Sinigang na Isda

After the holidays, I am craving for something different, something without pork, beef or chicken. *big grin*

So here's the answer for my craving! *wink*

Sinigang na Isda
(Fish in Sour Soup)

ingredients

1 kl Maya-Maya fish
4 medium tomatoes, cut into halves
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 medium onion, sliced
10 pcs pechay leaves
4 pcs small eggplant
6 pcs small okra
tamarind base mix (any souring agent)
salt
10 cups rice washing (hugas bigas) or water

here's how

On a pot, bring rice washing, garlic, onion and tomatoes to a boil.
Lower down the heat before adding the eggplant and okra.
Season with salt and tamarind base mix.
Simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add the fish and simmer for another 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked.
Add the pechay leaves. Turn off heat.
Serve hot!

Tips! Tips! Tips!

* You can use other kinds of fish which has talakitok, tilapia, bangus (milkfish) or even tuna.
* Other vegetables can also be added. Like Gabi (taro), sigarillas (kalamismis here in Batangas), sitaw (long beans) and labanos (raddish)

Happy New Year!

Whew! I guess my greetings' a couple a days late now. But then I still want to wish everyone of us a happy and prosperous 2009! *big smile!*

Aside from the firecrackers, I know that people gets busy preparing for their media noche (new year's eve midnight meal). Here's what we've got...

we really do love pansit! (isn't that obvious? *big grin*)
and for dessert... I made leche flan (the filipino style egg & milk custard). One of the Filipino's favorite. Want to try this?



the ingredients

10 medium sized eggs
2 cans (300 ml) condensed milk
1 can (370 ml) evaporated milk

***for the caramel
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup water

here's how

On a large bowl, crack all the eggs. Using a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula, stir until the egg yolks and egg whites are well blended. I suggest not to use blender or egg beater to avoid bubbles. Add the condensed and evaporated milk. Continue stirring until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Set aside.
On a sauce pan, caramelized 1 cup of sugar. Do not over cook the caramel to avoid burnt taste.
Pour the caramelized sugar on aluminum molds. Make sure that the bottom of the mold is well covered with the caramelized sugar.
Get the milk & egg mixture. Pour the mixture on the aluminum mold. About 3/4 inch thick. Cover with aluminum foil.
Steam on a low fire for about 45 minutes. Extend the steaming time if needed until the mixture sets.
To serve the leche flan, run a knife on the edge of the mold, then invert it on a serving dish.
enjoy the sweets!



again... happy new year every one!!!

Maligayang Pasko!

Merry Christmas Everyone!



... and i am very sorry if i wasn't able to cook and share recipes with you lately. I've been so busy with all the things this Christmas season brings.

Happy Holidays
and
God Bless!


(gee ann trying to reach for the christmas ball. so cute! *smiles*)

Lumpia

This is our version of spring roll. It is very seldom that we do not have this dish during family celebrations. For this one, here are...

The Ingredients

1/2 kilo ground pork
2 large carrots, julienned
1/4 kilo fresh green beans, julienned
1 kl Ubod (heart of palm), julienned
1 large red onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
cooking oil
lumpia wrapper

here's how

saute garlic and onion, add the ground pork and a dash of salt.
Stir well until the pork turns light brown.
Add the vegetables, season with salt and pepper.
Mix well until the vegetables are half cooked.
Remove from heat, drain excess fats.
Set Aside.

To assemble the lumpia...

Lay one sheet of lumpia wrapper, get another one and cut into half.
Place the half sheet over the 1st sheet of lumpia wrapper (on the edge nearest you).
Place 2 tablespoon of the filling.
Roll the wrapper towards the center.
Fold the sides then continue to roll.
Use beaten egg to seal the lumpia

Fry until golden brown.
Drain excess oil.
Serve..

with dipping sauce

for the sweet & sour sauce

1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste
1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water

On a sauce pan combine vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, water, sugar and salt, and boil for 2 minutes. Thicken with cornstarch mixture. Makes 1 1/4 cup

for the Vinegar Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup vinegar
salt
4 cloves garlic, minced

Tip of the day!

You can use other vegetables for fillings such as squash, bean sprouts, cabbage, sweet potatoes and singkamas (turnips).

What is Julienned?

According to wikipedia, Julienning is a method of food preparation in which the food item is cut into long thin strips.

i'ts been a while since my last post... got sick, been busy with my work and all... the result... no cooking done and no blog post as well...*sad* so while kuting is warming up for her kitchen come back... let's have lunch at Chowking for the mean time... *big grin*

i've got beef chow fan, fried tofu & iced tea



I love fried tofu (tokwa/bean curd)!

what to try this at home... here's how
Prepare the sauce first.
On a small bowl, mix minced garlic, chopped onions, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, salt.
Measurements for this depends on your taste. You can add chili (sauce/powder/flakes) if you want it a little bit hot. Set aside.
Fry the tofu until golden brown. Cut into 1/2-inch cube.
Place on a serving dish, pour the sauce and top with spring onions.
Serve hot!

Wok with Yan!

Since I was a child, I have always loved to watch cooking shows. While other kids watch cartoons, the tv at our house was tuned in to my very first favorite cooking show... Wok with Yan. *wink* A very popular Chinese cooking show which was aired here in the Philippines during the 80's. Hosted by Stephen Yan, a very energetic and cheerful chef. His sense of humor was fascinating that makes cooking looks so easy. I guess that is why people love watching his show.

I tried to find video clips of any of the episodes. Sadly, I can't find one...

Gee Ann's 1st Birthday!

Last November 8,2008 was my niece Gee Ann's birthday.

Most of the foods served are Filipino Deli.
Inay's Springrolls was a hit... well... as always! *big grin*
I'll be posting it's recipe soon. *wink*

Gee Ann's birthday cake from Goldilock's Bakeshop. Yummy!
Chocolate cake covered with colorful icing.

One of the games during the party is the Pabitin (lattice of goddies). Kid's stuffs such as toys and candies are placed on the lattice (balag). Then it will be hung on a place where it can be easily raised or lowered and where the kids can freely move. The kids will have jump to reach for the prizes when the lattice is lowered. This is the most loved game during kiddie parties.

After the long day of fun...

it's time to rest... shhh.... *wink*