TAPSILOG

Tapa, Sinangag at Itlog

To make tapa: first, buy beef than have already been sliced from the asian store. Make a mixture of vinegar, salt and garlic. Marinade beef in this mixture at least overnight.

To cook: shallow fry in oil until brown

GELATIN

Gelatin

This is how I know gelatin, the way my aunt makes it.

How It's Done:

Place canned fruits or raisins at the bottom of your mold. Cook gelatin according to package directions. Pour over fruits. Chill in the fridge to set. To serve: mix condensed milk and cream, spread over gelatin. Garnish with grated cheese.

CHICKEN KEBOBS

Chicken Kebobs

What's In It:
chicken thighs and breasts, deboned and cut into bite size pieces
pineapple chunks, reserve syrup
liquid barbeque marinade
spring onions, cut into 2" lengths
garlic

How It's Done:
Combine barbeque marinade, pineapple syrup, spring onion and garlic. Put chicken in marinade and let stand for at least four hours. Skewer alternately chicken, pineapple and spring onions. Grill.

BAKED BEEF AND GRAVY

Baked Beef w/ Gravy

If you've come across a dish called Beef in Mushroom Gravy, this is just a modified. I just jazzed it up a bit by adding cheese and baking it.

What's In It:
Beef slices
Button mushroom
Beef stock
Flour
Salt
Pepper
Cheese

Dumpling and Shrimp Soup

Nope, it's not wonton or siomai soup. What I made were really dumplings, used the circular wrappers pa nga e, which I planned to cook gyoza style (commonly known here as pot-stickers). But it was raining that day and I could sense that my husband would more likely appreciate to have some hot soup. So what else is there to do but make soup of the dumplings

Dumpling and Shrimp Soup

Filling for the Dumpling:
ground pork
shrimps, chopped
carrots grated
green onion, chopped
a few leaves of kinchay, chopped
1 egg
soy sauce
salt
pepper

As usual I didn't measure the ingredients again but when in doubt fry small portions of the mixture to test and adjust the taste. Place filling on half of the wrapper and fold to cover, it should look like half-moons or empanada like in shape. Seal with water or egg-wash (mixture of beaten egg with a little water.

Boil 2 cups of chicken stock and 2 cups water in a pot. When the water is boiling add the dumplings. Let boil for 5 min. more then add pieces of shrimps and sliced carrots. Lastly, add the chinese cabbage and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with green onion.

Oven Roasted Chicken

Roast Chicken

Wash and clean the chicken thoroughly (don't be a pilosopo and ask me if you need soap for that ok). Pat dry with paper towels. O di ba bagong ligo na ang manok nyo, time to dress it up. You can use a simple dry rub of salt, ground balck pepper, garlic and onion powder. Or you can also use Italian or French Salad dressings, para mas vonggacious ang chicken. Place a few pieces of sliced onion, garlic, ginger and bay leaf in the cavity of the chicken. Thyme, basil and rosemary can also be used. I also placed some chopped garlic under the skin of the chicken (in between skin and meat) for extra measure. Oven broil or bake for 45 min-1 hour, depending on the size of the chicken.

Adobong Pusit

Ingredients:

6-8 medium size squids, cleaned
2 tomatoes sliced
onion sliced
garlic sliced
ginger cut into strips
1/4 c. vinegar
2-3 tbsp. soy sauce
a pinch of sugar
ground black pepper

Saute the garlic, ginger, onions and tomatoes. When the onion changes in color add in the squids.
Pour in the vinegar and let boil before stirring. Season with soy sauce, sugar and pepper.