Friday, July 20, 2007

Yema: A Filipino Dessert


Yema is a popular Filipino dessert and is very easy to prepare. Kids and even adults enjoy this sweet tasting candy wrapped in colorful cellophane.



Ingredients


yema

1 cup condensed milk
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon butter


syrup

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Procedure
  1. combine all the ingredients for the yema and cook until the mixture is thick.
  2. set aside and cool.
  3. roll into balls of about 1 inch in diameter.
  4. Prepare the syrup: blend all the ingredients for the syrup.
  5. Bring to a boil until syrup is caramel-colored.
  6. insert a toothpick into the yema ball and dip into the syrup.
  7. cool on greased baking pan.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Ice Cream!!


I've just recovered from a 1-month dry cough and the first thing I would want to eat is ICE CREAM!!!
Last Sunday, I bought a variety of ice cream from a local store and enjoyed it with my family. I love it! It's really nice being a child sometimes.

Ice cream is composed of milk, sweeteners, stabilizers and water. These ingredients, along with air incorporated during the stirring process, make up ice cream.
Did you ever wondered when and where did people ate the first ice cream? They said it started back at Mesopotamia and Ancient Greek where they mix ice with honey and fruit. Wherever it first started, I don't really care as long as we have great-tasting flavors of ice cream today. :)yum..yum!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Chicken Pastel

When I was in college, me and my sister are fond on experimenting on recipes. We found a recipe of chicken pastel on a brochure, it looks really nice and delicious so we gave it a try. Though there are different versions of this dish, here's my own.

Ingredients:

1 kilo chicken (sliced)
3 cloves garlic (cruched)
1 medium-sized onion (thinly chopped)
1 chicken broth cube
1/2 cup butter
1 carrot (cubed)
2 potatoes (cubed)
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup flour (dissolved)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups water

Directions:

Saute garlic and onion on butter. Add Chicken and stir for 2 min. Add water, salt and chicken broth. Bring to boil. Add potatoes and carrots. Boil until chicken is tender. Taste according to your preference. Add milk and dissolved flour to thicken sauce.

(sorry i can't find a picture that can best describe my version!lol!)

Friday, June 15, 2007

Adobong Pinoy

Adobo is a traditional Filipino dish and is always a favorite in every Filipino household. Even foreigners have learned to love this delicious dish and is now known all over the world.
Here's a simple recipe which I use at home when cooking chicken adobo.









Ingredients:
1 kilo chicken, chopped
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar
1 medium size onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 slices of ginger, crushed
2 bay leaves
salt
pepper


Directions:
Place chicken in pan, add garlic, ginger, onion and bay leaves. Add vinegar, soy sauce and a dash of salt and pepper. Cover and cook for about 30 min. Bring to boil. Lower heat and taste (according to your preference). Simmer for 15 min.


You can now enjoy your delicious adobo. Best when eaten with rice.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Mango Float

There are times when you really want to eat something sweet and delicious. So we extract all our resources to satisfy our cravings.
This is our favorite recipe at home, my mom always make this dessert during family gatherings. It is very easy and it takes just minutes to prepare. I have also been an expert in making mango float, like trying different toppings and varying the layers and shapes.

INGREDIENTS
1pack200g handypack Grahams
3tablespoonsGrahams, crushed
1 1/2cupsall-purpose cream (1 cup = 250ml brick)
3/4cupcondensed milk
2cupsmangoes sliced(if you don't want mangoes, you can use fruit cocktail)


PROCEDURE
1. DO FILLING. In a bowl, combine chilled cream and condensed milk.

2. LAYER. Lay 8 pieces of crackers in an 8 x 13 rectangular pan. Pour cream on top and top with sliced mangoes. Repeat process to make 2 or 3 layers, ending with the cream and sliced mangoes on top.

3. FINISH. Sprinkle crushed grahams on top of cream.

4. CHILL and serve.

viola!!!you now have a delicious dessert!!

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Grilled Brined Shrimp with Mango Salsa

mmm..another mouthwatering recipe from yahoo!!



Ingredients
  1. 1 medium mango, diced
  2. 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  3. 1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno
  4. 2 teaspoons finely chopped peeled ginger
  5. 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  6. 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  7. 1/3 cup kosher salt
  8. 1/3 cup brown sugar
  9. 1 quart cold water
  10. 1 1/4 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
  11. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  12. 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro, plus cilantro sprigs for garnish
  13. 1 teaspoon honey
  14. 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
  15. 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  16. 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
  17. 2 tablespoons dry white wine
Directions
  1. Combine the mango, red onion, jalapeno, ginger, lime juice and 2 teaspoons of the olive oil in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days. Season to taste with salt.
  2. Stir the salt and brown sugar into water until dissolved. Add the shrimp and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil with the chopped cilantro, honey, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes and wine and set aside.
  4. Remove the shrimp from the brine and rinse thoroughly, then pat dry. Toss the shrimp with the marinade. Transfer the shrimp and marinade to a resealable plastic bag and marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 45 minutes in the refrigerator.
  5. Preheat the broiler or a grill. Cook the shrimp until just cooked through, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Arrange the shrimp on plates and top with the mango salsa and cilantro sprigs. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Yield: 4 servings

(source)

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Simple Tiramisu Recipe

I'm not really fond of eating cakes during birthdays or other celebrations not until last week when I bought a cake for mother's day. The Ube cake from Red Ribbon was really mouthwatering and we just can't get enough.
For now, here's a simple recipe of Tiramisu from http://www.heavenlytiramisu.com/

Ingredients (Cake)

  • CAKE MIX, white, 1 box off the shelf
  • VEGETABLE OIL SPRAY
  • WATER, 1-1/3
  • VEGETABLE OIL, 2 tbs
  • LARGE EGGS, 3
  • PURE VANILLA EXTRACT, 1 tsp
Ingredients (Syrup)
  • HOT WATER, 3/4 cup
  • INSTANT COFFEE POWDER, 2 tbs
  • GRANULATED SUGAR, 3 tbs
  • KAHLUA, 1/4 cup
Ingredients (Topping)
  • VANILLA YOGURT, 2 cups
  • CREAM CHEESE, 2 packages (8 oz. each) at room temperature
  • POWDERED SUGAR, 1/4 cup
  • UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER, 1 tsp
Directions
  1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Lightly mist a 13 X 9 inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Set aside.
  3. Place the cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 min. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to med. and beat 2 min more, scraping the sides down again if needed. The batter should look thick and well blended.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out with spatula. Place in the oven.
  6. Bake the cake until golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed with your finger, 32 to 35 min.
  7. Remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
  8. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup. Place the hot water, coffee powder, and sugar in a small bowl and stir to combine until the coffee and sugar dissolve. Stir in the coffee liqueur.
  9. Poke holes in the cooled cake with a chopstick or straw and spoon the syrup over the cake so that the syrup can seep down into the holes. Set the cake aside.
  10. Prepare the topping. Place the yogurt, cream cheese and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl and blend on low for 1 to 2 min. till well combined and thick.
  11. Spread topping over the syrup-soaked cake, using a rubber spatula to spread the topping out to the edges of the cake.
  12. No more then an hour before serving, sift the cocoa powder over the topping so that it covers the top of the cake.
  13. Slice the cake into squares and serve.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Post Mother's Day Waffles


Mammaw's Waffles

====this is an easy to cook, easy to prepare recipe from allrecipes.com=======

Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions
  1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt. Make a well in center. Add yeast mixture, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil; stir until smooth.
  3. Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Serve hot.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Wagyu Burger!


Last Sunday night as we were watching Rated K, they featured the biggest burgers sold in the Philippines. It was about 8 inches wide, I can say that it is indeed the biggest burgers I've ever seen. But that did not caught my attention. What made my jaw drop was the juicylicious and the most expensive burger in the Philippines! It's the Wagyu Burger.

I'll give you some facts why it is really expensive and oh so delicious!;)

Wagyu is a breed of cattle naturally predisposed to produce beef that is densely marbled. In fact, Wagyu beef surpasses USDA marbling standards for prime-grade beef. Often referred to as the “foie gras of beef,” Wagyu has an exquisitely tender texture and incomparable, luxurious taste.

Wagyu refers to several beef breeds of cattle genetically predisposed to intense marbling, and produces a high percentage of oleaginous unsaturated fat. Also known as Kobe-style beef , the meat from Wagyu cattle is known worldwide for marbling characteristics, increased eating quality through a naturally enhanced flavor, tenderness and juiciness, and thus a high market value. Grocery stores in the United States will sell cuts of American Wagyu for $40/lb to $150/lb. Because of the Wagyu cattle's genetic predisposition and a special diet, wagyu yields a beef that contains a higher percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and the tell-tale sign of a highly marbled beef. The increased marbling also improves the ratio of monounsaturated fats to saturated fats.

Now you know why.

Here's the recipe on how to make this Wagyu Burger (Wagyu Beef "Rossini" Burger)

Ingredients

For the salad
  • 1/2 mango, cut into julienne (very thin strips)
  • 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
  • 1 apple, cut into julienne
  • 1 carrot, cut into julienne
  • 150g Celeriac, cut into julienne
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 4 English muffins
  • 2 bunches watercress
For the Burgers
  • 400g Wagyu steak Mince, (trimmings from the fillet, finely chopped)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Olive oil
  • 4 x 125g fillet steak, (fillet mignons)
  • 250g fresh foie gras
For the truffle glaze
  • 75ml Madeira
  • 1 tsp clear honey
  • 1 black truffle, finely sliced
  • 2 banana shallots, finely chopped
  • 100ml veal jus

Methods

1. Preheat the grill. Season the steak mince with salt and pepper then beat in the egg and dijon mustard and form into 4 equal size burgers.

2. Heat a little oil in the grill pan and start cooking the burgers under a medium heat for 2 minutes 30 seconds on each side.

3. After 2 minutes sear the fillet mignons in the same pan as the burgers for 1 minute 30 seconds on each side, then remove from the pan and rest.

4. In the same pan sear the foie gras for 1 minute on each side and season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. For the truffle glaze: add the Madeira and honey and cook, stirring for a few minutes until reduced. Add the banana shallots, truffles and veal jus and cook until reduced to a glaze.

6. For the salad: mix the mango, apple, carrot, red onion, celeriac with the mayonnaise

7. Toast the muffins.

8. To build a burger: top one half of the toasted muffin with the salad. Top the salad with watercress. Top the watercress with a fillet mignon. Top the fillet mignon with the burger. Top the burger with the foie gras. Finish with the truffle glaze. Finally skewer the remaining toasted muffin half to the top.


Thursday, May 3, 2007

PASTA WITH RED CLAM SAUCE

I got this recipe when I was searching for my first blog entry and it sounds interesting!
here are the ingredients and procedure for your delicious pasta with red clam sauce..

2 tb Olive oil
4 md Garlic cloves, chopped fine
1 c Rich, salt-free fish stock
1 c Dry white wine
2 ts Dried oregano
36 sm Fresh clams such as little-
-necks or Manilas, in the
-shell, thoroughly cleansed
1 lg Ripe tomato, peeled, cored,
-seeded and coarsley chopped
2 tb Double-concentrate tomato
-paste
1 1/2 tb Fresh basil leaves, finely
-shredded
1 1/2 tb Fresh Italian parsley,
-finely chopped
Freshly ground pepper
Cooked linguine

In a large saucepan, heat the oil with the garlic over moderate heat. When
the garlic sizzles, add the fish stock, wine, and oregano.

As soon as the liquid comes to a boil, add the clams and cover the pan.
Steam the clams until all of them have opened, 3 to 5 minutes; discard any
unopened clams. With a slotted spoon, remove them from the pan and keep
them warm in a covered bowl.

Stir in the remaining ingredients, except the black pepper, into the
liquid in the pan. As soon as the liquid returns to a simmer, place the
clams, shells and all, on top of pasta and spoon the liquid over them.
Season to taste with black pepper.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Welcome!

Hi everyone. This blog is about anything found in my kitchen (not literally of course!)
Check this out for some cool recipes, food and drinks that will melt your heart out!