Saturday, December 24, 2016

Mika Macaroni Fruit Salad

It's Christmas once again and the best part of Noche Buena(Christmas Eve) celebrations is always between gifts and food. Time to think of a good and decent gifts followed by a sumptuous food.

 When it comes to tradition, the Noche Buena is the center of the celebration, a gathering of families, friends and love ones, that brings the family back together for another unforgettable, crazy, and nostalgic feast. Filipinos are fond of food. This is the most favorite part of the Filipino family, it is important that the special dishes are always present, aside from lechon, ham, steak, pasta, the simple salad with dressing are some of the signature menu and consider the ones who are coming over especially if there are any Balikbayans in the family.

 Well, old and reliable menu handed down from generations to generations makes the whip in the kitchen, doing the splendorous magic in making the dishes, but for millennials the new stuff or the experimental dishes that we randomly saw on a food porn really attracts their palate.

 Here's the Macaroni Fruit Salad prepared by my eldest daughter, Mikaela Francesca. According to her, this is the new way in preparing the salad.

 Okey, let's try, right?

INGREDIENTS:


250 ml All-Purpose Cream
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
300 ml Sweetened Condensed Milk 
1/2 teaspoon salt
400g elbow macaroni noodles
100 grams raisins
1 can Fruit Cocktail (drain the syrup)
2 8oz Nata de Coco (red & green)
Cheese

PROCEDURE:

  1. Cook macaroni noodles according to the package instructions. NOTE: Don't forget to put salt in a boiling water, just like we cook our pasta with our spaghetti. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the drain fruit cocktail, all-purpose cream, nata de coco and sweetened condensed milk. Stir well to combine.
  3. In a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients, including the elbow macaroni. Mix it all. Toss to combine.
  4. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
  5. You can add dice cheese on top and raisins too!


 Side dishes like this, Macaroni Fruit Salad easy to prepare and go with everything! Great recipes for parties and birthdays too. A wonderful sweet, creamy, a bit of a tangy crunch (if you add apples)...a perfect combination of flavors for this Holiday!


Thursday, October 27, 2016

Pork Chop with Creamy Mushroom Sauce and Salad Bar Fine Dining Recipe



What do women think of men who can cook? I think this question need a good answer.

 I have been blessed to have a man who loves to cook, that is because I love to eat! I am a big foodie person and my taste bud never satisfied in looking for a sumptuous dish that will content my cravings. Another thing is that I don't know how to cook, oh well, I know but simple dishes like that of an instant food.

 I love to watch a man cooking. It's a big turn on to me when I see a man cooking in the kitchen. The way he handle delicate things by slicing and chopping, makes a petite dish that you will truly love.

 Last Saturday night, we are supposed to watch movie together, but because he was so inspired with the food he eat at Claude's and Bigby's (a treat of one of his client),  instead he went to a grocery store to buy the recipes.

 PORK CHOP with CREAMY MUSHROOM SAUCE served with buttered vegetables and mashed potatoes

 Ingredients:

 2 cuts of pork chop (1/2-3/4 inch thick / about 2 pounds ), trimmed

 1/2 tsp salt

 1/2 tsp powdered pepper

 string beans or Baguio beans

 3 tbsps virgin olive oil

 3 potatoes

 Knorr Cream of Mushroom Mix

 butter

 fresh milk
Procedure:

  1. Sprinkle pork chops with 1/4 tsp salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium and add 2 pork chops.
  4. Cook it well, medium rare is better, 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Remove to a plate. Set aside.
  6. Blanch string beans or Baguio Beans

 For Mashed Potatoes:

  1. Cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water for 15 to 20 minutes, until very tender.
  2. Drain the potatoes.
  3. In a small saucepan, heat the butter in half.
  4. Place the potatoes in the bowl while still hot and mashed it with fork or use mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
  5. If using fork, mashed it finely until get the desired texture and for the mixer use low speed. Slowly add the butter, fresh milk, 2 tsps salt and the pepper.
  6. Mix until the potatoes are mashed but not completely smooth.  

For the sauce:

  1. Knorr Cream of Mushroom mix.
  2. Just add 3 cup cold water and 1 cup fresh milk.
  3. Whisk in and mix the cream of mushroom by stirring it constantly.
  4. Reduced heat. Cover partially and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
  5. Add the Cream of Mushroom to the pork chop and/or mashed potatoes, and to the blanch vegetable for more tasty dish.


SALAD BAR


Ingredients:

 Lettuce

 Tomatoes

 Onion

 Boiled Egg

 Vinegar

 Pickles

 Salt

 Fish (from a leftover food)

 Directions:

  1. Wash lettuce, tomatoes and onions.
  2. Shred the leftover fish. Set aside.
  3. Dice all the ingredients in small pieces and put in a different plates to avoid getting sour.
  4. Mix everything in a bowl. But take note if is not to be consumed immediately do not mix the ingredients together yet in the absence of a refrigerator.
  5. Arrange in a flat tray to allow air circulation.
  6. Spread some minced pickles and boiled egg on top and then refrigerate.
  7. You can add vinegar if you want to served it. 
There you go Pork Chop with Creamy Mushrooms Sauce and Salad Bar Fine Dining recipe. A very healthy recipe with lots of protein, fiber and healthy carbs that help boost your metabolism and keeping yourself full all day. Good also with your digestive system.

 Men that knows how to cook are amazing and a blessing. They often add new experiences to your life, just like my experience now, I'm so excited to see him and interested to witness his new dishes and I for myself happy to learn different cuisines that might never tasted before.





Thursday, July 28, 2016

Calamari Negra (Squid Ink) Recipe #CalamariNegra #SquidInk #FoodRecipe #EasytoCook




Have you tried eating a black Calamari? Well, for you to know how it taste, I'll give you the recipe. This is from ZARAFISH called CALAMARI IN SQUID-INK BATTER with ROMESCO SAUCE

 INGREDIENTS:

  1. 1 pack of calamari ring
  2. 4 tbsp of tempura flour
  3. 2 sachets of squid ink
  4. 10 tbsp of water

 For ROMESCO SAUCE:
  • 1 bulb of garlic
  • 2 ripe tomatoes
  • 80g of fried almonds
  • 1 tbsp of red pepper flakes (or pulp of 2 ñora peppers or dried peppers)
  • 200g of olive oil
  • 50g of vinegar
  • 50g of water
  • 2 slices of bread
  • sunflower oil for frying

Photo credit to ZARAFISH


PROCEDURE:

Sauce
  1. Preheat the oven to 200°c.
  2. Cut the skin of the tomatoes to stop from bursting and roast them in the oven along with the chopped garlic. This will take approximately 20mins for the tomatoes and 30mins for the garlic to cook and give that exact aroma and taste. Then keep it cool.
  3. Fry the bread and almonds in the sunflower oil.
  4. When tomatoes and garlic have cooled, peel and place them in a blender along with the rest of the solid ingredients.
  5. Blend and add salt to taste.



CALAMARI

  1. Mix the flour, water and squid ink in a bowl.
  2. Coat the squid rings and fry in a plenty of oil.
  3. Make sure that it is well cook.
All in all, this will give you 45 minutes to cook. Good for 4 serving.
Photo credit to ZARAFISH
Though it's not an easy sauce to make, but this is perfectly pair with the Calamari Negra. 

For more tasty, healthy and easy to prepare dishes, visit ZaraFish!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Fresh Homemade NO-BAKE DARK CHOCOLATE ENERGY BITES #EnergyFood #HealthyFood


I'm not a pastry baker, but I loved to eat a lot, especially when it comes to healthy and energy giving food. I just receive an email from 101 CookBooks and give me this 
4 o'clock No-Bake Energy Bites recipe.
  • 1 cup lightly taosted old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3 tbsps chia seeds, ground in mortar and pestle
  • 1/4 cup chopped chocolate (or chips)
  • 3 tbsps good maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened, toasted coconut flakes
  • 2/3 cup well-stirred natural peanut butter
  • sea salt, to taste


And looking at the ingredients, it really boost your energy starting with the natural peanut butter ingredient. Well, you can adjust as needed and you can also substitute it with honey or almond butter or any ground seeds available at your market.



Procedure:

  1. Combine the oats, chia seeds, chocolate, maple syrup and coconut in a medium bowl. Toss until well combine.
  2. Add the peanut butter, use your hands to really mix the ingredients well. Adjust a bit if necessary, adding more peanut butter if the mixture will not help you shape a ball. Or just alternately, add oats if the mixture is too sticky.
  3. You can shape the balls by hand, or why not use a rounded spoon and press the mixture, make it more easier and less messy.
  4. Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet or plate, let refrigerate or freeze. Then for an hour, put it in a small jar, or any container.
  5. Makes 2 dozens energy bites.
  6. Make some add-ons like sprinkling it with healthy topping ideas. 

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Asparagus Bake Recipe by Bobbie Pearsall

Image: AllRecipes


I really love asparagus, but the only recipe I've known is to blanch asparagus and pair it with mayonnaise or vinegar for salad.

 Thanks to Bobbie Pearsall recipe, my asparagus will have a different presentation.

 ASPARAGUS BAKE


  • 4 cups asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 12 dinner rolls
  • 1 1/2 cups diced processed cheese
  • 2 1/2 cooked ham, coarsely chopped
  • 6 eggs
  • 3 cups milk
  • 3 tbsps minced onion
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper


Directions:

 Prep. 15 mins
Cook 55 mins
Ready In 1hr 15mins

  1. If using raw asparagus, place a steamer basket or insert a two cups of water into a small stock pot. Bring water to boil then add the asparagus. Cook until tender but still firm, about 5 mins. Drain and let it cool.
  2. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Split dinner rolls in half and set top half aside. Tear bottom half of rolls into pieces and spread evenly in pan. Layer asparagus, cheese and ham over bread pieces. Arrange the remaining half rolls on top of other ingredients.
  3. Beat together eggs, milk, onion, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture into pan and refrigerate over night.
  4. Remove pan from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C).
  5. Bake uncovered until a knife inserted into center of pan comes out clean, about 55 mins. Lets stand about 10 mins before cutting. 


***You can substitute asparagus with spinach. And if you don't have process cheese, you can substitute it with mozzarella cheese.
Source: AllRecipes 

Thursday, May 19, 2016

SINGTULONG RECIPE (Sinigang na Tuyo with Longanisa) #FilipinoRecipe #Food #Recipe


I already have longganisa sausages, and was wondering if there are any Filipino recipes to mix in, the likes of mixing it with a sauce, casserole or a gourmet.

 I watch GMA TV and for their segment "Good News", they introduced this recipe called - SINGTULONG (Sinigang na tuyo with longganisa).
Photo credit to GMA News Online

Sinigang is a Filipino soup or stew characterized by its sour and savoury taste, mostly associated with tamarind(sampalok). They are many variations of sinigang sourness, some use guava, calamansi, balimbing, and unripe mango. Oh well, another thing is by using bouillon cubes with tamarind base if they cannot find any substitution.

 Right now, we have many variations of sinigang:

  1. Sinigang sa miso
  2. Sinigang sa Bayabas
  3. Sinigang sa mangga
  4. Sinigang sa kalamansi
  5. Sinigang na isda
  6. Sinigang na baboy
  7. Sinigang na hipon
  8. Sinigang na baka
  9. Sinigang na manok

 INGREDIENTS:

  • 5pcs Longganisa
  • 6pcs tuyo(dried fish) 
  • 3 pcs red tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 pc onion. chopped
  • Sinigang Mix
  • Kamias (optional)
  • Vegetables (string beans, camote, radish, bataw, sigarilyas, kamote tops
  • salt, pepper to taste


 DIRECTIONS:

  1. Boil the longganisa and fry.
  2. Put the onions, tomatoes in the broth where you boiled the longganisa.
  3. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
  4. You opt to use kamias if you already have Sinigang Mix for that sour taste.
  5. Or you can use tamarind (sampalok) if available.
  6. Good serve while its still hot. 


 FROM: GOURMET TUYO RECIPE
photo credit: é…¸æ±¤é±¼ via photopin (license)

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Avocado Brownies #HealthyBrownies #HealthyFood #FruitBrownies #AvocadoBrownies

My family favorite is cupcakes, they are easy to eat than a cake. We also love fudge and brownies, especially when it is a CHOCOLATE! I just can't stop mindlessly eating the overloaded sweetness of chocolates. For me, it's much easier to scoff down a large bar of chocolates unthinkingly that it is to eat just a few.

 Now, I need to lower down my cravings in eating pastries and cakes due to health reason. But I've solved my problem, by using AVOCADO instead of a butter.

 One sunny afternoon, as I am resting while watching Food Network, I found this unusual AVOCADO BROWNIES RECIPE flashing below our TV monitor. And I said, this is a unique recipe, I've never try this kind of a brownies. This has opened my mind and taste buds to try something that is odd but definitely yummy and delicious.

 So I try to search it via YUMMLY, and I am lucky to see the recipe.


INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 Avocado (4 1/2 ounces)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened process cocoa powder
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
  • 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp coarse salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cups chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsps confectioners sugar

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Sweet Sotanghon Mixed with Almonds and Pistachios #Food #HealthyFood #EatWell

I just love Chicken Sotanghon Soup mixed with vegetables, a hearty soup that warms your body and nourishes the soul. A Filipino style noodle soup that typically serve with shredded chicken meat or chicken wings sauteed with onions, garlic, kinchay, crisp vegetables and added with egg as delectable toppings ---so hearty and delicious indeed!

We always have a sotanghon noodles in our kitchen cabinet, that is why when I saw an article from Yummy Magazine, though it's about sotanghon recipe, but different style in presenting.

#EATWELL PLATE - SWEET SOTANGHON MIXED with ALMONDS and PISTACHIOS


Almonds are rich in energy and healthy mono-unsaturated fats.

Pistachios on the other hand are one of the oldest nuts that rich in vitamins. minerals, fats and protein.

Sotanghon or also known as the "cellophane noodles", made from starch and water.

If you combine all of these ingredients, you will come up with a healthy and nutritious meal, if taken moderately.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 100g Vermicelli or Sotanghon or Cellophane Noodles
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
  • 3 tbsps. sliced cashew nuts
  • Pistachios
  • 1 tbsp raisins
  • 1/2 cup cane sugar
  • Almonds
  • 2-3 pcs. cherries
 PROCEDURE:
  1. Heat butter in a frying pan.
  2. Fry Vermicelli or Sotanghon over medium heat until golden brown. Set aside.
  3. In a large pan, add milk, cinnamon powder, sliced cashew nuts, pistachios, raisins and bring to boil.
  4. Reduce heat and cook until the mixture becomes thick and creamy.
  5. Add cane sugar and stir well. Add the fried sotanghon.
  6. Refrigerate and served chilled.
  7. Decorate with sliced almonds and cherries on top.

By the way, this recipe is good for hot summer days!  So easy to prepare ... mouth-watering meal.  

  

Friday, February 19, 2016

Steamboat Recipe #Hotpot #Stew #Recipe #ChineseFood

This is what I love about blogging, aside from meeting a lot of friends you will also get information from other co-bloggers.

 In a syndication we have with one of my Facebook group --- Bloggers Worldwide I encounter this recipe and I was planning to have this in my meal planner.

 STEAMBOAT or Hot Pot

 Originated to several East Asian varieties of stew. A meal serve during dinner time. Consist of a simmering metal pot of stock at the center of the dining table, where the pot is kept on simmering and ingredients like meat, vegetables, mushrooms, wontons, egg dumplings and/or  seafood are being cooked.

 The cooked food is usually eaten with a dipping sauce.
photo credit: KamJaTang via photopin (license)


To prepare a quick and healthy recipe for my family, I learn how to plan weekly and eating meals at home is the best solution for a stay-at-home budget mom like me. I prefer food that are less expensive but higher in nutrients.

To a plan a healthy and balanced family meal can be done also by a time saver and/or even the busiest people in the planet. So have it prepare, to conserve time and money.

Photo credit to Spring Tomorrow

So here are the COMMON INGREDIENTS <---- Click this.

Today in many modern homes, particularly in a big cities in China, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, or even here in the Philippines, the traditional way of cooking steamboat in a coal-heated hot pot has been replaced by electric, propane, butane gas, or induction cooker.

Photo credit to Spring Tomorrow

Pal Food Lane

A food recipe blog with simple and tasty recipes for the foodie lovers and aspirant cook like me.