egg...egg...and egg.....

Egg seems to be the start of life.....egg is the first existence of life...suffice to say maybe an icon of life...the first sign of breathe.....but for me, egg means the favorite snack, a favorite ingredient in her daily cooking or favorite viand or "ulam" of my little sister----but now she's not my little sister anymore because she's two inches taller than me and she has family already.....but as we grow older only one thing didn't change----her passion for EGGS....eggs and eggs......

She is my inspiration for sharing these.  You can do a variety of how you cook eggs....


scrambled eggs
steam eggs
sunny side up
boiled egg
poached egg



But my favorite is the scrambled egg with onions and tomatoes:


3 eggs beaten
1 tomato
1 onion
black powdered pepper
salt
cooking oil


Saute the onion and tomatoes until the tomatoes turn sloppy.  Then put the beaten eggs and mix fry until it molded into chunks.  Season with salt and pepper.  Then serve in a platter with a hot steamed rice or a hot pandesal...

menudo

1/2 kilo pork belly--
1/2 kilo pork liver
1/4 hotdog cut into cubes
1 big potato cut into cubes
1 big carrots cut into cubes
1 small box of raisins
1 small green bell pepper
1 small red (sweet) bell pepper
1 small can of green peas
1 onion
1 garlic
1 tomato
2 tablespoon tomato sauce
2 tablespoon soy sauce




Saute garlic, onion and tomato.  Then add the pork.  Let it simmer.  When it turns a little brown add the potato and carrots.  Simmer for 5 minutes.  Then add the green peas and raisins.  After 5 minutes add the hotdog.Simmer for 20 minutes.  Then add the tomato sauce and soy sauce.  Season with salt and black powdered pepper. When the pork is cooked put the liver.  Simmer for 5 minutes and put the bell pepper.  Do not overcook the bell pepper.  After 5 minutes you can serve it in a platter with hot steamed rice.

POTATO SALAD

1/2 kilo boiled baby potatoes
1 cup mayonaise
1/2 cup condensed milk
1 tablespoon sweet pickles
1 apple cut into cubes
1/2 bar of cheese cut into cubes
1 small can pineapple crushed
salt and white pepper


Mix all ingredients and put salt and white powdered pepper to taste.  It is better serve cold.

lettuce salad

Sometimes, you want your snack to green and fruity...i made a self-recipe of tossing it.


You need:

1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sweet pickles
1/2 cup condensed milk
1/2 cup evaporated or fresh milk
1 tablespoon banana catsup
1 small cup of pineapple slices/tidbits or crushed pineapple
1 green lettuce
2 hard boiled eggs
1 small box raisins
white powdered pepper
iodized salt


Mix the first five ingredients and whip until you reach the desired thickness.
Put white powdered pepper and salt to taste. Set aside the salad sauce.

Then prepare the washed lettuce leaf and granish with pineapple,raisin and egg. Top it with the sauce

leche flan

10 egg yolks

1 big evaporated milk

1 big condensed milk

1/2 kilo white sugar

Mix the ingredients except for sugar.  Make sure to do it in one direction to avoid bubble accumulation.  Set aside.  Put 1 tablespoon of sugar to each tray and melt it in a low fire.  Stop it when the sugar turns to liquified caramel color.  Let it cool.  Then put the milk and egg mixture to each tray and cover it with aluminum foil.  Set the steamer and put the water into boil.  When it starts boiling, put the tray containing the mixture into the steamer and start the timer.  Cook in a low fire for only thirty minutes.  After 30 minutes, let it cool and put inside the refrigerator.

sisig

1/2 kilo fried/salted pork belly/liempo--sliced into small pices
1/4 kilo fried chicken liver--sliced into small pieces
1 big onion sliced into small pieces
1 small ginger sliced into small pieces
1/2 cup mayonaise
1/2 teaspoon powdered white pepper
1/2 teaspoon powdered salt
chili powder
2 tablespoon lemon or calamansi juice


Mix all ingredients and put salt and pepper to taste.  If you want put it in a sizzling plate with egg on top....

gelatin

1 little box of jelly powder--red color--dissolved in a 6 cup of water  ( refer to the packet)

1 big evaporated milk/or creamer

2 cups white sugar

1 cup pineapple juice

1 small can pineapple sliced

Mix the first four ingredients.  Let it boil for 3 minutes.  Then put it in a glass container or stainless tray.  Then put pineapple pieces in each tray.  Let it cool and put it in the refrigerator.

SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS

GROUND BEEF IS TRADITIONALLY USED FOR MEAT SPAGHETTI SAUCE OR WITH GROUND BEEF WITH POTATOES.  SO I DECIDED TO RAID THE REFRIGERATOR AND BE CREATIVE WITH THE GROUND BEEF SITTING IN THE FREEZER FOR A WEEK SINCE I GOT HERE.


AND THIS IS THE FINAL PRODUCT:

1/2 KILO GROUND BEEF  (OPTIONAL: YOU CAN USE GROUND PORK BUT BEEF IS TASTIER)
1 SMALL SIZE CARROTS ( GRATED)
1/2 CUP BREAD CRUMBS
2 EGGS  ( BEATEN)
1 ONION (DICED)--DIVIDE INTO TWO SERVINGS-ONE SERVING FOR THE SAUCE
1 GARLIC (DICED)--DIVIDE INTO TWO SERVINGS-ONE SERVING FOR THE SAUCE
1/2 TEASPOON SALT
GROUND BLACK PEPPER


FOR THE SAUCE:

1/2 CUP WATER
1/2 CUP WHITE SUGAR
1/2 CUP VINEGAR
1 TEASPOON TOMATO SAUCE OR CATSUP
1/2 TEASPOON SOY SAUCE
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
CORNSTARCH DISSOLVED IN WATER


MIX ALL THE INGREDIENTS AND MOLD INTO SMALL BALL EACH.  FRY UNTIL BROWN AND SET ASIDE.

FOR THE SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE:

MIX ALL THE INGREDIENTS EXCEPT CORNSTARCH.
SAUTE GARLIC AND ONION, THEN OPTIONAL: YOU CAN ADD SLICED CARROTS.
THEN ADD THE MIX LIQUID SAUCE. LET IT BOIL FOR 3 MINUTES.  THEN ADD THE CORNSTARCH.  SIMMER UNTIL YOU REACH THE DESIRED THICKNESS.  THEN PUT THE FRIED MEAT BALLS TOGETHER WITH THE SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE.

TOKWA'T MANOK (derived from Pinoy's recipe of Tokwa't Baboy)--TOFU AND CHICKEN FILIPINO RECIPE

1 PACK TOFU OR TOKWA
1/2 KILO CHICKEN BREAST
1/2 CUP SOY SAUCE
1/2 CUP VINEGAR
2 TBSP BROWN SUGAR
1 ONION SLICED IN TINY PIECES
SALT
PEPPER


Fry the tofu on a low fire and until brown.Must be juicy inside and crispy outside.  Cut into cubes.  Season the chicken with a little salt and pepper and fry.  When the chicken turns brown, turn off the fire.Let it cool a bit and slice into cubes same size you slice the tofu. Mix the sliced tofu and chicken together.

FOR THE SAUCE:

MIX THE SOY SAUCE,VINEGAR AND SUGAR IN A BOWL. PUT SALT AND PEPPER ACCORDING TO YOUR TASTE. PUT THE SLICED ONIONS.

PININYAHANG MANOK---MILKY CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE

 1/2 KILO CHICKEN WINGS
 1 SMALL CAN OF PINEAPPLE TIDBITS OR CHUNKS (  DRAIN AND SET ASIDE JUICE FROM THE   PINEAPPLE FOR THE MARINADE)

 1 POTATO
 1 ONION
 1 SMALL CAN OF EVAPORATED MILK
 SALT
WHITE PEPPER
COOKING OIL


Sprinkle chicken wings with salt and pepper and marinate in pineapple juice for 30 MINUTES.  Heat oil in skillet and  brown the onion and  chicken wings. Cook and simmer for fifteen minutes or until tender. Put the pineapple tidbits/chunks and let simmer it simmer again for ten minutes.  After put the evaporated milk and let it simmer for five minutes. Season to taste.  Let it cool and serve in a bowl.

HOW LONG CAN YOU PRESERVE FOOD?

                          FREEZING FOODS






For most of us busy working while taking care of our family, our priority is to juggle between work and preparing healthy meals for our loved ones.But the predicament lies on the fact that we can't always use fresh veggies and meat products because of time constraint.


When it comes to food we want it to be healthy/full of nutrients. FREEZING is the solution for preserving food  but it depends on every item.


uncooked pork belly= 4-6 months
uncooked ground meat=4 months
uncooked chicken=4-6 months
uncooked bacon=2 months
sausage or hotdog=2 months (depending on expiry date on pack)
stews/soups/casserole=1 month
cooked spaghetti meat sauce=1 month
cooked spaghetti noodles=1 month
bakery products=1 month
fruits=1 month
vegetables=1 month




NOTE:


You can always prioritize not to freeze food but in case you are really busy you can do so.  However, always make sure that for good quality, you do freezing the moment you get home from the market or grocery.Make sure that veggies are blanched with hot water and let it cool before freezing. Make sure you put them in a freezing container. Make sure also to put them in a clear container so you can recognize them easily or maybe if you don't have one you can just label them.

CHOPSUEY PINOY RECIPE--MY DAD'S FAVORITE

1/2 KILO CABBAGE--CUT INTO HALF INCH PIECES
1/4 KILO CARROTS--SLICED THINLY AND DIAGONALLY
1/4 KILO SAYOTE--SLICED THINLY AND DIAGONALLY
1/4 KILO CAULIFLOWER--SEPARATE EACH FLOWER
1/4 KILO CHICKEN LIVER--CUT INTO SMALL PIECES
1/4 KILO CHICKEN MEAT--CUT INTO SMALL PIECES
1 SMALL CAN OF YOUNG CORN
1 GARLIC
1 ONION
2 TABLESPOON OF CANOLA COOKING OIL
PEPPER
SALT
2 TABLESPOON OF CORNSTARCH DISSOLVED IN 2 TBSP WATER


HEAT COOKING OIL IN FRYING PAN,PREFERABLY ONE BY TEFAL. WHEN IT IS HOT PUT THE ONIONS AND GARLIC--(IN LOW FIRE). AFTER 1 MINUTE, THE CHICKEN AND LIVER.WHEN IT TURNS A LITTLE BROWN,PUT THE SAYOTE,CARROTS AND YOUNG CORN. PUT COVER AND LET IT SIMMER. THE VEGGIES WILL BRING OUT WATER NATURALLY. WHEN IT IS HALF-COOK ALREADY, PUT THE CABBAGE.PUT SALT,PEPPER. SEASON ACCORDING TO YOUR TASTE. IF IT COOKED ALREADY THEN PUT THE DISSOLVED CORNSTARCH AND SIMMER FOR 1 MINUTE.READY TO SERVE.

NOTE:

TRY TO SERVE IT WITH FRIED TANIGUE FISH. FOR THE KIDS WITH CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN OR BREADED PORKCHOP.

CHEAPER BUYS

I stayed in the Philippines half of my life and stayed overseas half of it...I worked 8 years in another country in Asia and go to another country for a family visit.  With travels, shopping and doing groceries are part of them and we have obligation to fulfill....that is to spend wisely on each buys.

I can say that Taipei and some part of Taiwan has the best buys for clothing, gold jewelries and household items.  Not to mention the veggies and poultry products there. You can also try their traditional night market-it opens at 4pm until early dawn around 3AM. You can find cheap clothes, shoes, fashion jewelries and even branded items like Prada and LV. 

 If you are luxurious and have a lot of money in the bank, you can shop new gadgets in Singapore----Laptops,computers,notebook computers,computer Tablets and smart phones. No best buys here as all of the items are expensive compare to other Asian countries. The best thing about Singapore is that if you want a place away from pollution this is the best place for you.  

Philippines is still the best only if your hard-earned overseas money is spend here.  Aside from that you can go to Divisoria and do some haggling or "tawad" from some vendors. There you can find and buy boxes of fruits like fuji apple, oranges, ponkan, grapes, lychees and seedless kiat-kiat.  But you need to be careful for your belongings as there are pickpockets in the area. If you want a comfortable shopping, there are lots of grocery stores inside the Malls in Metro Manila Area. Look for sale items and you can always find cheaper items there. 

UNEXPLORED PART OF ORIENTAL MINDORO.....WHY GO TO HEAVILY-POLLUTED BORACAY...WHEN YOU CAN HAVE PEACE IN THIS PLACE??

After fifteen years, I was able to go back to the place I had so much memories when I was still a kid.  A place of my grandparents who raised me up after my Mom died and my Dad remarried.  It was really comforting to know that it is still the place I can still call home.

Part of these memories was swimming with my cousins almost the same with my age in the nearby beach during summer vacations.  Making sand balls and doing bonfires by the seashore during sunsets. I realized I missed those times when you can be with your cousins who can also be your best friends.

As I spend time bonding with old friends and relatives, I discovered an unexplored beach nearby my Grandparents place---a 10 minutes drive from our home.  Compared with Boracay (www.boracay.com )it is still undeveloped but it is so quiet that you can have a prayerful retreat and you can just hear the sound of the waves.  It has a white sand and some bamboo-made cottages.   You can bring your food and have your bbq grilled there.

From Manila you can ride in Buendia in Pasay City.  There are several bus terminals there going to Batangas City Port.  Fare is 160 Pesos ($3.10).  www.silent-gardens.com/bus.php. When you get there, look for the ticketing of a ferry boat Supercat ( www.supercat.com.ph)--I would suggest you choose this ferry to Calapan Oriental Mindoro Port because it is faster, travel time from Batangas Port to Calapan City Port is approximately 45 minutes. Fare is 310 Pesos. (around $8). Pay for the Terminal fee worth 20 Pesos.  From Calapan City you look for a passenger van to Roxas or Mansalay.  Fare is also around 300 Pesos.  Then look for a passenger tricyle and ask them to bring you there.  Fare is around 125-200 Pesos but you can haggle/negotiate and ask for cheaper price. You can also ask the driver for the available lodging/transient houses in the area.

For cheap souvenir items and  "pasalubong" (filipino term for something or some food you can buy --from the tour or from your travel -- which you can give your family when you arrive) from Aling Pacing's Bakery located in Poblacion, Mansalay Oriental Mindoro.  You can choose from laminated keychains, foldable bag, laminated drinking mug, designed T-shirts and coin purses. Try buying their special "Tiping"--kind of very thin cookie made with coco milk and skimmed milk.  It is always baked oven-fresh.  There are lots of baked products you can choose from their bakery. You can also try eating their Batangas-version Pancit Lomi cooked with freshly-made ingredients.

www.localphilippines.com/hotels-and-resorts/mansalay/12--click this link if you want to know more about the details.

The first computer game I finished.......

I am not really fond of computer games nor I don't have the idea of what Yannah is doing with the little toy birds in her hand...later that day I found out that there's a game called ANGRY BIRDS--it helped me     divert my mind from worries while I am having a vacation in my father's hometown---i developed a skill and able to control my temper while playing this game. You can download free application by clicking this site  www.angrybirds.net

MISSING YOUR FAMILY AND THINKING OF CHEAP IDD CALLS FROM THE PHILIPPINES

I am used to using internet in communicating with my sister in Singapore, my cousins in United States and my aunt in Canada..i just really wanted to be able to keep in touch of course with the help of new technology.However,if there's no internet connection or Wi-fi--how can I possibly do it????


Until recently I discovered that by subscribing to Sun Cellular telephone company under Prepaid plan I can buy an IDD card worth a hundred peso---and i can use just by loading in my account.--for a hundred ( $2.05 )I can call Singapore,US or Canada for 50 minutes.


But what caught me by surprise was Globe Telecoms (www.globe.com.ph)promotion offer. They have this option to activate Super IDD and you can have unlimited call for three chosen numbers...and I am so lucky that Singapore, US and Canada are among the listed countries I can call.By activating Super IDD149-for 149 Pesos  ($3.05) you can choose three numbers and really, you can talk unlimited for 24 hours. This is REAL and i subscribed to this and experience non-stop chit-chat with my loved ones. 


Or I can give you another option, Smart Communications (www.smart.com.ph) also has a promotional offer of loading a 300 pesos which is consumable for 30 days--if you want to really save, it covers 200 minutes worth of call for only 2 pesos per minute.


I highly recommend Globe Super IDD for heavy users---and for busy persons I recommend Smart.  For Sun cellular, it will also be a BEST BUY but sometimes their signal is not confined to the whole archipelago.

MY OLD TIME FAVORITE RECIPE--HALAYANG UBE OR UBE JAM

INGREDIENTS:

1 KILO UBE     ( PEELED AND BOILED )
1 CAN EVAPORATED MILK (BIG)
1 CAN CONDENSED MILK    (BIG
1 CUP SUGAR
1/2 CUP NESTLE ALL PURPOSE CREAM


Grate the cooked ube and mix it with all of the ingredients.  Cook it over controlled heat--low fire only, keep stirring until it thickens. Let it cool and put in a molding pan.