Maligayang Pasko!

Merry Christmas Everyone!



... and i am very sorry if i wasn't able to cook and share recipes with you lately. I've been so busy with all the things this Christmas season brings.

Happy Holidays
and
God Bless!


(gee ann trying to reach for the christmas ball. so cute! *smiles*)

Lumpia

This is our version of spring roll. It is very seldom that we do not have this dish during family celebrations. For this one, here are...

The Ingredients

1/2 kilo ground pork
2 large carrots, julienned
1/4 kilo fresh green beans, julienned
1 kl Ubod (heart of palm), julienned
1 large red onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
cooking oil
lumpia wrapper

here's how

saute garlic and onion, add the ground pork and a dash of salt.
Stir well until the pork turns light brown.
Add the vegetables, season with salt and pepper.
Mix well until the vegetables are half cooked.
Remove from heat, drain excess fats.
Set Aside.

To assemble the lumpia...

Lay one sheet of lumpia wrapper, get another one and cut into half.
Place the half sheet over the 1st sheet of lumpia wrapper (on the edge nearest you).
Place 2 tablespoon of the filling.
Roll the wrapper towards the center.
Fold the sides then continue to roll.
Use beaten egg to seal the lumpia

Fry until golden brown.
Drain excess oil.
Serve..

with dipping sauce

for the sweet & sour sauce

1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste
1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water

On a sauce pan combine vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, water, sugar and salt, and boil for 2 minutes. Thicken with cornstarch mixture. Makes 1 1/4 cup

for the Vinegar Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup vinegar
salt
4 cloves garlic, minced

Tip of the day!

You can use other vegetables for fillings such as squash, bean sprouts, cabbage, sweet potatoes and singkamas (turnips).

What is Julienned?

According to wikipedia, Julienning is a method of food preparation in which the food item is cut into long thin strips.

i'ts been a while since my last post... got sick, been busy with my work and all... the result... no cooking done and no blog post as well...*sad* so while kuting is warming up for her kitchen come back... let's have lunch at Chowking for the mean time... *big grin*

i've got beef chow fan, fried tofu & iced tea



I love fried tofu (tokwa/bean curd)!

what to try this at home... here's how
Prepare the sauce first.
On a small bowl, mix minced garlic, chopped onions, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, salt.
Measurements for this depends on your taste. You can add chili (sauce/powder/flakes) if you want it a little bit hot. Set aside.
Fry the tofu until golden brown. Cut into 1/2-inch cube.
Place on a serving dish, pour the sauce and top with spring onions.
Serve hot!

Wok with Yan!

Since I was a child, I have always loved to watch cooking shows. While other kids watch cartoons, the tv at our house was tuned in to my very first favorite cooking show... Wok with Yan. *wink* A very popular Chinese cooking show which was aired here in the Philippines during the 80's. Hosted by Stephen Yan, a very energetic and cheerful chef. His sense of humor was fascinating that makes cooking looks so easy. I guess that is why people love watching his show.

I tried to find video clips of any of the episodes. Sadly, I can't find one...

Gee Ann's 1st Birthday!

Last November 8,2008 was my niece Gee Ann's birthday.

Most of the foods served are Filipino Deli.
Inay's Springrolls was a hit... well... as always! *big grin*
I'll be posting it's recipe soon. *wink*

Gee Ann's birthday cake from Goldilock's Bakeshop. Yummy!
Chocolate cake covered with colorful icing.

One of the games during the party is the Pabitin (lattice of goddies). Kid's stuffs such as toys and candies are placed on the lattice (balag). Then it will be hung on a place where it can be easily raised or lowered and where the kids can freely move. The kids will have jump to reach for the prizes when the lattice is lowered. This is the most loved game during kiddie parties.

After the long day of fun...

it's time to rest... shhh.... *wink*

Sago!

Sago pearls in fruit shakes and other artificially flavored shakes have been a craze here in the Philippines. But the idea started with traditional sweetened Sago pearls. *wink*

I really thought that Sago is a Filipino term and Tapioca is its English term. It's just recently that the two came from different starch. *big grin*

Served during Gohan's birthday last October 21... Sweetened Sago pearls served with evaporated milk... The guests love this dessert.

Get Together!

At long last... i finally find time to go to Manila to meet my former workmates at The Alexandra Condos. (after 4 years! whew!) *big grin*

Loa & Summer


It was past lunch time when we met at SM Megamall, so we decided to eat before heading to TAC. Loa suggested that we eat at sbarro, Summer and I agreed without second thought. *super big grin*... sbarro is where we usually eat after work, we all love pasta & pizza *wink*





I've got a slice of Chicago White Pizza which i shared with Loa since the serving's so big. And of course my personal fave, sbarro's baked zitti with meatballs sauce.

Oh! i guess i was really hungry that time that i forgot to take pictures before we eat!

and now... i am craving for pasta & pizza... *waaaahh*

Palitaw

Kakanin Saturday

Another Filipino Deli made out of malagkit (sticky/glutinous) rice.

Here's how: Malagkit rice is soaked in water and then ground. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the thick batter, roll up into ball and then flatten on the palm of your hand. Drop into boiling water. When it floats, remove from the water and then coat with grated coconuts. Serve with dip made out of sugar and roasted linga (sesame seeds).





if you don't have the machine to grind soaked malagkit rice, you can use malakit rice flour (dry) then mix it with water to create a thick batter/dough. *wink*

my sisters' treasure!

Proof of my family's love for cooking... *wink*

My Ate Glyn's cooking "notebook".
All handwritten recipes, from soups to desserts and even sandwiches. I wasn't able to ask her where she got all those recipes. *big grin*



...and my Ate Gina's Kitchenomics collection.
She's even a member of the Kitchenomics Club.

Banana Cue

One way to prepare plantain banana (saging na saba). This mirienda treat is popularly known as "Sundot Saging" here in Batangas.

I really haven't tried to make banana cue... i just bought these. *wink*

But I have seen how the vendors cook this... As what I have observed... here's how....

On a deep pan, pour a generous amount of cooking oil. When the oil is already hot, put about 3 cups of brown sugar. Once the sugar is already caramelized, put the plantain banana, slowly stir for a few minutes. Make sure that the banana is fully coated with sugar. Then it's ready to serve.

Ukoy

Ukoy
(Shrimp Patty)

This is one dish my eldest bro Kuya Gerry usually makes. I can say that he is the best cook among my siblings... I hope my Ate Glyn will agree since she is a good cook as well... (love you ate!) *wink*

the ingredients

1/2 kilo small shrimps
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red onion, finely chopped
3 eggs, well beaten
3 table spoon all purpose flour
salt and pepper, to taste
spring onions, chopped (optional)
cooking oil

here's how:

Put all the ingredients on a bowl except for the cooking oil.
Mix the ingredients until all are well incorporated.
Set aside.

Heat cooking oil on a pan.
Pour about 1/4 cup of the mixture on the pan.
Fry until both sides are golden brown and crispy

Serve with mixture of vinegar and crushed garlic for dipping.

Kainan na!

Music Mode

I heard this song a couple of times on the radio. Love the melody, it makes me move my head and tap my fingers on my office table... *big grin* but wasn't able to get its title... So I told my self I've got to know the title of this one... Lucky me, it was played again the other day, so I carefully listen to the lyrics and "googled" it when I reached home. *lol*

Here's the result of my "googling". Hope you like the song as much as I do. *super big grin*:

Title : Forget About Me
Artist: Lil Bit

Hmm
Whoaaa Oohhh
Whoaaa Oohhh
Yeahh...

You Said It Wasn't
Gonna Be Like It Was Before
Then It Happened Again
Pushing Me Back Out The Door
Thought It Would Be For real This Time
Love Me Forget About The Signs
So Now What Do I Do
Now, That I know that we're through

Wish That I Could Move On
Can't Let Go, It's Too Strong
Just Like That And Then You're Gone
Is This How You Wanted It To Be
Everything You Had To Say
Sent The Tears Right Down My Face
Now I'm Trying To Escape
The Misery

Why Don't You Love Me
The Way I Loved You
It Feels So Crazy
Cause I Dunno What I Did To You
If You're Gonna Hurt Me
Then Do It Quickly
Cause I'm Tired Of Cryin'
If You Don't Wanna Stick Around
Then, Baby, Forget About Me

Too Late, Sorry
I Didn't Even Have The Chance
You Said You Were Happy
Baby, I Don't Understand
Gave You Everything You Asked For
And Was Ready To Give You A Lot More
I Would've Given The World
Right In The Palm Of Your Hand

Wish That I Could Move On
Can't Let Go, It's Too Strong
Just Like That And Then You're Gone
Was This How You Wanted It To Be
Everything You Had To Say
Sent The Tears Right Down My Face
Now I'm Trying To Escape
The Misery

Why Don't You Love Me
The Way I Loved You
It Feels So Crazy
Cause I Dunno What I Did To You
If You're Gonna Hurt Me
Then Do It Quickly
Cause I'm Tired Of Cryin
If You Don't Wanna Stick Around
Then, Baby, Forget About Me

Boy, My Heart Was True
And That You Can't Deny
Don't Be A Fool
And Walk Away From All The Lies
It's Up To You
Cause Heaven Knows I've Tried
Tell Me You're Still In Love
Yeahhhh Ohh

I'm still confused with the name of artist if it's Lil Bit or Little Bit. Need help on this one guys!

Thanks!S^_^S

credits to:
www.aimini.net
www.lyricsmode.com

Papaya!

This will be the third time that i have mentioned bulanglang on my blog... well maybe because it is the easiest vegetable dish to prepare... (well i'm still wondering if this is really a vegetable dish coz of the papaya fruit. haha..) But this time, let me share to you something about our favorite bulanglang ingredient before it gets into the kitchen... Papaya!

The papaya fruit... on the papaya tree... *lol* ...again, at the back of our house. *big grin*



Gohan volunteers to get these unriped papaya. He loves doing stuffs like this. He used this bamboo pole which we call "tikin" to get the papaya off the tree.



Love the colors of these fresh ingredients.




Bulanglang and Fried Tilapia for lunch...

what we have on our bulanglang today: unriped papaya, kadyos (pigeon peas), kalamismis (sigarilyas /winged beans) and tomatoes

makes my mouth watery...*big grin*



Kainan na!
(let's eat!)

credits to:
marketman of marketmanila

food trip...

It's been a while since the last time that we went out... We missed hanging out and eating together... (well i guess that the latter is what we really missed! *big grin*)

With Nestie and Nadine at Starbucks.
(where's kuting? well, behind the cam of course. *wink*)


sweets... sweets... and more sweets...



Next stop...



Love the food...



nadine: ate, can we eat na?
kuting: nope... not until i have finished taking pictures of these stuffs.
*super big grin*



with all the stories, jokes and the sumptuous meal...
we really had a great time!



Jenina's Place
Mercedes Homes,
Libjo Lamao, Batangas City

Sapin Sapin

Kakanin Saturday

Sapin Sapin

Another famous Filipino Deli made out of powdered glutinous/sticky rice.

I love its soft texture and this one is not too sweet.



Check out the recipe of this at www.pinoyrecipe.net

Dinuguan

Dinuguan or Pork Blood Stew is one of the family's favorite...(we all do love to eat *wink*)

I don't know if frozen pork's blood is available on supermarkets. But on our local market, the butcher will give the blood from freshly slaughtered pig for free when you buy pork from them.

Some people might think that eating something with blood is kinda gross, well if they only knew how yummy this dish is... they have to give it a try first! *big grin*


Dinuguan na may Labong
(Pork Blood Stew with Bamboo Shoots)

the ingredients:
1/2 kl pork, diced
1/2 kl bamboo shoots, cut into strips
4 long green peppers
2 cups pork blood
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 red onion, sliced
1/2 cup vinegar
2 tablespoon soy sauce
salt & pepper
3 cups water
cooking oil

here's how:

On a casserole, saute garlic and onion.
Add the pork, stir well until the pork turns to light brown
Season with soy sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper.
(you can change the amount of seasonings depending on your taste)
Mix well and simmer for about 3 minutes.
Add water, bring to boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer until the pork is cooked.
Add the bamboo shoots and cook for another 5 minutes.
Slowly pour in the pork's blood while continuously stirring to avoid curdling.
Add the green pepper.
Simmer for about 5 minutes, stir occasionally.
Serve hot with steamed rice or puto (rice cake)

Tip of the Day!

You can use banana heart instead of bamboo shoots.

sinaing na isda at pipino

Another lunch treat!

Sinaing na Isda at Pipino
(stewed fish & cucumber)

The sliced cucumber comes with a simple condiment (calamansi juice and salt). This is usually served with steamed rice. sssooooo yummy! *big smile*

Pancit Canton!

I was so hungry when I got home from work, but the dinner is not yet prepared... So I grabbed a pack of my favorite instant pancit canton and wholah! in a matter of minutes... i'm full! *big grin*