Spicy Salt and Pepper Tofu

Filipino Style Recipe: Spicy Salt and Pepper Tofu is another easy and simple dish inspired by Chinese cuisine. The tofu was coated in cornstarch then fried until golden brown. The sauce was made up of sauteed garlic, spring onions, dried chili flakes and other seasonings then tossed together with fried tofu. This can be serve as side dish or appetizer.

Estimated time of preparation: 5 minutes.
Estimated time of cooking: 10-15 minutes.
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
400 grams medium firm tofu
3/4 cup cornstarch
3 gloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon spring onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
vegetable oil for frying
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Pat dry tofu then cut into 1 inch cubes.
2. In another bowl, combine cornstarch, salt and pepper then toss tofu until coat evenly.

Part 2
1. In a frying pan, heat oil and fry tofu for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Part 3
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic, spring onions, dried rosemary and chili flakes.
2. Add soy sauce, brown sugar then cook for a few seconds.
3. Add fried tofu and dried basil then toss.
4. Remove form heat then transfer to serving plate. Serve with your favorite dip.

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

Relyenong Bangus

Filipino Style Recipe: Relyenong bangus or stuffed milkfish is one of the most delicious and popular Filipino dish. This dish is considered as special dish because it requires a lot of patience, effort and time. The fish meat sauteed and then cooked with other ingredients and seasonings. The bangus skin stuffed with meat mixture until resembled to original shape then fry until golden brown.

Estimated time of preparation: 60-70 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 40 minutes
Good for 5-6 servings

Ingredients:
1 large-sized bangus(milkfish), scales removed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, finely chopped
1 small sized carrot, cut into small cubes
2 tablespoons raisins
1 large-sized egg, beaten
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons calamansi or lime juice
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons flour
cooking oil for frying

Procedures:
Part 1
1. Using flat side of a knife, gently pound fish then break the spine near the head and on the tail.
2. Insert the spoon through the neck then gently scrape the meat off without breaking the skin.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, marinate the head and skin with soy sauce and calamansi juice for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. In a pot, boil fish meat in water for 5 minutes. Drain
3. Remove remaining bones then flakes the meat. Set aside.

Part 3
1. In a pan, heat oil then saute garlic, onion and carrot.
2. Add fish meat, soy sauce then season with salt and pepper according to taste.
3. Add raisins then cook for 5 minutes while keep stirring. Let it cool then add egg and mix well.

Part 4
1. Stuff the bangus with mixture until it resembles to original shape.
2. Dredge the fish with flour then fry in a low heat until golden brown.
3. Let it cool before slicing.

Note:
1. You may also cook relyenong bangus into oven by wrapping it with wilted banana leaves or aluminum foil then bake for 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.

Mongolian Shrimp Rice Toppings

Filipino Style Recipe: Mongolian shrimp rice toppings is another easy and simple dish inspired by Chinese cuisine. The shrimps coated in flour, egg, salt and pepper then fried until light brown. The sauce is consists of soy sauce, oyster sauce, wine, water, brown sugar and other seasonings. Toss in fried shrimps to coat then serve with steamed rice.

Estimated time of preparation: 5-8 minutes
Estimated time of cooking: 25-30 minutes
Good for 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
500 grams fresh shrimps, peeled and discard heads
1/4 cup flour
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ginger powder
a dash of dried chili flakes
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons red wine
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste
cooking oil for frying

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, combine flour, egg, salt and pepper then mix until well blended.
2. Add shrimps then toss to coat.

Part 2
1. In a frying pan, heat oil then fry shrimps for 5 minutes or until light brown. Drain on paper towels.
2. In a same pan, reduce oil then stir cook the garlic, ginger and chili flakes.
3. Add the remaining ingredients then simmer until reduce in half and start to thickens.

Part 3
1. In a bowl, combine fried shrimps and the sauce then toss to coat. Serve with steamed rice then sprinkle with spring onions.

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.

Egg Sandwich Spread

Filipino Style Recipe: Egg sandwich spread is a very simple and easy to prepare spread that consists of chopped hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, onion, salt and pepper then mix until well blended. This is commonly spread into bread together with tomatoes and lettuce.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20 minutes
Good for 5-6 servings

Ingredients:
3 eggs
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 small onion, finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a pot, put eggs then pour enough water then bring to boil for 2 minutes.
2. Turn off the heat then cover with lid for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the eggs then rinse with water until cooled. Remove shell.

Part 2
1. In a bowl, chop or grate the hard-boiled eggs.
2. Add onions, mayonnaise, salt and pepper then mix until well blended.
3. Spread egg mixture into loaf bread and serve. You can also add tomatoes and lettuce into the sandwich.

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.

Cheesecake Brownies

Filipino Style Recipe: Cheesecake brownies is another variety of chocolate brownies marbled with cheesecake. This kind of brownie has an extraordinary design comes with chocolate buttons inside. This can be serve together with coffee or milk and commonly serve as mid-afternoon snack.

Estimated time of preparation: 40 minutes
Estimated time of baking: 30 minutes
Good for 16 brownies

Ingredients:
Cheesecake layer:
1 pack(225 grams) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup dark chocolate buttons

Chocolate layer:
1/2 cup dark chocolate buttons
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Procedures
Part 1
1. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar then beat until smooth.
2. Add egg and beat again until well blended then add chocolate buttons. Set aside.

Part 2
1. In another bowl, melt chocolate and butter together by putting it under boiling water then stir until well blended.
2. Add in sugar, vanilla, and eggs into chocolate mixture while continuously mixing.
3. Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt into chocolate mixture then mix until just blended.

Part 3
1. Grease a 9 inch square baking pan with melted butter then line with wax paper. Brush butter on the paper.
2. Pour half of the chocolate mixture over the baking pan then spread the cream cheese mixture over the first layer.
3. Pour the remaining chocolate mixture on top then swirl a knife on top to make marble pattern.
4. Bake in a preheated oven over 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes or until top is crinkled.
5. Remove from the oven and let it cool, remove the wax paper then cut into squares. Refrigerate before serving.

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.