Cabbage Roll

I prepared this dish for a special family gathering, simple but a very attractive center table item that will surely capture the eyes of your guests and loved ones. This is also very affordable.

Ingredients for 24 rolls:
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 onion (minced)
600 grams ground beef or pork
4 pieces big potatoes (finely diced)
3 big carrots ( finely diced)
1/2  cup minced bell pepper ( mixed colors if available)
24 cabbage leaves or more
200 ml All purpose cream ( Nestle, Alaska or any brand)
100 ml water
100 ml evaporated or fresh milk
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Saute garlic and onion then add the ground meat and stir until pinkish color is gone.
2. Add the potatoes, carrots, bell pepper, salt and pepper  then stir well  and continue cooking until done. Set aside.

3. Boil or steam the cabbage for 3 minutes then drain and allow to cool. If cabbage leaves are too big you can cut it into two (halves).
4. Flatten the cabbage leaf then put the filling and wrap well.

5. When done rolling, arrange well in a cooking pan then put the fresh  Milk, water, all purpose cream, salt and pepper then bring to a boil, when boiling adjust the heat to low then simmer for 5 minutes and turn off the heat. Serve and enjoy. 

Note: If you want it more saucy just double the portion of water and cream

Fried Dried Fish

Simple yet special for me, oh how I love this fried fish at breakfast table,  a good appetizer . Wash your hands and grab the fried rice now :-). 

To fry it, simply heat the oil then fry the dried fish to your desired doneness, when done remove from oil then put in a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Serve and enjoy.

Tortiglioni with Bacon

Tortiglioni is a short tube kind of pasta that has a good texture that's why I like it. This is good also with tomato sauce but I cooked it this way because my friends want to replace the rice with this, only light in taste to go perfectly with our viands.


Ingredients for 6 Servings:
1/2 kilo tortiglioni
1/4 kilo bacon (sliced)
3 cloves garlic finely minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Tortiglioni Pasta

Procedure:
1. Cook the tortiglioni according to its packaging procedure then set aside.
2. Heat the pan and put the bacon stir until the natural oil comes out, then continue cooking until crispy, remove from oil and put in a paper towel to remove excess oil.
3. Heat the olive oil, add the garlic and stir until light brown, add the tortiglioni and bacon then mix well, sprinkle with salt and pepper then stir and turn off the heat.
4. Serve hot with a smile :-).

Bean Sprouts Salad

Bean Sprouts are one of the common cooking ingredients that we can find at the market, this is very nutritious, in fact it is more nutritious than the original bean where it came from according to what I've read.  Low in calories ( 31 calories for 104 grams) but a good source of folate,  folate helps your body produce DNA, amino acids and red blood cells,  that are important in preventing anemia and birth defects. Make it a habit to include bean sprouts in your diet because it also a good source of protein and dietary fiber. 
Here is a simple salad recipe to enjoy. This salad goes well with any meat and fish dishes.

Ingredients for 4 servings:
2 cups bean sprouts ( wash well)
1 tablespoons lemon or calamansi juice
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons soy sauce ( if balsamic coy sauce is available it is better)
2 tomatoes ( slice to your desired size)
some lettuce
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Combine the tomato and bean sprouts, set aside, in a serving dish, arrange the lettuce properly then put the combined tomatoes and sprouts.
2. Sprinkle with lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, salt and pepper then serve and enjoy. :-)

Bangers and Mash

Bangers and Mash is a traditional British Isles dish made of mashed potatoes and sausages and sometimes served with fried onion, onion gravy and baked beans just like what Mr. O'Malley made for my blog. 

Ingredients for 1 serving:

1 onion, sliced.

2 pork sausages 

1 scoop Mashed potato

1 can of baked beans (heated)

Procedure:
1. In a frying fan heat some oil over medium heat, once hot enough, add the sausages and onions and fry for about 10mins turning the sausages and onions until they are cooked (it's ok for the onions to be a little burnt, this just adds to the flavor).

2. Arrange the mashed potato, baked beans and sausages in a serving platter then serve it with love.

Contributed by: Mr. Vince O'Malley

Ginisang Hipon

Savor the fresh flavor of shrimps in a very easy way of cooking. 

Ingredients for 4 servings:
1/2 kilo shrimps (de-shelled and cleaned)
1/2 cup sliced tomatoes
1 onion ( sliced)
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon calamansi or lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste


Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic, onion and tomatoes then add the shrimps and continue sauteeing for a minute.
2. Add the fish sauce, lemon juice and pepper then continue cooking, add salt of needed. Turn off the heat when done.
3. Serve it hot. 

Carrot Cake

Really yummy! Thanks be to God for baking this for us. Another delicious treat from the best baker in town :-). Mr. Gab.


Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup & 1 Tbsp of All Purpose Flour
½ cup of white Sugar
¼ cup of Brown Sugar
1 tsp of Baking Soda
2 tsp of Cinnamon
½ tsp of Salt
¼ tsp of Nutmeg
¾ cup of Vegetable Oil
2 Eggs
1 Tbsp of Vanilla Extract
1 tsp of Grated Orange Zest
1 ½ cups of Shredded/ Grated Carrots
½ cup of Raisins/ Walnuts Whatever you like.

For the frosting:
3 oz of Cream Cheese, at room temperature
¼ cup of Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
2 cups of Powdered Sugar
1 tsp of Vanilla


Procedure:
1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2) Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with non stick cooking spray. Lay the bottom with parchment paper and set aside.
3) In a bowl toss together the carrots, raisins/ walnuts and the 1 Tbsp of flour until all of the carrots and raisins are coated with the flour.
4) In a large bowl mix together all of the ingredients until well combined. Add the carrots and raisins/ walnuts and mix until they are well incorporated through the batter.
5) Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for about 30 minutes or until when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6) When the cake is ready, let it cool in the pan for a few minutes but then take it out and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
7) Once the cake is completely cooled, make the frosting by simply mixing all of the ingredients together until you get a nice thick frosting. If you need to, add a little more water by the teaspoonful to get a spreadable frosting consistency.
8) Adorn the cake with the cream cheese frosting and let it set for a few minutes until the frosting begins to harden. Dig in whenever you like!

Contributed by: Gabriel Eli Ndegwa

Espetinho de Coração de Frango

This is one of my favorite Brazilian food. Cooked simply in a hot coal, aromatic and yummy. I cooked this for a friend's farewell party. One of the best that I've tasted is at Canasveieras, Santa Catarina, Brazil owned by Mr. Joao. 


Ingredientes:
1 kg de coração de frango  (limpo)
Sal grosso a gosto

Modo de preparo:
1. Em uma bacia, colocar os corações de frango, adicionar o sal grosso e mexer bem.

2. Espetar os corações em espeto de bambu.

3. Assá-los com fogo baixo ate fica bem.

4. Servir com amor :-).

For the English translation of the recipe here it is.

Ingredients:
1 kilo chicken heart ( cleaned)
coarse salt to taste

Procedure:
1. In a bowl, combine the chicken heart and salt until fully mixed.
2. Put the hearts in the bamboo skewers.
3. Grill it over hot coal until fully cooked.
4. Serve with a smile :-).

Ginataang Labong with Kalabasa

This is really yummy and in fact one of the best seller in my sister's eatery. I will be happy eating this everyday :-).


Ingredients:
1/4 kilo bamboo shoots ( boiled and drained)
1/4 kilo shrimps
1/2 kilo squash ( cubed)
1 cup pure coconut milk ( kakang gata)
2 cups thin coconut milk ( hindi kakang gata)
1 small onion
2 cups cleaned saluyot
salt to taste

Procedure:
1. In a pot, put the thin coconut milk, bring to boil then put the boiled bamboo shoots, squash, shrimps, salt and onion then continue cooking until it's almost done.
2. Put the saluyot and  simmer for 2 minutes then put the pure coconut milk, simmer for a minute then turn off the heat.
3. Serve it hot.

Conch Shell Soup

I cooked this out of curiosity, I really wanna try what is the taste of this shell that's why I bought some. The soup is really delicious and we all loved it, the shell's meat is chewy but yummy.You can remove the meat by just pulling it, no need to crash the shell :-).

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo conch shell
2 cups water
2 pieces finger chili
1 bunch spring onion
1 teaspoon ginger strips
1 small onion
salt and pepper to taste



Procedure:
1. In a pot put the water, onion, chili and ginger then bring to a boil, when boiling add the shell and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste then simmer for a minute and turn off the heat.
3. Add the spring onion then serve. 

Adobong Tilapia

Adobo is my all time favorite dish, that's why I cooked this Adobong Tilapia, very yummy.

Ingredients:
1 kilo Tilapia ( Cleaned and sliced)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon ginger strips
1 small onion 
3 pieces Finger chili (siling haba)
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Saute the ginger, garlic and onion then put the vinegar and soy sauce and simmer for a minute.
2. Add the fish, cover then simmer until done over medium heat.
3. Add the chili, salt and pepper to taste then simmer for a minute and turn off the heat. Serve with love.

Fiesta Eggplant Salad

A superb eggplant salad for the whole family, loaded with nutritious ingredients. Try it now :-)

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo eggplant
1/2 cup raisins
1 small onion (diced)
1 big tomato (diced)
1/2 cup diced red and yellow bell peppers
spring onion to sprinkle
2 tablespoons lemon or calamansi juice
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Boil or grill the eggplant until cooked, then diced.
2. Combine all the ingredients, sprinkle with spring onion then serve and enjoy.

Chorizo Fried Rice

I cooked this from my leftover rice and chorizo.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked rice
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup chopped cooked chorizo
1/2 cup corn kernel
1/4 cup spring onion
1 teaspoon soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic then add the rice and stir well for a minute, sprinkle the soy sauce, salt and pepper then stir until fully mixed.
2. Add the chorizo and corn then stir again and continue cooking until done.
3. Sprinkle with spring onion then serve with a big smile :-).

Pan Grilled Salmon

A delicious fresh pan grilled salmon served with atsara (pickled papaya) and lettuce, perfect combination. 

Ingredients:
200 grams salmon fillet
1 tablespoon lemon or calamansi juice
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Sprinkle the salmon fillet with lemon juice, salt and pepper then set aside.
2. Heat a non-stick pan then brush with a little oil and put the salmon fillet.

3. Continue cooking until done then serve.

You can click the link for atsara recipe
http://melyskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/05/atsara-pickled-papaya.html

Pan De Sal With Ham and Cheese

Just craving for something that I have eaten long long time ago :-)  The breakfast during my elementary days, that's 30 years ago, oh am I that old?  Big smile here :)

Pan de Sal
Ham
Cheese

Just slice the bread then insert the ham and cheese, it is now ready to be served.
Simple yet very special, specially during those days.

Here is my Pan De Sal Recipe, just click the link

http://melyskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-perfect-pan-de-sal.html

Ensaladang Kangkong

Masarap na masustansya pa, kaya subukan nyo na ang potaheng ito.


Mga sangkap:
2 Tali kangkong
2 Kamatis 
1 sibuyas
2 tablespoons calamansi Juice
Asin ayon sa iyong panglasa
Pamintang durog ayon sa iyong panlasa

Paraan ng Pagluluto:
1. Linisin ang kangkong, magpakulo ng tubig at kapag kulong-kulo na ilagay ang kangkong at pagklipas ng ilang segundo ay hanguin, ilagay sa isang tabi para tumulo ang tubig.
2. Hiwain ang kamatis at sibuyas ayon sa iyong ibig, paghaluin  ang lahat ng mga sangkap.Pwedeng budburan ng hiniwang dahon ng sibuyas kung ibig mo.
3. Ihain na may pagmamahal :-).

Sinabawang Lapu-lapu

What are you waiting for? Sip the soup now, it's really yummy!

Ingredients for 2 servings:
1 medium size grouper ( lapu-lapu)
1 stalk lemon grass
1 big tomato ( Sliced to your desired shape)
1/4 kilo Chinese Cabbage
1 tablespoon ginger strips
1 onion ( sliced)
2 tablespoons fish sauce (patis)
2 cups water

Procedure:
1. In a pot put the onion, ginger, lemon grass, tomato then the fish, cover and allow to simmer until the natural juices come out from the fish. After this process add the water and bring to a boil, add salt and pepper to taste, simmer until the fish is fully cooked.
2. Add the Chinese cabbage and simmer  for a minute then turn off the heat.
3. Serve and enjoy eating with your loved ones. 

Sauteed String Beans and Squash

A delicious and nutritious vegetable dish that is budget friendly.


Ingredients:
1 kilos Squash
2 bunches String beans
1/4 kilo shrimps
1/4 kilo ground beef
1 onion
3 cloves garlic
1 cup water ( add if needed)
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Saute the garlic and onion then add the ground beef and continue to saute for 2 minutes then add the shrimps, simmer for a minute.
2. Add the water  and let boil then add the squash and string beans, stir well then simmer and stir until almost done.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste,  stir and simmer until done, then turn off the heat.
4. Serve with a smile.

Boiled Potato with Butter

I just wanna share this simple yet satisfying comfort food. I cooked this after a long day at work, while getting to be comfy and well sorted before eating my dinner I just on the stove and leave this cooking, when I am done doing my stuffs, my dinner is done too!! Yummy boiled potatoes.

Ingredients:
3 Potatoes 
1 tablespoon butter
salt and pepper to taste


Procedure:
1. Put the potatoes in a pot then put water up to the level of the potato and cook over medium heat until done.
2. When cooked, remove from water cut cross on top then spread the butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper  then serve.

Ginataang Gulay

This is the vegetable dish that I always let my mom cook at our farm during my younger days, because for me this is so yummy, the coconut milk makes the taste so creamy and yummy. I learned this from her.

Ingredients for 10 servings
250 grams any fish of your choice ( cleaned and fried)
500 grams squash
250 grams eggplant 
250 grams string beans
1 bunch talbos ng camote
6 okra pods
1 bunch of malunggay ( cleaned)
3 cups thin coconut milk
1 cup thick coconut milk
onion
ginger
salt to taste

Procedure:
1. In a pot put the ginger, fried fish  and 3 cups coconut milk then bring to a boil.
2. Add the squash then simmer until almost half cooked then add the string beans, eggplant and okra then simmer and add the green leafy vegetables, simmer until almost done.
3. Add the  thick coconut milk, salt to taste then simmer until cooked.
4. Serve it hot.

Quinoa Salad

A salad that is loaded with vitamins and minerals, I served this to some friends in the neighborhood.Try and enjoy it.

Ingredients:
1 cup Quinoa (cooked and set aside to cool)
12 pieces hard boiled quail eggs
2 medium size carrots ( sliced)
1 head broccoli (cleaned and separated)
olive oil
salt

Procedure:
1. Boil the carrots and broccoli until cooked ( Do not over-cooked)
2. Combine all the ingredients until fully mixed and flavor is well blended.
3. Serve and enjoy.

Below is a chart for some of its nutrients.

                     http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=142&tname=foodspice