Paksiw na Matambaka

Matambaka is a common fish in the Philippines and always available at the market throughout the year. When it is very fresh it is so tasty and I like to cook it as paksiw. Paksiw is a Filipino cooking method that uses vinegar. It is simple and easy to do.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo matambaka
3/4 cup vinegar
4 cloves garlic ( crushed)
1 onion
thumb size ginger( strips)
some chili
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. In a pot put all the ingredients and let it boil then simmer until cooked.
2. If the taste of the vinegar is so strong, you can add a little water.
3. Simmer for few  minutes until done.
4. Serve it with rice

Bihon with Tuna Chunks

A delicious combination of rice noodles and tuna, loaded with vegetables making the dish super nutritious.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo bihon
3 cloves garlic
1 small onion
1 can tuna (chunks)
6 cups water
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
salt to taste
1 cup cleaned cauliflower
5 pieces green beans ( sliced diagonally)
3 cabbage leaves ( sliced diagonally)
1 carrot( Sliced into strips)


Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic and onion then add the tuna and simmer for 2 minutes.
2. Add water, ground pepper and salt to taste,  then simmer and add all the vegetables then simmer for 30 seconds.
3. Add the bihon and give a good stir, simmer and stir until cooked.
4. Serve it hot.

Nilagang Buto ng Langka

Masarap at malinamnam ang nilagang buto ng langka, kaya pagkatapos naming kainin ang laman inipon ko ang mga buto, hinugasang maigi at nilaga ko.Masarap po ito lasang mani para sa akin.

Jackfruit=Langka

Seeds=buto

Mga sangkap:
buto ng langka
tubig (sapat na makapagluto sa mga buto)

Paraan ng Pagluluto:
1. Ilagay sa kaldero ang tubig at buto ng langka, pakuluan hanggang sa lumambot (45 minutos o higit pa).

2. Kapag luto na ay alisin ito sa tubig at pwede ng ihain.

Ginisang Kulitis

Wild Spinach or kulitis were not planted in our garden, they just grew naturally. It can be used in many dishes but I love it sauteed with sardines. Have you seen this at your backyards? They're everywhere. Just get the top part then wash very well and it is ready to be used.

Ingredients:
3 cups kulitis
1 can sardines
1 onion
salt and pepper to taste

kulitis

Procedure:
1. Wash the kulitis very well and set aside. Saute the onion then add the sardines and simmer for a minute.

Fresh wild spinach- kulitis

2. Increase the heat to high then put the kulitis, salt and pepper to taste and stir very well for a minute then turn off the heat.
3. Serve it with rice and do not forget to smile. :-).

Organic Leche Flan

I made this for a pregnant friend that's why I used organic products because as much as possible I want it to be nutritious. Since there is no organic condensed milk I used the one that's labeled "light" lesser calories. My pregnant friend enjoyed the leche flan so much :-).

Ingredients:
4 organic egg yolks
1 cup condensed milk (light)
3/4 cup organic fresh milk
2 tablespoons organic sugar or 3 tablespoons honey

Procedure:
1.Mix together the fresh milk, condensed milk and egg yolks until fully combined.
2. In a molder put the sugar then melt until it caramelized, let cool.
3. Strain the leche flan mixture and pour in the molder then steam for 45 minutes or until done.
4. Refrigerate  before serving and enjoy!

Buko Pandan Salad

Buko pandan is a popular sweet salad in the Philippines that is so creamy and yummy made with young coconut meat and added with pandan and gelatine.

Ingredients:
6  pieces young coconut ( scraped and well drained)
2 cups Nestle cream or All Purpose Cream
1 cup condensed milk (add if needed)
1 pack ( 10 grams) unflavored green gelatine powder
2 tablespoons pandan flavor


Procedure:
1. Cook the gelatine according to its packaging procedure then add the pandan flavor, mix well and pour in a molder and refrigerate until harden. Cut into dice or cube.
2.Mix all the ingredients then refrigerate for few hours.
3. Serve with a smile and enjoy :-).

re-cooked June 4, 2014

Note: If using pandan leaves, boil 6 pandan leaves with 4 cups of water then use the pandan water when you cook the gelatine.

Binagoongang Sitaw

String beans cooked deliciously with shrimp paste. I hope you will try this.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo string beans ( sitaw)
1/2 cup shrimp paste ( bagoong) make sure it is not too salty
3 cloves garlic
1 cup water
1 onion

Procedure:
1. Saute garlic and onion then add the shrimp paste and saute until well cooked.
2. Add the water and allow to boil then increase the heat to high then add the string beans and stir every now and then until done.
3. Serve it hot.

Adobong Tokwa sa Gata

A healthy dish made from tofu contributed by Maureen Ava Fernandez. I will try this recipe soon.

Ingredients:
500 grams of Medium firm Tofu
1 can coconut milk
2 tbsp. of soy sauce
2 tbsp. of white vinegar
pinch of salt to taste
pinch of pepper to taste
Vegetable oil
Red or green chili pepper or Siling Haba
3 cloves of garlic
1 onion head

Procedure:
Fry the tofu ( tokwa) nice and golden brown
Set aside and cut it into  squares
Sauté  onion and garlic, put the fried tokwa , soy sauce and vinegar
don't stir let tokwa absorb  all the liquid from soy sauce and vinegar wait until reduced,
then add the  coconut milk, salt and pepper to taste . When almost done add the siling haba and serve.

Contributed By: Maureen Ava Fernandez

Mely's Kitchen Pork Steak

Simple and easy to cook dish yet very tasty. I am sure that everybody will love this.

Ingredients:
1 kilo  pork chop
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 onions sliced into rings
5 calamansi
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Marinate the pork chop with lemon, soy sauce and ground pepper for an hour. After an hour remove from marinating sauce then pan fry until brownish then set aside. Do not throw the sauce because we will use it later.
2. Saute the onion then add the pork chops, simmer for 2 minutes to allow the flavors of the onion and pork to blend well, then add the sauce, ground pepper and salt to taste and simmer until done.
3. Serve hot.

Ginataang Mais

A dish that's perfect for a snack or dessert.

Ingredients for 8 servings:
1 1/2 cups glutinous rice (malagkit)
8 cups water or thin coconut (add if needed)
2 cups fresh corn kernel
2 cups pure coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar ( add if needed)

Procedure:
1. Put the water, corn and glutinous rice in a pot then allow to boil until the rice is very  tender.
2. Add the sugar and salt then allow to boil for 5 minutes.
3. Add the coconut milk, let simmer for a minute then turn off the heat.
4. Serve and enjoy :-).

Added with condensed milk

If using a canned corn just add it together with the sugar.

Garlic Kangkong

A delicious swamp cabbage (kangkong) recipe with crispy garlic that's so aromatic.

Ingredients for 4 servings:
2 bunches of kangkong (Swamp cabbage)
8 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic until brownish then remove some for toppings later.
2. Add the kangkong, soy sauce, salt and pepper then give it a good stir until done.
3.Sprinkle with toasted garlic and serve it with a smile. :-).

Balsamic Bacon Deviled Eggs

There are only a handful of recipes that I consider timeless.  These would be food items I loved as a child, and still love the concept today.  Deviled eggs fall into that category, and in fact go as far back as ancient Rome.  An idea as simple as an egg cut in two, yolk removed and whipped with something new, and then replaced.  It is no wonder these are the ideal party and holiday food.

You know, of course, we have to have our own take on them.  The Nan's Gourmet mantra says it never hurts to have balsamic vinegar added, and why not some bacon?  As long as the food is easy to make yet elegant & healthy, we are all over it...

ingredients

• 12 large eggs
• 4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped finely
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon red onion, grated
• 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Pastamoré Traditional Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
• a few sprigs of Italian flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Place eggs in a large pot in a single layer. Fill the pot with water to cover the eggs by about an inch. Cover and bring water to a boil. Turn off heat and let eggs sit (covered) in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain. Cool the eggs under cool running water in the sink.

Peel the eggs and halve lengthwise. Place the cooked yolk in a medium bowl and place the white halves on a serving platter cut-side up.

Mash yolks with a fork. Add bacon, mayonnaise, onion, sugar, vinegar, celery salt and pepper. Stir until thoroughly combined; taste and adjust/add seasonings as needed. 

Spoon the mixture into the egg white halves or use a piping bag with a large opening tip. Garnish with parsley. Refrigerate, lightly covered, until ready to serve.

Makes 24 deviled eggs.
 

Sauted Cabbage with Tuna

I cooked this simple yet yummy cabbage dish for a popular television personality (DSR) when he visited in our place. I paired it with fried fish for his breakfast.

Ingredients:
1 medium size cabbage
1 can tuna flakes in oil
3 coves garlic
1/4 cup bell pepper strips
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic then add the tuna flakes and continue to saute for a minute.
2.Add all the ingredients then give a good stir until cooked.
3. Serve with a smile :-).

Pritong Danggit

A friend gave this to me. How she read my mind that I am craving for this? Well it put a big smile on my face and I did not wait for few minutes, I immediately fried some and munch on it, yummy! Just sharing this delicious dried Danggit. The best appetizer :-).

Ginisang Buko

A must try recipe!

Ingredients for 3 servings:
2 cups young coconut meat (buko)
12 pieces shrimps
2 cloves garlic
1/2 onion
salt and pepper to taste

buko/young coconut

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic and onion then add the shrimps and saute until the color is pinkish.
2 Add the coconut meat, salt and pepper then stir for 2 minutes or until done.
3. Serve it hot.

Ginisang Sayote at Carrots with Fishballs

Simple and budget friendly vegetable recipe, I hope you will try this.

Ingredients:
2 sayote ( cut into strips)
2 carrots ( cut into strips)
1 cup cooked fishballs
3 cloves garlic
1 onion
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1.  Saute the garlic and onion then add the carrots, sayote, salt and pepper then stir every now and then until half cooked.
2. Stir in the fishballs and turn off the heat then serve it hot.

Spring Vegetable Pouches

I recently was blessed to review Eat Well and Stay Slim: The Essential Cuisine Minceur

From the million-copy bestselling author of Cuisine Minceur. Over 140 exquisite recipes fuse traditional flavors with the global influences that are redefining French cuisine, all with astonishingly low calorie counts.

This book is the mecca for healthy scrumptious recipes. Tons of mouth watering photos with easy to follow directions. I would say this is the go-to book for people who want to eat healthy, but still want foodie quality food. Get yours here: Eat Well and Stay Slim: The Essential Cuisine Minceur

So today I have adapted a recipe from the book. With some changes of course.  These over-sized ravioli are scrumptious and nice and light. so great for the waistline. Enjoy! 

Spring Vegetable Pouches

adapted from  Eat Well and Stay Slim

1/2 cup peeled and shredded carrots

1/4 cup celery

1/2 cup sweet onion, sliced

1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced

1/2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp fresh tarragon, finely chopped

8 large won ton wrappers - or fresh squares of pasta dough

1 3/4 cup vegetable stock

salt and pepper to taste

fresh tomatoes and chives for garnish

Cut up your veggies. 

In a medium-sized covered saucepan, gently sweat the carrots in the olive oil for 3 minutes, then add the mushrooms an sweat for 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the finely chopped tarragon and set aside. 

Place 4 squares of pasta dough or large won ton wrappers.on your work surface. Place some of the cooled vegetables in the center of each pasta square. 

Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the edges of each square with water. Lay another pasta square on top and then gently press the edges of the pasta squares together, making sure that there are no openings. 

Add your vegetable stock to a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add ravioli and cook one at a time for 5 minutes. Serve, topped with fresh tomatoes and chives! 

Ginisang talbos ng Camote at Kalabasa

A newly harvested camote tops plus  freshly sliced squash is equals to a delicious and nutritious vegetable dish.

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo squash

2 bunches of camote tops ( talbos ng camote)

1 cup water

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 cloves garlic

1/2 onion

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic and onion then add the squash and soy sauce then simmer and add the water, let boil for a minute.
2.Increase the heat then add the camote tops and stir for a minute or until done then turn off the heat.
3. Serve it hot.

Kalingking

A really yummy sweet potato recipe from Nanay Linda of  Cavite.

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo sweet potato (sliced into french)
1/4 kilo all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 kilo sugar
2 cups water ( add if needed)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Procedure:
1. Mix the sugar, water, salt, baking powder and flour, combine well until the batter is smooth then add the sliced sweet potatoes. Mix well until the batter is thick and firm, if it's too dry add water.
2. Scoop a portion then deep fry over medium heat until golden brown.
3. Serve it hot, if you want it sweeter, you can sprinkle some sugar.

Contributed by: Nanay Linda

Pandan Gulaman Drink

An aromatic refreshing drink that will really quench your thirst.

Ingredients for 5 litres:
1 sachet red unflavored gelatine
1 sachet green unflavored gelatine
15 pandan leaves
1/4 kilo sugar (add if needed)
4 litre water
Ice

Procedure:
1. Combine the 2 sachet of gelatine then cook according to its packaging procedure, refrigerate to harden then slice into dice or small cubes.
2. Put the water in a pot together with the pandan leaves and boil for 30 minutes or until the pandan essence will be extracted. Remove the pandan leaves. Let cool.
3. Caramelized the sugar then add 4 cups of pandan water (from the boiled pandan leaves) let boil until the sugar is fully dissolved. Let cool.
4. When everything has been cooled, combine together ( make sure it's not hot or else the gulaman/gelatine will be dissolved). Put ice as needed.

5 Serve and enjoy! :-)

Tomato and Cucumber Appetizer

This appetizer is simple and easy to make yet so delicious. It will surely boost your appetite specially if you pair it with fried or grilled fish or meat.

Ingredients for 4 servings:
2 big tomatoes (diced)
1 big cucumber (diced)
1 onion (diced)
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil ( optional)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste
chili


Procedure:
1. Combine all the ingredients and mix well until fully combined.
2. Serve with fried or grilled meat or fish.