Thursday, February 17, 2011

Recipe: Beef Tapa (Pinoy style)

PINOY BEEF TAPA RECIPE


INGREDIENTS:

1 klo beef tenderloin, sliced half inch thcik across grain
1 cup dark soy sauce
1.5 cup cane vinegar
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp white sugar
2 tbsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp cloves
3 pcs bay leaf
1 small cinammon bark

PROCEDURE:

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
Let the beef tenderloin sit in the marinade for about a day and a half.
Remove beef from marinade and arrange on a flat tray and allow to air-dry for half a day.
Fry lightly in vegetable oil.
Boil marinade for about thirty minutes until slightly thick.
Pour over beef tapa, but not to overwhelm the beef.
Serve with fried egg, garlic- fried rice, and pickled papaya.





acknowledgment:  FB page- The Heart of Chel

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Recipe: Pasta in Creamy Crab Sauce

Here's another pasta recipe for you pasta lovers out there.  I lifted this from my friends facebook page.  I hope you like it!  I'm sure my son will love this since he is so into pastas with cream sauces....


PASTA IN CREAMY CRAB SAUCE



INGREDIENTS:

1 cup crab meat, cooked
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
1/8 tsp ginger powder
1/8 tsp dried sage
1/8 tsp dried basil
1 tsp chopped fresh, flat parsley
250 gms cooked pasta (spaghetti)
2 cups cream
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup unsalted butter
splash of dry white wine
olive oil
fresh ground black pepper
rock salt

PROCEDURE:

Make a roux by meting the butter in a pan and add the flour and mix well until flour is smooth and combined well with the butter, forming a roux.
Add the cream and continue to a simmer, but do not allow roux to thicken so much.
In another saute pan, heat olive oil and saute garlic and onions.
Add the roux and the crabmeat, sage, basil, pasta and a splash of white wine.
Continue to cook under medium heat and season with salt and pepper.
Top pasta with chopped parsley before serving.



Acknowledgment:  recipe & photo lifted from FB page, "The Heart of Chel"

Recipe: Nilasing na Hipon (Drunken Shrimps)

Here's a shrimp recipe that is a good viand, pica-pica or a "pulutan" for the beer drinkers out there.


DRUNKEN SHRIMPS


INGREDIENTS:

1/2 klo shrimps, shell in
2 cups beer
1 tbsp white sugar
rock salt
vegetable oil for frying
flour for rolling

PROCEDURE:

In a mixing bowl, combine beer and sugar.
Marinate shrimps in the mixture overnight.
Before frying, drain shrimps of excess liquid and roll in flour.
For deep frying, prepare a wok and heat oil.
Deep fry shrimps to a crisp.
Drain excess oil from shrimps.
Serve on a platter and top with rock salt.
Use garlic-soy vinegar as dipping sauce.





Acknowledgment:  recipe courtesy of The Heart of Chel

Thursday, February 3, 2011

recipes: Chicken strips

If you're looking for a simple recipe that your kids will simply love, here's a recipe for chicken strips that I got courtesy of Oprah's website. sorry but i can't get a pic.  just wanted to share it with you.
 
 Servings: Serves 4
Ingredients
Chicken Strips
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. chili powder (optional)
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders
  • 2 lightly beaten eggs
  • 1/4 cup mustard
  • 2 Tbsp. honey
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°. Combine the salt, pepper and chili powder with the bread crumbs and mix. Dip the chicken in the egg, then in the spiced bread crumbs. Place on a nonstick baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is firm and the bread crumbs are browned. While the chicken cooks, mix together the mustard and honey. Serve the chicken with the honey and mustard sauce.
Lifted from Oprah.com
 

Simply loving the weather

Blame it on global warming....or the cold front,  but for a person who lives in a tropical country, the cold weather these days is such a relief.  I love it!!!! No more migraine attacks.  Thank God. Except for the occasional hot streaks....
I hope it lasts till my birthday!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

blogging

Get your potbellied pig to mate

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Soil and its Uses

My son had an assignment in his Science subject.  They were asked to find out the important uses of soil.  To help out those of you who might be looking for the same, here's what we found:


Soil is a natural body consisting of layers (soil horizons) of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics.
It is composed of particles of broken rock that have been altered by chemical and environmental processes that include weathering and erosion. Soil differs from its parent rock due to interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and the biosphere.It is a mixture of mineral and organic constituents that are in solid, gaseous and aqueous states.

Uses of Soil:

1.       Soil is used in agriculture, where it serves as the primary nutrient base for the plants. Soil resources are critical to the environment, as well as to food and fiber production. Soil provides minerals and water to plants. Soil is used to make plants grow healthy.  The types of soil used in agriculture (among other things, such as the purported level of moisture in the soil) vary with respect to the species of plants that are cultivated.

2.       Soil is used in constructions and arts. Soil material is a critical component in the mining and construction industries. Soil serves as a foundation for most construction projects. Massive volumes of soil can be involved in surface mining, road building, and dam construction. Earth sheltering is the architectural practice of using soil for external thermal mass against building walls.  Soil is used to make pots.

3.       Soil play an important role in filtrating and purifying water. After coming down as precipitation, much of the rain water is percolated through the many horizons of a soil profile and renamed as groundwater. As the water moves through different areas such as wetlands, forests, and riparian zones many pollutants are removed. Pollutants such as viruses, oils, metals, excess nutrients, and sediments are filtered out by the soil and surrounding organisms.

4.       Waste management often has a soil component. Landfills use soil for daily cover.  Septic drain fields treat septic tank effluent using aerobic soil processes.

5.       Organic soils, especially peat, serve as a significant fuel resource.

Source:  Google


Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New Year 2011

picture lifted from google

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Dogs: Dalmatian

The Dalmatian is mostly known as the "Firehouse Dog" and the breed gained popularity after the Disney movies 101 Dalmatians.


If you watched it and enjoyed those cute spotted puppies, then you've been introduced to the Dalmatian Breed.


It is a breed of dog whose roots are often said to trace back to Dalmatia, a region of Croatia. The Dalmatian is unmistakably noticeable due to its unique black spotted coat. This dog remains a well loved family pet and most dog enthusiasts enter their pets into the competitions of many kennel clubs. 


They live about 10-12 years.




Temperament


The Dalmatian is trainable to a high degree of obedience. They can be trained for defense and are good watchdogs. Half of the people who adopt a Dalmatian puppy do not keep them past the first year. Young Dalmatians are very energetic, and need a tremendous amount of leadership and exercise. 


They are very playful pets so watch them closely if you have kids.







Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Greetings



No special post for today.... Just want to greet my followers (wherever in the world you are...)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! 



Friday, December 17, 2010

Craft Ideas: Painted Sneakers

Here's a cute craft idea for you crafty moms out there.... painted sneakers.


Give sneakers a one-of-a-kind look with this charming craft.

Tools and MaterialsNewspaper
Clean canvas sneakers
Fabric or acrylic craft paint
Artist paintbrushes
Fabric paint pens

Painted Sneakers How-To1. Cover a work surface with newspaper.

2. Using fabric paints and paint pens, decorate sneakers.

3. Let paint dry for 24 hours before painting another shade on top of the original color.


Lifted from Marthastewart.com

Holiday Recipe: Beef Morcon

Most Filipino homes prepare this for their Christmas feast.  Let me share with you a recipe from my good friend Chelo.








INGREDIENTS:

BEEF ROLL
1 klo beef tenderloin, sliced thinly
1 pc of chorizo, sliced lengthwise
2 pcs of hotdogs
1/4 klo finely chopped beef liver
250 gms pork fat
1 large gherkin, sliced lengthwise, divide into 3
3 pcs of hard boiled egg
1/4 cup dark soy sauce
rock salt
fresh ground black pepper
olive oil

SAUCE
5 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
1 large red onion, chopped
5 large red tomatoes, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium carrot, sliced lengthwise
200 gms fresh basil, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup beef stock
1/2 cup red wine, medium sweet
1 tsp white sugar
rock salt
fresh ground black pepper
olive oil

PROCEDURE:

Flatten the meat using a bottle to pound it.
Season with salt and pepper.
Lay the liver and flatten it.
Put the hotdogs, chorizo, pork fat, gherkin, carrots, and boiled eggs.
Roll the meat, making sure all ingredients are carefully tucked inside.
Secure this using a kitchen string.
Pour in the soy sauce.
In a wide pan, lightly cook rolled beef in olive oil until lightly browned.
Set aside.

On another pan, heat olive oil then saute the garlic, onions, tomatoes until soft.
Pour in the tomato sauce.
Add the celery, bell peppers, basil, bay leaves, and sugar.
Add the beef stock and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add the rolled beef and adjust heat to low.
Cover pan tightly with an aluminum foil and allow to cook slowly for about 1 hour.
Just gradually add the red wine should liquid be reduced.
Season with salt and pepper.





lifted from:  The Heart of Chel (FB page)

News on Hubert Webb




Hubert Webb - Acquitted. Hubert Webb was released from prison on Tuesday.
Hubert Webb along with his co-accused in the Vizconde massacre case walked out of the New Bilibid Prison after the Supreme Court released its decision acquitting the convicts for the murders of  the Vizconde women, Estrellita and her daughters Carmela and Jennifer in 1991.
Framed or not? is the next issue that is yet to be proven.  Guilty or not, who knows? For who are we to judge them?  Let God be their judge.  I guess for an outsider like me, they've already suffered in prison.  And we will never know the pain & emotional suffering they went through.
Of course, for Hubert's family, it's a feeling of answered prayers and granted wishes..... a happy Christmas is what they're in for...  After 15 long years behind bars and 15 Christmases spent apart.
For Mr. Vizconde, a very sad  and painful one for not getting the justice he so long prayed for.  I pray that he finds peace.  Let the real culprits be nagged by their conscience and the ghosts of the victims all the remaining days of their lives.

For Jessica Alfaro, the so-called "Star Witness", Perjury may be a case against her for lying & fooling everyone under oath.  I personally have doubted her from the start.
Presently, I guess they all just need to get their bearings first.  It's a time for catching up on the 15 years they missed.  To them, everything is new.  It is obvious that they still feel fear, not for the murder they are accused of, but fear of confronting all the changes around them.  Who wouldn't be if you were locked in the four corners of your jail cell for 15 long years.  
Let them be.  It's their right to live their life again.

acknowledgement: inquirer.net; google

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Pinoy Team wins Amazing Race Asia Season 4

Congratulations to the Philippines' representatives, Richard Herrera and Richard Hardin for bagging the most elusive "1st Place" in the Amazing Race Asia Season 4 competition on AXN.  They won US $100,000 aside from the other prizes they received each time they were first on the pitstops.


Herrera and Harden finally won the title after a couple of close calls in the previous seasons—in Season 2, Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez finished 3rd and  in season 3, Geoff Rodriguez and Tisha Silang  ended up in 2nd place.
They triumphantly touched the mat after beating 9 other teams in a race across 15 cities in 8 countries and with over 38,000 kilometers traveled in the final episode aired on December 9.
They beat the father-daughter team of Natasha & Hussein from Indonesia, and the Singapore team, Claire and Michelle. The Richards had surely relied on their strength for most of the physical tasks. But it wasn’t always an easy race for this formidable duo. They had their own share of downs too. But with luck and strength, and i guess determination, they won.
The other Philippine team, composed of Jess & Lani, finished 4th. Congrats to them too. They also had their "firsts" in some pitstops.

Acknowledgement:  AXN, Good News Pilipinas, google

Monday, December 13, 2010

How to make Red Salted Eggs (Itlog na Maalat/Pula)


Ever thought of how red eggs are made?  Why is the egg red? Why is it salty?
 
Eggs with small fissures are sold as fresh duck eggs in stores & supermarkets. Eggs with thin shells but have no cracks are made into salted red eggs.

Here are two ways of making salted red eggs:

Clay/Mud Method:

You will need:
12 duck eggs                           Pail                              milk can
Garden soil                             water                           Salt
Red dye

Procedure:
Dip eggs in a mixture of salt, garden soil, and water.
As a starter, put 3 canfuls of salt (using common powdered milk can) to ½ pail of garden soil that have been strained. Add water gradually. Stop adding water to soil when mixture sticks to your fingers when you dip these in the salty muck.
Coat eggs with soil-salt mixture and store for 18 days. On the 19th day, wash and hard-boil the eggs.
Finally, dip salted eggs in a solution of red dye. The next batch of eggs can be processed using the previous mixture, but add one canful of salt. Store eggs in a box.



Brine Method:


Just like vegetable and meat, eggs can be preserved, too. Salting eggs is one way of doing it. They taste good with tomatoes. They are ready to be serve and not messy for people who do not want to be bothered with saucy preparations when bringing packed meals.
Ingredients:
  • 12 Ducks eggs
  • 12 cups water
  • 6 cups salt
Procedures:
  1. Boil 6 cups salt with 12 cups water. Cool the mixture after boiling.
  2. Carefully place 12 duck eggs in a wide mouth glass jar.
  3. Pour the brine solution into the jar. Weigh down the eggs with a plate to keep them from floating, or instead of a jar, use a sealed plastic bag filled with the salt solution.
  4. Cover the mouth of the jar with perforated paper, Keep the jar in a cool dry place.
  5. Try one egg after 12 days. Soak the eggs again for 5 days more if the dried egg is not salty enough.
  6. When the eggs are salty enough boil them for 10 minutes.
  7. Color the egg’s shells if desired. (The most common color is red dye).


Disclaimer:  Photos & info lifted from google

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Holiday Recipe: Roast Porkloin


ROAST PORKLOIN WITH APPLE SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:

APPLE SAUCE
3 pcs green apples, sliced in thin wedges
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup light syrup or maple syrup
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp ginger powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg

PORK
1 kilo pork, top loin
1 small fresh ginger, ground
1 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp rock salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
2 bay leaves, torn
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, remove leaves from stem

PROCEDURE:

PORK
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Combine all other pork ingredients and coat pork well.
Keep pork loin shape intact by tying it with a kitchen string.
Place pork on a rack or baking pan and cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Check with kitchen thermometer, temperature must be at around 160 degrees for pork to be well cooked.
Keep the juices from the roast pork for applesauce.

APPLE SAUCE
In a saucepan, heat butter and saute apples until very tender.
Add the ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add the chicken broth and the syrup then strain.
Add the juices from the roast pork.
Allow to simmer for five minutes more with constant stirring.

SERVING
Slice roast pork and add the applesauce on top.
You can serve the roast pork with mashed potato or baked potato topped with sour cream and onion chives.


Thanks for this recipe Chelo!

Source:  The Heart of Chel (FB)

Methods of Preserving Food

This is from my son's school assignment. It might be helpful for those researching for the same topic. I hope it helps.


Ways Of Preserving Food:
1. Freezing. Foods which spoil readily are frozen for transportation, and must be kept packed in ice until used. Examples: Fish and poultry.
2. Refrigeration. Foods so preserved are kept in cold storage. The cooling is accomplished by means of ice, or by a machine where compressed gas is cooled and then permitted to expand. Examples: meat, milk, butter, eggs, etc.
3. Canning. Which is preserving in air-tight glass jars, or tin cans hermetically sealed. When fruit is canned, sugar is usually added.
4. Sugar. Preserving in sugar or syrup. Examples: fruit-juices and condensed milk.
5. Exclusion of Air/Vacuum sealing is a fast and efficient way to prolong the life and freshness of food. Preservation relies on taking away one or more of the elements that cause food to deteriorate. Vacuum sealing takes away the oxygen that microbes need in order to break down food. Appropriate types of food are stored in an airless environment, usually in an air-tight pack or bottle to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Example: long-term storage of cereals, nuts, cured meats, cheese, smoked fish, coffee, and potato chips (crisps), vegetables, meats.
6. By Drying. Drying consists in evaporation of nearly all moisture, and is generally combined with salting, except in vegetables and fruits.
7. By Evaporation. There are examples where considerable moisture remains, though much is driven off. Example: beef extract.
8. By Salting. There are two kinds of salting, - dry, and corning or salting in brine. Salt is a preservative. When salt is applied in fish, the salt penetrates the tissues, drives out the water in the fish and settles in the tissue, which is why the fish tastes salty. Bacteria do not thrive in food with salt. That is why the food does not spoil and can keep longer. Examples: salt codfish, beef, pork, tripe, etc.
9. By Smoking. Some foods, after being salted, are hung in a closed room for several hours, where hickory wood is allowed to smother. Examples: ham, beef, and fish.
10. By Pickling. Vinegar, to which salt is added, and sometimes sugar and spices, is scalded; and cucumbers, onions, and various kinds of fruit are allowed to remain in it.
11. By Oil. Immersing in different oils (ex. Olive oil)
Examples: sardines, anchovies, etc.
12. By Antiseptics. The least wholesome way is by the use of antiseptics. Borax and salicylic acid, when employed, should be used sparingly.
13. Curing refers to various food preservation and flavoring processes, especially of meat or fish, by the addition of a combination of salt, sugar, nitrates or nitrite. Many curing processes also involve smoking.
14.  Dehydrating.  Drying by means of using a dehydrator machine. Example:  dried fruits. Dehydration is used to make packaged soups, coffee, tea and most spices. Dried foods can be reconstituted by adding water or often simply consumed dry. Common dried foods we eat every day include raisins, plums and beef jerky.
15. Vinegar preservation. Vinegar is acetic acid. The use of acid like vinegar is one preservative used in many homes. A cucumber pickle is an example of this. Bacteria do not thrive in acid so that foods mixed or cooked with vinegar do not spoil easily.

- lifted from google

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Recipe: Choco Marshmallow Fudge Bars



Hope you enjoy this.....





CHOCO MARSHMALLOW FUDGE BARS

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups white sugar
3/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 12 oz. package bittersweet chocolate chips
1 7 oz. jar Marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

PROCEDURE:

Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2-1/2 quart saucepan.
bring to full rolling bOil, stirring constantly. 
Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring. 
Remove from heat, stir in chocolate till melted. 
Add marshmallow creme, nuts & vanilla beat till blended. 
Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. 
Let cool and cut into 1-inch squares.

Disclaimer:  Taken from my friend Chelo's The Heart of Chel FB page