Pandesal/Rolls

(Ingredients by Kuya Lharrie 😊)

Ingredients:
6 cups     all-purpose flour
1 tbsp.     salt
1 cup       sugar
1 tsp.       baking powder
2 tbsp.     ActiveDry Yeast
1 ¾ cup   milk (evaporated milk is an option)
1 tsp.       sugar (from 1 cup)
1 tsp.       vanilla
2 pcs.      eggs
3/4 cup    unsalted butter (soften/room temperature)
2 tsp.       honey (optional)

Instructions:
Warm milk for 1 min in the microwave. Add 1 tsp. sugar and yeast. Let the yeast activate for 5-10 mins. You will see bubbles when ready. Set aside.

Combine all dry ingredients; flour, salt, sugar and baking powder in a separate bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of stand mixer, combine the activated yeast, vanilla, eggs, butter and honey. Using the dough hook, turn the mixer to slow speed. Slowly add the flour mixture by ½ cup. Once the dough starts to incorporate into the dough, increase the speed to medium until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. Dough should be slightly sticky and soft. Add more or less flour until you reach the dough consistency.

Form the dough into ball shape and transfer to a bowl slightly with flour. Cover with plastic/towel and let rise for 90 mins.

Lightly grease a baking sheet or use silicone baking mat. Cut the dough in half. Form the dough into a log rectangle shape 2-inch width and then cut diagonally in 1-inch interval. You can also form 24 small ball roll shape. Place in a baking sheet, cover with plastic/towel and let rest for an hour.

Pre-heat the oven for 400 F and cook for 16 mins. This varies depends on your over.

Serve warm or cool, let rest and cooled down completely before storing in a plastic bag or container.

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L.

Before baking

Freshly cooked Pandesal

Leche Flan

Yields: 3 large molds (Llanera)
Time: 1 hr.

Ingredients:
10 pcs. egg yolks
1 can evaporated milk
1 can condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)
Brown sugar

Instructions:
1. Prepare the mold tray. Add 2-3 tbsp. of brown sugar. Heat on stove top until turns into dark brown, liquid caramel but not burned, occasionally mix so it won’t get burned. Set aside until harden.
2. In a large bowl, mix egg yolks, condensed milk, evaporated milk & vanilla. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix in low/medium speed for 5 minutes.
3. Pour the strained milk mixture in the llanera, 3 scoops per llanera. Cover the top with aluminum foil.
4. Steam in a medium heat until cook, estimate 45 mins.
5. Cool down before putting into the refrigerator for 2 hours to chill before inverting and serve.

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L.

Steamed Ground Turkey (and/or Chicken, and/or Pork) Dumplings

Ingredients:

Dumpling Wrapper Dough ------------
4 cups flour
Salt
2 eggs
1 cup water

Dumpling Filling --------------------------
2 lbs. ground turkey and/or chicken and/or Pork
1 med. size onions
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 tsp. grated ginger
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. salt
1 egg

Dipping Sauce ----------------------------
1 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp. sesame oil
2 tbsp. minced onion
2 tsp. minced garlic


Instructions:
You can use a pre-made dumplings wrappers, gyoza or wonton wrappers.

If you’re making your own dumpling dough, add the flour and salt to a large bowl. Make a crater in the middle and crack in the eggs along with the water. Use one hand like a shovel to mix the dough into a shaggy mass. If it seems too dry, add water a few drops at a time. Knead the dough for a minute, then cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rest for 1 hour or more.

To prepare the filling, combine all ingredients in a bowl thoroughly.

Using the dough circles, place 1 tbsp. meat filling in the middle and carefully fold the dough to meet all sides and gently press to close.

Cook the dumplings in batches in boiling water for 6 minutes. Alternative is to steam the dumplings for 8 to 10 mins.

To prepare the dipping sauce, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Serve with dipping sauce.

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L.

Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ c butter
¼ cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
4 pieces overripe bananas
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Slightly grease 9x5 loaf pan.
2. In a medium size bowl, smash the bananas with a fork. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda & salt. Set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, cream butter & sugar. Stir in eggs & half of mashed bananas until well blended. Add the banana mixture into the flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Fold in (gently mix) the remaining of the mashed banana & walnuts into the banana mixture. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
5. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.
6. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes.

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L.

Classic Guacamole

Ingredients:
2 med. avocado hash
½ med. onion, diced small
½ med. lemon, juiced
Dash of Salt & pepper
handful of Cilantro, chopped

Instructions:
Smash avocado with a fork. Stir in lemon juice, onion, salt & pepper. Garnish with cilantro.

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L.

Baked Pork Chop

Ingredients:

4 (1-inch-thick) bone-in pork loin chops 

2 tsp. olive oil

Salt

Fresh ground pepper

Garlic powder

Red pepper flakes (for heat, optional)

Sauce:

1 c beef broth

1 tbsp. olive oil

2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley leaves 

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Instruction:

1. Heat the oven 400 F

2. Pat dry the pork chop, rub the olive oil. Season both side with salt, pepper, powdered garlic & red pepper flakes.

3. Heat oven-safe frying pan in medium-high heat, until hot for 3-4 minutes. Put the pork chops and cook undisturbed until golden brown on the bottom, about 3 minutes. 

4. Flip the pork chops and place the pan in the oven. Cook until golden brown, about 15 mins. 

5. Remove the pan out of the oven & return it into stovetop. Transfer the pork chops to a plate and cover them loosely with foil; set aside.

6. Using the kitchen towel or potholder to grasp the handle of the pan (be careful not to touch the handle with your bare hands for the remainder of the cooking time), pour off and discard any fat. Add the broth, place the pan over medium-high heat, and cook, scraping up any browned bits that have accumulated on the bottom of the pan, until the broth is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.

7. Remove the pan from the heat.

8. Whisk in the olive oil. Whisk in the parsley and mustard. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. 

9. Place a pork chop on top of the sauce on each plate, and serve immediately.

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L.

Kale Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

1 c quinoa, not cooked

2 c water

1/2 tsp salt

2-3 handful of kale, stem removed

1 c cherry tomatoes

1 c cucumber, cubed

1/2 c mozzarella cheese balls or cubed

Dressing:

1 tbsp. Balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp. Olive oil

Dash of salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

Cook the quinoa - 

Wash quinoa with running water. In a pot, put 2 cups of water, washed quinoa & 1/2 tsp. salt. Bring to boil & simmer in low-medium heat for 15-20 mins. Set aside for 5 mins off the heat.

Blanch kale - 

In a medium or large pot, boil water (approximate 1 gallon). While boiling, put the kale and let it cook for a 15 - 20 seconds. Remove the kale and put under running cold water for few seconds to stop the cooking process of the kale. Drain and set aside. 

Do the dressing - 

Mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt & pepper. Set aside.

Assemble the salad - 

In a salad bowl, add blanched kale, cooked quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber & cheese. Add the dressing & toss carefully. 

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L

Lechon Kawali (Pork Liempo)

Ingredients:

2 lbs pork belly

1 med onion, quartered

4 cloves garlic, smashed

2 tbsp. Kosher salt

1 tbsp.whole back pepper corn

3 bay leaves

Vegetable Oil for deep frying

Instructions:

1. In a pot, put all the ingredients except vegetable oil, add enough water to cover the meat about 1 inch. 

2. In medium heat, bring to boil & simmer for 1 hour.

3. The meat is ready if you can poke toothpick through it without any effort.

4. Remove the meat from the pot, let it cool/dry for 4 hours, skin side up. 

5. Deep fry the meat at 475 F, make sure the meat is covered  with oil for an inch or two, until golder brown & crispy, for about 10 minutes.

6. Place over paper towel to absorb excess oil. 

Let it sit for couple of minutes, then slice into cube sizes.

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1 c unsalted butter, softed

1 c white sugar

1 c brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. hot water

1/2 tsp. salt

3 c unbleached flour

2 c semisweet/dark chocolate chips

1 c walnuts, chopped

Instruction:

1. Pre heat oven 350 F

2. Cream sugar & butter

3. Stir in eggs & vanilla

4. Dissolve baking soda with hot water, add to batter

5. Add salt

6. Stir in flour ( small portion at a time)

7. Stir in chocolate chips & walnuts

8. Drop 1/2 - 3/4 spoonful in pans, flatten a little bit

9. Bake for 10-15 mins or until edge are brown or whole cookie is brown as desire. The browner the cookie and thinner, the crispier the cookie it will be.

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L

Pininyahang Manok

Ingredients:

3 cloves garlic

1 med onion, sliced

2 lbs. chicken, cut serving size

12 oz can pineapple chunk with juice

1/2 c fresh milk

1 med carrots, wedged

1 med potatoes, wedged

1 c green bell pepper

Salt & pepper to taste

Instruction:

1. Sautee garlic & onion

2. Add chicken, cook until light brown

3. Add pineapple juice from can & milk, bring to boil

4. Add pineapple chunks, simmer until chicken is tender, around 20-30 mins

5. Add carrots & potatoes, simmer for 5 mins.

6. Add bell pepper, salt & pepper, simmer for 3 minutes

Enjoy! ^_^.

❤️L

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Hubby's favorite side dish! (And mine as well!) :) 

It's very quick and easy salad. Best during summer but also good all year-round. Serve cold (recommended) or room temperature. 

Ingredients:

Sliced fresh cucumber

Chopped fresh tomatoes

Sliced fresh onions

Dash of apple cider vinegar (or any vinegar of your choice)

Few drops of extra virgin olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

Direction:

1. Whisk vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.

2. Add cucumber, tomatoes and onion. Toss to coat.

Enjoy! 😋

L.

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe (A 3 ingredients sauce dish)

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe
 

I love pasta! As I've seen this simple recipe online, I am dying to try it out soon as today. Why? Well, as you can see, the sauce only has 3 ingredients and the process is so simple. I just hope I got it right. I have no idea how it should taste but i think it's not that bad. It taste good actually! :) The butter and pepper with the parmesan cheese is perfect.

The Cacio e Pepe is very famous simple Rome dish. This dish is also well-known as entry dish to all Itallian restaurant. Pasta should be firm to the tooth, the pepper should be freshly grind and the butter should be creamy. As simple as it seems, it is a little tricky but taste so rich and creamy.

So, what are you waiting for.. try it out now! As long as you have pepper, butter, parmesan cheese and spaghetti pasta, you are good to go.

Enjoy! ^_^.

Ingredients:

8 oz. spaghetti pasta

Pinch of salt

4 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. freshly grind pepper

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese or more as desired
 

Procedures:

1. Cook the pasta less than a minute as instructed. Add a pinch of salt. Set aside with a little water remaining.

2. In a pan, put butter and pepper. Set a little to boil.

3. Add the cooked pasta into the pan and cook for a minute as the sauce incorporated to the pasta. 

4. Turn off the heat and add the shredded parmesan cheese. Mixed a little as the cheese melts.

5. Serves with extra cheese on top as desires.

Adobong Sitaw

One of my mother's dish that I am dying to taste is this Adobong Sitaw. Definitely hers is much better but I think this one is.. not bad. 

Adobo as a traditional dish in the Philippines has lots of ways to cook it with. And one of my favorite (honestly, everything is my favorite :D) is the string beans. 

With a little twist, I use tofu than the usual meat they have. Why? Nothing special.. I just feel like it. ^_^. 

Enjoy! 

Ingredients:
1 pack (4 pcs) tofu, cut into cubes
Generous amount of vegetable oil for deep fry

1 bundle of string beans (sitaw), cut 1 1/2" long

3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
Sugar, Salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:

1. Deep fry the tofu, set aside.
2. In a separate sauce pan, put all the rest of the ingredients and let it simmer until the string beans is cook. Vegetable cook easily, remember to not over cooked it.
3. Put the fried tofu on top, then serve.

Pineapple Jam

I'm more into fiber these days, so when I walked into the grocery store (my favorite one of course ^_^ ) and found a bunch of pineapple piled-up.. I got excited and grab one instantly. It's been a while since I ate a slice of a pineapple. I am wondering how will it taste here since its not a tropical place and its late winter. But, it is March/April.. a pineapple session.. so, it should be fine. I bet it was imported somewhere tropical. Thinking about that, I feel homesick a bit and remember my home country. Tagaytay, Philippines.. sigh.. one of my favorite vacation place, where hectares of pineapple plantation are over sight. 

Anyway.. on my way home, i don't know what will I do with my pineapple. I can just simply eat it fresh with salt on the side ( as I enjoyed and always do) or I can make something really good like what my mother usually do every time we have a bunch and bunch of pineapple from Tagaytay ^_^. Like pineapple jam! 

With that all said, here is my sweet and yummy pineapple jam. Remember, it's pineapple session.. so go and grab yours before it run out.

Enjoy! ^_^

Ingredients:

1 whole pineapple, crushed/sliced small

1 cup water

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

juice of lemon juice

Procedures:

1. In a sauce pan, put the pineapple and water. Cook in a medium-low heat until pineapple is soft, for about 30 minutes.

2. Add the sugar and lemon juice. Cook until thickened, for about 45 minutes.

3. Store in jar with tight lid. Store in refrigerator.

Carbonara Veggie

Craving for pasta… I decided to drop by at the grocery store from work one Thursday afternoon. I grab some RAGU four cheese sauce, fettuccine pasta, and some vegetables. Instead of having chicken breast, Carbonara usually has, I decided to put vegetables such as broccoli and tomato – it is healthier. I planned to cook it the next day.

On my way home, I was so excited! It’s been a while since I cooked pasta with white cheese sauce. Then my sister called, asking my help to look after the kids the next day. I forgot! She called days ago; I got stuck with a lot of things and didn't return her call. Well of course, as a kind sister I always is, I said yes. :P 

Now, my new recipe will have more people to be judged. My niece and nephew are always energetic to see me which pleases me more every time I go and visit them. The youngest, (1 year old) is so sweet… run and hug as soon as he sees me. Well, all of them hugged me.  Or, I may say squeeze me, to the point where it hard for me to breath! :D They all looked puzzled as they see my grocery bag; I explained I’ll be cooking tomorrow. They all smile and shout with excitement… cheering me up, I guess.

This recipe is so simple, just combine everything in a saucepan, and simmer for few minutes and then… tada... it is done! No need to add more seasoning and stuff because the white sauce itself is already flavored.

I bet they all like it. My nephew, who likes pasta had 2 plates, my niece had 1 ½ plate, my sister and brother also enjoyed it. To sum it all... everyone, including me… liked, enjoyed and got full that day!

Actually, it’s pretty good. So, I hope you try and enjoy it too!

Ingredients:

1 box of fettuccine pasta (whole grain/regular)

1 bottle Ragu Three Cheese Sauce

bite size slice of broccoli

bite size slice of tomato

crushed garlic

slice onion

1/2 cup water

salt and pepper

grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Procedures:

For the sauce:

1. In a saucepan, saute garlic and onion then add the remaining vegetables cook for few minutes until the vegetable is half cook.

2. Add the Ragu sauce and water.

3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

For the pasta:
Follow the box instruction to cook pasta. The cooking time varies per pasta type.

Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese at the top. (optional)

Baked Potato

Ingredients:

whole potatoes

salt and pepper to taste

olive oil

Garnishing:

sour cream

butter

dried parsley

Procedures:

1. Pre-heat the oven in 400F.

2. Wash the potatoes, make sure there is no soil or dirt. After washing dry using paper towel or cloth towel.

3. In a baking pan, put the potatoes, sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper. 

4. When the oven is ready, put the baking pan and the potatoes inside and cook for 30 to 45 mins. or until cooked.

5. Server with sour cream, butter with sprinkler of parsley and bread on the side. 

Turkey Burger

Ingredients:

1 lbs. ground turkey 

1 egg

thumb size ginger, minced

3 gloves garlic, minced

pepper and salt to taste

1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped finely

1/4 cup onion, chopped finely

1/4 cup carrots, chopped finely

1/2 cup nappa cabbage (Chinese cabbage), finely chopped

1 tbsp. oil

Procedure:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Use your hand to mixed accordingly.

2. Heat the pan in a low-medium heat. Add the oil.

3. Form the patty in a burger shape using your hand.

4. Cook the patty, both side until golden brown, approximately 10 - 15 mins. 

5. Serve with sliced cheese, tomato and lettuce.

Tofu Adobo

Adobo is one of the popular dishes in the Philippines. It is distinguished by its flavor and aroma that really makes the Philippine cuisine to be proud of.

Adobo is great with meat; chicken and pork are the most common. But today, I’m going to make my own version, a vegetarian dish with tofu.

Tofu is made of soy. It contains low amount of calories, large amount of iron and little fat, and may also be high in calcium and/or magnesium. Thinking about all the nutrients we can get from tofu and mostly, the highlighted “low amount calories”, I can say… Tofu is not a joke.

Especially, I would like to dedicate this dish to my vegetarian friends, with whom I want to share my favorite dishes from back home. Hope you try this one!

Ingredients:

1 pack (4 pcs) tofu, cut into cubes
Generous amount of vegetable oil for deep fry
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
Sugar, Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1.       Deep fry the tofu, set aside.

2.       In a pot or a pan, combine the rest of the ingredients except sugar and bring to boil.

3.       Add the fried tofu into the pot and let it simmer for a few minutes. You want the tofu to absorb the adobo mixture.

4.       Add sugar and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes. You will notice that the sauce  thickens as you add sugar.

5.       Adjust the flavor by adding salt, pepper and sugar.

6.  Put on of cooked rice and garnished with chopped onion.

Shrimp Tempura

One of the Japanese specialties I love... Shrimp Tempura!

Last weekend I went window shopping and ended up on a book store. I like to read novels... I wish I have more free time for that. I checked the recipe section and found two great recipe books for very affordable prices. It is best to invest in cookbooks (at least for me because I like to cook and experiment) rather than novels. So I bought those and went home.

I shared the excitement about my new cookbook with my friends in Facebook by writing something on my wall. And one of my dear friends commented and reminded me of my blog. She said “All the best Lerrie! Keep updating ur site.. I'm a huge fan! =)”. I felt so glad that finally (FINALLY!!!) someone acknowledges my blog and is really looking forward to my next recipe. I got inspired and prepared my next post right away.

Of course, she is not the first who has done that. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my friends that really appreciate and love my every post and recipe… for all your comments, private messages. I am not really fond of mentioning names but you know who you are. ^_^ (More hugs and thanks!) You all make my heart pounding!

Well, back to business, the recipe I am sharing right now is not on the cookbook I bought.. hehehe.. yeah!! Tricky, right?! I had the ingredients for this recipe weeks ago… I just didn’t have time to do it. Now, here is my chance to finally do it.

Tempura is made by deep-frying vegetables, seafood, meat or other foods in a light batter. What makes it unique is that it uses tempura batter and the Japanese bread crumbs. People usually serve it with  soy sauce but I tried doing it with mayonnaise and catsup dip and it tasted great!

Let’s all enjoy Shrimp Tempura this weekend! Yum! Yum!

Ingredients:

Large raw shrimps, shelled, leaving tails on

Tempura batter mix, powdered

1 egg

Japanese bread crumbs

Dip

2 tbsp. Mayonnaise

1 tsp. Catsup

Instructions:

1.   1. Clean the shrimp by removing the head and the shell. Leave the tail on. Drain and dry using paper towel.

2.   2. Prepare the deep frying pan. Heat the oil to 340 F. (To check the temperature of the oil; drop a little tempura batter into the oil. If the batter comes up right away instead of sinking to the bottom of the pan, it's about 360 F degree. If the batter goes halfway to the bottom and comes up, it's about 340F degree.)

3.   3. Prepare the tempura batter mix (powdered), beaten egg and Japanese bread crumbs each in a separate bowl. 

4.   4. Roll the shrimp in the tempura batter mix.

5.   5. Dip into the beaten egg.

6.   6. Roll generously in Japanese bread crumbs

7.   7. Deep fry in the heated oil until golden brown.

8.   8. Mix the mayonnaise and catsup and put on the saucer.

8.   9. Serve with mayonnaise and catsup dip on the side.
 

Baked Scambled Egg

One Sunday morning, I woke up so early. Surprisingly, I slept late the night before. With one eye still closed, I noticed that my computer is on... so bad of me! I have forgotten to turn it off. Still half asleep, I went to my favorite spot and did some web browsing... while trying to get into my senses.
 
I checked my mail and saw an e-mail from All Recipes newsletter. All Recipes is an online community where people post, try and test people’s recipes. Their recipe for that day seemed too easy and looked so yummy! I was suddenly hungry... I rushed into the kitchen to see whether I had all the ingredients. Unfortunately, I didn’t have everything but I knew I could improvise.

As I always say, don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment. If you are a vegetarian, you can exclude the meat and continue to with the rest of the recipe.

Ingredients: 

3 eggs
½ cup ground beef
3 tbsp. onion, chopped
3 tbsp. bell pepper, chopped
3 tbsp. grated cheese
garlic powder
salt and pepper

Instruction:

1. Prepare the oven at 350 degrees F.
2. In a pan, cook the ground beef (or meat of your choice) over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
3. In bowl, beat the eggs. Add the remaining ingredients including the beef.
4. Transfer the mixture into a baking pan. And cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until the knife inserted near the center comes out clear.