Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Homemade Delights: Frosted Orange Pie



My first ever homemade pie. And also homemade pie crust. Look at the crust, it shrunk, hahaha!

I know it doesn't look yummy but my neighbors and my hubby said it was!

I got the recipe from Taste of Home's Prize-Winning Recipes "Clip and Keep" Recipe Card Collection and I thought to give it a try since the ingredients are available in my pantry and in my refrigerator. I got the recipe for the pie crust online. I suggest to just buy the crust though it is more fulfilling if you make it too.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1&1/4 cups water
2 egg yolks lightly beaten
2-3 tbsp grated orange peel
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pastry shell 9 inches, baked

Frosting:

1/2 cup sugar
2 egg white
2 tbsp water
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/8 tsp salt 
1/2 cup flaked coconut, optional toasted (I used desiccated coconut) 

In a saucepan , combine sugar, flour and salt; gradually add water. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for 2-3 mins or until thicken and bubbly. Remove from heat. Gradually stir 1/2 cup into egg yolks; return all to pan. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 mins. Remove from the heat, stir in orange and lemon peel. Gently stir juices. Pour into pastry shell. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Chill at least 3 hours.

In a heavy sauce pan or double broiler, combine sugar, egg whites and water, cream of tartar and salt. With a portable mixer, beat on a low speed for 1 min. Continue beating on low heat until frosting forms stiff peaks, about 7 minutes. Spread over chilled pie. Just before serving, sprinkle with coconut. Store in a refrigerator. Yield: 6-8 servings.

This is a very easy recipe. If you love pie and orange, you gotta try this!

Thank you for visiting! Have a good one!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Chewy Filipino Coconut Macaroons

Oh! so sweet, chewy and yummy Filipino Coconut Macaroons!

This has been my second post about this sweet delights and I would say that this recipe is way better than the first. (Photo above is owned by the author)

Ingredients:

2 cups desiccated coconut
1 can condensed milk- big
1/3 cup butter-softened
2 eggs- room temperature
1/2 cup flour
1/8 tsp baking powder
I/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions: 

1. Cream butter using hand mixer on low speed. Add sugar and beat together until well blended. Add eggs one at a time then add condensed milk, vanilla and continue to beat until blended thoroughly. 

2. In another bowl, combine flour and baking powder, then add desiccated coconut. Add to egg/milk mixture and beat  until combined.

3. Scoop into paper-lined mini muffin pans then bake in a preheated oven in 325F for 22 minutes. 

If you are looking for a Filipino Macaroons, try this recipe, it won't make you down, trust me :)

Thank you for dropping by.

You have a good one!


Friday, December 27, 2013

Paksiw Na Lagao


Thanks to the husband for pushing me to cook paksiw in the house. I always use my barbecue grill with an extension stove when I cook Filipino foods in Winnemucca but we did not bring it here in Round Mountain with us. 

After I cooked rice with bagoong last month, I was like hesitant to cook Filipino food already because I had to light scented candles afterwards until the foul odor is gone and I had to open the windows to let the air out.

But hubby said it is ok because he wants me to be happy and full.

So I did cook the paksiw but had to do the lighting of scented candles and opening the window which made me shiver because of the cold air coming in. Brr! 

Thanks for dropping by! 

You have a great one!


Saturday, December 7, 2013

Do You Eat Red Hot Pepper? I Do!

Photo is owned by the author

I just discovered myself that I can eat raw red hot pepper! Seriously! 

When I tried Pinoy Spiced Tuba Vinegar, I thought it was really spicy that could burn my tongue but it was not, I eventually eat the meat of the hot pepper because I did not want to waste them, hehehe! 

When hubby and I went to MelVicky International Store in Reno two weeks ago, I bought a pack of red hot pepper and I started eating them raw with my Bilong2x paksiw (which I forgot to take photos). It was not really as hot and spicy as I thought!

It was all gone and I am using Jalapeno pepper now while waiting for my next trip to Reno.

Thank you for dropping by! Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Ginisang Ampalaya with Egg

Photo is owned by the author

Delish! 

I took this photo last summer but I have not been able to blog about it until today.

Ampalaya or bitter melon is one of my favorite vegetables. I'd love to cook it with eggs and have it half-cooked because I like it kinda crispy. I also make a salad out of it and sometimes, I'd cut them in wedges and arrange them atop of my paksiw na isda and season it with salt and pepper. Yum!

Thanks to my friend Jovy. She gave me a lot last summer from her garden and I really enjoyed them.

And thanks for dropping by. Have a good one!


Ginisang String Beans with Pork Belly

Photo is owned by the author

This is one of my favorites! Whenever I see fresh string beans at the Asian Store in Reno, I would always buy some. Oh, I could eat 3 plates of Jasmine rice with this dish!

Make sure to brown the pork belly first before putting garlic, onion and tomatoes, then add dark soy sauce or ordinary soy sauce will do, then add string beans. Don't over cook them. 

It's really good!

Thank you for dropping by. You have a good one!


Monday, November 25, 2013

Fried Pork Chops in Pinoy Crispy Fry Mix

The photo is owned by the author

During the packing of stuff for moving to Round Mountain, NV, I found out that I had this crispy fry mix in my pantry so I thought to use it before it expires.

The first thing that I bought from the General Store (the only grocery store in Round Mountain) when we finally moved in were Pork chops. I seasoned them with salt and pepper first, then I put them in a resealable bag, added the crispy fry mix until well coated then fried them. 

It was so darn good dipping them with spiced Tuba Vinegar!

Yum, yum!

Thanks for dropping by! You have a good one!


Sunday, November 24, 2013

Spiced Tuba Vinegar

Spiced Tuba Vinegar- Photos are owned by the author


Meet my new addition to my vinegar family in my pantry. I bought this from the new Filipino Store in Reno, NV. I went crazy when I saw it, hehehe!

By judging the photo, it looks like it is very very spicy to the highest level, but no, it is mild only, trust me! I even eat the "meat" of the hot pepper and it is not really that spicy at all.  Just make sure to only put a little salt or patis because it is a little salty already.

If you are missing tuba vinegar from your neighbor's sari2x store back home, look for this from any Asian store to try.

Just sharing. Thanks for dropping by. You have a wonderful day!


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Mango Float

 
Photos are owned by the author

Mango float is a famous Filipino dessert and is best eaten during summer time but I made some anyway even though winter is just around the corner because hubby bought me a box of mangoes the other week. So, I thought to make a sweet treat out of them.

And I dedicated this sweet treat to my Pinay friends in Winnemucca, NV especially to Emy because she donated the graham crackers :) I supposed to bring the ingredients except graham crackers to Winnemucca last week for everyone to enjoy but I forgot to load them in hubby's truck.

I made two batches and I already enjoyed the first batch and I gave the other batch to my Mexican friend Josefina for her and her kids to try. I hope they liked it.

Thanks for dropping by. You have a good one!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Prime Rib and Lobster Tail at da Vinci Retaurant in Siena Hotel and Casino, Reno, NV

Prime Rib with Prawns and Mashed Potatoes and a side of Lobster tail


When I was still working at Northern Nevada Eyecare in Winnemucca, Nevada, we had a tour to Sun Star Lab in Reno, for us new employees to have an idea how the glasses or spectacles are made and for old employees to be refreshed, something to that effect.

The Company paid for everything and the tour was very educational. We were housed at Siena Hotel and Casino and it was my first time there. One of my bosses, Dr. Svoboda, we call him Dr. S., treat us to dinner in a fancy restaurant inside the hotel. The food was superb! 

I love prime rib and sea foods so that's what I ordered. I only had water as my drink because I already had a glass of Margarita before we headed to the restaurant. 

Just last month, hubby and I stayed in Siena but the da Vinci Restaurant was no longer in business. I was surprised when I saw a different name which I couldn't remember what was it.

Well, I'm glad I was there when the da Vinci was still there. I wished hubby was with me that time.

Thank you for dropping by.

Have a good one!


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Filipino Garlic Fried Rice with Bagoong Alamang

Photo  is owned by the author


I have been craving Fried rice Pinoy style lately after I had some at one of my weekend visits to Winnemucca, courtesy of my Pinay friends Emy and Nathalie. So, I fried my leftover rice with garlic and I also put a teaspoon of bagoong alamang (before I added the rice) to add some flavor.

I ate it with hard boiled eggs and tomatoes. Yum to the highest level!

The house got stinky because of the bagoong alamang but hubby said it's fine as long as eating stinky stuff makes me happy, hehehe! I lighted a scented candle though :)

Thanks for dropping by. You have a good one!


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Very Easy To Make Vegetable Lumpia

Photos are owned by the author

Just buy a pack of broccoli slaw from the produce department, put salt and pepper according to your taste, wrap a tablespoonful in a lumpia wrapper then fry into hot oil. Very easy recipe, ain't it?

You can use any sauce but I'd like to eat it with spicy vinegar with lots of minced garlic, yum! Hubby on the other hand, would like to have it with a equally combined mayonnaise and yellow mustard.

If you love lumpia, try this recipe!

I learned this recipe from my Filipino friend, Jovy, who has been in the US since she was a little girl. Credit to her.

Thanks for dropping by.


Saturday, September 28, 2013

How Do You Like Your Eggs?


 

Hubby and I went to Filler Up! Restaurant in Model T. Hotel and Casino for breakfast today. I ordered Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs and a cup of hot tea. Hubby ordered breakfast skillet and coffee. 

When the waitress asked me how I would like my eggs, I wasn't able to answer her right away because I was busy with my phone watching Ms. World 2013 Megan Young's crowning moment so I asked hubby, "Mahal, how?" He answered, "Over-easy" which was what I really wanted too.

When the foods were served, I noticed that the eggs were scrambled but I was too starving to make a comment. In between my chewing, I asked hubby, "Mahal, these are scrambled right? I was referring to my eggs. He said, "Yes." I said, "And, I ordered over-easy, right?" He answered, "Yes".

All of a sudden, the waitress rushed in and excused herself for bothering us, and talked to me that the over-easy eggs are coming. In my mind, I was like, "How did she know that we were talking about it?" So I asked her, "Did you hear it when I asked my husband about it?" She said, "The Manager did when he passed by your table". I told her not to bring the eggs, the scrambled was okay and that I am almost done eating already. And that it's fine with me, no worries. 

I was in the mood that time because of Megan Young's victory which I was thinking, my victory too, char!

She left and came back with the bill and said, "This is for the breakfast skillet. We got your Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs". Meaning, I don't have to pay for my foods. I told her they don't need to do that because it is really okay with me and the scrambled eggs are just fine. She insisted and I thanked her :)

To the Manager of Filler Up! Restaurant in Model T. Hotel and Casino, "Cheers" to you! Good job!

Thanks for dropping by :)


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Home Made Salted Eggs with Tomatoes


Homemade Salted Eggs and Tomatoes

Nope, I did not make them. 

They are made by Ate Sol, the most generous and most kind Pinay in Winnemucca :) Thanks to her. The eggs are just perfect! And way ever better than what is available in the market.

Are you wondering if they are duck eggs? Yes, they are! Ate Sol bought them  for $2.50 a dozen. They are huge in size and fresh! She bought them from a local lady that has farm somewhere :) The lady also sells fresh chicken eggs for the same price.

Ain't it cool when somebody can make salted eggs outside Pinas? Pretty cool, huh?

Thanks for dropping by!


Monday, September 16, 2013

Plantain Banana Turon

Crispy Banana Plantain Turon

One of the Pinoy foods that I used to miss back home is banana turon made of "karnaba" variety.

Jovy, a Pinay-American who just moved-in to Winnemucca from Las Vegas and who eventually became a friend, taught me to use plantain in lieu of "karnaba". Plantain is a kind of banana that is ready to use when the skin turns darker like blackish, something like that :) When I tried it, it tasted like turon in Pinas!

Since then, I did not miss turon anymore :) As long as I have lumpia wrapper in my freezer and a plantain in the grocery store, I can make banana turon anytime I want.

If you are not in Pinas like me, and you are craving banana turon, go ahead make one out of banana plantain! Just make sure you have a lumpia wrapper, okay?

You have a good one!


Sunday, September 15, 2013

Have You Ever Heard About Pickled Okra Before?

Hand Packed Crispy Okra Pickles


Do you like Okra but can't find fresh ones  here in US? Look for pickled ones! They are really good! 

My teenagers err twenty-agers and I discovered pickled okra accidentally in WalMart (when they came to visit last April) while looking for pickled cucumber. They didn't like it but I did. I can eat the whole jar! 

Try them and tell me what you think. 

By the way, I am inviting you to join my Birthday Giveaway Promo to win a pair of gorgeous Juicy Couture sunglasses. Just follow the instructions.

Thank you! Have a good one!


Saturday, September 14, 2013

Bagel Breakfast Sandwich

Yummy Bagel Breakfast Sandwich

Hubby surprised me this morning. He usually makes bagel breakfast for my "baon" at work when he is off. Today is Saturday (I work Monday-Friday), Nevada time, yet he made one for me :)

On the other hand, I was thinking maybe he forgot what day it  is today, hahaha! Whatever :) Thank you mahal ko! I love you!

Anyway, I am inviting you to join Birthday Giveaway Promo to win a gorgeous pair of Juicy Couture sunglasses from me. Just follow the instructions and you will go from there.

Thanks for dropping by. Have a good one!
 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Pork Belly Sinugba

Yummy Pork Belly Sinugba!

I brought this with me at a Filipino Picnic last week but it was not really appreciated much because my Pinay friend Rowena had brought the same too, it was not pork belly though but it was lean meat and we had decided to just mixed them  altogether. It turned out really good!

I would really recommend this recipe because it is good and it is prepared with not the usual marinade. 

Ingredients:

Pork Belly
Sinigang Mix
Salt 
Pepper

Procedure:

Slice the meat to your desired size
Rub Sinigang mix
Rub salt and pepper
Marinate in 30 minutes to 1 hour
Grill until done
Slice and serve hot

I personally did not need sawsawan because it's really good already without one. But if you want sawsawan, just slice onion and tomatoes, add lemon juice or vinegar and soy sauce then serve with the sinugba.

You try this, and trust me, you will like it as much as I did :)

Thanks for dropping by. Have a good one!


Thursday, July 4, 2013

HUMBA or Braised Pork Belly

HUMBA!

Humba is not my favorite food because it is very fatty. But last week, I craved for fatty foods so I thought to make humba out of the frozen pork belly in my freezer. Thanks to my Pinay friend Emy for buying them from an Asian Store in Reno for me.

I found a recipe online but I modified it depending upon the availability in my pantry. The humba turned out just perfect!

Sharing the recipe here:

Ingredients:

2 lbs pork belly- cut into desired serving size
1 cup Pepsi
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup silver swan soy sauce
1/2 cup vinegar
3 bay leaves
1 tbsp peppercorns
1.5 tsp salt
1 regular size white onion
1/2 cup water 

Procedure:

1. Combine all ingredients except 1/2 cup water. Marinate for 1 hour.
2. Put them all in a sauce pan. Add 1/2 cup water.
3. In medium heat, cook them for 15 minutes.
4. Lower the fire until meat becomes tender.
5. Taste it according to your liking.
6. It takes an hour or an hour an half before it is done but make sure to check it once in a while.
7. Serve.

I heard that it tastes better when using pineapple juice but I was out of it so I used Pepsi instead. I will try using pineapple juice in my next craving, hehehe!

Thanks for dropping by :)


Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Gulaman, Mango and Avocado Sa Malamig


Gulaman, Mango and Avocado drink

It was 104 degrees last Sunday but it did not hinder me and my Filipino friends to go out to the park for a picnic. I grilled bangus and I made gulaman, mango and avocado drink, or we call it in the Philippines "Gulaman sa Malamig". I did not put "sago" because I did not have it. I only utilized the fruits that were available. That morning, hubby bought mangoes and avocados so I thought to make a refreshing drink out of them with gulaman bars in my pantry that's been there for months.

As soon as I arrived at the park, everyone had a drink right away to quench their thirst. We had lots of food and we had a great time :)

Sharing the recipe of Gulaman, Mango and Avocado Drink:

Ingredients:

3 cups diced cooked gulaman - follow the label's instruction when making them
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
1 big mango- diced
1 big avocado- diced
2 cups of water
 ice cubes

 Procedures:

Combine all ingredients gently in a pitcher except ice cubes
When they are combined thoroughly, put ice cubes
Stir 
Pour in tall glasses
Serve 

...

Read More at filipinostylerecipe.com/2013/06/fruit-salad-drink/ © Filipino Style Recipe
...

Read More at filipinostylerecipe.com/2013/06/fruit-salad-drink/ © Filipino Style Recipe
You may want to put sugar if you want it sweet. I did not put sugar in mine because I believed it would just add up the thirst after drinking. I wanted a refreshing drink only, you know :)

Thanks for dropping by :)

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Ginisang Asparagus and Broccoli with Pritong Tulingan



I used to cook this back home but using string beans. In lieu of  string beans, I used asparagus and broccoli for this dish.  It's so good that I have finished 2 plates of Jasmine rice :D Burrp!

Ingredients:

fried fish- I used tulingan
asparagus
broccoli
onion
garlic
bell pepper
soy sauce
oil
salt to taste

Procedure:

In a wok, heat oil then add garlic and onions. Then add asparagus, broccoli and bell pepper When they are almost ready, add  fish then soy sauce and salt to taste.


Saturday, February 16, 2013

Bulalo or Beef Shank with Bone Marrow Soup

Yummy Bulalo

This has become my favorite Pinoy food. It was a hit when I brought this to a Christmas Party last December. Thanks to Filipinofoodrecipesdotcom :D

Ingredients:
  • 6 - 7 pounds Beef Shanks with Bone Marrow
  • 1 head Garlic, cut
  • 1 large Onion, cubed
  • 2 Carrots, roughly cut
  • 2 stalks Celery, roughly cut
  • 1 teaspoon Whole Peppercorns
  •  Salt
  • 2 - 3 Potatoes, cubed
  • 2 Corn on the cob, cut in 1 1/2 inch
  • 2 stalks Pechay or Bok Choy
  • Water as needed

Procedure:

Using a deep pot, boil the water with the beef, remove the scum that will float on top.

Add the garlic, onion, carrots, and celery and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beef is tender, adding more water to keep the meat and veggies submerged.

Put in the potatoes, corn and leeks and simmer for another 20 minutes or until potatoes and corn are tender.

Season with salt as needed, then add the Pechay and turn the heat off.

Serve hot with rice.