mix egg and flour until well blended. Set aside.

Part 2(Skip this procedure if you are using premade meatballs from the market)
1. In a bowl, combine all the meatballs ingredients and mix thoroughly.
2. Scoop and form the mixture into 1 tablespoons ball shaped.
3. Dip each ball into mixture then roll into breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
4. In a frying pan, heat oil and deep fry until crisp and golden brown. Drain and set aside.

Part 3
1. In a sauce pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat and saute garlic and onions.
2. Add carrots and bell pepper then stir fry for 2 minutes.
3. Add pineapple chunks and stir fry for 1 minute.
4. Add tomato sauce, vinegar, water, brown sugar and a dash of salt. Mix well and let it boil.
5. Add cornstarch mixture and cook until desired thickness is reached.
6. Add fried meatballs and simmer for 2 minutes.
7. Adjust seasoning according to taste.
8. Serve with steamed rice.